Multi-spectral variable focus illuminator
First Claim
1. A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator, comprising:
- a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band;
a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and
an array of lenses positioned in front of the pluralities of first and second light sources, wherein the number of lenses in the array of lenses is smaller than the combined number of light sources in the first and second pluralities of light sources, and wherein the relative positions of the array of lenses and the pluralities of first and second light sources are changeable such that the size of the field illuminated by the first plurality of light sources varies with the relative positions of the array of lenses and the plurality of first light sources, and the size of the field illuminated by the plurality of second light sources varies with the relative positions of the array of lenses and the plurality of second light sources;
wherein the first and second pluralities of light sources are separately controllable such that either of the first and second pluralities of light sources can be energized while the other of the first and second pluralities of light sources is de-energized;
and wherein the multi-spectral variable focus illuminator is configured to position and hold the array of lenses such that at least some of the lenses in the array of lenses are rotationally decentered with respect to the energized plurality light sources about an optical axis of the illuminator, such that the size of the field illuminated by the energized plurality of light sources is determined in part by the prismatic effect of at least some of the plurality of lenses being misaligned with the energized plurality of light sources.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator. The illuminator includes a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band, and a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band. The illuminator includes an array of lenses positioned in front of the light sources. The relative positions of the lens array and the first and second light sources are changeable such that the field illuminated by the first light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the first light sources, and the field illuminated by the second light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the second light sources.
43 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator, comprising:
-
a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band; a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and an array of lenses positioned in front of the pluralities of first and second light sources, wherein the number of lenses in the array of lenses is smaller than the combined number of light sources in the first and second pluralities of light sources, and wherein the relative positions of the array of lenses and the pluralities of first and second light sources are changeable such that the size of the field illuminated by the first plurality of light sources varies with the relative positions of the array of lenses and the plurality of first light sources, and the size of the field illuminated by the plurality of second light sources varies with the relative positions of the array of lenses and the plurality of second light sources; wherein the first and second pluralities of light sources are separately controllable such that either of the first and second pluralities of light sources can be energized while the other of the first and second pluralities of light sources is de-energized; and wherein the multi-spectral variable focus illuminator is configured to position and hold the array of lenses such that at least some of the lenses in the array of lenses are rotationally decentered with respect to the energized plurality light sources about an optical axis of the illuminator, such that the size of the field illuminated by the energized plurality of light sources is determined in part by the prismatic effect of at least some of the plurality of lenses being misaligned with the energized plurality of light sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of illuminating a scene using a multi-spectral variable focus illuminator, the method comprising:
-
energizing a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources emitting light in a first wavelength band; adjusting the position of an array of lenses disposed in front of the plurality of first light sources such that the size of the field illuminated by light from the plurality of first light sources varies in size as the array of lenses moves; de-energizing the plurality of first light sources; after the plurality of first light sources is de-energized, energizing a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and adjusting the position of the array of lenses such that the size of the field illuminated by light from the plurality of second light sources varies in size as the array of lenses moves, wherein adjusting the position of the array of lenses comprises moving the array of lenses in a combination of translation along and rotation about an optical axis of an illuminator in which the pluralities of first and second light sources and the array of lenses are comprised, and wherein adjusting the position of the array of lenses further comprises at times positioning the array of lenses such that the lenses are aligned with the energized plurality of light sources, and at other times positioning and holding the array of lenses such that at least some of the lenses in the array of lenses are rotationally decentered with respect to the energized plurality light sources about an optical axis of the illuminator, such that the size of the field illuminated by the energized plurality of light sources is determined in part by the prismatic effect of at least some of the plurality of lenses being misaligned with the energized plurality of light sources; wherein the number of lenses in the array of lenses is smaller than the combined number of light sources in the first and second pluralities of light sources. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification