NO20171261A1 - Method, system and device for improved object illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

A mirror matrix assembly for illumination of an object or surface, comprising one or more mirrors (11) connected to a mirror matrix backplane (22) via mirror positioning means, and one or more light sources (20, 44) positioned for unobstructed illumination of one or more of the one or more mirrors (11) in the mirror matrix (10). The mirrors (11) are positioned to reflect the light from the one or more light sources and illuminate an object or surface. The object or surface can range from small photo objects to large fields, such as sports fields including but not limited to football stadiums and cricket fields, and also other environments in need of illumination, such as road tunnels.

Description

Method, system and device for improved object illumination.

The present invention relates to the field of illumination of objects, in the widest sense it is ranging from small photo objects to large fields, such as sports fields including but not limited to football stadium and cricket field, and also other environments in need of illumination, such as road tunnels.

When capturing images of objects a photographer is dependent on reflectors and multiple light sources to be able to create or avoid shadows and optimize the illumination of the photo object.

It is always a balance between soft and hard light. Direct hard light gives best quality, but is difficult to control and creates often more problems than advantages, problems such as large contrast between illuminated parts and shadow areas. Therefor photographers tend to use soft light either directly or via reflectors or a combination thereof.

Creating or avoiding shadows and optimize the illumination of the photo object is a tedious task, and frequently the quality of illumination of the object suffers from the inability of the reflectors to provide illumination with good or acceptable precision. The result is often that the images captured by the photographer lack quality compared to what could have been achieved.

The problem is that there is not enough space around the object to arrange enough light sources, or it takes too much resources and light sources to provide optimal illumination of the object, such that it is not practically achievable to do so.

A similar problem arises when illuminating a vehicle tunnel. One of the challenges in tunnels is to get enough light on the road in order to create a visible driving path. This is solved today by using an excessive number of light sources, and therefore the light provided must be soft light in order not to dazzle the drivers in the tunnel. This results in an illumination pattern with low contrast and which will provide poor sight and be tiresome for the drivers. The traditional tunnel light equipment is easy and cheap to install, but provides poor control and illumination. There is a problem with prior art to provide an illumination pattern that illuminates the road tracks sufficiently for being easy to observe by the drivers, without at the same time having light sources that will dazzle the drivers driving in one or both directions.

Related problems arise when illuminating sports arenas or performance stages. These arenas often represent large areas that need to be illuminated, and the task of illuminating for example a football field requires a lot of high effect lamps to be directed to the field requiring illumination. Problems, such as high power consumption and light pollution for neighbors of the arenas where they are greatly affected by the enormous light sources lighting up everything in the vicinity, are frequently experienced. It is also a problem for spectators and athletes that the light sources also causes massive dazzle effects.

A further problem in arenas is that shadow areas, which often arises during daylight conditions, creates difficult working conditions for the broadcasters of video images. Sunshine provides the worst working conditions in this scenario, when shadows are much more visible, and offer the hardest challenge for the video capturing crew to overcome.

The present invention provides devices, methods and systems solving one or more of the above stated problems.

The present invention provides novel matrices of mirrors wherein each mirror may be individually controllable and adjustable in all directions. One or more light sources are associated with each mirror matrix. The invention is providing for example a photographer with features for eliminating contrast of light/shadow on a photo object and enables the photographer to use hard light on just the features of the object that requires it, and at the same time avoid unwanted reflections and shadow effects at other parts of the object.

It is further provided a control system for controlling one or more matrices of mirrors, and one or more light source, wherein the light source may be individually controlled to provide light resources to one or more of the mirror matrices.

It is further provided a light pole comprising at least one mirror matrix and one light source adapted to illuminate an object with indirect light.

It is further provided a system for eliminating contrast of light/shadow within a defined area, such as a sports field, caused by sunshine and shadow areas due to constructions and obstacles, such as a spectator grandstand, partly covering roof constructions, hillside, trees or other.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following brief description of the drawings and the more detailed description of the embodiments.

