Abstract:
An array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) located in or on an article for attracting attention are energized over respective time increments of a predetermined duty cycle with peak power pulses having an amplitude substantially equal to their rated forward voltage V F  and a current no larger than their rated maximum current I MAX .

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to circuitry for energizing light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, and more particularly, to a circuit for energizing an array of light emitting diodes located in an operational environment such as, but not limited to, a fishing lure or other type of device intended to attract attention or please the eye of the viewer. 
     Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and their associated circuitry for generating a high intensity light output are generally well known. Applications for their use are widespread and include, for example but not limited to, fishing lures, jewelry, various types of novelty devices, traffic signals and outdoor message boards, to name a few. It is a well-known fact that excessive and destructive heat can be generated by the continuous operation of any light emitting diode at high voltages for long periods of time, but can be avoided by operating the LEDs over a relatively short duty cycle. It has been determined through experimentation, however, that not only can life expectancy of LEDs be extended, but also the battery life where applicable, and the brightness, i.e. intensity, of the LEDs maximized by operating the respective LEDs at peak pulse power, i.e., where the LEDs are pulsed one at a time or in groups in a predetermined sequence at substantially maximum peak voltage which is equal to the rated forward voltage (V F ) and the rated maximum current (I MAX ) for equal predetermined portions or time increments of an operational duty cycle. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide circuitry for energizing light emitting devices and, more particularly, to energizing a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are energized over respective time increments of a predetermined duty cycle with peak power pulses having an amplitude substantially equal to their rated forward voltage V F  and a current no larger than their rated maximum current I MAX . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit for energizing light emitting devices, comprising: a plurality of electrically energized light emitting devices; a DC power source; and, one or more circuit components connected to the DC power source, on demand, for generating a pulse of substantially peak power selectively applied, one at a time, or in groups, to said plurality of light emitting devices for emitting relatively bright flashes of light in a random or ordered sequence. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit for energizing a plurality of light emitting devices associated with, but not limited to, a device adapted to float or be submerged in a liquid, comprising: a plurality of electrically energizable light emitting diodes (LEDs) located within or on an outside surface of a device which may be, but not limited to, a fishing lure; a DC power source located in a body portion of the device; and a circuit located in the body portion of the device connected to and energized by the DC power source for generating a substantially peak power pulse applied to each of the light emitting diodes which emit high intensity flashes of light for respective time intervals, i.e., the pulse width of the energizing pulse. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the device comprises one which operates in a non-liquid environment, such as a toy, a novelty, and a signaling device, to mention but a few. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, they are provided by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description provided hereinafter in the accompanying drawings which are provided by way of illustration only, and thus are not meant to be considered in a limiting sense, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a fish lure which comprises a first embodiment of the subject invention; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  comprise opposite side views of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  for the arrangement of six light emitting diodes (LEDs) located on the body of the fish lure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a fish type toy or novelty device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are illustrative of a duck-type bath toy in accordance with a third embodiment of the subject invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram illustrative of apparatus for energizing the LEDs shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical schematic diagram further illustrative of the block diagram shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is illustrative of a sequence of peak power pulses applied to each of the LEDs shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the subject invention which comprises a novelty device in the form of a bunny holding a drum and including a set of LEDs on the outer rim thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram for generating peak power pulses for energizing the LEDs shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are illustrative of a fifth embodiment of the subject invention which comprises a variation of the duck-type bath toy shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C; 
         FIG. 11  is an electrical schematic diagram illustrative of apparatus for energizing a set of three LEDs mounted inside of the duck figure shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrative of the operational sequence of the three LEDs shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is illustrative of a clapboard type of signaling device typically used in the film industry and which comprises a sixth embodiment of the subject invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an electrical schematic diagram of circuitry for energizing an arrangement of LEDs such as shown in  FIG. 13  for generating a light chase sequence of twenty four or eighteen LEDs; 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are illustrative of the arrangement of sets of twenty four and eighteen LEDs located on the clapboard shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is illustrative of a name tag type of device bordered by a set of 18 LEDs in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the subject invention; 
         FIG. 17  is an electrical schematic diagram illustrative of circuitry for energizing the set of LEDs mounted on the name tag shown in  FIG. 16 ; AND, 
         FIG. 18  is illustrative of the arrangement of the eighteen LEDs located on the name tag shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout,  FIG. 1  is illustrative of a fish lure  10  comprising a first embodiment of the invention and which includes the body portion  12  in the form of a fish having a fisherman&#39;s hook  14  secured to the tail portion  15  and a clip  16  secured to the mouth portion  18  for attachment to a fishing line, now shown. 
