US 4,851,738 AGranted

Lighting system having photosensing timing switch circuit

OwnerTai-Her Yanginventor

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Abstract

A lighting system, which includes one or more lighting apparatus sets, includes a control circuit. The control circuit has an ambient light sensing component and processing circuitry which produce a control signal whenever the intensity of ambient light reaches a given level and remains at that level or less. A delay (debounce) circuit receives the control signal and provides an output upon the expiration of a predetermined time interval which effects the transfer of power to the lighting apparatus set or sets and starts a timing circuit which is operatively arranged to assure continuing transfer of power to the set or sets for a given time interval, at the expiration of which power is removed from the set or sets. An alarm circuit also controlled by an output from the timing circuit may provide a warning alarm shortly before the expiration of the ON time interval. The control circuit may also turn OFF the power to the set or sets when ambient light of a set intensity becomes present.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A controlled lighting system comprising at least one lighting apparatus set for illuminating a given area;

means for supplying power to the at least one lighting apparatus set;
control circuit means for controllably coupling the means for supplying power to said at least one lighting apparatus set, said control circuit means including light sensing means responsive to ambient light for developing a control signal whenever intensity of ambient light reaches a given level and remains at that level or becomes less;
delay circuit means coupled to said light sensing means and responsive to the control signal therefrom for developing a delayed control signal indicating that the intensity of ambient light has remained at or below said given level for at least a given time interval, making the system nonresponsive to short term ambient light intensity variations;
pulse-producing timing circuit means coupled to said delay circuit means and responsive to the delayed control signal therefrom for providing output pulses for a predetermined time interval;
step switch means for switching ON and OFF power to the at least one lighting apparatus, said step switch means being coupled between the means for supplying power and the at least one lighting apparatus set;
means coupled to said pulse-producing timing circuit means and responsive to output pulses therefrom for advancing said step switch means in step fashion for a given time interval during which power is ON and upon the expiration of which the step switch means switches OFF power from said means for supplying power to the at least one lighting apparatus set;
and means for resetting said step switch means upon expiration a further time interval and exposure of the light sensing means to light.

4 more elements

A controlled lighting system comprising at least one lighting apparatus set for illuminating a given area, means for supplying power to the at least one lighting apparatus set and control circuit means for controllably coupling the means for supplying power to said at least one lighting apparatus set, said control circuit means including light sensing means responsive to ambient light for developing a control signal whenever intensity of ambient light reaches a given level and remains at that level or becomes less;

pulse-producing timing circuit means responsive to the control signal for providing output pulses for a predetermined time interval;
step switch means for switching ON and OFF power to the at least on lighting apparatus, said step switch means being coupled between the means for supplying power and the at least one lighting apparatus set;
means coupled to said pulse-producing timing circuit means and responsive to output pulses therefrom for advancing said step switch means in step fashion for a given time interval during which power is ON and upon the expiration of which the step switch means switches OFF power from said means for supplying power to the at least one lighting apparatus set;
and means for resetting said step switch means upon expiration a further time interval and exposure of the light sensing means to light.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/018,160Filed 24 Feb 1987 · division
Priority: 10 Aug 1982
Granted: 25 Jul 1989
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H01R 4/2404
Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands: the contact members having teeth, prongs, pins or needles…
F21S 8/088
Of high-built type, e.g. street light: with lighting device mounted on top of the standard, e.g. for pedestrian zones
F21V 21/002
Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices ; Hand grips: making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing
F21V 21/0824
Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet: ground spikes