Electric candle flame simulator

• US 7,332,878 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Eric Smith
• Original Assignee: David Eric Smith
• Inventors: Smith, David Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US11/525,754
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/299, 315/360, 362/227, 362/230, 362/231, 362/234, 362/235, 362/236, 362/237, 362/240, 362/252, 362/569, 362/810
• US Class Current: 315/299
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/32 Pulse-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for electrical simulation of a flame that provides for the projection of light that is a mixture of at least two colors. At least one of the two colors of light is projected over time according to a complex light intensity pattern. The complex light intensity pattern is constructed via an aggregation (superimposition) of a plurality of independent intensity transition signals. Each intensity transition signal represents a separate and varying intensity pattern. The complex light intensity pattern creates a perceptually real and pleasing visual effect upon the human eye, much like that created by the flickering of a real combustion flame and employs other than random or pseudo random intensity patterns.

Claims

1. A candle flame simulator comprising:

a lower light source that is configured to continuously emit a light of a first color and of a first intensity, said first intensity being a non-zero intensity over time;

an upper light source that is configured to continuously emit a light of a second color and of a second intensity, said second intensity being a non-zero and a substantially varying intensity over time; and

where said second intensity is generated in response to a second intensity signal, said second intensity signal being a combination of a base intensity signal and a supplemental intensity signal and where said base intensity signal represents a non-zero intensity over time and where said supplemental intensity signal represents a substantially varying intensity over time and where said supplemental intensity signal is an aggregation of a plurality of individual intensity transition signals that each represent a separate varying intensity over time.

2. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where each of said intensity transition signals has a separate associated phase, separate associated period and separate associated apportionment of said period between at least two different intensity values.

3. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said second intensity signal has a non-zero minimum and maximum intensity value over time and where a difference of intensity between said minimum and maximum intensity value is apparent to the human eye.

4. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said supplemental intensity signal is an aggregation of at least four separate intensity transition signals.

5. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said lower light source is a lower light emitting diode that has a translucent upper surface and said upper light source is an upper light emitting diode that has a lower translucent surface and where said upper surface of said lower light emitting diode is disposed within close proximity of said lower surface of said upper light emitting diode so that a substantial portion of light emitted from said upper surface of said lower light emitting diode passes through said lower surface of said upper light emitting diode.

6. The candle flame simulator of claim 5 where said upper surface of said lower light emitting diode abuts said lower surface of said upper light emitting diode.

7. The candle flame simulator of claim 5 where said upper surface of said lower light emitting diode is located within 2 millimeters of said lower surface of said upper light emitting diode.

8. The candle flame simulator of claim 5 where said upper light emitting diode includes two protruding lower legs and where said lower light emitting diode is disposed substantially between said two protruding lower legs.

9. The candle flame simulator of claim 5 where said upper light emitting diode is dimensioned as a 5 millimeter light emitting diode and said lower light emitting diode is dimensioned as a 3 millimeter light emitting diode.

10. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said first color is substantially a shade of blue and where said second color is substantially a shade of yellow.

11. The candle flame simulator of claim 10 where said shade of blue is of an optical wavelength of approximately 468 nanometers and said shade of yellow is of a optical wave length of approximately 589 nanometers.

12. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said supplemental intensity signal is an aggregation of at least three separate intensity transition signals.

13. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said supplemental intensity signal is an aggregation of less than or equal to six separate intensity transition signals.

14. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said upper light emitting diode and said lower light emitting diode are enclosed within a translucent structure.

15. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said first intensity is a substantially non-uniform intensity over time.

16. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said lower and upper light emitting diodes are disposed among one or more other light sources.

17. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said second intensity signal is generated at least in part from an electronic circuit including a plurality of 555 timers that are configured to output current that passes through at least said upper light emitting diode.

18. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where said second intensity signal is generated at least in part from an electronic circuit including a plurality of 555 timers that are configured to drain current that passes through at least said upper light emitting diode.

19. The candle flame simulator of claim 1 where at least one light source is implemented as an electro-luminescent display or as an incandescent light.

20. A method for simulating a candle flame comprising the steps of:

providing a lower light source that is configured to continuously emit a light of a first color and of a first intensity, said first intensity being a non-zero intensity over time;

an upper light source that is configured to continuously emit a light of a second color and of a second intensity, said second intensity being a non-zero and a substantially varying intensity over time; and

where said second intensity is generated in response to a second intensity signal, said second intensity signal being a combination of a base intensity signal and a supplemental intensity signal and where said base intensity signal represents a non-zero intensity over time and where said supplemental intensity signal represents a substantially varying intensity over time and where said supplemental intensity signal is an aggregation of a plurality of individual intensity transition signals that each represent a separate varying intensity over time.