Patent Abstract:
In light of the foregoing background, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus, method and system for providing multi-mode illumination. Specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a lighting apparatus capable of multiple modes of illumination (e.g., infrared illumination mode, visible light illumination mode, spot-light mode, flood-light mode, blended spot and flood light modes, etc.) and battery powered operation. The lighting apparatus further includes a fuel gage module capable of communicating an expected battery life based on a current operating mode of the lighting apparatus and a current state of charge of the battery. Lighting devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be light-weight and portable to improve ease of transport and deployment. Such lighting devices may also include a stable and yet retractable mounting device. In this regard, such lighting devices may be transported to remote locations and for providing a reliable light source.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/784,119 entitled APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MULTI-MODE ILLUMINATION, which was filed Mar. 20, 2006; the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for providing illumination and, more particularly, to an apparatus, method and system for providing multi-mode illumination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Military assets such as aircraft, for example, are often stationed at forward deployed bases. Many such forward deployed bases are austere and remotely located airfields with insufficient lighting and security systems. Accordingly, it is often desirable to transport lighting systems to the forward deployed bases. Conventional lighting systems may be very heavy and difficult to transport to remote locations. The generally require too much energy and are not equipped to provide a defined boundary between an illuminated “watch area” and a non-illuminated “secure area”, where the presence of light would only highlight the object that is to be secured. 
     Conventional lighting systems often employ halogen, fluorescent, or incandescent lighting, which introduce numerous disadvantages into security applications. Incandescent lighting consumes relatively large amounts of energy and requires frequency replacement of lighting elements. Halogen lighting also consumes relatively large amounts of energy and has a high thermal load, which can be a disadvantage in environments where covertness is desired. Finally, fluorescent lighting produces relatively large amounts of electromagnetic interference and generally includes mercury, which is a pollutant that has high disposal costs. 
     It would be desirable then to produce a mobile, light-weight, lighting system that is adapted to illuminate a selected area while consuming a relatively reduced amount of energy as compared to halogen, fluorescent, or incandescent light sources. It would be further desirable to produce a lighting system that is adapted to define a formal boundary between an illuminated and a non-illuminated area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing background, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus, method and system for providing multi-mode illumination. Specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a lighting apparatus capable of multiple modes of illumination (e.g., infrared illumination mode, visible light illumination mode, spot-light mode, flood-light mode, blended spot and flood light modes, etc.) and battery powered operation. The lighting apparatus further includes a fuel gage module capable of communicating an expected battery lift based on a current operating mode of the lighting apparatus and a current state of charge of the battery. Lighting devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be light-weight and portable to improve ease of transport and deployment. Such lighting devices may also include a stable and yet retractable mounting device. In this regard, such lighting devices may be transported to remote locations and for providing a reliable light source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-mode illumination system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lighting apparatus capable of providing a multi-mode illumination system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an illuminating head capable of providing light for a multi-mode illumination system, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an electronics enclosure and user interface for a an illuminating head structured in accordance with an exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front perspective view of an illuminating head, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a detail view of an exemplary focusing device for an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective partially sectioned view of a first lighting element module structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a top view of the first lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates four orthogonal views of a first wedge support used in the first light element module depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective partially sectioned view of a second lighting element module structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a top view of the second lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates four orthogonal views of a second wedge support used in the second lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective partially sectioned view of a third lighting element module structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a top view of the third lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates four orthogonal views of a third wedge support used in the third lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective partially sectioned view of a fourth lighting element module structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a top view of the fourth lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates four orthogonal views of a fourth wedge support used in the fourth lighting element module depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of lighting apparatus capable of providing a multi-mode illumination system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a top view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top view of a fifth wedge support for supporting LEDs structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11C  is a schematic illustration of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11D  is a top view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of two lighting apparatuses structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side perspective view of a lighting apparatus structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of an illuminating head of a lighting apparatus structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is another top perspective view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front perspective view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 16  with the illuminating head housing removed; 
         FIG. 20A  is a front detail view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a detail view of a cooling system for an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 22  is a rear partially exploded view of an illuminating head structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-mode illumination system  10  structured according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system  10  may include at least one lighting apparatus  12  disposed proximate to an asset  14 , which in the present example is an aircraft. The lighting apparatus  12  is an illuminating device that is structured to illuminate a desired sector. For example, during operation, the lighting apparatus  12  defines a darkened zone  16  in which light emitted by the lighting apparatus  12  is shielded and an illuminated zone  18  in which light emitted by the lighting apparatus  12  is not shielded. In the depicted embodiment, the darkened zone  16  defines approximately a 180 degree rear sector of the lighting apparatus  12 , while the illuminated zone  18  defines about a 180 degree front sector of the lighting apparatus  12 . It should be noted that, although the present embodiments is configured to illuminate a sector of about 180 degrees, other arrangements are also possible. 
     The lighting apparatus  12  is oriented with respect to the asset  14  such that a perimeter  20  is defined around the asset  14 . The perimeter  20  is defined by a boundary between the darkened zone  16  and the illuminated zone  18 . Thus, the perimeter may define a selected shape around the asset  14  separating areas outside of the perimeter  20  (i.e., areas disposed in the illuminated zone  18 ), which are illuminated by the lighting apparatus  12  from areas inside the perimeter  20  (i.e. areas disposed in the darkened zone  16 ), which are not illuminated by the lighting apparatus  12 . An arrangement of more than one lighting apparatus  12  will determine the shape of the perimeter  16 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , four lighting apparatuses  12  disposed equidistant from a center of the asset  14  and oriented such that the darkened zone  16  of each of the lighting apparatuses  12  faces the asset  14  creates a square shaped perimeter  20 . It should be noted that the perimeter  20  need not be defined around an aircraft as shown in  FIG. 1 . Rather the asset  14  could be any object, group of objects, or geographic location. 
