Abstract:
The invention teaches a new method to provide lighting for photography and other purposes. A consistent, stable, high intensity line-light source is created by using a cylindrical lens and a line-light source using feedback control. The positioning of the line-light source is adjustable to produce parallel, convergence, and divergence beams depending on the desired lighting characteristics. The invention also teaches a new apparatus using the current invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of high intensity lighting devices for use in photography and other purposes. More particularly, the invention is a consistent, stable, and high intensity oblong light source, and the method for creating the same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Controllable, high intensity oblong light is applied in many fields, especially in the field of photography. The photography involved in image processing and image inspection mostly requires controllable high intensity oblong lights. For example, the current invention can be used for line-scan camera photography. 
         [0005]    Unstable or low intensity lights will result in photographed images of inferior quality with poor contrast, stability and repeatability. Thus, the intensity, consistency, and stability of the light should be maintained at a high level to insure high image quality. The prior art method of obtaining uniform light-intensity is by manually adjusting the electric current/voltage supplied to the line-light source. However, changing properties occurring in the lighting device such as the heating up of the light bulb, the variance in the output of the power supply, the aging of the line-light source, and other such factors would result in altered light-intensity output given a constant power input. 
         [0006]    In photography, images are taken under varying conditions. In order to select proper light-intensity for the particular photograph, light-intensity must be adjusted instantaneously during auto photography, but the current light fittings on the market cannot offer the function of adjusting light intensity instantaneously. 
         [0007]    The image acquisition and image inspection industries commonly use line scan photography, which always requires stable, high-intensity, convergent oblong light. Also, for optimized image processing and image inspection of the photographed images, the inspected materials are required to be clear and the images of the non-inspected materials should not to be taken. The parallel or convergence oblong light is the best solution since it may set to illuminate only the desired objects. Lately, LEDs have been used to obtain a high-intensity oblong line-light source for photography, but these line-light sources are low in light-intensity and cannot obtain images from longer distances. 
         [0008]    Currently, there is no existing equipment capable of generating an oblong LED line-light source with a range of 50 mm-500 mm (distance between the inspected objects to the light). And generally, the line-light source equipment is borrowed from photographing equipment of other applications or is simply refitted equipment. Because of poor lighting equipment, the photography process is not optimal. For example, the use of LEDs as the oblong line-light source can only be implemented at close range (within 50 mm-100 mm). If general lamps or iodine-tungsten lamps with an open ended light width adjustor are used as a line-light source, then the shape of the emitted light can not be controlled and the intensity of the light would be unstable. 
         [0009]    What is desired is a method for creating a uniform beam of high intensity oblong light which quickly reaches and maintains a selectable preset light intensity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention involves a method and apparatus for generating controllable, high intensity oblong light. A typical apparatus embodiment comprises an enclosure with an oblong opening and at least one cylindrical lens mounted to the enclosure. Inside the enclosure, there is a line-light source fixed on a bracket in parallel with the cylindrical lens and located near the focal line of the cylindrical lens. At least one light intensity sensor is placed near the line-light source or on the surface to be illuminated. 
         [0011]    The light emitted from the light source passes through the cylindrical lens in order to generate a focused oblong light beam of high intensity and long range. The intensity of the focused oblong light generated by the invention is 2-5 times stronger than the normal line-light source of existing techniques, and the effective distance is 5-10 times longer than the normal line-light source of existing techniques. The formula of the light-intensity on the equipment of the invention (derived from testing results) is: 
         [0000]        I=i/r    (A) 
         [0000]    where i is the intensity of the lights, r is the distance from the lights, I is the intensity from r. 
         [0012]    But the normal lights formula is 
         [0000]        I=i/r   2    (B) 
         [0013]    Here, the light-intensity generated by the current invention is much higher across a distance when compared to normal lights. 
         [0014]    The invention utilizes a control unit which allows the user to preset the line-light source intensity and maintains the preset light intensity despite changing properties which may otherwise affect light intensity output. Concurrently, the control unit receives feedback from optical sensors which detects light intensity. The control unit then adjusts the power supplied to the line-light source according to the difference between current light-intensity value and the preset light intensity value. This closed loop control will be repeated while the light is on. Thus, the intensity of the oblong light can be set according to the user&#39;s requirements and can auto regulate to keep the light-intensity stable. 
         [0015]    The resulting oblong light generated by the invention emits a light beam of higher intensity and longer range than current techniques. The control system allows for increased light intensity stability and instantaneous light intensity adjustments. The invention generates three types of oblong beams: parallel (when the line-light source is positioned on the focal line of the cylindrical lens), divergence (when the line-light source is placed between the focal line and the cylindrical lens), and convergence (when the line-light source is positioned behind the focal line of the cylindrical lens). These three types of oblong light are essential in photography. Parallel oblong light keeps light emitted at a constant width (roughly equal to the width of the cylindrical lens) and is essential for image processes that require the light to illuminate only on the desired objects. Divergence oblong light can be used on advertising boards. Convergence oblong light can be used for line-scan camera photography. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram embodiment of the current invention with the top of the enclosure cut away to show the inside components. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view schematic diagram of the current invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart describing the light intensity control system used in the current invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a hardware control flow diagram of the invention. The hardware can be varied depending on the type of microcontroller or other ICs used. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the light placement can create the three different forms of projected light which can be obtained from the cylindrical lens. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus embodiment according to the current invention. A typical apparatus embodiment of the current invention utilizes a cuboids shaped enclosure  100 . However, the enclosure to the invention may be made in any shape. A typical embodiment of the interior surface  110  of the enclosure can be lined with either a light reflective or light absorptive material depending on the desired projected light properties of the current invention. A light absorptive surface is desired for creating a beam which is more sensitive to adjustments to form parallel, convergent, or divergent beams of light. In a typical embodiment, slots  113  placed on the bottom of the apparatus case  160  allow the position of the line-line-light source to be adjusted. A slider  112  is placed such that it can slide along the slot with a fastener  114  which will keep the sliders stationary once the slider  112  is placed at its desired position in the slot  113 . A line light holder  111  is attached to the slider  112  and holds the line light in place. In another embodiment, the line-light source adjustment uses a threaded adjustment mounted to the back wall of the enclosure  170  and coupled to a bracket holding the line-light source. Cooling fans  141  may be placed on the enclosure to keep electronics cool. These fans may be placed on the side walls  140  of the enclosure  100 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a typical embodiment of the front panel  130  has a cylindrical lens  132  mounted to an oblong hole  131 . The cylindrical lens has a focal line and an axis of curvature. In the typical embodiment of the cylindrical lens shown here has only one axis of curvature and is oriented horizontally. Other embodiments may orient the cylindrical lens in any other direction according to the application. Since the cylindrical lens has more than one focal point, its foci form a line segment parallel to the cylindrical lens&#39; axis of curvature. The line-light source is located on or close to the focal line of the cylindrical lens. Rectangular blinds  134  cover the oblong hole and are adjustable to accommodate different lenses or to control width of the projected light. A blind fastener  135  is used in conjunction with a blind bracket  133  to hold the blinds in place. A digital display and control panel  136  is used for adjusting and displaying light intensity. A typical embodiment uses an LCD display and digital controls on user interface. Preset points and buttons on the front panel of the enclosure or buttons on user interface to allow user to adjust preset points. 
         [0023]    Using the display and controls  136  the invention is capable of adjusting light-intensity automatically when the light turns on. The current embodiment of the invention places a digital display of the light intensity preset unit on the enclosure. The PC connector and power connector are also placed on the enclosure. The control system adjusts power output to the bulb for maintaining the selected light-intensity. Temperature changes, the age of the apparatus, and various other factors will change the intensity of the light emitted from the line-light source given the same input power level. The control system described in this invention keeps the light intensity constant despite property changes which affect outputted light intensity. 
