Patent Abstract:
A system provides for the commercialization of electronic candles in religious institutions or memorial locations wherein a prescribed payment for a predetermined illumination period is verified or validated and an electronic signal then actuates at least one of the electronic candles. The user selects the desired candle for illumination and touches the selected candle for illumination for the prescribed period. A payment account statement is periodically transmitted to the religious institution or manufacturer to confirm actual payments with the electronic statement of payments to control pilferage.

Full Description:
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/666,731, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/453,611, filed Mar. 11, 2003, which applications are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of Use  
         [0003]     This invention relates to electronic candles. This invention also specifically relates to a system and method for the commercialization of electronic candle illuminations. This invention also relates to the commercialization of electronic candles wherein payments are made for lighting the candles for a certain period of time.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Background and Prior Art  
         [0005]     Traditionally, wax candles, such as votive candles and tapers, have been used for memorialization and devotional purposes. Religious institutions generally provide for the purchase and lighting of the wax candles. Purchasers of the candles would make a donation of a desired or recommended amount, which amount is usually deposited in a collection box in order to acquire and light the wax candle.  
         [0006]     Wax candles produce pollutants and soot, are a fire hazard. Insurance is costly where wax candles are in general use. The candle art turned to electronic candles, in which the user would touch or turn-on a candle that would then illuminate. Examples of electronic candles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,924, U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,139, U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,108, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,614 and U.S. Publication Application 2004/0179355 to Gabor Lederer, the inventor of the present invention. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/001373 to Shin et al. discloses an e-commerce method for authorizing the lighting of and paying for a wax candle at a remote location. The wax candle is lit and extinguished by one other then the user-purchaser. The user-purchaser is then expected to visit the burning candle at the remote location. This prior art method was abstruse and designed expressly for remote and candle illumination  
         [0007]     The art directed to user-purchaser illumination provides the improvement of placing a motion sensor in the collection box. The motion sensor senses any object deposited into the collection box. A user by merely inserting a coin, bill, or piece of paper or any object by the user in the collection box effect actuation of an electronic candle for illumination. This prior art arrangement is shown in  FIG. 1 . This prior art method did not adequately control the payment for the illumination, and was unsatisfactory as a practical business means to both the religious institution and the electronic candle manufacturer. The art desired a method for the realistic commercialization of the illumination of electronic candles.  
         [0008]     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a system and method for the commercialization of illuminations of electronic candles.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic candle for the aforesaid commercialization.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method as aforesaid, wherein the electronic candles are provided and maintained at religious institutions.  
         [0011]     It is another principal object of the present invention to provide automated collection and pilfer control for the aforesaid commercialization of electronic candles, particularly for religious institutions.  
         [0012]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic candle and system which is of practical design, readily installed and operated and yet safe and practical in use.  
         [0013]     The aforesaid objects are achieved by the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     This invention in one principal aspect is a system for the commercialization of electronic candle illuminations wherein payment is validated to actuate at least one candle of a plurality of candles. Once the candle is actuated for illumination, the user touches one candle to effect illumination for the prescribed time period. A chart or other visual means informs the user of the cost and committed illumination time period in order for the user to make an informed decision regarding payment. A currency validator or credit card payment validator senses the payment amount sends an electronic signal to a control unit or central unit wherein the illumination time is calculated, and in turn, an electronic signal is transmitted to the candles to actuate the candles for the prescribed time corresponding to the payment. The user touches a desired selected candle which is, by such touching, illuminated for the prescribed period. With illumination of the one selected candle, the remaining unlit candles are de-actuated. The system is made for each present or subsequent user—purchaser to make accurate payment and effect illumination of the related electronic candle.  
         [0015]     The system induces encrypted or means for automatically providing encoded account statement of the candles illumination times and the corresponding payments represent those illuminations. The manufacturer of the electronic candles decrypts the account statement for confirming royalty or lease payments.  
         [0016]     A stand is provided for mounting the candles in an arrangement. This arrangement provides the user with a diverse selection of positions from which to select the candle for illumination. The candles may also contain different indicia. This permits the user to select a candle that is most consistent with their devotional, memorial or emotional needs and desires.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the prior art method of electronic candle illumination at a religious institution.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the overall commercialization system of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a detailed block diagram of the candle illumination system of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a prior art electronic candle illumination system  10 . System  10  is based on a collection box  11  having slot  12  of conventional construction. An object motion sensor  13  is mounted in the side of collection box  11 . The user  14  inserts any object, e.g., coins, paper currency, token, paper, medals and the like, into slot  12 . The sensor senses the object and in turn actuates at least one electronic candle  15  for illumination. The user then turns on the electronic candle  15  of their selection. This system did not provide a commercially viable system for candle illuminations, particularly for religious institutions and memorialization forums, e.g. cemeteries and memorials.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown the system for the commercialization of electronic candies  20  of the present invention. System  20  includes a plurality of electronic candles, e.g.  21 ,  22  and  23 . Electronic candles  21 - 23  imitate traditional wax candles, such as a votive or memorial candle, as will be further described hereinafter. A central unit or control unit  25  is another principal component of the system. Central unit  25  includes a CPU  26 , keypad  27 , display  28 , non-volatile memory  29 , I 2 C interface  30 , real-time clock and alarm interface  31  and a dual serial port  32 . The components  26 - 32  are assembled and programmed by means well know to one skilled in the control system art. While the invention is described as having an  12  Centrifuge, it is within the broad contemplation of the invention to utilize other commercialization references known in the electronic art.  
         [0022]     A currency/payment validator  40  is a further principal component of the present invention. Currency/payment validator  40  may be of conventional design and construction wherein a bill in any one of several denominations is inserted in a slot (not shown) in currency/payment validator  40 . The inserted bill is acknowledged by an alpha-numeric display or illumination element (not shown). The inserted bill sends an electronic signal to central unit  25 . A candle illumination rate schedule  35  advises the user  28  as to the illumination time for a prescribed payment. The electronic signal from currency/payment validator  40  to central unit  25  informs the central unit of the candle illumination period for which the prescribed payment was made. Central unit  25  in turn actuates candles  21 - 23  for that prescribed illumination period. The user  28  then touches a selected candle, e.g.  21  and in so doing, illuminates the selected electronic candle for the prescribed time period.  
         [0023]     A power supply  42 , back-up battery power source  43  and alarm circuit  44  complete the assembly provided to and maintained at religious institutions  50 . A hand held unit  51  may be plugged into central unit  25  for the purpose of recording the illumination times and/or payments mode. This account function may be encrypted in or encoded by central unit  25 . A manufacturer  50  may retain decryption means to read the encrypted account information. The encrypted account information may be stored on a hand held device provided by manufacturer  50 . A supplier  65  is under contract with the manufacturer to provide and manufacture the electronic candle  21 - 23 , central unit  25  and currency/payment validator  40 , as well as to take periodic account ready by means of hand held device  51 , permit to a contractual arrangement with the manufacturer  50  and the religious institutions.  
         [0024]     The present system  20  is provided on the aforesaid manner, which operation is desired is further discussed hereinafter.  
         [0025]     One preferred electronic candle useful in the present invention is that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,139 granted Jan. 25, 2000 to Gabor Lederer, the invention herein, which disclosure is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference thereto. This electronic candle includes a spring loaded switch and timer element, wherein the user merely touches or presses down on the candle housing to effect illumination for the prescribed time period. In the present invention, the electronic candle is only first actuated after the currency/payment validator  40  validates the actual and correct currency payment or donation. Touching or otherwise manipulating the selected illuminated electronic candle will not interfere with the continue illumination for the payment prescribed period of time.  
