U.S. patent number 3,898,383 [Application Number 05/382,279] was granted by the patent office on 1975-08-05 for automatic dimming and recycleable lamp.
Invention is credited to Charles G. Herbits.
United States Patent |
3,898,383 |
Herbits |
August 5, 1975 |
Automatic dimming and recycleable lamp
Abstract
A sound responsive apparatus for automatically dimming a lamp
from an initial condition of maximum brightness to a terminal
condition of minimum brightness comprising a detector for detecting
the presence of sound having at least a predetermined amplitude and
an automatic dimming apparatus operatively connected to the
detector to actuate the automatic dimming apparatus upon detecting
sound having at least the predetermined amplitude. The automatic
dimming apparatus, when actuated, controls the brightness of the
lamp from a first level of brightness to a second, diminished,
level of brightness. Means may be provided for varying the period
of time required for the lamp to pass from maximum brightness to
minimum brightness.
Inventors: |
Herbits; Charles G.
(Washington, DC) |
Family
ID: |
23508267 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/382,279 |
Filed: |
July 24, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/253; 315/291;
367/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02M
1/096 (20130101); H03K 17/94 (20130101); H05B
39/044 (20130101); H05B 47/12 (20200101); Y02B
20/00 (20130101); Y02B 20/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H03K
17/94 (20060101); H02M 1/088 (20060101); H02M
1/096 (20060101); H05B 39/04 (20060101); H05B
39/00 (20060101); H05B 37/02 (20060101); H03k
017/56 (); H04r 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;179/1VC,1VL
;340/148,279 ;181/.5SH ;200/61.01,33R ;315/291,307 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Claffy; Kathleen H.
Assistant Examiner: Olms; Douglas W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burns, Doane, Swecker &
Mathis
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sound responsive apparatus for automatically controlling the
brightness of a lamp, said apparatus comprising:
a lamp;
detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least
a predetermined amplitude;
dimming means for energizing said lamp at a first predetermined
level of brightness, when actuated, and for automatically reducing
the level of brightness of said lamp from said first level to a
second predetermined level of brightness lower than the first level
over a predetermined time period; and
switch means cooperable with said detector means for actuating said
dimming means in response to the detection of sound above the
predetermined amplitude.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including:
threshold adjustment means for varying the minimum amplitude of
sound at which said detector means will actuate said switch
means.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including:
variable adjustment means for varying a minimum brightness of said
lamp to prevent said dimming means from reducing the brightness of
said lamp to below a predetermined level.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including:
variable dimming rate adjustment means for varying the time
required for said dimming means to reduce the power available to
said lamp from a maximum power level to a minimum power level.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including:
audio output means operatively connected to said switch means and
actuated by said switch means in response to to said sound above
the predetermined amplitude.
6. A sound responsive apparatus for automatically reducing the
power to a load from an initial condition of maximum power to a
terminal condition of minimum power, said apparatus comprising:
detector means for detecting the presence of sound having at least
a predetermined amplitude; and
means responsive to said detector means for providing an initial
condition of maximum power to the load and for reducing over a
predetermined time period the power available to the load from said
initial condition of maximum power to a terminal condition of
minimum power when said detector means detects sound having the
predetermined amplitude.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 and further including:
threshold adjustment means for varying the minimum amplitude of
sound at which said automatic power reducing means will respond to
said detector means.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 and further including:
varible power reducing rate adjustment means for varying the period
of time for said automatic power reducing means to reduce the power
to said load from the maximum condition to the minimum
condition.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the load is a lamp.
10. A sound responsive apparatus for automatically dimming a lamp,
said apparatus comprising:
detector means for detecting sound having at least a predetermined
amplitude;
first electronic switch means operably responsive to said detector
means when sound having an amplitude at least as great as the
predetermined amplitude is detected;
second electronic switch means operable to control the average
power available to the lamp;
automatic dimming means actuable by said first electronic switch
means for actuating said second electronic switch means to provide
a maximum power level to the lamp and to reduce the average power
available to the lamp from said maximum power level to a minimum
power level to thereby automatically dim the lamp over a
predetermined period of time when sound having at least the
predetermined amplitude is detected; and
means for supplying power to said detector means, said first and
second electronic switches, and said automatic dimming means.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 and further including:
threshold adjustment means for varying minimum amplitude of sound
at which said detector means will actuate said first electronic
switch.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 and further including:
variable adjustment means for varying a minimum power available to
the lamp to prevent said automatic dimming means from reducing the
power available to the lamp to below a predetermined level.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 and further including:
variable dimming rate adjustment means for varying the period of
time required for said dimming means to reduce the power available
to the lamp from the maximum power level to the minimum power
level.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 further including:
audio output means operatively connected to said switch means and
actuated by said switch means in response to said sound above the
predetermined amplitude.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for varying
the power available to a load in response to the presence of sound
having at least a predetermined amplitude. More particularly, the
invention relates to an electric lamp which is illuminated in
response to the presence of sound above a preselected level and is
then automatically dimmed.
It is a common problem with children, especially during very early
years, to require some kind of attention during the night. Since
many children are afraid of the dark, some form of continuously-on
night light may be required to provide sufficient reassurance and
to eliminate what otherwise might be discipline problems.
It is well known that many persons, including children, enjoy
sounder sleep in total darkness. Hence, many parents wait until
their children fall asleep with some form of night light burning
and quietly enter the room to turn off the light. This may often
prove to be a source of great annoyance and inconvenience to the
parents.
If such a child awakens during the night, he may cry if he
discovers he is in darkness, and he may require that the night
light be turned on again before he will stop crying. Such sleeping
habits may prove not only annoying to the parents of such children
but also may damage the physical and mental health of the
parents.
It has been found that a gradually dimming light will tend to relax
and make a person in the presence of such light sleepy. It has also
been found that the sleep inducing effect of the gradually dimming
light is particularly effective with children.
In addition and of independent significance are time-delay switches
which are operable to provide a delay of a predetermined time
period before the switching action is completed. Such devices
permit, for example, a person to operate a light switch, cross a
room, and get into bed before the light is switched off. However,
to turn on the light again, the person may be required to walk
across the dark room to reactivate the switch with a risk of
stumbling or falling in the dark room.
Devices exist in the prior art which activate lights in response to
sound. Such devices provide increased power to a lamp in response
to relatively loud sounds and reduced power to the lamp in response
to relatively quiet sounds so that the light flickers in response
to the varying amplitude of the sound.
Other devices exist which activate a switch in response to the
presence of sound above a preselected threshold volume. Devices
also exist in the prior art for dimming a light from a first level
of intensity to a second level of intensity.
However, the need continues to exist for a device which is suitable
to automatically activate a lamp to, say, provide assurance to
children awakening in the night and thereafter provide a sleep
inducing dimming of the lamp over a preselected period of time in
response to the child's needs as evidenced by crying and the
like.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an automatic, light
dimming apparatus which can be activated by sound above a
predetermined amplitude and which may be reset upon each subsequent
reoccurrence of this preselected sound amplitude.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to
provide an automatic light dimming apparatus which minimizes or
reduces the problems and shortcomings of the type previously
noted.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide
a slowly extinguishing light which may be sound actuated and which
may be subsequently reset by sound.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
automatic resetting light dimming apparatus which may slowly
extinguish a light from a first predetermined brillance to a second
predetermined brillance and maintain the light at the second
predetermined brillance.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an
automatic, resetting light dimming apparatus which has a
preselected extinguishing rate.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an
automatic, resetting light dimming apparatus which may be reset
either during a dimming cycle or after a dimming cycle has
completed.
