Lamp with multiple light-producing elements

The lamp circuit includes a power supply, a main switch, and a light and control circuit all serially connected, the light and control circuit wherein the following elements connected in parallel: a first light-producing element capable of producing light of a first type and serially connected to a first switch member; a second light-producing element capable of producing light of a second type and serially connected to a second switch member; and a control circuit member selectively commanding either one of the first switch member, the second switch member and both the first and second switch members to be closed upon the main switch closing the lamp circuit, the first and second switch members remaining opened if not commanded otherwise by the control circuit member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lamps, and more particularly to a lamp having multiple light-producing elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of lamps exist, which include respective types of light-producing elements. Examples of such light-producing elements include incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent neon light tubes and halogen-tungsten bulbs.

Incandescent light bulbs are widely used and well known. Most of these incandescent light bulbs have a screw base allowing the light bulbs to be screwed into a complementary threaded socket, be it located on a room wall or ceiling, at the end of the elongated rod of a stand-lamp, or any other known position for light bulb sockets. Halogen-tungsten lamps have light bulbs which can similarly engage a complementary socket. Neon light tubes are operatively mounted to a socket called a ballast.

The known light-producing elements have a certain life span during which they can produce light, after which they must be dispatched and replaced with a new light-producing element. Therefore, the light-producing elements are removable from their respective sockets for allowing this replacement with a new light-producing element when they become burned out or otherwise unusable.

A problem associated with conventional lamps having a single light-producing element is that they must be unscrewed and removed if a light of another color than the one being emitted from the light bulb is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lamp circuit including a power supply, a main switch, and a light and control circuit all serially connected, said light and control circuit comprising the following elements connected in parallel:a) a first light-producing element capable of producing light of a first type and serially connected to a first switch member;b) a second light-producing element capable of producing light of a second type and serially connected to a second switch member; andc) a control circuit member selectively commanding a selected one of said first switch member, said second switch member and both said first and second switch members to be closed upon said main switch closing said lamp circuit, said first and second switch members remaining opened if not commanded otherwise by said control circuit member.

Preferably, said control circuit member will selectively close a single one among said first and second switch members upon said main switch closing said lamp circuit, whereby said first light-producing element only will be fed with electrical current if said first switch member is closed, while said second light-producing element only will be fed with electrical current if said second switch member is closed, said lamp consequently emitting light of either one of said first and second types.

Preferably, said control circuit member includes a microchip capable of commanding a selected one of said first and second switch members to be closed upon said main switch closing said lamp circuit, and wherein said microchip will command said second switch member only to be closed thereby feeding said second light-producing member only with electrical current upon said main switch, from an initial closed condition, being opened and closed again within a time interval equal or inferior to a determined threshold amount of time, said microchip otherwise commanding said first switch member only to be closed thereby feeding said second light-producing member only with electrical current upon said main switch, from an initial opened condition, being closed.

Preferably, said threshold amount of time is controlled by means of a first capacitor provided in said control circuit member, which will feed said control circuit member, including said microchip, with a minimum working voltage value during a time interval equal to said threshold amount of time when said main switch opens said lamp circuit.

Preferably, said microchip includes a clock which will be fed with an electric pulse by a field effect transistor or a micro-battery upon said main switch, from an initial closed condition, being opened and closed again within a time interval equal or inferior to said threshold amount of time, said second loaded capacitor remaining fed with electrical current during a time interval equal to said threshold amount of time by means of said first capacitor, said electric pulse activating said microchip clock for changing the output value of said microchip from a first output value associated with and commanding said first switch member to a second output value associated with and commanding said second switch member.

Preferably, said first and second switch members are both TRIAC-type static switches.

Preferably, said lamp circuit further includes at least one additional light-producing element connected in parallel to said first light-producing element, said second light-producing element and said control circuit member, each said at least one additional light-producing element capable of producing light of a distinct type and serially connected to a corresponding switch member, said control circuit member selectively closing any single one among said first, second and at least one additional switch members upon said main switch closing said lamp circuit.

Preferably, said lamp circuit further includes at least one additional light-producing element connected in parallel to said first light-producing element, said second light producing element and said control circuit member, each said additional light-producing element capable of producing light of a distinct type and serially connected to a corresponding additional switch member, said control circuit member selectively closing any single one among said first, second and additional switch members upon said main switch closing said lamp circuit, said microchip commanding said at least one additional switch member to be closed and all other switch members to be opened thereby feeding said corresponding additional light-producing member only with electrical current upon said main switch, from an initial closed condition in which a preceding switch member corresponding to a light-producing member was activated, being opened and closed again within a time interval equal or inferior to said threshold amount of time.

The present invention also relates to a lamp capable of emitting two different types of light, said lamp comprising:a power supply;a first light-producing element connected to said power supply and capable of producing light of a first type;a second light-producing element connected to said power supply and capable of producing light of a second type;a control circuit member connected to said power supply, to said first light-producing element and to said second light-producing element; anda main switch connected to said power supply, said control circuit member, said first light-producing element and said second light-producing element, said main switch allowing selective on/off feeding of electrical current from said power supply to a circuit assembly comprising said control circuit member, said first light-producing element and said second light-producing element;
wherein said control circuit member will selectively allow current to be fed to a selected one of said first light-producing element, said second light-producing element and the combination of said first light-producing element and said second light-producing element when said main switch allows current to be fed to said circuit assembly.

Preferably, said first and second light-producing elements each comprises a pane enclosing an incandescent filament, with each said pane being a selected from transparent and translucent panes.

Preferably, said pane of said first light-producing element is located within said pane of said second light-producing element, and said filament of said second light-producing element is located between said pane of said first light-producing element and said pane of said second light-producing element.

Preferably, said pane of said first light-producing element is tainted of a selected color, and said pane of said second light-producing element is transparent.

Preferably, said lamp further comprises at least one additional light-producing element part of said circuit assembly and connected to said power supply, said control circuit member and said switch, said at least one additional light-producing element each capable of producing a light of an additional distinct type, wherein said control circuit member will selectively allow current to be fed to a selected one of said first light-producing element, said second light-producing element, said at least one additional light-producing element and a combination including a number of said light-producing elements when said switch allows current to be fed to said circuit assembly.

Preferably, said first and second light-producing elements each comprises a tubular pane sealingly enclosing a pair of electrodes and an inert gas, with each said pane being selected from transparent and translucent panes.

Preferably, said pane of said first light-producing element is located within said pane of said second light-producing element, and said pair of electrodes of said second light-producing element is located between said pane of said first light-producing element and said pane of said second light-producing element.

Preferably, said pane of said first light-producing element is tainted of a selected color, and said pane of said second light-producing element is transparent.

The present invention also relates to a light bulb for use within a conventional lamp circuit of the type including a socket on which said light bulb may be electrically connected, a power supply connected to said socket, and a main switch allowing selective on/off feeding of electrical current to said socket, said light bulb comprising:a base member shaped and sized for fitting said light bulb on said socket and for allowing operative electrical connection with said socket;a first and at least one second light-producing elements operatively mounted to and electrically connected with said base;a control circuit member mounted and electrically connected to said base and comprising a first and at least one second switch members each controlling a corresponding respective said first and at least one second light-producing elements; wherein said control circuit member will command a selected single one among said second switch members to be closed and all other switch members to be opened thereby feeding only said second light-producing member corresponding to said selected one among said second switch members with electrical current upon said main switch, from an initial closed condition in which a preceding switch member corresponding to a light-producing member was activated, being opened and closed again within a time interval equal or inferior to a determined threshold amount of time, said control circuit member otherwise commanding said first switch member to be closed and all other said switch members to be opened thereby feeding only said first light-producing member corresponding to said first switch member with electrical current upon said main switch being closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a lamp10with two colors according to the present invention. Lamp10comprises a socket12and an incandescent light bulb14.

