Abstract:
A light system for a motor vehicle includes a hand-held remote control unit is capable of generating a wireless or infrared signal containing one or more commands. A sensor is capable of recognizing the signal from the remote control and generates a sensor signal responsive thereto. A CPU is operable on direct current and contains a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal. The CPU also has an input for receiving a signal containing sound information and is capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information. A light unit has a substantially weather resistant housing made at least partially of light penetrable material and contains therein a plurality of LEDs operatively connected to said CPU, said plurality of LEDs being capable of generating light containing one or more wavelengths responsive to the control signal from the CPU.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 60/545,060, which was filed on Feb. 17, 2004, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of vehicle lights and, more particularly, to decorative lights for motor vehicles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Lights mounted to a motor vehicle&#39;s undercarriage have become popular items used to distinctively decorate cars, trucks, and the like. Typically, these lights have been fluorescent, neon-type lights which have a limited range in their intensity and color-producing ability. Additionally, such lights and lighting systems have provided the user only limited ability to customize the lighting effects.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     With the foregoing in mind, the present light system includes a programmable microcontroller in a central processing unit (CPU) and a wireless transmission capability. One or more light sticks comprising an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are operably connected to the controller, the system being connected to a source of power, typically, the vehicle&#39;s battery or electrical system. A hand-held remote control communicates by wireless signals, preferably infrared signals which are received by a sensor connected to the controller, and allows the user to turn the system on or off, to program the system to produce lighting effects which are user-defined, to choose lighting effects programs from a plurality of programs stored in the CPU, to increase or decrease the intensity of the light output by the system, and to coordinate the lighting effects with the vehicle&#39;s music system so as to choreograph the lighting effects to the beat of selected music. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, presented solely for exemplary purposes and not with intent to limit the invention thereto, and in which:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an overall schematic diagram of the light system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic of the light system of  FIG. 1  as it might be installed in a motor vehicle;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of a light stick according to the present invention, including closeup detail of its cable connectors;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of two light sticks as they may be connected in the present light system;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates the use of connectors for securing a light stick of the present invention to the motor vehicle, preferably its undercarriage;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts how the present light stick is best oriented when mounted on a motor vehicle&#39;s undercarriage;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a top plan detailed view of an embodiment of the hand-held remote control unit of the invention as also shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of one possible audio connection in the present invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic diagram of an alternate audio connection in the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. Any publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, however, the present specification, including any definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods and examples given are illustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided solely for exemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.  
         [0016]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-9 . The light system  10  includes a hand-held remote control unit  12 , a sensor  14  which receives a signal from the remote control unit, a central processing unit (CPU)  16  having a microcontroller  18 , and one or more lights  20 , also termed herein “light sticks”, which comprise an array of light-emitting diodes  22  (LEDs). The light sticks  20  are connected to the CPU  16  by a data cable  24  capable of carrying control signals from the microcontroller  18 . An example of a microcontroller  18  suitable for use in the invention is Motorola&#39;s PIC18F258, a programmable integrated circuit. The skilled will recognize that there are many other similar integrated circuits which may be employed in the invention.  