An automatic, resetting light dimming apparatus according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention intended to
substantially accomplish the foregoing objects includes a lamp, a
detector for detecting the presence of sound having a predetermined
amplitude, a dimmer for automatically controlling the brightness of
the lamp, when actuated, from a first level of brightness to a
second, diminished level of brightness over a predetermined time
period, means for providing power to the lamp, and a switch which
is responsive to the sound detector for actuating the dimmer in the
presence of a predetermined amplitude of sound. The apparatus may
include means for varying the extinguishing rate of the lamp and
may further include means for setting the initial and terminal
intensities of the lamp. Moreover, means may be provided for
varying the minimum amplitude or threshold sound at which the
apparatus is actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent with reference to the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals have been applied to like
elements, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the present
invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
In FIG. 1 there may be seen an automatic resetting dimming
apparatus 10 connected to a source 12 of alternating current. A
microphone 14 is provided which is connected to a detector stage
16. The microphone 14 may be a conventional crystal microphone. The
detector stage 16 is operable to detect an audio signal having a
predetermined amplitude. The minimum amplitude to which the
detector will be responsive may be preset by means of a threshold
adjustment 18.
The detector 16 is connected to an electronic switch 20 which is
actuated when the detector receives an audio signal above the
preset threshold amplitude. This electronic switch 20 is connected
to an automatic dimmer 22 and is operable to reset the automatic
dimmer.
This automatic dimmer 22 may include a maximum adjustment 24 and a
minimum adjustment 26. The maximum adjustment is generally preset
to at least provide the maximum illumination from the lamp 28
although, if desired, the maximum adjustment may be adjusted to a
lesser value. The minimum adjustment 26 is operable to set the
minimum illumination at which the light 28 may be continuously
maintained when the automatic dimmer 22 has cycled through its
extinguishing period. Often, the minimum adjustment may be set at a
value which gives substantially zero illumination. In the preferred
form of the invention, the automatic dimmer 22 is electronic and
when triggered, will alternately charge and discharge an RC circuit
having an extremely long time constant as will be described in
greater detail below. In the alternative, the automatic dimmer 22
may include a conventional clock or similar timing mechanism (not
shown) connected to a rheostat (also not shown).
The automatic dimmer 22 may include an adjustment 30 for adjusting
the extinguishing rate which will determine the period required for
the dimmer to pass from its initial maximum setting to its terminal
minimum setting.
The automatic dimmer 22 is connected to a switch 32. This switch 32
controls the average power from the alternating current source 12
which is applied to the light 28. In the preferred form of the
invention, this switch may be a solid state electronic circuit
which conducts current for a relatively long interval when the
automatic dimmer is operating in the maximum range of its cycle and
for a relatively short interval when the automatic dimmer is
operating in the minimum range of its cycle.
Thus, it can be seen that sound will be converted to an audio
signal in the detector. If the audio signal is of a sufficient
amplitude to exceed the threshold adjustment, the first switch 20
will be actuated. When the switch 20 is actuated, it triggers the
automatic dimmer 22. The automatic dimmer in turn is connected to a
second switch 32 and the automatic dimmer and switch 32 together
function to provide a predetermined maximum power to the light and
then reduce the power to a predetermined minimum to thereby reduce
or dim the illumination provided by the light 28. The automatic
dimmer may be adjusted to vary the rate at which the maximum power
falls to the minimum power. This period or extinguishing rate, may
vary from several seconds to, a predetermined time of up to about
20 minutes.
The sound responsive apparatus of the present invention may also
optionally include an audio output device 80 shown by dotted lines
in FIG. 1 such as a tape player, cassette player, radio, television
or the like. The audio output device may be operative in
conjunction with the sound responsive apparatus of the invention in
any suitable conventional manner so that the device is energized
when the lamp circuit is actuated to the maximum brightness and is
deenergized at the end of the extinguishing period. For example,
the timing signal from the automatic dimmer 22 which controls the
operation of the lamp 28 may control the on/off cycle of the audio
output device in a suitable manner. Advantageously, the audio
output device such as a tape or cassette player can be
pre-programmed to include soothing, sleep-inducing lullabies or
sounds of barking dogs or the like depending upon the contemplated
use of the sound responsive apparatus.
In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the
invention in detailed schematic diagram form. Referring now to FIG.
2, an AC signal from the AC supply 12 may be applied to a direct
current (DC) power supply source 33 to provide the DC output
voltage required for the operation of the detector 16, electronic
switch 20 and the automatic dimmer 22. The DC suppply 33 may be any
suitable conventional AC/DC convertor such as the illustrated full
wave rectifier and may include a Zenner diode 34 or other suitable
voltage regulating means.
