CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Application No. 16/725,410, filed December 23, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the late 1800's, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. In the past decade, solid state lighting has risen in importance due to several key advantages it has over conventional lighting technology. Alternative solid-state laser light sources, such as laser diodes (LDs), due to the narrowness of their spectra which enables efficient spectral filtering, high modulation rates, and short carrier lifetimes, smaller in size, and far greater surface brightness compared to light emitting diodes (LEDs), can be more preferable as visible light sources.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention provides a portable apparatus configured with a white-light and/or an infrared (IR) illumination source based on a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes in surface mount devices. With the capability to emit light in both the visible spectrum and the infrared spectrum, the portable apparatus is optionally a dual-band emitting light source with either or both being applied for distance ranging and/or light communication. In some embodiments the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode is fabricated with a process to transfer gallium and nitrogen containing layers and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In some embodiments, the portable apparatus includes a housing that is configured to be a compact, portable, or handheld package containing controller/drivers, transmitters, and sensors/detectors to form feedback loops that can activate the infiared illumination source and/or the laser-based white light illumination source, modulate the light signals transmitted out of these sources based on certain input data, and detect light signals returned from field for various applications. Merely by examples, the invention provides integrated smart laser lighting devices and methods, configured with infrared and visible illumination capability for spotlighting, detection, imaging, projection display, spatially dynamic lighting devices and methods, depth finding, infrared surveying, and visible/infrared light communication devices and methods, and various combinations of above in applications of general lighting, commercial lighting and display, automotive lighting and communication, defense and security, search and rescue, industrial processing, internet communications, agriculture or horticulture. The portable integrated light source according to this invention can be miniaturized to incorporate those functions into a flashlight, a hand-held illumination source or security light source or a search light source or a defense light source, as well as a light fidelity (LiFi) communication device or a device for horticulture purposes to optimize plant growth, or many other applications.

[0004] In an aspect, this invention provides novel uses and configurations of gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes in lighting systems configured for IR illumination, which can be deployed in dual spectrum spotlighting, imaging, sensing, and searching applications.

Configured with a laser based white light source and an IR light source, this invention is capable of emitting light both in the visible wavelength band and in the IR wavelength band, and is configured to selectively operate in one band or simultaneously in both bands. This dual band emission source can be deployed in communication systems such as visible light communication systems such as Li-Fi systems, communications using the convergence of lighting and display with static or dynamic spatial patterning using beam shaping elements such as MEMS scanning mirrors or digital light processing units, and communications triggered by integrated sensor feedback. Specific embodiments of this invention employ a transferred gallium and nitrogen containing material process for fabricating laser diodes or other gallium and nitrogen containing devices enabling benefits over conventional fabrication technologies.

[0005] The present invention is configured for both visible light emission and IR light emission. While the necessity and utility of visible light is clearly understood, it is often desirable to provide illumination wavelength bands that are not visible. In one example, IR illumination is used for night vision. Night vision or IR detection devices play a critical role in defense, security, search and rescue, and recreational activities in both the private sector and at the municipal or government sectors. By providing the ability to see in no or low ambient light conditions, night vision technology is widely deployed to the consumer markets for several applications including hunting, gaming, driving, locating, detecting, personal protection, and others. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision and IR detection are made possible by a combination of sufficient spectral range and sufficient intensity range. Such detection can be for two-dimensional imaging, or three-dimensional distance measurement such as range-finding, or three-dimensional imaging such as LIDAR

[0006] In an aspect, the present invention provides a portable light source configured for emission of laser-based visible light such as white light and an infrared light, to form an illumination source capable of providing visible and IR illumination. The portable light source includes a compact power supply enclosed in a housing structure configured to be as small as a handheld flashlight. The portable light source includes an integrated printed circuit board assembly disposed in the housing for driving a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode excitation source configured with an optical cavity. The optical cavity includes an optical waveguide region and one or more facet regions. The optical cavity is configured with electrodes to supply a first driving current to the gallium and nitrogen containing material. The first driving current provides an optical gain to an electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical waveguide region of the gallium and nitrogen containing material. The electromagnetic radiation is outputted through at least one of the one or more facet regions as a directional electromagnetic radiation characterized by a first peak wavelength in the ultra-violet, blue, green, or red wavelength regime. Furthermore, the light source includes a wavelength converter, such as a phosphor member, optically coupled to the pathway to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source. The wavelength converter is configured to convert at least a fraction of the directional electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength to at least a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength. In a preferred embodiment the output is comprised of a white-color spectrum with at least the second peak wavelength and partially the first peak wavelength forming the laser based visible light spectrum component according to the present invention. In one example, the first peak wavelength is a blue wavelength and the second peak wavelength is a yellow wavelength. The light source optionally includes a beam shaper configured to direct the white-color spectrum for illuminating a target or area of interest. [0007] In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a dual band emitting light source including an IR emitting laser diode or light emitting diode to form the IR emission component in additional to a laser-based white light emission component The IR emitting laser diode contains an optical cavity configured with electrodes to supply a second driving current. The second driving current provides an optical gain to an IR electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical waveguide region. The electromagnetic radiation is outputted through at least one of the one or more facet regions as a directional electromagnetic radiation characterized by a third peak wavelength in the IR regime. In one configuration the directional IR emission is optically coupled to the wavelength converter member such that the wavelength converter member is within the optical pathway of the IR emission to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source. Once incident on the wavelength converter member, the IR emission with the third peak wavelength would be at least partially reflected from the wavelength converter member and redirected into the same optical pathway as the white light emission with the first and second peak wavelengths. The IR emission would be directed through the optional beam shaper configured to direct the output IR light for illuminating approximately the same target or area of interest as the visible light. In this embodiment the first and second driving current could be activated independently such that the apparatus could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. Once an object was detected, the visible light source could be activated.

[0008] Merely by way of example, the present invention can be applied to applications such as white lighting, white spot lighting, flash lights, automobile headlights, all-terrain vehicle lighting, light sources used in recreational sports such as biking, surfing, running, racing, boating, light sources used for drones, planes, robots, other mobile or robotic applications, safety, counter measures in defense applications, multi-colored lighting, lighting for flat panels, medical, metrology, beam projectors and other displays, high intensity lamps, spectroscopy, entertainment, theater, music, and concerts, analysis fraud detection and/or authenticating, tools, water treatment, laser dazzlers, targeting, communications, LiFi, visible light communications (VLC), sensing, detecting, distance detecting, Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR), transformations, transportations, leveling, curing and other chemical treatments, heating, cutting and/or ablating, pumping other optical devices, other optoelectronic devices and related applications, and source lighting and the like. The integrated light source according to this invention can be incorporated into an automotive headlight, a general illumination source, a security light source, a search light source, a defense light source, as a light fidelity(LiFi) communication device, for horticulture purposes to optimize plant growth, or many other applications.

BRIEF DESCRIFTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser, a visible wavelength converting element, and an IR emitting laser diode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure IB is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser, a visible emitting phosphor member, and an IR emitting laser diode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1C is an example optical spectrum of a laser based white light source configured with an IR emitting laser diode for IR illumination according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a single crystal IR emitting phosphor configured for reflection mode operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an IR emitting phosphor in glass member configured for reflection mode operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2C is a schematic diagram of a sintered powder or ceramic IR emitting phosphor configured for reflection mode operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0016] Figure 3A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser, a red or near-IR emitting laser diode, a visible light emitting phosphor member, and a IR emitting phosphor member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3B is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser diode, a beam steering element, a visible light emitting phosphor member, and an IR emitting phosphor member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a stacked phosphor member comprised of a visible light emitting phosphor and an IR emitting phosphor configured for reflection mode operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a composite phosphor member comprised of visible light emitting phosphor elements and IR emitting phosphor elements combined into a common volume region and configured for reflection mode operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser diode and a phosphor member configured for both visible light emission and IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5B is an example optical spectrum of a laser based white light source configured with an IR emitting wavelength converter to provide an IR illumination according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser, a red or near-IR emitting laser diode, and a phosphor member configured for both visible light emission and IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0023] Figure 6B is an example optical spectrum of a laser based white light source configured with a red or near IR emitting laser diode to excite an IR emitting wavelength converter to provide an IR illumination according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7B is a side view schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package with an IR emitting wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7C is a side view schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package with an IR and visible light emitting based wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7D is a side view schematic diagram of an IR and visible light emitting based wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7E is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source operating in reflection mode and housed in a TO canister style package according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0031] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in a surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in a surface mount package according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9C is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating with side-pumped phosphor in a surface mount package according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10A is a side-view schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in an enclosed surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10B is a side-view schematic diagram of a fiber-coupled laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in an enclosed package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 11 is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source integrated with an IR illumination source containing a UV or blue pump laser, a visible wavelength converting element, an IR emitting laser diode, and sensor members configured for illumination activation based on sensor feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 12A is a functional block diagram of a laser based white light source enabled for visible light communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 12B is a functional block diagram of a laser based white light source enabled for visible light communication according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13 A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based smart-lighting system according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 13B is a functional diagram for a dynamic, laser-based smart-lighting system according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0041] Figure 14A is a schematic diagram of an apparatus comprising both a depth sensing system and laser based visible light source according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 14B is a simplified schematic diagram of a laser light illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 14C is a simplified schematic diagram of a laser light illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to some alternative embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 14D is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 14E is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and/or IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 14F is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and/or IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to still another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 14G is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a data communication system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 14H is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a data communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 15 is a cross-section diagram of a compact package of smart visible/infrared light device configured with a gallium and nitrogen containing laser source according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0050] Figure 16 is a simplified diagram of an attachable lighting module configured for visible-light/infrared light illumination, depth sensing, and communication according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present invention provides a portable apparatus configured with a white-light and/or an inftared (IR) illumination source based on a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes in surface mount devices. With the capability to emit light in both the visible spectrum and the infrared spectrum, the portable apparatus is optionally a dual-band emitting light source with either or both being applied for distance ranging and/or light communication. In some embodiments the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode is fabricated with a process to transfer gallium and nitrogen containing layers and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In some embodiments, the portable apparatus includes a housing that is configured to be a compact, portable, or handheld package containing controller/drivers, transmitters, and sensors/detectors to form feedback loops that can activate the infrared illumination source and/or the laser-based white light illumination source, modulate the light signals transmitted out of these sources based on certain input data, and detect light signals returned from field for various applications. Merely by examples, the invention provides integrated smart laser lighting devices and methods, configured with infrared and visible illumination capability for spotlighting, detection, imaging, projection display, spatially dynamic lighting devices and methods, depth finding, infrared surveying, and visible/infrared light communication devices and methods, and various combinations of above in applications of general lighting, commercial lighting and display, automotive lighting and communication, defense and security, search and rescue, industrial processing, internet communications, agriculture or horticulture. The portable integrated light source according to this invention can be miniaturized to incorporate those functions into a flashlight, a hand-held illumination source or security light source or a search light source or a defense light source, as well as a light fidelity (LiFi) communication device or a device for horticulture purposes to optimize plant growth, or many other applications. [0052] In an aspect, this invention provides novel uses and configurations of gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes in lighting systems configured for IR illumination, which can be deployed in dual spectrum spotlighting, imaging, sensing, and searching applications.

Configured with a laser based white light source and an IR light source, this invention is capable of emitting light both in the visible wavelength band and in the IR wavelength band, and is configured to selectively operate in one band or simultaneously in both bands. This dual band emission source can be deployed in communication systems such as visible light communication systems such as Li-Fi systems, communications using the convergence of lighting and display with static or dynamic spatial patterning using beam shaping elements such as MEMS scanning mirrors or digital light processing units, and communications triggered by integrated sensor feedback. Specific embodiments of this invention employ a transferred gallium and nitrogen containing material process for fabricating laser diodes or other gallium and nitrogen containing devices enabling benefits over conventional fabrication technologies.

[0053] The present invention is configured for both visible light emission and IR light emission. While the necessity and utility of visible light is clearly understood, it is often desirable to provide illumination wavelength bands that are not visible. In one example, IR illumination is used for night vision. Night vision or IR detection devices play a critical role in defense, security, search and rescue, and recreational activities in both the private sector and at the municipal or government sectors. By providing the ability to see in no or low ambient light conditions, night vision technology is widely deployed to the consumer markets for several applications including hunting, gaming, driving, locating, detecting, personal protection, and others. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision and IR detection are made possible by a combination of sufficient spectral range and sufficient intensity range. Such detection can be for two-dimensional imaging, or three-dimensional distance measurement such as range-finding, or three-dimensional imaging such as LIDAR

[0054] Merely by way of example, the invention can be applied to applications such as white lighting, white spot lighting, flash lights, automobile headlights, all-terrain vehicle lighting, flash sources such as camera flashes, light sources used in recreational sports such as biking, surfing, running, racing, boating, light sources used for drones, planes, robots, other mobile or robotic applications, safety, search and rescue, sensing, range finding, counter measures in defense applications, multi-colored lighting, lighting for flat panels, medical, metrology, beam projectors and other displays, high intensity lamps, spectroscopy, entertainment, theater, music, and concerts, analysis fraud detection and/or authenticating, tools, water treatment, laser dazzlers, targeting, communications, LiFi, visible light communications (VLC), sensing, detecting, distance detecting, Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR), transformations, transportations, leveling, curing and other chemical treatments, heating, cutting and/or ablating, pumping other optical devices, other optoelectronic devices and related applications, and source lighting and the like.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention the gallium and nitrogen containing light emitting device may not be a laser device, but instead may be configured as a super luminescent diode or superluminescent light emitting diode (SLED) device. For the purposes of this invention, a SLED device and laser diode device can be used interchangeably. A SLED is similar to a laser diode as it is based on an electrically driven junction that when injected with current becomes optically active and generates amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and gain over a wide range of wavelengths. When the optical output becomes dominated by ASE there is a knee in the light output versus current (LI) characteristic wherein the unit of light output becomes drastically larger per unit of injected current. This knee in the LI curve resembles the threshold of a laser diode, but is much softer. The advantage of a SLED device is that SLED it can combine the unique properties of high optical emission power and extremely high spatial brightness of laser diodes that make them ideal for highly efficient long throw illumination and high brightness phosphor excitation applications with a broad spectral width of (>5nm) that provides for an improved eye safety and image quality in some cases. The broad spectral width results in a low coherence length similar to an LED. The low coherence length provides for an improved safety such has improved eye safety. Moreover, the broad spectral width can drastically reduce optical distortions in display or illumination applications. As an example, the well-known distortion pattern referred to as “speckle” is the result of an intensity pattern produced by the mutual interference of a set of wavefronts on a surface or in a viewing plane.

The general equations typically used to quantify the degree of speckle are inversely proportional to the spectral width. In the present specification, both a laser diode (LD) device and a superluminescent light emitting diode (SLED) device are sometime simply referred to “laser device”.

[0056] In some embodiments according to the present invention, multiple laser diode sources are configured to be excite the same phosphor or phosphor network. Combining multiple laser sources can offer many potential benefits according to this invention. First, the excitation power can be increased by beam combining to provide a more powerful excitation spit and hence produce a brighter light source. In some embodiments, separate individual laser chips are configured within the laser-phosphor light source. By including multiple lasers emitting 1 W,

2W, 3W, 4W, 5W or more power each, the excitation power can be increased and hence the source brightness would be increased. For example, by including two 3W lasers exciting the same phosphor area, the excitation power can be increased to 6W for double the white light brightness. In an example where about 200 lumens of white are generated per 1 watt of laser excitation power, the white light output would be increased from 600 lumens to 1200 lumens. Beyond scaling the power of each single laser diode emitter, the total luminous flux of the white light source can be increased by continuing to increasing the total number of laser diodes, which can range from 10s, to 100s, and even to 1000s of laser diode emitters resulting in 10s to 100s of kW of laser diode excitation power. Scaling the number of laser diode emitters can be accomplished in many ways such as including multiple lasers in a co-package, spatial beam combining through conventional refractive optics or polarization combining, and others. Moreover, laser diode bars or arrays, and mini-bars can be utilized where each laser chip includes many adjacent laser diode emitters. For example, a bar could include from 2 to 100 laser diode emitters spaced from about 10 microns to about 400 microns apart Similarly, the reliability of the source can be increased by using multiple sources at lower drive conditions to achieve the same excitation power as a single source driven at more harsh conditions such as higher current and voltage.

[0057] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a light source configured for emission of laser based visible light such as white light and an infrared light, to form an illumination source capable of providing visible and IR illumination. The light source includes a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode excitation source configured with an optical cavity. The optical cavity includes an optical waveguide region and one or more facet regions. The optical cavity is configured with electrodes to supply a first driving current to the gallium and nitrogen containing material. The first driving current provides an optical gain to an electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical waveguide region of the gallium and nitrogen containing material. The electromagnetic radiation is outputted through at least one of the one or more facet regions as a directional electromagnetic radiation characterized by a first peak wavelength in the ultra-violet, blue, green, or red wavelength regime. Furthermore, the light source includes a wavelength converter, such as a phosphor member, optically coupled to the electromagnet radiation pathway to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source. The wavelength converter is configured to convert at least a fraction of the directional electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength to at least a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength. In a preferred embodiment the output is comprised of a white-color spectrum with at least the second peak wavelength and partially the first peak wavelength forming the laser based visible light spectrum component according to the present invention. In one example, the first peak wavelength is a blue wavelength and the second peak wavelength is a yellow wavelength. The light source optionally includes a beam shaper configured to direct the white-color spectrum for illuminating a target or area of interest.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention a laser diode or light emitting diode with a third peak wavelength is included to form the IR emission component of the dual band emitting light source. The IR laser diode contains an optical cavity configured with electrodes to supply a second driving current configured to the IR laser diode. The second driving current provides an optical gain to an electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical waveguide region of the IR laser diode material. The electromagnetic radiation is outputted through at least one of the one or more facet regions as a directional electromagnetic radiation characterized by a third peak wavelength in the IR regime. In one configuration the directional IR emission is optically coupled to the wavelength converter member such that the wavelength converter member is within the optical pathway of the IR emission to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source. Once incident on the wavelength converter member, the IR emission with the third peak wavelength would be at least partially reflected from the wavelength converter member and redirected into the same optical pathway as the white light emission with the first and second peak wavelengths. The IR emission would be directed through the optional beam shaper configured to direct the output IR light for illuminating approximately the same target or area of interest as the visible light. In this embodiment the first and second driving current could be activated independently such that the apparatus could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. Once an object was detected, the visible light source could be activated.

[0059] Figure 1 A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser and a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, and an infrared emitting laser diode to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 A, a violet or blue laser device emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element, which partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. In some embodiments the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode operates in the 480nm to 540nm range. In some embodiments the laser diode is comprised from a Ill-nitride material emitting in the ultraviolet region with a wavelength of about 270 nm to about 390 nm. A laser driver is provided which powers the gallium and nitrogen containing laser device to excite the visible emitting wavelength member. In some embodiments, one or more beam shaping optical elements may be provided in order to shape or focus the white light spectrum. Additionally, an IR emitting laser device is included to generate an IR illumination. The directional IR electromagnetic radiation from the laser diode is incident on the wavelength converting element wherein it is reflected from or transmitted through the wavelength converting element such that it follows the same optical path as the white light emission. The IR emission could include a peak wavelength in the 700nm to 1100nm range based on gallium and arsenic material system (e g., GaAs) for near-IR illumination, or a peak wavelength in the 1100 to 2500nm range based on an indium and phosphorous containing material system (e.g., InP) for eye-safe wavelength IR illumination, or in the 2500nm to 15000nm wavelength range based on quantum cascade laser technology for mid- IR thermal imaging. For example, GalnAs/AlInAs quantum cascade lasers operate at room temperature in the wavelength range of 3 pm to 8pm. A laser drive is included to power the IR emitting laser diode and deliver a controlled amount of current at a sufficiently high voltage to operate the IR laser diode. Optionally, the one or more beam shaping optical elements can be one selected from slow axis collimating lens, fast axis collimating lens, aspheric lens, ball lens, total internal reflector (HR) optics, parabolic lens optics, refractive optics, or a combination of above. In other embodiments, the one or more beam shaping optical elements can be disposed prior to the laser light incident to the wavelength converting element.

[0060] In some embodiments the visible and/or JR emission from the light source are coupled into an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber, which could be a glass optical fiber or a plastic optical fiber.

[0061] In an additional configuration of the present embodiment that includes a direct laser diode IR illumination source, the IR illumination is optically coupled directly to the optical beam shaping elements rather than interacting with the wavelength converter element where it would be reflected and/or transmitted. Figure IB is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser and a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, and an infrared emitting laser diode to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the white light source is used as a “light engine” for VLC or smart lighting applications. Referring to Figure IB, a blue or violet laser device emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element, which partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced.

[0062] The resulting spectrum from the embodiment described in Figures 1 A and IB according to the present invention would be comprised of a relatively narrow band (about 0.5 to 3 nm) emission spectrum from the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode in the UV or blue wavelength region, a broadband (about 10 to 100 nm) wavelength converter emission in the visible spectrum with a longer peak wavelength than the UV or blue laser diode, and the relatively narrow band (about 1 to lOnm) emission from the IR laser diode with a longer wavelength than the peak emission wavelength from the visible phosphor member. Figure 1C presents an example optical spectrum according to the present invention. In this figure, the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode emits in the blue region at about 440 to 455nm, the visible wavelength converter member emits in the yellow region, and the included IR illumination laser diode emits at 875nm. Of course, there can be many other configurations of the present invention, including different wavelength emitting gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes, different wavelength visible phosphor emission, and different wavelength IR laser diode peak emission wavelengths. For example, the IR laser diode could operate with a peak wavelength of between 700nm and 3 pm.

