Wide area lighting apparatus and effects system

• US 20030072156A1
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Contrast Lighting Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat
• Granted Patent: US 6,948,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/244
• 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, comprising:

a portable frame;

a first plurality of controllable lamp elements secured to the portable frame; and

a second plurality of controllable lamp elements secured to the portable frame;

wherein said first plurality of lamp elements emit light over a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, and wherein said second plurality of lamp elements emit light over a second color temperature range suitable for image capture and different from said first color temperature range.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of lamp elements and said second plurality of lamp elements comprise semiconductor light elements.

3. The illumination system of claim 2, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein at least some of said LEDs comprise surface mount LEDs.

5. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein substantially all of said LEDs comprise surface mount LEDs.

6. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said portable frame comprises one or more circuit boards, and wherein said surface mount LEDs are mounted on said one or more circuit boards.

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

8. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said first color temperature range includes daylight color temperature.

9. The illumination system of claim 8, wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

10. The illumination system of claim 9, wherein the tungsten color temperature falls within a range of about 1000°

Kelvin to about 4200°

Kelvin, and wherein the daylight color temperature falls within a range of about 4200°

Kelvin to about 9500°

Kelvin.

11. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said portable frame comprises a panel including a mounting surface to which said first plurality of controllable lamp elements and said second plurality of controllable lamp elements are secured.

12. A multi-color illumination system, comprising:

a first plurality of semiconductor light elements emitting light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture;

a second plurality of semiconductor light elements emitting light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture; and

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.

13. The multi-color illumination system of claim 12, wherein said first plurality of semiconductor light elements and said second plurality of semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

14. The multi-color illumination system of claim 13, wherein at least some of said LEDs comprise surface mount LEDs.

15. The multi-color illumination system of claim 14, further comprising a portable frame having one or more circuit boards, and wherein said surface mount LEDs are mounted on said one or more circuit boards.

16. The multi-color illumination system of claim 15, wherein said portable frame comprises a substantially flat panel.

17. The multi-color illumination system of claim 13, wherein said LEDs are high output.

18. The multi-color illumination system of claim 12, wherein said first color temperature range includes daylight color temperature.

19. The multi-color illumination system of claim 18, wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

20. The multi-color illumination system of claim 19, wherein the tungsten color temperature falls within a range of about 1000°

Kelvin to about 4200°

Kelvin, and wherein the daylight color temperature falls within a range of about 4200°

Kelvin to about 9500°

Kelvin.

21. An illumination system, comprising:

a portable frame comprising at least one circuit board;

a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements electrically connected to said circuit board; and

a control input for selectively controlling an illumination level of said semiconductor lights.

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

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

24. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said portable frame comprises a substantially flat panel.

25. The illumination system of claim 21, further comprising an integrated power source contained within or secured to said portable frame.

26. The illumination system of claim 25, wherein said power source comprises a battery.

27. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein a first plurality of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements emit light at a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, and a second plurality of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements emit light at a second color temperature range suitable for image capture.

28. The illumination system of claim 27, further comprising a controller for providing adjustable relative illumination levels output by said first plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements and said second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements.

29. The illumination system of claim 27, wherein said first color temperature range includes daylight color temperature, and wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

30. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said at least one circuit board includes two or more circuit boards.

31. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein each of said circuit boards is connected to a detachable panel member, and wherein said portable frame comprises temporary attachment means for securing each detachable panel member to the portable frame.

32. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said portable frame dissipates heat generated by said surface-mount light elements.

33. The illumination system of claim 32, further comprising heat dissipating fins connected to said at least one circuit board.

34. The illumination system of claim 32, wherein said heat-dissipating portion of said portable frame is formed of a metallic material.

35. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said portable frame is adapted to be manually dis-assembled and reassembled in sections.

36. The illumination system of claim 35, wherein said portable frame comprises a plurality of sectional members.

37. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

38. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said portable frame is substantially ring-shaped, and is adapted for attachment to an imaging device which views through a central hole in said portable frame.

39. A portable, camera-mounted illumination source, comprising:

a panel-shaped portable frame attachable to a camera such that it follows movement of the camera, said portable frame having a front surface with a hole substantially in the center thereof through which the camera views when attached to said portable frame;

a circuit board integrated with said portable frame; and

a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor lamp elements electrically connected to said circuit board;

wherein said portable frame dissipates heat generated by said surface-mount semiconductor lamp elements.

