Selectively frosted optics for beam shaping

Abstract

A device may include a lens that can shape light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED). The emitted light from the LED may be substantially centered on the LED axis. The incident surface of the lens may be positioned to face the LED. The incident surface may include a concave portion. The concave portion may be substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the concave portion. The concave portion may be substantially centered on a concave portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis. The incident surface may include a scattering portion positioned away from the concave portion, and the scattering portion may be textured so as to scatter light that strikes the scattering portion. The exit surface of the lens may optionally include a substantially planar portion that at least partially surrounds a substantially smooth convex portion.

Description

[0001] Related applications and priority claims

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application serial number 16 / 533,466, filed on August 6, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 841,518, filed on May 1, 2019, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING SELECTIVELY FROZEN OPTICAL ELEMENTS,” and to European Patent Application Serial No. 19205688.5, filed on October 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method that includes a lens configured to shape a light beam emitted from a light emitting diode (LED). Background Art

[0004] In some applications, such as sensors for self-driving vehicles, illumination is provided at one or more infrared wavelengths. In certain circumstances, such as at night, the human eye can perceive infrared illumination as red light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1-Figure 10 Various views of an apparatus including a lens that can shape light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) according to some embodiments are shown. In the views presented herein, it is assumed that the light is emitted from the front of the lens, so that the LED can be positioned behind the lens. The terms "front", "rear", "top", "side", and other directional terms are used merely for convenience in describing lenses and other elements and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

[0006] Figure 1 A rear view of a lens according to some embodiments is shown, with cross-hatching indicating textured portions.

[0007] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 Front view of the lens.

[0008] Figure 3A According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Front view of the lens.

[0009] Figure 3B According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Bottom view of the lens.

[0010] Figure 3C According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2Side view of the lens.

[0011] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the lens facing the bottom, taken from Figure 3A A broken-away cross section is shown in FIG. , with the controller, circuitry, and LEDs.

[0012] Figure 5 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Side cross-sectional view of the lens (right) taken from Figure 3A The cross section shown in , with controller, circuitry and LEDs.

[0013] Figure 6 An example of an LED according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 4 A close-up of a first portion of a cross-sectional view extending through the center of the concave surface of the lens.

[0014] Figure 7 According to some embodiments Figure 4 A close-up of a second portion of the cross-sectional view, which is off-center relative to the concave surface of the lens.

[0015] Fig. 8A According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Rear view of the lens.

[0016] Figure 8B According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of a lens taken from Fig. 8A The cross section shown in .

[0017] Fig. 9 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Bottom cross-sectional view of the lens, taken from Fig. 8A The cross section shown in .

[0018] Fig.10 According to some embodiments Figure 5 Close-up of the (right) side cross-sectional view.

[0019] Fig.11 It is shown that according to some embodiments, it may include Figure 1-Figure 10 An example of a system of devices.

[0020] Fig.12 An example of a method for shaping light from an LED according to some embodiments is shown.

[0021] Throughout the several views, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] There are government regulations regarding the color of lights located on the exterior of a vehicle, such as Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J578, a standard defined and promulgated by SAE International. Generally, for a typical passenger vehicle, government regulations require that lights on the front of the vehicle emit only white light, lights on the left and right sides of the vehicle emit only amber light, and lights on the rear of the vehicle emit only red light. In other countries around the world that do not adhere to the SAE J578 standard, other visible colors of light in various locations on the vehicle may be acceptable.

[0023] Modern safety systems on vehicles can generate images of the vehicle's surroundings or retrieve data about the vehicle's surroundings for accident prevention and object avoidance. In addition, autonomous or assisted driving applications can also retrieve data about the vehicle's surroundings. Because government regulations require light emitted from vehicles up to 780 nm wavelengths, and there is no regulation (silent) about infrared light emitted at wavelengths greater than 780 nm, using this infrared light to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings can benefit safety systems on vehicles.

[0024] For example, it is beneficial to illuminate the surroundings rather than rely on reflections of ambient light because the illumination can allow the safety system to operate at night. It is beneficial to use infrared light for illumination rather than visible light because infrared light is largely invisible to the human eye and does not cause problems for other vehicle drivers. In addition, it can be beneficial to use a specific and relatively narrow wavelength range for illumination and detection because illumination and detection can occur at a brightness level (which may be significantly greater than the brightness level present in ambient sunlight). For example, if illumination and detection occur within a relatively narrow infrared wavelength range centered at approximately 940 nm (or another suitable infrared wavelength), it can be directly illuminated with enough power to mask (drown out) any illumination effects caused by ambient sunlight or by other light-emitting elements around. The power used for such narrow-band illumination and detection can be small enough to avoid damaging eye tissue or other living tissue around.

[0025] However, illuminating the surroundings with infrared light can lead to unexpected problems. As an artifact of human vision, the emission from an infrared light source can be falsely perceived by the human eye as red. Specifically, while the intensity of infrared light reflected from the surroundings may be low enough to be invisible to the human eye, a viewer looking directly at the infrared light source may perceive the relatively high intensity of the light source as falsely emitting red light. As the emission wavelength increases (and therefore, moves further away from the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum, which is generally considered to be around 700 nm), the false effect decreases (but still exists).

[0026] Therefore, simply placing an infrared light source at the front or side of a vehicle can be problematic because such a light source would be perceived as red light to the human eye, which is prohibited by government regulations. To overcome the problem of infrared light sources positioned at the front or side of the exterior of a vehicle being perceived as red light, a visible light source of a permitted color can be positioned near the infrared light source. Visible light emitted from the visible light source overlaps with and shields the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source. The infrared light source and the visible light source are together perceived by the human eye as a single light emitter having the color of the visible light source. Therefore, a white light source can be used at the front of the vehicle, while an amber light source can be used on the side of the vehicle.

[0027] The devices discussed herein can be adapted to provide the infrared light and visible light discussed above. The device can include a lens that can shape a light beam output from an LED. In some examples, the LED can emit light in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some examples, the lens can optionally angularly widen the output from an additional LED, which can also emit light in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some examples, the lens can optionally direct light from an additional visible LED through the lens, optionally with different widening characteristics than the infrared LED. In some examples, the lens can optionally be configured as a cover, which can have an exit surface, which can also be an outer surface of the device.

[0028] A device may include a lens that can shape the light emitted from an LED. The emitted light from the LED may be substantially centered on the LED axis. The incident surface of the lens may be positioned facing the LED. The incident surface may include a concave portion. The concave portion may be substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter the light irradiating the concave portion. The concave portion may be substantially centered on the concave portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis. The incident surface may include a scattering portion positioned away from the concave portion, which may be textured so as to scatter the light (irradiating the scattering portion). The exit surface of the lens may optionally include a substantially planar portion that at least partially surrounds a substantially smooth convex portion. As used herein, the phrase "substantially planar" is intended to mean planar within typical manufacturing tolerances and / or typical alignment tolerances.

[0029] Figure 1-Figure 10 Various views of an apparatus 100 including a lens that can shape light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) according to some embodiments are shown. In the views presented herein, it is assumed that the light is emitted from the front of the lens, so that the LED can be positioned behind the lens. The terms "front", "rear", "top", "side", and other directional terms are used merely for convenience in describing lenses and other elements and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

[0030] Figure 1 A rear view of a lens according to some embodiments is shown, with cross-hatching indicating textured portions.

[0031] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 Front view of the lens.

[0032] Figure 3A According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Front view of the lens.

[0033] Figure 3B According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Bottom view of the lens.

[0034] Figure 3C According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Side view of the lens.

[0035] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the lens facing the bottom, taken from Figure 3A A broken-away cross section is shown in FIG. , with the controller, circuitry, and LEDs.

[0036] Figure 5 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Side cross-sectional view of the lens (right) taken from Figure 3A The cross section shown in , with controller, circuitry and LEDs.

[0037] Figure 6 An example of an LED according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 4 A close-up of a first portion of a cross-sectional view extending through the center of the concave surface of the lens.

[0038] Figure 7 According to some embodiments Figure 4 A close-up of a second portion of the cross-sectional view, which is off-center relative to the concave surface of the lens.

[0039] Fig. 8A According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Rear view of the lens.

[0040] Figure 8B According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of a lens taken from Fig. 8A The cross section shown in .

[0041] Fig. 9 According to some embodiments Figure 1 and Figure 2 Bottom cross-sectional view of the lens, taken from Fig. 8A The cross section shown in .

[0042] Fig.10 According to some embodiments Figure 5 Close-up of the (right) side cross-sectional view.

[0043] Fig.11 It is shown that according to some embodiments, it may include Figure 1-Figure 10 An example of a system 1100 of apparatus 100 .

