Light dimming control method and apparatus

[0002] This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for controlling the intensity of lights.

[0003] Lights today are often controlled by dimmers rather than by simple on-off switches. Their use enables the intensity of lights to be adjusted to the preference of a user by means other than changes in bulbs and in their power. Exemplary of such dimmers are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,037,146, 3,173,031, 3,935,505, 4,090,167, 4,939,383, 6,005,308, and 6,300,727.

[0004] Heretofore dimmers have commonly employed multiple switches or single switches with multiple mechanical functions. For example, some dimmers have had an on-off switch and a rheostat. Others have had a single switch that is depressed for on-off operations and twisted for dimming by rheostat operation. Problems with these arise from the fact that a switch-on operation may not cause the light to come on as the dimmer may be positioned in its full dim position. Some have required repeated dimming adjustments when the same level of intensity is repeatedly desired. Those that do repeat a prior intensity do so instantaneously, whether or not such is desired.

[0005] Accordingly, it is seen that a dimmer that adjusts light in a more natural manner without unwanted abrupt changes in intensity and guess work on the part of its user has long remained desired. It is to the provision of such that the present invention is primarily directed.

[0006] In a preferred form of the invention the intensity of a light is controlled with a manual push to actuate switch. A push and release switch operation with the light off causes the light to dim up to a first preset level of intensity. A push and release switch operation with the light on causes the light to dim down to a light off condition. A push and hold switch operation with the light on causes the light to dim up towards a preset maximum intensity or to dim down towards a light off condition dependant upon the level of light intensity when first pushed and held relative to a second preset level of intensity.

[0007] In another preferred form of the invention light dimmer control apparatus comprising a manual switch mechanically biased to a switch off position, first electric circuit means for dimming a light up to a first preset level of intensity in response to a push and release operation of said switch, in a light off condition; second electronic circuit means for dimming the light to a light off condition in response to a push and release operation of said switch in a light on condition; and third electronic circuit means for dimming the light up or down in response to a push and hold operation of said switch.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the remote control unit of a dimmer that embodies principles of the invention in its preferred form.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the receive unit of the dimmer.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a dimmer remote unit operational microprocessor program.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a dimmer receiver unit operational microprocessor program.

[0012] The dimmer operates in the following manner from the perspective of its user. It is operable by a single switch such as one that employs a spring biased push button. In a light off condition one may push and release, such as within a span of a second, whereupon the light gradually dims up from its fully off condition to the intensity that it was previously at when turned off. Push and release again and the light dims gradually down to a full off state. If instead of pushing and releasing the user pushes and holds the button against its spring-back bias beyond the one second time, then the intensity of the light is changed. If this is done during a dim up or dim down operation that was initiated with a push and release operation, then the light will continue to dim up to maximum intensity or dim down to its off condition. If, as is more common, a push and hold operation is commenced with the light on and its intensity steady, then the light will dim up or down for as long as the button is held depressed until it reaches a maximum light on or off state or is released. Whether the light dims up or down depends on whether its intensity was above or below a preset level such as 50%. If pushed and held with the light intensity steady above 50%, then it will dim down since it is presumed that its users probably wishes it lower. If below 50%, the reverse occurs.

[0013] Although it need not be, the dimmer is preferably controlled by a remote controller and a receiver. A preferred form of the remote controller or transmitter is schematically shown in FIG. 1. A preferred form of the receiver is schematically shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] Communication between the remote and receiver is preferably made by infrared signals. When powered by a 3-volt battery, pin 4 of the remote controller, 1C-1 is a +3 VDC. Pin 11 is negative VSS. Pins 9 and 10 are high and the microprocessor is in its sleeping mode to conserve power. Upon switch operation pin 9 or 10 enters a zero level, the sleeping mode is terminated and, depending on which pin has gone 0, a 38 KHz encoded signal is generated from pin 8 and transmitted as infrared light from the LED. Upon a push and release of switch SW1 or SW2, dependant upon which of two channels is selected, three sets of encoded signals are transmitted. Upon a push and hold, the signals are continued to be transmitted until manual release whereupon the microprocessor is returned to its sleeping mode.

[0015] An instructional signal here from the remote LED consists of three sets of signals each of which consists of eight pulses. This enhances coding and decoding by minimizing transmissions and interference errors. This also lessens the need for a strong infrared filer.

[0016] The receiver microprocessor I2, is programmed to receive, enlarge and fix an output signal from the remote once its manual on/off operation switch SW4 is turned on to a line power source and switch SW3 switched to the selector remote channel. Switch SW is the main power switch which of course must be on for the remote to control it. When a 38 KHz infrared signal is received pin 1 will be at 0. This microprocessor provides a dimming signal processing center. Pin 4 of it is at +5 VDC supply. Pin 11 is grounded. A 60 Hz input is provided to pin 9. Pin 5 provides for channel selector while pin 10 is the dimming control output. Pin 14 is for on/off control. Normally pin 14 is at zero, pin 8 is at high and pin 9 is at 120 VAC.

[0017] When switch SW4 is held down, pin 14 is high. If high for more than 500 microseconds, 1C-2 will enter a dimming status. 1C-2 will then cause output pulses generated at pin 10 in controlling the conduction angle of the TRIAC for dimming. When 1C-2 terminates signal output, the TRIAC is turned off and the level of light intensity stored in memory.

[0018] A flow chart for the remote microprocessor program is shown in FIG. 3 while one for the receiver microprocessor is shown in FIG. 4. A preferred set of values for the discrete components of the circuits is shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0019] It thus is seen that a method and apparatus is now provided for use in dimming lights in a natural manner with manual operation of a single button. Although the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it should be understood that modifications or additions may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as shown in the following claims.