Lighting apparatus with adjustable lenses or filters

• US 7,874,701 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2008
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litepanels LLC (Litepanels)
• Original Assignee: Litepanels LLC (Litepanels)
• Inventors: Fisher, Ken S., Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat, Baxter, Kevin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): O Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ULANDAY, MEGHAN K
• Application Number:
  US12/032,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 362 16- 18, 362/216, 362/244, 362/277, 362282-284, 362/308, 362/326
• US Class Current: 362/277
• 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 apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. Lenses and/or filters are adjusted in distance from the light elements, by for example moving the lenses/filters into different slot positions of the frame, to alter characteristics of the emitted light. Focal lenses, diffusion lenses, and color filters may be used individually or in combination. A compound lens includes lens elements having different characteristics arranged in a pattern. Through groupwise control of the intensity of the light elements, the different characteristics are emphasized or de-emphasized. The light panel may have an integrated battery, and may be mounted on a stand. The panel may be modular, allowing larger panels to be constructed from smaller panels.

Claims

1. An illumination system, comprising:

a light panel comprising a portable frame;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on the portable frame, said semiconductor light elements comprising a first group of semiconductor light elements emitting light in a daylight color temperature range and a second group of semiconductor light elements emitting light in a tungsten color temperature range;

a user-activated illumination control for controllably setting different selectable illumination levels respectively for said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements; and

an adjustable lens positioned so as to alter a characteristic of the light emitted by the semiconductor light elements;

wherein said adjustable lens comprises a first focusing element for altering the light emitted by the first group of semiconductor light elements, and a second focusing element for altering the light emitted by the second group of semiconductor light elements.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

5. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements.

6. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said first focusing element and said second focusing element provide different beam spreading characteristics for the emitted light.

7. An illumination system suitable for providing proper illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera, comprising:

a portable frame having a mounting surface, said portable frame attachable to at least one of a movable camera apparatus, a stand, or a yoke;

a first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface;

a second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface and having a different color temperature than said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements;

a user-activated illumination control for selecting different illumination levels respectively for said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements; and

an adjustable lens positioned so as to alter a characteristic of the light emitted by the surface-mount semiconductor light elements;

wherein said adjustable lens comprises;

a first plurality of lens elements haying a first beam spread characteristic; and

a second plurality of lens elements haying a second beam spread characteristic different from said first beam spread characteristic.

8. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are integrated on a common lens sheet.

9. The illumination system of claim 8, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are arranged in an alternating pattern on said common lens sheet.

10. The illumination system of claim 7, further comprising a user-activated cross-fade control for selectively adjusting a beam spread of the illumination system between the first beam spread angle and the second beam spread angle by adjustment of relative illumination levels of the surface-mount semiconductor light elements associated with said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements.

11. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

13. The illumination system of claim 12, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

14. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements.

15. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said first plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements emit light in a daylight color temperature range, and wherein said second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements emit light in a tungsten color temperature range.

16. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said portable frame comprises heat-dissipating fins thermally coupled to the surface-mount semiconductor light elements for releasing heat generated therefrom.

17. A method for providing proper illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera, comprising:

attaching a first group of semiconductor light elements to a mounting surface of a portable frame, said portable frame attachable to at least one of a movable camera apparatus, a stand, or a yoke;

attaching a second group of semiconductor light elements to the mounting surface of the portable frame, said second group of semiconductor light elements having a different color temperature than said first group of semiconductor light elements;

electrically connecting a user-activated illumination control to said first and second groups of semiconductor light elements, said user-activated illumination control providing different selectable illumination levels respectively for said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements; and

placing an adjustable lens over the semiconductor light elements, for altering a characteristic of the light emitted by the semiconductor light element %

wherein said adjustable lens comprises;

a first plurality of lens elements haying a first beam spread characteristic; and

a second plurality of lens elements haying a second beam spread characteristic different from said first beam spread characteristic.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are integrated on a common lens sheet.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are arranged in an alternating pattern on said common lens sheet.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising electrically connecting a user-activated cross-fade control to said semiconductor light elements, for selectively adjusting a beam spread of the illumination system between the first beam spread angle and the second beam spread angle by adjusting relative illumination levels of the semiconductor light elements associated with said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein said first plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a daylight color temperature range, and wherein said second plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a tungsten color temperature range.

26. An illumination system, comprising:

a portable frame having a mounting surface;

a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface of said portable frame, said surface-mount semiconductor light elements comprising a first group of semiconductor light elements emitting light in a daylight color temperature range and a second group of semiconductor light elements emitting light in a tungsten color temperature range;

a user-activated illumination control for controllably setting different selectable illumination levels respectively for said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements; and

a heat sink thermally coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements;

an adjustable lens disposed over the surface-mount semiconductor light elements, for altering a characteristic of the light emitted by the surface-mount semiconductor light elements;

wherein said adjustable lens comprises;

a first plurality of lens elements haying a first beam spread characteristic; and

a second plurality of lens elements haying a second beam spread characteristic different from said first beam spread characteristic.

27. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are integrated on a common lens sheet.

28. The illumination system of claim 27, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are arranged in an alternating pattern on said common lens sheet.

29. The illumination system of claim 26, further comprising a user-activated cross-fade control for selectively adjusting a beam spread of the illumination system between the first beam spread angle and the second beam spread angle by adjustment of relative illumination levels of the surface-mount semiconductor light elements associated with said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements.

30. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

31. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

32. The illumination system of claim 31, wherein said first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

33. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of surface-mount semiconductor light elements.

34. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein said heat sink comprises heat-dissipating fins thermally coupled to the surface-mount semiconductor light elements for releasing heat generated therefrom.

35. A method for providing proper illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera, comprising:

attaching a first group of semiconductor light elements to a mounting surface of a portable frame, said portable frame attachable to at least one of a movable camera apparatus, a stand, or a yoke;

attaching a second group of semiconductor light elements to the mounting surface of the portable frame, said second group of semiconductor light elements having a different color temperature than said first group of semiconductor light elements;

electrically connecting a user-activated illumination control to said first and second groups of semiconductor light elements, said user-activated illumination control providing different selectable illumination levels respectively for said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements;

placing an adjustable lens over the semiconductor light elements, for altering a characteristic of the light emitted by the semiconductor light elements, wherein said adjustable lens comprises a first plurality of lens elements having a first beam spread characteristic, and a second plurality of lens elements having a second beam spread characteristic different from said first beam spread characteristic; and

electrically connecting a user-activated cross-fade control to said semiconductor light elements, for selectively adjusting a beam spread of the illumination system between the first beam spread angle and the second beam spread angle by adjusting relative illumination levels of the semiconductor light elements associated with said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said first plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a daylight color temperature range, and wherein said second plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a tungsten color temperature range.

41. An illumination system for providing proper illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera, comprising:

a portable frame having a mounting surface, said portable frame attachable to at least one of a movable camera apparatus, a stand, or a yoke;

a first group of semiconductor light elements attached to the mounting surface of said portable frame;

a second group of semiconductor light elements attached to the mounting surface of the portable frame, said second group of semiconductor light elements having a different color temperature than said first group of semiconductor light elements;

a user-activated illumination control electrically connected to said first and second groups of semiconductor light elements, said user-activated illumination control providing different selectable illumination levels respectively for said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements; and

an adjustable lens placed over the semiconductor light elements, for altering a characteristic of the light emitted by the semiconductor light elements;

wherein said adjustable lens comprises;

a first plurality of lens elements having a first beam spread characteristic; and

a second plurality of lens elements having a second beam spread characteristic different from said first beam spread characteristic.

42. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements both comprise surface mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

43. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are subsantially equal in number.

44. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein said first group of semiconductor light elements and said second group of semiconductor light elements are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

45. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein a single adjustment to said user-activated illumination control in one direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to increase simultaneously with a decrease in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements, and a single adjustment in an opposite direction causes the illumination level of the first group of semiconductor light elements to decrease simultaneously with an increase in the illumination level of the second group of semiconductor light elements.

46. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are integrated on a common lens sheet.

47. The illumination system of claim 46, wherein said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements are arranged in an alternating pattern on said common lens sheet.

48. The illumination system of claim 41, further comprising a user-activated cross-fade control electrically connected to said semiconductor light elements for selectively adjusting a beam spread of the illumination system between the first beam spread angle and the second beam spread angle by adjusting relative illumination levels of the semiconductor light elements associated with said first plurality of lens elements and said second plurality of lens elements.

49. The illumination system of claim 41, wherein said first plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a daylight color temperature range, and wherein said second plurality of semiconductor light elements emit light in a tungsten color temperature range.