Remote controlled optical coupler with charger, GPS, and audio I/O

• US 10,269,272 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harry Lee Wainwright
• Original Assignee: Harry Lee Wainwright
• Inventors: Wainwright, Harry Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van T
• Application Number:
  US15/810,210
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0463 Portable signs, boards or panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/305 being the ends of optical fibres G09F9/302 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems

Abstract

An input device, an optical coupler having a receiver, a processor, and one or more light emitting diodes, a light conductive material such as a bundle of optical fibers, and a connector connecting the optical coupler to the light conductive material such as a bundle of fiber optic fibers is provided. The receiver receives data from the input device that relates to lighting effects having predetermined routine or graphic patterns. The processor converts the data into instructions for the light emitting diodes to form the predetermined graphic patterns, color routines and intensities. The light emitting diodes produce light for transmission through the connector to the light conductive material such as a bundle of fiber optic fibers so that the bundle of fiber optic fibers can produce the predetermined light patterns, routines, intensities or graphic patterns.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an optical coupler portable module comprising a portable power supply therein, a receiver, a processor, and an external receiving surface, the external receiving surface holding at least one light emitting diode;

a bundle of fibers having light conductive material;

a detachable connector receivable by the external receiving surface of the optical coupler;

an input device;

wherein the portable power supply powers the at least one light emitting diode;

wherein the input device sends data to the receiver though a wireless connection;

wherein the receiver receives data relating to a lighting effect;

wherein the processor converts the data into instructions for the at least one light emitting diode to program the optical coupler portable module to form predetermined graphics patterns with the bundle of fibers; and

wherein the detachable connector optically connects the at least one light emitting diode and the bundle of fibers having light conductive material when the detachable connector is received by the external receiving surface of the optical coupler, so that the at least one light emitting diode can project light through the detachable connector and the bundle of fibers to form the predetermined graphics patterns.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external receiving surface comprises a plurality of recesses, each recess having a light emitting diode mounted therein, wherein the detachable connected is receivable within the plurality of recesses.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bundle fibers having light conductive material is connected to a surface upon which the light is projected.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the surface is a surface of apparel for wearing on a body, the apparel having fabric.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone and a microphone.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the smartphone sends data using short-wavelength UHF radio waves to the receiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input device sends data to processor to reprogram the optical coupler portable module.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light conductive material are fiber optic fibers.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a housing for holding the optical coupler, the bundle of fiber optic fibers, and the connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portable power supply for powering the at least one light emitting diode.

11. A method for producing a remote controlled lighted output display,

wherein a portable module optical coupler has a power supply therein, a receiver, a processor, and an external receiving surface, the external receiving surface holding at least one light emitting diode,

wherein a bundle of fibers has light conductive material,

wherein a detachable connector connects the portable module optical coupler to the bundle of fibers, and

wherein an input device connects to the receiver through a wireless connection,

the method comprising:

powering the at least one light emitting diode with the portable power supply;

sending data relating to a lighting effect to the receiver though a wireless connection;

converting the data into instructions for programming the at least one light emitting diode to form predetermined graphics patterns with the bundle of fibers; and

projecting light through the detachable connector and the bundle of fibers to form the predetermined graphics patterns.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the projecting step includes the light conductive material emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of light that forms designs selected from the group consisting of company logo, graphic images, emoticons, symbols, foreign language characters, animated cartoons, motion graphic images, and alpha-numeric digits.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the projecting step includes the light conductive material emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of light that forms graphic images that act as indicators of the group consisting of caller identification visual output, colored accents, colored logos, games, puzzles, marketing data, visual alarms, receipt of text message notifications, receipt of email notifications, and biophysical data.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

synchronizing graphic images with audio output from an internal speaker with the graphical images selected from the group consisting of caller Identification visual output, colored accents, colored logos, graphical images for games, graphical images for puzzles, marketing data images, visual alarms, receipt of text message notifications, receipt of email notifications, biophysical data images, facial expressions, and cartoons.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the predetermined graphic patterns to represent bio-physical data selected from the group consisting of heart rates, skin moisture, body temperature, and lighting for surrounding areas of the body.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the predetermined graphic patterns as a real time representation of facial features that are captured by a smartphone; and

synching the real time representation of facial features to an audio file data stream of pre-recorded messages into a smartphone.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

reprogramming portable module optical coupler with a smartphone.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the predetermined graphic patterns as animated visual graphics synced to morphed audio files to semi-solid and flexible surfaces with pre-defined sub-elements necessary to define complete animated motions of facial features.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitting step includes the bundle of fiber optic fibers emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of light that forms the predetermined graphic patterns that simulate actual talking characteristics associated with facial features.