Patent · US Expired

Dual circuit wall switch occupancy sensor and method of operating same

US7432690B2 · kind B2 · utility

24Cited by
21References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 2005
Grant dateOct 7, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 6, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/908
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting occupancy in an area using multiple detection technologies (e.g., ultrasound and infrared sensing) to intelligently control switching of plural load circuits whereby one of the circuits is affected by photocell control. A programmable controller implements auto-on, manual-on, reversion to auto-on and override operations with respect to the separately controlled load circuits based on sensor outputs and user inputs. An improved power supply for an occupancy sensor and load control device employs a DC voltage derived from leakage AC voltage between line and ground to drive the sensors and other circuits, and a switching regulator with a switching cycle controlled by a pulse width modulated (PWM) subsystem of the apparatus, allowing synchronous, delayed or exclusive operation relative to the sensing technology such as the US transmitter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.