GB2309117A

GB2309117A - Nightlight with audio playback mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2309117A
Application number: GB9600393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yannis Leung
Original assignee: YARD LONG IND CO
Current assignee: YARD LONG IND CO
Priority date: 1996-01-09
Filing date: 1996-01-09
Publication date: 1997-07-16
Also published as: GB9600393D0

Abstract

A nightlight 10 comprises of a cassette or compact disk playback mechanism in a base portion 12 and light emitting means in the form of an annular acrylic tube 42 located around the periphery of the base portion which becomes lit/unlit upon activation/deactivation of the playback mechanism. An auto-stop function cancels the playback mechanism and extinguishes the light once playback of the cassette has been completed. The use of fast-forward/rewind cassette buttons also results in the tube being illuminated. When a nightlight deactivation switch 38 is switched off, operation of the light emitting means is deactivated irrespective of the condition of the cassette playback controls. A lid portion 14 of the nightlight comprises a loudspeaker located between a disk 44 and the main body 46 of the lid.

Description

A NIGHTLIGKT The present invention relates to a nightlight.

It is known to provide a nightlight, for example a bedside lamp, which comprises a light emitting element and a switch for activating and deactivating operation of the light emitting element. It is common to use such a lamp to provide light before sleeping, for example so as to allow night-time reading. However, such a lamp suffers from a disadvantage in that the lamp remains on throughout the night if a person has fallen asleep, and energy is thereby wasted.

It is also known to provide a device for playback of recorded media, for example a tape cassette player or a compact disc player, which includes an auto-stop mechanism for deactivating operation of the device when playback of a cassette or compact disc has finished. Such devices are often used to listen to pre-recorded material at night-time and it is often desirable to stop playback before the end of a cassette or compact disc. However, such an operation may be difficult to carry out at night-time when it may be difficult to see the desired controls on the device.

It is desirable to provide a device which combines the advantageous characteristics of a nightlight and a recorded medium playback device without the above mentioned disadvantages.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a nightlight comprising light emitting means and means for controlling operation of the light emitting means, the said controlling means including recorded medium playback means and at least one actuator having an activated state and a deactivated state, the actuator being adapted to effect operation of the playback means when the actuator is in the activated state, wherein the actuator is also adapted to cooperate with the light emitting means so as to illuminate the light emitting means when the actuator is in the activated state and to extinguish the light emitting means when the actuator is in the deactivated state.

In this way, when the playback device is operational, a nightlight is provided to enable a person to see the controls on the playback device.

Preferably, the controlling means comprises an autostop mechanism adapted to deactivate the actuator when playback of the recording medium has been completed.

In this way, when playback of the recorded medium is completed the light is extinguished, thereby conserving energy.

Preferably, the controlling means also comprises a first actuator for effecting playback of the recorded medium when the first actuator is in the activated state.

Preferably, the controlling means also comprises a second actuator for effecting rewind or fastforward of the recorded medium when the second actuator is in the activated state.

Preferably, the controlling means also comprises a stop switch adapted to deactivate the actuator and thereby cancel operation of the playback means when the stop switch is in an activated state.

Preferably, the light emitting means comprises a light emitting element and an acrylic tube, the light emitting element and the acrylic tube being positioned relative to each other so that light emanating from the light emitting means is guided through the acrylic tube thereby illuminating substantially the whole of the acrylic tube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acrylic tube extends substantially around the periphery of the recorded medium playback means. The acrylic tube may be substantially annular in shape.

Preferably, the controlling means includes a switch for deactivating the light emitting means independent of the state of the actuator.

The recorded medium playback means may comprise a magnetic tape cassette player. Alternatively, the recorded medium playback means comprise a compact disc player.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a nightlight in accordance with the present invention with a lid of the nightlight in an open position; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the nightlight shown in Figure 1 with a lid of the nightlight in a closed position.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a nightlight 10 comprising a base portion 12 and a lid portion 14 connected to the base portion 12 by means of a hinge 16.

The base portion 12 comprises an upper surface 18 which is moulded so as to receive a magnetic tape cassette (not shown). The base portion houses a magnetic tape cassette playback mechanism, features of which are visible through apertures 20,22,24,26 and 28 in the base portion 12.

