MXPA06007842A - Lighting control device having improved long fade off - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting control device for controlling the light intensity level of at least one lamp is disclosed. The lighting control device includes a microcontroller and a user-actuatable switch controller that is operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a first fade rate when the switch controller is actuated. If the microcontroller determines that the switch controller has been actuated for at least a predefined actuator hold time, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade at a second fade rate for a predefined long fade time. After the long fade time elapses, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade to off at a third fade. The first fade rate is based on a predefined fade-off time that represents a time allotted for fading the ligth intensity level of the lamp from its initial light intensity level to off. To prevent the light intensity level from fading to off before the actuation time elapses, the fade off time may be defined to be longer than the actuation time. The second fade rate may be slower than the first fade rate and have an exponential fade profile. The third fade rate may be a predefined rate at which the microcontroller is programmed to cause the light intensity level to fade from full on to full off. The third fade rate may be quicker than the second fade rate.

Description

LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED LONG IMPROVED Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to lighting control devices. More particularly, the invention relates to lighting control devices that employ a sequence of fade speeds to vanish the light intensity level of one or more lamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Light-dimmer switches, that is, wall-mounted light switches that include a dimmer, have become increasingly popular, especially for applications where it is desired to precisely control the intensity level of the light. light in a particular room. Some known light-ranging switches employ a variable resistor that is manipulated by hand to control the switching of a bidirectional thyristor, which in turn varies the voltage input to the lamp (s) to be graduated. Such manually operated variable resistor dimmer switches have a number of known limitations. There are touch-sensitive controls that address some of these limitations. One such touch actuator controls repetitively cycles through a range of intensities from reduced to bright in response to prolonged touch inputs. A memory function is provided such that, when the touch input is removed, the cycle will stop and the light intensity level at that point in the cycle will be stored in a memory. A short, back touch input will turn off the light and a subsequent short touch input will turn on the light at the intensity level stored in the memory. Although this type of switch is an improvement over the light-operated, variable resistor, manually operated switches, it requires the user to go through the cycle of intensity levels in order to reach a desired intensity level. In addition, it still lacks the ability to return to a desired intensity level after being set to a full light output. A user must go through the cycle again until they find the desired light intensity level. In addition, this type of switch typically has no ability to carry out certain aesthetic effects such as a gradual fading from one light intensity level to another. The patent of E.U. do not. 5,248,919 ("the patent 919") discloses a lighting control which may include intensity selection means operable by the user to select a desired intensity level between a minimum intensity level and a maximum intensity level, and switch means of control to generate control signals representative of preselected states and intensity levels in response to an input from a user. The disclosure of the 919 patent is hereby incorporated in its entirety. The patent 919 furthermore discloses control means for causing at least one lamp to vanish: a) from the off state to the desired intensity level, at a first fade rate, when the input from a user causes a switch closure; b) from any intensity level up to the maximum intensity level, at a second fade rate, when the input from a user causes two momentary switch closures of transient duration in rapid succession; c) from the desired intensity level to an off state, at a third fade rate, when the input from a user causes the closing of a single switch of a transient duration; and d) from the desired intensity level to an off state, at a fourth fade rate, when the input from a user causes a single switch closure of more than one transient duration. The control means may cause the lamp to vanish from a first level of intensity to a second level of intensity at a fifth rate of fade when the intensity selection means is operated for a period greater than the transient duration. Fig. 1 illustrates a wall control 10 of the prior art, as described in the '919 patent. As shown, the wall control 10 comprises a cover plate 12, an intensity selection actuator 14 for selecting a desired level of light intensity of a lamp or lamps controlled by the device. , and a control switch actuator. The actuation of the upper portion 14a of the actuator 14 increases or increases the level of light intensity, while the actuation of the lower portion 14b of the actuator 14 decreases or reduces the intensity level of the light. The wall control 10 may also include an intensity level indicator in the form of a plurality of light sources 18, which may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), for example. By illuminating a selected one of the light sources 18, the position of the illuminated light source within the installation can provide a visual indication of the level of light intensity of the lamp or lamps that are controlled.

The exemplary fade rates and fade rate profiles illustrated in the '919 patent are reproduced as FIGs. 2A-2D of it. FIG 2B illustrates a first fade rate, at which a lamp is gradually turned on from a shutdown state to a desired intensity level. The first fade rate from "off" to a desired intensity novel is labeled with the reference numeral 40. FIG. 2B illustrates the fade rate in terms of a normal light intensity level graph, from "off" to 100%, against time, given in seconds. As shown, the fade rate 40 can be turned on gradually from "off" to 100% in about 3.5 seconds, that is, at the rate of about + 30% per second. This fade rate is used when the lighting control device 10 of the invention receives as a user input a single intermediate connection of the control switch actuator 16 and the lamp under control was previously turned off. This fade rate can also be used, but does not need to, when a user selects a desired intensity level by actuating the intensity selection actuator 14. In this way, the lamp 10 will fade from one intensity level to another at a level of intensity. fading speed 40 when the upper portion 14a of the actuator 14 is actuated by the user. Similarly, FIG. 2C illustrates a fade rate 42 at which the lamp 20 will fade from one intensity level to another when the actuator 16 is bypassed when the lamp under control is already on or the lower portion 14b of the actuator 14 is actuated by the user . The fade rate 42 is illustrated being the same as the fade speed 40, but opposite sign, and is gradually turned off from 100% to "off" in about 3.5 seconds, for a fade rate of about 30% per second. However, it will be understood that the precise fade rates are not crucial and that fade rates 40 and 42 may be different. FIG. 2A illustrates a second fade rate 44 at which the lamp 20 is gradually turned up to 100% when the lighting control device 10 receives two rapid sockets in succession in the control switch 16 actuator as a user input. noted above, two quick taps on the actuator 16 cause the lamp 20 to turn on gradually from its current light intensity level to 100% or fully on. The fade rate 44 can be substantially faster than the first fade rate 40, but not so fast to be substantially instantaneous. An example of fading speed 44 is approximately + 66% per second. If desired, the fade rate 44 can be started after a short time delay, such as 0.3 seconds, or, in that range, it can be preceded by a fade speed less than 46. A "sustained" input in the actuator 16 causes that the lamp 20 fades from its current current intensity level to off at a third fade rate 48, as shown in FIG. 2D The fade rate 48 can be substantially less than any of the fade rates previously illustrated. The fade rate 48 may also not be constant, but may vary depending on the current intensity level of the lamp 20. However, the fade rate may be such that the lamp 20 will fade from its current intensity level then. until off in about the same amount of time as the total initial intensity levels. For example, if the lamp 20 is desired to fade to off in about ten seconds (to give the user time through a room before the lights are extinguished), for example), a fade rate of approximately 10% per second can be used if the current intensity level of the lamp 20 is 100%. On the other hand, if the current intensity level of the lamp 20 is only 35%, the fade rate can be only 3.5% per second, so that the lamp 20 does not reach the complete shutdown until ten desired seconds. In addition, if desired, a slightly faster fade rate 50 can be used in half the initial seconds or something of fading, in order to give the user immediate feedback to confirm that the gradual shutdown has started. A suitable fade rate 50 can be of the order of 33% per second. A similarly faster fade rate 52 can also be used near the end of the fading, so that the lamp 20 quickly extinguishes after fading to a low level. In this way, after approximately ten seconds of fading, at a relatively slow speed, the lamp 20 will fade the rest of the way until it goes out in about one more second. If fast, initial and final speeds are used, then the intervening fade rate must be decreased in order to achieve the same fade time. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, with lower initial intensity levels, the intervening fade speed can be zero (constant light emission) and with even lower initial intensity levels, the lamp can be turned off during the initial rapid fade. Thus, at low light intensities (e.g., less than about 20%), the control means tends to turn off the lamp before the long fade is activated (i.e., prior to the detection that the closing of the individual switch is more than one transient duration). It would be desirable if such light controls were capable of activating a long fading of any light intensity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to lighting control devices that cause the light intensity level of at least one lamp to fade at a first rate of fade based on its initial intensity after a determination that a switch controller has been operated. In exemplary embodiments, the lighting control device may include a microcontroller and a user-operable switch controller that is operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller causes the light intensity level of at least one lamp to vanish at a first fade rate when the switch controller is initially actuated. If the microcontroller determines that the switch controller has been operated for at least one predefined operating time, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a second fade rate for a time of fade long predefined. The first fade rate is based on a predefined step-off time representing a time allotted for fading the light intensity level of at least one lamp, from its initial light intensity level to zero. To prevent the light intensity level from vanishing until it is extinguished before the activation time has elapsed, the gradual switch-off time can be defined longer than the activation time. The second fade rate may be less than the first fade rate and may have an exponential fade profile. After the long fading time has elapsed, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of at least one lamp to fade to a third fading speed. The third fade rate can be a predefined speed at which the microcontroller causes the light intensity level to fade from 100% to zero.