Apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of illuminator eye safety components

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of an eye-safety component of an illuminator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor operable to sense photoacoustic effects in the eye-safety component during operation of the illuminator and output a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effects, and a processor. The processor is operable to monitor the signal from the sensor, determine whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye-safety component, and initiate a safety action in response to determining that the at least one parameter is outside the predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring the mechanical integrity of eye-safety components of an illuminator, as well as an illuminator incorporating the apparatus and an apparatus incorporating the illuminator.

[0002] Background of the disclosure There is currently a trend towards using three-dimensional sensing for facial recognition and global applications. Such sensing systems require illumination to shine light on the object to be imaged, often using high powered lasers. When this laser is properly packaged in an appropriate optical module, it is eye-safe. However, if the integrity of this module is compromised, the illuminator may no longer be eye-safe, requiring an interlock to trigger the eye safety mechanism.

[0003] Traditionally, the integrity of an illuminator module has been assessed by measuring the back reflection of the photodiode from the cover optic, or by using an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on the cover optic and measuring the capacitance or DC resistance of the ITO layer.

[0004] More specifically, capacitive sensors are used to sense changes in capacitance resulting from cracks in coated cover optics, which in turn can lead to eye damage. However, the presence of large currents (e.g., up to 3A) to drive the lasers in the illuminators with very short pulses (>100MHz) makes measuring the small values ​​associated with the capacitance of the ITO layer (typically around 1pF) extremely difficult.

[0005] It is possible to test the DC resistivity of a resistive sensor to test the integrity of a cover optic that is provided with a conductive ITO layer. However, the conductive ITO layer must be out of the field of illumination, so any damage to the parts of the cover optic that are not coated may go undetected. In addition, the use of DC resistivity measurements may be compromised by the naturally high noise environment due to electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially if a DC threshold readout is used.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and method for monitoring the mechanical integrity of eye safety components of an illuminator that addresses one or more of the above problems, or at least provides a useful alternative.

[0007] overview In general, the present disclosure proposes to overcome the above problems by utilizing the photoacoustic effect to probe the mechanical properties of the cover optics, thereby directly monitoring the integrity of the eye safety components in the illuminated area.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for monitoring mechanical integrity of an eye safety component of an illuminator, the apparatus comprising: a sensor operable to sense a photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component during operation of the illuminator and to output a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effect; a processor, the processor being operable as follows: Monitor the signal from the sensor, determining whether the signal includes at least one parameter that falls outside a predetermined tolerance indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye safety component; The device is operable to initiate a safety action in response to determining that at least one parameter falls outside a predetermined tolerance, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.

[0009] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of an eye safety component of an illuminator, which can be used to provide a safety interlock that is triggered when the optoacoustic signal changes in response to mechanical changes in the eye safety component itself. Because this optoacoustic effect is generated by the light signal from the illuminator passing through the eye safety component, the apparatus monitors the exact portion of the eye safety component through which the light passes, thereby probing the mechanical integrity of the medium at the exact site where the eye safety component is in a critical state. This is in contrast to prior art systems where any monitoring is performed by probing electrical signals from areas close to, but not coexisting with, the critical eye safety component. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure allow for continuous monitoring of the integrity of a window in an illuminator via optoacoustic signaling.

[0010] In some embodiments, the photoacoustic effect results directly from the operation of the emitter, so the photoacoustic effect is synchronized with the operation of the emitter. Thus, if the emitter is pulsed, the photoacoustic effect also produces a pulsed signal within a well-defined detection window. In another embodiment, the photoacoustic effect may result from a continuous operation of the emitter. In some embodiments, the frequency of the emitter can be modulated to sweep a range of frequencies or to probe a specific frequency.

[0011] Thus, aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus that monitors the mechanical integrity of eye safety components, such as those present in illuminators configured for 3D sensing applications, and initiates safety actions upon loss of integrity, thereby providing a safety interlock.

[0012] The sensor may be configured to sense sound waves formed by the photoacoustic effect.

