Novelty LED-projection message balloon

• US 20080242190A1
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary R. Hannah, Jonathan Robert Feldkamp, Richard Allen Hofer, Russell D. Hofer
• Original Assignee: Gary R. Hannah, Jonathan Robert Feldkamp, Richard Allen Hofer, Russell D. Hofer
• Inventors: Hannah, Gary R., Hofer, Russell D., Hofer, Richard Allen, Feldkamp, Jonathan Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/074,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20080242190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/220
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/16 Indirect frequency synthesis, i.e. generating a desired one of a number of predetermined frequencies using a frequency- or phase-locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/22 using more than one loop

Abstract

Described herein is a novelty led-projection message balloon for allowing a delightful and novel method of communicating endearing messages and/or animation. The inventive device includes a circuit board, lens assembly, housing, and power source. The circuit board consists of LEDs, a microcontroller, interfacing circuitry, spring brushes, a position detector, and a motor. The power supply provides power to the housed circuit board mounted inside a balloon. The circuit board spins with light emitting elements that are projected via a lens assembly onto the balloon inner wall. The elements are rapidly turned on-off in a sequenced manner to give the illusion of a message or animation (through the persistence of vision) being projected onto the exterior of the balloon.

Claims

1. A novelty projection device for allowing a delightful and novel method of communicating endearing messages and/or animation comprising:

plurality of light sources, to be of single color for monochrome displays, multiple colors for multicolor displays;

lens fixture to project light sources onto the inner surface of a balloon or onto the wall of a building;

controller to independently turn on/off the light sources in a time-sequenced manner dependant upon rotational position;

method for programming the controller to a customized display;

motor to spin light sources upon a rotational axis;

sensor to determine rotational position, and relay this information to the controller;

remote energy source with intelligence (may be derived from controller) to supply power to the device for short durations.

2. A projection device, as set forth in claim 1, whence the light sources, lens fixture, controller, and motor are mounted onto a printed circuit board.

3. A projection device according to claim 2, where in addition, an audio speaker is connected to the controller to provide sound accompaniment.

4. A projection device according to claim 2, where in addition, a microphone is connected to the controller to provide a means to turn the device on for short durations due to audio stimuli such as, but not limited to a clapping noise and human speech.

5. A projection device according to claim 2, where the plurality of light sources consists of a linear row of LEDs.

6. A projection device according to claim 2, where the plurality of light sources consists of a linear row of laser diodes.

7. A projection device according to claim 2, where the plurality of light sources consists of a single integrated circuit package containing a plurality of independently controlled light emitting elements.

8. A projection device according to claim 5, where the lens fixture consists of fiber optics connected to each LEDs'"'"' light emitting element carrying the light to a rigid row of diffusive balls or discs.

9. A projection device according to claim 5, where the lens fixture consists of a row of spherical lenses mechanically offset from the row of LEDs such that the lenses approximately focus an image of the LEDs'"'"' emitting elements onto a given surface.

10. A projection device, as set forth in claim 6, where the remote energy source consists of AC wall power such that

the projection device is mounted in the proximity of a wall,

the device projects a message onto the wall of a building.

11. A projection device, as set forth in claim 9, where the remote energy source consisting of

a set of batteries housed in a handle with an external switch,

a pair of high gauge wires connecting the remote energy source to the printed circuit board.

12. A projection device according to claim 11, where the device is mounted within a helium filled balloon such that the balloon provides a diffusive surface optimal for rear projection display.

13. A projection device according to claim 12, where the device mounted within the balloon is light enough to float.

14. A projection device according to claim 11, where the device is mounted within an air filled balloon with the entire structure supported into mid-air via a long rigid stick (giving the illusion of flotation).