         [0024]    The line-light source  120  is placed parallel to and near the focal line of the cylindrical lens  132 . The position of the line light  120  can be adjusted to move directly towards or away from the cylindrical lens on the plane perpendicular to the surface of the lens and passing through the focal line of the cylindrical lens. The purpose is to allow the apparatus to be adjusted so the three forms of projected oblong light can be obtained (i.e. parallel, divergence or convergence oblong beams). In a typical embodiment, the line-light source can be a tube shaped light bulb. The light bulb may be clouded for diffusing the emitted light. In another embodiment, a diffuser can be added as a separate piece. The line-light source can be an iodine-tungsten lamp, LEDs, or any other device which emits light. The line-light source can be several individual lighting units arranged in a straight line or is a single lighting unit shaped as a tube. The line-light source is mounted to a bracket and is located near the focal line of the cylindrical lens and is oriented parallel to the cylindrical lens. Additional cylindrical lenses may be added in front of the first cylindrical lens with the focal line of the second cylindrical lens near or on the first cylindrical lens. This embodiment will make the projected light more uniform in intensity across the desired area to be lighted. 
         [0025]    In a typical embodiment, the line-light source can be an iodine-tungsten lamp, LEDs, or any other device which emits light. The line-light source can be several individual lighting units arranged in a straight line or is a single line-light source shaped as a tube. The line-light source is mounted to a bracket and is located near the focal line of the cylindrical lens and is oriented parallel to the cylindrical lens. Additional cylindrical lenses may be added in front of the first cylindrical lens with the focal line of the second cylindrical lens near or on the first cylindrical lens. This embodiment will make the projected light more uniform in intensity across the desired area to be lighted. Also, a light shield with an oblong hole placed between the line-light source and the cylindrical lens can be used to create a more uniform light beam. 
         [0026]    In the typical embodiment, at least one light intensity sensor is located inside the enclosure and attached to the line-light source such that the sensor&#39;s relative position to the line-light source is remains the same even when the positioning of the line-light source is adjusted relative to the cylindrical lens. This allows for consistent light intensity from the line-light source even when the projected light beam adjustments are being made. Another embodiment places the light intensity sensors next to the cylindrical lens. The purpose of this embodiment is to maintain a consistent light intensity at the lens when the projected light beam is being adjusted. As the line-light source is adjusted to move farther away from the lens, the light intensity would increase to compensate for the distance and vice versa. Yet in another embodiment, the light intensity sensors may be located near or on the surface to be illuminated. This embodiment in conjunction with the control system allows for consistent lighting despite changing ambient light, changing reflective characteristics of the surface to be illuminated, or changing reflective characteristics of the environment. In another embodiment, more than one light intensity sensor is placed on the surface to be illuminated in different places and will work in conjunction with the control system. The control system will compare the light intensity reading of each individual setting and change the line-light source position relative to the cylindrical lens focal line as well as the power output to the line-light source to achieve uniform light intensity readings from all the light intensity sensors. 
         [0027]    The control unit may be located inside the enclosure, but can also be attached as a separate unit. The control unit includes a microcontroller which may use an integrated ADC(Analog Digital Converter), and outputs PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) or DAC(Digital Analog Converter) or other input processing and output control system. 
         [0028]    The light-intensity preset unit allows the user to preset the light-intensity digitally. The control unit will turn on the oblong lights according to the preset value by outputting the PWM or DAC signal to power the line-light. Then the control unit will read the optical sensor signal (initially an analog signal, then converted into a digital signal through the A/D converter), compare the optical sensor value with user&#39;s preset light-intensity digital value, and then utilize PID control to adjust the PWM for DAC signal to deliver the appropriate light-intensity. The control loop will be repeated when the light is turned on. The equipment allows the user to change light-intensity set point instantaneously when the power supply is turned on and the control unit is activated. 
         [0029]    A typical embodiment of the circuit control unit uses PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control. This control loop feedback mechanism attempts to correct the error between the light intensity sensor reading and the desired light intensity setting by calculating and then outputting a corrective action that can adjust the process accordingly. The PID controller calculation involves three separate parameters; the Proportional, the Integral and Derivative values. The Proportional value determines the reaction to the current error, the Integral determines the reaction based on the sum of recent errors and the Derivative determines the reaction to the rate at which the error has been changing. The weighted sum of these three actions is used to adjust the light intensity of the line-light source via the controller&#39;s power output to the line-light source. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart diagram of the circuit control unit  200  of the invention, the circuit control unit  200  (connected with power supply) can be located inside or outside of the equipment. The circuit control unit comprises a microcontroller  210 , optical sensor unit  220 , A/D conversion unit  230  (can be integrated within the microcontroller  210 ), light-intensity adjusting unit  240  (triggered by a PWM or DAC signal from microcontroller  210 ), light-intensity preset unit  250 , and display unit  260 . Therein, the optical sensor unit  220  connects with A/D conversion unit  230 . The A/D conversion unit  230 , light-intensity preset unit  250 , light-intensity adjusting unit  240  and display unit  260  are connected to the microcontroller  210  respectively. The sensor unit  220  (includes an optional temperature sensor  221  and optical sensor  222 ) is used to feedback the temperature and light-intensity data (through A/D conversion unit  230 ) to the microcontroller  210 . The A/D conversion unit  230  is an A/D conversion chip or can be integrated in the microcontroller  210 ; after it converts the received temperature and light-intensity analog signals into digital signals, the microcontroller  210  receives the signals. Then the microcontroller  210  will adjust PWM or DAC to trig the light-intensity adjusting unit  240  for any changes in the DC power on the line-light source  120  after comparing the received feedback optical sensor value with the light-intensity preset value from preset unit  250  in order to match these two values. The microcontroller will turn off the lights as soon as the temperature sensor value exceed the preset constant interlock value (typically is 60° C.); the microcontroller  210  transmits the current light-intensity and temperature values to the display unit  260  (can be liquid crystal display or regular LED display, which further includes optional temperature display  261  and light-intensity display  262 ). The light-intensity preset unit  250  can be set manually through buttons or through user interface on a host PC. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a detailed example of the hardware control flow diagram of the invention; the hardware can be varied depending on selection of microcontroller and other ICs. Optical sensor CLD370F converts the optical signals, from the line-light source, into electric signals to be transmitted to the D/A conversion chip ADC0809. After the D/A conversion, the digital signals are fed back into the SCM 89S52. The signals transacted by the SCM are transmitted in two ways concurrently. 
         [0032]    The first way transmits the exported signals into D/A conversion chip DAC0832, the D/A conversion chip DAC0832 exports the signals into the light-intensity regulation module in order to adjust the light-intensity after converting the digital signals into analog control signals, and the signals are magnified by operational amplifier LM324N. In the example, the stated optional light-intensity regulation module (that works with DAC; when using PMW, the module will be replaced by an amplifier to supply the DC power directly on the line-light) is a voltage-adjusting module TY-380D25P-2220. 
         [0033]    The transmission signals of the second method make the module light-intensity and temperature value through display driver circuit JFC8279, bank select circuit 74LS138, and chip select circuit 74LS245. The current light-intensity value and temperature value is displayed through the nixie tubes. In the example, the light-intensity is fixed through PC and connected with SCM through serial-port communication chip MAX485, and undoubtedly, the control unit can be connected to other chips or circuits. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  illustrate how changing the distance between line-light source  120  and direct lens  132  to make the distance equal to, less than, or more than the distance between “f” (the focus of cylindrical lens) and cylindrical lens  132 . In these ways, the line-light that passes through the cylindrical lens will be focused into different types of light beams, i.e. divergent beams “B”, convergent beams “C” or parallel beams “A”. These three types of light beams have different uses in photography: Parallel oblong light beams emit light at a constant width (roughly equal to the width of the cylindrical lens). It is essential for image processes that require the light to irradiate only on the desired objects. Divergent oblong light beams can be used on advertising board. Convergent oblong light beams can be used for line-scan camera photography. 
         [0035]    While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adoptions to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.