Patents Assigned to Light & Sound Design Ltd.
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Publication number: 20030185010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Light and Sound Design Ltd., a British corporationInventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
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Patent number: 6622053Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A. Hunt, Michael Hughes
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Patent number: 6617792Abstract: A lighting system with a digital micromirror device which forms a digital gobo 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 registry, 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 used to detect status of the light such as faults.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Michael Hughes, William Hewlett, Ian Clarke
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Publication number: 20030151919Abstract: A system and method of cooling a bulb of a type that requires cooling in one part, but not in others. A deflector assembly is coupled through a reflector, to the bulb, to cool only one part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: Matt Beaumont
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Publication number: 20030147117Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: Light & Sound Design Ltd., a Great Britain CorporationInventor: William E. Hewlett
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Patent number: 6601974Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
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Patent number: 6597132Abstract: A stage lighting lamp unit includes a processor for receiving control data from a remote console. Beam orientation data for the lamp unit is passed to the lamp in the form of the x, y and z co-ordinates of a point in space through which the beam is to pass. The processor divides the required lamp travel into a number of stages dependent on execution duration data sent with the position data, and calculates, for each stage, a new value for pan and tilt angles for the lamp. These values are passed to pan and tilt controlling co-processors which control servo-motors for pan and tilt operation. The lamp unit also incorporates a rotatable shutter for interrupting the lamp beam when required. The shutters of all the lamps in a system can be instructed from the remote console to open and close in synchronism, thereby providing a stroboscopic effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Keith J. Owen, Michael D. Hughes
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Publication number: 20030131610Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: Light & Sound Design Ltd., a England corporationInventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
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Patent number: 6592480Abstract: A high output light source, such as a stage lighting luminaire, produces light along a path. The belt which drives a driven device is kept away from that path by passing it around the opposite side of the pulley.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: Nigel Evans
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Patent number: 6588944Abstract: A system of digitally controlling light output by producing separate control signals for different colors of light. The light is contained in an optical waveguide, either prior to shaping or after shaping. Each of the control signals is coupled to a digitally controlled device which controls the shape of the light output. The digital controlling device can be digital mirror devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: Jerry L. Harris
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Patent number: 6578991Abstract: A system and method of cooling a bulb of a type that requires cooling in one part, but not in others. A deflector assembly is coupled through a reflector, to the bulb, to cool only one part.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: Matt Beaumont
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Publication number: 20030107795Abstract: A special record format used for commanding light pattern shapes and addressable light pattern shape generator. The command format includes a first part which commands a specified gobo and second parts which command the characteristics of that gobo. The gobo is formed by making a default gobo based on the type and modifying that default gobo to fit the characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Light and Sound Design, Ltd., a British corporationInventor: Mark Hunt
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Patent number: 6565941Abstract: 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, occurs.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: William E. Hewlett
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Patent number: 6563520Abstract: A system for designing light and sound systems for use in stage productions. Virtual reality interfaces facilitate the selection and location of lighting and sound displays by providing a real-time simulation of the devices and the display produced thereby. The system also calculates parameters with respect to structural elements used for mounting the lighting and sound equipment. In addition, the virtual reality interface permits the simulation of the packing of the lighting and sound equipment and the automatic calculation of parameters relating to packing space, package weight, preferred location, and order of packing.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Richard Parker, William Hewlett
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Publication number: 20030071999Abstract: Calibrating each of a plurality of driven optical filters. The color parameters of the driven optical filters are characterized for the individual optical filter. These color parameters are used as calibration data to calibrate more standard information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Applicant: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventor: Matt Beaumont
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Patent number: 6549326Abstract: Techniques for use in a digital mirror device based luminaire. The techniques include using a filter as a gobo for definition.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, William E. Hewlett, Ian Clarke
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Patent number: 6549324Abstract: A variable diameter iris is used to change the pass gate of a shaped image produced by a digital mirror device.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design, Ltd.Inventor: Nigel Evans
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Patent number: 6536922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
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Patent number: 6538797Abstract: Techniques for use in a digital mirror device based luminaire. The techniques include using a filter as a gobo for definition.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Light & Sound Design, Ltd.Inventor: Mark A. Hunt
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Patent number: 6523353Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett