Illumination mechanism for mobile digital imaging
An electronic device ( 100 ) with an image capture device ( 160 ) includes an illumination mechanism ( 170 ). The illumination mechanism ( 170 ) includes a light source with a light shaping mechanism adapted and constructed to shape light emitted from the light source into a generally ‘V’ shaped illumination pattern ( 300 ).
1 . In an electronic device including an image capture device, an illumination mechanism comprising the following:
a light source; and
a light shaping mechanism adapted and constructed to shape light emitted from the light source into a generally ‘V’ shaped illumination pattern.
2 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one LED chip.
3 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the light shaping mechanism comprises a phosphor coating of varying thickness.
4 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the phosphor coating is yellowish.
5 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the LED chip emits light in the ultra-violet and blue range.
6 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the light shaping mechanism comprises an optical control member.
7 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the optical control member comprises at least one from a group of: a blaze grating and a phase grating.
8 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the light shaping mechanism comprises at least one center ray blocker for blocking center rays of light emitted from the at least one LED chip.
9 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a multi-chip driver, and wherein the light source comprises at least a first LED chip, a second LED chip, and a third LED chip.
10 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the first LED chip, the second LED chip, and the third LED chip emit light of similar wavelengths.
11 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the first LED chip, the second LED chip, and the third LED chip each have different spatial orientations.
12 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the multi-chip driver controls the first LED chip to be dimmer than the second LED chip and the third LED chip.
13 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the first LED chip emits red light, the second LED chip emits green light, and the third LED chip emits blue light.
14 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 14 , further comprising an optical control member.
15 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the optical control member comprises at least one from a group of: a blaze grating and a phase grating.
16 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light source is operable as a continuous light source.
17 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising an infrared LED chip.
18 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 17 wherein the infrared LED chip provides an infrared light source for auto-focusing.
19 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a group of: a camera phone, a night vision device, and a home security arrangement.
20 . An illumination mechanism in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a light source driver causes the light source to flash a warning light before the image capture device captures an image.