     The fish lure  10  includes a plurality of light emitting devices and, more particularly, to six light emitting diodes (LEDs) shown schematically in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  by reference numerals  20   1 ,  20   2 ,  20   3 ,  20   4 ,  20   5 , and  20   6 . The LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  are designed to emit high intensity light flashes of a certain color of light, for example, red, blue, green, yellow and white as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and are selectively energized in a predetermined sequence, but are mutually displaced from one another by a selective arrangement of the LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6 , on the surface of the fish body  12  as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  2 A and  2 B so as to provide a flashing light display exhibiting a random sequence. As shown in  FIG. 2B  a battery access opening  22  is provided in the fish body  12  so that a battery (not shown) can be located inside of the fish body  12  for powering the LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6 . Also shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is a pair of fluid sensing probes  24  and  26  which are adapted to turn on an LED energizing circuit  28  shown in  FIG. 5 , for example, when contact is made with either fresh or salt water. 
       FIG. 3  is intended to show a modification of the fish lure  10  shown in  FIG. 1  so that it can be utilized, for example, as a novelty device such as a bath tub toy  10 ′ and in all respects resembles the fish lure embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  including a set of six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  except that the hook  14  and clip  16  are now deleted. Otherwise, two embodiments are substantially the same. 
     A third embodiment of the invention, also including a set of six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  is shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C. There a toy duck  11 , which can be used as a bath toy, is shown including six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  mounted around the body portion  13  and which are powered by a battery, not shown, located inside the body portion  13 . A small battery access element  17  is shown in  FIG. 4C  located in the bottom surface  19  of the duck body portion  13  so that one can change the battery when required. Also shown in  FIG. 4C  is a pair of fluid sensing elements  24 ′ and  26 ′ which are also adapted to turn on a energizing circuit  28  such as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In this invention, peak pulse power pulses are applied to each of the LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  so as to obtain maximum brightness, i.e. intensity, of the light output when energized without exceeding the operating specifications of the diodes which would otherwise result in catastrophic failure. This results in increased battery life and extended life of the light emitting diodes while maximizing the light output therefrom. This occurs as a result of energizing the LEDs with relatively short pulses of equal pulse width with maximum peak power which is equal to the rated forward voltage (V F ) and at the rated maximum current (I MAX ). The pulses are applied either in a sequential or random pattern at a frequency equal to n times the flashing time of one LED, where n equals the number of LEDs. 
     Peak pulse power operation of the LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6 , in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4  is achieved by circuitry shown by the electrical block diagram of  FIG. 5 . Disclosed thereat is a water sense and turn-on circuit  28 , an oscillator or timer  30  which generates a sequence of energizing pulses and a programmable sequencer  32 , and a DC power supply  34 . In  FIG. 5 , the DC power supply  34  is shown connected to the turn-on circuit  28 ; however, it should be noted that the power supply voltage from the DC power supply  34  is used to power all the circuit components shown in  FIG. 5 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  are a pair of fluid sensor probes  24  and  26  which are used to enable the turn-on circuit  28  when the devices are submerged or float on a liquid such as water. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown thereat is an electrical schematic diagram of the block diagram shown in  FIG. 5 . Two versions of the turn-on circuit are schematically shown in  FIG. 6  by reference numerals  28  and  28 ′. Both circuits include a medium gain Darlington circuit comprised of a pair of NPN transistors Q 1  and Q 2  where the emitter of one transistor Q 1 , having base, emitter and collector electrodes, is directly connected to the base of the second transistor Q 2 . 
     In the turn-on circuit  28  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the two sensor probes  24  and  26  are respectively connected to the collector and base of transistor Q 1 . When out of water, the circuit remains open but when submerged in either fresh or salt water the Darlington transistors Q 1  and Q 2  become conductive. In  FIG. 6 , for example, when a +4.5 volt supply voltage is applied to the transistors Q 1  and Q 2 , a voltage drop of or about 0.6 volts occurs across transistors Q 1  and Q 2 , resulting in a supply voltage of or about +3.9 volts being applied to a DC supply bus  36 . 
     The alternative embodiment of the turn-on circuit  28  in  FIG. 6  utilizes a pair of dissimilar metal elements  38  and  40  respectively coupled to the base and emitter of transistor Q 1 . When the fish lure  10 , for example, is submerged, or a liquid is applied across the elements  38  and  40 , a voltage is generated across which is applied across the resistor R 1  causing Q 1  to turn on followed by a turn-on of transistor Q 2  thereby switching the circuit to a conductive on-state and applying a +3.9 DC voltage to the bus  36  in the same manner as before. 
     It should be known that several other turn-on methods can be employed, such as a standard ON-OFF switch. Also it should be noted that an impact switch initiated by striking the fish lure  10  on a solid surface before placing it in the water can be used which, when struck again, turns off. Also, a pressure switch can be employed which turns ON and OFF as a function of water depth. A photoelectric switch, which senses the state of the water, can also be used. 
     The timing oscillator or timer  30  is comprised of a well known low-power CMOS timer known as the “555” time oscillator and is commercially available from many integrated circuit manufacturers such as Texas Instruments, Sanyo, and National Semiconductor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the 555 timer  30  is marketed as an eight-pin circuit package where the +3.9 volt supply voltage is applied, for example, to pins  8  and  4 . Pin  1  is grounded and pin  3  comprises the output signal pin. An astable or free-running oscillator which generates a pulse sequence such as shown in  FIG. 7  is implemented by connecting an RC circuit consisting of fixed resistors R 3 , R 4  and capacitor C 1  to pins  2 ,  6  and  7  as shown. The frequency of operation is dependent upon the values of R 3 , R 4  and C 1 . 
     The time intervals for the ON and OFF portions of the output pulses at pin  3  and as shown by the pulses  46   1  . . .  46   6  in  FIG. 7  depend upon the values of R 3  and R 4  and thus operate to control the leading edge  45  and trailing edge  47  of each LED  20   1  . . .  20   6 . The sequencer  32 , then outputs the pulses which have a voltage amplitude supplying voltage substantially equal to the rated forward voltage (V F ) of each LED, causing them to sequentially start and stop emission instantly, and in so doing, generates a flash of light for the period of the applied pulse. 
     In the subject invention, the frequency of the timer  30  is configured to be n× the desired flashing time interval of one light emitting diode  20 . Where six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6 , for example, are employed, then the frequency of the timer  30  will be 6× the desired flashing time interval of one LED. Such a choice would allow for each LED to be ON for ⅙ of the entire duty cycle of the timing oscillator  30  such as ⅙ sec. for a 1 sec. timer duty cycle. 
     In the circuit shown in  FIG. 6 , pulses are outputted from pin  3  and applied to the programmable sequencer  32  which is shown comprising type 4017 decade counter manufactured, for example, by Phillips Semiconductors. As shown, the 4017 decade counter is wired to sequentially provide six output pulses  46   1  . . .  46   6  shown, for example, in  FIG. 6  from pins  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  9 . Pins  7  and  11  are shown being connected to ground. A connection is made from pins  5  to pin  13  and pin  14  is connected to the DC voltage bus  36 . A common current limiting resistor R 5  is also shown returning all six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  to ground so that the current will not exceed the rated maximum current I MAX , typically 20-25 milliamps (ma). 
