Remote control of illuminating headlamp

Abstract

A remote control operation of an illuminated unit attached to a headset consisting of a headband and at least one optical device providing illumination at a known distance from the optical device attached to the headband is disclosed. The remote control unit incorporates a sensing unit that causes power to be switched on and off by the detection of motion in front of the sensing unit. In addition, the illumination may be increased or decreased based on a signal strength of a detected remote sensing signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for remotely controlling an illumination unit attached to one of: an eyewear, a headband and a headset, said apparatus comprising:
 a battery unit electrically connected to said illumination unit, said illumination unit comprising:
 at least one light source generating a narrow-beam light; and 
 a focusing means, corresponding to each of said at least one light source, for focusing said light into a substantially uniform light pattern onto a target area at a known distance from said illumination unit; 
 a sensing unit comprising:  at least one transmitting unit transmitter configured to:
 transmit a signal; 
   a receiving unit receiver, in communication with the battery unit, said receiving unit receiver configured to:   detectingdetect a signal representing a reflected element of the signal generated by said at least one transmitting unit,transmitter;   generatinggenerate a battery control signal in response to said detected reflected element of the signal generated by said at least one transmitting unit transmitter;   providingprovide the battery control signal to said battery unit, wherein, the battery unit alters a voltage provided to the illumination unit in response to the battery control signal, the alteration comprising:
 removing the voltage from the illumination unit in response to the detection of the reflected element after determining said illumination unit is turned on. 
   
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said alteration occurs when the signal detected reflected element of the signal by the receiving unit receiver is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage provided by the battery unit is between 0 volts and a maximum voltage. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving unit further receiver is configured to:
 determinesdetermine a magnitude of the detected reflected element of the signal; and 
 generatesgenerate a level of the battery control signal based on the magnitude of the detected reflected element of the signal. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the level of the battery control signal is proportional to the level of the detected reflected element of the signal. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the threshold value is determined based on one of a plurality of preset values. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detected reflected element of the signal is determined within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detected reflected element of the signal represents an average of a plurality of received signals  detected reflected elements of the signal within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transmitting unit transmitter and the receiving unit receiver are selected from the a group consisting of: RF devices, infra-red devices, and ultra-sonic devices. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving unit further receiver is configured to:
 determinesdetermine a direction of motion transmitting unitof an object in front of said at least one transmitter based on a change in theof a magnitude of the detected reflected element of the signal magnitude; and 
 generatesgenerate a level of the battery control signal based on the determined direction of motion. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein receiving unit is the at least one transmitter and said receiver are contained within said battery unit. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving unit receiver is configured to: 
 wirelessly connected connect to said at least one transmitting battery unit. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving unit said receiver and said at least one transmitting unit transmitter are contained within a single unit. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said receiving unit receiver and said transmitting unit at least one transmitter are infra-red devices. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for remotely controlling an illumination unit attached to a headset, said apparatus comprising:
 a transmitting unit transmitting an RF signal;   a receiving unit:
 receiving said RF signal; 
 determining whether a strength of said RF signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and 
 generating a control signal when said strength of said RF signal exceeds said predetermined threshold value; and 
   a battery unit:
 receiving said control signal; and 
 altering a voltage applied to said illumination unit to change said illumination unit from one state to another state in response to said control signal. 
   
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the illumination unit is changed from one of: an on-state to an off-state and an off-state to an on-state. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said receiving unit is contained within said battery unit. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting unit and said receiving unit are connected through a wireless connection. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said wireless connection is one of: a BLUETOOTH connection, a WIFI connection, and a proprietary connection. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to:
 determine a time duration of the detected reflected element of the signal; and   generate a level of the control signal based on the time duration of the detected reflected element of the signal.   
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises:
 a plurality of detector units, at least two of the plurality of said detector units detecting the reflected element of the signal;   determining a time of detection of the reflected element of the signal by each of the at least two detector units, said reflected element of the signal being generated by an object passing before said at least one transmitter;   determining a direction of movement of said object based on the determined times of detection; and   generating the control signal in response to said determined direction.   
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for focusing comprises one of: a lens, a reflector and a collimator. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus for remotely controlling an illumination unit, the apparatus comprising:
 a battery unit electrically connected to said illumination unit;   at least one transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal;   a receiving unit in communication with the battery unit, said receiving unit configured to:
 detect a reflection of the signal generated by said at least one transmitting unit; 
 determine a magnitude of the detected signal, 
 generate a control signal in response to said detected signal, wherein a level of the control signal is based on the determined magnitude of the detected signal; and 
 provide the control signal to said battery unit, wherein the battery unit alters a voltage provided to the illumination unit in response to the control signal. 
   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said illumination unit comprises:
 at least one light source; and   a means for focusing a light projected from said at least one light source into a substantially uniform light pattern on a working field a known distance from said illumination unit.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said means for focusing comprises one of: a lens, a reflector and a collimator. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said signal is one of: an IR signal, an RF signal and an ultrasonic signal. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said receiving unit and said at least one transmitting unit are contained within a single unit. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said single unit is adjacent to the illumination unit. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said control signal is generated when said detected signal is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:
 one of: an eyewear, a headband, and a head set.   
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said at least one transmitting unit and said receiving unit are mounted to one of: said eyewear, said headband, and said head set. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a set of lenses. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a visual magnification lens within a corresponding one of the set of lenses. 
     
     
       34. A motion activated headlamp comprising:
 at least one light source outputting a light;   attachment means for coupling the at least one light source to one of: an eyeglass frame, a head band and a head set;   a battery unit electrically connected to the at least one light source;   a motion sensor unit comprising:
 an IR transmitting unit configured to transmit an IR signal; 
 an IR detecting unit configured to:
 detect a reflection of the transmitted IR signal, the reflection caused by an object moving before the motion sensor unit, and 
 generate an indication of the detection of the reflection of the transmitted IR signal; and 
 
   a circuit configured to:
 receive the indication of the detection of the reflected transmitted IR signal; and 
 switch a voltage applied to the at least one light source from the battery unit, wherein the voltage is removed from the at least one light source after determining the at least one light source is in an On-state. 
   
     
     
       35. The motion activated headlamp of claim 34 wherein the at least one light source includes a light-emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
       36. The motion activated headlamp of claim 34, wherein the motion sensor unit is remote from the at least one light source. 
     
     
       37. The motion activated headlamp of claim 36, wherein the motion sensor unit is attached to one of: a shirt collar, a shirt pocket, and a belt. 
     
     
       38. The motion activated headlamp of claim 34, wherein the motion sensor unit is adjacent to the at least one light source. 
     
     
       39. The motion activated headlamp of claim 34, wherein the battery unit operates as a switch to remove said voltage applied to the at least one light source. 
     
     
       40. The motion activated headlamp of claim 34, wherein the motion sensor unit operates as a switch to remove said voltage applied to the at least one light source. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery unit operates as a switch to alter the voltage provided to the illumination unit. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit operates as switch to alter the voltage provided to the illumination unit. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of claim 1, said alteration further comprising:
 supplying the voltage, provided by the battery unit, to the illumination unit when the at least one light source is in a turned off state.   
     
     
       44. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is attached to one of: the eyewear, the headband and the headset. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is attached to the illumination unit. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is adjacent to the battery unit. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is adjacent to the illumination unit. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the turned on state is one of: a minimum illumination state and a maximum illumination state. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alteration of said voltage comprises:
 increasing the voltage to the illumination unit in response to the detection of the reflected element after determining said illumination unit is turned off.   
     
     
       50. An apparatus for controlling an illumination unit attached to one of an eyewear, a headband and a headset, said apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a sensing unit comprising:
 a transmitting unit transmitting a signal; 
 a receiving unit:
 receiving a reflected element of said transmitted signal, and 
 generating a control signal in response to receiving the reflected element of said transmitted signal; and 
 
 a battery unit:
 wherein the sensing unit operates as a switch to alter a voltage outputted by the battery unit to said illumination unit in response to the control signal, said alteration causing one of: 
 turning the illumination unit on when an existing state of the illumination unit is an Off-state and turning the illumination unit off when the existing state of the illumination unit is an On-state. 
 
