0001
`
`Santa's Best and Polygroup
`Exhibit 1006
`IPR2016-01066
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,140
`
`

`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORJMTION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to Elhe PCT on the from pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCI‘.
`
`AT
`MJ
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`CA
`CF
`(38
`CH
`CI
`CM
`(3
`DE
`DK
`
`Austria
`Auslraiia
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burluina Fasu
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`can: d'lv0in.-
`Camum-on
`Oaauhoslovakia
`Germany
`Dcnmark
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Guinea
`Gruocu
`Hungary
`Italy
`Japan
`Democratic People‘: Republic
`of Korea
`Rupuhlil; of Roma
`Licchlcnsluin
`Sri Lanka
`Luxembourg
`Monaco
`
`Madagascar
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`NI.-lherlands
`Norway
`Poland
`Romania
`Sudan
`Swuoun
`Suncgal
`Soviui. Union
`(‘had
`Togo
`United States of Ami.-riI:a
`
`0002
`
`

`
`W0 9lIl94ll
`
`PCT/CB9]/00843
`
`Lighting control System
`
`This invention relates to a lighting control system and
`more particularly but not solely to a control
`system for
`Christmas tree lights.
`Christmas tree lights typically comprise a plurality of
`low voltage filament
`lamps connected iJ1 series across the
`mains. Each lamp may be coated with a coloured lacquer of the
`same or different colour from adjacent lamps to emit a random
`or uniform pattern of coloured light. This pattern can only
`be varied by changing the lamp colour and has the disadvantage
`that if one lamp becomes open circuit the other lamps will
`
`extinguish.
`Flashing or pattern changing lights are known which use
`electronically controlled switches to make or break the mains
`supply to one or more series of low voltage filament lamps in
`a set sequence. This system requires the use of many lamps and
`a large amount of wiring which is both expensive and unsightly.
`Individually controllable lights are available that
`have one supply wire to each lamp and a common return wire,
`resulting in n + 1 wires required to control n lights.
`The
`lights at the end.of the chain will be dimmer than those at the
`start due to power losses caused by the resistance of the long
`
`_
`lengths of wire.
`We'have now devised a lighting control system which has
`individually controllable lights and which does not require a
`
`large number of control wires.
`In accordance with this invention, there is provided a
`lighting control system comprising a plurality of data storage
`elements for controlling respective light sources according to
`their data content,
`the data storage elements being connected
`
`the data bits
`series of storage elements in serial manner,
`being advanced in groups of steps, which groups occur at
`predetermined intervals of time.
`
`SUBSTITUTE SHEET
`
`0003
`
`

`
`WO 91119411
`
`PCT/G139}/00843
`
`2
`
`The number of steps in each group may be sufficient to
`
`advance a data bit or bits from the control unit to the last
`
`storage element in the series. Preferably each storage element
`
`holds one bit of
`
`information, which determines whether the
`
`respective
`
`light
`
`source
`
`is
`
`illuminated or
`
`extinguished.
`
`Preferably the pattern of data bits (or data word) differs for
`
`successive cycles (i.e. group of steps), and the time intervals
`
`between successive cycles may vary.
`
`Preferably a microprocessor accesses stored patterns of
`
`data bits (or data words}, and different ones of these are
`output on the different cycles. Preferably manual controls are
`
`provided for selecting any of the different patterns of data
`
`bits {data words) stored and for defining the time intervals
`
`between the successive cycles.
`
`Preferably the light sources are extinguished as the
`
`data bits are advanced akong the series of storage elements.
`
`Either the data bits are advanced at a rate greater than the
`
`response time of the light sources, or a supply line to the
`
`light sources may be
`
`interrupted during"
`
`the bit-advancing
`
`cycle.
`
`'
`
`Preferably several
`
`storage elements
`
`and alternate
`
`coloured light sources are grouped together so that one or more
`
`of the light sources can be illuminated to form a more complex
`colour.
`
`An embodiment of this invention will now be described
`
`by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying
`
`drawing,
`
`the single Figure of which is a block diagram of a
`
`lighting control system in accordance with this-invention.
`
`Referring to the drawing,
`
`there is shown a block
`
`diagram of a lighting control system comprising a control unit
`
`C to which a plurality of
`
`light units L1, L2,
`
`Ln are
`
`connected via a cable W.
`
`The control unit comprises
`
`a
`
`microprocessor 10 connected to a pattern and program store 11.
`
`Optionally
`
`a
`
`readfwrite
`
`store
`
`15,
`
`display
`
`16,
`
`and
`
`communications
`
`link
`
`17 may
`
`also be
`
`connected
`
`to the
`
`microprocessor 10 and two external switches 12, 13 are provided
`
`which give direct user control of the microprocessor 10.
`
`A
`
`blanking control wire 30 controls a switch 18 that makes or
`
`breaks the 0V supply or ground return connection to light
`
`suesrrrure sneer
`
`0004
`
`

`
`WO 91119411
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`PCT/GB91/00843
`
`3
`
`emitters LED in the respective light units L1 - Ln.
`supply unit 14 has +10V, +5V and 0V outputs connected to wires
`32, 33, 31 of the cable W, which also includes a ground return
`wire 34 connected to switch 18 and data and clock wires 35, 36
`which are output from the microprocessor 10.
`The light units
`L1, L2, Ln are situated at predetermined intervals along the
`cable W.
`
`A power
`
`Light unit L1 comprises a tri-colour light emitter LED
`which comprises red and green light emitting diodes 21,
`22
`connected together by their cathodes to form a single cathode
`wire 20 connected to the ground return wire 34. The diodes 21,
`
`22 have their anodes connected to respective storage elements
`$1.1, $1.2 via regulator/buffer circuits Rl.1 and R1.2.
`The
`storage elements 51.1, S1.2 are wired in parallel to the 5V,
`0V,
`and clock wires 33, 31,
`36 of
`the cable W,
`and the
`regulator/buffer circuits Rl.1, R1.2 are similarly connected
`to the 10V wire 32.
`The data wire 35 from the microprocessor
`10 feeds the first storage element 51.1,
`the output of which
`feeds the second storage element 51.2.
`The output of this
`element S1.2 likewise feeds the first storage element 32.1 of
`
`the next light under L2 on the cable W, and so on. All of the
`light units are identical in construction to light unit L1, and
`are connected in parallel to the wires of the cable W, with the
`exception of the data wire 35 which is connected in the above
`described manner through each storage element 8 in series. The
`system may include any number of the light units L1 — Ln.
`In use the desired lighting pattern, and the rate at
`
`which the pattern changes may be selected using the rotary
`switches 12, 13.
`The microprocessor monitors which pattern
`sequence is required and calls up a predefined bit pattern
`stored in the read—only memory 11.
`If there are 40 light units
`
`there will therefore be 80 storage elements
`L on the cable W,
`5 each capable of storing one bit. The pre-defined bit pattern
`is clocked at high-speed in serial fashion along the data line
`35 through each storage element S in blocks of 80 bits.
`The
`lighting pattern is decoded once the clock has stopped and the
`microprocessor 10 has closed the switch 18
`to connect
`the
`ground return to the cathodes 20 of the light emitting diodes.
`The speed at which the pattern changes depends upon the time
`
`SUBSTITUTE SHEET
`
`0005
`
`

`
`WO 91119411
`
`A
`
`4
`
`PCT/GB91l00843
`
`interval between the high speed burst of clock pulse.
`
`The storage elements each comprise a JK flip-flop and
`
`change state on trailing clock pulse edges. The outputs of the
`storage elements are used to drive the respective voltage
`regulator and buffers R to illuminate the respective light
`emitting diodes.
`A 10V supply wire 32 is connected to the
`voltage regulator and buffers R and supplies the drive current
`to each light emitting diode.
`The separate voltage supplies
`
`to the storage elements and light emitting diodes ensure a
`
`constant brightness along the cable W.
`_Each light emitter LED can be set at either RED, GREEN,"
`
`RED + GREEN (YELLOW) or OFF depending on the contents of the
`
`two associated storage elements.
`
`The blanking control line 30 may be used to extinguish
`
`the light emitting diodes whilst clock pulses are applied to
`
`flicker as
`prevent
`elements S.
`
`the data ripples through the storage
`
`However, the data may ripple through at a speed greater
`
`than the response time of each light unit L in which case a
`
`blanking switch 18 may not be required.
`Whilst
`the basic lighting control system described
`
`utilises a pre-programmed repertoir of lighting patterns, the
`
`addition of a read/write memory 15, keypad, and display 16
`
`would allow for
`
`a user defined pattern to be created.
`
`Alternatively created patterns could be down loaded from a
`
`computer using the optional communications link 17.
`
`The substitution of high powered filament
`
`lamps and
`
`suitable power switching devices instead of
`
`light-emitting
`
`diodes would_allow the system to be used for spotlight control
`e.g.
`for stage lighting.
`By grouping suitable. different
`coloured lights and their storage elements together any colour
`
`light can be made to appear.
`
`In a further embodiment the light sources on the cable
`
`W may be made to glow at varying brightnesses by sending a
`
`pattern data down the data wire instantaneously after the
`previous pattern data and so on.
`By accordingly altering an
`
`individual light units ON/OFF sequence at each data update any
`
`shade of brightness may be selected.
`
`In order to prevent a voltage drop along the ground
`
`EHJEEfTFTlJT1EE3f1Efl?T
`
`0006
`
`

