REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following two applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:

1) U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/614,997 filed on January 8, 2018; and

2) U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/730,527 filed on September 12, 2018.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates to an improved interactive portable lighting system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Lighting in a bedroom environment can prevent a person from going to sleep. Thus, the process of going to sleep may be improved by adjusting lighting in a dynamic manner.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a lighting device or devices to deliver soothing lighting during the bedtime routine.

[0005] There is also a need for a lighting device or devices whose tone and brightness are tuned for sleep. For example, as the lighting device gets dimmer, tone of its emitted light gets warmer (more yellow).

[0006] In addition, existing lighting devices are not designed to be controlled by physical motion, such as by manual manipulation. Thus, there is also a need for a lighting device or devices that are easy to control and operate by hand manipulations.

[0007] There is also a need for a lighting device or devices that operate on rechargeable batteries, where battery charging itself could be contactless, such as by induction charging. [0008] There is also a need for lighting devices that, when operated as a group, match each other, i.e., synchronize, and operate in unison.

[0009] There is also a need for a lighting device or devices that can be integrated and can be made to communicate wirelessly with other wireless products, including smart products.

[0010] These goals may be accomplished by a group of one or more interactive mood lighting devices designed to put the perfect soothing lighting for sleep at a user’s fingertips and keep disruptive light out of bedtime. This includes gestural (physical motion) control of light and unification of all distributed lights.

SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention involves a lighting system that may have the following features:

[0012] (1) Guides people to sleep with lighting by:

[0013] (a) Dimming:

[0014] (i) light slowly gets dimmer as the evening winds down;

[0015] (ii) enabling lamps(s) to dim to“off’ over a set duration;

[0016] (b) Waking up:

[0017] (i) light slowly gets brighter to wake up a person;

[0018] (ii) enabling lamps(s) to reach full brightness on a set schedule;

[0019] (c) Optimized lighting, such as by having tone and brightness tuned for sleep. For example, by having light get warmer in tone as it gets dimmer.

[0020] (2) Providing a unique and wondrous user experience via:

[0021] (a) Gestural Controls:

[0022] (i) turning on a light through physical manipulation, such as by flipping it; [0023] (ii) animating light through physical motion, where the light intuitively responds to gestures (hand manipulations) like tilt, flip, wiggle, rotate, etc.

[0024] (3) Provides for a Distributed/Unified light that is:

[0025] (a) battery powered with contact charging base, where the batteries can last one week (or other duration) of regular use on a single charge;

[0026] (b) unified, such as by having wireless connectivity so that the individual lights are in unison. For example, when“on,” all grouped lights match each other;

[0027] (c) integrated with other devices. For example, the lighting system of the present invention communicates with other products and other smart devices (e.g., Nest, Echo, Hue, etc.);

[0028] (d) allows lights to be controlled in real time, as well as being programmed, remotely, such as via an app on a mobile device.

[0029] (4) Provides light on demand:

[0030] (a) low impact wiggle to turn-on light, making it portable and ready for nighttime excursions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

[0032] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) is a view of a lighting system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [0033] Figure 2 illustrates a mechanical assembly of the individual lamps in Figures 1(a) and 1(b) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electrical system of the individual lamps in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) depict state diagrams of device operation and interactions in a group of two or more linked lamps in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 depicts a float mode of device operation in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 discloses brightness adjustments in various scenarios, including in synched dimming and paused modes, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 illustrates how ambient light could be used in controlling a lamp’s brightness levels in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 discloses temporary unlinking and relinking of a lamp in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 9 discloses an event table for temporary unlinking and relinking of a lamp in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Figures 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) provide a state table disclosing what happens to a temporarily unlinked device when another operational event occurs in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 11 illustrates operation of a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 12 provides an event table disclosing what happens to a device that is programmed to wake up when another control signal is received in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) provide a state table for a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [0045] Figure 14 shows sample display screens appearing on a mobile device when an app is used to program a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show behavior of a multi-lamp system with programmed overlapping wake-up times in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 16 shows sample display screens appearing on a mobile device when an app is used to program illumination and dimming in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 17 discloses system performance, light behavior, and app indication when the battery is discharging in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 18 discloses system performance, light behavior, and app indication when the battery is charging in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] Figures 19(a) and 19(b) show a state table disclosing what happens to a device with a low battery when another control signal is received in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 20 illustrates system behavior when a lamp’s button is pressed for a very long period, e.g., more than 6 seconds, while the lamp is in various operating modes in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 21 illustrates a state diagram of device operation and interactions in a group of two or more linked lamps in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. [0054] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The following detailed description discloses some embodiments of the interactive lighting system of the present invention, including a group of one or more interactive mood lights designed to put the perfect soothing lighting for sleep at a user’s fingertips and keep disruptive light out of bedtime. This includes gestural (physical manipulation) control of light and unification of all distributed lights (lamps).

[0056] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show a lighting system 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The lighting system 100 includes a group of two lamps, 110(a) and 110(b), that can be operated individually or in unison. Each of the lamps includes a translucent shell 120 and two buttons 130, one on each end of the lamp (the button on the lower end of each lamp is not shown). In one embodiment, the translucent shell 120 is smooth, scratch-resistant, matte, and milky. Each of the two buttons 130 on any individual lamp is smooth, scratch- resistant, matte, and opaque. In an alternative embodiment, the buttons 130 can be replaced by known touch activated switches, such as capacitive or optical sensors, or by voice activated sensors.