[0044] LED 102 (see Figure 5 ) may emit substantially in the direction of the LED axis 104 (see Figure 5 ) is centered. In some examples, LED axis 104 can be substantially perpendicular to emitting surface 106 of LED 102 (see Figure 5). In some examples, LED axis 104 may intersect LED 102 at the center of emitting surface 106 of LED 102. In some examples, the emission of LED 102 may have an emission pattern that peaks along a direction parallel to LED axis 104 and drops to substantially zero along a direction perpendicular to LED axis 104 (e.g., parallel to emitting surface 106 of LED 102). In some examples, the emission pattern may be Lambertian (e.g., the emission pattern may follow Lambert's cosine law). Other suitable emission patterns may also be used. In some examples, LED 102 may emit light within a relatively narrow wavelength range, such as within a range of about 1% to about 2% of the center wavelength. In some examples, the narrow range may include wavelengths only in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., outside the visible spectrum). In other examples, the narrow wavelength range may extend into the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0045] Circuit 108 (see Figure 5 ) can power LED 102. In some examples, circuit 108 can allow controller 110 (see Figure 5 ) or at least one processor coupled to the circuit 108 turns the LED 102 on or off at a specific time, and optionally controls the intensity of the LED 102. For example, the controller 110 can generate a trigger signal that can switch between two voltages, where the switching occurs at the time when the LED 102 is to be turned on or off. In this example, the circuit 108 can receive the trigger signal and supply electrical power to the LED 102 to coincide with the turning on or off of the LED 102 at the switching time. In other examples, the controller 110 can supply a voltage that can have one of a specified number of discrete values ​​that can correspond to specified discrete power levels for the LED 102. In still other examples, the controller 110 can supply a voltage that can vary within a continuous range, which corresponds to a continuous change in the power level of the LED 102.

[0046] The lens 112 can shape the light emitted from the LED 102. In some examples, the lens 112 can have a negative optical power so that the lens 112 can angularly widen the light emitted from the LED 102. In some examples, the lens 112 can produce uniform or near uniform illumination within a specified angular range or a specified field of view. In some examples, the lens 112 and the LED 102 can be paired with a second LED and a second lens portion to produce uniform or near uniform illumination within a specified angular range or a specified field of view. In other examples, the lens 112 can include multiple lens portions, and the LED 102 can be one of a plurality of LEDs, all of which when operated together or in a specified combination can produce uniform or near uniform illumination within a specified angular range or a specified field of view. In any or all of these examples, the specified field of view can optionally correspond to the field of view of a camera that can capture video images of the vehicle's surroundings.

[0047] The lens 112 may include an incident surface 114 positioned to face the LED 102 (see Figure 5 ). The incident surface 114 can be divided into multiple sections, each of which performs a specific function. Several of these sections are explained below.

[0048] The incident surface 114 may include a concave portion 116 (see Figure 5 In some examples, concave portion 116 can have a negative optical power such that concave portion 116 can angularly widen the distribution of light emitted from LED 102 .

[0049] The surface of the recessed portion 116 can be substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the recessed portion 116 (at least compared to a rough surface). In particular, it is intended that light that strikes the recessed portion 116 can be refracted at the surface of the recessed portion 116, rather than scattered. For example, a single light ray striking the smooth surface of the recessed portion 116 can be refracted at the surface and exit the surface in a single direction, based on the application of Snell's law to the surface. In practice, contaminants and surface defects can cause a small amount of unintentional scattering, typically totaling less than 1% of the optical power incident on the smooth surface. For the purposes of this document, such unintentional scattering can be ignored, and any surface that supports specular (e.g., non-diffuse) reflection or refraction can be considered to be substantially smooth.

[0050] The recessed portion 116 may intersect the LED axis 104, such as at location 118 (see Figure 5). Specifically, the LED axis 104 can extend from the emission surface 106 of the LED 102 and can illuminate the incident surface 114 of the lens 112 at a position 118 within the concave portion 116 of the incident surface 114. The geometry of the concave portion 116, through its intersection with the LED axis 104, can ensure that the concave portion 116 receives a major central portion of the light emitted from the LED 102. Therefore, the concave portion 116 can receive most of the light emitted by the LED 102. Light emitted away from the major central portion (e.g., a peripheral portion) can optionally illuminate the incident surface 114 away from the central portion, or for very peripheral light rays of the angular distribution, can optionally miss the incident surface 114 entirely. Separating the peripheral portion from the central portion in this manner can improve the uniformity of the light emitted from the lens 112.

[0051] The recessed portion 116 can be substantially centered about a recessed portion axis 120 that is not coaxial with the LED axis 104. Therefore, the LED 102 and the recessed portion 116 together may not be rotationally symmetric about a common axis. This can result in an intentional asymmetry in the light emitted from the lens 112. In some examples, by using multiple LEDs 102 and multiple lenses 112, the intentional asymmetry can be combined to form a specified lighting pattern. In some examples, the recessed portion axis 120 can be parallel to the LED axis 104 and offset from the LED axis 104. In other examples, the recessed portion axis 120 can be angled (or angularly tilted) relative to the LED axis 104.

[0052] In some examples, the concave portion 116 can be rotationally asymmetric about the concave portion axis 120. The effect of this asymmetry is that the concave portion 116 can widen the light from the LED 102 by different amounts along different directions. In some examples, this asymmetry can occur with different radii of curvature in different cross-sectional directions of the concave portion 116 (e.g., different slices of the concave portion 116, each slice being a plane including the concave portion axis 120). In some examples, this asymmetry can occur with different surface concavities along different cross-sectional directions, where the surface concavity can be defined as being zero at the intersection of the concave portion axis 120 and the concave portion 116, and having a longitudinal component of the distance away from the intersection (e.g., a component of the distance parallel to the concave portion axis 120) being zero. In some examples, the concave portion 116 can have a first radius of curvature (or a first surface concavity) along a first direction, and a second radius of curvature (or a second surface concavity) along a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction. In some examples, the concave portion 116 may be deformed or cylindrical. Alternatively, the concave portion 116 may optionally be rotationally symmetric about the concave portion axis 120.

[0053] The incident surface 114 may include a scattering portion 122 (see Figure 5 and Fig. 9 ). The scattering portion 122 can intentionally scatter light at the surface of the scattering portion 122, rather than refracting or specularly reflecting the light. For example, a single light ray striking the scattering portion 122 can be scattered into a range of exit angles. In some examples, the scattering can be relatively small, where the range of exit angles is centered around (or at least includes) the angle at which refraction or specular reflection will occur. In some examples, the scattering can be more intense, where the scattered light has a Lambertian pattern regardless of the angle of incidence. In some examples, the scattering portion 122 can be concave, where a curved edge (e.g., appearing as a corner in a cross-sectional view) extends between the concave portion 116 and the scattering portion 122. In some examples, the scattering portion 122 can be concave, have a curved edge extending between the concave portion 116 and the scattering portion 122, and a generally planar region proximate to the third LED 150 (discussed below).

[0054] In some examples, the scattering portion 122 can be textured so as to scatter light (that illuminates the scattering portion 122). In some examples, the texture can include surface roughness, such as frosting on the surface of the scattering portion 122. Because frosting can be present on one or more portions of the incident surface 114 and not on one or more other portions of the incident surface 114, the lens 112 can be considered to be selectively frosted. In some examples, the texture can include one or more microlenses at the scattering portion 122, which can angularly redirect the light that illuminates the microlenses. In some examples, the texture can include one or more surface features (such as scratches, bumps, or dots) that can impart a suitable angular redirection to the light that illuminates the surface features. Other suitable scattering generation mechanisms can also be used, optionally in combination with each other.

[0055] The lens 112 may also include an exit surface 124 opposite the incident surface 114 and positioned away from the LED 102 (see Figure 5 ). Generally speaking, most of the light from LED 102 may enter lens 112 through entrance surface 114 and exit lens 112 through exit surface 124, although a portion of the light may trace other paths through lens 112, as explained below.

[0056] The exit surface 124 may include a raised portion 126 (see Figure 5 ). In some examples, the convex portion 126 can have positive optical power to partially (but not completely) offset the negative optical power of the concave portion 116 of the incident surface 114. In general, using the concave portion 116 and the convex portion 126 in this manner can increase the uniformity of the light emitted from the lens 112.

[0057] The raised portion 126 may be substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light striking the raised portion 126. The smooth condition may be the same as the condition of the recessed portion 116 discussed above.

[0058] The raised portion 126 can intersect the LED axis 104 and the concave portion axis 120. Specifically, the LED axis 104 can extend from the emission surface 106 of the LED 102 and can be located at a position 128 within the raised portion 126 of the emission surface 124 (see Figure 5 ) illuminates the exit surface 124 of the lens 112. Similarly, the concave portion axis 120 may extend from the concave portion 116 of the entrance surface 114 and may be at a position 130 within the convex portion 126 of the exit surface 124 (see Figure 5 ) illuminates exit surface 124 of lens 112. This geometry ensures that concave portion 116 and convex portion 126 are located on generally opposing faces of the optical element, rather than on faces that are at large angles relative to each other (such as adjacent faces of a cubic prism).

