Theatre light apparatus incorporating LED tracking system
A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
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The present application is a continuation of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/516,822, titled “THEATRE LIGHT APPARATUS INCORPORATING LED TRACKING SYSTEM”, filed on Sep. 7, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,600,891.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to multiparameter lighting fixtures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMultiparameter lighting fixtures are lighting fixtures, which illustratively have two or more individually remotely adjustable parameters such as focus, color, image, position, or other light characteristics. Multiparameter lighting fixtures are widely used in the lighting industry because they facilitate significant reductions in overall lighting system size and permit dynamic changes to the final lighting effect. Applications and events in which multiparameter lighting fixtures are used to great advantage include showrooms, television lighting, stage lighting, architectural lighting, live concerts, and theme parks. Illustrative multi-parameter lighting fixtures are described in the product brochure showing the High End Systems product line for the year 2000 and are available from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex.
Multiparameter lighting fixtures are commonly constructed with a lamp housing that may pan and tilt in relation to a base housing so that light projected from the lamp housing can be remotely positioned to project on the stage surface. Commonly a plurality of multiparameter lights are controlled by an operator from a central controller. The central controller is connected to communicate with the plurality of multiparameter lights via a communication system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,182 titled “Computer controlled lighting system having automatically variable position, color, intensity and beam divergence” to Bornhorst and incorporated herein by reference, disclosed a plurality of multiparameter lights and a central controller.
The lamp housing of the multiparameter light contains the optical components and the lamp. The lamp housing is rotatably mounted to a yoke that provides for a tilting action of the lamp housing in relation to the yoke. The lamp housing is tilted in relation to the yoke by a motor actuator system that provides remote control of the tilting action by the central controller. The yoke is rotatably connected to the base housing that provides for a panning action of the yoke in relation to the base housing. The yoke is panned in relation to the base housing by a motor actuator system that provides remote control of the panning action by the central controller.
It is desirable for a multiparameter light to have a large light output aperture to create a large beam of light cross section. This often causes a problem because the final output lens that often establishes the output aperture of a multiparameter light must be large in diameter. When the output lens diameter exceeds eight inches the glass lens can become quite heavy. The increased weight of the lens requires a more expensive support frame and larger motors to drive the increased weight of the lamp housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA novel high power multiparameter light apparatus is disclosed. The multiparameter light of one or more embodiments of the present invention incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of embodiments of the present invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present invention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. There are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments of the present invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the desired results.
In particular, various embodiments of the present invention provide a number of different methods and apparatus for operating and controlling multiple IPLD lighting systems. The concepts of the invention are discussed in the context of IPLD lighting systems but the use of the concepts of the present invention is not limited to IPLD systems and may find application in other lighting and other visual systems where control of the system is maintained from a remote location and to which the concepts of the current invention may be applied.
The lamp housing 300 includes, or has located therein, an output lens 340. The output lens 340 may be a polymer fresnel lens and typically is the main output lens of the lamp housing 300. A polymer fresnel lens is used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for output lens 340 to reduce the weight associated with glass fresnel lenses of the prior art. The output lens 340 includes an output aperture 340a shown in
The base housing 400 has a graphical display 404 and input keys 402a, 402b, 402c and 402d used for setting a communications address as well as controlling other functions of the multiparameter light 100. The multiparameter light also includes a power input cord 406 for connecting the multiparameter light 100 to a source of power.
The lamp housing 300 may further include, or have located therein, a subtractive color system using Cyan, Magenta and Yellow (referred to as CMY). The subtractive color system may be used to variably modify the colors of the projected light from central lamp 308. The subtractive color system may be constructed of dichroic color filter media that is fashioned into color filter flags 320c, 320m and 320y that are serially positioned in the light path 303 and can be varied across the light path 303 by motors. The color filter flags 320c, 320m, and 320y, may be cyan, magenta, and yellow color filter flags, respectively. The cyan color filter flag 320c is varied in the light path 303 by a motor actuator 316c. The magenta color filter flag 320m is varied in the light path 303 by a motor actuator 316m. The yellow color filter flag 320y is varied in the light path 303 by a motor actuator 316y. The color filter wheel 315 acts as a color varying system to vary the color of the light emitted by the output lens 340. The system of CMY (cyan, magenta, and yellow) color filters acts as a color varying system to vary the color of the light emitted by the output lens 340.
The focus lens 325 of
The output lens 340 is a fresnel lens constructed of a polymer. The polymer material may be clear acrylic or polycarbonate. The output lens 340 is varied in the optical path or light pathway 303 by lead screw system 340w driven by motor actuator 316z. The output lens 340 may work in conjunction with the focus lens 325 to operate as a zoom and focus lens system.
