Wireless modular light system
11454383 · 2022-09-27
Inventors
Cpc classification
F21V23/009
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V17/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21L4/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V21/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G1/35
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V23/0435
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2115/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F21V17/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G1/35
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V23/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V23/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A remote control for operating a light system having a light source housed in a light housing, a power source, and a manual switch that can selectively activate a light source comprising a tail cap configured to couple to the light source, wherein the tail cap has a housing that houses a microcontroller and a wireless communication module, wherein the microcontroller can be coupled to the wireless communication module and to the light source such that the microcontroller can operate to selectively control the light source when the tail cap is coupled to the light source. A remote having a communication interface wherein the communication interface can communicate with the wireless communication module wherein the communication interface receives user preference information from the remote to allow the user to remotely control the light source.
Claims
1. A remotely mounted light system, comprising: a light source comprising a light emitter and coupled to a battery having a first end and a second end wherein the battery has a first terminal having a first polarity on the first end and a second terminal having the opposite polarity on the second end; a manual control switch to selectively activate the light source and a wireless control switch to selectively activate the light source, a third terminal having the opposite polarity of the first terminal, the third terminal essentially located on the first end of the battery and separated from the first terminal by a first insulator; a first conductor coupled to the first terminal insulated from a second conductor coupled to the third terminal such that the light source and the wireless switch are both powered by a first power source; and a remote comprising a wireless communication transmitter that communicates with the wireless switch and is powered by a second power source.
2. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the manual control switch is situated in a tail cap that has a threaded portion that may be coupled to a light housing that has a threaded portion corresponding to the threaded portion of the tail cap.
3. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the light source is housed in a light housing that is coupled to a body and wherein the manual control switch is situated in a tail cap, the system further comprising an adapter to attach the tail cap to the body.
4. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the light emitter is at least one light emitting diode.
5. The remotely mounted light system of claim 3, wherein the body has a threaded end and wherein the adapter has a threaded portion corresponding to the threaded end of the body to attach the threaded end of the body.
6. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the remote is coupled to a handheld device that is removably attached to an accessory.
7. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein remote is coupled to an accessory wherein the accessory is a firearm, vehicle, helmet, gun grip, or handguard.
8. The remotely mounted light system of claim 3, wherein the tail cap is configured to be used with one of a plurality of adapters, wherein each of the plurality of adapters is sized to correspond to a differently sized body.
9. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the first conductor is insulated from the second conductor by air or a substantially non-conductive solid material.
10. The remotely mounted light system of claim 1, wherein the remote is configured to transmit the user's desired light information.
11. The remotely mounted light system of claim 8, wherein the remote is programable and configurable via a portable computing device.
12. The remotely mounted light system of claim 2, wherein the tail cap further comprises a replacement switch that operates in place of the manual switch when the tail cap is coupled to the light source.
13. A wireless light system comprising: a light housing that houses a source of light, wherein the source of light is powered by a battery having a first end and a second end wherein the battery has a first terminal having a first polarity on the first end and a second terminal having the opposite polarity on the second end; a body coupled to the light housing; a tail cap; a microcontroller powered by the power source and coupled to a wireless communication module and an antenna; a third terminal having the opposite polarity of the first terminal, the third terminal essentially located on the first end of the battery and separated from the first terminal by a first insulator; a first conductor coupled to the first terminal and the source of light, the first conductor insulated from a second conductor that is coupled to the third terminal and the microcontroller a remote having a communication interface wherein the communication interface wirelessly communicates user selected light information from the remote to the microcontroller to allow the user to remotely operate the light source.
14. The wireless light system of claim 13, wherein the light housing is coupled to a body, and wherein the tail cap is also coupled to the body and further comprises a power source.
15. The wireless light system of claim 13, wherein the source of light is light emitting diodes.
16. The wireless light system of claim 13, wherein the remote is a handheld computing device.
17. The wireless light system of claim 13, wherein the remote is a switch with at least one button.
18. The wireless light system of claim 13, wherein the remote is programable and configurable via a portable computing device.