[0063] The IR lasers according to the present invention could be configured to emit at wavelengths between 700 nm and 2.5 microns. The IR laser diode can be used to provide an IR illumination function or a LiFi/VLC communication function, or a combination of both functions. For example, a laser diode emitting in the 700nm to 1100nm range based on GaAs for NIR night vision illumination, range finding and LIDAR sensing, and communication could be included. In another example a laser diode operating in the 1100 to 2500nm range based on InP for eye-safe wavelength IR illumination, range finding, LIDAR sensing, and communication could be included. In yet another example, a laser diode operating the in 2500nm to 15000nm wavelength range based on quantum cascade laser technology for mid-IR thermal imaging, sensing, and communication could be included. For example, GalnAs/AUnAs quantum cascade lasers operate at room temperature in the wavelength range of 3 pm to 8pm. IR laser diode devices according to the present invention could be formed on InP substrates using the InGaAsP material system or formed on GaAs substrates using the InAlGaAsP. Quantum cascade lasers can be included for IR emission. In one embodiment one or more IR laser devices could be formed on the same carrier wafer as the visible violet or blue GaN laser diode source using the epitaxy transfer technology according to this invention. Such a device would be advantageous for IR illumination since it could be low cost, compact, and have similar emission aperture location as the visible laser diode to effectively superimpose the IR emission and the visible light emission. Additionally, such a device would be advantageous in communication applications as the IR laser diode, while not adding to the luminous efficacy of the light engine, would provide a non-visible channel for communications. This would allow for data transfer to continue under a broader range of conditions. For example, a VLC-enabled light engine using only visible emitters would be incapable of effectively transmitting data when the light source is nominally turned off as one would find in, for example, a movie theater, conference room during a presentation, a moodily lit restaurant or bar, or a bed-room at night among others. In another example, the non-converted laser device might emit a spectrum corresponding to blue or violet light, with a center wavelength between 390 and 480 nm. In some embodiments the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode operates in the 480nm to 540nm range, or can operate in the UV range from about 270nm to 390nm. In another embodiment, the non-converted blue or violet laser may either be not incident on the wavelength converting element and combined with the white light spectrum in beam shaping and combining optics.

[0064] In a second embodiment of the present invention a second wavelength converter element member is included to provide an emission in the IR regime at a third peak wavelength, to provide the IR emission component of the dual band emitting light source. The IR wavelength converter member, such as a phosphor member, is configured to receive and absorb a laser induced pump light and emit a longer wavelength IR light. In this embodiment, the dual band light source comprises the first wavelength converter member for emitting visible light and the second wavelength converter member for emitting IR light

[0065] Extending the usable wavelength range for laser-based lighting, it is possible to use Infrared down-converting phosphors to generate emission in the NIR (0.7-1.4pm) and mid-IR (1.4-3.0μm) spectrum, or into the deeper IR of beyond 3.0pm. This could be purely IR emission, or a combination of visible and infrared emission depending on application requirements. A large number of potential IR phosphors exist, but their suitability depends on the application wavelength, and the phosphors inherent properties for conversion of visible light to IR light. IN some embodiments the phosphor emission is characterized by a 1550nm photoluminescence peak wavelength emission associated with the Er ⁺³ ion 4f-4 intraband transition.

[0066] Some examples of phosphor materials that produce infrared light emission include Lu3AI ₅ O ₁₂ : 0.05 0.5% Cr ³⁺ emitting in the 500-850nm range, La3Ga4.95GeOi4:0.05 Cr ³⁺ emitting in the 600-1200nm range, Bi-doped Ge02 glass emitting in the 1000-1600nm range, CaiLuZra Al3O 12 : 0.08 Cr ³⁺ emitting in the 650-850nm range, ScB03:0.02 Cr ³⁺ emitting in the 700-950nm range, YAl ₃ (B03)4:0.04 Cr ³⁺ , 0.01 Yb ³⁺ emitting in the 650-850nm and 980nm range, and NaScSi2O ₆ : 0.06 Cr ^3÷ emitting in the 750-950nm range.

[0067] Additionally, a large body of work for infrared phosphors has centered around the use of Cr ³ * materials. For example, ZnGa2C>4 emitting in the 650-750nm range, Zn(Gai-xAlx)204 emitting in the 675-800nm range, ZnxGa2O _3+x emitting in the 650-750nm range, MgGa2O ₄ emitting in the 650-770nm range, Zn3Ga2Ge2O10 emitting in the 650-1000nm range, Zm+ _x Ga2- 2x(Ge,Sn)x04 emitting in the 650-800nm range, Zn3Ga2Ge20io emitting in the 600-800nm range, Zn3Ga2SniO ₈ emitting in the 600-800nm range, Ca3Ca2Ge3O ₁₂ emitting in the 670-1100nm range, CanZn6Al10C35 emitting in the 650-750nm range, Y3Al2Ga30io emitting in the 500- 800nm range, Gd3Ga5Oio emitting in the 650-800nm range, LU3AI5O12 emitting in the 500- 850nm range, La3Ga5GeOi4 emitting in the 600-1200nm range, LiGasO ₈ emitting in the 650- 850nm range, β-Ga2O ₃ emitting in the 650-850nm range, and SrGa12O ₁₉ emitting in the 650- 950nm range.

[0068] In some embodiments according to the present invention the IR wavelength converter members are comprised of semiconductor materials. In one example solid state structures employing semiconductor bulk material structures, quantum well structures, or quantum wire structures configured to emit infrared light are included. Some examples of such solid structures capable of emitting IR electromagnetic radiation include, Si emitting in the 700-1000nm range, Ge emitting in the 800-2000nm range, GaAs emitting in the 800-900nm range, InP emitting in the 800-900nm range, InGaAs emitting in the 900-1700nm range, InAs emitting in the 2000- 3000nm range, InAlAs emitting in the 900-1600nm range, AlGaAs emitting in the 700-900nm range, AlInGaP emitting in the 600-800nm range, InGaAsP emitting in the 1200-1800nm range, InGaAsSb emitting in the 1800-3500nm range, GaSb in the 1000-1300nm range, GalnSb emitting in the 1600-1900nm range, InSb emitting in the 2500-3000nm range, CdTe emitting in the 700-800nm range, HgTe emitting in the 3800-5000nm range, [HgxCdi-x]Te emitting in the 700-5000nm range.

[0069] Alternatively, infrared emitting quantum dot materials of the proper size can be incorporated as wavelength converter members in the present invention. Some examples of materials choices for infrared emitting quantum dots are Si emitting in the 700-1000nm range, Ge emitting in the 800-2000nm range, GeSn emitting in the 800-1500nm range, PbS emitting in the 700-2000nm range, PbSe emitting in the 800-5000nm range, PbTe emitting in the 900- 3000nm range, InAs emitting in the 750-3000nm range, InSb emitting in the 1000-2500nm range, HgTe emitting in the 1000-5000nm range, Ag2S emitting in the 700-1500nm range, AgzSe emitting in the 900-2000nm range, CuInSe2 emitting in the 650-1500nm range, AglnSez emitting in the 600-900nm range, and Csi-xFAxPbh emitting in the 650-850nm range, but of course there could be others.

[0070] In order to incorporate IR emitting phosphors in a blue/near UV laser-based device, a number of conditions should be met

IR Phosphor fluoresces under laser emission wavelengths of near UV and/or Blue (e.g.,

380nm-480nm).

• IR phosphor fluoresces under secondary emission from visible emitting phosphors in device (e.g., 480nm-700nm). This reduces the stokes shift losses as compared to direct laser fluorescence, thereby reducing heating of the IR phosphor.

• IR phosphor can be incorporated into a solid body element such as a single crystal, sintered, hybrid, or phosphor in glass structure. This structure could be composed of both Visible and IR emitting phosphor materials, or as separate structures.

[0071] The IR phosphor member can be comprised of different solid or powder micro- structures and configured for excitation by the laser diode excitation source. In some embodiments the phosphors would be configured with coating layers to modify the reflectivity of the excitation light and/or modify the reflectivity of the IR phosphor emission, and/or modify the reflectivity of the visible phosphor emission. In one example according to this invention, the phosphor would contain an antireflective coating layer on the excitation surface configured to reduce the reflectivity of the excitation beam such that it can be more efficiently converted to IR or visible light within the phosphor member. Such coating layers could be comprised of dielectric layers such as silicon dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, hafnia, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, or others. In some embodiments the phosphor surface is intentionally roughened or patterned to reduce the reflectivity and induce an optical scattering effect. [0072] In another example according to this invention, the phosphor is configured for a transmission mode operation wherein the excitation surface and the emission surface would be on opposite sides or faces of the phosphor. In this configuration, the phosphor could have an antireflective coating layer on the emission surface configured to reduce the reflectivity of the IR phosphor emission such that it can more efficiently exit the phosphor member as useful IR emission from the emission surface. Such coating reflectivity reducing layers could be comprised of dielectric layers such as silicon dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, hafnia, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, or others. In some embodiments the phosphor surface is intentionally roughened or patterned to reduce the reflectivity and induce an optical scattering effect.

[0073] In another example according to this invention, the phosphor is configured for a reflective mode operation wherein the excitation beam is incident on the emission surface such that emission and excitation of the phosphor takes place on the same side or face of the phosphor member. In this configuration, the phosphor could have an antireflective coating layer on the emission surface configured to reduce the reflectivity of the IR phosphor emission such that it can more efficiently exit the phosphor member and/or reduce the reflectivity of the excitation light such that it can more efficiently penetrate into the phosphor where it can be converted to useful IR emission. Such coating layers could be comprised of dielectric layers such as silicon dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, hafnia, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, or others. Moreover, in some embodiments comprised of a reflection mode phosphor the backside or bottom side of the phosphor member would be configured with a highly reflective coating or layer. The reflective coating would function to reflect the IR emitted light generated in the phosphor off the back surface so that it can be usefully emitted through the top or front side emission surface. The reflective coating could also be configured to reflect the excitation light. Such reflective coating layers could be comprised of metals such as Ag, Al, or others, or could be comprised of dielectric layers such as distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) stacks.

[0074] Figures 2A-2C provide schematic diagrams of different IR phosphor members. In Figure 2A a single crystal phosphor member is configured for reflective mode operation. Single crystal phosphors can offer performance benefits such as high thermal conductivity to enable operation at high temperature and excitation density. The single crystal phosphor in Figure 2A is contains a reflective mirror on the back or bottom side of the phosphor. The mirror stack can also be designed for a soldering attach process wherein diffusion barrier layers can be included to prevent damage to the mirror layer when the single crystal IR phosphor member is attached to a package or support member. The reflective mode single crystal phosphor of Figure 2A is configured with an anti-reflective coating and /or a roughening or patterning of the top side emission surface.

[0075] In Figure 2B a phosphor in glass member is configured for reflective mode operation. Such phosphor in glass structures can offer performance benefits such as high optical scattering of the excitation emission and the phosphor emission to control and contain the emission area, while offering acceptable thermal conductivity for operation at high temperature and excitation density. The phosphor in glass structure in Figure 2A is contains a reflective mirror on the back or bottom side of the phosphor. The mirror stack can also be designed for a soldering attach process wherein diffusion barrier layers can be included to prevent damage to the mirror layer when the phosphor in glass IR phosphor member is attached to a package or support member.

The reflective mode phosphor in glass structure of Figure 2B is configured with an anti-reflective coating and /or a roughening or patterning of the top side emission surface.

[0076] In Figure 2C a sintered powder or ceramic phosphor is configured for reflective mode operation. Such sintered powder or ceramic phosphor structures can offer performance benefits such as high optical scattering of the excitation emission and the phosphor emission to control and contain the emission area, while offering acceptable thermal conductivity for operation at high temperature and excitation density. The sintered powder or ceramic phosphor in Figure 2C is contains a reflective mirror on the back or bottom side of the phosphor. The mirror stack can also be designed for a soldering attach process wherein diffusion barrier layers can be included to prevent damage to the mirror layer when the sintered powder or ceramic IR phosphor member is attached to a package or support member. The reflective mode sintered powder or ceramic phosphor structure of Figure 2C is configured with an anti-reflective coating and /or a roughening or patterning of the top side emission surface.

[0077] When integrating the IR emitting phosphor member with the laser based white light illumination source there are multiple arrangements that the visible emitting and IR emitting phosphor members can be configured with respect to each other. The examples provided in this application are not intended to coverall all such arrangements and shall not limit the scope of the present invention, because of course there could be other arrangements and architectures.

Perhaps the most simple example phosphor arrangement would have the first and second wavelength converter members configured in a side by side, or adjacent arrangement such that the white light emission from the first wavelength converter member is emitted from a separate spatial location than the IR emission from the second wavelength converter member. In this example, the first and second wavelength converter members could be excited by separate laser diode members wherein in one embedment the first wavelength converter member would be excited by a first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes such as violet, blue, or green laser diodes, and the second wavelength converter member would be excited by a second gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes such as violet, blue, or green laser diodes. In a second embodiment of this example the first wavelength converter member is excited by a first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode such as a violet or blue laser diode, and the second wavelength converter member is excited by a second laser diode formed from a different material system operating in the red or IR wavelength region, such as a gallium and arsenic containing material or an indium and phosphorous containing material. In these embodiments the first laser diode would be excited by a first drive current and the second laser diode would be excited by a second drive current. Since the first and second drive currents could be activated independently, the dual band light emitting source could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with only the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source with both the first and second drive currents activated. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. Once an object is detected with the IR illumination, the visible light source can be activated to visibly illuminate the target.

[0078] Figure 3 A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser and a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, and an infrared emitting wavelength converter member to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3A, a blue or violet laser device formed from a gallium and nitrogen containing material emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element, which partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. The light from the blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element, which partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. A second laser device is included to excite the IR wavelength converter and generate the IR illumination emission.

[0079] In another embodiment of the above example, the adjacent or side by side wavelength converter elements are excited by the same gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode with a peak wavelength in the violet or blue wavelength range. This can be accomplished in several ways. One such way is to position the output laser excitation beam such that it is incident on both the first visible emitting wavelength converting member and the second IR emitting phosphor member. This configuration could be designed such that the proper fraction of the beam is incident on the first wavelength converting member for a desired visible light emission and a proper fraction incident on the second wavelength converter member for a desired IR light emission. In another such example, a beam steering element such as a MEMS scanning mirror could be included in the system. The beam steering element could be programmed or manually tuned to steer the excitation laser beam to be incident on the first wavelength converting element to generate a visible light when desired and to steer the beam to be incident on the IR emitting phosphor when desired. In this configuration, the dual band illumination source could selectively illuminate in either the visible or the IR spectrum, or simultaneously illuminate in both spectrums.

[0080] Figure 3B is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser and a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, and an infrared emitting wavelength converter member to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3B, a blue or violet laser device formed from a gallium and nitrogen containing material emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a beam steering element such as a MEMS scanning mirror. The beam steering element functions to optionally steer the excitation beam to the first wavelength converting element to partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced or to a second wavelength converting element to generate an IR emission.

[0081] In another example according to this invention, the first wavelength converter member and the second wavelength converter member could be combined. In one combination configuration the visible emitting wavelength converter and the IR emitting wavelength converter are vertically stacked arrangement. Preferably the first wavelength converter member would be arranged on the same side as the primary emission surface of the stacked wavelength converter arrangement such that the IR light emitted from the second wavelength converter can pass through the first wavelength converter member without appreciable absorption. That is, in a reflective mode configuration, the first wavelength converter member emitting the visible light would be arranged on top of the second wavelength converter member emitting the IR light such that the visible and IR emission exiting the emission surface of the first wavelength converter would be collected as useful light. That is, the IR emission with the third peak wavelength would be emitted into the same optical pathway as the white light emission with the first and second peak wavelengths.

[0082] Figure 4A presents an example schematic diagram of a stacked phosphor configured for reflection mode operation wherein the IR emitting phosphor member is positioned below the visible emitting phosphor. The stacked phosphor member in Figure 4A is contains a reflective mirror on the back or bottom side of the phosphor. The mirror stack can also be designed for a soldering attach process wherein diffusion barrier layers can be included to prevent damage to the mirror layer when the stacked phosphor member is attached to a package or support member. The stacked phosphor member of Figure 4A is configured with an anti-reflective coating and/or a roughening or patterning of the top side emission surface.

[0083] In another combination configuration the visible emitting wavelength converter and the IR emitting wavelength converter are integrated into a single volume region to form single hybrid wavelength converter member. This can be achieved in various ways such as sintering a mixture of wavelength converters elements such as phosphors into a single solid body. For example, one would mix a visible light emitting phosphor member such as a YAG based phosphor with an IR emitting phosphor to form a composited phosphor or wavelength converter member. In this composite wavelength converter configuration, a common gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode member could be configured as the excitation source to generate both the visible light and the IR light. In this configuration the activating the laser diode member with a first drive current would excite both the emission of the visible light and the IR light such that independent control of the emission of the visible light and IR light would be difficult.

[0084] Figure 4B presents an example schematic diagram of a composite configured for reflection mode operation wherein the IR emitting phosphor elements are sintered into the same volume region as the visible emitting phosphor elements. The composite phosphor member in Figure 4B is contains a reflective mirror on the back or bottom side of the phosphor. The mirror stack can also be designed for a soldering attach process wherein diffusion barrier layers can be included to prevent damage to the mirror layer when the composite phosphor member is attached to a package or support member. The composite phosphor member of Figure 4B is configured with an anti-reflective coating and /or a roughening or patterning of the top side emission surface.

[0085] In this composite wavelength converter configuration, a common gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode member could be configured as the excitation source for both the first and second wavelength member. Since the IR and visible light emission would exit the stacked wavelength converter members from the same surface and within approximately the same area, a simple optical system such as collection and collimation optics can be used to project and direct both the visible emission and the IR emission to the same target area. In this configuration activating the laser diode member with a first drive current would excite both the emission of the visible light and the IR light such that independent control of the emission of the visible light and IR light would be difficult. Other vertically stacked wavelength converter members are possible such as positioning the IR emitting second wavelength converter member on the emission side of the stack such that the visible light emission from the first wavelength converter member would function to excite IR emission from the second wavelength converter member.

[0086] Figure 5A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser configured to excite a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission and a wavelength converting element to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 5 A, a blue or violet laser device formed from a gallium and nitrogen containing material emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element that is comprised of both a visible emitting element and an IR emitting element, which could be configured in a stacked or composite arrangement. The visible wavelength converter element, such as a phosphor, partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. Moreover, the blue light from the laser diode and/or the visible light from the visible emitting wavelength converter member excites the JR emitting phosphor to generate an IR illumination.

[0087] The resulting spectrum from the embodiment described in Figures 5A according to the present invention would be comprised of a relatively narrow band (about 0.5 to 3 nm) emission spectrum from the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode in the UV or blue wavelength region, a broadband (about 10 to 100 nm) wavelength converter emission in the visible spectrum with a longer peak wavelength than the UV or blue laser diode, and a relatively broadband (about 10 to 100 nm) wavelength converter emission in the IR spectrum with a longer peak wavelength than the peak emission wavelength from the visible phosphor member. Figure 5B presents an example optical spectrum according to the present invention. In this figure, the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode emits in the blue region at about 440 to 455nm, the visible wavelength converter member emits in the yellow region, and the included IR emitting wavelength converter member emits with a peak wavelength of about 850 to 900nm. Of course, there can be many other configurations of the present invention, including different wavelength emitting gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes, different wavelength emitting visible phosphor member, and different wavelength emitting IR phosphor members. For example, the IR emitting phosphor member could emit a peak wavelength of between 700nm and 3 pm.

[0088] In another example of the present example with the combined wavelength converter members the first and second wavelength converter members could be excited by separate laser diode members wherein in one embodiment the first wavelength converter member would be excited by a first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes such as violet or blue laser diode and the second wavelength converter member would be excited by a second gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes such as a green emitting or longer wavelength laser diode. In a second embodiment of this example the first wavelength converter member is excited by a first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode such as a violet or blue laser diode, and the second wavelength converter member is excited by a second laser diode formed from a different material system operating in the red or IR wavelength region, such as a gallium and arsenic containing material or an indium and phosphorous containing material. The key consideration for this embodiment is to select the second laser diode with an operating wavelength that will not be substantially absorbed in the first wavelength converter member, but will be absorbed in the second wavelength converter member such that when the second laser diode is activated the emission will pass through the first wavelength converter to excite the second wavelength converter and generate the IR emission. The result is that the first laser diode member primarily activates the first wavelength converter member to generate visible light and the second laser diode member primarily activates the second wavelength converter to generate IR light. The benefit to this version of the stacked wavelength converter configuration is that since the first laser diode would be excited by a first drive current and the second laser diode would be excited by a second drive current the first and second wavelength converter members could be activated independently such that the dual band light emitting source could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with only the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source with both the first and second drive currents activated. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. It is to be understood that the visible light emission from the first wavelength converter member may at least partially excite IR emission from the second wavelength converter member. In this case, the source may simultaneously emit both visible and IR emission when the visible light is activated. Thus, for dual emission of both the visible light and the IR emission, in one embodiment according to the present invention, only the first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode operating in the violet or blue region may be required. However, and very importantly, when the longer wavelength laser diode is activated to excite the IR emitting wavelength converter member, no substantial visible light would be emitted. This would enable IR illumination of a target without revealing the presence of the illumination source. Once an object was detected, the visible light source could be activated.

[0089] Alternatively, the visible light emission could be excited by a first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode such as a violet or blue laser diode, and the IR emission could be excited by a second laser diode formed from a different material system operating in the red or IR wavelength region, such as a gallium and arsenic containing material or an indium and phosphorous containing material. The key consideration for this embodiment is to select the second laser diode with an operating wavelength that will not be substantially absorbed in the visible light emitting element of the composite wavelength converter member, but will be absorbed in the IR emitting element of the composite wavelength converter member such that when the second laser diode is activated it will not substantially excite the visible light emission, but will excite the IR emission. The result is that the first laser diode member primarily activates the first wavelength converter member to generate visible light and the second laser diode member primarily activates the second wavelength converter to generate IR light. Since the IR emission with the third peak wavelength would be emitted from the same surface and spatial location as the visible emission with the first and second peak wavelengths, the IR emission would be easily directed into the same optical pathway as the white light emission with the first and second peak wavelengths. The IR emission and white light emission could then be directed through the optional beam shaper configured to direct the output light for illuminating a target of interest. In this embodiment the first and second driving current could be activated independently such that the apparatus could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. Once an object is detected with the IR illumination, the visible light source can be activated to visibly illuminate the target.

[0090] The benefit to this version of the stacked wavelength converter configuration is that since the first laser diode would be excited by a first drive current and the second laser diode would be excited by a second drive current the first and second wavelength converter members could be activated independently such that the dual band light emitting source could provide a visible light source with only the first driving current activated, an IR light source with only the second driving current activated, or could simultaneously provide both a visible and IR light source with both the first and second drive currents activated. It is to be understood that the visible light emission from the first wavelength converter member may at least partially excite IR emission from the second wavelength converter member. In this case, the source may simultaneously emit both visible and IR emission when the visible light is activated. Thus, for dual emission of both the visible light and the IR emission, in one embodiment according to the present invention only the first gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode operating in the violet or blue region may be required. However, and very importantly, when the longer wavelength laser diode is activated to excite the IR emitting wavelength converter member, no substantial visible light would be emitted. This would enable IR illumination of a target without revealing the presence of the illumination source. In some applications it would be desirable to only use the IR illumination source for IR detection. Once an object was detected, the visible light source could be activated.