     The illuminated zone  18  may be illuminated with light of any selected frequency range. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting apparatus  12  illuminates the illumination zone  18  with visible (e.g., white) light and/or infrared (IR) light. Meanwhile, the illumination zone  18  may be illuminated with flood lights and/or spot lights. Furthermore, the illumination zone  18  may be illuminated with any combination of visible and/or IR lights operating as flood lights and/or spot lights. The depicted lighting apparatus  12  includes four light modules (see  FIG. 4 ) including IR flood, IR spot, visible flood and visible spot. Any single module of the four light modules may be activated to operate with or without any combination of the remaining modules. Accordingly, for this exemplary embodiment, the lighting apparatus  12  may have 2 4  or sixteen modes since there are two possible states for each of the four light modules. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lighting apparatus (shown in  FIG. 1  as item  12 ), which is capable of use for providing the multi-mode illumination system (shown in  FIG. 1  as item  10 ), in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The depicted lighting apparatus includes a mounting apparatus  22  and a multi-mode illuminating head  24  (referred to hereinafter as the illuminating head  24 ). Components of the mounting apparatus  22  may be made from any suitable material. In an exemplary lightweight embodiment, the mounting apparatus  22  may be made from materials such as aluminum, plastic, combinations thereof, or other light-weight and durable materials. When fully assembled, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting apparatus  22  forms a stable mounting platform for the illuminating head  24  and may be referred to herein as a “quad-pod”. In various exemplary embodiments, a total weight of the illuminating head  24  and the mounting apparatus  22  combined is less than fifteen pounds, preferably less than ten pounds, and more preferably less than about 8 pounds. 
     The depicted mounting apparatus  22  includes a first leg assembly  30 , a second leg assembly  32  and a bridge assembly  34 . In operation, the first leg assembly  30  is disposed at one end of the bridge assembly  34  while the second leg assembly  32  is disposed at the opposite end of the bridge assembly  34 . Each of the leg assemblies  30  and  32  includes two legs  36 . Each of the legs  36  may include one or more segments as shown. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the legs  36  include a first segment  38 , a second segment  40  and a third segment  42 , which are telescopically extendable. More particularly, the first segment  38  is disposed closest in proximity to the bridge assembly  34  and is formed substantially as a cylindrical tube having a larger diameter than both the second and third segments  40  and  42 . The second segment  40  is telescopically extendable to be disposed between the first and third segments  38  and  42 . The second segment  40  is formed substantially as a cylindrical tube having a larger diameter than the third segment  42 . When not extended, the second segment  40  may be disposed in an alternative position inside the first segment  38 . The third segment  42  is telescopically extendable to be disposed farthest from the bridge assembly  34 . The third segment  42  is formed substantially as a cylindrical tube having a smaller diameter than both the first and second segments  38  and  40 . When not extended, the third segment  42  may be disposed in an alternative position inside the second segment  40 . 
     Each of the legs  36  in the first leg assembly  30  extend from a first receptor  44 . In the depicted embodiment, the first receptor  44  includes a rotatable socket  46  for receiving each of the legs  36  of the first leg assembly  30 . The rotatable socket  46  is disposed to be oriented toward a surface upon which the legs  36  are fixed when the mounting apparatus  22  is assembled for operation or support of the illuminating head  24 . In general, a range of motion of the rotatable socket  46  is sufficient to permit the legs  36  to be extended from a collapsed position in which the legs  36  are disposed substantially parallel to each other to the position shown in  FIG. 2  in which a spacing between the legs  36  increases as a distance from the first receptor  44  increases. The rotatable socket  46  may be formed by inserting the first segment  38  into a channel formed in a portion of the first receptor  44 . A rod may then be passed through an orifice on one side of the channel to penetrate through an end portion of the first segment  38  and an aligned orifice on the opposite side of the channel. Accordingly, the first segment  38  may rotate about the rod from the position in which the legs  36  are disposed substantially parallel to each other to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of the legs  36  of the second leg assembly  32  extend from corresponding rotatable sockets of a second receptor  48  in a similar manner to that described above. 
     When the legs  36  are fully extended, fasteners  50  disposed at opposite ends of the second segment  40  may be used to fix each of the segments  38 ,  40  and  42  in an extended position. In an exemplary embodiment, the fasteners  50  may include an internally disposed thread assembly (not shown) which engages a thread assembly disposed, for example, to extend around an external circumference of the third segments at an end of the third segment  42  closest to the second segment when extended. The second segment  40  also includes a similar thread assembly. Thus, for example, the fasteners  50  may be rotated in a first direction to tighten a connection between the thread assembly of the fasteners  50  and the second and third segments  40  and  42 , and be rotated in a second direction to loosen the connection. 
     It should be noted that although the present embodiment describes a telescoping extension mechanism for the legs  36 , other means of extension and other means of fastening segments are also possible. For example, the legs  36  may include segments that are foldable via hinges or ball joints. Alternatively, the legs  36  may include segments that are removable that can be assembled using, for example, a screw fitting, a snap fitting, or any other mechanism for fastening. As another alternative fastening means, a telescoping segment may have detents that are extendable to fix a position of one segment with respect to another when the detents are aligned with a corresponding orifice. Additionally, other fittings are also possible to secure telescoped folded, removable or otherwise articulated leg segments and the fittings described herein should not be viewed as limiting in this regard. 
     The first and second receptors  44  and  48  also include a receiving hole (not shown) for receiving and supporting a support rod  52  upon which the illuminating head  24  is disposed. The support rod  52  is typically disposed in either of the first and second receptors  44  and  48  and oriented to extend in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of extension of the legs  36  when the mounting apparatus  22  is arranged for operation or support of the illuminating head  24 . 
     The bridge assembly  34  includes a battery pack  56  and a fixing apparatus  58 . In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing apparatus  58  is releasably coupled to both the first and second receptors  44  and  48  at opposite ends of the fixing apparatus  58 , respectively. The fixing apparatus  58  includes a receiving space for receiving and supporting the battery pack  56 . The fixing apparatus  58  may comprise a single unitary piece of metal, plastic, or other suitable materials. Alternatively, the fixing apparatus  58  may include a plurality of articulated components arranged to provide a support platform for the battery pack  56  and provide stability to the mounting apparatus  22  by virtue of the bridge between the first and second leg assemblies  30  and  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing apparatus  58  may include a first rod  62  disposed between one end of the battery pack  56  and the first receptor  44  and a second rod  64  disposed between an opposite end of the battery pack  56  and the second receptor  48 . The first and second rods  62  and  64  may include a fastener at each longitudinal end of the first and second rods  62  and  64  to permit coupling of the first and second rods  62  and  64  to respective ends of the battery pack  56  and the first and second receptors  44  and  48 , respectively. For example, the fastener could be a snap fitting, a screw fitting, a nut and bolt assembly, etc. The fixing apparatus  58  may also include a strap  66  that extends around a circumference of the battery pack  56  in mechanical communication with each of the first and second rods  62  and  64 . Additionally, a carriage rod  68  may extend from the first rod  62  to the second rod  64  and be formed substantially in a “U” shape in order to receive the battery pack  56 . In alternate embodiments, other structures may be used to secure the battery pack  56  to the bridge assembly  34  as will be apparent to one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure. 
