Structures for color changing light devices

• US 7,520,635 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Demarest, Scott W., Wolf, Jeffrey J., Walter, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/548,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 362/276, 362/86, 362/87, 362/231, 362/267, 362/810, 362/253
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2083 using a light bulb as heat source
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/506 of globes, bowls or cover glasses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/54 supported by a separate part, e.g. base
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/70 Lamps with low-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure < 400 Torr
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/46 supported by a separate part, e.g. base, cap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 : with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/9453 : for screw type coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 : Imitation candle

Abstract

A light element includes a decorative, patterned translucent outer shell and a base. The base supports a plurality of LEDs positioned so as to emit a light show through the shell. The device also includes a compartment for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active cartridge and a heater for enabling the device to effectively emit an active ingredient from the cartridge when the cartridge is secured in the compartment A white light source is provided in the shell as a source of illumination along with the LEDs The device can be used as a white light source, for displaying a colored light show, for displaying colored light is schemes and for volatile active emission. The device may include an acoustic transducer for producing light and sound shows. The device may also include a light sensor, a motion detector and/or a microphone or acoustic receiver thereby enabling the light and sound show to be dependent upon ambient light intensity, motion detection and/or ambient noise.

Claims

1. A combination multicolored and white light source, volatile active dispenser and sound transmission device, comprising:

a white light source, light and sound show circuitry, and at least one light group comprising red, green and blue lights,

the light and sound show circuitry comprising memory for storing at least one colored light and sound show,

a replaceable cartridge containing a volatile active material disposed within a base, the cartridge comprising an indicator that is linked to the light and sound show circuitry, the indicator being specific to the volatile active contained in the cartridge, the light and sound show circuitry selecting a particular light and sound show or sequence of light and sound shows from the memory of the light and sound show circuitry based on the indicator of the cartridge,

an outer shell connected to the base and enclosing the white light source and red, green and blue lights, the outer shell comprising a decorative pattern, and

a transducer for transmitting sound.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the decorative pattern is engraved or embossed onto the outer shell.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the decorative pattern is coated onto an exterior or interior surface of the outer shell.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a remote control wirelessly coupled to the light and sound show circuitry, the remote control comprising a slot for receiving a memory card programmed with at least one light and sound show, the memory card being wirelessly coupled to the light and sound show circuitry by the remote when the memory card is received in the slot.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one switch performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of

activating the light and sound show and turning off the white light source;

turning on the white light source and deactivating the light and sound show;

turning off both the white light source and light and sound show;

freezing the light and sound show;

selecting a light and sound show from a plurality of light and sound shows stored in the memory;

adjusting the sound volume;

muting the sound; and

adjusting the rate of volatile active emission.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a remote control for controlling the light and sound show circuitry and the white light source.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the volatile active contained in the cartridge is selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, an air sanitizer, an air deodorizer, an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a medicine, an aromatherapy oil, and combinations thereof.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a light sensor or motion detector that is coupled to the light and sound show circuitry, wherein the light and sound show circuitry adjusts the light and sound show based upon ambient light intensity or motion detection.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone that is coupled to the light and sound show circuitry, wherein the light and sound show circuitry adjusts the light and sound show based upon ambient noise.

10. A combination multicolored and white light device, comprising:

a white light source, a light control circuitry and at least one light group comprising red, green and blue lights,

the light control circuitry comprising a timer for displaying light of different color schemes over different but regular time periods,

a cartridge containing a volatile active that is received in a compartment disposed in a base of the device, the cartridge comprising an indicator that is linked to the light and sound show circuitry, the indicator being specific to the volatile active contained in the cartridge, the light and sound show circuitry selecting a particular light and sound show or sequence of light and sound shows from the memory of the light and sound show circuitry based on the indicator of the cartridge,

a decorative outer shell connected to the base and enclosing the white light source, the light control circuitry and the red, green and blue lights, the shell comprising a pattern that can be projected upon activation of one or more of the white light source or red, green and blue lights.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the pattern is engraved or embossed onto the shell.

12. The device according to claim 10 wherein the pattern is coated onto an interior or exterior surface of the shell.

13. The device according to claim 10 further comprising a remote control wirelessly coupled to the light control circuitry, the remote control comprising a slot for receiving a memory card programmed with color scheme time intervals, the memory card being wirelessly coupled to the light control circuitry by the remote when the memory card is received in the slot.

14. The device according to claim 10 wherein the white light source is a fluorescent light and the light control circuitry varies light emitted from the red, green and blue lights to adjust the total light emitted from the device from a cool white light to a warm white light.

15. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a light sensor or motion detector that is coupled to the light control circuitry, wherein the light control circuitry adjusts a color scheme based upon ambient light intensity or detected motion.

16. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a microphone that is coupled to the light control circuitry, wherein the light control circuitry adjusts a color scheme based upon ambient noise.

17. A camping lantern comprising:

a base supporting a battery, a white light source, a light show circuitry and at least one light group comprising a red, green and blue light cluster,

the light show circuitry comprising a memory for storing a plurality of colored light shows,

a replaceable cartridge containing a volatile active disposed within the base of the camping lantern, an active ingredient in the cartridge selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, fragrance, an air sanitizer, an air deodorizer, a medicine, an aromatherapy oil, and combinations thereof, the cartridge comprising an indicator that is linked to the light and sound show circuitry, the indicator being specific to the volatile active contained in the cartridge, the light and sound show circuitry selecting a particular light and sound show or sequence of light and sound shows from the memory of the light and sound show circuitry based on the indicator of the cartridge,

an outer shell connected to the base and enclosing the white light source, light show circuitry, and light group.