[0013] The phononic structures may be configured to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the sound waves. In other words, the phononic structures may enhance the signal generated by the photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component itself or in the path from the eye safety component to the sensor. In some embodiments, the phononic structures may be in, on, above, near, around, or in combination with the eye safety component (i.e., the phononic structures may be separate from or integrated into the structure forming the eye safety component).

[0014] The processor may be further operable to detect a change in an environmental condition within the illuminator based on a signal from the sensor.

[0015] The processor may be operable to initiate a safety action by sending instructions to the illuminator to modify the illumination intensity.

[0016] The processor may be operable to initiate a safety measure by sending a command to the illuminator to cease illumination. Thus, the apparatus may be configured for automatic power control of the illuminator.

[0017] The sensor may include at least one microphone.

[0018] The apparatus may further include one or more of an amplifier, a filter, a lock-in detector, and a tolerance detector.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an illuminator comprising: At least one emitter; an eye safety component that provides a shield between the at least one emitter and a user; An illuminator is provided that includes an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] The illuminator may further include a modulator configured to modulate the light output from at least one of the at least one emitter at a predetermined frequency, where the processor is operable to use the predetermined frequency in a lock-in detection scheme and / or a gated detection scheme when monitoring a signal from the sensor.

[0021] The at least one emitter may include an illumination emitter, and the sensor is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect resulting from operation of the illumination emitter.

[0022] The at least one emitter may include a monitor emitter, and the sensor is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect resulting from operation of the monitor emitter.

[0023] The sensor may be positioned to directly sense the photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component.

[0024] The sensor may be configured to indirectly sense the photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component by receiving input via a waveguide or other medium.

[0025] The at least one emitter may include a laser.

[0026] The eye safety components may include a glass substrate and / or a diffuser.

[0027] The illuminator may be provided in a package or module. These packages or modules may be airtight or sealed. A sealed package contains a well-defined fluid (e.g., gas) through which the photoacoustic signal passes, so that any leaks or ingress can be detected by a change in the photoacoustic signal.

[0028] The processor may be included within the package / module or may be external, for example provided elsewhere on the device in which the illuminator is incorporated. If an external processor is used, it is configured to communicate with at least the sensors and emitters.

[0029] A sensor (e.g., a microphone) may be located on or near the eye safety component to ensure fast response and good signal quality. The sensor may be part of the eye safety component (e.g., on the diffuser or glass substrate) (i.e., fixed in place) and metal traces may be provided to transfer the electrical signal from the sensor to the edge of the package and along the sidewall to the substrate on which the processor and / or emitters are located.

[0030] In some embodiments, a phononic or acoustic filter may be provided (e.g., on the eye safety component or elsewhere in the package) to maximize the optoacoustic signal strength along the path to the sensor.

[0031] The sensor may be provided, for example, in a general integrated circuit (IC) together with other components or in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to perform the functions of amplification, filtering, lock-in detection, threshold detection, and signaling output for safety measures.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device including an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure or an illuminator according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for monitoring mechanical integrity of an eye safety component of an illuminator, the method comprising: obtaining a signal from a sensor representative of a photoacoustic effect sensed in the eye safety component during operation of the illuminator; monitoring a signal; determining whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye safety component; and initiating a safety action in response to determining that at least one parameter falls outside a predetermined tolerance, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.

[0034] The method may further include establishing a predetermined tolerance range (eg, a threshold value).

[0035] The predetermined tolerance may be establishable by a controller which may be located within the illuminator or external to it (eg, within a host device).

[0036] The predetermined tolerance may be based on predetermined values ​​stored in memory and / or defined during a calibration step. The predetermined values ​​may include one or more parameters, which may be adjusted during the calibration step. For example, the parameters may include a signal amplitude, a signal frequency, or a signal wavelength.

[0037] The predetermined tolerance may be established using an artificial neural network (ANN).

[0038] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon for causing at least one processor to perform a method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0039] As mentioned above, prior art systems tend to have problems associated with measuring small values ​​and the fact that the area being monitored is not the same as the area through which the emitted, potentially damaging light passes.

