Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: MOTION ACTUATED NIGHT LIGHT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates generally to low level illumination night lamps,
beacons and
signals for indicating walkways and such, and more particularly to a self
contained
night light having a motion detection means for controlling the switching of
an
to illumination means so as to extend the life of an energy cell or battery.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART:
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Saphir et al., U. S. 4,433,328, describes a moving object sensing processor
responsive
to slowly varying motions of a human being or other moving object in a zone of
interest employs high frequency pulse modulated non-visible radiation
generated by a
radiation generating source. such as an LED, and detected by a detector
sensitive to
2o radiation of a preselected wavelength which generates electrical signals
representative
of the reflected radiation received from the zone of interest. The detector
signals are
processed to normalize the base level and remove variations due to background
level
changes, and slowly varying changes in the signals are detected by a bipolar
threshold
detector.
Fraden, U. S. 4,450,351, describes a motion detection system which utilizes a
lens or
other imaging device to be responsive to motion in a particular field of view
in a
room, for example, and pass illumination to a photocell. 'the photocell or a
screen in
front thereof establishes image distortion so that there is a nonuniform
electrical
output from the photocell upon motion of objects in the given field of view.
*rB
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Lee et al., U. S. 5,434,764, describes a lighting fixture with infra-red
responsive
motion detector unit incorporated into the fixture design. The lighting
fixture includes
a motion detector housing forming an integral part of the lighting fixture
body and
having a generally convex shape fitting in the decorative styling of the
fixture body.
Boulos et al., U. S. 5,442,532, describes decorative fixtures that enable
azimuthal
directivity of the infrared detector in order to adjust the directivity of the
infrared
detector about a vertical axis in a manner which is aesthetically compatible
with the
decorative nature of the fixture.
to
Chen, U. S. 5,258,899, describes a motion sensor lighting control that
includes a
hemispherical mounting plate having a pair of first circular apertures and a
second
circular aperture, a pair of lamp holders for receiving lamps therein
rotatably mounted
on the first circular apertures by a pair of f rst swivel devices, a sensor
housing for
t 5 receiving and infrared sensor rotatably mounted on the second circular
aperture by a
second swivel device.
Osteen et aL, U. S. 5,381,323, describes a lighting fixture having a new and
improved
sensor housing and an adjustable mast arm. The sensor housing includes a top
wall, a
2o bottom wall, a back wall having a first lead aperture for establishing
electrical and
mechanical connections between a proximity sensor and a source of electrical
power,
a transition wall, a pair of side walls, and at least one drain aperture
located between
the transition wall and the bottom wall.
25 Ravas, U. S. 3,459,961, describes a device for controlling the application
of power to
a load in response to the movement of an object within a prescribed area.
Humble et al., U. S. 5,036,443, describes a proximity light that is provided
and
consists of a housing adhesively mounted to a flat surface such as a wall or
the
3o underside of a toilet seat cover. AN electrically operated sight source is
carried within
the housing along with electronic circuitry for supplying electric current to
energize
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the light source. A sensor switch is also carried within the housing and is
connected
between the electronic circuitry and the light source so as to close when it
gets dark.
Horn, U. S. 5,136,476, describes an easily-installed, portable illuminator for
the
illuminating of a toilet bowls. More specifically, the illuminator hangs on
the rim of a
toilet bowl by a tubular conduit through which electrical conductors carry
current
from a battery pack or other power source external to the bowl. Light -
sensitive and
manual switches and current-regulating circuitry are options on advanced
embodiments.
to
Jones, U. S. 4.904,991, describes a display unit that has a transparent front
panel one
surface of which carries reflective markings that are illuminated by internal
reflection
in the panel from edge-mounted bulbs. Behind the panel are located light-
emitting
display devices such as provided by LED's. Illumination from the bulbs is
controlled
manually adjusting a rheostat 36. The brightness of the display devices is
controlled
by means of two photo diodes. One photo diode responds to the level of ambient
light
falling on the front panel; the other photo diode is shielded from ambient
light and
responds to light from an additional bulb connected in parallel with the edge-
mounted
bulbs and having the same illumination characteristics. The brightness of the
display
2o devices is thereby automatically decreased when ambient light levels fall
and
increased when the markings are brightly illuminated. so that they are not
masked by
bright markings.
Jester, U. S. 4,514,789, describes a light switch plate having a rearwardly
opening
housing for removably holding an AA battery which is detachably mountable over
a
conventional wall mounted 110 volt AC light switch. An LED mounted on the
front
of the housing is connected to the battery through an integrated circuit
oscillator
which flashes the LED. A phototransistor is also mounted on the front of the
housing
of the LED except when the room is dark . The flashing LED provides an eye
3o catching signal so that a person can more readily locate the light switch
in the dark.
The circuit has extremely lower current drain on the battery permitting
operation for a
year without requiring battery replacement.
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Lan, U. S. 5,251,391, describes an illuminated photo frame, comprising: a
transparent
frame body constituted by elongated lines and cross lines respectively having
a back
side created with a plurality of integrated 45° prisms in more than one
flight of stages
to collectively form a certain pattern, a recess arranged at the back side of
the
naturally met elongated and cross lines in cross opposition to the other for
installing a
small bulb each thereat, and a photoresistance in control of electricity
supply to small
bulbs to have them transmit lights automatically at night, which sent from two
sides
of each recess to travel forward alongside elongated and cross lines will make
an
1o internal total reflection at each 45° slant of the prism to project
out of the front side,
thereby, with a crystal illumination given to the pattern. And the electricity
supply
will automatically cease at daytime.
Vasquez, U. S. 5,184,889, describes an indicator light which is arranged for
actuation
upon vibration imparted to the light housing. A mercury switch cooperates with
a
first switch to effect actuation of the light, with the mercury switch
arranged for
effecting contact. Further, the housing is arranged to include a pin member
displaced
within the housing upon vibration being imparted to the housing and pin
member.
2o The prior art teaches the use of motion sensing and lighting devices.
However, the
prior art does not teach a wall mounted night light having specifically,
downward and
sidewards directed lighting surfaces, and a 180 degree sensor reception
azimuth. and a
low level electro-phosphorescent contoured panel for favorable light
transmission
through a housing wall in selected directions. The present invention fulfills
these
needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following
summary.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which
give rise
to the objectives described below.
s
The present invention is a minuature night light device having a low level
illumination
using electro-luminescent lighting which is automatically turned on when
motion near
the device is detected by the device and if the ambient lighting level is low,
i.e.,
illumination is suppressed when ambient levels are above a level equivalent to
to daylight. A high intensity lighting feature allows the device to be used as
a flashlight
in emergencies such as fires, earthquakes and power outages, since the device
is
fastened to a wall in such a way that it is easily and quickly removed. The
front face
of the device provides a downwardly directed surface for projecting light
toward the
floor, and sideways directed surfaces for projecting light to each side.
Lighting from
15 the device is optimal when the lamp is positioned approximately I8 inches
above the
floor level and is of such a level as to safely guide a person walking in
total darkness.
Spherical Fresnel lenses enable the device to detect motion over a range from
180 to
360 angular degrees. The device may have a doping in its case structure so as
to
provide a dim glow even when not energized. The device may be used for
lighting a
2o corridor or other path at night and can be used as an intrusion alert at
home, office or
when camping. The low level lighting from the device is effective over about a
15
foot radius so that in a corridor units would be spaced approximately 30 feet
apart. A
motion detect output may also be provided to external equipment. A
horizontally
placed version has a 360 degree azimuth and projects its light over 360
degrees also.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved night
light
having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide such a night light wherein low level lighting
is
3o produced and directed for efficient lighting effects. This objective is
achieved by the
novel shape of the housing of the instant invention and by the novel contoured
lighting plate nestled within the housing.
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A further objective is to provide such a night light wherein a bright
illumination
source is available for use of the device as a flashlight for emergencies.
A still further objective is to provide such a night light wherein a
phosphorescent or
bioluminescent material provides dim lighting when the device is in the off
state.
Another objective is to provide such a night light having the ability to sense
motion
over a 180 or 360 degree azimuth.
0
A further feature and objective of the invention is to provide isolation
between an AC
and a DC portions of the circuit so as to reduce false triggering.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the
~ 5 following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
20 The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such
drawings:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective front quarter view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention:
25 FIGURE 2 is a perspective rear quarter view thereof showing the invention
as
assembled; and
FIGURE 3 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical circuit thereof.
6
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a fully
automatic, ultra
low power consumption and low profile, motion actuated night light device. The
device includes a transparent or translucent housing 10 including a front
facelOA and
a housing peripheral edge lOB defining the extent of the housing which is
designed
with a low profile so as to protrude minimally from a wall surface when
mounted
thereon in order to avoid collisions with pedestrians, carts, etc. Preferably
the housing
is made of optically clear polycarbonate plastic. but may also be made of
to translucent polycarbonate plastic or another structural material. The
plastic further
preferably includes a doping of a phosphorescent, bioluminescent or similar
material
so that the housing glows in the dark after being energized by the low level
illumination or daylight. Alternately, a laminated phosphorescent layer may be
placed
between lamp and cover, or such may be achieved by placement of discrete rods
of
such material into small cavities in the cover. Further an alternate approach
includes
the injection of a liquid or gel containing phosphorescent pigment into the
cover
cavities. This feature is considered to be highly novel and very useful in
that the
housing glow enables one to find the device in total darkness and also acts as
an aid in
finding ones way in the dark. A wall or table mountable rear cover means 60 is
2o engagable with the peripheral edge l OB of the housing 10 for closing the
housing 10,
i.e., establishing a closed space within. Such engagement may be by press fit,
tongue-
in-groove construction or other well known means. Within the housing 10, as
best
seen in Fig. 3, is mounted an electrical circuit means 30 including, as shown
in figure
1, a circuit board 30-1, a means for energy storage 30A such as a battery or
other
electrical energy storage cell or cells, a means for motion sensing 30B such
as an
infra-red sensor or sensors, a means for detecting ambient light level 30C
such as a
photocell, and a means for low level illuminating 30D for producing a low
level
illumination. The various electrical elements which make up the circuit means
are
interconnected in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. Electrical
elements
3o not specifically claimed in the following claims, but shown in Fig. 3 are
considered to
be of signif cant value and to be patently innovative in the present invention
as well.
The storage cell is preferably accessed via a removable battery cover 20 held
in place
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by screws SO such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The front face l0A of the housing
provides a portion as a downwardly directed surface 10A-1 for projecting light
from
the illuminating means 30D downwardly from the device for illuminating the
floor in
front of the device, for example. The front face l0A further provides
opposing,
s laterally positioned and sideways directed portions as surfaces l0A-2 and
l0A-3 for
projecting light from the illuminating means 30D to each side of the device.
The
sideways directed surfaces l0A-2 and l0A-3 preferably further encompass the
motion
sensing means 30B such that motion is detectable over a 180 degree azimuth. To
fully facilitate such an azimuth the motion sensing means 30B preferably
includes a
o spherical Fresnel lens means 30B-1 preferably a pair of spherical Fresnel
lenses
positioned, one on either side of the device, as best seen in Fig. 1. The
placement of
downwardly and sidewardly directed surfaces in the manner shown in Fig. 1 is
considered highly novel and inventive in the present embodiment in that it
efficiently
directs light in a manner such that the very low level of tight produced
enables
15 significant visibility of both the device itself and the surrounding area.
This particular
feature is not taught in the prior art in a low cost simple construction as
described in
the present disclosure.
Therefore, the device may be mounted on a wall (not shown) in, for instance, a
20 corridor or hallway, and the device is then able to detect personnel moving
toward the
device from any direction in the corridor over a 180 degree azimuth.
Alternately, the
device may be constructed with four motion sensing means 30B positioned so as
to
attain a 360 degree azimuth. In this configuration, the device may be placed
on a
table, ceiling or other surface to provide an illuminated point of reference
and light
25 source. The case may also provide an arm or strut, hingably connected to
the case so
as to prop-up the case into a desired attitude. Such a strut is preferably
foldable to a
flush position when not in use.
The electrical circuit means 30 further provides a means, typically IR sensors
with a
3o motion detection circuit 30B, for automatically actuating the illuminating
means 30D
upon detection of motion, and for de-actuating the illuminating means 30D
after a set
time period, typically 8 seconds, during which time the detector circuit is
insensitized
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as is a well known technique in the motion detection art. The electrical
circuit means
30 further preferably includes a means for high intensity illuminating 30F
such as by
one or more incandescent lamps. The purpose of this feature is to provide
brighter
illumination for emergency operation as the device may be taken from its
mounting
for use as a flashlight. This would be useful during a fire, for instance, in
order to find
ones way through smoke. For enabling this method of use the electrical circuit
means
30 preferably includes a power enabling switch 30G, the switch being
positioned on
the housing 10 for manual actuation. Preferably, the rear cover means 60
includes a
bonding means 20A, a magnetic means or any other quick fastener method for
1o attachment of the device to a wall or other surface, so that the device is
securely
fastened yet easily removable in an emergency.
Preferably, the low level illuminating means 30D is an electro-luminescent
light
source configured as a thin contoured plate, the plate providing a shape
corresponding
to the inside surface of the front face 10A of the housing 10. This contoured
plate is
preferably positioned adjacent to the front face l0A and is interconnected
with the
electrical circuit means 30 for enabling this source to produce a low level
illumination. The electro-luminescent light source may be coated or doped with
a
phosphorescent, bioluminescent, or other material 30D-1 or alternately may be
laminated to a separate layer of such material so that the phosphorescent, or
other
layer is energized by the light energy from the illuminating means 30D during
its "on"
time. The contouring of the plate enables the other components of the device
to be
compactly positioned within the housing so that the thickness of the housing
is
minimized.
The electrical circuit means 30 is preferably enabled for providing a pulsed
electrical
waveform to the low level illuminating means 30D for extending the life of the
energy
storage means 30A'. Such a pulsed operation does not materially lower the
illumination level of the low level illuminating means 30D in that during the
off times
of the pulsed signal, the residual dwell time of the electro-luminescent
source
continues to emit light, the next pulse arnving just prior to the overall
light output
dropping by a noticeable amount.
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The device may further be provided with an indicia 40 on the front face 10A,
such
indicia being visible when the low level illumination is active. Such an
indicia may
be a logo, a written message such as "Exit door is located on the 2°d
level," or "Trust
in the lord," or any other meaningful indicia. Also, the front face may be
configured
with a series of vertical chevrons or peaks protruding outwardly so as to
improve the
visibility of the device from either side.
Figure 3 describes the preferred circuit, in block diagram form, for enabling
the
I o invention although one of skill in the art will be able to enable the
functions of the
invention through other circuit configurations. Notice that a sensor/detector
30H and
audio output means 30H-1 (amplifier, comparitor, alarm generator and speaker)
may
also be included in the electrical circuit of the device. Such a
sensor/detector 30H
might be sensitive to high heat, smoke, carbon monoxide gas, or any other one,
ar
combination of sensible conditions in the ambient environment of the device.
In the
event of the detection of a harmful condition, the audio alarm means 30H-1
provides
an audible output as a warning signal.
In use, as described above, one or more of the instant invention devices
is/are placed
2o in a corridor, closet, hallway, tabletop or any place where night light
illumination is
desired. The energy means 30A' provides power to the low level illuminating
means
30D whenever the ambient light level is below a selected threshold, as
determined by
a photocell detector circuit 30C, and then only if motion is detected at 30B.
If motion
is not detected then the illumination 30D remains in an off state. When motion
is
detected, the illuminating means is energized so as to produce the low level
illumination. When motion is no longer detected after a specified period of
time
typically between 8 and 20 seconds, illumination is extinguished. Even with
the
illumination off, the device provides a small amount of lighting from the
doped
material in the enclosure. It should be noted that battery A, depicted by
reference
numeral 30A, provides power to the DC components of the circuit. Battery B,
depicted by reference numberal 30A' is a separate power supply and is isolated
from
battery 30A. Although both batteries 30A and 30A' share a common ground, their
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individual ground circuits are preferably isolated by a diode so that AC
transient noise
flowing into battery B 30A' from the circuit of lamp 30D cannot i~ltrate back
into
battery A 30A and thereby provide false triggering in the DC circuit to the
left of the
timer in Fig. 3.
A close look at Fig. 3 shows that the circuit of Fig. 3 provides DC power to a
DC
portion of the circuit which encompases all components up to the timer. This
DC
portion includes battery A 30A and on/off switch 30G which provides power to
the
day or night detector 30E, the motion detector means 30B and the gas detector
30H,
1o their amplifiers, comparitors and actuation elements. Battery A 30A may be
interconnected to an external source such as the battery charger shown in Fig.
3 or to a
solar collector circuit (not shown) or any other means for recharging the
battery A. In
most applications, such recharging is not necessary as the invention is
designed for
very low current drain and an important use and benef t of the invention is as
a
physically isolated night light easily attachable to a wall surface which is
not near an
AC source. Battery B 30A' is, as previously described, isolated from the DC
portion
of the circuit, its only common component is the timer 30T. The control
circuit 30Z
provides signal conditioning plus power and time management circuits, and
among
other functions provides for a time delay after the lamp 30D is energized and
de-
2o energized during which the detector means 30B is insensitive. This allows
the DC
portion of the circuit to ignore AC transients from energizing and operating
lamp 30D.
Control outputs from control circuit 30Z are provided for future use in
establishing
control of other functions in coordination with the present circuit.
Additionally, an
output interface 30I is provided for similar reasons.
While the invention has been described with reference to at least one
preferred
embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that
the invention
is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be
interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
