The present invention is directed generally to a new flat or A-frame pop-up canopy, shelter, cover, and/or awning, to the integration of skylights and electrical lights systems, to clocks and watches that can record a persons preferred alarm voice or video, winter gloves made to look like or with caricatures formed with or on them, digital radio and TV systems with a method of overcoming lost signal interruptions, and a single vent HVAC temperature control systems. Each of these approaches make life easier and/or more fun for people.

Described herein are day lighting systems that utilize a combination of at least one natural light source with at least one multimode artificial light source. Also disclosed are methods for designing and operating such systems.

An embodiment can include a lamp safe system that includes an inner casing member and an outer casing member, a base member, a lampshade, a lamp body, and a base member. A inner casing member can move in and out of an outer casing member, and a lamp body member can be placed over and removably attached to an outer casing member. An inner casing member can include two or more walls, and a top surface and a bottom surface. An inner casing member can have attachment points for a lead, screw, a lead screw nut, and guide rails. An inner casing member can have a locking mechanism that can keep the inner casing member inside an outer casing member and lamp body. An outer casing can substantially surround an inner casing. An outer casing can have attachment points for an inner casing member to move in and out of through guide rail supports An inner casing member can move in and out of an outer casing member through a motor rotating a lead screw. An electronic controlling member can have a microcontroller that can be connected to a smart phone and can allow a user to send and receive information from a lamp safe system.

An embodiment can include a lamp safe system that includes an inner casing member and an outer casing member, a base member, a lampshade, a lamp body, and a base member. A inner casing member can move in and out of an outer casing member, and a lamp body member can be placed over and removably attached to an outer casing member. An inner casing member can include two or more walls, and a top surface and a bottom surface. An inner casing member can have attachment points for a lead, screw, a lead screw nut, and guide rails. An inner casing member can have a locking mechanism that can keep the inner casing member inside an outer casing member and lamp body. An outer casing can substantially surround an inner casing. An outer casing can have attachment points for an inner casing member to move in and out of through guide rail supports An inner casing member can move in and out of an outer casing member through a motor rotating a lead screw. An electronic controlling member can have a microcontroller that can be connected to a smart phone and can allow a user to send and receive information from a lamp safe system.

A thermoelectric lamp for illuminating a space. The thermoelectric lamp comprises a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a panel and a sidewall forming an interior volume having an open lower end. A light source is disposed on a first surface of the panel, wherein the light source is operably connected to a motor affixed within the interior volume of the first housing. A thermoelectric generator is operably connected to the motor and disposed at the open lower end of the first housing. The second housing comprises a base and a sidewall forming an interior volume having an open upper end, wherein the open upper end removably secures to the lower open end of the first housing. The second housing includes an opening that receives a candle therethrough, wherein the thermoelectric generator coverts heat generated from the candle into electrical energy that powers the light source.

A mechanical state indicator system concealed within an enclosure includes a light source for providing light and multiple light paths coupled to the light source for directing the light. Each of the light paths includes a gap configured to receive a mechanical state indicator rigidly coupled to a mechanism. Movement of the mechanism between a first state and a second state moves the mechanical state indicator into and out of the gap. Readouts are coupled to each of the light paths for displaying an indication of mechanical state based on a position of a respective mechanical state indicator. The readouts are co-located for collective viewing.

A mechanical state indicator system concealed within an enclosure includes a light source for providing light and multiple light paths coupled to the light source for directing the light. Each of the light paths includes a gap configured to receive a mechanical state indicator rigidly coupled to a mechanism. Movement of the mechanism between a first state and a second state moves the mechanical state indicator into and out of the gap. Readouts are coupled to each of the light paths for displaying an indication of mechanical state based on a position of a respective mechanical state indicator. The readouts are co-located for collective viewing.

A daylighting device includes a photo-voltaic (PV) device that is mounted in or proximate to the daylighting device that provides sunlight to a service area. The PV device generates a power signal from incident sunlight. The power signal provides operational power to circuitry associated with the daylighting device, such as a transmitter that transmits a value representing the intensity of light on or near the daylighting device. This signal, which is generated either from the power signal or from a signal provided by a photosensor mounted in or proximate to the daylighting device, may be used by a control system to adjust light levels provided by artificial light sources to supplement the sunlight provided by the daylighting device to approach the desired light level in the service area.

A structure and method for utilizing natural light indoors or in the interior in a moving space are disclosed. The method includes: determining, by a controller, whether or not current indoor information is confirmable; determining, by the controller, whether or not the current indoor information coincides with a user request signal, upon determining that the current indoor information is confirmable; controlling, by the controller, radiation amounts of the natural light and artificial light, upon determining that the current indoor information does not coincide with the user request signal; and adjusting, by the controller, a position value of a smart lamp unit.

A light fixture includes a housing with a skylight aperture, and one or more louver blades spanning the skylight aperture. When open, the one or more movable louver blades block little of the light passing through the skylight aperture; in intermediate positions, the louver blades block a portion of the light; when closed, the louver blades block most light from passing through the skylight aperture. The light fixture also includes: a dimmable artificial light source configured to project artificial light toward the illuminated space; a light sensor that detects light illuminating the space; and a control unit that is integrated with the housing and communicates with the light sensor. The light sensor detects intensity and chromaticity information of the light illuminating the space. The control unit controls position of the louver blades and brightness and chromaticity of the dimmable artificial light source, in response to the light sensor.