Pixel based gobo record control format

• US 6,057,958 A
• Filed: 08/31/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Light and Sound Design Limited
• Inventors: Hunt, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/145,314
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 359/291, 359/846, 359/850, 359/566, 359/567, 359/569, 359/572, 702/61, 702/167, 382/217, 382/220, 382/190, 348/241, 348/246
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/34 by control of light from an independent source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

A special record format used for commanding light pattern shapes and addressable light pattern shape generator. The command format includes a first part which commands a specified gobo and second parts which command the characteristics of that gobo. The gobo is formed by making a default gobo based on the type and modifying that default gobo to fit the characteristics.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an addressable light pattern generator, comprising:

defining a record including a plurality of light pattern shapes, and image shapes associated with said light pattern shapes, and a parameter which represents said light pattern shapes; and

using a pixel-level addressable element to form a light pattern shape based on said record.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said parameter has a different meaning for a first of said image shapes than it does for a second of said image shapes.