Nightlight and lamp control

1. A nightlight and control unit comprising:

a nightlight housing including an illumination member;

a control unit associated with the nightlight housing for regulating light in a light device connectable to the control unit; and

input means for programming the control unit.

2. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a dome shaped cover mounted on a flat base, the base having legs, the dome shaped cover and base defining a chamber in which the illumination member is accommodated.

3. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the dome shaped cover is comprised of a fully or partially translucent material to permit light from the illumination member therein to be transmitted through the dome cover.

4. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the housing is configured in the shape selected from the group consisting of a turtle, a toy animal, a toy structure.

5. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is located within the housing.

6. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is outside of the housing and electrically connected thereto.

7. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the control unit comprises a box containing circuitry for regulating light in the light device, a light device connector means for electrically connecting the light device with the control unit, a nightlight connecting means for connecting the control unit with the nightlight, and a power cable for connecting the control unit to a power source.

8. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means is located on the nightlight housing.

9. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means comprises time-setting means, whereby the control unit is programmed to regulate the light device so that the light therefrom fades to off over a preselected time period.

10. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the time-setting means comprises a plurality of buttons on the surface of the housing, each button representing a time period over which the light from the light device is regulated to fade to off.

11. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 10 comprising four buttons, each button regulating the light device to fade over a different time period.

12. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein the four buttons comprise a first button representing 15 minutes, a second button representing 30 minutes, a third button representing 45 minutes, and a fourth button representing 60 minutes, for regulating the light device to fade to off.

13. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the time-setting means comprises an annular, rotatable ring member formed on the housing, the annular rotatable ring member being slidable between a first position wherein the light on the light device is regulated to fade over a shorter period of time, and a second position wherein light from the light device is regulated to fade over a longer period of time.

14. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the time-setting means comprises a rotatable knob formed on the housing.

15. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an adjustment means for setting the initial light intensity of the light device prior to initiation of the fading out process.

16. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a timer display for indicating time remaining for regulating the light in the light device.

17. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the timer display is comprised of a LED.

18. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the timer display is comprised of a LCD.

19. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an on/off switch for the illumination member.

20. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 19 wherein the on/off switch is electronically operated by an ambient light detector so that the illumination member will become illuminated when ambient light conditions drop below a preset level.

21. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the illumination member is an incandescent bulb.

22. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the illumination member is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

23. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the intensity of the illumination member.

24. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit regulates light from a plurality of light devices.

25. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 24 wherein the control unit can regulate light in the plurality of light devices so as to fade to off over a different period of time for each light device.

26. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a selector switch for selecting separately each one of the plurality of light devices for programming.

27. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a translucent window through which light from the illumination member can pass.

28. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 27 wherein the window is formed in a base portion of the housing.

29. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means comprises a remote control transmitter unit, the control unit having receiving means for receiving signals from the remote control transmitter unit for programming the control unit.

30. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means further comprises a remote control transmitter unit, the control unit having receiving means for receiving signals from the remote control transmitter unit for programming the control unit.

31. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the housing comprises a dome shaped cover spring mounted on a base member,

a plunger is formed inside the dome shaped cover,

a switch mechanism connects to the control unit, the switch mechanism being activated by the plunger when the dome shaped cover is pushed against the bias of the spring mounting, a first push of the plunger causing the light device to switch on and a second push of the plunger causing the predetermined dimming sequence to begin.

32. A nightlight and control unit as claimed in claim 31 wherein a third push of the plunger causes the light.

33. A nightlight and control unit comprising:

a nightlight housing including an illumination member;

a control unit associated with the nightlight housing for regulating light in a light device other than the illumination member, the light device being connectable to the control unit; and

input for programming the control unit.