Frank F Rose

US Patent:

58218530, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

Nov 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/744185

Inventors:

Robert Gustavson - Newport Beach CA
Frank A. Rose - Lake Forest CA

International Classification:

B60Q 126
H05B 3702

US Classification:

340468

Abstract:

This invention includes a sensor, a time delay trigger circuit, and a power source. The sensor monitors an ambient light level and produces a sensed signal related to the ambient light level. The time delay trigger circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor for determining whether the ambient light level remains reduced below a predetermined level for a specified time. The time delay trigger circuit includes a counter/timer circuit, a comparator circuit, a timing gate circuit, and an output driver. The counter/timer circuit receives the sensed signal from the sensor and initiates a count sequence when the ambient light level is below a predetermined level. The counter/timer circuit provides a count value output representing elapsed time. The comparator circuit includes a plurality of switches used to set the specified time delay. The comparator circuit compares the count value output from the counter/timer circuit with the switches.