US5637964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control system for individual control of spaced lighting fixtures
Assignee: Lutron Technology Co LLC
•
Filing: 1995-03-21
•
Granted: 1997-06-10
•
Expires: 2015-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of spaced ceiling mounted fixtures or other controllable electrical appliances have wide angle radiation detectors mounted within each fixture and wired internally of the fixture to a dimming circuit or to a ballast. The radiation detectors have sensitivity over a wide angle and are fixed over a small opening in the fixture. A narrow beam radiation transmitter selectively illuminates one of the radiation detectors without illuminating the others. The dimming circuits or ballasts within the fixtures can be further controlled by external dimmers, occupancy sensors, timeclocks, photosensors and other types of input devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Simo P. Hakkarainen
- 👤 Russell L. MacAdam
- 👤 Scott C. Miller
- 👤 Ian Rowbottom
- 👤 Joel S. Spira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:48
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3922; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/175; H05B47/19; H05B47/195; H05B47/196; H05B47/1965; G; G08; G08C; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/70; G08C2201/71; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A light dimming system comprising in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling; a dimming ballast fixed within the interior of said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said ballast; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver being connected directly to said dimming ballast interiorly of said fixture housing, and containing a dimmer control circuit therein and being operable to adjust the output of said dimming ballast to said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming level of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A light dimming system comprising in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling; a dimming ballast fixed within the interior of said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said ballast; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver being connected directly to said dimming ballast interiorly of said fixture housing, and containing a dimmer control circuit therein and being operable to adjust the output of said dimming ballast to said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming level of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 in which said fixture housing has a wire-way cover; said opening being formed in said wire-way cover; said radiation receiver being fixed to an interior surface of said wire-way cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 which further includes a radiation lens fixed to said radiation receiver and disposed in said opening and being operable to receive input coded radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 which further includes a radiation lens fixed to said radiation receiver and disposed in said opening and being operable to receive input coded radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation receiver circuit has a wall box insulation housing with a plastic yoke cover fixed thereto and disposed across said radiation sensor; said yoke cover having an opening therein in registry with said radiation sensor; said dimmer circuit being mounted on a circuit board with said radiation sensor; said circuit board being supported across the interior of said wall box housing and generally parallel to said yoke cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 11 in which said fixture housing has a wire-way cover; a second opening being formed in said wire-way cover; said radiation receiver circuit being fixed to an interior surface of said wire-way cover; said second opening being in communication with said opening in said yoke.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said radiation receiver circuit and said interior surface of said fixture housing have cooperating Velcro strips adhered thereto for fixing said receiver circuit to said fixture housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 14 which further includes a radiation conductor fixed in said opening in said yoke cover and being operable to receive input coded radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected directly to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
152 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected directly to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 17 which further includes a radiation lens fixed to said radiation receiver and disposed in said opening and being operable to receive input coded radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said radiation receiver has a wall box insulation housing with a plastic yoke cover disposed across said radiation sensor; said dimmer control circuit being mounted on a circuit board with said radiation sensor; said yoke cover having an opening therein in registry with said radiation sensor; said circuit board being supported on said yoke cover and generally parallel to said yoke cover.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said radiation receiver circuit and said interior surface of said fixture have cooperating Velcro strips adhered thereto for fixing said receiver circuit to said fixture housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 which further includes a plurality of said fixture housings, dimming ballasts, lamps, and radiation receivers; each of said fixtures being spaced from one another on a ceiling by at least two feet in all directions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 2 which further includes a plurality of said fixture housings, dimming ballasts, lamps, and radiation receivers; each of said fixtures being spaced from one another on a ceiling by at least two feet in all directions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 3 which further includes a plurality of said fixture housings dimming ballasts lamps, and radiation receivers; each of said fixtures being spaced from one another on a ceiling by at least two feet in all directions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 5 which further includes a plurality of said fixture housings, dimming ballasts, lamps, and radiation receivers; each of said fixtures being spaced from one another on a ceiling by at least two feet in all directions; said transmitter beam being small enough to discriminate between said openings in each of said sensors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
193 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; and an external switch means mounted remotely of said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit and operable to modify the output of said dimmer control circuit; said external switch means being operable to override the operation of said radiation transmitter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
