OPERATION THEREOF

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[001 ] This invention relates to a unique control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer that is able to switch between the various operating states of the dimmer, including ON or OFF (standby), as a well as possessing the dual functionality of brightness adjustment control for the lamp under the control of the dimmer, all through a single user interfacing feature without the requirement of an incorporated mechanical switch as part of the control arrangement to be separately activated by the user when switching between the operating states of the dimmer.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION

[002] Phase cutting control dimmer arrangements operate by switching AC mains supply to a lamp or light load at chosen time portions of each AC mains supply half cycle. The time period for the AC main supply as applied to a load is determined generally by a analogue or digital timer, controlling the load switching device, that must be started and stopped at exact times during each AC mains supply half cycle.

[003] It follows that there must be some form of user interface to be able to convey the user's intended brightness and or operating state of the light under the control of the dimmer. For example, a dimmer switch arrangement requires at least two functions, those being in no particular order, firstly to control the brightness or light intensity of the lamp connected and secondly the ability to switch the light between operating states such as ON or OFF.

[004] In the past non-electrically controlled dimmer switches may have included a conventional knob rotatable by the user in communication with a potentiometer controlling the brightness level of the lamp under the control of the dimmer as well as a separate mechanical switch that directly or indirectly controlled the application of AC mains power supply.

[005] More recently electrically controlled systems are utilising microcontrollers to control brightness levels in communication with rotary encoders connected to a dimmer operable control knob operated by the user to provide light adjustability along with a separate mechanical switch, such as a single momentary action push switch, which is able to set the operating state of the dimmer between on or off as required.

[006] In the past rotary encoders working in combination with the microcontroller to provide light adjustability had to also incorporate a separate means for the ability to switch between the operating states of the dimmer. Conventionally a rotary encoder was only responsible for controlling adjustability AN OFF/ON AND BRIGHTNESS ADJUSTMENT CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A PHASE CUTTING CONTROL DIMMER AND A METHOD OF

OPERATION THEREOF

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[001] This invention relates to a unique control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer that is able to switch between the various operating states of the dimmer, including ON or OFF (standby), as a well as possessing the dual functionality of brightness adjustment control for the lamp under the control of the dimmer, all through a single user interfacing feature without the requirement of an incorporated mechanical switch as part of the control arrangement to be separately activated by the user when switching between the operating states of the dimmer.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION

[002] Phase cutting control dimmer arrangements operate by switching AC mains supply to a lamp or light load at chosen time portions of each AC mains supply half cycle. The time period for the AC main supply as applied to a load is determined generally by a analogue or digital timer, controlling the load switching device, that must be started and stopped at exact times during each AC mains supply half cycle.

[003] It follows that there must be some form of user interface to be able to convey the user's intended brightness and or operating state of the light under the control of the dimmer. For example, a dimmer switch arrangement requires at least two functions, those being in no particular order, firstly to control the brightness or light intensity of the lamp connected and secondly the ability to switch the light between operating states such as ON or OFF.

[004] In the past non-electrically controlled dimmer switches may have included a conventional knob rotatable by the user in communication with a potentiometer controlling the brightness level of the lamp under the control of the dimmer as well as a separate mechanical switch that directly or indirectly controlled the application of AC mains power supply.

[005] More recently electrically controlled systems are utilising microcontrollers to control brightness levels in communication with rotary encoders connected to a dimmer operable control knob operated by the user to provide light adjustability along with a separate mechanical switch, such as a single momentary action push switch, which is able to set the operating state of the dimmer between on or off as required.

[006] In the past rotary encoders working in combination with the microcontroller to provide light adjustability had to also incorporate a separate means for the ability to switch between the operating states of the dimmer. Conventionally a rotary encoder was only responsible for controlling adjustability of a single parameter, such as sound in audio equipment or more importantly if ever used in a dimmer arrangement, light intensity or brightness.

[007] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to electrically control brightness adjustment of a lamp through a dimmer arrangement wherein the user interface to achieve this light adjustability function can also be completed without the requirement of a separate mechanical switch to be activated by the user, and without any separate gesturing or force required by the user, to switch between the various operating states of the dimmer.