[0059] The raised portion 126 can be substantially centered about a raised portion axis 132 that is not coaxial with the LED axis 104. Thus, the LED 102 and the raised portion 126 together can not be rotationally symmetric about a common axis. This can result in an intentional asymmetry in the light emitted from the lens 112. In some examples, by using multiple LEDs 102 and multiple lens portions, the intentional asymmetry can be combined to form a specified lighting pattern. In some examples, the raised portion axis 132 can be parallel to the LED axis 104 and offset from the LED axis 104. In other examples, the raised portion axis 132 can be angled (or angularly tilted) relative to the LED axis 104.

[0060] The raised portion shaft 132 may be at position 134 (see Figure 5 ) intersects the concave portion 116. As explained above, this geometry ensures that the concave portion 116 and the convex portion 126 are positioned on substantially opposing faces of the optical element, rather than on faces that are at large angles relative to each other (such as adjacent faces of a cubic prism).

[0061] In some examples, the LED axis 104, the female portion axis 120, and the male portion axis 132 can be parallel to each other, coplanar, and offset from each other. In some of these examples, the LED axis 104 can be positioned between the female portion axis 120 and the male portion axis 132. In other of these examples, the female portion axis 120 can be positioned between the LED axis 104 and the male portion axis 132. In still other of these examples, the male portion axis 132 can be positioned between the LED axis 104 and the female portion axis 120.

[0062] In some examples, the raised portion 126 can be rotationally asymmetric about the raised portion axis 132. As discussed above, the conditions for such asymmetry are the same as the optional asymmetry of the recessed portion 116.

[0063] The exit surface 124 may also include a substantially planar portion 136 that at least partially surrounds the raised portion 126. In some examples, the planar portion 136 may include a flat surface within typical manufacturing and alignment tolerances. In some examples, the planar portion 136 may be substantially perpendicular to the LED axis 104, also within typical manufacturing and alignment tolerances. In other examples, the planar portion 136 may be optionally angled relative to the LED axis 104.

[0064] In some examples, the planar portion 136 of the exit surface 124 can be substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the planar portion 136. As discussed above, the condition that the planar portion 136 is substantially smooth is the same as the condition that the concave portion 116 of the incident surface 114 or the convex portion 126 of the exit surface 124 is substantially smooth. In some examples, forming the planar portion 136 to be substantially smooth can allow light that does not hit the convex portion 126 (e.g., light at a relatively high propagation angle relative to the LED axis 104) to be specularly (or nearly specularly) reflected toward the scattering portion 122 of the incident surface 114 to be scattered at the scattering portion 122 of the incident surface 114. Directing light at high propagation angles in this manner can improve the uniformity of the light exiting the lens 112.

[0065] In other examples, the planar portion 136 of the exit surface 124 can be textured so as to scatter light that strikes the planar portion 136. Scattering light in this manner can also improve the uniformity of the light exiting the lens 112.

[0066] In some examples, raised portion 126 can extend over a larger area of ​​lens 112 than recessed portion 116. More specifically, recessed portion 116 can extend to a maximum of a first radial distance 138 away from LED axis 104, raised portion 126 can extend to a maximum of a second radial distance 140 away from LED axis 104, and second radial distance 140 can be greater than first radial distance 138. (See Fig.10 ).

[0067] In some examples, the entrance surface 114 and the exit surface 124 may include a perimeter 142 (see Figure 5), the perimeter 142 is shaped to form a substantially planar flange that is substantially perpendicular to the LED axis 104. The flange can be used to secure the lens against a reference surface, such as a substantially flat surface of a housing. In some examples, the flange can be offset toward the incident surface 114 of the lens 112. In other examples, the flange can be offset toward the exit surface 124 of the lens 112, or centered between the incident surface 114 and the exit surface 124.

[0068] In some examples, the device may include additional LEDs that direct light through lens 112. In some examples, lens 112 may modify the angular output of multiple LEDs to produce a uniform, substantially uniform, or otherwise specified output within a specified angular range or a specified field of view. For configurations including multiple LEDs, incident surface 114 may also include a second concave portion 144 separated from concave portion 116 (see Fig. 9 ). For these examples, the scattering portion 122 can extend from the concave portion 116 to the second concave portion 144. For these examples, the exit surface 124 can include a second convex portion 146 separated from the convex portion 126. For these examples, the planar portion 136 can surround the second convex portion 146. For these examples, the second concave portion 144 and the second convex portion 146 can shape the second LED 148 (see Figure 4 ) emits light, the second LED 148 can be spaced apart from the LED 102. For some of these configurations, the LED 102 and the second LED 148 can emit infrared light. A third LED 150 (see FIG. 1 ) can optionally be positioned between the LED 102 and the second LED 148. Figure 4 ) can transmit visible light through the lens 112 to enter the lens 112 via the scattering portion 122 of the incident surface 114.

