Abstract: A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dim without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A portable rechargeable lighting device uses software in a microcontroller to turn on a charger protection circuit when a charging circuit is activated, to monitor at least one electrical characteristic relative to a rechargeable battery, to control at least one charging parameter of the charging circuit, and to alert a user of a low battery condition before light emitted from the device terminates.

Abstract: A portable rechargeable lighting device uses software in a microcontroller to turn on a charger protection circuit when a charging circuit is activated, to monitor at least one electrical characteristic relative to a rechargeable battery, to control at least one charging parameter of the charging circuit, and to alert a user of a low battery condition before light emitted from the device terminates.

Abstract: A portable rechargeable lighting device uses software in a microcontroller to turn on a charger protection circuit when a charging circuit is activated, to monitor at least one electrical characteristic relative to a rechargeable battery, to control at least one charging parameter of the charging circuit, and to alert a user of a low battery condition before light emitted from the device terminates.

Abstract: A portable rechargeable lighting device uses software in a microcontroller to turn on a charger protection circuit when a charging circuit is activated, to monitor at least one electrical characteristic relative to a rechargeable battery, to control at least one charging parameter of the charging circuit, and to alert a user of a low battery condition before light emitted from the device terminates.

Abstract: A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dim without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dime without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A portable rechargeable lighting device uses software in a microcontroller to turn on a charger protection circuit when a charging circuit is activated, to monitor at least one electrical characteristic relative to a rechargeable battery, to control at least one charging parameter of the charging circuit, and to alert a user of a low battery condition before light emitted from the device terminates.

Abstract: A charging process of a rechargeable lighting device is controlled by a software algorithm and a microcontroller configured within the rechargeable lighting device which has first and the second charging contacts located on its exterior and the charging circuit is turned on when a cradle detection circuit detects that at least one of the charging contacts engages an electrical contact when the rechargeable lighting device is inserted into a charging cradle. The charging process begins with a charge-current which is constant and a battery charge-voltage which rises up to a nominal battery charge-voltage. The rechargeable lighting device recovers to a preselected condition through use of a power interruption avoidance algorithm configured within the microcontroller when there is a loss of power to the microcontroller of less than a preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dime without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A charging process of a rechargeable lighting device is controlled by a software algorithm and a microcontroller configured within the rechargeable lighting device which has first and the second charging contacts located on its exterior and the charging circuit is turned on when a cradle detection circuit detects that at least one of the charging contacts engages an electrical contact when the rechargeable lighting device is inserted into a charging cradle. The charging process begins with a charge-current which is constant and a battery charge-voltage which rises up to a nominal battery charge-voltage. The rechargeable lighting device recovers to a preselected condition through use of a power interruption avoidance algorithm configured within the microcontroller when there is a loss of power to the microcontroller of less than a preselected amount of time.

Abstract: A multi-mode flashlight includes a housing with a source of power, a light source located at a forward end of the housing, and a tail cap located at the tail end of the housing, the tail cap including a switch and at least two icons, each of which is associated with a mode of operation of the flashlight, wherein the mode of operation is selected by orienting the housing so that the icon associated with the desired mode of operation is positioned in a predetermined manner and the switch is depressed to turn the flashlight on and the switch is depressed for at least a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A rechargeable lighting device has a rechargeable power source with a positive electrode located at its rear end, a main power circuit that powers a light source and includes the positive electrode, a charging circuit configured to be enabled when the lighting device engages a charging device, and at least one charging contact located on the exterior of the lighting device at or near its tail end. A microcontroller and switch are located at the rear end and the microcontroller wakes up to either turn on the main power circuit and isolate the charging contract from a charging ground path or turn on the charging circuit in which case the charging contact acts as part of the charging ground path.

Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device.

Abstract: A rechargeable lighting device has a rechargeable power source with a positive electrode located at its rear end, a main power circuit that powers a light source and includes the positive electrode, a charging circuit configured to be enabled when the lighting device engages a charging device, and at least one charging contact located on the exterior of the lighting device at or near its tail end. A microcontroller and switch are located at the rear end and the microcontroller wakes up to either turn on the main power circuit and isolate the charging contract from a charging ground path or turn on the charging circuit in which case the charging contact acts as part of the charging ground path.

Abstract: A lighting device with improved optical performance and efficiency is provided. The lighting device includes a source of energy, a light source, a reflector and a holder. The reflector has a first open end, a second end, and a parabolic profile extending between the first open end and second end. The focus of the parabolic profile is located outside of the profile. The reflector may also be movable relative to the light source. The lighting device may include a circuit that delivers a pulsed or thermally compensated pulsed current to the light source. The light device may also include a heat sink housing.

Abstract: A user electronically interacts with a flashlight via a computer and application software once the flashlight has been inserted into, and engages, a smart cradle configured with a printed circuit board (“PCB”) that can communicate electronically with both the flashlight and the computer. Application software allows the user to access a mode control circuit for changing operational modes available on the flashlight without having to manipulate a manual control of the flashlight, monitor battery life, access data files relating to the flashlight, and load information into memory of the PCB.

Abstract: A rechargeable lighting device has a rechargeable power source with a positive electrode located at its rear end, a main power circuit that powers a light source and includes the positive electrode, a charging circuit configured to be enabled when the lighting device engages a charging device, and at least one charging contact located on the exterior of the lighting device at or near its tail end. A microcontroller and switch are located at the rear end and the microcontroller wakes up to either turn on the main power circuit and isolate the charging contract from a charging ground path or turn on the charging circuit in which case the charging contact acts as part of the charging ground path.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (“LED”) module with improved thermal characteristics is provided. The module includes an LED, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a lower insulator, an upper insulator, a lower contact, upper contacts, and a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink comprises an outer housing and a contact ring. The LED and the heat sink are attached to the first circuit board via solder. In addition to serving as a substrate for the LED, the first circuit board (which contains a plurality of thermally conductive layers connected by vias) facilitates the transfer of heat away from the LED to the heat sink. The module also has improved mechanical and electrical properties, including redundant electrical connections, stable mechanical connections, and a shock-absorbing lower contact. The lower insulator can also be configured to prevent misalignment of the power source with the lower contact when the module is used in a flashlight or other lighting device.

Abstract: A process for recharging a rechargeable flashlight in a motor vehicle places a recharging cradle into a cup holder, connects the recharging cradle to a cigarette lighter port in the motor vehicle and inserts a bottom end of the rechargeable flashlight into an opening in the cradle configured to snugly receive and support the rechargeable flashlight in an upright position within the recharging cradle so that a pair of contact leads of the recharging cradle make electrical contact with a pair of electrical contacts of the rechargeable flashlight configured for recharging the rechargeable flashlight.