Pixel based gobo record control format

• US 7,495,817 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hunt, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson; Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US11/448,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20060227297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 359/238, 359/290, 359/291, 359/298, 345/611, 345/473, 345/604, 382/167, 382/181
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/008 in the form of devices for effecting sequential colour changes, e.g. colour wheels
• 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, comprising:

receiving, in a stage lighting device, a command that represents shaping of a light which will be transmitted by the light and a movement of said shaping; and

using said command to cause the shape of a light that is transmitted to change according to a timing associated with said command, wherein said command includes a number representative of a gobo which forms the shape, and at least one other value which causes movement of the shape based on the gobo represented by said number.

2. A method as in claim 1, using a part of the command to time a movement of the shape.

3. A method, comprising:

receiving, in a stage lighting device, a command that represents shaping of a light which will be transmitted by the light and a movement of said shaping; and

using said command to cause the shape of a light that is transmitted to change according to a timing associated with said command, wherein said command is in a format that includes an identification of the shape, and at least one identification of a type of movement.

4. A method, comprising:

receiving, in a stage lighting device, a command that represents shaping of a light which will be transmitted by the light and a movement of said shaping; and

using said command to cause the shape of a light that is transmitted to change according to a timing associated with said command, wherein a first command at a first time causes shaping according to a first portion of the shape along a first part of the movement, and a second command at a second time causes shaping according to a different shape which is along a different portion of the movement.

5. A method, comprising:

receiving, in a stage lighting device, a command that represents shaping of a light which will be transmitted by the light and a movement of said shaping; and

using said command to cause the shape of a light that is transmitted to change according to a timing associated with said command, further comprising using a mailbox, associated with a device which controls shaping the light, and which receives mail from another device, representing said change in shape.

6. A method comprising:

producing a command which causes a stage light device to create a shaped light at a first location, which periodically moves between locations in response to said command, wherein said command includes a control record and a parameter, where said control record defines how the parameter changes the shape.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising using said command to project light that periodically changes location.

8. An apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising selecting a time over which said shape changes location.

9. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said command includes a control record and a parameter, where said control record defines how the parameter changes the shape.

10. An apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising a record which represents a time over which said movement of said shape occurs.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said record represents a time profile over which the shape move occurs.

12. An apparatus comprising:

receiving, in a stage lighting device, a command that represents a periodic change between a first shaping effect and a second shaping effect and a timing for said periodic change; and

applying said command to an electronically controllable light shaping part, wherein said command includes a number representative of a gobo which forms the shape, and at least one other value which causes movement of the shape based on the gobo represented by said number.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12, using a part of the command to time a movement between the first shaping effect and the second shaping effect.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a stage lighting device which produces a beam of light, and a light beam shaper which shapes an outer perimeter of the beam of light according to an applied command; and

a controller, which accepts a command to change said shape projected by said light, and automatically causes the shape to change according to a timing, wherein said command includes a number representative of a gobo which forms the shape, and at least one other value which causes movement of the shape based on the gobo represented by said number.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14, using a part of the command to time a movement of the shape.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a stage lighting device which produces a beam of light, and a light beam shaper which shapes an outer perimeter of the beam of light according to an applied command; and

a controller, which accepts a command to change said shape projected by said light, and automatically causes the shape to change according to a timing, wherein said command is in a format that includes an identification of the shape, and at least one identification of a type of movement.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a stage lighting device which produces a beam of light, and a light beam shaper which shapes an outer perimeter of the beam of light according to an applied command; and

a controller, which accepts a command to change said shape projected by said light, and automatically causes the shape to change according to a timing, further comprising a mailbox, associated with said light beam shaper, and which receives mail from another device, representing said change in shape.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a stage light device which receives a command that causes said stage light device to create a shaped light at a first location, and which periodically moves between locations in response to said command, wherein said command includes a control record and a parameter, where said control record defines how the parameter changes the shape.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said command causes said light to periodically change location.

20. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising selecting a time over which said shape changes location.

21. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising a record which represents a time over which said movement of said shape occurs.

22. An apparatus as in claim 21, wherein said record represents a time profile over which the shape move occurs.