Programmable light beam shape altering device using separate programmable micromirrors for each primary color

• US 6,278,542 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• 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): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US09/448,324
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 359/223, 359/224, 359/290, 359/291, 359/295, 359/846, 359/849, 359/850, 359/855
• US Class Current: 359/291
• 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

Abstract

Three-digital micromirror devices (“DMD”) are used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMDs each receive a primary color and selectively reflects some light of that color, 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 light shape altering device, having elements which selectively modify light, located in the path of a light beam and comprising:

a controller which obtains a desired shape for a colored beam of light, and converts said shape into control signals indicative of color components of both said desired shape and colors;

a first controllable light reflection device, receiving at least part of said control signal, having a plurality of controllable elements, each element defining a portion of an image, and each element being separately controllable between a first state which passes light to a desired object of illumination and a second state which reflects light away from the desired object of illumination; and

a second controllable light reflection device, receiving at least part of said control signal, having a plurality of controllable elements, each element defining a portion of an image, and each element being separately controllable between a first state which passes light to a desired object of illumination and a second state which reflects light away from the desired object of illumination.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said light reflection devices are digital mirror devices.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein said controller produces multiple signals, one of which is applied to said first light reflection device, and a second of which is applied to said second light reflection device.

4. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a third light reflection device.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein said first, second and third light reflection devices respectively are controlled for red, green and blue components of the signal.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said first, second and third light reflection devices respectively are controlled for cyan, magenta, yellow components of the signal.

7. A light shape altering device, comprising:

a controller, producing information indicative of a plurality of color components for a desired shaped light beam; and

a plurality of selectively direction-reflecting devices, respectively receiving said information indicative of said components, each of said selectively direction-reflecting devices selectively passing different light, depending on said color components.

8. A device as in claim 7, wherein said direction reflecting devices are digital micromirrors.

9. A device as in claim 7, wherein there are three of said selectively direction-reflecting devices, each of which receives light over a different light path.

10. A device as in claim 7, further comprising an image memory, storing an image whose contents are used by the controller to produce said plurality of color components.

11. A mirror gobo, comprising:

a light source producing at least two separated color components;

at least two electrically pixel-level controllable devices, which are electrically controlled to change position, a first of said devices being optically in series with a first of said color components, and a second of said devices being in series with a second of said color components.

12. A mirror gobo as in claim 11 further comprising a light splitter for said light source, splitting an output of said light source into multiple color components.