# US 8,540,383 B2 · Flexible strip with light elements for providing illumination suitable for image capture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,383 B2 - Document ID: US8540383B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/118,281 - Filed: 2011-05-27 - Published: 2012-04-05 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2001-09-07 - Assignees: Litepanels LLC - Applicants: Rudy G. Pohlert; Pat Grosswendt; Kevin Baxter; Ken S. Fisher - Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert; Pat Grosswendt; Kevin Baxter; Ken S. Fisher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540383B2 ## CPC - G03B 15/02: Illuminating scene - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/74: by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means - H05B 45/00: Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED] - H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light - H05B 47/155: Coordinated control of two or more light sources - F21S 9/02: the power supply being a battery or accumulator - F21V 14/06: by movement of refractors {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635)} - F21V 19/001: {the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs} - F21V 21/0885: {for portable lighting devices} - F21V 21/116: Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards (F21V21/002 takes precedence) - F21W 2131/406: for theatres, stages or film studios - F21Y 2103/00: Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - G03B 2215/0539: Ringflash - Y10S 362/80: Light emitting diode - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## 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 ### Claim 1 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip having a mounting surface, said flexible strip capable of being readily bent and/or twisted, wherein said flexible strip comprises a circuit board and wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in an insulated material; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power source coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, whereby said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a daylight color temperature range. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a tungsten color temperature range. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said electrical power source comprises a battery located in an integrated battery housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said electrical power source comprises an electrical connector configured to receive an electrical cord for supplying power to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is comprised of mylar or a composite material and can be bent and/or twisted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in a flexible and thin housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the flexible strip has a back side, and further comprising heat dissipating fins protruding from the back side of the flexible strip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern side-by-side with the first plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements, wherein said electrical power source is also coupled to said second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements have screw-in bases for attaching to said flexible strip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a dome shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a funnel shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element, wherein a base of each lens cap is proximate the respective semiconductor light element, and wherein each lens cap gradually widens with distance from the respective semiconductor light element. ### Claim 14 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip comprising (i) a thin, flexible circuit board that can be bent and/or twisted, and (ii) a thin and flexible protective encasement; a mounting surface on said circuit board; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature suitable for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power souce coupled to the surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a daylight color temperature range. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a tungsten color temperature range. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein said electrical power source comprises a battery. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein said electrical power source comprises an electrical connector configured to receive an electrical cord for supplying power to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein said protective encasement comprises a rubberized material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The illumination device of claim 14, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element. ### Claim 23 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip having a mounting surface, said flexible strip capable of being readily bent and/or twisted; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power source coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, whereby said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination; wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a daylight color temperature range. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein said electrical power source comprises a battery located in an integrated battery housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein said electrical power source comprises an electrical connector configured to receive an electrical cord for supplying power to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein said flexible strip comprises a circuit board. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The illumination device of claim 26, wherein said circuit board is comprised of mylar or a composite material and can be bent and/or twisted. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The illumination device of claim 26, wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in an insulated material. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The illumination device of claim 26, wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in a flexible and thin housing. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein the flexible strip has a back side, and further comprising heat dissipating fins protruding from the back side of the flexible strip. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, further comprising a second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern side-by-side with the first plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements, wherein said electrical power source is also coupled to said second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements have screw-in bases for attaching to said flexible strip. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a dome shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element. ### Claim 35 (depends on 23) The illumination device of claim 23, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a funnel shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element, wherein a base of each lens cap is proximate the respective semiconductor light element, and wherein each lens cap gradually widens with distance from the respective semiconductor light element. ### Claim 36 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip having a mounting surface, said flexible strip capable of being readily bent and/or twisted; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power source coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, whereby said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination; wherein one or more of said surface-mount semiconductor light elements individually emit light in a tungsten color temperature range. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein said electrical power source comprises a battery located in an integrated battery housing. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein said electrical power source comprises an electrical connector configured to receive an electrical cord for supplying power to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein said flexible strip comprises a circuit board. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The illumination device of claim 39, wherein said circuit board is comprised of mylar or a composite material and can be bent and/or twisted. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The illumination device of claim 39, wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in an insulated material. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) The illumination device of claim 39, wherein said circuit board is at least partially encased in a flexible and thin housing. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein the flexible strip has a back side, and further comprising heat dissipating fins protruding from the back side of the flexible strip. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, further comprising a second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern side-by-side with the first plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements, wherein said electrical power source is also coupled to said second plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements. ### Claim 45 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements have screw-in bases for attaching to said flexible strip. ### Claim 46 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, wherein said surface-mount semiconductor light elements comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 47 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a dome shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element. ### Claim 48 (depends on 36) The illumination device of claim 36, further comprising one or more lens caps attached over said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, each of said lens caps having a funnel shape and acting as a focusing lens to direct the light output from a respective surface-mount semiconductor light element, wherein a base of each lens cap is proximate the respective semiconductor light element, and wherein each lens cap gradually widens with distance from the respective semiconductor light element. ### Claim 49 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip having a mounting surface, said flexible strip capable of being readily bent and/or twisted; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power source coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, whereby said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination; wherein said electrical power source comprises a battery located in an integrated battery housing. ### Claim 50 An illumination device, comprising: a flexible strip having a mounting surface, said flexible strip capable of being readily bent and/or twisted; a plurality of surface-mount semiconductor light elements disposed on the mounting surface in a substantially linear pattern, said semiconductor light elements emitting light at a color temperature for providing suitable illumination for lighting of a subject being recorded by a film, television or video camera; and an electrical power source coupled to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements, whereby said semiconductor light elements provide a continuous source of illumination; wherein said electrical power source comprises an electrical connector configured to receive an electrical cord for supplying power to said surface-mount semiconductor light elements.