     It can be seen that with approximately 0.6 voltage drop across a decade counter or sequencer  32  and limiting resistor R 5 , a pulse  46  of approximately 3.3 volts (V F ) is sequentially applied to the six LEDs  20   1 , . . .  20   6 . With the feedback circuit shown, the counter will output a pulse for each of the six LEDs in a sequential pattern as shown in  FIG. 7 . A random pattern can be implemented by a non-symmetrical placement of the six LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   6  such as shown with respect to the fish lure of  FIG. 1 . 
     Accordingly, the decade counter  32  will then output 6 LED energizing pulses  46   1 ,  46   2  . . .  46   6 , as shown in  FIG. 7  for sequentially energizing the six LEDs  20   1 , . . .  20   6  and where each pulse has an amplitude substantially equal to the rated forward voltage (V F ) of approximately 3.3 volts as shown in  FIG. 6 , and having a rated maximum current (I MAX ) as limited by the resistor R 5 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , shown thereat is a third embodiment  48  of the subject invention which comprises a novelty device in the form of a bunny rabbit  50  holding a drum  52  and wherein six LEDs  20   1 ,  20   2  . . .  20   6  are externally mounted on the outer surface of the drum rim  54 . A switch device which may be, for example, a push-button switch  56 , is shown mounted on the rear lower half, i.e., tail portion of the bunny  50 . 
     Circuitry for energizing the LEDs  20   1 , . . .  20   6  in the embodiment  48  of  FIG. 8  is shown in  FIG. 9  and operates in all respects the same as that of  FIG. 6  except that a manually operated switch  56  which was noted to be a push-button switch is inserted in the turn-on circuit  28  in place of the pair of contacts  24  and  26  shown in  FIG. 5 . As before, the switch  56  is also connected between the base and collector of Darlington circuit transistor Q 1 . 
     A fourth embodiment  58  of the subject invention is shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  and is directed to a novelty device  58  comprising an aquatic  FIG. 62  in the form of small duck which is adapted to float on the surface of water, for example. In  FIG. 10A , three light emitting diodes (LEDs),  20   1 ,  20   2  and  20   3  which, for example, respectively emit the colors red, blue and green, as shown in  FIG. 11 , are internally located in the head portion  60  of the duck  62 . A pair of water sensing elements  64  and  66  are located on an internal access member  68  located on a bottom surface  70  of the body portion  62  as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , shown thereat is an electrical schematic circuit diagram including the circuitry  72  for energizing the three LEDs  20   1 ,  20   2  and  20   3  so as to produce in addition to the colors red, blue and green, three additional colors, magenta, cyan and yellow. The circuitry  72  is connected to a programmable sequencer  32 ′ which also comprises a 4017 type decade counter shown, for example, in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . 
     The circuit  72  shown in  FIG. 11  includes a direct connection of resistor R 1  from pin  1  to the LED  20   1 . In a like manner, resistor R 2  is connected between pin  3  and LED  20   2  and resistor R 3  is connected from pin  5  to LED  20   3 . Pin  2  is connected to resistors R 1  and R 2  via a pair of diodes D 1  and D 2 . Pin  4 , in a like manner, is connected to resistors R 2  and R 3  via a pair of diodes D 3  and D 4  and pin  6  is connected to resistors R 3  and R 1  via a third pair of diodes D 5  and D 6 . 
