Image projection lighting device with variable homogeneity

• US 20060119290A1
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard S. Belliveau
• Original Assignee: Richard S. Belliveau
• Inventors: Belliveau, Richard S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,527,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/048 with reverse phase control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

An image projection lighting device is provided which includes a variable homogenizing system. The variable homogenizing system may homogenize light projected by a lamp across a light valve. The variable homogenizing system may vary the light across the light valve from an existing state to a first state or from an existing state to a second state. The variable homogenizing system may be comprised of one or more lens arrays, which may be comprised of cylindrical or spherical lenses.

Claims

1. A method comprising

varying a homogeneity of a light projected by a lamp of an image projection lighting device across a light valve;

wherein the homogeneity of the light is varied from an existing state to a first state.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising

varying the homogeneity of the light from the existing state to a second state.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the light is homogenized by one or more lens arrays.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein

at least one of the one or more lens arrays is comprised of a plurality of cylindrical lenses.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein

at least one of the one or more lens arrays is comprised of a plurality of spherical lenses.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising

receiving a command at a communications port of the image projection lighting device to vary the homogeneity of the light from the existing state to the first state.

7. A method comprising the steps of

receiving a first operating address at a communications port of an image projection lighting device;

comparing the first operating address to a second operating address contained in a memory of the image projection lighting device;

receiving a command at the communications port to vary a variable homogenizing system; and

variably homogenizing light projected from the image projection lighting device, from an existing state to a first state.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of

varying a uniformity of light projected by a lamp of the image projection lighting device across a light valve of the image projection lighting device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein

the step of variably homogenizing light projected from the image projection lighting device is implemented by an actuator.

10. The method of claim 9 further wherein

the actuator functions in response to signals sent by a motor control system.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein

light is variably homogenized by using two different lens types.

11-1. A method comprising

varying a first uniformity of light intensity across a first light valve of a first image projection lighting device in response to a command received over a first communications port from a central controller;

and

varying a second uniformity of light intensity across a second light valve of a second image projection lighting device in response to a command received over a second communications port from the central controller.

12. A method of varying a light homogeneity of a stage lighting device comprising a first light valve, the method comprising

generating a first shape of a light emitted by a lamp before the light is cast upon the first light valve;

and

varying an optical component of the stage lighting device to create a second shape of the light emitted by the lamp before the light emitted by the lamp is cast upon the first light valve.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein

the varying of the optical component is remotely actuated by a command received over a communications port of the stage lighting device.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein

the varying of the optical component is remotely actuated by an operator controlling a stand alone control system that is a component of the stage lighting device.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein

the first shape and the second shape are variations of the homogeneity of the light emitted by the lamp.

16. The method of claim 12 further including

a second light valve wherein the first shape and the second shape of the light emitted by the lamp are cast up the second light valve.

17. A method of varying a homogeneity of a light projected by a stage lighting device, the stage lighting device comprising a first lamp and a first, a second and a third light valve, the method comprising

varying the homogeneity of the light produced by the stage lighting device from a first state to a second state by varying a first optical component without varying a parameter of the first, second or third light valves.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein

the first optical component is the lamp.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein

the first optical component is at least one lens.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein

the step of varying the first optical component is accomplished by an actuator.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein

the actuator is a motor.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein

the actuator is remotely controlled by a command received over a communications port that is a component of the stage lighting device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein

the actuator is remotely controlled by an operator inputting commands to a stand alone control system.