`
`W0 91/19411
`
`.
`5
`
`PCT/GB91/00843
`
`fecting the brightness of the light emitters,
`return wire 34 af
`a second voltage regulator may connect
`the cathode of each
`emitter
`to a negative
`supply rail.
`This
`allow the
`illumination intensity of
`each light emitter
`to be made
`completely independent of wire resistance losses in both the
`outgoing and return paths.
`The existing ground wire is also
`connected to the second regulator and can be used to vary the
`
`intensity of the light emitters.
`
`E3LJE3S¥TfTlJ1WE EiFiEI§T
`
`0007
`
`

`
`W0 91119411
`
`PCT/GB91!0{I843
`
`6
`
`CLAIMS
`
`(1)
`
`A lighting control system comprising a plurality of
`
`data storage elements for controlling respective light sources
`
`according to their data content,
`
`the data storage elements
`
`being connected in series along a data wire, and a control unit
`
`for generating a series of data bits and for advancing the data
`
`bits along the series of storage elements in serial manner, the
`
`data bits being advanced in groups of steps, which group occur
`
`at predetermined intervals of time.
`
`(2)
`
`A lighting control system according to claim 1,
`
`which the number of steps in each group is sufficient
`
`in
`
`to
`
`advance data bits from the control unit to the last storage
`element in the series.
`
`(3)
`
`A lighting control system according to claims 1 or 2,
`
`in which each storage element holds one bit of
`
`information,
`
`which determines whether
`
`the respective light
`
`source
`
`is
`
`illuminated or extinguished.‘
`
`(4)
`
`A lighting control system according to any preceding
`
`claim,
`
`in which the pattern of data bits differs
`
`from
`
`successive cycles (i.e. group of steps) .
`
`(5)
`
`A lighting control system according to any preceding
`
`in which the time interval between successive cycles
`claim,
`(group of steps) varies.
`
`A lighting control system according to any preceding
`(6)
`claim in which the light sources are extinguished as the data
`
`bits are advanced along the series of storage elements.
`
`(7)
`
`A lighting control system according to claim 6,
`
`in
`
`which the data bits are advanced at a rate greater than the
`
`0008
`
`

`
`wo 91/19411
`
`7
`
`PCT/GB9l/00843
`
`response time of the light sources.
`
`in
`A lighting control system'according to claim 6,
`(8)
`which.a voltage supply line to the light sources is interrupted
`
`during the bit—advancing cycle.
`
`A lighting control system according to any preceding-
`(9)
`in which a plurality of storage elements and alternate
`claim,
`ght sources are grouped together so that one or more
`coloured li
`of the light sources can be illuminated to form a more complex
`colour.
`
`0009
`
`

`
`WO 91119411
`
`3WMBMP.
`
`0010
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`lnlernalinnzl Applii:-2.
`
`.. Nu
`
`{if several clzssifieaiinn symbols apply. indie-:iie all)‘
`I. CLASSIFICATION OF 5lEB.l'E.C'l‘ .'V[A‘l‘l'ER
`According in International Patent Ciassifieatinn ('[PC) or in lieu: Naiional Classification and IPC
`Int.Cl.5
`H 05 B
`37/02
`G 05 F
`3/00
`
`Classifiaiioii System
`
`Classification Symbols
`
`Minimum Dnciimeiiiaiinn Searched’
`
`H 05 B
`
`G 05 F
`
`Dociiinentaiioii Sarcheil other than Minimum Dneunieiitaiiuii
`tn the Extent that such Documents are lncliidul in the Fields Searched.‘
`
`I.[I. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT’
`Category “
`Citation of Dncunienl. “I with indirntinn, where appropriate. of the relevant passages ‘3
`
`(W.L. CHASE) 29 Juiy
`US,A,3458759
`1969,
`see column 2, Wine 44 - column 5,
`figures 1-4-
`
`'|'ine 41',
`
`(COLLYNS) 22 February
`FR,A,2S5U867
`1985, see page 4,
`line 27 — page 6,
`figures 1,2
`'
`us,A,4a7o325
`(D. KAZAR) 26 September
`1989, see column 4,
`‘zine 5? ~ coiumn 6,
`figures 1-3,6
`
`line 36;
`
`‘line 30;
`
`(ASEA BROWN BOVERI) 18
`DE,A,3823788
`January 1990, see coiumn 2,
`line 50 - column 3,
`line 42; figure 2
`
`GB,A,221U186
`CAMBRIDGE LTD)
`_--
`
`(PULSAR LIGHT OF
`1 June 1989
`
`__,I.
`
`' Special categories nf died duaiiiients : "7
`‘it’ dolauuenl defining the general slate ol the art which is not
`cnnsiiiend In be of panieiiiar relevance
`'E' arlie: document but published nn or after the international
`filing dale
`'
`'1.’ document which may 1liI'I‘lll' ilnnl-its on priority cl:ihi(s} or
`which is cited to esiaiilish the pubiicaiinn date nl‘ aniiiher
`dune: or other special reason (85 Slwfifififll
`'0' dnainieni id'¢_i-ring 10 an oral ilsdesure. use, aihiliiilnn or
`oiher means
`‘P’ docnuienl published prior 10 the iniunaunnai filing ilue imi
`later than the ]Il'iI:iI’i1y data claimed
`
`Date iii the Actual Cnnipleiiori oi the lniei-iiaiinnal Search
`10-10-1991
`EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
`
`international Searching Authority
`
`Earn PC'!l'.'l5M2in menu sheen iJnnm 1-1:5:
`
`"1" later iloeiimeni piihlisheii after the intemallonzl filing hi:
`‘§,L"ff¥n§$§;':§ 51°.‘ §?in°§z'L‘:Er":iEu'r:r°u:' elilfyliggntlfem
`imam“
`-x- “mm”, of “mm.” flan“; we dajmd hymn-on
`ennui be ennsidered novel or unnoi be ahnslderel in
`involve an inventive step
`FYI “am,” of imfimlfl fauna: me dun“ Imam"
`cannot lie unasidereil to involve an inventive trey Ilia: the
`document is coinhiueil with nine or more other nah locu-
`inenis. such uiuibinaiinn being olwinus in I pasnii skilled
`1" W‘ "L
`-
`‘in’ iincuinein niunher of ihe am pain-iii. family
`
`_
`
`__
`
`_
`
`_
`_- __
`
`Date of Mailing of this lniemaiinnal Search Repuri
`-
`0 5 NOV 1991
` .
`
`Signature of Authorized Officer
`
`_
`
`Mme N. KUIPER .
`
`0011
`
`

`
`_
`,
`_
`n .\u
`Imernanonal Apphc.
`_
`(CONTIXEED FROW THE SECOND SHEET)
`I'll. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVLVT
`Cimion of Du:-unmn. Iriih indinlion. when appropriate. af she relevant passages
`
`_
`
`Pa e
`
`2
`
`Ralavaru In Claim Nu.
`
`US,A,4675575
`June 198?
`
`(E.L. SMITH et a1.) 23
`
`US,A,3789211
`
`(N. KRAMER) 29 January
`
`Earn PCTIJSAJZID mun sham IJ-ury 19351
`
`0012
`
`

`
`ANNEX TO THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`ON INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATION NO.
`
`G3 9130343
`SA
`@7808
`
`This annex lists the patent family members relating to the patent dacurnentseited in the above-mentioned international search report.
`The members are as contained in the European Patent Office EDP like on 25,I'l0(91
`The European Patent Oflice is in no way liable for thae particulars which are merely given for the purpose of information.
`
`Patent family
`memhefls)
`
`- For more details ahotlt this annex : see Ofiicial Journal ol the
`
`European Patent. Ofiiee. No. 12182
`
`0013