Programmable light beam shape altering device using programmable micromirrors

• US 20030147117A1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Light and Sound Design Limited
• Inventors: Hewlett, William E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,224,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/292
• 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: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A digital micromirror device (“DMD”) is used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMD selectively reflects some light, 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 follows 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:

selecting a shape to be used as a shape for projecting a beam of light, and producing a control signal indicative thereof; and

using said control signal to control a digital light shape altering device which produces a projected beam having a shape that is based on said control signal.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said using comprises using said control signal to control a digital micromirror device.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising selecting an additional aspect of a beam of light, wherein said control signal is also indicative of said additional aspect, and said using comprises using said control signal to control said digital light shape altering device to produce said beam that is also indicative of said additional aspect.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said using comprises using said control signal to control said digital light altering device to shape form a colored beam.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein said selecting an additional aspect comprises selecting a rotation of the shape used for projecting the beam of light, said control signal at a specified being indicative of said shape at any time during the rotation.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising image processing said shape to produce a control signal based on an image processed shape.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises processing an edge of a shape to form an effect on said edge of said beam of light.

8. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises processing said shape to rotate said shape.

9. A method as in claim 6, further comprising selecting a second shape, and wherein said image processing comprises morphing the beam of light from said shape to said second shape.

10. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing said shape to duty cycle process the beam of light.

11. A method as in claim 7 wherein said effect comprises graying of an edge of said shape by a specified amount to corresponding by gray and edge of said beam of light.

12. A method as in claim 7, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing an entire part of the shape to effect an effective perceived brightness of the projected beam.

13. A method as in claim 7, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises forming a stroboscopic effect on the projected beam.

14. A method as in claim 6, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises stretching some part of an outline defined by said projected beam.

15. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises processing said image to change a position of said projected beam.

16. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises determining a new shape to be used in a display of a new projected beam, and selecting a speed with which a current beam will be changed to the new shape of the new projected beam.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein said speed comprises a rate at which the image will appear to move between the projected beam and the new projected beam.

18. A method as in claim 17, further comprising updating the shape at specified intervals, and changing the content of the beam shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

20. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam at another time.

21. A method as in claim 6, wherein said image processing comprises dynamically controlling the image shape to dynamically control the shape of the beam.

22. A method as in claim 1, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having values for each of a plurality of pixels, which values represents states of said each pixel.

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

44. A method as in claim 22, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array respectively used for said first and second color shapes.

19. A method as in claim on 6, wherein said image processing comprises correlating the image against a reference.

24. A method, comprising:

using a digital device to produce a first color shape at a first time, and to produce a second color shape at a second time, where an interval between said first and second times is shorter than a human'"'"'s persistence of vision; and

projecting a composite color beam that is based on a combination of said first color shape at said first time, and said second color shape at said second time, wherein said composite color beam has an outer shape that is controlled by said first and second color shapes.

25. A method as in claim 24, wherein said first and second colors are primary colors.

26. A method as in claim 24, further comprising producing a third color shape at a third time, wherein said first second and third times are sufficiently close to be within said persistence of vision, and said composite color beam is shaped based on said first, second and third color images.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein said first, second and third colors are primary colors.

28. A method as in claim 24, wherein said projecting comprises using a rotating color wheel whose rotation is synchronized with said projecting.

29. A method as in claim 24, further comprising image processing to produce said first and second shapes based on an image processed shapes.

30. A method as in claim 29, wherein said image processing comprises processing an edge of said shapes to form an effect on said edge of said shapes.

31. A method as in claim 30, wherein said image processing comprises processing said shapes to rotate said composite shape.

32. A method as in claim 30, further comprising morphing from said composite shape to another shape.

33. A method as in claim 30, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing of the composite shape.

34. A method as in claim 33, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing the projected composite beam to effect and effective perceived brightness of the projected beam.

35. A method as in claim 33, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises forming a stroboscopic effect on the projected composite beam.

36. A method as in claim 34, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises stretching some part of an outline defining by said projected composite beam.

37. A method as in claim 34, wherein said image processing comprises changing a position of said projected composite beam.

38. A method as in claim 34, wherein said image processing comprises determining a new shape to be used in a display of a new projected composite beam, and selecting a speed with which a current beam will be changed to the new projected composite beam.

39. A method as in claim 38, wherein said speed comprises a rate at which the image will appear to move between the projected composite beam and the new projected beam.

40. A method as in claim 39, further comprising updating the beam shape at specified intervals, and changing the content of the beam shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

41. A method as in claim 30, wherein said image processing comprises correlating against a reference to determine said shapes.

42. A method as in claim 30, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

43. A method as in claim 24, wherein said first and second color shapes are formed by reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

45. A method comprising:

selecting an image to be used as a shape for a projection spot;

image processing said image to change some aspect of said image to produce an image processed image; and

producing an output signal indicative of a shape of said image processed image, said output signal in a format to control a digital light shape altering device.

46. A method as in claim 45, wherein said using comprises producing an output signal in a format to control a circuit containing a digital micromirror device.

47. A method as in claim 45, further comprising using said output signal to control said digital light shape altering device to produce a projection spot in a shape based on said image as modified by said image processing.

48. A method as in claim 45, further comprising using said output signal to control a circuit including a digital micromirror device, to produce a projection spot based on said basic image as modified by said image processing.

49. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises processing an edge of said image to form an effect on a shape of said projection spot.

50. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises processing an image to rotate a shape of said projection spot.

51. A method as in claim 45, further comprising selecting a second image, and wherein said image processing comprises morphing a shape of said projection shape from a shape of said image to a shape of said second image.

52. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing the projection spot.

53. A method as in claim 45, wherein said effect comprises graying of an edge of said shape of said projection spot by a specified amount.

54. A method as in claim 52, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing the entire image to effect an effective perceived brightness of the projection spot.

55. A method as in claim 52, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises forming a stroboscopic effect on the projection spot.

56. A method as in claim 45, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises stretching some part of an outline defined by said shape.

57. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises processing said image to change a position of said projection spot.

58. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises determining a new image to be used as a display of a new projected beam shape, and selecting a speed with which a current beam shape will be changed to the new projected beam shape.

59. A method as in claim 58, wherein said speed comprises a rate at which the image will appear to move between the projected beam shape and the new projected beam shape.

60. A method as in claim 59, further comprising updating the shape at specified intervals, and changing the content of the shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

62. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

63. A method as in claim 45, wherein said image processing comprises dynamically controlling the image shape to dynamically control the shape of the beam.

64. A method as in claim 45, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

65. A method as in claim 64, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

61. A method as in claim on 45, wherein said image processing comprises correlating the image against a reference.

66. A method, comprising:

determining a first electronic file indicative of a first shape a light beam to be projected at a first time;

determining a second electronic file indicative of a second shape of a second light beam to be projected at a second time, after said first time;

determining interim files indicative of interim shapes between said first and second light shapes; and

outputting said files to control said shapes of said light beams.

67. A method as in claim 66, further comprising using said files to control a digital light shape altering device, to produce said first and second shapes at said times.

68. A method as in claim 66, wherein said interim files are each produced at times which are sufficiently close together to prevent a user from perceiving uneven motion of the shapes.

69. A method as in claim 66, wherein said interim files are each produced to cause a maximum pixel shift of x, where x is a number of pixels selected to minimize a chance that a user will perceive uneven motion in the moving shape.

70. A method as in claim 69, wherein x is 100 pixels.

71. A method as in claim 66, wherein said first and second electronic files are representative of maps which represent on and off states of each of a plurality of pixels of an array of pixels.

72. A method as in claim 66, further comprising determining said second electronic file by image processing operation.

73. A method as in claim 67, further comprising processing an edge of said image to form an effect on said edge of said image.

74. A method as in claim 66, further comprising processing an image to rotate said image.

75. A method as in claim 66, wherein said interim files represent morphing from said first shape to said second shape.

76. A method as in claim 66, further comprising duty cycle processing the image.

77. A method as in claim 73, wherein said effect comprises graying an edge of said shape by a specified amount.

78. A method as in claim 76, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing the entire image to effect an effective perceived brightness of the image.

