Faux fireplace with synchronized flame crackling

A faux fireplace having a controller generating an imitation log crackling sound synchronized to an ember flicker of a faux log. The faux fireplace includes a video display displaying a video flame having releasing embers based on a video loop stored as a video file in memory. The controller generates the imitation log crackling sound for the displayed releasing embers as well. The type of crackling sounds and the volume of the crackling sound are different for each of the faux logs to create an authentic visual and audio experience. The ember flickers are generated by lighting associated with each of the faux logs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to faux fireplaces that generate realistic faux flames for homes, apartments, hotels, commercial buildings, and other confined locations.

BACKGROUND

Faux fireplaces are commonly used in personal homes, condominiums, apartments and the like to generate a faux (synthetic or simulated) flame when a real burning fireplace is not allowable or preferred.

This disclosure includes a faux fireplace designed to eliminate the challenges ad disadvantages commonly associated with gas or wood burning fireplaces without compromising the realism of the flames.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A faux fireplace having a controller generating an imitation log crackling sound synchronized to an ember flicker of a faux log. The faux fireplace includes a video display displaying a video flame having releasing embers based on a video loop stored as a video file in memory. The controller generates the imitation log crackling sound for the displayed releasing embers as well. The type of crackling sounds and the volume of the crackling sound are different for each of the faux logs to create an authentic visual and audio experience. The ember flickers are generated by lighting associated with each of the tux logs.

The term “coupled” as used herein refers to any logical, optical, physical or electrical connection, link or the like by which signals, or light produced or supplied by one system element are imparted to another coupled element. Unless described otherwise, coupled elements or devices are not necessarily directly connected to one another and may be separated by intermediate components, elements or communication media that may modify, manipulate or carry the light, sound, or signals.

Referring toFIG.1Athere is illustrated a faux fireplace10having a body11including a cavity12, shown as a chassis having a firebox including a vertically extending electronic video display(s)14configured to display a looping video of a faux flame shown at16. The video display14may be formed by one or more panels to display a larger and horizontal faux flame16. The faux fireplace10is configured as an insert that can slide directly into an opening in a wall, such as between studs and surrounded by drywall or other material. The faux fireplace10has a rather shallow depth, such as 6 inches, and includes a faux ember bed18at the firebox bottom20extending forwardly from the video display14. The ember bed18is covered by a media21, such as glacier crystals or crushed glass, and includes a plurality of resin faux logs22positioned on the ember bed18. Ember bed lighting24is positioned under the ember bed18and is configured to selectively illuminate the ember bed18and media21with a selectable color. Down-lighting26at the top of the firebox12is configured to selectively illuminate the firebox12and faux logs22from above at a user selectable color. A speaker(s)25is positioned on the front of the fireplace10and produces an audio crackling sound that imitates log crackling sounds. The log crackling sounds include popping sounds, sizzling sounds, and escaping gas sounds. The log crackling sounds are synchronized to synthesized ember flickers generated by faux log lighting27embedded in each of the faux logs22, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The crackling sounds are also generated for each ember that is displayed as releasing from the aux flame16. The faux log lighting27may be configured as a strip of LEDs attached to portions of the faux logs22, including edges of the faux logs22, which simulate glowing and popping of a log ember when the crackling sound is made. The generated crackling sounds for each of the faux logs22can have a different sound and volume so that the sound effect is random and authentic to a user.

The ember bed lighting24and the down-lighting26may be created by LEDs, or the like. The lighting may be comprised of red/green/blue (RGB) lighting. The firebox12includes at least one heater32configured to generate heat, and vents34configured to emit the generated heat using a blower36.

The ember bed18may be formed of a plastic (e.g., Polystyrene or Acrylic) ember bed screen (white color) acting as a diffusion material for the underlaying ember bed lighting24. The media21, such as glacier crystals or crushed glass, are laid on top of the ember bed screen to emulate a glowing ember bed of an actual fireplace. The ember bed lighting24is positioned uniformly as to not create bright and dim spots on the ember bed screen. The firebox12may have a non-clear or colored glass viewing window37, such as a tea color, such as semi-reflective glass, such as tempered glass with sanded edges.

The color of the faux flame16, the ember bed lighting24, the down-lighting26, the faux log lighting27, and the speaker(s)25are selectively controlled by a controller28, such as a microprocessor, shown inFIG.2. The controller28is controllable by a user using a control panel38having buttons located on an upper right corner of the firebox12as shown inFIG.1A, and by using a wireless input device30having a user interface31, such as a remote control, having buttons as shown inFIG.1B. A MP4 video file33includes a looping video of the faux flame16and a soundtrack of the crackling sounds that is stored in memory29. The looping video also includes embers releasing from the flame. In one example, the controller28uses the soundtrack to control the generation of the ember flickers generated by the faux log lighting27, and the crackling sounds such that they are synchronized. A crackling sound is generated for each ember flicker and for the displayed embers releasing from the faux flame16. In another example, a microphone is positioned proximate the speaker25such that the sounds from the speaker25are captured by the microphone and converted to electrical signals which command the faux log lighting27to flicker in sync with the crackling sounds. In another example, a remote device, such as a Bluetooth device, may generate music that is also synchronized to the lit faux logs. The controller28controls the display of the looping video of the faux flame16on video display14, including a selectable speed of the displayed looping video. The controller28also generates the log crackling sounds synchronized to the faux log lighting27that is generated by the speaker25. In the example shown inFIG.1AandFIG.1B, the control panel38and the user interface31of the wireless input device30have pressable or tappable buttons, wherein each button is shown in the left column ofFIG.1C,FIG.1D, andFIG.1Ewith their assigned functions shown in the right column.

