Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Intelligent light fixture facilitating universal light bulb
- Patent Title (中): 智能灯具促进通用灯泡
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Application No.: US12259538Application Date: 2008-10-28
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Publication No.: US08067893B2Publication Date: 2011-11-29
- Inventor: Stacy Markel
- Applicant: Stacy Markel
- Agency: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
- Main IPC: H01K1/62
- IPC: H01K1/62 ; H01J7/44

Abstract:
An intelligent light fixture facilitates the use of a ‘universal’ light bulb having a wattage rating. A lamp dimmer circuit disposed within the fixture is in electrical communication between the AC line and a socket. A bulb test circuit within the fixture is operative to determine the maximum wattage of the bulb. A controller, also within the fixture includes a wattage select input. The controller is operative to determine the maximum wattage of the bulb using the bulb test circuit, compare the maximum wattage to the wattage select input and, if the maximum wattage is greater than the wattage select input, control the dimmer circuit to ensure that the power delivered to the bulb does not exceed the wattage select input. The bulb test circuit may determine the maximum wattage of the bulb by measuring the resistance of the bulb's filament or alternatively, by temporarily impressing line voltage across the bulb and measuring the current drawn by the bulb's filament. Alternative embodiments provide a wattage dial disposed on an adapter unit or directly on the threaded base of a bulb.
Public/Granted literature
- US20100102751A1 INTELLIGENT LIGHT FIXTURE FACILITATING UNIVERSAL LIGHT BULB Public/Granted day:2010-04-29
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