Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Plural series connected load devices – Christmas lights
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2001-04-17
Vu, David (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Plural series connected load devices
Christmas lights
C315S18500S, C315S193000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06218786
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a lamp string controlling device, and in particular to a lamp string controlling device capable to controlling a lamp string composed of a multiplicity of loops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lamp strings have been widely used in all kinds of celebrations and festivals. The lamp strings are attached to for example trees along a street. The lamp strings are powered by electricity and controlled by a controlling device to change the lighting status of the lamps.
Conventionally, the lamp strings are usually set to the full load condition without any time limits. Thus, a great consumption of power is encountered. Furthermore, to support such a great power consumption, a large-sized transformer is required. Therefore, the overall size of a lamp string controlling device may have a large size that is not suitable for outdoor use.
Furthermore, due to the large size of the power supply circuit, it is common that the power supply circuit and a control circuit are separated from each other with wires connected therebetween. This increases the cost and space requirement in installing the lamp string.
In addition, the lamp string controlling device is easily subject to electromagnetic interference. A high frequency filter may be connected between the power supply circuit and the control circuit to overcome the electromagnetic interference. The filter, however, increases the size and the cost of the lamp string controlling device.
Besides, the conventional control circuit may only control the lighting status of the lamp string in a limited ways. This is not consumer appealing.
It is thus desirable to have a lamp string controlling device that overcomes the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lamp string controlling device comprising a timing circuit for switching the lamp string from a full load condition to a non-full load condition after a predetermined time period for lowering down power consumption and reducing the required size of the transformer thereby allowing the power supply circuit and a control circuit to be combined together.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp string controlling device in which a power supply circuit and a control circuit are combined together whereby wire connection therebetween is shortened and electromagnetic interference is reduced.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lamp string controlling device comprising a control circuit capable to control the lighting status of lamp strings connected thereto in a variety of styles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lamp string controlling device comprising a manual switch and/or a remote control module for manual or remote control of the lamp string controlling device.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lamp string controlling device comprising a power supply circuit constituted by a transformer and a rectification circuit for converting an alternate current into a direct current. A harmonic oscillation circuit is connected between the transformer and the rectification circuit for eliminating noise and electromagnetic interference. A single chip based control circuit is connected between the power supply circuit and a driver circuit which drives a lamp string. The control circuit controls the lighting status of the lamp string between a full load condition and a non-full load condition in a variety of styles. A timing circuit having a time constant is coupled to the control circuit for switching the lamp string from a full load condition to the non-full load condition after a time period determined by the time constant thereof whereby overall power consumption of the lamp string may be lowered down and thus a small-sized transformer suffices for the operation of the lamp string. Therefore a compact lamp string controlling device may be formed by combining the power supply circuit and the control circuit together. A manual switch and a remote control module may be coupled to the control circuit for manual and remote control.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5300864 (1994-04-01), Allen
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
Vu David
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