     The battery pack  56  may include any suitable battery element including rechargeable lead acid batteries, rechargeable lithium ion batteries, etc. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack  56  is a rechargeable lithium ion battery such as, for example, a standard UBI-2590 Li-ion battery. Accordingly, a battery charger (not shown) may be coupled to the battery pack  56  as desired to replenish a state of charge of the battery pack  56 . The battery pack  56  may be enclosed in a protective case. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the battery pack  56  is in electrical communication with electronics components of the illuminating head  24  via a power cable  70 . The electronics components may be disposed, for example, in an electronics enclosure  72  and include any devices or means embodied in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that are capable of providing power and control functions, such as beam shaping functions, for light emitters of the illuminating head  24 . The electronics components may be controlled and the battery pack  56  may be monitored via a user interface  74  disposed on a face of the electronics enclosure  72 . It should also be noted that although the present embodiment is described as being powered by the battery pack  56 , other power sources are also available (e.g., battery, wall outlet power supply, mobile cord power supply, etc.). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a schematic drawing is provided illustrating a functional block diagram of the illumination head  24  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to the depicted embodiment, the illumination head  24  includes an electronic circuit board  100  for supporting and electronically connecting an LED driver module  104 , a power module  106 , a fuel gauge sensor module  110 , a process control element  112 , and a user interface module  114 . In various embodiments, these systems combine to define a control circuit  120  that is the backbone of the illuminating head  24 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the control circuit  120  is adapted to provide input signals from the user interface module  114  to the process control element  112 , which may be embodied, for example, as a CPU, chip, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or other similar device. The user interface module  114  may accept control inputs from a user via the user interface  74 . The process control element  112  processes these inputs and transmits corresponding signals to the LED driver module  104 . In this regard, LEDs forming lighting elements of the illuminating head  24  may be caused to illuminate in a manner (e.g., spot-light, flood-light, or combination thereof) and intensity that is selected by the user. 
     In some embodiments, the internal operations, power-use and monitoring, beam-shaping, and user control functions of the illuminating head  24  may be performed via the structures, circuitry, processes and operations disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/336,562, which was filed Jan. 21, 2006 and is entitled “Portable Light Device.” The foregoing application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/645,788 filed Jan. 21, 2005 and both applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Returning to the schematic diagram illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the power module  106  provides power to the process control elements  112  and to other modules of the illuminating head  24 . The power module  106  is disposed in communication with the battery pack  56  via the power cord (shown as item  70  in  FIG. 2 ) to receive power for the illuminating head  24 . In the depicted embodiment, a fuel gauge sensor module  110  is provided to sense electrical power information related to the state of charge of the battery pack  56  and to provide corresponding electrical signal and/or data inputs to the process control element  112 . The electrical power information may be processed using, for example, an algorithm used to calculate state of charge of the battery pack  56 , which may be communicated in terms of a percentage of charge remaining relative to a full charge state. 
     For purposes of the present invention and appended claims, the term “electrical power information” refers to battery current flow during charge or discharge operations, battery voltage, environmental factors such as battery temperature, ambient temperature, ambient humidity, and the like, and non-battery power information such as the presence or absence of external power sources (e.g., wall outlets, vehicle batteries, etc.) and the presence or absence of external power drains (e.g., device drawing power from the battery pack  56  such as PDAs, laptops, cell phones, vehicle batteries, etc.). The process control  112  may be adapted to interpret these signals and provide power supply messages to a display of the user interface  74 . 
     Various process control elements are currently known that possess fuel gauge sensing functionality. For example, in one embodiment, a PS810 fuel gauge microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc., may be used. In another embodiment, a dedicated fuel gauge system may be provided that is part of a battery pack or electrical power system that is adapted to provide input signals and data to a separate process control element that is adapted for driving the illuminating head  24 . 
     Operation of the illuminating head  24  is controlled by the user interface  74  as shown in greater detail by  FIG. 4 . In the depicted embodiment, the user interface  74  includes first and second adjustable members  76  and  78 , a toggle switch  80 , and a display  82 . In one embodiment, the toggle switch  80  may be adapted to disconnect battery power in order to disconnect erosion of battery capacity during power off conditions. In another embodiment, the toggle switch  80  may be adapted to disconnect battery power and disconnect power from other power sources (e.g., power cords, etc.). In still other embodiments, the toggle switch  80  may be adapted to toggle between various modes of operation including, but not limited to, a brightness control mode, an illumination control mode, and the like. Additional switches, toggles, potentiometers, etc. may be provided as part of the user interface  74  to select the type or capacity of an installed battery, calibration of the illuminating head  24 , a self-calibration or test mode, and other functionalities in addition to those expressly set forth herein. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the illuminating head  24  may be disposed in a brightness control mode wherein the first and second adjustable members  76  and  78  are electrically coupled to first and second potentiometers (not shown) that are provided in electrical communication through a process control element with the illuminating head  24  for controlling the illumination brightness or intensity of lighting elements of lighting modules of the illuminating head  24 . For example, in one embodiment, the first adjustable member  76  may be adapted to control the brightness of one or more LEDs configured for spot-light illumination of white light and the second adjustable member  78  may be adapted to control the brightness of one or more LEDs configured for flood-light illumination of white light. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the first and second adjustable members  76  and  78  may be adapted to control the brightness of one or more LEDs configured for spot-light illumination of IR light and the second adjustable member  78  may be adapted to control the brightness of one or more LEDs configured for flood-light illumination of IR light. As yet another alternative, for example, the first adjustable member  76  may be used to select a mode, while the second adjustable member  78  is adapted to control the brightness of one or more LEDs selected for illumination in accordance with the selected mode. Accordingly, the first and second adjustable members  76  and  78  may incrementally adjust whether the illuminating head  24  will provide a spot-light mode of illumination, a flood-light mode of illumination, white light illumination, IR illumination or some combination thereof. 
