Automatic illuminating device

• US 20060072317A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Benjamin P. Noordhoek
• Original Assignee: Benjamin P. Noordhoek
• Inventors: Noordhoek, Benjamin P.
• Application Number:
  US11/243,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072317A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/22 for screw type base, e.g. for lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

An illuminating device includes a control device with manual or programmable color schemes providing selected color combinations of lights. A timing device or the like may be utilized to activate the selected color combination or combinations at selected dates and times. The illuminating device may include incandescent or LED light sources of various colors, or colored lenses or the like. The illuminating device may include a programmable processor and a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving a wired or wireless signal.

Claims

1. An automatic illuminating device, comprising:

a manual control device including user input features for selecting at least one pre-programmed color setting defining at least one color combination and associated time;

a multi-colored light arrangement generating light of at least first and second colors corresponding to the color combination, wherein the first color is visibly distinct from the second color;

a controller operably coupled to the manual control device and to the multi-colored light arrangement, wherein the processor activates the multi-colored light arrangement and generates the at least first and second colors at the associated time.

2. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-colored light arrangement comprises a threaded male light socket configured to be received in a female light socket, and a plurality of light sources operably coupled to the male light socket.

3. The automatic illuminating device of claim 2, including:

a plurality of relay switches interconnecting the male light socket and the light sources to turn on selected ones of the plurality of light sources, wherein the plurality of relay switches are controlled by the controller.

4. The automatic illuminating device of claim 3, wherein:

the plurality of light sources comprise LEDs.

5. The automatic illuminating device of claim 3, wherein:

the multi-colored light arrangement further comprises a plurality of threaded female light sockets; and

the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of incandescent bulbs received in the female light sockets.

6. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, including:

a transmitter coupled to the manual control device and generating a signal;

a receiver coupled to the controller to provide control of the controller when the controller is remote from the manual control device.

7. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, wherein:

the manual control device comprises a housing, and the controller is mounted in the housing.

8. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-colored light arrangement comprises a string of spaced-apart discreet light sources.

9. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-colored light arrangement comprises a panel having an array of spaced-apart discreet light sources.

10. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, wherein:

the multi-colored light arrangement comprises an elongated vertically extending support member.

11. The automatic illuminating device of claim 1, including:

a receiver coupled to the controller, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a radio signal from a remote source.

12. An illumination device, comprising:

a plurality of discreet light sources, at least a first one of the discreet light sources producing light of a first color, and at least a second one of the discreet light sources producing light of a second color that is visibly different than the first color, at least a third one of the discreet light sources producing light of a third color that is visibly different from the first and second colors;

a controller having a plurality of color settings stored therein, a first one of the color settings including at least two of the first, second, and third colors to define a first pair, a second color setting including at least two of the first, second, and third colors to define a second pair, and wherein the second pair includes different ones of the first, second and third colors than the first pair;

an input device having a plurality of input features enabling a user to select one of the color settings stored in the controller for activation, and wherein;

the controller is coupled to the plurality of discreet light sources and turns on selected ones of the discreet light sources according to the color setting selected by a user.

13. The illumination device of claim 12, including:

a timing device; and

wherein;

at least one of the color settings includes time information, the controller turning on the selected ones of the discreet light sources based, at least in part, on the time information.

14. The illumination device of claim 13, wherein:

the time information includes the date of a sporting event of a sports team.

15. The illumination device of claim 13, wherein:

the time information includes a date corresponding to a holiday.

16. The illumination device of claim 12, including:

a transmitter coupled to the input device; and

a receiver coupled to the controller for receiving a signal from the transmitter.

17. A multi-colored lighting device, comprising:

a plurality of discreet light sources, at least a first one of the discreet light sources producing light of a first color and at least a second one of the discreet light sources producing light of a second color that is visibly different than the first color;

a switching system configured to supply electrical power to selected ones of the discreet light sources to thereby turn on either the first one of the discreet light sources, the second one of the discreet light sources, or simultaneously turn on both the first and second ones of the discreet light sources; and

a receiver coupled to the switching system and controlling the switching system based at least in part on a signal received by the receiver.

18. The multi-colored lighting device of claim 17, including:

an input device having user input features and a display screen, the input device including a transmitter generating a signal to the receiver.

19. The multi-colored lighting device of claim 18, including:

a controller having a plurality of color settings stored there, each color setting corresponding to a different combination of light colors produced by the discreet light sources.

20. The multi-colored lighting device of claim 19, wherein:

each color setting includes a time at which the controller activates a selected one of the color settings.