 
   
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said transmitting unit and said receiving unit are connected through a wireless connection. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said wireless connection is one of: a BLUETOOTH connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a proprietary connection. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the illumination unit comprises:
 at least one light source outputting a light when a voltage is supplied to the illumination unit.   
     
     
       54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:
 means for focusing the light outputted from said at least one illumination source into a substantially uniform light pattern onto a target area at a known distance from said illumination unit, said means for focusing comprising one of: a lens, a reflector and a collimator.   
     
     
       55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said signal is one of: an infra-red signal, an RF signal and an ultrasonic signal. 
     
     
       56. A headlamp having a motion control comprising:
 at least one light source configured to output a light;   attachment means for coupling the at least one light source to one of an eyeglass frame, a head band and a head set;   a battery configured to output a voltage to the at least one light source;   a motion sensor operating as a switch to alter the voltage applied to the at least one light source, the motion sensor comprising:
 an IR transmitter configured to transmit an IR signal; 
 an IR detector configured to:
 detect a reflection of the transmitted IR signal, the reflection caused by an object moving before the motion sensor; and 
 generate an indication of the detection of the reflection of the transmitted IR signal; and 
 
   a circuit configured to:
 receive the indication of the detection of the reflected transmitted IR signal; and 
 switch the voltage applied to the at least one light source from the battery, wherein the voltage is removed from the at least one light source when the at least one light source is in an On-state. 
   
     
     
       57. The headlamp of claim 56 wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light-emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
       58. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor is remote from the at least one light source. 
     
     
       59. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor is attached to one of: a shirt collar, a shirt pocket, a belt, the eyeglass frame, the head band and the head set. 
     
     
       60. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor is adjacent to the at least one light source. 
     
     
       61. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor and the battery are contained within a same unit. 
     
     
       62. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the circuit is configured to:
 determine a magnitude of the detected signal; and   generate a level of the indication of the detection of the reflection of the transmitted IR signal based on the magnitude of the detected signal; and   switch the voltage applied to the at least one light source from the battery, wherein the voltage is applied to the at least one light source when the at least one light source is in an Off-state.   
     
     
       63. The headlamp of claim 62, wherein the level of the indication of the detection of the reflection of the transmitted IR signal is proportional to a level of the detected signal. 
     
     
       64. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the circuit configured to:
 determine a time of duration of the detected signal.   
     
     
       65. The headlamp of claim 62, wherein the threshold value is determined based on one of a plurality of preset values. 
     
     
       66. The headlamp of claim 56, said circuit configured to:
 determine a direction of motion based on a change a magnitude of the detected signal.   
     
     
       67. The headlamp of claim 56, wherein the battery and the motion sensor are contained within a same unit. 
     
     
       68. An eyewear for a medical/dental practitioner comprising:
 a frame supporting a pair of lenses;   at least one illumination source, attached to the frame, the at least one illumination source generating a light;   a battery unit providing a voltage to the at least one illumination source; and   a control unit comprising:
 a transmitter configured to output a first signal, and 
 a detector configured to:
 detect a reflection of said first signal, and 
 generate a control signal in response to said detected reflection of said first signal, and 
 alter a voltage provided by the battery unit to the at least one illumination source based on the control signal, said altered voltage switching a state of said at least one illumination source, from one of: an Off-state to an On-state and said On-state to said Off-state. 
 
   
     
     
       69. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein the On-state is one of: a minimum illumination state and a maximum illumination state. 
     
     
       70. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein said first signal is one of: an infra-red signal, an RF signal and an ultrasonic signal. 
     
