(12) United States Patent
`Bruwer
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006984900B 1
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,984,900 Bl
`Jan.10,2006
`
`(54)
`
`INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL SWITCH
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer, Paarl
`(ZA)
`
`(73) Assignee: Azoteq (PTY) Ltd., Paarl (AZ)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`3444178
`4127765
`296 00 938
`0323193
`0 440 897
`0 467 158
`0 515 921
`
`6/1985
`2/1993
`4/1996
`5/1989
`8/1991
`1!1992
`12/1992
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/806,860
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Jul. 8, 1999
`
`(86) PCTNo.:
`
`PCT/ZA99/00107
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), ( 4) Date:
`
`Jul. 2, 2001
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W000/22890
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Apr. 20, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/169,395, filed on Oct. 9,
`1998, now Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`Int. Cl.
`H02B 41/06
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................... 307/87; 307/139
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................... 307/87,
`307/119, 139; 362/157, 184, 183
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,338,078 A
`2,630,517 A
`2,784,290 A
`2,810,797 A
`3,259,713 A
`3,535,282 A
`3,646,302 A
`3,721,933 A
`
`12/1943 Wood
`3/1953 Hiscar
`3/1957 Ashton
`10/1957 Gulnick
`7/1966 Herridge
`* 10/1970 Mallory ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 200/60
`2/1972 Lehmann
`3/1973 Peroy
`
`Modern Dictionary of Electronics, Newnes, 1999 7th Ed, p.
`431.*
`Operations and Maintenenance Manual forETERNALIGHT
`marketed by Technology Associates Inc., including email
`message from representative of Technology Associates Inc.
`Internet Website on Neion-Star Device, web address www(cid:173)
`.neon-net.com.tw/dataiii.htm.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Gregory J. Toatley, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones, Tullar & Cooper,
`P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power
`source and load such as a light bulb, includes a microchip
`with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when
`the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form
`a serial link between the power source and the load. The
`power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow
`from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has
`an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a
`find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator
`which are active when the load is not energized and the
`power source is not being charged. The input to the micro(cid:173)
`chip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The
`microchip allows the user to select specific functions based
`on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration
`between activation signals and the number of activation
`signals at the input.
`
`(Continued)
`
`53 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`r---
`1
`V+ IN:
`
`203
`
`v-
`
`I
`I
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`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L-------------------------------------~
`
`103 :
`
`I
`I
`
`V+ OUT
`
`MICROSOFT EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`US 6,984,900 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,890,555 A *
`3,944,804 A
`4,001,803 A *
`4,071,805 A
`4,074,252 A *
`4,122,371 A
`4,123,668 A
`4,228,484 A
`4,237,526 A
`4,282,681 A
`4,293,894 A
`4,306,277 A
`4,357,648 A
`4,385,258 A
`4,403,172 A
`4,408,182 A
`4,409,645 A
`4,414,611 A
`4,442,478 A
`4,467,263 A
`4,473,871 A
`4,497,881 A *
`4,499,528 A
`4,611,264 A *
`4,623,957 A
`4,638,174 A
`4,686,609 A
`4,716,902 A
`4,739,224 A
`4,807,096 A
`4,866,345 A
`4,875,147 A
`4,876,632 A
`4,908,649 A
`4,959,679 A
`4,963,793 A
`5,005,004 A *
`5,027,037 A
`5,047,688 A
`5,055,268 A
`5,057,383 A
`5,097,284 A
`5,114,376 A
`5,130,901 A
`5,138,538 A *
`5,174,643 A
`5,187,655 A
`5,206,097 A *
`5,206,562 A
`5,226,711 A
`5,254,907 A
`5,304,896 A
`5,317,362 A
`5,321,309 A
`5,357,169 A
`5,357,408 A
`5,406,171 A
`5,418,433 A
`5,448,331 A
`5,469,346 A
`5,491,383 A
`
`.............. 320/165
`
`Nelson et a!.