     In operation, when pulses  46   1  . . .  46   6  having an output sequence as shown, for example, in  FIG. 12  are outputted from pins  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , the pulse  46   1  from pin  1  energizes the red LED  20   1 , but now the pulse  46   2  from pin  2  is simultaneously applied to both the red and blue LEDs  20   1  and  20   2  via the diodes D 1  and D 2  to produce the color of magenta. In a like manner, the pulse  46   3  from the pin  3  will energize the blue LED  20   2  and the pulse  46   4  from pin  4  will be simultaneously connected LEDs  20   2  and  20   3  via the diodes D 3  and D 4  to produce the color cyan. The pulse  46   5  from pin  5  energizes only the LED  20   3  for the color green, and finally the pulse from pin  6  will be simultaneously applied to LED  20   3  and LED  20   1  to produce the color yellow. Thus, six different colors are sequentially produced from the six outputs of sequencer  32 ′ with three LEDs  20   1 ,  20   2  and  20   3  as indicated in  FIG. 11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , shown thereat is a fifth embodiment  74  of the subject invention which is directed to a “clapboard” type of signaling device one might use, for example, in the film industry when filming a particular episode or film sequence. As shown in  FIG. 13 , in addition to conventional clapboard arms  76  and  78  along with one or more spaces  80 ,  82  . . .  88  on which information is put, there is now included a plurality of LEDs  20   1 ,  20   2  . . .  20   n-1 ,  20   n  equally spaced around the outer edge of space  88 . 
       FIG. 14  is illustrative of a circuit where either eighteen (18) LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   18  or twenty four (24) LEDs  20   1  . . .  24   24  can be energized in eight sets of four or five series connected LEDs, depending on which jumper connection is employed as shown, with two sets being energized simultaneously in each case to implement a “light chase” of flash sequence. Each of the four or five series connected LEDs are connected in series to respective current limiting resistors R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 , with the LEDs connected to R 1  and R 2  being energized in sequence  1 , the LEDs connected to R 3  and R 4  being energized in sequence  2  and the LEDs connected to R 5  and R 6  being energized in sequence  3 . 
     In order to achieve a “chase” sequence, the timer  30 ′ shown in  FIG. 14  has a duty cycle of three output pulses. With an application of a power supply voltage +V (+12V or +15V) applied through a switch device  90 , energizing pulses of approximately 3.3 volts (V F ) will be applied to each LED thereby providing a peak power pulse for each of the LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   24  which will be illuminated so as to provide a bright “light chase” display around the rectangular space  88  of the clapboard shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIGS. 15A and 15B  depict a twenty four LED  20   1  . . .  20   24  arrangement and an eighteen LED  20   1  . . .  20   18  clapboard arrangement, respectively. 
     A sixth embodiment  94  of the subject invention is similar to the clapboard embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , but now it is directed to a device in the form of name tag  96  having a configuration of, for example, eighteen LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   18  located on the outer perimeter portion  98  of the tag body  97 . The LEDs  20   1  . . .  20   18  are connected as shown in the circuit diagram  17  which is similar to that of  FIG. 14  in that a light chase sequence is generated by the LEDs being energized in eight sets of four series connected LEDs, with two sets being energized simultaneously. This effect is identical that achieved with the clapboard embodiment  74  shown in  FIG. 13 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the name tag circuitry  94  includes a timer circuit  30 ′ and a programmable sequencer  32 ″ connected to the LEDs in the same fashion as an 18 LED embodiment would require, for example, as shown in  FIG. 14 . In the name tag circuitry, a +V (+12V) supply voltage is simultaneously connected to the timer  30 ′ and the sequencer  32 ″ via a manually actuated switch  99  which may be, for example, integrated with an attachment device, not shown, which is used to attach the name tag  97  to the wearer. With a +12V supply voltage which may be supplied by a battery, for example, each of the LEDs would be powered by a voltage which is substantially equal to the rated forward Voltage (V F ), along with the rated maximum current (I max ) provided by the resistors R 1 , R 2  . . . R 6 , required for peak power operation. 
     Thus, what has been shown and described are several embodiments of light emitting diodes and their associated circuitry which operate the respective LEDs at peak pulse power, i.e., so as to maximize light output while protecting the diode from catastrophic failure. 
     Having thus shown and described what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, the foregoing detailed description merely illustrates principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within its spirit and scope.