TWO-LEVEL SECURITY LIGHT WITH MOTION SENSOR

Abstract

A two-level LED security light with a motion sensor. At night, the LED security light is turned on for a low level illumination. When the motion sensor detects any intrusion, the LED security light is switched from the low level illumination to a high level illumination for a short duration time and then returns to the low level illumination for saving energy. The LED security light includes a power supply unit, a light sensing control unit, a motion sensing unit, a loading and power control unit, and a lighting-emitting unit. The lighting-emitting unit includes one or a plurality of LEDs which may be turned on or turned off according to the sensing results from the light sensing control unit. When the motion sensing unit detects an intrusion, the LED security light can be immediately turned on to the high level illumination to scare away intruder.

Claims

1. A two-level LED security light comprising: a light-emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; and a power supply unit; wherein the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of LEDs divided into two sets with the first set having N number LEDs and the second set having M number LEDs; wherein the loading and power control unit includes a microcontroller electrically coupled to the light sensing unit, the motion sensing unit and at least two switching devices including at least a first switching device and a second switching device; wherein the first switching device and the second switching device are connected with the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs, wherein the first switching device and the second switching device are controlled by the microcontroller to be conducting or cut-off to perform at least a first switching mode and a second switching mode; wherein in the first switching mode the power supply unit drives at least the first set of N number LEDs to perform a low level illumination with low light intensity and in the second switching mode the power supply unit drives at least the second set of M number LEDs to perform a high level illumination with high light intensity; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn on the first set of N number LEDs in the light-emitting unit to generate the low level illumination; wherein when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off all the LEDs in the light-emitting unit; and wherein when a motion intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit manages to turn on at least the second set of M number LEDs to generate the high level illumination for a predetermined duration before resuming to the low level illumination.

2. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein when the second set of M number LEDs is turned on upon detecting the motion intrusion, the loading and power control unit continues to turn on the first set of N number LEDs.

3. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein when the second set of M number LEDs is turned on upon detecting the motion intrusion, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off the first set of N number LEDs.

4. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs are non-detachably coupled to the switching devices.

5. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein the total wattage of the M number LEDs is greater than the total wattage of the N number LEDs.

6. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein the total wattage of the M number LEDs is equal to the total wattage of the N number LEDs.

7. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit outputs a DC power for operating the two-level LED security light, wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are connected in series, wherein a constant current control circuit is connected in series with the light emitting unit to convert the DC power into the constant current such that the current level remains stable in light of a drastic change of lighting load between driving the N number LEDs for generating the low level illumination and driving the M number LEDs for generating the high level illumination.

8. The two-level LED security light according to claim 7, wherein when the two-level LED security is operated in the low level illumination mode, the light intensity is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the first set of N number LEDs is configured to include a plurality of switching devices coupled to the two ends associated with each LED and to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller with program codes is configured to control the number of LEDs to be turned on in the N number LEDs through bypassing unwanted LEDs in the N number LEDs with the associated switching device(s) according to an external control signal played by an user or according to a value of a voltage divider set by the user.

9. The two-level LED security light according to claim 7, wherein when the two-level LED security is in the high level illumination mode, the light intensity is further adjustable by the microcontroller, wherein the second set of M number LEDs is configured to include a plurality of switching devices coupled to the two ends associated with each LED and to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller with program codes is configured to control the number of LEDs to be turned on in the M number LEDs through bypassing unwanted LEDs in the M number LEDs with the associated switching device(s) according to an external control signal played by an user or according to a value of a voltage divider set by the user.

10. The two-level LED security light according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit outputs a DC power for operating the two-level LED security light; wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are connected in parallel, wherein the first switching device is electrically connected in series between the first set of N number LEDs and the power supply unit, wherein the second switching device is electrically connected in series between the second set of M number LEDs and the power supply unit; wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are respectively designed with a configuration of in series and in parallel connections such that the voltage level V across each LED complies with an operating constraint of V.sub.t<V<V.sub.m featuring electrical characteristics of a LED, where V.sub.t is a minimum threshold voltage required to trigger the LED to start emitting light and V.sub.m is a cap of maximum voltage across each LED to avoid an effect of a thermal runaway which may burn out a LED or damage the LED construction resulting in shortened LED lifetime.

11. The two-level LED security light according to claim 10, wherein the value of V.sub.m ranges between 3 volts and 3.5 volts, wherein the value V.sub.t ranges between 1.5 volts and 2.5 volts depending on the color temperature of LED used.

12. The two-level LED security light according to claim 10, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the low level illumination mode, the light intensity of the low level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs a PWM signal to control a time length of conduction period of the first switching device in each duty cycle such that an average electric current proportional to the time length of the conduction period is delivered to the light emitting unit for performing a dimming work of the low level illumination mode.

13. The two-level LED security light according to claim 10, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, an illumination of the high level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs at least a PWM signal to control a time length of conduction period of at least the second switching device in each duty cycle such that an average electric current proportional to the time length of the conduction period is delivered to the light emitting unit for performing the illumination of the high level illumination mode.

14. The two-level LED security light according to claim 10, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, an illumination of the high level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs PWM signals to control time lengths of conduction period of both the first switching device and the second switching device in each duty cycle such that average electric currents proportional to the time lengths of the conduction period are delivered to the light emitting unit for performing the illumination of the high level illumination mode.

15. A two-level LED security light comprising: a light- emitting unit; a loading and power control unit; a light sensing control unit; a motion sensing unit; and a power supply unit; wherein the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of LEDs divided into two sets with the first set having N number LEDs and the second set having M number LEDs; wherein the loading and power control unit includes a microcontroller electrically coupled to the light sensing unit, the motion sensing unit and at least two switching devices including a first switching device and a second switching device; wherein the first switching device and the second switching device are connected with the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs; wherein the two switching devices are controlled by the microcontroller to be respectively conducting or cut-off to perform at least a first switching mode and a second switching mode; wherein in the first switching mode at least the first set of N number LEDs is turned on to perform a low level illumination with low light intensity and in the second switching mode at least the second set of M number LEDs is turned on to perform a high level illumination with high light intensity; wherein when an ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is lower than a predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn on the first set of N number LEDs in the light-emitting unit to generate the low level illumination; wherein when the ambient light detected by the light sensing control unit is higher than the predetermined value, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off all the LEDs in the light-emitting unit; wherein when a motion intrusion is detected by the motion sensing unit, the loading and power control unit manages to turn on at least the second set of M number LEDs in the light-emitting unit to generate the high level illumination for a predetermined duration; and wherein the N number LEDs are of low color temperature to produce soft evening light while the M number LEDs are of high color temperature to produce a much brighter day light with a dual effect of security alert by means of creating drastic changes in both light intensity from low to high and light color temperature from warm to cool upon detecting motion intrusion.

16. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein when the second set of M number LEDs is turned on upon detecting the motion intrusion, the loading and power control unit continues to turn on the first set of N number LEDs.

17. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein when the second set of M number LEDs is turned on upon detecting the motion intrusion, the loading and power control unit manages to turn off the first set of N number LEDs.

18. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein the total wattage of the M number LEDs is greater than the total wattage of the N number LEDs.

19. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein the total wattage of the M number LEDs is equal to the total wattage of the N number LEDs.

20. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein the power supply unit outputs a DC power for operating the two-level LED security light, wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are connected in series, wherein a constant current control circuit is connected in series with the light-emitting unit to convert the DC power into the constant current such that the current level remains stable in light of a drastic change of lighting load between driving the N number LEDs for generating the low level illumination and driving the M number LEDs for generating the high level illumination.

21. The two-level LED security light according to claim 20, wherein when the two-level LED security is operated in the low level illumination mode, the light intensity is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the first set of N number LEDs is configured to include a plurality of switching devices coupled to the two ends associated with each LED and to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller with program codes is configured to control the number of LEDs to be turned on in the N number LEDs through bypassing unwanted LEDs in the N number LEDs with the associated switching device(s) according to an external control signal played by an user or according to a value of a voltage divider set by the user.

22. The two-level LED security light according to claim 20, wherein when the two-level LED security is in the high level illumination mode, the light intensity is further adjustable by the microcontroller, wherein the second set of M number LEDs is configured to include a plurality of switching devices coupled to the two ends associated with each LED and to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller with program codes is configured to control the number of LEDs to be turned on in the M number LEDs through bypassing unwanted LEDs in the M number LEDs with the associated switching device(s) according to an external control signal played by an user or according to a value of a voltage divider set by the user.

23. The two-level LED security light according to claim 15, wherein the power supply unit output a DC power for operating the two-level LED security light; wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are connected in parallel, wherein the first switching device is electrically connected in series between the first set of N number LEDs and the power supply unit, wherein the second switching device is electrically connected in series between the second set of M number LEDs and the power supply unit; wherein the first set of N number LEDs and the second set of M number LEDs are respectively designed with a configuration of in series and in parallel connections such that the voltage level V across each LED complies with an operating constraint of V.sub.t<V<V.sub.m, featuring electrical characteristics of a LED, wherein V.sub.t is a minimum threshold voltage required to trigger the LED to start emitting light and V.sub.m, is a cap of maximum voltage across each LED to avoid an effect of a thermal runaway which may burn out a LED or damage the LED construction resulting in shortened LED lifetime.

24. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein the value of V.sub.m ranges between 3 volts and 3.5 volts, wherein the value V.sub.t ranges between 1.5 volts and 2.5 volts depending on the color temperature of LED used.

25. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the low level illumination mode, the light intensity of the low level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs a PWM signal to control a time length of conduction period of the first switching device in each duty cycle such that an average electric current proportional to the time length of the conduction period is delivered to the light emitting unit for performing a dimming work of the low level illumination mode.

26. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, an illumination of the high level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs at least a PWM signal to control a time length of conduction period of at least the second switching device in each duty cycle such that an average electric current proportional to the time length of the conduction period is delivered to the light emitting unit for performing the illumination of the high level illumination mode.

27. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, an illumination of the high level illumination mode is further adjustable by the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs PWM signals to control time lengths of conduction period of both the first switching device and the second switching device in each duty cycle such that average electric currents proportional to the time lengths of the conduction period are delivered to the light emitting unit for performing the illumination of the high level illumination mode.

28. The two-level LED security light according to claim 27, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, the light intensity of the illumination is further adjustable by the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller in response to the external control signal outputs PWM signals to control time lengths of conduction period of both the first switching device and the second switching device varying with the same pace in an adequate range for adjusting the light intensity of the high level illumination mode.

29. The two-level LED security light according to claim 27, wherein when the two-level LED security light is in the high level illumination mode, the color temperature of the illumination is further adjustable by the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller in response to the external control signal outputs PWM signals to control time lengths of conduction period of the first switching device and the second switching device varying reversely in an adequate range such that controlling the light intensity of the first set of N number LEDs with a low color temperature and the light intensity of the second set of M number LEDs with a high color temperature varying simultaneously but reversely to produce variable mingled color temperature thru a light diffuser in such a manner for adjusting the color temperature of the high level illumination mode.

30. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs are both in conduction state, the light intensity of the N number LEDs and the the intensity of the M number LEDs are respectively adjustable, wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs a first PWM signal to control a conduction rate of the first switching device and a second PWM signal to control the conduction rate of the second switching device with an arrangement that the conduction rate of the first switching device and the conduction rate of the second switching device are reversely adjusted with the same pace such that the total power level transmitted to the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs is maintained at a constant level while a mingled color temperature of the light emitted by the N number LEDs and the light emitted by the M number LEDs thru a light diffuser is proportionately adjusted according to the external control signal to perform a color temperature tuning mode.

31. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs are both in conduction state, the light intensity of the N number LEDs and the light intensity of the M number LEDs are respectively adjustable, wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs a first PWM signal to control a conduction rate of the first switching device and a second PWM signal to control the conduction rate of the second switching device with an arrangement that the conduction rate of the first switching device and the conduction rate of the second switching device are unidirectionally and proportionally adjusted with the same pace such that a mingled color temperature of the light emitted by the N number LEDs and the light emitted by the M number LEDs thru a light diffuser is maintained at a constant level while the light intensity of the light emitting unit is being proportionately adjusted according to the external control signal to perform a dimming mode.

32. The two-level LED security according to claim 23, wherein when the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs are in conduction state, the light intensity and color temperature are both adjustable for performing a dimming and color temperature tuning control mode, wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal played by an user outputs a second PWM signal to control a conduction rate of the second switching device such that the M number LEDs with the high color temperature are dimmed according to the external control signal, wherein the microcontroller manages to output a first PWM signal to control a conduction state of the first switching device such that the N number LEDs with the low color temperature operates a constant power while the M number LEDs are being dimmed to create a dim to warm effect, wherein during a cycle of the dimming and color temperature tuning control mode, the light intensity and the color temperature of the light emitting unit are jointly determined by the external control signal.

33. The two-level LED security according to claim 32, wherein when the M number LEDs are dimmed to a cutoff state, the microcontoller operates to change the first PWM signal to continuously reduce the conduction rate of the first switching device such that the light intensity continues to decrease with the low color temperature.

34. The two-level LED security light according to claim 23, wherein when the N number LEDs and the M number LEDs are in conduction state, the light intensity and color temperature are both adjustable for performing a dimming and color temperature tuning control mode, wherein the microcontroller in response to an external control signal outputs a first PWM signal to control a conduction rate of the first switching device and a second PWM signal to control the conduction rate of the second switching device, wherein the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal are configured to operate with an arrangement that the M number LEDs and the N number LEDs are respectively dimmed in such a way that the M number LEDs leads the N number LEDs in reaching a turn off state in performing the dimming and color temperature tuning control mode such that a mingled color temperature of the light emitted by the N number LEDs and the light emitted by the M number LEDs continues to change to a warmer illumination along with a continuous reduction of light intensity to create a dim to warm effect according to the external control signal, wherein during a cycle of the dimming and color temperature turning control mode, the light intensity and the mingled color temperature of the light emitting unit are jointly determined by the external control signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2B graphically illustrates a timing waveform of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal in accordance to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4B illustrates a timing waveform of two-level LED security light in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Reference is made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or alike parts.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0025] Refer to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A two-level LED security light (herein as the lighting apparatus)100 includes a power supply unit 110, a light sensing control unit 120, a motion sensing unit 130, a loading and power control unit 140, and a light-emitting unit 150. The power supply unit 110 is used for supplying power required to operate the system, wherein the associated structure includes the known AC/DC voltage converter. The light sensing control unit 120 may be a photoresistor, which may be coupled to the loading and power control unit 140 for determining daytime or nighttime in accordance to the ambient light. The motion sensing unit 130 may be a passive infrared sensor (PIR), which is coupled to the loading and power control unit 140 and is used to detect intrusions. When a person is entering a predetermined detection zone of the motion sensing unit 130, a sensing signal thereof may be transmitted to the loading and power control unit 140.

[0026] The loading and power control unit 140 which is coupled to the light-emitting unit 150 may be implemented by a microcontroller. The loading and power control unit 140 may control the illumination levels of the light-emitting unit 150 in accordance to the sensing signal outputted by the light sensing control unit 120 and the motion sensing unit 130. The light-emitting unit 150 may include a plurality of LEDs and switching components. The loading and power control unit 140 may control the light-emitting unit 150 to generate at least two levels of illumination variations.

[0027] When the light sensing control unit 120 detects that the ambient light is lower than a predetermined value (i.e., nighttime), the loading and power control unit 140 executes the Photo-Control (PC) mode by turning on the light-emitting unit 150 to generate a high level illumination for a predetermined duration then return to a low level illumination for Power-Saving (PS) mode. When the light sensing control unit 120 detects that the ambient light is higher than a predetermined value (i.e., dawn), the loading and power control unit 140 turns off the light-emitting unit 150. In the PS mode, when the motion sensing unit 130 detects a human motion, the loading and power control unit 140 may increase the electric current which flow through the light-emitting unit 150, to generate the high level illumination for a short predetermined duration. After the short predetermined duration, the loading and power control unit 140 may automatically lower the electric current that flow through the light-emitting unit 150 thus have the light-emitting unit 150 return to low level illumination for saving energy.

[0028] Refer to 2A, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The light sensing control unit 120 may be implemented by a light sensor 220; the motion sensing unit 130 may be implemented by a motion sensor 230; the loading and power control unit 140 may be implemented by a microcontroller 240. The light-emitting unit 250 includes three series-connected LEDs L1L3. The LEDs L1L3 is connected between a DC source and a transistor Q1, wherein the DC source may be provided by the power supply unit 110. The transistor Q1 may be an N-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (NMOS). The transistor Q1 is connected between the three series-connected LEDs L1L3 and a ground GND. The loading and power control unit 140 implemented by the microcontroller 240 may output a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the gate of transistor Q1 to control the average electric current. It is worth to note that the electric components depicted in FIG. 2A only serves as an illustration for the exemplary embodiment of the present disclose and hence the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0029] Refer to FIG. 2B concurrently, which graphically illustrates a timing waveform of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal in accordance to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the PC mode, the PWM signal may be used to configure the transistor Q1 to have the conduction period T.sub.off being longer than the cut-off period T.sub.off. On the other hand in the PS mode, the PWM signal may configure the transistor Q1 to have the conduction period T.sub.on being shorter than the cut-off period T.sub.off. In comparison of the illumination levels between the PC and PS modes, as the conduction period T.sub.on of transistor Q1 being longer under the PC mode, therefore have higher average electric current driving the light-emitting unit 250 thereby generate high illumination, which may be classified as the high level illumination; whereas as the conduction period T.sub.on of transistor Q1 is shorter in the PS mode, therefore have lower average electric current driving the light-emitting unit 250 thereby generate low illumination, which may be classified as the low level illumination.

[0030] The microcontroller 240 turns off the light-emitting unit 250 during the day and activates the PC mode at night by turning on the light-emitting unit 250 to generate the high level illumination for a short predetermined duration then return to the low level illumination thereby entering the PS mode. When the motion sensor 230 detects a human motion in the PS mode, the light-emitting unit 250 may switch to the high level illumination for illumination or warning application. The light-emitting unit 250 may return to the low level illumination after maintaining at the high level illumination for a short predetermined duration to save energy.

[0031] In addition, the microcontroller 240 is coupled to a time setting unit 260, wherein the time setting unit 260 may allow the user to configure the predetermined duration associated with the high level illumination in the PC mode, however the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0032] Refer again to FIG. 1, wherein the illumination variations of the light-emitting unit 150 may be implemented through the number of light-source loads being turned on to generate more than two levels of illumination. The lighting apparatus 100 in the instant exemplary embodiment may be through turning on a portion of LEDs or all the LEDs to generate a low and a high level of illuminations.

[0033] Refer to FIG. 3A concurrently, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light 100 in accordance to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The main difference between FIG. 3A and FIG. 2A is in the light-emitting unit 350, having three series-connected LEDs L1L3 and NMOS transistors Q1 and Q2. The LEDs L1L3 are series connected to the transistor Q1 at same time connected between the DC source and a constant electric current control circuit 310. Moreover, transistor Q2 is parallel connected to the two ends associated with LEDs L2 and L3. The gates of the transistors Q1 and Q2 are connected respectively to a pin PC and a pin PS of the microcontroller 240. The constant electric current control circuit 310 in the instant exemplary embodiment maintains the electric current in the activated LED at a constant value, namely, the LEDs L1L3 are operated in constant-current mode.

[0034] Refer to FIG. 3A, the pin PC of the microcontroller 240 controls the switching operations of the transistor Q1; when the voltage level of pin PC being either a high voltage or a low voltage, the transistor Q1 may conduct or cut-off, respectively, to turn the LEDs L1L3 on or off. The pin PS of the microcontroller 240 controls the switch operations of the transistor Q2, to form two current paths 351 and 352 on the light-emitting unit 350. When the voltage at the pin PS of the microcontroller 240 is high, the transistor Q2 conducts, thereby forming the current path 351 passing through the LED L1 and the transistor Q2; when the voltage at the pin PS being low, the transistor Q2 cuts-off, thereby forming the current path 352 passing through all the LEDs L1L3. The microcontroller 240 may then control the switching operation of the transistor Q2 to turn on the desired number of LEDs so as to generate a high or a low level illumination.

[0035] When light sensor 220 detects that the ambient light is higher than a predetermined value, the microcontroller 240 through the pin PC outputs a low voltage, which causes the transistor Q1 to cut-off and turns off all the LEDs L1L3 in the light-emitting unit 350. Conversely, when the light sensor 220 detects that the ambient light is lower than the predetermined value, the microcontroller 240 activates the PC mode, i.e., outputting a high voltage from pin PC and a low voltage from pin PS, to activate the transistor Q1 while cut-off the transistor Q2, thereby forming the current path 352, to turn on the three LEDs L1L3 in the light-emitting unit 350 so as to generate the high level illumination for a predetermined duration. After the predetermined duration, the microcontroller 240 may switch to the PS mode by having the pin PC continue outputting a high voltage and the pin PS outputting a high voltage, to have the transistor Q2 conducts, thereby forming the current path 351. Consequently, only the LED L1 is turned on and the low level illumination is generated.

[0036] When the motion sensor detects a human motion in the PS mode, the pin PS of the microcontroller 240 temporarily switches from the high voltage to a low voltage, to have the transistor Q2 temporarily cuts-off thus forming the current path 352 to activate all the LEDs in the light-emitting unit 350, thereby temporarily generates the high level illumination. The light-emitting unit 350 is driven by a constant electric current, therefore the illumination level generated thereof is directly proportional to the number of LEDs activated. FIG. 3B illustrates another implementation for FIG. 3A, wherein the relays J1 and J2 are used in place of NMOS transistors to serve as switches. The microcontroller 240 may control the relays J2 and J1 through regulating the switching operations of the NPN bipolar junction transistors Q4 and Q5. Moreover, resistors R16 and R17 are current-limiting resistors.

[0037] In the PC mode, the relay J1 being pull-in while the relay J2 bounce off to have constant electric current driving all the LEDs L1L3 to generate the high level illumination; in PS mode, the relays J1 and J2 both pull-in to have constant electric current only driving the LED L1 thus the low level illumination may be thereby generated. Furthermore, when the motion sensor 230 detects a human motion, the pin PS of the microcontroller 240 may temporarily switch from high voltage to low voltage, forcing the relay J2 to temporarily bounce off and the relay J1 pull-in so as to temporarily generate the high level illumination.

[0038] The LED L 1 may adopt a LED having color temperature of 2700 K while the LEDs L2 and L3 may adopt LEDs having color temperature of 5000 K in order to increase the contrast between the high level and the low level illuminations. The number of LEDs included in the light-emitting unit 350 may be more than three, for example five or six LEDs. The transistor Q2 may be relatively parallel to the two ends associated with a plurality of LEDs to adjust the illumination difference between the high and the low illumination levels. Additionally, the light-emitting unit 350 may include a plurality of transistors Q2, which are respectively coupled to the two ends associated with each LED to provide more lighting variation selections. The microcontroller 240 may decide the number of LEDs to turn on in accordance to design needs at different conditions. Based on the explanation of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, those skills in the art should be able to deduce other implementation and further descriptions are therefore omitted.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

[0039] Refer back to FIG. 1, wherein the light-emitting unit 150 may include a phase controller and one or more parallel-connected alternating current (AC) LEDs. The phase controller is coupled between the described one or more parallel-connected ACLEDs and AC power source. The loading and power controller 140 in the instant exemplary embodiment may through the phase controller adjust the average power of the light-emitting unit 150 so as to generate variations in the low level and the high level illuminations.

[0040] Refer to FIG. 4A, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light 100 in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The main difference between FIG. 4A and FIG. 3 is in that the light-source load is an ACLED, which is coupled to the AC power source, and further the light-emitting unit 450 includes a phase controller 451. The phase controller 451 includes a bi-directional switching device 452, here, a triac, a zero-crossing detection circuit 453, and a resistor R. The microcontroller 240 turns off the light-emitting unit 450 when the light sensor 220 detects that the ambient light is higher than a predetermined value. Conversely, when the light sensor 220 detects that the ambient light is lower than the predetermined value, the microcontroller 240 activates the PC mode by turning on the light-emitting unit 450. In the PC mode, the microcontroller 240 may select a control pin for outputting a pulse signal which through a resistor R triggers the triac 452 to have a large conduction angle. The large conduction angle configures the light-emitting unit 450 to generate a high level illumination for a predetermined duration. Then the microcontroller 240 outputs the pulse signal for PS mode through the same control pin to trigger the triac 452 to have a small conduction angle for switching the light-emitting unit 450 from the high level illumination to the low level illumination of the PS mode. Moreover, when the motion sensor 230 (also called motion sensing unit) detects a human motion in the PS mode, the microcontroller 240 temporarily outputs the PC-mode pulse signal through the same control pin to have the light-emitting unit 450 generated the high level illumination for a short predetermined duration. After the short predetermined duration, the light-emitting unit 450 returns to the low level illumination.

[0041] In the illumination control of the ACLED, the microcontroller 240 may utilize the detected zero-crossing time (e.g., the zero-crossing time of an AC voltage waveform) outputted from the zero-crossing detection circuit 453 to send an AC synchronized pulse signal thereof which may trigger the triac 452 of the phase controller 451 thereby to change the average power input to the light-emitting unit 450. As the ACLED has a cut-in voltage V.sub.t for start conducting, thus if the pulse signal inaccurately in time triggers the conduction of the triac 452, then the instantaneous value of AC voltage may be lower than the cut-in voltage V.sub.t of ACLED at the trigger pulse. Consequently, the ACLED may result in the phenomenon of either flashing or not turning on. Therefore, the pulse signal generated by the microcontroller 240 must fall in a proper time gap behind the zero-crossing point associated with the AC sinusoidal voltage waveform.

[0042] Supposing an AC power source having a voltage amplitude V.sub.m and frequency f, then the zero-crossing time gap t.sub.D of the trigger pulse outputted by the microcontroller 240 should be limited according to t.sub.o<t.sub.D<.sub.ft.sub.o for a light-source load with a cut-in voltage V.sub.t, wherein t.sub.o=(f)sin.sup.1 (V.sub.t/V.sub.m). The described criterion is applicable to all types of ACLEDs to assure that the triac 452 can be stably triggered in both positive and negative half cycle of the AC power source. Take ACLED with V.sub.t (rms)=80V as an example, and supposing the V.sub.m(rms)=110V and f=60 Hz, then t.sub.o=2.2 ms and ( f)=8.3 ms may be obtained. Consequently, the proper zero-crossing time gap t.sub.D associated with the phase modulation pulse outputted by the microcontroller 240 which lagged the AC sinusoidal voltage waveform should be designed in the range of 2.2 ms<t.sub.D<6.1 ms.

[0043] Refer to FIG. 4B, which illustrates a timing waveform of the two-level LED security light in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Waveforms (a)(d) of FIG. 4B respectively represent the AC power source, the output of the zero-crossing detection circuit 453, the zero-crossing delay pulse at the control pin of the microcontroller 240, and the voltage waveform across the two ends of the ACLED in the light-emitting unit 450. The zero-crossing detection circuit 453 converts the AC voltage sinusoidal waveform associated with the AC power source to a symmetric square waveform having a low and a high voltage levels as shown in FIG. 4B(b). At the zero-crossing point of the AC voltage sinusoidal wave, the symmetric square waveform may transit either from the low voltage level to the high voltage level or from the high voltage level to the low voltage level. Or equivalently, the edge of the symmetric square waveform in the time domain corresponds to the zero-crossing point of the AC voltage sinusoidal waveform. As shown in FIG. 4B(c), the microcontroller 240 outputs a zero-crossing delay pulse in correspondence to the zero-crossing point of the AC sinusoidal waveform in accordance to the output waveform of the zero-crossing detection circuit 453. The zero-crossing delay pulse is relative to an edge of symmetric square waveform behind a time gap t.sub.D in the time domain. The t.sub.D should fall in a valid range, as described previously, to assure that the triac 452 can be stably triggered thereby to turn on the ACLED. FIG. 4B(d) illustrates a voltage waveform applied across the two ends associated with the ACLED. The illumination level of the light-emitting unit 450 is related to the conduction period t.sub.on of the ACLED, or equivalently, the length t.sub.on is directly proportional to the average power inputted to the ACLED. The difference between the PC mode and the PS mode being that in the PC mode, the ACLED has longer conduction period, thereby generates the high level illumination; whereas in the PS mode, the ACLED conduction period is shorter, hence generates the low level illumination.

[0044] Refer to FIG. 5, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light 100 in accordance to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The light-emitting unit 550 of the lighting apparatus 100 includes an ACLED1, an ACLED2, and a phase controller 551. The phase controller 551 includes triacs 552 and 553, the zero-crossing detection circuit 554 as well as resistors R1 and R2. The light-emitting unit 550 of FIG. 5 is different from the light-emitting unit 450 of FIG. 4 in that the light-emitting unit 550 has more than one ACLEDs and more than one bi-directional switching devices. Furthermore, the color temperatures of the ACLED1 and the ACLED2 may be selected to be different.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the ACLED1 has a high color temperature, and the ACLED2 has a low color temperature. In the PC mode, the microcontroller 240 uses the phase controller 551 to trigger both ACLED1 and ACLED2 to conduct for a long period, thereby to generate the high level illumination as well as illumination of mix color temperature. In the PS mode, the microcontroller 240 uses the phase controller 551 to trigger only the ACLED2 to conduct for a short period, thereby generates the low level illumination as well as illumination of low color temperature. Moreover, in the PS mode, when the motion sensor 230 detects a human motion, the microcontroller 240 may through the phase controller 551 trigger the ACLED1 and ACLED2 to conduct for a long period. Thereby, it may render the light-emitting unit 450 to generate the high level illumination of high color temperature and to produce high contrast in illumination and hue, for a short predetermined duration to warn the intruder. Consequently, the lighting apparatus may generate the high level or the low level illumination of different hue. The rest of operation theories associated with the light-emitting unit 550 are essentially the same as the light-emitting unit 450 and further descriptions are therefore omitted.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0046] Refer to FIG. 6, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light 100 in accordance to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The light-emitting unit 150 of FIG. 1 may be implemented by the light-emitting unit 650, wherein the light-emitting unit 650 includes three ACLED13 having identical luminous power as well as switches 651 and 652. In which, switches 651 and 652 may be relays. The parallel-connected ACLED1 and ACLED2 are series-connected to the switch 652 to produce double luminous power, and of which the ACLED3 is parallel connected to, to generate triple luminous power, and of which an AC power source is further coupled to through the switch 651. Moreover, the microcontroller 240 implements the loading and power control unit 140 of FIG. 1. The pin PC and pin PS are respectively connected to switches 651 and 652 for outputting voltage signals to control the operations of switches 651 and 652 (i.e., open or close).

[0047] In the PC mode, the pin PC and pin PS of the microcontroller 240 control the switches 651 and 652 to be closed at same time. Consequently, the ACLED13 are coupled to the AC power source and the light-emitting unit 650 may generate a high level illumination of triple luminous power. After a short predetermined duration, the microcontroller 240 returns to PS mode. In which the switch 651 is closed while the pin PS controls the switch 652 to be opened, consequently, only the ACLED3 is connected to AC power source, and the light-emitting unit 650 may thus generate the low level illumination of one luminous power. In the PS mode, when the motion sensor 230 detects a human motion, the microcontroller 240 temporarily closes the switch 652 to generate high level illumination with triple luminous power for a predetermined duration. After the predetermined duration, the switch 652 returns to open status thereby to generate the low level illumination of one luminous power. The lighting apparatus of FIG. 6 may therefore through controlling switches 651 and 652 generate two level illuminations with illumination contrast of at least 3 to 1.

[0048] The ACLED1 and ACLED2 of FIG. 6 may be high power lighting sources having color temperature of 5000K. The ACLED3 may be a low power lighting source having color temperature of 2700K. Consequently, the ACLED may generate two levels of illuminations with high illumination and hue contrast without using a zero-crossing detection circuit.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

[0049] Refer to FIG. 7, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a two-level LED security light in accordance to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The light-emitting unit 750 of FIG. 7 is different from the light-emitting unit 640 of FIG. 6 in that the ACLED3 is series-connected to a circuit with a rectified diode D and a switch 753 parallel-connected together, and of which is further coupled through a switch 751 to AC power source. When the switch 753 closes, the AC electric current that passes through the ACLED3 may be a full sinusoidal waveform. When the switch 753 opens, the rectified diode rectifies the AC power, thus only one half cycle of the AC electric current may pass through the ACLED, consequently the luminous power of ALCED3 is cut to be half.

[0050] The pin PS of the microcontroller 240 synchronously controls the operations of switches 752 and 753. If the three ACLED13 have identical luminous power, then in the PC mode, the pin PC and pin PS of the microcontroller 240 synchronously close the switches 751753 to render ACLED13 illuminating, thus the light-emitting unit 750 generates a high level illumination which is three-times higher than the luminous power of a single ACLED. When in the PS mode, the microcontroller 240 closes the switch 751 while opens switches 752 and 753. At this moment, only the ACLED3 illuminates and as the AC power source is rectified by the rectified diode D, thus the luminous power of ACLED3 is half of the AC power source prior to the rectification. The luminous power ratio between the high level and the low level illuminations is therefore 6 to 1. Consequently, strong illumination contrast may be generated to effectively warn the intruder.

[0051] It should be noted that the light-emitting unit in the fifth exemplary embodiment is not limited to utilizing ACLEDs. In other words, the light-emitting unit may include any AC lighting sources such as ACLEDs, incandescent lamps, or fluorescent lamps.

[0052] A lighting apparatus may be implemented by integrating a plurality of LEDs with a microcontroller and various types of sensor components in the controlling circuit in accordance to the above described five exemplary embodiments. This lighting apparatus may automatically generate high level illumination when the ambient light detected is insufficient and time-switch to the low level illumination. In addition, when a person is entering the predetermined detection zone, the lighting apparatus may switch from the low level illumination to the high level illumination, to provide the person with sufficient illumination or to generate strong illumination and hue contrast for monitoring the intruder.

[0053] The above-mentioned descriptions represent merely the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, without any intention to limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto. Various equivalent changes, alternations or modifications based on the claims of present disclosure are all consequently viewed as being embraced by the scope of the present disclosure.