Patent ID: 7921585

Claim:
A fireplace simulator apparatus for providing a flickering visual image simulating burning logs and comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing in a horizontal orientation; (c) a motor engaged with said shaft and activated to rotate same; (d) a first light array of light sources positioned along said shaft and to rotating therewith upon activation of said motor to form moving patterns of light; (e) a mirror mounted in said housing, having flame shaped regions, and positioned opposite said light array to reflect said moving patterns of light from at least a portion of said light array; (f) a screen mounted in said housing in spaced relation to said mirror to receive a flickering flame shaped image reflected from said mirror onto a rear side of said screen; said screen being sufficiently transparent to transmit said image and to display the flickering flame shaped image on a front side of the screen; (g) a simulated log positioned on said housing forward of said screen and having colored light transmissive ember regions; (h) a second array of light emitting diodes positioned within said housing to radiate light through said ember regions of said simulated log; and (i) light control circuitry coupled to said second array of light emitting diodes and controlling said diodes to radiate said light at apparently randomly varying illumination levels in such a manner as to cause illumination of said ember regions to thereby simulate glowing embers on said simulated log.