Patent Application
20080150453
Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of lighting, in particular, to candle emulation.
For centuries, wax candles have been used to provide lighting for all types of dwellings. Over the last thirty years, however, wax candles have mainly been used as decorative lighting or as subdued lighting for mood-setting purposes. For instance, restaurants use wax candles as decorations in order to provide a more intimate setting for their patrons. Individuals purchase wax candles for placement around their home to provide a festive or relaxing environment for their guests.
There are a few disadvantages with wax candles. One disadvantage is that they are costly to use when considering operational costs ($/usage time). In addition to their high cost, wax candles with open flames pose a risk of fire when left unattended for a period of time. These candles also pose a risk of harm to small children who do not understand the dangers of fire.
Accordingly, for cost savings and safety concerns, in certain situations, it would be beneficial to substitute a wax candle for a candle emulation device. Unfortunately, most conventional candle emulation devices do not accurately imitate the lighting effect of a flickering candle, namely a realistic flickering light pattern. For usage by restaurants, this may leave an unfavorable impression by patrons of a restaurant. For usage at home, it may not provide the overall mood-setting effect that the user has tried to create.
Also, neither wax candles nor conventional candle emulation devices provide fragrance-release mechanisms with replaceable cartridges or aerosol canisters with scented materials. These cartridges and canisters enable continuous fragrances to be released and enable different aromatic fragrances to be provided by the same product at different times.
The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention.
Herein, certain embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, logic and method for electrically emulating lighting from a candle frame and for providing fragrance, most notably through an aerosol canister.
Herein, certain details are set forth below in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention, albeit the invention may be practiced through many embodiments other than those illustrated. Well-known components and operations are not set forth in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring this description.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe features of the invention. For example, the term “lighting fixture” is generally defined as any device that provides illumination based on electrical input power, where as described below, a “candle emulation device” is merely a lighting fixture providing illumination that emulates the lighting effect of a candle. Examples of various types of lighting fixtures include, but are not limited or restricted to a lamp, a table lamp having the aesthetic appearance of a wax candle featuring a pillar or tapered candle housing, a sconce, chandelier, lantern, a night light or the like. Each candle emulation device includes one or more light sources which may include, but are not limited or restricted to incandescent light bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the like. These lighting fixtures may operate as candle emulation devices as described below.
Both terms “component” and “logic” are generally defined as hardware and/or software, which may be adapted to perform one or more operations on an incoming signal. Examples of types of incoming signals include, but are not limited or restricted to power waveforms, clock, pulses, or other types of signaling. Also, the term “translucent material” is generally defined as any composition that permits the passage of light. Most types of translucent material diffuse light. However, some types of translucent material may be transparent in nature.
Referring to
Light source 110 and light source controller 120 are supplied power by a power source 130, such as one or more batteries or any type of rechargeable power source for example. Of course, power source 120 may constitute line voltage (e.g., ranging between approximately 110-220 volts in accordance with U.S. and International power standards, such as 110 voltage alternating current “VAC” at 50 or 60 Hertz “Hz”, 220 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz, etc.) supplied from a connection to a power line or supplied from a wall socket when candle emulation device 100 is implemented as a plug-in device. Although not shown, the line voltage may be converted to an acceptable voltage level for use. Alternatively, power source 130 may be any number of other power supplying mechanisms such as a transformer that supplies low voltage power (12 VAC) for example. As illustrated, power source 130 may be situated internally within housing 105 of candle emulation device 100 or, in certain embodiments, may be placed external to housing 105.
Although not shown in
Alternatively, it is contemplated that light source controller 120 may comprise multiple circuit boards with a primary circuit board adapted for power regulation and supplying regulated power to one or more secondary circuit boards responsible for controlling light source 110. As one example, a secondary circuit board may be adapted to control a single light source 1101 or multiple light sources 1101 and 1102. As another example, one secondary circuit board may be adapted to control a light source 1101 while another secondary circuit board may be adapted to control a different light source 1102, and the like.
It is contemplated that light source controller 120 may be adapted with a first connector component designed so that light source 110 may be removed and replaced with a different light source. Similarly, light source controller 120 may be adapted with a second connector component designed so that either light source controller 120 or power source 130 may be removed and replaced as needed.
It is further contemplated that a control unit 140, optionally shown by dashed lines, may be adapted to cooperate with light source controller 120 to control the illumination of candle emulation device 100 of
As shown, a fragrance-release mechanism 150 may be implemented within housing 105. Fragrance-release mechanism (FRM) 150 comprises a scented material (e.g., material in a liquid, gaseous or solid form where particles of the material having a fragrance are emitted). According to one embodiment of the invention, such emissions may be caused by the movement of air over the scented material and through one or more openings in housing 105 of candle emulation device 100. The moving air carries fragrance particles. Of course, it is contemplated that the movement of air may be magnified through forced ventilation (e.g., use of fan) or by use of heat. According to another embodiment of the invention, such emissions may be caused by the release of aerosolized particles with fragrance from an aerosol canister and through one or more openings in housing 105 of candle emulation device 100 as described below.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in
Alternatively, it is contemplated that cartridge 160 may include (1) a wick being material that is positioned so that one end is immersed in the liquid while the other end protrudes from an end of cartridge 160 as shown. The material forming the wick is a liquid absorbent material so that it absorbs the liquid so that the liquid within the material is exposed outside cartridge 160. This enables fragrance from the liquid to be released into the air. According to another alternative embodiment, cartridge 160 may include a gas permeable cover (not shown) that covers an open end of cartridge 160 but allows fragrance to be emitted in a gaseous form.
Cartridge 160 is inserted within housing 105 and maintained therein. Cartridge 160 may be permanently installed or may be removable to receive replacement cartridges as needed. As an optional feature, the liquid can be heated to accelerate the emission of the fragrance by increasing the rate of discharge of fragrance particles in gaseous form.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the fragrance-release mechanism may be a solid, scented material that is placed within housing 105 (not shown). The gaseous emission of the fragrance is conducted under ambient temperatures, where degradation of the scented material and emission of the fragrance may occur more slowly than when the scented material is in a liquid form. Of course, the solid scented material might be heated and placed into a liquid form to accelerate emission of the fragrance. The solid insert may be permanently installed within housing 105 or in a replaceable form factor.
As another alternative embodiment, as shown in
As yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in
Referring now to
A connector 225 is configured as an interface for mating with a complementary base of light source 110 and thus, providing electrical connectivity between light source 110 and light source controller 120. Light source 110 is permanently coupled to connector 225, although it is contemplated that light source 110 may be removably connected.
Normally, the power source would be featured inside of pillar candle housing 200 and power supplied via an internal power source 130 within housing 200. However, it is contemplated that power may be supplied via a power line 227 which would be converted (e.g. regulated with conditional for components within candle emulation device 100).
According to one embodiment of the invention, fragrance-release mechanism (FRM) 150 is positioned within between sidewalls 205 and 210 to allow the fragrance to escape from housing 200. For instance, fragrance may escape through top opening 215 and/or one or more openings 207 in sidewalls 205 and/or 210. As an optional feature, the size of opening(s) 207 may be adjustable such as through rotation of a base 208 supporting translucent sidewalls 205 and 210 or by adjusting covers for one or more of openings 207. In general, a larger size for opening 207 provides greater air circulation and a greater amount of fragrance to be released. Fragrance-release mechanism 150 may be provided in a variety of form factors, such as a replaceable cartridge or aerosol canister for example.
Referring to
However, according to another embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
It is contemplated that base 255 may be a small, medium or large Edison base, bi-pin base, or any other commonly used light bulb base, which might be adapted for use with candle emulation device 100. Candle emulation device 100 includes fragrance-release mechanism 150 that, according to one embodiment of the invention, is a removable aerosol canister or cartridge that is inserted into a housing of candle emulation device 100. The housing would feature vents that allow fragrance to be emitted from an aerosol canister or from the cartridge, where the fragrance is provided from scented liquid or solid provided with the cartridge.
