Lighting control system with priority override
US5357170A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An energy-saving lighting control system is selectively operable in either a normal mode, in which certain lighting parameters (e.g., maximum and minimum light levels, fade rates, etc.) are preset and lighting level is determined by which of a plurality of inputs requires the least electrical power, or in an off-normal mode (e.g., a calibration or light-adjustment mode) in which certain parameters are adjustable by manually adjusting the position of a movable member, such as a wiper blade in a potentiometer. A microprocessor-based logic and control unit is adapted to automatically switch from the normal operating mode to the off-normal mode in response to movement of the movable member. After a predetermined time period following the most recent movement of the movable member, the logic and control unit stores the new level of the adjusted parameter, and returns to the normal operating mode. Preferably, the system has multiple outputs by which different types of fluorescent lamp ballasts can be controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.