US 2015/0309303 A1 · MAGNIFICATION LOUPE WITH ENERGY-HARVESTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to optical instruments, in particular to magnification loupes, such as those worn by dentists and surgeons. The invention features magnification loupes that are equipped with a light source, an energy harvesting component and an energy storage component. The invention further relates to magnification loupes comprising a light source and a polymer battery as energy storage component. In addition, the invention is directed to magnification loupes comprising a first light source emitting a light beam and a sensor structured and configured to detect a reflection of this light beam. If such a reflection is detected, a second light source mounted on the magnification loupe is turned on or off. The invention further concerns a ring made from or coated with a light-reflecting material. The invention also relates to a battery charging station on which the batteries present in the magnification loupes can be recharged.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A magnification loupe, comprising:

(a) a light source structured and configured to emit light in the visible spectrum, wherein a direction of the emitted light is parallel to a viewing direction of a person wearing the magnification loupe;
(b) a spectacle frame;
(c) a magnifying optical system;
(d) an energy harvesting component that converts acoustic energy or light energy to electric energy, thereby generating electric energy;
and
(e) an energy storage component that is structured and configured to store the electric energy received from the energy harvesting component and that is further structured and configured to provide electric energy to the light source.

3 more elements

A magnification loupe, comprising

(a) a first light source structured and configured to emit light in the visible spectrum, wherein a direction of the emitted light is parallel to a viewing direction of a person wearing the magnification loupe;
(b) a spectacle frame;
(c) a magnifying optical system;
(d) a second light source structured and configured to emit an infrared (IR) light beam, wherein said IR light beam is parallel to the viewing direction of the person wearing the magnification loupe;
a sensor structured and configured to detect whether the IR light beam generated by the second light source is reflected in the direction of the magnification loupe;
said sensor being structured and configured to activate said first light source when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
(i) a reflection of the IR light beam is detected by the sensor and
(ii) the first light source is off,
said sensor further being structured and configured to deactivate said first light source when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
(iii) a reflection of the IR light beam is detected by the sensor and
(iv) the first light source is on;
and
(f) an energy storage component that is structured and configured to provide electric energy to the first light source and that is further structured and configured to provide electric energy to the second light source.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnification loupe with energy-harvesting system

Life of this patent

Magnification loupe with energy-harvesting system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24