Lighting scene control panel and control circuit

[54] LIGHTING SCENE CONTROL PANEL AND CONTROL CIRCUIT

[75] Inventors: Walter Zaharchuk, Macungie; Joel S.

Spira, Coopersburg, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Coopersburg, Pa.

[ * ] Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Mar. 11, 2003 has been disclaimed.

[21] Appl. No.: 821,424

[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1986

Related U.S. Application Data

[62] Division of Ser. No. 526,321, Aug. 25, 1983, Pat. No. 4,575,660.

[51] Int. CI.* H02P 5/00

[52] U.S. a 315/29S; 315/291;

315/208; 315/293

[58] Field of Search 315/312, 291, 295, 208;

362/23, 800; 340/722, 707; 338/117, 125, 160

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,422,418 1/1969 Simoneau 340/722

3,474,438 10/1969 Lauher 340/722

3,898,643 8/1975 Ettlinger 340/707

4,575,660 3/1986 Zaharchuck et ai 315/295

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 230360 3/1925 United Kingdom .

A plurality of groups of linearly adjustable control potentiometers control respective lights of a given light scene in a given area. A particular group of potentiometers to control the scene is selected by a respective push-button switch on the control panel. Each of the potentiometer control sliders has an LED which is illuminated when its group of potentiometers is selected. Each of the control potentiometers controls a respective dimmer control circuit. Respective fader circuits are connected to each dimmer control circuit. All fader circuits are adjusted by a single potentiometer having a logarithmic response function. The single adjustment potentiometer is mounted on the control panel. All of the dimmer control circuits are remotely located from the control panel. The control panel is covered by a solid cover or a translucent cover through which only illuminated LEDs on the potentiometer sliders are visible. Thus, the group of potentiometers controlling the scene is visible and the adjustment position of each individual potentiometer of the group relative to the other potentiometers of the group is visible.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures