Microprocessor based simulated electronic flame
First Claim
1. A microprocessor-based electronic flame simulation apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of electrical lighting circuits, each electrical lighting circuit comprising at least one lighting device having independently controlled light illumination;
a microprocessor for processing instructions and data representing output values for signal drivers to drive lighting devices in a realistic electronic flame simulation to generate a plurality of output signals;
microprocessor-based computer instruction programs and stored data cooperatively operating in and with said microprocessor to process data representing output values for signal drivers to drive a lighting device in a realistic electronic flame simulation;
a frequency reference source coupled to said microprocessor and providing an operating frequency reference for said microprocessor;
a plurality of signal drivers, each signal drivers being controlled by the respective one of said plurality of output signals and driving a corresponding lighting device; and
DC electrical power source input terminals for connecting DC power to the electrical lighting circuits, microprocessor, and signal drivers.
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Abstract
Electronic lighting devices that simulate a realistic flame are disclosed. The preferred embodiment has a plurality of lighting elements in a plurality of colors which are modulated in intensity by a control circuit with a stored program. The control program includes stored amplitude waveforms for the generation of a realistic flame simulation. The program further contains random elements to keep the flame constantly changing. The control circuit has built in power management functions that can control the mean intensity of the simulated flame based on some power management budget with the ability to measure the charge/discharge duration of the power source, when used with a rechargeable power source. The currents to the individual lighting elements are selectable from a set of discrete quantization values. Tables of amplitude modulated time waveforms are stored in the microprocessor memory, from which the real time control data streams for the individual lighting elements are synthesized. By using these stored waveforms many different flame modes can be simulated. Effects such as a random gust of wind and other disturbances are inserted into the flame simulation from time to time. After a simulated disturbance the simulated flame settles back into more of a steady state condition just like a real flame does. The net result is that the simulated flame is a slowly changing series of patterns resulting in soothing and calming effects upon the viewer.
574 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A microprocessor-based electronic flame simulation apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of electrical lighting circuits, each electrical lighting circuit comprising at least one lighting device having independently controlled light illumination; a microprocessor for processing instructions and data representing output values for signal drivers to drive lighting devices in a realistic electronic flame simulation to generate a plurality of output signals; microprocessor-based computer instruction programs and stored data cooperatively operating in and with said microprocessor to process data representing output values for signal drivers to drive a lighting device in a realistic electronic flame simulation; a frequency reference source coupled to said microprocessor and providing an operating frequency reference for said microprocessor; a plurality of signal drivers, each signal drivers being controlled by the respective one of said plurality of output signals and driving a corresponding lighting device; and DC electrical power source input terminals for connecting DC power to the electrical lighting circuits, microprocessor, and signal drivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A microprocessor-based electronic light pattern apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of electrical lighting circuits, each electrical lighting circuit comprising at least one lighting device having independently controlled light illumination; a microprocessor for processing instructions and data representing output values for signal drivers to drive lighting devices in a relaxing light pattern to generate a plurality of output signals; microprocessor-based computer instruction programs and stored data cooperatively operating in and with said microprocessor to process data representing output values for signal drivers to drive a lighting device in a relaxing light pattern; a frequency reference source coupled to said microprocessor and providing an operating frequency reference for said microprocessor; a plurality of signal drivers, each signal drivers being controlled by the respective one of said plurality of output signals and driving a corresponding lighting device; and DC electrical power source input terminals for connecting DC power to the electrical lighting circuits, microprocessor, and signal drivers. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification