Intelligent electrical devices

• US 20040227409A1
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Touch Solutions LLC (Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Frederick Johannes Bruwer
• Inventors: Bruwer, Frederick Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 7,084,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/141
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/54 Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/041 the light-intensity of the source H05B39/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.

Claims

1. A flashlight, comprising:

(a) a light source;

(b) a switch, wherein the switch is not in a current path for supplying power to the light source and wherein the switch serves as a user interface;

(c) a microchip having a first input coupled to the switch, wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of current to the light source to provide at least an “

on”

mode, an “

off”

mode and a mode with an adjusted power level when compared with the “

on”

mode; and

(d) wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source in response to a signal from the switch, such that in a first operating mode the microchip causes the light source to turn off after a predetermined time interval passes following receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

2. The flashlight of claim 1,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in a second operating mode the microchip causes the light source to flash S.O.S. in Morse Code.

3. The flashlight of claim 1,

wherein the microchip is capable of causing the light source to operate in at least a second operating mode and a third operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the second operating mode than when operating in the third operating mode.

4. The flashlight of claim 1,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in a second operating mode, the light source flashes.

5. The flashlight of claim 4,

wherein the microchip is capable of causing the light source to operate in at least a third operating mode and a fourth operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the third operating mode than when operating in the fourth operating mode.

6. The flashlight of claim 5,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in a fifth operating mode the microchip causes the light source to flash S.O.S. in Morse Code.

7. The flashlight of claim 1,

wherein the microchip is further configured to control the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

8. The flashlight of claim 4,

wherein the microchip is further configured to control the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

9. The flashlight of claim 5,

wherein the microchip is further configured to control the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

10. The flashlight of claim 1,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to change from a first operating mode to another operating mode in response to the switch being continuously actuated for a predetermined period of time.

11. The flashlight of claim 4,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to change from a first operating mode to another operating mode in response to the switch being continuously actuated for a predetermined period of time.

12. The flashlight of claim 5,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to change from a first operating mode to another operating mode in response to the switch being continuously actuated for a predetermined period of time.

13. The flashlight of claim 10,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

14. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising:

an exhaustible power source that supplies power to the light source under control of the microchip.

15. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising:

a casing and wherein the light source, switch, and microchip are each coupled to the casing.

16. A method of controlling a flashlight comprising a light source and a switch that serves as a user interface but does not form a part of a path for supplying power to the light source, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from the switch with a microchip, wherein the microchip is capable of adjusting the flow of current to the light source to provide an “

on”

mode, an “

off”

mode and a mode with a power level that is different from the “

on”

mode; and

causing, under control of the microchip, the flow of power to the light source to be varied in response to a first signal received from the switch such that in a first operating mode the microchip causes the light source to turn off after a predetermined time interval following receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

controlling, using the microchip, the flow of current from the power source to the light source such that in a second operating mode the light source flashes S.O.S. in Morse Code.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

causing, using the microchip, the light source to operate in at least a second operating mode and a third operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the second operating mode than when operating in the third operating mode.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

controlling, using the microchip, the flow of power to the light source such that in a second operating mode the light source flashes.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

causing, using the microchip, the light source to operate in at least a third operating mode and a fourth operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the third operating mode than when operating in the fourth operating mode.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

controlling, using the microchip, the flow of current from the power source to the light source such that in a fifth operating mode the light source flashes S.O.S. in Morse Code.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

indicating, under control of the microchip, the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

indicating, under control of the microchip, the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

indicating, under control of the microchip, the strength of one or more batteries associated with the flashlight.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

causing, under control of the microchip, the light source to change from the first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to the switch being continuously actuated for a predetermined period of time.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

causing, under control of the microchip, the light source to change from one operating mode to another operating mode in response to a time period between switch actuations.

27. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

causing, under control of the microchip, the light source to change from one operating mode to another operating mode in response to a first time period between switch actuations and continuous actuation of the switch for at least a second time period.

28. A flashlight, comprising:

(a) a light source;

(b) an exhaustible power supply;

(c) a switch, wherein the switch is not in a path for supplying power to the light source;

(c) a microchip having a first input coupled to the switch, wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of current to the light source;

(d) wherein the light source has a plurality of operating modes including at least an “

on”

mode, an “

off”

mode and a mode with an adjusted power level supplied to the light source in way such that no flashing is perceived by the human eye;

(e) wherein the microchip is further configured to provide at least one function selected from the group comprising;

(e1) selecting an operating mode or changing an operating mode based on the time period of switch activation being for at least a predetermined time;

(e2) selecting an operating mode or changing an operating mode based on the time period between successive switch activations;

(e3) selecting an operating mode or changing an operating mode based on the time period of switch activation or on the time period between switch activations; and

(e4) a find-in-the-dark function by activating an indicator, said indicator also being controlled to indicate a condition of the light source or of the said power supply.

29. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in an SOS mode comprising one of the plurality of operating modes the microchip causes the light source to flash an SOS signal.

30. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is capable of causing the light source to operate in at least a high power operating mode and a low power operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the low power operating mode than when operating in the high power operating mode;

and

wherein the low power operating mode and the high power operating mode each comprise one of the plurality of operating modes.

31. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in a flashing mode comprising one of the plurality of operating modes, the light source flashes in a manner not visible to the human eye.

32. The flashlight of claim 31,

wherein the microchip is capable of causing the light source to operate in at least a high power operating mode and a low power operating mode wherein the light source consumes less power when operating in the low power operating mode than when operating in the high power operating mode;

and

wherein the low power operating mode and the high power operating mode each comprise one of the plurality of operating modes.

33. The flashlight of claim 32,

wherein the microchip is capable of controlling the flow of power to the light source such that in an SOS mode comprising one of the plurality of operating modes the microchip causes the light source to flash S.O.S. in Morse Code.

34. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the exhaustible power supply.

35. The flashlight of claim 30,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the exhaustible power supply.

36. The flashlight of claim 31,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to indicate the strength of one or more batteries associated with the exhaustible power supply.

37. The flashlight of claim 28, further comprising:

a casing, wherein the light source, switch, and microchip are each coupled to the casing.

38. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to change from one of the plurality of operating modes to another one of the plurality of operating modes in response to the passage of time between a deactuation of the switch and a subsequent actuation of the switch.

39. The flashlight of claim 30,

wherein the microchip is further capable of causing the light source to change from one of the plurality of operating modes to another one of the plurality of operating modes in response to the passage of time between a deactuation of the switch and a subsequent actuation of the switch.

40. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is further configured to gradually adjust the power supplied to the light source for as long as the switch is being activated.

41. The flashlight of claim 29,

wherein the microchip is further configured to gradually adjust the power supplied to the light source for as long as the switch is being activated.

42. The flashlight of claim 28,

wherein the microchip is further configured to select “

off”

mode if the time period between selecting a mode and the next operation of the switch is more than a predetermined period of time.