Programmable light beam shape altering device using separate programmable micromirrors for each primary color

• US 8,022,954 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hewlett, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier; Jeffery A
• Application Number:
  US09/792,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20010036003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,862 Days
• Field of Search: 345/581, 345/589, 345/649, 345/474, 345/475, 345/646
• US Class Current: 345/474
• 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

Abstract

Three-digital micromirror devices (“DMD”) are used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMDs each receive a primary color and selectively reflects some light of that color, 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 follow 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 method, comprising:

using a microprocessor for determining a velocity of points of a gobo;

using the microprocessor for defining slices of time, based on said velocity, at which different image-processed gobo images are to be displayed,

using the microprocessor for carrying out an operation on the gobo image to change a shape of the gobo being displayed based on said gobo images between a first shape and a second image-processed shape to provide modified gobo image representing a shape and color for the gobo;

using the modified gobo image indicative of the current gobo image to display a colored light shape;

at a time related to said slices of time, automatically determining a new image with a new gobo shape that is one slice closer to the second image-processed shape, and using the new gobo shape to display a new colored light gobo shape.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said shape is a stencil shape, and the color is for light that is within the stencil shape.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said operation includes rotation of the defined shape.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein said operation comprises modifying a color of the defined shape.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said time defines a number of pixel slices that prevents perception of a jerky movement.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said determining a velocity comprises determining movement of points of the image, and determining a time for said movement of points of the image.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said determining a velocity comprises detecting a rate of change of movement of said points.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein said defining slices of time comprises determining a number of movements per slice, and using said velocity to determine a slice of time.

9. A method, comprising:

using a microprocessor for determining an image processed gobo shape for projecting a light beam, wherein a shape of an outer edge of said light beam is set by said gobo shape, by

a) determining a first shape and second shape;

b) determining a number of pixels of movement for interim shapes between said first and second shapes; and

c) determining a velocity of movement of pixels, and using said velocity to determine a slice of time at which a new shape will be calculated; and

at a new time calculated using said slice of time, using the microprocessor for automatically determining a new gobo image with a new gobo shape that is one slice closer to the second shape, and using the new gobo shape, and

projecting a different gobo shape of light.

10. A method of operating a gobo,

comprising:

using a microprocessor for determining a velocity of points of the gobo;

using the microprocessor for defining slices of time, based on said velocity, at which different effects of the gobo are to be displayed,

using the microprocessor for carrying out an operation to change a shape of the gobo being displayed between first shape and a second shape to provide a new gobo image indicative of a current gobo representing a shape and color for the current gobo;

using the new gobo image indicative of the gobo to project a colored light shape;

at a time related to said slices of time, using the microprocessor for automatically determining a second new gobo image that is one slice closer to the second shape, and using the second new gobo image to project a new colored light shape.

11. A method as in claim 10 wherein said shape is a stencil shape, and the color is for light that is within the stencil shape.

12. A method as in claim 10 wherein said operation includes rotation of the shape.

13. A method as in claim 10 wherein said operation comprises modifying a color of the shape.

14. A method as in claim 10,

wherein said time defines a number of pixel slices that prevents perception of a jerky movement.

15. A method as in claim 10, wherein said determining a velocity comprises determining movement of points, and determining a time for said movement of points.

16. A method as in claim 10, wherein said determining a velocity comprises detecting a rate of change of movement of said points.

17. A method as in claim 10, wherein said defining slices of time comprises determining a number of movements per slice, and using said velocity to determine a slice of time.

18. A method, comprising:

using a microprocessor for determining a gobo shape for projecting a light beam, wherein a shape of an outer edge of said light beam is set by said shape, by

a) determining a first gobo shape and a second gobo shape;

b) determining a number of pixels of movement for plural interim shapes between said first gobo shape and said second gobo shape; and

c) determining a velocity of movement of pixels, and using said velocity to determine a slice of time at which a new gobo shape will be calculated; and

at a new time calculated using said slice of time, using the microprocessor for automatically determining a new gobo shape that is one slice closer to the second gobo shape, and using the new gobo shape to project a different shape of light.