Patent ID: 7798682

Claim:
An illumination system comprising: an illumination device with a body portion and a light source for emitting light; a personal illumination control unit with means for enabling an input of light source control commands; and means for communicating light source control commands from the personal illumination control unit to the illumination device wherein the means for enabling an input of light source control commands of the personal illumination control unit comprises an on/off switch for turning the light source on and off, means for inducing a selective brightening of the light source, and a means for inducing a selective dimming of the light source, wherein the personal illumination control unit is generally disk shaped, and wherein the means for inducing a selective brightening of the light source and the means for inducing a selective dimming of the light source comprise truncated wedge-shaped buttons; wherein the personal illumination control unit is removably and replaceably received relative to the body portion of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device has a base member and a platform retained relative to the base member for removably and replaceably receiving the personal illumination control unit, and wherein the platform is extendable and retractable relative to the base member.