     For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first adjustable member  76  may be adapted to designate a percentage of available power that is supplied to one or more LEDs structured for spot-light illumination. Any remaining power may be supplied to one or more LEDs structured for flood-light type illumination. Thus, the first adjustable member  76  may define a spot-light position wherein approximately 100 percent of the available power from the electrical power system is directed to one or more LEDs structured for spot-light illumination, a flood-light position wherein approximately 100 percent of the available power is directed to one or more LEDs structured for flood-light type illumination, and multiple dual mode illumination positions wherein a percentage less than 100 percent of the available power is directed to the spot-light type LEDs and substantially all remaining available power is directed to the flood-light type LEDs. The first adjustable member  76  may have separate modes for white light, IR light or a combination of IR and white light. Alternatively, one or more additional toggle switches and/or adjustable members may be provided to enable further selectivity of the illumination features and process discussed above. 
     In illumination control mode embodiments such as the example provided above, the second adjustable member  78  may be adapted to control the brightness or intensity of the illumination provided regardless of whether the first adjustable member  76  is disposed in a spot-light position, a flood-light position, a duel mode position, or which type of light (e.g., white, IR, etc.) is emitted. In one embodiment, the second adjustable member  78  may be configured to restrict the available power that is distributed to the illuminating head  24 . For example, the second adjustable member  78  may be set to provide 60 percent of the available power to the LED driver module  104 . This 60 percent of available power would then be routed to either the spot or flood light type of LEDs based on the position of the first adjustable member  76  as described above. In such embodiments, the second adjustable member  78  may be set to provide generally between 0 and 100 percent of the available power to the LED driver module  104  as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As noted above, the user interface  24  may include a display  82  such as the depicted liquid crystal display. In the depicted embodiment, the display  82  is disposed in electronic communication with the fuel gauge sensor module  110  and is thereby adapted to display a power supply message including the percentage of battery charge capacity remaining and/or the battery charge capacity remaining in units of time (e.g., months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds, etc.). The display  82  may also indicate which power source is presently activated (e.g., battery, wall outlet power supply, mobile cord power supply, etc.) and whether a power drain device (e.g., cell phone, laptop, radio, PDA, vehicle battery, etc.) is drawing power from the electrical power system. The display  82  may also indicate other system information including, but not limited to, the mode of operation, system configuration data, calibration data, system status information, and other information. 
     Additionally, the display  82  may provide an indication of the brightness or intensity of the illumination provided by the lighting apparatus in the brightness control mode and/or may provide an indication of the relative positions of the first and second adjustable members  76  and  78  in the illumination control mode. For example, the display  82  could indicate that 75 percent of lighting apparatus&#39; available power is directed to its array of LEDs with 20 percent of that power being directed to spot-light type LEDs for white light while 80 percent of that is power is directed to flood-light type LEDs for white light. The display  82  may also provide an indication from the fuel gage sensor module  110  regarding an estimated time for which battery power is available in the current mode of operation. Finally, the display  82  may provide other information related to the operation of the illuminating head  24  as may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more program modes may be stored in a non-volatile memory (e.g., flip-flop or other two-state device, flash memory, EEPROM, CMOS, etc.) of the lighting apparatus. Such program modes may define specific illumination control modes (e.g., spot, flood, ultraviolet, infrared, etc.), specific brightness or intensity levels, and programs for varying illumination output based upon various parameters including electrical power information, ambient light levels, intervals of time, motion sensing input, and the like. For example, in one embodiment, a lighting apparatus may include a program mode that provides selected brightness or intensity levels based upon selected levels of electrical power system capacity. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the illuminating head  24  may include an antenna element  130 . The antenna element  130  may be in electrical communication with the process control element  112  to receive wireless control signals from an external source or transmitter. The antenna element  130  may be tuned to any suitable frequency for communication with the external source or transmitter. The process control element  112  may communicate with the antenna element to provide all necessary means, systems, and/or devices to enable receipt and decoding, if necessary, of wireless control signals received at the antenna element  130 . 
     Lighting elements of the illuminating head  24  will now be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 5-9 .  FIG. 5  is a front view of an illuminating head  24  structured according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The depicted illuminating head  24  includes four lighting element modules  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148 ; however, more or fewer lighting element modules may be provided in alternate embodiments. Each lighting element module includes one or more light emitters (e.g., LEDs, IR light emitters, etc.) as will be discussed in greater detail below. The depicted lighting element modules are disposed in a vertically stacked arrangement; however, other lighting element module arrangements may be used (e.g., a vertically stacked arrangement, a horizontally stacked arrangement, a diagonal arrangement, and/or some combination thereof). 
     In various embodiments of the invention, each of the lighting element modules is disposed adjacent to a shadow plate  140 . The depicted shadow plate  140  is rectangularly shaped and defines a substantially planar reflective surface  141  having a polished face that is disposed in a direction of intended illumination. The shadow plate  140  may be made from, for example, polished aluminum or other reflective metals to form a mirror-like surface. In other embodiments, the shadow plate  140  may be painted or coated with a flat white finish. In still other embodiments, the shadow plate  140  may be from an opaque composite or polymer that is configured to have a reflective or flat finish. In the depicted embodiment, the shadow plate  140  physically separate the electronics enclosure  72  from the lighting element modules and optically reflects light emitted from the light emitters toward a direction of intended illumination (e.g., the illumination zone  18  of  FIG. 1 ) and away from a direction of intended darkness (e.g., the darkened zone  16  of  FIG. 1 ). 
     In various embodiments, the size and shape of the shadow plate  140  may be selected based on the preferred illumination range. For example, the depicted substantially planar shadow plate  140  is designed to produce a preferred illumination range of approximately 180 degrees depending upon the position of the light emitters relative to the shadow plate. If a smaller illumination range were preferred, the shadow plate may lengthened, curved or bent to define a generally concave surface. Alternatively, if a larger illumination range were preferred, the shadow plate may be shortened, curved or bent to define a generally convex surface. Thus, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the size, shape, and thickness of the shadow plate may be tailored to particular illumination application. In one embodiment, the shadow plate  140  is thermally conductive (i.e., formed from a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, metal filled polymer, metallic layered composite, etc.) and thermally connected to the lighting element modules, thereby operating as a heat sink or heat dissipater as will be described in further detail below. 