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, where similar numbers indicate similar elements: FIG. 1 illustrates a wall control of the prior art; FIGs. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary fade rates and fading speed profiles in a prior art lighting control system; FIG. 3 illustrates a wall control 100 incorporating a lighting control device according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of exemplary circuitry for a lighting control device according to the invention; FIGs. 5A-5D illustrate scenarios comparing the vanishing profiles of a lighting control device according to the invention, with those of a typical lighting control device of the prior art; and FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a control device according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrative Modalities FIG. 3 illustrates a wall control 100 incorporating a lighting control device according to the invention. The wall control 100 comprises a bezel 102, intensity selection actuator 104 for selecting a desired level of light intensity of a lamp controlled by the device, and a control switch actuator 106. The bezel 102 need not be limited to any specific form and is preferably of a type adapted to be mounted in a conventional wall box, commonly used in the installation of lighting control devices. The actuators 104 and 106 are likewise not limited to any specific form, and may be of any suitable design that allows manual operation by a user. The actuator 104 can control an oscillating switch, for example, but it can also control two separate oppression switches., for example, without departing from the invention. The switches controlled by the actuator 104 can be connected directly to the control circuitry as described below, or can be linked by an extended cable connection link, infrared link, radio frequency link, energy line vehicle link or other mode to the control circuitry. Similarly, the switch controlled by the actuator 106 can also be connected directly to the control circuitry, or linked by an extended cable connection link, infrared link, radio frequency link, energy line vehicle link, or other Mode to the control circuitry The actuators 104 and 106 may be linked to the corresponding switches in any convenient manner. The actuator 106 may control a type of push-button of the switch, such as a bell-toggle button, for example, but may be of the touch-sensitive type or any other suitable type. The actuation of the upper portion 104a of the actuator 104 increases or increases the level of light intensity, while the actuation of the lower portion 104b of the actuator 104 decreases or reduces the intensity level of light. The wall control 100 may include an intensity level indicator in the form of a plurality of light sources 108. The light sources 108 may, but need not, be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. The light sources 108 may occasionally be referred to herein as LEDS, but it should be understood that such a reference is for ease of description of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to any particular type of light source. The light sources 108 may be adapted in a facility representative of a range of light intensity levels of the lamp or lamps which are controlled from a minimum intensity level, preferably the smallest visible intensity (but which may be zero or " completely off ") to a maximum intensity level (which is typically 100%, or" completely on "). By illuminating a selected one of the light sources 108, depending on the intensity level of the light, the position of the light source illuminated within the installation will provide a visual indication of the light intensity in relation to the range in which the light is turned on. lamp or lamps that are controlled. For example, seven LEDs are illustrated in FIG. 3 in a linear installation. The illumination of the upper LED in the installation will give an indication that the level of light intensity is at or near the maximum. The illumination of the central LED will give an indication that the light intensity level is at approximately the midpoint of the range. Any convenient number of light sources 108 can be used, and it will be understood that a greater number of light sources in the installation will produce a measurably finer graduation between intensity levels within the range. When the lamp or lamps being controlled are turned off, all light sources 108 can be constantly illuminated at a low level of illumination, while the representative LED of the present intensity level in the on state is illuminated at a higher level of lighting. This allows the installation of light source to be more easily perceived by the eye in a darkened environment, which helps a user to locate the switch in a dark room, for example, in order to operate the switch to control the lights in the room, but still provides sufficient contrast between the LED indicating the level and the remaining LEDs that allow a user to perceive the relative intensity level in a flash. The wall control 100 may include a standard back box 1 10, a plurality of high voltage cables 1 12 that can be hot, neutral, and reduced hot, as described below, and a plurality of low voltage cables 1 14 that can be used to provide low voltage communications to the wall control 100. FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the exemplary circuitry for a lighting control device according to the invention. The circuitry illustrated schematically in FIG. 4, or any portion thereof, may contain a standard back box, such as back box 1 10. A lamp assembly 120, which may include one or more lamps, is connected between the hot and neutral terminals of a source standard 120 V, 60 Hz AC power. The lamp assembly 120 may include one or more incandescent lamps, each of which may be rated between 40 W and several hundred watts, for example. It should be understood that the lamp assembly could include other charges such as electronic low voltage (ELV) or low magnetic voltage (MLV), for example, in addition to or instead of incandescent lighting. The lamp assembly 