Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Attorney Docket No. 25100W001
TITLE
ELECTRONIC LUMINARY DEVICE WITH SIMULATED FLAME
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION
[0001] Generally, this application relates to techniques for constructing
flameless candles. Specifically, this application discloses techniques for
simulating a candle flame.
[0002] Flameless candles may provide an illusion of a real (flamed)
candle, but without the risk of fire damage. A real candle flame moves in
physical space. In order to simulate such movement, some have used an
element that also moves in physical space. Moving parts, however, may
be undesirable for various reasons. For example, moving parts may tend
to become damaged, such as during shipping, by mishandling, or by
unintentional events.
[0003] Furthermore, flameless candles with moving parts may require
additional components or systems to cause the moving parts to move.
Such components or systems may include fans or magnetic systems.
These components or systems may add cost to a flameless candle device
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
[0004] According to techniques of the application, a device may include
a side wall, a base, and an upper surface. The side wall may have an
upper region and a lower region. The base may be engaged with the
lower region of the side wall. The upper surface may extend from the
upper region of the side wall to form an upper recess.
[0005] The device may include a projection screen extending upwardly
through an aperture in the upper surface. The position of the projection
screen may be fixed with respect to the position of the upper surface.
The projection screen may be flat or may have a concavity or convexity.
The projection screen may have a general two-dimensional or three-
dimensional appearance. The projection screen may be shaped like a
flame. The projection may have a primary plane. The projection screen
may be translucent. The projection screen may be formed from a
material such as plastic, glass, or metal.
[0006] A first source of light may be positioned below the upper surface
and may to project light through the aperture onto the projection screen.
A second source of light may be positioned below the upper surface and
may to project light through the aperture onto the projection screen. The
positions of the first source of light and the second source of light may
also be fixed with respect to the position of the projection screen.
[0007] The light from the first and second sources of light may be
projected onto the front side of the projection screen or onto the front
and back side of the projection screen. Light projected onto one side of
the projection screen may penetrate through to the other side of the
projection screen. Each of the sources of light may emit light with a
beam axis and a beam width. One or more of the beam axes may
intersect with the primary plane of the projection screen at an angle
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between 20 to 40 . One or more of the beam widths may be between
30 to 35 .
[0008] The sources of light may be positioned to project light onto
different areas of the projection screen. These areas may be distinct or
may overlap.
[0009] Circuitry may electrically connect to the first source of light and
the second source of light. The circuitry may independently control
intensities of the light projected by the first source of light and the second
source of light.
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Application No. 2,866,846
Attorney Docket No. 31110-101
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic candle, according to techniques
of the present application.
[0011]
FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an electronic candle, according to
techniques of the present application.
[0012]
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a projection screen and light sources,
according to techniques of the present application.
[0013] The
foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better
understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For
the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings.
It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to
the
arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many
ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated
functions of the system.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
[0014] FIGS. 1-313 illustrate an electronic candle 100, according to
techniques of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic
candle 100 may include a side wall 102 having an upper region and a
lower region. A base 150 (see FIG. 2) may be engaged with the lower
region of the side wall 102. An upper surface 106 may extend from the
upper region of the sidewall 102 to form an upper recess 104. The upper
recess 104 may have a variety of different shapes. The upper recess 104
may be shaped like a bowl or a portion of a bowl. For example, the upper
region of the side wall 102 may have a varying height around the top
perimeter of the electronic candle 100. The upper recess 104 may have a
rounded or flat bottom surface. The upper recess 104 may have a
smooth or textured bottom surface. The upper recess 104 may have a
cylindrical shape.
