Patent Publication Number: US-6906472-B2

Title: Articles with flashing lights

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to clothing and accessories, and more particularly to an improved system for illuminating devices incorporated into clothing and accessories. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Lighting systems have been incorporated into footwear, generating distinctive flashing of lights for a person wearing the footwear. These systems generally have an inertial switch, so that when a runner&#39;s heel strikes the pavement, the switch moves in one direction or another, triggering a response by at least one circuit that typically includes a power source and a means for powering and controlling the lights. The resulting light flashes are useful in identifying the runner, or at least the presence of a runner, because of the easy-to-see nature of the flashing lights. Thus, the systems may contribute to the fun of exercising while adding a safety feature as well. 
   These lighting systems, however, suffer from a number of deficiencies. There is typically no on-off switch for the lighting system, and thus the system is “on” all the time, draining the power source, which is typically a small battery. Even if the only portion of the system that is operating is an oscillator or timer, the power drain over time is cumulative, thus leading to shorter-than-desirable battery life. 
   Another deficiency is the limited utility of the system, confined as it is to footwear. There may be other articles of clothing that could incorporate or add a lighting system, useful for decorative or safety purposes, or at least to alert others to the presence of the person wearing the article, such as persons moving or stationary in a construction, high-traffic or otherwise potentially-hazardous situation. In addition to articles of clothing, the lighting system could potentially be useful on accessories or objects that are worn by or on or near a person, such as a back-pack, a book-bag, a baby-carriage, a brief case, and the like. Prior art systems, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,201, however, do not include these applications. 
   Another deficiency is the nature of the inertial switch, such as the one depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,479, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The lighting system will only be turned on when the inertial switch is activated. Because the lighting system is incorporated into footwear, there may be no other switch, and thus the opportunities for turning the system on or off are limited to actuating the inertial switch, i.e. to running. It would be desirable to have some other means for turning the lighting system on and off. The present invention is directed at correcting these deficiencies in the prior art. 
   SUMMARY 
   One embodiment of the invention is an illuminating system for a personal item. The illuminating system comprises a switch for controlling the illuminating system. The system also comprises a plurality of secondary gates, and means for storing and generating at least two patterns of signals that control the secondary gates, the means for storing and generating connected to the plurality of secondary gates and the switch. The system also comprises a plurality of lamps for illuminating the personal item, the lamps selected from the group consisting of incandescent lamps, LEDs, bi-color LEDs, and tri-color LEDs, wherein the means for generating causes the plurality of lamps to flash in a pattern selected by the user with the switch. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is a method for illuminating a personal item with a flashing light system. The method comprises selecting at least one pattern of signals from at least two patterns of signals stored in a memory of the system. The method also includes generating the at least one pattern of signals to control a plurality of secondary gates and the lamps, the lamps selected from the group consisting of incandescent lamps, LEDs, bi-color LEDs, and tri-color LEDs. The method also comprises controlling a timing and the at least one pattern of illumination with a primary gate. 
   Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this description, within the scope of the invention, and protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The invention may be better understood with reference to the following figures and detailed description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, like reference numerals in the figures designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a circuit for flashing LEDs. 
       FIG. 2  is a prior art circuit for controlling an illumination system. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an improved circuit for controlling an illumination system. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an improved system for controlling an illumination system. 
       FIGS. 5-8  depict illumination patterns for the LEDs of the improved system. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  depict two-color LEDs. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a possible flashing pattern for an illumination system with two-color LEDs. 
       FIG. 12  depicts an illumination circuit using two-color LEDs. 
       FIGS. 13   a - 13   c  and  14  depict illumination systems with fade-in and fade-out circuits for LEDs. 
       FIGS. 15   a - 15   c  depict illumination patterns possible with fade-in and fade-out circuits. 
       FIGS. 16-21  depict embodiments of articles using improved illumination systems. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Lighting or illumination systems for decoration or safety on clothing and personal articles must necessarily be compact and light-weight, so that the article to be illuminated can be easily adapted to receive and hold the illumination system.  FIG. 1  represents a block diagram of such a system. The Illumination system depicted in  FIG. 1  comprises a power source  1 , a primary control means  2 , a pattern generation means  3  and a primary gate  4 . There is a plurality of lamps  8 ,  9  and  10 , secondary gates  5 ,  6 , and  7 , and a pattern-generation means  3  for generating a pattern of signals to control the secondary gates  5 ,  6  and  7 . The primary control means  2  controls the opening and closing of the primary gate  4 . When the primary gate  4  is closed, it enables the flow of current through the circuit, allowing the circuit to operate. The pattern-generation means  3  generates a pattern of signals and each generated signal separately controls the opening and closing of a respective secondary gate  5 ,  6  or  7 . Secondary gate  5  is connected with lamp  8 , secondary gate  6  is connected with lamp  9 , and secondary gate  7  is connected with lamp  10 . When one of the secondary gates  5 ,  6  and  7  is closed and the primary gate is closed, the current flows through the respective lamp  8 ,  9  or  10 , allowing the respective lamp to illuminate. In a preferred embodiment, the power source  1  is a battery, the primary gate  4  and secondary gates  5 ,  6  and  7  are transistors, the primary control means  2  is a switch, the pattern-generation means  3  is a pattern-generation circuit (e.g., a counter), and the lamps  8 ,  9  and  10  are light-emitting diodes (LEDs). 
   A simplified prior art circuit for controlling an illumination system is depicted in FIG.  2 . The illumination system  30  includes a battery  12  as a power source, such as a 3-V battery. There is also an inertial switch  20 , capacitor  32 , resistor  36  and gate resistors  37 ,  38 , primary control transistors  34 ,  39 , signal generator or decade counter  28 , LEDs  16 , and secondary control transistors  31 ,  33 ,  35 . Primary control transistors  34 ,  39  act as switches with their emitters connected respectively to the positive and negative terminals of the power supply, and their collectors connected respectively to the signal generator or decade counter  28  and the emitters of LEDs  16 . When inertial switch  20  is closed by a strike of a runner&#39;s heel, lights  16  begin to flash, one at a time. When switch  20  closes, primary control transistors  34 ,  39  also close. Decade counter  28  is connected to the power supply through terminals  8  and  16 , Vdd and Vss, and is now started by the pulse to the CP input on pin  14 . This begins operation of the decade counter and its outputs, typically in a sequential output. In the example shown, output Q 0  (pin  2 ) turns on the gate of secondary control transistor  31 , thus completing the circuit for the first LED  16  from the positive pole of the power supply to negative, through secondary control transistor  31  and primary control transistor  39 . If the decade counter goes through its outputs sequentially, then Q0 will be followed by Q1 and then Q2, and so on, thus closing transistors  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and so on, and flashing LEDs  16  one at a time. The charge on the capacitor  32  will wane, the timing depending on resistors  36  and  38 , and the circuit will eventually cease to function. Another strike of the runner&#39;s heel will activate switch  20 , capacitor  32  will be recharged, and the sequence will continue. 
   An improved version of an illumination circuit is depicted in  FIG. 3 , which specifically adds a flash driver circuit  43  having an oscillator, and a pulse generating circuit, as well as a touch switch  21 .  FIG. 3  depicts a more sophisticated illumination system  40 , incorporating a power supply  12 , LEDs  16 , a switch  20 , a triggering circuit  42 , a pulse generating circuit  41 , flash driver  43  and an output controller or decade counter  28 . This circuit connects the LEDs  16  by means of secondary control transistors  31 ,  33 ,  35  through primary control transistors  39  and  47 . The circuit adds flash driver  43  and its control resistor  44 , providing a clock signal to the pulse generating circuit  41  and the output controller  28 . In addition, a timing circuit is provided by means of an RC circuit  49  (in dashed lines), including resistor  49   a  and capacitor  49   b . The RC circuit  49  provides a period of time (several RC time constants) during which the pulse-generating circuit  41  is on, and thus during which it is possible for LEDs  16  to flash. 
