Wireless lighting system

• US 6,703,788 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Everstar Merchandise Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Idell M. Miller, John F. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, John F., Miller, Idell M.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US10/195,075
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 315/155, 315/149, 315/150-159, 315/185.S, 315/200.A, 315/312, 315/324, 362/801, 362/802, 362/803, 362/806, 362/4, 362/812, 340/870.11, 340/870.15, 340/307, 250/374, 250/366, 250/367, 250/336.1
• US Class Current: 315/155
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/088 by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A wireless lighting system for providing convenient illumination where needed with centralized control. The wireless lighting system includes a main transmitter assembly providing a centralized control capability; including a housing defining an interior space and a transmitter member positioned substantially within the housing for generating and transmitting control signals, and a plurality of lamp assemblies each having a base portion and a lamp member. Each lamp member selectively provides illumination. Each one of the base portions has a base housing defining an interior space and an energy storage member positioned within said housing for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member. Additionally, each one of said base portions includes a receiver portion positioned within the housing for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by the transmitter member.

Claims

1. A wireless lighting system for use in multiple environments comprising:

a main transmitter assembly providing a centralized control capability, said main transmitter assembly having a housing defining an interior space, said main transmitter assembly having a transmitter member positioned substantially within said housing, said transmitter member being for generating and transmitting control signals;

a plurality of lamp assemblies, each one of said plurality of lamp assemblies having a base portion and a lamp member, each lamp member selectively providing illumination, each one of said base portions having a base housing defining an interior space, each one of said base portions having an energy storage member positioned within said housing, for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member, each one of said base portions having a receiver portion positioned within said housing, said receiver portion being for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by said transmitter member; and

wherein each one of said base portions further comprises a secondary transmitter for performing a repromulgation relay function such that a control signal received by said receiver portion is communicated to said secondary transmitter for retransmission to other lamp assemblies, said secondary transmitter being positioned substantially within said housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each one of said plurality of lamp assemblies further comprises a solar cell assembly operationally coupled to said housing, said solar cell assembly being operationally coupled to said energy storage member for providing a supplemental charge to said energy storage member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said energy storage member further comprises a battery positioned substantially within said base portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each one of said lamp members having a colored lens portion such that each one of said lamp members provides a colored illumination.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each one of said lamp assemblies further comprises a coupling means for selectively attaching said lamp assembly to a structure.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling member selected from the group of coupling members consisting of hook and loop fastener, screws, clip, adhesive, magnet, suction cup, and nail.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a rear surface of said base portion.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a bottom surface of said base portion.

9. A wireless lighting, system for use in multiple environments comprising:

a main transmitter assembly providing a centralized control capability, said main transmitter assembly having a housing defining an interior space, said main transmitter assembly having a transmitter member positioned substantially within said housing, said transmitter member being for generating and transmitting control signals;

a plurality of lamp assemblies, each one of said plurality of lamp assemblies having a base portion and a lamp member, each lamp member selectively providing illumination, each one of said base portions having a base housing defining an interior space, each one of said base portions having an energy storage member positioned within said housing, for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member, each one of said base portions having a receiver portion positioned within said housing, said receiver portion being for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by said transmitter member;

each one of said plurality of lamp assemblies further comprises a solar cell assembly operationally coupled to said housing, said solar cell assembly being operationally coupled to said energy storage member for providing a supplemental charge to said energy storage member;

each one of said base portions further comprises a secondary transmitter for performing a repromulgation relay function such that a control signal received by said receiver portion is communicated to said secondary transmitter for retransmission to other lamp assemblies, said secondary transmitter being positioned substantially within said housing; and

each one of said lamp assemblies further comprises a coupling means for selectively attaching said lamp assembly to a structure.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

wherein said main transmitter assembly having a on/off switch for selectively generating a control signal to be transmitted, said main transmitter assembly being coupled to a wall of a structure;

wherein said plurality of lamp assemblies comprises two lamp assemblies, each one of said lamp assemblies being coupled to a wall of a structure.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

wherein said main transmitter assembly having an energy storage member positioned within said housing, said energy storage member being operationally coupled to said secondary transmitter member, said main transmitter assembly having an on/off switch accessible through said housing, said transmitter assembly being portable; and

wherein said plurality of lamp assemblies being coupled to a Christmas tree, each one of said plurality of lamp assemblies being independently positionable on the Christmas tree.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling member selected from the group of coupling members consisting of hook and loop fastener, screws, clip, adhesive, magnet, suction cup, and nail.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a rear surface of said base portion.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a bottom surface of said base portion.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said energy storage member further comprises a battery positioned substantially within said base portion.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein each one of said lamp members having a colored lens portion such that each one of said lamp members provides a colored illumination.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling member selected from the group of coupling members consisting of hook and loop fastener, screws, clip, adhesive, magnet, suction cup, and nail;

wherein said energy storage member further comprises a battery positioned substantially within said base portion; and

wherein each one of said lamp members having a colored lens portion such that each one of said lamp members provides a colored illumination.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a rear surface of said base portion.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said coupling means being positioned along a bottom surface of said base portion.