Such features include spindles 30, playback, fastforward and stop buttons 32,34 and 36, nightlight deactivation switch 38 and volume control 40. The cassette playback mechanism includes an auto-stop mechanism which serves to cancel operation of the playback mechanism when playback of a cassette has been completed.

Located around the periphery of the base portion 12 is an annular acrylic tube 42, the ends of which are adjacent to the hinge 16. In between the ends of the acrylic tube 42 there is provided a light emitter (not shown). When the light emitter is operational the acrylic tube 42 receives light from the light emitter at its ends and acts so as to guide the light through the tube, thereby illuminating substantially the whole of the acrylic tube 42.

The lid portion 14 comprises a loudspeaker (not shown) located between a disc 44 and the main body 46 of the lid portion 14. The loudspeaker receives signals from the playback mechanism via an electrical connection 48. Sound produced by the loudspeaker propagates via sound apertures 50 provided in the main body 46.

Operation of the nightlight 10 is as follows. A user of the device places a cassette in the moulded portion of the upper surface 18 of the base portion 12 and presses the playback button 32 so as to effect operation of the cassette playback mechanism. As a result of pressing this button, electrical current is supplied to the light emitter which then, in turn, effects illumination of the acrylic tube 42.

When playback of the cassette is completed, the auto-stop mechanism acts so as to cancel operation of the cassette playback mechanism and return the playback button 32 to its original position before it was pressed. This, in turn, extinguishes the light element and therefore the acrylic tube 42.

The operation is similar when the fast forward button 34 is pressed. However, with this button, instead of playback of a cassette being carried out, fastforward of the cassette is carried out.

If a user wishes to stop a playback or fastforward operation before the end of the cassette is reached, the stop button 36 is pressed. This button has the same effect as the auto-stop mechanism in that the playback mechanism operation effected by pressing the play button 32 or fastforward button 34 is cancelled and the light element is extinguished.

Operation of the light emitting element may be deactivated by means of the deactivation switch 38. When the switch 38 is in an 'off' position, operation of the light emitter is deactivated irrespective of the condition of the playback and fastforward buttons 32,34.

It will be appreciated that the present invention, while being of general purpose use, is particularly useful for providing children with a bed-time story or song before going to sleep.

It will also be appreciated that, instead of a magnetic tape cassette playback mechanism, a compact disc playback mechanism may be used.

It will also be appreciated that the nightlight may include a socket for accepting power from an external source.

It will also be appreciated that the nightlight may include a headphone socket for personal listening of the recorded medium.

It will also be appreciated that the cassette playback mechanism may also include a rewind button.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modification of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIM < :

1. A nightlight comprising light emitting means and means for controlling operation of the light emitting means, the said controlling means including recorded medium playback means and at least one actuator having an activated state and a deactivated state, the actuator being adapted to effect operation of the playback means when the actuator is in the activated state, wherein the actuator is also adapted to cooperate with the light emitting means so as to illuminate the light emitting means when the actuator is in the activated state and to extinguish the light emitting means when the actuator is in the deactivated state.

2. A nightlight as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said controlling means comprises an auto-stop mechanism, adapted to deactivate the actuator when playback of the recorded medium has been completed.

3. A nightlight as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the said controlling means comprises a first actuator for effecting playback of the recorded medium when the first actuator is in the activated state.

4. A nightlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said controlling means comprises a second actuator for effecting rewind or fastforward of the recorded medium when the second actuator is in the activated state.

5. A nightlight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said controlling means comprises a stop switch adapted to deactivate the actuator and thereby cancel operation of the playback means when the stop switch is in an activated state.

6. A nightlight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light emitting means comprises a light emitting element and an acrylic tube, the light emitting element and the acrylic tube being positioned relative to each other so that light emanating from the light emitting means is guided through the acrylic tube thereby illuminating substantially the whole of the acrylic tube.

7. A nightlight as claimed in claim 6, wherein the acrylic tube extends substantially around the periphery of the recorded medium playback means.

8. A nightlight as claimed in claim 7, wherein the acrylic tube is substantially annular in shape.

9. A nightlight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said controlling means includes a switch for deactivating the light emitting means independent of the state of the actuator.

10. A nightlight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recorded medium playback means comprises a magnetic tape cassette player.

11. A nightlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recorded medium playback means comprises a compact disc player.

12. A nightlight substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.