GB2498528A - Multifunctional flashlight - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable light or torch has numerous light emitting diodes (LEDs) (8, fig 3) each arranged to emit light of a different colour, and a touch screen interface 1 for controlling the brightness of each of the LEDs individually so as to control the colour of light emitted by the LEDs 8 in combination. Parts 17-20 of the touch screen interface 1 may be actuated to cause the light to emit light of a given colour.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL .*.. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. 0B1200759.7 RTM Date:17 May 2012 The following term is a registered trademark and should be read as such wherever it occurs in this document: Bluetooth Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

MIJLTIFUNCTIONAL LIGHT

Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a multifunctional light, in particular a flashlight or torch.

[0002] Flashlights are known for illuminating, warning and indicating. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used as the light source in a flashlight.

[0003] The available spectrum of LED sources has been adopted to suit many applications, including in hand held torches, head torches, remote units, weapon sighting and lighting systems, to illuminate objects and areas, to indicate object status, i.e. on/off, for forensic/specialist inspections, to disorientate assailants, for signalling status e.g. S.O.S., and for location finding. However the limitations of mechanical switching typical of torches/flashlights utilising LEDs or other light sources leads to limited uses and difficulties, thus limiting the versatility and applications of the known devices.

[0004] In particular, in different specialist applications it is desirable to provide illumination with light of a specific colour. For example, in smoke-filled buildings or areas yellow light is desirable. In medical and forensic applications green or blue light can be required. In underwater photography, it can be desirable to have both red light to avoid attracting plankton and, subsequently, white light for a properTy lit image.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an aim of the invention to provide a single device, not merely producing illuminating light of different discrete colours, but in which the colour is programmable.

[0006] Accordingly, the invention provides a portable light comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) each arranged to emit light of a different colour, a power source, and a controller for controlling the brightness of each of the LEDs individually so as to control the colour of light emitted by the LEDs in combination.

[0007] In one embodiment, the light incTudes LEDs emitting red, green, blue and white light respectively. Most conveniently the invention takes the form of a hand held light, such as a torch or flashlight. The flashlight may comprise all elongate body providing a handle and housing at least one battery, and a head containing the LEDs. The head may include at least one collimating lens and/or at least one collimating reflector.

[0008] In addition to the LEDs, the light of the invention may include at least one laser diode. It may further include at least one ultraviolet-emitting LED and/or at least one infrared-emitting LED.

[0009] Control means for controlling the light may be provided in the form of a touch screen interface. A part of the touch screen to be actuated to cause the light to emit light of a given colour may itself display substantially that colour. This may correspond to the colour of an individual LED or to the combined colour to be output from the light.

[0010] The light may be provided with means for remote control thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0012] Figure 1 is a top view of a flashlight according to the invention; [0013] Figure 2 is a side view of the flashlight of Figure 1; [0014] Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the head of the flashlight of Figures 1 and 2; [0015] Figure 4 is a front view of the head; [0016] Figures 5A to 5D show the touch screen interface of the flashlight; [0017] Figure 6 shows circuits for controlling the LEDs of the flashlight; [0018] Figure 7 shows a waterproof housing for the flashlight; and [0019] Figure 8 shows a stand for the flashlight.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 show a flashlight according to the invention, of compact arrangement which fits comfortably within the palm of a user's hand. The flashlight has a laterally flattened shape which can fit into a trouser/jacket pocket or the like. It may be provided with means for mounting the flashlight to the human body, specialist clothing, machines, vehicles or surfaces of any type via one or more clamps, screws, straps or similar.

[0021] The flashlight has an LCD/OLED touch screen dispTay interface (hereinafter calTed the "display") 1, seaTed into a flush fitting mounting plate 2.

The display 1 is seaTed with 0-rings and preferably mechanical clamp and sealant from behind enabling a firm seal. The display mounting plate 2 is recessed into a main chassis 3 and is sealed with 0-rings and fixed with machine screws to blind holes providing a flush surface.

[0022] The chassis 3 is fluted, the flutes 4 providing a recess to house preferabTy solid coloured rubber strips 5 for additional grip. The colour coded rubber strips also provides an instant indication of unit type, e.g. black (military/security), red/orange (safety/rescue), green/blue (forensic) or white (specialist) [0023] A head 6 of the flashlight is shaped in such a way to prevent rolling by use of opposed flat parallel faces 7. The head is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. In a particular example, the head includes four 10 W LEDs, respectively coloured white, red, green and blue visible light. One of the LEDs is shown in Figure 3 at 8, the LEDs being secured to a heat sink/mounting plate 9 and housed within LED collimator collars 10. A focusable lens system uses in this example two aspheric lenses 11, 12, the outer aspheric lens 12 being mounted within a threaded port collar 13. This produces a narrow beam with a divergence of approximately 15 degrees.

[0024] Laser diodes such as 14 are each mounted and housed within an allocated modular port position having an adjustable collimating collar 15 and a protective lens 16. The laser diodes in this example are industry standard 5.6 mm laser diode cans. All of the diodes 8, 14, within the device can be changed/swapped out to other wavelengths, visible or non-visible as application warrants. This means that the user can utilise a greater spectrum of lighting sources and have greater control in each application as desired.