[0057] Figure 1(b) shows the lighting system of Fig. 1(a) in operation, where the lamps are providing illumination (lower half of each lamp in Figure 1(b) appears lit), with one of the lamps being held and/or manipulated by a user. Figure 1(b) also depicts a lamp charger (charging base) 140, with a power cable 142, and a lamp placed on it. In one embodiment, the charging base is shaped like a hockey puck. While Figure 1(b) depicts only one charging base, the number of charging bases in the system is not limited. For example, each lamp can have its own charging base.

[0058] MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY: Figure 2 illustrates a mechanical assembly of the individual lamps in Figures 1(a) and 1(b) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The mechanical assembly includes a hollow translucent shell 120 having an opening 230 at both ends. The shell can be made out of polycarbonate or such other material as copolyester, and fabricated by blow molding and/or computer numerical control (“CNC”) process known in the art. Other materials and manufacturing processes know in the art could also be used. A tubular light-diffuser 232, which is optional, is placed inside the shell 120. In one embodiment, the diffuser 232 is a polycarbonate extrusion. A light emitting diode (“LED”) assembly 234 is placed inside the diffuser 232. The LED assembly 234 includes six printed circuit boards 236 (“LED PCBs” or“LED boards”), with multiple LEDs on each LED board, installed around a perimeter of a hollow extruded aluminum core 238. (Figure 2 shows three LED boards from their front and three from the back.) A rechargeable battery (not shown in the figure) is located inside the center opening in the core.

[0059] End caps 240(a) and 240(b) fit within the two openings 230 in the shell 120 and are coupled to each end of the LED assembly 234. A button 242(a) and its associated button-PCB 244(a) for sensing the button press are installed over the end cap 240(a), and another button 242(b) and its associated button-PCB 244(b), are installed over the end cap 240(b) at the other end of the lamp. (Buttons 242(a) and 242(b) in Fig. 2 correspond to the two buttons 130, one on each end of each lamp, as disclosed above concerning Fig. 1.) In one embodiment, in addition to sensing a button press, one of the two button-PCBs also includes electronics for controlling functionality of the lamp. In Figure 2, the button-PCB 244(a) includes such electronics and is identified as a“Main PCB.” The electrical-contact rings on each end cap allow for recharging the battery independent of the lamp’s upside-down orientation. In one embodiment, the charging rings receive power via spring loaded pogo pins in the charging base 140. In an alternative embodiment, charging could be accomplished by inductive coupling, without the external contact rings. In addition, the buttons 242(a) and 242(b) could be implemented as either capacitive or optical contact-sensors, or as non-contact, e.g., voice activated, sensors.

[0060] ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an electrical system of an individual lamp in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 depicts a“Main PCB” (Main Board) 244(a), a button- PCB 244(b), and the six LED PCBs (LED boards) 236(a)-(f), as well as their respective interconnections. The LED board 236(a) includes an ambient light sensor (“ALS”) 310, is connected to the Main-PCB 244(a), and is also coupled to the other five LED boards. As a result, the LED board 236(a) is called the Primary LED Board, while each of the remaining five LED boards is called a Slave LED Board.

[0061] The Main Board 244(a) includes a bottom-button switch 360 that is activated by the button 242(a). The switch 360 feeds one of two inputs of a Dual input Reset Controller block 362, which in turn feeds a main processing and control 364 block. In one embodiment, the main processing and control block 364 is implemented in a Nordic Semiconductor NRF52 System on a Chip (“SoC”), which includes a 2.4 GHz Bluetooth™ radio. Antenna 366 is connected to the main processing and control block 364 and allows the lamp to wirelessly communicate with other lamps and other wireless products.

[0062] A memory block 368, which in one embodiment is an Electrically Erasable Programable Read Only Memory (“EEPROM”), is also interconnected with the block 364. Block 370 measures a change in spatial orientation of the lamp in the x-y-z plane and is also coupled to the main processor and control block 364. For example, block 370 measures such changes in the lamp’s spatial orientation as movement and rotation of the lamp with respect to the“y” axis, as well as changes with respect to other axes and planes. In one embodiment, block 370 is a 9-axis internal measurement unit (“9 DOF IMU”), also known in the art as a 9 degrees- of-freedom internal measurement unit, that communicates with block 364 over a bi-directional two-wire communication interface known as the Inter-Integrated Circuit (“I ² C”) interface.

[0063] Device power comes from a rechargeable battery 372, which is coupled to block 364 via a battery charger 374. Block 364 receives power input from the battery and controls one or more power supplies 376, which in turn are used to provide regulated power to the different circuits inside the lamp. A charging connector 380 on the Main Board 244(a) provides interconnection between the battery charger 374 and an external charging base 382, illustrated as reference number 140 in Fig. 1(b), in one vertical orientation. A similar charging connector 384 on the Button Board 244(b) provides interconnection between the battery charger 374 and the external charging base 382 when the lamp is flipped upside- down.

[0064] Each of the six LED boards, 236(a)-(f), includes eight LEDs, six white and two red. The white LEDs are used for illumination and the red LEDs are primarily used for varying the overall tone of the visible light projected outside the lamp. The LEDs can also be used for indicating device status to the user, e.g., battery low/needs charging, dimming function is paused, identifying the lamps when grouping them in the app, etc. Such indications can be done by the LEDs pulsing, steady on, etc. Each of the two Slave LED boards 236(c) and 236(e) and the Primary LED board 236(a) also includes 16 Channel LED Driver block, designated in Figure 3 by reference numerals 316, 318, and 314, respectively.

