NZ739186A - A wireless controlled decorative string light device - Google Patents

Abstract

wirelessly controlled string light device, including a string light having a plurality of LED lights, and a controller unit electrically connected to the string light for controlling illumination of the string light, wherein the controller unit has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device, and wherein the controller unit has rigidly mounted on the controller unit electrical pins for connection to a supply of electricity such that the controller unit is in the form of a plugpack. illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device, and wherein the controller unit has rigidly mounted on the controller unit electrical pins for connection to a supply of electricity such that the controller unit is in the form of a plugpack.

Description

A WIRELESS CONTROLLED STRING LIGHT DEVICE Field of the Invention The invention relates to a wireless controlled string light device and, more specifically but not exclusively, a Christmas wireless controlled string light device controlled by a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.

Background of the Invention It is known to provide decorative string lights which typically play a significant part in many different festive decorative displays. Though previously typically used during Christmas and on Christmas trees, it is now common to use decorative string lights as part of various festive celebrations through the year for both inside and outside displays.

The gradual development over the years in technology has produced a more user-friendly and safer string light. String lights were originally produced using mains voltage incandescent bulbs, then progressed to extra safe low voltage bulbs, then to LED bulbs to Wifi enabled lights, then Bluetooth-enabled extra safe low voltage LED string lights.

Bluetooth technology has been around for many years and there are existing products available. It is proposed to provide a decorative LED string light that can be controlled manually or by using Bluetooth technology (as opposed to Wifi or infrared technology).

The applicant has identified limitations with existing string light products. More specifically, decorative string lights are often placed in locations that are not easily accessible or the controller is not in a convenient position once installed. The applicant has determined it would be advantageous to provide an alternative method for controlling the decorative string lights in addition to manual control. It is therefore suggested that Bluetooth technology be incorporated directly into the same housing as the plugpack transformer that converts the mains AC voltage to extra safe low voltage power (DC) which operate the string lights. This would allow the user to either manually control the string lights via a push button or using Bluetooth-enabled devices such as, but not limited to smartphones and tablets (via an App).

Examples of the invention seek to provide an improved wireless controlled string light device which eliminates or at least ameliorates disadvantages of previous string light products.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wirelessly controlled string light device, including a string light having a plurality of LED lights, and a controller unit electrically connected to the string light for controlling illumination of the string light, wherein the controller unit has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device, and wherein the controller unit has rigidly mounted on the controller unit electrical pins for connection to a supply of electricity such that the controller unit is in the form of a plugpack.

Preferably, the controller unit includes a transformer for transforming the supply of electricity into safety extra low voltage electrical supply for the string light.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wirelessly controlled string light device, including a string light having a plurality of lights, and a controller unit electrically connected to the string light for controlling illumination of the string light, wherein the controller unit has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device.

Preferably, the controller unit includes a manual control for controlling illumination of the string light. More preferably, the controller unit includes a manual control for controlling selection between a plurality of lighting modes of illumination of the string light. Even more preferably, the manual control is in the form of a button for manually cycling through said plurality of lighting modes.

In a preferred form, the wirelessly controlled string light device includes a plurality of string lights and the controller unit controls illumination of each of the string lights.

Preferably, the string light device includes a motion and/or sound sensor for detecting motion and/or sound whereby the controller unit controls illumination of the string light accordingly. More preferably, the motion and/or sound sensor is fitted to the controller unit.

In a preferred form, the wirelessly controlled string light device includes a sensor for sensing a condition in response to which the controller unit automatically controls turning the lights on and/or off.

Preferably, the controller unit includes a solar panel for electrical supply to the string light.

The controller may also include a battery for electrical supply to the string light.

In one form, the controller unit includes a plurality of DC sockets on a surface of a casing of the controller unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a wireless controlled string light device diagrammatically, in accordance with an example of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a rear view of a plugpack of the wireless controlled string light device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the plugpack of Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows an underside of the plugpack of Figures 2 and 3.

Detailed Description With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a string light device which incorporates Bluetooth technology directly into the same housing as the plugpack transformer which converts the mains AC voltage to extra safe low voltage power (DC) which operates the string lights. Advantageously, this allows the user to either manually control the string lights via a push button or using Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets. Figure 1 also shows that a solar panel and/or batteries may be used as a power supply for the string light.

More specifically, with reference to Figure 1, there is provided a wirelessly controlled string light device 10, including a string light 12 having a plurality of LED lights 14, and a controller unit 16 electrically connected to the string light 12 for controlling illumination of the string light 12. The controller unit 16 has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device (not shown). The controller unit 16 has rigidly mounted on the controller unit electrical pins 18 (see Figures 3 and 4) for connection to a supply of electricity such that the controller unit 16 is in the form of a plugpack. Accordingly, Bluetooth technology is incorporated directly into the mains plugpack (transformer) body which provides safe extra low voltage supply to the user-detachable decorative string lights. The lights are connected via common DC power line connectors/jacks.

Advantageously, the main benefits of having the plug in the casing of the controller unit 16 include that: 1. It avoids messy and entangled cords, which obviously gets worse with length of cables; 2. Better product reliability/safety as it avoids chafing or damage to the cord as there is none; 3. If a cord is used there is a greater likelihood of the plug pins being strained in the socket if the casing cannot rest on anything, so casing weight on the cord pulls the plug pins down causing poor contact or for the plug to fall out cutting the power or in worst case causing a hot spot and safety concern. This may be avoided if the plug point is close to the floor or near a table top but this may not always be the case; and 4. Avoids animals chewing or children pulling on the dangerous high voltage cord, only SELV power is exposed if a cord is damaged so it is safer.

