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

摘要

A microcontroller-based multifunctional electronic switch uses a detection circuit design to convert external motion signals into message carrying sensing signals readable to the microcontroller. Based on the time length of sensing signals and the format of the sensing signals received in a preset instant period of time the microcontroller through the operation of its software program codes written in the OTPROM is able to recognize the working modes chosen by the external signal generating user and thereby selecting the appropriate loops of subroutine for execution. The system and method of the present invention may simultaneously be applicable to detection circuit design using infrared ray sensor, electrostatic induction sensor, conduction based touch sensor or push button sensor for performing multifunction such as controlling the on/off switch, the illumination power and the color temperature within the capacity of a single lighting device or an electrical appliance.

主权项

1. A microcontroller based electronic switch for detecting external motion signal(s), comprising:
a first controllable switching element, electrically connectable to a first lighting load for emitting light with a first color temperature and a power source; a second controllable switching element, electrically connectable to a second lighting load for emitting light with a second color temperature and the power source; a detection device, for detecting said external motion signal(s) played by an user and converting said external motion signal(s) into message carrying sensing signal(s) with different signal formats; and a microcontroller with program codes to read and interpret said message carrying sensing signal(s) generated by said detection device, wherein said microcontroller is electrically connected between said first controllable switching element and said detection device, said microcontroller is electrically connected between said second controllable switching element and said detection device, said microcontroller controls a conduction state or cutoff state of said first controllable switching element and said second controllable switching element according to said message carrying sensing signal(s) generated by said detection device; wherein the detection device is a touchless interface forming a defined detecting zone for detecting a motion of an object moving into and leaving said defined detecting zone, a circuitry responsively generates a first voltage sensing signal with a time length corresponding to a time interval of the object entering and staying in said defined detecting zone; when the object leaves said defined detecting zone, said detection device delivers a second voltage signal; wherein the signal format of said message carrying sensing signal(s) is a short voltage signal, a long voltage signal or a plurality of voltage signals generated in a preset time interval; wherein when said microcontroller receives said message carrying sensing signal(s), said microcontroller manages to respectively activate different corresponding subroutines according to different types of signal format of said message carrying sensing signal(s) to perform a combination of various working modes including an on/off switch control mode, a dimming control mode, a color temperature tuning mode and a delay shutoff mode.