SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING AN IMITATION CANDLE DEVICE

• US 20170367163A1
• Filed: 06/29/2016
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Xiaofeng Li
• Inventors: Li, Xiaofeng
• Granted Patent: US 10,111,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• 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: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• 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 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1965 using handheld communication devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Imitation candle devices and systems with enhanced features are described that facilitate remote operation and usage of electronic candles. The disclosed features include application programs running on a processor of a mobile device and a detachable wireless transceiver included within an imitation candle to facilitate the electronic candle to be turned on or off remotely. In some embodiments, when a user blows into the microphone of the mobile device the imitation flame of the electronic candle is moved according to the speed of the blow. In some implementations, parameters such as a flicker speed, a flicker color, a duration of flickering, are changed using signals that are received from the mobile device.

Claims

1. An imitation candle system, comprising:

an imitation candle device including;

a removable wireless transceiver attachable to the imitation candle device and configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile user device for controlling one or more operative features of the imitation candle device to produce an appearance of a true fire flame; and

a memory including a non-transitory computer-readable medium with processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device that configure the mobile user device to communicate wirelessly with the wireless transceiver to modulate one or more parameters of a light source included in the imitation candle device based on a pattern corresponding to a speed of movement of a breeze provided by a sensor on the mobile user device, wherein the one or more parameters of the light source include a flicker speed and a flicker color that are set to;

a first predetermined flicker speed and a first predetermined flicker color upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a first range of speeds; and

a second predetermined flicker speed and a second predetermined flicker color upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a second range of speeds, wherein the first range of speeds is different from the second range of speeds, the first predetermined flicker speed is different from the second predetermined flicker speed, and the first predetermined flicker color is different from the second predetermined flicker color.

2. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes at least one of:

a microphone on the mobile user device or an accelerometer coupled to the mobile user device.

3. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the flicker speed of the light source calculated in real-time and based on the speed of movement of the breeze.

5. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the a flicker speed that is set to a zero value or a near zero value, upon the speed of movement of the breeze being zero or a near zero value.

6. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the memory including the non-transitory computer-readable medium with processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device further configure the mobile user device to:

in response to detection of an acoustic wave received via a microphone on the mobile user device, convert the acoustic wave to a digital signal, and

transmit the digital signal to the removable wireless transceiver for activation of a blow off feature of the imitation candle device, thereby turning off the imitation candle device.

7. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the breeze is generated due to one or more of the following factors:

a movement of the mobile user device, a wind blowing in close proximity to the mobile user device, or a user blowing air into a microphone of the mobile user device.

8. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the speed of movement of the breeze is calculated according to a predetermined schedule.

9. The imitation candle system of claim 8, wherein the predetermined schedule is a first predetermined schedule, wherein the memory including the non-transitory computer-readable medium with processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device further configure the mobile user device to:

upon detecting a request to over-ride the first predetermined schedule, receive a user selection of a second schedule; and

set the second schedule for calculating a speed of movement of the breeze.

10. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the imitation candle device includes a movable flame element, and

the memory including the non-transitory computer-readable medium with processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device further configure the mobile user device to communicate wirelessly with the wireless transceiver to modulate a physical movement of the flame element of the imitation candle device.

11. The imitation candle system of claim 10, wherein the imitation candle device includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field that interacts with a magnetic component of the movable flame element, and

the memory including the non-transitory computer-readable medium with processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device configure the mobile user device to communicate wirelessly with the wireless transceiver to modulate the magnetic field generated by the coil, thereby inducing a movement of the movable flame element in accordance with the speed of movement of the breeze.

25. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device further configure the mobile user device to;

present a user interface that includes one or more user-selectable controls that include;

a candle group or a candle device selection control,

an on-off control,

a timer control, or

a flicker control;

upon receiving an indication of a selection of the one or more user-selectable controls, process the indication to identify the one or more selected controls and to obtain information associated with the one or more selected control; and

generate a sequence of data symbols to communicate with the imitation candle device or a selected group of candle devices.

26. The imitation candle system of claim 25, wherein the one or more user-selectable controls include a blow out control, and wherein

the processor-executable instructions included within the mobile user device configure the mobile user device to, upon receiving an indication of a selection of the blow out control for the imitation candle device or a particular selected group of candle devices,

generate the pattern corresponding to the speed of movement of the breeze for the imitation candle device or a particular selected group of candle devices.

27. The imitation candle system of claim 25, wherein:

the timer control presented on the user interface includes;

a user-selectable timer on-off field that allows operation of the imitation candle device or the selected group of candle devices to be limited within a particular time period,

a user-settable time of day selection field that allows selection of time period within a 24-hour period, and

a user-settable day of week field that allows selection of one or more days in a week.

28. The imitation candle system of claim 25, wherein:

the flicker control presented on the user interface includes;

a user-selectable light intensity selection field that allows selection of one of a plurality of light intensity level for the imitation candle device or the selected group of candle devices.

29. The imitation candle system of claim 25, wherein:

the flicker control presented on the user interface includes;

a user-selectable flame movement selection that allows selection of one of a plurality of movement patterns for the imitation candle device or the selected group of candle devices, wherein the plurality of movement patterns include a static pattern, a flicker pattern, or a particular speed of movement.

4. (canceled)

12. An apparatus included within an imitation candle device, comprising:

a removable wireless transceiver attached to the imitation candle device configured to wirelessly receive a plurality of control signals from a mobile user device; and

electronic circuitry configured to modulate one or both of;

a light produced by a light source within the imitation candle device or a movement of a flame element of the imitation candle device based on one or more of the plurality of the control signals received from the mobile user device,

wherein modulation of the light produced by the light source or the movement of the flame element is carried out based on information obtained from the one or more of the plurality of the control signals indicative of a selection of a particular flickering effect or flickering amount, and wherein the plurality of control signals includes a first control signal including information identifying a pattern associated with a speed of movement of a breeze blowing in close proximity to the mobile user device, wherein the modulation of the light produced by the light source or the movement of the flame element is set to;

a first predetermined value upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a first range of speeds; and

a second predetermined value upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a second range of speeds, wherein the first range of weeds is different from the second range of speeds and the first predetermined value is different from the second predetermined value.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the removable wireless transceiver attached to the imitation candle device is configured to send a wireless signal indicating a low battery level to the mobile user device, in response to the removable wireless transceiver detecting that a voltage of a battery powering the imitation control device is less than a threshold voltage.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the removable wireless transceiver attached to the imitation candle device is configured to receive a signal indicating selection of the imitation candle device from a group of imitation candle devices, wherein the selection of the imitation candle device from the group of imitation candle devices is received from the mobile user device.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of control signals include a second control signal including information to activate a blow off feature of the imitation candle device, wherein the second control signal includes information corresponding to an acoustic wave detected via a microphone on the mobile user device.

15. (canceled)

17. An imitation candle system, comprising:

a first removable wireless transceiver attached to a first imitation candle device configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile user device; and

a first electronic circuit board including electronic circuits coupled to a first light source and configured to control the first light source for illuminating a first flame element of the first imitation candle device, wherein the electronic circuits are configured to;

receive a first electrical signal from the first removable wireless transceiver, wherein the first electrical signal includes information for modulating a flicker of the first flame element, wherein the flicker of the first flame element is controlled according to a speed of movement of a breeze captured by the mobile user device, wherein modulation of the flicker of the first flame element is set to a first predetermined value upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a first range of speeds, and to a second predetermined value upon the speed of movement of the breeze falling within a second range of speeds, wherein the first range of speeds is different from the second range of speeds and the first predetermined value is different from the second predetermined value; and

receive a second electrical signal, wherein the second electrical signal includes information for activating a blow-off feature of the second imitation candle device received from the mobile user device.

18. The imitation candle system of claim 17, wherein modulating the flicker of the first flame element includes modulating one or more of:

a flicker speed, a flicker color, and a flicker duration of the first flame element.

20. The imitation candle system of claim 18, wherein upon detection of the speed of movement of a breeze that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the first light source is turned off.

21. The imitation candle system of claim 17, wherein the first wireless transceiver is configured to receive a timer setting signal from the mobile user device indicative of a predetermined schedule of an operation of the first imitation candle device.

22. The imitation candle system of claim 17, including a second imitation candle device that includes:

a second removable wireless transceiver coupled to the second imitation candle device configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile user device; and

a second electronic circuit board including electronic circuits coupled to a second light source and configured to control the second light source for illuminating a second flame element of the second imitation candle device, wherein, the electronic circuits of the second electronic circuit board are configured to;

receive an electrical signal from the second removable wireless transceiver that includes information for modulating a flicker of the second flame element; and

receive another electrical signal that includes information for activating a blow-off feature of the second imitation candle device received from the mobile user device.

23. The imitation candle system of claim 22, wherein the first removable wireless transceiver and the second removable wireless transceiver are interchangeably operable with the first imitation candle device or the second imitation candle device.

24. The imitation candle system of claim 22, wherein the first removable wireless transceiver and the second removable wireless transceiver are each configured to receive a signal from the mobile user device that includes information related to controlling a particular operation in a group of commonly-controlled imitation candle devices.

19. (canceled)

30-33. -33. (canceled)