120 may be connected through a solid-state switching device 122, which may include one or more bidirectional thyristors, which may be thyristors or similar control devices. Conventional light reducing circuits typically use bidirectional thyristors to control the conduction of in-line current through a load, allowing a predetermined conduction time, and controlling the average electric power for light. One technique for controlling the average electric power is the advance phase control. In the advance phase control, a switching device, which may include a bi-directional thyristor, for example, is turned on at a certain point within each half cycle of AC line voltage and remains until the next zero current crossing. The advance phase control is often used to control the energy towards a resistive or inductive load, which can be, for example, a magnetic illumination transformer. Because a bi-directional thyristor device can only be turned on selectively, a field effect transistor (FET), such as MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET), for example, can be used for each half line input cycle. CA when the shutdown phase is to be selected. In reverse phase control, the switch is turned on at a zero voltage junction of the AC line voltage and shut off at some point within each half cycle of the AC line current. Reverse phase control is often used to control the energy to a capacitive load, which can be, for example, an electronic transformer connected to a low voltage lamp. The switching device 122 has a control input, or gate, which is connected to a gate motor circuit 126. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the control inputs at the gate input 124 will become conductive or non-conductive to the gate. switching device 122, which in turn controls the power supplied to lamp assembly 120. Motor circuitry 126 provides control inputs to switching device 122 in response to command signals from a microcontroller 128. FET protection circuitry 136 can also be provided. Such circuitry is well known and does not need to be described in the present. The microcontroller 128 may be any programmable logic device (PLD), such as a microprocessor or a specific application integrated circuit (ASIC), for example. The microcontroller 128 generates command signals to the LED control circuitry 129, which controls the installation of light sources 108. The inputs to the microcontroller 128 are received from the AC line null junction detector 130 and the signal detector 132. energy to the microcontroller 128 is supplied by the power supply 134. A memory 135, such as EEPROM, for example, can also be provided. The null crossover detector 130 determines the null crossing points of the 60 Hz input AC warm from the AC power source. The null-crossing information is provided as an input to the microcontroller 128. The microcontroller 128 establishes gate control signals to operate the switching device 122 in order to provide voltage from the AC power source to the lamp assembly 120 in predetermined times relative to the null crossing points of the AC warm. The null crossing detector 130 may be a conventional zero crossing detector and need not be described in detail herein. In addition, the timing of the transition ignition pulses relative to the null crosses of the AC warm is also known and need not be described. The signal detector 132 receives as inputs, closing signals of the switch coming from the toggle switch controlled by the switch actuator 1 06 and the up and down switches controlled by the upper portion 1 04a and the lower portion 1 04b, respectively , of the intensity selection actuator 1 04. The signal detector 1 32 detects when the switches are closed, and outputs signals representative of the status of the switches as inputs to the microcontroller 128. The signal detector 1 32 can be any form of circuit conventional to detect a switch closure and convert it into a suitable form as an input to a microcontroller. Those skilled in the art will understand how to construct the signal detector 1 32 without the need for further explanation herein. The microcontroller 128 determines the closing duration in response to inputs from the signal detector 1 32. The closing of a lift switch, such as by means of a user depression actuator 1 04a, initiates a "high light level" routine. programmed into the microcontroller 128 and causes the microcontroller 128 to decrease the turn-off time (i.e., without cond uction) of the switching device 122 through the gate motor circuit 126. The decrease of the turn-off time increases the amount of time in which the switching device 122 is conductive, which means that a greater proportion of the AC voltage coming from the AC input is transferred to the lamp 120. In this way, the light intensity level of the lamp 120 can be increased . The shutdown time decreases as the lift switch remains closed. As soon as the lift switch is opened, for example, by the user release actuator 104a, the routine in the microcontroller is terminated and the shutdown time is kept constant. In a similar manner, the closing of a lower switch, such as through the use of a user oppressor actuator 104b, initiates a programmed "lower light level" routine in the microcontroller 128 and causes the microcontroller 128 to decrease the time switch-off device 122 through the gate motor circuit 126. The increase of the switch-off time decreases the amount of time that the switching device 122 is conductive, which means that a smaller proportion of AC voltage coming from the AC input is transferred to the lamp 120. In this way, the light intensity level of the lamp 120 can be decreased. The switch-off time increases as long as the lower switch remains closed. As soon as the lower switch is opened, for example, by the user release actuator 104b, the routine in the microcontroller 128 is terminated and the shutdown time is kept constant. The drive switch closes in response to actuation of the actuator 106 and will remain closed as long as the actuator 106 is depressed. The signal detector 132 provides a signal to the microcontroller 128 indicating that the switch has been closed. The microcontroller 128 determines the length of time that the drive switch has been closed. The microcontroller 128 can discriminate between a closing of the drive switch that is only of transient duration (i.e., less than the retention time of the actuator described below) and a closing of the drive switch that is greater than a transient duration (ie, greater than or equal to the retention time of the actuator described below). In this way, the microcontroller 128 is able to distinguish between an "outlet" of the actuator 106 (ie, a closure of transient duration) and a "detent" of the actuator 106 (ie, a closure greater than the transient duration). The microcontroller 128 is also capable of determining when the drive switch is temporarily closed a plurality of times in succession. That is, the microcontroller 128 is capable of determining the occurrence of two or more receptacles in rapid succession. The different closures of the drive switch will result in different effects, depending on the state of the lamp when the drive switch is operated. When the lamp 120 is at an initial level of non-zero intensity, a single tap of the actuator 106, that is, a transient closure of the actuation switch, will cause a gradual shutdown. The operation of the controller under these conditions is described below in detail. Two receptacles in rapid succession will initiate a routine in the microcontroller 128 which causes the lamp 120 to vanish from the initial intensity level to a desired pre-set intensity level, described in detail in the '919 patent. A "hold" of the actuator 106, is say, a closing of the drive switch for a duration greater than the transient, initiates a routine in the microcontroller 128 which gradually fades in a predetermined fade rate sequence for an extended period of time from the initial intensity level to the shutdown. The operation of the controller under these conditions is described below in detail. When the lamp 120 is turned off and the microcontroller 128 detects a single take or close of more than one transient duration, a preprogrammed routine is initiated in the microcontroller 128 which causes the light intensity level of the lamp 120 to be gradually turned off to a desired intensity level preset at a preprogrammed fade rate- Two shots in rapid succession will initiate a routine in the microcontroller 128 which causes the light intensity level of the lamp 120 to fade at a predetermined shutdown speed. Fade rates can be the same or they can be different. The operation of the controller under each of these conditions is described in detail in the '919 patent. In addition, a further set of bell-shaped, hoisting and lower lever buttons may be provided at a remote location in a separate wall box, schematically illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 by the dotted line. The action of the remote bell-lever buttons, lifting and lower, and the associated switches of the bell-shaped lever, lifting and lower, corresponds to the action of the actuating button 106, the lifting button 104a, the lower button 104b, and its corresponding switches. The remote circuitry 133 may be provided to interconnect the remote wall control to the microcontroller 128. Exemplary scenarios of light gradation by use of the lighting control device according to the invention will now be described in connection with FIGS. 5A-5D. FIGs. 5A-5D illustrate scenarios comparing vanishing profiles of a lighting control device according to the invention (shown in solid line) with those of a typical lighting control device of the prior art (shown in dotted lines) . Certain terms used in the following description is defined herein as follows. "Retention time" or "button holding time" or "actuator holding time" is the amount of time the actuator (for example, bell toggle button) must be operated (eg, depressed) to cause the generation of a "hold" action (ie, for the microcontroller to identify a "hold" as described above). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default value of the retention time of the actuator may be about 0.5 seconds. It is anticipated that the retention time of the actuator will be between about 0.01 and about 2.56 seconds for most applications, although it should be understood that the retention time of the actuator can be selected to be any value suitable for the particular application. "Phasing-off time" is a predefined amount of time, assigned so that the controller causes the illumination to fade from its current light intensity level to off. The gradual shutdown time is used to calculate the fade rate used from the moment the actuator is initially actuated until the retention time elapses. According to the invention, the gradual shutdown time is defined longer than the retention time so that the controller does not cause the illumination to gradually turn off before the retention time elapses. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default value of the gradual shutdown time may be about 2.25 seconds. It is anticipated that the gradual shutdown time will be between about 0 and about 64 seconds for most applications, although it should be understood that the gradual shutdown time can be selected to be any value suitable for the particular application. "Long fading time" is the amount of time, after the retention time elapses, for which the controller causes the illumination to vanish according to a second fading profile preferably lower, e.g., exponential. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default value for the long fade time is 10 seconds. It is anticipated that the long fade time will be between about 0 seconds and about 4 hours for most applications, although it should be understood that the long fade time can be selected to be any value suitable for the particular application. "Gradual shutdown speed" is a predefined speed at which the controller causes the lighting to gradually turn off. The gradual shutdown speed is used after finishing the long fade time. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default value for the gradual shutoff speed may be the speed that would be necessary to cause the illumination to fade from 100% intensity to shutdown in approximately 2.75 seconds. It is anticipated that the time allocated to fading from fully on to fully off could be from about 0 to about 64 seconds for most applications, although it should be understood that the rate of gradual shutdown can be selected to be any value suitable for the application. in particular. The "LED switching speed" is the speed at which the intensity level indicator 108 is turned on during the long fade time. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default value for the LED switching speed can be 2 Hz. It is anticipated that this speed could be between approximately 0.2 and approximately 50 Hz for most applications, although it should be understood that The ignition speed can be selected to be any value suitable for the particular application. An example of a light gradation scenario using a lighting control device according to the invention can be described generally as follows. A user presses the crank lever button 106 while the light intensity level of the at least one lamp is non-zero. The microcontroller detects the closure of the resulting switch and causes the light intensity level to vanish at a first fade rate based on the gradual shutdown time, that is, the amount of predefined time assigned for the controller to cause the illumination to fade from its current light intensity level to extinguish. If the user continues to press the bell-toggle button 106 until the button retention time elapses, the microcontroller interrupts the fade at the first fade rate, and causes the light intensity level to fade at a second fade rate. , for example, exponential. At this point, the long fade time is started and the intensity level indicator 108 starts to light. After the long fade time ends, the microcontroller interrupts the fade at the second fade rate and starts causing the light intensity level to fade at a third fade rate, i.e. the gradual shutdown speed, which is the predefined speed at which the controller is programmed to cause the light intensity level to vanish to zero. The intensity level indicator stops the ignition. FIG. 5A illustrates a scenario in which the light intensity level is initially relatively high (e.g., 100%) and a user presses and holds the bell crank button for at least the retention time of the button. From the moment the crank lever button is first pressed, until the retention time of the button ends, the controller causes the light intensity level to vanish at a first fade rate based on the shutdown time gradual (and, thus, at the initial light intensity level of the at least one lamp). Specifically, the first fade rate may be the speed at which it would be necessary to fade the illumination from the initial intensity level to the off during the course of the gradual shutdown time.

The stepped gradient of the gradual shutdown time allows the user to visually see a change in light intensity. More dramatic changes in the intensity of light may be desirable in order for the user's eye to perceive a change. The user immediately sees the result of pressing the bell lever button. After the button retention time expires, the controller interrupts the fade at the first fade rate and then causes the light intensity level to fade at a second fade rate for the duration of the long fade time. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second fade rate may be an exponential fade rate that is less than the first fade rate. In this way, the user is able to detect the start of the long fade time because the change to exponential fade immediately results in less dramatic changes in the level of light intensity than fade based on the first speed of dissipated. After the long fade time elapses, the controller interrupts the fade at the second fade rate and causes the light intensity level to fade until it fades at a third fade rate, for example, the gradual shutdown speed. In contrast, the prior art system causes the light intensity level to fade at the gradual shut-off speed from the moment the bell-toggle button is first depressed until the retention time of the button ends. Because the first fade rate in this scenario, which is based on the gradual turn-off time, is greater than the fade rate used by the prior art system, the long fade time starts with the lighting at a lower light intensity level in the system of the invention compared to the prior art system. FIG. 5B illustrates a scenario in which the light intensity level is relatively initially low (eg, 25%) and a user presses and holds the bell-toggle button for at least the retention time of the button. From the moment when the bell-toggle button is first pressed, until the button retention time elapses, the controller causes the light intensity level to vanish at a first speed which is based on the time of gradual turn off Specifically, the first fade rate can be the rate at which the illumination can vanish from the initial intensity to off during the course of the gradual shutdown time. The slight decline of the gradual shutdown time prevents the light intensity from significantly decreasing or even shuts down before the activation of the long fade time. After the button retention time elapses, the controller interrupts fade at the first fade rate and then causes the light intensity level to fade at a second fade rate for the duration of the long fade time. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second fade rate may be an exponential fade rate that is less than the first fade rate. It should be understood that any fade profile can be selected for the second fade rate without departing from the scope of the invention. After the long fade time elapses, the controller interrupts fading at the second fade rate and causes the light intensity level to gradually turn off at a third fade rate, e.g., the fade-off speed. It should be understood that any rate of fade may be selected for the third fade rate without departing from the scope of the invention.

In contrast, the prior art system causes the light intensity level to fade at the gradual shut-off speed from the moment the bell-toggle button is first pressed until the button retention time expires. Because the first fade rate in this scenario, which is based on the gradual shutdown time, is less than the fade rate employed by the prior art system, the long fade time starts with the lighting at a higher intensity level in the system of the invention compared to the prior art system.

