US20220183429A1

US20220183429A1 - Personal lighted umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20220183429A1
Application number: US17/533,390
Authority: US
Inventors: Margaret H. Nuytkens; Peter R. Nuytkens; Amy R. Nuytkens; Mark H. Nuytkens
Original assignee: Nuytkens Industries LLC
Current assignee: Nuytkens Industries LLC
Priority date: 2020-12-10
Filing date: 2021-11-23
Publication date: 2022-06-16

Abstract

A personal umbrella assembly has a frame, a lighting apparatus coupled with the frame, and light control logic operatively coupled with the lighting apparatus. The light control logic is configured to receive an input signal and cause the lighting apparatus to display a light signal/pattern as a function of the input signal.

Description

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from provisional U.S. patent application No. 63/123,900, filed Dec. 10, 1920, entitled, “PERSONALIZED LIGHTED UMBRELLA,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention generally relate to personal umbrellas and, more particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to an umbrella with illumination.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a personal umbrella assembly has a frame, a lighting apparatus coupled with the frame, and light control logic operatively coupled with the lighting apparatus. The light control logic is configured to receive an input signal and cause the lighting apparatus to display a light signal/pattern as a function of the input signal.
The light control logic input signal may be configured to receive input information about a garment. In that case, the light control logic may be configured to cause the lighting apparatus to produce a lighting apparatus to display the light signal as a function of the garment (e.g., the same color). The light control logic input signal may include input information about a prescribed lighting pattern that causes it to control the lighting apparatus to produce a lighting apparatus to display the prescribed light signal as a function of the prescribed lighting pattern.
The umbrella assembly also may have logic that enables the light control logic to switch between one of a plurality of different prescribed light patterns. For example, the input signal may have information relating to one or more of the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade. The personal umbrella assembly also may have logic for detecting a signal from a different device (e.g., another umbrella configured in a similar manner). The light control logic may be to pair with the different device to interact with the different device.
In some embodiments, an LED lighted umbrella provides a symphony of light composition emulating the bio luminescence life pulsating wave pattern that is automatically programmed to color coordinate and match to the owner's clothing. More specifically, some embodiments relate to a special personal umbrella having a plurality of LED lights, which illumination can be varied by a remote controlling mode and coordinated by a color pallet algorithm to match a person's wardrobe as a unique accessory.
Illustrative embodiments respond to the needs of a personal umbrella that is automatically programmed to produce a symphony of light that is coordinated with a person's wardrobe. The light wave pattern also may be controlled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by control means, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescence pulsating life wave patterns exhibited by comb jelly fish and related marine life. Furthermore, various embodiments include a personal umbrella with illumination in that it communicates and a wink “Hello” pattern to other like umbrellas, is equipped and featured with “Alert” patterns, and is featured with “Confetti celebration” and “Firefly” patterns. Therefore, in order to eliminate known limitations of the prior art, various embodiments aim to provide a personal umbrella with remote controlled stranded array of LED lights with aforementioned animated features.
Those skilled in the art may configure a personal umbrella in any of a variety of configurations to achieve one or more of the above goals. The following technical solution is but one example that produces one or more of the above goals: an umbrella having an umbrella assembly including a Center rod, a plurality of umbrella Support bars, a plurality of Support rails and an umbrella Canvas that overlays the umbrella Support rails, in which the upper end of the Center rod is fixed to a First annular ring to which Support rails are attached and a Second annular ring that Support bars are attached that slides on the Center rod. A plurality of programmable color and time duration LED lights mounted in a Flex PCB LED Array attached in each channel of the plurality of Support rails and one end attached to Flex PCB annular strip bus.
A Control and power cable is threaded through the hollow Center rod to connect the Flex PCB annular strip bus to the LED dynamic power control in the hollow Handle. The LED dynamic power control is connected to Rechargeable power module and a Micro controller which contains the Bio luminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm and accepts command and data from the Communication receiver which receives command and data from the Color match algorithm provided as an application program for download in a user's phone or computer device.
The Micro controller is connected to a Rotary switch having a plurality of states including “Off”, “Color match”, “Hello”, and “Alert” and Micro USB connector located in the Handle. The Color match algorithm accepts a highlighted area of a user photo of their wardrobe and automatically creates a Color pallet encoding as input to the Bio luminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm. The Bio luminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm selects and optimizes wave pattern sequence color, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade that match the undulating life patterns of marine comb jellyfish. This original default color combination is displayed when the unit is turned on to “Color match” mode and remains in this display state unless commanded by input from the “Color match” algorithm of rotary switch state of “Hello”, “Alert”, “Confetti”, or “Firefly”. All wave parameters have as additive input a continuous random variable normal distribution noise component that is not detected by the user, but provides subliminal relaxation experience over the pattern with no additive noise.
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are implemented at least in part as a computer program product having a computer usable medium with computer readable program code thereon. The computer readable code may be read and utilized by a computer system in accordance with conventional processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages of various embodiments of the invention from the following “Description of Illustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawings summarized immediately below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows of an umbrella assembly of the personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED lights in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows the lower portion structure of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1 in accordance with illustrative embodiments, in which some elements are enlarged;

FIG. 3 schematically shows the upper portion structure of personal umbrella of FIG. 1 in accordance with illustrative embodiments, in which some elements are enlarged;

FIGS. 4A-4B are illustrative schematics and state flow view of an LED Strip color sequencing and timing of a “Bio luminescence pulsating life wave” pattern emulation algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a color match scheme in accordance with illustrative embodiments. For example, one or more of those figures show an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip color sequencing and timing “Color pattern match” algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip color sequencing and timing “Hello” exchange algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip color sequencing and timing “Confetti” algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip color sequencing and timing “Firefly” algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip color sequencing and timing “Alert” algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The personal umbrella with illumination in the prior art are not programmed to produce a symphony of light that is automatically coordinated with a person's wardrobe, and the light wave pattern is not be controlled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any control means, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing “bio luminescence pulsating life wave” patterns exhibited by comb jelly fish and related marine life. Furthermore, personal umbrella with illumination in the prior art fails to communicate or wink a “Hello” pattern to other like umbrellas, and they are not equipped and featured with remote control “Alert” patterns, or featured with remote control “Confetti celebration” patterns, or “Firefly” communication patterns To eliminate the defect of the prior art, illustrative embodiments provide a personal umbrella with remote controlled stranded array of LED lights with aforementioned animated color pattern sequence features. Details of illustrative embodiments are discussed below.
Illustrative embodiments of a personal umbrella are explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-7. Specifically, those figures show a personal umbrella with remote-controlled lights. In illustrative embodiments, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are used, although those skilled in the art can use other types of lights. The umbrella comprises, among other things, an umbrella assembly including a Center rod 1, a plurality of umbrella Support bars 3, a plurality of Support rails 2, and an umbrella Canvas 22 overlaying the umbrella Support rails 2. The upper end of the Center rod 1 is fixed to a First annular ring 20 to which Support rails 2 are attached. Support bars 3 are coupled with a Second annular ring 21 that slides on the Center rod 1.
A plurality of serial programmable color and time duration LED lights mounted in a Flex PCB LED Array 5 are attached in each channel of the plurality of Support rails 2 with one end attached to Flex PCB annular Strip bus 11. A Control and power cable 12 is threaded through the hollow Center rod 1 to connect the Flex PCB annular strip bus 11 to the LED dynamic power control 6 in the hollow Handle 4. A Microcontroller 8 is connected to a Rotary switch 9, which has a plurality of states of including “Off”, “Color match”, “Confetti”, “Firefly”, “Hello”, and “Alert”. Micro USB connector 10 also may be located in the hollow Handle 4.
The handle, shown in FIG. 2, details the LED dynamic power control 6, connected to rechargeable power module 13, LED strip array data and power cable 12, and Micro Controller 8. The Micro controller 8, is connected to the is Communication receiver 7, the LED strip array data and power cable 12, Rotary switch 9, and USB cable 14. The LED strip array data and power cable 12 is connected to the LED strip bus 11, which is connected to a plurality of LED strips 16. The USB cable 14 connects the Micro Controller 8 to the Micro USB connector 10.
The LED strip array of FIG. 3 details a plurality of serial programmable RGB LED 15 mounted on LED strip data and power cable 12, connected to the LED strip bus 11. This arrangement allows for individual control of each LED via the Microcontroller 8 and LED dynamic power control 6.
Indeed, it should be noted that FIGS. 1-3 only schematically shows various components and one specific implementation of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that each of these components can be implemented in a variety of conventional manners and in other manners, such as by using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, across one or more other functional components. For example, the microcontroller may be implemented using a plurality of microprocessors or discrete electronic components. As another example, the microcontroller may be implemented using one or more application specific integrated circuits (i.e., “ASICs”) and related software, or a combination of ASICs, discrete electronic components (e.g., transistors), and microprocessors. Accordingly, the schematic representation of the components is for simplicity purposes only.
It should be reiterated that the representation of FIGS. 1-3 may be a simplified representation of an actual umbrella assembly. Those skilled in the art should understand that such a device has many other physical and functional components. Accordingly, this discussion is in no way intended to suggest that FIGS. 1-3 represent all of the elements, and the only elements of the umbrella assembly.
FIG. 4a shows an example of a default “Bio luminescent pulsating life wave” sequence of color and timing pattern A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J of serial programmable RGB LED 1-18 at time T0 to T27 for each LED strips to emulate Jellyfish color sequence propagation. The time interval between each state T0-T1, . . . , T26-T27 is controlled by a normal distribution random number generator that creates random interval periods between 60 msec and 260 msec that, when complete, advances the sequence state T0-T27 and then restarts the sequence under control of a second normal distribution random number generator that creates random interval periods between sequence starts. This random additive feature to the emulation pattern timing is exhibited by comb jellyfish and perceived as relaxing visual stimulus to humans. FIG. 4b shows an example of the time domain wave form captured at time T14 and the intensity of the RGB codes of the propagating bio luminescent pulsating life wave sequence. Specifically, RGB codes and sequence and intensity algorithms are shown for the emulation patterns exhibited by the Comb Jellyfish. The Micro controller 8 contains the pulsating bioluminescent life wave emulation algorithm and accepts command and data from the communication receiver 7, which receives command and data from the Color match algorithm provided as an application program for download in a user's phone or computer device.
The Color match algorithm, FIG. 5a-5c , accepts a highlighted area of a user photo of their wardrobe and automatically creates a Color pallet encoding as input to the bioluminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm. The bioluminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm, FIG. 5b-5c , selects and optimizes wave pattern sequence color, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade that match the undulating life patterns of marine comb jellyfish. All wave parameters have as additional input a continuous random variable normal distribution noise component that is not detected by the user but provides is subliminal relaxation experience over the pattern with no additive noise.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a “Hello” algorithm, with the LED sequence and timing stimulus and response to umbrellas whose “Hello” mode is activated. In the shown example of this mode, a “gold sparkler” pattern is sequenced twice in quick succession upon the communication receiver proximity detection of another umbrella communication receiver with its “Hello” mode activated. After the “Hello” wink handshake is executed between two umbrellas, it remains active and locked out for this umbrella pairing for a 24-hour period.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a “Confetti” algorithm, with the LED sequence and timing of a confetti celebration pattern that emulates the finale of fireworks displays. It has plumes of wave color patterns flowed by quick random flashes of color and bright white sparkles.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a “Firefly” algorithm, with the LED sequence and timing emulation of the Firefly courtship dance. The pattern has alternating quick bright male, M, stimulus flash and slow soft female, F, glow response. The dance exponentially adds male and female pairs that crescendos to the entire community and then disappears, only to start again. In this example, the male stimulus flash is 30 msec to 50 msec and the female glow period is 300 msec to 500 msec following a raised cosine intensity profile. The male flash timing and luminescence and female glow period and luminescence are controlled by random normal distributions generators to emulate Firefly life rhythms.
FIG. 9 shows an example of an “Alert” algorithm, with the LED sequence and timing of an Alert pattern that emulates the strobe timing and color flash patterns displays of international warning and hazards. It includes rotating beams of international orange and flowed by quick strobe flashes of bright white.
Although various embodiments discuss specific algorithms, such as the Alert algorithm and the Firefly algorithm, those skilled in the art can apply principals of illustrative embodiments to other algorithms. Accordingly, discussion of the specific algorithms are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit various embodiments.