[0015] A projection screen 110 may extend upwardly through an
aperture 108 in the upper surface 106. The position of the projection
screen 110 may be fixed with respect to the upper surface 106. Of
course, an undue amount of force could cause the projection screen 110
to deflect or otherwise change position with respect to the upper surface
106. However, an anticipated movement of the electronic candle 100 (for
example, picking up or putting down the candle, rotating the candle, or
turning the candle upside down) may not influence the position of the
projection screen with respect to the upper surface 106.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic candle 100 may include a base
150. The base 150 may accommodate batteries in a battery
compartment 160. The base 150 may also accommodate circuitry 170.
The battery compartment 160 and circuitry 170 need not be located in or
around the base 150, and could be located at other areas of the electronic
candle 100. For example, the circuitry 170 may be embedded in one or
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more of the sources of light 120, 130. The circuitry 170 and sources of
light 120, 130 may receive power from one or more batteries in the
battery compartment 160.
[0017] A riser 140 may extend upwardly from the base. Sources of
light 120 and 130 may be located near or at the top of the riser 140. The
sources of light 120, 130 may include a light-emitting diode ("LED") an
incandescent bulb, or a laser. In certain configurations, a riser may not
be necessary. For example, the sources of light may be embedded in
other parts of the candle.
[0018] The projection screen 110 may extend upwardly from the riser
140. The projection screen 110 may be rigidly affixed to the riser 140 at
or near the top of the riser 140. For example, the projection screen 110
may be integral with the riser 140. The projection screen 110 may be a
separate portion rigidly attached to the riser 140 (for example, glued or
attached at more than one place). By rigidly affixing the projection
screen 110 with the riser 140, it may be possible to fix the position of the
projection screen 110 with respect to the upper surface 106. There may
be other ways to fix the positions of the projection screen 110 and the
upper surface 106. For example, the projection screen 110 may be
affixed to the upper surface 106 or to the sidewall 102 instead of the riser
140.
[0019] The projection screen 110 may be rigid. The projection screen
110 may be formed from one or more materials, such as glass, plastic,
metal, or foil. Such material(s) may be at least partially reflective. The
projection screen 110 may be opaque, semi-opaque, clear, frosted, or
translucent. The projection screen 110 may have a mesh or other
textured surface. The projection screen 110 may facilitate display of
holographic images.
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[0020] The surface of the projection screen 110 may be flat, concave,
or convex. The surface of the projection screen 110 may be various
combinations of flat, concave, and/or convex. The projection screen 110
may have a two-dimensional or three-dimensional appearance. The
projection screen 110 may have a flame shape. Such a shape may be
static, in that it does not change. The projection screen 110 may have
one or more projection surfaces. For example, the projection screen 110
may have two projection surfaces - front and back. The projection
screen 110 may have additional projection surfaces. For example, the
projection screen 110 may have three or more surfaces, each receiving
light from one or more sources of light. The projection screen 110 may
have surfaces that wrap around to form a shape with substantial depth.
For example, the projection screen 110 may have a three-dimensional
shape resembling an actual candle flame. In such an example, sources of
light may be located around the projection screen 110 and may project
onto the projection screen 110.
[0021] The projection screen 110 may be of uniform color or may have
different colors. For example, the projection screen 110 may be painted
or patterned to show a simulated wick. In order to provide an illusion of
a real candle flame, the projection screen 110 may have darker colors
near an area where a wick would be expected. The projection screen 110
may have different colors (for example, blue, white, orange, or yellow) to
simulate different flame temperatures and intensities as a viewer may
expect in a real candle flame. The colors may be chosen in combination
with light colors emitted from the sources of light 120, 130.
[0022] The sources of light 120, 130 may be electrically connected to
circuitry 170 through one or more conductors 130. The circuitry 170 may
include a processor and one or more computer-readable storage devices
that store software instructions for execution by the processor. The
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circuitry 170 may independently control one or more different aspects of
the light projected by the sources of light 120, 130. For example, the
circuitry 170 may be capable of separately controlling the intensity or
color for each source of light 120, 130.