The detector 16 preferably includes a high impedance, low power
input transistor 36 driven by the sound detector or microphone 14,
and a further amplifying transistor 38. The transistors 36 and 38
may be applied from the DC power supply 33 through a suitably poled
blocking diode 40, and the detector 16 may be coupled from the DC
source through the use of a suitable decoupling capacitor 42. A
biasing resistor 44 may be provided between a gate electrode of the
transistor 36 and common or ground for the circuit, and load
resistors 46 and 48 may be provided to develop the output signals
from the transistors 36 and 38. To provide an adjustment of the
threshold at which the detector is energized, the load resistor 46
may be a potentiometer so that a selectable percentage of the
output signal from the transistor 36 may be coupled through the
transistor 38.
The electronic switch 20 preferably comprises a silicone controlled
rectifier (SCR) 50 having its anode electrode connected to the
source 33 of DC voltage and having its cathode electrode connected
through a control switch 52 and a variable RC timing circuit 54 to
common. The output signal from the detector 16, i.e., the output
from the transistor 38, may be applied to the gate electrode of the
SCR 50 to control the conduction thereof.
The switch 52 may be a manually operable, three position switch
having an on position, an auto and an off position. In the auto
position, the charging of the RC timing circuit 54 may be
controlled through selective control of the conduction of the SCR
52. In the on position of the switch 52, the RC timing circuit is
kept fully charged from the DC source, and in the off position of
the switch 52 the RC circuit 54 is fully discharged, i.e., is
grounded.
The RC timing circuit 54 may be a part of the automatic dimmer 22
and the time constant thereof may control the period of time over
which the lamp 28 is dimmed from its maximum level to its minimum
level. To facilitate the adjustment of this period of time or
"extinguishing rate," a variable resistor 56 may be provided to
control the discharge time of a capacitor 58 and to thereby control
the RC time constant of the timing circuit 54.
An output signal may be coupled from the timing circuit 54 through
biasing resistors 60 and 62, through a variable biasing resistor
64, and through a switch 66 to the DC power supply output signal.
The timing circuit 54 output signal may be coupled from the
resistor 60-resistor 62 junction to the input terminal of a
suitable amplifier such as the illustrated Darlington amplifier 68.
The output signal from the amplifier 68 may be applied to the gate
electrode of a conventional unijunction transistor 70 and the gate
electrode of the transistor 70 may be supplied through a resistor
72 with a DC biasing voltage from the DC supply 33 and may be
connected to ground through a capacitor 74. The unijunction
transistor 70, when rendered conductive, may generate a signal
across the primary of a transformer 76 and the secondary winding of
the transformer 76 may be connected to the gate electrode of a
suitable switch 32 such as the illustrated TRIAC 78.
In operation, the switch 66 may be coupled to the adjustment knob
of the variable resistor 64 and may be closed when the variable 64
is increased in resistance. The increase in resistance of the
resistor 64 controls the minimum brightness of the lamp 28 as will
hereinafter become apparent. To effect this terminal brightness
adjustment, the switch 52 may be placed in the auto position to
engage the RC timing circuit 54. The variable resistor 56 may be
set to a position of a relatively high extinguishing rate to bring
the lamp 28 to its minimum brightness. The resistor 64 may then be
adjusted to set the brightness desired after the dimmer has passed
through its extinguishing cycle.
Any sound detected by the microphone 14 is converted to an
electrical signal and applied to the gate electrode of the
transistor 36. If the amplitude of the detected sound exceeds the
threshold set by the potentiometer 46, the transistor 38 is
triggered rendering the SCR 50 conductive. Conduction of the SCR 50
charges the capacitor 58 of the RC timing circuit 54 and, as the
charge on the capacitor 58 increases, the conduction of the
Darlington amplifier 68 increases so that capacitor 74 charges more
rapidly.
