Stand-mounted light panel for natural illumination in film, television or video

• US 7,972,022 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Baxter, Kevin, Fisher, Ken S., Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US12/414,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20090268425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 362/9, 362/6, 362/11, 362/800, 362/17, 396/199, 396/431, 396/155
• US Class Current: 362/11
• 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 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0539 Ringflash
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using 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. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.

Claims

1. An apparatus for illuminating a subject for film, photography or video, the apparatus comprising:

a frame having a front;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on the front of the frame and configured to provide a continuous source of illumination, said semiconductor light elements having a color temperature suitable for image capture, at least one of said semiconductor light elements individually emitting light in a daylight color temperature range or a tungsten color temperature range; and

a dimmer whereby an illumination intensity of said semiconductor light elements may be user adjusted;

wherein said frame is adapted for being mounted to and readily disengaged from a stand.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a daylight color temperature range or a tungsten color temperature range.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dimmer is configured to provide manual adjustment of an electronic current provided to said semiconductor light elements.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rated power dissipation of said high output LEDs equals or exceeds one watt.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said frame further comprises a stand adapter bracket configured to be mounted to and readily disengaged from said stand.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said dimmer comprises a knob or manual control member attached to or otherwise integrated with said frame.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said frame comprises an assembly physically encasing or mechanically attached to an integrated power source for converting an input voltage signal to a direct current (DC) LED supply voltage signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said integrated power source comprises a battery.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said frame is substantially rectangular, and wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one color filter disposed in front of said semiconductor light elements so as to alter a characteristic of light emitted by said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said frame comprises a slot for receiving and holding said at least one color filter, and

wherein said at least one color filter substantially conforms to the rectangular shape and size of said frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of semiconductor light elements are electrically controllable in a plurality of distinct groups, whereby said groups may be dimmed or turned on or off together as a unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said stand comprises a base providing ground support for said stand.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame may be swiveled or tilted on said stand.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said frame further comprises a stand adapter bracket configured to allow said frame to be mounted to and readily disengaged from said stand.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the rated power dissipation of said high output LEDs equals or exceeds one watt.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said frame comprises an assembly physically encasing or mechanically attached to an integrated power source for converting an input voltage signal to a direct current (DC) LED supply voltage signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said integrated power source comprises a battery.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said frame is substantially rectangular, and wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one color filter disposed in front of said semiconductor light elements so as to alter a characteristic of light emitted by said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said frame comprises a slot for receiving and holding said at least one color filter, and

wherein said at least one color filter substantially conforms to the rectangular shape and size of said frame.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said stand comprises a base providing ground support for said stand.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said dimmer comprises a knob or manual control member attached to or otherwise integrated with said frame.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises an assembly physically encasing or mechanically attached to an integrated power source for converting an input voltage signal to a direct current (DC) LED supply voltage signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said integrated power source comprises a battery.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stand comprises a base providing ground support for said stand.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein substantially all of said semiconductor light elements emit light at substantially the same color temperature.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame is substantially rectangular.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising at least one color filter disposed in front of said semiconductor light elements so as to alter a characteristic of light emitted by said semiconductor light elements.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said frame comprises a slot for receiving and holding said at least one color filter, and wherein said at least one color filter substantially conforms to the rectangular shape and size of said frame.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an integrated power converter physically attached to or disposed within said housing frame, said dimmer providing manual adjustment of an electronic current provided from said integrated power converter to said semiconductor light elements.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a daylight color temperature range and half of said semiconductor light elements emit light in a tungsten color temperature range.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises electrical connectors for receiving a self-contained power source for providing power to said semiconductor light elements.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said self-contained power source comprises a battery.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said plurality of semiconductor light elements are electrically controllable in a plurality of distinct groups, whereby said groups may be dimmed or turned on or off together as a unit.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising an integrated power converter physically attached to or disposed within said housing frame and electronically coupled to said electrical connectors whereby power is received by said integrated power converter, said dimmer providing manual adjustment of an electronic current provided from said integrated power converter to said semiconductor light elements.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said dimmer comprises a knob or manual control member attached to or otherwise integrated with said frame.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the rated power dissipation of said high output LEDs equals or exceeds one watt.

42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said frame is substantially rectangular, and wherein said semiconductor light elements are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising at least one color filter disposed in front of said semiconductor light elements so as to alter a characteristic of light emitted by said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said frame comprises a slot for receiving and holding said at least one color filter, and

wherein said at least one color filter substantially conforms to the rectangular shape and size of said frame.

44. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said stand comprises a base providing ground support for said stand.

45. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the rated power dissipation of said high output LEDs equals or exceeds one watt.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the rated power dissipation of said high output LEDs equals or exceeds three watts.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said frame comprises a printed circuit board, and wherein said high output LEDs are disposed on said printed circuit board.

49. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame may be swiveled or tilted on said stand.

57. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light in a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, and a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light in a second color temperature range suitable for image capture.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said first color temperature range comprises daylight color temperature, and wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising a controller for adjusting relative illumination levels output by said first plurality of semiconductor light elements and said second plurality of semiconductor light elements.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein approximately half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light over a daylight color spectrum and approximately half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light over a tungsten color spectrum.

50. An apparatus for illuminating a subject for film, photography or video, the apparatus comprising:

a portable frame having a front surface;

a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on the front surface of the frame and configured to provide a continuous source of illumination, said semiconductor light elements having a color temperature suitable for image capture, at least half of said semiconductor light elements individually emitting light over a daylight color spectrum or a tungsten color spectrum; and

a dimmer whereby an illumination intensity of said semiconductor light elements may be user adjusted by modifying an electrical current to said semiconductor light elements;

wherein said frame comprises a receptor for detachably mounting to a stationary object or surface, whereby the frame may be swiveled and/or tilted.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said receptor is adapted to connect to a stand or yoke.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein all of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light over a daylight color spectrum or a tungsten color spectrum.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein a first plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light in a first color temperature range suitable for image capture, and a second plurality of said semiconductor light elements emit light in a second color temperature range suitable for image capture.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first color temperature range comprises daylight color temperature, and wherein said second color temperature range comprises tungsten color temperature.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a controller for adjusting relative illumination levels output by said first plurality of semiconductor light elements and said second plurality of semiconductor light elements.

56. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein approximately half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light over a daylight color spectrum and approximately half of said semiconductor light elements individually emit light over a tungsten color spectrum.