Control and an integrated circuit for a multisensory apparatus

• US 20060120080A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey J. Wolf, Mark Niederberger, Thomas Froehlich, Thomas Martin Kueng
• Original Assignee: Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey J. Wolf, Mark Niederberger, Thomas Froehlich, Thomas Martin Kueng
• Inventors: Froehlich, Thomas, Sipinski, Gene, Wolf, Jeffrey J., Niederberger, Mark, Kueng, Thomas Martin
• Application Number:
  US11/264,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20060120080A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/253
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/205 using vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic or piezoelectric atomizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/44 with an active control inside an LED matrix

Abstract

A control for a multisensory apparatus comprises means for detecting a number of lights connected to the control. The control further includes means responsive to the detecting means for operating the light(s) connected to the control in either of first and second different modes of operation in dependence upon the detected number of lights connected thereto. Still further, the control includes means for actuating an active material dispenser.

Claims

1. A control for multisensory apparatus, comprising:

means for detecting a number of lights connected to the control;

means responsive to the detecting means for operating the light(s) connected to the control in either of first and second different modes of operation in dependence upon the detected number of lights connected thereto; and

means for actuating an active material dispenser.

2. The control of claim 1 implemented by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

3. The control of claim 1, in combination with an active material dispenser.

4. The control of claim 3, wherein the actuating means is responsive to a position of a switch to cause the active material dispenser to emit an active material on a selectively periodic basis.

5. The control of claim 1, further including first and second pulse-width modulation (PWM) value tables wherein the first PWM value table is accessed to develop control waveforms when a single light is connected to the control, wherein the second PWM value table is accessed to develop control waveforms when two lights are connected to the control, and wherein the control waveforms operate the lights.

6. The control of claim 1, further including means for disabling the actuating means when a condition is sensed.

7. The control of claim 1, in combination with at least one light emitting diode (LED).

8. The control of claim 7, wherein the operating means comprises a pulse-width modulation (PWM) value table, means for accessing values in the table, and a PWM switching means coupled to the at least one LED and responsive to the accessing means.

9. The control of claim 1, in combination with an active material dispenser.

10. The control of claim 9, wherein the actuating means comprises a ramp oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) coupled to the ramp oscillator.

11. The control of claim 10, wherein the active material dispenser includes a piezoelectric element coupled by a pair of inductors and a transistor to the VCO.

12. An integrated circuit for multisensory apparatus, the integrated circuit including programmed logic and control apparatus that implement the following routines:

detecting a number of lights connected to the integrated circuit;

operating light(s) connected to the integrated circuit in either of first and second different modes of operation in dependence upon the detected number of lights connected thereto;

determining whether an active material dispenser is connected to the integrated circuit; and

actuating the active material dispenser if the active material dispenser is connected to the integrated circuit.

13. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the operating routine includes the steps of selecting one of two pulse-width modulation (PWM) value tables depending upon the detected number of lights and accessing the selected PWM value table to develop PWM waveforms for the light(s) connected to the integrated circuit.

14. The integrated circuit of claim 13, further including a PWM switch coupled to a light connected to the integrated circuit wherein the PWM switch is responsive to the PWM waveforms to operate the light.

15. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the actuating routine is responsive to a position of a switch to cause the active material dispenser to emit an active material on a selectively periodic basis.

16. The integrated circuit of claim 12, further including first and second pulse-width modulation (PWM) value tables wherein the first PWM value table is accessed to develop control waveforms when a single light is connected to the integrated circuit, wherein the second PWM value table is accessed to develop control waveforms when two lights are connected to the integrated circuit, and wherein the control waveforms operate the lights.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein actuation of the active material dispenser is prevented when a condition is sensed.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein each light comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and wherein the operating routine utilizes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) value table, means for accessing values in the table, and a PWM switching means coupled to the at least one LED and responsive to the accessing means.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 18, wherein the actuating routine utilizes a ramp oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) coupled to the ramp oscillator.

20. The integrated circuit of claim 19, wherein the active material dispenser includes a piezoelectric element coupled by a pair of inductors and a transistor to the VCO.