79. A method as in claim 76, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises forming a stroboscopic effect on the image.

80. A method as in claim 76, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises stretching some part of an outline defined by said shape.

81. A method as in claim 66, further comprising updating the shapes at specified intervals, and changing the content of the beam shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

82. A method as in claim 66, further comprising cross fading between said first and second image shapes.

83. A method as in claim 66, wherein said image processing comprises dynamically controlling the image shape to dynamically control the shape of the beam.

84. A method as in claim 66, wherein said determining a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

85. A method as in claim 80, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

86. A method, comprising:

reading a first electronic file indicative of a beam shape, for a beam of light, from a memory;

forming a map from said compressed electronic file, said map indicative of states of an array of pixels of size x by y to form said beam shape; and

outputting said map.

87. A method as in claim 86, further comprising using said map to control a digital light shape altering device.

88. A method as in claim 86, further comprising using said map to control a digital Micro mirror device

89. A method as in claim 86, wherein said reading comprises reading a compressed electronic file, and said forming a map comprises forming said map using an uncompressed version of said first electronic file.

90. A method as in claim 89, wherein said forming a map comprises converting said first electronic file to a second format different then said first format.

91. A method as in claim 90, wherein said second format comprises a bit map format, where each of a plurality of pixels is represented by a plurality of bits.

92. A method as in claim 90, further comprising carrying out an image processing operation on said first electronic file to form and image processed file, and using said image processed file to form said map.

93. A method as in claim 92, wherein said image processing comprises processing an edge of an image represented by said first electronic file to form an effect on said edge of said image.

94. A method as in claim 92, wherein said image processing comprises processing an image represented by said first electronic file to rotate said image.

95. A method as in claim 92, further comprising selecting a second shape, and wherein said image processing comprises morphing from said beam shape to said second shape.

96. A method as in claim 92, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing the image represented by said first electronic file.

97. A method as in claim 92, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

98. A method as in claim 92, wherein said image processing comprises dynamically controlling the image shape to dynamically control the shape of the beam.

99. A method as in claim 86, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selecting shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

100. A method as in claim 99, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

101. A method, comprising:

using a first file to form an output signal to control a digital light shape altering device to produce a first shape at a first time;

at a second time, subsequent to said first time, recalculating a new image representing a desired incremental change in said shape and using said new image to control said digital light shape altering device, wherein said desired incremental change represents an incremental change between said first shape and a desired second shape to be produced at a second time after said first shape.

102. A method as in claim 101, further comprising selecting said second shape, and selecting a time associated with producing said second shape, and wherein said recalculating comprises recalculating an incremental part between said first shape and said second shape.

103. A method as in claim 102, further comprising selecting an action on said first file which action results in said second shape, and wherein said action includes an image processing action.

104. A method as in claim 103, wherein in said image processing action comprises processing an edge of an image to form an effect on said edge of said image.

105. A method as in claim 103, wherein said image processing action comprises processing an image to rotate said image.

106. A method as in claim 103, wherein said image processing comprises morphing from said image to said new image.

107. A method as in claim 103, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing the image.

108. A method as in claim 107, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing the entire image to effect an effective perceived brightness of the image.

109. A method as in claim 101, further comprising updating a beam shape at specified intervals, and changing the content of the beam shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

110. A method as in claim 101, wherein said incremental change is part of a cross fading a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

111. A method as in claim 101, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selecting shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

112. A method, comprising:

producing a beam of light to be used as a stage lighting beam, said beam of light having an intensity greater than 600 watts;

filtering said beam of light using a filter that reflects at least some of its infrared energy; and

digitally controlling and element in a path of said beam of light after said filtering to shape said beam of light according to said digitally controlling.

113. A method as in claim 112, wherein said filtering comprises using a cold mirror.

114. A method as in claim 112, wherein said digitally controlling an element comprises digitally controlling a digital micromirror device.

115. A method as in claim 112, wherein said digitally controlling comprises an image processing said shape to produce a control signal based on an image processed shape.

