Lighting apparatus and method for detecting reflected light from local objects
First Claim
1. A lighting apparatus comprising:
- one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated;
a light detection apparatus optically isolated from the light radiating devices and operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus; and
a control apparatus operable to sample a first light level using the light detection apparatus at a first time during which the light radiating devices are deactivated;
to sample a second light level using the light detection apparatus at a second time during which the light radiating devices are activated;
to determine whether an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light from the light radiating devices to reflect back to the light detection apparatus using the first and second light levels; and
to control an aspect of the light radiating devices in response to determining that an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light to reflect back to the light detection apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Lighting apparatus and method for detecting reflected light from local objects are disclosed. A controller within a lighting apparatus is used to activate and deactivate one or more LEDs within a duty cycle. The controller uses a light detection apparatus that is optically isolated from the LEDs to sample light levels during a time in which the LEDs are deactivated and during a time in which the LEDs are activated. The light level when the LEDs are deactivated is an indication of the ambient light levels within the surrounding area of the lighting apparatus. The light level when the LEDs are activated is an indication of the ambient light levels combined with any light generated by the LEDs that is reflected onto the light detection apparatus. By comparing these light levels, the controller can determine the level of light attributable to reflected light from the LEDs.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A lighting apparatus comprising:
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one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated; a light detection apparatus optically isolated from the light radiating devices and operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus; and a control apparatus operable to sample a first light level using the light detection apparatus at a first time during which the light radiating devices are deactivated;
to sample a second light level using the light detection apparatus at a second time during which the light radiating devices are activated;
to determine whether an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light from the light radiating devices to reflect back to the light detection apparatus using the first and second light levels; and
to control an aspect of the light radiating devices in response to determining that an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light to reflect back to the light detection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method implemented within a lighting apparatus comprising one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated and a light detection apparatus optically isolated from the light radiating devices and operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus;
- the method comprising;
sampling a first light level using the light detection apparatus at a first time during which the light radiating devices are deactivated; sampling a second light level using the light detection apparatus at a second time during which the light radiating devices are activated; determining whether an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light from the light radiating devices to reflect back to the light detection apparatus using the first and second light levels; and controlling an aspect of the light radiating devices in response to determining that an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light to reflect back to the light detection apparatus.
- the method comprising;
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15. A lighting apparatus comprising:
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one or more light radiating devices; a light detection apparatus optically isolated from the light radiating devices and operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus; and a control apparatus operable to sample a first light level using the light detection apparatus at a first time during which the light radiating devices are radiating light, wherein the light being radiated at the first time being at a first luminous intensity;
to sample a second light level using the light detection apparatus at a second time during which the light radiating devices are radiating light, wherein the light being radiated at the second time being at a second luminous intensity, the second luminous intensity being different than the first luminous intensity; and
determine whether an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light from the light radiating devices to reflect back to the light detection apparatus using the first and second light levels. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method implemented within a lighting apparatus comprising one or more light radiating devices and a light detection apparatus optically isolated from the light radiating devices and operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus;
- the method comprising;
sampling a first light level using the light detection apparatus at a first time during which the light radiating devices are radiating light, wherein the light being radiated at the first time being at a first luminous intensity; sampling a second light level using the light detection apparatus at a second time during which the light radiating devices are radiating light, wherein the light being radiated at the second time being at a second luminous intensity, the second luminous intensity being different than the first luminous intensity; and determining whether an object local to the lighting apparatus has caused light from the light radiating devices to reflect back to the light detection apparatus using the first and second light levels.
- the method comprising;
Specification