Motion-compensating light-emitting apparatus

A method for emitting light from a light-emitting apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• generating a beam of light from a light source;
• sensing an undesired action of the light source;
• providing a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired action;
• and
• compensating for the sensed undesired action so that the beam of light is projectable on a target without any or substantially any undesired movement

A laser pointer apparatus usable by an operator for enabling a spot of light to be projected on a desired target located a distance away from the operator, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• generating means located within said housing for generating a beam of light;
• sensing means for sensing an undesired action of said housing;
• control means for providing a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired action;
• and
• counter acting means for counter acting at least some of the undesired action of said housing in accordance with said control signal so that the spot is projectable on the desired target without any or substantially any undesired movement.

A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

• a light generating device which is operable to generate a beam of light;
• a sensing device operable to sense an undesired action of the generating device;
• a controller for providing a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired action;
• and
• a controller operable to compensate for the sensed undesired action of the light generating device, said controller controlling at least two mirrors and a drive means operable to position said at least two mirrors so as to counter act at least some of the undesired action of said light generating device in accordance with said control signal so that the beam of light is projectable on the desired target without any or substantially any undesired movement.

A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

• a light generator;
• a movement sensor for detecting the undesired movement of the apparatus;
• a controller for producing a control signal;
• and
• a compensator to compensate for undesired movement of the apparatus;
• wherein upon detection of an undesired movement by the movement sensor, the controller provides a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired movement to the compensator which compensates for the sensed undesired movement and substantially maintains the location of the beam of light.

A laser pointer for projecting a spot of light on a target comprising;

• a housing;
• a light generator located within the housing;
• a sensor for sensing an undesired movement of the housing;
• a controller for generating a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired movement;
• and
• a compensator, wherein upon sensing of an undesired movements the controller produces a control signal and provides the control signal to the compensator which counteracts the undesired movement of the housing so that the spot of light is projected on the desired target substantially without any undesired movement.

A light-emitting apparatus comprising:

• a light generator for generating a beam of light;
• a sensor for detecting any undesired movement of the apparatus;
• a controller which produces a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired action;
• and
• a compensator for counteracting a sensed undesired movement of the apparatus;
• wherein the compensator comprises at least two mirrors and a driver, said driver positions the at least two mirrors so as to compensate for the undesired movement in response to the control signal so that the beam of light is projected on a desired target substantially without any undesired movement.