[0069] In some examples, when the device 100 is operational, the LED 102, the second LED 148, and the third LED 150 are powered, and visible light from the third LED 150 can exit the lens 112 via the planar portion 136, the raised portion 126, and the second raised portion 146 of the exit surface 124. In some examples, when the device 100 is non-operational, the LED 102, the second LED 148, and the third LED 150 are not powered, and the frosting of the diffuser portion 122 and the optional frosting of the planar portion 136 can help to shield the third LED 150 so that the third LED 150 can not be easily seen through the lens 112 in ambient lighting. Suitable circuit 108 (see Figure 4 ) can power LED 102, the second LED 148, and the third LED 150.

[0070] Fig.12 An example of a method 1200 for shaping a light beam from a light emitting diode (LED) according to some embodiments is shown. The method 1200 is applicable to Figure 1-Figure 10 The device 100, Fig.11 The system 1100 of FIG. 1100 and other suitable devices, apparatuses, and systems. The method 1200 is only one method of shaping light from an LED; other suitable methods may also be used.

[0071] At operation 1202, the apparatus may generate a first light with a light emitting diode (LED). The first light may be substantially centered about an LED axis.

[0072] At operation 1204, the apparatus may propagate at least some of the first light from the LED to a concave portion of an incident surface of the lens. The propagated first light may arrive at the concave portion as second light. The concave portion may be substantially centered on a concave portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis.

[0073] In operation 1206, the apparatus may refract at least some of the second light through the concave portion of the incident surface to form third light inside the lens.

[0074] At operation 1208, the device may propagate at least some of the third light from the concave portion of the incident surface to the convex portion of the exit surface of the lens. The propagated third light may arrive at the convex surface as fourth light. The convex portion may be substantially centered around a convex portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis.

[0075] In operation 1210, the device may refract at least some of the fourth light through the convex portion of the exit surface to form fifth light outside the lens.

[0076] At operation 1212, the apparatus may propagate the fifth light away from the lens.

[0077] In some examples, method 1200 may optionally further include reflecting at least some of the fourth light from a convex portion of the exit surface to form a sixth light inside the lens.

[0078] In some examples, method 1200 may optionally further include propagating at least some of the sixth light from the convex portion of the exit surface to the scattering portion of the incident surface of the lens, the propagated sixth light arriving at the scattering portion as the seventh light.

[0079] In some examples, method 1200 may optionally further include scattering at least some of the seventh light with a scattering portion.

[0080] To further illustrate the apparatus and related methods disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of examples is provided below. Each of the following non-limiting examples may exist independently or may be combined with any one or more other examples in any arrangement or combination.

[0081] In Example 1, a device may include: a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light substantially centered about an LED axis; a lens configured to shape the light emitted from the LED, the lens including an incident surface positioned facing the LED, the incident surface including: a substantially smooth concave portion substantially centered about a concave portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis; and a textured scattering portion positioned adjacent to the concave portion.

[0082] In Example 2, the apparatus of Example 1 can optionally be further configured such that the concave portion intersects the LED axis.

[0083] In Example 3, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-2 may optionally be further configured such that the concave portion is rotationally asymmetric about the concave portion axis.

[0084] In Example 4, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-3 may optionally be further configured such that the lens further includes an exit surface opposite to the incident surface, the exit surface including a convex portion.

[0085] In Example 5, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-4 can optionally be further configured such that the raised portion is substantially smooth.

[0086] In Example 6, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-5 can optionally be further configured such that the convex portion intersects the LED axis and the concave portion axis.

[0087] In Example 7, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-6 can optionally be further configured such that: the raised portion is substantially centered about a raised portion axis that is not coaxial with the LED axis; and the raised portion axis intersects the concave portion.

[0088] In Example 8, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-7 can optionally be further configured such that: the LED axis, the concave portion axis, and the convex portion axis are parallel to each other, coplanar, and offset from each other.

[0089] In Example 9, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-8 can optionally be further configured such that the raised portion is rotationally asymmetric about the raised portion axis.

[0090] In Example 10, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-9 may optionally be further configured such that the exit surface further includes a substantially planar portion at least partially surrounding the raised portion.

[0091] In Example 11, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-10 can optionally be further configured such that the planar portion is substantially perpendicular to the LED axis.

[0092] In Example 12, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-11 can optionally be further configured such that the planar portion is substantially smooth.

[0093] In Example 13, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-12 may optionally be further configured such that the planar portion is textured.

[0094] In Example 14, the device of any of Examples 1-13 can be optionally further configured such that: the concave portion extends to a maximum value of a first radial distance away from the LED axis; the convex portion extends to a maximum value of a second radial distance away from the LED axis; and the second radial distance is greater than the first radial distance.

[0095] In Example 15, the apparatus of any of Examples 1-14 can optionally be further configured such that the entrance surface and the exit surface include a perimeter shaped to form a substantially planar flange substantially perpendicular to the LED axis.

[0096] In Example 16, the device of any of Examples 1-15 may optionally further include a second LED, which is spaced apart from the LED and configured to emit light substantially centered around a second LED axis, the second LED axis being substantially parallel to the LED axis, the first LED and the second LED being further configured to emit infrared light, wherein: the incident surface further includes a second concave portion separated from the concave portion; the scattering portion extends from the concave portion to the second concave portion; the exit surface includes a second convex portion separated from the convex portion; the planar portion surrounds the second convex portion; and the second concave portion and the second convex portion are configured to shape light emitted from the second LED; and further includes a third LED positioned between the LED and the second LED, the third LED being configured to emit visible light through the lens to enter the lens via the scattering portion of the incident surface.

[0097] In Example 17, the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-16 may optionally further include a circuit configured to power the LED, the second LED, and the third LED.

[0098] In Example 18, a method may include: generating a first light with a light emitting diode (LED), the first light being substantially centered around an axis of the LED; propagating at least some of the first light from the LED to a concave portion of an incident surface of a lens, the propagated first light arriving at the concave portion as second light, the concave portion being substantially centered around an axis of the concave portion that is not coaxial with the LED axis; refracting at least some of the second light through the concave portion of the incident surface to form a third light inside the lens; propagating at least some of the third light from the concave portion of the incident surface to a convex portion of an exit surface of the lens, the propagated third light arriving at the convex surface as fourth light, the convex portion being substantially centered around an axis of the convex portion that is not coaxial with the LED axis; refracting at least some of the fourth light through the convex portion of the exit surface to form a fifth light outside the lens; and propagating the fifth light away from the lens.

[0099] In Example 19, the method of Example 18 may optionally further include: reflecting at least some of the fourth light from the convex portion of the exit surface to form a sixth light inside the lens; propagating at least some of the sixth light from the convex portion of the exit surface to the scattering portion of the incident surface of the lens, the propagated sixth light arriving at the scattering portion as the seventh light; and scattering at least some of the seventh light with the scattering portion.

[0100] In Example 20, a system may include: a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit infrared light substantially centered about a first LED axis; a second LED configured to emit infrared light substantially centered about a second LED axis, the second LED axis being substantially parallel to the first LED axis; a third LED positioned between the first LED and the second LED, the third LED configured to emit visible light substantially centered about a third LED axis, the third LED axis being substantially parallel to the first LED axis; a circuit configured to power the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED;and a lens configured to shape light emitted from the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED, the lens comprising an incident surface positioned to face the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED, the incident surface comprising a first concave portion, the first concave portion being substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light striking the first concave portion, the first concave portion intersecting the first LED axis, the first concave portion being substantially centered on a first concave portion axis that is parallel to the first LED axis and offset from the first LED axis, the first concave portion being rotationally asymmetric about the first concave portion axis, the incident surface comprising a first concave portion that is positioned away from the first concave portion The second concave portion is substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light that illuminates the second concave portion, the second concave portion intersects the second LED axis, the second concave portion is substantially centered on a second concave portion axis that is parallel to and offset from the second LED axis, the second concave portion is rotationally asymmetric about the second concave portion axis, the incident surface includes a scattering portion that is positioned away from the first concave portion and the second concave portion, the scattering portion is textured so as to scatter light (that illuminates the scattering portion), the third LED is configured to emit visible light through the lens to enter the lens via the scattering portion, and the lens further The step includes an exit surface opposite to the incident surface, the exit surface includes a convex portion, the convex portion is substantially smooth so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the convex portion, the convex portion intersects with a first LED axis, a second LED axis, a third LED axis, a first concave portion axis, and a second concave portion axis, the convex portion is substantially centered on the convex portion axis, the convex portion axis is parallel to and offset from the first LED axis, and is parallel to and offset from the second LED axis, the convex portion axis intersects with the first concave portion and the second concave portion, the first LED axis, the first concave portion axis, and the first convex portion axis parallel to each other, coplanar, and offset from each other, a first LED axis is positioned between the first concave portion axis and the first convex portion axis, a second LED axis, a second concave portion axis, and a second convex portion axis are parallel to each other, coplanar, and offset from each other, the second LED axis is positioned between the second concave portion axis and the second convex portion axis, the convex portion is rotationally asymmetric about the convex portion axis, the exit surface further includes a substantially planar portion at least partially surrounding the convex portion, the planar portion is substantially perpendicular to the first LED axis, the entrance surface and the exit surface include a perimeter shaped to form a substantially planar flange substantially perpendicular to the LED axis.;