Socket12is of the conventional type, including a rigid frame16which could be fixed for example to a ceiling, and a central bore18. Bore18includes a peripheral electrically-conducting threaded sleeve20, and a bottom electrically-conducting spring blade connector22which is electrically insulated relative to sleeve20. As known in the art, connector22and sleeve20are each connected to one of the positive and negative outputs of an electrical power supply (not shown in FIG.1).

Light bulb14comprises a screw base24having a threaded electrically-conducting cylindrical wall portion26and an electrically-conducting lower connector stud28which are electrically insulated relative to each other and which will respectively engage sleeve20and connector22of socket12when light bulb14threadingly engages socket12in a manner well known in the art.

Inner and outer concentric transparent or translucent globes30,32are fixedly mounted to screw base24. Globes30,32can be made for example of plastic, glass or crystal.

Inside inner globe30are provided a pair of inner lead-in wires34,36which support a transversely extending inner filament38. Lead-in wires are in turn supported by an insulating glass bracket40which is carried by screw base24, as known in the art. One lead-in wire34is electrically connected to the electrically-conducting lower connector stud28of screw base24, while the other lead-in wire36is electrically connected to a control circuit member41carried by screw base24.

In the area between inner and outer globes30and32are located a pair of outer lead-in wires42,44which support a transversely-extending outer filament46. Lead-in wires42,44are in turn supported by respective insulating glass brackets48,50which are carried by screw base24, as known in the art. One lead-in wire42is electrically connected to the electrically-conducting lower connector stud28of screw base24, while the other lead-in wire44is electrically connected to control circuit member41.

Control circuit member41is connected to electrically-conducting stud28and electrically conducting wall26of screw base24. Its purpose is to allow the electrical current to selectively engage either the inner filament38or the outer filament46, in a manner detailed hereinafter. It is possible to provide inner and outer globes30,32of different colors or of different levels of transparency, to thus obtain a different lighting effect depending on whether the inner filament38or the outer filament46radiates light. For example, if the inner globe has a greenish taint, and the outer globe is transparent, then upon the inner filament38being fed with electrical current, the light emitted by light bulb14will be greenish due to the inner globe's green-tainted translucency. However, upon the outer filament46being fed with electrical current, the light emitted by light bulb14will be white due to the outer globe's transparency—the inner globe30not influencing the light emitted by light bulb14exteriorly of inner globe30.

According to the present invention, it is possible with control circuit member41to select which filament38or46will be fed with electrical current, through a single, conventional on/off switch, in a manner described hereinafter. Thus, the light bulb14of the invention could be installed on a conventional socket12controlled by a conventional on/off switch, while still allowing selection of the color of the light emitted by light bulb14through the selection of which filament38or46would be fed with electrical current. This selective choice of the filament38or46to be fed with electrical current, is accomplished by varying the interval of time between which the light switch, from an initial position in which it closes the electrical circuit of the lamp to allow electrical current to be flow in the lamp circuit and feed a first one of the filaments, opens the electrical circuit and then closes it again. If this time interval remains under a certain determined threshold amount of time, then the second filament will be fed with electrical current instead of the first one. However, should the above-mentioned time interval between the light switch opening and closing the circuit again be greater than the above-mentioned determined threshold amount of time, then the first filament will be fed with electrical current again upon the main switch closing the lamp circuit.

Let us take the following example. The threshold amount of time is equal to five seconds. When the light switch closes the electrical circuit for the first time, the outer filament46will be fed with electrical current, and the light emitted outside of light bulb14will be white due to the transparent outer globe32not filtering the light. Upon the light switch opening the lamp circuit, none of the filaments radiates light. Then:a) if a time interval equal or inferior to five seconds elapses before the light switch closes the lamp circuit again, then the electrical current will be fed through inner filament38instead of outer filament46, and thus the light emitted by light bulb14will be partly filtered by the translucent, greenish inner globe30; orb) if more than five seconds elapse before the light switch closes the lamp circuit again, then the electrical current will be fed again through outer filament46and the light emitted by light bulb14will be white again.

This ends the example.

Control circuit member41is responsible for selectively directing the electrical current either through inner or outer filaments38,46.FIG. 2is a diagram of the circuit of lamp10, including control circuit member41. Control circuit member41is one way to carry out the invention.

FIG. 2shows that the lamp power supply outlet52stems into a positive and a negative branch54,56, in addition to the ground58. A fuse60and a switch62are serially located between power supply outlet52and the remaining portion of the positive branch54of the circuit of lamp10. Branch54is then directly linked to three elements connected in parallel:(a) inner filament38, (b) outer filament46, and (c) control circuit member41. Inner and outer filaments38,46are also linked to the negative branch56of the circuit of lamp10through control circuit member41, in a manner detailed hereinafter.

Control circuit member41comprises a microchip64which will control, through respective resistors63and65, a pair of TRIAC-type static switches66,68which, as known in the art, will close the circuit portions66a,68aconnecting the outer and inner filaments46and38respectively to the negative branch56of the circuit of lamp10, only when TRIAC switches66,68are activated by their respective outputs Q0and Q1on microchip64. Chip64also has an internal clock70and an enable function74, the purpose of the latter being explained hereinafter. Microchip further conventionally has a reset function72, that will be activated to set the circuit output value to Q0when the circuit is closed after a time interval greater than the threshold amount of time.

The electrical current heading from the positive branch54of the circuit of lamp10to microchip64is controlled by a resistor76and a zener diode89which reduces the current feeding microchip64, since microchip64requires a lower current than the lamp filaments36,48. Also, the current is fed through a first capacitor78, a second capacitor79, a fourth capacitor91and a load resistor82. Two diodes80,81are also provided to ensure that the current is unidirectional towards microchip64.

The purpose of first capacitor78, capacitor87and fourth capacitor91is to filter the electric current going through the whole electrical circuit of lamp10. Furthermore, second capacitor79is calibrated to ensure that microchip64and third capacitor85continue to be fed with current during an amount of time equal to a determined threshold amount of time, while the circuit remains opened at main switch62.

In combination, the second and third capacitors79,85act as follows. If the circuit of lamp10, from an initial closed condition, is opened during a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, then third capacitor85will remain loaded due to the continuous feed of electrical current during this time from second capacitor79, preventing the reset function from being activated. When the circuit of lamp10is closed again inside a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, the loaded second capacitor79will maintain an electrical current to chip64and a field effect transistor83will send a negative pulse to clock70which will change the microchip output value from Q0to Q1.

In use, switch62is initially in an opened condition, whereby no electrical current flows through the circuit of lamp10. Both TRIAC switch66and TRIAC switch68will prevent current from passing through filaments46and38respectively, unless they are activated through their respective associated microchip outputs Q0and Q1. When switch62closes the circuit of lamp10for the first time, microchip64will be initalized at output value Q0and will send a signal to TRIAC switch66through its output Q0. TRIAC switch66will be closed to allow the current to flow through outer filament46, while the TRIAC switch68will prevent the inner filament38from being fed with current. Thus, outer filament46will produce light, while inner filament38will not.

If switch62opens the circuit, no more current will feed outer filament46. However, second capacitor79will continue to feed third capacitor85and microchip64for an amount of time equal to the threshold amount of time.

When switch62next closes the circuit, if the time interval during which the circuit was opened is greater than the threshold amount of time, then second capacitor79will have stopped to feed third capacitor85and microchip64will simply be re-initialized at output Q0when switch62closes the circuit by the reset switch72, outer filament46thus being fed with electrical current once again.

On the other hand, if the time interval during which the circuit remained opened is equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time when switch62closes the circuit, then second capacitor79will have continuously maintained the voltage in microchip64above a minimum working value and third capacitor85will have remained loaded. Upon main switch62closing the circuit, field effect transistor83will send a negative electric pulse to clock70of microchip64, which will consequently change the output value from Q0to Q1. TRIAC switch66will be opened and current will stop to feed outer filament46, while output Q1will in turn close TRIAC switch68to allow inner filament38to be fed with electrical current. Inner filament38will thus radiate light, while outer filament46will not.

