Moveable LED array flaps in IR LED camera

An apparatus comprising:

• a camera having a lens and an imaging axis, with the lens of the camera providing a field of view extending outwards from the camera, around the imaging axis of the camera;
• at least one light source having a predominant axis of illumination that illuminates the field of view of the camera, the at least one light source is pivotally attached on a first end to the camera and on a second, opposing end to a support that is stationary relative to the camera;
• and
• an actuator that moves the camera along the imaging axis, the actuator alternatively extends the camera outwards relative to the stationary support and retracts the camera back towards the stationary support, where movement of the camera causes the at least one light source to tilt relative to the imaging axis, where movement of the camera outwards causes the axis of illumination to tilt away from the imaging axis thereby enlarging an illuminated portion of the field of view and retraction causes the axis of illumination to tilt towards the imaging axis thereby reducing an illuminated portion of the field of view.

An apparatus comprising:

• a camera housing having an aperture;
• a camera disposed in the aperture of the housing with a lens of the camera disposed adjacent the aperture providing a field of view extending outwards from the housing through the aperture, around the imaging axis of the camera;
• a plurality of light sources having an predominant field of illumination that illuminates the field of view of the camera, the plurality of light sources equally spaced around an annulus between the lens and periphery of the aperture;
• a plurality of flaps, each of the plurality of flaps supports at least one of the plurality of light sources disposed in the annular space, each of the plurality of flaps extends at least partially around the annular space, the flap is pivotally attached on a first end to the camera and on a second, opposing end to the periphery of the aperture;
• and
• a lighting control actuator that moves the camera along the imaging axis, the actuator alternatively extends the camera outwards from the housing through the aperture and retracts the camera into the housing, where movement of the camera causes the plurality of flaps to tilt relative to the imaging axis, where movement of the camera outwards causes the field of illumination to expand outwards and away from the imaging axis thereby enlarging an illuminated portion of the field of view and retraction causes the field of illumination to contract towards the imaging axis thereby reducing an illuminated portion of the field of view.