Fig.1 – Traditional photo setup

Fig.2 – Mirror matrix; front view

Fig.3 – Mirror matrix, back view and exploded view single mirror backside connection example Fig.4 – Ball and magnet fixation embodiment

Fig.5 – Ball and magnet cross section view

Fig.6A -6B – Round Mirrors matrix setup

Fig.6C - Rectangle Square Mirrors matrix setup

Fig.7 – Light source close

Fig.8 – Light source further away

Fig.9A and 9B - Light source close and further away, reflected light effect

Fig.10A, 10B and 10C – Mirror configuration «off» and «on»

Fig.11 – Photographer setup

Fig.12 – Stage setup

Fig.13 – Sports arena setup

Fig.14 – Sports arena controller app

Fig.15A, 15B and 15C- different mirror designs

Fig.16A – Mirror matrix stand for arena roof

Fig.16B – Alternative mirror setup

Fig.17A – Arena without roof installation

Fig.17B and 17C – Arena with roof installation

Fig.17D – Backlight mirror matrix stand

Fig.18 – Tunnel concept

Fig.19 – Tunnel concept

Fig.20 – Tunnel concept

Fig.21 – Tunnel concept

Fig.22A and 22B – Mirror matrix providing “sign posts” feature

Fig.23 – System setup

In figure 1 there is shown a typical working scenario for a photographer. In the search for an optimal light condition and illumination of an object 1 a constant trial and testing is necessary. This involves using several light sources 2 and a lot of positioning of different type of reflector 3 material. Often a reflector screen material (white cloth, mirror etc.) 3 is manually held and moved in search for best reflector position. Also reflector screens 3 may be positioned on a tripod. Reflector screens may have different formats and curve, such as square, circular, convex and concave.

The limitations in prior art is that the flexibility is limited based for example on the lack of space around the object to be recorder/photographed, too many adjustments to be controlled/managed by the photographer as when manually held reflectors increase the communication necessary to rely the instructions being translated into correct movement of the reflectors. Soft light is frequently chosen as the best of worst available alternatives.

The present invention provides in a first embodiment a novel mirror matrix 10 setup for use by a photographer wanting to illuminate an object or objects, wherein the individual features of the object may be illuminated individually. The mirror matrix, as illustrated in figure 2, may be composed of any number of mirrors 11. In the attached figures a matrix of 3x3 mirrors are frequently used, but it should be understood that the numbers of mirrors in the matrix may be any combination of numbers. The matrix 10 itself may even have an uneven distribution of mirrors, and the individual mirrors may not necessarily have the same form, shape, size, color, reflection grade etc. All these characteristics may be individually adapted to the requirements of the illumination task in question. The basic concept of the invention in this first embodiment is that the individual mirror in the matrix may be adjusted individually, either manually or by a controller. The mirror matrix 10 is typically used together with a light source 20 such as one or more lamp, but even sunlight/daylight may be used. Often one lamp is dedicated used for illuminating the mirror matrix 10. The light source 20 associated with the mirror matrix 10 may be arranged in an assembly together with the mirror matrix in a fixed or controllable manner in respect to the mirror matrix 10. The assembly may be arranged on the same tripod/mast 30 or may comprise separate mounting arrangement wherein the distance and illumination angle between the mirror matrix 10 and the light source 20 may be fixed or controllable.

To optimize a photo session a typical setup will make use of more than one mirror matrix 10, for example four being arranged in pairs 40 on opposite side of the object 41 or scenario 42 to be captured on film as illustrated in figure 11.