   The triggering circuit  42  (in dashed lines) includes switches  20 ,  21 , primary control transistor  47 , capacitor  42   a  and resistor  42   b . The emitter of primary control transistor  47  connects to the positive terminal of power supply  12 , while the collector of primary control transistor  47  is connected to resistor  48 . As the voltage across resistor  48  and capacitor  42   a  rises, flash circuit  43  receives a signal from triggering circuit  42  and generates output signals to the pulse generating circuit  41 . Decade counter  28  enables secondary control transistors  31 ,  33 ,  35 , each turning on an LED, and enabling them to flash in desired patterns or sequences. Flash circuit  43  may also include a memory  45  for storing patterns of flashing. Primary control transistor  39  also acts as a switch, connected with its collector to the emitters of the LEDs  16  and with its emitter to the negative terminal of the power supply  12 . Control resistor  37  limits the voltage to the gate of transistor  39  from pulse-generating circuit  41 . The rest of the circuit is as described for the previous examples. Outputs  1 ,  2 , and  3  connect to LEDs  16  via resistors  46   a ,  46   b . 
   A block diagram of an improved circuit  50  with more versatile switching capabilities is depicted in FIG.  4 . The improved circuit  50  includes a power supply  12 , a control section  14 , and LEDs  16 . The control section  14  may include an oscillator circuit  22 , a pulse generator circuit  24 , a flash driver circuit  26 , and an output controller or decade counter  28 . The circuit may include a touch switch  21 , a power on/off switch  23 , and at least one additional switch  25 . Using touch switch  21 , the circuit may be energized by a touch from a user. The circuit may also be activated by the at least one additional switch  25 , such as an inertial switch. In addition to the touch-switch  21 , another switch, toggle-switch  25  may be used in addition to, or in place of, either or both of the on/off switch  23  and the touch-switch  21 . On/off switch  23  and additional switch  25  may provide several differences and advantages over previous switches discussed. On/off switch  23  may be a toggle switch. 
   On/off switch  23  will allow the power supply a respite from use during transportation, storage, or other periods of non-use, saving the battery and allowing greater economy for the user. If additional switch  25  is a toggle switch, it will allow the user to simply switch the circuit “on,” so that continual charging and re-charging of a timing circuit capacitor to keep the circuit running is not necessary. This would be advantageous when the user will not be continually closing an inertial switch, or does not wish to continue reaching to push a touch-button. This would be the case when the user wishes for the lights to continually flash without repeatedly pushing a button. 
   In one embodiment, using the touch-switch  21 , alone or in combination with the toggle switch  23 , the pulse generator  24  and decade counter output controller  28  may be programmed so that each time the touch-switch  21  is actuated, a different pattern of lights is generated. For instance, each time touch switch  21  is energized or touched, the pulse generator  24  or decade counter  28  may be incremented, and a stored different pattern of flashes used. Thus, a first touch may generate a first pattern of flashing lights, while a second touch may generate a different pattern and a third touch yet another pattern. For example, if there are three lights, a first sequence may generate a 1-2-3-1-2-3- pattern, while a second touch may generate a 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2-1- pattern, and the third touch 1-2-3-3-2-1-1-2-3-3-2-1, and so forth. Of course, if there are more than three lights, more patterns and sequences are possible. Such complicated patters are not necessary, and there may be only two patterns, such as a sequential pattern, 1-2-3, or an in-phase pattern, in which more than one light goes on at a time. An example of such a pattern may consist of flashing lights  1  and  4 , followed by flashing lights  2  and  5 , followed by flashing lights  3  and  6 , and so on. 
   Examples of patterns are depicted in  FIGS. 5-8 . Note that each time there is an assertion of a control signal (down tick or falling edge on control line), the pattern of illumination changes. In general, a lamp is on when the output signal that controls that lamp is low, and the lamp is off when the control signal that controls that lamp is high. The control signal may be caused by the user depressing the touch-button switch described above, or may instead be a timed sequence, changing after a set period of time, such as 10 seconds or 30 seconds.  FIG. 5  depicts a 1-2-3 pattern for control signal  51  and output signals  52 ,  53 ,  54 , corresponding to OUT1, OUT2, and OUT3, controlling LEDs  16 , as shown in FIG.  3 . The pattern includes a longer period of illumination of an output and skips of a particular LED. Notice that each time there is an assertion of control signal  51 , the pattern of illumination changes. These sequences may be programmed into the controller or decade counter used to control the LEDs.  FIG. 6  includes a depiction of a control signal  61  and output signals  62 ,  63 ,  64  to lamps or LEDs.  FIG. 6  depicts a varying pattern that may be random, and which changes each time there is a falling-edge or down-tick of the control signal  61  for outputs 1, 2 and 3, respectively  62 ,  63 ,  64 . Using all three traces, the pattern begins “delay 1-2-3-3-2-1;” the pattern then changes to “1-2-3” on the rising edge of a signal from control pattern  61 ; and the pattern then changes again to “delay 2-3-1-1-2-3-3-2-1.” Delays may also be programmed into the patterns, especially at the start. 
     FIG. 7  depicts an “in phase” flashing sequence, in which more than one light may be turned on a time. In this sequence, there is also a sequential variation in the first light to turn on, and in the length of turn-on of one light. The sequence is begun by activating the primary controller or transistor with control signal  71  to control outputs  1 ,  2 ,  3 , respectively,  72 ,  73 ,  74 , corresponding to OUT 1, OUT 2, OUT 3, and controlling illumination of LEDs  16  in FIG.  3 . The first activation turns on control output  72  first and for a slightly longer period than outputs  73  and  74 , which are turned on after control output  72 . Thus, there is sufficient power provided for all three LEDs to turn on three times. This flashing is not sequential but “in-phase,” since all three are on at the same time. Then all three go off at the same time, then on, off, on and off before the sequence ends. The next time the control is activated by the inertial switch or the touch-switch (or after a set period of time), it is the output  2 ,  73  which comes on first, followed by output  1 ,  72  and output  3 ,  74 . Then all three are off, on, off, on and off. The third time the control is activated, output  3  has a longer period than outputs  1  and  2 . In one embodiment, additional activation by the inertial switch or the touch switch has no effect on the pattern while it is running. Note that the short spike  75  in  FIG. 7 , such as an assertion from the control system, does not affect the pattern of lights flashing. 
   Another embodiment may use previously stored flashing patterns in which any subsequent activation of the inertial switch or touch switch does cause a change in the pattern of flashing lights. In  FIG. 8 , the decade counter has been programmed with two patterns, a sequential  1-2-3  pattern and an “in-phase” pattern in which all three LEDs are on, then all off.  FIG. 8  includes a control output  76 , and outputs  77 ,  78 ,  79 , again corresponding to OUT  1 , OUT  2 , OUT  3 , and LEDs  16  in FIG.  3 . Notice that each time the primary control sees a down-tick or falling edge (caused by the inertial switch or the touch switch), the pattern of outputs changes from one pattern to the other, interrupting the pattern as soon as the signal leading or trailing edge registers on control output  76 . This system of flashing lights will seem very responsive to user inputs, since it changes the pattern quickly. Random flashes may also be generated using a stored random-number generating program. 
   Another aspect of the invention uses LEDs that have two colors, such as red and green. The LED may have a common cathode and three leads, including common cathode, red anode and green anode. Other two-color LEDs may have only two leads, in which the anode for one color is the cathode for the other color, and vice versa. Circuits using two-color LEDs are depicted in  FIGS. 9-10 , and one of many possible flashing patterns is depicted in FIG.  11 .  FIG. 9  depicts an illumination circuit in which single-color LEDs have been replaced with two-color LEDs  81 . These LEDs have three leads, such as those produced by Kingbright Electronic Co., Ltd. of Hong Kong and distributed worldwide. In this embodiment, LED  81  has a red cathode  82 , a green cathode  83 , and a common anode  84 . Also present in the circuit is current limiting resistor  85 . The anodes  82 ,  83  are connected to the outputs of a signal generator, such as a decade counter or other logic circuitry. In this example, the decade counter and the rest of the circuit is capable of reversing current direction. A current-limiting resistor  85  may connect the LEDs to the power supply. The rest of the circuit functions as previously described, with many more sequences of flashing patterns possible, since now the colors may be changed by using, as preferred, the red and green lights. 
   Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10  with two-lead LEDs  86 . As mentioned above, these LEDs, such as those produced by Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc., Hackensack, N.J., have only two leads, in which the cathode for one lamp is the anode for the other lamp. In one example, the cathode for the red lamp is electrically common with the anode for the green lamp, and the cathode for the green lamp is common with the anode for the red lamp. An exemplary circuit for these LEDs is shown in FIG.  10 . LEDs  86  have two points for connection to the circuit. Point  87  is the cathode for the green LED and is the anode for the red LED. Point  88  is the cathode for the red LED and is the anode for the green LED. The LEDs may be connected to a power supply by limiting resistor  85  and to a signal generator. In this embodiment, the current must reverse direction in order to change from one color of LED to another. This is easily provided by reversing outputs of the control circuit, such as a decade counter. 
   Using two-color LEDs, many lighting patterns are possible. One of many possible lighting patterns is shown in FIG.  11 . The traces include control output  91 , Output  1 , Output  2  and Output  3 , respectively  92 ,  93 ,  94 , and common output  95 . Note that a falling edge or down-tick in these traces for Output  1 ,  2  and  3  indicates a “red” LED, while a rising edge or up-tick indicates a “green” LED. Control output  91  continues to control the pattern, while the output switches reverse polarity at times  89  when the “common” circuit is reversed, and then reversed again. The pattern begins with “common,” as well as outputs  1 ,  2  and  3 , held high or zero volts. The output is triggered by one of the several switches discussed above, and the outputs pulse in sequence,  1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3 , all in red. After the first polarity change at time  89  (in about the middle of the traces), the common is now low. Outputs  1 ,  2  and  3 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94  are also changed to low. Note that extra pulses on the control  91  seem to have no effect on traces  92 ,  93 ,  94 , after the first pulse at the start of the timing, and after the first pulse after first polarity change  89 . The pattern continues in sequence  1-2-3 , but now with green LEDs lit as the outputs  92 ,  93 ,  94  pulse “high” in sequence. The polarity change may be triggered by a length of time (as in  FIG. 11 ) or it may also be caused by a sequence from one or more of the switches that control the illumination circuit. 
   At present, tri-color LEDs are sold at a premium to single-element LEDs and bi-color LEDs. A tri-color LED may be used in the circuits discussed above for single color and bi-color LEDs, using the appropriate connections for power from anode to cathode, for premium versions of the flashing light systems of the present invention. Other combinations of lights, such as a single filament or dual-filament incandescent lamp, may also be used. 
     FIG. 12  depicts an embodiment of an illumination system that can take advantage of two-color LEDs. The illumination system  120  will comprise a power source  121 , such as a battery. The system will also comprise a control portion  123  and an illumination portion  125 , comprising a plurality of LEDs,  125   a ,  125   b ,  125   c ,  125   d ,  125   e ,  125   f . The system will include at least one switch  124 , such as a spring or inertial switch, and preferably has an additional switch  122 , such as a touch-switch, which may be located with the control section  123  or may be remotely located. It is understood that other switches may be used in the circuit, including a power on/off switch or a toggle switch. Preferably the illumination system includes an oscillator clock  126  for timing the control portion. The control portion has a plurality of outputs  128  and a common terminal  129 . The illumination circuit may have a resistor  127  to control current to the LEDs. The control portion may be an integrated circuit in which a voltage, such as Vcc may be switched between the common terminal  129  and the output terminals  128 . At the same time, circuit ground may also be switched to any of the output terminals  128 . Note that in this circuit, LED  125   a  and LED  125   d  are both connected with the common terminal (and with the circuit resistor), as well as output  1 . Thus, LED  125   a  and LED  125   d  may be equivalent to a two-color, two-lead LED  86  in  FIG. 10 , with LED  125   b  and LED  125   e  comprising a second two-color, two-lead LED, and LED  125   c  and LED  125   f  comprising a third, two-color, two-lead LED. Other circuits may use three-lead two-color LEDs as depicted in FIG.  9 . 