[0101] Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments are provided by way of example only. In reading and understanding the material provided herein, those skilled in the art will now expect many variations, changes, and substitutions without departing from the disclosed subject matter. It should be understood that in practicing the various embodiments of this subject matter, various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosed subject matter described herein may be adopted. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosed subject matter, and methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents are thus covered.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising: a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light centered about an axis of the LED; a lens configured to shape light emitted from the LED, The lens comprises an incident surface positioned facing the LED, the incident surface comprising: a smooth concave portion centered about a concave portion axis that is coaxial with the LED axis; and a textured scattering portion positioned adjacent to the concave portion, the textured scattering portion being concave and forming a corner with the concave portion, The lens further comprises an exit surface opposite to the incident surface, the exit surface comprising: Raised parts; and A planar portion extends from the raised portion along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the LED axis. 2 . The lighting device of claim 1 , wherein the concave portion intersects the LED axis. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the concave portion is rotationally asymmetric about the concave portion axis. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the raised portion is smooth. 5 . The lighting device of claim 1 , wherein the convex portion intersects the LED axis and the concave portion axis.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The raised portion is centered about a raised portion axis that is coaxial with the LED axis; and The convex portion axis intersects the concave portion.

7. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the LED axis, the concave portion axis, and the convex portion axis are parallel to each other, coplanar, and offset from each other. The lighting device according to claim 6 , wherein the raised portion is rotationally asymmetric about the raised portion axis.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the planar portion is smooth.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the planar portion is textured.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The concave portion extends to a maximum of a first radial distance away from the LED axis; The raised portion extends to a maximum value of a second radial distance away from the LED axis; and The second radial distance is greater than the first radial distance.

12. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the entrance surface and the exit surface include perimeters shaped to form generally planar flanges generally perpendicular to the LED axis.

13. A lighting method, comprising: generating a first light with a light emitting diode (LED), the first light being centered about an LED axis; propagating at least some of the first light from the LED to a concave portion of an incident surface of a lens, the propagated first light arriving at the concave portion as second light, the concave portion being centered about an axis of the concave portion that is coaxial with an axis of the LED; refracting at least some of the second light through a concave portion of the incident surface to form third light inside the lens; propagating at least some of the third light from the concave portion of the incident surface to a convex portion of an exit surface of the lens, the exit surface including a portion of a plane extending from the convex portion along a plane substantially perpendicular to the LED axis, the propagated third light arriving at the convex surface as fourth light, the convex portion being centered about an axis of the convex portion that is coaxial with the LED axis; refracting at least some of the fourth light through a convex portion of the exit surface to form fifth light outside the lens; propagating the fifth light away from the lens; reflecting at least some of the fourth light from a convex portion of the exit surface to form sixth light inside the lens; propagating at least some of the sixth light from the convex portion of the exit surface to a scattering portion of the incident surface of the lens, the scattering portion being concave and forming a corner with the concave portion, the propagated sixth light reaching the scattering portion as seventh light; as well as At least some of the seventh light is scattered with the scattering portion.

14. A lighting device, comprising: a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light; a second LED spaced apart from the first LED and configured to emit light; a third LED positioned adjacent to at least one of the first LED or the second LED, the third LED configured to emit light having a different wavelength than the light emitted by the first LED and a different wavelength than the light emitted by the second LED; and a lens configured to shape light emitted from the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED, the lens includes an incident surface positioned to face the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED, the incident surface including a first concave portion, a second concave portion, and a scattering portion, The lens further includes an exit surface opposite to the incident surface, the exit surface including a first convex portion, a second convex portion, and a flat portion surrounding the first convex portion and the second convex portion, The first concave portion and the first convex portion are configured to shape light emitted from the first LED, the second concave portion and the second convex portion are configured to shape light emitted from the second LED, and the scattering portion is configured to receive light from the third LED.

15. The lighting device according to claim 14, wherein: The first LED and the second LED are configured to emit infrared light; and The third LED is configured to emit visible light.

16. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the third LED is positioned between the first LED and the second LED.

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