Frequency controlled lighting system

• US 7,057,354 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cheerine Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Cheerine Development Limited
• Inventors: Mak, Lai Cheong, Wong, Wai Kai
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thuy V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lie, Angela M
• Application Number:
  US10/839,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20050057188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 362/103, 362/227, 362/251, 362/802, 315/200.A, 315/225
• US Class Current: 315/200.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A method and apparatus for illuminating lighting elements in one or more predetermined patterns. A preferred frequency controlled lighting system implementing this method includes a motion switch, a controller, a sound generator, and lighting elements. The motion switch creates an activation signal in response to movement of the motion switch, which is detected by the controller. In response to the properties of the activation signal, the controller illuminates the lighting elements in one or more predetermined patterns, or the controller actuates the sound generator to generate sound. Preferably, the lighting system utilizes at least two integrated circuits where a first integrated circuit functions as the controller and a second integrated circuit, having a higher cutoff operating voltage than the first integrated circuit, functions as the sound generator.

Claims

1. A frequency controlled lighting system comprising:

at least one power source;

at least one motion switch to generate an activation signal in response to an electrical engagement within the at least one motion switch, the activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the at least one motion switch;

a first integrated circuit functioning as a controller, the first integrated circuit electrically connected to the at least one motion switch to receive the activation signal;

a second integrated circuit functioning as a sound generating device, the second integrated circuit electrically connected to the first integrated circuit, the first integrated circuit actuating the second integrated circuit dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the activation signal; and

lighting elements, electrically connected to the first integrated circuit, the lighting elements selectively actuated by the first integrated circuit to illuminate the lighting elements in one or more predetermined illumination patterns dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the activation signal;

wherein the second integrated circuit has a higher cutoff operating voltage than the first integrated circuit, and the first integrated circuit operates independent of whether the second integrated circuit is operating.

2. The frequency controlled lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one motion switch, the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, and the lighting elements is a non-toxic component.

3. A frequency controlled lighting system comprising:

at least one power source;

a motion switch comprising;

a spring having a fixed end and a free end, and

a metal contact positioned proximate the free end of the spring for electrical engagement by the free end of the spring,

wherein the motion switch generates an activation signal in response to motion of the motion switch, the activation signal indicating at least a duration of time that the spring electrically engages the metal contact;

a first integrated circuit functioning as a controller, the first integrated circuit electrically connected to the motion switch to receive the activation signal, the controller comprising;

a signal analysis system to analyze the activation signal, and

a pattern generator to receive commands from the signal analysis system and generate a dependant illumination pattern;

lighting elements electrically connected to the first integrated circuit, the lighting elements selectively actuated by the pattern generator to illuminate the lighting elements in one or more of a series of predetermined illumination patterns dependant upon commands from the signal analysis system; and

a second integrated circuit functioning as a sound generator, the second integrated circuit electrically connected to the first integrated circuit, the first integrated circuit actuating the second integrated circuit dependant upon commands from the signal analysis system;

wherein the second integrated circuit has a higher cutoff operation voltage than the first integrated circuit, and the first integrated circuit operates independent of whether the second integrated circuit is operating.

4. The frequency controlled lighting system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the motion switch, the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, and the lighting elements is a non-toxic component.

5. A frequency controlled lighting system comprising:

at least one power source;

at least one motion switch to generate an activation signal in response to an electrical engagement within the at least one motion switch, the activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the at least one motion switch;

a controller, electrically connected to the at least one motion switch to receive the activation signal;

a sound generating device, electrically connected to the controller, the controller actuating the sound generating device dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the activation signal; and

lighting elements, electrically connected to the controller, the lighting elements selectively actuated by the controller to illuminate the lighting elements in one or more predetermined illumination patterns dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the activation signal;

wherein the sound generating device has a higher cutoff operating voltage than the controller, and the controller operates independent of whether the sound generating device is operating.

6. The frequency controlled lighting system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the at least one motion switch, the controller, the sound generating device, and the lighting elements is a non-toxic component.

7. A frequency controlled lighting system comprising:

a first motion switch to generate a first activation signal in response to electrical engagement within the first motion switch, the first activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the first motion switch;

a second motion switch to generate a second activation signal in response to electrical engagement within the second motion switch, the second activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the second motion switch;

at least one integrated circuit, the at least one integrated circuit electrically coupled with the first motion switch and the second motion switch to receive the first activation signal and the second activation signal;

lighting elements, electrically coupled with the at least one integrated circuit, the lighting elements selectively actuated by the at least one integrated circuit to illuminate the lighting elements in one or more predetermined illumination patterns dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the first motion switch; and

a sound generating unit, electrically coupled with the at least one integrated circuit, the sound generating unit actuated by the at least one integrated circuit to generate a first sound indicated by the second motion switch.

8. The frequency controlled lighting system of claim 7, further comprising:

a third motion switch, electrically coupled to the at least one integrated circuit, to generate a third activation signal in response to electrical engagement within the third motion switch, the third activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the third motion switch;

wherein the sound generating unit is actuated by the at least one integrated circuit to generate a second sound indicated by the third motion switch.

9. A frequency controlled lighting system comprising:

a first motion switch to generate a first activation signal in response to electrical engagement within the first motion switch, the first activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the first motion switch;

a second motion switch to generate a second activation signal in response to electrical engagement within the second motion switch, the second activation signal indicating at least one of duration and frequency of electrical engagement within the second motion switch;

at least two integrated circuits electrically coupled with each other, wherein a fist integrated circuit is electrically coupled with the first motion switch to receive the first activation signal and a second integrated circuit is electrically coupled with the second motion switch to receive the second activation signal;

lighting elements, electrically coupled with the first integrated circuit, the lighting elements selectively actuated by the first integrated circuit to illuminate the lighting elements in one or more predetermined illumination patterns dependant on the duration and frequency of electrical engagement indicated by the first motion switch; and

a sound generating unit, electrically coupled with the second integrated circuit, the sound generating unit actuated by the second integrated circuit to generate a sound indicated by the second motion switch.