Patent Publication Number: US-2021185786-A1

Title: Landscape lighting and security system and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/946,595, filed on Dec. 11, 2019. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to landscape lighting. More particularly, the present invention relates to a controller for landscape lighting transformers for actuating the landscape lighting to also serve for security and safety purposes. 
     In a typical landscape lighting installation, a transformer is used to supply low voltage power to light fixtures. Landscape lighting transformers are most often equipped with a timer that turns the lights on at a specific hour and off after a predetermined period of time. Landscape lighting transformers may also be equipped with remote or built-in photocells that automatically turn the transformers on at dusk and either off at a predetermined time or at dawn. Once the transformer turns off, there is no way to automatically turn the transformer back on. 
     Smart home devices that connect between a landscape lighting transformer and landscape light fixtures are known. However, they also do not have the ability to automatically turn the lights on after the transformer is turned off. 
     The ability for the lights to be automatically turned back on when an intruder moves through or near the landscape lighting area is desirable. Also, it often happens that users who install landscape lighting may arrive after their landscape lights have turned off. A device that would automatically turn the landscape lights back on would be desirable as a way to light walkways or aid in finding one&#39;s way through an otherwise dark passage. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a landscape lighting and security system, and related method. The present invention incorporates a control device into a landscape lighting system such that when the control device detects the motion of a passerby the transformer is actuated so as to power and illuminate the low-voltage landscape lighting fixtures electrically coupled to the transformer. 
     The system of the present invention comprises a low-voltage landscape transformer. One or more low-voltage landscape light fixtures are electrically coupled to a low-voltage power line extending from the transformer. A control device is operably coupled to the transformer and includes a motion detection sensor which, when activated, causes the control device to send a signal to the transformer to power and illuminate the one or more landscape light fixtures. 
     The control device may include a selectable timer for actuating the transformer to power the landscape light fixtures during or for a selected period of time. The control device may also include a photo cell for actuating the transformer when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. 
     The control device may be powered by a battery. The control device may be electrically coupled to the low-voltage power line for electrically charging a rechargeable battery of the control device. 
     A stake may extend from the control device for selectively positioning the control device in the ground. Additionally, or alternatively, the control device may include apertures for mounting the control device on a wall or other generally vertical surface. 
     In accordance with the method of the present invention for providing security lighting, one or more low-voltage landscape light fixtures are electrically coupled to a low-voltage landscape transformer via a low-voltage power line extending from the transformer. A control device having a motion detector sensor is coupled to the transformer. The motion detector sensor may comprise a passive, infrared motion sensor. The transformer is activated to provide power to and illuminate the landscape light fixtures when the sensor detects motion. 
     Power may be provided to the landscape light fixtures for a predetermined period of time after the transformer is activated. 
     The control device may activate the transformer when a photo cell of the control device detects ambient light falling below a predetermined level. 
     A battery of the control device may be recharged using low-voltage electricity from the transformer. 
     A photo cell coupled to the transformer may be replaced with a control device. The control device may be mounted near an area to be monitored for passersby. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration showing a typical landscape lighting system which includes the security control device of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the security controller of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is directed to a landscape lighting and security system, generally referred to by the reference number  10 . The system  10  of the present invention interrupts a preprogrammed, timed setting to turn the lights back on, so as to illuminate walkways, driveways, patios, etc., after the preprogrammed time setting have turned the lights off. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  of the present invention comprises a low-voltage landscape transformer  12 . The transformer  12  typically has a power cord and plug  14  which can be coupled to a power source, typically a power outlet of a house or other building. Typically, these power outlets provide 120 volts AC. The transformer  12  converts the voltage into a much lower voltage, typically around 12 volts for the landscape lighting components. There are several reasons for using lower voltage, including safety reasons. Such low-voltage transformers  12  are often disposed in entryways, under patios, within garages, etc. where they can be near a wall outlet and protected from adverse weather, such as rain. However, low-voltage transformers  12  for landscaping purposes can also be exposed to the environment with a protective housing or the like. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , at least one low-voltage power line  16  extends from the transformer  12  and which carries the lower voltage. At least one, and typically several, low-voltage landscape light fixtures  18  are electrically coupled to the low-voltage power line  16  so as to receive power from the transformer  12  and illuminate when power is provided by the transformer  12 . The light fixtures  18  may be electrically and conductively coupled to the power line  16  by means of a connector  20 , as is known in the art. For example, such connector  20  may include conductive metal barbs or teeth which penetrate the cover of the power line  16  and come into contact with the conductive wiring of the power line  16  so as to conductively couple the light fixture  18  with the power line  16 . Such light fixtures  18  are typically spaced apart from one another and placed along walkways, driveways, or are directed to shine light on the house or building, onto trees or other areas of interest of the yard or area surrounding the building. 
     The transformer  12  typically provides the low-voltage power to the light fixtures  18  for a period of time at night. Traditionally, the transformer  12  may be activated and powered on by a selectable timer and/or a photo cell. The photo cell detects when the ambient light has reached a sufficiently predetermined low level, at which point the transformer  12  is activated to supply electricity to the light fixtures  18 . A timer built in or associated with the transformer  12  then provides power to the light fixtures  18  for a preset period of time. For example, once activated, the transformer  12  may run and operate and provide electricity to the light fixtures  18  for a period of time that could comprise an hour, three hours, etc. depending upon the desires of the user. Typically, however, the transformer will cease providing power to the light fixtures  18  at a preselected time. Thus, typically, the photo cell turns on the transformer  12  at dusk and the transformer  12  will operate for a set period of time during which the landscape lights  18  are illuminated. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in accordance with the present invention, a control device  22  is operably coupled to the transformer  12 , such as by means of an electrical cord  24 . The control device  22  may be used in place of the traditional photo cell referred to above. This would enable the present invention to be incorporated into existing landscape systems and provide the advantages of the present invention. 
     The control device  22  detects the presence of an object, such as a person, animal, automobile, etc. and activates the transformer  12  to power on and illuminate the landscape lights  18 . This may be useful when the homeowner arrives home after the transformer timer has turned the lights off, or in the advent of an intruder or animal or the like passing through a detection field of the control device  22  so as to alert the homeowner of the presence of the animal, intruder or the like. The activation of the transformer  12  and illumination of the landscaping lights  18  may also serve to scare off the animal, intruder, etc. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the control device  22  includes electronic circuitry within the housing  26 . The housing may be water resistant or waterproof to provide freedom of placement around the house or building, yard, etc. The housing may include mounting apertures  28  through which fasteners can be inserted for mounting the control device  22  onto a wall or other vertical surface. Alternatively, the control device  22  may be placed near the ground, such as by means of being removably attached to a mounting bracket  30  having a stake  32  extending therefrom for insertion into the ground. In this manner, the control device  22  can be positioned near a doorway, a walkway, a driveway, or an area of the yard surrounding the house or building. 
     The control device  22  includes a motion detection sensor  34 , such as a passive infrared motion sensor. When an object passes through the sensor&#39;s zone of coverage, the control device  22  sends a signal via wire  24 , to the transformer  12  to activate the transformer to power and illuminate the landscape light fixtures  18 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , the control device  22  may also include a photo cell  36  which detects the level of ambient light. When the level of ambient light reaches a predetermined low level, such as at dusk, the control device  22  sends a signal to the transformer  12  to activate the transformer to power and illuminate the landscape light fixtures  18 . The control device  22  also includes a timer, which may be selected via buttons  38 , so that the user may set an operating time of the landscape lights  18 . 
     After the control device  22  turns on the transformer, such as at dusk via the photo cell  36  housed within the control device, after preselected operating times set by the user, the control device  22  sends a signal to the transformer  12  that the transformer recognizes as dawn, thus shutting the transformer  12  off. When motion is detected by the sensor  34 , such as when an object passes through the zone of coverage of the sensor, a signal of “dusk” is sent to the transformer  12 , thus turning the transformer back on. The transformer  12  powers the landscape light fixtures for a period of time, which is typically predetermined, for example, ten minutes. This time can be factory set. 
     The control device  22  may be powered by batteries  40 . The batteries  40  may be rechargeable and the control device  22  electrically coupled to the transformer  12 , such as by means of a power line  42  extending from the control device  22  and electrically coupled and connected to the low-voltage power line  16 , such as via a connector  20 , which will provide low-voltage electricity to the control device  22  for recharging the batteries  40 . 
     The control device  22  may include a plurality of indicator lights  44  which may assist the user in programming the control device  22 , ascertaining the power level of the batteries  40 , etc. Buttons  38  may be used to program the control device  22 , including a timer of the control device. 
     The control device  22  may also include a camera, such as a Wi-Fi camera. The purpose of the Wi-Fi camera would be to capture and/or send video of captured movement, such as an animal or intruder or the like, to an owner&#39;s computer or wireless device, such as a smartphone or the like. 
     The combination of a motion sensor  34 , timer  38 , and photo cell  36  achieves the objectives and usefulness of the present invention by controlling the transformer power source  12  to the exterior lights  18  of the system  10 . As mentioned above, as the control device  22  is not built into the transformer  12 , it allows the users with existing exterior landscape lighting systems to integrate the control device  22  easily and inexpensively into existing systems and transform them into one that accomplishes the tasks of security lighting and automatic illumination after preprogrammed times have turned off to power the lighting system. 
     Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.