The controller unit 16 includes a transformer for transforming the supply of electricity into safety extra low voltage electrical supply for the string light 12.

With reference to Figure 2, the controller unit 16 may include a manual control 20 for controlling illumination of the string light 12. The manual control 20 may be arranged for controlling selection between a plurality of lighting modes of illumination of the string light 12. A range of lighting modes are listed on the rear of the controller unit 16 shown in Figure 2 as follows: 1. ON 2. COMBINATION 3. WAVE 4. ALTERNATING . GLOW 6. RUNNING FLASH 7. FADE 8. TWINKLE 9. DANCING.

The manual control 20 may be in the form of a button 22 for manually cycling through said plurality of lighting modes.

With reference to Figure 1, there are shown on the right-hand side of the representation three alternatives including a first alternative where the string light device includes a linear string light, a second alternative wherein the string light includes branched string lights, and a final alternative in which the string light device includes extended linear string lights connected in series. The string lights 12 may be detachable from the controller unit 16 so that the alternatives depicted in Figure 1 can be used interchangeably. With the branched string lights in which the string light device includes a plurality of string lights 12, the controller unit 16 may be able to control illumination of each of the string lights 12 separately.

The string light device 10 may include a motion and/or sound sensor for detecting motion and/or sound whereby the controller unit 16 controls illumination of the string light 12 accordingly. The motion and/or sound sensor may be fitted to the controller unit 16.

Alternatively, the controller unit 16 may be provided with connectors to extend the range/position of external sensors or to potentially use existing Bluetooth connectivity for sensors. Existing string lights may use the mobile device to sense sounds via the microphone on the mobile device and then adjust the light display by Bluetooth. This system would require that the mobile device be in the range of the Bluetooth modules controlling the festive lights which usually means a range of around 10 meters, depending on other factors. The applicant has identified that as people will often want to move around with their smartphones, it is not ideal to use the sensors on the mobile Bluetooth device for this purpose.

Further distinctions of examples of the present invention over existing string light arrangements are discussed in the points below: 1. The Bluetooth technology is incorporated directly into the mains plugpack (transformer) body which provides safe extra low voltage supply to the user detachable decorative string lights. Lights are connected via common DC power line connectors/jacks.

The transformer/plugpack will include a manual override button but with the added feature of Bluetooth. 2. Examples may provide a portable set of low voltage controllable LED string lights separated from the power source rather than an individual Bluetooth controllable mains voltage LED bulb ( or separated group of bulbs) 3. In an example, the proposed Bluetooth module may be incorporated into the mains plugpack body, which still includes a manual override button. Existing products have a Bluetooth module attached directly to the string lights and not directly into the transformer (plugpack). Separating the Bluetooth module from the strings lights allows any damaged lights to be easily and cheaply replaced without having to replace the Bluetooth module and then having to reset/pair or reprogram the Bluetooth device. It is also more cost effective as you house all the electronics in one body. 4. It is often the case that in other Bluetooth designs there is no manual override and everything is controlled via the Bluetooth module itself.

. In other designs, Bluetooth is used to control a separate device such as a speaker(s) which is connected to a string of lights for effect. The Bluetooth does not control the lights, only the speaker. Examples of the present invention do not require speakers and are able to control the lights by changing colours (if applicable) of the lights directly. Examples may also be able to control the sequence of how LEDs flash, or stay on or off, or on timer. 6. It is also possible to include in the present invention the additional following technology, if required, such as motion or sound sensing technology so that the lights will respond differently to changing external stimuli. 7. It is also possible to include a daylight sensor or a sensing circuit (solar product), if required, to control when the string lights turn on or off automatically. 8. It is also possible to substitute the transformer/plugpack with a solar panel and battery incorporating Bluetooth, if required, to power the string lights for places that have no power or installations that are hard to maintain. 9. It is also possible to allow a plurality of string lights to be connected into the body of the Bluetooth plugpack (rather than into wire hanging off plug pack like octopus arms) to create a branching effect of string lights or as an extension onto the existing string lights to create an even longer string. A plugged (weather protected) positive/negative power connector would be required at each string end to make the join if extending the string light.

. The controller casing is an all-in-one (fully integrated) unit with the mains plug encased with the Bluetooth, transformer and string light controller. The unit may be connected to a wall-mounted mains electricity supply socket. 11. Examples of the invention use a manual control on the casing as well as Bluetooth functionality. 12. Rather than controlling each light bulb individually, examples of the present invention control each string light segment. 13. In a proposed design multiple string lights are connected to the casing of the plug pack.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (6)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wirelessly controlled string light device, including a string light having a plurality of LED lights, and a controller unit electrically connected to the string light for controlling illumination of the string light, wherein the controller unit has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device, and wherein the controller unit has rigidly mounted on the controller unit electrical pins for connection to a supply of electricity such that the controller unit is in the form of a plugpack.

2. A wirelessly controlled string light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller unit includes a transformer for transforming the supply of electricity into safety extra low voltage electrical supply for the string light.

3. A wirelessly controlled string light device, including a string light having a plurality of lights, and a controller unit electrically connected to the string light for controlling illumination of the string light, wherein the controller unit has Bluetooth connection functionality for receiving illumination commands from a wirelessly connected Bluetooth device.

4. A wirelessly controlled string light device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller unit includes a manual control for controlling illumination of the string light.

5. A wirelessly controlled string light device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller unit includes a manual control for controlling selection between a plurality of lighting modes of illumination of the string light.

6. A wirelessly controlled string light device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the manual control is in the form of a button for manually cycling through said plurality of lighting modes. H:\azh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\AZH\16305231_1.doc - 16/