Patents Assigned to Production Resources Group, LLC
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8031131
    Abstract: A stage lighting system with a digital and analog part. The digital part is used to form the image, which can be, for example, a full brightness image. The analog part is used to dim the image, and to carry out failsafe operation. If an error occurs in the digital part, then the analog part prevents the image from being shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 8009374
    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: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: William Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7985007
    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: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
  • Patent number: 7967483
    Abstract: Wireless network used to control multiple lights, includes multiple different networks for different purposes, and interference prevention mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Robin Lee
  • Patent number: 7909307
    Abstract: A winch with adjustable arms allowing the length to be adjusted. The winch can have a very thin drum to allow it to fit in confined spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110026094
    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 hobo. The gobo is formed by making a default gobo based on the type and modifying that default gobo to fit the characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 7878671
    Abstract: A file system for a stage lighting system that maintains the different files associated with the stage lighting system. Each of the files that can represent an effect are maintained within the system within a configuration file. The configuration file can be updated on each start of the system so that the system can maintain information indicative of current configuration files. A test mode can also be entered in which a pre-formed show can be tested against the current state of the configuration files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7850146
    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: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Patent number: 7841188
    Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, Bill Hewlett
  • Patent number: 7830139
    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: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 7813027
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 7766520
    Abstract: A lighting unit with a replaceable and rotatable lens. The lens unit can be removed and replaced. A lens rotating motor is off axis, and is counterbalanced by the light bulb holding structure that is located at the other side of the lighting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 7726843
    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: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hough, James Bornhorst