Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-20
2001-05-15
Epps, Georgia (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
C359S223100, C359S225100, C084S46400A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233086
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates generally to lighting technology for use in the entertainment industry e.g. on stage, in concerts, theatres, clubs, discos etc. In particular, the present invention relates to special effects involving the projection of an image onto smoke, a stage, a screen or a backdrop. Specifically, the present invention relates to a light pattern modulator and to an apparatus for and a method of generating light patterns in response to an electrical oscillating signal.
There are many aspects to providing creative and effective lighting displays, particularly in conjunction with the generation of sound such as music. The lighting aspect may include spotlights, floodlights, colours and moving light images and strobes. A significant aspect of such lighting is the projection of images onto a stage, a backdrop, a screen, the performers themselves or through smoke (creating a shaped beam). As such, any lamp fixture which produces an image can be considered as a projector and the majority of lamp fixtures have the capability of projecting an image in this way. Their use is no longer limited to theatrical work and pop concerts but has been expanded to exhibitions, corporate work, advertising (e.g. projections of advertising logos onto buildings) and nightclubs. Modern technical developments have led to increasingly versatile lighting units incorporating movement, colour-changing, image-producing (be it simple beam or complex “chrome-etched” images), image overlaying, image movement (facilitated by rotating discs called “gobos”), image effects (by moving prisms) strobing, remote focussing and a variety of remotely accessed lenses.
It is an object of the present invention to enhance the effects of existing light projection systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a light pattern modulator comprising:
input means for receiving an electrical oscillating signal;
at least two actuators for effecting linear displacement in response to the electrical oscillating signal;
modulating means for modulating light incident thereon, the modulating means being mounted on said at least two actuators for enabling movement of the modulating means effected by said at least two actuators not to be physically constrained to movement about a fixed point or axis.
The light pattern modulator of this first aspect of the present invention can be added to existing light projection systems to add three-dimensionality and texture to the projected images. The provision of at least two actuators for effecting linear displacement of different regions of the modulating means mounted on the actuators allows the modulating means to be deflected in a variety of different ways. In particular, movement of the modulating means effective by the actuators is not physically limited to movement about a fixed point or axis. Furthermore, the provision of two or more actuators means that each actuator can respond to a different electrical oscillating signal (which may be the same oscillating signal but having different phases).
Advantageously, the modulating means comprises a single modulating means mounted on at least two actuators for effecting linear displacement in response to the oscillating signal. Such an arrangement may create special effects without significantly affecting the focussing of the projected image particularly when the modulating means comprises a planar mirror.
It is envisaged that a variety of modulating means may be used including simple reflectors, the reflector dish of a lamp, a lens or a prism.
Advantageously, the light pattern modulator comprises at least three actuators. The provision of three actuators significantly increases both the range and rate of movement of the modulating means.
Conveniently, the actuators may comprise inductors positioned within a magnetic field for responding to the electrical oscillating signal, similar to the arrangements used with conventional loudspeakers. Other actuators may also be used including displacement transducers, solenoids, pneumatic pistons, piezoelectric devices, oscillations set up in stepper motors or geared motor oscillation systems.
The input means may comprise phase delay means for generating a phase delayed oscillating signal, the phase delay means being coupled to at least one of the actuators and, in particular, the phase delay means may be effective for coupling an oscillating signal of a different phase to each actuator. Such an arrangement causes each point in the projected image to describe a three-dimensional ring with a stunning visual impact.
Amplifier means for amplifying the oscillating signal may be coupled between the phase delay means and the actuators depending on the amplitude of the oscillating signal and the desired range of movement of the modulating means.
The light pattern modulator of the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a frequency generator for generating an oscillating signal. Most advantageously, the light pattern modulator of the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise audio means for generating an electrical audio signal to create a movement of the modulating means and hence of the projected image which is synchronised with sound derived from the electrical audio signal.
A second aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for generating light patterns in response to an electrical oscillating signal, the apparatus comprising:
input means for receiving an electrical oscillating signal;
at least one actuator for effecting linear displacement in response to the oscillating signal;
modulating means for modulating light incident thereon, the modulating means being mounted on said at least one actuator;
and light projection means for projecting an image onto the modulating means.
The second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus in which the projected image can be moved in response to an electrical oscillating signal to create dynamic effects.
Conveniently, the light projection means comprises a non-laser light source such as a filament lamp or an arc lamp. Fluorescent lighting may also be used. The present invention may be used with laser light sources used to generate images but is not dependent on the use of laser light sources with the expense and safety requirements that this involves.
The light projection means may comprise means for projecting an image which varies with time, in particular a means for pulsing the image. As the modulating means is caused to move in response to an electrical oscillating signal, the combination of the variation in movement provided by the modulating means and the variation of the image can create a special effect. The means for pulsing the image may comprise an arc lamp caused to strike at the frequency of the power supply e.g. 50 Hz. At such a rate, the human eye perceives the arc lamp to be constantly lit but the use of modulating means moving in response to an electrical oscillating signal of about the same frequency causes an effect similar to the effect of strobe lighting on a moving object.
The apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention may be further modified as set out with regard to the light pattern modulator of the first aspect of the present invention set out above.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of generating light patterns in response to an electrical oscillating signal, the method comprising the steps of:
projecting a light image;
and modulating the light image to produce a modulated light image, the modulating step comprising the steps of:
receiving an electrical oscillating signal;
moving a modulating means onto which the light image is projected in response to the oscillating signal.
The third aspect of the present invention provides a method in which the projected image can be moved in response to an electrical oscillating signal to create dynamic effects.
Conveniently, a non-laser light source, such as a filament lamp or an arc lamp, is used to project the image. The present invention may involve the use of laser
Epps Georgia
Kelly Joseph R.
Thompson Timothy
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
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