The 16-Channel LED Driver 314 on the Primary LED Board can drive the LEDs on the Primary LED Board 236(a) and on the Slave LED Board 236(b). The 16- Channel LED Driver 316 can drive the LEDs on its Slave LED Board 236(c) and on the Slave LED board 236(d). The 16-Channel LED Driver 318 can drive the LEDs on its Slave LED Board 236(e) and on the Slave LED Board 236(f). The main processor and control block 364, on the Main Board 244(a), communicates with an ambient light sensor (“ALS”) 310 on the Primary LED Board 236(a) via an I ² C interface. Block 364 also controls the LEDs on the six LED boards via a 4- wire interface to the 16 Channel LED Driver 314 on the Primary LED board 236(a).

[0065] Physical interconnections between the different circuit boards may be accomplished by flexible printed circuits.

[0066] While Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of the electrical system of the present invention, other configurations of the electrical system, such as those disclosed in the U.S. provisional applications 62/614,997 and 62/730,527, each of which has been incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application, are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, other configurations, interconnections, interfaces, circuits, and communication protocols, including wireless communications protocols, can be used to implement the present invention.

[0067] As described above, the interactive portable lighting system of the present invention includes a group of one or more lamps, e.g., six lamps, where the lamps can be controlled individually or together as a group. When the group is a single lamp, the lamp will respond to manual manipulations, such as a user moving the lamp in the x-y-z plane, as a standalone device. The manipulations could be coupled with timing requirements, such that the same manipulation will be interpreted differently based on its timing and/or sequence of manipulations preceding it.

[0068] While the invention is not limited to the specific user actions and device behaviors, the actions and behaviors listed below are presented for the purpose of describing some embodiments of the invented system.

[0069] USER ACTIONS:

[0070]“flip”: turning a device upside down;

[0071]“wiggle”: moving the device back and forth from the vertical axis by a predetermined number of degrees (e.g., up to about 10 degrees)

[0072]“rotate”: turning a device around a vertical axis; [0073]“button press(es)”: pressing the button on top of a device (the device may be symmetrical, so whichever face is up is considered the top). Different combinations of button presses, which can vary in duration and sequence, can be used to control various functions of the system;

[0074] In another embodiment, user actions may also include a“lift” action, which corresponds to lifting a device off the surface it has been sitting on.

[0075] DEVICE BEHAVIORS:

[0076]“dimming”: starting at the brightest light level that fills the device and slowly dimming down as the light vertically fills less of the device (in one embodiment, the light also gets warmer (yellow) in color as it gets dimmer);

[0077]“wake up”: starting in any state, the light slowly fills more of the device as is gets brighter (in one embodiment, the light also gets cooler (bluer) in color as it gets brighter);

[0078]“float”: at any given level of brightness, tilting the device from vertical in any direction by a predetermined amount (e.g., > 10 degrees) causes the light inside to gravitate to the side that is closer to the ground. (In an alternative embodiment, tilting the device in any direction causes the light inside to gravitate to the side that is farther from the ground).

[0079]“pulse”: at any given state and brightness, the light dims down and back up to indicate an event or action (e.g., charging, linked to other lights, etc.)

[0080]“button presses” pressing a button on a device. The number of button presses and their durations could be used alone and in combination to provide system commands.

[0081] For example, starting in an“idle” state, in which all of the white LEDs are “off’ (i.e.. no illumination) but the sensing circuitry inside the lamp is active, when the system detects that the lamp is being flipped, i.e., senses tilting of the lamp by more than a predetermined number of degrees from vertical, for example, more than 135 degrees, the lamp could turn on all of its white LEDs to begin illuminating at full brightness. At the same time, wiggling the lamp, instead of flipping it, could constitute a command to turn“on” the illumination at a low level. When the illumination is not at the full level, only some of the white LEDs on the six LED boards will be“on.” In one embodiment, a low-level illumination could start with a white LED on each LED Board that is closest to the ground being“on,” and increase by sequentially turning“on” the white LEDs that are farther away from the ground. In another alternative embodiment, a low-level illumination could start with a white LED on each LED board that is the farthest from the ground being“on,” and increase by sequentially turning“on” the white LEDs that are closer toward the ground on each LED board. In yet another embodiment, the illumination could start at a low level with a white LED in the middle of each LED board (“middle LED”) being“on,” and increase by sequentially turning on the white LEDs that are located on either side of the middle LED on each LED board.

[0082] If the user turns the lamp“on” at full brightness, all of the white LEDs on the six LED boards are turned“on,” the system could initiate a timed dimming to decrease the illumination. When the lamp is illuminating, rotating (turning) the lamp clockwise or counterclockwise around the vertical (“y”) axis could constitute a command to increase or decrease the illumination, respectively. To pause the illumination dimming, a user could press either button 242. Pressing the button again will un-pause the dimming. Whether in the pause mode, in the dimming mode, or at any fixed illumination level, if the user flips the lamp, the lamp will turn“off’ the illumination and revert back to the“idle” mode.

[0083] One embodiment enables the lamp to adjust the tone of the light seen by the user with a change in the brightness level. For example, as the brightness of the lamp is decreased, the tone of the light seen by the use is made warmer. This is accomplished by selectively activating the red LEDs on the LED boards. For example, assuming the vertical orientation shown in Figure 1(a) and lamp on the right side in Figure 1(b), at full brightness, when all six white LEDS on each LED board are turned“on,” both red LEDs on each board are turned“off.” This will give the illumination a cool tone. At 33% of the full brightness level, for example, e.g., when two of the six white LEDS on each LED Board are“on,” one red LED on each board gets turned“on” at a dim level. Mixing of the red and white light coming from the lamp will make the light appear yellowish, which will give the illumination a warm tone. Finally, when the brightness level dims further, for example to around 16%, e.g., when only one of the six white LEDS on each LED Board is“on,” one both red LED on each board gets turned“on” brighter, creating an even warmer tone. Such dynamic adjustment of tone improves the process of going to sleep by delivering soothing lighting during a bedtime routine.