   Other embodiments may include illumination systems in which the lights fade in or fade out. Such embodiments are presented in  FIGS. 13   a - 13   c . These circuits are very similar to each other and to FIG.  3 . The illumination system with a fading capability  130  includes a power supply  12 , LEDs  16 , a switch  135 , a pulse-generating circuit  131 , flash driver  133  and control resistor  134 , and an output controller  136 . The circuit connects LEDs  16  to the output controller  136  by transistors  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and through primary control transistors  47  and  139 . Outputs Out 1, Out 2 may be connected via resistors  146   a ,  146   b . A timing circuit is provided by RC circuit  149 , including capacitor  149   a  and resistor  149   d . The RC circuit provides a period of time (several RC time constants) during which the pulse-generating circuit  131  is on, and thus during which time it is possible to illuminate LEDs  16 . Output controller  136  enables secondary transistors  31 ,  33   35 , turning on LEDs in the timing sequence desired. In this circuit, npn control transistor  139  has capacitor  142  connected across the base-emitter junction. Resistor  141  is somewhat greater than resistor  37  in FIG.  3 .  FIG. 13   a  may be a circuit with both fade in and fade out. In one embodiment of  FIG. 13   a , resistor  134  is 1.5 megohm, resistor  141  is 47K, capacitors  142  and  149   a  are each 47 μF, and resistor  149   d  is  170 K. 
   When terminal  10  of the pulse-generating circuit  131  changes from high to low, or from low to high, capacitor  142  is used to control the base-emitter voltage of transistor  139 , and thus the conductivity of transistor  139 . If the pulse-generating circuit (terminal  10 ) is high and the transistor  139  is turned on, at least one of LEDs  16  may be “on.” If the voltage then goes low, the capacitor  142  must discharge through resistor  141 , but will do so slowly, in accordance with the value of resistor  141 . As the capacitor discharges, the voltage drop across the base-emitter junction will decrease, the voltage drop across the emitter-collector junction of transistor  139  will increase, and any LED  16  that is on will seem to “fade out,” as the voltage across the LED decreases. Conversely, if the pulse-generating circuit (terminal  10 ) is low and the base-emitter junction of transistor  139  is biased low, then transistor  139  will be turned off. If the voltage then goes high, capacitor  142  will charge, but slowly, as the capacitor requires a period of time to charge. As the capacitor charges, the base-to-emitter voltage will increase, the voltage drop across the emitter-collector junction will decrease, and the lights will slowly “fade in” as the light turns on. Resistor  134  is desirably larger in the circuit of  FIG. 13   a  than resistor  44  in  FIG. 3 , so that the flashing rate is reduced to accommodate the time (seconds) needed for a “fade-in” or “fadeout” effect. Switch  135  may be one or more switches as discussed above, including, but not limited to, an inertial switch, a push-button controllable “touch” switch for a period of illumination, or even a toggle on-off switch for longer illumination periods. 
