Bedding cover and associated methods

Abstract

A bed covering has a translucent top layer that has a pattern thereon with a plurality of decorative elements that are positioned in a plurality of sectors. An array of light-emitting elements is positioned beneath the top layer. The array is segregated into sectors corresponding to at least some of the top-layer sectors. A control element is programmable to activate at least some of the light-emitting elements within at least some of the sectors in a predetermined pattern. Such an activation backlights at least some of the decorative elements in the top-layer sectors in the predetermined pattern. Additional elements of the bed covering may include an audio emitter for providing sound commensurate with the predetermined pattern and a light-diffusing element positioned between the top layer and the light-emitting-element array for providing a more diffuse illumination of the top layer sectors.

1 . A bed covering comprising: 
 a translucent top layer having a pattern thereon comprising a plurality of decorative elements positioned in a plurality of sectors;    an array of light-emitting elements positioned beneath the top layer, the array segregated into sectors corresponding to at least some of the top-layer sectors; and    a control element in signal communication with the light-emitting elements, the control element programmable to activate at least some of the light-emitting elements within at least some of the sectors in a predetermined pattern, thereby backlighting at least some of the decorative elements in the top-layer sectors in the predetermined pattern.    
   
   
       2 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , wherein the top layer comprises a first and a second top layer having different patterns comprising a plurality of different decorative elements thereon, the decorative elements for each of the first and the second top layer positioned in a same plurality of sectors, the first and the second top layer thereby interchangeable for use with the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       3 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a light-diffusing layer positioned between the top layer and the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       4 . The bed covering recited in  claim 3 , wherein the light-diffusing layer comprises a batting material.  
   
   
       5 . The bed covering recited in  claim 4 , wherein the light-diffusing layer further comprises a mesh material positioned between the batting material and the top layer.  
   
   
       6 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting-element array comprises an array of light-emitting diodes and circuitry connecting each diode with the control element.  
   
   
       7 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an upper and a lower protective sheet positioned in surrounding relation to the light-emitting-element array, the upper protective sheet having an aperture therethrough above each of the light-emitting elements.  
   
   
       8 . The bed covering recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a protective holder positioned in lateral surrounding relation to each of the light-emitting elements.  
   
   
       9 . The bed covering recited in  claim 8 , wherein the upper and the lower protective sheet are substantially water-impervious and are joined together with an adhesive to form a unitary light-emitting layer.  
   
   
       10 . The bed covering recited in  claim 9 , further comprising means for retaining the light-emitting layer in substantial registry with the top layer, for retaining the top layer sectors in substantial alignment with the light-emitting-element array sectors.  
   
   
       11 . The bed covering recited in  claim 10 , wherein the retaining means comprises a plurality of detachable fixation elements affixed to the light-emitting layer and the top layer.  
   
   
       12 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom layer having four outer edges, and wherein the top layer has four outer edges, three of the bottom layer outer edges affixed to a corresponding three of the top layer outer edges to form a pocket positionable in encompassing relation to the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       13 . The bed covering recited in  claim 12 , wherein the pocket is dimensioned to further encompass a comforter.  
   
   
       14 . The bed covering recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a comforter positioned within the pocket beneath the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       15 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a translucent bottom layer positioned beneath the light-emitting-element array, the light-emitting elements adapted to illuminate upwardly and downwardly.  
   
   
       16 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an audio emitter in signal communication with the control element, the control element further programmable to activate the audio emitter to emit sounds commensurate with the predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       17 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control element is further programmable to, following an execution of the predetermined pattern, gradually decrease a number of light-emitting elements that are illuminated until none is illuminated.  
   
   
       18 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a battery receptacle positioned along a bottom edge of the bed covering, the battery receptacle in signal communication with the control element.  
   
   
       19 . The bed covering recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a switch in signal communication with and for activating and deactivating the control element, the switch positioned adjacent a top edge of the bed covering.  
   
   
       20 . The bed covering recited in  claim 19 , further comprising an audio emitter in signal communication with the control element, the control element further programmable to activate the audio emitter to emit sounds commensurate with the predetermined pattern, the audio emitter positioned adjacent the switch.  
   
