Programmable light beam shape altering device using programmable micromirrors

• US 5,953,151 A
• Filed: 10/31/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Light and Sound Design Limited
• Inventors: Hewlett, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): LETENDRE, SUZANNE M
• Application Number:
  US08/962,237
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/292, 359/293, 359/294, 359/295, 349/2, 349/5
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A digital micromirror device ("DMD") is used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMD selectively reflects some light, thereby shaping the light that is projected onto the stage. The control for the alteration is controlled by an image. That image can be processed, thereby carrying out image processing effects on the shape of the light that is displayed. One preferred application follows the shape of the performer and illuminates the performer using a shape that adaptively follows the performer'"'"'s image. This results in a shadowless follow spot.

Claims

1. A method of forming a color image to be projected in a stage light that projects light to a stage, comprising:

forming an image source indicative of color components of the image, a plurality of said color components together forming a frame of the image at a given time;

controlling a selective light reflection device to selectively reflect desired pixels of light in a desired direction to the stage;

controlling a light filtering device to provide light of different specific colors at different specific times, production of each specific color being at a time that is synchronized with a time when said selective light reflection device produces a scene indicative of a portion of said frame representing that portion of the frame to be displayed in said specific color;

projecting each of said scenes in said specific colors onto the stage, in a time which is less than persistence of vision of the human eye, said specific colors forming color components for each said frame such that said scenes produced at different times are perceived as averaging together; and

controlling said light filtering device to change an outer edge shape of the image being displayed to form an image with a controllable outer shape.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said controlling a selective light reflection device, comprises controlling a digital mirror device.

3. A color image projector, comprising:

an image source memory, storing information indicative of color components of the image, where a plurality of said color components together form a frame of the image at a given time;

an electronically controllable digital micromirror device;

a light filtering device, controllable to provide light of different specific colors at different times;

a controller, digitally controlling said digital micromirror device and said light filtering device according to said information in said image source memory, including controlling said digital micromirror device to produce a scene indicative of each of said color components at a time synchronized with controlling said light filtering device to produce that color component, said color components for each said frame all occurring in a time which is less than persistence of vision of the human eye, such that said scenes are perceived as averaging together,

wherein said controller further controls said digital micromirror device to change an outer edge shape of an image being displayed to form a edge-shaped color image.