Referring now to
Light from light source 110, represented by LEDs for this embodiment of the invention, casts shadows replicating lighting from a candle frame. Light source controller 120 is adapted to control the illumination from light source 110 and support member 288 is designed to support these components as a unit.
As shown in
Referring back to
More specifically, interior region 260 comprises a battery compartment 281, cartridge 180 and motorized fan 285. Batteries 266 are loaded into battery compartment 281 through opening 264 located on bottom surface 280 of housing 270. Cartridge 180 featuring the scented material can be inserted and removed from housing 270 through opening 262 upon opening second panel 282. Of course, it is contemplated that an aerosol canister may be substituted in lieu of cartridge 180, provided an aerosol release mechanism such as a dispensing arm is implemented to release fragrance materials from the aerosol canister. Further discussion of other aerosol canister embodiments is described below.
In addition, interior region 260 partially houses one or more switches 2901-290M (M≧1) that selectively set the operational modes of at least light source 110 and/or motorized fan 285 and/or fragrance-release mechanism 150 (described below in detail). According to one embodiment of the invention, switches 2901-290M protrude through openings in top surface 279 and/or bottom surface 280 and are accessible by a user. Switches 2901-290M enable the user to place candle emulation device 100 into a plurality of operating modes where light source 110 may be OFF or ON and fan 285 may be OFF or ON. This enables candle emulation device 100 to operate exclusively as a lighting source, as a fragrance dispensing unit or as both.
It is contemplated that optional features may be added to candle emulation device 100. For instance, a timer (not shown) may be implemented within candle emulation device 100. In order to automatically control the activation and deactivation of fan 285 and/or illumination of light source 110. The timer may be implemented as a clock where activation and deactivation is controlled based on a clock time selected by the user. Alternatively, the timer may be implemented as a counter that activates fan 285 and/or light source 110 up to a selected count value or during certain sequences of count values or certain time periods. Based on the speed of the counter, this enables the user to select a period of time where fan 285 and/or light source 110 are activated. The counter may further be used to continuously cycle between activated and deactivated states of light source 110 and/or fan 285 according to the set count value. For instance, as an illustrative example, the counter may be programmed to cause the light source 110 and/or fan 285 to be powered and operational when the counter has a count value within a certain range. This could allow light source 110 and/or fan 285 to be activated at the same time periods during the day, week or month.
Moreover, candle emulation device 100 may be implemented with another optional feature, namely a light sensor (not shown). The light sensor is adapted to detect a change in lighting and, in response, turn ON or OFF light source 110.
It is contemplated that the timer and/or light sensor may be activated or deactivated by one of switches 2901-290M or may be preprogrammed as one of operational modes as described below.
More specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, switches 2901-290M may be adapted to support different functionality. For instance, as an illustrative example, one switch 290 may be used to adjust the flickering rate of LEDs forming light source 110 while another switch 2902 may be used to adjust the degree of illumination (light intensity) produced by the LEDs. One or both of these settings adjusts the lighting effects controlled by controller 120. As an example, the lighting effects may be controlled to emulate different environmental conditions (e.g., no wind where the flickering rate is low, windy where the flickering rate is higher than average and perhaps more random, romantic where the lighting has a lower degree of illumination, etc.). Another switch 2903 may be used to adjust the rotational speed of fan 285 and/or release of fragrance. Although not shown, other switches may be adapted to activate or deactivate a light sensor or the timer as described below.
These switches 2901-290M may be implemented as toggle switches, push buttons, or the like. As an optional feature, as shown in
According to another embodiment of the invention, switches 2901-290M may be adapted where one switch (e.g., switch 2901) is used to activate or deactivate candle emulation device 100 while the remainder of the switches (e.g., switch 2902-290M) are used to specify the operating mode of candle emulation device 100. This operating mode is based on various operational modes of components within candle emulation device 100.
More specifically, according to this embodiment of the invention, switch 290, may be used to turn ON/OFF candle emulation device 100, which will operate according to its preset functionality. For instance, when switch 2901 is depressed, candle emulation device 100 is turned ON and operates in an operating mode corresponding to the settings preset for switches 2902-290M. Such settings may control one or more of the following functions as described herein: flickering rate; light intensity; fan rotational speed; timed activation of light source 110 and/or fan 285; or activation of an integrated light sensor.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, switch 290, may be adapted to set the operating mode of candle emulation device 100 while the remainder of the switches (e.g., switch 2902-290M) are preset to select the functions of the operating mode. For instance, as an illustrative example, switch 2902 may allow the user to preset a rotational speed of fan 285, where the preset could be as rudimentary as ON/OFF or could feature a plurality of different speeds (e.g., OFF, low, medium, high). In addition, switch 2903 may allow the user to preset the operational mode of light source 110, where the preset could be as rudimentary as ON/OFF or could feature a plurality of different lighting effects (e.g., different levels of illumination and/or intensity). Some or all of these presets may be used to formulate different operating modes of candle emulation device 100.
As an illustrative example, different operating modes of candle emulation device 100 are shown in Table A. For this embodiment of the invention, LED 291 is placed proximate to switch 290, in order to identify the operating mode of candle emulation device 100, and thus, the operational modes of components within candle emulation device 100.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, switch 2901 may be adapted to set the operating mode of candle emulation device 100 with functionality that is preset and not modifiable by the user. For this embodiment of the invention, LED 291 is placed proximate to switch 2901 and is used to identify the operating mode of candle emulation device 100 (and corresponding functions) as listed in Table B.
For illustration purposes, Table B features five (5) functions and thirty-two (32) possible combinations controlled by depression of switch 2901. Combinations (7)-(32) are merely represented by ON/OFF designations for each function for simplicity. Some or all of these combinations may be utilized as operating modes of candle emulation device 100. As illustrative examples, the following options may be deployed as operating modes for candle emulation device 100 and are illustrated as Tables C-G.
As shown in
Upon powering motorized fan 285, a greater amount of fragrance can be routed from interior region 260 and exit apertures 278 of concave top opening 272. Therefore, fragrance dispensing can be turned OFF (or at least greatly mitigated) when fan 285 is turned OFF. It is contemplated that one of the switches 290 may be able to control the rotational speed of fan 285 (high, medium, low) that will also adjust the amount of fragrance dispensed since greater airflow over wick 185 causes increased evaporation (and dispensation) of the scented liquid. Alternatively, a clock or counter may be used to control the operations of fan 285 such as periodic or non-periodic rotation (e.g., throttled rotation).
Referring now to
Besides the above-described lighting elements, assembly 300 further comprises a connector component 325 that provides an electrical interface with light source controller 120. For instance, connector component 325 may be an interconnect (e.g., lead lines) as described below or even a separate, auxiliary printed circuit board (PCB) 320 that is adapted to operate as light source controller 120.
According to one embodiment of the invention, lighting elements 310, 314 and 312 are positioned at different heights from a surface of the bottom surface of top opening 272 or from a top surface of PCB. Connector component 325 and light source controller 120 are supported by a support member 330. According to another embodiment, two or more of lighting elements 310, 312 and 314 may be positioned at the same height.
Of course, assembly 300 may have other embodiments. For instance, it is contemplated that lighting elements 310, 312 and 314 could be soldered directly to a PCB of light source controller 120 in either a vertical or horizontal orientation or connected via wires of some length.
As another example, assembly 300 may be adapted with a plurality of electrical lead lines each including a LED coupled at one end and the other end coupled to light source controller 120. The lead lines may be protected by a sleeve housing, which surrounds and covers at least a portion of the surface of the lead lines. No PCB 320 would be required.
It is further contemplated that an effect could be created using any number of light sources, especially when placed in at different heights or in different planes or when using lighting sources of different colors.
In addition to the light source 110 described above, fragrance-release mechanism 150 comprises motorized fan 285 that is powered by a portable power source and either cartridge 180 to contain a liquid with fragrance or an aerosol canister (not shown). Cartridge 180 is top-loading as illustrated by arrow 335 for insertion within interior region 260 with a first end 340 of cartridge 180 that is open to allow a selected fragrance to be released through apertures 278 in candle housing 270.
Referring to
Referring now to
Light from light source 110, represented by LEDs for this embodiment of the invention, is controlled to replicate lighting from a candle frame. Light source controller (LSC) 120 is adapted to control the illumination from light source 110.
As further shown in
For this embodiment of the invention, the release of the aerosolized particles with fragrance is controlled by the collective operations of a motor 550 and a dispensing control element 560, although other mechanisms may be used. Motor 550 is adapted to control the positioning of dispensing control element 560 which, depending on its position, allows for the release of aerosolized particles from a nozzle 545 of aerosol canister 540.
As illustrative examples, when nozzle 545 is positioned below top surface 522, aerosolized particles with fragrance are released from nozzle 545 and propagate through apertures) 530. According to one embodiment, a pathway 570 operates as a conduit to direct the aerosolized particles to project from apertures) 530. The configuration of pathway 570 may be any design choice, such as a tapered configuration as shown in
More specifically, as shown in this illustrative embodiment, dispensing control element 560 may be implemented as a spring-biased dispensing arm, namely a spring 562 that is coupled to and assists in controlling the positioning of a dispensing arm 564. Herein, according to this embodiment of the invention, spring 562 is coupled to a pivotal end 561 of dispensing arm 564 and motor 550 applies a directional force to pivotal end 561.
This directional force controls the pivoting state of dispensing arm 564; namely, the application of a force to the pivotal end 561 immediately followed by cessation of the force causes dispensing arm 564 to be lowered, and thereafter, raised. The lowering of dispensing arm 564 opens nozzle 545 of aerosol canister 540 and releases the aerosolized particles with fragrance. The amount of aerosol contents released can be based, at least in part, on the elasticity of spring 562 (i.e., amount of force exerted by spring 562 and the quickness in returning to its resting state where nozzle 545 is closed). Alternative, force may be applied through to nozzle 545 by releasing dispensing arm 562 and applying a downward force to the nozzle 545 as described below.
The aerosolized particles with fragrance are released through pathway 570 to apertures 530 for release into the surrounding environment. The sizing of apertures 530 may be static or may be dynamic to provide another mechanism for adjusting the amount of fragrance released.
It is contemplated that the release of the aerosolized particles with fragrance from aerosol canister 540 may be user activated through depression of a switch or button that, in turn, causes nozzle 545 to be opened for a short duration. Alternatively, it is further contemplated that the release of the aerosolized particles with fragrance from aerosol canister 540 may be time-based under control of a counter, a timer or other time-based control logic.
Referring to
Alternatively, as shown in
According to this embodiment of the invention, dispensing control element 720 may be implemented as a spring-biased dispensing arm, namely a spring 730 that is coupled to and assists in controlling the positioning of a dispensing arm 740. Herein, according to this embodiment of the invention, spring 730 is coupled to a pivotal end 742 of dispensing arm 740 and motor 750 applies a directional force to pivotal end 742. This directional force controls the pivoting state of dispensing arm 740, namely, the application of a force to the pivotal end 742 immediately followed by cessation of the force causes dispensing arm 740 to be raised, and quickly lowered to open nozzle 545.
As shown in
Referring now to
A cover 910 is shaped to hide aerosol canister 540 so that it is not highly visible and to assist in applying a downward force to open nozzle 545 upon raising aerosol canister 540 toward cover 910 by motorized dispensing control element 550 and 560. For instance, cover 910 may be securely attached to top surface 522 of housing 520 by threads (e.g., rotated into place) along a diameter of aperture 900 or other securing techniques. Cover 910 may be tapered and include aperture 530 from which aerosolized particles are released as illustrated in
While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, the invention should not be limited to only those embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For instance, the mechanism for controlling the release of fragrance from the aerosol canister may be based on another mechanical technique or may be positioned anywhere in the interior of the candle shell such as near the top surface or the bottom wall. Hence, the description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of priority on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/633,084 filed Dec. 1, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/294,930 filed Dec. 6, 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11633084 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Child | 12043035 | US | |
| Parent | 11294930 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Child | 11633084 | US |