The capacitor 74, the resistor 72 and the unijunction transistor 70
form a pulsing circuit which periodically gates the switch 32 to
supply AC power to the lamp 28. Prior to the triggering of the SCR
50, the period of the oscillator is sufficiently long that very
little AC power is supplied to the lamp 28 and the lamp 28 is quite
dim. This minimum power level is set by the variable resistor 64
since the resistor 64 controls, at least in part, a bias level
supplied to the amplifier 68. When the SCR 50 conducts and the
amplifier 68 charges the capacitor 74 more rapidly, the period of
the oscillator or pulser formed by the unijunction transistor 70
increases considerably and the conduction period of the switch 32
is likewise increased considerably. The AC power supply to the lamp
28 is thus increased to the predetermined maximum value.
When the SCR 50 is rendered nonconductive, the capacitor 58
discharges in accordance with a time constant determined primarily
by the variable resistor 56. As the capacitor 58 discharges, the
conduction of the Darlington amplifier 68 decreases and the charge
time of the capacitor 74 is thus increased. The period of the
unijunction transistor controlled oscillator is thus slowly
decreased resulting in the gradual dimming of the lamp 28. When the
capacitor 58 reaches its initial charge condition determined
primarily by the resistor 64, the brightness of the lamp 28 is at
its minimum or dimmed position. Of course, resistor 64 may be
adjusted to extinguish the lamp 28 at the minimum position.
The apparatus of this preferred form of the present invention may
comprise components having the following typical values:
Component Description Value ______________________________________
14 Microphone Crystal 34 Zenner Diode 24 Volts, 1 Watt 36
Transistor N Channel Silicon FET 38 Transistor NPN Silicon Low to
Medium Power, Beta Approximately 100 40 Diode 1 Amper, 200 PN 42
Capacitor 50 Microfarads, 30 Volts 44 Resistor 1 Megohm 46 Variable
Resistor 5 Kilohms 48 Resistor 10 Kilohms 50 SCR 4500 Miliwatts 56
Variable Resistor 5 Megohms 58 Capacitor 120 Microfarads, 30 Volts
60 Resistor 1 Megohm 62 Resistor 2 Megohms 64 Variable Resistor 5
Megohms 68 Two Transistors Each NPN Silicon Low to Medium Power,
Beta Approximately 100 70 Transistor Silicon UJT, Approxi- mately
300 Miliwatts 72 Resistor 1 Megohm 74 Capacitor o.1 Microfarad, 30
Volts 76 Transformer Pulse 78 TRIAC
______________________________________
SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
It will be appreciated that in constructing the automatic,
resetting light dimming apparatus according to the present
invention, certain significant advantages are provided.
In particular, the present invention may be automatically set
merely by sound above a predetermined amplitude. Once the apparatus
has been set to the auto position, it is not necessary that the
dimmer be manually reset for subsequent dimming cycles. The
apparatus may be reset at any time during the cycle by the presence
of sound above the preset threshold. The extinguishing rate may be
varied depending upon the particular use to which the present
apparatus is put.
The present invention is operable to automatically dim a lamp to a
predetermined minimum brightness so that dim light may be provided,
say, throughout the night, but the light will be switched to full
brillance upon the detection of, say, a crying sound and will then
gradually dim again to the earlier level of minimum brightness.
Whereas there are a wide variety of applications in which the
present invention may be advantageous over known devices, the
apparatus of the present invention finds particular utility in
child care. Child care may be facilitated through the use of the
present invention to the advantage of parents. The apparatus of the
present invention, furthermore, can be used to induce sleep in
persons who encounter difficulty in falling asleep. The present
apparatus also may advantageously be used to provide increased
safety to a homeowner since the noise made by a potential burglar
may actuate the apparatus and scare off the burglar. Other
advantageous uses will quickly come to mind.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance
with the invention an automatic resetting light dimming apparatus
that substantially satisfies the objects and advantages set forth
above. Although the present invention has been described in
conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that
many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent
to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure of
the invention. Similarly, many of the components may be replaced by
well known substitutions, or devices not yet popularly known and
even devices yet to be invented, which exhibit characteristics
necessary for the operation of an apparatus in accordance with the
present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such
alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims
be embraced thereby.
* * * * *