Configurable color selection circuit for choosing colors of multi-colored leds in toys and secondary automotive flasher/brake indicators

• US 5,619,182 A
• Filed: 01/18/1996
• Issued: 04/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles L.R. Robb
• Original Assignee: Charles L.R. Robb
• Inventors: Robb, Charles L. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/588,323
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/471, 340/475, 340/479, 340/463, 340/465, 340/815.45, 340/815.65, 340/815.67, 362/61, 362/800, 362/231, 362/293, 362/808, 362/124
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/005 using light guides light guides specially adapted for lighting devices G02B6/0001
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/808 Figure

Abstract

A multi-colored LED biasing circuit that allows users to selectively choose the colors for a given state or condition. A user will assign by use of switches which color of a multi-colored LED will light on the presence of an electronic signal representing a state or condition in need of a visual output. One embodiment for a tri-colored LED will allow a user to select a base color for when no signal is present, the base color selected between a first color, and a second color and a secondary color for when a signal is present, the secondary color selected between the opposite of the base color (first or second color) and a third color. The invention is also embodied as a secondary flasher/brake indicator for automobiles that can be embodied in a number of different forms such as a stick shift knob having indication areas, a figurine having suction cup mounting means or hanging means for placement within the vehicle, or an integrated rear view mirror having indication areas lit by multi-colored LEDs. Again, the user will select a base color for the indication areas that corresponds to one color in a tri-colored LED and a secondary color for when the flasher or brake is operated. The base color may be selected between a first and second color while the secondary color may be selected from the non-chosen base color and a third color.

Claims

1. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory for secondary indication of the status of an automobile flasher operation and brake operation in an automobile having a braking means and associated signal, left flashing means and associated signal, and right flashing means and associated signal, the automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory comprising:

an ornamental housing having at least two indication areas;

at least two current driven tri-color LED indicators each capable of emitting a first, second, and third color and mounted within the housing for illuminating the respective indication areas, at least one of the tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to left flasher operation and brake operation and at least another tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to right flasher operation and brake operation;

means for receiving electronic signal information representing the automobile right flasher operation, left flasher operation, and brake operation;

tri-color LED driving circuitry, electrically connected to the respective tri-color LED indicators and electrically connected and responsive to the means for receiving the signal information, the tri-color LED driving circuitry causing respective tri-color LED indicators to emit a base color for normal operation and a secondary color for brake operation and/or respective flasher operation;

a base color switching means for selecting a base color from a first or second color; and

secondary color switching means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and a third color.

2. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1, wherein the ornamental housing is in the form of a stick shift knob.

3. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1, wherein the ornamental housing is in the form of stick shift knob shaped like a head and the LEDs make up the eyes thereof.

4. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein one of the at least two LEDs directly illuminates at least one indication area.

5. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one illumination conduit to optically transfer light from at least one of the at least two LEDs to at least one indication area.

6. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one fiber optic means to optically transfer light from at least one of the at least two LEDs to at least one indication area.

7. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein the ornamental housing is in the form of a rearview mirror.

8. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein the ornamental housing is in the form of a decorative object, the decorative object having mounting means for secure placement within an automobile.

9. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 8 wherein the mounting means comprises hanging means for hanging the decorative object.

10. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory as recited in claim 8 wherein the mounting means comprises suction means for affixing the decorative object to a relatively smooth surface found within an automobile.

11. A configurable biasing circuit for biasing at least one tri-color LED capable of producing a first, second and third color, in applications having at least one signal requiring a visual output and corresponding to the respective at least one tri-colored LED, the biasing circuit comprising:

means for providing power to the at least one tri-color LED;

means for selecting a base color from the first or second color, the base color establishing a visual output when the signal is not present; and

means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and the third color, the secondary color for establishing a visual output when the at least one signal is present.

12. A biasing circuit as recited in claim 11 wherein the signal is the electronic representation of the operation of an automobile brake or flasher.

13. A biasing circuit as recited in claim 11 wherein the signal is electronic signals caused by switches within a toy figurine.

14. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory for use with a right flasher/brake electronic signal and a left flasher/brake electronic signal, the automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory comprising:

a stickshift knob having a right and a left indication areas;

a left and right tri-color LED for illuminating the respective right and left indication area and optically connected thereto; and

a left and right tri-color LED biasing circuit as defined in claim 11 electrically connected to the right flasher/brake signal and the left flasher/brake signal.