OCCUPANCY SENSOR WITH DIMMER FEATURE AND NIGHT LIGHT AND METHOD OF LIGHTING CONTROL USING THE SAME

摘要

System and method are provided where an occupancy sensor with a time delay function designed to dim the lights, for example as a warning, after a first period of time has expired without detecting room occupancy. The lights remain dimmed for a second period of time, and then are turned off after a third period of time has expired without detecting room occupancy. If occupancy is detected during the first period of time, the lights will remain on. If occupancy is detected during the second or third period of time, the lights will be turned on to, for example, previous brightness. A night light can be added to, and/or incorporated in, an occupancy sensor which includes the dimmer feature.

主权项

1. A light control system comprising:
a sensor for detecting an occupancy in an area; a timer for determining if the occupancy is not detected by the occupancy sensor before a first time period expires; a dimmer for changing a light level in said area from a first light level to a second light level when determining that a second time period after the occupancy is not detected is remaining on the timer before the first time period expires, and for changing said light level in said area from the second light level to a third light level when determining that the first time period expired and the occupancy is not detected during the second time period; and a controller coupled to the sensor, the timer and the dimmer to control the light level to remain at the second light level until the first time period expires if the occupancy sensor does not detect occupancy during the second time period, change to the first light level from the second light level, and reset the timer to the first time period, if the occupancy sensor detects occupancy during the second time period, and change to a third light level from the second light level, when the first time period expires if the occupancy sensor does not detect occupancy during the second time period; wherein: the second light level is lower than the first light level; and the third light level is lower than the first light level.