Abstract:
An integrated lighting system to efficiently manage battery life with indoor and outdoor modes by charging a battery during the day, turning on lights at peak night hours, and protecting the battery from overvoltage/leakage. The system comprises circuitry operable to connect to the battery and the LED light sources, the circuitry comprising a solar cell, a timer circuit, and a protection circuit. The solar cell charges the battery during daylight hours. The timer circuit regulates time periods during the day to turn on the LED light source. The overcharge circuit prevents damage from possible overcharge/leakage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/326,493 filed Apr. 22, 2016, which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to lighting systems integrated in products for indoor and outdoor use. In particular, the invention relates to a system and method for selectively powering lights sources and charging a battery safely. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Lighting systems are necessary to make signs and decorations visible at night or in the dark. For products that do not have an easily accessible power outlet or that are meant to be moved around, batteries are commonly employed to power the lights. A system using batteries must regulate the power consumption to maximize the battery life. In lighting systems, the system should attempt to maximize the duration and intensity of the lighting display during peak display hours and charge the battery or minimize battery usage during other hours. In the case of a consumer product with battery charging capability, additional safeguards must be put in place to prevent damage to the system that may occur when using non-rechargeable batteries. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a smart lighting system that maximizes battery life and provides protection in the use of different battery types. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The invention features a novel lighting system and method. The lighting system in the preferred embodiment includes one or more light sources; a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery; a solar cell; a switch including an outdoor mode and indoor mode; a timing circuit; and a controller. The controller is configured to: automatically power on and power off the one or more light sources based on an ambient light level detected by the solar cell if the switch is set to the outdoor mode; automatically power on and power off the one or more light sources based on the timing circuit if the switch is set to the indoor mode; detect the type of battery in the receptacle; and automatically determine whether or not to charge the battery in the receptacle with power from the solar cell based on the type of battery. In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to determine whether the battery has reached charge capacity and to automatically stop charging the battery in the receptacle if the battery has reached charge capacity. 
         [0005]    A method of operating a lighting system in the preferred embodiment comprises receiving a user setting selected from the group consisting of outdoor mode, indoor mode, and off. If the outdoor mode is selected by the user, then the controller: determines an ambient light level; energizes one or more light sources with a battery if the ambient light level is below a predetermined threshold; and charges the battery with the one or more light sources off if the ambient light level is above the predetermined threshold. If the indoor mode is selected, then the controller is configured to: determine the time of day; energize the one or more light sources with a battery if the time of day is nighttime; and charge the battery with the one or more light sources off if the time of day is daytime. The method may further include the steps of determining whether the battery has reached charge capacity and automatically terminating the charging of the battery if the battery has reached charge capacity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a first sample embodiment of an integrated lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a second sample embodiment of an integrated lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a functional block diagram of an integrated lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of the operational modes of the integrated lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a circuit diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0012]    The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show example integrated lighting systems that utilize the present invention.  FIG. 1  depicts a portable lighting system  100  with a football design and  FIG. 2  depicts a portable lighting system  102  with a football helmet design. These portable lighting systems may be operated both indoors and outdoors to provide light as need while exhibiting support for a sport and/or a particular team. In other embodiments, the lighting systems may be designed to resemble garden lights, party lights, wall art, people, animals, plants and vegetables, sculptures, figurines, characters, cartoon figures, geometric shapes including stars and arrows, and any of various utilitarian objects with, for example, residential or nautical themes. 
         [0014]    As shown, the portable lighting systems  100 ,  102  comprise a plurality of light sources  110 , one or more photovoltaic cells referred to herein as a solar cell  120 , a switch  130  enabling the user to select one of a plurality of operation modes, a frame  140 , and backing  150  to which the light sources are mounted. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of light sources include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) configured to radiate light from the portable light system and, in some embodiments, light up the frame  140  and backing  150 . In the football design in the first embodiment  100 , for example, the frame  140  has the shape of a football and the backing  150  includes graphical indicia with the color and texture of a football as well as a team name and/or logo. The frame  140  also extends forward out beyond the surface of the backing  150 . When the LED lights  110  are energized, the LED lights illuminate (a) the inner side of the frame to accentuate the outline of the football as well as (b) the name of the team and color/texture of the football. These two lighting effects, in combination, provide a visually pleasing aesthetic for football fans affiliate with the designated team. 
         [0015]    The second embodiment  102  of the portable lighting system includes a frame  140  in the shape of a football helmet and a backing  150  graphically depicting the color and texture of a helmet complete with team name and/or logo. Similar to the first embodiment  100 , the frame  140  in the second embodiment  102  extends beyond the backing  150  so that the inner side of the frame may be illuminated by light from the LED lights  110 . Thus, the illumination of the outline of the helmet together with the illumination of the logo provides a visually pleasing aesthetic for football fans affiliate with the designated team. 
         [0016]    The portable lighting systems  100 ,  102  also include a solar cell  120  placed at the top of the frame  140  in a position to receive light from the sun or other external light source. In some embodiments, the solar cell is removably attached to the portable lighting system to enable the user to aim the solar cell at the sun independent of the orientation of the frame  140  and backing  150 . In some other embodiments, the solar cell  120  may be attached to an extendable arm and/or rotatable arm to vary the position and/or orientation of the solar cell, thus allowing for the optimal capture of light. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the solar cell  120  includes a hook and loop fastener to detachably attach the solar cell to various surfaces to improve the capture of light. In some embodiments, the solar cell may be set up a distance away from the frame  140  and backing  150  so that the solar cell may be placed in sunlight while the frame and backing are in the shade, which would give a user snore flexibility in placing the portable display indoors or outdoors. In these embodiments, the solar cell  120  is connected to the frame  140  or backing  150  using a wire to deliver current to a battery that is protectively concealed behind the backing. 
         [0018]    Illustrated in  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the portable lighting system  102 . The lighting system  102  includes a controller  310  that is operatively connected to the solar cell  120 , the switch  130 , and LED lights  110  visible from the exterior of the lighting system. In addition, the controller  310  is operatively connected to a charging circuit  320  with a charge protection circuit  330 , a receptacle  312  for a replaceable battery, a clock  314  and/or a tinning circuit  316 . 
         [0019]    The integrated lighting system of the present invention s intended to be used both indoors and outdoors. In response to the switch  130  setting selected by a user, the controller generally assumes one of three selectable modes: outdoor mode, indoor mode, and off. In the outdoor mode, the controller  310  determines the ambient light level and turns the LED lights  110  on and off automatically. In particular, the controller  310  energizes the LED lights  110  at night and generally charges the battery during the day. In the indoor mode, the controller  310  turns the LEDs on and off automatically based on the time of day as determined by a clock circuit  314  or based on the time as measured by a timing circuit  316 . The controller  310  and other circuitry may be protectively concealed by a water-tight housing to prevent damage from precipitation, wind, as well as dust and other airborne debris. 
         [0020]    In both the outdoor and indoor modes, the controller  310  includes a charging circuit  320  configured to determine if and when to charge the battery based on the amount of light acquired by the solar cell  120  as well as the type of battery employed. In particular, a charging circuit  330  detects the type of battery being used and (a) enables proper charging of the battery if a rechargeable battery is used, or (b) prevents any charging of the battery if a non-rechargeable battery is used. Any attempt to charge a non-rechargeable battery poses a fire and safety risk if, for example, a regular alkaline battery is installed by the user. The protection circuit  330  in the preferred embodiment may comprise comparators, inductors, capacitors, and other such components to detect overvoltage, overcurrent, or other conditions that drawn power away from the battery to prevent possible battery overcharge. 
         [0021]    Illustrated in  FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the operational modes of the integrated lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user manually selects  410  the operational state of the lighting system using the switch  130 . If the user selects the outdoor mode, decision block  412  is answered in the affirmative and the controller determines  420  the ambient light level using the solar cell  120  as a sensor. If the ambient light level below a predetermined threshold, decision block  422  is answered in e negative and the LED lights are energized  424  using power from the battery in the receptacle  312 . If the ambient light level is above the predetermined threshold, decision block  422  is answered in the affirmative the charging circuit activated. The charging circuit  320  determines  426  the battery type to start. If the replaceable battery is a rechargeable battery and not fully charged, decision block  428  is answered in the affirmative and the battery charged until the user changes the switch setting, the ambient light level drops below threshold, or the battery fully charges. 