In an example, the remote control30is a wireless smart mobile device with the user interface31including a touch display controlled by an application (App) stored in the memory29, as shown in PKG.3A. A home screen39that is displayed on the touch display31of the smart mobile device is shown inFIG.3Bthat details the function and action of each button shown inFIG.3A. The wireless smart mobile device can be a smart phone, as well as a smart watch, smart eyewear, a laptop computer, and other such smart devices. The smart mobile device controls the controller28using standard communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, but can also communicate via a wireless network including the internet. The electronics of the faux fireplace10shown inFIG.2includes the memory29having the MP4 video file(s)33for generating the looping video of the faux flame16, which memory29may be part of the controller28configured as a system on a chip (SOC), and the memory29may be removable such as a thumb drive.

Referring toFIG.3A, there is illustrated the remote control30having touch display31operating based on a smart phone App.FIG.3Billustrates the home screen of the display31, including the function and action of each displayed button of the remote control30shown inFIG.3A. The respective button controls the controller28. The display31displays a home button41, a back button43, and a power on/off slider button at40. A flame style option button42opens a flame sub-menu shown inFIG.4Afor selecting the flame style and color, wherein settings of the flame style and color are selected using displayed buttons45,47and49having the functions and actions shown inFIG.4B. Three flame style settings with six colors for each of the styles are shown inFIG.4C-4E. Tapping the respective displayed flame color shown inFIG.4C-4Fselects the color of the displayed faux flame16.

A flame speed slider button44allows the user to change the flame speed of the displayed faux flame16between three settings of current flame displayed, shown as slow, default and fast. The flame speed slider button44controls the playback speed of the video loop displayed on display14to give the user control of the flame and a rate of a flame flicker.

A volume control slider button46allows the user to change a sound effect and volume, such as the flame crackling sound that is synchronized to the ember flickers generated by the faux log lighting27shown inFIG.1A, displayed as having a selection of off, default, medium and high. As shown inFIG.3C, as the faux flame MP4 file(s)33generates a crackling sound through the speaker(s)25, it also commands the faux log lighting27to flash in sync with the visual embers and crackling sound. In the example shown in the middle graph, the crackling sound35is generated for some, or every, ember flicker(s) generated by faux flame MP4 file(s)3). In the example shown in the lower graph, the faux log lighting27will flash in sync with the ember flickers on the LCD display14and/or crackling sounds. The type and volume of the crackling sound and faux logs flashing may be different, or the same, for each faux log22such that the visual and sound effect is perceived as authentic by a user.

An Ember Bed lighting control button48has an icon which opens an ember-bed sub-menu shown inFIG.5Ato allow the user to select the color and brightness of the Ember Bed lighting24. A Down-lighting control button50has an icon which opens a down-light sub-menu shown inFIG.5Bto allow the user to select the color and brightness of the down-lighting26. A heater button52has an icon that opens a sub-menu shown inFIG.6for controlling the heat generated by the heater32. A timer button54has an icon that opens a sub-menu shown inFIG.7for controlling the time duration for operating the auto shut off feature of the faux fireplace10. The sub-menu includes a set schedule button70that opens a weekly programming sub-menu shown inFIG.8that has individual seven-day options shown at72. If a program is set by the user for that day, the color tab is displayed on the ends of that day. Color keys74enable the user to control of the heater32, the faux flame16, and air recirculation using blower36. The reset button allows the user to reset of all seven days of any programming.

FIG.9illustrates the individual day programming button for Sunday selected, which upon selection by the user opens the sub-menu illustrated inFIG.10. After the user selects an option on key74, a schedule76for Sunday can be programmed using remote control30by selecting the time of day for each option by swiping a finger over the decided time duration. In an example.FIG.10illustrates the heater32being on from 17:00 to 24:00, the faux flame16being on from 09:30 to 19:30, and the blower38being on from 00:00 to 16:00.

Referring toFIG.11A, there is shown a method1100for operating the faux fireplace10. The faux fireplace10can be manually controlled by the control panel38, by the remote control30using the smart phone app, or automatically by the program schedule76of the smart, phone app, executed by controller28as discussed.

At block1102, the display14is selected to be on to generate the faux flame16, using a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1B, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A. The color of the displayed faux flame16and the flame style is a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1B, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A.

At block1104, the color of the ember bed lighting24is established using a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1B, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A.

At block1106, the color of the down-lighting26is established a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.113, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A.

At block1108, the speed of the faux flame16as displayed on the video display14is established using a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1B, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A. The faux flame speed selection allows the user to change the playback speed of the video loop of the displayed faux flame16between three settings of the current flame displayed, shown as slow, default and fast. The selected speed of the faux flame16is established by the controller28controlling the playback speed of the video loop stored in memory29. This feature allows the user to control the speed of the faux flame16presentation, including a flicker rate of the faux flame16, and establish an ambiance for the user.

At block1110, the volume of the crackling sound that is synchronized to the ember flickers generated by the faux log lighting27is controlled using slide button46, as illustrated inFIG.3A. The ember flickers27are synchronized to the audio crackling sound to generate a faux flame that is very realistic and authentic to a user.

At block1112, the heater32is controlled using a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1Bor the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A.

At block1114, the blower36is controlled by using a button of the control panel38, the remote control30as illustrated inFIG.1B, or the remote control30including a smart mobile device having the smart phone app as shown inFIG.3A.

FIG.11Billustrates a high-level method of the operation of the faux fireplace10.