Micro-optical beam-forming array for projecting images of a divergent isotropic cloud of light points, primarily for the entertainment sector

• US 8,300,293 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralf Violonchi
• Original Assignee: Ralf Violonchi
• Inventors: Violonchi, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US12/449,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20100002280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,749 Days
• Field of Search: 359237-238, 359/204.5, 359/201.1, 359/196.1, 359/207.7, 359/211.5, 359/211.6
• US Class Current: 359/238
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/008 for simulation of a starry sky or firmament
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0014 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0052 the light source comprising a laser diode coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0944 Diffractive optical elements, e.g. gratings, holograms gratings per se G02B5/18; holograms used as optical elements per se G02B5/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/04 Star maps

Abstract

The invention relates to a beam-forming array for projecting a divergent isotropic cloud of light points. The array comprises a source (4) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a receiving or connecting possibility for a power source (2), an electrical or electronic subassembly (5), and an optical unit (6) that is arranged in a housing (1) along with the radiation source (4). The radiation source (4) is a semiconductor diode laser or a light emitting diode (LED) while the optical unit (6) is composed of at least two superimposed and grid-shaped spectral films that are offset relative to each other or a diffractive optical element. The optical unit (6) limits the intensity of the emitted radiation and the distance of the light point beams relative to one another to a value that does not pose any risk to a human eye. The invention has the advantage of providing a miniature portable array that is inexpensive to produce and easy to handle for a large spectrum of indoor and outdoor uses in order to project any clouds of light points, particularly of real constellations.

Claims

1. Beam-forming array for the projection of a divergent isotropic cloud, comprising a semiconductor diode laser (4) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a pick-up or connection possibility for an energy source (2), an electric or electronic component (5), an optical unit (6) for the modulation of the radiation emitted by the semiconductor diode laser (4), and grid-shaped spectral films placed out of phase at an angle of 45°

and/or 22.5° and

/or 11.25° and

/or 5.625° and

/or 2.8125°

in front of the optical unit, whereby the optical unit (6) and the radiation source (4) are contained in a housing (1), wherein

the optical unit (6) comprises at least two grid-shaped spectral films placed on top of each other or out of phase or of a diffractive optical element,

the optical unit (6) limits the divergently emitted beams in its intensity and in the distance of the light-point beams to one another at a certain value which does not represent a hazard for the human eye, whereby the power of a light-point beam ≦

1 mW and,

the radiation source (4) is a semiconductor diode with a power of at least 5 mW, preferably 10 mW to 500 mW.

2. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the diffractive optics are 16-stage optics and/or by means of forming the three-dimensional structure of the diffractive optics, the light intensity and the distance to the light-point beams to one another the danger for the human eye is limited to a non-hazardous value.

3. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the array has a protective glass (7) attached in front of the optical unit (6).

4. Array in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a beam-enlarging lens attached in the beam after the diffractive optics and this also serving as protective glass (7).

5. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the exterior form of the light-point cloud is limited by a, preferably mobile mechanical and as an aperture functioning array (8) or the array (8) can be rotated and preferably is spoked.

6. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic component (5) has a microcontroller and a control unit for the radiation source (4).

7. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pick-up or connection for the energy source (2) is executed as a battery or a plug contact and/or the available capacity of the energy source (2) and the operation of the radiation source (4) is displayed optically.

8. Array in accordance with claim 7, wherein the optical operational display is executed as a mono- or multi-colored LED display or as LC display.

9. Array in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing (1) has a diameter from about 8 mm to 30 mm.

10. Array in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means of the array able to project one or more constellations of stars on any shape of surface or a any shape of three dimensional object.