[0091] Figure 6A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser configured to excite a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, and an IR emitting laser diode configured to pump an IR wavelength converting element to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6 A, a blue or violet laser device formed from a gallium and nitrogen containing material emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the violet or blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element that is comprised of both a visible emitting element and an IR emitting element, which could be configured in a stacked or composite arrangement. The visible wavelength converter element, such as a phosphor, partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. In some embodiments the blue light from the laser diode and/or the visible light from the visible emitting wavelength converter member could excite the IR emitting phosphor to generate an IR illumination. A second laser diode is included. The second laser diode operates with a peak wavelength that is longer than the visible emission from the first wavelength converter member, but shorter than the peak wavelength of the IR emitting wavelength converter member. A second laser driver is configured to drive the second laser diode member. The output electromagnetic emission from the second laser diode member is configured to preferentially excite the IR emitting phosphor member without substantially exciting the visible phosphor member.

[0092] The resulting spectrum from the embodiment described in Figures 6A according to the present invention would be comprised of a relatively narrow band (about 0.5 to 3 nm) emission spectrum from the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode in the UV or blue wavelength region, a broadband (about 10 to 100 nm) wavelength converter emission in the visible spectrum with a longer peak wavelength than the UV or blue laser diode, a relatively narrow band (about 1 to lOnm) emission from the second laser diode with a peak wavelength longer than the peak wavelength of the visible emitting phosphor, and a relatively broadband (about 10 to 100 nm) wavelength converter emission in the IR spectrum with a longer peak wavelength than the peak emission wavelength from the second laser diode. Figure 6B presents an example optical spectrum according to the present invention. In this figure, the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode emits in the blue region at about 440 to 455nm, the visible wavelength converter member emits in the yellow region, the second laser diode member emits with a peak wavelength of 900nm, and the included IR emitting wavelength converter member emits with a peak wavelength of about 1100 nm. Of course, there can be many other configurations of the present invention, including different wavelength emitting gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes, different wavelength emitting visible phosphor member, and different wavelength emitting IR phosphor members. For example, the IR emitting phosphor member could emit a peak wavelength of between 700nm and 3 pm.

[0093] In some embodiments, a deep UV laser is included wherein the deep UV laser is configured to excite a UV phosphor element to emit a UV light. In such a configuration, the UV emission could be deployed as a UV illumination source for UV imaging. In a further example of the present embodiment, deep UV laser could also be configured to excite a visible emitting wavelength converter member, and/or an IR emitting wavelength converter member.

[0094] In some embodiments, the light engine is provided with a plurality of blue or violet pump lasers which are incident on a first surface of the wavelength converting element. The plurality of blue or violet pump lasers is configured such that each pump laser illuminates a different region of the first surface of the wavelength converting element. In a specific embodiment, the regions illuminated by the pump lasers are not overlapping. In a specific embodiment, the regions illuminated by the pump lasers are partially overlapping. In a specific embodiment, a subset of pump lasers illuminate fully overlapping regions of the first surface of the wavelength converting element while one or more other pump lasers are configured to illuminate either a non-overlapping or partially overlapping region of the first surface of the wavelength converting element. Such a configuration is advantageous because by driving the pump lasers independently of one another the size and shape of the resulting light source can by dynamically modified such that the resulting spot of white light once projected through appropriate optical elements can by dynamically configured to have different sizes and shapes without the need for a moving mechanism.

[0095] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source configured with an IR illumination capability operating in transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7 A, the TO canister package includes a base member 1001, a shaped pedestal 1005 and pins 1002. The base member 1001 can be comprised of a metal such as copper, copper tungsten, aluminum, or steel, or other. The pins 1002 are either grounded to the base or are electrically insulated from it and provide a means of electrically accessing the laser device. The pedestal member 1005 is configured to transmit heat from the pedestal to the base member 1001 where the heat is subsequently passed to a heat sink. A cap member 1006 is provided with a window 1007 hermetically sealed. The cap member 1006 itself also is hermetically sealed to the base member 1001 to enclose the laser based white light source in the TO canister package.

[0096] A laser device 1003 and a wavelength converting member 104 are mounted on the pedestal 1005. In some embodiments intermediate submount members are included between the laser diode and the pedestal and/or between the wavelength converter member and the pedestal.

[0097] The laser light emitted from the laser device 1003 shines through the wavelength converting element 1004 and is either fully or partially converted to longer wavelength light The down-converted light and remaining laser light is then emitted from the wavelength converting element 1004. The laser activated phosphor member white light source configured in a can type package as shown in Figure 7A includes an additional cap member 1006 to form a sealed structure around the white light source on the base member 1001.

[0098] The laser devices are configured such that they illuminate the wavelength converting element 1004 and any non-converted pump light is transmitted through the wavelength converting element 1004 and exits the canister through the window 1007 of the cap member 1006. Down-converted light emitted by the wavelength converting element is similarly emitted from the TO canister through the window 1007.

[0099] In some configurations of the present invention, TO can type packages can be used to package the laser-based IR illumination source. Figure 7B presents a side view schematic diagram of a laser-based IR illumination source capable for operating in transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package with an IR emitting wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7B, the TO can comprises a base member configured for transporting the heat generated in the package to a heat-sink member. Electrical feedthrough pins are configured to supply current to the anode and cathode of the laser diode from an external power source. A laser diode is mounted on a pedestal member within the TO can package, and the package is sealed with a cap member. The cap member comprises a transparent window member configured to allow visible and IR light to pass through the window to the outside environment The transparent window member comprises an IR emitting wavelength converting member, configured to emit IR illumination when the laser diode excitation beam is incident on the window member. In some embodiments, the wavelength converter member serves as the window member.

[0100] In some configurations of the present invention, TO can type packages can be used to package the laser based white light source configured with an IR illumination source. Figure 7C presents a side view schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capable of operating in a transmission mode and housed in a TO canister style package with a visible and IR emitting wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7C, the TO can comprises a base member configured for transporting the heat generated in the package to a heat-sink member. Electrical feedthrough pins are configured to supply current to the anode and cathode of the laser diode from an external power source. A laser diode is mounted on a pedestal member within the TO can package, and the package is sealed with a cap member. The cap member comprises a transparent window member configured to allow visible and IR light to pass through the window to the outside environment The transparent window member comprises a visible and IR emitting wavelength converting member, configured to emit visible light such as white light and IR illumination when the laser diode excitation beam is incident on the window member. In some embodiments, the wavelength converter member serves as the window member.

[0101] Figure 7D is a side view schematic diagram of an IR and visible light emitting based wavelength converter member configured with the transparent window of the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the wavelength converter member is comprised of a stacked IR emitting wavelength converter and visible light emitting wavelength converter. According to this example, the UV or blue laser diode excitation illumination is incident on the visible light emitting wavelength converter first, wherein the excitation light and the emitted visible light excites the IR emitting phosphor. In other embodiments the UV of blue laser diode excitation beam could be incident on the IR wavelength converter member first such that the light that penetrates the IR illumination phosphor would enter into the visible emitting wavelength converter member to excite a visible light In other configurations, composite wavelength converter structures are configured to create the visible light and IR light

[0102] In an embodiment, the laser based white light source configured with an IR illumination source is packaged in a TO canister with a window that transmits all or some of the pump and down-converted light and the wavelength converting element is illuminated in a reflection mode. Figure 7E is a schematic diagram of a laser based white light source operating in reflection mode and housed in a TO canister style package according to another embodiment of the present invention. The canister base consists of a header 1106, wedge shaped member 1102 and electrically isolated pins that pass-through the header. The laser devices 1101 and the wavelength converting element 1105 are mounted to the wedge-shaped member 1102 and pedestal, respectively, using a thermally conductive bonding media such as silver epoxy or with a solder material, preferably chosen from one or more of AuSn, AgCuSn, PbSn, or In. Down- converted light emitted by the wavelength converting element 1105 is similarly emitted from the canister through the window 1104.

[0103] In another embodiment, a reflective mode integrated white light source is configured in a flat type package with a lens member to create a collimated white beam. The flat type package has a base or housing member with a collimated white light source mounted to the base and configured to create a collimated white beam to exit a window configured in the side of the base or housing member.

[0104] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a transmissive mode integrated white light source is configured in a flat type package with a lens member to create a collimated white beam. In one example of this embodiment, the white light emission is collimated and projected toward a window configured on the flat-type package wherein the collimated white beam of light exits the transparent window and is guided by free space optical path or a fiber coupled optical path to the target subject or area.

[0105] There are several configurations that enable a remote pumping of phosphor material using one or more laser diode excitation sources. In an embodiment one or more laser diodes are remotely coupled to one or more phosphor members with a free-space optics configuration. That is, at least part of the optical path from the emission of the laser diode to the phosphor member is comprised of a free-space optics setup. In such a free-space optics configuration the optical beam from the laser diode may be shaped using optical elements such as collimating lens including a fast axis collimator, slow axis collimator, aspheric lens, ball lens, or other elements such as glass rods. In other embodiments of a free-space optical pumping the beam may not be shaped and simply directly coupled to the phosphor. In another embodiment a waveguide element is used to couple the optical excitation power from the one or more laser diodes to the phosphor member. The waveguide element includes one or more materials selected from Si, SiN, GaN, GalnP, Oxides, or others.

[0106] In another embodiment, an optical fiber is used as the waveguide element wherein on one end of the fiber the electromagnetic radiation from the one or more laser diodes is in-coupled to enter the fiber and on the other end of the fiber the electromagnetic radiation is out-coupled to exit the fiber wherein it is then incident on the phosphor member. The optical fiber could be comprised of a glass material such as silica, a polymer material, or other, and could have a length ranging from 100 pm to about 100 m or greater.

[0107] In one embodiment the laser diode members are comprised of laser bars, wherein the laser bar includes a number of emitters with cavity members formed by ridge structures, the cavity members are electrically coupled to each other by the electrode. The laser diodes, each having an electrical contact through its cavity member, share a common n-side electrode. Depending on the application, the n-side electrode can be electrically coupled to the cavity members in different configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the common n-side electrode is electrically coupled to the bottom side of the substrate. In certain embodiments, n-contact is on the top of the substrate, and the connection is formed by etching deep down into the substrate from the top and then depositing metal contacts. For example, laser diodes are electrically coupled to one another in a parallel configuration. In this configuration, when current is applied to the electrodes, all laser cavities can be pumped relatively equally. Further, since the ridge widths will be relatively narrow in the 1.0 to 5.0 pm range, the center of the cavity member will be in close vicinity to the edges of the ridge (e.g., via) such that current crowding or non-uniform injection will be mitigated. In an additional embodiment including laser bars, the individual laser diode comprising the laser bar are electrically coupled in series. In yet an additional embodiment including laser bars, the individual laser diode comprising the laser bar are individually addressable. For example, electrodes can be individually coupled to the emitters so that it is possible to selectively turning a emitter on and off.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, multi-chip laser diode modules are utilized. For example, an enclosed free-space beam combined multi-chip laser module with an extended delivery fiber plus phosphor converter could be included according to the present invention. The enclosed free space multi-chip laser module produces a laser light beam in violet or blue light spectrum, with optional IR emitting laser diodes included. The multiple laser chips in the package provide substantially high intensity for the light source that is desired for many new applications. Additionally, an extended optical fiber with one end is coupled with the light guide output for further guiding the laser light beam to a desired distance for certain applications up to 100m or greater. Optionally, the optical fiber can be also replaced by multiple waveguides built in a planar structure for integrating with silicon photonics devices. At the other end of the optical fiber, a phosphor material-based wavelength converter may be disposed to receive the laser light, where the violet or blue color laser light is converted to white color light and emitted out through an aperture or collimation device. As a result, a white light source with small size, remote pump, and flexible setup is provided.

[0109] In another embodiment, the laser devices are co-packaged on a common substrate along with the wavelength converting element A shaped member may be provided separating either the laser devices or the wavelength converting element from the common substrate such that the pump light is incident on the wavelength converting element at some angle which is not parallel to the surface normal of the wavelength covering member. Transmission mode configurations are possible, where the laser light is incident on a side of the wavelength converting element not facing the package aperture. The package can also contain other optical, mechanical and electrical elements.

[0110] In an embodiment, the wavelength conversion element contains geometrical features aligned to each of the one or more laser diodes. In an example, the wavelength conversion element further contains an optically reflective material on the predominate portion of the edges perpendicular to the common substrate and one or more laser diodes, and where the geometrical features aligned to each of the laser diodes does not contain an optically reflective material. In an example, the common substrate is optically transparent. In an example, the wavelength conversion element is partially attached to the transparent common substrate. In an example, the wavelength converted light is directed through the common substrate. In an example, the wavelength converter contains an optically reflective material on at least the top surface. In an example, the one or more laser diodes and the wavelength conversion element are contained within a sealing element to reduce the exposure to the ambient environment. In an example, the one or more laser diodes and the wavelength conversion element are contained within a sealing element to reduce the exposure to the ambient environment

[0111] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating an off-axis reflective mode embodiment of an integrated laser-phosphor white light source according to the present invention. Further, in this example the phosphor is tilted with respect to the fast axis of the laser beam at an angle ωι. [0112] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating an off-axis reflective mode phosphor with two laser diode devices embodiment of an integrated laser-phosphor white light source according to the present invention. The laser based white light sources is comprised of two or more laser diodes including support members 1401 that serves as the support member for the two laser diodes 1402 formed in transferred gallium and nitrogen containing epitaxial layers 1403. The phosphor material 1406 is mounted on a support member 408 wherein the support members 1401 and 1408 would be attached to a common support member such as a surface in a package member such as a surface mount package. The multiple laser beams 1407 excite the phosphor material 1406 positioned in front of the output laser facet

[0113] Referring to Figure 8B the laser diode excitation beams 1407 are rotated with respect to each other such that the fast axis of the first beam is aligned with the slow axis of the second beam to form a more circular excitation spot

[0114] Figure 9 A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary laser based white light source operating in reflection mode and housed in a surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 9 A, a reflective mode white light source is configured in a surface mount device (SMD) type package. The SMD package has a common support base member 1601. The reflective mode phosphor member 1602 is attached to the base member 1601. Optionally, an intermediate submount member may be included between the phosphor member 1602 and the base member 1601. The laser diode 1603 is mounted on an angled support member 1604, wherein the angled support member 1604 is attached to the base member 1601. The base member 1601 is configured to conduct heat away from the white light source and to a heat sink. The base member 1601 is comprised of a thermally conductive material such as copper, copper tungsten, aluminum, SiC, steel, diamond, composite diamond, AIN, sapphire, or other metals, ceramics, or semiconductors.

[0115] Electrical connections from the electrodes of the laser diode are made to using wirebonds 1605 to electrode members 1606. Wirebonds 1607 and 1608 are formed to internal feedthroughs 1609 and 1610. The feedthroughs are electrically coupled to external leads. The external leads can be electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the white light source and generate white light emission. [0116] The top surface of the base member 1601 may be comprised of, coated with, or filled with a reflective layer to prevent or mitigate any losses relating from downward directed or reflected light Moreover, all surfaces within the package including the laser diode and submount member may be enhanced for increased reflectivity to help improve the useful white light output

[0117] Figure 9B is an alternative example of a packaged white light source including 2 laser diode chips according to the present invention. In this example, a reflective mode white light source is configured also in a SMD type package. The SMD package has a base member 1601 with the reflective mode phosphor member 1602 mounted on a support member or on a base member. A first laser diode device 1613 may be mounted on a first support member 1614 or a base member 1601. A second laser diode device 1615 may be mounted on a second support member 1616 or a base member 1601. The support members and base member are configured to conduct heat away from the phosphor member 1602 and laser diode devices 1613 and 1615.

[0118] The external leads can be electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the laser diode sources to emit a first laser beam 1618 from the first laser diode device 1613 and a second laser beam 1619 from a second laser diode device 1615. The laser beams are incident on the phosphor member 1602 to create an excitation spot and a white light emission. The laser beams are preferably overlapped on the phosphor member 1602 to create an optimized geometry and/or size excitation spot. For example, the laser beams from the first and second laser diodes are rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other such that the slow axis of the first laser beam 1618 is aligned with the fast axis of the second laser beam 1619.

[0119] Figure 9C is an alternative example of a packaged white light source according to the present invention. In this example, a reflective mode white light source is configured also in a SMD type package. The SMD package has a base member 1601 serving as a common support member for a side-pumped phosphor member 1622 mounted on a submount or support member 1623 and a laser diode device 1624 mounted on a submount or support member 1625. In some embodiments, the laser diode 1624 and or the phosphor member 1622 may be mounted directly to the base member 1601 of the package. The support members and base member 1601 are configured to conduct heat away from the phosphor member 1622 and laser diode device 1624. The base member 1601 is substantially the same type as that in Figure 9 A and Figure 9B in the SMD type package.

[0120] The white light sources shown in Figures 9 A, 9B, and 9C can be enclosed in a number of ways to form a light engine. Optionally, the light engine is encapsulated in a molded epoxy or plastic cover (not shown). The molded cover may have a flat top or can be molded to have a curved or spherical surface to aid in light extraction. It is possible for the cover to be pre-molded and glued in place, or to be molded in place from liquid or gel precursors. Because a polymer cover or molded encapsulating material may absorb laser light or down converted light from the wavelength converting element there is a large risk that the encapsulating material will age due to heating and light absorption. When such a material ages, it tends to become more optically absorbing, leading to a runaway process that inevitably leads to device failure. In a laser-based device, where the laser devices emit light with a very high brightness and optical flux, this aging effect is expected to be quite severe. It is preferred, then, for a polymer cover to be absent from the region near the emitting facets of the lasers as well as from the path of the laser beams between the laser devices and the wavelength converting element Optionally, the molded cover does not contact the laser device nor the wavelength converting element nor does it intersect the laser light beams prior to their intersecting the wavelength converting element. Optionally, the molded cover overlays and is in contact with a part or majority of the laser devices and the wavelength converting element, but does not cover the emitting facet of the lasers nor the surface of the wavelength converting element, nor does it intersect the beam path of the laser light between the laser devices and the wavelength converting element Optionally, the encapsulating material is molded over the device after wire bonding of the laser devices, and no air gaps or voids are included.

[0121] In another embodiment, the light engine is encapsulated using a rigid, member such as a ceramic or metal housing. For example, a stamped metal wall could be provided with dimensions close to those of the outer edge of the common substrate. The wall could be attached to the common substrate and an airtight seal formed using epoxy or another glue, metal solder, glass frit sealing and friction welding among other bonding techniques. The top edge of the wall could, for example, be sealed by attaching a transparent cover. The transparent cover may be composed of any transparent material, including silica-containing glass, sapphire, spinel, plastic, diamond and other various minerals. The cover may be attached to the wall using epoxy, glue, metal solder, glass frit sealing and friction welding among other bonding techniques appropriate for the cover material.

[0122] In some embodiments the enclosure may be fabricated directly on the common substrate using standard lithographic techniques similar to those used in processing of MEMS devices. Many light emitters such as laser diodes could be fabricated on the same common substrate and, once fabrication is complete, singulated into separate devices using sawing, laser scribing or a like process.

[0123] Figure 10A is a side-view schematic diagram of a laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in an enclosed surface mount package according to an embedment of the present invention. The one or more laser diode members are configured on an elevated mounting surface that is not parallel to the mounting surface that the phosphor plate is mounted on. The result is an angle of incidence of the laser excitation beam on the phosphor plate.

[0124] Figure 1 OB is a side-view schematic diagram of a fiber-coupled laser based white light source with an IR illumination capability operating in reflection mode in an enclosed package according to an embedment of the present invention. The phosphor plate overlies the support member and is configured in an optical pathway of the light emission from one or more optical fiber members that transport the excitation emission from one or more laser diodes into the package. The fiber is positioned at an off-normal angle relative to the that the phosphor plate such that the excitation beam exciting the fiber is incident on a top surface of the phosphor.

[0125] Referring to Figures 8A, 8B, 9 A, 9B, 9C, 10A, and 10B showing several embodiments of the laser based white light source configured with an IR illumination source in a SMD type package. Optionally, the wedge-shaped members 1401, 1604, 1614, and 1616 in the SMD package are configured such that the laser light from each of multiple laser devices is incident on the wavelength converting element 1406 or 1602 with an angle of 10 to 45 degrees from the plane of the wavelength converting element’s upper. Optionally, only one of the multiple laser devices in the SMD packaged white light source is a blue pump light source with a center wavelength of between 405 and 470 nm. Optionally, the first wavelength converting element is a YAG-based phosphor plate which absorbs the pump light and emits a broader spectrum of yellow-green light such that the combination of the pump light spectra and phosphor light spectra produces a white light spectrum.

[0126] In some embodiments the laser based white light source configured with an IR illumination source is configured with an IR sensor or an IR imaging system. The IR illumination source of the present invention would be used to direct IR electromagnetic radiation toward a target area or subject and IR sensor or imaging system would be deployed to detect the presence, movement, or other characteristics of a subject matter or object within the illumination area. Once a certain characteristic was detected by the IR sensor, a response could be triggered. In one example, the visible laser based white light would be triggered to be activated to illuminate the target matter with visible white light In some embodiments according to the present invention an infrared tracking, also known as infrared homing, is included wherein the infiared electromagnetic radiation emitted from a target is used to track the objects motion. Infrared is radiated strongly by hot bodies such as people, vehicles and aircraft.

[0127] The infrared waves typically have wavelengths between 0.75 and 1000pm. The infrared spectrum can be split into near IR, mid IR and far IR The wavelength region from 0.75 to 3 pm is known as the near infrared region. The region between 3 and 6pm is known as the mid- infrared region, and infrared radiation which has a wavelength greater higher than 6pm is known as far infrared.

[0128] Thermal imaging systems use mid- or long wavelength IR energy and are considered passive, sensing only differences in heat These heat signatures are then displayed on a screen, monitor, or some other readout device. Thermal imagers do not see reflected light and are therefore not affected by surrounding light sources such as oncoming headlights.

[0129] Night vision and other lowlight cameras rely on reflected ambient light such as moonlight or starlight. Night vision is not effective when there is too much light, but not enough light for you to see with the naked eye such as during the twilight hours. Perhaps, even more limiting, the sensitivity of night vision imaging technology is limited if there is not enough ambient visible light available since the imaging performance of anything that relies on reflected light is limited by the amount and strength of the light being reflected. In many instances there are no natural sources of illumination available in places such as caves, tunnels, basements, etc. In these situations, active illumination with IR sources that are not detectable to the human eye, night vision goggles, or silicon cameras can be used to illuminate an area or a target These active imaging systems include IR illumination sources to generate their own reflected light by projecting a beam of near-IR energy that can be detected in the imager when it is reflected from an object. Such active IR systems can use short wavelength infrared light to illuminate an area of interest wherein some of the IR energy is reflected back to a camera and interpreted to generate an image. Such “covert” illumination without detection from common imaging technologies including visible light imaging technologies can be advantageous. In some embodiments, active IR systems can use mid-IR or deep-IR illumination sources.

[0130] Since this technology relies on reflected IR light to make an image with conventional IR illumination sources such as LED illumination sources, the range and contrast of the imaging system can be limited. The laser based white light system configured with an IR illumination source according to the present invention offers a superior illumination source that can overcome these challenges of range and contrast. Since the IR illumination is originating from either directly from a highly directional IR emitting laser diode or from a laser diode excited IR emitting wavelength converter member, the IR emission can be orders of magnitude brighter than conventional LED IR emission. This 1010 ,0000x increased brightness using a laser-based IR illumination source can increase the range by 10 to 1000X over LED sources and provide superior contrast.

[0131] IR detectors are used to detect the radiation which has been collected. In some embodiments, the current or voltage output from the detectors is very small, requiring preamplifiers coupled with circuitry to further process the received signals. The two main types of IR detectors are thermal detectors and photodetectors. The response time and sensitivity of photonic detectors can be much higher, but often these have to be cooled to reduce thermal noise. The materials in these are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Incident IR photons cause electronic excitations. In photoconductive detectors, the resistivity of the detector element is monitored. Photovoltaic detectors contain a p-n junction or a p-i-n junction on which photoelectric current appears upon illumination. [0132] In one embodiment, the detector technology used to generate the resulting image can be an IR photodiode which is sensitive to IR light of the same wavelength as that emitted by the IR illumination source. When the reflected IR light is incident on the photodiode, a photocurrent is generated which induces an output voltage proportional to the magnitude of the IR light received. These infrared cameras should have a high signal-to-noise ratio with a high sensitivity or responsivity. In one example, an InGaAs based photodiode is used for the IR detector. In other examples, InAs based photodiodes, InSb based photodiodes, InAsSb based photodiodes, PbSe based photodiodes, or PbS based photodiodes can be included. In some configurations according to the present invention, photodiode arrays are included for IR detection. Additionally, avalanche photodiodes (APD) are included in the present invention. The detectors can be configured to operate as photovoltaic or photoconductive conductors. In some examples according to the present invention, some combination of the described detector technologies are included two color detectors. In some examples amplifiers and photomultipliers are included.

[0133] The thermal effects of the incident IR radiation can be followed through many temperature dependent phenomena. Bolometers and microbolometers are based on changes in resistance. Thermocouples and thermopiles use the thermoelectric effect. Golay cells follow thermal expansion. In IR spectrometers the pyroelectric detectors are the most widespread.

[0134] In several preferred embodiments of the laser based white light source including an IR illumination source is configured for communication. The communication could be intended for biological media such as humans such as pedestrians, consumers, athletes, police officers and other public servants, military, travelers, drivers, commuters, recreation activities, or other living things such as animals, plants, or other living objects. The communication could also be intended for objects such as cars or any type of auto including autonomous examples, airplanes, drones or other aircraft, which could be autonomous, or any wide range of objects such as street signs, roadways, tunnels, bridges, buildings, interior spaces in offices and residential and objects contained within, work areas, sports areas including arenas and fields, stadiums, recreational areas, and any other objects or areas. In some preferred embodiments the smart light source is used in Internet of Things (IoT), wherein the laser based smart light is used to communicate with objects such as household appliances (i.e., refrigerator, ovens, stove, etc.), lighting, heating and cooling systems, electronics, furniture such as couches, chairs, tables, beds, dressers, etc., irrigation systems, security systems, audio systems, video systems, etc. Clearly, the laser based smart lights can be configured to communicate with computers, smart phones, tablets, smart watches, augmented reality (AR) components, virtual reality (VR) components, games including game consoles, televisions, and any other electronic devices.

[0135] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the laser light source can communicate with various methods. In one preferred method, the smart light is configured as a visible light communication (VLC) system such as a LiFi system wherein at least one spectral component of the electromagnetic radiation in the light source is modulated to encode data such that the light is transmitting data. In some examples, a portion of the visible spectrum is modulated and in other examples a non-visible source such as an infrared or ultraviolet source is included for communication. The modulation pattern or format could be a digital format or an analog format, and would be configured to be received by an object or device. In some embodiments, communication could be executed using a spatial patterning of the light emission from the laser based smart light system. In an embodiment, a micro-display is used to pixelate or pattern the light, which could be done in a rapid dynamic fashion to communicate continuously flowing information or wherein the pattern is periodically changed to a static pattern to communicate a static message that could be updated. Examples of communication could be to inform individuals or crowds about upcoming events, what is contained inside a store, special promotions, provide instructions, education, sales, and safety. In an alternative embodiment, the shape or divergence angle of the emission beam is changed to a spotlight from a diffuse light or vice versa using a micro-display or a tunable lens such as a liquid crystal lens. Examples of communication could be to direct an individual or crowd, to warn about dangers, educate, or promote. In yet another embodiment of laser light-based communication, the color of the smart lighting system could be changed from a cool white to a warm white, or even to a single color such as red, green, blue, or yellow, etc.

[0136] It is to be understood that in embodiments, the VLC light engine is not limited to a specific number of laser devices. In a specific embodiment, the light engine includes a single laser device acting as a “pump” light-source, and which is either a laser diode or SLED device emitting at a center wavelength between 390 nm and 480 nm. Herein, a “pump” light-source is a laser diode or SLED device that illuminates as wavelength converting element such that a part or all laser light from the laser diode or SLED device is converted into longer wavelength light by the wavelength converting element The spectral width of the pump light-source is preferably less than 2 nm, though widths up to 20 nm would be acceptable. In another embodiment, the VLC light engine consists of two or more laser or SLED “pump” light-sources emitting with center wavelengths between 380 nm and 480 nm, with the center wavelengths of individual pump light sources separated by at least 5 nm. The spectral width of the laser light source is preferably less than 2 nm, though widths up to 75% of the center wavelength separation would be acceptable. The pump light source illuminates a phosphor which absorbs the pump light and reemits a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light. Each pump light source is individually addressable, such that they may be operated independently of one another and act as independent communication channels.

[0137] Encoding of information for communication by the laser or SLED can be accomplished through a variety of methods. Most basically, the intensity of the LD or SLED could be varied to produce an analog or digital representation of an audio signal, video image or picture or any type of information. An analog representation could be one where the amplitude or frequency of variation of the LD or SLED intensity is proportional to the value of the original analog signal.

[0138] A primary benefit of the present invention including a laser diode-based or SLED- based lighting systems when applied to a LiFi or VLC application is that both laser diodes and SLEDs operate with stimulated emission wherein the direct modulation rates are not governed by carrier lifetime such as LEDs, which operate with spontaneous emission. Specifically, the modulation rate or frequency response of LEDs is inversely proportional to the carrier lifetime and proportional to the electrical parasitics (e g., RC time constant) of the diode and device structure. Since carrier lifetimes are on the order of nanoseconds for LEDs, the frequency response is limited to the MHz range, typically in the 100s of MHz (i.e., 300-500 MHz). Additionally, since high power or mid power LEDs typically used in lighting require large diode areas on the order of 0.25 to 2 mm ² , the intrinsic capacitance of the diode is excessive and can further limit the modulation rate. On the contrary, laser diodes operate under stimulated emission wherein the modulation rates are governed by the photon lifetime, which is on the order of picoseconds, and can enable modulation rates in the GHz range, from about 1 to about 30 GHz depending on the type of laser structure, the differential gain, the active region volume, and optical confinement factor, and the electrical parasitics. As a result, VLC systems based on laser diodes can offer lOx, lOOx, and potentially l000x higher modulation rates, and hence data rates, compared to VLC systems based on LEDs. Since VLC (i.e., LiFi) systems in general can provide higher data rates than WiFi systems, laser based LiFi systems can enable lOOx to ΙΟ,ΟΟΟχ the data rate compared to conventional WiFi systems offering enormous benefits for delivering data in applications demand high data volumes such as where there are a large number of users (e.g., stadiums) and/or where the nature of the data being transferred requires a volume of bits (e.g., gaming).

[0139] Digital encoding is common encoding scheme where the data to be transmitted is represented as numerical information and then varying the LD or SLED intensity in a way that corresponds to the various values of the information. As an example, the LD or SLED could be turned fully on and off with the on and off states correlated to binary values or could be turned to a high intensity state and a low intensity state that represent binary values. The latter would enable higher modulation rates as the turn-on delay of the laser diode would be avoided. The LD or SLED could be operated at some base level of output with a small variation in the output representing the transmitted data superimposed on the base level of output. This is analogous to having a DC offset or bias on a radio-frequency or audio signal. The small variation may be in the form of discrete changes in output that represent one or more bits of data, though this encoding scheme is prone to error when many levels of output are used to more efficiently encode bits. For example, two levels may be used, representing a single binaiy digit or bit. The levels would be separated by some difference in light output. A more efficient encoding would use 4 discrete light output levels relative to the base level, enabling one value of light output to represent any combination of two binaiy digits or bits. The separation between light output levels is proportional to w-1, where n is the number of light output levels. Increasing the efficiency of the encoding in this way results in smaller differences in the signal differentiating encoded values and thus to a higher rate of error in measuring encoded values.

[0140] In some embodiments, additional beam shapers would be included between the laser diode members and the wavelength converter element to precondition the pump light beam before it is incident on the phosphor. For example, in a preferred embodiment the laser or SLED emission would be collimated prior to incidence with the wavelength converter such that the laser light excitation spot would have a specified and controlled size and location. The light signal then leaves the light engine and propagates either through free-space or via a waveguide such as an optical fiber. In an embodiment, the non-converted laser light is incident on the wavelength converting element 1527, however the non-converted laser light is efficiently scattered or reflected by the wavelength converting element 1527 such that less than 10% of the incident light is lost to absorption by the wavelength converting element 1527.

[0141] Use of multiple lasers of same wavelength allows for running each laser at a lower power than what one would do with only one pump laser for a fixed power of emitted white light spectrum. Addition of red and green lasers which are not converted allow for adjusting the color point of the emitted spectrum. Given a single blue emitter, so long as the conversion efficiency of the wavelength converting element does not saturate with pump laser intensity, the color point of the white light spectrum is fixed at a single point in the color space which is determined by the color of the blue laser, the down-converted spectrum emitted by the wavelength converting element, and the ratio of the power of the two spectra, which is determined by the down- conversion efficiency and the amount of pump laser light scattered by the wavelength converting element By the addition of an independently controlled green laser, the final color point of the spectrum can be pulled above the Planckian blackbody locus of points. By addition of an independently controlled red laser, the final color point of the spectrum can be pulled below the Planckian blackbody locus of points. By the addition of independently controlled violet or cyan colored lasers, with wavelengths not efficiently absorbed by the wavelength converting element, the color point can be adjusted back towards the blue side of the color gamut. Since each laser is independently driven, the time-average transmitted power of each laser can be tailored to allow for fine adjustment of the color point and CRI of the final white light spectrum.

[0142] Optionally, multiple blue pump lasers might be used with respective center wavelengths of 420, 430, and 440 ran while non-converted green and red laser devices are used to adjust the color point of the devices spectrum. Optionally, the non-converted laser devices need not have center wavelengths corresponding to red and green light For example, the non- converted laser device might emit in the infra-red region at wavelengths between 800 tun and 2 microns. Such a light engine would be advantageous for communication as the infra-red device, while not adding to the luminous efficacy of the white light source, or as a visible light source with a non-visible channel for communications. This allows for data transfer to continue under a broader range of conditions and could enable for higher data rates if the non-visible laser configured for data transmission was more optimally suited for high speed modulation such as a telecom laser or vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Another benefit of using a non- visible laser diode for communication allows the VLC-enabled white light source to use a non- visible emitter capable of effectively transmitting data even when the visible light source is turned off for any reason in applications.

[0143] In some embodiments, the white light source is configured to be a smart light source having a beam shaping optical element. Optionally, the beam shaping optical element provides an optical beam where greater than 80% of the emitted light is contained within an emission angle of 30 degrees. Optionally, the beam shaping element provides an optical beam where greater than 80% of the emitted light is contained within an emission angle of 10 degrees. Optionally, the white light source can be formed within the commonly accepted standard shape and size of existing MR, PAR, and AR111 lamps. Optionally, the white light source further contains an integrated electronic power supply to electrically energize the laser-based light module. Optionally, the white light source further contains an integrated electronic power supply with input power within the commonly accepted standards. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

[0144] In some embodiments, the smart light source containing at least a laser-based light module has one or more beam steering elements to enable communication. Optionally, the beam steering element provides a reflective element that can dynamically control the direction of propagation of the emitted laser light. Optionally, the beam steering element provides a reflective element that can dynamically control the direction of propagation of the emitted laser light and the light emitted from the wavelength converting element. Optionally, the smart light white light source further contains an integrated electronic power supply to electrically energize the beam steering elements. Optionally, the smart light white light source further contains an integrated electronic controller to dynamically control the function of the beam steering elements.

[0145] According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a dynamic laser-based light source or light projection apparatus including a micro-display element to provide a dynamic beam steering, beam patterning, or beam pixelating affect. Micro-displays such as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanning mirror, or “flying mirror”, a digital light processing (DLP) chip or digital mirror device (DMD), or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) can be included to dynamically modify the spatial pattern and/or color of the emitted light. In one embodiment the light is pixelated to activate certain pixels and not activate other pixels to form a spatial pattern or image of white light. In another example, the dynamic light source is configured for steering or pointing the light beam. The steering or pointing can be accomplished by a user input configured from a dial, switch, or joystick mechanism or can be directed by a feedback loop including sensors.

[0146] In an embodiment, a laser driver module is provided. Among other things, the laser driver module is adapted to adjust the amount of power to be provided to the laser diode. For example, the laser driver module generates a drive current based on pixels from digital signals such as frames of images, the drive currents being adapted to drive a laser diode. In a specific embodiment, the laser driver module is configured to generate pulse-modulated light signal at a frequency range of about 50 MHz to 100 GHz.

[0147] In an alternative embodiment, DLP or DMD micro-display chip is included in the device and is configured to steer, pattern, and/or pixelate a beam of light by reflecting the light from a 2-dimensional array of micro-mirrors corresponding to pixels at a predetermined angle to turn each pixel on or off. In one example, the DLP or DMD chip is configured to steer a collimated beam of laser excitation light from the one or more laser diodes to generate a predetermined spatial and/or temporal pattern of excitation light on the wavelength conversion or phosphor member. At least a portion of the wavelength converted light from the phosphor member could then be recollimated or shaped using a beam shaping element such as an optic. In this example the micro-display is upstream of the wavelength converter member in the optical pathway. In a second example the DLP or DMD micro-display chip is configured to steer a collimated beam of at least a partially wavelength converted light to generate a predetermined spatial and/or temporal pattern of converted light onto a target surface or into a target space. In this example the micro-display is downstream of the wavelength converter member in the optical pathway. DLP or DMD micro-display chips are configured for dynamic spatial modulation wherein the image is created by tiny mirrors laid out in an array on a semiconductor chip such as a silicon chip. The mirrors can be positionally modulated at rapid rates to reflect light either through an optical beam shaping element such as a lens or into a beam dump. Each of the tiny mirrors represents one or more pixels wherein the pitch may be 5.4 pm or less. The number of mirrors corresponds or correlates to the resolution of the projected image. Common resolutions for such DLP micro-display chips include 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, and 1920x1080 (HDTV), and even greater.

[0148] According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a dynamic laser-based light source or light projection apparatus including a housing having an aperture. The apparatus can include an input interface for receiving a signal to activate the dynamic feature of the light source. The apparatus can include a video or signal processing module. Additionally, the apparatus includes a light source based on a laser source. The laser source includes a violet laser diode or a blue laser diode. The dynamic light feature output comprised from a phosphor emission excited by the output beam of a laser diode, or a combination of a laser diode and a phosphor member. The violet or blue laser diode is fabricated on a polar, nonpolar, or semipolar oriented Ga-containing substrate. The apparatus can include a laser driver module coupled to the laser source. The apparatus can include a digital light processing (DLP) chip comprising a digital mirror device. The digital mirror device includes a plurality of mirrors, each of the mirrors corresponding to pixels of the frames of images. The apparatus includes a power source electrically coupled to the laser source and the digital light processing chip.

[0149] The apparatus can include a laser driver module coupled to the laser source. The apparatus includes an optical member provided within proximity of the laser source, the optical member being adapted to direct the laser beam to the digital light processing chip. The apparatus includes a power source electrically coupled to the laser source and the digital light processing chip. In one embodiment, the dynamic properties of the light source may be initiated by the user of the apparatus. For example, the user may activate a switch, dial, joystick, or trigger to modify the light output from a static to a dynamic mode, from one dynamic mode to a different dynamic mode, or from one static mode to a different static mode.

[0150] In an alternative embodiment, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) micro-display chip is included in the device and is configured to steer, pattern, and/or pixelate a beam of light by reflecting or absorbing the light from a 2-dimensional array of liquid crystal mirrors corresponding to pixels at a predetermined angle to turn each pixel on or off. In one example, the LCOS chip is configured to steer a collimated beam of laser excitation light from the one or more laser diodes to generate a predetermined spatial and/or temporal pattern of excitation light on the wavelength conversion or phosphor member. At least a portion of the wavelength converted light from the phosphor member could then be recollimated or shaped using a beam shaping element such as an optic. In this example the micro-display is upstream of the wavelength converter member in the optical pathway. In a second example the LCOS microdisplay chip is configured to steer a collimated beam of at least a partially wavelength converted light to generate a predetermined spatial and/or temporal pattern of converted light onto a target surface or into a target space. In this example the micro-display is downstream of the wavelength converter member in the optical pathway. The former example is the preferred example since LCOS chips are polarization sensitive and the output of laser diodes is often highly polarized, for example greater than 70%, 80%, 90%, or greater than 95% polarized. This high polarization ratio of the direct emission from the laser source enables high optical throughput efficiencies for the laser excitation light compared to LEDs or legacy light sources that are unpolarized, which wastes about half of the light.

[0151] LCOS micro-display chips are configured spatial light modulation wherein the image is created by tiny active elements laid out in an array on a silicon chip. The elements reflectivity is modulated at rapid rates to selectively reflect light through an optical beam shaping element such as a lens. The number of elements corresponds or correlates to the resolution of the projected image. Common resolutions for such LCOS micro-display chips include 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, and 1920x1080 (HDTV), and even greater.

[0152] Optionally, the partially converted light emitted from the wavelength conversion element results in a color point, which is white in appearance. Optionally, the color point of the white light is located on the Planckian blackbody locus of points. Optionally, the color point of the white light is located within du V of less than 0.010 of the Planckian blackbody locus of points. Optionally, the color point of the white light is preferably located within du V of less than 0.03 of the Planckian blackbody locus of points. Optionally, the pump light sources are operated independently, with their relative intensities varied to dynamically alter the color point and color rendering index (CRI) of the white light.

[0153] In several preferred embodiments one or more beam shaping elements are included in the present invention. Such beam shaping elements could be included to configure the one or more laser diode excitation beams in the optical pathway prior to incidence on the phosphor or wavelength conversion member. In some embodiments the beam shaping elements are included in the optical pathway after at least a portion of the laser diode excitation light is converted by the phosphor or wavelength conversion member. In additional embodiments the beam shaping elements are included in the optical pathway of the non-converted laser diode light. Of course, in many preferred embodiments, a combination of one or more of each of the beam shaping elements is included in the present invention.

[0154] In some embodiments, a laser diode output beam must be configured to be incident on the phosphor material to excite the phosphor. In some embodiments, the laser beam may be directly incident on the phosphor and in other embedments the laser beam may interact with an optic, reflector, or other object to manipulate or shape the beam prior to incidence on the phosphor. Examples of such optics include, but are not limited to ball lenses, aspheric collimator, aspheric lens, fast or slow axis collimators, dichroic mirrors, turning mirrors, optical isolators, but could be others. In some embodiments, other optics can be included in various combinations for the shaping, collimating, directing, filtering, or manipulating of the optical beam. Examples of such optics include, but are not limited to re-imaging reflectors, ball lenses, aspheric collimator, dichroic mirrors, turning mirrors, optical isolators, but could be others.

[0155] In some embodiments, the converted light such as a white light source is combined with one or more optical members to manipulate the generated white light. In an example the converted light source such as the white light source could serve in a spotlight system such as a flashlight, spotlight, automobile headlamp or any direction light applications where the light must be directed or projected to a specified location or area. In one embodiment a reflector is coupled to the white light source. Specifically, a parabolic (or paraboloid or paraboloidal) reflector is deployed to project the white light. By positioning the white light source in the focus of a parabolic reflector, the plane waves will be reflected and propagate as a collimated beam along the axis of the parabolic reflector. In another example a lens is used to collimate the white light into a projected beam. In one example a simple aspheric lens would be positioned in front of the phosphor to collimate the white light. In another example, a total internal reflector optic is used for collimation. In other embodiments other types of collimating optics may be used such as spherical lenses or aspherical lenses. In several embodiments, a combination of optics is used.

[0156] In an embodiment, the apparatus is capable of conveying information to the user or another observer through the means of dynamically adjusting certain qualities of the projected light. Such qualities include spot size, shape, hue, and color-point as well as through independent motion of the spot As an example, the apparatus may convey information by dynamically changing the shape of the spot. In an example, the apparatus is used as a flash-light or bicycle light, and while illuminating the path in front of the user it may convey directions or information received from a paired smart phone application. Changes in the shape of the spot which could convey information include, among others: forming the spot into the shape of an arrow that indicates which direction the user should walk along to follow a predetermined path and forming the spot into an icon to indicate the receipt of an email, text message, phone call or other push notification. The white light spot may also be used to convey information by rendering text in the spot. For example, text messages received by the user may be displayed in the spot As another example, embodiments of the apparatus including mechanisms for altering the hue or color point of the emitted light spectrum could convey information to the user via a change in these qualities. For example, the aforementioned bike light providing directions to the user might change the hue of the emitted light spectrum from white to red rapidly to signal that the user is nearing an intersection or stop-sign that is beyond the range of the lamp.

[0157] In a specific embodiment of the present invention including a dual band light source capable of emission in the visible and the IR wavelength bands, one or more emission bands from the light source is activated by a feedback loop including a sensor to create a dynamic illumination source capable of alternating the activation of the illumination bands. Such sensors may be selected from, but not limited to an IR imaging unit including an IR camera or focal plane array, microphone, geophone, hydrophone, a chemical sensor such as a hydrogen sensor, CCh sensor, or electronic nose sensor, flow sensor, water meter, gas meter, Geiger counter, altimeter, airspeed sensor, speed sensor, range finder, piezoelectric sensor, gyroscope, inertial sensor, accelerometer, MEMS sensor, Hall effect sensor, metal detector, voltage detector, photoelectric sensor, photodetector, photoresistor, pressure sensor, strain gauge, thermistor, thermocouple, pyrometer, temperature gauge, motion detector, passive infrared sensor, Doppler sensor, biosensor, capacitance sensor, video sensor, transducer, image sensor, infrared sensor, radar, SONAR, LIDAR, or others.

[0158] In one example, a dynamic illumination feature including a feedback loop with an IR sensor to detect motion or an object. The dynamic light source is configured to generate a visible illumination on the object or location where the motion is detected by sensing the spatial position of the motion and steering the output beam to that location. In another example of a dynamic light feature including a feedback loop with a sensor, such as an accelerometer, is included. The accelerometer is configured to anticipate where the laser light source apparatus is moving toward and steer the output beam to that location even before the user of the apparatus can move the light source to be pointing at the desired location. Of course, these are merely examples of implementations of dynamic light sources with feedback loops including sensors. There can be many other implementations of this invention concept that includes combining dynamic light sources with sensors.

[0159] Figure 11 is a functional block diagram for a laser-based white light source containing a gallium and nitrogen containing violet or blue pump laser and a wavelength converting element to generate a white light emission, an infrared emitting laser diode to generate an IR emission according to an embodiment of the present invention, configured with sensors to form feedback loops. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. Referring to Figure 11, a blue or violet laser device emitting a spectrum with a center point wavelength between 390 and 480 nm is provided. The light from the blue laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element, which partially or fully converts the blue light into a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light such that a white light spectrum is produced. A first laser driver is provided which powers the gallium and nitrogen containing laser device to excite the visible emitting wavelength member. Additionally, an IR emitting laser device is included to generate an IR illumination. The directional IR electromagnetic radiation from the laser diode is incident on the wavelength converting element wherein it is reflected from or transmitted through the wavelength converting element such that it follows the same optical path as the white light emission. A second laser driver is included to power the IR emitting laser diode and deliver a controlled amount of current at a sufficiently high voltage to operate the IR laser diode.

[0160] The visible and IR emitting illumination source according to the present invention and shown in Figure 11 is equipped with sensors configured to provide an input to the first and/or the second laser drivers. In one example, the first laser driver is configured with an IR sensor that detects motion or objects using the IR illumination source. Once a detection is triggered using the IR illumination source, the first laser driver activates the first laser diode to generate a white light to shine a visible light on the object or target There are many examples where it would be useful to covertly detect an object using IR illumination such that it could not be detected by animals or humans.

[0161] According to this embodiment shown in Figure 11 , the IR emission includes a peak wavelength in the 700nm to 1100nm range based on gallium and arsenic material system [eg GaAs] for near-IR illumination, or a peak wavelength in the 1100 to 2500nm range based on an indium and phosphorous containing material system (e.g., InP) for eye-safe wavelength IR illumination, or in the 2500nm to 15000nm wavelength range based on quantum cascade laser technology for mid-IR thermal imaging.

[0162] Of course, any type of sensor could be configured with the present invention to induce a visible or IR illumination response when the sensor was triggered or tripped. Further elements could be incorporated with present invention including sensors. In one embodiment a beam steering element such as a MEMS mirror or DLP is used to pattern or direct the light onto a specific area or a specific object that could be moving. By using a motion sensor or the IR sensor the illumination source configured with the beam steering element could be configured to track the object with visible light and/or with IR illumination. In a scenario where the user did not want the target matter to be aware of their presence, the user could track with the IR illumination. In a scenario where the user did want the subject to be aware of their presence, they could track the subject with visible light. In many jurisdictions, it is important to have photographs or other images under visible light, in which case the visible illumination source would be illuminated. In some embodiments, filters may be used to selectively filter the visible light, to selectively filter the IR illumination, and/or to selectively filter both the visible light and the IR illumination.

[0163] In one embodiment according to the present invention a LiFi or VLC capability is included with the laser based visible and IR illumination source. In one example, the LiFi capability could be configured to transmit data to a target subject in its field of view once a certain detection or sensor stimulus was triggered. The data could be targeted based on IR sensor input or other sensor input such as a visible/lR camera. In another example, the LiFi or VLC function is used to transmit data to the user or another individual. In one example, the data being transmitted is the IR or visible imagery data acquired by the apparatus. Of course, there can be other applications and examples of the present invention that includes a LiFi or VLC capability.

[0164] In one embodiment according to the present invention a spatial sensing system that uses the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode and/or an included IR emitting laser diode is configured with the laser based visible and IR illumination source. In one example, the spatial sensing capability could be configured as a depth detector using a time of flight calculation. See U.S. Application No. 15/841,053, filed December 13, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0165] In some embodiments, the invention may be applicable as a visible light communication transceiver for bi-directional communication. Optionally, the transceiver also contains a detector including a photodiode, avalanche photodiode, photomultiplier tube or other means of converting a light signal to electrical energy. The detector is connected to the modem. In this embodiment the modem is also capable of decoding detected light signals into binary data and relaying that data to a control system such as a computer, cellphone, wrist-watch, or other electronic device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a smart white light-source to be used on automotive vehicles for illumination of the exterior environment of the vehicle. An exemplary usage would be as a parking light, headlight, fog-light, signal-light or spot-light. In an embodiment, a lighting apparatus is provided including a housing having an aperture. Additionally, the lighting apparatus includes one or more pump light sources including one or more blue lasers or blue SLED sources. The individual blue lasers or SLEDs have an emission spectrum with center wavelength within the range 400 to 480 nm. The one or more of the pump light sources emitting in the blue range of wavelengths illuminates a wavelength converting element which absorbs part of the pump light and reemits a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light. Each pump light source is configured such that both light from the wavelength converting element and light directly emitted from the one or more light sources being combined as a white light spectrum. The lighting apparatus further includes optical elements for focusing and collimating the white light and shaping the white light spot

[0167] In this smart lighting apparatus, each pump light source is independently addressable, and is controlled by a laser driver module configured to generate pulse-modulated light signal at a frequency range of between 10 MHz and 100 GHz. The laser driver includes an input interface for receiving digital or analog signals from sensors and electronic controllers in order to control the modulation of the pump laser sources for the transmission of data. The lighting apparatus can transmit data about the vehicle or fixture to which it is attached via the modulation of the blue or violet lasers or SLED sources to other vehicles which have appropriately configured VLC receivers. For example, the white light source could illuminate oncoming vehicles. Optionally, it could illuminate from behind or sides vehicles travelling in the same direction. As an example, the lighting apparatus could illuminate VLC-receiver enabled road signs, road markings, and traffic signals, as well as dedicated VLC receivers installed on or near the highway. The lighting apparatus would then broadcast information to the receiving vehicles and infrastructure about the broadcasting vehicle. Optionally, the lighting apparatus could transmit information on the vehicle’s location, speed and heading as well as, in the case of autonomous or semiautonomous vehicles, information about the vehicle’s destination or route for purposes of efficiently scheduling signal light changes or coordinating cooperative behavior, such as convoying, between autonomous vehicles.

[0168] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a communication device which can be intuitively aimed. An example use of the communication device would be for creation of temporary networks with high bandwidth in remote areas such as across a canyon, in a ravine, between mountain peaks, between buildings separated by a large distance and under water. In these locations, distances may be too large for a standard wireless network or, as in the case of being under water, radio frequency communications may be challenging due to the absorption of radio waves by water. The driver module includes an input interface for receiving digital or analog signals from sensors and electronic controllers in order to control the modulation of the laser sources for the transmission of data.

[0169] The communication device includes one or more optical detectors to act as VLC- receivers and one or more band-pass filters for differentiating between two or more of the laser or SLED sources. Optionally, a VLC-receiver may detect VLC signals using multiple avalanche photodiodes capable of measuring pulse-modulated light signals at a frequency range of about 50 MHz to 100 GHz. Optionally, the communication device contains one or more optical elements, such as mirrors or lenses to focus and collimate the light into a beam with a divergence of less than 5 degrees in a less preferred case and less than 2 degrees in a most preferred case. Two such apparatuses would yield a spot size of between roughly 3 and 10 meters in diameter at a distance of 100 to 300 meters, respectively, and the focused white light spot would enable operators to aim the VLC-transceivers at each other even over long distances simply by illuminating their counterpart as if with a search light.

[0170] In some embodiments, the communication device disclosed in the present invention can be applied as flash sources such as camera flashes that carrying data information. Data could be transmitted through the flash to convey information about the image taken. For example, an individual may take a picture in a venue using a camera phone configured with a VLC-enabled solid-state light-source in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The phone transmits a reference number to VLC-receivers installed in the bar, with the reference number providing a method for identifying images on social media websites taken at a particular time and venue.

[0171] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes a housing having an aperture. The apparatus also includes an input interface for receiving one or more frames of images. The apparatus includes a video processing module. Additionally, the apparatus includes one or more blue laser or blue SLED sources disposed in the housing. The individual blue lasers or SLEDs have an emission spectrum with center wavelength within the range 400 to 480nm. One or more of the light sources emitting in the blue range of wavelengths illuminates a wavelength converting element which absorbs part of the pump light and reemits a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light. The light source is configured such that both light from the wavelength converting element and the plurality of light sources are emitted as a white light spectrum.

[0172] Fiber scanner has certain performance advantages and disadvantages over scanning mirror as the beam steering optical element in the dynamic light source. Scanning mirror appears to have significantly more advantages for display and imaging applications. For example, the scanning frequency can be achieved much higher for scanning mirror than for fiber scanner. Mirror scanner may raster at near 1000 kHz with higher resolution (<1 pm) but without 2D scanning limitation while fiber scanner may only scan at up to 50 kHz with 2D scanning limitation. Additionally, mirror scanner can handle much higher light intensity than fiber scanner. Mirror scanner is easier to be physically set up with light optimization for white light or RGB light and incorporated with photodetector for image, and is less sensitive to shock and vibration than fiber scanner. Since light beam itself is directly scanned in mirror scanner, no collimation loss, AR loss, and turns limitation exist, unlike the fiber itself is scanned in fiber scanner which carries certain collimation loss and AR loss over curved surfaces. Of course, fiber scanner indeed is advantageous in providing much larger angular displacement (near 80 degrees) over that (about +/- 20 degrees) provided by mirror scanner.

[0173] This white light or multi-colored dynamic image projection technology according to this invention enables smart lighting benefits to the users or observers. This embodiment of the present invention is configured for the laser-based light source to communicate with users, items, or objects in two different methods wherein the first is through VLC technology such as LiFi that uses high-speed analog or digital modulation of an electromagnetic carrier wave within the system, and the second is by the dynamic spatial patterning of the light to create visual signage and messages for the viewers to see. These two methods of data communication can be used separately to perform two distinct communication functions such as in a coffee shop or office setting where the VLC/LiFi function provides data to users’ smart phones and computers to assist in their work or internet exploration while the projected signage or dynamic light function communicates information such as menus, lists, directions, or preferential lighting to inform, assist, or enhance users experience in their venue. [0174] In another aspect the present invention provides a dynamic light source or “light- engine” that can function as a white light source for general lighting applications with tunable colors.

[0175] In an embodiment, the light-engine consists of two or more lasers or SLED light sources. This embodiment is advantageous in that for many phosphors in order to achieve a particular color point, there will be a significant gap between the wavelength of the laser light source and the shortest wavelength of the spectrum emitted by the phosphor. By including multiple blue lasers of significantly different wavelengths, this gap can be filled, resulting in a similar color point with improved color rendering.

[0176] In an embodiment, the green and red laser light beams are incident on the wavelength converting element in a transmission mode and are scattered by the wavelength converting element In this embodiment the red and green laser light is not strongly absorbed by the wavelength converting element.

[0177] In and embodiment, the wavelength converting element consists of a plurality of regions comprised of varying composition or color conversion properties. For example, the wavelength converting element may be comprised by a plurality of regions of alternating compositions of phosphor. One composition absorbs blue or violet laser light in the range of wavelengths of 385 to 450 ran and converts it to a longer wavelength of blue light in the wavelength range of 430 nm to 480 nm. A second composition absorbs blue or violet laser light and converts it to green light in the range of wavelengths of 480-550 nm. A third composition absorbs blue or violet laser light and converts it to red light in the range of wavelengths of 550 to 670 nm. Between the laser light source and the wavelength converting element is a beam steering mechanism such as a MEMS mirror, rotating polygonal minor, minor galvanometer, or the like. The beam steering element scans a violet or blue laser spot across the anay of regions on the wavelength converting element and the intensity of the laser is synced to the position of the spot on the wavelength converting element such that red, green and blue light emitted or scattered by the wavelength converting element can be varied across the area of the wavelength converting element. [0178] In another embodiment, the plurality of wavelength converting regions comprising the wavelength converting element are composed of an array of semiconductor elements such as InGaN, GaN single or multi-quantum wells for the production of blue or green light and single and multi-quantum-well structures composed of various compositions of AlInGaAsP for production of yellow red light or infrared light, although this is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other alternative semiconductor materials or light-converting structures.

[0179] In another embodiment, the plurality of wavelength converting regions comprising the wavelength converting element are composed of an array of semiconductor elements such as InGaN GaN quantum dots for the production of blue, red or green light and quantum dots composed of various compositions of AlInGaAsP for production of yellow and red light, although this is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other alternative semiconductor materials or light- converting structures.

[0180] Optionally, sensors used in the smart-lighting system may include sensors measuring atmospheric and environmental conditions such as pressure sensors, thermocouples, thermistors, resistance thermometers, chronometers or real-time clocks , humidity sensor, ambient light meters, pH sensors, infra-red thermometers, dissolved oxygen meters, magnetometers and hall- effect sensors, colorimeters, soil moister sensors, and microphones among others.

[0181] Optionally, sensors used in the smart-lighting system may include sensors for measuring non-visible light and electromagnetic radiation such as UV light sensors, infra-red light sensors, infra-red cameras, infra-red motion detectors, RFID sensors, and infra-red proximity sensors among others.

[0182] Optionally, sensors used in the smart-lighting system may include sensors for measuring forces such as strain gages, load cells, force sensitive resistors and piezoelectric transducers among others.

[0183] Optionally, sensors used in the smart-lighting system may include sensors for measuring aspects of living organisms such as fingerprint scanner, pulse oximeter, heart-rate monitors, electrocardiography sensors, electroencephalography sensors and electromyography sensors among others.

[0184] In one example of the smart-lighting system, it includes a dynamic light source configured in a feedback loop with a sensor, for example, a motion sensor, being provided. The dynamic light source is configured to illuminate specific locations by steering the output of the white light beam in the direction of detected motion. In another example of a dynamic light feature including a feedback loop with a sensor, an accelerometer is provided. The accelerometer is configured to measure the direction of motion of the light source. The system then steers the output beam towards the direction of motion. Such a system could be used as, for example, a flashlight or hand-held spot-light or head-mount security light. Of course, these are merely examples of implementations of dynamic light sources with feedback loops including sensors. There can be many other implementations of this invention concept that includes combining dynamic light sources with sensors.

[0185] According to an embedment, the present invention provides a dynamic laser-based light source or light projection apparatus that is spatially tunable. The apparatus includes a housing with an aperture to hold a light source having an input interface for receiving a signal to activate the dynamic feature of the light source. Optionally, the apparatus can include a video or signal processing module. Additionally, the apparatus includes a laser source disposed in the housing with an aperture. The laser source includes one or more of a violet laser diode or blue laser diode. The dynamic light source features output comprised from the laser diode light spectrum and a phosphor emission excited by the output beam of a laser diode. The violet or blue laser diode is fabricated on a polar, nonpolar, or semipolar oriented Ga- containing substrate. The apparatus can include mirror galvanometer or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanning mirror, or “flying mirror”, configured to project the laser light or laser pumped phosphor white light to a specific location in the outside world. By rastering the laser beam using the MEMS mirror a pixel in two dimensions can be formed to create a pattern or image. The apparatus can also include an actuator for dynamically orienting the apparatus to project the laser light or laser pumped phosphor white light to a specific location in the outside world. [0186] Optionally, the quality of the light emitted by the white light source may be adjusted based on input from one or more sensors. Qualities of the light that can be adjusted in response to a signal include but are not limited to: the total luminous flux of the light source, the relative fraction of long and short wavelength blue light as controlled by adjusting relative intensities of more than one blue laser sources characterized by different center wavelengths and the color point of the white light source by adjusting the relative intensities of red and green laser sources. Such dynamic adjustments of light quality may improve productivity and health of workers by matching light quality to work conditions.

[0187] Optionally, the quality of the white light emitted by the white light source is adj usted based on input from sensors detecting the number of individuals in a room. Such sensors may include motion sensors such as infra-red motion sensors, microphones, video cameras, radiofrequency identification (RFID) receivers monitoring RFID enabled badges on individuals, among others.

[0188] Optionally, the color point of the spectrum emitted by the white light source is adjusted by dynamically adjusting the intensities of the blue “pump” laser sources relative to the intensities of the green and red sources. The total luminous flux of the light source and the relative proportions are controlled by input from a chronometer, temperature sensor and ambient light sensor measuring to adjust the color point to match the apparent color of the sun during daylight hours and to adjust the brightness of the light source to compensate for changes in ambient light intensity during daylight hours. The ambient light sensor would either be configured by its position or orientation to measure input predominantly from windows, or it would measure ambient light during short periods when the light source output is reduced or halted, with the measurement period being too short for human eyes to notice.

[0189] Optionally, the color point of the spectrum emitted by the white light source is adjusted by dynamically adjusting the intensities of the blue “pump” laser sources relative to the intensities of the green and red sources. The total luminous flux of the light source and the relative proportions are controlled by input from a chronometer, temperature sensor and ambient light sensor measuring to adjust the color point to compensate for deficiencies in the ambient environmental lighting. For example, the white light source may automatically adjust total luminous flux to compensate for a reduction in ambient light from the sun due to cloudy skies. In another example, the white light source may add an excess of blue light to the emitted spectrum to compensate for reduced sunlight on cloudy days. The ambient light sensor would either be configured by its position or orientation to measure input predominantly from windows, or it would measure ambient light during short periods when the light source output is reduced or halted, with the measurement period being too short for human eyes to notice.

[0190] In a specific embodiment, the white light source contains a plurality of blue laser devices emitting spectra with different center wavelengths spanning a range from 420 nm to 470 nm. For example, the source may contain three blue laser devices emitting at approximately 420, 440 and 460 nm. In another example, the source may contain five blue laser devices emitting at approximately 420, 440, 450, 460 and 470 nm. The total luminous flux of the light source and the relative fraction of long and short wavelength blue light is controlled by input from a chronometer and ambient light sensor such that the emitted white light spectra contains a larger fraction of intermediate wavelength blue light between 440 and 470 nm during the morning or during overcast days in order to promote a healthy circadian rhythm and promote a productive work environment. The ambient light sensor would either be configured by its position or orientation to measure input predominantly from windows, or it would measure ambient light during short periods when the light source output is reduced or halted, with the measurement period being too short for human eyes to notice.

[0191] Optionally, the white light source would be provided with a VLC-receiver such that a plurality of such white light sources could form a VLC mesh network. Such a network would enable the white light sources to broadcast measurements from various sensors. In an example, a VLC mesh-network comprised of VLC-enabled white light sources could monitor ambient light conditions using photo sensors and room occupancy using motion detectors throughout a workspace or building as well as coordinate measurement of ambient light intensity such that adjacent light sources do not interfere with these measurements. In an example, such fixtures could monitor local temperatures using temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermistors among others. [0192] In an embodiment, the white light source is provided with a computer-controlled video camera. The white light source contains a plurality of blue laser devices emitting spectra with different center wavelengths spanning a range from 420 nm to 470 nm. For example, the white light source may contain three blue laser devices emitting at approximately 420, 440 and 460 nm. In another example, the white light source may contain five blue laser devices emitting at approximately 420, 440, 450, 460 and 470 nm. The total luminous flux of the white light source and the relative fraction of long and short wavelength blue light is controlled by input from facial recognition and machine learning based algorithms that are utilized by the computer control to determine qualities of individuals occupying the room. In an example, number of occupants is measured. In another example, occupants may be categorized by type, sex, size, and color of clothing among other differentiable physical features. In another example, mood and activity level of occupants may be quantified by the amount and types of motion of occupants.

[0193] Figure 12A shows a functional block diagram for a basic laser-based VLC-enabled laser light source or “light engine” that can function as a white light source for general lighting and display applications and also as a transmitter for visible light communication such as LiFi. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. Referring to Figure 12A, the white light source includes three subsystems. The first subsystem is the light emitter 1509, which consists of either a single laser device or a plurality of laser devices (1503, 1504, 1505 and 1506). The laser devices are configured such that the laser light from each laser device is incident on a wavelength converting element 1507 such as a phosphor which absorbs part or the entirety of the laser light from one or more laser devices and converts it into a broader spectrum of lower energy photons. The second subsystem is the control unit 1510, which includes at least a laser driver 1502 and a VLC modem 1501. The laser driver 1502 powers and modulates the all laser devices (1503, 1504, 1505 and 1506) to enable them for visible light communications. Optionally, the laser driver 1502 at least can drive one laser device independently of the rest. The VLC modem 1501 is configured to receive digitally encoded data from one or more data sources (wired or wirelessly) and convert the digitally encoded data into analog signals which determine the output of the laser driver 1502. The modulation of the laser light by the laser driver based on the encoded data can be either digital, with the emitted power of the laser being varied between two or more discrete levels, or it can be based on the variation of the laser intensity with a time-varying pattern where data is encoded in the signal by way of changes in the amplitude, frequency, phase, phase-shift between two or more sinusoidal variations that are summed together, and the like.