     As noted above, the depicted illuminating head  24  include a first lighting element module  142 , a second lighting element module  144 , a third lighting element module  146  and a fourth lighting element module  148 . In the depicted embodiment, each lighting element module is sandwiched between focusing plates  150 ,  152 ,  172 ,  190 , and  210  as shown. For example, the first lighting element module  142  is disposed between first focusing plate  150  and second focusing plate  152 . The second lighting element module  144  is disposed between second focusing plate  152  and third focusing  172 . The third lighting element module  146  is disposed between third focusing plate  172  and fourth focusing plate  190 . The fourth lighting element module  148  is disposed between fourth focusing plate  190  and fifth focusing plate  210 . Although not wishing to be bound by theory, the focusing plates  150 ,  152 ,  172 ,  190 , and  210  are provided to reflect, direct, and/or otherwise focus light that is originally emitted by the light emitters in an undesirable generally vertical direction (i.e., upwardly, downwardly, and/or angularly away from an intended area of illumination) and toward an intended area of illumination. 
     In the depicted embodiment, each focusing plate defines a semi-circular shape. However, as will be apparent in view of this disclosure, the focusing plates may adopt other shapes so long as they reflect, direct, and/or focus light emitted by the light emitters in a direction of intended illumination. The focusing plates may be made from, for example, polished aluminum or other reflective metals. In other embodiments, the focusing plates may be made an opaque composite or polymer that is configured to have a reflective or flat finish. In one embodiment, as noted with respect to the shadow plate above, the focusing plates may be thermally conductive (i.e., formed from a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, metal filled polymers, metal-layered composites, etc.) and thermally connected to the lighting element modules, thereby operating as a heat sink or heat dissipater for the light emitters (e.g., LEDs) associated with such modules. 
     The depicted first lighting element module  142  functions as an IR spot light. The first light element module  142  comprises first and second IR emitters that are disposed in first and second focusing devices  154 ,  156  that are adapted to act as a narrowing lens and focus light emitted from the first and second IR emitters into a spot-light mode of illumination. For purposes of the present invention and appended claims the term “focusing device” or “narrowing lens” includes any lens (e.g., fish-eye, elliptical, conical, etc.), reflector, optic, concentrator, or other device that is capable of reflecting or focusing light. Referring to  FIG. 5A , focusing devices or lenses structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, such as the exemplary depicted LED optic  101 , are generally conically-shaped and possess a reflective lens surface  103  positioned in reflective proximity to a centrally located light emitter  102  (e.g., LED) as shown. In various embodiments, such focusing devices may be comprises of ceramic materials, glass materials, polymers, composites, or combinations thereof. In still other embodiments, such focusing devices may be structured to narrow light emitter from a centrally located light emitter  102  to an illumination cone angle θ of approximately 4 to 50 degrees, preferably between 15 to 50 degrees, more preferably between 4 and 30 degrees, and still more preferably between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , the depicted first focusing device  154  is oriented in a first direction and the second focusing device  156  is oriented in a second direction. In the depicted embodiment, the orientation of the first and second directions are dictated by the mounting structure that supports the fist light element module as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, the first and second white light emitting LEDs  163 ,  165  (and the first and second focusing devices although not shown for convenience purposes) are supported by a first wedge support  160 . As shown in the top section view provided by  FIG. 6A , the depicted first wedge support  160  is configured to direct the focusing devices  154 ,  156  at an angle of 74 degrees off of center (as defined by centerline C). The depicted first wedge support  160  includes five sides  164 ,  168 ,  170 ,  166 , and  167  and top and bottom surfaces  171 ,  172  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The thickness of the depicted first wedge support  160  is approximately on inch. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in view of this disclosure (and particularly in view of the exemplary mounting structures discussed with regard to the second, third, and fourth lighting element modules), by varying the size, shape, and thickness of the first wedge support  160  and/or by varying the mounting position of the light emitters (e.g., LEDs of various types, colors, etc.), the first lighting element module may be configured to direct light in a wide variety of directions. 
     In various embodiments, the first wedge support  160  may be thermally conductive (i.e., formed from a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, metal filled polymers, metal-layered composites, etc.) and thermally connected to the lighting element modules (e.g., mounted using a thermal grease, thermal epoxy, solder filled polymer, solder, etc.), thereby operating as a heat sink or heat dissipater for such lighting element modules. In yet another embodiment, the first wedge support  160  may define a plurality of orifices  161 , which may operate to reduce the weight of the wedge support, provide wiring pathways, and/or to provide holes for receiving mechanical fasteners, etc. Although depicted as oriented in a generally vertical direction, orifices  161  structured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are not limited to this direction and may proceed through the wedge support as needed in conformity with their desired function. In one embodiment, a centrally disposed vertically aligned orifice may be provided that is sized to receive a support rod (shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  as item  52 ), which is configured as the structural backbone supporting the illuminating head. 
     As noted above, the depicted first wedge support  160  includes five sides  164 ,  168 ,  170 ,  166 , and  167  and top and bottom surfaces  171 ,  172 . In the depicted embodiment, top and bottom surfaces  171 ,  172  are disposed in secure face-to-face contact with opposed focusing plates  150 ,  152 . Depicted side  167  is disposed in secure face-to-face contact with shadow plate  140 . Such contact may be assured through the use of removable fasteners or relatively fixed mounting methods such as welding, gluing, brazing, etc. A part from providing surfaces to mechanically support the shadow plate and focusing plates, this direct contact provides a thermal pathway through which heat produced by the light emitters may be dissipated. To assist in this regard, thermal greases, thermal epoxies, solder filled polymers, solders, or other similar thermal interface materials may be provided between contacting surface to fill any gaps inherently provided therebetween. 
