Illuminated article-locator
First Claim
1. An illumination device to be affixed to an article, said illumination device comprising:
- a main translucent body member that is freely movable;
an illumination module that is coupled to said main translucent body member, said illumination module including at least one LED and a movement sensor for generating a trigger signal in response said main translucent body member moving at a predetermined degree of acceleration;
a cap that is pivotally coupled to the main translucent body member and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the illumination module is accessible underneath the open cap;
a controller for controlling the illumination of said LED, said controller activating in response to said movement sensor generating said trigger signal, said LED being positioned relative to said main translucent body member so that illumination of said LED is directed through said main translucent body member; and
a fastener connected to said main translucent body member, said fastener allowing mechanical securement between said device and said article.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illumination device includes a waveguide body, a source of illumination, a triggering mechanism, a battery, a connecting ring, and controlling circuitry. The device is attached to an article (such as a set of keys) using the connecting ring. The source of illumination includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) whose output is in optical communication with the waveguide body so that when lit, the LED'"'"'s output illumination is transmitted throughout the waveguide body. Power to the LED(s) is supplied by the battery and is controlled by the controlling circuitry and the triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism includes a motion or movement detector, preferably based on an electro-mechanical spring-switch. The light from the LED transmits throughout the waveguide body creating an even, soft glow-like illumination through the entire body thereby illuminating the relatively large waveguide body of the device. In other aspect, the illumination device includes two or more LEDs with at least two being primary colors such that in one mode of operation of the illumination module, the two LEDs are illuminated simultaneously to form a secondary color that is illuminated in the waveguide body. In another operating mode, the LEDs are illuminated successively.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An illumination device to be affixed to an article, said illumination device comprising:
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a main translucent body member that is freely movable; an illumination module that is coupled to said main translucent body member, said illumination module including at least one LED and a movement sensor for generating a trigger signal in response said main translucent body member moving at a predetermined degree of acceleration; a cap that is pivotally coupled to the main translucent body member and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the illumination module is accessible underneath the open cap; a controller for controlling the illumination of said LED, said controller activating in response to said movement sensor generating said trigger signal, said LED being positioned relative to said main translucent body member so that illumination of said LED is directed through said main translucent body member; and a fastener connected to said main translucent body member, said fastener allowing mechanical securement between said device and said article. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An illumination device to be affixed to an article, said illumination device comprising:
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a translucent first body member, said body forming a majority portion of said device; a second body member that is releasably snap-fittingly coupled to one end of the first body member; an illumination module including; at least one LED located adjacent to said first body member; a movement sensor affixed to said first body member, said movement sensor generating a trigger signal in response to a predetermined magnitude of acceleration applied to said first body member; and a controller for controlling the illumination of said LED, said controller activating in response to said movement sensor generating said trigger signal, said illumination of said LED being directed through said translucent first body member; and a fastener connected to said body, said fastener allowing mechanical securement between said device and said article, wherein said second body member includes a first interlocking feature that is complementary to a second interlocking feature that is associated with the first body member to permit the two bodies to be releasably snap-fit to one another, wherein when the second body member is removed at least a power source of said illumination module is accessible. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An illumination device to be affixed to an article, said illumination device comprising:
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a translucent first body member, said body forming a majority portion of said device; a cap that is snap-fittingly coupled to one end of the first body member; an illumination module including; at least two LEDs located adjacent to said first body member; a movement sensor affixed to said first body member, said movement sensor generating a trigger signal in response to a predetermined magnitude of acceleration applied to said first body member; and a controller for controlling the illumination of said at least two LEDs, said controller activating in response to said movement sensor generating said trigger signal, said illumination of said at least two LEDs being directed through said translucent first body member, wherein said controller is configured so that said at least two LEDs can be illuminated successively in a first mode and simultaneously in a second mode to produce a mixed color that is visible through the translucent first body member; and a fastener connected to said body, said fastener allowing mechanical securement between said device and said article. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification