Abstract: A lighted marker for driveways, sidewalks and other various uses. The lighted marker includes a loweer housing and an upper housing. A module including an LED coupled to a battery and a circuit adapted to energize the LED is received in the lower housing through an opening. The upper housing fits over the lower housing preventing water from entering the opening. Alternatively, the module is rigidly secured to the upper housing. The upper housing includes a translucent plastic surface surrounding the LED and viewable from a 360° field of view. The LED lights the translucent surface and the upper housing surface can thereby be seen with night adjusted eyes. The lighted marker is adapted to fit on and preferably be demountably mounted on a fiberglass rod shaped stake which is adapted to be driven into the ground. An umbilical cord is attached between the stake and the lower housing.

Abstract: A detachable magnetic docking system for a handheld device comprises a docking plate having a major surface and a shell for the handheld device having a reverse surface. The major surface and the reverse surface are contoured to mate when adjacent one another to align the shell over the docking plate. Cooperative magnetic elements are located in the docking plate and in the shell to retain the handheld device on the docking plate. The contour of the major surface includes a recessed area. The handheld device having internal battery compartments located adjacent non-recessed areas of the major surface.

Abstract: An apparent motion detector is provided with multiple response levels at differing degrees of sensitivity. The motion detector is based on use of a pyroelectric infrared sensor and conventional circuitry which generates an output signal the strength of which reflects transient temperature changes occurring within a field of view and distinguishable from background heat levels. The detector's response varies with the strength of the signal using a plurality of LED's which emit different colors or are driven at different intensities. The system generally will have a field of view defined by a lens system which is translucent to visible light and transparent to infrared. The lens system doubles as a back screen projection system for display of the indicator light.

Abstract: A detachable magnetic docking system for a handheld device comprises a docking plate having a major surface and a shell for the handheld device having a reverse surface. The major surface and the reverse surface are contoured to mate when adjacent one another to align the shell over the docking plate. Cooperative magnetic elements are located in the docking plate and in the shell to retain the handheld device on the docking plate. The contour of the major surface includes a recessed area. The handheld device having internal battery compartments located adjacent non-recessed areas of the major surface.

Abstract: A decorative, imitation candle effectively simulates a lighted wick in a darkened environment by location of a light source at the tip of an imitation wick. The light source is provided by an LED located at the tip of the wick for direct viewing in order to obtain maximum brightness and high contrast to an observer in a darkened environment. The light source and its support structure are incorporated into the imitation wick so that they do not detract from the imitation candle's realism when the imitation candle is viewed from the side or from above under higher ambient lighting.

Abstract: An apparent motion detector is provided with multiple response levels at differing degrees of sensitivity. The motion detector is based on use of a pyroelectric infrared sensor and conventional circuitry which generates an output signal the strength of which reflects transient temperature changes occurring within a field of view and distinguishable from background heat levels. The detector's response varies with the strength of the signal using a plurality of LED's which emit different colors or are driven at different intensities. The system generally will have a field of view defined by a lens system which is translucent to visible light and transparent to infrared. The lens system doubles as a back screen projection system for display of the indicator light.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED and an optical projection system visible to an observer standing in the motion sensor coverage zone(s) to simplify orientation of the sensor on installation. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED and an optical projection system visible to an observer standing in the motion sensor coverage zone(s) to simplify orientation of the sensor on installation. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: A decorative, imitation candle includes a simulated wick which generates the appearance of an open flame in a darkened environment. A light pipe is located at the expected location of the wick. The exposed end of the light pipe has a tip which produces a point like a light source with a glare effect to darkness accommodated eyes when the device is illuminated. The glare is interpreted as an open flame without the need for a flame shaped terminating structure which is visible when the imitation candle is unlit.

Abstract: A decorative, imitation candle includes a simulated wick which generates the appearance of an open flame in a darkened environment. A light pipe is located at the expected location of the wick. The exposed end of the light pipe has a tip which produces a point like a light source with a glare effect to darkness accommodated eyes when the device is illuminated. The glare is interpreted as an open flame without the need for a flame shaped terminating structure which is visible when the imitation candle is unlit.

Abstract: An imitation candle having an exterior wax shell and an interior illumination source is structured to reduce cracking of the exterior wax shell by incorporating a bonding layer into a central cavity in the shell between the interior illumination source and the wax shell. The bonding layer terminates well spaced from terminal edges of the shell to transfer stress between the illumination source and the shell caused by differing coefficients of thermal expansion to points removed from edges of the shell to retard crack genesis.

Abstract: A decorative lantern evocative of enclosing a candle or other open flame type light source includes an imitation candle and a super bright light emitting diode hidden with the lantern to illuminate the imitation candle from outside. A wick having a polished tip produces a hot spot of reflected light to heighten the illusion of an open flame being present.

Abstract: Battery powered LEDs operated at a small fraction of their rated capacity to provide a level of illumination useful as a marker for darkness adjusted vision. Long battery life is achieved using super bright, broad spectrum LEDs.

Abstract: Battery powered LEDs operated at a small fraction of their rated capacity to provide a level of illumination useful as a marker for darkness adjusted vision. Long battery life is achieved using super bright, broad spectrum LEDs.

Abstract: An imitation candle is made from a translucent material having light transmissive properties similar to paraffin. The imitation candle is shaped to appear reduced by burning. An LED, or similar high intensity light source, is set in a cavity within the imitation candle. The LED preferably produces amber light to better resemble the color of candle light. The imitation candle diffuses the light emitted from the LED to create a warm, natural looking glow. Light emission levels from the LED are varied in a pseudo-random manner to simulate the flicker of candle light.

Abstract: An imitation candle is provided having a body made from a translucent material having light transmissive properties similar to paraffin. The body is shaped to resemble a candle that is reduced by burning. An LED, or similar high intensity light source, is set in a cavity enclosed within this material. A color, such as amber, is selected for the LED to produce a light similar to the color of candle light. The material diffuses the light emitted from the LED to create a warm, natural looking glow. Light emission levels from the LED are varied in a pseudo-random manner to simulate the flicker of candle light.

Abstract: A DC power supply for an electronic switching element connected in series with a load in an AC main has a rectifying element and a capacitor parallel to the electronic switching element. Charging of the capacitor is provided by opening the switching element and diverting current from the AC main through the rectifying element and capacitor. The voltage difference across the capacitor powers control circuitry for the electronic switching element. Hysteresis built into the control circuitry results in the electronic switching element opening at a lower voltage difference across the capacitor than the voltage difference required to close the electronic switching element.