An LED (light emitting diode) 350a is shown along with the simplified wiring connection points 350aw. A second LED (light emitting diode) 350m is shown along with simplified connection points 350bw. The connection points 350aw and 350bw connect to the LED control 442 of
The motor control 432 also can vary the pan and tilt motors, not shown for simplification, that cause the lamp housing 300 to tilt in relation to the yoke 110 and the yoke 110 to pan in relation to the base housing 400. The base housing 400 also includes or may have located therein, a motor and logic power supply 430, which may supply the necessary power to operate all of the motors and the logic circuitry included or inside the base housing 400.
The processor 416 may operate to send control signals to a lamp power supply 428 which remotely enable and power the central lamp 308. The processor 416 may send control signals to an LED control 442 that is connected (wiring not shown for simplification) to the plurality of LEDs 350a through 350x that comprise the LED tracking ring 302 of
External input buttons switches 402a, 402b, 402c, and 402d may be mounted to a circuit board 402 which may be or may be part of a means for external input commands. The action of switches 402a, 402b, 402c, and 402d are read by a control input 422 and sent to the processor 416 as external input commands. A display device 404, which may be a dot matrix or other graphical display, is used to provide feedback to an operator. The display device 404 is driven by a display driver 420 that receives commands from the processor 416 to alter display characters of the display device 404. The switches 402a, 402b, 402c and 402d, circuit board 402, control input 422, display device 404 and the display driver 420 are components of a stand alone control system 424 shown by the dashed lines.
The LEDs in the color tracking ring 350a through 350x of
The multiparameter theatre light 100 can operate to project light (main output light) originating from the central lamp 308 and passing through the output lens 340 and output lens aperture 340a. The motors 316c, 316m and 316y can be used to vary the color filter flags 320c, 320m and 320y into the light pathway 303. Varying the color filter flags 320c, 320m and 320y varies the saturation of the cyan, magenta and yellow color, respectively, applied to light in the light pathway 303. Varying the color of the projected light from a multiparameter theatre light, by using cyan, magenta and yellow filters is well known in the art. This practice is referred to as CMY (cyan, magenta and yellow) color mixing. CMY is also referred to in the art as “subtractive color mixing”. A product called “Cyberlight” (trademarked) manufactured by High End Systems and described in the “The High End Systems Product Line 2001” brochure makes use of a CMY system to vary the color of the projected light.
The multiparameter theatre light 100 of
The operator may individually adjust cyan, magenta or yellow to achieve a mixed color in the visible spectrum.
The multiparameter theatre light 100 of
When the operator adjusts the input device 502r of
In practice the multiparameter theatre lights 100, 101 and 102 of
The multiparameter theatre light 100 of
The operator of the control system 500 of
The commands for the color varying of the main output and the LED tracking ring 302 and the strobe commands for the main output and LED tracking ring 302 can also be created by an operator inputting to the stand alone control system 424. The operator may input commands through the input devices 402a, 402b, 402c and 402d. The input commands received by the use of input devices 402a, 402b, 402c and 402d can be sent from the control input system 422 to the processor 416. The processor 416 acting in accordance with the memory 415 can process the commands to control the color varying or strobing of the main output projected light from output lens 340 or the LED tracking ring 302.
The LED tracking ring 302 is shown surrounding the aperture 340a of the output lens 340 and it is preferred to be a ring that surrounds the aperture 340a. The LED tracking ring 302 could take on a different look if desired and may be constructed of a different geometric shape other than a ring. The lamp 308 could also be a comprised of a plurality of LEDs and in this case the lens 340 would not be required. Alternatively, the output lens 340 and aperture 340a may not be located in the center of the LED tracking ring 302.
The red LEDs of the LED tracking ring 302 may be connectively wired so that all red LED components of the LEDs 350a through 350x of the tracking ring 302 are driven simultaneously as described. The blue LEDs of the LED tracking ring 302 may be wired so that all blue LED components of the LEDs 350a through 350x of the tracking ring 302 are driven simultaneously as described. The LEDs of the LED tracking ring 302 may be wired so that all green LED components of the LEDs 350a through 350x of the tracking ring 302 are driven simultaneously as described. Alternatively separate control of each color component of each LED 350a through 350x may be driven by the LED control 442 of
Claims
1. A theatrical lighting apparatus comprising
- a housing;
- a first lamp located within the housing;
- a communications port;
- a plurality of light emitting diodes forming a substantially circular geometric array;
- wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes emit a first light in response to a first command received by the communications port;
- wherein a second light from the first lamp is emitted perpendicular to the substantially circular geometric array of the plurality of light emitting diodes;
- wherein the second light from the first lamp is emitted from a location which is substantially centrally located with respect to the substantially circular geometric array; and
- wherein the first command is compliant with the a DMX protocol;
- wherein the first lamp projects the second light from the housing through a subtractive color system, in response to a second command received by the communications port; and
- wherein each of the plurality of light emitting diodes projects light from the housing independent of the subtractive color system and in response to the first command.
2. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first lamp is a metal halide lamp.
3. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first lamp is a mercury lamp.
4. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first lamp is a xenon lamp.
5. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first lamp is a halogen lamp.
6. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claims 1 wherein
- the second light emitted by the first lamp is remotely color varied using a CMY (cyan, magenta and yellow) color varying system.
7. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claims claim 1 wherein
- the first light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes is remotely color varied using an RGB (red, green, and blue) color varying system.
8. A theatrical lighting apparatus comprising
- a housing;
- a first lamp;
- a second lamp;
- a remotely controlled CMY (cyan, magenta and yellow) subtractive color varying system; and
- a remotely controlled RGB (red, green, and blue) additive color varying system;
- wherein the remotely controlled CMY subtractive color varying system is responsive to a central controller;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a cyan color saturation of a projected light from the first lamp;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a magenta color saturation of the projected light from the first lamp;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a yellow color saturation of the projected light from the first lamp;
- wherein the remotely controlled RGB additive color varying system is responsive to the central controller;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a red color of a projected light from the second lamp;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a green color of the projected light from the second lamp; and
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a blue color of the projected light from the second lamp.
9. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 8 wherein
- the CMY subtractive color varying system and RGB additive color varying systems system are remotely controlled by the central controller by commands compliant with the a DMX protocol.
10. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 8 wherein
- the RGB additive color varying system is comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes, which include a plurality of red, green and blue light emitting diodes and the CMY subtractive color varying system is comprised of dichroic color filter media.
11. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein
- a first set of the plurality of red, green and blue light emitting diodes includes a first red light emitting diode, a first green light emitting diode, and a first blue light emitting diode;
- and wherein the first set emits light through a single output aperture to create a homogenous color blend.
12. A theatre lighting apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a communications port;
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a lamp housing comprising: a lamp, a reflector; a CMY (cyan, magenta and yellow) color varying system; and a polymer fresnel output lens;
- wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the base by a motor;
- wherein the lamp, the reflector, the CMY (cyan, magenta and yellow) color varying system, and the polymer fresnel output lens cooperate to project a variable colored light; and
- wherein a first command received by the communications port causes the CMY color varying system to vary the variable colored light into a first color; and
- wherein the CMY color varying system is responsive to a central controller;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a cyan color saturation of a projected light from the lamp;
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a magenta color saturation of the projected light from the lamp; and
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a yellow color saturation of the projected light from the lamp.
13. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 12 wherein
- the first command is compliant with DMX protocol.
14. The theatrical lighting apparatus of claim 12 further comprising
- a gobo wheel for projecting patterns from the polymer fresnel output lens.
15. A theatre lighting apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a communications port;
- a processor;
- a memory; and
- a lamp housing;
- the lamp housing comprising; a lamp, a reflector; a color varying system; a polymer output lens; and a gobo wheel;
- wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the base by a motor;
- wherein the reflector, the color varying system, and the polymer output lens cooperate to project a first variable colored light;
- wherein a first command received by the communications port varies the first variable colored light into a first color; and
- wherein patterns located by a gobo wheel can be projected by the polymer output lens;
- wherein the color varying system is responsive to a central controller; and
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a color of projected light from the lamp.
16. A theatre lighting apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a communications port;
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a lamp housing comprising a lamp, a reflector; a color varying system; a polymer output lens; and an optical power varying system;
- wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the base by a motor;
- wherein the reflector, the color varying system, and the polymer output lens cooperate to project a first variable colored light;
- wherein a first command received by the communications port varies the first variable colored light into a first color; and
- wherein a further light projected by the polymer output lens can be varied from a soft edge to a hard edge by varying the optical power varying system;
- wherein the color varying system is responsive to a central controller; and
- wherein the central controller includes an input device which can be used by an operator to individually adjust a color of projected light from the lamp.
17. The theatre lighting apparatus of claim 16 wherein the optical varying system is comprised of two flags.
Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 24, 2011
Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
Assignee: Barco Lighting Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)
Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau (Austin, TX), Michael Bell (Austin, TX), David Dahly (Austin, TX), David Karl Peck (Austin, TX)
Primary Examiner: Jong-Suk (James) Lee
Assistant Examiner: Mark Tsidulko
Application Number: 13/070,546
International Classification: F21V 9/00 (20060101);