Electric fireplace insert and methods of use
First Claim
1. An electric fireplace insert comprising:
- a projection screen onto which light can be projected to simulate the appearance of flames;
a flame light system comprising a plurality of flame light-emitting diodes arranged to produce light that is projected onto the projection screen in the form of simulated flames;
a simulated fuel source having an outer surface comprising at least one translucent or transparent portion, and at least one interior cavity defined at least in part by the at least one translucent or transparent portion;
a simulated fuel source lighting system comprising a plurality of simulated fuel source light-emitting diodes arranged to project light into the at least one interior cavity of the simulated fuel source and onto the at least one translucent portion of the simulated fuel source;
a simulated ember bed having an outer surface comprising at least one translucent or transparent portion, and at least one interior cavity defined at least in part by the at least one translucent or translucent portion;
a simulated ember bed lighting system comprising a plurality of ember bed light-emitting diodes arranged to project light into the at least one interior cavity of the simulated ember bed and onto the at least one translucent portion of the simulated ember bed; and
a controller comprising at least one central processing unit, and controlling the operation of flame light system, the simulated fuel source lighting system, and the simulated ember bed lighting system.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric fireplace insert and methods for simulating the light and sound effects of real burning fuel utilize one or more of a light emitting diode (LED) down lighting system, an LED flame light system, and an LED ember bed light system which work together to make the electric fireplace insert more closely resemble the appearance and sounds of a traditional fuel-burning fireplace. By simultaneously and independently changing the brightness of several groups of LEDs of the LED down lighting system, a shadow motion effect of ambient light similar to that seen in a traditional fuel-burning fireplace can be simulated. By simultaneously and independently changing the brightness of several groups of LEDs of the LED ember bed lighting system, a rolling motion, or side-to-side, effect of light inside the ember bed can be simulated. The flashing of the LEDs of the LED ember bed lighting system and/or the LED simulated fuel lighting system can also be synchronized by the CPU with crackling sounds that may be stored on a memory chip and emitted by the audio speaker to simulate the sparks and associated crackling noise of burning fuel. The electric fireplace insert can be included in a fireplace housing having a front portion to which can be attached one of a set of different-looking, removable, decorative face plates.
138 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electric fireplace insert comprising:
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a projection screen onto which light can be projected to simulate the appearance of flames; a flame light system comprising a plurality of flame light-emitting diodes arranged to produce light that is projected onto the projection screen in the form of simulated flames; a simulated fuel source having an outer surface comprising at least one translucent or transparent portion, and at least one interior cavity defined at least in part by the at least one translucent or transparent portion; a simulated fuel source lighting system comprising a plurality of simulated fuel source light-emitting diodes arranged to project light into the at least one interior cavity of the simulated fuel source and onto the at least one translucent portion of the simulated fuel source; a simulated ember bed having an outer surface comprising at least one translucent or transparent portion, and at least one interior cavity defined at least in part by the at least one translucent or translucent portion; a simulated ember bed lighting system comprising a plurality of ember bed light-emitting diodes arranged to project light into the at least one interior cavity of the simulated ember bed and onto the at least one translucent portion of the simulated ember bed; and a controller comprising at least one central processing unit, and controlling the operation of flame light system, the simulated fuel source lighting system, and the simulated ember bed lighting system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising the steps of simultaneously:
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using a first set of light-emitting diodes to project simulated flames onto a projection screen positioned in an electric fireplace insert; and using a second set of light-emitting diodes to project light into an interior cavity of a simulated fuel source positioned in the electric fireplace insert and having an outer surface comprising at least one translucent or transparent portion that defines at least in part the at least one translucent or transparent portion. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification