Abstract: 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 a tech port which is used to detect status of the light such as faults.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An improved lighting control architecture provides many different kinds of controlling options. A single channel per line communication is described. This can be used to form single channel DMX to communicate with DMX format luminaires, while still using only one communication per line. The controlling console has only a single connector that outputs information for all luminaires. This is connected to a distribution rack, which itself includes plural connectors but spaced from the console. The multiple connectors can represent communications in many different formats including format of one lamp per line, or time division multiplexed formats of many lamps per line.

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.

Abstract: A light altering device includes a housing and at least one moveable element coupled to the housing with each of the moveable elements having a light modifying device capable of changing some aspect of a beam of light. A moving control element moves the moveable element(s) relative to the housing between a first stowed position where the light modifying device of the moveable element does not interfere with the beam of light, and a second active position where the light modifying device does interfere with the beam of light. The housing of the light altering device can rotate a lighting effect produced by the moveable element in the second active position. Methods of modifying light with the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Three primary colored flourescent bulbs are selectively dimmed according to a ratio which produces a desired color, and at a brightness as desired.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A time synchronizing unit operates to synchronize lamps with various indicia. Each of these indicia are tied to a system clock. The system clock is normally incremented at specified intervals, e.g., every 4 milliseconds. The system is to be synchronized with a stage lighting production such as a song. If the tempo of the song changes, the amount of time between interrupts changes. Hence the time when things occur will be varied as the system clock changes. This enables varying the time when the things occur without actually changing the program: the time is bent to accommodate the new tempo of the program.

Abstract: A color wheel for lighting fixtures comprising a hub wherein removable, user-selected dichroic filters are engaged by a spring element. The filters are removably held by two pegs extending upward and one nub extending downward. The filters can be lifted for removal.

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.

Abstract: MIDI settings indicating a musical part of a show are used to control a lighting effect associated with the show. Events within the music, such as a specified chord, can be used to trigger a certain MIDI effect. The collection of MIDI settings can also be used to determine the current song being played.

Abstract: A technique of allowing MIDI format information to be transmitted over an Ethernet connection. The MIDI is changed to Ethernet, and an Ethernet broadcast or multicast address is used. This allows the Ethernet to be delivered to multiple locations, much like the original MIDI information. Using the multicast address allows non-MIDI devices to be present on the same bus without interference from the MIDI commands.

Abstract: Lamps forming a lighting show are grouped into maps. Each map includes an association between the lamps and specific sets. Lamps are in particular sets in particular maps and can be in different sets in other maps. Each set can be associated with a parameter for that set. One such parameter is the color for the set of lamps. Both maps and parameters can be changed by a single key press. This allows single key press parameter cycling.

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 in follows the performer's image. This results in a shadowless follow spot.

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.

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.

Abstract: 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 coordinates 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.

Abstract: A noise-reduced stage lighting system has a motor having an output shaft driving a moving part of a stage lighting device, e.g. pan and tilt functions. An anti noise coupling is used to attenuate the noise produced by the assembly. An interface surface is formed with no metal connections between the noisy motor and the relatively quieter downstream components.

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.

Abstract: A repeater for use in a control network includes isolating transformers at its root input/output and at a plurality of branch input/outputs. There is a line receiver and a line driver circuit associated with each of the isolating transformers. To determine the direction of transmission of signals through the repeater, there is a common mode voltage detector which detects a common mode voltage imposed on the wiring to the root side of the root transformer. A corresponding common mode voltage is imposed by the repeater on the branch side of each of the branch transformers. The repeater also includes a logic circuit for testing the validity of signals received from the branches and ensuring that only valid signals are passed to the root transformer.