Wearable light device with optical sensor

• US 20050099798A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foxfury
• Original Assignee: Foxfury
• Inventors: Sarno, Gioacchino, Rex, Tracy, Brakley, Jeff, Serafin, Martin, Ulloa, Jose, Giusti, Ralph, Cugini, Mario, Serafin, Clement
• Granted Patent: US 6,966,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/105
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/00 Electric lighting devices without a self-contained power source, e.g. for mains connection
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/04 Illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Wearable light device for providing additional light for activities in low light includes a wearable mount (20) including a light system (30) and power source (40). Light system (30) includes one or more arrays of light sources such as light-emitting diodes (33). Photo sensor (34) detects ambient light or emitted light returned from a reflective surface and causes control circuit (45) to dim light emission.

Claims

1. A wearable light device;

including;

a mount adapted for being worn on the body;

a light system;

including;

a circuit board;

a plurality of visible light sources attached to said circuit board for emitting light generally parallel with the wearer'"'"'s direction of gaze; and

a light sensor attached to said circuit board for sensing light approaching said sensor;

a power source for energizing said light sources, said light sensor, including;

a battery;

a housing for said battery; and

a cable connecting said battery and said light system for transmitting electrical energy to said light system; and

a control circuit for decreasing the intensity of light emitted from said light sources in proportion to the intensity of light striking said sensor.

2. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said plurality of visible light sources including;

a first array of light sources for emitting light of a first color or type;

a second array of light sources for emitting light of a second color or type; and

wherein said control circuit is adapted to selectively activate said first array or said second array individually or together.

3. The wearable light device of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is shielded from sensing light emitted directly from said light sources of said light system.

4. The wearable light device of claim 2;

said first array consisting of a plurality of light sources for emitting white light; and

said second array consisting of a plurality of light sources for emitting light of a different color selected to provide improved vision in the expected environment.

5. The wearable light device of claim 2;

said first array consisting of a plurality of light sources for emitting red light disposed on said mount such that the red light emitted by said first array is directed behind the wearer for alerting persons behind the wearer to the wearer'"'"'s location and direction of movement.

6. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said mount being adapted for being attached to an article of headgear.

7. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said mount being adapted for being attached to a garment.

8. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said mount being adapted for wearing upon the head.

9. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said housing being adapted for wearing upon a part of the body.

10. The wearable light device of claim 1;

said housing being adapted for being attached to an article of clothing.

11. The wearable light device of claim 1, said device adapted for use in a simulation game.

16. The wearable light device of claim 1, said wearable light device adapted for video games, and video game modes.

17. The wearable light device of claim 1, said wearable light device to include a photopic light sensor.

18. The wearable light device of claim 1, said wearable light device to include a logarithmic response to drive the light output intensity and match the human eye.

12. A wearable light device;

including;

a mount adapted for being worn on the body;

a light system;

including;

a circuit board;

a first array of light sources attached to said circuit board for emitting light of a first color generally parallel with the wearer'"'"'s direction of gaze;

a second array of light sources attached to said circuit board for emitting light of a second color; and

a light sensor attached to said circuit board for sensing light approaching said sensor;

a power source for energizing said light sources;

including;

a source of electricity; and

a cable connecting said source of electricity and said light system for transmitting electrical energy to said light system; and

a control circuit for decreasing the intensity of light emitted from said light sources in proportion to the intensity of light striking said sensor; and

wherein;

said light sensor is shielded from sensing light directly emitted from said light sources of said light system.

13. The wearable light device of claim 12, said control circuit including:

a power switch for selectively stopping said conductor from transmitting electrical energy from said source of electricity to said light system; and

at least one response control means for selecting the desired output of said control circuit.

14. The wearable light device of claim 13, said response control means including:

array selection means such that said control circuit can provide different outputs to said first array and said second array in response to a single input from said light sensor.

15. The wearable light device of claim 12;

said light system and said power source further adapted for use in outdoor sports by being substantially waterproof.

19. A light device wearable on a human body, the light device comprising:

a mount configured to be worn on the human body;

a plurality of visible light sources disposed on the mount for emitting light generally parallel with the wearer'"'"'s direction of gaze; and

a light sensor disposed on the mount, wherein light emitted by the plurality of visible light sources is adjusted in response to an intensity of light incident on the light sensor.

20. The light device of claim 19, wherein an intensity of the light emitted by the plurality of visible light sources is decreased in response to an increase in the intensity of light incident on the light sensor.

21. The light device of claim 19, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the plurality of visible light sources is increased in response to a decrease in the intensity of light incident on the light sensor.