   
       21 . A method of making a bed covering, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning an array of light-emitting elements beneath a translucent top layer having a pattern thereon comprising a plurality of decorative elements positioned in a plurality of sectors, the array segregated into sectors corresponding to at least some of the top-layer sectors; and    placing a control element in signal communication with the light-emitting elements; and    programming the control element to activate at least some of the light-emitting elements within at least some of the sectors in a predetermined pattern, thereby backlighting at least some of the decorative elements in the top-layer sectors in the predetermined pattern.    
   
   
       22 . The method recited in  claim 21 , wherein the top layer comprises a first top layer, and further comprising the step of interchanging a second top layer for the first top layer, the second top layer having a different pattern from the first top layer pattern comprising a plurality of different decorative elements thereon, the decorative elements for the second top layer positioned in the same plurality of sectors as those of the first top layer, the first and the second top layer thereby interchangeable for use with the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       23 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising positioning a light-diffusing layer between the top layer and the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       24 . The method recited in  claim 23 , wherein the light-diffusing layer comprises a batting material.  
   
   
       25 . The method recited in  claim 24 , further comprising positioning a mesh material between the batting material and the top layer.  
   
   
       26 . The method recited in  claim 21 , wherein the light-emitting-element array comprises an array of light-emitting diodes and circuitry connecting each diode with the control element.  
   
   
       27 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of positioning an upper and a lower protective sheet in surrounding relation to the light-emitting-element array, the upper protective sheet having an aperture therethrough above each of the light-emitting elements.  
   
   
       28 . The method recited in  claim 27 , further comprising the step of positioning a protective holder in lateral surrounding relation to each of the light-emitting elements.  
   
   
       29 . The method recited in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of joining together the upper and the lower protective sheets with an adhesive to form a unitary light-emitting layer, the upper and the lower protective sheets substantially water-impervious.  
   
   
       30 . The method recited in  claim 29 , further comprising retaining the light-emitting layer in substantial registry with the top layer, for retaining the top layer sectors in substantial alignment with the light-emitting-element array sectors.  
   
   
       31 . The method recited in  claim 30 , wherein the retaining step comprises affixing a plurality of detachable fixation elements to the light-emitting layer and the top layer.  
   
   
       32 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of affixing three outer edges of a bottom layer to a corresponding three outer edges of the top layer to form a pocket, and positioning the pocket in encompassing relation to the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       33 . The method recited in  claim 32 , wherein the pocket is dimensioned to further encompass a comforter.  
   
   
       34 . The method recited in  claim 32 , further comprising the step of positioning a comforter within the pocket beneath the light-emitting-element array.  
   
   
       35 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of positioning a translucent bottom layer beneath the light-emitting-element array, the light-emitting elements adapted to illuminate upwardly and downwardly.  
   
   
       36 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of placing an audio emitter in signal communication with the control element, and programming the control element to activate the audio emitter to emit sounds commensurate with the predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       37 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of further programming the control element to, following an execution of the predetermined pattern, gradually decrease a number of light-emitting elements that are illuminated until none is illuminated.  
   
   
       38 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of positioning a battery receptacle along a bottom edge of the bed covering and placing the battery receptacle in signal communication with the control element.  
   
   
       39 . The method recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of placing a switch in signal communication with the control element, the switch adapted to activate and deactivate the control element, and positioning the switch adjacent a top edge of the bed covering.  
   
   
       40 . The method recited in  claim 39 , further comprising the steps of placing an audio emitter in signal communication with the control element, further programming the control element to activate the audio emitter to emit sounds commensurate with the predetermined pattern, and positioning the audio emitter adjacent the switch.  
   
   
       41 . A method of enhancing a bedtime experience comprising the steps of: 
 activating a control element in a bed covering, the bed covering comprising: 
 a translucent top layer having a pattern thereon comprising a plurality of decorative elements positioned in a plurality of sectors; and  
 an array of light-emitting elements positioned beneath the top layer, the array segregated into sectors corresponding to at least some of the top-layer sectors; and  
   viewing a predetermined pattern of an activation of at least some of the light-emitting elements in at least some of the sectors, the pattern caused by a programmed control of the control element, the illuminated light-emitting elements backlighting at least some of the decorative elements in the top-layer sectors in the predetermined pattern.