Light control systems and methods

• US 10,406,967 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chia Ming Chen
• Original Assignee: Chia Ming Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Chia Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US15/307,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,595 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/076 by electrical means including means to transmit the movements, e.g. shafts or joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/20 Fog lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2200/38 Automatic calibration of motor-driven means for adjusting headlamps, i.e. when switching on the headlamps, not during mounting at factories
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/13 Ultraviolet light; Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/635 by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/657 by moving light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/675 by moving reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/18 for overhead signs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering

Abstract

Provided is a beam-steering mechanism, comprising a lens and a light source positioned in a focal plane of the lens. One of the light source and the lens moves relative to the other of the light source and the lens. The light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam. The illumination spot moves in a direction in response to a movement of one of the light source and the lens.

Claims

1. A beam-steering mechanism, comprising:

a lens;

at least one light source positioned in a focal plane of the lens;

a guided rail system, wherein the lens and the at least one light source are on the guided rail system so that one of the at least one light source and the lens moves relative to the other of the at least one light source and the lens, wherein the at least one light source outputs a light beam at the lens which in a first position extends along a first center axis and forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, and wherein the illumination spot is steered so that a direction of the beam changes to extend along a second center axis different than the first center axis and a center region of the illumination spot is steered to a different location of the surface in response to a movement of one of the at least one light source and the lens;

a compass on a rail of the guided rail system to obtain an absolute beam steering direction; and

a beam steering controller that controls the movement of the one of the at least one light source and the lens for steering the illumination spot.

2. The beam steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lens is stationary and the at least one light source moves relative to the stationary lens, and wherein the illumination spot moves in a direction that is opposite a direction of movement of the at least one light source.

3. The beam steering mechanism of claim 2, wherein the guided rail system comprises a first rail, a second rail perpendicular to the first rail, the at least one light source positioned on at least one of the first rail and the second rail, and at least one motor that moves the at least one light source along the at least one of the first rail and the second rail.

4. The beam steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is stationary and the lens moves relative to the at least one light source, and wherein the illumination spot moves in a same direction as a direction of movement of the lens.

5. The beam steering mechanism of claim 4, wherein the guided rail system comprises a first rail, a second rail perpendicular to the first rail, the lens positioned on at least one of the first rail and the second rail, and at least one motor that moves the lens along the at least one of the first rail and the second rail.

6. The beam steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source moves away from or toward the focus of the lens, which changes a size of the illumination spot.

7. The beam steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lens includes a Fresnel lens.