Electrically Illuminated Flame Simulator

Abstract

An electrically powered flame simulator comprises at least two light sources, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the light sources for intermittently illuminating at least one of the light sources independently of other light sources such that the light sources together provide the effect of a flickering movement, and a power source for providing power to the integrated circuit. The flame simulator may be mounted in a decorative or ornamental device such as a candle or fire log, or used on decorative clothing, or may be part of a hazard or warning system. One or more solid state light sources may also be used.

1 . An artificial candle comprising:
 an upper portion including a surface defining a recess;   a lower portion   a hollow interior region;   at least one light source within the hollow interior region, wherein the at least one light source is arranged to project light primarily downwardly; and   an electrically powered flame simulator including a circuit electrically connected to the at least one light source and configured to control illumination of the at least one light source so as to provide an effect of flickering.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial candle of  claim 1 , further comprising a microphone associated with the circuit through which predetermined audio sounds can be processed to control the at least one light source. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial candle of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined audio sounds comprise at least one of a hand-clap, a finger-snap, or a thud. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial candle of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined audio sounds comprise a blowing sound. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial candle of  claim 1 , further comprising an ON/OFF switch configured to:
 prevent the at least one light source from emitting light when the ON/OFF switch is in an OFF position; and   allow the at least one light source to emit light when the ON/OFF switch is in an ON position.   
     
     
         6 . The artificial candle of  claim 5 , wherein the ON/OFF switch comprises an ON/OFF/TIMER switch, wherein circuit controls the light source for a limited period time when the switch is set to the TIMER position. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial candle of  claim 1 , further comprising a motion detector configured to control operation of the flame simulator to function in response to a motion detected externally from the artificial candle. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial candle of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is configured to generate at least one of a random pulse, random signal, semi-random pulse, semi-random signal, sequential pulse, or a sequential signal to control illumination of the at least one light source. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial candle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one light source within the hollow interior region comprises a plurality of light sources within the hollow interior region; and   each of the plurality of light sources is arranged to project light primarily downwardly.   
     
     
         10 . The artificial candle of  claim 9 , wherein the circuit is configured to illuminate at least one of the plurality of light sources independently of another one of the plurality of light sources such that the plurality of light sources together provide an effect of a flickering movement. 
     
     
         11 . An artificial candle comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical body having permanent exterior surfaces comprising:
 an upper portion including a rim on an upper surface that circumscribes a recess; 
 a lower portion with a lower surface; and 
 a chamber inside of the substantially cylindrical body, 
 wherein the substantially cylindrical body is self-supporting on the lower surface and has a circumference with a central axis extending through a center of the upper portion and center of the lower portion; 
   at least one light source within the chamber, wherein the at least one light source is arranged to project light primarily downwardly; and   an electrically powered flame simulator comprising a circuit electrically connected to the at least one light source and configured to control illumination of the at least one light source so as to provide an effect of flickering.   
     
     
         12 . The artificial candle of  claim 11 , further comprising a microphone associated with the circuit through which predetermined audio sounds can be processed to control the at least one light source. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial candle of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined audio sounds comprise at least one of a hand-clap, a finger-snap, or a thud. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial candle of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined audio sounds comprise a blowing sound. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial candle of  claim 11 , further comprising an ON/OFF switch configured to:
 prevent the at least one light source from emitting light when the ON/OFF switch is in an OFF position; and   allow the at least one light source to emit light when the ON/OFF switch is in an ON position.   
     
     
         16 . The artificial candle of  claim 15 , wherein the ON/OFF switch comprises an ON/OFF/TIMER switch, wherein circuit controls the light source for a limited period time when the switch is set to the TIMER position. 
     
     
         17 . The artificial candle of  claim 11 , further comprising a motion detector configured to control operation of the flame simulator to function in response to a motion detected externally from the artificial candle. 
     
     
         18 . The artificial candle of  claim 11 , wherein the circuit is configured to generate at least one of a random pulse, random signal, semi-random pulse, semi-random signal, sequential pulse, or a sequential signal to control illumination of the at least one light source. 
     
     
         19 . The artificial candle of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the at least one light source within the chamber comprises a plurality of light sources within the chamber; and   each of the plurality of light sources is arranged to project light primarily downwardly.   
     
     
         20 . The artificial candle of  claim 19 , wherein the circuit is configured to illuminate at least one of the plurality of light sources independently of another one of the plurality of light sources such that the plurality of light sources together provide an effect of a flickering movement.