[0194] In an example, as used herein, the term “modem” refers to a communication device. The device can also include a variety of other data receiving and transferring devices for wireless, wired, cable, or optical communication links, and any combination thereof. In an example, the device can include a receiver with a transmitter, or a transceiver, with suitable filters, and analog front ends. In an example, the device can be coupled to a wireless network such as a meshed network, including Zigbee, Zeewave, and others. IN an example, the wireless network can be based upon a 802.11 wireless standard or equivalents. In an example, the wireless device can also interface to telecommunication networks, such as 3G, LTE, 5G, and others. In an example, the device can interface into a physical layer such as Ethernet or others. The device can also interface with an optical communication including a laser coupled to a drive device, or a am amplifier. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

[0195] In some preferred embodiments the output of the laser driver is configured for a digital signal. The third subsystem is an optional beam shaper 1508. The light emitted from the wavelength converting element 1507 (which absorbed the incident laser light) as well as unabsorbed, scattered laser light passes through the beam shaper 1508 which directs, collimates, focuses or otherwise modifies the angular distribution of the light. After the beam shaper 1508 the light is formulated as a communication signal to propagate either through free- space or via a waveguide such as an optical fiber. The light engine, i.e., the laser-based white light source is provided as a VLC-enabled light source. Optionally, the beam shaper 1508 may be disposed prior to the light incident to the wavelength converting element 1507. Optionally, alternate beam shapers are disposed at optical paths both before and after the wavelength converting element 1507.

[0196] For a single laser-based VLC light source, this configuration offers the advantage that white light can be created from combination of a laser-pumped phosphor and the residual, unconverted blue light from the laser. When the laser is significantly scattered it will have a Lambertian distribution similar to the light emitted by the wavelength converting element, such that the projected spot of light has uniform color over angle and position as well as power of delivered laser light that scales proportionally to the white light intensity. For wavelength converting elements that do not strongly scatter laser light, the beam shaping element can be configured such that the pump and down converted are collected over similar areas and divergence angles resulting in a projected spot of light with uniform color over angle, color over position within the spot, as well as power of delivered laser light that scales proportionally to the white light intensity. This embedment is also advantageous when implemented in a configuration provided with multiple pump lasers in that it allows for the pump laser light from the plurality of lasers to be overlapped spatially on the wavelength converting element to form a spot of minimal size. This embodiment is also advantageous in that all lasers can be used to pump the wavelength converting element-assuming the lasers provided emit at wavelengths which are effective at pumping the wavelength converting element-such that power required from any one laser is low and thus allowing for either use of less-expensive lower-power lasers to achieve the same total white light output or allowing for under-driving of higher-power lasers to improve system reliability and lifetime.

[0197] Figure 12B shows another functional diagram for a basic laser-based VLC-enabled light source for general lighting and display applications and also as a transmitter for visible light communication. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. Referring to Figure 12B, the white light source includes three subsystems. The first subsystem is the light emitter 1530, which consists of a wavelength converting element 1527 and either a single laser device or a plurality of laser devices 1523, 1524, 1525 and 1526. The laser devices are configured such that the laser light from a subset of the laser devices 1523 and 1524 is partially or fully converted by the wavelength converting element 1527 into a broader spectrum of lower energy photons. Another subset of the laser devices 1525 and 1526 is not converted, though they may be incident on the wavelength converting element. The second subsystem is the control unit 1520 including at least a laser driver 1522 and a VLC modem 1521. The laser driver 1522 is configured to power and modulate the laser devices. Optionally, the laser driver 1522 is configured to driver at least one laser device independently of the rest among the plurality of laser devices (e.g., 1523, 1524, 1525 and 1526). The VLC modem 1521 is configured to couple (wired or wirelessly) with a digital data source and to convert digitally encoded data into analog signals which determine the output of the laser driver 1522. The third subsystem is an optional beam shaping optical element 1540. The light emitted from the wavelength converting element 1527 as well as unabsorbed, scattered laser light passes through the beam shaping optical element 1540 which directs, collimates, focuses or otherwise modifies the angular distribution of the light into a formulated visible light signal.

[0198] In some embodiments, additional beam shapers would be included between the laser diode members and the wavelength converter element to precondition the pump light beam before it is incident on the phosphor. For example, in a preferred embodiment the laser or SLED emission would be collimated prior to incidence with the wavelength converter such that the laser light excitation spot would have a specified and controlled size and location. The light signal then leaves the light engine and propagates either through free-space or via a waveguide such as an optical fiber. In an embodiment, the non-converted laser light is incident on the wavelength converting element 1527, however the non-converted laser light is efficiently scattered or reflected by the wavelength converting element 1527 such that less than 10% of the incident light is lost to absorption by the wavelength converting element 1527.

[0199] This embodiment has the advantage that one or more of the data transmitting lasers is not converted by the wavelength converting element. This could be because the one or more lasers are configured such that they are not incident on the element or because the lasers do not emit at a wavelength that is efficiently converted by the wavelength converting element. In some examples, the non-converted light might be cyan, green or red in color and may be used to improve the color rendering index of the white light spectrum while still providing a channel for the transmission of data. Because the light from these lasers is not converted by the wavelength converting element, lower power lasers can be used, which allows for lower device costs as well as enabling single lateral optical mode devices which have even narrower spectra than multi- mode lasers. Narrower laser spectra would allow for more efficient wavelength-division multiplexing in VLC light sources. [0200] Another advantage is that the lasers that bypass the wavelength converting element may be configured to allow for highly saturated spectra to be emitted from the VLC capable light source. For example, depending on the wavelength converting element material and configuration, it may not be possible to have a blue laser incident on the wavelength converting element that is not partially converted to longer wavelength light. This means that it would be impossible to use such a source to produce a highly saturated blue spectrum as there would always be a significant component of the emitted spectrum consisting of longer wavelength light. By having an additional blue laser source, which is not incident on the wavelength converting element, such a source could emit both a white light spectrum as well as a saturated blue spectrum. Addition of green and red emitting lasers would allow the light source to emit a white light spectrum by down conversion of a blue or violet pump laser as well as saturated, color- tunable spectra able to produce multiple spectra with color points ranging over a wide area of the color gamut.

[0201] Figure 13 A is a functional block diagram for a laser-based smart-lighting system according to some embodiments of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, the smarting-lighting system includes a laser-based dynamic white light source including a blue laser device 2005 emitting a spectrum with a center wavelength in the range of 380-480 nm. The system includes an optional beam shaping optical element 2006 provided for collimating, focusing or otherwise shaping the beam emitted by the laser device 2005. The laser light from the laser device 2005 is incident onto a wavelength converting element 2007. The system additionally includes an element 2008 for shaping and steering the white light out of the wavelength converting element 2007. One or more sensors, Sensorl 2002, Sensor22002, up to SensorN 2004, are provided with the digital or analog output of the sensor being received by the laser driver 2001 and a mechanism provided whereby the laser driver output is modulated by the input from the sensors.

[0202] Figure 13B is a functional diagram for a dynamic, laser-based smart-lighting system according to some embodiments of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, one or more laser devices 2106 are provided along with beam shaping optical elements 2107. The laser devices 2106 and beam shaping optical elements 2107 are configured such that the laser light is incident on a wavelength converting element 2108 that absorbs part or all laser light and emits a longer wavelength spectrum of light Beam shaping and steering elements 2110 are provided which collect light from the wavelength converting element 2008 along with remaining laser light and direct it out of the light source. The light source is provided with a laser driver 2005 that provides controlled current and voltage to the one or more laser devices 2006. The output of the laser driver 2105 is determined by the digital or analog output of a microcontroller (or other digital or analog control circuit) 2101. The light source is also provided with a steering element driver 2109 which controls the beam steering optical element 2110. The output of the steering element driver 2109 is determined by input from the control circuit. One or more sensors 2102, 2103 and 2104 are provided. A digital or analog output of the sensors is read by the microcontroller 2101 and then converted into a predetermined change or modulation of the output from the control circuit to the laser driver 2105 and steering element driver 2109 such that the output of the light source is dynamically controlled by the output of the sensors.

[0203] In some embodiments, the beam steering optical elements include a scanning mirror. In an example, among the one or more laser devices, at least one laser device emits a spectrum with a center wavelength in the range of 380-480 nm and acts as a violet or blue light source. The blue range of wavelengths illuminates the wavelength converting element which absorbs part of the pump light and reemits a broader spectrum of longer wavelength light. Both light from the wavelength converting element and the one or more laser devices are emitted as a white light. Optionally, a laser or SLED driver module is provided for dynamically controlling the one or more laser devices based on input from an external source to form a dynamic light source. For example, the laser driver module generates a drive current, with the drive current being adapted to drive one or more laser diodes, based on one or more signals. The dynamic light source has a scanning mirror and other optical elements for beam steering which collect the emitted white light spectrum, direct them towards the scanning mirror and either collimate or focus the light. A scanning mirror driver is provided which can dynamically control the scanning mirror based on input from an external source. For example, the scanning mirror driver generates either a drive current or a drive voltage, with the drive current or drive voltage adapted to drive the scanning mirror to a specific orientation or through a specific range of motion, based on one or more signals.

[0204] Figure 14A shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus comprising both a depth sensing system and laser based visible light source according to some embodiments of this invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. In general, this apparatus is a portable lighting device for depth sensing or range finding or LIDAR. Here it is referred as a depth sensing system for simplification only. Optionally, the portable lighting device can be configured to be a lighting device such as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc. As shown, the apparatus 2800 such as a mobile machine is comprised of at least one power source 2801 that serves as the energy source for both the laser light illumination system 2810 and the depth sensing system 2820. The laser light illumination system 2810 is comprised of a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode 2811 operating with a first electromagnetic radiation output in the blue wavelength region (420 to 485 ran) or the violet wavelength region (390 to 420 nm). The first output electromagnetic radiation is an incident beam onto a wavelength conversion member such as a phosphor material where at least a fraction of the first blue or violet peak wavelength is converted to a second peak wavelength to generate a white light as an output beam with a mixed first peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength. In some preferred embodiments the wavelength conversion member or phosphor material is operated in a reflection mode to produce the output beam relative to the incident beam. In other preferred embodiments the wavelength conversion member or phosphor material is operated in a transmission mode to produce the output beam relative to the incident beam. Once the white light is generated it is coupled through an optical member such as a collimating optic to shape the output beam.

[0205] The depth sensing system 2820 is comprised of a laser subsystem having at least a transmitter module 2822 containing a laser, wherein the transmitter 2822 is configured to generate and direct laser light pulses as one or more sensing light signals to the surrounding environment. The depth sensing system 2820 also includes a detection subsystem including at least a receiver module 2823, which functions to detect light signals upon returns of the one or more sensing light signals after reflection off the surrounding environment. Further the depth sensing system 2820 includes a processer 2821 to synchronize the transmitter 2822 and receiver 2823, process both the transmitted laser light pulses and reflected light signals, and perform time-of-flight calculations to determine the distances to all surrounding objects and generate a 3- dimensional map thereof.

[0206] The laser light illumination system 2810 can optionally be coupled to the depth sensing system 2820 through a signal processor and/or generator 2802 that is configured to control the laser light illumination system based on feedback or information provided from the depth sensing system 2820. In one example the depth sensing system 2820 detects an oncoming mobile object. To prevent glare to the oncoming object the processing unit 2802 adjusts the current to the laser light illumination system 2810 to dim or reduce the brightness of the laser light illumination system 2810 to prevent glare hazards. In an alternative example, the depth sensing system 2820 detects a moving object that the operator of the mobile machine may not be aware of and could prevent a safety hazard such as a collision hazard. In this case the processing unit 2802 generates a signal to the laser light illumination system 2810 to modify the light characteristic such as activating a spotlight function on the moving object to bring it to the operator’s attention. Additionally, the laser light illumination system 2810 could be a dynamic source with the ability to dynamically change the beam angle and/or the spatial pattem/location of the light output such that the moving object can be dynamically tracked with a spotlight.

[0207] In one example of the present embodiment, components of the laser-based lighting system 2810 and the depth sensing system 2820 could be housed within a common package as an integrated system 2800 or as separate systems. For example, the depth sensing system 2820 and laser-based lighting system 2810 could be housed within the headlamp of an automobile such as an autonomous vehicle. In another example the laser-based lighting system and depth sensing system could be contained in the lighting housing on a drone.

[0208] In one example, a laser based lighting system and a depth sensing system are provided on a mobile machine such as an autonomous vehicle or drone wherein the LIDAR system is used for scanning and navigation and the laser based lighting system is used for spotlighting objects or terrain to provide a communication or warning. In one preferred embodiment, the depth sensing function and illumination function are connected via a loop wherein the depth sensing result is acting as a sensor signal to feedback into dynamic laser-based illumination pattern. For example, if a range mapping is detected an animal on the side of the road, the laser illumination source could be configured to preferentially spotlight it. In another example, if an oncoming car is detected by the range mapping the laser-based illumination pattern can be configured to blank out or darken the beam on the oncoming traffic. Of course, there are many examples of how a dynamic illumination pattern and a dynamic depth scanning pattern can be used in conjunction for added functionality and safety in many applications including automotive, recreation, commercial, space and defense, etc.

[0209] Figure 14B is a simplified schematic diagram of a laser light illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to some embodiments of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. In general, this apparatus is a portable lighting device for depth sensing or range finding or LIDAR. Optionally, the portable lighting device can be configured to be a lighting device such as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc. As shown in the figure, the integrated system 2900 is configured with a power source 2901 to supply power to both the depth sensing system and the laser light illumination system. Optionally, separate or multiple power supplies 2901 could be used along with a controller 2902 including a processor and some drive electronics configured to receive power from the power supply 2901 and receive data or signals from receiver components 2931 of the depth sensing system. Based on external inputs 2990 such as user inputs or predetermined inputs to provide specified functionality and power supplied from the power supply 2901, the controller 2902 determines appropriate drive signals being sent to one or more gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes 2903. The drive signal is configured to drive the current and voltage characteristic of the laser diode 2903 to generate an appropriate intensity pattern from the laser diode to provide a first electromagnetic radiation characterized with a first peak wavelength such as a blue or violet peak wavelength. In one embodiment the drive signal is configured to generate both the appropriate pattern of laser light required in the laser illumination source with the desired brightness and luminous flux along with the laser emission for the depth sensing scan function with the desired sensing light signal or laser pulse for the depth sensing system to sense reflected light signal based on the sensing light signal and perform time-of-flight calculation based on both the sensing light signal and the reflected light signal. In an alternative embodiment an optical modulator could be included to separately encode a signal on the light for the depth sensing system or for the laser light illumination source.

[0210] As shown in the Figure 14B, the first electromagnetic radiation at the first peak wavelength from the laser diode 2903 is then split into two separate optical paths. The first optical path is incident on a wavelength conversion member 2911 (e.g., a phosphor) where at least a fraction of the first electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength is converted to a second electromagnetic radiation (emission from the excited phosphor) with a second peak wavelength. Optionally, the second peak wavelength is in yellow color range. In a preferred embodiment, the second electromagnetic radiation is mixed with a partial portion of the first electromagnetic radiation to produce an output electromagnetic radiation of the laser-based illumination system as a white light. The resulting output electromagnetic radiation is then conditioned with one or more beam shaping elements 2912 to provide a predetermined collimation, divergence, and pattern. Optionally, a beam steering element can be added to the laser-based illumination system to create a spatially dynamic illumination. In some embodiments an additional beam shaping element such as a collimating optic is used to collimate the laser light prior to incidence on the wavelength conversion member 2911. Additionally, optical fibers such as glass or polymer fibers or other waveguide elements can be used to transport the laser light from the laser diode 2903 to the wavelength conversion member 2911 to create a remotely pumper conversion.

[0211] According to Figure 14B, the second optical path directs the electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength to the depth sensing transmitter module 2921 where it can be combined with other transmitter components. In some embodiments a collimating optic such as a lens is used to collimate the laser light prior to entry in the transmitter module 2921 of the depth sensing system. Additionally, optical fibers such as glass or polymer fibers or other waveguide elements can be used to transport the laser light from the laser diode 2903 to the depth sensing transmitter module 2921. As described previously, an optical modulator could be included within this second optical path to generate an optical pulse or other optical signal as a sensing light signal required for the desired depth sensing function. Before exiting to the outside environment, the sensing light signal of the LIDAR system can be properly conditioned by transmission optics 2922 for depth sensing system with the appropriate divergence and direction to scan the sensing light signal over the desired target area of the surrounding environment. A map of the desired target area can be captured by the depth sensing system in various ways including scanning the sensing light signal using a dynamic scanner such as a MEMS scanning mirror, recording image using a microdisplay such as a DLP, or LCOS, and/or simply expanding or shaping the beam using basic optics 2932 such as lens, mirrors, and diffusing elements. Once all of the signal processing and beam conditioning are completed by the transmission optics 2922, the depth sensing light beam is projected externally to the target area where it reflects and scatters off of the various remote target objects in the surrounding environment and fractionally returns to the receiver module 2931 of the depth sensing system. The receiver module 2931 is comprised of some receiver optical components and a signal processor (such as analog-to-digital converter), a detection member 2932 such as a photodiode, a photodiode array, a CCD array, an antenna array, a scanning mirror or microdisplay coupled to a photodiode or other configured to detect reflected or scattered light signals from the remote target object and convert them to electrical signals. The electrical signals detected by the detection member 2932 are received by the receiver module 2931 and then used to calculate a time of flight for the transmitted and detected depth sensing signal such as a sensing light beam. Optionally, a spatial map of the remote target object can be generated by the signal processor associated with the receiver module 2931. The calculations or processing to determine the time of flight and the spatial map can be done directly in the receiver 2931. Alternatively, the spatial map generation is done in the separate processor unit 2902.

[0212] Of course there are many novel configurations of this embodiment can be realized. For example, the light source of the laser-based illumination system could be comprised of multiple gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes wherein one or more of the multiple laser diodes are used for the depth sensing scan function. In an example, the multiple gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes operating in a range of 390 nm to 550 nm are used in the depth sensing system for multi-wavelength (multi-spectral) or hyper-spectral depth sensing illumination scanning. Such wavelength diversity coupled with corresponding signal conditioning and detection can allow increased sensitivity and/or provide the depth sensing user with more information regarding the environmental landscape. In alternative embodiments other wavelength ranges could be generated from the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes such as ultra-violet, cyan, green, yellow, orange, or red. Additionally, any number of scanning, rastering, or imagine generating technologies can be included such as DLP, LCOS, and scanning fiber.

[0213] In an alternative embodiment, a laser based lighting system wherein the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode wavelength is used for depth sensing illumination is configured within a conventional depth sensing system making use of standard depth sensing wavelengths such as 905 nm, 1000 nm, 1064 nm, 1550 nm, or other. By combining the wavelengths such as a blue wavelength from a range of 390 nm to 480 nm from the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode with an infrared wavelength from a conventional depth sensing system can have an increased sensitivity or functionality. This increased sensitivity and functionality is achieved by using the separate wavelengths to sense different characteristics of the environment based or based on differential analysis in the return signals or echoes such as the amplitude, time of flight, or phase. In some embodiments, no gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes emitting at longer wavelength are used in the system including GaAs or InP based laser diodes.

[0214] In another embodiment, the laser light excitation beam that has been reflected and/or scattered from the wavelength conversion member in the laser light illumination system can be used for realizing the depth sensing function. In the embodiment, a beam splitter or similar component is eliminated to “pick off’ a part of the direct laser beam for depth sensing prior to exciting the wavelength converter member. For example, a violet to blue laser with a first wavelength in the range of 390 nm to 480 nm from a GaN-based laser diode excites a wavelength conversion member such as a phosphor to generate a longer second wavelength emission. In one example the second wavelength is a yellow-color emission that mixes with the remaining violet or blue-color emission from the GaN-based laser diode to make a white light emission. This white light emission, which could have a Lambertian pattern, is then collimated and coupled to a 1 or 2-dimensional scanner such as a scanning MEMS mirror. The scanning member of the scanner would then sweep the collimated beam of light amongst the environment and surroundings and serve as a depth sensing scan illumination member. The violet or blue first wavelength within the collimated white light beam sweeps across the environment and senses the returned (scatter/reflected) laser beam to calculate the distances from the scattering objects using a time of flight method, and hence generating a 3 -dimensional map.

[0215] In a common configuration of this embodiment the laser source and/or scanning member would be operated to generate a periodic short pulse of light or a modulated intensity scheme to enable synchronization of the transmitted and detected signal. The detector could be configured with a notch-pass filter designed to accept wavelengths only within a narrow band (i.e., 2-20nm or 20-1 OOnm) centered around the laser emission wavelength such as the violet or blue wavelength in the excitation source. Such a configuration would lend itself optimally to a spatially dynamic laser-based light embodiments described throughout this invention that combines a microdisplay such as a MEMS scanning mirror with the laser-based lighting/illumination technology.

[0216] Figure 14C is a simplified schematic diagram of an apparatus having a laser light illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to some alternative embodiments of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. In general, this apparatus is a portable lighting device for depth sensing or range finding or LIDAR Optionally, the apparatus can be configured as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 3000 is configured with a power source 3001 to supply power to both the depth-sensing system and an illumination system along with a processor and control unit 3002 configured to receive power from the power supply 3001 and data or signals from the receiver portion 3031 of the depth-sensing system. Based on external inputs 3090 such as user inputs or predetermined inputs to provide specified functionality and power supplied from the power supply 3001, the processor and control unit 3002 determines the appropriate driving signals based on the external inputs 3090 to drive one or more laser diodes 3003 including gallium and nitrogen containing blue laser diodes and IR-emitting laser diodes. The driving signals are configured to determine current and voltage characteristics of the laser diodes 3003 to generate the appropriate intensity patterns provided as electromagnetic radiation with a first peak wavelength such as a blue or violet or infrared peak wavelength. In one embodiment the driving signals are configured to generate both the appropriate patterns of laser light required in the laser illumination source with the desired brightness and luminous flux along with the laser emission for the depth-sensing scanning function with the desired signal or laser pulse for depth sensing and time-of-flight calculation. In an alternative embodiment, an optical modulator is included to separately encode a signal on the light for the depth-sensing system or for the light illumination source.

[0217] As shown in the Figure 14C, a primary electromagnetic radiation at the first peak wavelength from the laser diodes 3003 is directed as an incident light into a wavelength conversion member 3004. Optionally, the wavelength conversion member 3004 is a phosphor material which is excited to reemit light with a longer wavelength by the incident light of a certain wavelength. Thus, at least a fraction of the primary electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength is converted to a secondary electromagnetic emission with a second peak wavelength, such as a yellow peak wavelength. Optionally, a secondary electromagnetic emission with a second peak wavelength is combined or mixed by one or more beam shaping elements 3005 with at least a fraction of the electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength to produce a white light. Optionally, the white light as the combined emission includes at least a first peak wavelength in violet or blue range and a second peak wavelength in yellow range. Optionally, an infrared light emission including a third peak wavelength in Infrared wavelength range is provided separately. Additionally, the one or more beam shaping elements 3005 is configured to provide a predetermined collimation, divergence, and pattern for guiding the combined white light emissions or separately infrared light emission for both visible/lR illumination and depth sensing.

[0218] As seen in the FIG. 14C, at least a portion of the combined emission is outputted and shaped as a depth-sensing scanning emission. In an embodiment, the depth-sensing scanning emission generated by the one or more beam shaping elements 3005 includes a first sensing light signal with the first peak wavelength and a second sensing light signal with the second peak wavelength based on the received laser-based white light, or a third sensing light with the third peak wavelength in Infrared range. On the one hand, the depth-sensing scanning emission could be fed through a depth sensing transmission components 3021 for signal shaping, filtering, wavelength-dependent transmitting, beam steering (which could be active beam steering with a MEMS or other), etc. before a beam of the first sensing light signal and the second sensing light signal is projected via a depth-sensing signal transmission module 3022 into the environment for scanning over a remote area including the target objects and their surroundings. On the other hand, a remaining portion of the combined visible or IR emission is provided as a beam for illumination.

[0219] In an alterative embodiment, the white light outputted from the one or more beam shaping elements 3005 as a combined emission of a primary emission from the laser diode and a secondary emission from the wavelength conversion member 3004 are split into two optical pathways for separate conditioning and steering possibilities respectively with a first beam for the illumination system and a second beam for the depth-sensing system. In other embodiments, the depth-sensing system and the laser illumination system may follow the same optical pathway such that the illumination area and the 3D scanned area from the depth-sensing system are nearly the same.

[0220] In another alternative embodiment, the white light outputted from the one or more beam shaping elements 3005 is fed through a single optical pathway to a beam projector that includes the depth-sensing transmission components 3021, the depth-sensing signal transmission module 3022, the beam shaping optical components 3011, and the beam steering element 3012 for accomplishing multiple tasks of signal processing, filtering, beam shaping, collimating, projecting, amplifying, steering, scanning, modulating to generate the first sensing light signal with the first peak wavelength, the second sensing light signal with the second peak wavelength, and optionally the third sensing light signal with the third peak wavelength and the beam of white light and/or infrared light for illumination. Alternatively, the beam projector may contain a hybrid collimator to handle the combined emission. The hybrid collimator includes a center collimator configured to collimate a portion of the white light or IR light as a depth sensing light beam and an outer collimator configured to collimate a remaining portion of the white light or IR light as an illumination beam. In particular, the portion of the white light or IR light collimated as a depth sensing light beam includes a first sensing light signal with the first peak wavelength from primary laser diode 3003, a second sensing light signal with the second peak wavelength from the secondary emission of the wavelength conversion member 3004, and a third sensing light signal with the third peak wavelength in Infrared range provided from IR-emitting laser diode. The center collimator is configured to collimate beams of the first sensing light signal, the second sensing light signal, and/or the third sensing light signal to less than 1 or 2 degrees which is preferred for depth sensing light scanning and return light detection with a highly directional beam over one or more target objects and surrounding environment. The outer collimator is configured to collimate a beam of the white light or IR light to less than 15 degrees for simply illuminating the one or more target objects.

[0221] As described previously, the laser light illumination system integrated with a depthsensing system includes an optical modulator configured to generate a pulse signal required for the desired depth sensing function. The target depth-sensing or range mapping area can be captured in various ways by scanning the depth sensing light signals, or by simply expanding or shaping the highly collimated beam using basic optics such as lens, mirrors, and diffusing elements. The optical modulator is configured to provide a modulation signal with a first rate to drive the gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode to emit the first light with a first peak wavelength which is interrupted with a second rate, wherein the second rate is substantially synchronized with a delayed modulation rate of the second light of yellow color reemitted from the wavelength conversion member. The delayed modulation rate associated with the yellow pulse from the wavelength conversion member is correlated to the rate of excitation blue pulses from the laser diode. Under slow modulation rates the pulses may be more or less synchronized and this may not be an issue. But under fast modulation rate, e.g., GHz, there will be hundreds to thousands of blue pulses underneath one yellow pulse. The secondary yellow emission will look like background noise as it will essentially not turn-off. This could be overcome by including pulse interruptions in the excitation signal. These interruptions would set the bit length for the yellow color signal.

[0222] Once all of the signal transmission and beam conditioning is completed, a collimated depth sensing light beam including both the first sensing light signal and the second sensing light signal for the depth sensing system is projected externally to a designed projection area including various target objects and the surrounding environment. Optionally, the depth sensing light beam is provided in each scanning cycle as a series of light pulses having at least the first peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength. The first sensing light signal and the second sensing light signal are respectively reflected and scattered off the various target objects in the projection area. At least a fraction of the reflected/scattered light signal is received by a receiver module 3031 of the depth-sensing system. The receiver module 3031 is coupled to some optical receiving components 3032 including one or more optical detectors such as a photodiode, a photodiode array, a CCD array, an antenna array, a scanning mirror or microdisplay coupled to a photodiode or other to detect the reflected/scattered light signal and convert it to electrical signal. The receiver module 3031 further includes at least a signal processor to process the electrical signal into digital format and further to calculate a time of flight based on both the transmitted second sensing light signal and the detected signal in digital format. The time of flight information can be used to generate a spatial map or image of the target objects and their surroundings.

[0223] Optionally, the receiver module 3031 includes a first signal receiver configured to detect reflected signals of the first sensing light signal to generate a first image of the one or more target objects, a second signal receiver configured to detect reflected signals of the second sensing light signal to generate a second image of the one or more target objects. Optionally, the first image generated by the first signal receiver is synchronized with the second image generated by the second signal receiver to obtain a color-differential image of the one or more target objects. The difference in attenuation between blue color light and yellow color light can provide information about the environment including the air or other space the light signals are traveling through or the materials the light signals are reflecting from. Similarly, the difference in return- time for the blue color and yellow color signal light can provide information about the material the light is traveling through due to dispersion. Optionally, the calculations or processing to determine the time of flight and the spatial map or image of the target object/area can be done directly in the receiver module 3031 or alternatively in the processor and control unit 3002.

[0224] The benefits of the present example are many folds. As mentioned above, integration of depth-sensing systems with laser based smart lighting systems making use of micro-displays is a nice additional benefit of the smart light configuration that already requires a laser source and a scanning system. In this configuration the dynamic laser based light source is being used both for the lighting function and the depth-sensing or LIDAR function. By combining the depth-sensing and laser lighting function such as smart lighting into a common device, increased functionality, reduced cost, reduced size, and improved reliability can be achieved. These benefits are critically important in several advanced technology applications such as autonomous vehicles, aircraft, and marine craft, along with military, defense, automotive, commercial, and specialty application where size, weight, and styling are key design parameters, and cost is always important.

[0225] A key differentiation and benefit to the depth-sensing or LIDAR system described in these embodiments that employ one or more visible gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes is the reduced absorption in water compared to the more common infrared wavelengths used in depth sensing. As a result, under certain conditions these visible wavelengths will pass though moisture such as fog, rain, or bodies of water more freely than the infrared (IR) wavelengths allowing increased depth sensing sensitivity in operating environments containing water. Thus, even though some scattering phenomena go as the inverse 4th power of wavelength, water absorption is dramatically lower in the visible than the IR, resulting in higher efficiency performance in conditions where they may be water present, such as fog or rain. For example, using light at 450 nm compare to 905 nm, scattering increases by 16x, such that 6% of the light transmits. However, the water absorption at 905 nm is more than 100x that in the blue at 450 nm, resulting in more than 5 times higher signal. In one example, the blue wavelength from the laser excitation source provides improved visibility and safety for an autonomous vehicle operating in moist or wet conditions. The improved visibility in the damp conditions could enhance safety for the vehicle and passengers within the vehicle.

[0226] Figure 14D is a simplified schematic diagram of an apparatus having a combination of GaN containing laser and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. In general, this apparatus is a portable lighting device for depth sensing or range finding or LIDAR application. Optionally, the apparatus can be configured as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 3100 is configured with an internal power source 3101 to supply power to both the laser-based illumination system and a depth sensing system. Optionally, the internal power supply 3101 is a chargeable power source which can receive charged electrical power from external inputs 3190. For example, the external inputs 3190 include a charging port. Optionally, the internal power supply 3101 is a chargeable battery and the charging port is a USB-C port. In the embodiment, the apparatus 3100 includes a control unit 3102 including processor and drive electronics configured to receive power from the internal power supply 3101. The control unit 3102 is coupled to a GaN containing laser diode and an IR-emitting laser diode 3103, a wavelength converting member 3104, a beam shaping optics 3105, and optics 3110 for projecting visible/IR light depth sensing signal to support the visible/IR light illumination system of the apparatus 3100. At the same time, the control unit 3102 is coupled with the optics 3110 for projecting and receiving visible/IR light depth sensing signal to support the depth sensing system of the apparatus 3100.

[0227] Based on the external inputs 3190 the control unit 3102 determines the appropriate driving signals to drive one or more GaN containing laser diodes and/or IR-emitting laser diode 3103. Optionally, the driving signals are configured to determine current and voltage characteristics of each of the laser diodes 3103 to generate pulses of certain frequencies in the emitted laser light. For GaN containing laser diode, the laser emission has a first peak wavelength in a blue or violet spectrum range. For the IR-emitting laser diode, the laser emission has a third peak wavelength in infrared spectrum range. In one embodiment, the driving signals are configured to generate both spatially modulated laser pulses or timely modulated laser pulses with the desired brightness and luminous flux. The pulsed laser light is set a basis for generating depth sensing signals for performing scanning function and time-of-flight calculation. In an alternative embodiment, an optical modulator is included in the control unit 3102 to separately encode a pulsed laser signal for the depth-sensing system or a spatially-modulated light for the light illumination system.

[0228] As shown in the Figure 14D, a primary electromagnetic radiation at the first peak wavelength from the GaN containing laser diode 3103 is directed as an incident light into a wavelength conversion member 3104. Optionally, the wavelength conversion member 3104 is a phosphor material which is excited to reemit light with a second wavelength longer than the first peak wavelength. Thus, at least a fraction of the primary electromagnetic radiation with the first peak wavelength is converted to a secondary electromagnetic emission with a second peak wavelength. For example, the first peak wavelength is a blue wavelength and the second wavelength is a yellow wavelength. Optionally, the secondary electromagnetic emission with the second peak wavelength is combined or mixed by the wavelength converting member 3104 to produce a white light. In addition, a primary electromagnetic radiation at the third peak wavelength from the IR-emitting laser diode 3103 is also directed as an incident IR emission into the wavelength conversion member 3104. The wavelength conversion member 3104 includes a phosphor material that is configured to primarily pass and reemit the IR emission substantially with little absorption. Either one of the white light or the IR emission forms a beam outputted from the wavelength converting member 3104. Optionally, the beam carries the pulsed signals generated in the primary electromagnetic radiation with the first wavelength in blue or violet range or the third wavelength in infrared range.

[0229] In an embodiment, the beam of white-color light and/or infrared light generated by the beam shaping optics 3105 is provided within the apparatus 3100 to the optics 3110 for projecting the beam of white-color/IR light carrying pulsed signal for depth sensing. On the one hand, the optics 3110 includes one or more optical transmit elements configured to perform beam steering functions including scanning, focusing, deflecting, amplifying, projecting, and transmitting to guide at least a portion of the beam of white-color/IR light as a directional depth-sensing signal towards any target of interest in the field. Optionally, the optics for steering visible light beam is separate from optics for illuminating IR light beam. Optionally, either one or both the visible light beam and the IR light beam carries pulsed depth sensing signal to produce a single or double spectrum depth sensing detection. The apparatus 3100 is configured to use the optics 3110 to detect the pulsed light signals reflected back from the target of interest and feed back to the control unit 3102. Optionally, the control unit 3102 includes a processor configured to process the pulsed light signals transmitted out and recaptured after reflection from the target of interest, based on which a depth sensing result about the target can be deduced. Optionally, the optics 3110 includes one or more optical receive elements configured to perform the detection function. Optionally, the additional optical elements include sensor, filter, photo detector, photoresistor, etc. which can be installed within a same package of the optics 3110 for the one or more optical transmit elements. On the other hand, the optics 3110 includes one or more beam steering/projecting elements for guiding at least the remaining portion of the beam of white- color/IR light as a light source for illumination. Specially, this light source includes an IR illumination capability on top of the white-color light illumination. Optionally, the beam for illumination could be further shaped and collimated to a 3D angle of 15 degrees or less with enhanced directionality and reduced attenuation. Optionally, the beam white-color/IR light is additionally used to create a spatially dynamic illumination of the target of interest. Optionally, the laser light out of the GaN containing laser diode and IR-emitting laser diode that is modulated to carry pulsed signals can be used directly as a probe of a handheld LIDAR system.

[0230] Figure 14E is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and/or IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, the GaN containing laser and/or IR-emitting laser based illumination function integrated with a depth sensing function is provided in a portable lighting device 3150 which can be configured to be a handheld device, a spot light device, a bike light device, an accessory car light device, a drone light device, etc. In an embodiment, the portable lighting device 3150 is substantially the same as the apparatus 3100 shown in Figure 14D except that the beam shaping optics 3105 is integrated in optics 3106 for visible light shaping, projecting, and receiving sensing signal. Optionally, the beam shaping optics that is coupled to the wavelength converter member 3104 in the Figure 14D is also configured to have a beam shaping optics that could both project the visible light for illumination and transmitting the light carrying the depth sensing signal to target of interest. Optionally, the optics 3106 for visible light shaping, projecting, and receiving sensing signal is controlled by the control unit 3102 with a drive electronics to perform the projecting function. Optionally, the optics 3106 for visible light shaping, projecting, and receiving sensing signal is configured to receive or detect returned sensing signals (from the target of interest) and send the detected sensing signals back to the control unit 3102. The control unit 3102 includes processor configured to handle both the transmitted sensing signals and returned sensing signals for completing depth sensing process. Optionally, the control unit 3012 is able to provide depth sensing results to a data port for exporting or a display interface of the portable lighting device 3150. Optionally, the portable lighting device 3150 includes a separate beam shaping unit for projecting IR light beam for IR illumination and additionally IR detection unit for an alternative depth sensing in addition to the depth sensing using visible light. [0231] Figure 14F is a simplified schematic diagram of a combination of GaN containing laser light and/or IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a depth sensing system according to still another alternative embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the clams. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, the GaN containing laser and/or IR-emitting laser based illumination function integrated with a depth sensing function is provided in a portable lighting device 3160 which can be configured to be a handheld device, a spot light device, a bike light device, an accessory car light device, a drone light device, etc. In an embodiment, the portable lighting device 3160 is substantially the same as the apparatus 3150 shown in Figure 14E except that the optics 3107 for visible light shaping and projecting sensing signal is separated from the optics 3108 for receiving returned sensing signal. Optionally, the optics 3107 for visible light shaping and projecting sensing signal is coupled to the wavelength converter member 3104 to receive visible (white-color) light beam and process it under control of the control unit 3102 to shape and project the visible light beam for illumination. Optionally, the same optics 3107 is also controlled by the control unit 3102 with a drive electronics configured to perform the projecting or scanning function to transmit the visible light beam carrying the depth sensing signal to a target of interest in the field. Optionally, the optics 3108 for receiving returned sensing signal is configured to receive or detect returned sensing signals (from the target of interest) and send the detected sensing signals back to the control unit 3102. The control unit 3102 includes processor configured to handle both the transmitted sensing signals and returned sensing signals for completing depth sensing process. Optionally, the control unit 3012 is able to provide depth sensing results to a data port for exporting or a display interface of the portable lighting device 3160. Optionally, the portable lighting device 3160 includes a separate beam shaping unit for projecting IR light beam for IR illumination and additionally IR detection unit for an alternative depth sensing in addition to the depth sensing using visible light.

[0232] Figure 14G is a simplified schematic diagram of an apparatus having a combination of GaN containing laser and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a data communication system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. In general, this apparatus is a portable lighting device for visible/TR light data communication. Optionally, the apparatus can be a portable communication device such as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light source configured with visible/IR light communication for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc. In general, the portable communication device includes every components in one compact housing with internal power supply disposed therein and one or more control switches and input ports configured at surface of the compact housing. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 3200 is configured with an internal power source 3201 to supply power to both the laser-based illumination system and a data communication system. Optionally, the internal power supply 3201 is a chargeable power source which can receive charged electrical power from external inputs 3290. For example, the external inputs 3290 include a charging port connected to any residential or commercial electric-power socket. Optionally, the internal power supply 3201 is a compact chargeable battery and the charging port is a USB-C port.

[0233] In the embodiment, the apparatus 3200 further includes a wavelength converting member 3204 configured to be integrated with the laser device in a surface mount device (SMD) package with a common support member. The wavelength converting member 3204 is configured with a phosphor material to receive the laser light emission with the first wavelength. The phosphor material contains proper chemical ingredients that absorb the laser light emission with the first wavelength and re-emit a phosphor emission with a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength. Optionally, the phosphor emission is mixed partially with the laser light emission (either the incident part or scattered part) to produce a white-color light beam. In an embodiment, the wavelength converting member 3204 is configured with the phosphor material which is also configured to substantially pass the IR emission with little absorption so that the IR emission is outputted from the wavelength converting member without major power loss and wavelength change. Optionally, either a white-color beam or an IR emission beam or a combination of both are outputted from the SMD package. Optionally, the white-color/IR emission beam carries data signals that are generated by modulation performed in the control unit 3202. Optionally, the same optics 3210 also includes an optical transmitting device configured to transmit light signal carrying the modulated data therein. The modulated data carried in the white-color/IR light emission come from the laser light modulated by the control unit 3202 based on input data. Optionally, the white-color/IR light emission transmitted out by the optics 3210 is used to provide a visible/IR light communication based on one or more different modulation and transmission protocol including LiFi or internet connection.

[0234] Figure 14H is a simplified schematic diagram of an apparatus having a combination of GaN containing laser and IR-emitting laser illumination system integrated with a data communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the clams. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, the apparatus 3250 is an integrated lighting device with laser-based illumination and data communication functions. Optionally, the apparatus 3250 is substantially the same as the apparatus 3200 shown in FIG. 14G except that the beam shaping optics 3205 is fully absorbed in the optics 3210 for transmitting and receiving visible/IR light data communication signals. In the embodiment, the optics 3210 is configured to receive a white-color emission and/or an infrared emission from the wavelength converting member 3204 to form a light beam and project the light beam carrying communication data down to a field receiver. In some embodiments, the apparatus 3250 can be configured to a portable communication device such as flashlight, spotlight, outdoor security light source, wearable light source, bike/car mountable light source, or drone light source that is configured with a compact housing for performing visible/IR light communication function for recreation, defense, security, search, and rescue etc.

[0235] In a specific aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable lighting device that integrate a laser-based white light source with one or more functional units of IR illumination, depth-sensing, and light-communication in some embodiments. In particular, an example is shown below in Figure 15. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, this portable lighting device 2400 is provided with a compact housing 2410 in substantially cylinder shape, e.g., a flashlight-like module, with a front aperture 2472 to output one or more light beams as either an illumination light beam or a sensing light beam or a light beam carrying communication signals in a relative narrow 3D angle range. Optionally, the illumination light beam is a white light beam generated by a laser-based white light source. Optionally, the illumination light beam includes an infrared light beam generated by an IR-emitting laser diode. Optionally, either or both the white light and IR light can be employed as a sensing light beam or for visible/IR light communication.

[0236] Optionally, the compact housing 2410 is configured in a funnel shape, e.g., a spotlightlike module, with a front aperture 2472 to output one or more light beams as either an illumination light beam or a sensing light beam or a light beam carrying communication signals in a wide 3D angle range. Optionally, the compact housing 2410 is configured in various other shapes like box, cube, ball, half-dome, triangle pyramid for various security light settings.

[0237] In an embodiment, the portable lighting device 2400 includes a first pump-light device including a gallium and nitrogen (GaN) containing laser diode comprised with an optical cavity having an optical waveguide region and one or more facet regions in a surface-mount-device (SMD) package 2432 (e.g., as seen in Figures 8A, 8B, 9 A, 9B, 9C, 10A, and 10B). The portable lighting device 2400 further includes a first wavelength converter optically coupled to the pathway to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation from the first pump-light device.

[0238] Optionally, the portable lighting device 2400 includes a second wavelength converter made by a phosphor member configured for converting a fraction of the directional electromagnetic radiation from the first pump-light device to generate an IR emission in a second pathway with a third peak wavelength in infrared range of about 850 to 900nm or in a broader range between 760 nm and 3 pm. Optionally, the second wavelength converter is configured to transmit and/or scatter the infrared electromagnetic radiation with minimal absorption. Optionally, the first wavelength converter and the second wavelength converter are a same phosphor member configured with stacked or composite broadband wavelength-converting materials and the second pathway is substantially overlapping with the first pathway.

[0239] Optionally, the portable lighting device 2400 includes a second pump-light device including a red or near-IR emitting laser diode formed from a material operating in the red or IR wavelength region, such as a gallium and arsenic containing material or an indium and phosphorous containing material. The output electromagnetic emission from the second pump- light device is configured to preferentially excite an IR emitting phosphor member without substantially exciting the visible-light phosphor member. Optionally, the second pump-light device is formed in a same SMD package 2432 as the first pump-light device.

[0240] In the embodiment, the portable lighting device 2400 includes a portable power supply 2440 fully installed inside the compact housing 2410. A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 2450 is disposed in the compact housing 2410 to support a controller 2452 which includes one or more drivers. At least a driver is used to condition the power from the portable power supply 2440 to provide driving current/voltage to driver the first or the second pump-light devices in the SMD package 2432.

[0241] Optionally, the controller 2452 includes a modulator configured to modulate amplitude or phase of the light emitted from either or optionally both the first pump-light device and the second pump-light device to generate data stream. The modulated light carrying the data stream is transmitted out of the front aperture 2422 for visible/IR light communication with any receiver down in the field. Optionally, the data stream is based on data input through an input port 2464 which is connected to the modulator in controller 2452 disposed on the PCBA 2450.

[0242] Optionally, the controller 2452 includes a pulse generator to modulate the visible or IR laser emitted from the laser device formed in the SMD package 2432 and generate light pulses configured as sensing signals which are outputted through the front aperture 2422 of the compact housing 2410. The sensing signals are intended to be projected to certain target of interest from which a reflection of the sensing signals can be detected by one or more sensors 2434 installed inside the front aperture 2422. The sensors include photo diode, photoresistor, infrared sensor, camera, color sensor, voltage sensor, etc.. Optionally, the sensors 2434 are in a circuitry connected with controller 2452 which contains a processor to perform various calculation to yield detection results or generate feedback signals for controlling the driver for tuning emissions of the pump-light devices depending on specified sensing applications including depth sensing, ranging finding, field mapping, image capturing, motion sensing, identity verification, etc.

[0243] In some embodiments, the portable lighting device 2400 includes one or more optical elements 2424 disposed inside the compact housing 2410 near the front aperture 2422. The optical elements 2424 are generally referred to one or more beam shaping optical elements and one or more beam steering optical elements. Optionally, the portable lighting device 2400 also includes a proper sensor or detector 2434 like an IR camera disposed near the front aperture for capturing IR mapping image of the illuminated target of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the IR illumination and the white light illumination emission share at least a common beam shaping element such that the illumination areas of the white light and the IR electromagnetic radiation can be approximately super-imposed. In case that the portable lighting device 2400 is used as a depth-sensing device, the one or more optical elements 2424 may be configured to shape or focus or direct the beam of white light emission and/or the IR emission. At the same time, the one or more sensors or detectors 2434 for detecting reflected sensing signals should be disposed near the front aperture 2422 and the controller 2452 includes a processor connected to the sensors to receive the reflected sensing signals for deducing information like depth, topography, and target identification, etc.

[0244] In the embodiment, the portable lighting device 2410 includes one or more switches 2470 disposed on surface of the compact housing 2410 yet connected to the portable power supply 2440 to activate the GaN laser diode and IR-emitted laser diode for selecting white light or IR light illumination, sensing, or communication.

[0245] In another specific aspect, the present disclosure provides an attachable lighting module that can be mounted or integrated with a portable apparatus or mobile machine to perform visible-light/IR illumination, depth-sensing, and light-communication in some embodiments. Figure 16 is a simplified diagram of an attachable lighting module configured for visible- light/infrared light illumination, depth sensing, and communication according to some embodiments of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, the attachable lighting module 4010 is attached to a portable apparatus or mobile machine 4100 to form a mobile lighting machine 4000 for performing functions of visible-light/IR illumination, depth-sensing, and light- communication. Optionally, the attachable lighting module 4010 is based on a pump-light device having at least one gallium-and-nitrogen containing laser diode driven by at least a driver to emit a laser light in terms of a directional electromagnetic radiation having a first peak wavelength in blue or violet spectrum to at least an optical pathway and a wavelength converter configured to couple with the optical pathway to convert at least a fraction of the directional electromagnetic radiation to a phosphor emission with a second peak wavelength such as a yellow spectrum longer than the first wavelength. The phosphor emission combined with the laser light to generate a white-color emission. Optionally, the portable apparatus or mobile machine 4100 includes but not limited to a land-running automobile, a drone, a marine/submarine vehicle, an underwater tool, a flying car, an airplane, a helicopter, an ATV. Optionally, the attachable lighting module 4010 can be configured to be a flash-light type with a single projector or a light bar type with multiple projectors in a row (see FIG. 16). Commonly, the attachable lighting module 4010 is configured to draw power from the portable apparatus or mobile machine 4100, based on the power a driver in a control unit can drive the generation of the white-color emission.

[0246] As shown in FIG. 16, the attachable lighting module 4010 is configured to be a light bar configuration with an elongated housing 4001 and one or more attachment member 4020 configured to attach with the portable apparatus or mobile machine 4100. Optionally, the attachable lighting module 4010 can be made to be a built-in member within a custom-designed mobile lighting machine 4000. Optionally, the attachable lighting module 4010 itself is a mass- manufactured module that can be freely attached to a body of any portable apparatus or mobile machine 4100 to from the mobile lighting machine 4000.

[0247] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 16, the housing 4001 has a top cap member 4001 A lifted to show that a pump-light device 4004 is installed therein. Optionally, the pump-light device 4004 is configured with an optical cavity including optical waveguide region and one or more facet regions disposed on a common support member in a surface mount device (SMD) package. The pump-light device includes at least one gallium-and-nitrogen containing laser diode configured at the SMD package to output at least a directional electromagnetic radiation characterized by a first peak wavelength through at least one of the facet regions. Optionally, the pump-light device 4004 further includes at least an infrared-emitting laser diode configured at the same SMD package to output an infrared radiation directed through the at least pathway to the wavelength converter which substantially passes it with minimum absorption to emit an IR emission. [0248] In the embodiment, the housing 4001 also is configured to enclose at least a beam shaping unit 4005 configured to receive, direct/re-direct, focus, collimate, split the white-color emission or the IR emission that outputted from the wavelength converter associated with the pump-light device 4004. Optionally, the beam shaping unit 4005 can generate one or more beams to multiple outlets configured at a front aperture 4009 of the housing 4001. For example, there are eight outlets at the front aperture 4009 effectively configured to be eight independent sources. Optionally, the pump-light device 4004 includes one laser diode as it produces laser light which has much brighter luminance than typical LED so that the beam shaping unit 4005 can split one white-color emission to the eight outlets each with strong-enough luminance for performing illumination function. Optionally, the pump-light device 4004 includes multiple laser diodes. Optionally, the pump-light device 4004 includes two types of laser diodes such as GaN- based laser diode and Infrared laser diode to allow visible-light/IR-light dual illumination. For example, a white-color source head 4011 and an IR source head 4012 are provided to each outlet

[0249] In the embodiment, the attachable lighting module 4010 includes a beam steering unit 4015 configured with each outlet of the front aperture 4009 to project or transmit a beam of white-color emission or IR emission. Optionally, the beam steering unit 4015 includes one more optical elements for respectively projecting a beam of either white-color emission or IR emission for single wavelength illumination on target of interest. Optionally, the beam steering unit 4015 includes one more optical elements configured to project both a beam of white-color emission and a beam of IR emission to achieve dual- wavelength illumination.

[0250] In some embodiments, the control unit (not explicitly shown) enclosed in the housing 4001 of the attachable lighting module 4010 is configured to modulate the laser light emitted from the GaN-containing laser diode or Infrared-emitting laser diode to generate modulated signals. These modulated signals are carried by the white-color emission and/or IR emission directed to the front aperture 4009. A switch in the control unit can make a selection of activating either the white-color emission for visible-light illumination or the IR emission for infrared illumination.

[0251] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to generate pulsed signals from the laser light. The beam steering unit 4015 includes one or more optical transmitting elements configured to transmit a beam of the white-color emission and/or a beam of IR emission carrying the pulsed signals to a target of interest for depth sensing. Optionally, the attachable lighting module 4010 has multiple outlets at front aperture 4009, each of which is configured with one or more optical transmitting elements to transmit at least one beam carrying the pulsed signals. As shown in FIG. 16, the attachable lighting module 4010 further includes one or more detectors 4016 disposed near the front aperture 4009 for receiving returned pulsed signals. Optionally, each detector 4016 is disposed near an optical transmit element at a corresponding outlet of the front aperture 4009 and is configured to detect the returned pulsed signal from a corresponding target of interest The detector 4016 can feed back the detected signal to the control unit which is configured to deduce depth information based on both the transmitted pulsed signal and the returned pulsed signal. Optionally, the detector 4016 is configured with a single detection based on the white-color emission only. Optionally, the detector 4016 is configured with dual detections based on both the white-color emission and the IR emission. A switch in the control unit can make a selection of activating either the white-color emission or the IR emission for depth sensing.

[0252] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to generate phase or intensity modulation signals from the laser light to carrying communication data. The beam steering unit 4015 includes one or more optical transmitting elements configured to transmit a beam of the white-color emission and/or a beam of IR emission to deliver the communication data to a field receiver. Optionally, the control unit includes a switch (not explicitly shown) configured to either select to operate the GaN-containing laser diode to generate a beam of white-color emission for visible light communication or select to operate the infrared-emitting laser diode to generate a beam of IR emission for infrared light communication.

[0253] Applications for such portable lighting apparatus includes individually-executable operations like spotlighting, depth detection, range finding, IR imaging, projection display, spatially dynamic lighting, LIDAR, WiFi, LiFi, visible/IR light communication, general lighting, commercial lighting and display, internet connection, defense and security, search and rescue, industrial processing, internet communications, or agriculture or horticulture. In some embodiments, applications also can be applied to anywhere there is aesthetic, informational or artistic value in the color point, position or shape of a spotlight being dynamically controlled based on the input from one or more sensors. The primary advantage of the apparatus to such applications is that the apparatus may transition between several configurations, with each configuration providing optimal lighting for different possible contexts. Some example contexts that may require different quality of lighting include: general lighting, highlighting specific objects in a room, spot lighting that follows a moving person or object, lighting that changes color point to match time of day or exterior or ambient lighting, among others.

[0254] As an example use case, the apparatus could be used as a light source for illuminating works of art in a museum or art gallery. Motion sensors would trigger the change in the shape and intensity of the emitted spot of light from a spatial and color configuration intended for general lighting to a configuration that highlights in an ascetically pleasing way the work of art corresponding to the triggering motion sensor. Such a configuration would also be advantageous in stores, where the apparatus could provide general illumination until a triggering input causes it to preferentially illuminate one or more items for sale.

[0255] The apparatus would be advantageous in lighting applications where one needs to trigger transmission of information based on the input of sensors. As an exemplary application, one may utilize the apparatus as a car head-light Measurements from a LIDAR or image recognition system would detect the presence of other vehicles in front of the car and trigger the transmission of the cars location, heading and velocity to the other vehicles via VLC.

[0256] Applications include selective area VLC as to only transmit data to certain locations within a space or to a certain object which is determined by sensors - spatially selective WiFi/LiFi that can track the recipients location and continuously provide data. You could even do spacetime division multiplexing where convoluted data streams are sent to different users or objects sequentially through modulation of the beam steering device. This could provide for very secure end user data links that could track user’s location.

[0257] In an embodiment, the apparatus is provided with information about the location of a user based on input from sensors or other electronic systems for determining the location of individuals in the field of the view of the apparatus. The sensors might be motion detectors, digital cameras, ultrasonic range finders or even RF receivers that triangulate the position of people by detecting radio frequency emissions from their electronics. The apparatus provides visible light communication through the dynamically controllable white light spot, while also being able to control the size and location of the white light spot as well as raster the white light spot quickly enough to appear to form a wide spot of constant illumination. The determined location of a user with respect to the apparatus can be used to localize the VLC data transmission intended for a specific user to only in the region of the field of view occupied by the specific user. Such a configuration is advantageous because it provides a beam steering mechanism for multiple VLC transmitters to be used in a room with reduced interference. For example, two conventional LED-light bulb-based VLC transmitters placed adjacent to one another in a room would produce a region of high interference in the region of the room where the emitted power from both VLC transmitters incident on a user’s VLC receiver is similar or equal. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that when two such light sources are adjacent to one another the region containing VLC data transmission of the first apparatus is more likely to overlap a region from the second apparatus where no VLC data is being transmitted. Since DC offsets in received optical power are easy to filter out of VLC transmissions, this allows multiple VLC enabled light sources to be more closely packed while still providing high transmission rates to multiple users.

[0258] In some embodiments, the apparatus received information about where the user is from RF receivers. For example, a user may receive data using VLC but transmits it using a lower- bandwidth WiFi connection. Triangulation and beam-forming techniques can be used to pinpoint the location of the user within a room by analyzing the strength of the user’s WiFi transmission at multiple WiFi transmitter antennas.

[0259] In some embodiments, the user transmits data either by VLC or WiFi, and the location of the user is determined by measuring the intensity of the VLC signal from the apparatus at the user and then transmitting that data back to the apparatus via WiFi or VLC from the user’s VLC enabled device. This allows the apparatus to scan the room with a VLC communication spot and the time when a user detects maximum VLC signal is correlated to the spot position to aim the VLC beam at the user.

[0260] In an embodiment, the apparatus is attached to radio-controlled or autonomous unmanned aircraft. The unmanned aircraft could be drones, i.e. small-scale vehicles such as miniature helicopters, quad-copters or other multi-rotor or single-rotor vertical takeoff and landing craft, airplanes and the like that were not constructed to carry a pilot or other person. The unmanned aircraft could be full-scale aircraft retrofitted with radio-controls or autopilot systems. The unmanned aircraft could be a craft where lift is provided by buoyancy such as blimps, dirigibles, helium and hydrogen balloons and the like.

[0261] Addition ofVLC enabled, laser-based dynamic white-light sources to unmanned aircraft is a highly advantageous configuration for applications where targeted lighting must be provided to areas with little or no infrastructure. As an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the apparatuses are provided on an unmanned aircraft. Power for the apparatuses is provided through one or more means such as internal power from batteries, a generator, solar panels provided on the aircraft, wind turbines provided on the aircraft and the like or external power provided by tethers including power lines. Data transmission to the aircraft can be provided either by a dedicated wireless connection to the craft or via transmission lines contained within the tether. Such a configuration is advantageous for applications where lighting must be provided in areas with little or no infrastructure and where the lighting needs to be directional and where the ability to modify the direction of the lighting is important. The small size of the apparatus, combined with the ability of the apparatus to change the shape and size of the white light spot dynamically as well as the ability of the unmanned aircraft to alter its position either through remote control by a user or due to internal programming allow for one or more of these aircraft to provide lighting as well as VLC communications to a location without the need for installation of fixed infrastructure. Situations where this would be advantageous include but are not limited to construction and road-work sites, event sites where people will gather at night, stadiums, coliseums, parking lots, etc. By combining a highly directional light source on an unmanned aircraft, fewer light sources can be used to provide illumination for larger areas with less infrastructures. Such an apparatus could be combined with infra-red imaging and image recognition algorithms, which allow the unmanned aircraft to identify pedestrians or moving vehicles and selectively illuminate them and provide general lighting as well as network connectivity via VLC in their vicinity.

[0262] In some preferred embodiments the smart light source is used in Interet of Things (IoT), wherein the laser based smart light is used to communicate with objects such as household appliances (i.e., refrigerator, ovens, stove, etc.), lighting, heating and cooling systems, electronics, furniture such as couches, chairs, tables, beds, dressers, etc., irrigation systems, security systems, audio systems, video systems, etc. Clearly, the laser based smart lights can be configured to communicate with computers, smart phones, tablets, smart watches, augmented reality (AR) components, virtual reality (VR) components, games including game consoles, televisions, and any other electronic devices.

[0263] In some embodiments, the apparatus is used for augmented reality applications. One such application is as a light source that is able to provide a dynamic light source that can interact with augmented reality glasses or headsets to provide more information about the environment of the user. For example, the apparatus may be able to communicate with the augmented reality headset via visible light communication (LiFi) as well as rapidly scan a spot of light or project a pattern of light onto objects in the room. This dynamically adjusted pattern or spot of light would be adjusted too quickly for the human eye to perceive as an independent spot. The augmented reality head-set would contain cameras that image the light pattern as they are projected onto objects and infer information about the shape and positioning of objects in the room. The augmented reality system would then be able to provide images from the system display that are designed to better integrate with objects in the room and thus provide a more immersive experience for the user.

[0264] For spatially dynamic embodiments, the laser light or the resulting white light must be dynamically aimed. A MEMS mirror is the smallest and most versatile way to do this, but this text covers others such as DLP and LCOS that could be used. A rotating polygon mirror was common in the past, but requires a large system with motors and multiple mirrors to scan in two or more directions. In general, the scanning mirror will be coated to produce a highly reflective surface. Coatings may include metallic coatings such as silver, aluminum and gold among others. Silver and Aluminum are preferred metallic coatings due to their relatively high reflectivity across a broad range of wavelengths. Coatings may also include dichroic coatings consisting of layers of differing refractive index. Such coatings can provide exceptionally high reflectivity across relatively narrow wavelength ranges. By combining multiple dichroic film stacks targeting several wavelength ranges a broad spectrum reflective film can be formed. In some embodiments, both a dichroic film and a metal reflector are utilized. For example, an aluminum film may be deposited first on a mirror surface and then overlaid with a dichroic film that is highly reflective in the range of 650-750 nm. Since aluminum is less reflective at these wavelengths, the combined film stack will produce a surface with relatively constant reflectivity for all wavelengths in the visible spectrum. In an example, a scanning mirror is coated with a silver film. The silver film is overlaid with a dichroic film stack which is greater than 50% reflective in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm.

[0265] In some embodiments, the scanning mirror driver responds to input from motion sensors such as a gyroscope or an accelerometer. In an example embodiment, the white light source acts as a spot-light, providing a narrowly diverging beam of white light The scanning mirror driver responds to input from one or more accelerometers by angling the beam of light such that it leads the motion of the light source. In an example, the light source is used as a handheld flash-light. As the flash-light is swept in an arc the seaming mirror directs the output of the light source in a direction that is angled towards the direction of motion of the flash light. In an example embodiment, the white light source acts as a spot-light, providing a narrowly diverging beam of white light The seaming mirror driver responds to input from one or more accelerometers and gyroscopes by directing the beam such that it illuminates the same spot regardless of the position of the light source. An application for such a device would be selfaiming spot-lights on vehicles such as helicopters or automobiles.

[0266] In an embodiment, the dynamic white light source could be used to provide dynamic head-lights for automobiles. Shape, intensity, and color point of the projected beam are modified depending on inputs from various sensors in the vehicle. In an example, a speedometer is used to determine the vehicle speed while in motion. Above a critical threshold speed, the headlamp projected beam brightness and shape are altered to emphasize illumination at distances that increase with increasing speed. In another example, sensors are used to detect the presence of street signs or pedestrians adjacent to the path of travel of the vehicle. Such sensor may include: forward looking infra-red, infra-red cameras, CCD cameras, cameras, Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems, and ultrasonic rangefinders among others.

[0267] In an example, sensors are used to detect the presence of front, rear or side windows on nearby vehicles. Shape, intensity, and color point of the projected beam are modified to reduce how much of the headlight beam shines on passengers and operators of other vehicles. Such glare-reducing technology would be advantageous in night-time applications where compromises must be made between placement of lamps on vehicles optimized for how well an area is illuminated and placement of the beam to improve safety of other drivers by reducing glare.

[0268] At present, the high and low beams are used with headlights and the driver has to switch manually between them with all known disadvantages. The headlight horizontal swivel is used in some vehicles, but it is currently implemented with the mechanical rotation of the whole assembly. Based on the dynamic light source disclosed in this invention, it is possible to move the beam gradually and automatically from the high beam to low beam based on simple sensor(s) sensitive to the distance of the approaching vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist or obstacle. The feedback from such sensors would move the beam automatically to maintain the best visibility and at the same time prevent blinding of the driver going in the opposite direction. With 2D scanners and the simple sensors, the scanned laser-based headlights with horizontal and vertical scanning capability can be implemented.

[0269] Optionally, the distance to the incoming vehicles, obstacles, etc. or level of fog can be sensed by a number of ways. The sensors could include the simple cameras, including infrared one for sensing in dark, optical distance sensors, simple radars, light scattering sensor, etc. The distance would provide the signal for the vertical beam positioning, thus resulting in the optimum beam height that provides best visibility and does not blind drivers of the incoming vehicles.

[0270] In an alterative embodiment, the dynamic white light source could be used to provide dynamic lighting in restaurants based on machine vision. An infra-red or visible light camera is used to image a table with diners. The number and positions or diners at the table are identified by a computer, microcontroller, ASIC or other computing device. The microcontroller then outputs coordinated signals to the laser driver and the scanning mirror to achieve spatially localized lighting effects that change dynamically throughout the meal. By scanning the white light spot quickly enough the light would appear to the human eye to be a static illumination. For example, the white light source might be provided with red and green lasers which can be used to modulate the color point of the white light illuminating individual diners to complement their clothing color. The dynamic white light source could preferentially illuminate food dishes and drinks. The dynamic white light source could be provided with near-UV laser sources that could be used to highlight certain objects at the table by via fluorescence by preferentially illuminating them with near-UV light. The white light source could measure time of occupancy of the table as well as number of food items on the table to tailor the lighting brightness and color point for individual segments of the meal.

[0271] Such a white light source would also have applications in other venues. In another example use, the dynamic white light source could be used to preferentially illuminate people moving through darkened rooms such as theaters or warehouses.

[0272] In another alternative embodiment, the dynamic white light source could be used to illuminate workspace. In an example, human machine interaction may be aided in a factory by using dynamically changing spatial distributions of light as well as light color point to provide information cues to workers about their work environments and tasks. For example, dangerous pieces of equipment could be highlighted in a light spot with a predetermined color point when workers approach. As another example, emergency egress directions customized for individual occupants based on their locations could be projected onto the floor or other surfaces of a building.

[0273] In other embodiments, individuals would be tracked using triangulation of RFID badges or triangulation of Wi-Fi transmissions or other means that could be included in devices such as cell phones, smart watches, laptop computers, or any type of device.

[0274] Optionally, the 2-dimensional array of micro-mirrors are configured to be activated by some of the one or more control signals received by the beam steering driver from the microcontroller based on the input information to manipulate the multiple output light beams with respective color points being dynamically adjusted to provide a pattern of color and brightness onto a surface of a target area or into a direction of a target space.