The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 14, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2003
Lenny M. Novikov, Fair Lawn, NJ (US);
Lenny M. Novikov, Fair Lawn, NJ (US);
Cooper Wiring Devices, Inc., Peachtree City, GA (US);
Abstract
A dimmer control system has a communication control loop that connects a master unit in series with a plurality of remote units, and it is superimposed in series on the dimmer load line so as to allow two-way communication between the master unit and remote units without affecting the operation of the load. Communications from the master to the remote units are encoded in loop current fluctuations, whereas communications from any remote to the master unit are encoded in loop voltage fluctuations. The master unit has a switched power supply, for use during normal LOAD ON operation, in tandem with a capacitive power supply, for use during LOAD OFF operation of the control units so as to minimize hum. The master unit power supply circuit provides an output rail voltage comprised of a reference voltage for the load superimposed with a control loop voltage for the voltage drop across the series-connected remote units. The master unit has a POWER OFF detection circuit and a non-volatile memory for storing system status information, so that when power is restored, the system can be restored to its former power level. The switch units are formed with a cover frame mounting a switch plate on a hinge axis allowing ON/OFF movement of an opposing side thereof. An array of LED light pipes is mounted in the switch plate aligned with the hinge axis, in order to minimize displacement of the light pipes during actuator movement.