`Wisdom
`Lombardo .................. 340/656
`Brock
`Keller ........................ 340/321
`Talmage
`Pecota
`Johnstone
`Wood
`McCaslin
`Blank
`Bod de
`Nelson
`Vol!
`Sasaki
`Hashimoto
`Sloan
`Seltzer
`Stansbury
`Conforti
`Fuchshuber
`Bertolino ..................... 429/91
`Hawlitzki
`Bradley ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 362/95
`Moore
`Bier
`Dykstra
`Swartz
`Geerlings
`Skogler
`Kataoka
`Auer .......................... 362/205
`Osterhout et a!.
`.......... 362/183
`Matsui
`Yamamoto
`De Pauli
`Udofot ....................... 340/600
`Wei
`A! ten
`Martin
`Sokira ......................... 429/92
`Taniguchi
`Copley
`Priesemuth
`Sperling ..................... 362/205
`Priesemuth
`Post eta!.
`Burns eta!. .................. 429/90
`Mats uno
`Mats uno
`Mats uno
`Asada
`Takahashi
`Kolomyski
`Toyozumi
`Lecznar
`Moody
`Nilssen
`Hamada eta!.
`Haut
`Leiber
`
`6/1975
`3/1976
`1!1977
`1!1978
`2/1978
`10/1978
`10/1978
`10/1980
`12/1980
`8/1981
`10/1981
`12/1981
`11/1982
`5/1983
`9/1983
`10/1983
`10/1983
`11/1983
`4/1984
`8/1984
`9/1984
`2/1985
`2/1985
`9/1986
`11/1986
`1!1987
`8/1987
`1!1988
`4/1988
`2/1989
`9/1989
`* 10/1989
`* 10/1989
`3/1990
`9/1990
`10/1990
`4/1991
`6/1991
`9/1991
`10/1991
`* 10/1991
`3/1992
`5/1992
`7/1992
`8/1992
`12/1992
`2/1993
`4/1993
`4/1993
`7/1993
`10/1993
`4/1994
`5/1994
`6/1994
`10/1994
`10/1994
`4/1995
`5/1995
`9/1995
`11/1995
`2/1996
`
`5,504,415 A
`5,526,241 A
`5,583,382 A
`5,604,407 A
`5,604,999 A
`5,611,720 A
`5,645,341 A *
`5,647,657 A
`5,661,393 A
`5,691,619 A
`5,736,696 A
`5,790,961 A
`5,806,961 A *
`5,831,389 A
`5,856,727 A *
`5,892,334 A
`5,942,770 A *
`D417,019 S
`6,000,807 A
`6,017,140 A
`6,027,234 A
`6,030,105 A
`6,040,660 A
`6,051,931 A
`6,095,661 A *
`6,129,446 A
`6,135,605 A
`6,140,776 A
`6,152,590 A
`6,164,806 A
`6,179,453 B1
`6,239,555 B1
`6,259,862 B1
`
`4/1996
`6/1996
`12/1996
`2/1997
`2/1997
`3/1997
`7/1997
`7/1997
`8/1997
`11/1997
`4/1998
`8/1998
`9/1998
`11/1998
`1!1999
`4/1999
`8/1999
`11/1999
`12/1999
`1!2000
`2/2000
`2/2000
`3/2000
`4/2000
`8/2000
`10/2000
`* 10/2000
`10/2000
`11/2000
`12/2000
`1!2001
`5/2001
`7/2001
`
`............ 315/55
`
`.............. 257/89
`
`Podrazhansky
`Ferrel
`Wagner
`Andres
`Barker
`Vander Maas
`Liao ........................... 362/183
`Damasky
`Sengupta
`Vingsbo
`Del Rosso
`Ingram
`Dalton et a!. ............... 362/183
`Kawashima
`Schroeder et a!.
`Utzman
`Ishinaga et a!.
`Rachwal
`Moreland
`Chou
`Austin
`Thau
`Schmidt
`Takei
`Lebens et a!.
`Hornung
`Hsu et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362/102
`Rachwal
`Furst
`Schmick:!
`McMahon
`Rachwal
`Marino
`
`.............. 362/184
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 642 952
`0 683 069
`0 676 311
`0 719 674
`0 728 617
`0 719 673
`0 770 519
`0 846 594
`2243902
`2276713
`06-202231
`10338028
`11255017
`11123985
`11321455
`wo 97/00790
`wo 99/12781
`wo 99/20936
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`8/1994
`8/1995
`10/1995
`7/1996
`8/1996
`7/1997
`8/1997
`6/1998
`11/1991
`10/1994
`7/1994
`12/1998
`9/1999
`5!2000
`7/2000
`1!1997
`3/1999
`4/1999
`
`Manresa, Elizabeth, "Light Lives Up to Promise," KYTV,
`(Springfield, MO), (Jul. 2000).
`Web Page from pocketgifts on Pal Survival Light.
`Henry Schneiker, "Can You Patent an LED Flashlight?,"
`(Jan. 2003).
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.10,2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 6,984,900 Bl
`
`112
`
`TIMER
`
`100
`
`FIG. 1
`
`102
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`101-T
`
`104
`
`103
`
`105
`
`102
`\
`
`203
`
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`V+ IN:
`
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`
`v-I I
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`
`202
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`
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`
`105
`
`103
`
`FIG. 3
`
`100
`
`101.-...._T
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`103
`
`105
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 10, 2006
`Jan. 10,2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 6,984,900 B1
`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.10,2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.10,2006
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.10,2006
`Jan. 10, 2006
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`Sheet 5 of 7
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`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 10,2006
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`Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.10,2006
`Jan. 10, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`

`US 6,984,900 Bl
`
`10
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL SWITCH
`
`This application is a National Stage Application of
`PCT/ZA99/00107 filed Oct. 8, 1999, which is a continuation
`application of U.S. application 09/169,395 filed Oct. 9,
`1998, now U.S Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to new intelligent electrical
`current switching devices and more particularly, to micro(cid:173)
`chip controlled electrical current switching devices. The
`invention further relates in one embodiment, to intelligent
`batteries having embedded therein a microchip for use with
`a variety of electrical devices to add heretofore unknown
`functionality to existing electrical devices. The invention
`also relates, according to another embodiment, to intelligent
`hand-held electronic devices, and in a preferred embodiment
`to hand-held light sources, and more particularly, to flash(cid:173)
`lights. According to one embodiment of the present
`invention, the invention relates to intelligent hand-held
`flashlights having microchip controlled switches wherein
`said switches can be programmed to perform a variety of
`functions including, for example, turning the flashlight off
`after a pre-determined time interval, blinking, or dimming,
`etc. According to a still further embodiment the invention
`relates to low current switches controlled by microchips of
`the present invention for use in building lighting systems.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`2
`To avoid this problem, many flashlights include, in addi(cid:173)
`tion to a slide switch, a push button switch which keeps the
`flashlight turned on only when finger pressure is applied to
`the push button. It is difficult for a young child who wishes,
`5 say to illuminate a dark comer in the basement of his home
`for about 30 seconds, to keep a push button depressed for
`this period. It is therefore more likely that the child will
`actuate the slide switch to its permanently-on position, for
`this requires only a monetary finger motion.
`It is known to provide a flashlight with a delayed action
`switch which automatically turns off after a pre-determined
`interval. The Mallory U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,282 discloses a
`flashlight that is automatically turned off by a delayed action
`mechanical switch assembly that includes a compression
`spring housed in a bellows having a leaky valve, so that
`when a switch is turned on manually, this action serves to
`mechanically compress the bellows which after a pre(cid:173)
`determined interval acts to turn off the switch.
