Microcontroller-based multifunctional electronic switch and lighting apparatus having the same

1. A microcontroller based electronic switch, comprising:

a controllable switching circuitry, electrically connected between an LED load including a plurality of LEDs and a power source for controlling and delivering a DC power to said LED load;

at least one detection device, for detecting at least one external control signal and convert said at least one external control signal into at least one message carrying sensing signal with at least one signal format; and

a microcontroller designed to receive and interpret said at least one message sensing signal generated by said at least one detection device;

wherein said at least one detection device is electrically coupled with said microcontroller;

wherein said controllable switching circuitry is electrically coupled with said microcontroller, wherein said microcontroller outputs a control signal to control a conduction state or a cutoff state of said controllable switching circuitry according to said at least one message carrying sensing signal generated by said at least one detection device;

wherein when said controllable switching circuitry is in said conduction state, said microcontroller further controls an electric power transmission level from said power source to said LED load according to said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal received from said at least one detection device;

wherein said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal is a short voltage signal, a long voltage signal, a constant voltage signal, a plurality of said short voltage signals, a plurality of said long voltage signals or a combination of said short voltage signal and said long voltage signal; wherein said short voltage signal and said long voltage signal are defined by a signal time length of a voltage signal generated by said detection device; wherein when said signal time length of said voltage signal is equal to or shorter than a preset time interval, said voltage signal is said short voltage signal, wherein when said signal time length of said voltage signal is longer than said preset time interval, said voltage signal is said long voltage signal, or by said signal time length of a series of pulse signals consecutively generated;

wherein when said microcontroller receives said at least one message carrying sensing signal, said microcontroller operates to activate a corresponding process according to said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal to perform at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least an on/off switch control mode, a dimming control mode, an illumination level switching control mode and a delay shutoff control mode;

wherein said LED load connected to said microcontroller based electronic switch is confined to a configuration that said plurality of LEDs of said LED load are managed with an adequate in series and/or in parallel connections such that when incorporated with an adequate level setting of said DC power, an electric current passing through each LED of said LED load remains at a safety level such that a voltage V across each LED complies with an operating constraint of V th <V <V max featuring electrical characteristics of each LED, wherein V th is a minimum threshold voltage required to trigger each LED to start emitting light and V max is a maximum operating voltage across each LED to avoid a thermal damage or burning out of LED construction;

wherein when said LED load is configured with a plurality of N number LEDs or N sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, a working voltage V N across said LED load is confined in a domain between a minimum voltage equal to the sum of said threshold voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series and a maximum voltage equal to the sum of said maximum operating voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, identically expressed as N×V th <V N <N×V max .; and

wherein said microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit device or an application specific integrated circuit for generating said control signal.

2. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 1 , wherein said detection device is configured with a touchless interface for detecting said external control signal and converting said external control signal into said at least one message carrying sensing signal interpretable to said microcontroller.

3. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 2 , wherein said touchless interface is an active infrared ray motion sensor comprising a transmitter to emit infrared light into an area to form a defined detection zone and a receiver to detect said infrared light reflected from an object entering, staying in and leaving said defined detection zone, wherein when an object enters and leaves said defined detection zone, a circuitry responsively generates a first voltage sensing signal with a time length corresponding to a time duration of said object entering and staying in said defined detection zone; wherein when said object leaves said defined detection zone, said circuitry delivers a second voltage signal, said first voltage sensing signal with said time length is said at least one message carrying sensing signal to be delivered to said microcontroller for performing said at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and a said delay shutoff control mode.

4. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 2 , wherein said touchless interface is a passive infrared ray motion sensor electrically coupled to said microcontroller for detecting a motion signal generated by an intruder into said at least one message carrying sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

5. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 2 , wherein said touchless interface is an ultrasonic wave motion sensor comprising a transmitter to transmit ultrasonic wave into an area to form a detection zone and a receiver to detect the ultrasonic wave reflected from an intruder entering said detection zone for detecting a motion signal and converting said motion signal into said at least one message sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

6. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 2 , wherein said touchless interface is a microwave motion sensor electrically coupled with said microcontroller, comprising a transmitter to transmit microwave signal into an area to form a detection zone and a receiver to detect said microwave signal reflected from an intruder entering said detection zone for detecting a motion signal and converting said motion signal into said at least one message sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

7. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 2 , wherein said touchless interface is a wireless remote control device electrically coupled to said microcontroller to receive and convert a wireless external control signal into said at least one message carrying sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one of illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

8. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 7 , wherein said wireless remote control device is a Wi-Fi wireless signal receiver, a Blue Tooth wireless signal receiver, a microwave wireless signal receiver or a millimeter wave wireless signal receiver.

9. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 1 , wherein a wireless signal transmitter is further electrically coupled with said microcontroller to convert said at least one message carrying sensing signal into at least one wireless control signal to synchronously control at least one lighting performance of at least one neighboring lighting apparatus.

