Self-adaptable light source

Self-adaptable light source and methods to make various types of a light source for the benefit of a user. One embodiment is a method of making a self-adaptable light source. A second embodiment is a self-adaptable light source that has a data processor. A third embodiment is a self-adaptable light source that has two accelerometers. Various embodiments have one or no buttons needed to change the operational state of the light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of light sources, and more specifically to providing self-adaptable light sources.

Description of the Prior Art

Light sources (e.g., flashlights, lanterns, light fixtures (both portable and fixed), and equivalents) have been known and used for many years, but such light sources have been limited in their usefulness.

One problem with prior art light sources is that they require mechanical movements by a user to focus a light beam (e.g., the user must move or twist something on the prior art light source to change it from producing a narrow beam to producing a wide beam or vice versa) or to change the light source from a lantern into a flashlight or vice versa. Another problem with the prior art light sources is that they do not indicate when their battery will run out. Prior art light sources are unintelligent and do not give the user valuable information about the battery of the light source or estimate the operational time remaining

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods to manufacture a self-adaptable light source and implementations of self-adaptable light sources. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in numerous ways. Three aspects of the invention are described below.

A first aspect of the invention is directed to a method to make a self-adaptable light source. The method includes fabricating one or more substrates, wherein the one or more substrates can support one or more lights and a data processor; coupling one or more batteries to the one or more substrates; coupling an accelerometer to the one or more batteries; coupling a data processor to the accelerometer; coupling a plurality of lights to the data processor, wherein the data processor can change the operation of the plurality of lights depending on the orientation of the intelligent light source; and placing the one or more substrates inside a self-adaptable light source body and head to assemble a complete unit.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a self-adaptable light source. The self-adaptable light source includes one or more substrates that can support a plurality of lights and a data processor; one or more batteries, wherein the one or more batteries are coupled to the one or more substrates; an accelerometer coupled to the one or more batteries; a data processor coupled to the one or more batteries and the accelerometer; and a plurality of lights coupled to the data processor, wherein the data processor can change the operation of the plurality of lights depending on the orientation of the self-adaptable light source.

A third aspect of the invention is directed to a method of making a self-adaptable light source. The method of making a self-adaptable light source includes fabricating one or more substrates, wherein the one or more substrates can support one or more lights and a data processor; coupling one or more batteries to the one or more substrates; coupling an accelerometer to the one or more batteries; coupling a data processor to the first accelerometer; coupling a plurality of lights to the data processor, wherein the data processor can change the operation of the plurality of lights depending on the orientation of the self-adaptable light source; coupling an optional second accelerometer to the data processor and the one or more batteries; and placing the one or more substrates inside a self-adaptable light source body and head to assemble a complete unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the inventions can be constructed from off-the-shelf components. In all of the embodiments disclosed below, different materials could be used for the self-adaptable light source, including but not exclusively: various plastics, resins, papers, fabrics, plant fibers, ceramics, and metals. The metal pieces would typically be made from a metal or some metal alloy, but could alternatively be made from other resilient materials, such as plastics, and other equivalent man-made materials.

For a user, it would be helpful to be able to adjust the operation of the light source by changing the orientation of the light source, and focus the light source by rotating the light source around its axis. In various embodiments, elimination of all buttons and switches would also have advantages.

Components

In various embodiments, the self-adaptable light source includes one or more of the following types of components. Table 1 provides a list of components for one embodiment of the invention as shown in the following figures, but alternative embodiments can have a subset of the following components or additional components.

TABLE 1Lantern Light 101In one embodiment this includes one ormore LEDS controlled by pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) or voltage control. Inone embodiment this is a wide area light.In one embodiment it may includereflectors or equivalents.Head 102 andIn one embodiment the head and bodyBody 103.provide a plastic enclosure that has a topand bottom used to house all the electronicsinside the product.Digital Focus 201In one embodiment this adjusts the lightbetween multiple flood light and beamstates and intensities.Cap Sense Body 202optional in various embodimentsBeam Light 205In one embodiment this includes one ormore LEDs controlled by pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) or voltage control.Flood Lights 206In one embodiment this includes one ormore LEDs controlled by pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) or voltage control.Soft-Switch 207optional in various embodiments1D, 2D, 3Doptional in various embodimentsAccelerometer 304One or moreIn one embodiment this can be one or morebatteries 306.lithium polymer batteries 3.7V (But inalternative embodiments this can be anytype of battery, e.g., lithium ion, lithiumFE, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydrate,lead acid, or any other electrochemicalstorage technology.)Data Processor 305.In one embodiment, it has analog to digitalconverters built-in to detect the voltageacross the current detection circuit. In oneembodiment the data processor (e.g., amicroprocessor or micro-controller orequivalent) also has digital input andoutput ports to control the display graphicsand buttons for user input.Rubber cap 501OptionalHead enclosure 502OptionalBeam focus 503OptionalPrinted CircuitOptionalBoard 600

Various embodiments of the invention can be implemented on one or more substrates. One embodiment utilizes only one substrate. One embodiment utilizes a first substrate and a second substrate. One embodiment utilizes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate.

Various embodiments of the invention can utilize LEDs that, for example, are commercially available from the following manufacturers—Cree Inc., with corporate headquarters in Durham, N.C. (e.g., the Xlamp XT-E or equivalents); Lite-On Inc., with corporate headquarters in Milpitas, Calif. (e.g., the LTPL or equivalents); Philips Lumileds, with corporate headquarters in San Jose, Calif. (e.g., the Luxeon Z or equivalents).

Various embodiments of the invention can utilize a data processor, such as a micro-controller or microprocessor that is commercially available from the following manufacturers—Microchip Technology Inc., with corporate headquarters in Chandler, Ariz.; Cypress Semiconductor, with corporate headquarters in San Jose, Calif.; Texas Instruments, with corporate headquarters in Dallas, Tex. (e.g., the ARM9 or equivalents); Zilog, with corporate headquarters in Milpitas, Calif. (e.g., the Z180 or equivalents); and Freescale Semiconductor, with corporate headquarters in Austin, Tex. (e.g., the MPC83xx, or equivalents).

Various embodiments of the invention can utilize accelerometers that, for example, are commercially available from the following manufacturers—Bosch Sensortec, with corporate headquarters in Reutlingen, Kusterdingen, Germany (e.g., the BMA222 or equivalents); Kionix Inc., with corporate headquarters in Ithaca, N.Y. (e.g., the KXTC9 or equivalents); and Murata Electronics, with corporate headquarters in Kyoto, Japan (e.g., the SCA3060 or equivalents).

Various embodiments of the invention can utilize connectors that, for example, are commercially available from the following manufacturers—Molex Inc., with corporate headquarters in Lisle, Ill.; 3M Company, with corporate headquarters in Maplewood, Minn.; and Panasonic, with corporate headquarters in Osaka, Japan.

Various embodiments of the invention can utilize batteries that, for example, are commercially available from the following manufacturers—Dongguan Kanyo Battery Technology Co LTD., with corporate headquarters in Guangdong, China; and Unitech Battery Limited, with corporate headquarters in Shenzhen City, China.

In various embodiments, there is a user interface that allows the user to change operation of the light source by moving the light source in selected ways or by using a button. In various embodiments, the button can be a mechanical push button, switch, capacitive sense, or any equivalent type of human interface method to capture user input. In summary, various embodiments of the invention can lack any buttons, or include one or more of the following user interfaces (1) physical buttons, including soft or hard buttons, and (2) capacitive sense buttons or making the shell of the flashlight a capacitive sense button.

Various embodiments of the invention can have varying sizes of batteries, capacities, and battery technology types (e.g., lithium polymer, lithium ion, lithium FE, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydrate, lead acid, or any other electrochemical storage technology). Various embodiments of the invention can have one or more outputs to charge one or more devices. In various embodiments, the data can be displayed by connecting by wireless or wire connectivity to smart-phones, tablet computers, personal computers (PCs), or equivalents. In one embodiment the data can be sent to a smart-phone app to view all the data. Various embodiments of the invention can thus use an external display instead of a display built into the product.

Various embodiments of the invention can have varying output voltages, for example 5.0 volts, 3.3 volts, etc. Various embodiments of the invention can have various output plugs (e.g., USB, FireWire and equivalents) and just not limited to USB male A. Various embodiments of the invention can have various input plugs to accommodate different formats of charging the battery of the self-adaptable light source. Various embodiments of the invention can have a rubber seal around the mating top and bottom of the enclosure to make the enclosure water tight, and water resistant.

Data Processor Calculations

Some embodiments of the invention can have a data processor (e.g., a microprocessor or a micro-controller or an equivalent) that will be able to determine at any given time the rate of current draw going in and out of the battery. Various embodiments of the invention with a higher sampling rate will give a more accurate calculation.

FIGS. 1 through 4illustrate the novel features of the self-adaptable light source in various embodiments. The self-adaptable light source head102contains the physical lantern light101built into the head portion of the self-adaptable light source. In one embodiment, the lantern light101also has, but is not limited to, a convex, parabolic reflector which can be made of plastic or metal with a reflective surface. This reflective surface may have a mirror-like or textured surface.

FIG. 1illustrates a basic self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 1shows a self-adaptable light source comprising a lantern light101, a head102, a body103, a digital focus201(which adjusts the light between multiple flood and beam states and intensities), a cap sense body202, a soft-switch207, an end cap402, and a head enclosure502.

FIG. 2illustrates an alternative self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2shows a self-adaptable light source comprising a lantern light101, a head102, a body103, a digital focus201(which adjusts the light between multiple flood and beam states and intensities), a cap sense body202, an end cap402, and a head enclosure502.

FIG. 3illustrates a front view of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3shows a beam focus503, a beam light205and three flood lights206. In another embodiment, it could be one or more flood lights206.

In one embodiment, the beam light205, flood light206, and lantern light101use LEDs204controlled by pulse-width modulation (PWM) or voltage control to adjust the light of the light source. In one embodiment, the digital focus201adjusts the light between multiple flood and beam states by blending the beam light205with the flood light206using pulse-width modulation (PWM) or voltage control, or an equivalent control.

FIG. 4Aillustrates an exploded isometric view of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4Ashows a self-adaptable light source comprising a first substrate100, an optional second substrate200, a lantern light101, a head102, a body103, a cap sense body202, a plurality of dimmable LEDs (where in various embodiments the LEDs are brightened or dimmed by pulse-width modulation (PWM) or voltage control, or by equivalent methods) to implement a beam light205and a flood light206, an optional third substrate300, one 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer304, a data processor305, and a battery with charger circuit306(e.g., a lithium polymer battery or equivalent). In addition, in this embodiment there are also an end cap402, a decorative ring404, a head cap408, a rubber cap501, a head enclosure502, a beam focus503, and an optional substrate600with a soft-switch207.

FIG. 4Billustrates an exploded isometric view of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4Bshows a self-adaptable light source comprising a first substrate100, an optional second substrate200, a lantern light101, a head102, a body103, a cap sense body202, a plurality of dimmable LEDs (where in various embodiments the LEDs are controlled by pulse-width modulation (PWM) or voltage control) to implement a beam light205and a flood light206, an optional third substrate300, two 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers304, a data processor305, and a battery with charger circuit306(e.g., a lithium polymer battery, lithium ion battery, or an equivalent). In addition, in this embodiment there are also an end cap402, a decorative ring404, a head cap408, a rubber cap501, a head enclosure502, and a beam focus503.

In one embodiment, the cap sense body202uses capacitive sense technology to sense when the user is holding the self-adaptable light source. In one embodiment, the soft-switch207turns the self-adaptable light source on to the last setting. When the self-adaptable light source is on, a quick press of the soft-switch207disables/enables optional cap sense interface buttons (not shown), while a press and hold of the soft-switch207turns the self-adaptable light source off. In one embodiment, while one or more optional cap sense interface buttons are enabled, the user may use these buttons to toggle between beam light205, flood light206, and lantern light101modes, focus the light, and adjust light intensity. In one embodiment, if the user is holding the self-adaptable light source and has the beam light205and or flood light206on and then stops touching the cap sense body202, the beam light205and or flood light206will fade off while the lantern light101fades in simultaneously.

The battery (e.g., a lithium polymer battery or lithium ion battery, or an equivalent battery) with charger circuit306is rechargeable and is used to power the LEDs, accelerometer(s), and the data processor305.

In one embodiment, the 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer(s)304detects user movements or gestures, and detects the position and orientation of the self-adaptable light source to control the light intensity, focus, and mode. In one embodiment, having at least two accelerometers304allows the data processor305to determine the preferences of the user without requiring the user to activate any button or switches, so such buttons or switches would not be necessary on the surface of the light source. In various embodiments, examples of commands dictated by movements and gestures may include, but are not limited to, the following:1. “Casting” or throwing motion to quickly switch to 100% beam light205or back to lantern light101.2. Vertical tap to switch to lantern light101or switch back to beam light205.3. Rotating the light source up or down at various angles to adjust the light.4. Rotating the light source around one of its major axes (e.g., the long axis of a flashlight, or an equivalent) to indicate that the user wants to focus the light. This type of rotational motion focusing will be called a virtual focus.5. Press and hold a cap sense interface and change the angle of the self-adaptable light source to the ground to control the digital focus201.

The data processor305processes inputs from the cap sense body202, cap sense interface buttons203and accelerometer(s)304and controls the LEDs204accordingly. The data processor305is also programmed to learn user preferences in one embodiment.

In one embodiment the self-adaptable light source has a head102and body103used to house all the electronics inside the product. In one embodiment there could be a connector (e.g., a USB Male A connector) used to plug in a USB cable to the self-adaptable light source. In one embodiment this connector outputs 5 volts DC. In one embodiment the connector could be a mini USB or round power plug used to connect 18 volts DC to 5 volts DC to charge the battery (e.g., lithium battery or equivalent chemical storage).

The substrate300(e.g., a printed circuit board, or equivalent) is used to mount electronic components. The one or more batteries306in one embodiment can be one or more 3.7 volt lithium polymer batteries (but in alternative embodiments the batteries can be any type of battery). The battery and charger circuit306can regulate the incoming voltage (e.g., 110 V, 18V, 5V, or other voltage) to charge the one or more batteries (e.g., one or more lithium batteries, or equivalent batteries).

In one embodiment the data processor305has digital input and output ports (not shown) to control the light source and optional buttons for user input.

In one embodiment, the one or more optional buttons (not shown) can be push buttons or capacitive sense touch buttons. In one embodiment a button can be used to toggle the operation and turn on and off the self-adaptable light source.

FIG. 5illustrates a top isometric view of a substrate of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 5shows a beam light205on a first substrate100. In another embodiment, there would additionally be one or more flood lights (not shown) on the first substrate100.

FIG. 6illustrates a top isometric view of an optional second substrate of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 6shows three lantern lights101and three flood lights206on an optional second substrate200. Other embodiments would have more or less lantern lights101and flood lights206.

FIG. 7Aillustrates an isometric top view of an optional third substrate of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 7Ashows an optional third substrate300, a 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer304, and a data processor305. This is only one illustrative example of such a substrate, because other embodiments of this substrate could be implemented without certain components.

FIG. 7Billustrates an isometric top view of an optional third substrate of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 7Bshows an optional third substrate300, two 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers304, and a data processor305. This is only one illustrative example of such a substrate, because other embodiments of this substrate could be implemented without certain components.

FIG. 8Aillustrates a side view of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 8Ashows a beam light205on a first substrate100, and three lantern lights101and three flood lights206on an optional second substrate200. A soft switch207is shown.

FIG. 8Billustrates a side view of a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 8Bshows a beam light205on a first substrate100, and three lantern lights101and three flood lights206on an optional second substrate200. A soft switch207is not needed in this embodiment.

FIG. 9illustrates a substrate with one soft-switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9shows a printed circuit board600with a soft-switch207. In another embodiment there would be another substrate material used for making the board600.

FIG. 10Aillustrates a side view of a self-adaptable light source with a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 10Ashows a soft-switch207, an optional third substrate300, a 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer304, and a data processor305. This is only one illustrative example of such a substrate, because other embodiments of this substrate could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

FIG. 10Billustrates a side view of a self-adaptable light source without a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 10Bshows an optional third substrate300, two 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers304, and a data processor305. This is only one illustrative example of such a substrate, because other embodiments of this substrate could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

FIG. 11illustrates the components of an implementation with a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 11shows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to a soft-switch207, one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, and an accelerometer (e.g., a 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

FIG. 12illustrates the components of an implementation without a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 12shows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, and two or more accelerometers (e.g., 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

FIG. 13Aillustrates the components of an implementation with a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 13Ashows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to one or more soft-switches207, one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, one or more lantern light(s)101, and an accelerometer (e.g., a 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components, or implemented with additional components.

