Lightolier Incorporated

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Gordon W Pearlman

Steven B Carlson

Steven R Carson

Donald Louis Klusmann

Peter Robert Rogers

An intelligent dimmer () for managing a lighting load () coupled to an AC voltage source () is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the intelligent dimmer () may be incorporated into a system () and method (-) for managing lighting power density. In one embodiment of the intelligent dimmer (), a control circuit () is coupled between the lighting load () and the AC voltage source (). A threshold load current value is established for the lighting load (). A line voltage sensor () reads the line voltage across the lighting load () and a load sensor () samples the load current being provided to the lighting load (). The control circuit () compares the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a cutoff condition and, in response thereto, selectively adjusts the line voltage applied to the lighting load ().

Intelligent dimmer for managing a lighting load

A lighting control system includes a plurality of lighting control modules where each module includes function switches for generating command signals to control light intensity levels to run a plurality of lighting channels connected thereto. A programmable central processing unit transmits the command signals and also generates an ID code indicating a unique identity for each. The light control modules are interconnected on a local area network for carrying the ID codes and the command signals. Each of the lighting control modules is programmable for selecting predetermined ID codes whereby command signals generated by selected control modules may be executed by other control modules.

Programmable lighting control system linked by a local area network

Combined wall-mounted lighting control panel with light-emitting diode

Combined wall-mounted lighting control and switch panel with

A multi-room controller for controlling a plurality of individual light controls, each associated with a room of a partitionable space. The individual light controls each control the light individually in the control's room. An assignment panel associated with the multi-room controller is operable to link several individual light controls in a group under the control of a selected individual control within the group. This linking occurs when several rooms have been combined into a larger room and it is desirable to have uniform control of the lighting within the larger room. The multi-room controller is in communication with each individual light control and responsive to the assignment panel for transferring control of the group to the selected individual light control. In one operation mode, the lighting is controlled by a preselected individual control. In another mode, the lighting is controlled by any of the linked controls in the group. All linked controls mimic the last activated control.

Multi-room controlled for individual light controls

A programmable lighting circuit controller for controlling a plurality of household lighting circuits includes a microprocessor and an electronically erasable programmable read only memory for programming the household lighting circuits for a variety of loads. The lighting circuits may be configured as a combination of incandescent and fluorescent loads by designating one output of the controller as a heater circuit for any of the fluorescent loads. The microprocessor is controlled by a set of nonlatching pushbuttons on a front panel which raise and lower lighting levels, set lighting levels in memory and recall preset levels from memory. Combination of two pushbuttons simultaneously pushed may initiate special programming features such as heater designation of one channel for fluorescent lighting.

Programmable multicircuit wall-mounted controller

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.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Gordon W Pearlman