[0023] The circuitry 170 may illuminate each source of light 120, 130
with different sequences of intensities. Such sequences may include
random sequences, semi-random sequences, or predetermined
sequences. Such sequences may include frequencies that are out of
phase from each other. Sequences may be dynamically influenced by
other factors or inputs. For example, an output signal from a light sensor
(not shown) could be received by the circuitry 170, which may, in turn,
adjust the intensity levels in sequences according to the light sensor
output signal (for example, boost the intensities under higher light). As
another example, an output signal from a sound sensor (not shown)
could be received by the circuitry 170, which may, in turn, adjust the
intensity levels in sequences according to the sound sensor output signal
(for example, adjust the frequency of the intensity changes in response to
the character of received sound).
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the projection screen 110 extends
upwardly through the aperture 108 in the upper surface 106. While not
shown in this example, the position of the projection screen 110 is fixed
with respect to the upper surface 106. The sources of light 120, 130 may
be positioned below the upper surface 106. They may be positioned and
configured in such a manner to project light through the aperture 108
and onto the projection screen 110. The positions of the sources of light
120, 130 may also be fixed with respect to the position of the projection
screen 110.
[0025] The projection screen 110 may have a primary plane. Such a
plane may be substantially vertical and may generally face the direction
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of emitted light from the sources of light 120, 130. Even if the projection
screen 110 is not entirely flat, it should be understood that the projection
screen 110 still may have a primary plane.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3B, each source of light 120, 130 may project
light (either completely or partially) through the aperture 108 in the
upper surface 106 and onto the projection screen 110. The light emitted
from each source of light 120, 130 may radiate according to a beam
width. For example, the beam widths for the light emitted from the
sources of light 120, 130 may be between 30-35 degrees. The beam axis
for the light emitted from each of the sources of light may intersect with
the primary plane of the projection screen 110. Such an intersection may
have an angle between 20-40 degrees. The sources of light 120, 130
may project light onto the same side or different sides of the projection
screen 110. For example, the source of light 120 may project light onto
the front side of the projection screen 110, while the source of light 130
may project light onto the back side of the projection screen 110. If the
projection screen 110 is translucent, light projected onto one side may
penetrate to the other side.
[0027] The source of light 120 may project light onto an area 122 on
the projection screen 110. The source of light 130 may project light onto
an area 132 on the projection screen 110. The areas 122, 132 may be
coextensive, overlapping, or separate from each other. The areas 122
may have different or similar shapes. The shapes may be influenced by
the beam width of projected light, angle of incidence of the beam axis
with the primary plane of the projection screen 110, the distance of a
source of light 120, 130 from the projection screen 110, the contour of
the light-receiving surface of the projection screen 110, or by other
factors. For example, it may be possible to provide lenses, apertures, or
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the like to form a beam of light having a particular shape. Such shape(s)
may influence the shape of area(s) 122, 132.
[0028] At least some of the light emitted from the sources of light 120,
130 may be reflected off of the projection screen 110 and towards a
viewer's eye. For example, the light may be reflected directly off of the
projection screen 110 and to the viewer's eye without passing through
any intervening materials.
[0029] As discussed above, the intensities or colors of each of the
sources of light 120, 130 may be independently controlled by circuitry
170. Through such independent control, it may be possible to simulate a
candle flame. For example, it may be possible to simulate the physical
movement and varying intensity profiles of a candle flame without
employing moving parts.
[0030] More than two sources of light may be used. For example, three
sources of light may be projected onto one side of the projection screen
110. Each of these sources of light may be independently controlled,
such as by the techniques discussed above. As another example, four
sources of light may be used. Two of the sources may project light onto
one side of the projection screen 110 and the other two sources may
project light onto another side of the projection screen 110.
[0031] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without
departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this
application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel techniques
without departing from its scope. For example, while an electronic candle
has been primarily disclosed, similar techniques could be applied to other
luminary devices, such as wall sconces, lanterns, paper candles, or tiki
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torches. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited
to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all
techniques falling within the scope of the present invention.
