IP Library Granted Patent US 7,270,444
Granted Patent B2
US 7,270,444 · App. 11/127,975 · Granted Sep 18, 2007

Stage lighting lamp unit and stage lighting system including such unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,270,444
App. No.
11/127,975
Granted
Sep 18, 2007
Kind
B2
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 co-ordinates 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.

Claims (14)

1. A method, comprising:

providing a processing parfor receiving a command to change from a first gobo defining a first pattern to a second gobo defining a second pattern;

determining at least one value related to time slicing a movement between said first and second gobos, wherein the time slicing comprises determining plural separated times and desired positions at those plural separated times; and

causing said change using said at least one value to determine a speed of said change.

2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein said at least one value comprises of a position between said first and second gobos at a specified time after a beginning of said movement.

3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein said determining at least one value comprises determining a total amount of said movement, determining a total time for the change, and determining time slices for said change.

4. A method as in claim 3 , further comprising carrying out a part of said change at each specified time.

5. A method as in claim 4 , wherein said carrying out a part of said change comprises commanding a motor which moves one of said first and second gobos to move by a specified amount.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a processing part, which receives information indicative of lighting effects including Gobo effects, said processing part receiving a command to change from a first gobo defining a first pattern to a second gobo defining a second pattern, and said processing part determining at least one value related to time slicing a movement between said first and second gobos, wherein the time slicing comprises determining plural separated times and desired positions at those plural separated times, and producing an output of positions of said first and second gobos at said separated times; and

a gobo control part, controlled by said output from said processing part, to change from said first gobo to said second gobo using said output and said at least one value.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein said gobo control part includes at least one ring of gobos having a plurality of gobo elements including at least one of said first gobo and said second gobo thereon, and a motor which moves said ring of gobos based on said output and said at least one value.

8. An apparatus as in claim 6 , further comprising a control console, and wherein said processing part receives said information from the control console.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said console and said processing part are connected via a cable connection.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2011
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.
To: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, INC.; PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 026170/0398 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (RELEASES R/F: 017480/0143) Recorded Sep 19, 2007
From: GMAC COMMERCIAL FINANCE LLC
To: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 019843/0985 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 19, 2007
From: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, L.L.C.; PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 019843/0964 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2007
From: LIGHT AND SOUND DESIGN LTD.
To: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 019684/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2007
From: HUNT, MARK A.; OWEN, KEITH J.; HUGHES, MICHAEL D.
To: LIGHT AND SOUND DESIGN LTD.
Reel/Frame 019684/0271 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 17, 2006
From: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP, INC.
To: GMAC COMMERCIAL FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 017480/0143 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 17, 2006
From: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP INC.
To: HBK INVESTMENTS L.P.; AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 017015/0884 →