[0084] In another embodiment, to control tone, both red LEDs on each LED Board could be turned“on” at the same time. Physical location of the red LEDs with respect to the white LEDs on each LED Board could also dictate which red LED is turned“on” for tone control. For example, in one embodiment, when the red LEDs are located on opposite ends of an LED board, the red LED(s) at only one end are turned on, i.e.. the red LED(s) at both ends are not turned on at the same time.

[0085] In addition to controlling the lamp’s overall brightness level by merely turning some LEDs fully“on” while keeping other LEDs fully“off,” the lamp’s brightness level could further be controlled by pulsing one or more LEDs at a specified duty cycle and at a frequency that is sufficiently high for a human observer not to perceive it as flicker. For example, due to an integrating effect of the human eye, an LED pulsed at 30 Hz at a 50% duty cycle will be perceived as being continuously“on” at a 1/2 brightness level from the LED’s maximum brightness. By controlling a duty cycle of the individual LEDs, the lamp’s overall perceived brightness level and its tone level could be varied with a virtually unlimited resolution.

[0086] In one embodiment, the lamp is designed to have a“Float” mode, which provides the user with a unique experience. In the Float mode, the lamp’s processing and control circuitry dynamically changes which LEDs are“on” depending on the lamp’s spatial orientation. For example, assume that the lamp is in vertical orientation shown for both lamps in Figure 1(a) as well as for the lamp on the right in Figure 1(b) and only the lower three of the six LEDs on each LED Board are fully“on” (i.e.. the lamp is at half brightness with the light gravitated toward the ground). If the user starts tilting or wiggling the lamp around the vertical (“y”) axis by more than a predetermined number of degrees (e.g., 10 degrees), the processing and control circuitry, while maintaining the brightness level, will dynamically control the LEDs to maintain the brightness level while making the light source in the lamp appear to gravitate toward the ground. For example, if the user tilts the lamp by 90 degrees and lays it on a side, the processing and control circuitry, while maintaining the light level, will turn“on” all of the LEDs on the LED boards that are closest to the ground and turn“off’ the LEDs that are on the LEDs boards that are farther away from the ground. In one embodiment, when entering Float, the lamp maintains light fill level, and can either maintain tone or gently vary tone.

[0087] There could be various ways of entry and exit to and from the Float mode. For example, in one embodiment, Float mode for a lamp can be entered into from “off,” when another grouped lamp is tilted or wiggled by more than 10 degrees from vertical. Exiting from the Float mode, for example, could be by: (a) tilting the lamp from vertical by greater than a predetermined number of degrees, e.g., 170; (b) flipping another grouped lamp to“off’; or (c) tilting the lamp back to less than a predetermined number of degrees, e.g., 10 degrees, from vertical.

[0088] In terms of behavior, on one embodiment, a lamp in Float mode may also ignore rotation input, provide full pause and temporary unlink functionality, etc.

[0089] An exemplary operation of the Float mode is disclosed in Fig. 5. The Float mode is further described below, in the context of a lamp operating in a lamp-group having two or more lamps.

[0090] In addition to responding to the user’s manual manipulations, the lamp could also be controlled remotely via a wireless link from other devices, such as smart phones, laptops, or other wireless devices. For example, a software application (“app”) on a smart phone could be used to program the lamp to turn the brightness level“off,”“on,” or at some mid-level of brightness on a specific schedule, which could be correlated with other events, such as a wake-up alarm signal, an appointment alarm, bedtime routine, etc. In addition, the app could be used to remotely control the lamp in real time, such as turning on the illumination, varying brightness, tone, or synchronizing it to surrounding environment, such as ambient brightness, music, sound, etc.

[0091] As mentioned above, a lamp of the present invention can also operate in a group of two or more lamps. In order for the lamp to become a part of such a group, the radio interface of each lamp in the group is activated, allowing the lamps to link to each other wirelessly. For example, in one embodiment each lamp includes a Bluetooth wireless interface. When two or more lamps are activated (powered up), the Bluetooth interface in each lamp will detect the other lamps and will link all of the detected lamps into a group.

[0092] DEVICE INTERACTION AND STATE DIAGRAMS:

[0093] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) depict state diagrams of device operation and interactions in a group of two or more linked lamps in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4(a) shows a state diagram depicting synchronized dimming and Figure 4(b) shows a state diagram depicting solo dimming. Similarly -numbered states in the two figures represent the same system-condition. The following is a description of the operations and interactions in figure 4(a).

[0094] State _0 corresponds to a system state in which every lamp in a group is in an“idle” mode, in which the lamps’ electronics is powered up (activated) but produces no illumination.

[0095] If a lamp is flipped by more than a predetermined number of degrees, the system will go into State l. In State l, the flipped lamp and all of the connected lamps in the lamp-group are turned“on” to full brightness. In one embodiment, a flip is detected once the lamp has been tilted from its initial position by, for example, about 135 degrees. [0096] From State l, the system may move into State_2 (synchronized dimming). In State_2, all of the lamps in a group dim in unison (dim together as a group), starting at full brightness. While the system is in State_2, rotating any lamp clockwise or counterclockwise will increase or decrease the brightness level, respectively, of all the lamps in the group in unison. The lights will stop getting brighter at the brightest state even if the user continues rotating the lamp clockwise. Similarly, in one embodiment, the lights will stop dimming once the dimmest brightness has been reached even if the counterclockwise (dimming) rotation continues. In another embodiment, if the user keeps rotating the lamp counterclockwise, the lights will dim to“off.” Once the rotation stops, all of the lamps in the group will continue their synchronized dimming at the same rate.

