Patent Application
20190261607
This disclosure concerns an aquarium system. In particular, this disclosure concerns an aquarium system including a motion sensor and a light source, and methods of use.
Aquarium systems are used for keeping live fish as pets. Aquarium systems are desirable that allow for the visual display of fish.
One problem with aquariums is algae. Algae growth is undesirable, as it clouds the view of the fish and leads to the need for more frequent cleaning. Some aquarium systems include ways to fight algae growth, but while fighting algae growth, they also have the disadvantage of startling and stressing the fish.
Therefore, there is a need for an aquarium system that allows for the visual display of fish, while minimizing algae growth, and without startling or stressing the fish.
An aquarium system is provided that improves the prior art. In example systems, the aquarium system will help to minimize the growth of algae; allow for the visual display of the fish; and will prevent the startling or stressing of the fish.
In one example, an aquarium system is provided including an aquarium tank; a motion sensor adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distance from the aquarium tank; and a light source with a controllable intensity projecting light into the aquarium tank. The intensity will vary responsive to the motion sense to by the motion sensor.
The controllable intensity can include a no-motion intensity and a motion intensity. The no-motion intensity is less than 50% of the motion intensity. The light source projects light into the aquarium tank at the no-motion intensity until motion is sensed by the motion sensor. When the motion sensor senses motion, the intensity is changed from the no-motion intensity to the motion intensity for a predetermined time.
In one example, the no-motion intensity is less than 30% of the motion intensity.
In another example, the no-motion intensity is less than 25% of the motion intensity. In some examples, the light source projects white light.
In some examples, at the motion intensity, the light source cycles through projecting light of at least two different colors.
In certain examples, at the motion intensity, the light source projects light cycling through the colors of any of: red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.
In some examples, the intensity changes from no-motion intensity to motion intensity in less than 30 seconds.
In some embodiments, the intensity changes from no-motion intensity to motion intensity in 1-10 seconds.
In some systems, a level of the no-motion intensity and motion intensity are settable by an application executable on a mobile device.
In some systems, the predetermined distance is settable by an application executable on a mobile device.
In some examples, the predetermined time is settable by an application executable on a mobile device.
In some implementations, the colors of the light are settable by an application executable on a mobile device.
In one or more embodiments, the motion sensor is mounted above the tank.
In some examples, the light source is mounted above the tank.
In some implementations, there is a cabinet holding the tank, and the light source is secured to the cabinet over the tank. The motion sensor is secured to the cabinet above the light source and the tank.
In a further aspect, a method of lighting an aquarium system is provided. The method includes projecting light into an aquarium tank at a first intensity until motion is sensed within a predetermined distance of the tank. Upon sensing motion within the predetermined distance, there is a step of increasing an intensity of the light to a second intensity for a predetermined time.
In some example methods, the step of increasing an intensity includes increasing the intensity to the second intensity by more than three times of the first intensity.
In some examples, after the step of increasing intensity, there is a step of cycling the projecting light through more than one color.
In examples that include cycling the projecting light, the step can include cycling the light through the colors of any of red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.
In some examples, the step of projecting light includes projecting white light.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.
Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assembly throughout the several views. Reference to various examples does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible examples for the appended claims.
The aquarium system 10 further includes a motion sensor 16. The motion sensor 16 is adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distance from the aquarium tank 14.
The motion sensor 16 can be mounted any convenient place in which it will detect motion within the desired predetermined distance from the tank 14. In the example shown in
The electronic parts of the internal components 20 include a motion sensor module 24. A circuit board 26 is included as part of the internal components. On the circuit board 26 is a dimmer 40. The dimmer 40 provides for dimming of a light source 34 (
The internal components 20 also include fasteners 32 for holding the motion sensor module 24 and circuit board 26 in place within the housing 18.
In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the system 10 further includes light source 34 (
The light source 34 can be standard, white light. In other situations, the light source 34 can project light of different colors, as explained further below.
In reference now to
Also visible in
In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the controllable intensity of the light source 34 includes at least two intensities: a first, or “no-motion” intensity; and a second, or “motion” intensity. The first, or no-motion, intensity is typically less than 50% of the second, or motion, intensity. The light source 34 projects light into the aquarium tank 14 at the no-motion intensity until motion is sensed by the motion sensor 16. When the motion sensor 16 senses motion, the intensity is changed from the first (no-motion) intensity to the second (motion) intensity for a predetermined time. The predetermined time can be a matter of a few minutes, such as 15 minutes or less, including 5 minutes or less, or 1 minute or less; or anywhere from 5-20 minutes. The predetermined time can be adjusted to be a desired time by the person owning the system 10.
After sensing movement by the motion sensor 16, the light source 34 would be on at the second (motion) intensity at a 100%. After some period of no movement, e.g. about a minute, the intensity of the light source 34 slowly dims to less than 30% of the second intensity, for example less than 25%, and in many examples to about 20% of its full brightness at the second intensity. When it senses movement again, the intensity of the light source 34 slowly ramps up to 100 percent. By increasing and decreasing the intensity or brightness of the light source 34 slowly, the fish are not stressed or startled. In addition, this can contribute to substantial energy savings. Further, it considerably minimizes algae growth, therefore reducing required maintenance on the system 10.
In many examples, the intensity changes from the first (no-motion) intensity to the second (motion) intensity in less than 30 seconds. For example, the intensity can change from no-motion intensity to motion intensity in 1-10 seconds.
As mentioned previously, the light source 34 can project white light; alternatively, it may cycle through projecting light of at least two different colors. For example, the light source 34 can project light cycling through the colors of any or all of: red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink. In certain applications, the color of the light can highlight the appearance of the aquatic animals or fish.
Certain selective parameters can be settable by an application executable on a mobile device. These selected parameters can include any one or all of: the brightness or intensity of the light source 34; the predetermined distance detectable by the motion sensor 16; the predetermined time that the light is on in the second (motion) level intensity; and the particular colors of the light. In addition, these parameters can be settable as part of a connected aquarium as described in PCT Publication WO 2017/015359, Application PCT/US2016/043120, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The system 10 can be used as a part of a method of lighting an aquarium system. The method includes projecting light into an aquarium tank 14 at the first intensity until motion is sensed within a predetermined distance of the tank. For example, the predetermined distance can be a few feet such as 10 feet or less. In other examples, the predetermined distance can be 0-5 feet; or 0-2 feet.
Upon sensing motion within the predetermined distance, the method includes increasing the intensity of the light to the second intensity for a predetermined time.
The step of increasing the intensity can include increasing the intensity to the second intensity by more than three times the first intensity.
The step of increasing the intensity can include cycling the projecting light through more than one color. The step of cycling the projecting light can include cycling the light through colors of any or all of: red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.
The step of projecting light can further include projecting white light.
The above represents example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62634606 | Feb 2018 | US |
