Multi-function illumination device and related method

• US 20070153512A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xenopus Electronix LLC
• Original Assignee: Xenopus Electronix LLC
• Inventors: Hendrie, Piers
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,653 B2
• 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 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A multi-function illumination device including a light emitting diode (LED) module. The light emitting diode (LED) module includes a control circuit having a first control output and a second control output. A first light emitting diode (LED) bank is coupled to the first control output. The first LED bank includes at least one first light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a first wavelength. The light emitting diode (LED) module a second light emitting diode (LED) bank coupled to the second control output. The second LED bank includes at least one second light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a second wavelength. During a first mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to illuminate continuously and the second LED bank to flash on and off at a predetermined frequency.

Claims

1. A multi-function illumination device comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) module comprising;

a control circuit having a first control output and a second control output;

a first LED bank coupled to the first control output, the first LED bank comprising at least one LED for emitting light of a first wavelength;

a second LED bank coupled to the second control output, the second LED bank comprising at least one LED for emitting light of a second wavelength; and

wherein, during a first mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to illuminate continuously and the second LED bank to flash on and off at a predetermined frequency.

2. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.

3. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein during a second mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to illuminate continuously and the second LED bank to not illuminate.

4. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein, during a third mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to not illuminate and the second LED bank to illuminate continuously.

5. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein the first LED bank comprises at least one white LED.

6. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein the second LED bank comprises at least one red LED.

7. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, further comprising a mode-select switch coupled to the control circuit, the mode-select switch being adapted to allow a user to select a mode of operation of the light emitting diode (LED) module.

8. The multi-function illumination device-of claim 1, further comprising a power supply adapted to supply electrical power to the control circuit.

9. The multi-function illumination device of claim 8, wherein the LED module further comprises a bolt adapted to provide a supply voltage to the LED module from the power supply.

10. The multi-function illumination device of claim 9, further comprising a lamp holder adapted to be threadably coupled with the bolt.

11. The multi-function illumination device of claim 8, wherein the LED module further comprises a metal collar adapted to provide a ground connection to the LED module from the power supply.

12. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1 further comprising a housing adapted to contain the LED module.

13. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first LED comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

14. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, wherein the at least one second LED comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

15. The multi-function illumination device of claim 1, where the multi-function illumination device comprises at least one of a flashlight and a lantern.

16. A multi-function illumination device comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) module comprising;

a control circuit having a first control output and a second control output;

a first LED bank coupled to the first control output, the first LED bank comprising at least one first LED for emitting light of a first wavelength;

a second LED bank coupled to the second control output, the second LED bank comprising at least one second LED for emitting light of a second wavelength; and

a mode-select switch coupled to the control circuit, the mode-select switch adapted to allow a user to select a mode of operation of the LED module to selectively illuminate at least one of the first LED bank and the second LED bank.

17. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.

18. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein, during a first mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to illuminate and the second LED bank to not illuminate.

19. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein, during second mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to not illuminate and the second LED bank to illuminate.

20. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16 further comprising:

a third LED bank coupled to a third control output of the control circuit, the third LED bank comprising at least one third LED for emitting light of a third wavelength; and

wherein the mode-select switch is adapted to allow a user to select a mode of operation of the LED module to selectively illuminate at least one of the first LED bank, the second LED bank, and the third LED bank.

21. The multi-function illumination device of claim 20, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are different from one another.

22. The multi-function illumination device of claim 20 further comprising:

a fourth LED bank coupled to a fourth control output of the control circuit, the fourth LED bank comprising at least one fourth LED for emitting light of a fourth wavelength; and

wherein the mode-select switch is adapted to allow a user to select a mode of operation of the LED module to selectively illuminate at least one of the first LED bank, the second LED bank, the third LED bank, and the fourth LED bank.

23. The multi-function illumination device of claim 20, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, the third wavelength, and the fourth wavelength are different from one another.

24. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein the first LED bank comprises at least one of an infrared LED, an ultraviolet LED, a red LED, a white LED, a blue LED, and a green LED.

25. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein the second LED bank comprises at least one of an infrared LED, an ultraviolet LED, a red LED, a white LED, a blue LED, and a green LED.

26. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, further comprising a power supply adapted to supply electrical power to the control circuit.

27. The multi-function illumination device of claim 26, wherein the LED module further comprises a bolt adapted to provide a supply voltage to the LED module from the power supply.

28. The multi-function illumination device of claim 27, further comprising a lamp holder adapted to be threadably coupled with the bolt.

29. The multi-function illumination device of claim 26, wherein the LED module further comprises a metal collar adapted to provide a ground connection to the LED module from the power supply.

30. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16 further comprising a housing adapted to contain the LED module.

31. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein the at least one first LED comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

32. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, wherein the at least one second LED comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

33. The multi-function illumination device of claim 16, where the multi-function illumination device comprises at least one of a flashlight and a lantern.

34. An illumination method comprising:

during a first mode of operation;

continuously providing illumination of a first wavelength; and

flashing on and off illumination of a second wavelength at a predetermined flashing frequency.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

during a second mode of operation;

continuously providing illumination of the second wavelength.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

during a third mode of operation;

continuously providing illumination of the second wavelength.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the first wavelength comprises a white light wavelength.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of continuously providing illumination of a first wavelength comprises providing a first light emitting diode (LED) bank including at least one first LED for emitting light of the first wavelength.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of flashing on and off illumination of a second wavelength comprises providing a second light emitting diode (LED) bank including at least one second LED for emitting light of the second wavelength.