(See Figure 6 for a more detailed illustration of brightness adjustments in various scenarios, including in the synchronized dimming and paused modes.) Left undisturbed for a period of time (e.g., 45 minutes), the lamps could eventually dim to“off,” effectively putting the system back into State_0. Alternatively, the lamps could dim to the dimmest setting and remain there for a specified period of time, which could be programmed internally or via the app In one embodiment, if the user chooses to control the lamp via an app, all lamps will stop at some predetermined dim level after a particular time period (e.g., one hour) of no movement of the lamp (no rotate, etc.). In addition, if the system uses a motion detector (e.g., a camera, an IR sensor, etc.) the lamps could stop at the dimmest setting and turn“off’ the illumination after there hasn’t been any movement in the room for a specified period of time, e.g., 10 minutes.

[0097] In another embodiment, an app could be used to program an animation (dimming or waking up of brightness) of an individual lamp. If a lamp is rotated in the middle of an animation, the rotation could either be used to interrupt the animation or it could be ignored until the animation is complete. Once the animation has been completed, the rotation input will translate to brightness adjustments. [0098] When the system is in State_2, pressing the top button on any lamp will stop all of the lamps in the group from dimming at whatever level of brightness they are at and will move the system into State_3 (synchronized pause). In one embodiment, the lights may indicate to the user that they have been“paused” by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g., once. In one embodiment, when rotated while paused, the lights will not change. In an alternative embodiment, rotating any light while in the“synchronized pause” condition will cause them to pulse, to indicate to a user that they are paused. Pressing the top button again on any light will un-pause all of the lights in the group and will return the system from State_3 back to State_2, to continue synchronized dimming at the same rate. In another embodiment, rotating a light while paused, may also un-pause it. In another embodiment, the synchronized pause may time-out after a predetermined time, e.g., one hour, at which point all the lights in the group will return the system from State_3 back to State_2, to continue the synchronized dimming at the same rate. The lights may indicate that they have been un-paused by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g. once. If, while in State_2 (synchronized dimming) any lamp in the group is flipped over, the system will move back to State_0, putting all the lamps in the group into“idle.” As explained above, a flip is detected once the lamp has been tilted from its initial position by, for example, about 135 degrees. While in State_2, during tilting and until the 135 degree-point (or some other predetermined float-mode exit point) has been reached, the lamp circuitry senses lamp’s orientation and dynamically controls the LEDs to produce a floating behavior.

[0099] Following is a description of the operations and interactions disclosed in Figure 4(b). As explained above, State_0 corresponds to a system state in which every lamp in a group is in an“idle” mode, in which the lamps’ electronics is powered up (activated) but produces no illumination.

[00100] If a lamp is wiggled, the system will go into State_4, where the wiggled lamp will turn on at the dimmest, or at a very dim, illumination level, while the other lamps in the group remain in the“idle” mode. The dimmest ,or very dim, illumination level may be dimmer in a dark room than in a brighter room. This could be achieved by using an ambient light sensor. It could also be achieved by keeping track of tie and correlating brightness to time of day. Unless the user manually increases the lamp’s brightness as explained below, the wiggled lamp will maintain the dim illumination level (linger) for a set period of time, e.g. 10 minutes, and then will dim to zero illumination over a predetermined duration, e.g., 2 to 5 minutes, placing the system back into State_0. This feature is useful for allowing a person to light his or her way around the home when the person wakes up in the middle of the night, without being overstimulated by a bright light, and then goes back to sleep a short time later (e.g., when the person wakes up to go to the bathroom). (In an alternative embodiment, dimming to zero illumination could be done in a matter of seconds or even instantaneously.) The maintained dim-illumination period and the follow-up process of dimming to “off’ can be considered a part of a system state designated in Fig. 4(b) as State_5, called“solo dimming mode.” .

[00101] While the system is in State_5 (solo dimming), the user can make the lamp brighter, by rotating the lamp clockwise, or dimmer, by rotating the lamp counterclockwise. (See Figure 6 for a more detailed illustration of brightness adjustments in various scenarios, including solo dimming and paused modes.)

[00102] If, while in State_5 (solo dimming), the lamp is flipped over, the system may move back into State O, putting the flipped lamp back in into“idle.”

[00103] While the system is in State_5, pressing a button on the lamp that is dimming will stop the dimming and will move the system into State_6 (solo pause). In one embodiment, the lamp may indicate that it is in the“solo pause” condition by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g., once. In one embodiment, when rotated while paused, the light will not change. In an alternative embodiment, rotating the light while in the“solo pause” condition will cause it to pulse, to indicate that it is paused. Pressing a button of the paused lamp again will un-pause the lamp and will return the system from State_6 back to State_5, to continue solo dimming at the same rate. In another embodiment, rotating the light while in solo pause, may also un-pause it. In another embodiment, the solo pause may time out after a predetermined time, e.g., one hour, at which point the light will return the system from State_6 back to State_5, to continue solo dimming at the same, or some other predetermined, rate. The light may indicate that it has been un-paused by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g. once.

[00104] As described above, lamp illumination maybe turned on by either flipping the lamp or wiggling it. If the system also includes an ambient light sensor (ALS), the sensed ambient light could be used to determine the initial dimmest illumination level at which a lamp might start, the speed at which the lamp(s) will come on to full brightness as well as the speed at which it(they) will dim back down. For example, when a user flips a lamp“on” in a dark room (as sensed by the ALS), the lamp could get to its full brightness slowly, to avoid jarring the user with bright light all at once. When the user flips the same lamp in a well-lit room, however, the lamp could get to its full brightness faster. As another example, when a user wiggles the lamp in a dark room (as sensed by the ALS), the lamp may turn on at a very dim level, such as a level that in a well-lit room it might not be visible. When a user wiggles the same lamp in a brighter room, however, the light might come on at a level that is dim, but that is visible in a bright room. Figure 7 illustrates how ambient light could be used in controlling the lamp’s brightness levels. In another embodiment, the amount of ambient light could also be used to control the lamp’s maximum brightness level.

[00105] ALS could also be used during the user’s first-time unboxing of the lamp, after purchase. In such a scenario, the ALS in the lamp could sense a change in brightness when a box is opened, causing the rest of the lamp’s circuitry, such as brightness control circuitry, to be activated. The lamp will animate to indicate that it is ready to be used and to create a welcoming experience for the user.

[00106] Figure 8 discloses temporary unlinking and relinking of a lamp in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, long pressing a lamp in a group of lamps that are in synchronized dimming will unlink it from the group. The unlinked light may be paused, turned off, dimmed, or brightened, without affecting the dimming process of the rest of the group. The next time the light is turned on, it could go back to being a part of the same group. Long pressing a button on a lamp that has been unlinked during the same session could also relink it to the group. In relinking to the group, the light generated by the lamp will gradually match the rest of the group. In another embodiment, the light will match the rest of the group right away. An app or factory setting could be used for permanent unlinking of an individual lamp.

[00107] Figure 9 discloses an exemplary event table for temporary unlinking and relinking of a lamp in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[00108] Figures 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) provide a exemplary state table disclosing what happens to a temporarily unlinked device when another operational event occurs in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[00109] A lamp could be programmed, via an app on a wireless device, to wake a person up by turning on the lamp’s brightness, alone or in a group of lamps, at a specific time. In one embodiment, this visual wake-up feature could be synchronized with an audio alarm from an alarm clock or a cell phone. The wake- up feature could operate as follows.

[00110] The programmed lamp(s) will turn on at some intermediate brightness level a predetermined time (e.g., 15 minutes) before a set time. The brightness level will gradually increase and, depending on an embodiment, will reach a maximum level at some predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) later or, if synchronized to an audio alarm, at the same time when the audio alarm sounds. Once the maximum brightness level has been reached, the level will be maintained (linger) for some set time period (e.g., 10 minutes) and will then dim to off over some set duration (e.g., 15 minutes).

[00111] For example, when only a single light is scheduled to wake up, the lamp’s illumination starts at some low level and begins to increase, either by: (a) gradually turning“on” the illumination sources, e.g., LEDs inside the lamp, to make the illumination appear to move up (fill up) the lamp; (b) activating all of the light sources inside the lamp simultaneously at a low duty cycle and gradually increasing the illumination level by increasing the duty cycle; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b).

[00112] For example, the lamp’s illumination starts and begins rising 30 minutes before the scheduled wake up time and reaches the highest brightness (highest fill) level 30 minutes after the wake-up time. This rising of the brightness level could be paused and adjusted the same way that solo dimming can be paused or adjusted (see discussion of State_5, above). If more than one lamp has been scheduled to wake up together, they could both respond to adjustments and pauses together, the same way that the synchronized dimming can be adjusted and paused (see discussion of State_2, above). When two or more lamps are waking up together, a user is able to temporarily unlink them. If the lamp(s) is adjusted during wake up, it/they could continue to brighten following the adjustment. Once the highest brightness has been reached, the light(s) will linger (continue illuminating) at the highest level for a programmed amount of time, e.g., 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. If the lamp(s) is rotated clockwise during linger at the maximum brightness, to increase brightness level, the adjustment is ignored. If the lamp(s) is rotated counterclockwise during linger at the maximum to decrease brightness level, the adjustment may be made, linger time may be reset, and the lamp(s) may continue to brighten following the adjustment.

[00113] At the end of the linger period, the lamp(s) could start dimming, and will dim down over a set duration. A lamp could be flipped to“off,” i.e., the illumination can be turned“off,” at any time. If more than one lamp was waking up together, flipping any lamp to“off’ would turn off the illumination of the whole group. If the lamp(s) is adjusted during the dimming period, then it/they will continue dimming following the adjustment.

[00114] Figure 11 illustrates operation of a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Other variations of brightness levels and timing sequences of the wake-up feature are possible and are within the scope of the present invention.

[00115] Figure 12 provides an event table disclosing what happens to a device that is programmed to wake up when another control signal is received in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The invented system is not limited to the events described in the event table, and other or additional events are within the scope of the present invention.

[00116] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) provide a state table for a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[00117] Figure 14 shows sample display screens appearing on a mobile device when an app is used to program a wake-up feature in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[00118] Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show behavior of a multi-lamp system with programmed overlapping wake-up times in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The invented system is not limited to the behavior disclosed in the figures, and other or additional system behaviors are within the scope of the present invention.

