IRRADIATION APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to an irradiation apparatus for irradiating an irradiation object with light, comprising at least one light source with an identification unit that contains light source-specific information; a frame, more particularly a reflective frame, at least one light source holder on which the at least one light source is arranged by form-fitting insertion in the light source holder; and a region which provides a detection field of a communications device; the identification unit being positioned on the at least one light source such that the identification unit, by form-fitting insertion in the light source holder, is within the detection field.

Claims

1. An irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation object with light, comprising: at least one light source with an identification unit which contains light source-specific information; a frame, in particular a reflective frame, with at least one light source holder, on which the at least one light source is arranged by form-fitting insertion into the light source holder; a region which enables a detection field of a communication device; wherein the identification unit is positioned on at least one light source in such a way that the identification unit is positioned within the detection field by form-fitting insertion into the light source holder.

2. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the detection field extends substantially perpendicularly from the frame.

3. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the frame is metallic and defines an irradiation direction.

4. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the region is designed as a recess in the frame, preferably as a milled out region.

5. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the region is non-metallic and preferably consists of a plastic.

6. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the identification unit contains a specific coding.

7. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the identification unit is an RF identification unit, from which information can be read.

8. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the identification unit is an RF identification unit, on which information can be written.

9. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the distance between the identification unit and the communication device is greater than the distance between the communication device and the region.

10. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the distance between the communication device and the frame is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

11. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of light sources are each provided with an identification unit and a communication device is assigned to each identification unit.

12. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of light sources are each provided with an identification unit and precisely one communication device is assigned to each of them.

13. The irradiation device of claim 1, wherein the communication device is connected to an evaluation unit.

14. The irradiation device of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit uses information from the identification unit to control the light source.

15. A method for irradiating an irradiation object with light, comprising the steps: providing at least one light source with an identification unit which contains light source-specific information; positioning of the at least one light source in a frame, in particular a reflective frame, with at least one light source holder, by form-fitting insertion into the light source holder; providing a detection field of a communication device in a defined region; and positioning the identification unit on at least one light source in such a way that the identification unit is positioned within the detection field by form-fitting insertion into the light source holder.

16. A computer program product for operation in an irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation object with light, and which is designed for carrying out the following steps: a. activating a communication device to generate a detection region; b. detecting one or more identification unit(s) which contain light source-specific information; c. evaluating and/or storing the light source-specific information in an evaluation unit.

17. A computer program product, further comprising the step: a. controlling the communication device and/or an irradiation program and/or at least one irradiation parameter on the basis of the light source-specific information.

18. A light source for irradiating an irradiation object with light, comprising: an identification unit which contains light source-specific information, the identification unit being positioned on the light source in such a way that the identification unit is positioned within a detection field by form-fitting insertion into a light source holder, which field is made possible by a region.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0058] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures.

[0059] FIG. 1: shows schematically an arrangement with a device according to the invention with a light source.

[0060] FIG. 2: shows schematically an arrangement with a further device according to the invention with a plurality of light sources.

[0061] FIG. 3: shows a schematic representation of an arrangement with an identification unit relative to the communication device and the possibility of rotation by an angle.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows schematically how an embodiment of an irradiation device 1 according to the invention is designed for subjecting an irradiation object to light. Such irradiation serves humans or other living beings for many medical or therapeutic purposes. FIG. 1 shows a light source 2, for example a lamp, which emits a special radiation in the visible or non-visible light spectrum. An identification unit 3, which is also referred to as an emitter, is fitted on or in the light source 2. The light source 2 is fastened to a reflective frame 4. This frame 4 is designed as a metal trough 4, which provides shielding and specifies the direction of the light for irradiation. The frame is preferably curved and designed for optimal irradiation. On the frame 4 there is a holder or light source holder 5 to which the light source 2 is fastened. The light source 2 is preferably snapped into the light source holder 5 by inserting it in a form-fitting manner.

[0063] The frame 4 has a region 6 in or on which a communication unit 7 is arranged. An evaluation or control unit 8 is connected to the communication unit 7.

[0064] A detection field B extends from the region 6, which can be referred to as a defined or predetermined region. The detection field B is generally not visible and is therefore indicated with dashed lines in the figure. The communication unit 7 is able to read the identification unit 3 by inductive coupling, for example.

[0065] Furthermore, it is also possible for the communication unit 7 to write information into the identification unit 3. A write/read process with low inductive coupling is preferred.

[0066] It has been shown that the materials have a decisive influence on the result of read and/or write cycles which take place in the vicinity of the communication unit 7. The region 6 is provided because interfering objects such as metal plates or materials such as aluminum or iron disturb the inductive coupling. The arrangement of a plastic plate already enables better inductive coupling. Milling out the frame 4 or the metal trough and introducing a non-conductive region 6, which preferably consists of plastic, is even better.

[0067] Without being bound by this theory, the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of metal surfaces may induce eddy currents that oppose the exciting magnetic flux. This is known as Lenz's law and leads to field weakening. Non-conductive materials do not lead to any significant field weakening.

[0068] Ferrite shielding is also beneficial, e.g. using a thin plate between the communication unit 7 and the metal frame 4.

[0069] It is particularly preferred if the communication unit 7 is arranged almost parallel to the identification unit 3, with a slight rotation being permissible. A direct arrangement one above the other of identification unit 3 and communication unit 7

[0070] The communication unit 7 provides an antenna which acts on the identification unit 3, also referred to as an RF identification unit, by means of inductive coupling and can read out the information stored in the passive identification unit 3. Writing information to the identification unit 3 is also possible.

[0071] Good results can be achieved in the HF range with high-frequency RFID technology at 13.56 MHz and inductive coupling in the near field. The MHz range is available worldwide. The size of the communication unit 7 must be matched to the identification unit 3. A very large HF antenna or communication unit 7 for simultaneous reading a plurality of identification units 3 cannot be expected to have any advantages due to the metallic environment.

[0072] In the UHF range, the approved channels K4: 865.7 MHz; K10: 866.9 MHz; K7: 866.3 MHz; or K14: 867.5 MHz can be used. The better the directional properties of the communication unit 7, the less power has to be fed in. In order to enable stable communication, the RF power must be adjusted accordingly. The transmission and reception properties are partly channel-dependent, despite the small frequency differences.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the irradiation device 1 with a plurality of light sources 2. The light sources 2 are fastened to the reflective frame 4. Each light source 2 is attached to an associated holder or light source holder 5. Here, too, the light sources 2 are preferably snapped into place in the respective light source holder 5 by being inserted in a form-fitting manner.

[0074] The frame 4 has a region 6 in or on which a communication unit 7 is arranged. A control unit is connected to the communication unit 7, but is not shown.

[0075] The detection field B, which, in this case, covers several identification units 3, extends from the region 6. The communication unit 7 is capable of reading or writing to multiple identification units 3. This can preferably be realized with UHF units.

[0076] FIG. 3: shows a schematic representation of an arrangement with an identification unit 3 relative to the communication device 7 and the possibility of rotation by an angle α. However, this angle α should be as small as possible. The vectors of the identification unit 3 are shown with {right arrow over (E)} and those of the communication device 7 are shown with {right arrow over (e)}. The best results for reading and/or writing operations are obtained with a minimum distance x, z of the center points.