Apparatus for transmitting light source to a light detector

• US 6,366,350 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Rand, Ryan J., Thornburg, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US09/643,586
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 356/445, 356/448, 356/43, 356/46, 356/73, 356/47, 356/50, 356/213, 356/222, 356/121, 250/574, 250/216, 250/227.25, 250/341.8, 385/88-91, 372/36, 372/50, 372/92, 372/96, 362/802, 359/867, 359/534
• US Class Current: 356/222
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0411 using focussing or collimating elements, i.e. lenses or mirrors; Aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0422 using light concentrators, collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/0481 Preset integrating sphere or cavity
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4247 for testing lamps or other light sources

Abstract

A light reflector for use with a light source and a light detection mechanism is disclosed. The light source and the light detection mechanism are mounted on a substrate. The light reflector includes a generally hollow portion having a first end and a second end. A reflective surface is disposed upon the first end of the generally hollow portion. The second end is attached to the substrate such that the substrate and the light reflector define a substantially airtight enclosure that is of sufficient size to accommodate therein the light source and the light detection mechanism.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the brightness of light, comprising:

a light source mounted on a planar substrate;

a light detection mechanism mounted on the planar substrate adjacent the light source; and

a light-reflecting component having a reflective surface disposed thereon, the reflective surface positioned to reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the light detection mechanism, the reflective surface being arranged such that light cannot pass therethrough,

wherein the light detection mechanism measures the brightness of the light emitted from the light source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface includes a curved portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is at least partially spherical.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is non-coplanar with the substrate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light-reflecting component and the substrate enclose the light source and the light detection mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light-reflecting component is mounted on the substrate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged equidistant from the light detection mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the substrate and the light-reflecting component define a substantially airtight enclosure around the light detection mechanism and the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a circuit board.

12. A method of detecting the brightness of light that is emitted by an LED, comprising:

mounting the LED on a substantially planar substrate;

mounting a light detection mechanism on the substrate adjacent the LED;

mounting a light-reflecting component on the substrate such that the light-reflecting component and the substrate substantially enclose the LED and the light detection mechanism, the light-reflecting component including a reflective surface that reflects light from the LED and directs the light toward the light detection mechanism, the reflective surface being arranged such that light cannot pass therethrough;

causing the LED to emit light; and

measuring the brightness of the light from the LED that is reflected by the reflective surface and thereby directed toward the light detection mechanism.