Abstract: A multi-parameter light is a type of theater light that includes a lamp in combination with one or more optical components such as reflectors, lenses, filters, iris diaphragms, shutters, and so forth for creating special lighting effects, various electrical and mechanical components such as motors and other types of actuators, wheels, gears, belts, lever arms, and so forth for operating the optical components, suitable electronics for controlling the parameters of the multi-parameter light, and suitable power supplies for the lamp, motors, and electronics. Typically, the lamp is enclosed by the lamp housing, which also contains the other optical components and many of the electrical and mechanical components which operate them.

Abstract: A central controller and a number of image projection lighting devices (“IPLD”), a type of multiparameter light, are interconnected by an enhanced performance communications path that is capable of simultaneously carrying different digital signals on various bidirectional channels, such as various content signals, including continuous video and/or audio, in digital form on respective content transfer channels, a command signal on a control channel, and a control or content signal in digital form on an auxiliary channel. In accordance with commands transmitted from the central controller over the control channel, content signals may be sent from any of the IPLDs to any other of the IPLDs, or from the central controller to any of the IPLDs, or from any of the IPLDs to the central controller. The IPLDs have respective unique device addresses, and the control channel, the auxiliary channel, and the content transfer channels also have respective unique channel addresses.

Abstract: A multiparameter light is a type of theater light that includes an arc lamp and a shutter in combination with one or more optical components for creating various lighting effects, suitable electrical and mechanical actuating components, and suitable power supplies. The arc lamp power supply has a variable power output for generating flashes from the arc lamp and for maintaining the arc lamp in an operation condition during dark intervals between the flashes. Flashes may be generated in a series to realize a stroboscopic effect or a lightning effect. The shutter may be used collaboratively with the flashing of the arc lamp to optimize flash characteristics and increase effect options beyond those obtainable from flash or shutter individually. The generation of flashes and operation of the shutter are controlled by a control system in the multiparameter light.

Abstract: An improved image projection lighting device is disclosed. Commands received by a communications port of the base housing may be acted upon to change zoom and focus values of a zoom and focus lens. A cooling system may be provided which compares an input air temperature of the image projection lighting device to an exiting air temperature to determine if a filter needs service. A video projector may project a first image comprised of first, second, and third separate images and the first separate image can be faded up to project light that is void of an image by a first command received at the communications port.

Abstract: A theatre system operating in compliance with the DMX512 protocol is also able to support remote channel assignment of the various theatre devices included therein as well as other auxiliary operating modes by establishing a device hierarchy based on unique ID numbers assigned to the theatre devices when DMX communication is inactive. The theatre devices communicate with each other bi-directionally to establish a device hierarchy. Each theatre device has a pre-assigned unique device identification number, and a hierarchy is established based on these unique ID numbers. One way to establish a hierarchy is to create a list of the unique device identification numbers of the bi-directional theatre devices in the system, and then determine the position of each theatre device on the list. The list may be assembled by one of the bi-directional theatre devices and broadcast to all when completed, or each bi-directional theatre device may itself assemble a complete list.

Abstract: A typical light fixture is an integral unit that has a lamp assembly and a communications node to control the lamp assembly. Lighting systems contain many such light fixtures. One type of lighting system has at least two communications systems that interconnect the light fixtures. A digital controller is connected to one of the communications systems, at least one of the light fixtures of that communications system is a designated gateway for sending control signals to the other communications system. Another type of lighting system has two digital controllers connected to respective communications systems. Each of the communications systems interconnects many light fixtures, at least one of which has two communications nodes respectively connected to the communications systems. A third type of lighting system mixes combines the first and second types.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a lamp which produces a first light which may be a white light; a first light valve, a second light valve, and a first aperture device, which may be a first electronically switchable filter. The first aperture device or the first electronically switchable filter function as selectively variable color separators. The first aperture device or the first electronically switchable filter each can be placed in a first state where the first light is separated into a first color light and a first residual light, and a second state where the first light is separated into a second color light and a second residual light. The first light valve receives the first light in the first state and the second light in the second state. The second light valve receives at least a portion of the first residual light in the first state or at least a portion of the second residual light in the second state.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a lamp which produces a first light which may be a white light; a first light valve, a second light valve, and a first aperture device, which may be a first electronically switchable filter. The first aperture device or the first electronically switchable filter function as selectively variable color separators. The first aperture device or the first electronically switchable filter each can be placed in a first state where the first light is separated into a first color light and a first residual light, and a second state where the first light is separated into a second color light and a second residual light. The first light valve receives the first light in the first state and the second light in the second state. The second light valve receives at least a portion of the first residual light in the first state or at least a portion of the second residual light in the second state.

Abstract: A theatre system operating in compliance with the DMX512 protocol is also able to support remote channel assignment of the various theatre devices included therein as well as other auxiliary operating modes by establishing a device hierarchy based on unique ID numbers assigned to the theatre devices when DMX communication is inactive. The theatre devices communicate with each other bi-directionally to establish a device hierarchy. Each theatre device has a pre-assigned unique device identification number, and a hierarchy is established based on these unique ID numbers. One way to establish a hierarchy is to create a list of the unique device identification numbers of the bi-directional theatre devices in the system, and then determine the position of each theatre device on the list. The list may be assembled by one of the bi-directional theatre devices and broadcast to all when completed, or each bi-directional theatre device may itself assemble a complete list.

Abstract: A typical light fixture is an integral unit that has a lamp assembly and a communications node to control the lamp assembly. Lighting systems contain many such light fixtures. One type of lighting system has at least two communications systems that interconnect the light fixtures. A digital controller is connected to one of the communications systems, at least one of the light fixtures of that communications system is a designated gateway for sending control signals to the other communications system. Another type of lighting system has two digital controllers connected to respective communications systems. Each of the communications systems interconnects many light fixtures, at least one of which has two communications nodes respectively connected to the communications systems. A third type of lighting system mixes combines the first and second types.

Abstract: A multiparameter light typically includes a lamp and shutter in combination with one or more optical components, various electrical and mechanical components for operating the optical components, suitable electronics for controlling the parameters of the multiparameter light, and suitable power supplies for the lamp, motors, and electronics. Typically, the lamp is enclosed by the lamp housing, which also contains the other optical components and many of the electrical and mechanical components which operate them. As the lamp and the various components within the lamp housing generate a great deal of heat and as components within the multiparameter light can overheat as a result of various orientations and light makeup parameters, the temperature of components within the lamp housing is managed by controlling the amount of power furnished to the lamp or the amount of light transmitted through the shutter in accordance with the orientation of the multiparameter light and/or the light makeup parameter in use.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed incorporating a plurality of light sources, such as a plurality of lighting emitting diodes, and a beam altering mechanism for altering the light projected by the plurality of light sources. Several mechanisms for altering the beam produced by the plurality of light emitting diodes are disclosed. The present invention can be used in for example hand held flashlights and theatrical lighting. The present invention in one embodiment discloses a hand held flashlight incorporating a plurality of light sources and a beam altering mechanism capable of changing the color of the emitted light beam produced by the flashlight. The beam altering mechanism may be comprised of an aperture device, which may be an aperture plate, provided with a plurality of apertures that are strategically aligned with the individual light beams emitted from each of the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A typical light fixture is an integral unit that has a lamp assembly and a communications node to control the lamp assembly. Lighting systems contain many such light fixtures. One type of lighting system has at least two communications systems that interconnect the light fixtures. A digital controller is connected to one of the communications systems, at least one of the light fixtures of that communications system is a designated gateway for sending control signals to the other communications system. Another type of lighting system has two digital controllers connected to respective communications systems. Each of the communications systems interconnects many light fixtures, at least one of which has two communications nodes respectively connected to the communications systems. A third type of lighting system mixes combines the first and second types.