FIG. 13Billustrates the components of an implementation without a soft switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 13Bshows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, one or more lantern light(s)101, and two or more accelerometers (e.g., 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components (e.g., without buttons), or implemented with additional components.

FIG. 14illustrates the components of a single substrate implementation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 14shows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to one or more soft-switches207, one or more lantern light(s)101, one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, and an accelerometer (e.g., a 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometer). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

FIG. 15illustrates the components of a single substrate implementation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 15shows a data processor305(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, programmable system on a chip, or equivalent), which is electrically coupled to one or more lantern light(s)101, one or more beam light(s)205, one or more flood light(s)206, and two or more accelerometers (e.g., 1D, 2D, 3D accelerometers). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could be implemented without certain components, or additional components.

In one embodiment, the electricity is carried by one wire or trace, and the electrical ground is carried by two wires or traces. In another embodiment, simply two wires or trace (one wire or trace for the electricity and one wire or trace for ground) are used. In alternative embodiments more electrical wires or traces can be used. In one embodiment, there is a controller module that has an on-off switch and a charger port for charging a plurality of internal batteries.

The energy source in various embodiments can be one or more batteries, a photovoltaic electrical module, an electrical recharger, or some other equivalent electrical energy source with a capacity for supplying an appropriate amount of voltage and current. One embodiment of the invention uses one or more electrochemical batteries (e.g., lithium polymer batteries, lithium ion batteries, typically rated at 3.6 volts under normal conditions and 4.2 volts when fully charged, or other equivalent electrochemical batteries, either single charge or rechargeable, or other equivalent power sources). Most of the electrical power provided by such batteries will be used for supply power to operate electronics, and to operate the data processor.

FIG. 16illustrates the different operations of the self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 16shows a first mode of operation (lantern light only) for orientations of the self-adaptable light source for an angle from zero to alpha degrees. Alpha degrees is the threshold for the operation of the self-adaptable light source to change to a second mode of operation (beam light only) up to a angle of orientation of beta degrees. Between alpha and beta degrees the operation of the self-adaptable light source is in a second mode of operation (beam lights only) up to an angle of orientation of beta degrees. Between beta degrees and gamma degrees is another mode of operation (combination of beam light and flood light) up to an angle of gamma degrees. For any angle over gamma degrees up to delta degrees is another mode of operation (combination of lantern light and flood light). This is only one illustrative example, because other embodiments could have different angles and different selective activations and combinations of lantern lights, beam lights, and flood lights.

FIG. 17illustrates a flowchart to make a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The method starts in operation1402. Operation1406is next and includes fabricating one or more substrates, wherein the one or more substrates can support one or more lights and a data processor. Alternative embodiments can use only one or two or three substrates. Operation1408is next and includes coupling one or more batteries to the one or more substrates. Operation1410is next and includes coupling an accelerometer to the one or more batteries. Operation1414is next and includes coupling the data processor to the accelerometer. Operation1416is next and includes coupling a plurality of lights to the data processor, wherein the data processor can change the operation of the plurality of lights depending on the orientation of the self-adaptable light source. Operation1418is next and includes placing the one or more substrates inside a self-adaptable light source body and head to assemble a complete unit. The method ends in operation1420.

FIG. 18illustrates a flowchart to make a self-adaptable light source, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The method starts in operation1502. Operation1504is next and includes fabricating one or more substrates, wherein the one or more substrates can support one or more lights and a data processor. Alternative embodiments can use only one or two or three substrates. Operation1506is next and includes coupling one or more batteries to the one or more substrates. Operation1508is next and includes coupling a first accelerometer to the one or more batteries. Operation1512is next and includes coupling a data processor to the first accelerometer. Operation1514is next and includes coupling a plurality of lights to the data processor, wherein the data processor can change the operation of the plurality of lights depending on the orientation of the self-adaptable light source. Operation1516is next and includes coupling an optional second accelerometer to the data processor and the one or more batteries. Operation1518is next and includes placing the one or more substrates inside a self-adaptable light source body and head to assemble a complete unit. The method ends in operation1520.

Other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, the self-adaptable light source could be composed of several laminations of various materials for different applications. Another embodiment of the invention could provide multiple adjustable connectors to accommodate different sizes and lengths of electronics, energy sources, and cords.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments could be practiced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims set forth below.