[008] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electronically controlled dimmer arrangement made operable through a user interface connected to a rotary encoder such that the brightness adjustment level of the light and switching between the operating states of the dimmer can be achieved without having to incorporate a mechanical switch into the rotary encoder.

[009] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the specification.

[0010] Throughout this specification the word OFF as an operating state of the phase cutting control dimmer is applied. The use of the word OFF is also implied to mean STANDBY and/or SLEEP mode of operation for the phase cutting control dimmer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[001 1] Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided an ON/OFF and brightness adjustment control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer, said arrangement including: a rotary encoder operably rotatable by a user in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction; said rotary encoder adapted to provide a first signal when the user rotates said rotary encoder in the first rotation direction to dim level of light brightness of a lamp or switch to an OFF operating state of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer, wherein said first signal is a characterisation of a degree of rotary angular positioning, acceleration and/or time of rotation made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first direction; said rotary encoder adapted to provide a second signal when the user rotates said rotary encoder in the second rotation direction to increase level of light brightness of the lamp or switch to an ON operating state of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer, wherein said second signal is a characterisation of a degree of rotary angular positioning, acceleration and/or time of rotation made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the second direction;

2 a microcontroller configured to control a level of light brightness of the lamp and switching between the ON operating state and the OFF operating state of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer; said microcontroller further configured to receive and interpret said first signal and said second signal; wherein the microcontroller interprets said first signal characterisation and said second signal characterisation of the degree of rotary angular positioning, acceleration and/or time of rotation made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first direction or second direction as defining levels of light brightness for the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer; said microcontroller including a predefined reference level for light brightness of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer such that when the microcontroller interprets the first signal characterisation of the degree of rotary angular positioning, acceleration and/or time of rotation made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first direction as defining a level of brightness at or below the predefined reference level of light brightness of the microcontroller, said microcontroller provides for the phase cutting control dimmer to enter an OFF operating state from an ON operating state to switch the lamp off.

[0012] In preference the predefined reference level for brightness of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer is characterised as a level of brightness wherein a change in visible light is no longer perceivable by the user.

[0013] In preference the phase cutting control dimmer enters the ON operating state from the OFF operating state when the microcontroller receives the second signal from the rotary encoder when the user rotates the rotary encoder in the second rotation direction.

[0014] In preference each degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first rotation direction or the second rotation provides for a microcontroller interpretable characterised first signal or second signal.

[0015] In preference each microcontroller interpretable characterised first signal or second signal is definable against configured operational reference levels for light brightness of the lamp for each degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first rotation direction or the second rotation.

[0016] Advantageously this invention provides for the use of a rotary encoder to electronically control the brightness levels of the lamp as well as the ability to

3 switch between the operating states of the power settings of the dimmer without the need of any secondary switch incorporated with the rotary encoder, such as the use of a mechanical switch which is activated by pressing the rotary encoder in its axial direction.

[0017] The user is able to seamlessly switch power ON or OFF to the lamp as required along with the ability to have adjustability for lamp brightness through a preferable single user interface knob connected to the rotary encoder, that wherein rotation of the interface knob by the user advantageously will not only perform the necessary brightness adjustment for the lamp but also as required complete power switching between the operating states of the dimmer if so desired by the user.

[0018] Once the predefined level of brightness (dimness) is achieved, which would be preferably as introduced above at the point where no visible light is perceivable by the user from the lamp, any subsequent further rotation beyond that predefined level of dimness then instigates the changing of the operating state of the dimmer from being ON to OFF.

[0019] Advantageously the user will not need to apply any increased force or torque in the subsequent further rotation of the knob connected to the rotary encoder as there is no requirement for the rotary encoder to engage with any incorporated mechanical switching mechanisms to achieve a switch in the operating states of the dimmer from ON to OFF and vice versa.

[0020] This unique arrangement is achieved because the microcontroller is adapted through its programming and inherent functionality to interpret characterisation of the first signal and the second signal.

[0021] If the microcontroller receives the first signal, the microcontroller recognises the rotary encoder has been rotated in the first rotation direction which is suggestive the user requires light dimness or a decrease in the level of light brightness of the lamp including the possibility the user requires that the lamp be turned OFF.

