Electro-optical illumination control system

• US 4,471,385 A
• Filed: 12/13/1977
• Issued: 09/11/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Original Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Inventors: Hyatt, Gilbert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murray, Richard
• Application Number:
  US05/860,278
• Time in Patent Office: 2,464 Days
• Field of Search: 358/229, 358/231, 358/254, 358/230, 362/84, 362/373
• US Class Current: 348/766
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/897 using application of holographic techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8977 using special techniques for image reconstruction, e.g. FFT, geometrical transformations, spatial deconvolution, time deconvolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52026 Extracting wanted echo signals Doppler systems G01S15/50; Doppler short range imaging systems G01S15/8979
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7049 Technique, e.g. interferometric
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7088 Alignment mark detection, e.g. TTR, TTL, off-axis detection, array detector, video detection
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 99/006 Electronic time-pieces using a microcomputer, e.g. for multi-function clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/408 characterised by data handling or data format, e.g. reading, buffering or conversion of data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4086 Coordinate conversions; Other special calculations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4093 characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4142 characterised by the use of a microprocessor G05B19/4141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33182 Uart, serial datatransmission, modem
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34023 Risc processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34098 Slope fitting, fairing contour, curve fitting, transition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34471 : Program memory is inhibited, not accessible as long as power fails
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34472 : Configure alterable memory as read only, to avoid erasing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35262 : Macro instruction, canned cycles, subroutines, subprogram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35263 : Using variables, parameters in program, macro, parametrized instruction
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35373 : Data storage, buffer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35431 : Interactive
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35436 : Means, manual input, input reference, hand wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35453 : Voice announcement, oral, speech input
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35472 : Mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35554 : Mirror, other conversions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36152 : Panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36333 : Selection from standard forms, shapes, partprograms, enter value for variable
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36366 : Data, read in, distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36379 : Read in
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36503 : Adapt program to real coordinates, software orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36546 : Memory protection, protected fields
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41021 : Variable gain
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/42237 : Pwm pulse width modulation, pulse to position modulation ppm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45214 : Gear cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45215 : Thread cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49221 : Control of scale
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50047 : Positioning, indexing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50048 : Jogging
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50083 : Power loss, measures again loss of power
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50151 : Orient, translate, align workpiece to fit position assumed in program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/12 : using hardware independent of the central processor, e.g. channel or peripheral processor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/16 : for access to memory bus G06F13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06J 1/00 : Hybrid computing arrangements digitally-programmed analogue computers G06G7/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 : electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/00 : Speech or audio signals analysis-synthesis techniques for redundancy reduction, e.g. in vocoders; Coding or decoding of speech or audio signals, using source filter models or psychoacoustic analysis in musical instruments G10H
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/565 : using capacitive charge storage elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3418 : Disturbance prevention or evaluation; Refreshing of disturbed memory data
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3431 : Circuits or methods to detect disturbed nonvolatile memory cells, e.g. which still read as programmed but with threshold less than the program verify threshold or read as erased but with threshold greater than the erase verify threshold, and to reverse the disturbance via a refreshing programming or erasing step
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/287 : Organisation of a multiplicity of shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/36 : using multistable semiconductor elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/00 : Electric analogue stores, e.g. for storing instantaneous values
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/04 : Shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1042 : using interleaving techniques, i.e. read-write of one part of the memory while preparing another part
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 : Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

Control of illumination with illumination amplifier devices provides a basis for implementing various types of illumination systems. Also illumination amplifiers in closed illumination servo loops provide improved illumination control. An illumination control system provides precise control of camera operations for photographic and photoplotter applications. Illumination amplifier devices are used in conjunction with electronic control circuits to provide flexibility and precision in camera systems, reducing reliance on prior art mechanical devices.

Illumination control circuits are presented in the form of digital gates and flip-flops and in the form of analog computational elements to provide illumination computer systems. In addition, a batch fabricated illumination computer arrangement is presented for improved implementation of illumination control systems.

Illumination amplifiers are further configured for control of illumination in buildings and automobiles. Various types of devices such as windows, shutters, shades and visors are configured with illumination amplifiers to provide electronic control of illumination.

Batch fabricated display arrangements are provided having an illumination source integral with an illumination amplifier for low cost, small volume, and flexibility. Also, colored display arrangements are provided for control of colors with illumination amplifier devices.

A projection illumination amplifier arrangement is provided having high-intensity large-screen capability and heat transfer design for cooling.

Claims

1. An illumination control system comprising:

control means for generating a pulse modulated control signal, said control means including

a. means for generating an analog input signal and

b. means for generating the pulse modulated control signal in response to the analog input signal; and

illumination amplifier means for controlling illumination in response to the pulse modulated control signal.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said illumination amplifier means includes a liquid crystal device for providing controlled transmissivity in response to the pulse modulated control signal.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said illumination amplfier means includes means for controlled reflectivity in response to the pulse modulated control signal.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said system is a television receiver system.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said pulse modulated signal generating means includes means for generating a pulse width modulated control signal in response to the analog input signal, wherein the control signal is a pulse width modulated control signal, wherein the pulse width modulated control signal has a pulse width characteristic that is related to amplitude of the analog input signal, and wherein the controlled illumination from said illumination amplifier means has an intensity characteristic that is related to the pulse width characteristic of the pulse width modulated control signal.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the controlled illumination from said illumination amplifier means has an intensity characteristic that is related to an amplitude characteristic of the analog input signal.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the controlled illumination from said illumination amplifier means has an illumination intensity characteristic that is related to modulation of said pulse modulated control signal.

8. An illumination control system comprising:

analog means for processing an analog signal;

pulse modulation means for generating a pulse modulated signal in response to the processed analog signal from said analog means; and

illumination amplifier means for controlling intensity of illumination in response to the pulse modulated signal.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 above, wherein said pulse modulation means includes means for controlling width of a pulse in response to amplitude of the processed analog signal and wherein the intensity controlled illumination from said illumination amplifier means has an intensity that is related to pulse width of the pulse modulated signal from said pulse modulation means.

10. An illumination control system comprising:

illumination source for generating source illumination;

electrical control means for generating an electrical control signal;

a liquid crystal device for generating controlled illumination in response to the source illumination from said illumination source means and the electrical control signal from said electrical control means; and

projection means for generating projection illumination in response to the controlled illumination.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10 above, wherein said projection means includes an optical lens for generating the projected illumination in response to the controlled illumination.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10 above, further comprising screen means for generating an illumination image in response to the projected illumination.

13. An illumination control system comprising:

illumination amplifier means for controlling illumination and

heat transfer means for removing heat from said illumination amplifier means.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13 above, further comprising control means for generating an electrical control signal, wherein said illumination amplifier means is responsive to the electrical control signal for controlling the illuminaton.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14 above, further comprising a high intensity illumination source for generating high intensity illumination, wherein said illumination amplifier means is arranged for controlling the illumination in response to the high intensity illumination from said illumination source.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15 above, further comprising projection means for projecting the controlled illumination from said illumination amplifier means.

17. An illumination control system comprising:

illumination amplifier means for controlling illumination in response to an electrical control signal;

means for generating the electrical signal; and

means for cooling said illumination amplifier means.

18. The system as set forth in claim 17 above, wherein said cooling means includes forced air means for conductively cooling said illumination amplifier means with forced air flow.

19. The system as set forth in claim 17 above, wherein said cooling means includes a heat sink for transferring heat from said illumination amplifier means.

20. The system as set forth in claim 17 above, wherein said cooling means includes fluid conducting means for conducting cooling fluid to improve heat transfer from said illumination amplifier means.

21. The system as set forth in claim 17 above, wherein said cooling means includes integral cooling means for improving heat transfer from said illumination amplifier means, said integral cooling means being constructed as an integral part of said illumination amplifier means.

22. An illumination control system comprising an illumination amplifier for controlling illumination, said illumination amplifier including

a. substrate means for containing electro-optical material,

b. edge supporting means for supporting said substrate means at an outer edge, and

c. internal supporting means for supporting said substrate means internal to the outer edge.

23. The system as set forth in claim 22 above, wherein said illumination amplifier includes a large panel illumination amplifier and wherein said internal supporting means includes supporting elements for providing the internal support.

24. The system as set forth in claim 22 above, further comprising means for mounting said illumination amplifier as a window of a building.