[00119] Figure 16 shows sample display screens appearing on a mobile device when an app is used to program illumination and dimming in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The display screen on the left of Figure 16 shows that a group of one or more bedroom lamps has been selected for dimming. The display screen on the right of Figure 16 shows the starting brightness has been set at a“medium” level and the dimming duration has been set for 30 minutes. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16, all setting changes apply to all lamps in the group, and all feedback behavior appears on all the lamps in the group. When a new light is linked to the group, it may match the rest of the group’s settings. Dimming duration adjusts the length of the dimming process and can be set for various time periods, e.g., 15, 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes long. In one embodiment, once the user has finished changing the dimming duration, or a short period thereafter (e.g., ½ second), all the lamps in the programmed group will pulse to indicate confirmation of the setting change. While the brightness level is being set via the app, the lamps in the group could either be idle (powered up, but no illumination) or they could be illuminating.

[00120] If brightness level is adjusted while the lamp(s) is idle, the lamp(s) does not give any visual feedback. If brightness level is adjusted via the app while the lamp(s) is“on” (illuminating), the lamp(s) will jump to the new brightness yet stay at the same fill level.

[00121] In another embodiment, if the brightness level is being set while the lamps in the group are idle, the lamps will turn on the illumination at the set brightness level. If no other interaction happens over some predetermined time thereafter, e.g., 2 seconds, the lamps will go back to idle. If, however, the setting is changed again, via the app, within the 2 seconds, the lamps will jump to their new brightness setting. If a lamp in the group is rotated within the 2 seconds after the brightness level has been set, the lights in the group will adjust to their brightness and will then animate to idle a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) after the rotation is complete.

[00122] In one embodiment, if the brightness level is being set while the lamps in the group are illuminating, the lamps will jump to the new brightness and will remain illuminated at the same fill level.

[00123] As mentioned above, each of the lamps of the present invention include a rechargeable battery. Depending on the amount of charge in the battery, during discharging and during charging, the system performance, light behavior, and app indication may differ.

[00124] Figure 17 discloses system performance, light behavior, and app indication when the battery is discharging in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [00125] Figure 18 discloses system performance, light behavior, and app indication when the battery is charging in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[00126] Figures 19(a) and 19(b) provide a state table disclosing what happens to a device with low battery when another control signal is received in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The invented system is not limited to the states described in the state table in Figures 19(a) and 19(b), and other or additional states are within the scope of the present invention.

[00127] Figure 20 illustrates system behavior when a lamp’s button is pressed for a very long period, e.g., more than 6 seconds, while the lamp is in various operating modes in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The invented system is not limited to the behavior described in the Figure 20, and other behaviors are within the scope of the present invention.

[00128] Figure 21 depict a state diagram of device operation and interactions in a group of two or more linked lamps in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,“lift” (lifting a lamp off the surface it has been sitting on) is used as one of the commands to control the lamp(s).

[00129] Similar to State O in figures 4(a) and 4(b), State O in Figure 21 corresponds to a system state in which every lamp in a group is in an“idle” mode, where the lamps’ electronics is powered up (activated) but produces no illumination.

[00130] When a user lifts any lamp that has no illumination, the system goes into State_00, where the lifted lamp turns on at some predetermined dim setting, for example the dimmest level, while the other lamps in the group remain in the “idle” mode. The dimmest setting may be dimmer when in a dark room than in a brighter room. This could be achieved by using an ambient light sensor. It could also be achieved by keeping track of time and correlating brightness to time of day. [00131] After entering State OO, if the lamp is flipped within a predetermined period (e.g., within 2 second), the system will go into State_l 1. In State_l 1, all the connected lamps in the group are turned“on” to full brightness. In one embodiment, a flip is detected once the lamp has been tilted from its initial position by a predetermined amount, e.g., about 135 degrees. During tilting, until the 135 degree-point (or some other predetermined float-mode exit point) has been reached, the lamp circuitry senses lamp’s orientation and dynamically controls the LEDs to produce a floating behavior.

[00132] From State l l, the system may move into State_22 (synchronized dimming). In State_22, starting at full brightness, all the lamps in the group dim in unison (dim together as a group). While the system is in State_22, rotating any lamp clockwise or counterclockwise will increase or decrease the brightness level, respectively, of all of the lamps in the group in unison. Once at the brightest level, the lights will stop getting brighter even if the user continues rotating the lamp clockwise. Similarly, in one embodiment, the lights will stop dimming once the dimmest brightness has been reached even if the counterclockwise (dimming) rotation continues. In another embodiment, if the user keeps rotating the lamp counterclockwise, the lights will dim to“off.” Once the rotation stops, all the lamps in the group will continue their synchronized dimming at the same rate.

Left undisturbed for a period of time (e.g., 45 minutes), the lamps could eventually dim to“off,” effectively putting the system back into State O. In the alternative, the lamps could dim to the dimmest setting and remain there for a specified period of time, which could be programmed internally or via the app In one embodiment, if the user chooses to control the lamp via an app, all lamps could stop at some predetermined dim level after a particular time period (e.g., one hour) of no movement of the lamp (no lift, no rotate, etc.). In addition, if the system uses a motion detector (e.g., a camera, an IR sensor, etc.) the lamps could stop at the dimmest setting and turn“off’ the illumination after there hasn’t been any movement in the room for a specified period of time, e.g., 10 minutes. [00133] In another embodiment, an app could be used to program an animation (dimming or waking up of brightness) of an individual light. If a light is rotated in the middle of an animation, the rotation could either be used to interrupt the animation or it could be ignored until the animation is complete. Once the animation has been completed, the rotation input will translate to brightness adjustments.

[00134] In another embodiment, the system could enter State_22 (synchronized dimming) when flipping is detected even without the lamp being lifted first. For example, flipping any lamp while it is“off,” could initiate synchronized dimming. At that point, all linked lamps that were previously in the“off’ state will turn“on” at full brightness and start dimming together (in unison).

[00135] When the system is in State_22, pressing the top button on any lamp will stop all the lamps in the group from dimming at whatever level of brightness they are at and will move the system into State_33 (synchronized pause). In one embodiment, the lights may indicate to the user that they have been“paused” by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g., once.

[00136] In one embodiment, when rotated while paused, the lights will not change. In an alternative embodiment, rotating any light while in the

“synchronized pause” condition will cause them to pulse, to indicate to a user that they are paused.

[00137] Pressing the top button again on any light could un-pause all the lights in the group and return the system from State_33 back to State_22, to continue synchronized dimming at the same rate.

[00138] In another embodiment, rotating a light while paused, may also un-pause it.

[00139] In another embodiment, the synchronized pause may time-out after a predetermined time, e.g., one hour, at which point all the lights in the group will return the system from State_33 back to State_22, to continue synchronized dimming at the same rate. The lights may indicate that they have been un-paused by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g. once.

[00140] If, after entering State OO (i.e.. turning on in a very dim illumination after detecting a lift) the sensing and control circuity detects that the lamp was placed back down, the system could enter State_55 (solo dimming), in which the lamp that was placed back down would linger for a set period of time at the brightness level it had in State_00 and then, similar to the solo dimming process disclosed in Figure 4(b), dim to zero illumination over a predetermined duration. . While the system is in State_55, rotating the lamp clockwise or counterclockwise will increase or decrease the lamp’s brightness level, respectively. Left undisturbed for a period of time, the lamp’s brightness will eventually reach its dimmest level. In some embodiments, once the lamp has reached its dimmest level, it could further go back to zero brightness, which in Figure 21 is shown as State_0. In another embodiment, once the lamp has entered State 55, it will start dimming down after a predetermined period of time, e.g., 10 minutes, has passed with no manipulation of the lamp or movement in the room detected (no further lifting, tilting, pressing or rotating of the lamp, and and/or no surrounding movement in the room).

[00141] While the system is in State_55, however, pressing a button on the lamp that is dimming or rising will stop the process and will move the system into State_66 (solo pause). In one embodiment, the light may indicate that it is in the “solo pause” condition by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g., once. In one embodiment, when rotated while paused, the light will not change. In an alternative embodiment, rotating the light while in the“solo pause” condition will cause it to pulse, to indicate that it is paused. Pressing a button on the lamp again will un-pause the lamp and return the system from State_66 back to State_55, to continue changing brightness at the same rate. In another embodiment, rotating the light while in solo pause, may also un-pause it. In another embodiment, the solo pause may time out after a predetermined time, e.g., one hour, at which point the light will return the system from State_66 back to State_56, to continue changing brightness at the same rate. The light may indicate that it has been un paused by pulsing a predetermined number of times, e.g. once.

[00142] While the system is in State_22, State_33, State_55, or State_66, flipping the illuminating lamp will turn“off’ its illumination, placing the system back into State_0. While in State_00 or State_55, tilting the lamp in any direction causes the device to“float” (causes the light inside to gravitate towards the side closer to the ground, for example, until the tilt angle is past about the l35-degree point), When floating, the amount and temperature (tone) of light may be maintained.

[00143] While the system is in State_22, flipping any illuminating lamp in the lamp-group will turn off the illumination in all the synchronized lamps (lamps in the lamp-group), placing the system back into State_0.

[00144] While the system is in State_22 (synchronized dimming), long pressing ( e.g., 3 seconds) a button on any lamp in the group will unlink the lamp from the group, at which point the unlinked lamp will pulse a predetermined number of times (e.g., once) to indicate that it has been unlinked (temporarily or

permanently) and at which point the unlinked lamp could be operated

independently. For example, the unlinked lamp can be paused, turned“off,” dimmed, or brightened without affecting the rest of the lamps in the group. The unlinked lamp can go back to being a part of the same lamp-group next time it is activated. The app could be also be used for temporary or for permanent unlinking. Long pressing (e.g., 3 seconds) a button on a lamp that has been unlinked from a group during the same session could relink it to the group. In one embodiment, the relinked lamp will gradually match its illumination with the rest for the group.

[00145] In addition to the operation described above, lamp buttons could be used to provide other controls. For example, if a lamp is wiggled while its brightness is “off,” it will turn the brightness“on” at a predetermined setting, such as a very low illumination level. The level could be based on either the light level of surrounding environment or on time of day. [00146] As another example, pressing and holding a button for a long time (e.g., 6 seconds) could be used as a command to power the lamp“off.” Pressing and holding the button again could be used as a command to power the lamp back “on.”

[00147] As another example, pressing both buttons on a lamp for a predetermined period (e.g., 20 seconds) could be used as a command to reset the lamp.

[00148] As another example, pressing one button on a lamp a predetermined number of times (e.g., 6 times) while holding down the other button could be used as a command to factory reset the lamp, resetting any setting back to a default setting and unlinking the lamp from any group it was previously a part of.

[00149] While the foregoing descriptions disclose specific values, any other specific values may be used to achieve similar results. Further, the various features of the foregoing embodiments may be selected and combined to produce numerous variations of improved systems.

[00150] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

[00151] Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms

“comprises,”“comprising,”“has”,“having,”� ��includes”,“including,”“contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises ... a”,“has ... a”, “includes ... a”,“contains ... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms“substantially”,“essentially”,“approximately� ��,“about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term“coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is“configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[00152] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject maher lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject maher.