[0040] Compared to such known systems, the present apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of eye safety components of an illuminator disclosed herein has the following advantages: 1. Because the photoacoustic effect is generated by the use of the emitter itself, the area illuminated by the emitter can be precisely probed (this is important for safety). 2. The mechanical condition of the eye safety component itself (i.e. the glass window) can be monitored. 3. Robust to noise due to narrow bandwidth and well-defined time window monitoring, e.g., from lock-in detection scheme. 4. It is only sensitive to the excitation frequency of the emitter (i.e., the signal that may raise eye safety concerns is also the signal that produces the effect that is monitored to test for eye safety). 5. Can be used to monitor internal species of the illuminator package (eg, to detect leaks or intrusions).

[0041] Finally, the apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of the eye-safety components of an illuminator disclosed herein utilizes a novel approach that utilizes at least the photoacoustic effect present under normal operation of the illuminator to provide an indication of the mechanical integrity of the eye-safety components in key areas of interest.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a device including an illuminator and an apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for monitoring the mechanical integrity of the eye safety components of the illuminator of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a first illuminator according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a second illuminator according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a third illuminator according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a fourth illuminator according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating various signals generated during operation of the illuminator of FIG. 1.

[0044] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Generally speaking, the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of eye safety components of an illuminator that utilizes the normally undesirable signal resulting from the photoacoustic effect of light passing through a cover glass or window as a means to monitor whether the window is damaged.

[0045] Some examples of solutions are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0046] 1 shows a block diagram of a device 112 having an illuminator 106 and an apparatus 100 for monitoring the mechanical integrity of an eye safety component 110 of the illuminator 106 in accordance with the present disclosure. The device 112 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a watch, or other computing device.

[0047] The apparatus 100 includes a sensor 102 in the form of a microphone and a processor 104. The sensor 102 is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component 110 during operation of the illuminator 106 and to output a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effect. The processor 104 is operable to monitor the signal from the sensor 102, determine whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye safety component 110, and initiate a safety action in response to a determination that the at least one parameter is outside a predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.

[0048] The safety measures may include sending commands to the illuminator 106 to change the intensity of the illumination (e.g., reduce the intensity to a safe level) or to cease illumination. The safety measures may, for example, change the wavelength of the illuminator 106 or switch the illumination from continuous to pulsed.

[0049] The illuminator 106 includes an emitter 108 and an eye safety component 110. The eye safety component 110 is configured to provide a shield between the emitter 108 and a user (not shown). The eye safety component 110 may include a diffuser and / or a transparent window (e.g., a cover glass).

[0050] Although the processor 104 is shown external to the illuminator 106, the processor 104 may be incorporated within the illuminator 106, for example, on an integrated circuit (IC) with the sensor 102 and / or emitter 108.

[0051] 2 illustrates a method 200 that may be performed by the processor 104 for monitoring the mechanical integrity of the eye safety component 110. The method 200 includes obtaining 202 a signal from the sensor 102 representative of a photoacoustic effect sensed in the eye safety component 110 during operation of the illuminator 106, and monitoring 204 the signal. A further step 206 includes determining whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye safety component 110. A subsequent step 208 includes initiating a safety action in response to determining that the at least one parameter is outside a predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.

[0052] The method may further include establishing a predetermined tolerance (e.g., a threshold), which may be estab lishable by a controller, Which may be located Within the illuminator or external thereto (e.g., in a host device).

[0053] The predetermined tolerance may be in the following forms: up to a predetermined value, below a predetermined value, between predetermined values.

[0054] The predetermined tolerance may be based on predetermined values ​​stored in memory and / or defined during a calibration step. The predetermined values ​​may include one or more parameters, which may be adjusted during the calibration step. For example, the parameters may include a signal amplitude, a signal frequency, or a signal wavelength.

[0055] In some embodiments, the predetermined tolerance may be established using an artificial neural network (ANN).