FIG. 5C illustrates a scenario in which the level of light intensity is initially relatively high (e.g., 100%) and a user presses and releases the bell crank button before the button retention time expires. From the moment when the crank lever button is first pressed, until the lever is released, the controller causes the light intensity level to vanish at a first speed based on time of gradual shutdown. Specifically, the first fade rate can be the rate at which the illumination can vanish from the initial intensity level to off during the course of the shutdown time rate. After the button is released, the controller interrupts fading at the first fade rate and causes the light intensity level to fade at a second fading speed, i.e., the gradual shutdown speed. In contrast, the prior art system causes the light intensity level to fade at the gradual shutdown speed from the moment when the toggle lever button is first depressed. FIG. 5D illustrates a scenario in which the light intensity level is initially relatively low (eg 25%) and a user presses and releases the bell-toggle button before the button retention time expires. From the moment when the crank lever button is first pressed, until the lever is released, the controller causes the light intensity level to vanish at a first speed based on time of gradual shutdown. Specifically, the first fade rate can be the rate at which the illumination can vanish from the initial intensity level to off during the course of the shutdown time rate. After the bell-toggle button is released, the controller interrupts fading at the first fade rate and causes the light intensity level to fade at a second fade rate, i.e., the gradual shutdown speed. In contrast, the prior art system causes the light intensity level to fade at the gradual shutoff speed from the moment the bell toggle button is first depressed. It should be understood that, in such a prior art system, if the initial intensity level were low enough, the illumination would be gradually turned off before the button retention time elapsed. In a system according to the invention, the gradual shutdown time (and, consequently, the first fade rate) can be selected so that the intensity level of the light does not fade until it is turned off until the expiration time has elapsed. Button retention FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operation 600 of a control device according to the invention. Such an operation can be carried out by a software program running in the microcontroller, for example. Such a program may also exist as a set of instructions executable by the computer, stored on any computer-readable medium, such as a computer hard drive., removable magnetic media, tape, compact disc, floppy disk or similar. Operation 600 is started in step 602 with a determination that the bell-toggle button has been depressed while the light intensity level is at zero (ie, while the lights are on). In step 604, it is determined whether the gradual shutdown time is "within the range", that is, if the gradual shutdown time is longer than the retention time of the button and less (or equal to) a shutdown time predefined maximum If it is determined that the gradual shutdown time is not within range, then, in step 606, the controller causes the illumination to gradually turn off at the gradual shutdown speed and the program is abandoned in step 608. If, in step 604, it is determined that the step-down time is within range, then, in step 610, the initial increment of light, ΔD, is calculated based on the step-down time. The predefined step-down time, TF, divided by a pre-programmed intensity update period, Tu, gives the number of intensity updates that will occur during a fade until it is turned off from the initial intensity level, D ,. Therefore, the graduation increment,? D, can be calculated as? D | = (Tu * D,) / TF. An exemplary intensity update period, Tu, can be approximately 10 ms. In step 612, the current intensity level D is updated by Graduation increment? D ,. That is, D - > D -? D¡. In step 614, the current intensity level D is converted into a transition time t of the corresponding switching device. In step 616, a gate control signal is established to transit at the transition time t. In step 618, the microcontroller sends the gate control signal to the gate motor circuitry, which, in turn, allows or disables changing the device's conduction. In step 620, the program repeats its cycle until it is determined that the intensity update period Tu has ended. In step 622, the synchronizer of the intensity update period is restarted. In step 624, it is determined if the retention time of the button has ended. If not, then the program returns to step 612 to cause the current level to be updated again, still using the first fade rate. If, in step 624, it is determined that the button retention time has ended, then, in step 626, it is determined whether the long fade time has ended. If not, then, in step 628, the graduation increment for long gradual off,? Di, is calculated according to? D-, = (D-1) / N, where N is a predetermined scalar set to create a low fade rate (for example, N = 1024). The value "1" can be subtracted to ensure that the illumination remains even if the current intensity level D is 1%. In step 630, the current intensity level D is updated by the increment of radius? D- | . That is, D - > D -? D-i. In step 632, the current intensity level D is converted into a transition time t of the corresponding switching device. In step 634, a gate control signal is established to transit at the transition time t. In step 61 8, the microcontroller sends the gate control signal to the gate motor circuitry. The program is repeated, in step 620, until it is determined that the intensity update period Tu has elapsed. If, in step 626, it is determined that the long fading time has ended, then, in step 636, the illumination fades until it is turned off at the pre-programmed fade-off speed. The program is abandoned in step 638. Therefore, improved lighting control devices have been described which cause the light intensity level of at least one lamp to fade at the fade rate based on its initial intensity when a switching controller is activated. It should be understood that the invention may be incorporated into other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, according to the foregoing, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the above specification, as indicated by the scope of the invention. the invention.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A lighting control device for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having an initial light intensity level, characterized in the lighting control device because it comprises: a microcontroller; and a user-operable switch controller, operatively coupled to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a first fade rate when the switch controller is operated. the first fade rate being based on a predefined step-off time, the step-off time representing a time duration assigned for the fading of the light intensity level of the at least one lamp from the initial light intensity level to the shutdown; and wherein the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a second fade rate after a determination that the switch controller has been operated for at least one hold time of the actuator, predefined The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the step-down time is defined to be greater than the retention time of the actuator. 