Illumination – Light emitting diode
Patent
1997-03-19
1999-07-13
Tso, Laura
Illumination
Light emitting diode
362103, 362106, F21L 1100
Patent
active
059216743
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an optical signalling device, more particularly for an article of clothing, as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.
Articles of clothing are known which for the safety of the wearer are provided with optical signalling devices, for example, reflectors, or with reflecting strips, small plates or the like illuminated from a light source. Helmets have also existed which are equipped with lamps or search lights, to enable the wearer to work with both hands with the greatest possible freedom of movement in dark surroundings.
Various articles of clothing are also known which have optical signalling devices for producing optical effects intended for entertainment or publicity purposes. DE-OS 39 00 417 discloses a graphic display device consisting of a plurality of discrete light sources forming part of a picture which is printed onto an article of clothing. The illustration can be animated by the activation of a control circuit operating the light sources. U.S. Pat. No. 4 875 144 discloses a similar invention, wherein a plurality of glass fibers is worked into an article of clothing, the ends of the fibers extending through the fabric of the article of clothing and being arranged in accordance with different pictures (images). In all these devices the sequence of illumination of the light sources is manually activated via a control circuit.
It is an object of the invention to provide an optical signalling device, more particularly for an article of clothing, which produces purely aesthetic or entertaining optical effect and is not only manually controlled, but can also be activated externally via, for example, a coordinator or particular delivered signals.
The problem to which the invention relates is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The light sources can be activated both manually and by remote control. For example, the wearer of the optical signalling device can activate the control circuit manually, whereafter the light sources connected to the control circuit are activated in a predetermined rhythm. For example, a fan of a football club can in this way express his pleasure that a goal has been scored. The possibility of actuation by remote control enables the light sources of the optical signalling device to be activated when certain events occur. For example, at a sporting event, a goal is scored, for example, a coordinator can activate the optical signalling device, or said device is activated automatically if the line is passed over.
According to another feature of the invention a large number of identical optical signalling devices can be activated simultaneously and in synchronism via a remote control. The result is an enhanced optical effect. Synchronous activation is performed by cableless transmission of the information required for the controlled activation of the light sources. For example, at a football stadium when a goal has been scored a coordinator can activate all the signalling devices of a fan club simultaneously via remote control.
According to the features of claim 3 the remote control activation of the light sources can be effected via high frequency, infra red light or acoustic signals. The kind of remote control can be selected in accordance with various aspects, such as the presence of certain transmitting installations, guidelines, transmission characteristics, etc. For example, at stadiums, usually loud speaker installations are present, via which the remote control activation of the optical signalling devices can be effected without the installation of special transmitting installations.
According to another feature of the invention the colors of the light sources correspond to those of certain clubs, organizations or nationalities. In this way the members of such clubs, organizations or nationalities can show themselves as such and demonstrate their affiliation.
The light sources can also be differently colored by covering with different colors. This economically enables even colors to be obtained which are not, for example, in
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