Lighting control with wireless remote control and programmability

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6169377
  • Patent Number
    6,169,377
  • Date Filed
    Monday, May 24, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 2, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A remotely controllable and programmable power control unit for controlling and programming the state and power level, including special functions, of one or more electrical devices. The electrical device can be an electric lamp. The system includes a user-actuatable remote transmitter unit and a user-actuatable power control unit adapted to receive control signals from the remote transmitter unit. Both the remote transmitter unit and the power control unit include a power selection actuator for selecting a desired power level between a minimum power level and a maximum power level, and control switches for generating control signals representative of programmed power levels of one or more power scenes and special functions. In response to an input from a user, either directly or remotely, the one or more devices of the one or more power scenes can be controlled between an on or off state, to a desired programmed preset, or to a maximum power level.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a wireless controllable and programmable power control system for controlling and programming the state and power intensity level of one or more electrical devices in one or more zones for the creation of one or more lighting scenes.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Lighting control systems comprising switches and dimmers have become increasingly popular, especially for applications where it is desired to precisely control the level of light intensity in a particular room. In the simplest type of dimmer controlled lighting systems, a dimmer switch actuator is manipulated by hand, to control the setting of a variable resistor which in turn controls the switching of a solid state power control device such as a triac. The switching of the solid state power control device, in turn, varies the voltage input to the lamp to be dimmed. This type of system, incorporating a dimmer switch, is simple and easy to construct, but offers limited additional features and flexibility. One feature this system lacks is the ability to return to a prior or preset light intensity level after having been adjusted to a subsequent intensity level. Typically, a dimmer switch based system has no ability to memorize or recall prior intensity settings. Consequently, preset light intensity levels can be reestablished only by trial and error in manipulating the variable resistor of the dimmer.




Other lighting control systems comprise touch actuator operated lighting controls which address some of the limitations associated with the manually-operated variable resistor controlled dimmer switch previously described. In one example of a touch actuator operated control system, the lamp is cycled repetitively through a range of intensities, from dim to bright, in response to extended touch inputs. When the desired intensity is reached, the touch input is removed, the cycle will stop, and the level of light intensity is set (preselected) and stored in a memory function that is typically provided by such systems. Typically, a subsequent short touch input will turn the lamp off, and a further short touch input will turn the lamp on at the set intensity level stored in the memory. While this type of device is an improvement over manually-operated dimmer switches, it requires the user to go through the cycle of intensity levels in order to arrive at a different intensity level. In addition, this type of device lacks the ability to return to a set or preset intensity level when the level is changed. A user must go through the cycle again until he or she finds the light intensity level desired. Moreover, this type of device has no ability to perform certain aesthetic effects such as a gradual fade from one light intensity level to another.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,323 discloses a microcomputer-controlled light control which provides a fade function. The control disclosed in that patent is operated by a pair of non-latching switches which provide inputs to a microcomputer. The microcomputer is programmed to determine whether the switches are tapped or held (i.e., whether they are touched for a transitory duration or for a longer period of time). When a switch is held, the light intensity is either decreased or increased, and release of the switch causes the intensity setting to be entered into a memory. If the control is operating at a static light intensity level, a tap of a switch will cause the light intensity level to fade to a preset level, either off, full on, or an intermediate level. A tap while the light intensity level is fading will cause the fade to be terminated and cause the light intensity level to shift immediately and abruptly to either full on or full off, depending on which switch is tapped. This type of control, however, is not without drawbacks of its own. For example, a single tap by a user is interpreted in either of two very different ways (initiate fade or terminate fade), depending on the state of the control at the time the user applies the tap to a switch. This can be confusing to a user, who may erroneously terminate a fade when it is desired to initiate a fade, and vice versa. In addition, it is not possible to reverse a fade by a subsequent tap of the same switch while a fade is in progress. Instead, a tap while the control is fading in one direction will not reverse the direction of the fade but will cause the control to “jump” to either full on or full off. An abrupt shift from a low intensity level to full on, or from a high intensity to no light at all (full off), can be quite startling to the user and others in the area (and even dangerous, if the user and others are suddenly plunged into darkness).




The control disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,323 also lacks a long-duration fade to off, as do the other prior control designs. In many cases, it is desirable for a user to be able to have the lights fade out gradually. For example, a user may wish to turn out bedroom lights before retiring, but still have sufficient light to safely make his or her way from the control location to the bed before the lights are completely extinguished. There may also be situations where the night staff of a large building may need to extinguish ambient lights from a central location which is located some distance away from an exit, and may need a level of illumination in order to walk safely to the exit. These features would not be possible with the prior control, which would offer the user either almost immediate darkness or a constant level of intensity throughout the night, neither of which would be acceptable.




Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,575,660, 4,924,151, 5,191,265, 5,248,919, 5,430,356, and 5,463,286, disclose various lighting control systems in which lamps or groups of lamps, in one or more zones, are varied in brightness to produce several different scenes of illumination. The level of brightness of the lamps constituting each lighting group is displayed to the user by either the number of light emitting diodes, LED's illuminated in a linear array of the LED's, or the position of a potentiometer slider in a linear track.




U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,191,265, and 5,463,286 disclose wall mounted programmable modular control systems for controlling groups of lights in one or more zones. In these systems, the lights are controlled by a master control wall module, a remote wall unit, and by a remote hand held control unit. The hand held unit communicates to the master control module by conventional infrared (IR) transmission techniques.




The lighting control device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919 has all of the light control features needed to effectively and safely control the state and intensity level of one or more lights. However, this device lacks many desirable features such as wireless remote controllability, programmability, the ability to lock and unlock a preset function and a delayed off. In many cases, it is desirable for a user to be able to have one or more lamps fade to a pre-selected intensity level or state, or to fade to off after a variable delay time. It would be even more useful and desirable to be able to remotely control and program the preset light intensities of one or more lamps associated with one or more lighting scenes.




Another lighting device known in the art as “Onset Dimmer OS600” is manufactured by Lightolier Controls, Inc. Unlike the present invention, which allows a user to selectively lock and unlock a stored preset light intensity level with an actuator, which also performs other functions, the prior art Lightolier device cannot unlock the preset light intensity when stored. In other words, the Lightolier device can only lock a different preset light intensity into its memory. Further, unlike the present invention, the Lightolier device uses a separate dedicated switch with a separate dedicated actuator in order to lock in a preset light intensity level.




There is thus a need for an improved lighting control system which offers advantages not possible with prior controls while avoiding the drawbacks of the prior controls. The present invention fills that need.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a wireless remotely controllable and programmable power control unit and receiver system having at least one power control unit for controlling and programming the state and power level of one or more electrical devices. When the electrical device is a light source, one or more power control units control the intensity of the one or more light sources in one or more zones for the creation of one or more lighting scenes. The system includes a user-actuatable wireless remote hand held transmitter unit, and at least one power control and receiver unit adapted to receive control signals from the remote transmitter unit. The receiver of the power control unit includes a wide angle infra-red (IR) lens which has a wide field of view in a horizontal plane but a limited field of view in a vertical plane.




One embodiment of the present invention includes a basic user-actuatable wireless remote control unit. The basic wireless remote control unit has a raise/lower type intensity control and a single on/off control. The basic wireless remote control unit sends control signals to one or more receiver units which in turn control one or more light sources in one or more zones. Each receiver unit defines a zone controlling one or more light sources. The basic wireless remote control unit can control one or more receiver units, as a group. This means that the basic remote unit commands all the receiver units to control the lamps connected to then simultaneously. A unique feature of the basic wireless remote control unit is that the controls mimic controls of the receiver unit. Hence, operating a control on the basic wireless remote control has the same effect as operating the corresponding control on the receiver unit.




Another embodiment of the present invention includes an enhanced wireless remote control unit having one or more scene selection switches. In addition to having the features of the basic wireless remote control unit, the enhanced remote unit can send scene control signals to one or more receiver units to control them as a group. In addition, the enhanced wireless remote control unit can program the lighting levels associated with each lighting scene so that a desired preset light level can be established and stored in memory in the receiver unit.




Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a second basic or a second enhanced wireless remote control unit having all the features of the previous embodiments in addition to an address selection switch. The address selection switch is used to address and send control signals to one or more receiver units assigned the selected address either individually or as a group. In addition to controlling the receiver units, once they have been assigned address the second enhanced remote unit can be used to assign addresses to individual receiver units.




In all embodiments of the present invention, the program mode is built into the receiver unit so that it can be programmed remotely by the enhanced wireless remote control units. In the program mode, the user can select and store one or more desired preset light intensity levels for the lights controlled by the receiver unit.




In all embodiments of the invention, a preset light intensity level can be stored into the receiver unit by three actuations of the on/off switch (locking a preset). When the preset level is stored and locked, the receiver unit will always return to the locked preset level when given an on command, either directly or remotely. The stored preset level can also be cleared by four actuations of the on/off switch (unlocking a preset). If the stored preset level is not locked before an off command, the receiver unit will return to the intensity level to which it was set just prior to the last off command, when the receiver unit is again turned on.




In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the basic and enhanced wireless remote control units employ conventional infra-red (IR) signal encoding as a means to transmit control signals to the receiver unit. The encoded control signals are for commanding such things as a scene select, increase light intensity, decrease light intensity, light on, light off, lights to full, light off after a delay, enter program mode, set preset level, and set address. However it is understood that other encoded signals can be employed. In addition, other transmitting and receiving means such as radio frequency (RF) and lightwave signals can be employed.




In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless remote control units and the receiver units have at least one scene control or an on/off control, and at least one raise/lower intensity control. The intensity control enables the user to select a desired intensity level between a minimum intensity level and a maximum intensity level. The scene control enables a user to select a preset light intensity level for one or more light sources in one or more zones that define a lighting scene. The on/off control enables a user to fade the light intensity either on or off.




In addition, the on/off control enables a user to activate additional features. These additional features include, but are not limited to, a variable delay to off, and a fade to full and are described in detail below.




An FADE TO OFF response is effected by a single actuation, for example a temporary application of pressure sufficient to open or close a switch once, causing all lights associated with at least one receiver unit to fade, at a first fade rate, from any intensity level to an off state.




A FADE TO PRESET response is effected by a single actuation, causing a light to fade, at a first fade rate, from an off state or any intensity level to a preprogrammed preset intensity level.




A DELAY TO OFF response is effected by a press and hold actuation, i.e., a more than a temporary application of pressure sufficient to open or close a switch, causing a light to fade, at a first fade rate, from any intensity level to an off state after a variable delay. The variable delay is a function of user input and is equal to: (hold time−0.5)×20 seconds.




A FADE TO FULL is effected by a double actuation, two temporary applications of pressure sufficient to open or close a switch applied in rapid succession, causing a light to fade, at a second fade rate, from an off state or any intensity level to a maximum intensity level.




In one embodiment of the invention, the intensity selection actuator comprises a rocker switch actuatable between first, second, and third positions. The first position corresponds to an increase in intensity level, and the second position corresponds to a decrease in intensity level. The third is a neutral position.




In an alternate embodiment, the intensity selection actuator comprises first and second switches, each actuatable between a first and second position. Actuation of the first switch causes an increase in the desired intensity level and actuation of the second switch causes a decrease in the desired intensity level at specific fade rates.




In a preferred embodiment of the receiver unit, a plurality of illuminated intensity indicators are arranged in a sequence representing a range from a minimum to a maximum intensity level. The position of each indicator within the sequence is representative of an intensity level relative to the minimum and maximum intensity levels of the controlled light sources. The sequence may, but need not, be linear. The invention also comprises a first indicator, having a first illumination level, for visually indicating the preset intensity level of a controlled light when the light is on. The preferred embodiment may further comprise a second indicator, having a second illumination level, for visually indicating a preset intensity level of a controlled light when the light is off. The second illumination level is less than the first illumination level when said light is on. The second illumination level is preferably sufficient to enable said indicators to be readily perceived by eye in a darkened environment.




In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the control system preferably includes a microcontroller having changeable software. The microcontroller may include means for storing in a memory digital data representative of the delay times. The microcontroller may also include means for storing in a memory digital data representative of a preset intensity level. Further, the control system may comprise a means for changing or varying the fade rates or delay to off stored in memory. The microcontroller may also include means for distinguishing between a temporary and more than a temporary duration of actuation of a control switch, for the purpose of initiating the fade of a light according to an appropriate fade rate.




In one embodiment of the invention, all fade rates are equal. In an alternate embodiment, each fade rate is different. In still another embodiment, the second fade rate is substantially faster than the first fade rate.




In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the power control unit includes an infrared lens for receiving infrared light signals containing information transmitted from a wireless infrared transmitter.




In one aspect of the invention, the lens comprises a planar infrared receiving surface, an infrared output surface, and a flat infrared transmissive body portion therebetween. The output surface of the lens has a shape substantially conforming to an input surface of an infrared detector. The flat body portion of the lens has external side surfaces substantially conforming to an ellipse. The side surfaces are positioned on either side of a longitudinal axis that is defined by the lens. The elliptical side surfaces are shaped to reflect the infrared light that enters the lens input surface. The light reflects off the side surfaces and passes through the body portion to the output surface. The output surface directs the infrared light onto the input surface of the infrared detector. The infrared detector is positioned substantially behind the lens output surface.




In another aspect of the invention, the infrared lens is located on movable number so that the lens output surface is adjacent to an input surface of an infrared detector. The infrared detector is located in a fixed position behind the lens. The movable number and the lens move in a direction that is toward or away from the fixed position of the infrared detector and its input surface.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.