19. An accessory for a light system having a light source housed in a light housing, a power source having a first polar terminal on a first end and a second polar terminal having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first polar terminal on a second end, the power source being coupled to the light source, and the light system having a manual switch to selectively activate the light source, the accessory comprising: a tail cap that is selectively coupled to the light housing, a flex circuit that couples the second polar terminal to provide a third polar terminal on the first end separated from the first polar terminal by an insulator; a microcontroller coupled to the tail cap and powered by the power source that can determine the type of light system by identifying at least one of a type of the light source, a power source type, current needed for the light, or a discharge rate of the power source.
20. The accessory of claim 19 wherein the microcontroller can adjust its settings to match the type of flashlight and send to a user's remote at least one of a type of flashlight, a current needed to power the flashlight, a type of light, a type of power source and an estimated time to recommended discharge.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.
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(23) Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(24) In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
(25) Referring initially to
(26) Referring to
(27) The light source 50 can further comprise a light 54, a reflector 58, and a lens 56 wherein the light housing 52 can be connected to the body 60 of the tail cap 20. The body 60 has a compartment 62 housing a power source 64. The light housing 50 can be removably attached to the compartment 62 by a male and female thread which can be machined, molded, or cast within light housing and the compartment or in other embodiments the light housing can be attached to the compartment by any other fastening device known by those skilled in the art, such as slots and clips, bolts, screws, rivets, press fit or the like. In the preferred embodiment the remote control for operating a light system 10 can omit the light housing 50, and the body 60 wherein the tail cap 20 can be sized accordingly to fit into any type of body creating a wireless system for any type of light. The body 60 can be used to conduct the positive or negative voltage to the light 54. In certain embodiments the body 60 can be a molded non-conductive or polymer material with a wire overmold for conducting the positive and negative voltage from the power source 64 to the light 54.
(28) The compartment 62 can vary in size and shape to provide a suitable grip or suitable attachment point for a mount 80 (as shown in
(29) The power source 64 can have a positive/negative terminal on one side, or a positive positive/negative terminal on one side or positive terminal on both sides, or negative terminal on one side, negative positive/negative terminal with negative terminal on both sides, positive on one side. Alternatively, other portable DC electrical power sources such as solar cells or other power sources can be used as desired in place of the power source 64. The power source 64 can be rechargeable through induction or a recharging port, or the power source can be replaceable. The power source 64 can be encapsulated and can be removable from the compartment 62 wherein the compartment 62 can hold the power source 64 in place so that there is a constant connection between the power source 64, light 54, and an inner spring 24 or outer spring 29 within the tail cap housing 22. In certain embodiments, the antenna 21 and processor 26 can be between the power source 64 and the light 54, lens 56, and reflector 58 wherein having the antenna physically between the power source and the light 54, lens 56, and reflector 58 allows for the use of common, smaller CR123A and other high output batteries.
(30) The head 52 of the light housing 50 can vary in size to and shape to provide for a suitable reflector 58, light 54 and lens 56 for the user's application and the intensity of the light. The reflector 58, light 54 and lens 56 can be placed into the head 52 and sealed to create a watertight seal around the external components. The lens 56 can shape the light into for example, a flood or fixed beam, a spot or focused beam, an adjustable beam, or the like. The light 54 can be any suitable light source such as incandescent light, light-emitting diodes, high-intensity discharge lights, pressurized gas light, solar powered light, or the like. The light 54 can be coupled to the lens allowing for the beam from the light to be shaped or magnified by the reflector 58 and/or lens 56. The reflector 58 can be a flat plate reflector, spherical reflector, parabolic reflector or the like.
(31) Referring to
(32) In a particular embodiment, the tail cap housing 22 is provided as a separate accessory that can be operated in conjunction with any other conventional flashlight. Referring to
(33) Referring to
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(35) The switch 30 can be placed between the protective cap 32 and the processor 26 wherein the switch 30 when manually operated by the user can power on or off the remote control 70 for operating a light system 10. The switch 30 can be, for example, a bezel twist switch, side click switch, tail cap switch, tail cap twist switch, membrane press switch, side slide switch, or the like. The protective cap 32 can allow for the switch 30 to be compressed or twisted without allowing water or other contaminates to enter the tail cap housing 22. The protective cap 32 can be such as, rubber, polymer, plastic, or the like. The protective cap 32 can have a protective seal, washer or O-ring that seals the protective cap 32 against the tail cap housing 22. The switch 30 can override or be overridden by the remote 70 in certain embodiments where the switch 30 can be programmed to change the settings on the light 54 by clicking or rotating the switch 30 to the user's desired settings.
(36) The processor 26 can connect to a wireless communication module 28 wherein the wireless communication module 28 can turn on and off the light 54, vary the light intensity, or activate a strobe effect, and can be programed to the user's specific settings and needs. The processor 26 can have a microcontroller 36 employed to do any one of fetch data, decode the data and complete an assigned task. The microcontroller 36 can receive information from a remote 70 or a mobile processor via the communications module 28 which can control the light 54 and remotely change the light mode configurations such as intensity low/medium/high, strobe, SOS, ON/OFF, or the like. The processor 26 can be powered by its own power source such as a coin cell battery, lithium-ion battery, or the like, or it can be powered by the power source 64 when the tail cap 20 is connected to the body 60 and the power source 64.
(37) The microcontroller 36 can additionally regulate the power source 64 and the amount of current being supplied to the light 54. In other embodiments the microcontroller 36 can unregulate the power source 64 such that the light will slowly diminish as the power source drains, or the microcontroller 36 does not regulate or unregulate the power source altogether. In some embodiments the user can choose through the remote 70 whether to regulate or unregulate the power source 64 extending the power source life or allowing the light 54 to stay on until the power source 64 is completely discharged to recommended levels. The microcontroller 36 can monitor the power source 64 and the light output to determine which setting is the best for power consumption allowing the power source 64 to dissipate at the optimal rate for the user's chosen settings. The microcontroller 36 can send updates to the remote 70 on the status of the system 10 which includes, but is not limited to, settings of the light 54, power source status, out of range status, time of life left, setting of the switch, connection status, or the like. The light 54 can be such as light emitting diodes, fluorescent, incandescent, or the light.
(38) In certain embodiments, the processor 26 can have a separate power source (not shown) than the main power source 64 wherein the processor can send and receive data from the remote 70 to the antenna 21 and to the processor while the light is off and while there is not any power being supplied by the main power source. The separate power source (not shown) can be a battery, coin cell, solar cell wherein the separate power source can be between the antenna 21 and processor 26 or between the switch 30 and processor or any other suitable location.
(39) In embodiments, the communication module 28 can be a Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Bluetooth low energy such as BLE 4.0 2.4 GHz, Wi-Fi, or the like. The communications module 28 and antenna 21 can send and receive data from the remote 70 from a distance up to at least 50 meters. The Industrial, Scientific and Medical (“ISM”) frequency band can be any suitable frequency such as frequencies below 1 GHz. In the preferred embodiment the wireless frequencies can be at least 40 MHz to at least 4000 MHz. In other embodiments the ISM frequency band can be any frequency above 1 GHz. When pairing the remote 70 to the wireless communication module 28 the pairing can be digital encoded with a serial number identifier in a wireless message to ensure that there will not be any interference from other devices located next to the system 10.
(40) The tail cap housing 22 can be adapted to allow any type of flashlight to convert into a wirelessly controlled flashlight. The tail cap 20 can be configured to be used with one of a plurality of adapters (not shown), wherein each of the plurality of adapters is sized to correspond to a differently sized body 62. The microcontroller 36 can determine the type of flashlight the tail cap 20 is attached to by identifying, for example, the power source type, and current needed for the light. The microcontroller 26 can adjust its settings to match the type of flashlight and send to a user's remote 70 such as, but not limited to, the type of flashlight, current needed to power the flashlight, the type of light, type of power source and estimated time to recommended discharge, or the like. The tail cap 20 can attach to, for example, headlamps, high intensity flashlights, tube flashlights, dive flashlights, tactical flashlights, shake flashlights or the like. In certain embodiments the tail cap 20 components such as the tail cap housing 22, the spring 24, the switch 30, the processor 26 and the protective cap 32 can be incorporated into a mount 80 (as shown in
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(44) The remote 70 can further comprise a second protective cap 73 having the same or similar properties of the protective cap 32 shown in in
(45) The remote 70 can be mounted on any remote base such as a weapon using an M-Lok, Picatinny, dovetail, or the like or it can be mounted on handlebars of a utility mount (Loc-line, ball/socket), bike, motorcycle, utility terrain vehicle, or the like. In certain embodiments, the remote 70 can control two or more wireless light systems 10 using a unique signal or a signal identifier.
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(49) In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.
(50) Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.