Programmable light beam shape altering device using programmable micromirrors
AssigneeLight & Sound Design Ltd., a Great Britain Corporation
InventorWilliam E. Hewlett
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims153
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.
A method as in claim on 6, wherein said image processing comprises correlating the image against a reference.
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.
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.
A method as in claim on 45, wherein said image processing comprises correlating the image against a reference.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.