Multiple beam light source

A portable light having a transmitter configured to emit a signal, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, a source of electric light that includes a plurality of light modes, a power source, and a controller connected to a circuit, wherein the transmitter, the receiver, the source of electric light, the power source, and the switch are included in the circuit. The controller is configured to control the switch and a transition between or among the plurality of light modes in response to the signal received by the receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201220629656.6, filed Nov. 26, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a light source having multiple beams and a hands-free switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many conventional flashlights or lamps are turned on and off using a pushbutton that actuates a mechanical switch mechanism that opens and closes one or more sets of electrical contacts in order to turn the flashlight on or off or to transition the light between various modes. For example, the lamp may include multiple beams to provide either a spotlight or a flood light. There are certain applications in which a mechanical switch is burdensome for the user, for example, in situations in which the user requires the use of both hands and does not have a free hand in which to operate the lamp. Such situations are commonly experienced in emergency situations by fire-fighters, first responders, and military/security personnel. In addition to emergency situations, requiring two free hands is a common need in industrial/commercial settings such as utility workers who frequently access high wires or utility poles or miners who work underground. In such situations, the ability to have free hands becomes a critical safety issue.

Accordingly, there is a need to have a source of light that may be easily operated without a mechanical switch in a hands-free fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable light is disclosed that may be operated in a hands-free fashion comprising a transmitter configured to emit a signal, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, a source of electric light comprising a plurality of light modes, a power source, and a controller connected to a circuit comprising the transmitter, the receiver, the source of electric light, the power source, and a switch. The controller is configured to control the switch and a transition between the plurality of light modes in response to the signal received by the receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a source of light, such as a lamp, that does not require the use of a mechanical switch in order to operate the lamp. The present invention may be in the form of various types of portable lighting, such as headlights, flashlights, lanterns, spotlights, bike lights, and book lights. Therefore, while the present invention is particularly useful in applications in which the user may not have a free hand to operate the light, such as emergency situations, the present invention is not limited to such applications.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the light source is an LED lamp that includes at least two modes, a spotlight and a floodlight. The control of the power to the light source, as well as the transition between the two modes may be achieved without a mechanical switch. This control is accomplished by use of a signal emitter and signal receiver and a controller which is able to recognize the distance travelled by the signal. Various types of signal generating means may be used as will be understood by those of skill in the art, including for example, an infrared (IR) light emitter or an ultrasound emitter. The use of IR is used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The present invention may include one or more set of signal transmitters or receivers. According to one embodiment, the invention is in the form of a lamp having a lamp housing, with an IR transmitter and an IR receiver installed in the front of the lamp housing. When the light is turned on, an encoded IR signal is emitted by an IR transmitter. If an obstacle is located within a certain range of distances from the IR transmitter, the IR signal will reflect off of the obstacle and will be received by the IR receiver. Once the controller recognizes that the obstacle is within the particular range, the flood light is energized. When no obstacle is detected within the range, the controller will de-energize the floodlight and energize the spotlight.

As will be understood by those having skill in the art, the triggers for the floodlight and spotlight may be reversed to that previously described or the range of distances which will trigger a response may be lowered, raised, narrowed, or broadened depending on the desired sensitivity of the receiver and the intended application for the lamp. Also, the transmitter and receiver may be independently positioned in different locations in the housing. By positioning the IR transmitter and receiver on the front of the lamp, the IR signal will be emitted in generally the same direction as the light. Therefore, as the user moves, the mode will automatically transition to either the spotlight or the flood light providing the appropriate amount of light for a given situation. In an exemplary embodiment, when an obstacle is recognized, a controller associated with the portable light is programmed to energize a floodlight which has a soft, wide beam that is useful when illuminating something which is a short distance from the light source. When illuminating a distant object, a brighter, narrow beam, such as a spot light is often more useful than a floodlight.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lamp, in addition to having a first signal transmitter and receiver pair on the front of the housing, may also include a second signal transmitter and receiver pair on the side of the lamp housing. The second signal transmitter and receiver pair may operate in a similar fashion by detecting an obstacle or motion in order to trigger various modes. For example, a user may wave a hand in front of the second signal transmitter and receiver pair. The controller will recognize that an obstacle is within a certain range of distances in front of the second signal transmitter and receiver pair, for example 0 to 30 cm, and will transition between the spotlight and floodlight or activate various other modes, such as transitioning between various intensities of light (i.e. high, medium, and low light) or a strobe mode. The second signal emitter and receiver pair may also be used to override the first signal transmitter and receiver pair, so that the user may force the transition between the floodlight and the spot light. Including a second signal transmitter and receiver pair allows a user to control the various functions of the lamp hands-free, which may be advantageous if the user is, for example, holding tools with both hands and would otherwise be unable to operate a mechanical switch.