193 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; and an external switch means mounted remotely of said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit and operable to modify the output of said dimmer control circuit; said external switch means being operable to override the operation of said radiation transmitter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light dimming system of claim 28, wherein said external switch means is a manual on-off switch.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light dimming system of claim 28, wherein said external switch means is a timeclock.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light dimming system of claim 28, wherein said external switch means is an occupancy sensor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light dimming system of claim 28, wherein said external switch means includes at least a portion of a central relay system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The light dimming system of claim 28, wherein said external switch means is at least one device selected from the group consisting of an on-off switch, an occupancy sensor, a time clock and a central relay system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 28 in which said fixture housing has a wire-way cover; said opening being formed in said wire-way cover; said radiation receiver being fixed to an interior surface of said wire-way cover.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 34 which further includes a radiation lens fixed to said radiation receiver and disposed in said opening and being operable to receive input coded radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said radiation receiver circuit has a wall box insulation housing with a plastic yoke cover fixed thereto and disposed across said radiation sensor; said yoke cover having an opening therein in registry with said radiation sensor; said dimmer circuit being mounted on a circuit board with said radiation sensor; said circuit board being supported on said yoke cover and generally parallel to said yoke cover.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
180 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; and an external dimmer means mounted remotely of said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit and operable to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
180 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; and an external dimmer means mounted remotely of said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit and operable to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer means is operable to set minimum light level of said at least one lamp.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer is operable to set the maximum light level of said at least one lamp.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said dimmer control circuit is operable to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp independently of said radiation transmitter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein the output signal of said external dimmer means to said dimmer control circuit is a phase controlled signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light dimming system of claim 38 wherein the output signal of said external dimmer means to said dimmer control circuit is a variable voltage signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light dimming system of claim 38 wherein the output signal of said external dimmer means to said dimmer control circuit is a raise/lower signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
The light dimming system of claim 38 which further includes external switch means mounted remotely of said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit and operable to modify the output of said dimmer control circuit; said external switch means being operable to override the operation of said radiation transmitter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light dimming system of claim 45, wherein said external switch is an on-off switch.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light dimming system of claim 45, wherein said external switch is an occupancy sensor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light dimming system of claim 45, wherein said external switch is a central relay station.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer means has a manual input.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer means has a photosensor input.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer means has an occupancy sensor input.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light dimming system of claim 38, wherein said external dimmer means has a time-clock input.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light dimming system of claim 38 wherein the last operated of said dimmer control circuit or said radiation transmitter determines the dimming level of said at least one lamp.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
204 words
A light dimming system comprising in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling; a dimming ballast fixed within the interior of said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said ballast; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver being connected directly to said dimming ballast interiorly of said fixture housing, and containing a dimmer control circuit therein and being operable to adjust the output of said dimming ballast to said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming level of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver; said fixture housing having a wire-way cover; said opening being formed in said wire-way cover; said radiation receiver being fixed to an interior surface of said wire-way cover; said opening being located to minimize the direct reception of radiation by said radiation sensor from said lamp.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
204 words
A light dimming system comprising in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling; a dimming ballast fixed within the interior of said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said ballast; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver being connected directly to said dimming ballast interiorly of said fixture housing, and containing a dimmer control circuit therein and being operable to adjust the output of said dimming ballast to said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming level of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver; said fixture housing having a wire-way cover; said opening being formed in said wire-way cover; said radiation receiver being fixed to an interior surface of said wire-way cover; said opening being located to minimize the direct reception of radiation by said radiation sensor from said lamp.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 54, wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selected codings for varying the dimming condition of said at least one lamp.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 55, wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 54, wherein said radiation receiver circuit has a wall box insulation housing with a plastic yoke cover fixed thereto and disposed across said radiation sensor; said yoke cover having an opening therein in registry with said radiation sensor; said dimmer circuit being mounted on a circuit board with said radiation sensor; said circuit board being supported on said yoke cover and generally parallel to said yoke cover.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 57 in which a lens is affixed in said opening in said yoke cover.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
134 words
A lighting system comprising at least first and second lighting fixtures mounted in the ceiling of a room having a height of approximately 8 feet; each of said lighting fixtures having respective dimmer circuits and radiation sensors whereby the output light of each of said first and second lighting fixtures can be adjusted by illuminating said radiation sensors with infrared radiation; said first and second lighting fixtures being spaced by greater than two feet; and a portable radiation transmitter having an output infrared beam with a beam angle of about 8°; each of said radiation sensors having an angle of reception which is greater than about 30°, whereby the radiation sensor of either of said first or second lighting fixtures can be illuminated by the beam of said radiation transmitter without illuminating the other.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
134 words
A lighting system comprising at least first and second lighting fixtures mounted in the ceiling of a room having a height of approximately 8 feet; each of said lighting fixtures having respective dimmer circuits and radiation sensors whereby the output light of each of said first and second lighting fixtures can be adjusted by illuminating said radiation sensors with infrared radiation; said first and second lighting fixtures being spaced by greater than two feet; and a portable radiation transmitter having an output infrared beam with a beam angle of about 8°; each of said radiation sensors having an angle of reception which is greater than about 30°, whereby the radiation sensor of either of said first or second lighting fixtures can be illuminated by the beam of said radiation transmitter without illuminating the other.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lighting system of claim 59, wherein said radiation sensors each include removable and replaceable wide angle reception lenses which have an angle of reception which is between 30° and 60°.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lighting system of claim 59 wherein said radiation sensors are adaptable to be mounted into any type of lighting fixture.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
145 words
A control system for selectively controlling only one of a plurality of controllable devices and comprising, in combination: respective housings for mounting and containing respective ones of said plurality of controllable devices in spaced apart relationship; a respective radiation receiver circuit fixed within each of said housings and having respective radiation sensors; an opening in each of said housings which is in communication with each of said respective radiation sensors; each of said radiation receiver circuits being connected directly to its respective controllable device and being operable to adjust the operation of said controllable device in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward a selective one of said radiation sensors to adjust the operation of said one of said controllable devices independently of the others of said controllable devices.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
145 words
A control system for selectively controlling only one of a plurality of controllable devices and comprising, in combination: respective housings for mounting and containing respective ones of said plurality of controllable devices in spaced apart relationship; a respective radiation receiver circuit fixed within each of said housings and having respective radiation sensors; an opening in each of said housings which is in communication with each of said respective radiation sensors; each of said radiation receiver circuits being connected directly to its respective controllable device and being operable to adjust the operation of said controllable device in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand-operated radiation transmitter for transmitting radiation toward a selective one of said radiation sensors to adjust the operation of said one of said controllable devices independently of the others of said controllable devices.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 62, wherein said housings are lighting fixtures mounted on the ceiling of a room in spaced relationship and wherein said controllable devices are dimmer controls for controlling the output light of their said respective lighting fixture.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 62 which further includes a respective radiation lens fixed to each of said radiation receivers and disposed in said respective openings and being operable to receive input radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 63 which further includes a respective radiation lens fixed to each of said radiation receivers and disposed in said respective openings and being operable to receive input radiation over a wide angle.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 65, wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit a narrow beam of infrared radiation with selectable codings for varying the dimming condition of any one of said lighting fixtures relative to any other of said fixtures.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 66, wherein said narrow beam is 8°.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system of claim 62, wherein said radiation receiver has a wall box insulation housing with a plastic yoke cover disposed across said radiation sensor; said dimmer control circuit being mounted on a circuit board with said radiation sensor; said yoke cover having an opening therein in registry with said radiation sensor; said circuit board being supported across the interior of said wall box housing and generally parallel to said yoke cover.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 68, wherein each of said radiation receiver circuits and the interior of each of said housings have cooperating Velcro strips adhered thereto for fixing said receiver circuits to their said respective housings.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 62 in which said controllable devices are motors.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 62 in which said controllable devices are solenoids.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
171 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected directly to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting encoded radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; said radiation transmitter transmitting alternately encoded radiation to adjust the low end trim of said dimmer control circuit.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
171 words
A light dimming system comprising, in combination: a fixture housing adapted for mounting in a ceiling and a dimmer control circuit mounted to said fixture housing; at least one lamp mounted on said fixture housing and connected to said dimmer control circuit; a radiation receiver circuit fixed within said fixture housing and having a radiation sensor; an opening in said fixture housing in communication with said radiation sensor; said radiation receiver circuit being connected directly to said dimmer control circuit and being operable to adjust the output of said at least one lamp in response to the reception of a coded radiation signal by said radiation sensor; and a portable hand operated radiation transmitter for transmitting encoded radiation toward said radiation sensor from a position below said fixture housing, to adjust the dimming of said at least one lamp by adjusting the output of said radiation receiver and of said dimmer control circuit; said radiation transmitter transmitting alternately encoded radiation to adjust the low end trim of said dimmer control circuit.
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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) | 2000-06-09 | 2000-12-09 | 2001-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | 2005-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-09 | 2008-12-09 | 2009-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |