Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
LIGHTING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the general field decorative
devices and is more particularly concerned with a lighting system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Lighting systems are used at many locations to provide
decorations for many events. For example, a conventional lighting system
includes a chain of sockets electrically coupled to wiring, each socket being
able to receive a light bulb thereinto. Using light bulbs of different colours
into
the socket allows to create different lighting schemes with colours associated
with specific events.
[0003] However, this type of system requires that all the lights be
removed from their sockets to create a different lighting scheme. In cases in
which the lighting system is positioned is relatively difficult to access
positions,
for example near the roof of a house or near the ceiling of a relatively large
height room, there is a need to bring the lighting system down to ground level
to change the light bulbs and, thereafter, to reposition the lighting system.
[0004] In addition to the inconvenience of performing all these steps,
the fact that these lighting systems are often located at relatively large
heights
also poses a safety hazard, for example for home users who may be tempted
to use less than optimal equipment to reach the elevated lighting systems.
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[0005] U.S. Patent 6,690,120 issued February 10, 2004 to Oskorep
et al, describes a decorative light strand having user selectable colour
schemes
corresponding to various Holidays. However, in this light strand, the light
schemes are not interchangeable and, therefore, only a relatively small number
of light schemes is provided for. In addition, in the decorative light strand
described in this document, the lights are simply positioned sequentially one
after the other in groups that repeat themselves. There is no provision for
selecting a location at which lights of each group may be located. Therefore,
the flexibility in the decorative schemes achievable using these decorative
light
strands are relatively limited.
[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved lighting
system. It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a
lighting
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a lighting
system, the lighting system being usable in combination with coloured light
sources to create a lighting scheme by providing electrical power to the
coloured light sources, the lighting system comprising:
[0008] - at least two lamp modules, each of the lamp modules
including a module base and a socket matrix mounted to the module base,
each of the socket matrices having a predetermined number of sockets, each
of the sockets being able to removably receive at least one of the coloured
light
sources and transmit electrical power thereto;
[0009] - at least two power transmission lines, each of the power
transmission lines being electrically coupled to a respective socket in each
of
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the socket matrices; and
[0010] - a controller for selectively providing the electrical power
independently to each of the power transmission lines;
[0011] - wherein the coloured light sources are mountable
reversibly and interchangeably in each of the socket matrices to create
predetermined light sources configurations into each of the at least two lamp
modules and the controller provides selective distribution of power to the
already mounted coloured light sources according to a predetermined pattern
to create the lighting scheme by selectively illuminating independently from
each other the coloured light sources in each of the predetermined light
source
configurations.
[0012] Advantageously, the proposed lighting system allows
providing power to the lamp modules to create lighting schemes corresponding
to various predetermined events without having to replace the coloured light
sources. Also, the proposed lighting system provides flexibility in the
lighting
schemes that may be produced by allowing the coloured light sources to be
exchanged, for example, after a sequence of predetermined events has
occurred.
[0013] The fact that lighting schemes corresponding to many
predetermined events may be set using the same lighting system therefore
reduce the work required to install and uninstall the lighting system, and
also
may increase the safety of intended users as these intended users typically
install such lighting systems in relatively hard to reach places. Also, the
comfort of the intended user is increased as some of the lighting systems are
usable outdoors, in which extremes of hot and cold temperatures may occur,
depending on the geographic location at which the lighting system is
installed.
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Therefore, the intended user may take advantage of good weather to exchange
all the coloured lights versus of the lighting system to provide a lighting
system
that is usable for the next few predetermined events.
[0014] The coloured lights sources are any suitable light sources
such as, for example, light bulbs or light emitting diodes.
[0015] The lamp modules group together light sources
corresponding to each of the lighting schemes. Therefore, a location at which
each of lamp modules is provided is illuminated selectively during the
production of each lighting schemes.
[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, the lighting system is
controllable using a remote control unit, which allows to select which one of
the
lighting schemes is activated at any time. This further increases the
flexibility
and safety of the lighting system.
[0017] In another broad aspect, the invention provides a method for
changing a light scheme produced by a lighting system the method comprising:
[0018] - removing from the at least two lamp modules already
mounted light sources, the already mounted light sources each having a
respective colour, the already mounted light sources being mounted to sockets
from each of the at least two lamp modules that are electrically coupled to a
common power transmission line from the at least two power transmission
lines, thereby creating empty sockets; and
[0019] - inserting in each of the empty sockets light sources having
a colour that differs from the colour of the already mounted light sources
that
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was mounted in the empty socket.
[0020] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will now be
disclosed, by way of example, in reference to the following drawings, in
which:
[0022] Figure 1, in a perspective view with parts removed, illustrates
a portion of a lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, the lighting system including lamp modules, the lamp modules being
shown attached to a building, the building being shown in phantom lines;
[0023] Figure 2, in a perspective view with parts removed, illustrates
the lighting system shown in Fig. 1;
[0024] Figure 3, in a perspective view, illustrates a lamp module of
the lighting system shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
[0025] Figure 4, in a schematic diagram, illustrates an electrical
circuit of a specific embodiment of the lighting system of Figs. 1 to 3;
[0026] Figure 5, in a perspective view, illustrates a lamp module of
the lighting system shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the lamp modules being shown with
coloured light sources to be inserted thereinto; and
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[0027] Figure 6, in a perspective view, illustrates, two lamp modules
of the lighting system shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the lamp modules being shown
with light sources having different colours than the light sources illustrated
in
Fig. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Fig. 1 illustrates part of a lighting system 10 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting system, as better
shown in Fig. 2, includes at least two lamp modules 14, at least two power
transmission lines 16 (better seen in Fig. 4) and a controller 18. While only
two
lamp modules are shown in Fig. 2, it is within the scope of the present
invention
to have lighting system including more than two lamp modules as seen, for
example, in Fig. 1. The lighting system 10 is usable in combination with
coloured light sources 12 as seen, for example, in Fig. 3, to create a
lighting
scheme by providing electric power to the coloured light sources 12. For
example, the lighting system 10 is attachable to a building 11 shown in
phantom lines in Fig. 1. However, the lighting system 10 is usable in any
other
suitable location without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
[0029] Referring to Fig. 3, each of the lamp modules 14 includes a
module base 20 and a socket matrix 22 mounted to the module base 20. Each
of the socket matrices has a predetermined number of sockets 24. Each of the
sockets 24 is able to removably receive at least one of the coloured light
sources 12 and transmit electrical power thereto. For example, the coloured
light sources 12 are light bulbs, light emitting diodes, or any other suitable
coloured light sources.
[0030] As seen in Fig. 4, each of the power transmission lines 16 is
electrically couplable to a respective socket 24 in each of the socket
matrices
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22. The controller 18 selectively provides the electric power independently to
each of the power transmission lines 16, thereby controlling which coloured
light sources within each socket matrices 22 receives electrical power.
[0031] In some embodiments of the invention, the power
transmission lines 16 are mechanically coupled to each other to form a power
transmitting cable 17 extending between adjacent lamp modules 14. Also, while
the lighting system 10 shown in the drawings has socket matrices 22 including
four sockets 24, and therefore four power transmission lines 16, the lighting
system 10 may include any other suitable number of sockets 24 and power
transmission lines 16.
[0032] Therefore, the coloured light sources 12 are mountable
reversibly and interchangeably in each of the socket matrixes 22 to create
predetermined light sources configurations in each of the at least two lamp
modules 14. The controller 18 provides selective distribution of power to the
already mounted coloured light sources 12 according to a predetermined
pattern to create a lighting scheme by selectively illuminating independently
from each other the coloured light sources 12 in each of the predetermined
light
sources configurations.
[0033] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two examples of different
configurations of coloured light sources usable in the lighting system 10.
Removing from the lamp modules 14 already mounted lights sources 12, the
already mounted light sources 12 each having a respective colour, and
inserting in each of the thereby produced empty sockets 24 light sources 12
having a colour that differs from the colour of the already mounted light
sources
12 that was mounted in the empty socket allows to vary the lighting scheme
that may be produced by the lighting system 10.
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[0034] The lighting system 10 includes a user interface operatively
coupled to the controller 12 for allowing the intended user to select at least
one
of the power transmission lines 16 to be powered by the controller 18. For
example, and non-limitingly, the user interface includes a remote control unit
30. The remote control unit 30 includes an input element 32 for allowing the
intended user to select at least one of the power transmission lines 16 to be
powered by a controller 18 and an emitter 34 operatively coupled to the input
element 32 for emitting a signal indicative of the at least one of the power
transmission lines 16 to be powered by the controller 18 and selected by the
intended user. A receiver 36, better seen in Fig 4, is operatively coupled to
the
controller 18 for receiving the signal and instructing the controller 18 to
power
the at least one of the power transmission lines 16 to be powered by the
controller 18.
[0035] For example, the input element 32 includes keys that may be
depressed by an intended user. Depressing each key results in a different
signal being sent to the receiver 36, which therefore may interpret the
signals
and instruct the controller 18 to power one of the power transmission lines
16.
[0036] In some embodiments of the invention, the remote control
unit 30 is a dedicated remote control unit. However, in alternative
embodiments of the invention, the remote control unit 30 is an already
existing
remote control unit 30 such as, for example, a universal remote controller or
a
TV remote controller, among other possibilities. In these embodiments, the
receiver 36 may be a programmable receiver that may be programmed to
recognize predetermined key depressions on the remote control unit 30.
[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, the receiver 36
includes a receiver input element 33 for allowing the intended user to select
the
at least one of the power transmission lines to be powered by the controller
18.
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The receiver 36 is then operative for instructing the controller 18 to power
the at
least one of the power transmission lines 16 to be powered by the controller
18
selected by the intended user through the receiver input elements 33. For
example, the receiver input element 38 includes push buttons that may send
electrical signals to the controller 18, the control signals being indicative
of the
which power transmission lines 16 is to be controlled.
[0038] In yet other embodiments of the invention, the controller 18 is
operative for alternatively providing the electrical power independently to
each
of the power transmission lines 16 according to a pre-established schedule. An
example of such an embodiment would be an example in which the controller
18 included time tracking capabilities and would therefore be capable of
determining at which moment in the year the lighting system 10 is used. Then,
by providing to an intended user schedules for exchanging coloured light
sources 12 in the lighting system 10, the controller 18 may select which ones
of
the power transmission lines 16 is to be power on depending on the date at
which the lighting system 10 is used.
[0039] For example, coloured light sources 12 having colours
associated with Christmas may be mounted into sockets 24 electrically coupled
to a first power transmission line 16 and coloured light sources 12 having
colours associated with Valentine's day may be mounted into sockets 24
electrically coupled to a second power transmission line 16. To illuminate the
coloured light sources 12 having colours associated with Christmas, for
example from December 1 to January 15, the controller 18 provides power to
the first power transmission line 16. Afterwards, for example from January 15
to
February 14, the controller 18 provides power to the second power
transmission line 16 to create a lighting scheme associated with Valentine's
day. Lighting schemes are produced in a similar manner for different occasions
until all the power transmission lines have been used. Then, if there is a
need
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to have additional lighting schemes, time has come to change the coloured
light
sources for alternative couloured light sources to provide a capability to
provide
these additional lighting schemes. In this case, the intended user replaces
the
coloured light sources 12 according to instructions provided by the lighting
system 10 manufacturer. In some embodiments of the invention, there are
selected time periods within the year in which none of the power transmission
lines 16 are activated.
[0040] In some embodiments of the invention, the controller 18 is
operative for selectively providing the electrical power independently to a
selected one of the power transmission lines 16 according to a predetermined
time varying pattern. For example, the light for the power transmission lines
16
that are activated may be flashing periodically in time. In these embodiments,
only one of the power transmission lines 16 is used at a time, but the
decorative effect produced by the non-uniform power transmission as a
function of time in the power transmission lines 16 is enhanced.
[0041] As seen, for example, in Fig. 3, in specific embodiments of
the invention, the lighting system 10 includes lamp modules 14 that each
include a respective dome 26. The domes 26 are each removably attachable to
a respective one of the bases 20 so as to enclose the coloured light sources
12
received in the sockets 24 of the socket matrix 22 included in each of the
lamp
modules 14. Manners of attaching such domes 26 to bases 24 are well-known
in the art and will therefore not be described in further details. The domes
26
therefore protect the coloured light sources 12 from the elements, and also
help
to define each of the lamp modules 14 as distinct units. In some embodiments
of the invention, this is further achieved by adding lamp modules 14 that
include domes 26 that are translucent.
[0042] In some embodiments of the invention, the lighting system 10
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includes two sets of domes 26. The first set of domes 26 includes domes 26 of
a first type, the domes 26 of the first type having a first light transmission
characteristic. The second set of domes 26 includes domes 26 of a second
type, the domes 26 of the second type having a second light transmission
characteristic that differs from the first light transmission characteristic.
Therefore, by exchanging the domes 26 that are attached to the module bases
20, further decorative effects may be produced using the lighting system 10.
For example, the first and second light transmission characteristics have
different light transmission spectra. In this case, the first and second set
of
domes may add a distinct tint to the light produced by the lamp modules 14.
[0043] In some embodiments of the invention, the lighting system 10
is provided with coloured light sources 12 relating to predetermined events.
Examples of such predetermined events include Christmas, Easter, Valentine
Day, Halloween and many others. It is also within the scope of the invention
to
have coloured light sources12 that correspond to non-traditional events such
as, for example, coloured light sources 12 that produce a lighting scheme
associated with the birthdays of each member of a family. In this embodiment,
each family member would select a scheme of coloured light sources that they
would like to see on or close to their birthday, and the lighting system 10 is
simply used to display these coloured light sources 12 at the appropriate
moment.
[0044] Referring to Fig. 5, in some embodiments of the invention, the
module base 20 includes indicia 40 inscribed thereunto. Each of the indicia 40
is substantially adjacent a respective one of the sockets 24 and is indicative
of
which power transmission line 16 powers the socket 16 to which it is adjacent.
For example, the indicia 40 may be Roman numerals that are associated with
similar indicia located on the user interface. The indicia may be printed,
embossed, engraved or inscribed unto the module base 20 in any suitable
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manner.
[0045] Figure 4 illustrates the electrical circuit of a lighting system 10
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. While a specific
circuit is described hereinbelow, the reader skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that the controller 18 may be implemented in any other suitable
manner. The controller 18 includes a selector chip 41 electrically connected
to
a set of relays 44. The relays 44 are powered by standard home alternating
current. Each of the relays 44 allow to select which of the power transmission
lines 16 will be powered by this alternating current by closing a circuit
formed
by a respective one of the power transmission lines 16 and a return line 17.
Each of the relay 44 is selectively switchable to a closed state when the
intended user instructs the controller 18 to close this relay through the
input
elements 32 and 33. Also, the selector chip 41 is operative for opening all
the
relays electrically coupled to the power transmission lines 16, except for a
single relay 44. In some embodiments of the invention, a main power relay 46
also allows selectively allow and prevent power transmission to the relays 44,
the main power relay 46 being selectively activatable by the intended to
control
the turning on and off of the lighting system 10.
[0046] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified,
without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as
defined
in the appended claims.