     In one embodiment, the second lighting element module  144  functions as a flood light that is adapted to emit visible or white light. The depicted second lighting element module  144  includes a second wedge support  174  that defines four sides  180 ,  184 ,  182 , and  181  and top and bottom surfaces  185 ,  186 . The thickness of the depicted second wedge support is ½ inch. The depicted second wedge support  174  includes a first array of LEDs  176  disposed on side  180 , a second array of LEDs  177  disposed on side  184 , and a third array of LEDs  178  disposed on side  182 . Depicted LED array  177  is aligned with a centerline C while LED arrays  176  and  178  are oriented at an angle offset by 60 degrees relative to centerline C as shown in the top section view provided by  FIG. 7A . It should be noted that although the depicted arrays  176 ,  177 ,  178  include 4, 2 and 4 LEDs, respectively, any number of LEDs may be proved for each array depending on application requirements and/or user preferences. Further, as discussed above, other types of light emitters may be used with or without focusing devices on any one of the wedge support sides. 
     In the depicted embodiment, top and bottom surfaces  185 ,  186  of the second wedge support  174  are disposed in secure face-to-face contact with opposed focusing plates  152 ,  172 . Depicted side  181  is disposed in secure face-to-face contact with shadow plate  140 . Such contact may be assured through the use of removable fasteners or relatively fixed mounting methods such as welding, gluing, brazing, etc. Apart from providing surfaces to mechanically support the shadow plate and focusing plates, this direct contact provides a thermal pathway through which heat produced by the light emitters may be dissipated. To assist in this regard, thermal greases, thermal epoxies, solder filled polymers, solders, or other similar thermal interface materials may be provided between contacting surfaces to fill any gaps inherently provided therebetween. 
     The depicted second wedge support  174  may include orifices  161  similar to those described above with regard to the first wedge support  160 . Such orifices  161  may function as described in detail above. For example, the second wedge support may include a centrally disposed vertically aligned orifice that is aligned with a similar orifice provide in the first wedge support and sized to receive a support rod (shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  as item  52 ), which is configured as the structural backbone supporting the illuminating head. In various embodiments, the size, shape, and pattern of orifices defined among wedge supports may be identical substantially identical, or altogether different. 
     In one embodiment, the third lighting element module  146  functions as a flood light that is adapted to emit IR light. The depicted third lighting element module  146  includes a third wedge support  192  that defines six sides  198 ,  202 ,  206 ,  204 ,  200 , and  203  and top and bottom surfaces  205 ,  207  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The thickness of the depicted third wedge support  192  is ¾ inch. The depicted third wedge support  192  includes a first IR emitter  194  disposed on side  202  and a second IR emitter  196  disposed on side  196 . As shown in the top section view provided by  FIG. 8A , the depicted first and second IR emitters  194 ,  196  are oriented at an angle offset by 45 degrees relative to centerline C. It should be noted that although the depicted light emitters are IR emitters, which each house an array of IR LEDS, many differing types of light emitters may be used in connection with the inventive concepts herein described. Further, as discussed above, other types of light emitters may be used with or without focusing devices on any one of the wedge support sides. 
     In the depicted embodiment, top and bottom surfaces  205 ,  207  of the third wedge support  192  are disposed in secure face-to-face contact with opposed focusing plates  172 ,  190 . Depicted side  203  is disposed in secure face-to-face contact with shadow plate  140 . Such contact may be assured through the use of removable fasteners or relatively fixed mounting methods such as welding, gluing, brazing, etc. Apart from providing surfaces to mechanically support the shadow plate and focusing plates, this direct contact provides a thermal pathway through which heat produced by the light emitters may be dissipated. To assist in this regard, thermal greases thermal epoxies, solder filled polymers, solders, or other similar thermal interface materials may be provided between contacting surfaces to fill any gaps inherently provided therebetween. 
     The depicted third wedge support  192  may include orifices  161  similar to those described above with regard to the first and second supports. Such orifices  161  may function as described in detail above. For example, the third wedge support may include a centrally disposed vertically aligned orifice that is aligned with similar orifices provide in the first and second wedge supports and which is sized to receive a support rod (shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  as item  52 ), which is configured as the structural backbone supporting the illuminating head. In various embodiments, the size, shape, and pattern of orifices defined among wedge supports may be identical, substantially identical, or altogether different. 
     In one embodiment, the fourth lighting element module  148  functions as a spot light that is adapted to emit white or visible light. The depicted fourth lighting element module  148  includes a fourth wedge support  212  that defines eight sides  220 ,  224 ,  228 ,  232 ,  230 ,  226 ,  222 , and  221  and top and bottom surfaces  225 ,  227  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The thickness of the depicted fourth wedge support  212  is on inch. The depicted fourth wedge support  212  includes a first LED  194  disposed on side  220 , a second LED  214  disposed on side  228 , a third LED  215  disposed on side  230 , and a fourth LED  216  disposed on side  222 . Although not shown for convenience purposed in  FIG. 9 , each of the depicted LEDs is disposed in a focusing device  155  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Turning to the top section view provided by  FIG. 9A , the depicted first, second, third, and fourth LEDs  213 ,  214 ,  215 ,  216  are oriented at various angles relative to centerline C. For example, the depicted first and fourth LEDs  213 ,  216  are oriented at 85 degrees off the centerline C and the depicted second and third LEDs  214 ,  215  are oriented at 75 degrees off the centerline. It is noted that although the fourth light element module is described in connection with white light transmitting LEDs, various other types of light emitters or arrays of light emitters may be used. Additionally, as discussed above, such other types of light emitters may be used with or without focusing devices and may be disposed any one of the wedge support sides. 
     In the depicted embodiment, top and bottom surfaces  225 ,  227  of the fourth wedge support  212  are disposed in secure face-to-face contact with opposed focusing plates  190 ,  210 . Depicted side  221  is disposed in secure face-to-face contact with shadow plate  140 . Such contact may be assured through the use of removable fasteners or relatively fixed mounting methods such as welding, gluing, brazing, etc. Apart from providing surfaces to mechanically support the shadow plate and focusing plates, this direct contact provides a thermal pathway through which heat produces by the light emitters may be dissipated. To assist in this regard, thermal greases, thermal epoxies, solder filled polymers, solders, or other similar thermal interface materials may be provided between contacting surfaces to fill any gaps inherently provided therebetween. 
