Configurable color selection circuit for choosing colors of multi-colored leds in toys and secondary automotive flasher/brake indicators
First Claim
1. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory for secondary indication of the status of an automobile flasher operation and brake operation in an automobile having a braking means and associated signal, left flashing means and associated signal, and right flashing means and associated signal, the automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory comprising:
- an ornamental housing having at least two indication areas;
at least two current driven tri-color LED indicators each capable of emitting a first, second, and third color and mounted within the housing for illuminating the respective indication areas, at least one of the tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to left flasher operation and brake operation and at least another tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to right flasher operation and brake operation;
means for receiving electronic signal information representing the automobile right flasher operation, left flasher operation, and brake operation;
tri-color LED driving circuitry, electrically connected to the respective tri-color LED indicators and electrically connected and responsive to the means for receiving the signal information, the tri-color LED driving circuitry causing respective tri-color LED indicators to emit a base color for normal operation and a secondary color for brake operation and/or respective flasher operation;
a base color switching means for selecting a base color from a first or second color; and
secondary color switching means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and a third color.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-colored LED biasing circuit that allows users to selectively choose the colors for a given state or condition. A user will assign by use of switches which color of a multi-colored LED will light on the presence of an electronic signal representing a state or condition in need of a visual output. One embodiment for a tri-colored LED will allow a user to select a base color for when no signal is present, the base color selected between a first color, and a second color and a secondary color for when a signal is present, the secondary color selected between the opposite of the base color (first or second color) and a third color. The invention is also embodied as a secondary flasher/brake indicator for automobiles that can be embodied in a number of different forms such as a stick shift knob having indication areas, a figurine having suction cup mounting means or hanging means for placement within the vehicle, or an integrated rear view mirror having indication areas lit by multi-colored LEDs. Again, the user will select a base color for the indication areas that corresponds to one color in a tri-colored LED and a secondary color for when the flasher or brake is operated. The base color may be selected between a first and second color while the secondary color may be selected from the non-chosen base color and a third color.
84 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory for secondary indication of the status of an automobile flasher operation and brake operation in an automobile having a braking means and associated signal, left flashing means and associated signal, and right flashing means and associated signal, the automotive flasher/brake indicator accessory comprising:
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an ornamental housing having at least two indication areas; at least two current driven tri-color LED indicators each capable of emitting a first, second, and third color and mounted within the housing for illuminating the respective indication areas, at least one of the tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to left flasher operation and brake operation and at least another tri-color LED indicator means corresponding to right flasher operation and brake operation; means for receiving electronic signal information representing the automobile right flasher operation, left flasher operation, and brake operation; tri-color LED driving circuitry, electrically connected to the respective tri-color LED indicators and electrically connected and responsive to the means for receiving the signal information, the tri-color LED driving circuitry causing respective tri-color LED indicators to emit a base color for normal operation and a secondary color for brake operation and/or respective flasher operation; a base color switching means for selecting a base color from a first or second color; and secondary color switching means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and a third color. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A configurable biasing circuit for biasing at least one tri-color LED capable of producing a first, second and third color, in applications having at least one signal requiring a visual output and corresponding to the respective at least one tri-colored LED, the biasing circuit comprising:
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means for providing power to the at least one tri-color LED; means for selecting a base color from the first or second color, the base color establishing a visual output when the signal is not present; and means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and the third color, the secondary color for establishing a visual output when the at least one signal is present. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification