Electronically controlled stage lighting system

• US 7,880,957 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2010
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hunt, Mark A, Hughes, Michael, Hewlett, William, Parker, Richard, Clarke, Ian, Evans, Nigel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas; Brandi N
• Application Number:
  US12/652,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/292, 359/298
• US Class Current: 359/298
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/04 by movement of reflectors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/675
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• 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: G03B 21/008 using micromirror devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/16 Cooling; Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/20 Lamp housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 33/04 by four or more separation records
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

first controlling modification of a light beam of more than 5000 lumens of output light along an optical axis train using a first optical element;

second controlling characteristics of said light beam using a digitally controllable element which is located along said optical axis train and optically downstream from said first optical based on a command for digital control of the light passed by said digitally controllable element and responsively altering said light received by said digitally controllable element responsive to said command;

third controlling modification of the light that has been altered by said digitally controllable element; and

receiving optical information associated with said digitally controllable element, and producing an output indicative thereof that is used as part of control of said digitally controllable element.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said first controlling comprises controlling a coloring of the light.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said receiving comprises receiving light from a position to receive substantially exactly what the digitally controllable element will pass as light.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein said receiving comprises using a prism for directing light to be received.

5. A method as in claim 2, further comprising using said optical information to reduce parallax within the system.

6. A method as in claim 2, wherein said digitally controllable element is a DMD.

7. A method as in claim 2, wherein said third controlling comprises using a relay lens within an optical train of the system.

8. A method as in claim 7, further comprising reducing an amount of heat within the light beam within said relay lens.

9. An lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light source, creating a light beam of more than 5000 lumens of output light along an optical axis train;

a first optical element, controlling modification of said light beam along said light beam axis train;

a digitally controllable element which is located along said optical axis train and optically downstream from said first optical element, which separately controls said light based on a command for digital control of the light passed by said digitally controllable element, and responsively altering said light received by said digitally controllable element responsive to said command; and

a controller that controls modification of the light that has been altered by said digitally controllable element, said controller receiving optical information associated with said digitally controllable element, and producing an output indicative thereof that is used as part of control of said digitally controllable element.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said first optical element is a color controlling device.

11. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a light receiver, which receives light from a position to receive a sample of substantially exactly what the digitally controllable element will pass as light.

12. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said light receiver comprises a prism.

13. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said digitally controllable element is a DMD.

14. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a relay lens within an optical train of the system.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14, further comprising a cooler, reducing an amount of heat within the light beam within said relay lens.