40. The illumination source of claim 39, wherein said portable frame is relatively flat and ring-shaped.

41. The illumination source of claim 39, wherein said portable frame attaches to a lens of said camera.

42. The illumination source of claim 39, wherein said semiconductor lamp elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

43. The illumination source of claim 39, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

44. A modular illumination system, comprising:

a portable frame;

a plurality of a panel members attachable to and detachable from the portable frame, each panel member having a plurality of semiconductor light elements attached thereto; and

at least one power source for providing power to said semiconductor light elements.

45. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein each of said panel members comprises attachment means for mating with complementary attachment means on said portable frame.

46. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein each of said panel members comprises a circuit board, and wherein said semiconductor light elements are surface mounted to the circuit board.

47. The modular illumination system of claim 46, wherein the circuit board of each panel member comprises a heat sink.

48. The modular illumination system of claim 46, wherein said portable frame acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by semiconductor light elements on one or more of the panel members.

49. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

50. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said at least one power source comprises a single power source for providing power to the semiconductor light elements on all of the panel members.

51. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein each of said panel members is substantially flat and rectangular, and is configured to be received by a corresponding slot in the portable frame.

52. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

53. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in rows on each panel.

54. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a repeating pattern on each panel.

55. The modular illumination system of claim 44, further comprising a non-detachable lighting panel affixed to said portable frame, said non-detachable lighting panel comprising at least one semiconductor light element attached thereto.

56. The modular illumination system of claim 55, wherein each of said at least one semiconductor light element emits light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

57. The modular illumination system of claim 44, wherein said portable frame is configured to be attached to a yoke, whereby said portable frame may be rotated or tilted, or both.

58. An illumination system, comprising:

a mounting surface;

an array of semiconductor light elements disposed on said mounting surface; and

an integrated lens cover having a plurality of focal lenses for directing light output by said semiconductor light elements.

59. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said array comprises a single row of semiconductor light elements.

60. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said array comprises multiple rows of semiconductor light elements.

61. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

62. The illumination system of claim 61, wherein said mounting surface is part of a circuit board, and wherein said LEDs are surface mounted upon said circuit board.

63. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said circuit board comprises or is attached to heat dissipating fins.

64. The illumination system of claim 62, wherein said LEDs are high output.

65. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.

66. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said mounting surface is part of a substantially flat panel.

67. The illumination system of claim 66, wherein said integrated lens is attachable to and detachable from the flat panel.

68. The illumination system of claim 66, wherein said integrated lens comprises a plurality of one focal lens for each of said semiconductor light elements.

69. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said mounting surface is disposed upon a portable frame, and wherein said portable frame is attachable to a camera.

70. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said integrated lens cover comprises a sheet to which said focal lenses are attached and which is transmissive at each of said focal lenses, and wherein each of said focal lenses comprises a transmissive cone portion having a wide end and a narrow end, with the wide end of the transmissive cone being flush with the underside of the sheet.

71. The illumination system of claim 58, wherein said integrated lens cover comprises a sheet to which said focal lenses are attached and which is transmissive at each of said focal lenses, and wherein each of said focal lenses comprises a domed lens portion for placement above one of said semiconductor light elements.

72. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements;

a power source for supplying energy to said semiconductor light elements; and

an adjustable lens cover attachable to said frame.

73. The lighting apparatus of claim 72, wherein said frame comprises a panel having a surface upon which said semiconductor light elements are disposed.

74. The lighting apparatus of claim 73, wherein said panel is substantially circular.

75. The lighting apparatus of claim 74, wherein said adjustable lens cover is substantially circular and configured to mate with said panel.

76. The lighting apparatus of claim 75, further comprising attachment means on said adjustable lens cover for securing the adjustable lens cover to said panel.

77. The lighting apparatus of claim 76, wherein said attachment means comprises complementary threading on an exterior surface of said panel and an interior surface of said adjustable lens cover.

78. The lighting apparatus of claim 75, wherein said panel defines a central hole.

79. The lighting apparatus of claim 78, wherein said frame attaches to a camera and follows the movements thereof, and wherein the camera views through said hole when attached to said frame.

80. The lighting apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for gripping a light adjusting element between said surface and the adjustable lens cover.

81. The lighting apparatus of claim 80, wherein said light adjusting element comprises a color gel.

82. The lighting apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for gripping comprises at least one spring disposed upon said surface, said spring applying pressure to one side of said light adjusting element while an opposite side of said light adjusting element is thereby pressed against said adjustable lens cover.

83. The lighting apparatus of claim 73, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

84. The lighting apparatus of claim 83, wherein said light emitting diodes are high output.

85. The lighting apparatus of claim 83, wherein said semiconductor light elements emit light within a color temperature range suitable for image capture.