# US 2022/0032840 A1 · System and method for illuminating a moving object within an enclosed space > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0032840 A1 - Document ID: US20220032840A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/342,594 - Filed: 2021-06-09 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Jagdish T. Madhav; Dean Hettick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220032840A1 ## CPC - B60Q 3/47: Circuits; Control arrangements - B60Q 3/43: General lighting - B60Q 3/44: Spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps - B64D 11/0007: {Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services} - F21V 14/02: by movement of light sources {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657)} - F21V 21/14: Adjustable mountings - F21V 23/0471: {the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person} - H05B 47/13: by using passive infrared detectors - B64D 2011/0038: {Illumination systems for cabins as a whole} - B64D 2203/00: Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs - F21V 17/02: with provision for adjustment (F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence) - F21V 21/15: specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control - F21V 23/045: {the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller} - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A system for illuminating at least a portion of an object within an enclosed space includes an object configured to be moved within the enclosed space, and a beacon coupled to the object. The beacon is configured to emit a light tracking signal. A light sensor is configured to detect the light tracking signal emitted from the beacon. A lighting control unit in communication with the light sensor is configured to determine a position of the object within the enclosed space based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. A lighting assembly is in communication with the lighting control unit. The lighting control unit is configured to operate the lighting assembly to emit the illuminating light onto the at least a portion of the object based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. The system may also be configured to guide a passenger to a seat, and provide way-finding illumination. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for illuminating at least a portion of an object within an enclosed space, the system comprising: an object configured to be moved within the enclosed space; and a beacon coupled to the object, wherein the beacon is configured to emit a light tracking signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to detect the light tracking signal emitted from the beacon. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the light sensor comprises: a circuit board; a linear photo detector array coupled to the circuit board; a lens; and an infrared filter disposed between the photo detector array and the lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further comprising a lighting control unit in communication with the light sensor, wherein the lighting control unit is configured to determine a position of the object within the enclosed space based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising a lighting assembly in communication with the lighting control unit, wherein the lighting control unit is configured to operate the lighting assembly to emit illuminating light onto the at least a portion of the object based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to provide way-finding illumination for individuals within the enclosed space when the light sensor does not detect the light tracking signal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the lighting assembly comprises: a gimbal bracket; a light projector pivotally coupled to the gimbal bracket; and an actuator operatively coupled to the light projector so as to pivot the light projector in relation to the gimbal bracket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the lighting assembly further comprises a rotatable slide holder that includes one or more slides that are configured to shape the illuminating light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the lighting control unit is configured to deactivate the lighting assembly when the light sensor no longer detects the light tracking signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosed space is an internal cabin of a vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises one of a galley cart or a tray. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the beacon is secured to a top surface of the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the beacon comprises a light emitting diode (LED), and wherein the light tracking signal comprises infrared light. ### Claim 14 A method for illuminating at least a portion of an object within an enclosed space, the method comprising: coupling a beacon to an object configured to be moved within the enclosed space; and emitting a light tracking signal from the beacon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting, by a light sensor, the light tracking signal emitted from the beacon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising determining, by a lighting control unit in communication with the light sensor, a position of the object within the enclosed space based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising operating, by the lighting control unit, a lighting assembly in communication with the lighting control unit, wherein said operating comprises operating the lighting assembly to emit illuminating light onto the at least a portion of the object based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising providing, by the lighting assembly, way-finding illumination for individuals within the enclosed space when the light sensor does not detect the light tracking signal. ### Claim 19 A vehicle comprising: an internal cabin; and a system for illuminating at least a portion of an object within the internal cabin, the system including: an object configured to be moved within the internal cabin; a beacon coupled to the object, wherein the beacon is configured to emit a light tracking signal; a light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to detect the light tracking signal emitted from the beacon; a lighting control unit in communication with the light sensor, wherein the lighting control unit is configured to determine a position of the object within the internal cabin based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor; and a lighting assembly in communication with the lighting control unit, wherein the lighting control unit is configured to operate the lighting assembly to emit illuminating light onto the at least a portion of the object based on the light tracking signal as detected by the light sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to provide way-finding illumination for individuals within the internal cabin when the light sensor does not detect the light tracking signal.