In a photo session the photographer 43 may set up the four mirror matrices 10 in pairs 40 around the object 41 or scenario 42 to be captured on film, and light one or more of the light sources 44 associated with the arranged mirror matrices 10, 40. In the simplest configuration the individual mirror 11 in a mirror matrix of the invention is manually adjustable in all directions. The photographer 43 may position each individual mirror 11 to adjust the illumination of the individual features of the object 41, thus enabling to emphasis some aspects by concentrating more mirrors 11 on this individual feature of the object 41, and other aspects may be dimmed by turning the mirrors 11 naturally illuminating these elements away from the object or even remove/detach these mirrors 11 from the mirror matrix 10, 40, or pointing the reflected light from them to other parts of the object. By using a further mirror matrix 10, 40 from a different angle relative the object 41, it may be possible to eliminate shadow effects or create extra shadow effects, backlight or side light effects if required. This way a photographer 43 may quickly and efficiently create an illumination of the object 41 that enhance his/hers abilities to enhance the expression of the motive.

In a further embodiment the mirror matrix 10 and the light source 44 may be electronically controlled, in a manner that enables an automated setup of a known scenario. A controller 12 and positioning means 13, 81, 82 coupled to each individual mirror in the mirror matrix 10, 40 may be provided together with a controlling program run from a computer means 104 such that the photographer 43 may use the computing means 104 to set the position of the individual mirror 11, to create an individual illumination pattern of the object , or he/she may select a position on the object 41 and set a desired illumination level whereupon a program in the computing means 104 is provided to calculate light reflection from a number of mirrors in the available mirror matrices for creating the requested illumination level of the object position. Sensors 45 may be provided to measure and communicate illumination data for example to the computing means.

Each mirror 11 in the mirror matrix 10 are coupled to a positioning means enabling 2 or 3 dimensional movement, either by manually shifting the mirror position or the individual mirror being controllable by a controller 12 and a motor 13, 81, 82, for example a dc stepper motor.

A manual positioning means 16, as illustrated in figure 4 and figure 5, may be arranged for each mirror attachment means comprising a magnetic material 17 and a recess 19 for receiving a spherical steel ball 18, for example ferritic stainless steel ball, in which the spherical ball 18 is fastened, for example with a strong glue. In one embodiment of the mirror matrix 10 according to the invention, the recess is provided on a first end surface of a stem, trunk or protrusion 21 which is in its other end fastened to a backplane 22 of the mirror matrix 10. The stems, trunks or protrusions 21 may in one embodiment be formed in the same material as the backplane 22 and in one piece, for example aluminum, hard plastic or other durable material. The backplane 22 may take any form, for example as a grid construction or a solid back wall. A frame section 23 may be attached to or being part of the backplane 22. The frame section 23 may extend on one or more sides of the mirror matrix 10 on the side where the mirrors 11 are mounted and at least as far out from the back plane as the mirrors, when the mirrors 11 are positioned parallel to the backplane.

Figure 6A illustrates one embodiment of a mirror matrix 10 having 12 round mirrors 11 mounted to respective ball 18 and stem 21 and to the backplane 22. Figure 6B is a side view of the mirror matrix 10 in figure 6A. The stem 21 and steel ball 18 is visible from the side.

A magnet ring 17, for example a neodymium magnet ring 17 is arranged to encompass a fraction of the steel ball 18 opposite the recess 19 receiving one side of the steel ball 18. The magnet ring 17 is attached to the spherical ball by magnetic attraction, and the spherical form of the ball 18 ensures that the magnet ring 17 can be arranged in any position around the opposite side of the spherical steel ball 18 from the recess 19. On the magnet ring 17 there is arranged fastening means for a mirror 11, and a mirror 11 is then attached to the fastening means. The mirror 11 may then be moved and positioned in almost any angle around the steel ball 18. Only the mirror matrix backplane 22, stem, trunk or protrusion 21, steel sphere 18 size and mirror 11 size defines limitations to movement of the mirror 11.

Each mirror may easily be detached from the mirror matrix by pulling the mirror with a force higher than the retaining force provided by the magnet. In this manner the photographer may change the number of mirrors to be controlled in the matrix.

The hardness of the light illuminating the object can be adjusted using different technique; either by altering the distance between the light source and the mirror matrix, the light source characteristics, the positioning of the mirrors, and the number of mirrors playing an active role in illuminating the object, or a combination of any of the four. Light source characteristics may comprise but is not limited to illumination strength (lux and lumen) and/or light temperature (Kelvin).

Other connecting means for a manually movable mirror is illustrated in figure 3 wherein the mirror is fastened, for example glued, to a mirror contact surface 4 which is arranged on a first end of a lever axle 5. The lever axle 5 protrudes through a ball joint 6 (hidden) and provides a movable stick 7 in the second end of the axle 5 which may be manually turned to move the mirror 11 into different positons.

In a further embodiment the mirror matrix comprises individual motor controlled mirrors, wherein it is provided a connecting means, connecting the mirror to the a matrix backplane 22, comprising one or more motors, in a motor assembly 13, 81, 82, able to position the mirror 11 at any angle within an adjustment range. The adjustment range being defined by the connecting means, mirror size and form and the design of the matrix back plane. Each motor assembly 13, 81, 82 may be individually controlled by a control program being run on a computing resource and a controller 12 electrically connected to the motor assembly . The control program may further receive input from: the user, sensors 45 such as light sensors arranged in known locations relative the object to be photographed, database resource comprising historical or computed data or a combination of the two (Artificial Intelligence, AI), and the control program may then translate these data into a specific mirror configuration of one or more mirror matrices 10, 40 in order to create or re-create an optimal illumination of an object/scene/field. In one scenario the computing means may also control the position of the light source(s), and the characteristics of the light source(s). In one embodiment the control program is providing an image of the object/scene/field, for example on a pressure sensitive display unit, and the user may communicate with the control program by touching elements of the object/scene/field on the display unit, and combine this with indicating what illumination characteristics, such as lux, should be provided at the specific location. The control program may then arrange mirrors and light sources in order to comply with the instructions given. The indication of object/scene/field elements and illumination may be repeated several / many times, and the control program may recalculate and arrange the mirrors and light sources to a best possible fit.

Figure 7 and figure 8 illustrates two different scenarios of mirror matrix use. The mirror matrix is seen from the side, and it is thus only the mirrors on one side that is visible. In figure 7 the light source is arranged closer to the mirror matrix 10, and thus much of the light arrives at a fairly wide angle towards the mirrors that is arranged in a neutral position being at perpendicular to a thought line between the mirror matrix and the object. Using flat mirrors will results in a soft light being reflected in an unfocused manner towards an object thought to be arranged on the right side of the mirror setup. Setting the individual mirrors in an angled position as exemplified in figure 6C will change the illumination of the object, and further illumination variations may be provide by using various forms of the mirrors, for example using concave or convex formed mirrors in some or all mirror positions.

Figure 8 illustrates a different setup where the light is arranged at a farther distance from the mirror matrix 10 compared to the arrangement in figure 7. This fact results in that the light arrives at the mirrors at a lesser angle, and more of the light is reflected back towards the object (less wasted reflections), and in the mirror matrix setup it is seen that the mirrors are angled to create a better illumination of various object elements. The object is not shown in the figure, but can be envisaged to be midway between the light source and the mirror matrix where the reflected light meets, thus providing a more illuminated object than would be the case in figure 7 with an object arranged at the same relative distance from the mirror matrix.

Figure 9A and 9B further illustrates the two scenarios.

Figure 10A, 10B and 10C illustrates a different embodiment of the individual mirrors in the mirror matrix wherein the mirror is arranged on a fastening means able to turn the mirror at least 180 ° in at least one direction (for example as shown in figure 16B). If the mirror have different reflection characteristics on either side for example one side with reflection being high, and the opposite side of the mirror having a non-reflective surface. It is then possible to turn the mirror “on” and “off” simply by switching the mirror form having a first side facing the light source to the mirror having the second side facing the mirror as shown n figure 10B. The difference in reflected light is obvious and illustrated in figure 10A vs. figure 10C.

Figure 11 illustrates a typical photo session setup 93 where mirror matrices 10 are paired 40 to provide flexible and adaptable illumination abilities. The two light sources 44 in the setup are directed to each lights sources pair of corresponding mirror matrices 40. The two mirror matrices 10 making up each pair 40 of mirror matrices are angled in order to arrange each mirror on an approximately equal orbital distance from the object 41. The frames 21, 22 holding the mirrors 11 may be of any form, and also of curved or parabolic form. The mirrors 11 may be detachable, and in the example in the figure it is shown that approximately only half of the mirror positions in the right side mirror matrices are mounted in order to create an optimal illumination of the object to be photographed.

A different use of the same inventive concept may be used to illuminate larger scenes, such as a sports field 91, playground, stage 90 or the like.

Although a stage 90 will have many similar challenges as the photo setup, it is provided an additional mirror matrix comprising also the light source(s) 44 at a fixed distance as seen in figure 12. Most of the features and argumentations are hence the same as for photo concept above.

A sports arena 91 will typically face somehow different challenges, depending on whether the sports field illumination is provided during daylight or after dark hours. There are also different types of challenges within each experienced by the spectator on the arena, and/or the broadcaster and viewer of a broadcasted video program.

When illumination is provided during after dark hours, the main challenge experienced with present arenas is light pollution outside the arenas, such as neighborhood to the arena, and obviously spectators being dazzled by the light posts. A further challenge related to the prior art light posts is that the power consumption is very high due to a lot of spillage of light. There are also limited control features available to the light masters. In sports arena activities there may be a request for stage performance light pattern, but the share magnitude of the size of for example a football stadium is too large to be able to achieve such effects at a reasonable cost-benefit value.

The invention provide, as illustrated in figure 13 a pole setup with a mirror matrix on top of the pole, and a strong light source 44 arranged on the pole underneath the mirror matrix pointing the light beam up towards the mirror matrix 10. Depending on the mirror position altering mechanisms and the control program controlling the individual mirror position and reflection angle, it is with only a few poles, as little as two poles, possible to illuminate all sector of the sports field without any leakage of light pollution to the neighbor areas, or even to the spectators itself. Whereupon the spectators can watch a game where the field has an optimal illumination and no lights will dazzle any of them. Using dynamically controllable motors for controlling the individual light may provide the ability to change the illumination pattern on the playground and outside, for example the spectator stands and/or advertising boards. Using mirrors with color filtering may for example display ribbons over the complete field in the color of a nation’s flag. The light source may be provided with the ability to adjust the distance to the mirror matrix, for example moving the light source up and down the light pole. This will enhance the ability to create a softer light on the field by moving the light source further away from the mirror matrix, and opposite, create a harder light when the light source is moved up closer to the mirror matrix.

Different light pattern may be preprogrammed and presented on a display unit which could be an app on a computer resource 104 or smart phone 105 or the like, to the light master of the stage/arena/sports field as illustrated in figure 14, wherein a simple control unit allows a light master to choose between several different settings, for example 4. For example could a first button 106 is associated with increase the light on one half of the sports field, the second button 107 representing increased light focused on the second half of the field, the third button 108 a uniform light pattern over the complete field, and a fourth button 109 representing dimmed light all over the field. Other or more alternative patterns may be presented.

In all applications of the invention there might be provided mirrors of different forms, even mirrors which are designed 47 to reflect special motives 48 can be provided as shown in figure 15A, 15B and 15C.

Daytime challenges on a stage/arena/sports field are associated with sunlight/daylight and shadows 95. These contrasts may create challenges for spectators and photographers, specifically for real time broadcasting which cannot rely on post work on captured footage, when the activities are played out in the sections of the stage/arena/sports field being divided by a sunlit/daylight area 94 and a shadow area 95. Specifically on stage/arena/sports fields that have partly covering roofs, for example over the grandstands these effects are very evident.