     FIG. 13   b  is very similar to  FIG. 13   a , but is designed more for a fade-out circuit, in which the lamps will light up quickly, and then slowly fade off. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13   a , diode  137  has been added in parallel with resistor  141  to control primary control transistor  139 . When the pulse-generating circuit  131  is turned on, the diode allows gate voltage to transistor  139 , thus allowing a fast turn-on. However, when the circuit is turned off, the capacitor  142  retains a voltage to the transistor gate, and the capacitor can only discharge through resistor  141 . This allows the LEDs  16  to slowly fade out.  FIG. 13   c  is also very similar, but diode  137  is reversed. Now, when the pulse generating circuit  131  is turned on, the gate voltage must reach the transistor  139  through the resistor  141 , at the same time charging capacitor  142 . The LEDs  16  slowly fade on. When the circuit is turned off, however, the capacitor can discharge quickly through diode  137 , and there is no “fade-out” effect. Diode  137  may be a  1 N 4148  diode. Other diodes may be used. 
   Another illumination circuit with a fading capability is depicted in FIG.  14 . Illumination circuit  140  comprises a power supply  12 , flash circuit  143  with resistor  144 , switch  145 , outputs OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 , respectively  143 ,  143   b ,  143   c , LEDs  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , output resistors  146   a ,  146   b ,  146   c , secondary npn control transistors  148   a ,  148   b ,  148   c , individual resistors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c , and individual capacitors  149   a ,  149   b ,  149   c . A control capacitor is connected across the base and emitter of each npn transistor. In one embodiment, resistor  144  is 3 megohm, resistors  146   a ,  146   b  and  146   c  are 1K, resistors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  are 680K, and capacitors  149   a ,  149   b  and  149   c  are 10 μF. Switch  145  is preferably an inertia switch, but other switches may also be used. 
   These circuits function in the same manner as that described for FIG.  13 . If switch  145  was on and is now turned off, for example, OUT 1  output will change from high to low. Capacitor  149   a  will be fully charged and must now discharge through resistor  146   a . As the voltage at the base of transistor  148   a  decreases, transistor  148   a  will cease conducting, the resistance across the emitter-collector junction will increase, and LED  16   a  will “fade-out.” After a period of time, or when switch  145  is turned on, the OUT 1  output will change from low to high, and capacitor  149   a  will begin to charge through resistors  146   a  and  147   a . The voltage at the base of transistor  148   a  will increase, the resistance across the emitter-collector junction of transistor  148   a  will decrease, and LED  16   a  will “fade-in.” Logic circuitry in the flash circuit or elsewhere in the system may sequence the other LEDs in addition to OUT 1  output and LED  16   a , and LEDs  16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c  may turn on and turn off in sequence. The control circuit may be programmed to turn LEDs on and off in a random or unpredetermined manner. Alternatively, the lamps used in the circuit may turn on and off in any of the patterns discussed previously, including sequential lighting, alternating lights, forward and backward sequences, in-phase sequences, and so on. Fading in or out may also be combined with any of these sequences, for instance, a line of lamps on one side of a backpack in a downward sequence snapping on and then fading out, while a line of lamps on the other side of a backpack in an upward sequence fading in and snapping off. The entire sequence may be run with a first color of bi-color LEDs, and then repeated with the other color of the bi-color LEDs. 
   The result of the “fade-in” and “fade-out” circuits is shown in  FIGS. 15   a ,  15   b  and  15   c , illustrating the lighting patterns shown by the LEDs. In each of these figures, there is a control trace,  151   a ,  151   b ,  151   c , to indicate an assertion of the control system. The sloping traces then indicate rising or falling voltages to the lamps or LEDs. In  FIG. 15   a , the LEDs fade-in and fade-out in sequence with different on times, as shown by traces  152   a ,  153   a ,  154   a , with the downward sloping lines meaning “fade-in” and the upward sloping lines meaning “fade-out.” In  FIG. 15   b , the LEDs, as shown by traces  152   b ,  153   b ,  154   b , fade-in and fade-out in a random sequence, again with different on times. In  FIG. 15   c , there are four LEDs, with no fade-in and only a fade-out, as shown by traces  152   c ,  153   c ,  154   c  and  155   c . When the switch is actuated, they turn on in a random sequence, and more than one LED may be turned on at a time. Of course, many different numbers of LEDs may be used on any flashing light system of the present disclosure. 
   There are many applications for the illuminating systems described above. Such illuminating systems may be used on a variety of personal clothing and accessory items.  FIGS. 16-20  depict a few of these items, including  FIG. 16 , with a shoe  161  that incorporates the illuminating system  162  with two-color, two-lead LEDs  163 , and having an inertial switch  164  and a touch switch  165 . The touch switch may be used to initiate or to change illumination patterns, as described above. The system also includes a toggle switch  166  for disconnecting the power supply (internal 3V battery) from the circuit.  FIG. 17  depicts another application, using an LED in each of a plurality of hair clips for a woman. Illumination system  170  includes a system power and control portion  171  and a touch-switch  172  for turning the systems and LEDs on. The system includes a plurality of connector elements  173  connecting system controls  171  with LEDs  174  on hair clips  175 . The control system may also have a toggle switch  176  to disconnect the battery from the rest of the circuit, conserving power. 
     FIG. 18  depicts another application, a back pack  180  with straps  182  for displaying a plurality of flashing LEDs. In this application, the illumination system  184  includes a power and control portion  185 , a touch switch  186  for turning the system on and off, and a series of two-color (red/green) three-lead LEDs  187  on the straps of the backpack. The system power and control portion  185  may be contained in the top flap of the backpack. In this application, the control system may be programmed to alternate red-color LEDs on the left side with red-color LEDs or green-color LEDs on the right side, or vice-versa, in sequence. Of course, two-color LEDs in other colors may also be used, any colors commercially available, and there is no intention to limit this application to two-color LEDs alone. Single-color LEDs may also be used. This is also a good application for in-phase illuminating, in which the LEDs closest to the pack are illuminated, and then the middle pair, and finally the pair farthest away form the back pack, and so on. Other sequences or random flashing may also be used. 
   Other items which may desirably employ embodiments of a flashing light system include the hairpiece of  FIG. 19 , a belt, as shown in  FIG. 20 , and a garment, such as a safety vest for a highway construction worker, shown in FIG.  21 . The hairpiece  190  is desirably made of plastic in an attractive and stylish fashion. There may be niches in the underside of the piece to accommodate the power and control portion  192  of the illuminating system  191 . It may also be convenient to mold in at least one niche for a control switch  193  for a user to control the illumination or flashing patterns of the system  191 . The LEDs  194  are then displayed on the top-side of the hair piece for decorative and stylistic purposes. A belt  200  may also incorporate a system  201  of flashing lights  203 . In this application, the belt has a small space on its underside for attachment of the control system  202  (including a switch) and power supply  204 . The LEDs  203  are also strung on the underside and protrude through to the outside of the belt.  FIG. 21  depicts a highway worker wearing a safety vest with a flashing light system  210 , including control and power supply portions  212  and a pattern of lights  214  in the shape of a large “X” on the vest. Other garments may also be equipped with a flashing light system, such as a coat, a pair of pants, or a protective suit. Any of these circuits may incorporate the features discussed above, including bi-color LEDs, a toggle-switch to turn off the circuit, a fader circuit to fade a lamp in or out, and a touch-switch to increment and control the flashing. 
   It will be understood that embodiments covered by claims below will include those with one of the above switches, as well as two or more of these switches, so that economy of operation may be achieved, while at the same time providing for a variety of pleasing applications. Thus, one embodiment may have a toggle switch both for economy of operation and for continual flashing, and may also have a touch-button switch for changing the pattern of the lights flashing from one pattern to another. Either of these embodiments may also incorporate an inertial switch, which may act to re-charge a timing circuit and may also change the pattern of flashing. 
   Any of the several improvements may be used in combination with other features, whether or not explicitly described as such. Other embodiments are possible within the scope of this invention and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, some transistor/capacitor circuits for a “fade-in” or “fade-out” embodiment have been described with npn transistors and a capacitor connected to the base and emitter of the transistor. Embodiments are also possible with pnp transistors and with capacitors connected across the base and collector of the pnp transistor. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, representative embodiments, and illustrated examples in this description. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light as necessitated by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.