Some innovations may include:
1. A personal umbrella with stranded arrays of remote-controlled light emitting diode (LED) lights to provide a symphony of light composition emulating the “bio luminescence pulsating life wave” pattern that is automatically programmed to color coordinate and match the owners clothing. The device includes: an umbrella assembly including a center support rod, a handle, an umbrella cover, a plurality of umbrella support bars and a plurality of support rails, wherein the support rod is connected to the plurality of support bars and the plurality of support rails, wherein the umbrella cover is connected to the plurality of support bars, wherein a plurality of LED lights arranged is a strip strand is attached on each of the support rails, and wherein the handle is provided with a compartment in which is a remote controller including a rechargeable power supply, communication receiver, rotary mode switch, USB connector, printed circuit board (PCB), electrically switch LED power driver, and 1 wire or 2 wire strand communication and ground interface connected through center support rod to the array strips enabling individual control of color and brightness of each LED in each of the strip arrays.
2. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the control of the pattern is real time programmed via communication receiver driven from an automatic color match algorithm with input from a photo of a user's wardrobe item.
3. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the LED power drive is derived from a single 3.6 volt rechargeable power source that is charged from a 5 volt USB power supply. The dynamic LED power driver controls the intensity, duration, and color timing to power a plurality individually controlled (of at least 144) LED organized in strand arrays for a plurality of hours (of at least 2) without recharging.
4. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the light wave pattern can be controlled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any control means, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescence life wave patterns exhibited by comb jellyfish.
5. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the light wave pattern can be controlled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any control means, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescence life wave patterns exhibited by fireflies.
6. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the umbrella automatically senses and recognizes its proximity to other like umbrellas and blinks “Hello” as a symbolic handshake.
7. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lights according to innovation 1, wherein the umbrella can handle contains a rotary switch which has a plurality of positions including: “Off” power charge mode, “On” color match pattern and program, “Celebrate” quick flash multi-color display, “Alert” yellow . . . orange . . . and red - - - and white . . . burst. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by any of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal umbrella assembly comprising:

a frame;

a lighting apparatus coupled with the frame;

light control logic operatively coupled with the lighting apparatus, the light control logic receiving an input signal and causing the lighting apparatus to display a light pattern as a function of the input signal.

2. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 1 wherein the light control logic input signal includes input information about a garment, the light control logic causing the lighting apparatus to display the light pattern as a function of the garment.

3. The personal umbrella assembly claim 1 wherein the light control logic input signal receives input information about a prescribed lighting pattern, the light control logic causing the lighting apparatus to display the light pattern as a function of the prescribed lighting pattern.

4. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 3 further having switching logic that enables the light control logic to switch between one of a plurality of different prescribed light patterns.

5. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 3 wherein input signal has information relating to one or more of the pulsating wave parameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade.

6. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 1 further comprising detection logic for detecting a signal from a different device, the light control logic configured to pair with the different device to interact with the different device.

7. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 1 wherein the light assembly includes an array of light emitting diodes mounted to a flexible strip.