`A similar delayed action is obtained in a flashlight for
`children marketed by Play-skoal Company, this delayed
`action being realized by a resistance-capacitance timing
`network which applies a bias to a solid-state transistor
`switch after 30 seconds or so to cut off the transistor and shut
`off the flashlight. Also included in the prior art, is a flashlight
`25 previously sold by Fisher-Price using an electronic timing
`circuit to simply turn off the flashlight after about 20
`minutes.
`It is also known, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,875,147, to provide a mechanical switch assembly for a
`30 flashlight which includes a suction cup as a delayed action
`element whereby the flashlight, when momentarily actuated
`by an operator, functions to connect a battery power supply
`to a light bulb, and which maintains this connection for a
`predetermined interval determined by the memory charac-
`35 teristics of the suction cup, after which the connection is
`automatically broken.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,538 discloses a flashlight having the
`usual components of a battery, and on-of mechanical switch,
`a bulb, and a hand-held housing, to which there is added a
`40 timing means and a circuit-breaking means responsive to the
`timing means for cutting off the flow of current to the bulb,
`which further has a by-pass means, preferably child-proof,
`to direct electric current to the light bulb regardless of the
`state of the timing means. The patent also provides for the
`45 operation of the device may be further enhanced by making
`the by-pass means a mechanical switch connected so as to a,
`leave it in series with the mechanical on-off switch.
`Furthermore, the patent discloses a lock or other "child(cid:173)
`proofing" mechanism may be provided to ensure that the
`50 by-pass is disabled when the flashlight is switched off.
`Most conventional flashlights, like those described above,
`are actuated by mechanical push or slide button-type
`switches requiring, of course, mechanical implementation
`by an operator Over time, the switch suffers "wear and tear"
`55 which impairs operation of the flashlight as a result of, for
`example, repeated activations by the operator and/or due to
`the fact that the switch has been left "on" for a prolonged
`period of time. In addition, such mechanical switches are
`vulnerable to the effects of corrosion and oxidation and can
`60 cause said switches to deteriorate and to become non(cid:173)
`functioning. In addition, these prior art devices having these
`mechanical switches are generally "dumb," i.e. they do not
`provide the user with convenient, reliable and affordable
`functionalities which today's consumers now demand and
`expect.
`The prior art switches typically provide two basic func(cid:173)
`tions in prior art flashlights. First, the mechanical switches
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`In conventional flashlights, manually-operated mechani(cid:173)
`cal switches function to turn the flashlight "on" and "of"
`When turned "on," battery power is applied through the
`closed switch to a light bulb, the amount of power then
`consumed depends on how long the switch is closed. In the
`typical flashlight, the effective life of the battery is only a
`few hours at most. Should the operator, after using the
`flashlight to find his/her way in the dark or for any other
`purpose, then fail to turn it off, the batteries will, in a very
`short time, become exhausted. Should the flashlight be left
`in a turned-on and exhausted condition for a prolonged
`period, the batteries may then leak and exude corrosive
`electrolyte that is damaging to the contact which engages the
`battery terminal as well as the casing of the flashlight.
`When the flashlight is designed for use by a young child
`the likelihood is greater that the flashlight will be
`mishandled, because a young child is prone to be careless
`and forgets to turn the flashlight "off'' after it has served its
`purpose. Because of this, a flashlight may be left "on" for
`days, if not weeks, and as a result of internal corrosion may
`no longer be in working order when the exhausted batteries
`are replaced.
`Flashlights designed for young children are sometimes in
`a lantern format, with a casing made of strong plastic
`material that is virtually unbreakable, the light bulb being
`mounted within a reflector at the front end of the casing and
`being covered by a lens from which a light beam is pro(cid:173)
`jected. AU -shaped handle is attached to the upper end of the
`casing, with mechanical on-off slide switch being mounted
`on the handle, so that a child grasping the handle can readily
`manipulate the slide actuator with his/her thumb.