         [0022]    If the user manually selects the indoor mode of operation, the controller  310  checks  450  the time as measured by a clock  314  or a timing circuit  316 . If it is determined to be nighttime, decision block  452  is answered in the negative and the LEI) lights  110  energized  454 . If it is determined to be daytime, however,decision block  452  is answered in the affirmative and the charging circuit activated. As described above, the charging circuit  320  determines  456  the battery type to start. If the replaceable battery is a rechargeable battery and not fully charged, decision block  458  is answered in the affirmative and the battery charged until the user changes the switch setting, daytime arrives, or the battery fully charges. 
         [0023]    When not in the outdoor mode or indoor mode, the switch may be set to the off position  416  in which the LED lights are off and the battery not charged. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the timer circuit  316  is used to determine when to power the LED lights. The timer circuit may, for example, be set on a 24 hour cycle to turn the LED lights on at night for a four hour period from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This would prevent unnecessary illumination during the day which would have little effect and would drain the battery. In some embodiments, an interface is configured to allow the user to select operating time periods for the LED lights. In some embodiments, a clock circuit is employed to automatically turn the system on and off at the same times every day. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit diagram comprises a first circuit portion for implementing the outdoor mode and a second circuit portion for implementing the indoor mode. The first circuit portion generally comprises a solar LEI) lighting controller U 1 , an inductor L 3 , diodes D 1  and D 2 , a capacitor C 5 , and the solar cell  120 . The controller U 1  is preferably a model QX5252F controller supplied by Multicomp. The lighting controller U 1  works with the solar cell  120  to power the LED lights  110 . It has an internal switching circuit and over discharge protection circuit. The inductor L 3  is a 150 uF inductor connected across pins  2  and  4  of the controller U 1  to regulate the output current that goes to the LED lights  110 . The diodes D 1  and D 2  (collectively referred to as SS 12 ) form a Schottky Barrier Rectifier that permits current to flow from the controller U 1  to the LED lights  110 . The capacitor C 5  is 10 uF capacitor configured to filter out noise and smooth out the current supplied to the LED lights  110 . Together, the components of the first circuit portion are configured to charge the battery when there is current coming from the solar panel and drive the LED lights  110  using power from the battery BT 1  (mounted in receptacle  312 ) at night. 
         [0026]    The second circuit portion generally comprises a boost converter comprising inductor L 2  and diode VR 1 , a filter capacitor C 4 , a microcontroller U 4 , a resistor R 1 , a crystal oscillator XTAL, capacitors C 2 , C 3 , an NPN transistor Q 1  model QX5252F controller U 2 , and an inductor L 1 . The boost converter, including a 100 uF inductor and diode VR 1 , is configured to convert the 1.5 volts from the battery BT 1  to 33 volts. The filter capacitor C 4  is a 10 uF capacitor configured to filter and regulate the 3.3 v power supply. The microcontroller U 4  is configured to produce a control signal for turning the LED lights  110  ON and OFF at predefined intervals of time. The resistor R 1  is a 5M Ω resistor. The crystal oscillator XTAL is configured to generate the desired clock for the microcontroller U 4 . The capacitors C 2 , C 3  are 20 pF capacitors configured, along with the crystal oscillator XTAL, to generate fixed clock cycles. The NPN transistor Q 1  is configured to act as a switch between the supplied power from Vcc and pin  1  of a second controller U 2 . The base terminal of NPN transistor Q 1  goes through a 10 k Ω resistor to pin  5  of microcontroller U 4  which gives the control signal for the LED lights  110 . The second controller U 2 , another model QX5252F controller, is configured to save power by compensating for the internal built-in LED driver circuit, which produces fast switching in the output. Without the second controller U 2 , the LED lights  110  would continuously switch between the ON and OFF states so fast that it would be unnoticeable to the human eye. The inductor L 1  is configured to regulate the output power from the second controller U 2 . 
         [0027]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.