IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,067,906
Granted Patent B2
US 8,067,906 · App. 12/287,808 · Granted Nov 29, 2011

Multi-way sensor switch

Assignee: The Watt Stopper Inc
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,067,906
App. No.
12/287,808
Granted
Nov 29, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for controlling a load circuit is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of multi-way sensor switches for mounting in an electrical boxes and coupling to the load circuit. Preferably, each of the multi-way sensor switches includes a tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit load circuit, a built-in sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to a level of detected motion and a micro-processor for generating status signals. The status signals are transmitted between each of the multi-way sensor switches over a traveler wire that is electrically coupled to each of the multi-way sensor switches. The micro-processor then uses the status signals to synchronize the operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches to allowing the multi-way sensor switches to operate in a true three-way fashion.

Claims (35)

1. A control system for controlling lighting, the system comprising multi-way sensor switches for mounting in electrical boxes and coupling to a load circuit, each of the multi-way sensor switches comprising:

a) tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit; wherein the system is programmable through the tactile switch;

b) built-in motion sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to detected motion;

c) a micro-processor for generating status signals;

d) at least two connectors for coupling to the load circuit and for providing power to the built-in motion sensor;

e) means for transmitting the status signals between each of the multi-way sensor switches and synchronizing operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches; and

f) a light sensor for measuring light levels and wherein the multi-way sensor switches automatically turn on a night light when the light levels measured by the light sensor are below a threshold value and the load circuits opened.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-way sensor switch further includes a light sensor for measuring light levels and wherein the multi-way sensor automatically turn on a night light when the light levels measured by the light sensor are below a threshold value and the load circuits opened.

3. The control system of claim 2 , wherein the light sensor comprises a photo-diode.

4. The control system of claim 2 , wherein the night light is built-in to the multi-way sensor switch and is placed in a night light mode through the tactile switch.

5. The control system of claim 2 , wherein the night light comprises a light emitting diode.

6. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

7. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the means for transmitting the status signals between each of the multi-way sensor switches and synchronizing operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches includes at least one travel connection coupled to a travel wire.

8. A system for controlling a load circuit, the system comprising:

a) a first switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a first electrical switch box, the a first switch unit comprising:

I) a first tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a first location; and

ii) a first built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the first location; and

b) a second switch unit for electrically coupling to the load circuit through a second electrical switch box, the a second switch unit comprising:

I) a second tactile switch for operating the load circuit from a second location; and

ii) a second built-in sensor for automatically operating the load circuit in response to detected motion in the second location; wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes means for selecting and programming a duration of time that the load circuit remains closed after levels of motion detected by either of the first built-in sensor or second built-in sensor detected are below a threshold value; and

c) a traveler wire connecting the first switch unit and the second switch unit through traveler leads, wherein the operation of the first and second built-in sensors is synchronized through the traveler wire.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the load circuit is couple one or more lights.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes a built-in night light that emits light when the load circuit is in an opened position.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and the second switch units includes a light sensor for detecting levels of ambient light and automatically controlling the built-in night light based on the levels of detected ambient light.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the means for selecting and programming the duration of time includes a micro-processor.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the motion sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

14. A method of controlling a load circuit comprising:

a) coupling a plurality of multi-way sensor switches to the load circuit, each comprising:

I) tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit load circuit

ii) built-in sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to detected motion;

iii) a micro-processor for generating status signals;

iv) at least two connectors for coupling to the load circuit and for providing supervisor power to the built in motion sensor; and

v) at least one travel connection;

b) coupling each of the sensor switches to a traveler wire through the traveler connections; and

c) and transmitting status signals between each of the multi-way sensor switches to Synchronize modes of operation; and programming the load circuit through the tactile switch.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2008
From: NULL, JONATHAN
To: WATT STOPPER, INC., THE
Reel/Frame 021905/0346 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 11701282 · Jan 31, 2007
Continuation In Part 11580374 · Oct 12, 2006
Continuation 11084449 · Mar 18, 2005
Continuation In Part 10255659 · Sep 25, 2002
Provisional Application 60771620 · Feb 18, 2006
Related Publication 20090072766A1 · Mar 19, 2009