Illumination system and method

• US 20050276051A1
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Franklin Hurlbut, Louise Alice Hurlbut, Madeline Elaine Caudle
• Original Assignee: James Franklin Hurlbut, Louise Alice Hurlbut, Madeline Elaine Caudle
• Inventors: Hurlbut, Louise Alice, Hurlbut, James Franklin, Caudle, Madeline Elaine
• Application Number:
  US10/853,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20050276051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors

Abstract

An illumination system is set forth that includes motion detector, an acoustic detector or noise amplifier, a time delay system, an illumination device such as an LED or incandescent bulb and an AC input device. The purpose is to allow children, elderly and others to sleep without a nightlight that is illuminated constantly. The device provides light only when needed by the occupant of the space or a person entering the space and is triggered by a specified level of noise or motion. Studies have shown that nearsightedness can be caused by not allowing the eyes to be in total darkness for long periods such as overnight. Current nightlights stay on all night, whereas this device turns on and off automatically allowing for long periods of darkness.

Claims

1. An illumination system comprising:

a bulb for illumination

an audio sensor for sensing the presence of sound and including at least one threshold;

a motion sensor for sensing the presence of motion and including at least one threshold;

an electrical relay that is in communication with the audio sensor, the motion sensor and the bulb; and

a power source, such as a plug into an electrical outlet or battery, for powering the sensors and for illuminating the bulb when the relay is closed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is a device that detects motion within a specified range in distance and in height. The objective is to detect significant motion of the children and adults in such that light would be preferred. The objective is to limit the smaller movements such as rolling over in bed from activating the device. Additionally, the range of the motion detector can be altered to eliminate motions close to the floor such as pets

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio sensor is set to a predetermined level of audio such as a child crying or a normal adult voice activates the sound device. The sound must be loud enough to activate the light not the sound of light footsteps, yawning etc.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical relay is programmed to close whenever motion is detected by the motion sensor above a first programmed threshold.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical relay is programmed to close whenever sound is detected by the audio sensor above a first programmed threshold.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the electrical relay is programmed to close when an amount of sound exceeding a second programmed threshold is detected by the audio sensor and an amount of motion exceeding a second programmed threshold is detected by the motion sensor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the electrical relay is programmed to close when a certain amount of sound is detected by the audio sensor and a certain amount of motion is detected by the motion sensor.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the first threshold is greater than the second threshold.

9. An illumination method comprising the steps of

When the device 100 is plugged in or turned on and the audio sensor 150 determines that the motion detected exceeds a predetermined range of motion (the range usually consisting of a range less than 20 feet), a relay 110 is activated which illuminates the bulb 120.

The relay 110 keeps the circuit 130 open for an amount of time that has either been set by the user or is otherwise a default provided with the night-light 100.

When the time limit is reached the relay 110 is closed and the bulb 120 is turned off.

This same process is repeated when the device 100 is turned on and when the audio sensor 160 determines that the sound in the room exceeds a predetermined level of sound.

Once again, the relay 110 is activated which illuminates the bulb 120.

The relay 110 keeps the circuit open for the amount of time that has been set by the user or some other default length of time. When the time limit is reached the relay 110 is closed and the bulb 120 is turned off.

10. A motion and audio system that activates an output device

Can be either a dual motion and audio diction device or one device for audio and one device for motion