Wide area lighting apparatus and effects system

• US 6,948,823 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Contrast Lighting Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Fisher, Ken S., Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat, Baxter, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US10/238,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20030072156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 362 11- 13, 362 16- 18, 362/800
• 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 lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.

Claims

1. An illumination system suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface; and

a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus; and

wherein the illumination level of said semiconductor light elements is controlled using pulse width modulation.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein said LEDs are high output.

5. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

6. The illumination system of claim 5, wherein said color temperature range spans daylight color temperature.

7. The illumination system of claim 5, wherein said color temperature range spans tungsten color temperature.

8. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, and a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture.

9. The illumination system of claim 8, further comprising a controller for providing adjustable relative illumination levels output by said first plurality of semiconductor light elements and said second plurality of semiconductor light elements.

10. The illumination system of claim 8, wherein said first color temperature range includes daylight color temperature, and wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

11. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said portable frame is substantially ring-shaped.

12. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said portable frame is adapted for the movable camera apparatus to view through a central opening thereof.

13. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

14. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in at least one row.

15. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of arrays.

16. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

17. An illumination system suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface;

an integrated power source contained within or secured to said portable frame;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus.

18. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said power source comprises a battery.

19. The illumination system of claim 17, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

20. The illumination system of claim 19, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

21. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

22. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said LEDs are high output.

23. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

24. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

25. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

26. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in at least one row.

27. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of arrays.

28. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

29. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.

30. An illumination system, suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface; and

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus; and

wherein said portable frame comprises a plurality of detachable panel members, each panel member having a plurality of said semiconductor light elements attached thereto, and attachment means for securing said detachable panel members to the portable frame and allowing rapid detachment of said detachable panel members and allowing electrical power to be received by the semiconductor light elements attached to each of said detachable panel members.

31. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein each of said detachable panel members comprises a circuit board, and wherein said semiconductor light elements are surface mounted thereto.

32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein the circuit board of each detachable panel member comprises or acts as a heat sink.

33. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein each of said detachable panel members is substantially flat and rectangular, and is configured to be received by a corresponding slot in the portable frame.

34. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in rows on each detachable panel member.

35. The modular illumination system of claim 30, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a repeating pattern on each detachable panel member.

36. The illumination system of claim 30, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

37. The illumination system of claim 36, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

38. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

39. The illumination system of claim 38, wherein said LEDs are high output.

40. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

41. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

42. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

43. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

44. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.

45. An illumination system, suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface; and

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus; and

wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise surface-mount light elements.

46. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said portable frame acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by said surface-mount light elements.

47. The illumination system of claim 46, wherein said portable frame comprises heat dissipating fins.

48. The illumination system of claim 46, wherein the heat-dissipating portion of said portable frame is substantially comprised of a metallic material.

49. The illumination system of claim 45, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

50. The illumination system of claim 49, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

51. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

52. The illumination system of claim 51, wherein said LEDs are high output.

53. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

54. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

55. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said portable frame is substantially ring-shaped.

56. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said portable frame is adapted for the movable camera apparatus to view through a central opening thereof.

57. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

58. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in at least one row.

59. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of arrays.

60. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

61. The illumination system of claim 45, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.

62. An illumination system, suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface; and

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus; and

wherein said portable frame is configured to be attached to a yoke, whereby said portable frame may be rotated or tilted.

63. The illumination system of claim 62, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

64. The illumination system of claim 63, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

65. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

66. The illumination system of claim 65, wherein said LEDs are high output.

67. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

68. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

69. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

70. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

71. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.

72. An illumination system suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface; and

an integrated lens cover for adjusting the focus of light emitted by said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus.

73. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said integrated lens cover is modularly attachable to and detachable from the portable frame.

74. The illumination system of claim 72, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

75. The illumination system of claim 74, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

76. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

77. The illumination system of claim 76, wherein said LEDs are high output.

78. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

79. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

80. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said portable frame is substantially ring-shaped.

81. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said portable frame is adapted for the movable camera apparatus to view through a central opening thereof.

82. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

83. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

84. The illumination system of claim 72, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.

93. The illumination system of claim 83, wherein said panel is substantially flat and rectangular.

85. An illumination system suitable to provide proper illumination for lighting of a subject in film or video, comprising:

a lightweight, portable frame having a panel including a mounting surface; and

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface; and

a color gel securably attached to said portable frame;

wherein said portable frame is adapted for being securably attached to and readily disengaged from a movable camera apparatus such that, when mounted, said portable frame follows movements of the movable camera apparatus.

86. The illumination system of claim 85, further comprising a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor light elements.

87. The illumination system of claim 86, wherein said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination.

88. The illumination system of claim 85, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

89. The illumination system of claim 88, wherein said LEDs are high output.

90. The illumination system of claim 85, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning daylight color temperature.

91. The illumination system of claim 85, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light at a color temperature range spanning tungsten color temperature.

92. The illumination system of claim 85, wherein said portable frame comprises a circuit board integrated therewith, said semiconductor light elements being disposed on said circuit board.

94. The illumination system of claim 85, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, said first color temperature range comprising daylight color temperature, and wherein a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture, said second color temperature range comprising tungsten color temperature.