     The depicted fourth wedge support  212  may include orifices  161  similar to those described above with regard to the first, second, and third wedge supports. Such orifices  161  may function as described in detail above. For example, the fourth wedge support may include a centrally disposed vertically aligned orifice that is aligned with similar orifices provided in the first, second, and third wedge supports and which is sized to receive a support rod (shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  as item  52 ), which is configured as the structural backbone supporting the illuminating head. In various embodiments, the size, shape, and pattern of orifices defined among wedge supports may be identical, substantially identical, or altogether different. 
       FIG. 10  is illustrates a lighting apparatus  512  having an illuminating head  524  structured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The illuminating head  524  of this exemplary embodiment may be supported by a mounting apparatus  522  or quad-pod that is similar to that described above. Notably, the illuminating head  524  structured in accordance with the depicted embodiment omits the shadow and separating plates used in prior illuminating head embodiments to direct or otherwise reflect emitted light. Thus, the depicted illuminating head  524  may be partially useful in applications where it is not necessary for its emitted light to be focused only within a narrow field. For example, the depicted illuminating head  524  may be useful when servicing an automobile or aircraft in a remote, darkened location where a broad field of high intensity white light is needed. 
       FIG. 11  is a detail view of the illuminating head  524  depicted in  FIG. 10 . The depicted illuminating head  524  includes 32 LEDs that are adapted to transmit white or visible light. A housing  530  is provided for enclosing the electronic circuitry and control elements associated with the LEDs. The 32 LEDs are disposed in six vertical arrays  535 ,  540 ,  545 ,  550 ,  560 , and  565 . Arrays  540 ,  545 ,  550 , and  560  include four LEDs  542  with each LED  542  having a concentrator or focusing device  555  that is capable of focusing the illumination provided by the LED into a spot-light pattern of illumination. LEDs that are used in connection with a focusing device may be referred to herein as spot-light type LEDs or LEDs that are adapted for a spot-light mode of operation. In one embodiment, the spot-light illumination pattern produced by each spot-light type LED may provide an illumination path of 10 degrees±5 degrees. By varying the type of focusing device used in connection with individual or multiple LEDs, various additional illumination paths may be achieved as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Arrays  535  and  565  each include eight LEDs  537  that are not enclosed by a concentrator or focusing device and therefore broadcast a much wider illumination path. These widely illuminating LEDs  537  as referred to herein as flood-light type LEDs or LEDs that are adapted for a flood-light mode of operation. In the depicted embodiment, the two arrays  535 ,  565  of flood-light LEDs are disposed on opposite sides of the arrays  540 ,  545 ,  560  of spot-light LEDs as shown. This configuration is shown in greater detail by the top section view of the illuminating head provided by  FIG. 11A . 
     The spot- and flood-light LEDs of the depicted embodiments are each supported by a fifth wedge support  531  as shown. In one embodiment, the fifth wedge support  531  may define six LED support surfaces  531 ′ as shown in the wedge detail view provided by  FIG. 11B . For example, the fifth wedge support  531  may define six LED support surfaces  531 ′ that are offset relative to one another by a selected angle (here, by 6 degrees) for directing the illumination provided by the six arrays of LEDs (items  535 ,  540 ,  545 ,  550 ,  560 ,  565  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 11A ). In alternative embodiments, other LED array combinations and wedge support designs may be used. 
       FIG. 11C  is a schematic illustration of an illuminating head  624  structured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The depicted illuminating head  624  includes a forced air cooling system provided to sufficiently cool the LEDs while simultaneously allowing for a compact, relatively low-weight, heat sink. One or more switches, buttons, etc., may be provided for controlling the operation of the spot- and flood-light LEDs as generally described above. 
       FIG. 11D  depicts an illuminating head  724  having only spot-light type LEDs  742  (i.e., LEDs having focusing devices  755 ) as may be structured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, only flood-light type LEDs may be used (not shown) or some other combination or arrangement of spot- and flood-light LEDs may be used. The depicted LEDs are arranged in vertical arrays on a fifth wedge support  531  of the type described with regard to  FIGS. 11A-B . Some embodiments may include uniform numbers of LEDs across each vertically arranged array or alternatively could include non-uniform numbers of LEDs across each vertically arranged array. In still other embodiments, the LEDs need not be vertically arranged but could be horizontally arranged, diagonally arranged, or the like. 
       FIG. 12  is a rear view of the illuminating head in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the illuminating head depicted in  FIG. 12 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate various perspectives of an illuminated head housing  530  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 14-22  depict a lighting apparatus  1012  having an illuminating head  1024  that is adapted for spot light mode, flood light mode, visible light mode, and IR mode operation in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of two lighting apparatuses  1012  each supported by a mounting apparatus  1022  or quad-pod of the type described with regard to  FIG. 2  above. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a side view of a single lighting apparatus  1012  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted lighting apparatus  1012  includes a mounting device  1022  or quad-pod as described above; however, the depicted lighting apparatus  1012  includes first and second battery packs  1056 ,  1056 ′ and corresponding first and second power cords  1070 ,  1070 ′. In this regard, the depicted lighting apparatus  1012  is adapted to progress increased battery power (e.g., longer run times, longer run times and increased battery levels, etc.) 
       FIGS. 16-19  provide various detail views of the illumination head  1024  depicted in  FIG. 15 . In the depicted embodiment, the battery packs  1056 ,  1056 ′ are disposed in electrical communication with electronics components of the illuminating head  1024 . As noted above, various embodiments of the invention are not limited to powering by one or even two battery packs and may be supplied with power by a variety of other power sources (e.g., battery, wall outlet power supply, mobile cord power supply, solar power, etc.). 
     The electronics components needed to drive the illuminating head  1024  may be disposed, for example, in an electronics enclosure  1072  and may include any devices or means embodied in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that are capable of providing power and control functions, such as beam shaping functions, for light emitters of the illuminating head  1024 . The electronics components may be controlled and the battery packs  1056 ,  1056 ′ may be monitored via a user interface  1074  disposed on a face of the electronics enclosure  1072 . In addition, in various embodiments, the electronics may be controlled remotely through electromagnetic signals received by the antenna element  1001  shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     In one embodiment, the electronics enclosure  1074  is mounted to a rear surface of the illuminating head housing  1030  as shown. Notably, the depicted illuminating head housing  1030  includes air inlet openings  1002  for providing air to the illuminating head convection cooling system that will be described in greater detail below. Operation of the illuminating head  1024  is controlled by the user interface  1074 . In the depicted embodiment, the user interface  1074  includes first and second adjustable members  1076  and  1078 , a toggle switch  1080 , a mode select button  1077 , and a display  1082 . In one embodiment, the toggle switch  1080  may be adapted to disconnect battery power in order to disconnect erosion of battery capacity during power off conditions. In another embodiment, the toggle switch  1080  may be adapted to disconnect battery power and disconnect power from other power sources (e.g., power cords, etc.). In still other embodiments, the toggle switch  1080  may be adapted to toggle between various modes of operation including, but not limited to, a brightness control mode, an illumination control mode, and the like. Additional switches, toggles, potentiometers, etc., may be provided as part of the user interface  1074  to select the type or capacity of an installed battery, calibration of the illuminating head  1024 , a self-calibration or test mode, and other functionalities in addition to those expressly set forth herein. 
       FIG. 20  is a front detail view of the illuminating head  1024  depicted in  FIGS. 16-19 . Notably, in the depicted embodiment, the illuminating head housing (item  1030  in  FIGS. 16-19 ) has been removed to expose internal system components. Notably, in contrast to prior illuminating head embodiments that included a wedge support for receiving LEDs, the present embodiment includes a substantially planar LED support plate  1110  that is adapted to receive one or more LEDs. In the depicted embodiment, the illuminating head  1024  includes first and second arrays of spot-light type visible light emitting LEDs  1113 ,  1114  and two spot-light type IR light emitting LEDs  1116 ,  1115 . Notably, as described above, the spot-light type IR light emitting LEDs  1116 ,  1115  are comprised of IR light emitters that are used in connection with focusing devices. 
     The depicted illuminating head  1024  further includes a centrally disposed flood-light support plate  1120  that comprises first, second, third, and fourth arrays of flood-light type visible light emitting LEDs  1122 ,  1124 ,  1126 ,  1128  as shown. Notably, the flood-light support plate  1120  is raised relative to the LED support plate  1110  so that light may be generally free to emit from the flood-light type LEDs without obstruction by the adjacent focusing devices of the spot-light type LEDs. 
     In one embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth arrays of flood-light type visible light emitting LEDs  1122 ,  1124 ,  1126 ,  1128  may be mounted to the flood-light support plate  1120  by means of a thermal epoxy or other similar material as shown in the detail view of the flood-light support plate  1120  which is provided as  FIG. 20A . The depicted illuminating head  1024  further includes two IR emitters  1127 ,  1129  disposed on the flood-light support plate  1120  proximate the visible light emitting LEDs as shown. Notably, each IR emitter includes an array of IR emitting LEDs as illustrated in  FIG. 20A . In various embodiments of the invention, more or fewer spot-light type visible light emitting LEDs, spot-light type IR light emitting LEDs, flood-light type visible light emitting LEDs, and flood-light type IR emitters may be used depending upon the selected application. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates an illuminating head  1024  having a cooling system  1200  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted cooling system  1200  is thermally coupled to the LED support plate  1110  and includes first and second heat sinks  1210 ,  1215 . In one embodiment, the heat sinks  1210 ,  1215  may be passive (i.e., no forced air) and may include one or more internal heat pipes that accommodate rapid cooling the plurality of LEDs supported by the illuminating head  1024 . Other cooling systems may be used in connection with the present embodiment without deviating from the inventive concepts herein described. 
       FIG. 22  is a partially exploded view of the electronics components housed in an electronics enclosure  1074  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted electronics components are of the type described in connection with  FIG. 3  above, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure. 
     For illustration purposes, the foregoing discussion describes the operation of the exemplary illuminating head  1024 ; which is depicted in  FIGS. 15-22 . As noted above, the user interface  1074  includes first and second adjustable members  1076  and  1078 , a toggle switch  1080 , a mode select button  1077 , and a display  1082 . The toggle switch  1080  operates as a power shut off to preserve battery power. The mode selected button  1077  allows a user to select between three states, namely, an IR illumination mode, a white or visible illumination mode, or off. In one embodiment, a user may select between these modes by simply pressing the button  1077  to switch between “off” and “IR illumination” modes while pressing and holding the button  1077  for more than three seconds to engage the white or visible light mode. In this regard, inadvertent use of visible light is prevented in circumstances where such use is undesirable (e.g., security applications). In alternate embodiments, a simple three state toggle switch or other similar devices could be used to select between the three modes. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the first adjustable member  1076  sets the relative brightness or intensity of the engaged LEDs. For example, in one embodiment, if the illuminating head  1024  were disposed in IR mode the user may manipulate the first adjustable member  1076  designate a power output to the LEDs of between 1 to 24 watts. If the illuminating head  1024  were disposed in white or visible light mode, the user could manipulate the first adjustable member  1078  to designate a power output to the LEDs of between 1 to 48 watts. Various other power output ranges may be available depending upon the rating of the LEDs and related circuitry. 
     The depicted second adjustable member  1078  provides what is referred to herein a beam-shaping functionality. More specifically, the second adjustable member  1078  allows a user to select how much of the available power that the user would like to direct to the spot-light type LEDs and the flood-light type LEDs. For example, a user could allocate 30 percent of the available power to the flood-light type LEDs and 70 percent of the available power to the spot-light type LEDs. The spot light LEDs are thus primary engaged to allow the user far field visibility in a darkened environment while the flood-light type LEDs are engaged, albeit to a somewhat lesser extent, to provide near field visibility of a user&#39;s immediate environment. Advantageously, a user may thus tailor the light output of the illuminating head  1024  to match his or her environment. 
     For purposes of the above specification and foregoing claims, the term light emitting diode or “LED” may include without limitation high brightness white LEDs, blue LEDs, red LEDs, orange LEDs, amber LEDs, yellow LEDs, green LEDs, bi- or tri-color LEDs, multi-colored LEDs, infrared LEDs, and ultraviolet LEDs. Such LEDs advantageously provide a relatively high level of illumination with relatively minimal power requirements as compared to traditional incandescent or resistor-based light bulbs. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5