Decorative light system for motor vehicles

• US 20050242969A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theory3 Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Theory3 Incorporated
• Inventors: Barber, Jason, Deutsch, Daniel, Rothan, Russell
• Application Number:
  US11/060,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20050242969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.450
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12

Abstract

A light system for a motor vehicle includes a hand-held remote control unit is capable of generating a wireless or infrared signal containing one or more commands. A sensor is capable of recognizing the signal from the remote control and generates a sensor signal responsive thereto. A CPU is operable on direct current and contains a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal. The CPU also has an input for receiving a signal containing sound information and is capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information. A light unit has a substantially weather resistant housing made at least partially of light penetrable material and contains therein a plurality of LEDs operatively connected to said CPU, said plurality of LEDs being capable of generating light containing one or more wavelengths responsive to the control signal from the CPU.

Claims

1. A light system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a hand-held remote control unit capable of generating an infrared signal containing one or more commands;

a sensor capable of recognizing the infrared signal and generating a sensor signal responsive thereto;

a central processing unit operable on direct current, containing a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal, said central processing unit having an input for receiving a signal containing sound information and being capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information; and

a light unit having a substantially weather resistant housing made at least partially of light penetrable material and containing therein a plurality of light-emitting diodes operatively connected to said central processing unit, said plurality of light-emitting diodes being capable of generating light containing one or more wavelengths responsive to the control signal from said central processing unit.

2. The light system of claim 1, further comprising a substantially water proof data cable connecting said light unit with said central processing unit.

3. The light system of claim 1, further comprising one or more connectors adapted for connecting said light unit to the motor vehicle.

4. The light system of claim 1, wherein the one or more commands in the infrared signal are selected from commands specifying intensity, duration, and color of the light generated, and combinations thereof.

5. The light system of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit contains a power source.

6. The light system of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit includes illumination effective for enhancing its visibility in low ambient light conditions.

7. The light system of claim 1, wherein the one or more wavelengths of light comprise red, green, blue and combinations thereof.

8. The light system of claim 1, wherein the one or more wavelengths of light comprise a color selected from white, a primary color, ultraviolet, near-ultraviolet and combinations thereof.

9. A light system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a hand-held remote control unit having an input keyboard containing a plurality of pressure-activated keys and a rotatable control whereby commands are generated and transmitted from said remote control unit in a wireless signal;

a sensor capable of recognizing the wireless signal and generating a sensor signal responsive thereto;

a central processing unit operable on direct current, containing a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal, said central processing unit having an input for receiving a signal containing sound information and being capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information; and

a plurality of light-emitting diodes operatively connected to said central processing unit, said plurality of light-emitting diodes being capable of generating light containing one or more colors responsive to the control signal from said central processing unit.

10. The light system of claim 9, further comprising a substantially water proof data cable connecting said light unit with said central processing unit.

11. The light system of claim 9, further comprising one or more connectors adapted for connecting said light unit to the motor vehicle.

12. The light system of claim 9, wherein the commands in the wireless signal are selected from commands specifying intensity, duration, and color of the light generated, and combinations thereof.

13. The light system of claim 9, wherein said remote control unit contains a power source.

14. The light system of claim 9, wherein said remote control unit includes illumination effective for enhancing its visibility to a user in low ambient light conditions.

15. The light system of claim 9, wherein the one or more colors of light comprise red, green, blue and combinations thereof.

16. The light system of claim 9, wherein the one or more wavelengths of light comprise a color selected from white, a primary color, ultraviolet, near-ultraviolet and combinations thereof.

17. A light system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a hand-held remote control unit having an input keyboard and a rotatable control whereby commands are generated and transmitted from said remote control unit in a wireless signal;

a sensor capable of recognizing the wireless signal and generating a sensor signal responsive thereto;

a central processing unit having a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal, said central processing unit having an input connectable to a sound system positioned in the motor vehicle to thereby receive a signal containing sound information, said central processing unit being capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information; and

a light stick having an approximately cylindrical and at least partially translucent weather resistant housing containing a plurality of light-emitting diodes operatively connected to said central processing unit, said plurality of light-emitting diodes being capable of generating light having variable intensity and duration, and containing one or more colors responsive to the control signal from said central processing unit.

18. The light system of claim 17, further comprising a substantially water proof data cable connecting said light unit with said central processing unit.

19. The light system of claim 17, further comprising one or more connectors adapted for connecting said light unit to the motor vehicle.

20. The light system of claim 17, wherein the one or more commands in the infrared signal are selected from commands specifying intensity, duration, and color of the light generated, and combinations thereof.

21. The light system of claim 17, wherein said remote control unit contains a power source.

22. The light system of claim 17, wherein said remote control unit contains illumination effective for enhancing its visibility in low ambient light conditions.

23. The light system of claim 17, wherein the one or more colors of light comprise red, green, blue and combinations thereof.

24. The light system of claim 17, wherein the one or more wavelengths of light comprise a color selected from white, a primary color, ultraviolet, near-ultraviolet and combinations thereof.