Interactive light display

• US 6,361,198 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1999
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Reed
• Original Assignee: Edward Reed
• Inventors: Reed, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy A
• Application Number:
  US09/365,265
• Time in Patent Office: 969 Days
• Field of Search: 362/554, 362/568, 362/123, 362/800, 362/555, 362/567, 428/19, 428/20
• US Class Current: 362/554
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An interactive light display includes multiple LED'"'"'s selectively arranged to provide a light display, each of the LED'"'"'s being capable of a plurality of activation states. Multiple fiber optic strands are also included, each strand having one end near one of the LED'"'"'s and extending away from the LED to carry light outward from the LED. A computer is used for controlling the activation state of each of the LED'"'"'s, allowing a wide variety of routines to be run with the display. Standard computer cable is used for connecting each of the LED'"'"'s to the controlling computer, such that the activations states of all the LED'"'"'s may be controlled to form selected light patterns. At least one one-way hinge may be positioned on each branch of the tree such that the distal portion of the branch is capable of hinging only upwards relative to the branch.

Claims

1. An interactive light display, comprising:

multiple LED'"'"'s selectively arranged to provide a light display, each of said LED'"'"'s being capable of a plurality of activation states, at least one of said LED'"'"'s having the capability to selectively display any of the colors red, green, and blue;

multiple fiber optic strands, each having one end near one of said LED'"'"'s and extending away from said LED;

means for controlling the activation state of each of said LED'"'"'S; and

means for connecting each of said LED'"'"'s to said controlling means such that the activation states of all the LED'"'"'s may be controlled to form selected light patterns.

2. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said controlling means includes microprocessor circuitry.

3. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said controlling means is a computer.

4. An interactive light display in the form of a Christmas tree having a trunk and branches extending laterally therefrom, comprising:

multiple LED'"'"'s selectively arranged on said tree to provide a light display, each of said LED'"'"'s being capable of a plurality of activation states, at least one of said LED'"'"'s having the capability to selectively display any of the colors red, green, and blue;

multiple fiber optic strands, each having a proximal end near one of said LED'"'"'s and extending away from said LED'"'"'s;

means for controlling the activation state of each of said LED'"'"'S; and

means for connecting each of said LED'"'"'s to said controlling means such that the activation states of all the LED'"'"'s may be controlled to form selected light patterns.

5. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said controlling means includes microprocessor circuitry.

6. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said controlling means is a computer.

7. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

each of said branches includes a proximal portion connected to said tree trunk, said branch extending away from said trunk to a distal portion of said branch; and

further including;

at least two one-way hinges positioned in spaced relation on said branch such that said distal portion is divided into at least two segments, each segment being capable of hinging only upwards relative to said branch.

12. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of said LED'"'"'s is capable of selectively displaying any of the colors red, green, and blue.

8. An interactive light display in the form of a Christmas tree having a base, a trunk, and branches extending laterally from said trunk, comprising:

multiple LED'"'"'S selectively arranged on said tree to provide a light display, each of said LED'"'"'s being capable of a plurality of activation states, at least one of said LED'"'"'s being positioned above said base and either (a) on said trunk, or (b) on one of said branches;

multiple fiber optic strands, each having a proximal end near one of said LED'"'"'s and extending away from said LED'"'"'S;

means for controlling the activation state of each of said LED'"'"'s; and

means for connecting each of said LED'"'"'s to said controlling means such that the activation states of all the LED'"'"'s may be controlled to form selected light patterns.

9. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said controlling means includes microprocessor circuitry.

10. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said controlling means is a computer.

11. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

each of said branches includes a proximal portion connected to said tree trunk, said branch extending away from said trunk to a distal portion of said branch; and

further including;

at least two one-way hinges positioned in spaced relation on said branch such that said distal portion is divided into at least two segments, each segment being capable of hinging only upwards relative to said branch.

13. An interactive light display as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said LED'"'"'s is capable of selectively displaying any of the colors red, green, and blue.

14. An interactive light display in the form of a Christmas tree having a base, a trunk, and branches extending laterally from said trunk, comprising:

multiple LED'"'"'s selectively arranged on said tree to provide a light display, each of said LED'"'"'s being capable of a plurality of activation states, at least one of said LED'"'"'s being positioned above said base and either (a) on said trunk, or (b) on one of said branches;

multiple fiber optic strands, each having a proximal end near one of said LED'"'"'s and extending away from said LED'"'"'s;

means for controlling the activation state of each of said LED'"'"'s;

means for connecting each of said LED'"'"'s to said controlling means such that the activation states of all the LED'"'"'s may be controlled to form selected light patterns; and

wherein at least one of said LED'"'"'s has the capability to display any of the colors red, green, and blue.