Variable effect light string
First Claim
1. A decorative light string for creating variable lighting effects, comprising:
- a main processor;
a plurality of light source assemblies, each having a distinct address known to the main processor, each of the plurality of light source assemblies including one or more light sources and a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessors of the light source assemblies are powered serially; and
a serial communication line adapted to transmit lighting effect data to the microprocessor; and
further comprising a fixed voltage device connected across the negative and positive power pins of each microprocessor and wherein each of the plurality of light source assemblies further comprises a clamping diode device in parallel with the fixed voltage device.
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Abstract
A light system that is controllable to generate a plurality of selected lighting effects, the light system includes a main processor, the main processor being in communication with a plurality of light sources; and each of the plurality of light sources having a distinct, known address whereby one of more of the light sources are individually addressable by the main processor, a known address being received by a selected light source of the plurality of light sources and acting to set the selected light source of the plurality of light sources in a disposition to receive a subsequent command from the main processor for generating a selected lighting effect. A light source and a method of forming a light system are further included.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A decorative light string for creating variable lighting effects, comprising:
- a main processor;
a plurality of light source assemblies, each having a distinct address known to the main processor, each of the plurality of light source assemblies including one or more light sources and a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessors of the light source assemblies are powered serially; and
a serial communication line adapted to transmit lighting effect data to the microprocessor; and
further comprising a fixed voltage device connected across the negative and positive power pins of each microprocessor and wherein each of the plurality of light source assemblies further comprises a clamping diode device in parallel with the fixed voltage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a main processor;
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11. A decorative light string for creating variable lighting effects, comprising:
- a main processor;
a plurality of light source assemblies, each having a distinct address known to the main processor, each of the plurality of light source assemblies including one or more light sources and a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessors of the light source assemblies are powered serially; and
a serial communication line adapted to transmit lighting effect data to the microprocessor; and
further comprising a fixed voltage device connected across the negative and positive power pins of each microprocessor and wherein a voltage transmitted by the communication line is approximately equal to the number of microprocessors powered serially times the voltage potential between a negative and positive power supply pin of each microprocessor, plus the voltage drop of any other components wired in series with the microprocessors.
- a main processor;
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12. A method of creating a visual lighting effect in a light string, comprising:
- assigning a distinct address to a plurality of light source each powered by a microprocessors in series such that a negative power supply of each microprocessor is connected to a positive power supply of another microprocessor for a majority of the plurality of microprocessors, and communicating serial data over a common communication line from a main processor to the light source assemblies;
receiving the serial data at the plurality of microprocessors;
powering a plurality of light sources in accordance with the serial data received at the plurality of microprocessors to generate a lighting effect. - View Dependent Claims (13)
- assigning a distinct address to a plurality of light source each powered by a microprocessors in series such that a negative power supply of each microprocessor is connected to a positive power supply of another microprocessor for a majority of the plurality of microprocessors, and communicating serial data over a common communication line from a main processor to the light source assemblies;
Specification