Microcomputer-controlled light switch
US4649323A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2300/054
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A light level controller includes a microcomputer controlled light switch which responds to a manual tap or a longer manual depression of the switch in order to initiate various control modes for a light source. Preset levels of light intensity may be stored in the microcomputer's memory and an automatic fade mode may be initiated to cause the level of light intensity to fade from a current level to a preset level at a pre-established rate. The controller may respond to the momentary depression of the switch to initiate the automatic fade mode or if tapped while a fade is in progress it may cause the light source to make an abrupt transition to either full on or full off, depending on whether a higher or lower level of light intensity is desired. A depression of the switch for a period longer than a tap will cause the level of light intensity to continue to change until the switch is released, and simultaneously this level will be stored in memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.