DESIGNER-STYLE DIMMER APPARATUS AND METHOD
A switch for controlling distribution of power to a light. The switch may include a frame, a controller connected to the frame, and a rocker connected to the frame to pivot with respect thereto through a range of motion having a first extreme and a second extreme, opposite the first extreme. The switch may also include a signal generator connected to the frame and comprising a first micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the first extreme and a second micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the second extreme. The controller may be connected to the signal generator to receive input therefrom and comprise logic to control the distribution in accordance with the input.
1 . A switch for controlling distribution of current to a light, the switch comprising:
a frame;
a controller connected to the frame;
a rocker connected to the frame to pivot with respect thereto through a range of motion having a first extreme and a second extreme, opposite the first extreme;
a signal generator connected to the frame and comprising a first micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the first extreme and a second micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the second extreme; and
the controller operably connected to the signal generator to receive input therefrom and comprising logic to control the distribution in accordance with the input.
2 . The switch of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a processor programmed to execute a POWER ON function after the controller senses that the first micro switch has been actuated for a period time less than a first time threshold.
3 . The switch of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute a BRIGHTEN function after the controller senses that the first micro switch has been actuated for a period time greater than a second time threshold.
4 . The switch of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute a POWER OFF function after the controller senses that the second micro switch has been actuated for a period time less than the first time threshold.
5 . The switch of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further programmed to execute a DIM function after the controller senses that the second micro switch has been actuated for a period time greater than the second time threshold.
6 . The switch of claim 5 , wherein the POWER ON function comprises returning the distribution to a first value corresponding to a state existing immediately prior to the controller executing the last, previous, POWER OFF function.
7 . The switch of claim 6 , wherein the first and second time thresholds are substantially equal.
8 . The switch of claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second micro switches is a push-to-make switch.
9 . The switch of claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second micro switches is a configured such that actuation by the rocker effects closure thereof.
10 . The switch of claim 9 , wherein the range of motion further comprises a middle substantially equidistant from the first and second extremes.
11 . The switch of claim 10 , wherein the first micro switch comprises a first biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the first extreme.
12 . The switch of claim 11 , wherein the second micro switch comprises a second biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the second extreme.
13 . The switch of claim 12 , wherein the first and second micro switches collectively bias the rocker toward the middle.
14 . The switch of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second micro switches is a push-to-make switch.
15 . The switch of claim 1 , wherein the range of motion further comprises a middle substantially equidistant from the first and second extremes.
16 . The switch of claim 15 , wherein the first micro switch comprises a first biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the first extreme.
17 . The switch of claim 16 , wherein the second micro switch comprises a second biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the second extreme.
18 . The switch of claim 17 , wherein the first and second micro switches collectively bias the rocker toward the middle.
19 . A switch for controlling distribution of current to a light, the switch comprising:
a frame;
a rocker connected to the frame to pivot with respect thereto through a range of motion having a first extreme, a second extreme, opposite the first extreme, and a middle, substantially equidistant from the first and second extremes;
a first micro switch connected to the frame and positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the first extreme;
a second micro switch connected to the frame and positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the second extreme;
the first micro switch comprising a first biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the first extreme;
the second micro switch comprising a second biasing mechanism biasing the rocker away from the second extreme; and
the first and second micro switches collectively biasing the rocker toward the middle.