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The present invention is directed to a light emitting wiring device for selectively illuminating a space. The device includes a housing including a plurality of wiring terminals configured to be connected to a source of electrical power. A circuit is disposed in the housing. The circuit is configure

The present invention is directed to a light emitting wiring device for selectively illuminating a space. The device includes a housing including a plurality of wiring terminals configured to be connected to a source of electrical power. A circuit is disposed in the housing. The circuit is configured to provide an output signal in response to at least one external input signal. The device also includes an emission-detection assembly includes a lamp sub-assembly coupled to the at least one circuit. The lamp sub-assembly includes at least one light emitting element configured to emit light in response to the output signal. An ambient light sensor sub-assembly is coupled to the at least one circuit and includes an ambient light sensor and a sensor housing assembly. The ambient light sensor is configured to generate the at least one external input signal in response to an ambient light level in the space. The sensor housing assembly is configured to substantially isolate the ambient light sensor from the light emitted into the space.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A light emitting wiring device for selectively illuminating a space, the device comprising: a housing including a plurality of wiring terminals configured to be connected to a source of electrical power; at least one circuit disposed in the housing, the at least one circuit b

What is claimed is: 1. A light emitting wiring device for selectively illuminating a space, the device comprising: a housing including a plurality of wiring terminals configured to be connected to a source of electrical power; at least one circuit disposed in the housing, the at least one circuit being configured to provide an output signal in response to at least one external input signal; and an emission-detection assembly including, a lamp sub-assembly coupled to the at least one circuit, the lamp sub-assembly including reflective portion and a reflective portion and at least one light emitting element configured to emit light in response to the output signal, and an ambient light sensor sub-assembly including a housing portion integrally formed in the reflective portion including a housing portion integrally formed in the reflective portion coupled to the at least one circuit and including an ambient light sensor and a sensor housing assembly, the ambient light sensor being configured to generate the at least one external input signal in response to an ambient light level in the space, the sensor housing assembly being configured to substantially isolate the ambient light sensor from the light emitted into the space. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lens cover coupled to the housing and configured to direct the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element into the space. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover has a major surface shape and size corresponding to a shape and size of a standard wall plate opening. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the standard wall plate includes dimensional characteristics conforming to an ANSI/NEMA WD6 standard. 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes at least one attachment device configured to mate with the housing. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover is configured to diffuse the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element. 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a plurality of convex lens elements. 8. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a plurality of parabolic lens elements. 9. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a plurality of non-parabolic complex lens elements. 10. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a plurality of pyramidal lens elements. 11. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a plurality of polygonal lens elements. 12. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a fresnel lens array. 13. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a lenticular lens array. 14. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover includes a minimum of eighty-one (81) lenslets per square inch. 15. The device of claim 2, wherein the lens cover is configured to conduct light from the space to the ambient light sensor. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of vents disposed therein. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the lamp sub-assembly further comprises: a base member configured to accommodate the at least one light emitting element; and a reflective hood connected to the base member and configured to reflect the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the ambient light sensor sub-assembly further comprises an elongated structure integrally formed in the reflective hood, the elongated structure extending from a position proximate the base member to a sensor position proximate the lens cover, the elongated structure including the ambient light sensor disposed at the sensor position. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the elongated structure is opaque such that neither the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element nor the light reflected by the reflective hood is incident the ambient light sensor. 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the reflective hood includes a reflective metal surface. 21. The device of claim 17, wherein the reflective hood is fabricated from a non-conductive material and further comprises a reflective layer deposited thereon. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the reflective layer and the reflective hood are configured such that neither the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element nor the light reflected by the reflective hood is incident the ambient light sensor. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the ambient light sensor sub-assembly further comprises: an elongated structure integrally formed in the lamp sub-assembly, the elongated structure extending from a position proximate the base member to a collar portion extending from the lamp sub-assembly, the collar portion being opaque such that neither the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element nor light reflected by the lamp sub-assembly is incident the ambient light sensor; a spacer element disposed within the elongated structure, the spacer element being configured to position the ambient light sensor in an aperture in the collar portion; and a sensor lens element configured to direct the ambient light from the space into the ambient light sensor. 24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a lens cover coupled to the housing and enclosing the lamp sub-assembly therein, the lens cover including an aperture corresponding to the collar aperture, the sensor lens element being disposed in the collar aperture. 25. The device of claim 23, further comprising a lens cover coupled to the housing and enclosing the lamp sub-assembly therein, the lens cover including the sensor lens element integrally formed therein, the sensor lens element being aligned to the collar aperture. 26. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one circuit includes an ambient light sensor circuit coupled to the ambient light sensor, the ambient light sensor circuit includes at least one threshold detector coupled to the ambient light sensor and configured to generate a threshold detection signal when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined threshold. 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one threshold detector comprises: a voltage divider coupled to the ambient light sensor, the voltage divider being configured to generate a control voltage that is a function of an impedance of the ambient light sensor; and a zener diode coupled to the voltage divider and responsive to the control voltage. 28. The device of claim 26, wherein the ambient light sensor circuit generates the output signal such that an intensity of the light emitted by the light emitting elements is inversely related to the ambient light level. 29. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one circuit includes a proximity detector circuit configured to generate the output signal in response to an object being disposed within the space. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the proximity detector includes an infrared light source and an infrared light detector. 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the proximity detector includes a motion detector. 32. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one circuit includes a false turn-off rejection circuit configured to ignore pre-determined instantaneous variations in the ambient light level. 33. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one circuit includes a false turn-off rejection circuit that comprises: a proximity detector circuit configured to detect object presence within the space and provide an object present signal in response thereto; a processor coupled to the proximity sensor and the ambient light sensor, the processor being programmed to generate the output signal in response to a predetermined pattern in the object present signal and the threshold detection signal. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the processor is configured to poll the ambient light threshold detector at predetermined intervals. 35. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one circuit includes a false turn-off rejection circuit that includes a processor configured to periodically turn off the at least one light emitting element and to poll the status of the ambient light detector when the at least one light emitting element is turned off. 36. The device of claim 1, further comprising an intensity selection mechanism coupled to the lamp sub-assembly. 37. The device of claim 36 wherein the intensity selection mechanism is user accessible. 38. The device of claim 1, further comprising an ON/OFF switch coupled to the lamp sub-assembly. 39. The device of claim 38, wherein the ON/OFF switch is user accessible. 40. The device of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device configured to provide power to the device in the event that the source of electrical power is disabled. 41. The device of claim 40, wherein the energy storage device includes a battery. 42. The device of claim 40, wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor. 43. The device of claim 1, wherein a device illumination output is approximately four (4) foot-candles after one minute of operation. 44. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical device assembly disposed in the housing substantially adjacent to the emission-detection assembly. 45. The device of claim 44, wherein the electrical device assembly is selected from a group of electrical device assemblies including an outlet receptacle, a switch device, a TVSS, an SPD, a GFCI, an AFCI, a light dimmer, a proximity sensor, a motor control device, or a fan speed control device. 46. The device of claim 1, wherein the emission-detection assembly includes an integral housing that includes a light emitting element portion configured to accommodate the at least one light emitting element, and the ambient light sensor housing. 47. The device of claim 1, further comprising a selectable tab element that configures the at least one circuit for operation at a predetermined voltage selectable from a plurality of voltages provided by the source of electrical power. 48. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate a cover plate that shields the lens cover such that light generated by the at least one light emitting element is selectively emitted into the space. 49. The device of claim 48, wherein the shield includes a louvered structure. 50. The device of claim 49, wherein the cover plate includes an aperture configured to permit the ambient light sensor to sense an ambient light condition. 51. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting element includes a light emitting diode. 52. A light emitting wiring device for selectively illuminating a space, the device comprising: a housing including a plurality of wiring terminals configured to be connected to a source of electrical power; at least one circuit disposed in the housing, the at least one circuit being configured to provide an output signal in response to at least one external input signal; an emission-detection assembly including, a lamp sub-assembly coupled to the at least one circuit, the lamp sub-assembly including at least one light emitting element configured to emit light in response to the output signal, an ambient light sensor sub-assembly coupled to the at least one circuit and including an ambient light sensor and a sensor housing assembly, the ambient light sensor being configured to generate the at least one external input signal in response to an ambient light level in the space, the sensor housing assembly being configured to substantially isolate the ambient light sensor from the light emitted into the space; and a lens cover coupled to the housing, the lens cover including a major surface shape and size corresponding to a shape and size of a standard wall plate opening, the major surface including a lens array disposed therein, the ambient light sensor sub-assembly being disposed within a region formed by the lens cover, the ambient light sensor sub-assembly being disposed within a region formed by the lens cover, the lens array being configured to direct the light emitted by the at least one light emitting element into the space.