Multi-mode bulb

• US 7,748,877 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven M. Colby
• Original Assignee: Steven M. Colby
• Inventors: Colby, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US11/244,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: 362/378, 362/376, 362/377, 362/441, 362/443, 362/435, 362/437, 362/448, 362/227, 362/251, 315/56, 315/57, 315/58, 315/59, 315/312, 315/185.S
• US Class Current: 362/378
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A three-way bulb including light emitting diodes is used to achieve a variety of light output colors and/or intensities. In some embodiments, the inputs to a three-way bulb are configured to perform other functions, such as power a motor. In some embodiments, a bulb including light emitting diodes includes a replicable cover. This cover may be configured to project images or support a shade made of a heat sensitive material.

Claims

1. A bulb configured for producing a net light output, the bulb comprising:

a first light emitting junction configured to generate a first light;

a second light emitting junction configured to generate a second light, the net light output being responsive to the first light and the second light; and

a three-way base electrically coupled to the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction, and configured to receive an AC input through a three-way lamp socket responsive to a three-way switch.

2. The bulb of claim 1, wherein there-way base is further configured for powering alternatively a) the first light emitting junction or b) the second light emitting junction responsive to the three-way switch.

3. The bulb of claim 1, wherein the there-way base is further configured for powering alternatively a) the first light emitting junction, or b) both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction at the same time, responsive to the three-way switch.

4. The bulb of claim 1, wherein the there-way base is further configured for powering alternatively

a) the first light emitting junction,

b) the second light emitting junction, or

c) both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction at the same time, responsive to the three-way switch.

5. The bulb of claim 1, wherein powering the first light emitting junction results in the net light output being a first color, and powering the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a second color.

6. The bulb of claim 1, wherein powering the first light emitting junction results in the net light output being a first intensity and powering the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a second intensity.

7. The bulb of claim 1, wherein powering the first light emitting junction results in the net light output being a first intensity, and powering both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a second intensity.

8. The bulb of claim 1, wherein the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction are disposed within the same LED.

9. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover attached to the three-way base and configured to cover both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction, and including a non-glass material.

10. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover attached to the three-way base and configured to cover both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction, and including a non-breakable material.

11. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover attached to the three-way base via a non-vacuum tight connection and configured to cover both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction.

12. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover attached to the three-way base, configured for an end user to detach and reattach and configured to cover both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction.

13. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover attached to the three-way base including regions of differing optical properties, and configured to cover both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction.

14. The bulb of claim 1, further comprising a bulb cover and fillers disposed within the bulb cover, the fillers configured to scatter or otherwise alter light.

15. The bulb of claim 1, wherein powering the first light emitting junction results in the net light output being a first color, powering the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being second color, and powering both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a third color.

16. The bulb of claim 15, wherein generation of the first, second and third colors are responsive to the three-way switch.

17. The bulb of claim 1, wherein powering the first light emitting junction results in the net light output being a first intensity, powering the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a second intensity, and powering both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction results in the net light output being a third intensity.

18. The bulb of claim 17, wherein the first, second and third intensities are responsive to the three-way switch.

19. The bulb of claim 1, wherein the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction are enclosed together in a cover.

20. The bulb of claim 19, wherein the cover is configured to support a lamp shade.

21. The bulb of claim 1, wherein the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction are disposed within a first LED and a second LED.

22. The bulb of claim 21, wherein the second LED is configured to generate white light.

23. A bulb comprising:

an LED configured to generate more than one color responsive to a plurality of electrical inputs; and

a three-way base configured to provide the plurality of electrical inputs to the LED and to fit into a three-way lamp socket.

24. The bulb of claim 23, wherein a first of the plurality of electrical inputs results in light of a first color and a second of the plurality of electrical inputs results in light of a second color.

25. A method of generating light, the method comprising:

setting a three-way switch to a first setting, the first setting configured to generate a light of a first color by powering a first light emitting junction;

setting the three-way switch to a second setting, the second setting configured to generate a light of a second color by powering a second light emitting junction;

setting the three-way switch to a third setting, the third setting configured to generate a light of a third color by powering both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the steps of setting a three-way switch are manual.

27. A method of generating light of different intensities, the method comprising:

setting a three way switch to a first setting configured to apply a first AC voltage within a three-way bulb socket, the three-way bulb socket configured to activate a first light emitting junction in a three-way bulb responsive to the first setting;

setting the three way switch to a second setting configured to apply a second AC voltage within a three-way bulb socket, the three-way bulb socket configure to activate a second light emitting junction in the three-way bulb responsive to the second setting, the second setting configured to generate light of a different intensity than the first setting; and

setting the three way switch to a third setting configured to apply both the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage within the three-way bulb socket, the three-way bulb socket configured to activate both the first light emitting junction and the second light emitting junction responsive to the third setting.