10. The microcontroller based electronic switch according to claim 9 , wherein said wireless signal transmitter is a Wi-Fi wireless signal transmitter, a Blue Tooth wireless signal transmitter, a microwave wireless signal transmitter or a millimeter wave wireless signal transmitter.

11. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light emitting unit configured with an LED load including a plurality of LEDs;

a loading and power control unit comprising a microcontroller and a controllable switching circuitry;

at least one detection device, for detecting at least one external control signal and converting said at least one external control signal into at least one message carrying sensing signal with at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing at least one illumination performance of said light emitting unit; and

a wireless signal transmitter to convert said at least one message carrying sensing signal into at least one wireless control signal to activate at least one neighboring lighting apparatus for remotely and synchronously performing said at least one illumination performance;

wherein said controllable switching circuitry electrically connected between said LED load and a power source comprises at least one semiconductor switching element for controlling and delivering a DC power from said power source to said LED load, wherein said microcontroller is electrically coupled with said at least one semiconductor switching element, said at least one detection device and said wireless signal transmitter;

wherein said microcontroller outputs a control signal to control a conduction state or a cutoff state of said at least one semiconductor switching element according to said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal received from said at least one detection device;

wherein when said at least one semiconductor switching element is in said conduction state, said microcontroller further adjust said control signal to control a conduction rate of said at least one semiconductor switching element to set an electric power transmission level from said power source to said LED load according to said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal received from said at least one detection device;

wherein said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal is a short voltage signal with a signal time length equal to or shorter than a preset time interval, a long voltage signal with a signal time length longer than said preset time interval, a constant voltage signal with a voltage value, a plurality of said short voltage signals, a plurality of said long voltage signals, a combination of said short voltage signal and said long voltage signal; or a series of pulse signals consecutively generated within a signal time length;

wherein when said microcontroller receives said at least one message carrying sensing signal, said microcontroller operates to activate a corresponding process for performing said at least one illumination performance of illumination performance control modes including at least an on/off switch control mode, a dimming control mode, an illumination level switching control mode and a delay shutoff control mode;

wherein said LED load in conjunction with an adequate level setting of said DC power is designed with a combination of in series and/or in parallel connections such that an electric current passing through each LED of said LED load remains at an adequate level, and a voltage V across each LED complies with a constraint of V th <V<V max featuring electrical characteristics of said LED:

wherein V th is a threshold voltage required to trigger said LED to start emitting light and V max is a maximum operating voltage across said LED to avoid a thermal damage to LED construction;

wherein when said LED load is configured with a plurality of N number LEDs or N sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, a working voltage V N across said LED load is confined in a domain between a minimum voltage equal to the sum of said threshold voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series and a maximum voltage equal to the sum of said maximum operating voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, identically expressed as N×V th <V N <N×V max .; and

wherein said microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit device or an application specific integrated circuit for generating said control signal.

12. The lighting apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said at least one detection device is configured with a touchless interface for detecting said at least one external control signal and converting said at least one external control signal into said at least one message carrying sensing signal interpretable to said microcontroller.

13. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is an active infrared ray sensor comprising a transmitter to emit infrared light into an area to form a defined detection zone and a receiver to detect said infrared light reflected from an object entering, staying in and leaving said defined detection zone, wherein when an object enters and leaves said defined detection zone, a circuitry responsively generates a first voltage sensing signal with a time length corresponding to a time interval of said object entering and staying in said defined detection zone; wherein when said object leaves said defined detection zone, said circuitry delivers a second voltage signal, said first voltage sensing signal with said signal time length is said at least one message carrying sensing signal to be delivered to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

14. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is a passive infrared ray motion sensor electrically coupled to said microcontroller for detecting and converting a motion signal generated by an intruder into said at least one message carrying sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

15. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is an ultrasonic wave motion sensor comprising a transmitter to transmit ultrasonic wave into an area to form a detection zone and a receiver to detect said ultrasonic wave reflected from an intruder entering said detection zone for detecting a motion signal and converting said motion signal into said at least one message sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

16. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is a microwave motion sensor electrically coupled with said microcontroller, comprising a transmitter to transmit microwave signal into an area to form a detection zone and a receiver to detect said microwave signal reflected from an intruder entering said detection zone for detecting a motion signal and converting said motion signal into said at least one message sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

17. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is a wireless remote control device electrically coupled to said microcontroller to receive and convert a wireless external control signal into said at least one message carrying sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

18. The lighting apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said wireless external control signal is a Blue Tooth wireless signal, a Wi-Fi wireless signal, a microwave wireless signal or a millimeter wave wireless signal.

19. The lighting apparatus according claim 18 , wherein said wireless external control signal is received from a smart phone or a mobile device, loaded with an application program (APP) or software program operable on a panel screen of said smart phone or said mobile device for operating at least one of said illumination performance control modes of said lighting apparatus.

20. The lighting apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said microcontroller comprises a memory for saving or installing an application program (APP) or a software program, wherein said application program or said software program from an internet or a cloud server is downloaded for interpreting and executing said at least one message sensing signal from said wireless remote control device.

21. The lighting apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said wireless external control signal is received from a smart speaker to read, execute and convert a voice instruction into said wireless external control signal.

22. The lighting apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said wireless signal transmitter is a Blue Tooth wireless signal transmitter, a Wi-Fi wireless signal transmitter, a microwave wireless signal transmitter or a millimeter wave wireless signal transmitter.

23. The lighting apparatus according claim 12 , wherein said touchless interface is a photo sensor for detecting a lumens level of a light intensity in a detection area and converting said lumens level into said at least one message sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for performing said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said illumination level switching control mode and said delay shutoff control mode.

24. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light emitting unit configured with an LED load including a plurality of LEDs;

a loading and power control unit comprising a microcontroller and a controllable switching circuitry;

a light sensing unit, electrically coupled with said microcontroller, for detecting a lumens value of an ambient light in a detection area for controlling an on or off illumination performance of said light emitting unit;

a motion sensing unit, electrically coupled with said microcontroller, for detecting a motion signal to perform a high level illumination for a predetermined time duration; and

a wireless signal receiver, electrically coupled with said microcontroller, for receiving at least one wireless external control signal and convert said at least one wireless external control signal into at least one message carrying sensing signal with at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for executing at least one illumination performance of illumination performance control modes including at least an on/off switch control mode, a dimming control mode, a delay shutoff control mode, a light sensitivity control mode, a motion sensitivity control mode or a switching control mode between a motion sensing illumination mode and a dusk to dawn illumination mode;

wherein said microcontroller comprises a memory for saving or installing an application program (APP) or a software program, wherein said application program or said software program from an internet or a cloud server is downloaded for interpreting and executing said at least one message carrying sensing signal from said wireless signal receiver;

wherein said controllable switching circuitry electrically connected between said LED load and a power source comprises at least one semiconductor switching element for controlling and delivering a DC power from said power source to said LED load;

wherein said microcontroller is electrically coupled with said at least one semiconductor switching element, said light sensing unit, said motion sensing unit and said wireless signal receiver;

wherein said microcontroller outputs a control signal to control a conduction state of said at least one semiconductor switching element according to a light sensing signal from said light sensing unit or according to a motion sensing signal from said motion sensing unit;

wherein when said at least one semiconductor switching element is in said conduction state, said microcontroller further control a conduction rate of said at least one semiconductor switching element to control an electric power transmission level from said power source to said LED load according to said at least one signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal received from said wireless signal receiver or form said light sensing signal or from said motion sensing signal;

wherein said signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal is a short voltage signal with a signal time length equal to or shorter than a preset time interval, a long voltage signal with a signal time length longer than said preset time interval, a constant voltage signal with a voltage value, a plurality of short voltage signals, a plurality of long voltage signals, a combination of said short voltage signal and said long voltage signal, or a series of pulse signals consecutively generated within a signal time length;

wherein when said microcontroller receives said at least one message carrying sensing signal, said microcontroller operates to activate a corresponding process according to said signal format of said at least one message carrying sensing signal to perform said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, an illumination level switching control mode, said delay shutoff control mode, said light sensitivity control mode, said motion sensitivity control mode, and said switching control mode between said motion sensing illumination mode and said dusk to dawn illumination mode;

wherein said LED load in conjunction with an adequate level setting of said DC power is designed with a combination of in series and/or in parallel connections such that an electric current passing through each LED of said LED load remains at an adequate level, and a voltage V across each LED complies with a constraint of V th <V<V max featuring electrical characteristics of said LED;

wherein V th is a threshold voltage required to trigger said LED to start emitting light and V max is a maximum operating voltage across said LED to avoid a thermal damage to LED construction;

wherein when said LED load is configured with a plurality of N number LEDs or N sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, a working voltage V N across said LED load is confined in a domain between a minimum voltage equal to the sum of said threshold voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series and a maximum voltage equal to the sum of said maximum operating voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, identically expressed as N×V th <V N <N×V max ; and

wherein said microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit device or an application specific integrated circuit for generating the control signal.

25. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein at dusk when said lumens value of said ambient light is lower than a first predetermined value said microcontroller operates to activate said motion sensing unit;

wherein when said motion signal is detected by said motion sensing unit, said microcontroller operates to conduct said at least one semiconductor switching device to perform said high level illumination for said predetermined time duration;

wherein at dawn when said lumens value of said ambient light is higher than a second predetermined value said microcontroller operates to switch off said light emitting unit.

26. The lighting apparatus according to claim 25 , wherein at dusk when said motion sensing unit is activated said microcontroller operates to control said at least one semiconductor switching device to deliver a low level electric power to said light emitting unit to generate a low level illumination; wherein when said motion signal is detected by said motion sensing unit, said microcontroller operates to control said at least one semiconductor switching device to deliver a high level electric power to said light emitting unit to perform said high level illumination for said predetermined time duration.

27. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said at least one wireless external control signal is a Blue Tooth wireless signal, a Wi-Fi wireless signal, a microwave wireless signal or a millimeter wave wireless signal.

28. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said at least one wireless external control signal is received from a smart phone or a mobile device, loaded with an application program (APP) or software program operable on a panel screen of said smart phone or said mobile device for controlling to perform said at least one illumination performance of said lighting apparatus.

29. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said at least one wireless external control signal is received from a smart speaker to interpret, execute and convert a voice instruction into said wireless external control signal.

30. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said motion sensor is an active infrared ray motion sensor.

31. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said motion sensor is a passive infrared ray motion sensor.

32. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said motion sensor is a microwave motion sensor.

33. The lighting apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said motion sensor is an ultrasonic motion sensor.

34. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light emitting unit configured with an LED load including a plurality of LEDs;

a loading and power control unit including at least a microcontroller and a controllable switching circuitry;

at least one detection device, configured with a direct touch interface, for detecting an external control signal and converting said external control signal into at least one first message carrying sensing signal with at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for activating at least one illumination performance of illumination performance control modes including at least an on/off switch control mode, a dimming control mode, a delay shutoff control mode, a light sensitivity control mode, a detection sensitivity control mode, a switching control mode between operating two different illumination modes; and

a wireless signal receiver, electrically coupled with said microcontroller, for receiving a wireless external control signal and convert said wireless external control signal into at least one second message carrying sensing signal with said at least one signal format interpretable to said microcontroller for activating said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes including at least said on/off switch control mode, said dimming control mode, said delay shutoff control mode, said light sensitivity control mode, said detection sensitivity control mode and said switching control mode between operating two different illumination modes;

wherein said microcontroller comprises a memory for saving or installing an application program (APP) or a software program, wherein said application program or said software program from an internet or a cloud server is downloaded for interpreting and executing said at least one second message sensing signal from said wireless signal receiver;

wherein said switching circuitry electrically connected between said LED load and a power source comprises at least one semiconductor switching element for controlling and delivering a DC power from said power source to said LED load;

wherein said microcontroller is electrically coupled with said at least one semiconductor switching element, said at least one detection device and said wireless signal receiver;

wherein said microcontroller outputs a control signal to control a conduction state of said at least one semiconductor switching element according to said at least one first message sensing signal or said at least one second message sensing signal;

wherein when said at least one semiconductor switching element is in said conduction state, said microcontroller further control a conduction rate of said at least one semiconductor switching element to control an electric power transmission level from said power source to said LED load according to said at least one first message carrying sensing signal received from said at least one detection device or according to said at least one second message sensing signal from said wireless signal receiver;

wherein said at least one signal format of said at least one first message carrying sensing signal or said at least one second message sensing signal is a short voltage signal with a signal time length equal to or shorter than a preset time interval, a long voltage signal with a signal time length longer than said preset time interval, a constant voltage signal with a voltage value, a plurality of said short voltage signals, a plurality of said long voltage signals, a combination of said short voltage signal and said long voltage signal or a series of pulse signals consecutively generated within a signal time length;

wherein when said microcontroller receives said at least one first message carrying sensing signal or said at least one second message sensing signal, said microcontroller operates to activate a corresponding process according to said at least one signal format of said at least one first message carrying sensing signal or said at least one second message sensing signal to perform said at least one illumination performance of said illumination performance control modes;

wherein said microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit device or an application specific integrated circuit for generating the control signal;

wherein said LED load in conjunction with an adequate level setting of said DC power is designed with a combination of in series and or in parallel connections such that an electric current passing through each LED of said LED load remains at an adequate level, and a voltage V across each LED complies with a constraint of V th <V<V max featuring electrical characteristics of said LED;

wherein V th is a threshold voltage required to trigger said LED to start emitting light and V max is a maximum operating voltage across said LED to avoid a thermal damage to LED construction;

wherein when said LED load is configured with a plurality of N number LEDs or N sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, a working voltage V N across said LED load is confined in a domain between a minimum voltage equal to the sum of said threshold voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series and a maximum voltage equal to said sum of the maximum operating voltages of all LEDs or sets of parallel connected LEDs electrically connected in series, identically expressed as N×V th <V N <N×V max .; and

wherein said microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit device or an application specific integrated circuit for generating said control signal.

35. The lighting apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said direct touch interface of said at least one detection device is a push button switch, a touch sensor switch, a power interruption detection circuitry, a phase controller or a voltage divider.