The inventive concept presented herein may be used to eliminate the difficult shadow effects created by objects, such as the grandstand, roof constructions or the like, also encompassing other elements such as a hillsides, trees and other light obstructing elements. The pole setup shown in figure 12 and 13 may be used to illuminate the parts of the sports field or stage being covered by shadows, hence the shadow effect will have a lesser impact on the view that is seen by the spectator or photographer. The mirror matrices may be controlled by a computing means being setup to account for the sun path in the sky, and use this information to control the individual mirrors in the mirror matrices to direct the light beams towards the areas experiencing most shadow. Light sensors 45 at a number of locations around the stage/arena/sports field may also be used as input to the computing means to control the mirrors n the mirror matrices to provide illumination of areas of the field lying in shadow.

In some instances even a clouded day might cause unwanted shadow regions due to for example roof constructions. Then sun path is of minor importance, and artificial light sources may be used to provide light beams to the mirrors of the mirror matrices and directed to eliminate shadows generated by a general daylight. Borderlines between daylit and shadowed areas such as in tunnel entrances may also be softened by using artificial light and mirror matrix to better illumination and increase driving security. Tunnel illumination is further discussed below.

A further embodiment of the invention is operating without artificial light, and may tackle the same problem as discussed above with sunlight on arenas creating problems with shadow effects as a result of typically a half roof construction over the arena. Mirror matrices, such as described in figure 16A, may be mounted along the roof edge, and may be controlled and used to direct a reflection of the sunlight towards the parts of the sports field lying in shadow 95. By using mirrors and matrix configurations that comprise the ability to reflect both back lighted and front lighted mirrors increase the ability to eliminate the effects of shadows.

One alternative mirror and mirror matrix frame embodiment is illustrated in figure 16B wherein details of one of the mirrors 11 in a mirror matrix is shown and may be rotatable around two different axes 84, 85, and contact means 81, 82 which may be motorized and controllable to switch between vertical turning 86 around the vertical axis 84 and horizontal turning 87 around the horizontal axis 85. The same features apply to all the mirrors in such a mirror matrix.

One embodiment of a stadium is shown in figures 17A – 17C. In figure 17A it is evident that shadow area 95 of the playing field creates difficulties for spectators and film crews trying to view or film activities in the shadowed areas 95 of the stage/arena/sports field. When the mirror matrices 10 on the roof is controlled to illuminate the various patches of the stage/arena/sports field being in the shadow 95, the differences may be evened out to an extent that completely or almost eliminates the shadows as seen in figure 17C. On arenas having large areas being in shadow at certain times of day, the mirror matrices reflecting the sun-/daylight may be supplemented by light poles as described above having mirror matrices being lit by artificial light sources arranged inside the arena.

The mirror matrices arranged to reflect sun-/daylight may be controlled by a computer resource, and position of the sun may be used to control the movement of the mirrors in order to reflect and distribute the reflected light to the parts of the stage/arena/sports field that actually are in shadow. Light sensors 45 on the stage/arena/sports field edges may provide sufficient input data to enable the computer to calculate correct sun position/daylight shadow regions, or actual shadow coverage may be estimated from the geographical position and direction of the arena and the date and time. Sun angel and orbital path may then define how the arena construction will cause the shadow to cover and move over the stage/arena/sports field. The computer program of the invention may provide such calculations and control features controlling the mirrors 11 in the mirror matrices 10 to provide optimal light reflection and illumination of the shadow areas of the stage/arena/sports field.

The reflection algorithm may need to use all mirrors to be able to reflect sufficient light to illuminate the shadowed areas 95 of the stage/arena/sports field, also the mirrors arranged at the roof side at the same side of the arena from where the sun is positioned. The mirrors 11 may therefore offer the possibilities to be arranged in a position that allows backlight to be reflected forwards and down to for example the sports field as illustrated in figure 17D. Mirrors 11 used in this embodiment may be reflective on both sides. A further embodiment of the mirror matrix is specifically designed to accomplish this task, wherein the backplane and connecting means for the mirrors allow sunlight to pass through and reflect via the mirror to the field. Connecting means 81, 82 for mirror attachment and control may be mounted to a special designed frame 22, 23 as shown in the figure. Connecting means 81, 82 may comprise motors for controlling the angel of the mirrors, and even for rotation of the complete frame structure 22, 23.

