Programmable light beam shape altering device using programmable micromirrors

• US 6,771,411 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hewlett, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US10/197,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20020181070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 348/771, 362/257, 362/232, 362/233, 362/234, 362/253, 362/276, 362/802, 382/100, 382/103, 382/293, 700/19, 359/223, 359/290, 359/291, 359/298, 359/850, 359/896, 359/900, 353/28, 353/62, 353/89, 353/121
• US Class Current: 359/298
• 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: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833
• 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 light shape altering device, comprising:

a memory, storing information indicative of at least one light shape to form shapes within a light beam to be projected, said memory storing a plurality of said light shapes; and

a control system, selecting at least one of said plurality of light shapes from said memory, producing a control signal indicative of said one of said shapes, end producing said control signal as an output in a format to control a digitally controllable light shape altering device.

2. A device as in claim 1, said memory stores a plurality of said light shapes, and where said control system selects at least one at said plurality of light shapes from said memory, as a shapes in the light beam to be projected.

3. A device an in claim 1, wherein said control system also allows effects processing on said shape.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said control signal is in a form that controls a projection of light using a digital micromirror device.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light shapes are scored in said memory in a compressed form.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light shapes are stored in said memory in a vectorized form.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light shapes represent moving light shapes.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein said memory stores a light shape indicative of two unconnected light shape parts.

9. A device as in claim 1 wherein said control system is operable to change some aspect of the image over time.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein said control system controls an amount of movement of shapes within said image and art amount of time that said amount of movement will take.

11. A device as in claim 9, wherein said aspect of said image that is moved is a position of said image.

12. A device as in claim 9, wherein said aspect of said image that is moved is a rotation of said image.

13. A device as in claim 10, wherein said control system controls a velocity of movement of said image.

14. A device as in claim 1, wherein said control system produces a first control signal indicative of a shape for a first primary color, a second control signal indicative of a shape for a second primary color, and a third control signal indicative of a shape for a third primary color.

15. A device as in claim 5, wherein said first, second and third primary colors are red and green and blue.

16. A device as in claim 1, wherein said control system produces said control signal with a duty cycle to cause dimming of the image.

17. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a light source of high-intensity greater than 600 watts.

18. A lighting controller, comprising:

a memory, storing an image in a computer readable format;

a processor, reading said image from said memory, allowing changing of an aspect of said image and producing an output signal indicative of said image as a signal indicative of a shape of a light beam to be projected.

19. A lighting controller as in claim 18, wherein said processor allows changing a rotational orientation of said image.

20. A lighting controller as in claim 19, wherein said processor changes said rotational orientation over time, thereby rotating said image.

21. A lighting controller as in claim 18, wherein said memory stores a plurality of said images.

22. A lighting controller as in claim 18, wherein said processor allows changing a position of said image.

23. A lighting controller as in claim 22, wherein said processor change of position of said image at a specified velocity.

24. A lighting controller as in claim 18, wherein said processor is further operative to convert an image from a first format stored in said memory into a second format for processing.

25. A controller as in claim 24, wherein said first format stored in said memory is a compressed format, and said second format is an uncompressed format.

26. A controller as in claim 18, wherein said processor further enables image manipulation of said image, followed by using the manipulated image to project a new shaped light beam.

27. A controller as in claim 26, wherein said processor manipulates said image to effect edges of the image.

28. A controller as in claim 26, wherein said processor manipulates said image to change a shape of an image over time.

29. A controller as in claim 26, wherein said processor manipulates said image to change an intensity of said image.

30. A controller as in claim 29, wherein said processor changes a duty cycle of image projection.

31. A controller as in claim 18, wherein said aspect of said image that is changed includes morphing from a first image to a second image.

32. A controller as in claim 18, wherein said aspect of said image that is changed includes an outer shape of said image.

33. A controller as in claim 18, wherein said processor changes a said shape at a specified time frame.

34. A controller an in claim 33, wherein said time frame defines an interval of image changes, and changes said image by a specified amount at each interval.

35. A controller as in claim 34, wherein said interval moves said image by more than one pixel at each interval.

36. A lighting controller, comprising:

a memory, storing at least a plurality of images representing a plurality of shapes of light beam production;

a user interface, allowing selecting one of said plurality of shapes to use to define shapes within a light beam and to select a change to be made to said shape and a speed of making said charge; and

a processor, which operates to change said shape according to a selection done by said user interface and producing an output signal indicative of an outer perimeter of a light beam to be projected.

37. A controller as in claim 36, wherein said changing comprises determining an amount of movement to carry out at each of a plurality of time intervals, and changing said output signal at each of said plurality of time intervals.

38. A controller as in claim 36, wherein maid time intervals are an amount of time effective to avoid perception of jerky motion.

39. A controller as in claim 36, wherein said processor operates to change a total motion into a plurality of different motions along the desired path, and to produce changed output signals at different times indicative of said different positions along the path.

40. A controller as in claim 36, wherein said change the outer shape comprises morphing between a first image and a second image.

41. A controller as in claim 40, wherein said morphing occurs at a specified velocity.

42. A controller as in claim 40, wherein said change the outer shape comprises rotating the image.

43. A controller as in claim 40, wherein said change the outer shape comprises carrying out a special effect on the image.

44. A controller as in claim 36 wherein said processor is operative to convert an image representation from said memory into another format used for controlling the outer shape of the image.

45. A controller as in claim 44, wherein said memory stores said plurality of images in a compressed form.

46. A controller as in claim 44, wherein said memory stores said plurality of images in a compressed form, and said processor is operative to convert said images into an uncompressed form.

47. A lighting control system, comprising;

a memory, which stores a plurality of light shapes, and selects one of said shapes as part of an image representing shapes within a light beam to be projected; and

a processor, converting said image into a map representing states of elements of a digital light reflecting device, and producing an output signal to control the digital light reflecting device to project said light beam of said shape.

48. A system as in claim 47, wherein said memory stores said image in a compressed format.

49. A system as in claim 48, wherein said processor converts said image front said compressed format to said map which represents an uncompressed format.

50. A system as in claim 47, wherein said processor also is operative to rotate said map to rotate the shape of the light beam being projected.

51. A system as in claim 47, wherein said processor also is operative to move said map to move the position of the shape of the light enough being projected.

52. A system as in claim 47 wherein said processor is operative to change a duty cycle of states of elements of the digital light reflecting device to thereby change a brightness of the image being projected.

53. A system, comprising:

an image memory, storing at least one image;

a user interface, producing an output indicative of an image representing an aspect of light projection and position of said light projection; and

a processor, receiving said output from said user interface, and producing an output signal of a form that controls a digital micromirror device to produce said image at said position.

54. A system as in claim 53, wherein said user interface controls at least a shape of light beam being projected, and a speed of change of said shape.

55. A lighting system, comprising

a memory, storing at least one compressed image;

and

a computer part, producing an output indicative of said at least one compressed image, said computer part operable to produce an output indicative of said at least one compressed image in a form that controls a digital light shape altering device.

56. A system as in claim 55, wherein said computer part includes software for morphing between a first of said compressed images and a second of said compressed images.