[0025] The display 1 provides a visual indication to the user in the form of coloured icons and text relating to the reTevant diodes instaTled, internal and or external battery status, batteiy charging status and overall product version.

[0026] Figures 5A to 3D show menus provided by the display 1. The field re-programmable menu of Figure 5A provides the means for the user to manually programme the unit with his/her preferred preset functionality at start-up.

AdditionalTy date and time information can be set and stored. These settings can be stored and recalled to more than one user preset.

[0027] The icons and text enabTe at least one diode to be selected and switched on or off individualTy i.e. independently of any other LED and/or laser diodes populating the device. In particular, each of icons 17 to 20 shown in Figure 5A selects an LED of a particular colour and accesses the menu of Figure 5B. The latter enables the brightness of the selected LED to be adjusted or the selected LED to be pulsed, again independently of other installed LEDs and/or laser diodes. This can include actuation of an S.O.S. indication. The display 1 also indicates battery condition/status and provides a visual warning of operational power remaining at more than one predetermined time interval. The battery display will flash when a predetermined amount of internal power remains in the battery.

[0028] Figure 5C shows a laser menu for controlling the laser diodes.

[0029] A further menu, shown in Figure 5D, provides a means to store and recaTl user settings. The field re-programmable interface can be programmed to suit each application! task.

[0030] It will be appreciated that by mixing the brightness of the different LEDS appropriately, the fTashlight can be controlTed to produce illuminating light of any colour. The collimation of the light sources provides a uniform coTour wash across the output/beam.

[0031] The unit can be turned on or off by a singTe tap to the display 1.

AdditionalTy, with a predetermined long hoTd, e.g. 2 seconds, a visuaT alarm of any colour or colours singularly or in rotation is initiated for a predetermined time, e.g. 12 seconds.

[0032] Additionally, the device of the invention can be controlled from a cloned remote interface via digital or analogue command using light or wireless communication, e.g. infrared, or bluetooth, hard wired or with external protocol supplied via RJ45/USB. This enables the device to be sited at a distance from the operator and controlled accordingTy, preferabTy using an interface that is a cTone of the display 1 and has identical functionality.

[0033] The flashlight provides self contained electrical power using rechargeable cells, which can be charged from an external AC or DC source directTy or indirectly; moreover the source can run the unit direct.

[0034] The flashlight is controlled by a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) which produces a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal for each LED, the mark-space ratio being variable in order to control the apparent brightness of the LED.

Figure 6 shows circuits for controlling the four LEDs which are arranged on a board 21. Boost converters 22 are provided for the white, green and blue LEDs respectively. The PWM signal is applied to a power FET driver 23 in each case.

For maximum efficiency, a buck boost regulator 24 is provided for the red LED, which operates at a lower voltage than the other LEDs, typically at 7 volts instead of livolts. When the battery is low the red LED requires a boost regulator like the others to step up the voltage, but when the battery is fully charged it needs a buck regulator to step down the voltage.

[0035] The current flowing in each LED is measured at a resistor 25 and fed back to the FPGA to provide regulation by varying the mark-space ratio of the relevant output. This keeps the current constant, whatever the battery voltage and allows precise brightness values for each LED to be set by the user.

[0036] Additionally, the device of the invention may be housed in a watertight and pressure sealed housing 26, shown in Figure 7, for working at depths of e.g. m underwater and/or extreme hazardous environments, preferably with the ability to maintain i-emote control application as previousTy mentioned. An inductive power coupling may alTow charging of and control to the device within the housing ri26.

[0037] FigureS shows a clamping support 27 for supporting the flashlight.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A portable light comprising a pluraTity of Tight emitting diodes (LEDs) each arranged to emit Tight of a different coTour, a power source, and a controTler for controlTing the brightness of each of the LEDs individualTy so as to control the colour of light emitted by the LEDs in combination.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A light according to claim 1, including LEDs emitting red, green, blue and white light respectively.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A light according to claim 1 or 2, in the form of a flashlight.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A light according to claim 3, comprising an elongate body providing a handle and housing at least one battery, and a head containing the LEDs.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A light according to claim 4, wherein the head includes at least one colTimator.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A light according to claim 5, wherein said at least one collimator is in the form of a lens or a reflector.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A light according to claim 4 or 5, including one collimator arranged to collimate light from a plurality of LEDs.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A light according to any preceding claim, including at least one laser diode.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A light according to any preceding claim, including at least one ultraviolet-emitting LED and/or at least one infrared-emitting LED.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A light according to any preceding claim, including a touch screen interface for controlling the light.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A light according to claim 10, wherein a part of the touch screen interface to be actuated to cause the light to emit light of a given coTour itself displays substantially that colour.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A light according to claim 11, wherein said given colour is colour of an individual LED or a combined colour to be output from the light.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A light according to any preceding claim, including a remote control therefor.</claim-text>