Patents by Inventor William E. Hewlett

William E. Hewlett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8976441
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 8314800
    Abstract: Three-digital micromirror devices (“DMD”) are used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMDs each receive a primary color and selectively reflects some light of that color, 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 follow 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20120075357
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20120008325
    Abstract: Three-digital micromirror devices (“DMD”) are used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMDs each receive a primary color and selectively reflects some light of that color, 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 follow 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 8022954
    Abstract: Three-digital micromirror devices (“DMD”) are used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMDs each receive a primary color and selectively reflects some light of that color, 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 follow 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7900882
    Abstract: A hook clamp has surfaces allowing the clamp to be placed on a support and clamped thereto. The surfaces are such that the clamp can be placed on the support and its weight held by the support prior to tightening. The clamp has a built-in connector for supplying power to the lamp. The clamp has one or more fail-safe holes for securing the clamp to the support with a safety cable. The clamp also has one or more flanges that can be received by a separate mounting bracket, for mounting the clamp and any attached element during storage, staging, or when otherwise not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7835092
    Abstract: A flexible medium for a scrolling color changer and method of making thereof. The medium is made by applying an ink using a Meyer Rod which has varying cell lengths along its length. This leaves varying size cells of ink at different locations along the length of the medium. The ink has special characteristics whereby its evaporation rate and viscosity are carefully controlled. The viscosity is such that an amount of levelling will occur will be equal to the distance between any cells, but that cell to cell levelling will not, in general, occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7572035
    Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventors: William E. Hewlett, Nigel Evans
  • Publication number: 20090190203
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7535622
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7515367
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20090072747
    Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7454915
    Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Production Resource Group L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7224509
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7078869
    Abstract: A lighting system with a digital micromirror device which forms a digital godo system that is controllable on a pixel level. The device includes a number of sensitive electronic elements. The device is controlled by two different controllers: a digital signal processor which is effectively the number crunching portion, and a controller, which controls the functions of the light. The controller also logs errors into a registery, such as a non-volatile memory. A field programmable gate array is used for a number of purposes, including to form the ports. One of those ports is a tech port, which is used to detect status of the light such as faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hughes, William E. Hewlett, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7000417
    Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 6891686
    Abstract: A flexible medium for a scrolling color changer and method of making thereof. The medium is made by applying an ink using a Meyer Rod which has varying cell lengths along its length. This leaves varying size cells of ink at different locations along the length of the medium. The ink has special characteristics whereby its evaporation rate and viscosity are carefully controlled. The viscosity is such that an amount of levelling will occur will be equal to the distance between any cells, but that cell to cell levelling will not, in general, occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 6801353
    Abstract: Techniques for use in a digital mirror device based luminaire. The techniques include using a filter as a gobo for definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Production Resource Group Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, William E. Hewlett, Ian Clarke
  • Publication number: 20040168444
    Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Light and Sound Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
  • Publication number: 20040161590
    Abstract: A flexible medium for a scrolling color changer and method of making thereof. The medium is made by applying an ink using a Meyer Rod which has varying cell lengths along its length. This leaves varying size cells of ink at different locations along the length of the medium. The ink has special characteristics whereby its evaporation rate and viscosity are carefully controlled. The viscosity is such that an amount of levelling will occur will be equal to the distance between any cells, but that cell to cell levelling will not, in general, occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Light and Sound Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett