Patent ID: 8384369

Claim:
A microprocessor operated controller device for modifying an AC input power to provide a reduced power AC output power to a load when coupled to the controller device, the AC input power is a waveform having a frequency and phase position, the AC output power having a series of cut-out pulses in half cycles of the AC output power waveform, the device comprising: a switching system having a plurality of switching elements for positioning the series of cut-out pulses in said half cycles of a waveform of the AC input power to provide said reduced power AC output power; a switch control system for coordinating opening and closing of the plurality of switching elements to position the series of cut-out pulses in said half cycles of the AC output power waveform, the switch control system including a synchronization system for synchronizing the switching system with timing of said half cycles of the AC input power waveform; a digital processor having a memory, the digital processor configured to a predefined pattern of the series of cut-out pulses from a plurality of predefined patterns of series of cut-out pulses stored in the memory, the selected predefined pattern provided to the switch control system, such that at least two patterns of the plurality of predefined patterns of series of cut-out pulses have different combinations of parameter definitions including number of cut-out pulses per half cycle and positioning of the pulses per half cycle; and wherein the series of cut-out pulses in said half cycles has at least two cut-out pulses having different durations and different positioning in said half cycles.