Abstract: A central controller and a number of image projection lighting devices (“IPLD”), a type of multiparameter light, are interconnected by an enhanced performance communications path that is capable of simultaneously carrying different digital signals on various bidirectional channels, such as various content signals, including continuous video and/or audio, in digital form on respective content transfer channels, a command signal on a control channel, and a control or content signal in digital form on an auxiliary channel. In accordance with commands transmitted from the central controller over the control channel, content signals may be sent from any of the IPLDs to any other of the IPLDs, or from the central controller to any of the IPLDs, or from any of the IPLDs to the central controller. The IPLDs have respective unique device addresses, and the control channel, the auxiliary channel, and the content transfer channels also have respective unique channel addresses.

Abstract: A multiparameter light is a type of theater light that includes an arc lamp and a shutter in combination with one or more optical components for creating various lighting effects, suitable electrical and mechanical actuating components, and suitable power supplies. The arc lamp power supply has a variable power output for generating flashes from the arc lamp and for maintaining the arc lamp in an operation condition during dark intervals between the flashes. Flashes may be generated in a series to realize a stroboscopic effect or a lightning effect. The shutter may be used collaboratively with the flashing of the arc lamp to optimize flash characteristics and increase effect options beyond those obtainable from flash or shutter individually. The generation of flashes and operation of the shutter are controlled by a control system in the multiparameter light.

Abstract: A typical light fixture is an integral unit that has a lamp assembly and a communications node to control the lamp assembly. Lighting systems contain many such light fixtures. One type of lighting system has at least two communications systems that interconnect the light fixtures. A digital controller is connected to one of the communications systems, at least one of the light fixtures of that communications system is a designated gateway for sending control signals to the other communications system. Another type of lighting system has two digital controllers connected to respective communications systems. Each of the communications systems interconnects many light fixtures, at least one of which has two communications nodes respectively connected to the communications systems. A third type of lighting system mixes combines the first and second types.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses a plurality of light sources. The light sources may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light sources are arranged and mounted to a deformable flexible substrate. The light sources are arranged and mounted to the substrate as to emit their radiation perpendicular to the substrate. The substrate is flexed in a concave or convex manner by motor, magnetic field or other mechanical means. The light sources may emit their radiation perpendicular to the substrate, or the may diverge or converge their radiation away from the substrate. Perforations in the substrate provide cooling to the light sources by convection or forced air. A threaded holder may be screwed onto threads on a case in order to bend the flexible substrate to change the direction of light from the light sources mounted to the flexible substrate.

Abstract: The patterned light beam from a multiparameter light is moved by a position sequence macro that automatically references the present position of projection of light from the multiparameter light. The present position of projection may be, for instance, the last position of the multiparameter light prior to the position sequence macro as indicated by a position parameter for the multiparameter light, and the position sequence macro controls movement of the patterned light beam through several different positions of pan and/or tilt that are, for example, centered on a position specified in the position parameter. The position parameter may be specified remotely by a lighting control system or at the multiparameter light itself. Other parameters such as, for example, color, iris and shutter may be varied as well.

Abstract: A typical light fixture is an integral unit that has a lamp assembly and a communications node to control the lamp assembly. Lighting systems contain many such light fixtures. One type of lighting system has at least two communications systems that interconnect the light fixtures. A digital controller is connected to one of the communications systems, at least one of the light fixtures of that communications system is a designated gateway for sending control signals to the other communications system. Another type of lighting system has two digital controllers connected to respective communications systems. Each of the communications systems interconnects many light fixtures, at least one of which has two communications nodes respectively connected to the communications systems. A third type of lighting system mixes combines the first and second types.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment incorporates multi-parameter lighting devices within a power line carrier system or apparatus. The apparatus comprises a power line, a control device, and a first lighting device. The power line may supply a primary signal having a frequency. The control device may include at least one actuation device which may be a plurality of actuation devices. The control device may be connected to a first power outlet of the power line. The first lighting device may have a plurality of parameters. The first lighting device can include a processor and first motor. The first motor of the lighting device can be used to vary a first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device. The first lighting device can be connected to a second power outlet of the power line.