Simulated electronic flame apparatus and method

• US 8,256,935 B1
• Filed: 08/03/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tropical Lights, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jay N. Cullimore, Susan Kovarik
• Inventors: Cullimore, Jay N., Kovarik, Susan
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy A.
• Application Number:
  US12/534,207
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 362/569, 362/396, 362/276, 362/810, 362/392
• US Class Current: 362/392
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00

Abstract

An apparatus and method for creating electronically simulated flames is disclosed. The apparatus includes features to allow for remote control of multiple electronic flame apparatuses with hand held transmitters and/or computer control with the use of a transceiver. The apparatus can employ incandescent and LED type bulbs or lamps to create a variety of color and brightness conditions. An Internet-based portal is also disclosed to allow for remote access by authorized users.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electronically simulating flame comprising:

a holder base;

an electronic illumination source secured to the holder base;

a microprocessor mounted in the holder base to control the brightness, color and activity duration of the electronic illumination source;

a receiver mounted in the holder base to receive control signals and to communicate the signals to the microprocessor for controlling the illumination source;

a transmitter for transmitting control signals to the receiver; and

,

a combination of ambient condition detectors comprising at least three piezo disc air movement sensors attached to an external surface of the holder base and spaced about the base to sense air movement in three axes and at least one light sensor photocell secured to the holder base to sense ambient light conditions, wherein the sensors detect ambient conditions and send corresponding signals to the microprocessor, and wherein the microprocessor coordinates and processes the signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic illumination source is selected from the group consisting of LED, halogen, incandescent, fluorescent and mixtures thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic illumination source is a red-green-blue LED lamp.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic illumination source comprises a plurality of red-green-blue lamps arranged in a cluster on the holder base wherein each lamp is offset at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the holder base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is integrated into a transmitting device selected from the group consisting of a handheld transceiver, handheld transmitter, computer, and combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air movement sensors sense air movement in three axes and send signals to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor processes data received in the signals from the air movement sensors and sends commands to alter the properties of the illumination source to mimic the expected effects of any detected air movements on a natural flame.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least three piezo disc air movement sensors detect air movement in three axes, and wherein the air movement sensors send signals to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor processes data in the signals and sends commands to alter the brightness of each of the LED lamps to mimic the expected effects of any detected air movements on a natural flame.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photocell senses the ambient light conditions and sends a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor processes the data in the signal and sends a command to adjust the illumination source brightness relative to ambient light conditions.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a dipole antenna attached to the holder base and connected to the microprocessor to receive and transmit wireless signals between the microprocessor and transmitter.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a strip line attached internally to the holder base and connected to the microprocessor to receive and transmit wireless signals between the microprocessor and transmitter.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tilt switch attached to the holder base to detect tilting of the holder base for control and alarm functions.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a magnetic lamp holder base having at least one magnet for connection to the holder base.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a hall-effect sensor attached to the holder base to detect the presence of the magnetic lamp base holder.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the lamp base holder has a plurality of magnets to control and vary the illumination source brightness and color scheme.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a driver connected to the microprocessor and to the illumination source to deliver control commands to the illumination source from the microprocessor.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a globe superposed about the illumination source wherein the globe may be frosted or colored to alter the lighting intensity and color scheme.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a remotely controlled on/off timer function programmed into the microprocessor for remotely controlling the illumination source.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the air movement sensors sense air movement in three axes and send signals to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor interprets data received from the air movement sensors and sends commands to the driver to alter the properties of the illumination source to mimic the expected effects of any detected air movements on a natural flame.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the photocell senses the ambient light conditions and sends a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor processes data in the signal and sends a command to the driver to adjust the illumination source brightness relative to ambient light conditions.

20. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the properties of the illumination source altered include brightness, color and flickering effect.