`With a switch of this type on top of a flashlight handle,
`when the slide actuator is pushed forward by the thumb, the
`switch "mechanically" closes the circuit and the flashlight is
`turned "on" and remains "on" until the slide actuator is
`pulled back to the "off" position and the circuit is opened. It 65
`is this type of switch in the hands of a child that is most
`likely to be inadvertently left "on."
`
`

`

`US 6,984,900 Bl
`
`3
`act as actual conductors for completing power circuits and
`providing current during operation of the devices. Depend(cid:173)
`ing upon the type of bulb and wiring employed, the intensity
`of electrical current which must be conducted by the switch
`is generally quite high leading to, after prolonged use,
`failure. Second, these mechanical switches must function as
`an interface between the device and its operator, i.e. the
`man-machine-interface ("MMI") and necessarily requires
`repeated mechanical activations of the switch which over
`time mechanically deteriorate.
`Also, currently the electrical switches used in buildings/
`houses for control of lighting systems are of the conven(cid:173)
`tional type of switches which must conduct, i.e. close the
`circuit, upon command, thus also providing the MMI. These
`prior an switches suffer from the same disadvantages as the
`switches described above in relation to portable electronic
`devices, like flashlights. Moreover, the switches are rela(cid:173)
`tively dumb in most cases and do not provide the user with
`a variety of functions, e.g. but not limited to timing means
`to enable a user, for example, a shop owner or home owner
`to designate a predetermined shut off or turn on point in
`time.
`There is a need for inexpensive, reliable, and simple
`intelligent electronic devices which provide increased func-
`tionality and energy conservation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`4
`provided comprising a microchip for controlling the on/off
`function and at least one other function of the flashlight.
`According to a further embodiment of the invention, an
`intelligent flashlight having a microchip controlled switch is
`5 provided comprising an input means for sending activating/
`deactivating signals to the microchip, and a microchip for
`controlling the on/off function and at least one other function
`of the flashlight. According to a further embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided an intelligent flashlight having
`10 a microchip controlled switch comprising an input means for
`selecting one function of the flashlight, a microchip for
`controlling at least the on/off function and one other function
`of the flashlight, wherein the microchip control circuit may
`further comprise a control-reset means, a clock means, a
`15 current switch, and/or any one or combination of the same.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there
`is provided a battery for use with an electrical device
`comprising a microchip embedded in the battery. According
`to still a further embodiment of the invention, a battery for
`20 use with an electronic device is provided comprising a
`microchip embedded in the battery wherein said microchip
`is adapted such that an input means external to the microchip
`can select the on/off function and at least one other function
`of the electronic device.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`there is provided an intelligent battery for use with an
`electronic device, the battery having positive and negative
`terminal ends and comprising a microchip embedded in the
`battery, preferably in the positive terminal end, for control-
`30 ling on/off functions and at least one other function of the
`electronic device.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there
`is provided a portable microchip device for use in serial
`connection with a power source, e.g. an exhaustible power
`source, and an electronic device powered by said source
`wherein said electronic device has an input means for
`activating and deactivating said power source, and said
`microchip comprising a means for controlling the on/off
`function and at least one other function of the electronic
`device upon receipt of a signal from said input means
`through said power source.
`According to a still further embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided a microchip adapted to control lighting in
`buildings. According to this embodiment, the normal switch
`on the wall that currently functions as both a power-switch,
`i.e. conduction of electricity, and MMI can be eliminated,
`thus eliminating the normal high voltage and high current
`dangerous wiring to the switch and from the switch to the
`load or light. Utilizing the present invention, these switches
`can be replaced with connecting means suitable for low
`current DC requirements.
`According to another embodiment, the present invention
`is directed to a battery comprising an energy storage section,
`55 a processor, e.g. a microchip and first and second terminal
`ends. The first terminal end being connected to the energy
`storage section, the second terminal end being connected to
`the processor, and the processor being connected to the
`second terminal end and the energy storage section. The
`60 processor controls the connection of the second terminal end
`to the energy storage section.
`According to another embodiment, the present invention
`provides an electronic apparatus which includes an electrical
`device, comprising a power supply, an activating/
`65 deactivating means, and a processor. The activating/
`deactivating means is connected to the processor and the
`processor is connected to the power supply. The processor
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`According to one embodiment of the present invention,
`there is provided a microchip controlled switch to manage
`both the current conducting functions and the MMI func(cid:173)
`tions in an electronic device, such as a flashlight, on a low
`current basis i.e. without the MMI device having to conduct
`or switch high current. According to one aspect of the
`invention the MMI functions are controlled by very low
`current signals, using touch pads, or carbon coated mem(cid:173)
`brane type switches. These low current signal switches of
`the present invention can be smaller, more reliable, less
`costly, easier to seal and less vulnerable to the effects of
`corrosion and oxidation. Moreover, since the switch is a
`solid state component, it is, according to the present
`invention, possible to control the functions of the device in
`an intelligent manner by the same microchip which provides
`the MMI functions. Thus, by practicing the teachings of the
`present invention, more reliable, intelligent, and efficient
`electrical devices can be obtained which are cheaper and
`easier to manufacture than prior art devices.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, there
`is provided a microchip which can be embedded in a battery
`that will lend intelligence to the battery and thus, the device 50
`it is inserted into, so that many functions, including but not
`limited to, delayed switching, dimming, automatic shut off,
`and intermittent activation may be inexpensively realized in
`an existing (nonintelligent) product, for example a prior art
`flashlight.
`According to a further embodiment, the invention pro(cid:173)
`vides a power saving microchip which, when operatively
`associated with an electronic device, will adjust the average
`electric current through a current switch, provide an on and
`off sequence which, for example, but not limited to, in the
`case of a flashlight, can be determined by an operator and
`may represent either a flash code sequence or a simple on/off
`oscillation, provide an indication of battery strength, and/or
`provide a gradual oscillating current flow to lengthen the life
`of the operating switch and the power source.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, an intel(cid:173)
`ligent flashlight, having a microchip controlled switch is
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`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`5
`controls the on/off function of the device and at least one
`other function of the device in response to signals received
`from the activation/deactivation means.
`The present invention, according to a still further
`embodiment, provides a flashlight comprising a light source, 5
`an energy storage means, a switch means, and a processor
`means. The switch means being in communication with the
`processor means and the processor means being in commu(cid:173)
`nication with the energy storage means which is ultimately
`in communication with the light source. The processor 10
`controls the activation/deactivation of the light source and,
`in some embodiments, further functions of the flashlight, in
`response to signals received from the switch means.
`While the present invention is primarily described in this
`application with respect to either a flashlight or a battery 15
`therefore, the embodiments discussed herein should not be
`considered limitative of the invention, and many other
`variations of the use of the intelligent devices of the present
`invention will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`6
`FIG. 13 illustrates a possible position, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention of a microchip in a
`battery;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present
`invention of a low current switching device suitable for
`lighting systems in buildings;
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`present invention, i.e. microchip 1403 of FIG. 14;
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown in
`FIGS. 4 and 5 for a delayed shut off function embodiment
`of one embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 17 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown in
`FIGS. 7 and Sa for a delayed shut off function embodiment
`of one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled push button or sliding type input activation/
`deactivation switch according to one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in
`association with a push button or sliding input activation/
`deactivation switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of a second type of intelligent device
`having a microchip controlled push button or sliding type
`input activation/deactivation switch according to another
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled touch pad or carbon coated membrane activation/
`deactivation switch according to a still further embodiment
`of the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in
`association with a touch pad or carbon coated membrane
`activation/deactivation switch according to one embodiment
`of the invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of a second type of device having
`a microchip controlled touch pad or carbon coated mem(cid:173)
`brane activation/deactivation switch according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic of a battery having embedded
`therein a microchip according to a further embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. SA is a block diagram of a microchip for use in a
`battery according to one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. SB is a block diagram of a second type of microchip
`for use in a battery according to another embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic of a device having a microchip
`controlled switch according to one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic of a flashlight having therein a
`microchip controlled switch according to one embodiment
`of the present invention;
`
`20
`
`According to one embodiment or aspect of the present
`invention, and referring to FIG. 1, a schematic depiction of
`main circuit 100 of an electronic device, for example, a
`flashlight, is provided, wherein the device has a microchip
`103 and a microchip controlled input activator/deactivator
`102, for example, a push button or sliding switch. Main
`25 circuit 100 of the device is powered by a current supplied by
`power source 101. Power source 101 may be any power
`source, e.g. a DC battery, as is well known to those of
`ordinary skill in the art. While the following discussion is
`limited to specific electronic devices, that is flashlights it is
`30 to be understood that the following description is equally
`applicable to other electronic devices including portable
`radios, toys, for example but not limited to battery operated
`cars, boats, planes, and/or other electrically powered toys.