If the time interval during which the circuit remains opened is equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time when switch62closes the circuit for a second consecutive time, the field effect transistor83will send a negative electrical pulse to clock70of microchip64which will consequently change the output value from Q1to Q2. This change to output value Q2will send a negative electrical pulse through diode93to reset72on microchip64, changing immediately the microchip output value to Q0to feed outer filament46with electrical current. The purpose of diode93is to ensure that no current enters microchip64through Q2.

FIG. 3shows a second embodiment of a lamp10′ according to the invention, wherein primed numerals refer to similar elements of FIG.1.FIG. 3shows that lamp10′ comprises a conventional socket12′ of similar construction as that ofFIG. 1, and a light bulb14′ which is also similar to that ofFIG. 1except for the fact that light bulb14′ does not include a control circuit member41to which are connected lead-in wires36and44in the embodiment of FIG.1. Instead, in the second embodiment ofFIG. 3, lead-in wire36′ is connected to a an electrically-conducting annular connector90which peripherally surrounds and which is electrically insulated from the electrically-lower connector stud28′ and from electrically-conducting threaded peripheral wall26′. The lead-in wire44′ is connected to lower connector stud28′.

The embodiment ofFIG. 3includes an intermediate connecting member92which is to be inserted between light bulb14′ and socket12′, with light bulb14′ threadingly engaging connecting member92which in turn threadingly engages socket12′. Connecting element92includes a screw base94having a threaded electrically-conducting peripheral wall96and an electrically-conducting lower connector stud98which are electrically insulated relative to each other. Connecting element92further has an upper bore100having an inner threaded electrically-conducting sleeve102, an electrically-conducting annular connector104and an electrically-conducting spring-blade connector106which are electrically insulated relative to one another. A control circuit member41′ similar to the control circuit member41of the first embodiment, is linked on one side to annular element104which, through its connection with annular connector90of light bulb14′, is connected to inner lead-in wire36′; and to spring blade connector106which, through its connection with stud connector28′ of light bulb14′, is connected to outer lead-in wire44′; and on the other side to connector stud98′ which is in turn connected to spring blade connector22′, the latter in turn connected to lead-in wires34′,42′.

An electrically conducting plate108connects sleeve102to the screw base electrically-conducting threaded wall96.

The lamp10′ according to the second embodiment of the invention is quite similar to the lamp10of the first embodiment, apart from the fact that the control circuit member41′ is located in a connecting element92to be inserted between light bulb14′ and socket12′. This has the advantage, among other things, to provide light bulbs which are less expensive since they are devoid of the control circuit member, while maintaining the possibility to obtain different light colors from lamp10′ through the control of a conventional on/off light switch, as long as the light bulb is capable of producing light of different colors. The control circuit member41′ is indeed located in the intermediate connecting member92. The circuit shown inFIG. 8may be applied to the embodiment ofFIG. 3, as will be obvious to someone skilled in the art.FIG. 8is a diagram of the circuit of lamp10′, including control circuit member41′. It can be seen that the diagram ofFIG. 8is similar in some respects to the diagram ofFIG. 2, the only difference being the two diodes67,69protecting microchip64from any electrical current going through outputs Q0and Q1to microchip64per se.

FIG. 4shows a third embodiment of a light bulb110according to the present invention, which is to be installed on a conventional socket such as socket12shown inFIG. 1, the latter controlled by a conventional on/off switch, and fed with electrical current by a conventional power supply. Light bulb110comprises a screw base112having an electrically-conducting threaded peripheral wall114and an electrically-conducting lower connector stud116electrically insulated relative to peripheral wall114. A single transparent or translucent outer globe118is mounted to screw base112, and first and second smaller, transparent or translucent inner globes120,122are also mounted to screw base112. In one embodiment, outer globe118is transparent, while first and second inner globes120,122are tainted with respective colors.

First and second inner filaments124,126are provided inside first and second inner globes120,122respectively, and are each connected to a respective pair of lead-in wires128,130and132,134. An outer filament136is provided in the area between inner globes120,122and outer globe118, outer filament136being supported and connected to a pair of outer lead-in wires138,140. Lead-in wires128,134and140are all connected to a control circuit member41″, while lead-in wires130,132and138are connected to the electrically-conducting lower connector stud116. Control circuit member41″ is also connected to connector stud116and to peripheral wall114.

FIG. 5is a diagram of the circuit of lamp110, including control circuit member41″. It can be seen that the diagram ofFIG. 5is similar in some respects to the diagram of FIG.2. Similar elements have been double primed in FIG.5.

The difference between the circuit of the lamp10shown inFIG. 2, and the circuit of lamp110shown inFIG. 5, relies on the fact that there are three different filaments136,124,126which may be fed with current, each controlled by a respective TRIAC-type static switch66″,68″,142, respectively. Microchip64″ is similar to microchip64of the embodiment ofFIG. 2, although output Q2is used in the present embodiment, to accommodate the additional TRIAC switch142, and output Q3is connected to the reset function of microchip64.

In use, the circuit of lamp110will function in essentially the same way as that of lamp10, apart from a few characteristics as detailed hereinafter. When the circuit of lamp110is closed for the first time with switch62″ and circuit110is fed with electrical current, microchip64″ will be initialized at an output value of Q0, which will activate TRIAC switch66″ to close circuit portion66aand thus feed outer filament136. If the circuit of lamp110is opened and closed again after a time interval greater than the threshold amount of time, then the above situation occurs again, i.e. outer filament136is fed with electrical current, since microchip41″ will again be initialized at output value Q0.

However, if the circuit of lamp110is opened and closed a first time after a time interval equal or inferior to a determined threshold amount of time, then the field effect transistor83″ will emit a pulse to the microchip clock70″ which will change the output value of microchip64″ from Q0to Q1, consequently activating TRIAC switch68″ instead of TRIAC switch66″, first inner filament124being consequently fed with electrical current instead of outer filament136. If the circuit of lamp110is opened and closed a second consecutive time within a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, then the field effect transistor83″ will emit another pulse to the microchip clock70″ which will change the output value of microchip64″ from Q1to Q2, consequently activating TRIAC switch142instead of TRIAC switch68″, second inner filament126then being fed with electrical current instead of first inner filament124.

If the time interval during which the circuit remains opened is equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time when switch62closes the circuit for a third consecutive time, the field effect transistor83″ will send a negative electrical pulse to clock70″ of microchip64″ which will consequently change the output value from Q2to Q3. This change to output value Q3will send a negative electrical pulse through diode93″ to reset72″ on microchip64″, changing immediately the microchip output value to Q0to feed outer filament136with electrical current. The purpose of diode93″ is to ensure that no current enters microchip64″ through Q3.

Thus, for example, with lamp110, when closing the circuit for the first time, the outer filament will emit white light through a transparent globe118. If the circuit is opened and closed again a first time within a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, then the first inner filament124will be fed with current instead of the outer filament136, thus emitting light of a first color outside of light bulb110due to the first coloring of first inner globe120. If the circuit is opened and closed again a second consecutive time within a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, then the second inner filament126will be fed with current instead of the first inner filament124, thus emitting light of a second color outside of light bulb110due to the second coloring of second inner globe122. It is thus possible to obtain three different colors from a same light bulb using a conventional socket and a conventional light switch.

FIGS. 6 and 7show a fourth embodiment of a two-color lamp144according to the present invention. The lamp144is a fluorescent neon-type lamp.

Lamp144includes a pin base146including a pair of connector pins148,150for operative engagement with a conventional ballast socket (not shown). An inner and an outer sealed transparent or translucent tube152,154are mounted between pin base146and the other pin base (not shown) opposite pin base146. A pair of lead-in wires156,158connect pins148,150to control circuit164. Control circuit164thus being connected to both an inner and an outer electrode160,162located inside inner and outer tubes152,154respectively, both inner and outer electrodes160,162are connected to control circuit164through lead-in wires166,168,170,172respectively. An inert gas such as neon is located inside the distinctly sealed-off areas inside each tube152, and154. A control circuit member164controls, in a similar manner than control circuit members41and41″, whether the inner electrode160or the outer electrode162will be activated depending on the light switch movement. The above-mentioned other pin base is identical to pin base146.

As with the previous embodiment, if the circuit of lamp144, from an initial closed condition in which the outer electrode162is activated, is opened and closed again within a time interval equal or inferior to a determined threshold amount of time, then the control circuit member164will activate the inner electrode160instead of the outer electrode162. Otherwise, when the light switch closes the lamp circuit, outer electrode162is activated. Considering that tubes152and154may be of different colors, it is thus possible to select which color the tube144will be emitting by manipulating the conventional light switch, as with the previous embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9is a diagram of the circuit of lamp144, including control circuit member164. It can be seen that the diagram ofFIG. 9is similar in some respects to teh diagram ofFIG. 2, except for the ballast required for the operation of the lamp144.

It is understood that, in all of the embodiments of the present invention, the coloring of the globes can be selected as desired.

Also, it is envisioned to have lamps including more than two filaments or other light-producing elements, up to any number which may physically fit on the lamp.

Thus, a single lamp including a light bulb mounted on a conventional socket and activated with a conventional on/off light switch could consecutively produce an array of different colors by sequentially closing and opening the circuit of the lamp a number of times.

Furthermore, the first three disclosed embodiments are applied to incandescent lamps, while the fourth embodiment is applied to an inert-gas tube lamp type, but it is understood that any suitable type of lamp may be provided with the system according to the present invention, including for example a tungsten-halogen lamp or a portable flashlight with an incandescent filament. For ease of comprehension, we will define a light bulb as being the device which may be removably connected to a power supplied socket and which includes at least one light-producing element; this includes incandescent light bulbs, neon-type tubes, halogen-tungsten bulbs, and the like.

It is understood from the above-described embodiments and it will be obvious for someone skilled in the art of the invention, that different types of light-producing elements may be used. In the above first, second and third embodiments, each light-producing element was characterized by an incandescent filament located inside a globe formed by an at least partly surrounding transparent or translucent pane. In the fourth embodiment, the light producing element was a pair of electrodes located inside an inert gas filled sealed-off tube. But other types of light-producing elements could be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, all globes could be of a same color, while the filaments themselves could emit light of varying color or intensity. The “type” of light emitted by a light-producing element will be referred to as the light color and intensity. Also, the light-producing elements need not be located one within the other, but may be for example mounted side by side on the light bulb base.

All the embodiments have shown lamps in which at most a single one among all the light-producing elements is fed with electrical current at any given time. However, it is understood that more than one light-producing element could be fed with electrical current by simply associating specific TRIAC-type static switches with desired output values of the microchip. For example, a lamp comprising first and second filaments controlled by respective first and second TRIAC-type switches could have its output value Q0of its microchip associated with the first TRIAC switch, its output value Q1associated with the second TRIAC switch, while its output value Q2could be associated with both the first and the second TRIAC switches. Upon the lamp main switch being closed a first time, the first TRIAC switch only would be activated by the microchip being initialized at output value Q0, and thus the first filament only would be fed with electrical current. If the switch is opened and closed a first time within a time interval equal or inferior to a determined threshold amount of time, then the microchip output Q1would be activated instead of output Q0, and the second filament would be fed with electrical current. If the main switch is opened and closed a second consecutive time within a time interval equal or inferior to the threshold amount of time, then the microchip output Q2would be activated instead of output Q1, and consequently both the first and second TRIAC switch would allow current to be fed to the first and second filaments, respectively.