         [0017]     A sensor  14  or wireless transceiver capable of recognizing an infrared or wireless signal from the remote control unit  12  is operably connected with the CPU, typically by a hardwired connection  26 . At least one light stick and, preferably, a plurality of light sticks, is operably connected with the CPU. As the skilled will realize, the system is connected to a source of power  28 , usually the vehicle&#39;s battery or other point along the vehicle&#39;s electrical system, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The remote control unit  12  is sized suitably for being easily hand-held, and preferably includes its own source of power which is usually one or more replaceable batteries but could also be connected to and/or rechargeable through the vehicle&#39;s electrical system.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the remote control unit  12  preferably provides the user with the flexibility of various functions, including the ability to program the micro controller  18  to produce user-defined lighting effects. A preferred method of wireless communication between the remote control unit  12  and the CPU  16  is by means of infrared light, which is generated by the remote control unit responsive to a user&#39;s input and is detected by a sensor  14  having the capability of recognizing the infrared signal, the sensor being connected to the CPU, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The remote control unit  12 , wirelessly communicating with the CPU  16  through the sensor  14 , allows the user to select and activate a predetermined lighting effects program and to coordinate the lighting effects program with the vehicle&#39;s sound system  30  so as to choreograph the light show to music, and particularly to the beat of the music. Through the remote control unit  12 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , the user may designate a predetermined color or color combination as “MY COLOR”, and may designate a particular lighting effect as “MY FX.” The user also may choose a particular color for a lighting effect and whether the effect is to remain steady, or whether it is to flash or blink or to “morph” or change with time. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the remote control unit  12  includes keys for coordinating the lighting effects with music, shown along the upper row of keys. Keys  32  in the lower key pad may also be used to call and activate specific lighting effects programs stored in the CPU  16  and to program that unit. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , a rotatable control  34 , preferably a generally hemispherical control wheel, is positioned at an upper end of the remote control unit. The rotatable control wheel  34  may be easily manipulated with the thumb of the user and provides an additional means of control for the lights, that is, through this rotatable control the user may slow the rate of flashing of the lights or increase the flashing speed within a given range.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-2  also show the protective housing in which the CPU  16  is positioned. Preferably, the CPU&#39;s  16  housing is substantially dust and water proof, so as to safely contain the electronic components of the central processing unit. The CPU  16  housing is best made of a high impact resistant plastic material which is also heat resistant. The CPU  16  in the present invention preferably includes one or more fuses to electrically protect the device. The skilled will recognize that the CPU  16  includes known components for performing the various described functions of the lighting effects system. As noted above, a typical programmable integrated circuit chip for use in the invention is the Motorola PIC18F258, although others may also be employed. The CPU  16  may be mounted in the vehicle in any desired location, or illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 , preferably having relatively easy access to the user for replacement of fuses when necessary, as well as easy access to a source of power  28 . As noted above, the CPU  16  includes at least a user-programmable microcontroller  18  and may also include a wireless transceiver for communicating with the remote control unit  12 . Preferably, however, the wireless communication is effected through a sensor  14  connected to the CPU  16 , the sensor being capable of recognizing infrared signals or wireless signals, including radio frequency signals, according to the particular embodiment of the invention. When employing radio signals, the specific wireless frequency for the unit may be selected through the use of a combination of user-selectable switches in the CPU, so as to minimize interference from other signal sources.  
         [0020]     Various views of light sticks  20  for use in the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Overall views of the light stick  20  are seen in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , wherein the light stick is shown with its protective transparent plastic domed housing  36  in place. The array of LEDs  22  in the light stick  20  is illustrated in these figures. The skilled will recognize that, as noted above, these LEDs  22  may be energized either individually or jointly in various combinations. When energized jointly in combinations, the light emitted from the combined lit LEDs  22  will mix to produce light of a predetermined color, generally different than the light from each LED alone. Additionally, the LEDs  22  may be energized intermittently, simultaneously, sequentially or in combination thereof to generate an almost limitless range of light colors and lighting effects. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sequence of LEDs  22  in which groups of red, green and blue LEDs repeat throughout the light stick  20 . When energized in combination, these three types of LED produce light which when mixed results in white light.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 3 and 5  show a light stick  20  having thereon connectors  38  for securing the light stick to a vehicle, preferably along the undercarriage of a vehicle. The light sticks  20  may be placed anywhere on the vehicle as desired by the owner provided it is not prohibited by law. For example, many localities prohibit the use of blue lights on a motor vehicle, as such use is normally reserved for law enforcement vehicles. The connectors  38  are preferably made of a clear plastic material so as to minimize their interference with the emitted light. Further, the connectors  38  should be a high temperature and high impact resistant plastic, so as to survive and provide long service in the adverse environment of a vehicle&#39;s undercarriage. It should be understood, however, that while a specific type of connector  38  is shown, other means of connecting the light stick to the vehicle may also be employed and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0022]     Accordingly, in the drawings and specification there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification and as recited in the appended claims.