The mirror matrices 10 may also provide lightening to height elevated constructions and spaces of interest, for example a flag rising ceremony, a goal area in an American football game goal, a white dove release or other.

A further different use of the same inventive concept may be used to illuminate road 51 and wall 50 structures of a tunnel 92.

In tunnels there is presently a challenge to balance illumination quality with the need to avoid the light sources to become a dazzling light able to distort the sight of the drivers of vehicles in the tunnel.

There is also a concern how to communicate properly messages, sign posts, focus optimizing installations and other.

The mirror matrix of the invention enables the light design inside the tunnel to provide hard light without the characteristically blending feature such light posts will provide using today’s available technologies. When the light source is arranged hidden from the driver, such as in front of the mirror matrix facing away from the road surface, it will only be the individual mirror which is directed to a controlled small patch of the road that will be directed towards the ground or wall as described in figure 18. In this example embodiment the light illuminating the area directly below the mirror matrix will be fairly strong, but represents no dazzling effect on the drivers. Areas to the side of the mirror matrix will receive only parts of the illumination from a specific mirror matrix, but combined with additional illumination from neighbor mirror matrices the area will in total be illuminated with similar intensity as the areas directly below the mirror matrix, and without dazzling the drivers. In this manner the illumination of the road surface may be illuminated with hard light instead of soft light, thereby better contrasts may be experienced by the drivers, where the drivers at the same time does not experience the drawback of being dazzled by a hard light source. Hard light will improve the contrast and increase shadow effects which increase the visibility of the illuminated surface.

Figure 19, 20 and 21 illustrated various embodiments of different arrangements where the mirror matrices are configured to solve illumination of wall and surface in small and large tunnels.

Colored light patterns and moving light can be arranged where individual mirrors are controllable from a computer resource and a controlling computer program.

In figure 22A and 22B there are illustrated two examples of sign post messaging 48 by using mirrors in a mirror matrix specifically formed and colored 49 to increase drivers focus. The mirror matrix may be used to relay information 48 and specific tunnel functions/features, such as Exit doors or SOS areas where for example first aid and telephone resources are found. These may all be dynamically controlled from a controlling program on a computer resource.

The mirrors in all the above example embodiments has been described as traditional mirrors, which may be of different design and color, but the mirrors may also be electronically controlled for example plasma mirrors or other. These types of mirrors may be controlled to be switched off or on or be set in a semi state, thus eliminating the need to demount mirrors in case the need for less reflected light are required. It is therefore possible to standardize on fewer mirror matrix configurations, and merely use the controller to disable necessary numbers of mirrors in each mirror matrix as required.

The invention further provides a system for remote controlling the mirror matrices in all embodiment structures, using one or more of collected data, sensor input, video surveillance, computational resources and user intelligence to control and dynamically arrange the individual mirror or group of mirror in one or more mirror matrices and the corresponding artificial light sources associated with mirror matrices.

In figure 23 it is illustrated how the different mirror matrix system setups may be controlled by an onsite computer means 104, and/or by a cloud and/or internet service 100 provided by a server computer resource 101. Communication between any of the computing resources 101, 104 may be arranged by wired or wireless or a combination thereof communication 102. All combinations are possible under the inventive concept, although it is unlikely that a tunnel illumination 92 is locally controlled, as it is unlikely that a photo session 93 is remotely controlled, but that said, a photo session may well let the photographer control his/hers mirror matrices 10, 40 and/or light sources 20 by a provided server controlled app on his smart phone/computer, and therefore the server services may be ran remote, while the photographer is present locally. Control room for controlling illumination of both stadium 91 and stage scenarios 90 may be performed remote from, but not necessarily, the site itself.

