Multi-function illumination device

#LED flashlights have many advantages over flashlights that use conventional light bulbs, including lower power consumption (i.e., longer battery life), better wavelength matching (i.e., less dispersion), and other benefits. Typical LED flashlights, however, like their conventional-bulb counterparts, usually have only one function, namely, to provide a constant beam of light.

#A multi-function illumination device including a light emitting diode (LED) module. The light emitting diode (LED) module includes a control circuit having a first control output and a second control output. A first light emitting diode (LED) bank is coupled to the first control output. The first LED bank includes at least one first light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a first wavelength. The light emitting diode (LED) module a second light emitting diode (LED) bank coupled to the second control output. The second LED bank includes at least one second light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a second wavelength. During a first mode of operation, the control circuit is adapted to cause the first LED bank to illuminate continuously and the second LED bank to flash on and off at a predetermined frequency. A multi-function illumination device includes a light emitting diode (LED) module. The light emitting diode (LED) module includes a control circuit having a first control output and a second control output. The light emitting diode (LED) module further includes a first light emitting diode (LED) bank coupled to the first control output. The first LED bank includes at least one first light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a first wavelength. The light emitting diode (LED) module still further includes a second light emitting diode (LED) bank coupled to the second control output. The second LED bank includes at least one second light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light of a second wavelength multi-function illumination device further includes a mode-select switch coupled to the control circuit. The mode-select switch is adapted to allow a user to select a mode of operation of the light emitting diode (LED) module to selectively illuminate at least one of the first LED bank and the second LED bank. An illumination method includes during a first mode of operation: continuously providing illumination of a first wavelength, and flashing on and off illumination of a second wavelength at a predetermined flashing frequency.

#The above summary of the invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention.

#A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-function LED illumination device;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of an LED module;

#The present invention relates generally to flashlights and other portable, handheld, battery-operated illumination devices, and particularly to flashlights that use one or more light emitting diodes (LED) to generate the light beam.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a multi-function LED illumination device 3 in accordance with principles of the invention is illustrated. The multi-function LED illumination device 3 includes an LED module 5, a power supply 10, and a mode-select switch 20. The LED module 5 includes control logic 15, a timer circuit 30, a first LED bank 25, and a second LED bank 35. The first LED bank 25 includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) of a first wavelength. The second LED bank 35 includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) of a second wavelength. The power supply 10 provides a source of electrical power to the LED module 5 via a positive voltage connection Vcc and a ground connection GND. The control logic 15 has a first control output 23 connected to an input 27 of the first LED bank 25 to control illumination of the LEDs of the first LED bank 25. The control logic 15 has a second control output 29 connected to an input 31 of the timer circuit 30. An output 33 of the timer circuit 30 is connected to an input 37 of the second LED bank 35 to control illumination of the LEDs of the second LED bank 35.

#The mode-select switch 20 allows for the selection of one of a plurality of operation modes for the multi-function LED illumination device 3. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the mode-select switch 20 is a push button in which consecutive pushes of the push button cause the LED illumination device 3 to cycle through a plurality of operation modes.