US5293097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fully automatic energy efficient lighting control and method of making same
Assignee: HIMONAS JAMES D
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Filing: 1991-11-27
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2011-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A fully automatic and energy efficient lighting control or light switch comprises different settings, preset by a user, and activates all or a portion of at least one bank of lights upon detecting occupants within a room. In one embodiment, the light switch detects doppler-shifted, reflected ultrasonic waves caused by occupant motion within the room. In an automatic mode, the light switch is configured to automatically switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting motion within a short range therefrom, to a higher sensitivity level for detecting motion anywhere within the room. After the room is empty or no motion is sensed, the light switch is configured to turn the lights off following a variable time delay. The light switch returns to its initial low sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period which begins once the lights are turned off. The lights can be turned off manually when the light switch is in its automatic mode, in which case, the light switch continues to operate at the higher sensitivity level. When motion is no longer detected, and following the variable time delay and predetermined grace period, the switch automatically returns to an automatic "on" state. In an alternative manual mode, the light switch can be activated manually and deactivated both manually and automatically. In its manual mode, the light switch is configured to deactivate the lights upon sensing no motion and is configured to reactivate the lights automatically within the predetermined grace period upon sensing motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian E. Elwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:20
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having at least three selectable settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means being changeably preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; and means for detecting an occupant within said bounded area, said detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting an occupant within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having at least three selectable settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means being changeably preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; and means for detecting an occupant within said bounded area, said detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting an occupant within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for manually activating said lights, said manually activating means being electrically connected to said lights.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 2, wherein said manually activating means comprises a touch sensitive switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for automatically turning off said lights following a variable time delay if said detecting means does not detect occupants during said variable time delay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 4, wherein said variable time delay is less than 60 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting means is adapted to automatically switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting an occupant within an initial range to a higher sensitivity level for detecting an occupant within an expanded range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
215 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; and means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, said detecting means being adapted to switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting occupants within an initial range to a higher sensitivity level for detecting occupants within an expanded range, said detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
215 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; and means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, said detecting means being adapted to switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting occupants within an initial range to a higher sensitivity level for detecting occupants within an expanded range, said detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 7, wherein said detecting means automatically turn on said lights upon detecting motion during said predetermined grace period if said lights are inadvertently turned off.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 8, wherein said predetermined grace period is less than 12 seconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; and means for turning said lights off.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
270 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said automatic mode for turing off said lights manually, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion, and resetting to said initial sensitivity level after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detecting range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
270 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said automatic mode for turing off said lights manually, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion, and resetting to said initial sensitivity level after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detecting range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
239 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said manual mode for turing off said lights automatically, after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
239 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: preselection means having three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within a bounded area, said banks of lights electrically connected thereto, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights, said preselection means preset to selectively activate all, none or a portion only of said banks of lights; means for detecting occupants within said bounded area, detecting means coupled to said preselection means and said banks of lights and adapted to activate all, none or a portion of said banks of lights upon detecting occupants within said bounded area, depending upon if said preselection means is preset to said first, said second or said third setting; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said manual mode for turing off said lights automatically, after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively activating all of said lights.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively activating substantially half of said lights.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a three position bypass switch having an off setting for deactivating said lighting control, an automatic setting for normal use and an on setting for electrically bypassing said lighting control and leaving said lights on.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An energy efficient lighting control as defined in claim 1, wherein said lighting control replaces a wall mounted single or dual toggle switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for automatically switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; and means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for automatically switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; and means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: means for manually activating said lights, said manually activating means being electrically connected to said lights.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: means for receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave from the room, said activating means activating said lights when said reflected ultrasonic wave is a doppler-shift of said ultrasonic wave emitted into the room.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 19, further comprising means for resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level when said reflected ultrasonic wave is not the doppler-shift of said ultrasonic wave emitted into the room.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: means for automatically turning off said lights following a variable time delay if said detecting means does not detect any motion during said variable time delay.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 21, wherein said variable time delay is in a range between 30 seconds to 15 minutes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
165 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activity at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period; wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion during said predetermined grace period if said lights are inadvertently turned off.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
165 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activity at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period; wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion during said predetermined grace period if said lights are inadvertently turned off.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 23, wherein said predetermined grace period is 5 seconds.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; and means for turning said lights off.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
222 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said automatic mode for turning off said lights manually, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detection range.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
222 words
An energy efficient light switch, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said automatic mode for turning off said lights manually, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detection range.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
204 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said manual mode for turning off said lights automatically, after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights after automatically turning off said lights.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
204 words
An energy efficient lighting control, comprising: means for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined frequency into a room; means for detecting motion within an initial range, said detecting means preset to an initial sensitivity level; means for switching said detecting means to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detecting means detecting motion at said higher sensitivity level within an expanded range; means for automatically activating at least one bank of lights upon detecting motion within either said initial range or said expanded range; means for selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically activated and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights; means for turning said lights off; means effective in said manual mode for turning off said lights automatically, after no motion is detected during a variable time delay after which said lights are automatically turned off; means for defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and means for resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights after automatically turning off said lights.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
An energy efficient light switch as defined in claim 17, further comprising: a three position bypass switch having an off setting for deactivating said light switch, an automatic setting for normal use and an on setting for electrically bypassing light switch and leaving said lights on.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; and automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; and automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of: manually activating said lights.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of: automatically turning off said lights following a variable time delay if said detector does not sense any motion during said variable time delay.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method for automatically activating on and off at least a portion of the lighting within a room as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of: automatically resetting said detector to said initial sensitivity level from said higher sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said predetermined grace period allowing said detector to continue detecting motion within said expanded range.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of: selecting between an automatic mode wherein said lights are automatically turned on and a manual mode for allowing manual activation of said lights.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range; turning off said lights manually in said automatic mode, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detection range.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range; turning off said lights manually in said automatic mode, said detecting means maintaining said higher sensitivity level upon detecting motion after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay during which said detecting means continues to detect motion within said expanded range; and resetting said detecting means to an automatic on state wherein said detecting means automatically turns on said lights upon detecting motion within said initial detection range.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range; turning off said lights automatically in said manual mode after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay, during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights after automatically turning off said lights.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for automatically activating at least a portion of the lighting within a room, comprising the steps of: presetting a preselection means in one of three settings, a first setting for activating all of at least two banks of lights within said room, a second setting for activating a portion only of said banks of lights and a third setting for not activating any of said banks of lights; detecting motion within an initial range by a detector preset to an initial sensitivity level; automatically switching said detector to a preset higher sensitivity level from said initial sensitivity level upon detecting motion within said initial range, said detector detecting motion within an expanded range at said higher sensitivity level; automatically activating all, none or a portion of said lights upon detecting motion within said initial range and said expanded range; turning off said lights automatically in said manual mode after no motion is detected during a variable time delay, after which said lights are automatically turned off; defining a predetermined grace period immediately following said variable time delay, during which said detecting means detects motion within said expanded range; and resetting said detecting means to a manual on state requiring manual activation of said lights after automatically turning off said lights.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automatic lighting device, comprising: means for detecting an occupant within a bounded area, said detecting means being adapted to switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting an occupant within an initial range to a higher sensitively level for detecting an occupant within an expanded range; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said high sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automatic lighting device, comprising: means for detecting an occupant within a bounded area, said detecting means being adapted to switch from an initial sensitivity level for detecting an occupant within an initial range to a higher sensitively level for detecting an occupant within an expanded range; and means for automatically resetting said detecting means to said initial sensitivity level from said high sensitivity level following a predetermined grace period after said lights are turned off, said detecting means continuing to detect motion within said expanded range during said predetermined grace period.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |