CONNECTABLE AND SYNCHRONIZABLE LIGHT STRINGS

• US 20160021724A1
• Filed: 07/21/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J Kinderman & Sons Incorporated (J. KINDERMAN & SONS)
• Original Assignee: J Kinderman & Sons Incorporated (J. KINDERMAN & SONS)
• Inventors: KINDERMAN, Israel Richard, WONG, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,629,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• 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 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/46 having LEDs disposed in parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/196 characterised by user interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1985 Creation of lighting zones or scenes

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a decorative light string including a first light strand, a power supply, a controller, and an electrical connector. The first light strand includes a plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements. The power supply is configured to convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct voltage (DC) voltage power to power the first light strand. The controller is operatively coupled to the first light strand and the power supply. The controller is configured to control the plurality of light emitting elements. The electrical connector couples a first light strand to a second decorative light string via the AC line power.

Claims

1. A decorative light string comprising:

a first light strand including a plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements;

a converter configured to convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) voltage to power the first light strand;

a controller operatively coupled to the first light strand and the converter, the controller including a DC voltage output and an AC voltage output for powering a second light string, the controller being configured to control each of the plurality of light emitting elements;

an electrical connector coupled to the first light strand, the electrical connector being configured to connect the second light string to the decorative light string.

2. The decorative light string of claim 1, wherein the second light string is of a different type than the decorative light string.

3. The decorative light string of claim 1, comprising:

a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs), wherein each of the plurality of ICs is connected to each of the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively.

4. The decorative light string of claim 3, wherein the each of the plurality of ICs is configured to control each of the respective light emitting elements according to a control signal received by the controller.

5. The decorative light string of claim 1, wherein each of the light emitting elements comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The decorative light string of claim 5, wherein the one or more LEDs comprise at least two LEDs, and wherein each of the two or more LEDs is of a different color.

7. The decorative light string of claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements are controlled using a predetermined pattern.

8. The decorative light string of claim 1, further comprising:

an activation switch operatively coupled to the DC output of the controller;

an external electrical connector operatively coupled to the DC output and the activation switch, the external electrical connector configured to removably couple a universal module to an external circuit of the decorative light string; and

a circuit having an integrated circuit (“

IC”

) that is operatively coupled to the DC power source, the activation switch and the external electrical connector, wherein when the external electrical connector is coupled to the external circuit and the activation switch is activated, the IC outputs a voltage from the DC power source through the external electrical connector to enable a functionality of a coupled product for a predetermined period of time.

9. A decorative light string comprising:

a first light strand including a plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements;

a converter configured to convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) voltage to power the first light strand;

a controller operatively coupled to the first light strand and the converter, the controller including a DC voltage output and an AC voltage output for powering a second decorative light string, the controller being configured to control each of the plurality of light emitting elements; and

an electrical connector coupled to the first light strand, the electrical connector being configured to connect the second light string to the decorative light string, wherein the decorative light string is different from the second light string.

10. The decorative light string of claim 9, comprising:

a plurality of control circuits, wherein each of the plurality of ICs is connected to each of the plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements light emitting elements, respectively, and wherein the plurality of ICs is configured to receive the DC voltage output from the controller.

11. The decorative light string of claim 10, wherein one of the respective ICs communicates with another of the respective ICs.

12. The decorative light string of claim 9, wherein each of the light emitting elements comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

13. The decorative light string of claim 12, wherein the one or more LEDs comprise at least two LEDs, and wherein each of the two or more LEDs is of a different color.

14. The decorative light string of claim 9, further comprising:

a light pattern selector operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the light emitting elements according to a setting input at the light pattern selector.

15. The decorative light string of claim 14, wherein the light pattern selector comprises a wireless remote control.

16. The decorative light string of claim 9, wherein the light emitting elements are controlled using a predetermined pattern.

17. A decorative light string comprising:

a first light strand including a plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements wherein each of the plurality of parallel connected light emitting elements includes a respective integrated circuit (IC);

a converter configured to convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) voltage to power the first light strand;

a controller operatively coupled to the first light strand and the converter, the controller including a DC voltage output and an AC voltage output for powering a second light string, the controller being configured to control each of the plurality of light emitting elements via the respective IC;

a light pattern selector operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the light emitting elements according to a setting input of the light pattern selector; and

an electrical connector coupled to the first light strand, the electrical connector being configured to connect a second light string to the decorative light string.

18. The decorative light string of claim 17, wherein one of the respective ICs communicates with another of the respective ICs.

19. The decorative light string of claim 17, wherein each of the light emitting elements comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

20. The decorative light string of claim 17, wherein the light pattern selector comprises a user interface disposed in a housing containing the controller.