Flame simulating assembly

Abstract

A flame simulating assembly including a simulated fireplace having a flame image subassembly for providing images of flames and one or more light sources configured to provide light having an intensity. The flame simulating assembly also includes a controller for controlling the simulated fireplace, and an ambient light sensor positioned outside the simulated fireplace for sensing ambient light intensity. The controller is configured to increase or decrease the intensity of the light provided by the light source upon receipt of signals from the ambient light sensor.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A flame simulating assembly comprising:
 a simulated fireplace comprising:
 a flame image subassembly for providing images of flames; 
 at least one light source configured to provide light having an intensity; 
   a controller for controlling the simulated fireplace;   an ambient light sensor positioned outside the simulated fireplace for sensing ambient light intensity, the ambient light sensor being adapted to transmit a first signal to the controller upon said ambient light intensity being greater than a predetermined first ambient light intensity, and the ambient light sensor being adapted to transmit a second signal upon said ambient light intensity being less than a predetermined second ambient light intensity;   the controller being adapted to increase said intensity of said light provided by said at least one light source upon receipt of the first signal, to a first predetermined maximum; and   the controller being adapted to decrease said intensity of said light provided by said at least one light source upon receipt of the second signal, to a first predetermined minimum.   
     
     
         2 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a remote control device positionable apart from the simulated fireplace; and 
 the ambient light sensor being positioned on the remote control device. 
 
     
     
         3 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which said at least one light source is a flame light source that is included in the flame image subassembly for providing said images of flames. 
     
     
         4 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a simulated fuel bed; 
 the simulated fuel bed being positioned such that said images of flames at least partially appear to emanate from the simulated fuel bed; and 
 said at least one light source comprising a fuel light source included in the simulated fuel bed for simulating glowing embers. 
 
     
     
         5 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 2  in which the remote control device comprises a light-transmitting screen behind which the ambient light sensor is positioned, for sensing ambient light intensity in the vicinity of a user. 
     
     
         6 . A flame simulating assembly comprising:
 a simulated fireplace comprising:
 a flame image subassembly for providing images of flames; 
 a simulated fuel bed; 
 at least one light source for supplying light having an intensity; 
 the simulated fuel bed being positioned such that said images of flames at least partially appear to emanate from the simulated fuel bed; 
   a controller for controlling the simulated fireplace;   an ambient light sensor positioned outside the simulated fireplace for sensing ambient light intensity; and   the controller being configured to effect a preselected change in said intensity of said light supplied by said at least one light source upon said ambient light intensity differing from said intensity of said light from said at least one light source to a predetermined extent.   
     
     
         7 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 6  in which said preselected change is to cause said intensity of said light from said at least one light source to be proportional to said ambient light intensity. 
     
     
         8 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 a remote control device positionable apart from the simulated fireplace; and 
 the ambient light sensor being positioned on the remote control device. 
 
     
     
         9 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 6  in which said at least one light source comprises at least one flame light source configured to provide said light for providing said images of flames. 
     
     
         10 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 6  in which said at least one light source comprises at least one fuel light source included in the simulated fuel bed and configured to provide said light for simulating glowing embers. 
     
     
         11 . A flame simulating assembly comprising:
 a simulated fireplace comprising:
 a flame image subassembly for providing images of flames; 
 at least one light source configured to provide light having an intensity; 
 a simulated fuel bed; 
 the flame image subassembly being positioned relative to the simulated fuel bed such that said images of flames at least partially appear to emanate from the simulated fuel bed; 
   a controller for causing the flame image subassembly to provide a predetermined sequence of changes in the images of flames;   a remote control device for controlling the simulated fireplace, the remote control device comprising:
 a user interface for receiving input from the user and converting said input into user input signals; 
 an occupancy sensor for detecting motion, said occupancy sensor being adapted to generate occupancy-related signals upon detection of motion; 
 a microprocessor for converting the user input signals and the occupancy-related signals into processed user input signals and occupancy-related signals respectively; 
 a transmitter for transmitting the processed user input signals and occupancy-related signals to the receiver on the simulated fireplace; and 
   a receiver operatively connected to the controller, configured to transmit the processed user input signals and occupancy-related signals received thereby to the controller,   whereby the simulated fireplace is controllable by said processed user input signals and said occupancy-related input signals transmitted from said remote control device.   
     
     
         12 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 11  in which:
 the remote control device additionally comprises an ambient light sensor configured to generate ambient light signals indicating ambient light intensity, the microprocessor being adapted to convert the ambient light signals into processed ambient light processed signals; and 
 upon the controller's receipt of the processed ambient light signals, the controller adjusts said at least one light source to adjust the intensity of said light in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the intensity of said light and the ambient light intensity. 
 
     
     
         13 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 11  in which said at least one light source is a flame light source that is included in the flame image subassembly for providing said image of flames. 
     
     
         14 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 11  in which said at least one light source is a fuel light source that is included in the simulated fuel bed for simulating glowing embers. 
     
     
         15 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 12  in which the remote control device additionally comprises a display screen for displaying data regarding the user input signals, the occupancy-related signals, and the ambient light signals. 
     
     
         16 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 11  in which input from the user is receivable via the display screen. 
     
     
         17 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 11  in which the receiver comprises a transceiver, and information is transmitted to the remote control device from the controller through the transceiver.