Programmable light beam shape altering device using programmable micromirrors

• US 8,976,441 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hewlett, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US13/219,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20120075357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 359290-295, 359/298, 359/896, 345/156, 345/530, 345/589, 345/603, 345/605, 345611-614, 345/629, 345/632, 382/266, 382/280, 382/312, 348/222.1, 348/371
• US Class Current: 359/290
• 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 of displaying light based on stored information, comprising:

storing a digital format signal indicative of at least one image obtained from an image source;

storing said digital format signal as a stored image, in a working memory and in a format where each of a plurality of pixels has a value based on said image, such that the plurality of pixels collectively represents said image;

forming a light output using said image, wherein each of a plurality of said pixels is separately controlled, with pixels outside said image creating an area where light is completely blocked, thereby forming an outer shape of said light based on elements of the image, and with pixels having reduced intensity portions, and full intensity portions inside said outer shape.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said pixels with reduced intensity portions are grey scale portions.

3. The method as in claim 2, wherein said grayscale portions are monochrome.

4. The method as in claim 2, wherein said grayscale portions are in multiple colors.

5. The method as in claim 1, further comprising edge processing the image to carry out a gradual edge graying of an edge portion of the image.

6. The method as in claim 5, wherein said edge processing automatically converts said image to have a continuously graded edge which varies from full image transmission to no image transmission.

7. The method as in claim 1, wherein said forming comprises analyzing said image to determine light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, and allowing light to pass in areas of said light transmitting portions but not to pass in areas of said light blocking portions.

8. The method as in claim 7, further comprising edge processing the image to carry out a gradual edge graying of an edge portion of the image.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein said edge processing comprises stretching an outer perimeter of an image to create a stretched image defined by the light transmitting portions, and creating grayscale portions between an original location of a light transmitting portion and the stretched image.

10. The method as in claim 1, wherein said stored image has multiple values in memory, each value representing multiple bits, each bit mapped to a specific pixel.

11. The method as in claim 1, wherein said digital format signal is a video, and said at least one image is a frame of the video.

12. The method as in claim 1, wherein said digital format signal is a single image.

13. The method as in claim 1, wherein said digital format signal is a compressed signal.

14. A lighting device, comprising:

a lighting element, formed of multiple controllable pixels which form a light source that outputs light based on states of said multiple controllable pixels;

a memory, storing a digital format signal indicative of at least one image obtained from a source;

an image memory, storing a version of said digital format signal in a format where each of a plurality of pixels has a value based on said image, such that the plurality of pixels collectively represents said image;

a processor, controlling said lighting element to create a light output using said image, wherein each of a plurality of said pixels is separately controlled, with pixels outside said image creating an area where light is completely blocked, thereby forming an outer shape of said light based on elements of the image, and with pixels having reduced intensity portions, and full intensity portions inside said outer shape.

15. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said pixels with reduced intensity portions are grayscale portions.

16. The lighting device as in claim 15, wherein said grayscale portions are monochrome.

17. The lighting device as in claim 15, wherein said grayscale portions are in multiple colors.

18. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said processor edge processes the image to carry out a gradual edge graying of an edge portion of the image.

19. The lighting device as in claim 18, wherein said processor carries out said edge processing to automatically convert said image to have a continuously graded edge which varies from full image transmission to no image transmission.

20. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said processor also analyzes said image to determine light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, and controls said lighting element to allow light to pass in areas of said light transmitting portions but not to pass in areas of said light blocking portions.

21. The lighting device as in claim 20, wherein said processor also carries out edge processing the image to carry out a gradual edge graying of an edge portion of the image.

22. The lighting device as in claim 21, wherein said edge processing comprises stretching an outer perimeter of an image to create a stretched image defined by the light transmitting portions, and creating grayscale portions between an original location of a light transmitting portion and the stretched image.

23. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said stored image has multiple values in memory, each value representing multiple bits, each bit mapped to a specific pixel.

24. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said digital format signal is a video, and said at least one image is a frame of the video.

25. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said digital format signal is a single image.

26. The lighting device as in claim 14, wherein said digital format signal is a compressed signal.

27. A lighting device, comprising:

a lighting element, formed of multiple controllable pixels which form a light source that outputs light based on states of said multiple controllable pixels;

a memory, storing a digital format signal indicative of at least one image obtained from a source; and

a processor, controlling said lighting element to create a light output using said image, wherein each of a plurality of said pixels is separately controlled, with pixels outside said image creating an area where light is completely blocked, thereby forming an outer shape of said light based on elements of the image, and with pixels having reduced intensity portions, and full intensity portions inside said outer shape, and wherein said processor edge processes the image to carry out a gradual edge graying of an edge portion of the image.

28. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said processor carries out said edge processing to automatically convert said image to have a continuously graded edge which varies from full image transmission to no image transmission.

29. The lighting device as in claim 28, wherein said edge processing comprises stretching an outer perimeter of an image to create a stretched image defined by the light transmitting portions, and creating grayscale portions between an original location of the light transmitting portion and the stretched image.

30. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said edge greying is in monochrome.

31. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said edge greying is in multiple colors.

32. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said memory includes a stored image with multiple values in memory, each value representing multiple bits, each bit mapped to a specific pixel.

33. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said digital format signal is a video, and said at least one image is a frame of the video.

34. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said digital format signal is a single image.

35. The lighting device as in claim 27, wherein said digital format signal is a compressed signal.