`Referring to FIG. 1, when an operator activates input push
`35 button or sliding command switch 102 to the "on" position,
`the microchip 103 receives a signal. Switch 102 is a direct
`electrical input to microchip 103. Microchip 103 is
`grounded by grounding means 104. Microchip 103 is in
`series between power source 101 and load 105. Microchip
`40 103 also transfers sufficient power through means of a
`current switch (not shown in FIG. 1) to load 105 which can
`be, for example, a resistor-type bulb in the case of a
`flashlight to provide illumination.
`The microchip 103, and other microchips of the present
`45 invention, can have its/their intelligence embedded in com(cid:173)
`binational or sequential logic, a PLAor ROM type structure
`feeding into a state machine or a true microcontroller type
`structure. The memory for the above will normally be
`non-volatile, but should there be a need for selectable
`50 options, EE or flash memory structures may be used.
`The structure and operational parameters of such a micro(cid:173)
`chip 103 are explained in greater detail below with respect
`to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, power is supplied to
`microchip 103 by power source 101. When an operator
`55 activates input switch 102 to the "on" position it represents
`a command which is communicated to microchip 103. Input
`means 102 requires very low current in preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments. In one embodiment of the invention, microchip
`control/reset means 201 simply allows the current switch
`60 202 to pass current provided from power source 101 to load
`105 in an unimpeded manner when the MMI switch 102 is
`activated, and, in the case of a flashlight, illumination is
`obtained. It is important to recognize, however, that it is
`control circuit 201 which activates current switch 202 upon
`65 acting on an input from switch 102. Unlike heretofore
`known prior art devices, activating switch 102 does not
`conduct current to load 105, but is only a command input
`
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`US 6,984,900 Bl
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`7
`mechanism which can, according to the invention, operate
`on very low current. For example, according to the
`invention, touch sensor input or carbon coated membrane
`type switch devices are preferred.
`If, for example, an emergency notification function is 5
`desired, the flashlight may be designed to alternately flash on
`and off every second. First, the operator activates input 102
`into the appropriate position to indicate such a function is
`desired. During the "on" segment of the flashing routine,
`control/reset means 201 commands current switch 202 to 10
`close and let current flow through to load 105, thereby
`causing, in the case of a flashlight, the bulb to illuminate.
`Simultaneously, control/reset means 201 uses the timing
`means 203 as a clock for timing. After control/reset means
`201 determines one second has elapsed, control/reset means 15
`201 instructs current switch 202 to open and interrupt the
`current flow through to load 105, and bulb illumination is
`discontinued. It is important to note that both control/reset
`means 201 and current switch 202 are still active and fully
`powered; however, current delivery is now latent with 20
`respect to load 105. When another second has elapsed, a
`command is passed from control/reset means 201 which
`again allows current to be delivered through current switch
`202 to load 105, and in the case of a flashlight, bulb
`illumination is immediately resumed. The device continues 25
`an alternating current delivery routine until either the opera-
`tor switches the setting of the activating input switch 102 to
`the "off" position, or until the c