Flash pattern selection via power switch
View Patent ↗Lighting apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed. One lighting apparatus includes a light source, a power source in electrical communication with the light source, and a power button arranged to control electrical flow from the power source to the light source. The lighting apparatus also includes a programmable circuit in electrical communication with the power button, where the programmable circuit is programmed to set predetermined flash patterns for illuminating the light source in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
1. A lighting apparatus comprising:
a light source;
a power source in electrical communication with the light source;
a power button arranged to control electrical flow from the power source to the light source; and
a programmable circuit in electrical communication with the power button, the programmable circuit programmed to set a flash pattern selected from among a plurality of predetermined flash patterns for illuminating the light source in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button;
wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to trigger a power programming mode when there are a predetermined number of continuous up/down pulses in the logic signal, and deliver a control signal for illuminating the light source when the predetermined flash patterns are programmed.
2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the programmable circuit is programmed to store in memory a flash pattern which is selected in response to detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the programmable circuit is programmed to deliver a flash pattern stored in memory when not detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the programmable circuit comprises a power retaining circuit configured and arranged to retain a power after the power source is turned off.
5. The lighting apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the programmable circuit further comprises a power programming circuit configured and arranged to generate a logical signal in response to turning on and off the power source.
6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number is about three.
7. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed to terminate the power programming mode when no predetermined sequence is received over a predetermined time period after the power programming mode is triggered.
8. The lighting apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined time period is about 20 seconds.
9. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed to restart the microprocessor when the power source has been shut down for over a predetermined time period.
10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined time period is about five seconds.
11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light source power controller being in electrical communication with the light source.
12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).
13. The lighting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the light source power controller is an LED power controller.
14. The lighting apparatus of claim 11 , comprising a power input filter circuit filtering the power source and generating a power for the light source power controller.
15. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a power input circuit configured and arranged to provide a reverse polarity protection of the power source.
16. A method of using a light source, the method comprising:
controlling electrical flow from a power source to the light source; and
setting a flash pattern selected from a plurality of predetermined flash patterns for illuminating the light source in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of actuations of a power button, wherein setting the flash pattern includes generating a logical signal in response to the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button, the logical signal triggering a power programming mode, and delivering control signals for illuminating the light source.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
storing in memory a flash pattern which is selected in response to detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
delivering a flash pattern stored in memory when not detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
19. The method of claim 16 , comprising retaining a power after the power source is turned off.
20. The method of claim 16 , comprising terminating the power programming mode when no predetermined sequence is received over a predetermined time period after the power programming mode is triggered.
21. The method of claim 16 , comprising providing a reverse polarity protection of the power source.
22. A lighting system comprising:
a light source;
a power source in electrical communication with the light source;
a power button arranged to control electrical flow from the power source to the light source; and
a programmable circuit in electrical communication with the power button, the programmable circuit including a microprocessor programmed to:
trigger a power programming mode when there are a predetermined number of continuous up/down pulses in the logic signal; and
deliver a control signal for illuminating the light source when the predetermined flash patterns are programmed;
and wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to set predetermined flash patterns for illuminating the light source in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
23. The lighting system of claim 22 , wherein the programmable circuit is programmed to store in memory a flash pattern which is selected in response to detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
24. The lighting system of claim 22 , wherein the programmable circuit is programmed to deliver a flash pattern stored in memory when not detecting the predetermined sequence of actuations of the power button.
25. The lighting system of claim 22 , wherein the programmable circuit comprises:
a power retaining circuit configured and arranged to retain a power after the power source is turned off;
a power programming circuit configured and arranged to generate a logical signal in response to turning on and off the power source.
26. The lighting system of claim 25 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed to terminate the power programming mode when no predetermined sequence is received over a predetermined time period after the power programming mode is triggered.
27. The lighting system of claim 25 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed to restart the microprocessor when the power source has been shut down for over a predetermined time period.
28. The lighting system of claim 25 , further comprising a light source power controller being in electrical communication with the light source.
29. The lighting system of claim 28 , wherein the light source is an LED.
30. The lighting system of claim 29 , wherein the light source power controller is an LED power controller.
31. The lighting system of claim 25 , comprising a power input filter circuit filtering the power source and generating a power for the light source power controller.
32. The lighting system of claim 25 , further comprising a power input circuit configured and arranged to provide a reverse polarity protection of the power source.