[0056] 3 shows a schematic side view of a first (open) illuminator 300 according to the present disclosure. The first illuminator 300 has a similar structure to the illuminator 106 and includes a sensor 302 in the form of a microphone mounted on a substrate 304. An emitter 306 in the form of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is also mounted on the substrate 304 and positioned to emit light 312 through a diffuser 308 and a glass window 310. The diffuser 308 and glass window 310 together form the eye safety component 110.

[0057] Although not shown, a processor (similar to processor 104 of FIG. 1) is provided in communication with sensor 302 and emitter 306 .

[0058] In use, the sensor 302 is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect within the diffuser 308 and / or glass window 310 during operation of the illuminator 300 (e.g., when the emitter emits a laser pulse) and output a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effect to the processor. The processor is operable to monitor the signal from the sensor 302, determine whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the diffuser 308 and / or glass window 310, and initiate a safety action in response to a determination that the at least one parameter is outside a predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity. As discussed above, the safety action may include sending a command to the illuminator 300 to modify the intensity of the illumination (e.g., reduce the intensity to a safe level) or cease illumination.

[0059] 4 shows a schematic side view of a second (closed) illuminator 400 according to the present disclosure. This second illuminator 400 is similar to the first illuminator 300, and therefore the same reference numbers are included to indicate similar features. Thus, in addition to the components described above in connection with FIG. 3, the second illuminator 400 is housed in a package or module that includes a sidewall 402 between a substrate 304 and a glass window 310. Thus, the second illuminator 400 may be hermetically sealed or airtight, and the fluid (e.g., gas) that it may contain is well defined. In this case, the sensor 302 senses the photoacoustic signal generated in the diffuser and / or glass window 310 after the fluid has passed through it, thereby detecting any leakage or ingress (e.g., water or other fluid) by a change in the photoacoustic signal.

[0060] 5 shows a schematic side view of a third (alternative) illuminator 500 according to the present disclosure. This third illuminator 500 is similar to the second illuminator 400, and therefore the same reference numbers are included to indicate similar features. However, instead of the sensor 302 of FIG. 4 being mounted on the substrate 304, in FIG. 5 the sensor 302 is mounted on a surface surrounding the glass window 310. This sensor 302 may therefore be mounted in direct contact with the eye safety components. In other embodiments, the sensor 302 may be mounted in direct contact with the diffuser 308. In both cases, the sensor 302 is located on or near the eye safety components to ensure a fast response and good signal quality. Although not shown in FIG. 5, metal tracks or other electrical connectors (e.g., wires) may be provided to transfer the electrical signal from the sensor 302 to the edge of the lighting package and to the substrate 304 where the emitter (and possibly the processor) is located along the sidewall 402.

[0061] 6 shows a schematic side view of a fourth (alternative) illuminator 600 according to the present disclosure. This fourth illuminator 600 is similar to the third illuminator 500, and therefore the same reference numbers are included to indicate similar features. However, in this case, a metal trace (i.e., connector) 602 is shown providing a path for an electrical signal from the sensor 302 to the substrate 304. In this manner, the sensor 302 outputs a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effect and transmits the signal to a processor for monitoring the signal from the sensor 302. As explained above, the processor determines whether the signal includes at least one parameter that is outside a predetermined acceptable range indicative of the mechanical integrity of the glass window 310. The processor also initiates a safety measure in response to a determination that the at least one parameter is outside a predetermined acceptable range, thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity. For example, the processor can send a trigger to shut off power to the emitter 306 to prevent further illumination in the event of a loss of integrity of the eye safety component.

[0062] 7 shows a timing diagram 700 illustrating various signals generated during operation of the illuminator 106 of FIG. 1. It should be understood that illuminators 300, 400, 500 and 600 can be operated in a similar manner. The timing diagram 700 includes an x-axis representing time and a y-axis representing signal amplitude / intensity. Arbitrary units (AU) are shown as the diagram is for illustrative purposes only. The waveforms shown represent optical signal intensity 702, photoacoustic signal amplitude 704, gated photoacoustic signal amplitude 706, noise signal amplitude 708, and detection gate signal amplitude 710, which are purely exemplary and other shapes of these waveforms may be present in an actual device.

[0063] The timing diagram 700 shows a pulsed laser light signal 702 from an emitter. This results in an optoacoustic signal 704 that is generated via the optoacoustic effect as the light signal 702 passes through the eye safety component (which forms an acoustic wave following light absorption in the medium). The optoacoustic signal 704 propagates through the eye safety component and also penetrates the side walls and the containing medium. The optoacoustic signal 704 is therefore sensed by a sensor located either on the eye safety component or elsewhere in the illuminator. In this embodiment, a gated detection method is used with the generation of a detection gate signal 710 timed to isolate a portion of the optoacoustic signal 704, shown as a gated optoacoustic signal 706, that results from the transmission of the optoacoustic signal 704 through the eye safety component. The gated optoacoustic signal 706 sensed by the sensor is therefore the product of the detection gate signal 710 and the optoacoustic signal 704. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a noise signal 708 is also present.

[0064] In this embodiment, the emitter will have a predetermined wavelength suitable for a given application, which is not tuned for absorbance in the eye safety components. Thus, the photoacoustic signal 704 is unlikely to be at a resonant frequency of the eye safety components. Thus, the photoacoustic signal 704 may be relatively small, and the resulting gated photoacoustic signal 706 is similarly small.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 7, the gated photoacoustic signal 706 is delayed in time with the photoacoustic signal 704. This is simply a result of the speed of sound in the medium, and therefore allows one to easily determine the parameters for the detection gate signal 710. However, instead of using the detection gate signal 710 as shown in Fig. 7, it is also possible to use a detection gate signal 710 that completely overlaps with the photoacoustic signal 704.

[0066] It is possible to inspect the mechanical integrity of the eye safety components by monitoring the photoacoustic signal 704 or the gated photoacoustic signal 706. Since acoustic waves are very sensitive to structural defects, it is possible to observe the condition of the eye safety components at any time while using the emitter.

[0067] In some embodiments, a second emitter may be provided solely for the purpose of generating the photoacoustic signal to be monitored, and in this manner, the second emitter may be tuned to a resonant frequency of the eye safety component to make the photoacoustic signal easier to sense.

[0068] In experiments, an illuminator according to the present disclosure had an intensity of about 2 W using a current of about 3 A, which produced a detectable signal indicative of the mechanical integrity of the eye safety components. In some applications, currents of up to 15 A may be used, which provides a clearly detectable signal that can be monitored and used to trigger a shutdown of the powerful emitter if the integrity of the eye safety components is detected.

[0069] The sensor can include a standard microphone, but custom microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based microphones may also be used to achieve sensitivities up to 1-10 V / Pa.

[0070] Although not shown, phononic structures may be provided to improve the signal to noise ratio of the acoustic waves.

[0071] Thus, examples of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus that utilize the photoacoustic effect to probe the mechanical properties of eye safety components for lighting fixtures, monitor the integrity of the eye safety components, and implement safety actions, such as shutting down the emitter, if changes occur.

[0072] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be employed in many different applications including, for example, front-of-the-eye and front-facing illuminators for 3D sensing (e.g., using time-of-flight (ToF), pattern or stereo approaches) or augmented reality in gaming, industrial, education, automotive (e.g., for driver monitoring) and other industries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 devices 102 Sensors 104 processors 106 Illuminator 108 Emitter 110 Eye safety parts 112 Devices 200 ways 202 Step 1 204 Step 2 206 Step 3 208 Step 4 300 First (open) illuminator 302 Sensor 304 Substrate 306 Emitter 308 Diffuser 310 Glass Window 312 Laser Beam 400 Secondary (closed) illuminator 402 Side wall 500 Third (further) Illuminator 600 4th (another) illuminator 602 Connection 700 Signal Diagram 702 Optical Signal Strength 704 Photoacoustic signal amplitude 706 Gated Photoacoustic Signal Amplitude 708 Noise Amplitude 710 Detection gate signal amplitude

[0074] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the foregoing description and in the appended claims, location terms such as "above," "along," "to the side," and the like are made with reference to conceptual diagrams as depicted in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used for ease of reference and are not intended to be limiting in nature. Thus, these terms should be understood to refer to objects when in the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to the above preferred embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative and the claims are not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art may make modifications and alternatives in light of the present disclosure, which are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or illustrated in this specification may be incorporated into any embodiment, either alone or in any suitable combination with other features disclosed or illustrated in this specification.