         [0000]     The Central Unit Operation  
         [0026]     When currency/payment validator  40  senses a non-counterfeit bill and determines its face value, an electronic signal commensurate with the face value of the bill is sent to the central unit  25 . The central unit calculates the prescribed illumination time for the currency value of that bill. The central unit then enters an electronic “ready to turn on” signal to every candle  21 - 23 . The user then selects and turns on the selected electronic candle by pressing the top of the candle housing. This illumination of the candle will also send a recognition signal to the central unit  25 . The recognition signal identifies the illuminated candle and the first of the illumination, as well as the illumination time. This information is stored in the central unit memory. The central unit then sends a “not ready” or “disabled” signal to the other candles. None of the other candles can be turned on until a new “ready to turn on” signal is generated. The central unit  25  tracks the illumination history of every candle. After the prescribed illumination time has elapsed, the central unit  25  sends a “turn off” signal to the afore-discussed illuminated candle. In order to insure user recovery in the event of power failure, every illumination start time and illumination lapse period is stored in the instrument, and updated in a non-volatile memory  29  every ten milliseconds.  
         [0000]     The CPU and Currency Validator Interface  
         [0027]     The currency/payment validator  40  can recognize different bills. Validation is set for the customary are the $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. The currency/payment validator  40 , however, may be set for any currency including foreign currency in diverse face values. The operator or religious institutions are able to dedicate any time interval to any bill value and store them in the memory of the CPU through push-buttons and LEDs displays (on the front panel of the unit). By pressing the “$” and up/down sets the dollar value (upper display), by pressing only the up/down, the time can be set (lower display), pressing “Enter” the desired (set) values will be stored. By pressing “Check” and the “$” button, the displays will show the currently existing settings. By pressing “Check” and the up/down button, the current time setting can be displayed. The moneys collected since the last reading (or collection) can be read by pressing “Enter” and “Check” buttons. The sum total amount that shows should have been collected and disposed in the money collection box at that time since the collection box was last emptied. To restart this type of counting (from collection to collection), press “Enter” and “Check” again. The total amount of the collected moneys can be read in a coded form only by pressing the “check” button. In this mode, the displays (upper/lower) will show a combination of numbers and letters. Inserting the numbers/letters will decode them to a real dollar value. This amount is the total collection from a pre-set time (factory set or password protected settings) and is achieved by a separate program.  
         [0028]     It is understood that the above example and drawings are merely exemplary of the present invention and that changes in the method, system and apparatus and afore-discussed may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.  
         [0000]     Collection Accounting and Pilfer Control  
         [0029]     It is an unfortunate fact of present reality that church collection boxes are pilfered. The electronic candle art desires a commercialization system with automated collection accounting and pilfer control.  
         [0030]     In the present invention, there is provided a counter operably connected to the currency/payment validator  40  by electro-mechanical means well known in the art. When the collection box is opened, the counter records the date and time of the opening and the currency accumulated in the collection box since the last opening. This information is provided to the religious institution, the supplier and/or the manufacturer by electronic transmission means well known in the art. Non-wireless communication is also within the contemplation of the present invention. This collection box accounts information may also be encoded by the central processing units. A decryption means may be provided to the religious institution, supplier and/or manufacturer, whereby the electronically determined accounts and the physically accumulated monies are reconciled. In the event that any one collection does not correlate with the electronic accounts, the religious institution is able to identify the specific collector responsible for the deficient collection. The electronic accounts also permits a ready determination regarding distribution of the collected monies among the religious institutions, suppliers and manufacturer.  
         [0031]     The automated system also contemplates providing an accounting for a pre-selected period of time, e.g. a month or a year, coins with the terms of commercialization between the manufacturer and the religious institution.  
         [0032]     It is also within the contemplation of the present invention for the manufacturer to provide the services and activities of the supplier.  
         [0033]     It is also within the contemplation of the present invention for the religious institution to purchase the electronic candles from the manufacturer and have the manufacturer service the electronic candles and the automated controls and accounting.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5