3. The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at the second fade rate during a predefined long fade time. The lighting control device according to claim 3, characterized in that the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade to a third fade rate after the fade time has elapsed. long. The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fade rate is lower than the first fade rate. The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fade rate has an exponential fade profile. The lighting control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the third fade rate is a predefined speed at which the microcontroller is programmed to cause the light intensity level to fade from 100% to off for a certain amount. of predefined time. The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade to a third fade rate after a determination that the controller The switch has been operated for only a transient duration. 9. A lighting control device for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having an initial light intensity level, characterized in the light control device because it comprises: a microcontroller; and a user-operable switch controller, operatively coupled to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a first fade rate when the switch controller is operated. , and a second fade rate after a determination that the switch controller has been operated for at least one predefined actuator hold time, wherein the first fade rate is based on a predefined step-off time that is greater than the actuator retention time, predefined. 1 0. A lighting control device for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having an initial light intensity level, characterized in the light control device because it comprises: a microcontroller; and a user-operable switch controller, operatively coupled to the microcontroller, wherein, after a determination that the switch controller has been operated, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp fades at a fade rate that is based on the initial light intensity level of the at least one lamp; and wherein the fade rate is based on a predefined step-off time, the step-off time representing a time duration assigned for the fading of the light intensity level of the at least one lamp from the intensity level of the Initial light until off. eleven . A method for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having an initial intensity level, characterized in that the method comprises: determining that a switch actuator has been actuated; and causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade at a first rate of fade based on the initial intensity level of the at least one lamp, wherein the first rate of fade is based in a predefined step-off time, the step-off time representing a duration of time assigned for the fading of the light intensity level of the at least one lamp from the initial light intensity level to off. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a second fade rate after a determination that the switch controller has been operated for at least one actuator retention time, predefined. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first fade rate is based on a predefined step-off time that is greater than the retention time of the predefined actuator. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at the second fade rate during a predefined long fade time. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises: causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to gradually turn off at a third fade rate after the long fade time ends. 17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the second fade rate is lower than the first fade rate. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fade rate has an exponential fade profile. The method according to claim 1 6, characterized in that the third fade rate is a predefined speed to cause the light intensity level to fade from 100% to off for a predefined amount of time. The method according to claim 1 3, characterized in that it further comprises: causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade to a third fade rate after a determination that the switch controller it has been operated for only a transitory duration. twenty-one . The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the third fade rate is faster than the second fade rate. 22. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, for carrying out a method for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having a level of initial light intensity, characterized in the method because it comprises: determining that a switch actuator has been actuated; and causing the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade at a first fade rate which is based on the initial intensity level of the at least one lamp, wherein the fade rate is based on a predefined step-off time, the step-off time representing a length of time assigned for the fading of the light intensity level of the at least one lamp from the initial light intensity level to off. 23. A lighting control device for controlling a light intensity level of at least one lamp, the at least one lamp having an initial light intensity level, the lighting control device comprising: a microcontroller; and a user-operable switch controller, operatively coupled to the microcontroller; wherein, after a determination that the switch controller has been operated; the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish at a first fade rate which is based on the initial light intensity level of the at least one lamp, and where, after a determination that the switch controller has been operated for only a single transient duration, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade until it is turned off at a second fade rate, and where, after a determination that the switch controller has been operated for two successive transient durations, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to vanish from the initial intensity level to a desired intensity level. preset at a third fading speed, and where, after a determination that the interrupt controller r has been operated for more than one transient duration, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the at least one lamp to fade to off in a predetermined fade rate sequence. SUMMARY A lighting control device is described for controlling the light intensity level of at least one lamp. The lighting control device includes a microcontroller and a user-operable switch controller that is operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to vanish at a first fade rate when the switch controller is operated. If the microcontroller determines that the switch controller has been operated by at least one retention time of the predefined actuator, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to vanish at a second fade rate for a predefined long fade time. After the long fade time elapses, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to fade to a third fade. The first fade rate is based on a predefined fade time that represents a split time to fade the light intensity level of the lamp from its initial light intensity level to off. To prevent the light intensity level from vanishing before the activation time elapses, it can be defined that the fade is longer than the actuation time. The second fade rate can be slower than the first fade rate and has an exponential fade profile. The third fade rate can be a predefined speed at which the microcontroller is programmed to cause the light intensity level to fade from completely on to completely off. The third rate of fade may be faster than the second fade rate.