FIG. 1

shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a power control and receiver unit with an infra-red lens in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 2

shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a hand held basic remote control unit in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 2A

shows a left side view of the basic remote control unit as shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 2B

shows a right side view of the basic remote control unit as shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 2C

shows an end view of the basic remote control unit shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 3

shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a wireless enhanced transmitter unit in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 3A

shows a right side view of the enhanced transmitter unit as shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 3B

shows an end view of the enhanced transmitter unit as shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 4

shows a top view of an alternate preferred embodiment of a wireless transmitter unit having scene controls in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 4A

shows an end view of the wireless transmitter unit having as shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 5

shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of a preferred wireless enhanced transmitter unit having scene and special function controls and in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 5A

shows an end view of the alternate enhanced transmitter unit as shown in FIG.


5


.





FIG. 6

shows a functional flow diagram of the operation of the transmitter units.





FIG. 7

shows top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a infrared lens in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 8A

illustrates the operation of the infrared lens shown in

FIG. 7

, when infrared light at an incident ray angle of 0° passes through lens.





FIG. 8B

illustrates the operation of the infrared lens shown in

FIG. 7

, when infrared light at an incident ray angle of 40° passes through lens.





FIG. 8C

illustrates the operation of the infrared lens shown in

FIG. 7

, when infrared light at an incident ray angle of 80° passes through lens.





FIG. 9A

illustrates the installation of the infrared lens located in a moveable surface, in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 9B

is an isometric illustration of the infrared lens located in a moveable surface and an infrared detector.





FIG. 10

shows a block diagram of the circuitry of the receiver unit shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 11

shows a block diagram of the circuitry of the basic remote control unit shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 12A

shows a block diagram of the circuitry the enhanced remote control unit shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 12B

shows a block diagram of the circuitry of the enhanced remote control unit shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 12C

shows a block diagram of the circuitry of the enhanced remote control unit shown in FIG.


5


.




FIGS.


13


-


20


show a functional flow diagram of the operation of the receiver unit.





FIG. 21

illustrates delay to off profiles for the power control device shown in FIG.


1


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in

FIG. 1

a power control and infra-red receiving control unit


10


embodying a power control device according to the present invention for controlling electric power delivered to at least one electrical device (not shown). The control unit


10


comprises a cover plate


11


and a plurality of control actuators comprising a user actuatable power level selection actuator


12


, a user actuatable control switch actuator


13


, hereinafter referred to as a toggle switch actuator


13


, and an air gap switch actuator


18


which controls an air gap switch (not shown) for removing all electric power to the control unit


10


. The control unit


10


further comprises a power level indicator in the form of a plurality of individual LEDs


14


arranged in a line.




The control unit


10


further comprises an infra-red (IR) receiving lens


70


located in an opening


15


on the toggle switch actuator


13


. The lens


70


captures IR control signals that are transmitted by any one of a number of wireless transmitter units


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


, described below. The structure of infra-red receiving lens


70


will be described in more detail below.




In one aspect of the invention, power control signals are transmitted to the control unit


10


by a wireless hand held user actuatable basic remote control


20


or a wireless hand held user actuatable enhanced remote control


30


,


40


,


50


, depicted in

FIGS. 2

,


3


,


4


, and


5


, respectively.




In another aspect of the invention, the control unit


10


embodies a power control and infra-red receiver circuit


100


shown in

FIG. 10

, for controlling one or more electrical devices. The control unit


10


is designed to control the electric power delivered to at least one electrical device.




Preferably, the electrical device controlled by control unit


10


is an electric lamp or lamps


114


, as shown in FIG.


10


. The control unit


10


controls the electric power delivered to, and hence the light intensity of, the electric lamp or lamps


114


in known manner by using a phase controlled triac circuit or otherwise.




However, it is to be understood that the electrical device could be a fan, a motor, a relay, etc. In addition, the type of lamp


114


controlled is not limited to an incandescent lamp but could be a low voltage incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or other type of lamp.




The preferred embodiments described below are described in the context of the electrical device being a lamp or lamps


114


and the control unit


10


controlling the intensity of these lamps.




When the electrical device includes at least one lamp, the at least one lamp defines a lighting zone (hereinafter zone.) By incorporating multiple control units


10


, multiple zones can be created and controlled. The zones are used to create lighting scenes (hereinafter scenes) by controlling the power level, and therefore the intensity, of the lamps associated with one or more zones, thereby creating a plurality of scenes. Therefore, multiple scenes can be created with one or more power control units


10


, which can be controlled by the control unit or the remote transmitters


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


.




Hereinafter, the terms “actuation” or “actuated” mean either opening, closing, or maintaining closed for a particular period of time, a switch having one or more poles. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the switches are momentary contact switches and actuation is caused by the application of pressure to the switch actuator of sufficient force to either open or close a switch. However, other types of switches could be used.




POWER CONTROL AND RECEIVER UNIT




Referring to

FIG. 1

, the power level selection actuator


12


is actuated by the user to set a desired level of light intensity of the one or more electric lamps controlled by the control unit


10


. The selection actuator


12


further comprises an upper power level selector portion


12




a


and a lower power level selector portion


12




b


, controlling respective power level selector switches


62




a


,


62




b


shown in FIG.


10


.




The upper power level selector portion


12




a


, when actuated, causes an increase or “RAISE” in intensity of the lamps controlled by the control unit


10


. Conversely, the lower power level selector portion


12




b


, when actuated with control unit


10


in the on state, causes a decrease or “LOWER” in intensity of the lamps controlled by the control unit


10


. In addition, if the lower power level selector portion


12




b


is actuated when control unit


10


is in the off state, it can be used to set and store a delay to off time. The longer the lower power level selector


12




b


is actuated, the longer the delay time to be set and stored.




The actuation of user actuatable control switch actuator


13


causes control unit


10


to respond in a variety of ways, depending on the precise nature of the actuation of control switch actuator


13


which actuates control switch


63


, i.e., whether it is actuated for a transitory period of time or a longer than transitory period of time, or whether it is actuated for several transitory periods of time in quick succession, and also depending on the state of the control unit


10


prior to the actuation of the control switch actuator


13


.




In the present, an actuation has a transitory duration if the duration of the actuation is less than 0.5 seconds. Two successive actuations of the actuator, in rapid succession (double tap), refers to two transitory actuations that are within 0.5 seconds of each other. Three successive actuations of an actuator, in rapid succession (triple tap), refers to three transitory actuations all within 1.0 second. Four successive actuations of an actuator, in rapid succession (quad tap), refers to four transitory actuations all within 1.5 seconds.




Although these time periods are presently preferred for determining whether a double tap, triple tap, or quad tap actuations has occurred, any short period of time may be employed without departing from the invention. For example, a time period of 1.5 seconds could be used for determining whether a double tap, triple tap, or a quad tap has occurred so that in an alternative embodiment of the invention, if two successive actuations of transitory duration occurred in 1.5 seconds it would be considered a double tap. The period of time during which multiple successive actuations of transitory duration are looked for is considered to be a short duration of time.




It is also possible to have an actuation of an actuator for more than 0.5 seconds, which is considered to be extended in nature and has an extended duration.




The responses to the actuation of the control switch actuator


13


are to increase the light intensity from zero to a preset level (FADE TO PRESET), increase the light intensity to maximum (FADE TO FULL), decrease the light intensity to zero (FADE TO OFF), decrease the light intensity to zero after a delay (DELAY TO OFF), store a preset light level in memory (LOCKED PRESET), and remove a preset light level from memory (DISCONTINUE LOCKED PRESET). These features are executed by means of circuitry associated with the control unit


10


and depicted in a block diagram


100


, shown in

FIG. 10

, described in detail in the flow charts illustrated in FIGS.


13


-


20


.




A FADE TO PRESET response is effected by a single actuation of transitory duration of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


when the control unit


10


is in the off state, thereby causing the intensity of the electric lamp


114


to increase at a first fade rate, from zero to a preset intensity level. This can be either a locked preset level or the level at which the lamp was illuminated when the control unit


10


was last in an on state, as will be described in more detail below.




A FADE TO FULL response is effected by a double actuation, i.e., two actuations of transitory duration in rapid succession, of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


(double tap), thereby causing the intensity of the electric lamp


114


to increase, at a second fade rate, from an off state or any intensity level to a maximum intensity level.




A FADE TO OFF response is effected by a single actuation of transitory duration of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


, thereby causing the intensity of the electric lamp


114


associated with the control unit


10


to decrease, at a third fade rate, from any intensity level to an off state.




A DELAY TO OFF response is effected by an “extended” actuation, i.e., a more than transitory actuation of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


, thereby causing the intensity of electric lamp


114


to decrease at the third fade rate, from any intensity level to an off state after a delay time. The duration of the delay time i.e., how long the delay time lasts from beginning to end, is dependent on the length of time the control switch actuator


13


is actuated. In the preferred embodiment the delay time is linearly proportioned to the length of time the control switch actuator


13


is actuated.




Actuations of less than 0.5 sec. are considered to be transitory or of short duration. Actuation of greater than 0.5 sec. cause an increase in the delay time of 10 seconds for each additional 0.5 second that control switch actuator


13


is actuated. Hence, if the control switch actuator


13


is held for two seconds, the delay time would be 30 seconds.




A variable fade to off could also be effected by an “extended” actuation of the control switch actuator


13


, causing the intensity of electric lamp


114


to decrease from any intensity to off with a variable fade rate. The variable fade rate is dependent on the duration of the actuation. Whether the unit has variable delay or variable fade to off on extended actuation of the control switch actuator


13


is dependent on the programming of the microprocessor


108


shown in FIG.


10


.




A LOCKED PRESET response is effected by a triple actuation, i.e., three actuations of transitory duration in rapid succession of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


(triple tap). The intensity of the lamp


114


does not change but the intensity level is stored in a memory as a locked preset level, and subsequent changes to the intensity level of the lamp do not affect the locked preset level.




A DISCONTINUE LOCKED PRESET response is effected by a quadruple actuation, i.e., four actuations of transitory duration in rapid succession of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


(quadruple tap). The intensity of the lamp


114


does not change, but any intensity level stored in memory as a locked preset level is cleared.




If a locked preset level is stored in memory and the control unit


10


is in an off state then a FADE TO PRESET response causes the intensity of the electric lamp


114


to increase to the locked preset level. If no locked preset level is stored in memory and the control unit


10


is in an off state, then a FADE TO PRESET response causes the intensity of the electric lamp


114


to increase to the level at which the lamp


114


was illuminated when the control unit


10


was last in an ON state.




Although the process of storing and clearing a locked preset level has been described with reference to multiple actuations of the control switch actuator


13


, this could also be accomplished by using two additional separate switches, one to store a locked preset level and one to clear the locked preset level, or by using one additional switch, successive actuations of which would alternately store and clear the locked preset power level.




If a delay time has been stored by actuating the lower power level selector portion


12




b


when the control unit


10


is in the off state as described above, then a FADE TO OFF response effected by a single actuation of transitory duration of the user actuatable control switch actuator


13


when the control unit


10


is in the on state causes the lights to remain at their present intensity for the duration of the stored delay time and then to decrease at a third fade rate to an off state.





FIG. 21

illustrates delay to off profiles for a 20 second delay to off of the control unit


10


. The profiles show how the light intensity levels of the lamp


114


change, starting from their current intensity level for four different beginning intensity levels. The lamp


114


remains at the current intensity level for the delay time in this case 20 seconds before the intensity of the lamp decreases to zero. The delay to off time is variable and the preferred embodiment has a variable delay to off time range of 10 to 60 seconds in 10 second increments. Although these delay times are presently preferred, it should be understood that the delay to off times and the associated fade rate to off at the end of the delay time are not the only ones which may be used with the invention, and any desired delay, fade rate or combination thereof may be employed without departing from the invention.




The control unit


10


will remain at the current intensity level


600


for the duration of the delay time. At the end of the delay time, the intensity of the lamp


114


decreases to zero. A suitable fade rate


602


for the decrease to zero may be 33% per second. Preferably the delay times and fade rates are stored in the form of digital data in the microprocessor


108


, and may be called up from memory when required by the delay to off routine also stored in memory.




The delay to off profiles illustrated in

FIG. 21

for a 20 second delay and similar profiles for the other possible delay to off times are used whether the control unit


10


is performing a DELAY TO OFF in response to an extended actuation of control switch actuator


13


or it is delaying to off with a previously stored delay time in response to transitory actuation of control switch actuator


13


.




The control unit


10


and the cover plate


11


need not be limited to any specific form, and are preferably of a type adapted to be mounted to a conventional wall box commonly used in the installation of lighting control devices.




The selection actuator


12


and the control switch actuator


13


are not limited to any specific form, and may be of any suitable design which permits actuation by a user. Preferably, although not necessarily, the actuator


12


controls two separate momentary contact push switches


62




a


,


62




b


, but may also control a rocker switch, for example, without departing from the invention. Actuation of the upper portion


12




a


of the actuator


12


increases or raises the light intensity level, while actuation of lower portion


12




b


of the actuator


12


decreases or lowers the light intensity level. Preferably, but not necessarily, the actuator


13


controls a push-button momentary contact type switch


53


, but the switch


53


may be of any other suitable type without departing from the scope of the present invention.




Similarly, although the effect of actuating the control switch actuator


13


is described above with respect to specific actuation sequences of control switch


13


having specific effects, i.e., FADE TO FULL is effected by a double tap and LOCKED PRESET is effected by a triple tap, the linkage between the specific actuation sequence and the specific effect can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, FADE TO FULL could be effected by a triple tap.




The control unit


10


includes an intensity level indication in the form of a plurality of intensity level indicators


14


. The indicators are preferably, but need not be, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. Although the intensity level indicators


14


may occasionally be referred to herein for convenience as LEDs, it should be understood that such a reference is for ease of describing the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to any particular type indicator. Intensity level indicators


14


are arranged, in this embodiment, in a linear array representing a range of light intensities of the one or more lamps controlled by the control unit


10


. The range of light intensities is from a minimum (zero, or “off”) to a maximum intensity level (“full on”). A visual indication of the light intensity of the controlled lights is displayed by the illumination of a single intensity level indicator


14


preferably at 100% of its output when the lamps are on.




The intensity level indicators


14


of the preferred embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 1

show seven indicators aligned vertically in a linear array. By illuminating the uppermost indicator in the array, maximum light intensity level is indicated. By illuminating the center indicator, an indication is given that the light intensity level is at about the midpoint of the range, and by illuminating the lowermost indicator in the array, the minimum light intensity level is indicated.




Any convenient number of intensity level indicators


14


can be used. By increasing the number of indicators in an array, the finer the gradation between intensity levels within the range can be achieved. In addition, when the lamp or lamps being controlled are off, all of the intensity level indicators


14


can be constantly illuminated at a low level of illumination preferably at 0.5% of their maximum output for convenience of the user. The indicator representing the actual intensity level of the lamps when they return to the on state is illuminated at a slightly higher illumination level, preferably at 2% of its maximum output. These illumination characteristics enable the intensity level indicators


14


to be more readily perceived by the eye in a darkened environment, thereby assisting a user in locating the switch in a dark room, and constitute a “night light mode”. An important feature of the present invention, in addition to controlling the lights in the room, is to provide sufficient contrast between the level indicators to enable a user to perceive the actual intensity level at a glance.




The intensity level indicators


14


are also used to provide feedback to the user of the control unit


10


regarding how the control unit


10


is responding to the various actuations of control switch actuator


13


and selection switch actuator


12


.




For example, when a FADE TO PRESET response is effected by a single actuation of transitory duration of control switch actuator


13


when the control unit


10


is in the off state, the intensity level indicators


14


change from the “night light mode” to illuminating the lowermost indicator followed by illuminating successively higher indicators in turn as the light intensity increases until the indicator which indicates the intensity of the preset light level is illuminated.




Further, when a FADE TO FULL response is effected by a double tap of the control switch actuator


13


, the intensity level indicators change from their original condition to illuminating successively higher indicators in turn until the uppermost indicator in the array is illuminated as the light intensity increases to full.




Further, when a FADE TO OFF response is effected by a single actuation of transitory duration of the control switch actuator


13


when the control unit


10


is in the on state, the intensity level indicators


14


change from their original condition to illuminating successively lower indicators in turn as the light intensity decreases to its lowest level. Finally, the intensity level indicators


14


indicate the “night light mode” when the light intensity decreases to zero.




Further, when a DELAY TO OFF response is effected by extended actuation of the control switch actuator


13


when the control unit


10


is in the on state, the intensity level indicators


14


first indicate the length of the delay time selected. After the control switch actuator


13


has been held closed for 0.5 seconds, the lowermost indicator will cycle on and off to indicate that a 10 second delay has been selected, after a further 0.5 seconds the next highest indicator will cycle on and off to indicate that a 20 second delay has been selected, and so on, with successively higher indicators cycling on and off until the control switch actuator


13


is released.




When the control switch actuator


13


is released, the indicator indicating the present light intensity level cycles on and off during the delay time. At the end of the delay time, the indicator which indicates the present level is illuminated and then successively lower indicators are illuminated as the light decreases to its lowest level. Finally, the intensity level indicators


14


indicate the “night light mode” when the light intensity decreases to zero.




When a LOCKED PRESET response is effected by a triple actuation of the control switch actuator


13


, the intensity level indicator indicating the current light level of the lamp flashes twice at a frequency of 2 Hz to indicate that the intensity level has been successfully stored.




When a DISCONTINUE LOCKED PRESET response is effected by a quadruple actuation of the control switch actuator


13


, the intensity level indicator indicating the current light level of the lamp flashes twice at a frequency of 2 Hz to indicate that the intensity level has been cleared from memory.




When a RAISE response is effected by actuation of the upper portion


12




a


of the selection actuator


12


, the intensity level indicators


14


change from their original condition to illuminating successively higher indicators in turn as the actuation continues until either the actuation ends or the uppermost indicator in the array is illuminated when the light intensity reaches a maximum.




When a LOWER response is effected by actuation of the lower portion


12




b


of selection actuator


12


while the control unit


10


is in the on state, the intensity level indicators


14


change from their original condition to illuminating successively lower indicators as the actuation continues until either the actuation ends or the lowermost indicator in the array is illuminated when the light intensity reaches a minimum The control unit


10


does not turn off.




Finally, if the lower portion


12




b


of the selection actuator


12


is actuated when the control unit


10


is in the off state, the intensity level indicators


14


initially indicate the “night light mode”. After the lower portion


12




b


has been actuated for 4.0 seconds, the lowermost indicator will cycle on and off to indicate that a 10 second delay has been selected, after a further 0.5 seconds the next highest indicator will cycle on and off to indicate that a 20 second delay has been selected, and so on, with successively higher indicators cycling on and off until the lower portion


12




b


is released. When the lower portion


12




b


is released, the indicator indicating the delay time selected flashes twice at a frequency of 2 Hz to indicate that the delay time has been successfully stored and then the intensity level indicators


14


return to the “night light mode”.




WIRELESS TRANSMITTER UNITS




One embodiment of a basic infrared signal transmitting wireless remote control unit


20


suitable for use with the control unit


10


is shown in

FIGS. 2

,


2


A,


2


B and


2


C.




The basic wireless control unit


20


comprises a plurality of control actuators, comprising a user actuatable transmitter power level selection actuator


23


and associated intensity selection switches


223


and a user actuatable transmitter control switch actuator


21


and associated transmitter control switch


221


. Transmitter selection actuator


23


further comprises an increase power level selector portion


23




a


and a decrease power level selector portion


23




b


, controlling respective intensity selection switches


223




a


,


223




b.






The basic wireless control unit


20


further comprises an infra-red transmitting diode


26


which is located in an opening


25


in an end


24


of the basic wireless control unit


20


as best seen in FIG.


2


C. Alternatively, basic wireless control unit


20


can further comprise an address switch


222


and an address switch actuator


22


, which may be used in conjunction with a “send address” switch (not shown) as will be described in more detail below. The switches


221


,


222


,


223




a


,


223




b


are shown in FIG.


11


.




Actuation of the increase power level selector portion


23




a


, the lower power level selector portion


23




b


, or the transmitter control switch actuator


21


of basic wireless remote control unit


20


generally has the same effect as actuating the upper power level selector portion


12




a


, the lower power level selector portion


12




b


or the control switch actuator


13


respectively of the control unit


10


.




The actuation of the actuators


23




a


,


23




b


,


21


on the basic wireless remote control unit


20


closes the respective switches


223




a


,


223




b


,


221


which they actuate. The switch closure is detected by a microprocessor


27


and the information about which actuator has been operated is transmitted via infra-red signals from the infra-red transmitting diode


26


as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of

FIGS. 6 and 11

.




The infrared signals are detected by an infra-red receiver


104


and the signal information is passed to a microprocessor


108


which interprets the signal information as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of

FIGS. 10 and 13

to


20


.




In general, actuating an actuator on the basic wireless remote control unit


20


has the same effect as operating the corresponding actuator on the control unit


10


. Thus, actuating the transmitter control switch actuator


21


for a transitory period of time will have the same effect as operating the control switch actuator


13


on the control unit


10


for a transitory period of time. (As described above, the exact effect may vary depending on the state of the control unit


10


prior to the actuation). However, if desired, certain functions may be accessed only from the control unit


10


and not from basic wireless remote control unit


20


or vice versa. For example, the triple tap of transmitter control switch actuator


21


could have no effect on the control unit


10


, whereas the triple tap of control switch actuator


13


could have the effect described above.




One embodiment of an enhanced infra-red signal transmitting wireless remote control unit


30


suitable for use with the control unit


10


is shown in

FIGS. 3

,


3


A and


3


B. The enhanced wireless control unit


30


comprises a plurality of control actuators, comprising a user actuatable transmitter power level selection actuator


33


and associated intensity selection switches


333


, and a user actuatable transmitter scene control actuator


31


and associated switches


331


. Transmitter selection actuator


33


further comprises an increase power level selector portion


33




a


and a decrease power level selector portion


33




b


, controlling respective intensity selection switches


333




a


and


333




b


, and scene the control actuator


31


further comprises a scene select actuator


31




a


and an off actuator


31




b


controlling respective scene control switches


331




a


,


331




b.






The enhanced wireless control unit


30


further comprises an infrared transmitting diode


36


which is located in an opening


35


in an end


34


of the enhanced wireless control unit


30


as best seen in FIG.


2


B. Alternatively the enhanced wireless control unit


30


can further comprise an address switch


332


and address switch actuator (not shown but the same as the address switch actuator


22


used with the basic wireless control unit


20


). The switches


331




a


,


331




b


,


332


,


333




a


,


333




b


are shown in FIG.


12


A.




Actuation of the increase power level selector portion


33




a


or the lower power level selector portion


33




b


of the enhanced wireless control unit


30


generally has the same effect as actuating the upper power level selector portion


12




a


or the lower power level selector portion


12




b


of the control unit


10


, respectively.




Actuation of the scene select actuator


31




a


for a transitory period of time causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to a first preprogrammed preset intensity level.




Actuation of the scene select actuator


31




a


for two transitory periods of time in rapid succession causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to a second preprogrammed preset intensity level.




The method for preprogramming the preset intensity levels will be described in detail below.




Actuation of the off actuator


31




b


generally has the same effect as actuating the control switch actuator


13


of the control unit


10


when the control unit


10


is in an on state and is delivering a non-zero power level to the lamp under control; and has no effect when the control unit


10


is in an off state and delivering zero power to the lamp. Hence, by actuating the off actuator


31




b


, it is possible to effect a fade to off response or a delay to off response from the control unit


10


.




The actuation of the actuators


33




a


,


33




b


,


31




a


,


31




b


which they actuate on the enhanced wireless remote control unit


30


closes the respective switches


333




a


,


333




b


,


331




a


,


331




b


. The switch closure is detected by a microprocessor


47


, and the information about which actuator has been operated is transmitted via infra-red signals from the infra-red transmitting diode


36


as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of

FIGS. 6 AND 12A

.




The infrared signals are detected by an infra-red receiver


104


and the signal information is passed to a microprocessor


108


which interprets the signal information as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of FIGS.


10


AND


13


-


20


.




A second embodiment of an enhanced infra-red transmitting wireless remote control unit


40


suitable for use with the control unit


10


is shown in

FIGS. 4 AND 4A

. The enhanced wireless control unit


40


comprises a plurality of control actuators, comprising a user actuatable transmitter power level selection actuator


43


and associated intensity selection switches


443


, and user actuatable transmitter scene control actuators


41


and associated switches


441


. The transmitter selection actuator


43


is a paddle actuator which is moved upwards to actuate increase intensity selection switch


443




a


and is moved downwards to actuate decrease intensity selection switch


443




b


. The scene control actuators


41


comprise scene select actuators


41




a


,


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


and an off actuator


41




e


controlling respective scene control switches


441




a


,


441




b


,


441




c


,


441




d


,


441




e.






The enhanced wireless control unit


40


further comprises an infrared transmitting diode


46


which is located in an opening


45


in an end


44


of the enhanced wireless control unit


40


as best seen in FIG.


4


A. Alternatively enhanced wireless control unit


40


can further comprise an address switch


442


and an address switch actuator (not shown but the same as the address switch actuator


22


used with the basic wireless control unit


20


). The switches


441




a


,


441




b


,


441




c


,


441




d


,


441




e


,


442


,


443




a


,


443




b


are shown in FIG.


12


B.




Actuation of increase intensity switch


443




a


by moving the transmitter selection actuator upward generally has the same effect as actuating the upper power level selector portion


12




a


of the control unit


10


. Similarly, actuation of decrease intensity selection switch


443




b


by moving the transmitter selection actuator downward generally has the same effect as actuating the lower power level selector portion


12




b


of the control unit


10


.




Actuation of each of the scene select actuators


41




a


,


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


for a transitory period of time causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to first, second, third, and fourth preprogrammed preset intensity levels, respectively.




Actuation of each of the scene select actuators


41




a


,


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


for two transitory periods of time in rapid succession causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth preprogrammed preset intensity levels, respectively.




The method for preprogramming the preset intensity levels will be described in detail below.




Actuation of the off actuator


41




e


generally has the same effect as actuating the control switch actuator


13


of the control unit


10


when the control unit


10


is in an on state and is delivering a non-zero power level to the lamp under control; and has no effect when control unit


10


is in an off state and delivering zero power to the lamp. Hence, by actuating the off actuator


41




e


, it is possible to effect a fade to off response or a delay to off response from the control unit


10


.




The actuation of the actuators


43


,


41




a


,


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


,


41




e


on the enhanced wireless remote control unit


30


closes the respective switches


443




a


,


443




b


,


441




a


,


441




b


,


441




c


,


441




d


,


441




e


which they actuate. The switch closure is detected by a microprocessor


47


, and the information about which actuator has been operated is transmitted via infra-red signals from the infra-red transmitting diode


46


as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of

FIGS. 6 AND 12B

.




The infra-red signals are detected by an infra-red receiver


104


and the signal information is passed to a microprocessor


108


which interprets the signal information as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of FIGS.


10


AND


13


-


20


.




A third embodiment of an enhanced infra-red transmitting wireless remote control unit


50


suitable for use with the control unit


10


is shown in

FIGS. 5 AND 5A

.




The enhanced wireless control unit


50


comprises a plurality of control actuators comprising a user actuatable transmitter power level selection actuator


53


and associated intensity selection switches


553


, and user actuatable transmitter scene control actuators


51


and associated switches


551


. The transmitter selection actuator


53


is a paddle actuator which is moved upwards to actuate increase intensity selection switch


553




a


and is moved downwards to actuate decrease intensity selection switch


553




b


. The scene control actuators


51


comprise scene select actuators


51




a


,


51




b


,


51




c


,


51




d


and an off actuator


51




e


controlling respective scene control switches


551




a


,


551




b


,


551




c


,


551




d


,


551




e


. The scene control actuator


51


further comprise special function select actuators


51




f


,


51




g


,


51




h


,


51




i


controlling respective special function control switches


551




f


,


551




g


,


551




h


,


551




i.






The enhanced wireless control unit


50


further comprises an infrared transmitting diode


56


which is located in an opening


55


in an end


54


of the enhanced wireless control unit


50


as best seen in FIG.


5


A. Alternatively enhanced wireless control unit


50


can further comprise an address switch


552


and an address switch actuator (not shown but the same as the address switch actuator


22


used with the basic wireless control unit


20


). The switches


551




a


,


551




b


,


551




c


,


551




d


,


551




e


,


551




f


,


551




g


,


551




h


,


551




i


,


552


,


553




a


,


553




b


are shown in FIG.


12


C.




Actuation of increase intensity switch


553




a


by moving the transmitter selection actuator upward generally has the same effect as actuating the upper power level selector portion


12




a


of the control unit


10


. Similarly, actuation of decrease intensity selection switch


553




b


by moving the transmitter selection actuator downward generally has the same effect as actuating the lower power level selector portion


12




b


of the control unit


10


.




Actuation of each of the scene select actuators


51




a


,


51




b


,


51




c


,


51




d


for a transitory period of time causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to first, second, third, and, fourth preprogrammed preset intensity levels, respectively.




Actuation of each of the scene select actuators


51




a


,


51




b


,


51




c


,


51




d


for two transitory periods of time in rapid succession causes the light intensity of the electric lamp


114


to change at the first fade rate from its present intensity level (which can be off) to fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth preprogrammed preset intensity levels, respectively.




The third embodiment


50


of the enhanced transmitter differs from the second embodiment


40


of the enhanced transmitter in that it further comprises special function actuators


51




f


,


51




g


,


51




h


,


51




i


controlling respective special function switches


551




f


,


551




g


,


551




h


,


551




i


. These special function actuators can be used to select ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth preprogrammed preset intensity levels, respectively, or to select special functions. Alternatively, some special function actuators can be used to select preprogrammed preset intensity levels and some can be used to select special functions.




The method for preprogramming the preset intensity levels and the nature of the special functions will be described in detail below.




Actuation of the off actuator


51




e


generally has the same effect as actuating the control switch actuator


13


of the control unit


10


when the control unit


10


is in an on state and is delivering a non-zero- power level to the lamp under control; and has no effect when control unit


10


is in an off state and delivering zero power to the lamp. Hence, by actuating the off actuator


51




e


, it is possible to effect a fade to off response or a delay to off response from the control unit


10


.




The actuation of the actuators


53


,


51




a


,


51




b


,


51




c


,


51




d


,


51




e


,


51




f


,


51




g


,


51




h


,


51




i


on the enhanced wireless remote control unit


30


closes the respective switches


553




a


,


553




b


,


551




a


,


551




b


,


551




c


,


551




d


,


551




e


,


551




f


,


551




g


,


551




h


,


551




i


which they actuate. The switch closure is detected by a microprocessor


47


, and the information about which actuator has been operated is transmitted via infra-red signals from the infra-red transmitting diode


56


as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of

FIGS. 6 AND 12C

.




The infra-red signals are detected by an infra-red receiver


104


and the signal information is passed to a microprocessor


108


which interprets the signal information as will be described in more detail below in connection with the description of FIGS.


10


AND


13


-


20


.




The method for preprogramming the preset intensity levels accessed from the enhanced wireless control units


30


,


40


,


50


is similar for each of the enhanced remote controls.




Programming mode for the control unit


10


is entered by actuating a combination of actuators on the enhanced remote controls and keeping the switches controlled by the actuators closed for a certain length of time, preferably 3 seconds, while transmitting infra-red signals from the transmitter to control unit


10


at which time the control unit


10


enters programming mode.




For the embodiment of the enhanced remote control


30


illustrated in

FIGS. 3

,


3


A AND


3


B, programming mode is entered by actuating the scene select actuator


31




a


and the off actuator


31




b


at the same time. For the embodiment


40


illustrated in

FIGS. 4 AND 4A

, programming mode is entered by actuating the scene select actuator


41




a


and the off actuator


41




e


at the same time. For the embodiment


50


illustrated in

FIGS. 5 AND 5A

, programming mode is entered by actuating the scene select actuator


51




a


and the off actuator


51




e


at the same time.




The control unit


10


enters the programming mode ready to program the first preset intensity level. The uppermost indicator


14


(which is indicating that the first preset intensity level is being programmed) flashes on and off with a duty cycle of approximately 10% and the indicator


14


corresponding to the light intensity level currently programmed as the first preset intensity level flashes on and off with a 90% duty cycle. Duty cycle here refers to the relative amount of time that one indicator


14


is on as opposed to another indicator


14


being on. Only one indicator


14


is ever illuminated at one time due to constraints within the power supply powering the indicator


14


.




The light intensity level to be stored is adjusted by actuating the increase power level selector portion


33




a


or lower power level selector portion


33




b


or the off actuator


31




b


for the embodiment of the enhanced remote control


30


illustrated in

FIGS. 3

,


3


A AND


3


B, by actuating the power level selection actuator


43


either up or down to actuate increase intensity selection switch


443




a


or decrease intensity selection switch


443




b


or the off actuator


41




e


for the embodiment of the enhanced remote


40


illustrated in

FIGS. 4 AND 4A

, by actuating the power level selection actuator


53


either up or down to actuate increase intensity selection switch


553




a


or decrease intensity selection switch


553




b


or the off actuator


51




e


for the embodiment of the enhanced remote


50


illustrated in

FIGS. 5 AND 5A

. For all embodiments of the enhanced remote control


30


,


40


,


50


, the light intensity to be stored can also be adjusted by actuating the upper power level selection portion


12




a


and the lower power level selector portion


12




b


of the control unit


10


.




As the intensity is adjusted, the light intensity of electric lamp


114


changes and the indicator


14


which is illuminated with a 90% duty cycle also changes to indicate the new current light level.




Once the desired intensity level to be programmed as the first preset intensity level (which may be off), has been reached either another preset intensity level to be programmed is selected or programming mode is exited. In the case of the enhanced remote control


30


illustrated in

FIGS. 3

,


3


A AND


3


B, only a first preset intensity level can be programmed, so the only option at this point is to exit programming mode.




If it is desired to program another preset intensity level, then this is selected by actuating a scene select actuator


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


for a transitory period of time for the embodiment of the enhanced remote control illustrated in

FIGS. 4 AND 4A

or a scene select actuator


51




b


,


51




c


,


51




d


for a transitory period of time for the embodiment of the enhanced remote control illustrated in

FIGS. 5 AND 5A

.




These scene select actuators select second, third, and fourth preset intensity levels to be programmed respectively. The second highest indicator


14


flashes on and off with a 10% duty cycle when the second preset intensity level has been selected, the third highest indicator


14


flashes on and off with a 10% duty cycle when the third preset intensity level has been selected and the middle indicator


14


flashes on and off with a 10% duty cycle when the fourth preset intensity level has been selected.




Actuating a scene select actuator


41




a


,


41




b


,


41




c


,


41




d


,


51




a


,


51




b


,


51




c


,


52




d


for two transitory periods of time enables the selection of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth preset intensity levels to be programmed, respectively.




The highest, second highest, third highest, and middle indicator


14


will flash on and off with a duty cycle other than 10% to indicate that either the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth preset intensity level to be programmed has been selected.




If the embodiment of the enhanced transmitter


50


illustrated in

FIGS. 5 AND 5A

is being used to select ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth preset intensity levels from the special function actuators


51




f


,


51




g


,


52




h


,


51




i


, these can be selected for programming by actuating a special function actuator


51




f


,


51




g


,


51




h


,


51




i.






The highest, second highest, third highest, and middle indicator


14


will flash on and off with a second duty cycle other than 10% to indicate that either the ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth preset intensity level to be programmed has been selected.




The light intensity to be stored is adjusted in the same manner as described above for programming the first preset intensity level.




Once all the desired preset intensity levels have been programmed, programming mode is exited by actuating the same combination of actuators which were used to enter programming mode again for a period of time, preferably 3 seconds, while transmitting infra-red signals from the transmitter to the control unit


10


. At the end of the period, the control unit exits programming mode. Alternatively, programming mode can be exited by actuating actuator


13


on control unit


10


for a transitory period of time.




The operation of the special function actuators


51




f


,


51




g


,


51




h


,


51




i


on the enhanced transmitter


50


is dependant on the particular special functions programmed into the control unit


10


which receives the infrared signals.




One alternative is to use the special function selection actuator to select additional programmed intensity levels as described above. A first special function which can be selected by a first special function actuator is “FADE TO OFF WITH DETERMINED FADE TIME”. This function is similar to “DELAY TO OFF” except that, whereas in the case of the “DELAY TO OFF” the light intensity of lamp


114


remains at its current intensity during the delay time and then decreases to zero over a relatively short period of time, in the case of “FADE TO OFF WITH DETERMINED FADE TIME” the light intensity level of lamp


114


immediately begins to decrease in value once the actuator is released and then continues to decrease in value until it reaches zero at the end of the “DETERMINED FADE TIME”.




The “DETERMINED FADE TIME” is determined by the length of time that the first special function actuator has been actuated. The longer the actuator is actuated, the longer the fade time.




After the first special function actuator has been actuated the indicator


14


will flash the lowest LED to indicate a fade time of 10 sec has been selected. For each additional 0.5 sec that the first special function actuator is actuated the fade time increases by 10 sec to a maximum of 60 sec. Successively higher indicators


14


are flashed to indicate the increasing fade time selected. When the first special function actuator is released, the decrease in light intensity of lamp


114


begins to occur and the indicator


14


indicating the current light intensity is flashed. Successively lower indicators


14


are flashed as the light intensity of lamp


14


is decreased until the indicator


14


indicates the “Night light mode” when lamp


114


is at zero power.




A second special function which can be selected by a second special function actuator is “RETURN TO PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL”. This function causes the light intensity of lamp


114


to return to the last preset level it had prior to the last actuation of a scene select actuator, a control switch actuator, or a power level selector actuator.




In this way it is possible for the user of the control unit


10


to return to the last selected preset level which could be a preprogrammed preset intensity level, a locked preset intensity level or an unlocked preset intensity level. The intensity level of lamp


114


will gradually increase or decrease from the current intensity level to the intensity level being returned to, and the indicator


14


will change from illuminating the LED corresponding to the current intensity level to illuminating successively higher or lower LEDs until the indicator


14


indicating the intensity level of the last selected preset level is illuminated.




Other special functions can optionally be programmed into the control unit


10


and selected by actuating different special function actuators.




The operation of the optional address switch actuator


22


and address switch


222


,


332


,


442


,


552


and the send address switch (not shown) is similar for the basic wireless control unit


20


, and the three embodiments of the enhanced wireless control unit


30


,


40


,


50


.




The first use of the optional address switch actuator


22


and the send address switch is to label control unit


10


with a particular address. Address switch actuator


22


controls an address switch,


222


,


332


,


442


,


552


which is typically a multiposition switch, for selecting between different address A, B, C, D, etc. If it is desired to label a particular control unit


10


with address B, then the address switch actuator would be adjusted to select B, and then the send address switch would be actuated. The send address switch is not shown, but could have any desired form. Preferably, the send address switch is actuated by a small and inconspicuous actuator since it is used infrequently. Alternatively, the actuator for the send address switch could be hidden under normal use for, for example under a battery compartment cover for the wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


.




Alternatively in the case of the three embodiments of enhanced wireless control unit


30


,


40


,


50


, the function of the send address switch could be obtained by actuating a combination of the existing actuators, for example the off actuator


31




b


,


41




e


,


51




e


and the upper power level selector portion


33




a


, or moving the transmitter selection actuator


43


,


53


upwards.




After the send address switch has been actuated or the appropriate combination of actuators has been actuated, an infrared signal is sent from the wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


which commands any control unit


10


which receives the signal to label itself with address B. The intensity level indicator


14


indicating the current intensity level of the lamp flashes three times at a frequency of 2 Hz to indicate that the address has been successfully received and stored in a memory.




Alternatively, the intensity level indicator


14


indicating the current intensity level of the lamp


114


flashes at a frequency of 2 Hz until the control switch actuator


13


is actuated for a transitory period of time to store the address in memory. If actuator


13


has not been actuated within 2 minutes of the control unit


10


receiving the infra-red signal, then no address is stored and the control unit


10


returns to the state which it was in prior to receiving the infra-red signal.




In this way, it is possible to label a plurality of control units


10


with the same or different addresses.




Once all the control units


10


desired to be controlled by the wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


have been labelled with addresses, then the wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


can be used to control only those control units


10


which have been labelled with a particular address in the following manner.




The address switch actuator


22


is adjusted to the position which selects the address of the control units


10


which were desired to be controlled, for example A. After that has been done, any signals sent from wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


in response to the actuation of the other actuators, for example scene select actuation


31


,


41


,


51


or transmitter selection actuator


33


,


43


,


53


contain address information A.




Only those control units


10


which have previously been labelled with address A will respond to the infra-red signals which contain address information A. Other control units


10


will not respond. In this way, by labelling a plurality of control units


10


with different addresses, it is possible to control each control unit


10


individually, even if all units receive the infra-red signals.




It is also possible for the address switch actuator


22


to select an ALL address. This cannot be used to label control units


10


. However, once the control units


10


have been labelled with individual addresses A, B, C, etc., then selecting the ALL address with the address switch actuator


22


causes the infra-red signals transmitted from wireless control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


to contain an ALL address. In this case, all control units


10


which receive the infra-red signals with the ALL address will respond regardless of the individual addresses with which they have been labelled.




Turning to

FIG. 10

, the circuitry of the power control unit


10


is depicted in the control unit block diagram


100


. The circuitry, with the exception of wireless remote control operation, is well known to one skilled in the art, and is fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919 which has been incorporated herein by reference. Therefore, a detailed description of the prior art circuit is not reproduced herein, and only the new features of the present invention are described below.




The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides the features of wireless remote control operation, as described below, in combination with the light control disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuitry of the power control unit


10


is commanded by infra-red control signals transmitted by wireless remote control units


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


, (shown in

FIGS. 2

,


3


,


4


and


5


, respectively) in addition to being commanded by actuators located on the power control unit


10


. An infrared receiver


104


responds to the infra-red control signals and converts them to electrical control signal inputs to a microprocessor


108


in a similar manner to which the signal detector


102


responds to control signals from switches


110


located in power control unit


10


as well as control signals from switches


111


within wired remote lighting control units and provides control signal inputs to microprocessor


108


of the present invention are similar to the control signals, signal detector


32


, and microprocessor


28


disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919. However, the program running is different and provides additional functions and features not disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919.




In the present invention, control signal inputs are generated by switch actuators on the power control unit


10


, by switch actuators on a user actuatable wireless remote control unit


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


, or on wired remote lighting control units. In each case, these signals are directed to the microprocessor


108


for processing. The microprocessor


108


then sends the appropriate signals on to the remaining portion of the control circuitry which in turn control the intensity levels and state of the lamp


114


associated with the control unit


10


.




A block diagram of the control circuit


200


of basic remote control unit


20


is depicted in FIG.


11


. The intensity selection actuator


23


actuates intensity selection switches


223




a


or


223




b


and the control switch actuator


21


actuates transmitter control switch


221


to provide inputs to a microprocessor


27


. The microprocessor


27


provides encoded control signals to an LED drive circuit


28


, which drives an LED


26


to produce and transmit infrared signals encoded by the microprocessor


27


. The LED


26


is located in the IR transmitter opening


25


, embodied in the end wall


24


of the user actuatable basic remote control unit


20


.




The address switch actuator


22


actuates the address switch


222


to provide inputs to the microprocessor


27


. A “SEND ADDRESS” switch not shown in

FIG. 11

would also provide input to the microprocessor


27


as described above.




Battery


49


provides power to basic remote control unit


20


.




The microprocessor


27


has a preprogrammed software routine which controls its operation. The operation of the routines in the microprocessor


27


is illustrated in flow chart form in FIG.


6


. There is one major flow path, or routine, which the program in the microprocessor


27


follows. This path is selected whenever the “ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS OPERATED?” decision node


2000


is “yes”. This occurs whenever the control switch actuator


21


or the power level selection actuator


23


is actuated. Following the “ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS OPERATED?” decision node is the “DETERMINE WHICH ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS WERE OPERATED?” node


2004


where a determination is made as to which actuator or actuators were operated. Following the “DETERMINE WHICH ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS WERE OPERATED” node


2004


is the “DETERMINE ADDRESS” node


2006


, where the microprocessor


27


determines the setting of the address switch


222


. The microprocessor


27


then proceeds to “LOOK UP A NUMBER WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS OPERATED AND THE ADDRESS SELECTED”


2008


. The microprocessor then “ENCODES NUMBER”


2010


and then “TRANSMITS CODE”


2012


.




If the control switch actuator


21


or power level selection actuator


23


is not actuated by a user, the remote control unit


20


enters a “SLEEP MODE”


2002


and no change is made to the state of the control unit


10


.




A block diagram of each of the control circuits


300


,


400


,


500


of the enhanced wireless remote control units


30


,


40


,


50


is depicted in

FIGS. 12A

,


12


B,


12


C. These block diagrams are very similar to the block diagram


200


shown in

FIG. 11

with the scene control switches


331




a


,


331




b


in the block diagram


300


replacing the transmitter control switch


221


in the block diagram


200


, the scene control switches


441




a


,


441




b


,


441




c


,


441




d


,


441




e


in the block diagram


400


replacing the transmitter control switch


221


in the block diagram


200


, and the scene control switches


551




a


,


551




b


,


551




c


,


551




d


,


551




e


, and special function switches


551




f


,


551




g


,


551




h


,


551




i


in the block diagram


500


replacing the transmitter control switch


221


in the block diagram


200


.




The scene control switches provide inputs to the microprocessor


47


. The microprocessor


47


provides encoded control signals to an LED drive circuit


48


which drives an LED


36


,


46


,


56


to produce and transmit infrared signals encoded by the microprocessor


47


. These signals are transmitted through the IR opening


35


,


45


,


55


which is located in the end wall


34


,


44


,


54


of the enhanced wireless remote control units


30


,


40


,


50


.




An address switch actuator


22


of the enhanced remote control units


30


,


40


,


50


actuates the address switch


332


,


442


,


552


respectively to provide inputs to the microprocessor


47


. A send address switch, not shown in

FIGS. 12A

,


12


B, and


12


C would also provide input to the microprocessor


47


.




The enhanced remote control units


30


,


40


,


50


use the same preprogrammed software routine to control their operation as depicted in FIG.


6


. The actual code running may be different. The “ACTUATOR OR ACTUATORS OPERATED” decision node


2000


in

FIG. 6

is “yes” whenever a scene control switch or a power level intensity selector switch is actuated.




Turning to

FIGS. 13 through 20

, the microprocessor


108


of the control unit


10


has preprogrammed software routines which control its operation. The operation of the routines in the microprocessor


108


is illustrated in flow chart form in

FIG. 13 through 20

. Referring to

FIG. 13

, there are four major flow paths, or routines, which the microprocessor


108


can follow. These paths are selected depending on the source of the input control signals. The first three paths, RAISE


1030


, LOWER


1024


, and TOGGLE


1036


are selected when the power selection actuator


12


or the control switch actuator


13


are actuated, as discussed above.




The function of the preprogrammed software routines for the operation by wireless remote control will also be discussed in detail, this is the fourth path, “IR SIGNAL”


1012


.




Referring to

FIG. 13

, the program begins at “MAIN”


1000


as shown. The first decision node encountered is the “IN IR PROGRAM MODE?”


1002


. The program determines if the control unit


10


is in program mode so that preprogrammed light intensities can be stored. If the output from “IN IR PROGRAM MODE” decision node


1002


is “yes”, the next decision node is “HAS AN ACTUATOR OR IR SIGNAL BEEN RECEIVED WITHIN THE LAST TWO MINUTES?”


1004


. Decision node


1004


performs a time out function to determine if the user is confused while in programming mode. If the user does not touch the actuators on the control unit within two minutes, the unit will automatically exit from program mode and stop flashing indicators


14


that are being flashed. If the output from decision node


1004


is “no”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “EXIT PROGRAM MODE”


1026


and “STOP FLASHING LEDS”


1028


and the program returns to “MAIN”


1000


. If the output from decision node


1004


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “ACTUATOR OPERATED?” decision node


1006


. A check is made as to whether any actuators have been actuated on the control unit


10


i.e., the power level selection actuator


12


or the control switch actuator


13


.




If the output of the “ACTUATOR OPERATED?” decision node


1006


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “IN IR PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1018


, where a check is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in program mode again. If the output of the “IN IR PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1018


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “GO TO IR PROGRAM MODE ROUTINE”


1020


. This is shown in greater detail in the IR Program Mode routine


1100


, shown in FIG.


14


.




If the output from decision node


1018


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “RAISE?” decision node


1030


where a check is made as to whether the upper power level selector portion


12




a


has been actuated. If the output from the “RAISE” decision node is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “GO TO RAISE ROUTINE”


1032


. The “RAISE” routine


1400


is shown in greater detail in FIG.


16


.




If the output of the “RAISE” decision node


1030


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “LOWER?” decision node


1022


where a check is made as to whether the lower power level selector portion


12




b


has been actuated. If the output from the “LOWER” decision node


1022


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “GO TO LOWER ROUTINE”


1024


. The “LOWER” routine


1200


is shown in greater detail in FIG.


15


.




If the output from the “LOWER?” decision node


1022


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “TOGGLE?” decision node


1034


where a check is made as to whether the control switch actuator


13


has been actuated. If the output of the “TOGGLE” decision node


1034


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “GO TO TOGGLE ROUTINE”


1036


. The “TOGGLE” routine


1300


is shown in greater detail in FIG.


17


. If the output of the “TOGGLE” node


1034


is “no”, the program then returns to “MAIN”


1000


.




If the output of the “ACTUATOR OPERATED?” decision node


1006


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “HAS AN ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST TWO MINUTES?” decision node


1008


. The decision node


1008


runs another time out check to determine if any control actuators have been operated in the last two minutes. If the output from the decision node


1008


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “IR SIGNAL?” decision node


1010


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received. If the output of the “IR SIGNAL?” decision node


1010


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “GO TO IR SIGNAL ROUTINE”


1012


. The “IR SIGNAL ROUTINE”


1500


is shown in greater detail in

FIGS. 18

,


19


,


20


. If the output of the “IR SIGNAL?” decision node


1010


is “no”, the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1014


where the status of the intensity indicators


14


are updated, and the program returns to “MAIN”


1000


. The control unit


10


is constantly updating the LED display even if no actuators are actuated or if no IR signals are received. If the “HAS AN ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST TWO MINUTES?” decision node


1008


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RESET LEARN ADDRESS MODE”


1016


and then proceeds on to the “IR SIGNAL?” decision node


1010


.




After the program proceeds to the “LEARN ADDRESS MODE?”


1590


, which will be described in more detail below, and “SAVE NEW ADDRESS”


1580


, the program is looking for a confirmation signal. If the control unit does not receive the confirmation signal within two minutes the “LEARN ADDRESS MODE” is reset and the new address received is erased.




Turning now to

FIG. 14

, the first decision node encountered in “IR PROGRAM MODE” is “TOGGLE?”


1102


. IR program mode is where preset light intensity levels can be stored in the control unit


10


by actuating actuators on the control unit


10


or on an enhanced wireless transmitter


30


,


40


,


50


. At the “TOGGLE” decision mode


1102


a determination is made as to whether the control switch actuator


13


has been actuated. If the output of the node is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “STOP FLASHING LEDS”


1104


where any flashing indicators


14


are extinguished. The program continues to “EXIT PROGRAM MODE”


1106


, and “UPDATE LEDS”


1108


where the indicators


14


are updated to the correct status, and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


. This is one way of exiting program mode. Another way will be described in detail below.




If the output of “TOGGLE?” decision node


1102


is “no”, the next decision node is “RAISE?”


1112


where a determination is made as to whether the upper power level selector portion


12




a


has been actuated. If the output of the node is “yes”, the program moves on to the “AT HIGH END?” decision node


1114


. If the output of the “AT HIGH END?” decision node


1114


is “yes”, the light intensity of the lamp


114


can not be increased any more, so no changes are made and the program proceeds “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


. If the output of the “AT HIGH END?” decision node


1114


is “no”, the control unit


10


, is commanded to “INCREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1116


where the output power of the control unit


10


is increased. The program continues to “DETERMINE SCENE”


1118


where the program checks which scene is being programmed.




The unit then encounters the “HAS THE SAME ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1120


. This decision node function is included so that by actuating actuators multiple times, additional functions can be accessed. If the output of the decision node


1120


is “no”, the unit is commanded to “SAVE LIGHT LEVEL AS SCENE PRESET”


1130


, where a new intensity level is stored for the scene select actuator being programmed.




The program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1100


. If the output of the “HAS THE SAME ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1120


is “yes”, i.e., multiple actuations of an actuator have occurred within a certain time period, the unit is commanded to “ADD FOUR TO THE SCENE NUMBER”


1122


, and “SAVE LIGHT LEVEL AS SCENE PRESET”


1130


and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1000


.




If the output of the “TOGGLE?” decision node


1102


is “no” and the output of “RAISE?” decision node


1112


is “no”, the program moves to the next major routine and enters the “LOWER?” decision node


1124


. A determination is made as to whether the lower power level selector portion


12




b


has been actuated. If the output from decision node


1124


is “no”, no changes are made and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


.




If the output of decision node


1124


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “AT LOW END OR OFF?” decision node


1126


. A determination is made as to whether the lamp


114


is at minimum light intensity or off. If the output from decision node


1120


is “yes”, the light intensity can not be decreased further, no changes are made and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


. If the output from decision node


1126


is “no”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “DECREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1128


where the output power of the control unit


10


is decreased and “DETERMINE SCENE”


1118


where once again the unit checks which scene is being programmed.




The program proceeds on to “HAS THE SAME ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1120


. If the output from decision node


1120


is “no”, the unit is commanded to “SAVE LIGHT LEVEL AS SCENE PRESET”


1130


, where the new intensity is stored for the scene select actuator being programmed. The program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


. If the output of “HAS THE SAME ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1120


is “yes”, the unit is commanded to “ADD FOUR TO THE SCENE NUMBER”


1122


, and “SAVE LIGHT LEVEL AS SCENE PRESET”


1130


, and then program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1110


.




Turning now to FIG.


15


and the “LOWER” routine


1200


, the first decision node encountered is “UNIT ON?”


1202


where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in the “ON STATE”. If the output from the “UNIT ON?” decision node


1202


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “AT LOW END?” decision node


1204


where a determination is made as to whether the lamp


114


is at a minimum light intensity. If the output from the decision node


1204


is “yes”, the light intensity can not be decreased any more, no changes are made and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. If the output of the “AT LOW END?” decision node


1204


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “FADING” decision node


1222


. A determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in a steady state, or is fading between two different output light intensity levels. If the output from decision node


1222


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is fading between two different light intensity levels hence the control unit


10


is commanded to “STOP FADING”


1224


and to “DECREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1212


, and the output power of control unit


10


is decreased. The next decision node encountered is the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?”


1214


.




If the output of the “FADING” decision node


1222


is “no”, then the power output from control unit


10


is in a steady state, and the control unit


10


is commanded to “DECREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1212


and the output power of control unit


10


is decreased. The program then proceeds to the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1214


where a determination is made as to whether an infra-red signal has been received which caused the program to enter the “LOWER” routine


1200


.




If the output from the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1214


″ is “yes”, the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1216


, and then “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. No change is made to any stored preset levels because LOWER commands from the wireless transmitter only affect the current light intensity unless the control unit


10


is in program mode. Further as described below any light intensity levels adjusted by using the user actuatable intensity selection actuator on the control unit


10


are temporary if the locked preset mode is set and are stored if the locked preset mode is not set.




If the output of the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1214


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “IS LOCKED PRESET MODE SET?” decision node


1208


where a determination is made as to whether a preset light intensity has been stored. If the output from decision node


1208


is “no” and no locked preset has been stored the unit is commanded to “UPDATE PRESET”


1210


where the memory which stores the current value of the unlocked preset has the new intensity level stored in it. The program goes on to “UPDATE LEDS”


1212


where the status of the intensity indicators


14


is updated, and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. If the output of the “IS LOCKED PRESET MODE SET?” decision node


1208


is “yes”, the unit is commanded to “UPDATE LEDS”


1216


, and then “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. No change is made to any stored preset intensity levels.




If the output from of the “UNIT ON?” decision node


1202


is “no”, the unit proceeds to the “IN DELAYED OFF PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1221


. A delayed off time can be permanently stored so that every time the user actuates an actuator which causes the control unit


10


to turn off, the unit delays a certain amount of time before turning off. If the control unit


10


is in the mode where a delay to off time is being programmed then the output from decision node


1221


is “yes”, and the program proceeds to the “HAS THE LOWER ACTUATOR BEEN HELD FOR 10.0 SEC?” decision node


1226


.




The permanently stored delay to off time can be cleared by actuating an actuator which causes a “LOWER”


1200


command for an extended period of time, i.e., 10 seconds. If the output from decision node


1226


is “yes”, the unit is commanded to “CANCEL DELAYED OFF TIME”


1228


, and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. If the output from “HAS THE LOWER ACTUATOR BEEN HELD FOR 10.0 SEC?” decision node


1226


is “no”, the program proceeds to the“DETERMINE HOW LONG LOWER ACTUATOR HAS BEEN HELD” node


1230


where a determination is made as to how long a “LOWER”


1200


commanding actuator has been actuated. The program continues to “SET DELAYED OFF TO TIME THAT CORRESPONDS TO HOLD TIME”


1232


where the appropriate delay time is stored. The program continues to “FLASH LEDS”


1234


where the indicators are flashed as described above. The program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


. The longer the user depresses the “LOWER” commanding actuator, the longer the delayed off time which is stored.




If the output from the “IN DELAYED OFF PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1221


is “no”, the unit proceeds to the “HAS THE LOWER BEEN HELD FOR 4.0 SEC?” decision node


1218


. To permanently store a delayed off time, the user actuates an actuator which causes a “LOWER” command for an extended period of time, i.e., 4 seconds. If the decision node


1218


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


.




If the output from decision node


1218


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “INITIATE DELAYED OFF PROGRAM MODE”


1220


, to flash the lowermost indicator


14


as described above, and then “FLASH LEDS”


1234


, and then the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1206


.




Turning now to

FIG. 16

, in the “RAISE” routine


1400


, the first decision node encountered is a “UNIT ON?” decision node


1402


, where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in the on state. If the output from the “UNIT ON?” decision node


1402


is “yes”, i.e., the control unit


10


is on the program moves to the “AT HIGH END?” decision node


1404


where a determination is made as to whether the lamp


114


is at a maximum light intensity.




If the output from decision node


1404


is “yes”, the light intensity cannot be increased any more, so no changes are made and the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1420


. If the output from decision node


1404


is “no”, the routine proceeds to the “FADING?” decision node


1406


where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in a steady state or is fading between two different output light intensity levels. If the output from decision node


1406


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is fading between two different light intensity levels, hence the control unit


10


is commanded to “STOP FADING”


1408


and then to “INCREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1410


where the output power of the control unit


10


is increased. If the output from “FADING” decision node


1406


is “no”, the unit is commanded to “INCREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1410


where the output power of the control unit


10


is increased. The program then proceeds to the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1412


where a determination is made as to whether an infra-red signal has been received which caused the program to enter the RAISE routine


1400


. If the output from decision node


1412


is “yes”, the control unit


10


proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1418


and then the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1420


. No change is made to any stored preset levels because RAISE


1400


routine commands from the wireless transmitter only affect the current light levels unless the control unit


10


is in program mode. If the output from the “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1412


is “no”, the program then proceeds to the “IS LOCKED PRESET MODE SET?” decision node


1414


where a determination is made as to whether a locked preset light intensity level has been stored. If the output from decision node


1414


is yes the control unit


10


, proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1418


where the status of intensity indicator


14


is updated and then the program proceeds to RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN


1420


. If the output from decision node


1414


is “no”, the unit is commanded to “UPDATE PRESET”


1416


where the memory (not shown) which stores the current value of the unlocked preset has the new intensity level stored in the memory, and then goes on to “UPDATE LEDS”


1418


. If the output from “UNIT ON?” decision node


1402


is “no”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “TURN ON TO LOW END”


1422


where the control unit


10


is turned on, the program goes on to, “INCREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1410


and then to “WAS IT AN IR COMMAND?” decision node


1412


.




Turning now to FIG.


17


and the “TOGGLE” routine


1300


, the first decision node encountered is “IN LEARN ADDRESS MODE?”


1302


where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in a mode where it is being labelled with a new address. If the determination is made by the microprocessor


108


that the control unit


10


is being labelled with a new address then the output from decision node


1302


is “yes”, and the microprocessor proceeds to “USE NEW ADDRESS AS SIGNAL IDENTIFICATION”


1304


commanding the control unit


10


to store the new address received as its unit address, then “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1306


. As described above, the control unit


10


is capable of receiving a unique addresses via IR signals. This enables the use of a transmitter that has an address selector switch to control a plurality of control units


10


individually. If the output of the “IN LEARN ADDRESS MODE?” decision node


1302


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “TOGGLE LAST TIME?” decision node


1330


where a determination is made as to whether control switch actuator


13


is being actuated for more than a transitory period of time. If the output from decision node


1330


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “FADING OFF?” decision node


1332


where a determination is made as to whether the power level at the output of the control unit


10


is decreasing. If the output of the decision node


1332


is “yes”, and the power output is decreasing the program proceeds to the “TOGGLE HELD FOR ½ SECOND?” decision node


1334


where a determination is made as to whether the control switch actuator


13


has been actuated for more than ½ second and if so, for how long. If the output of the node is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “DELAY TO OFF WITH DETERMINED DELAY TIME”


1336


where the control unit


10


outputs its current power level for the duration of the delay time corresponding to the length of time the control switch actuator


13


has been actuated, and then decreases the output power level and hence, the light intensity of lamp


114


to zero. The program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where the indicator


14


, indicating the current intensity level is flashed during the delay time and successively lower indicators are illuminated in turn as the output power level from the control unit


10


is decreased, and then proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1306


.




If the output from “TOGGLE LAST TIME?” decision node


1330


is “no”, and the control switch actuator


13


is not being actuated for more than a transitory, period of time the program proceeds to the “TOGGLE TAPPED IN LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1318


, where a determination is made as to whether control switch actuator


13


was previously actuated in a transitory manner in the last 0.5 sec. If the output from decision node


1318


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “IS THIS THE THIRD TAP IN 1.0 SECONDS?” decision node


1320


where a determination is made as to whether this is the third actuation of transitory duration in 1.0 sec. If the output from decision node


1320


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “SAVE THE CURRENT LIGHT LEVEL AS LOCKED PRESET”


1322


, wherein the current light intensity level is stored in memory as the LOCKED PRESET light level. The program continues to “REMAIN AT CURRENT LIGHT LEVEL”


1324


, the current light intensity level is not changed and then the program proceeds to “BLINK LEDs TWICE”


1326


. The indicator


14


indicating the current intensity level is flashed twice at a frequency of 2 Hz to indicate that the current light level has been stored and the program proceeds to “SET LOCKED PRESET MODE”


1328


where the microprocessor


108


is updated to reflect that it is in the LOCKED PRESET mode. The program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where the indicator indicating the current intensity level is illuminated.




If the output from the “IS THIS THE THIRD TAP IN 1.0 SECONDS?” decision node


1320


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “IS THIS THE FOURTH TAP IN 1.5 SECONDS?” decision node


1340


where a determination is made as to whether this is the fourth actuation of transitory duration in 1.5 SEC. If the output from decision node


1340


is “no”, then it must be the second actuation of transitory duration and the control unit


10


proceeds to “FADE TO FULL WITH FAST FADE”


1346


. The light intensity of lamp


114


is increased rapidly to a maximum light intensity, and the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where successively higher level indicators are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


increases.




If the output from decision node


1340


is “yes”, then this is the fourth actuation of transitory duration in 1.5 sec. The program proceeds to “DISCONTINUE LOCKED PRESET”


1342


where microprocessor


108


is updated to remove the control unit


10


from the LOCKED PRESET mode. The program proceeds to, “BLINK LEDS TWICE”


1344


where the indicator indicating the current intensity level is flashed twice at a frequency of 2 Hz and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where the indicator


14


indicating the current intensity level is illuminated.




If the output from “TOGGLE TAPPED IN THE LAST ½ SECOND?” decision node


1318


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “UNIT ON OR FADING UP?” node


1308


where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is in the on state, or fading between two intensity levels. If the output from decision node


1308


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “DELAYED OFF MODE SET?” decision node


1310


. If the output from decision node


1310


is “yes”, and a predetermined delay to off time has been stored (see description of set delay routine


1232


in FIG.


15


), the control unit


10


is commanded to “DELAY TO OFF WITH PROGRAMMED TIME”


1312


. The lamp


114


stays at its current intensity level for the stored delay to off time, and then the intensity of lamp


114


decreases to zero. The program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1306


. If the output from “DELAYED OFF MODE SET?” decision node


1310


is “no”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “FADE TO OFF”


1314


and the light intensity of lamp


114


is decreased to zero then the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


when successively lower indicators are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


is decreased.




If the output of the “UNIT ON OR FADING UP?” decision node


1308


is “no”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “FADE TO PRESET”


1316


where the light intensity of lamp


114


is increased to a preset level. The preset level can be the locked preset level, or the last preset level when the control unit


10


was in the on state. The program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where successively higher indicators


14


are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


increases.




If the output from the “FADING OFF?” decision node


1332


is “no”, the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


where the status of indicators


14


is updated. If the output of “TOGGLE HELD FOR ½ SECOND?” decision node


1334


is “no”, the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1338


, and the status of indicators


14


is updated.




Turning now to

FIGS. 18

,


19


, AND


20


and the “IR SIGNAL” routine


1500


, starting with the “CORRECT SIGNAL ADDRESS?” decision node


1550


, the control unit


10


determines whether it should respond to IR signals received by first checking to see if the IR signal address matches the unit address. If the addresses do not match the control unit


10


ignores the IR signals. If the output from decision node


1550


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


.




If the output from decision node


1550


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “IN IR PROGRAM MODE” decision node


1552


where a determination is made as to whether control unit


10


is in the IR PROGRAM MODE. If the output of the node is “no”, the program proceeds to a series of decision nodes.




The first decision node encountered is “RAISE?”


1528


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that an increase power level actuator


23




a


,


33




a


, has been actuated or a power level selection actuator


43


,


53


has been actuated in its up position. If the output from the “RAISE?” decision node


1528


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “GO TO RAISE ROUTINE”


1530


which is illustrated in FIG.


16


. If the output from decision node


1528


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “LOWER?” decision node


1508


, where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that a decrease power level actuator


23




b


,


33




b


, has been actuated or a power level selection actuator


43


,


53


has been actuated in its down position. If the output from “LOWER?” decision node


1508


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “GO TO LOWER ROUTINE”


1510


which is illustrated in FIG.


15


. If the output from “LOWER?” decision node


1508


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “FULL ON?” decision node


1502


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that two transitory actuations of a transmitter switch actuator


21


as shown in

FIG. 2

have occurred in a short period of time. If the output from decision node


1502


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “FADE TO FULL ON WITH FAST FADE”


1512


this will cause the light intensity of lamp


114


to increase rapidly to maximum and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


, where successively higher indicator


14


are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of the lamp


14


increases and then the program proceeds to the TOP OF MAIN


1564


.




If the output from the “FULL ON?” decision node is


1502


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “OFF?” decision node


1532


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that an off actuator


31




b


,


41




e


,


51




e


has been actuated or transmitter switch actuator


21


has been actuated and the control unit


10


is in the on state. If the output from decision node


1532


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “FADE TO OFF”


1534


wherein the light intensity of lamp


114


is decreased to zero and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where successively lower indicators


14


are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


is decreased to zero.




If the output of the “OFF?” decision node


1532


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “ON TO PRESET?” decision node


1514


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that a single actuation of transitory duration of actuator


21


of the basic transmitter shown in

FIG. 2

has occurred and the control unit


10


is in the off state. If the output from decision node


1514


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “FADE TO PRESET”


1516


wherein the light intensity of lamp


114


is increased from zero to a preset intensity level which is either the locked preset intensity level or an unlocked preset intensity level and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where successively higher indicators


14


are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


is increased until the indicator


14


which indicates the preset intensity level is illuminated.




If the output of the “ON TO PRESET?” decision node


1514


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “DELAY TO OFF?” decision node


1504


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that a transmitter switch actuator


21


, or an off actuator


31


,


41




e


,


51




e


as shown in

FIGS. 2

,


3


,


4


, and


5


has been actuated for a length of time greater than 0.5 sec. If the output from decision node


1504


is “yes”, the control unit


10


is commanded to “DELAY TO OFF WITH DETERMINED DELAY TIME”


1536


. The microprocessor


108


determines a delay time from the length of time the actuator


21


,


31


,


41




e


,


51




e


has been actuated, and the control unit


10


causes the lamp


114


to stay at its current light intensity level for the length of the delay time and then the intensity of lamp


114


decreases to zero. The program then proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


wherein the indicator


14


indicating the current light intensity level is flashed on and off during the delay time and then successively lower indicators


14


are illuminated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


is decreased to zero.




If the output of the “DELAY TO OFF?” decision node


1504


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “SCENE COMMAND?” decision node


1518


, where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that one of scene select actuators


31




a


,


41




a-d


,


51




a-d


, or one of the special function actuators


51




f-i


being used as a scene select actuator on an enhanced wireless transmitter has been actuated. If the output of decision node


1518


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “DETERMINE SCENE”


1538


where the particular scene select actuator operated is determined and then the program continues to the “HAS THE SAME SCENE ACTUATOR BEEN OPERATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1540


where a determination is made as to whether the particular scene select actuator actuated has been previously actuated in the last 0.5 sec. If the output from decision node


1540


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “ADD FOUR TO THE SCENE NUMBER”


1542


, and the higher numbered stored preset intensity level associated with that particular scene select actuator is used. The program then proceeds to “FADE TO SCENE”


1520


wherein the light intensity of lamp


114


is increased or decreased in value until it is equal to the desired stored preset intensity level associated with that scene select actuator, and previously programmed into the control unit


10


from an enhanced wireless transmitter


30


,


40


,


50


. The program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where the indicator


14


indicating the current light intensity is first illuminated and then successively higher or lower indicators or indicated in turn as the light intensity of lamp


114


is changed until the indicator


14


indicating the preset intensity level is illuminated. If the output of the “HAS THE SAME SCENE ACTUATOR BEEN ACTUATOR IN THE LAST 0.5 SECOND?” decision node


1540


is “no”, the program proceeds to “FADE TO SCENE”


1520


without adding four to the scene number and then proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


with the same effect on the control unit


10


as described immediately above.




If the output of the “SCENE COMMAND?” decision node


1518


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “IR PROGRAM SIGNAL?” decision node


1506


where a determination is made as to whether the IR signal indicates that the appropriate combination of actuators has been actuated on an enhanced transmitter


30


,


40


,


50


to cause the control unit to enter program mode. If the output of decision node


1506


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “HAS PROGRAM SIGNAL BEEN RECEIVED FOR THREE SECONDS?” decision node


1522


where a determination is made as to whether the actuator combination has been actuated for 3 seconds. If the output of decision node


1522


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “CURRENTLY IN PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1524


where a determination is made as to whether the control unit


10


is currently in the program mode. If the output of decision node


1524


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “GO OUT OF IR PROGRAM MODE”


1544


where the control unit


10


exits program mode. The program then proceeds to, “STORE PRESET SCENE LIGHT LEVEL”


1546


where the preset intensity level associated with the last actuator being programmed is stored in memory and then the program proceeds to “STOP FLASHING LEDS”


1548


where the indicators


14


which are being cycled on and off in connection with the program mode are extinguished and then the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where the intensity of indicators


14


is updated to reflect the new condition of the control unit


10


and then the program returns to the TOP OF MAIN


1564


.




If the output of “CURRENTLY IN PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1524


is “no”, the program proceeds to “ENTER SCENE 1 PROGRAM MODE”


1526


. The control unit


10


is commanded to enter program mode and accept signals to adjust the preset light intensity stored for the preset recalled by actuating the first select scene actuator


31




a


,


41




a


,


51




a


. The program then proceeds to “FLASH LEDS”


1560


. The indicator


14


is cycled on and off as described above in connection with the description of the programming of a preset light intensity from an enhanced remote control transmitter


30


,


40


,


50


then the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where the intensity of indicators


14


is updated to reflect the new condition of the control unit


10


. If the output of the “HAS PROGRAM SIGNAL BEEN RECEIVED FOR THREE SECONDS?” decision node


1522


is “no”, the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


. If the output of the “IR PROGRAM SIGNAL?” decision node


1506


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “SPECIAL FUNCTION?” decision node


1592


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that a special function actuator


51




f-i


has been actuated on an enhanced wireless remote


50


.




If the output of the “SPECIAL FUNCTION” decision node


1592


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “LEARN ADDRESS MODE?” decision node


1590


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that the control unit


10


is to be labelled with a new address. If the output of the “LEARN ADDRESS NODE” decision node


1590


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


. If the output of the decision node


1590


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “SAVE NEW ADDRESS”


1580


where the new address assigned to the control unit


10


is stored in a memory. Then the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


. If the output of the “SPECIAL FUNCTION?” decision node


1592


is “yes” this indicates a special function actuator


51




f-i


has been actuated on an enhanced wireless remote


50


. The program then determines which special function has been selected by proceeding to the “LONG FADE FUNCTION?” decision node


1594


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that the “LONG FADE FUNCTION” has been selected. If the output of the “LONG FADE FUNCTION” decision node


1594


is “yes”, the unit is commanded to “FADE TO OFF WITH DETERMINED FADE TIME”


1596


wherein the light intensity level of lamp


114


is slowly decreased to zero over a time period which is dependant on how long the special function actuator was actuated and then the program proceeds to “FLASH LEDS”


1560


, wherein the indicator


14


is cycled on and off as described above in connection with the description of the FADE TO OFF WITH DETERMINED FADE TIME special function. The program then proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where the intensity of indicators


14


is updated to reflect the new condition of the control unit


10


. If the output of the “LONG FADE?” decision node


1594


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL?” decision node


1586


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that the PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL special function has been selected. If the output of the “PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL” decision node


1586


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


. If the output of the “PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL” decision node


1586


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO PREVIOUS LIGHT LEVEL”


1588


where the control unit


10


is commanded to adjust the light intensity of lamp


114


to be that which it was prior to last being adjusted either by the operation of a scene selection actuator or an increase, or decrease power level selection actuator and then the program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


where the intensity of indicators


14


is updated to reflect the new condition of the control unit


10


.




If the output of the “IN IR PROGRAM MODE?” decision node


1552


is “yes”, indicating that control unit


10


is in “IR PROGRAM MODE” the program proceeds to the “RAISE?” decision node


1554


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that an increase power level actuator


23




a


,


33




a


, has been actuated or a power selector actuator


43


,


53


is in its up position. If the output of the “RAISE” decision node


1554


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “INCREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1556


, where the output power of the control unit


10


is increased and the program then proceeds to “STORE LIGHT LEVEL AS PRESET FOR SCENE”


1558


, where the new intensity level is stored for the scene select actuator being programmed and the program proceeds to “FLASH LEDS”


1560


, where the indicators


14


are cycled as described above to indicate the scene select actuator being programmed and the current intensity level. The program proceeds to “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


, where the intensity of indicators


14


is updated to reflect the new condition of the control unit


10


and the program then proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


. If the output of the “RAISE?” decision node


1554


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “LOWER?” decision node


1566


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that a decrease power level actuator


23




b


,


33




b


has been actuated or a power selection actuator


43


,


53


is in its down position.




If the output of the “LOWER” decision node


1566


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “DECREASE LIGHT LEVEL BY ONE STEP”


1568


, where the output power of the control unit


10


is decreased and the program then proceeds to “STORE LIGHT LEVEL AS PRESET FOR SCENE”


1558


, “FLASH LED


1560


”, and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


and “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


, with the same effects as described immediately above.




If the output of the “LOWER” decision node


1566


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “SCENE COMMAND” decision node


1572


, where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that a scene select actuator


31




a


,


41




a-d


,


51




a-d


has been actuated. If the output of the “SCENE COMMAND” decision node


1572


is “yes”, the program proceeds to the “DETERMINE SCENE” node


1574


where a determination is made as to which scene select actuator has been actuated and then the program proceeds to the “HAS THE SAME SCENE ACTUATOR BEEN ACTUATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC?” decision node


1576


where a determination is made as to whether the same scene select actuator has been actuated in the last 0.5 seconds. If the output of the “HAS THE SAME SCENE ACTUATOR BEEN ACTUATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SEC” decision node


1576


is “yes”, the program proceeds to “ADD FOUR TO THE SCENE NUMBER”


1570


, and “FADE TO SCENE”


1578


, where the light intensity level of lamp


114


is increased or decreased to the last light intensity level stored for the preset intensity level being programmed. The program then proceeds to “STORE LIGHT LEVEL AS PRESET FOR SCENE”


1558


, “FLASH LEDS”


1560


and then “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


and “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


with the same effects as described above.




If the output of the “HAS THE SAME SCENE ACTUATOR BEEN ACTUATED IN THE LAST 0.5 SECOND?” decision node


1576


is “no”, the control unit is commanded to “FADE TO SCENE”


1578


without adding four to the scene number, “STORE LIGHT LEVEL AS PRESET FOR SCENE”


1558


, “FLASH LEDS”


1560


, “UPDATE LEDS”


1562


and then “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


with the same effects as described above. If the output of the “SCENE COMMAND?” decision node


1572


is “no”, the program proceeds to the “OFF?” decision node


1582


where a determination is made as to whether an IR signal has been received which indicates that an off actuator


31




b


,


41




e


,


51




e


has been actuated.




If the output of the “OFF” decision node


1582


is “yes”, the unit is commanded to “FADE TO OFF”


1584


, where the output power of control unit


10


is decreased to zero and the program then proceeds to “STORE LIGHT LEVEL AS PRESET FOR SCENE”


1558


, “FLASH LEDS”


1562


“UPDATE LEDS”


1562


and then “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


with the same effects as described above. If the output of the “OFF?” decision node


1582


is “no”, the program proceeds to “RETURN TO TOP OF MAIN”


1564


.




In an alternate embodiment of the present invention the power control unit


10


includes an infrared lens


70


for receiving infrared signals from the wireless remote control units


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, which shows a top plan view of lens


70


the basic principle of operation of the infrared lens


70


is to refract and reflect infrared light through the lens


70


and into a detector


76


which has an infrared receiving surface


78


contained within it which receives the infrared energy and converts it into electrical energy. The lens


70


includes an input surface


71


, an output surface


73


, and a flat body portion


72


therebetween. The input surface


71


is preferably planar and has a rectangular shape as viewed normal to the input surface


71


. Included within the rectangular shape are input surface extension sections


79


which extend beyond the main body portion


72


at opposing ends of the input surface


71


. The input surface extension sections


79


enhance the mid angle performance of the lens


70


, thereby enabling the lens to capture more of the infrared light that is incident within angles around ±40° normal to the input surface


71


as shown in FIG.


8


B.




The lens output surface


73


includes a concave portion


73




a


which is concave inwardly towards the center of the lens


70


. The concave portion


73




a


refracts infrared light passing through it from body portion


72


onto an input surface


77


of a detector


76


, and hence onto receiving surface


78


.




The body portion


72


has a substantially flat shape with planar top and bottom surfaces, with side surfaces


72




a


defined by an ellipse


74


. The ellipse


74


is defined, in Cartesian coordinates, according to the equation










x
2


a
2


+


y
2


b
2



=
1

,










where the ellipse is symmetric with respect to a major axis


74




x


, and a minor axis


74




y


such that two arc lengths


74




a


are the distances from an arbitrary point on the ellipse


74


to the two focal points


74




c


,


74




c


′. The two arc lengths


74




a


from the focal points


74




c


,


74




c


′ subtend equal angles


74




d


with the perimeter of the ellipse


74


for any arbitrary point on the ellipse thereby defining the side surfaces


72




a


of the lens


70


. The side surfaces


72




a


reflect the infrared light entering the body portion


72


from the input surface


71


, and direct the reflected light towards the output surface


73


as shown in

FIGS. 8A

,


8


B, and


8


C. These figures illustrate infrared light incident to the input surface


71


at 0°, 40°, and 80° respectively, and collectively show how lens


70


captures infrared radiation over a wide angle field of view in the horizontal plane when the lens is installed in actuator


13


as shown in

FIG. 9A






The operation of the lens


70


is described with reference to FIG.


7


. When a point source of infrared light (not shown) located at focus


74




c


uni-directionally emits infrared light, then, for all subtended angles


74




d


(hereinafter α) with angles α≦sin (1/n)=α


o


(Snell's Law: where n is the refractive index of the lens material) the light rays will undergo total internal reflection at the perimeter of the ellipse


74


that define the lens side surfaces


72




a


. The light is then reflected to the other focus


74




c


′. As the eccentricity of the ellipse is increased, the subtended angles


74




d


corresponding to α≦α


o


also increase. Therefore, as the minor axis


74




y


of the ellipse


74


is decreased, the field of view of the input surface


71


is increased.




In operation, infrared light originates from an external source such as a wireless remote transmitter


20


,


30


,


40


,


50


for a power control unit


10


and enters the input surface


71


. In a preferred embodiment of the lens, the input surface


71


has a planar rectangular shape. However, it is understood that the lens can be made in any shape and contour. Preferably, the input surface


71


is a rectangle where the longer dimension is 0.660″ and the shorter dimension is 0.120″ as seen from the front of the unit, as shown in FIG.


9


A. In addition, the lens


70


is typically constructed from an optical material such as polycarbonate plastic having a refractive index n, which is preferably between 1 and 2, where n is defined as the ratio between the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the optical material. Preferable Lexan 141 is used having a refractive index n=1.586.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, the infrared detector


76


(shown in dashed line) is a infrared receiving diode (photo diode)


78


enclosed in a hemispherical cover


77


typically comprising an infrared transmissive material. A suitable infrared detector is manufactured by Sony and sold under the part number SBX8025-H.




In another aspect of the invention the lens


70


is placed on a movable member such as a control switch actuator


13


, and is located as that so that the lens' output surface


73


is adjacent to the input surface


77


of the infrared detector


76


. The infrared detector


76


is located in a fixed position behind the lens


70


. The movable member


13


shown in

FIGS. 9A and 9B

and the lens


70


move in a direction toward and away from the fixed position of the infrared detector


76


and its input surface


77


. Typically, the output surface


73


of the lens


70


is separated from the front surface


77


of detector


76


by 0.080″, at the point where it is furthest away from the from surface


77


.




The concave output surface


73


of the lens


70


provides desired optical properties and also conforms generally to the input surface


77


of the detector


76


. This enables lens


70


to be mounted closer to detector


76


.




The above description discloses how to construct two dimensions of a lens


70


with a wide angle of view in a single plane preferably the horizontal plane as lens


70


is installed in control switch actuator


13


and further the operation of lens


70


has been described in two dimensions along x and y axes.




To construct a lens with a wide angle view in two directions, the above design is used twice in orthogonal directions about the axis


74




x


of the lens. The resulting lens is an ellipsoid. The lengths of the y axis,


74




y


, and the z axis (not shown) perpendicular to the light rays entering the lens at zero degrees to the normal are dependent on the shape of the receiving surface


78


in the infrared detector


76


. In the case of a square receiving surface


78


the y axis and the z axis of the lens are equal, and subsequently the input surface of the


76


lens is circular. Such a lens has equal wide angle performance in all directions in front of the lens. When wide angle performance is desired only along a single plane, the lens nevertheless has to have some thickness. One way to produce such a lens is to slice the ellipsoid top and bottom such that the thickness is preferably approximately equal to the thickness of the receiving surface


78


. The result is an input surface


71


that is substantially a rectangle, with the short edges conforming to arcs of an ellipse. This is substantially the structure illustrated in

FIGS. 7

,


9


B where the side surfaces


72




a


are portions of ellipses in two directions.




The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. Apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical device, comprising:at least one control unit having a power control circuit and a first control unit switch for generating a first control signal, said power control circuit controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device in response to said first control signal, and said first control unit switch being operative to generate additional control signals to command said at least one control unit to cause the power delivered to said at least one electrical device to decrease from a non-zero power level to a substantially zero power lead, and to store a preset power level in a memory, wherein subsequent changes in the level of power delivered do not affect said stored preset power level.
  • 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said additional control signals commands said at least one control unit to cause the power delivered to said at least one electrical device to increase from a zero power level to a non-zero power level.
  • 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electric lamp and said power control circuit for controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device, comprises a light intensity control circuit for controlling the light intensity of said electric lamp.
  • 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein actuation of said first control switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from said non-zero power level to a zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be said non-zero power level, and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said non-zero power level is equal to said stored preset power level when the preset power level is stored in said memory, and when no preset power level is stored in said memory the non-zero power level state is the last established power level of said at least one electrical device.
  • 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to provide maximum power to said at least one electrical device.
  • 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein three successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to store said preset power level.
  • 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein four successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to clear said preset power level from said memory.
  • 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a second and a third control unit switch wherein an actuation of said second control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device and wherein actuation of said third control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said second and third control unit switches are used to set said preset power level to be stored in said memory.
  • 11. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an indicator which provides an indication that said preset power level has been stored in said memory.
  • 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter having a first transmitter switch, for generating and transmitting at least one transmitted control signal to said at least one control unit, and a receiver in said at least one control unit for receiving said at least one transmitted control signal.
  • 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein actuation of said first transmitter switch commands at least one control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from said non-zero power level to a zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be said non-zero power level, and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said non-zero power level is equal to said stored preset power level when said preset power level is stored, in said memory and when no power level is stored in said memory, said non-zero power level is the last established power level of said at least one electrical device.
  • 15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein two successive actuations of said first transmitter switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to provide maximum power to said at least one electrical device.
  • 16. An apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a second and a third transmitter switch wherein actuation of said second transmitter switch commands said at least one control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device and wherein actuation of said third transmitter switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 17. Apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical device, comprising:at least one control unit having a power control circuit and at least one control unit switch for generating a first, a second and a third control signal, said power control circuit controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device in response to said first control signal, said second control signal commanding the control unit to store a preset power level in a memory, and said third control, signal commanding the control unit to clear said preset power level from said memory.
  • 18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said electrical device comprises an electric lamp and said power control circuit for controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device, comprises a light intensity control circuit for controlling the light intensity of said electric lamp.
  • 19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said at least one control unit switch comprises a first, a second and a third control unit switch for generating said first, second and third control signals respectively.
  • 20. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said at least one control unit switch comprises a first control unit switch for generating said first control signal and said second control unit switch for generating said second and said third control signal, wherein said second and said third control signal are generated alternately upon successive actuations of said second control unit switch.
  • 21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein actuation of said first control unit switch commands the control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from a non-zero power level to a zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling the power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be said non-zero power level, and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling the power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said non-zero power level is equal to said stored preset power level when said preset power level is stored in said memory, and when no preset power level is stored in said memory said non-zero power level state is the last established power level of said at least one electrical device.
  • 23. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein two successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to provide maximum power to said at least one electrical device.
  • 24. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein three successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to store said preset power level.
  • 25. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein four successive actuations of said first control unit switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to clear said preset power level from said memory.
  • 26. An apparatus according to claim 17, comprising a second and a third control unit switch wherein actuation of said second control unit switch commands control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device, and wherein actuation of said third control unit switch commands control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 27. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said second and said third control unit switches are used to set said preset power level to be stored in said memory.
  • 28. An apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising an indicator which provides an indication that said preset power level has been stored in said memory.
  • 29. An apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a wireless transmitter having first transmitter switch for generating and transmitting at least one transmitted control signal to said at least one control unit and a receiver in said at least one control unit for receiving said transmitted control signal.
  • 30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein actuation of said first transmitter switch commands control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from a non-zero power level to a zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling the power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be said non-zero power level and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling the power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said non-zero power level is equal to said stored preset power level when said preset power level is stored in said memory, and when no power level is stored in said memory said non-zero power level is the last established power level of said at least one electrical device.
  • 32. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein two successive actuations of said first transmitter switch in a short duration of time commands said at least one control unit to provide maximum power to said at least one electrical device.
  • 33. An apparatus according to claim 29, comprising a second and a third transmitter switch wherein actuation of said second transmitter switch commands said at least one control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device, and wherein actuation of said third transmitter switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 34. Apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical device, comprising:at least one control unit having a power control circuit and a first control unit switch for generating a first control signal in response to actuation of said first control unit switch, said power control circuit controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device in response to said first control signal, and said first control signal commanding said control unit to cause the power delivered to said at least one electrical device to decrease to zero after a first delay time, wherein said first delay time is proportional to a length of time said first control unit switch is actuated.
  • 35. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said electrical device comprises an electric lamp, and said power control circuit for controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device comprises a light intensity control circuit for controlling the light intensity of said electric lamp.
  • 36. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said at least one control unit further comprises an indicator which provides an indication of said duration of said first delay time.
  • 37. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said at least one control unit further comprises an indicator which provides an indication that said at least one control unit has received said first control signal, and said at least one control unit has initiated the first delay time but has not yet reached the end of said duration of said first delay time.
  • 38. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein duration of said first delay time is linearly proportional to said length of time said control unit switch is closed.
  • 39. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein actuation of said first control unit switch for a transitory period of time commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from a non-zero power level to a zero power level without said first delay time, if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be a non-zero power level, and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 40. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said first control unit switch further generates a second and a third control signal,said second control signal commanding the control unit to store a preset power level in a memory, said third control signal commanding the control unit to clear said preset power level from said memory.
  • 41. An apparatus according to claim 40 comprising a second and a third control unit switch wherein actuation of said second control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device, and wherein actuation of said third control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 42. An apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said second and said third control unit switches are used to set said preset power level to be stored.
  • 43. An apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising a wireless transmitter having a first transmitter switch for generating and transmitting a first transmitted control signal to said at least one control unit, and a receiver in said at least one control unit for receiving the transmitted control signal, to cause said power delivered to said at least one electrical device to decrease to zero after a second delay time.
  • 44. An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said second delay time is proportional to a length of time said first transmitter switch is actuated.
  • 45. Apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical device, comprising:at least one control unit having a power control circuit and at least one control unit switch for generating a first, a second and a third control signal, said power control circuit controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device in response to said first control signal, said second control signal commanding said at least one control unit to store in a first memory a duration of delay time, and said third control signal commanding said at least one control unit to cause the power delivered to said at least one electrical device to decrease from a non-zero power level to a zero power level after said delay time.
  • 46. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said electrical device comprises an electric lamp, and said power control circuit, for controlling the power delivered to said at least one electrical device, comprises a light intensity control circuit for controlling the light intensity of said electric lamp.
  • 47. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said at least one control unit further comprises an indicator which provides an indicator of said duration of said delay time stored in said first memory.
  • 48. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said at least one control unit further comprises an indication that said at least one control unit has received said third control signal, and said at least one control unit has initiated said delay time but has not yet reached the end of said duration of said delay time.
  • 49. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein actuation of said at least one control unit switch for a transitory period of time commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from a non-zero power level to a zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be a non-zero power level, and to increase the power supplied to said at least one electrical device from zero to said non-zero power level if prior to said actuation said power control circuit is controlling said power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 50. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said first control unit switch further generates a fourth and a fifth control signal,said fourth control signal commanding said at least one control unit to store a preset power level in a second memory, and said fifth control signal commanding said at least one control unit to clear said preset power level from said second memory.
  • 51. An apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said second and a third control unit switch wherein actuation of said second control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to increase the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device and wherein actuation of said third control unit switch commands said at least one control unit to decrease the power level to be delivered to said at least one electrical device.
  • 52. An apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said second and said third control unit switches are used to set said preset power level to be stored in said second memory.
  • 53. An apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said at least one control unit further comprises a delay setting switch for setting said duration of said delay time.
  • 54. An apparatus according to claim 53 wherein said delay setting switch is the third control unit switch which is used to set said duration of said delay time when said at least one control unit is controlling the power to be delivered to said at least one electrical device to be zero.
  • 55. An apparatus according to claim 45 further comprising a wireless transmitter having a first transmitter switch for generating and transmitting a first transmitted control signal to said control unit, and a receiver, in said control unit for receiving said transmitted control signal.
  • 56. An apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said first transmitted control signal commands said at least one control unit to cause the power delivered to said at least one electrical device to decrease from said non-zero power level to a zero power level after said duration of said delay time.
Parent Case Info

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/614,712 filed Mar. 13, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,087.

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4733138 Pearlman et al. Mar 1988
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Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (5)
Entry
Lightolier Controls, Product Instruction Sheet, Model No. OS600-AL, known prior to the filing date of the present invention.
InteliSwitch, digital time switch by The Watt Stopper, known prior to the filing date of the present invention.
Advanced Technology Products, Inc. Dynasty 2000, known prior to the filing date of the present invention.
Westek, Touch-A-Level, known prior to the filing date of the present invention.
Specimen A is a photocopy of an infrared lens manufactured by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., a specimen of which is of record in the parent case, application Serial No. 08/614,712 filed Mar. 12, 1996.