[0076] References Further background information relevant to this disclosure is provided below. 1. “Applications of photoacoustic sensing techniques” AC Tam, Reviews of Modern Physics, Vol. 58, No. 2, p. 381-431 (1986) 2. "Optimization Controlity MEMS Microphone for Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) Applications," 10.1117 / 12.597136, Pedersen et al. (2005). 3. https: / / phys.org / news / 2019-01 -technology-lasers-transmit-audible-messages.html 4. "Progress in Photothermal and Acoustic Science and Technology, Life and Earth Sciences" A. Mandelis and P. Hess, SPIE (1997). 5. “Surface crack detection with low-cost photoacoustic imaging system.” https: / / doi.org / 10.14716 / iitech.v9i1.1506.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for monitoring the mechanical integrity of an eye safety component of an illuminator, the apparatus comprising: a sensor operable to sense, during operation of the illuminator, a photoacoustic signal generated via a photoacoustic effect when light output from at least one emitter of the illuminator passes through the eye safety component; a processor; The processor, acquiring and monitoring the photoacoustic signal sensed at the sensor; determining whether at least one parameter of the photoacoustic signal is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of a mechanical integrity of the eye safety component; operative to initiate a safety action in response to determining that the at least one parameter falls outside the predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of the mechanical integrity; An apparatus, wherein the photoacoustic signal is an acoustic wave generated via the photoacoustic effect.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a phononic structure configured to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the acoustic waves.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further operable to detect a change in an environmental condition within the illuminator based on the photoacoustic signal from the sensor.

4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to initiate the safety action by sending a command to the illuminator to modify an intensity of illumination.

5. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to initiate the safety action by sending a command to the illuminator to cease illumination.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one or more of an amplifier, a filter, a lock-in detector, and a tolerance detector.

8. 1. A lighting device, comprising: an eye safety component providing a shield between the at least one emitter and a user; An illuminator comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 10. The illuminator of claim 8, further comprising a modulator configured to modulate light output from at least one of the at least one emitter at a predetermined frequency, and the processor is operable to use the predetermined frequency in a lock-in detection scheme and / or a gated detection scheme when monitoring the photoacoustic signal from the sensor.

10. 10. The illuminator of claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one emitter includes a lighting emitter, and the sensor is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect resulting from operation of the lighting emitter.

11. 11. The illuminator of claim 8, wherein the at least one emitter includes a monitor emitter, and the sensor is operable to sense a photoacoustic effect resulting from operation of the monitor emitter.

12. 12. The illuminator of claim 8, wherein the sensor is positioned to directly sense the photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component.

13. 12. The illuminator of claim 8, wherein the sensor is positioned to indirectly sense the photoacoustic effect in the eye safety component by receiving input via a waveguide or other medium.

14. 14. The illuminator of claim 8, wherein the at least one emitter comprises a laser.

15. The illuminator of claim 8 , wherein the eye safety component comprises a glass substrate and / or a diffuser.

16. A device comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or an illuminator according to any one of claims 8 to 15.

17. 1. A method for monitoring mechanical integrity of an eye safety component of an illuminator, the method comprising: acquiring, during operation of the illuminator, from a sensor, an optoacoustic signal generated via an optoacoustic effect when light output from at least one emitter of the illuminator passes through the eye safety component; monitoring the photoacoustic signal; determining whether at least one parameter of the photoacoustic signal is outside a predetermined tolerance range indicative of a mechanical integrity of the eye safety component; initiating a safety action in response to determining that the at least one parameter falls outside the predetermined tolerance range, thereby indicating a loss of the mechanical integrity; The photoacoustic signal is an acoustic wave generated via the photoacoustic effect. method.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of establishing the predetermined tolerance range using an artificial neural network.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions stored thereon for causing at least one processor to perform the method of claim 17 or 18.

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