ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEVICE WITH DISPLAY
Various embodiments of electric lighting devices are described that have a display screen configured to display one or more images or video of a flame. The devices have a housing with the display screen extending from the upper surface. A circuit board can be disposed within the housing and connected to the display screen to thereby power and send data to the screen. Where the display screen is transparent when off, this allows the display screen to be less visible to users.
1 . An electric lighting device, comprising:
an outer housing having an upper surface, and configured to resemble a wax candle;
a display screen extending from the upper surface; and
a PCB disposed within the outer housing, and electrically coupled to the display screen, such that an image or video can be displayed on the display screen; and
wherein the display screen is translucent or transparent when powered off.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display screen is transparent when in an “off” state.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the housing further comprises a slot sized and dimensioned to allow the display screen to move through the slot to retract all or some of the display screen within the housing.
4 . The device of claim 3 , further comprising a rack and pinion disposed within the housing, wherein rotation of the pinion causes movement of the rack and thereby causes the display screen to be lowered within the housing through the slot.
5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the PCB comprises the rack.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein rotation of the pinion further causes the PCB to move within the outer housing.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display screen comprises an OLED display.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display screen is pivotally mounted within the outer housing such that the display screen can move in at least two dimensions.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the display screen comprises a magnet, and wherein the PCB comprises an electromagnetic coil configured to generate an electromagnetic field that interacts with the magnet and causes movement of the display screen with respect to the outer housing.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display screen is disposed on a moveable platform, and wherein the platform is coupled to a motor via one or more gears, such that rotation of the gears by the motor causes the display screen to turn, thereby causing the display screen to reorient with respect to the outer housing.
11 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sail switch configured to send a signal to a processor disposed on the PCB, and wherein the processor is configured to alter an image or video of the flame that is presented on the display screen.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to alter the image or video of the flame as a function of the airflow detected.
13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to power off the display screen as a function of the signal received.
14 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive an updated video or image to display on the display screen.
15 . A display unit for an electric candle, comprising:
a clear display surface;
an edging disposed at least partially about the clear display surface; and
a flex circuit coupled to the display surface and configured to provide power and signal to the display surface such that an image or video of a flame can be presented on the display surface.
16 . The display unit of claim 15 , wherein the display surface comprises an OLED display.
17 . The display unit of claim 15 , wherein the display surface is transparent when powered off.
18 . The display unit of claim 15 , wherein the display surface is curved.
19 . The display unit of claim 15 , wherein the edging is opaque to mute light output from a side of the display surface where the edging is placed.