It is also within the scope of the invention to solve similar illumination challenges in other environments than discussed here, such as for example, but not limited to: exhibition halls, industrial sites, building sites, traffic constructions, underground, subsea environments and others.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments of this description and accompanying figures, since it is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art from the foregoing description and associated figures. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the associated claims.

Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes.

Accordingly, the associated claims should be construed in view of the full breadth and understanding of the present invention as disclosed herein.

Claims (1)

1. A mirror matrix assembly for illumination of an object or surface,

   c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y comprising:

   one or more mirrors (11) connected to a mirror matrix backplane (22) via mirror positioning means (13, 16, 81, 82);

   one or more light sources (20, 44), wherein the light sources are positioned for unobstructed illumination of one or more of the one or more mirrors (11)in the mirror matrix (10), and the mirrors (11) are positioned to reflect the light from the one or more light sources and illuminate an object or surface.

   2.

   The mirror matrix assembly of claim 1, wherein:

   one or more of the one or more light sources (20, 44) are arranged to be directed away from the object or surface to be illuminated by the reflected light, from the one or more light sources (20, 44), of the one or more mirrors (11).

   3.

   The mirror matrix assembly of claim 1, wherein:

   one or more of the one or more light sources (20, 44) are arranged to be directed towards the object or surface to be illuminated by the reflected light, from the one or more light sources (20, 44), of the one or more mirrors (11).

   4.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   the mirror positioning means (13, 16, 81, 82) provides individual adjustment of each mirror (11) in the mirror matrix (10).

   5.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   the mirror positioning means (13, 16, 81, 82) further enables rotation of individual mirrors around multiple axis.

   6.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   the mirror positioning means (13, 16, 81, 82) comprises

   a ball (18) fastened to the mirror matrix backplane (22), wherein the ball (18) is made of a material responsive to a magnetic force, and

   a fastening means for the mirror (11) comprising a ring (17), the ring being of a magnetic material, and the inside of the ring being formatted to fit around a part of the ball (18) which is not at the side fastened to the mirror matrix backplane (22), such that the mirror (11) can be moved in any position around and attached by magnetic force to the free side of the ball (18).

   7.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous first to fifth claims, wherein:

   the mirror positioning means (13, 16, 81, 82) comprises one or more motors in a motor assembly (13, 81, 82) wherein the motors are able to position the mirror in any angle within an adjustment range.

   8.

   The mirror matrix assembly of claim 7, wherein:

   mirror matrix assembly further comprising a computer resource (104) comprising a control program, and each motor assembly (13, 81, 82) comprising a controller (12) being controlled by the control program for controlling the operation of the motors.

   9.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   one or more of the one or more light sources (20, 44) are arranged in a fixed position relative the mirror matrix assembly.

   10.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   one or more of the one or more light sources (20, 44) are arranged in a controllable position relative the mirror matrix assembly, such that by varying the distance between the light source and the mirrors can alter the softness of the illumination of the object or surface to be illuminated by the reflected light, from the one or more light sources (20, 44), of the one or more mirrors (11).

   11.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   each mirror (11) may be comprised of a mirror having a unique configuration comprising one or more of: form, curvature, color or motive.

   The mirror matrix assembly of any of the previous claims, wherein:

   the mirrors being plasma mirrors being electrically controlled and the mirror matrix assembly further comprising a computer resource (104) comprising a control program for controlling the plasma mirrors.

   13.

   A system for illumination of an object or surface comprising

   a mirror matrix assembly as defined in any of the previous claims,

   a computing means (101, 104),

   communication path (102) between computing means (104, 101) and one or more mirror matrix assemblies.

   14.

   A system according to claim 13, further comprising a cloud or internet service (100) wherein the computing means (104, 101) are connected to the one or more mirror matrix assemblies via the cloud or internet service (100).