Referring now to, the figures, in which like numerals refer to like parts,FIGS. 1 through 8illustrate an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a headlamp10containing a light source. Headlamp10is merely one exemplary embodiment of the present invention that may be worn on a user's head or attached to headgear. Other exemplary embodiments include portable lights for uniforms or vehicles, such as an automobile or a bicycle. Headlamp10includes a base portion12and a lamp housing14. Any suitable material may be used to fabricate base portion12and lamp housing14. In an exemplary embodiment, base portion12and lamp housing14are made from the same material, a plastic. Base portion12includes a groove13through which a belt or strap (now shown) may be inserted in order to fasten headlamp10to a surface, a user's head, or to head gear. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, base portion12may include other fastening means which allow headlamp10to be worn or removably mounted onto a surface. In this way, base portion12acts as a mount. Extending from base portion12are two generally perpendicular arms16,18to which lamp housing14is attached. In an exemplary embodiment, attachment between lamp housing14and arms16,18are such that lamp housing14is allowed to rotate or pivot, allowing a user to direct the light source in a particular direction. Lamp housing14may be rotated manually or, alternatively, a motor or some other mechanical means may be used to adjust the position of lamp housing14.

Lamp housing14includes a front face20from which light or a signal may be emitted. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 8, lamp housing14includes a spotlight22and a floodlight24as light sources, an IR transmitter26, and an IR receiver28. By positioning IR transmitter26and IR receiver28on front face20of lamp housing14, an IR signal from IR transmitter26and a beam of light from a light source (such as spotlight22or floodlight24) may be transmitted in a common direction, and a control circuit49(FIG. 17) is able to recognize and illuminate an obstacle within a certain range of distances from the light source. Control circuit49is able to achieve this, for example, by determining the time of flight or comparing intensity of the signal emitted by IR transmitter26with the IR signal received by IR receiver28. Control circuit49is configured to calculate at least one of distance and duration travelled by the signal and to select one of a plurality of modes when the distance is greater than or less than a predetermined or programmed set point or value. This set point or value may optionally be a distance selected by the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, when an obstacle is present within a short distance, an IR signal emitted by IR transmitter26will be received by IR receiver28and floodlight24will be activated. The maximum distance of the obstacle which will trigger illumination by floodlight24is preferably commensurate with the intensity of light that floodlight24is able to emit, such that the obstacle will be sufficiently illuminated. When there is no obstacle, i.e. when IR receiver28does not receive an IR signal, the default mode of headlamp10is that of spotlight22. In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum lumens emitted by either spotlight22or floodlight24is selected based upon the application for headlamp10. For example, the maximum lumens required for an indoor application, such as a book light, would be less than the lumens necessary for a lamp intended for outdoor use at night.

Headlamp10may also include a second IR transmitter30and a second IR receiver32on the side of headlamp10, for example located on arm18. As mentioned above, IR transmitter30and IR receiver32operates in a similar fashion as IR transmitter26and IR receiver28. A user may simply wave a hand or an article such as a tool in front of IR transmitter30and IR receiver32at distance which is within a certain predefined range. Once the signal is received by IR receiver32, control circuit49may accordingly energize either floodlight24or spotlight22or may adjust the intensity of the light or enable a strobe light. Control circuit49may be programmed such that headlamp10transitions between or among each of the various modes every time an obstacle or motion is sensed by IR receiver32. Alternatively, control circuit49may be programmed to initiate a light mode depending on the distance of the obstacle. For example, waiving a hand within five centimeters of IR transmitter30and IR receiver32may initiate a strobe function, while waiving a hand ten to twenty centimeters from IR transmitter30and IR receiver32may allow the user to transition among various intensities of light, i.e. low, medium, and high.

While the present invention is intended to obviate the need for mechanical switches, lamps made according to the present invention may include manual switches which are used to override the automatically controlled functions. In an exemplary embodiment, the manual switches are mechanical. For example referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, a first manual switch21and a second manual switch23are located on the top of lamp housing14. Switch21may be used to manually transition between spotlight22and floodlight24and switch23may be used to trigger automatic distance detection for transitioning between the lights (or vice versa). As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a lamp made according to the present invention may include one or more manual mechanical switches in order to supply power to the various components within the system, i.e. spotlight22, floodlight24, IR transmitter26, receiver28, and control circuit49, or to transition the source of electric light between a plurality of light modes, including the intensity of the light.

Referring now toFIGS. 9 through 16, headlamp10is illustrated with a battery housing36. Any means of connecting battery housing36to headlamp10may be used, such as an insulated cord38, and such methods of connection are understood by those of skill in the art. Cord38connects to a connector34located on arm16of headlamp10. Cord38may include multiple conducting wires to transmit current and/or signals between the components within headlamp10and batter housing36. Battery housing36includes a power source for the various components within the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the power source is in the form of a battery and may be rechargeable. If the battery is rechargeable, battery housing36may include an input that is adapted to receive an adapter, so that the rechargeable battery may be recharged using conventional means, such as a standard electrical outlet.

Cord38is connected to battery housing36at a connection point37. Adjacent to connection point37is an indicator48. Indicator48provides information about the state of the headlamp10. Such information may include and is not limited to the state of charge of the battery or whether a particular mode or setting has been activated, such as automatic distance detection. Battery housing36may also include an attachment plate40, similar to base12of headlamp10. Attachment plate40may include a plurality of grooves42,44,46that may be used to fasten battery housing36by using a belt or straps. Because headlamp10may be fastened to the front of headgear or the forehead of a user, the shape and location of base12may be configured to mount the battery housing36to the back of the headgear or rear of a user's head. Battery housing36may be made of a similar material as lamp housing14and base12which is made of plastic in an exemplary embodiment.

Thus, according to the present invention, a portable light is disclosed comprising a transmitter configured to emit a signal, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter which is often reflected, a source of electric light comprising a plurality of light modes, a power source, and a controller connected to a circuit comprising the transmitter, the receiver, the source of electric light, the power source, and a switch. The controller may be configured to control the switch and a transition between the plurality of light modes in response to the signal received by the receiver. The portable light optionally may further comprise a manual controller configured to control the supply of power from the power source to at least one of the source of electric light, transmitter, receiver, and controller.

As understood by those having skill in the art, the control circuits for an embodiment according to the present invention, such as control circuit49connecting the various electronic components of a headlamp10, may be designed in a variety of ways. Referring toFIG. 17, an exemplary circuit diagram for control circuit49is illustrated. InFIG. 17, a first segment50(designated with a dashed box) of control circuit49is illustrated which includes a spotlight LED1and a floodlight LED2which may be turned on and off by actuating a manual switch S1located in a second segment52of control circuit49. Also, located in segment52is a controller (or chip) U2which controls the transition between the various modes of operation of spotlight LED1and floodlight LED2by switch S1or by the signals received by IR receivers re1, re2in a third segment54of the control circuit49. The signals are generated by IR transmitters D5, D6in a fourth segment56of control circuit49. Located in a fifth segment58of control circuit49are means of ensuring a stable power supply for controller U2and IR transmitters D5, D6.

In an exemplary method of operation of control circuit49, spotlight LED1is energized upon actuating switch S1once. Upon switch S1a second time, floodlight LED2is then energized. When switch S1is actuated a third time, spotlight LED1shuts off. The switching between spotlight LED1and flood light LED2may be achieved in the same manner without actuating switch S1, but instead by waiving an obstacle, such as a hand, in front of an IR transmitter (such as IR transmitter26) so that an IR receiver (such as IR receiver28) recognizes the presence of an obstacle or is able to detect motion in close proximity to the lamp housing. If the obstacle is detected within a certain range of distance, a signal is transmitted to controller U2which initiates the transition between the various modes as previously described.

Also located within segment52is a second manual switch S2which when actuated will activate automatic distance detection. When switch S2is actuated once, controller U2supplies power to IR transmitters D5, D6, thus initiating automatic distance detection. Referring toFIG. 18, an exemplary embodiment of automatic distance detection includes an IR receiver60mounted on the front of lamp62receiving a signal from an IR transmitter64when an obstacle66is within a certain distance L, for example <3.5 meters. IR transmitter64is also mounted on the front of lamp60. IR receiver60in this circumstance will transmit a signal which upon recognition will activate floodlight68. If there is no obstacle within 3.5 meters, no signal will be received by IR receiver60, as illustrated inFIG. 19, resulting in deactivation of floodlight68and activation of spotlight70. During operation, modes will be switched automatically from spotlight to floodlight (or vice versa) based on whether obstacles are detected within a certain distance. The automatic distance detection may be overridden when, for example, an obstacle or motion is detected by a second signal transmitter and receiver pair located on the side of the lamp.

Segments50,52,54,56, and58inFIG. 17may be found on a single or multiple printed circuit boards which may be housed in various compartments of the headlamp10. For example, printed circuit boards carrying one or more of segments50,52,54,56, and58may be located in one or both of lamp housing14or battery housing36. In an exemplary embodiment, a printed circuit board connected to controller U2, spotlight22, floodlight24, IR transmitter26, and IR receiver28are located in lamp housing14, while a separate printed circuit board connected to indicator48is located in battery housing36.