[0022] As each degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first rotation direction provides for an individually identifiable microcontroller interpretable characterised first signal, this can be compared against configured operational reference levels set in the microcontroller so that the level of light brightness of the lamp is illuminated at the user's preferred level.

[0023] Alternatively if the first signal is characterised by a degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, or level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in the first direction correlates to a definable level of brightness at or below the predefined reference level of light brightness

4 of the microcontroller, then the phase cutting control dimmer enters an OFF operating state from an ON operating state to switch the lamp off.

[0024] When the user wishes to turn the lamp back on again the microcontroller is adapted to interpret the second signal that represents the rotational direction associated with increasing light brightness or intensity of the lamp which results in the operating state of the dimmer going from OFF (standby or low powered) to ON.

[0025] In the past rotary potentiometers incorporated mechanical switches, in most instances these mechanical switches had to be large enough, for example in the order of 20mm in diameter or more to be capable of all of switching for the AC mains power supply between the respective operating states such as ON or OFF. Otherwise those switches fitted to rotary encoders not capable of switching AC mains power supply then required additional circuitry such that the switch could be associated indirectly to actuated relays or other electronic means in order to switch the AC main power supply between the respective operating states of the dimmer as required.

[0026] Hence as discussed above conventional rotary potentiometers or encoders hitherto used in phase cutting control dimmers in order to incorporate the power ON/OFF operating function had to be connected with a large mechanical switch and/or additional indirect circuitry to actuate relays by other electronic means to switch AC mains power supply.

[0027] That means that such arrangements were bulky and expensive given the amount of componentry involved.

[0028] Still further, these kinds of conventional arrangements of rotary encoders incorporating a mechanical switch to achieve both dimmer adjustability and power ON or OFF functionality would make them difficult to be readily retrofitted and installed into pre-existing wall mounts that included a standard light switch.

[0029] In preference the first rotation direction is anti-clockwise.

[0030] In preference the second rotation direction is clockwise.

[0031] While not essential to the invention in the preferred embodiments anticlockwise rotation of the rotary encoder after a minimum control has been reached is interpreted as a users request to turn off the equipment. Nonetheless the same functionality and purpose can be achieved going in the other direction that being clockwise.

[0032] In this invention the rotary encoder and the users rotational movement connected thereto by the knob will have no physical stop perse and will be able to be continuously rotated in either direction so as there is no increase torque

5 required by the user to switch between operating states, thereby preventing any forced damaged to the componentry of the dimmer.

[0033] Importantly for this invention the rotary encoder working with the microcontroller has at least dual functionality not just simply to adjust brightness levels for the lamp but also to seamlessly and through no further force of rotation of the user operable knob connected to the rotary encoder, be able to achieve operating state switching for the dimmer.

[0034] To enter from the OFF/standby state to the ON state clockwise rotation of the rotary encoder is adapted to be interpreted by the microcontroller as a request to return the dimmer to its normal active state such that further clockwise rotation will increase the lamp brightness.

[0035] As will be discussed in greater detail below there are a variety of ways in which the entering of the ON operating state from the OFF operating state can be translated or communicated to the level of lamp brightness. For the most part this will be dependant on the programming and the functionality incorporated into the micro controller.

[0036] For example lamp brightness can be initially set to be programmed to a minimal value, or a brightness level reflective of a user's preferred light intensity and so forth.

[0037] It is also to be appreciated that whilst this invention provides for a unique ON/OFF and brightness adjustment control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer, which is able to provide functionality of brightness adjustability as well as switching between operating conditions of the dimmer to control the lamp without the use of an incorporated mechanical switch, this arrangement can also be used in conjunction and/or in combination with additional or separate such mechanical switching mechanisms that are part of the existing art if so desired.

[0038] In preference a user operable knob is attachable to a shaft of the rotary encoder, wherein rotation of the user operable knob translates to rotation of the shaft of the rotary encoder and rotation of the shaft of the rotary encoder operates the rotary encoder.

[0039] In preference the arrangement further includes a visual display device to indicate to the user a change in operating state of the dimmer.

[0040] The user and/or the manufacturer is preferably able to decide whether the brightness will be changed from minimum to maximum, such as for example by rotating the knob by just 90 degrees or by 10 complete 360 degree turns.

[0041] In preference information about any adjustment the user makes is to be interpreted and separately stored in a digital memory device. Usually that

6 storage will preferably be within the microcontroller that provides all the other switching and control "intelligence" built into the dimmer.

[0042] The important parameters that can be derived from the signals produced by a rotary encoder include, the direction in which the user is turning its knob (clockwise/anticlockwise), the speed or time of rotation of the knob, increases or decreases in the rate of rotation of the knob i.e. its rotational acceleration and whether the user continues to turn the knob after all the available control range of the controlled parameter has been reached. For example whether the user continues to turn the knob after the lamp brightness ceases to change. These parameters and associated signals are programmable as required as part of the operating function of the microcontroller.

[0043] In preference the arrangement further includes an indicator illumination device viewable by the user so that the ON operating state and/or OFF operating state is recognizable by the user.

[0044] In preference when the phase cutting control dimmer enters the ON operating state from the OFF operating state when the microcontroller receives the second signal from the rotary encoder when the user rotates the rotary encoder in the second rotation direction, the phase cutting control dimmer completes a prescribed start-up sequence to ensure the safe start-up and correct operation of the lamp under the control of the phase cutting control dimmer.

[0045] In preference the level of illumination provided on completion of the start-up sequence is a minimum brightness level which has been preprogrammed into the dimmer either during its manufacture or subsequently by the user.

[0046] In preference the rotary encoder has fitted to the shaft of the rotary encoder a secondary switch that can be user activated by axial movement, pushing/pulling of the shaft by the user to provide additional operational features including switching the phase cutting control dimmer ON operating state and OFF operating state.

[0047] In preference the arrangement may also be wired in series with a conventional ac mains light switch to provide an alternative way to switch the dimmer and its controlled lamps ON/OFF.

[0048] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be presented with the assistance with the following illustrations will the accompanying text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 is a flow chart showing the method for use of the ON/OFF and brightness adjustment control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer

7 from the ON operating state of the dimmer to the OFF operating state of the dimmer in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Figure 2 is a systematic representation of the user interface to achieve the outcome shown in Figure 1 .

[0051] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the method for use of the ON/OFF and brightness adjustment control arrangement for a phase cutting control dimmer entering the ON operating state of the dimmer from the OFF operating state of the dimmer in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0052] Figure 4 is a systematic representation of the user interface to achieve the outcome shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail and firstly Figure 1 , showing the flow chart (10) which is illustrative of the ON/OFF and brightness adjustment control arrangement for the phase cutting control dimmer from the ON operating state of the dimmer to the OFF operating state of the dimmer

[0054] The dimmer (12) is on and controlling a level of brightness to a lamp shown generally as (14).

[0055] A microcontroller (not shown) is continuously checking the status of a rotary encoder (not shown) to determine whether or not there has been any anticlockwise rotation of the rotary encoder as shown at (16).

[0056] As will be discussed in greater detail when referencing figures 2 and 4, the rotary encoder is made rotational by a user rotating a user accessible knob and rotating in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

[0057] If on checking by the microcontroller there is no anticlockwise rotation of the rotary encoder, monitoring by the microcontroller continues to check for anticlockwise rotation of the rotary encoder shown as (18). If the microcontroller recognises anticlockwise rotational movement of the rotary encoder, which will be interpretable from a characterised pulsed signal the microcontroller will receive from the rotary encoder shown by way of arrow (20) in figure 1.

[0058] The pulsed signal from the rotary encoder to the microcontroller has its own characterisation dependent on each degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder in clockwise rotation direction or anti clockwise rotation direction.

[0059] Upon the microcontroller recognising anticlockwise rotational movement of the rotary encoder by the pulse signal received from the rotary encoder, the microcontroller will then determine the degree of rotary angular positioning, level of acceleration and/or period of time of rotation made by the

8 user during the rotation of the rotary encoder by interpreting the characterised pulse signal, with pre-set set values of the microcontroller matching the required level of light intensity (22).

[0060] If the user's intention is to not switch off the lamp but to simply dim the lamp the dimmer still remains in the ON operating state and after the adjustment of the brightness level of the lamp the microcontroller goes back to monitoring or awaiting a further signal from the rotary encoder as illustrated by (24).

[0061] In the event that the anticlockwise rotation of the rotary encoder is such to be interpreted by the microcontroller that the predefined light intensity has been reached or exceeded through the user's rotation of the rotary encoder, the microcontroller translates this as the user's intention is to turn OFF the dimmer shown by way of (26). The dimmer then enters the OFF operating state (28) from the ON operating state (12).

[0062] Once the dimmer is off there is no further illumination from the lamp (30) as it is also switched off.

[0063] As illustrated in Figure 2 the user operable knob (34) can be connected to the shaft (not shown) of the rotary encoder (not shown) as part of a dimmer switch arrangement (not shown) supported in the wall mount (32).

[0064] In order to switch the light off in this preferred embodiment, all the user will have to do is rotate the knob (34) in an anticlockwise direction as pulsed signal from the rotary encoder to the microcontroller has its own characterisation dependent on each degree of rotary angular repositioning of the rotary encoder, level of acceleration of the rotary encoder and/or period of time of rotation of the rotary encoder made by the user when rotating the rotary encoder anti clockwise rotation direction.

[0065] Once the microcontroller receives a characterised pulse signal suggestive that the predefined light intensity level has been reached, which would normally be when no further change in visible light is perceivable by the user has been sent as a characterised signal, any further rotation by the user is the read as an instruction by the microcontroller to turn the dimmer off.

[0066] Accordingly, if the user is turning the knob (34) anticlockwise as shown by way of arrow (36) and continuing in the anticlockwise direction to a specified distance, time, angle or acceleration as predetermined by the settings for the programmable microcontroller, after the dimmer has reached the minimum setting selected continued anticlockwise rotation by the user is interpreted by the microcontroller as a request for the dimmer to turn the lamp completely off by entering an OFF or standby mode of operation from the ON operating state.

[0067] Figures 3 and 4 then represent the alternative sequence of events going from the OFF operating state to the ON operating state. The flow chart (40) of Figure 3, has the dimmer (42) in OFF or standby mode and the lamp (44) is off. As the user subsequently turns the knob connected to the rotary

9 encoder in a clockwise direction (46) as an alternative of no movement of the rotary encoder as represented as (48) on the flow diagram (40), this then leads to a positive recognition by the microcontroller shown by the way of (50), that the user's action should be interpreted as a request to exit the OFF or standby mode operating state of the dimmer to enter the active control operating state ON and turn the lamp load (54) ON.

[0068] When switching from the OFF or standby operating state to the ON operating state the action will follow with the traditional start-up sequence that may be required and programmed into the dimmer arrangement such as testing integrity of components, providing a certain minimum lamp brightness when first illuminating the lamp and/or time delay.

[0069] After the start-up sequence is complete the rotary encoder will provide its normal control action to increase and decrease lamp brightness depending on the extent the rotary encoder is rotated thereto by the user, shown by the way of (56) in order to establish the requisite brightness adjustment level of the lamp shown as (58) in Figure 3.

[0070] Figure 4 reinforces schematically the operational arrangement of Figure 3 wherein the knob (34) in order to take the dimmer from an OFF or standby operating state to the ON operating state, the user will need to turn the knob in this preferred embodiment in a clockwise direction shown by arrow (60), as indicated above once the knob (34) is turned in a clockwise direction, for this preferred embodiment that will be interpreted that the action made by the user is a request to exit the OFF or standby mode operating condition of the dimmer (42) and to enter the ON operating state to turn the lamp.

[0071] In both of the illustrations shown in Figures 2 and 4, all the user will need to do in order to achieve not only light adjustability of the lamp but to switch the dimmer between various operating states such as ON to OFF will be to rotate the knob (34).

[0072] With a comfortable continuous uninterrupted rotation of the knob (34) with no separate additional force or manipulation of the knob the user can have light adjustability of the lamp and the ability to switch between the ON/OFF operating states.

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