Wide area lighting effects system

• US 6,749,310 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Contrast Lighting Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US09/949,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 362/3, 362/8, 362/11, 362/13, 362/295, 396/155, 396/182
• US Class Current: 362/11
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/116 Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/03 Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0517 Housing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0539 Ringflash
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/056 Connection with camera, e.g. adapter
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A system and method for providing lighting effects comprises an arrangement of low power lights mounted on a frame having an opening through which a camera can protrude. In one embodiment, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light-emitting crystals (LECs) are arranged on the frame in a pattern of concentric circles, with the frame being ring-shaped and having a circular opening through which a camera can protrude, and a mounting bracket and assembly for attaching the frame to a camera. The LEDs or LECs may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns.

Claims

1. A wide area lighting effects system comprising:

a frame comprising a mounting surface, said frame defining an opening positioned substantially in the center of said mounting surface;

a plurality of low power lights arranged on said mounting surface, said lower power lights oriented so as to distribute light over a wide area; and

a mounting bracket for attaching said frame to a camera such that the camera is positioned to view through the opening within said frame;

wherein said frame comprises a mounting assembly receptor, and

wherein said mounting bracket comprises an attachment member adapted to secure to said mounting assembly receptor, and a camera clamp adapted to secure the mounting bracket to the camera.

2. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 1, wherein said frame is substantially ring-shaped, and wherein said opening is circular in shape.

3. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 2, wherein said low power lights are arranged in a plurality of concentric circles on said mounting surface, radiating outward from a centerpoint of said ring-shaped frame.

4. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 1, wherein said low power lights comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light-emitting crystals (LECs).

5. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 4, wherein said LEDs or LECs are oriented perpendicular to said mounting surface.

6. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 4, further comprising a variable control for electronically controlling intensity levels of said low power lights.

7. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 6, wherein the intensity levels of said low power lights are collectively controllable.

8. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 6, wherein the intensity levels of said low power lights are individually or groupwise controllable.

9. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 4, wherein a plurality of said low power lights are filtered so as to produce colorized light.

10. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 4, further comprising a programmable processor controlling the on/off states and light intensity levels of said low power lights.

11. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 10, wherein said programmable processor controls the on/off states and light intensity levels of said low power lights according to a pattern dictated by pre-programmed instructions.

12. The wide area lighting effects system of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of switches connecting a power source to said low power lights, and switch selector whereby the on/off states of said switches are selected, thereby controlling whether the low power lights are on or off.

13. A method of providing lighting over a subject area, comprising the steps of:

arranging a plurality of low power lights on the mounting surface of a frame, said frame defining an opening located substantially in the center of said mounting surface, said lower power lights oriented so as to distribute light over a wide area;

attaching a camera mounting assembly to said frame; and

attaching said mounting assembly to a camera such that the camera is positioned to view through the opening within said frame;

wherein said frame comprises a mounting assembly receptor, and

wherein said mounting bracket comprises an attachment member adapted to secure to said mounting assembly receptor, and a camera clamp adapted to secure the mounting bracket to the camera.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said frame is substantially ring-shaped, and wherein said opening is circular in shape.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of arranging said plurality of low power lights on the mounting surface comprises the step of arranging said low power lights in a plurality of concentric circles on said mounting surface, radiating outward from a centerpoint of said ring-shaped frame.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said low power lights comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light-emitting crystals LECs).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said LEDs or LECs are oriented perpendicular to said mounting surface.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a variable control for electronically controlling intensity levels of said low power lights.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of collectively controlling the intensity levels of said low power lights.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of individually or groupwise controlling the intensity levels of said low power lights.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of filtering a plurality of said low power lights so as to produce colorized light.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of controlling the on/off states and light intensity levels of said low power lights through a programmable processor.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said programmable processor controls the on/off states and light intensity levels of said low power lights according to a pattern dictated by pre-programmed instructions.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of connecting a power source to said low power lights through a plurality of switches, and controlling the on/off states of said switches through a switch selector, thereby controlling whether the low power lights are on or off.