Patents Assigned to Production Resource Group
  • Layered dimmer system
    Patent number: 8206012
    Abstract: A layered dimmer formed of different layers. The front layer may be a scattering layer, and the back layer may be a reflective layer. The light beam is scattered prior to reflecting, to avoid reflection back to form hotspots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Portable power and signal distribution system for a controllable system including multiple devices
    Patent number: 8203828
    Abstract: A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
    Inventors: James Bornhorst, John Covington
  • Zero fleet winch for stage use
    Patent number: 8196900
    Abstract: A zero fleet winch with guides that move while a cable is wound on a drum. The guides hold the cable always at 90 degrees to the drum. A tensioning turnaround sheave keeps the cable tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Ultraviolet infrared filter
    Patent number: 8197095
    Abstract: A two-dimensional wedge shaped UV and IR filter is formed by or substantially same size pieces of glass forming a two-dimensional wedge. The wedge reflects radiation in four different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Stage command autostop
    Patent number: 8170693
    Abstract: The present system teaches an autostop system for a stage control system in which some of all of the device implemented effects associated with a production may be automatically stopped when certain conditions exist. The conditions causing the effects to stop may be configurable by the show creator to prevent injury to the persons involved with the production and damage to the scenery and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Rusty Mahew
  • Conventional Table for Testing Lights Along Conveyor Path
    Publication number: 20120079695
    Abstract: A testing table that allows testing lights along its length. The testing table can be used to convey lights along the direction, and to test the lights at different locations along the direction along the conveying. The lights can be cleaned and tested. Empty tubs can be returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Production Resource Group
    Inventor: Robin Lee
  • Gobo wheel location drive
    Patent number: 8132473
    Abstract: A gobo wheel with automatic detection system that automatically detects a rotational position of the gobo. The rotational position can be detected by a magnetic marking system. Each of the gobos can be randomly placed within the holder. The position of the gobos can be automatically determined during a start up routine for example, and then those positions can be stored and used for later determination of a position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Gobo Virtual Machine
    Publication number: 20120046766
    Abstract: Producing complicated effects based on image processing operations. The image processing operations are defined for a processor which may be different than the processor which is actually used. The processor that is actually used runs an interpreter that interprets the information into its own language, and then runs the image processing. The actual information is formed according to a plurality of layers which are combined in some way so that each layer can effect the layers below it. For example, the layers may add to, subtract from, or form transparency to the layer below it or make color filtering the layer below it. This enables many different effects computed and precompiled for a hypothetical processor, and a different processor can be used to combine and render those effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Production Resource Group L.L.C
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Drew Findley
  • Three color digital gobo system
    Patent number: 8094981
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.C.C
    Inventor: Jeremiah J Harris
  • Layered dimmer system
    Patent number: 8081367
    Abstract: A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Conventional table for testing lights along a conveyor path
    Patent number: 8074784
    Abstract: A testing table that allows testing lights along its length. The testing table can be used to convey lights along the direction, and to test the lights at different locations along the direction along the conveying. The lights can be cleaned and tested. Empty tubs can be returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Robin Lee
  • Reduced complexity and blur technique for an electronic lighting system
    Patent number: 8077998
    Abstract: Digital blurring of an image is carried out by blurring using a linear or piecewise continuous blurring function. The blurring function blurs a rectangular portion of an image so that the blurring can be embodied by vertical blurring followed by halls on pull blow. Blurring is done by getting on portion of the line of pixels, adding and dividing by the number of pixels. All the columns are blurred, followed by all of the rows being blurred. The columns and rows can be blurred at the same time to maximize the number of cache hits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Hunt
  • Lineset winch with braking parts
    Patent number: 8070135
    Abstract: A winch which can operate with an external brake, or the external brake can be removed to operate with an internal brake. The winch has a cable drum that rotates to get cable on and off the drum. Two eccentric cams are rotated to always keep a soft plastic part pressed against the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Self erecting zipper lift
    Patent number: 8069954
    Abstract: A zipper style lift that coils into a box for storage, but extends to form a rigid, self erecting lift part. The lift stores itself in a housing when retracted, by retracting chain parts into a spiral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • RFID monitor
    Patent number: 8061605
    Abstract: Inventory control and monitoring system uses an RFID reader to read tags on multiple lights passing through a portal. A light turns green after all the tags have been read. Information from those tags is added to an inventory database, which keeps track of which lights, and how many of each kind of light, is in stock. Locations of the lights can also be added to the inventory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robin Lee
  • Moving light table
    Patent number: 8065106
    Abstract: A moving light test system allows connecting moving lights to an interface board and conveying the lights and orienting and testing the lights while they are attached to the board. The lights can be mechanically and electrically connected to the board, and once connected, can be tested in multiple ways without reconfiguring or removing the lights. The board has a connector that can be plugged in at various locations, and the board can also be handled by mechanical devices. In this way, once the light is connected to the board, it does not need to be re-handled. In addition, lights can be tested in different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Lee, Chris Conti
  • Multiple focus point light
    Patent number: 8061873
    Abstract: A lamp unit with a relay lens that allows two different focus points. Two different optical altering elements are hence simultaneously in focus. The elements can be taken in and out of focus to allow different effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hough, James Bornhorst
  • Light coloring system
    Patent number: 8061874
    Abstract: A rainbow wheel that colors light that is passed therethrough. The wheel can be formed using a photolithographic process. Another supermagenta wheel can be used to increase the number of colors that can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Automatic tracking motion control system for a stage set
    Patent number: 8054179
    Abstract: Movable items on a stage have their position detected in three dimensions, and multiple different lights can be shined at the moving items even after they are moved. Shadowing can be detected and compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Rusty Mayhew
  • Gobo virtual machine
    Patent number: 8050777
    Abstract: Producing complicated effects based on image processing operations. The image processing operations are defined for a processor which may be different than the processor which is actually used. The processor that is actually used runs an interpreter that interprets the information into its own language, and then runs the image processing. The actual information is formed according to a plurality of layers which are combined in some way so that each layer can effect the layers below it. For example, the layers may add to, subtract from, or form transparency to the layer below it or make color filtering the layer below it. This enables many different effects computed and precompiled for a hypothetical processor, and a different processor can be used to combine and render those effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A Hunt, Drew Findley