FUNCTION INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

• US 20110080261A1
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Twin-Star International Inc
• Original Assignee: Twin-Star International Inc
• Inventors: Nemes, Tyler, Asofsky, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,476,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/6.1
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/004 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/081 on stoves
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/085 on baking ovens
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/086 touch control
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/087 of electric circuits regulating heat
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/088 on stoves

Abstract

A function indicator system for displaying the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a power source electrically connected to the function indicator module. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the length of time that the user desires for the electric fireplace to operate prior to automatic shutdown.

Claims

1. A system for displaying the control settings for an electric fireplace, the system comprising:

an electric fireplace comprising a projection screen;

a function indicator module installed on one side of the projection screen for creating a visual status display of the electric fireplace'"'"'s control settings on the projection screen;

a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module; and

a power source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module comprises at least one function indicator light.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one function indicator light comprises a light-emitting diode.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the visual status display created by the function indicator module is visible on an exterior surface of the projection screen.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one function indicator light comprises a visual status display for at least one of the following settings:

power, temperature, light brightness, blower or fan speed, timer, flame control, and speaker volume.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module varies the visual status display displayed on the projection screen based upon a user'"'"'s selection of control settings levels.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module comprises:

a housing comprising an open end and a closed end;

at least one function indicator light installed on an interior surface of the closed end of the housing; and

a visual display apparatus installed over the open end of the housing.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the visual display apparatus comprises a translucent film comprising printed control status indicia.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the visual display apparatus comprises an opaque plate comprising at least one translucent section in alignment with a path of light emitted by the at least one function indicator light.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one translucent section comprises printed control status indicia.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the visual display apparatus comprises an opaque plate comprising at least one aperture aligned with a path of light emitted by the at least one function indicator light.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the opaque plate comprises control status indicia positioned within the path of light passing through the at least one aperture.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module is installed behind an interior surface of the projection screen.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module is installed on an interior surface of the projection screen.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the function indicator module is connected to a timer-controlled dimmer.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a user control interface comprising at least one set of control features selected from the group consisting of:

control buttons, a touchscreen comprising electronically displayed control keys, and a remote control.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a computer.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a circuit board comprising input and output ports to which the function indicator module is electrically and communicatively connectable.

19. A method for visually displaying the control settings of an electric fireplace, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) projecting light emitted by a light source through a function indicator module comprising control status indicia;

(b) projecting light passing through the control function indicator module onto a projection screen of an electric fireplace to create a visual display of the electric fireplace'"'"'s control settings on an exterior surface the projection screen; and

(c) varying the characteristics of the visual display depending upon input from a user controlling the electric fireplace'"'"'s control settings.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising at least one of the following steps:

(d) projecting the visual display onto the projection screen for a predetermined period of time; and

(e) dimming the light source creating the visual display after a predetermined period of time until the light source is turned off and the visual display disappears from the exterior surface of the projection screen.