116. A method as in claim 115, wherein in said image processing comprises processing an edge of said shape to form an effect on said edge of said beam.

117. A method as in claim 115, wherein said image processing comprises processing an image to rotate said image.

118. A method as in claim 115, further comprising selecting a second shape, and wherein said image processing comprises morphing from said shape to said second shape.

119. A method as in claim 115, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing the image.

120. A method as in claim 119, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing an entire image to effect an effective perceived brightness of the image.

121. A method as in claim 112, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

122. A method as in claim 112, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

123. A method as in claim 122, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

124. A method, comprising:

selecting a basic Aperture shape from a memory;

converting said basic Aperture shape to a plurality of states, each representing a state of a pixel of an array; and

producing and output signal indicative thereof.

125. A method as in claim 124, further comprising using said output signal to control a digital light shape altering device.

126. A method as in claim 124, further comprising using said output signal to control a digital Micromirror device.

127. A method as in claim 124, further comprising changing said Aperture shape according to an image processing operation

143. A method as in claim 124, wherein said selecting a shape comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selecting shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

128. A method, comprising:

displaying a beam of light in a specified and controlled shape; and

digitally dimming said beam of light by adjusting a duty cycle between on and off times of said beam of light at a speed faster than human persistence of vision.

129. A method as in claim 128, further comprising controlling said shape of said beam of light such that light inside an outline is passed and light outside the outline is blocked.

130. A method as in claim 128, further comprising maintaining a map representing which of a plurality of pixels of an array are passed and which on said plurality of pixels are blocked.

131. A method as in claim 130, wherein said displaying comprises using a digital Micro mirror device to display said beam of light.

132. A method as in claim 128, further comprising changing said shape.

133. A method as in claim 132, wherein said changing said shape comprises changing said shape according to a specified image processing operation.

134. A method as in claim 133, wherein in said image processing comprises processing an edge of an image to form an effect on said edge of said image.

135. A method as in claim 133, wherein said image processing comprises processing an image to rotate said image.

136. A method as in claim 133, further comprising selecting a second shape, and wherein said image processing comprises morphing from said shape to said second shape.

137. A method as in claim 133, wherein said image processing comprises duty cycle processing the image.

138. A method as in claim 137, wherein said duty cycle processing comprises changing the entire image to effect an effective perceived brightness of the image.

139. A method as in claim 133, wherein said image processing comprises determining a new image to be used as in a display of a new projected beam, and selecting a speed with which a current beam will be changed to the new projected beam.

140. A method as in claim 139, wherein said speed comprises a rate at which the image will appear to move between the projected beam and the new projected beam.

141. A method as in claim 140, further comprising updating the beam shape at specified intervals, and changing the content of the beam shape by a specified amount, related to said rate, at each of said specified intervals.

142. A method as in claim 133, wherein said image processing comprises cross fading between a first image shape used for projecting the beam, and a second image shape used for projecting the beam.

144. A method, comprising:

forming a beam of light in a shape that projects completely unconnected shapes of a type that cannot be formed using and etched metal Gobo.

145. A method as in claim 144, wherein said unconnected shapes include two concentric circles.

146. A method as in claim 144, wherein said forming comprises forming a first stencil outline for a first of said shapes and forming a second stencil outline for a second of said shapes.

147. A method as in claim 144, further comprising forming said shapes using an processing operation.

148. A method as in claim 144, wherein said forming a beam of light comprises reading a digital file indicative of a selected shape from a memory, and converting said digital file into a map representing an array of pixels, said map having a value for each of a plurality of pixels, which value represents a state of said each pixel.

149. A method as in claim 148, wherein said map includes multiple color values for each of said pixels of said array.

150. A method, comprising:

projecting a beam of light from a lighting device in a specified shape towards a target;

detecting and/action which is occurring at the target; and

changing said specified shape according to said action which is occurring.

151. A method as in claim 150, wherein said action comprises movement of a performer on a stage.

152. A method, comprising

projecting a beam of light from a lighting device in a specified shape towards a target;

and

updating said specified shape at least 30 times per second.

153. A method as in claim 152, wherein said specified shape is in a specified color.