     
       71. The eyewear of claim 68, the control unit configured to:
 determine a magnitude of the detected reflection of said first signal, and   provide the altered voltage to said at least one illumination source based on the determined magnitude.   
     
     
       72. The eyewear of claim 68, the detector comprising:
 a plurality of detector units; and   the control unit configured to:
 determine a relative time of detection of the reflection of the first signal by at least two of said plurality of detector units; and 
 determine a direction of movement of an object based on the determined relative times of detection, and 
 provide the altered voltage to said at least one illumination source based on the determined direction. 
   
     
     
       73. The eyewear of claim 68, the control unit configured to:
 determine a time duration of the detected reflection of said first signal, and   provide the altered voltage to said at least one illumination source based on the determined time duration.   
     
     
       74. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein within each of the pair of lenses is a magnifying lens. 
     
     
       75. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein the control unit is adjacent the at least one illumination source. 
     
     
       76. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein the control unit is adjacent the battery unit. 
     
     
       77. The eyewear of claim 68, wherein the control unit is contained within the battery unit. 
     
     
       78. The eyewear of claim 73, wherein said altered voltage increases based on a determined time duration. 
     
     
       79. The eyewear of claim 68, further comprising:
 a focusing means, corresponding to each of said at least one light source, for focusing said light into a substantially uniform light pattern onto a target area at a known distance from said illumination source, said focusing means selected from a group consisting of: a lens, a reflector and a collimator.   
     
     
       80. A medical/dental apparatus comprising:
 a means for retaining said apparatus to a user;   a housing comprising:
 at least one illumination source attached to the means for retaining said apparatus, 
   a battery unit supplying a voltage to the at least one illumination source; and   a control unit comprising:
 a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; and 
 a detector configured to:
 detect a reflection of said transmitted signal, 
 generate a control signal in response to said detected reflection of said transmitted signal; and 
 a circuit configured to:
 alter a voltage to the at least one illumination source in response to the control signal, wherein the voltage alteration causes operation of the at least one illumination source to change from an existing state to an altered state. 
 
 
   
     
     
       81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said means for retaining said apparatus is selected from a group consisting of: eyeglasses, headset and headband. 
     
     
       82. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said control unit is attached to said housing. 
     
     
       83. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said control unit is attached to said means for retaining said apparatus. 
     
     
       84. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said control unit is contained within the battery unit. 
     
     
       85. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the circuit is configured to:
 determine a time duration of the detected signal; and   generate a level of the control signal based on the time duration of the detected signal.   
     
     
       86. The apparatus of claim 80, said detector comprising:
 a plurality of detectors, at least two of the plurality of detectors detecting said reflection of said transmitted signal; and   the circuit configured to:
 determine a time of detection of the detected reflection of said transmitted signal by each of the at least two detector units; 
 determine a direction of movement of an object reflecting said transmitted signal based on the determined times of detection; and 
 alter said voltage based on the determined direction. 
   
     
     
       87. The apparatus of claim 80, the circuit configured to:
 determine a magnitude of the detected reflection of said transmitted signal; and   alter said voltage based on the determined magnitude.   
     
     
       88. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the transmitter is adjacent to the detector. 
     
     
       89. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said alteration of said voltage comprises:
 linearly increasing the voltage.   
     
     
       90. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said signal is one of: an infra-red signal, an RF signal and an ultrasonic signal. 
     
     
       91. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the control unit is mounted on the housing. 
     
     
       92. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said existing state is an On-State and said altered state is an Off-State. 
     
     
       93. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said existing state is an Off-State and said altered state is an On-State. 
     
     
       94. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said existing state is a minimum illumination state and said altered state is a maximum illumination state. 
     
     
       95. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said alteration of said voltage comprises:
 linearly increasing said voltage to said at least one illumination source to change said light outputted from said at least one illumination source from a minimum illumination state to a maximum illumination state.   
     
     
       96. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein said alteration of said voltage comprises:
 removing said voltage from said at least one illumination source.   
     
     
       97. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the control unit operates as a switch to alter the voltage applied to the at least one illumination source.