Abstract:
An automated luminaire with dual over-sized graphic wheels that can be inserted and positioned into or out of the light path of the luminaire together as a unit and each graphic wheel can be rotated independent of the other wheel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to equipment for the selection and movement of images or gobos within an automated luminaire. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Luminaires with automated and remotely controllable functionality are well known in the entertainment and architectural lighting markets. Such products are commonly used in theatres, television studios, concerts, theme parks, night clubs and other venues. A typical product will commonly provide control over the pan and tilt functions of the luminaire allowing the operator to control the direction the luminaire is pointing and thus the position of the light beam on the stage or in the studio. Typically this position control is done via control of the luminaire&#39;s position in two orthogonal rotational axes usually referred to as pan and tilt. Many products provide control over other parameters such as the intensity, color, focus, beam size, beam shape and beam pattern. The beam pattern is often provided by a stencil or slide called a gobo which may be a steel, aluminum or etched glass pattern. The products manufactured by Robe Show Lighting such as the ColorSpot 700E are typical of the art. 
         [0003]    Such gobos are typically the size of the luminaire&#39;s optical aperture and systems may be provided to select between different gobos, often mounted on a wheel, or to rotate a gobo once selected. The optical systems of such luminaires may further include gobos, patterns or other optical effects which are larger than the optical aperture and may allow movement across or through the beam to produce effects such as rainfall or fire. Such devices are often termed animation wheels and may be included in addition to gobos so as to further modify the light beam. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a multiparameter automated luminaire system  10 . These systems commonly include a plurality of multiparameter automated luminaires  12  which typically each contain on-board a light source (not shown), light modulation devices, electric motors coupled to mechanical drives systems and control electronics (not shown). In addition to being connected to mains power either directly or through a power distribution system (not shown), each luminaire is connected is series or in parallel to data link  14  to one or more control desks  15 . The luminaire system  10  is typically controlled by an operator through the control desk  15 . 
         [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a automated luminaire  12 . A lamp  21  contains a light source  22  which emits light. The light is reflected and controlled by reflector  20  through an aperture or imaging gate  24  and through an animation wheel  25 . The resultant light beam may be further constrained, shaped, colored and filtered by optical devices  26  which may include dichroic color filters, gobos, rotating gobos, framing shutters, effects glass and other optical devices well known in the art. The final output beam may be transmitted through output lenses  28  and  29  which may form a zoom lens system. 
         [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a prior art gobo wheel  1  containing five gobos  3  and an open aperture. The wheel  1  may be rotated  5  such that any of the gobos  3  may be positioned across the optical aperture of the luminaire  4 . 
         [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates a further prior art gobo wheel  6 . In this version the gobos  8  are contained within carriers  2  that may be rotated through gears  8 . The wheel may be rotated such that any of the gobo carriers  2  containing a gobo  8  are positioned across the optical aperture of the luminaire  7  and said selected gobo carrier  2  may then be rotated around the optical axis of the luminaire producing a dynamic effect in the output beam. 
         [0008]    In both examples, to change gobos from a first gobo to a second, non-adjacent, gobo requires that the wheel be rotated through all the gobos in between the first and second gobos. It would be advantageous if a gobo system could change from a first gobo to any second gobo without having to pass through intermediate gobos. 
         [0009]    In addition it would be advantageous if gobos larger than the optical aperture could be inserted and removed from the optical aperture in any position or orientation. It would further be advantageous if two serially mounted gobos could be inserted and removed from the optical aperture such that overlay and moiré effects could be created. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a typical automated lighting system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a typical automated luminaire; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a prior art gobo wheel; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a prior art rotating gobo wheel; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the positioning of the dual wheel embodiment of  FIG. 5  among other light modulators in an automated luminaire; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6   a - d  illustrate various operational positions of the dual wheel; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiments of  FIG. 5  with the dual wheel in another position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates alternative viewing of positioning of components of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates alternative viewing of positioning of components of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the drive system of the dual graphics wheel; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a slightly offset view of the drive system embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a subset of the components of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the graphic wheels; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the graphic wheels, and; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates an offset backside view of the embodiment of the graphic wheels illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGUREs, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
         [0027]    The present invention generally relates to an automated luminaire, specifically to the configuration of a graphic wheel within such a luminaire such that gobos larger than the optical aperture may be utilized, such that serially mounted gobos may be overlaid, and such that selection may be made between any two gobos, adjacent or non-adjacent, without the need to pass through intermediate gobos. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the invention. Lamp  102  is mounted within reflector  104  and directs a light beam through prior art rotating gobo wheels  106  and  110 . Rotating gobo wheel  106  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  108  are positioned across the optical aperture and rotating gobo wheel  110  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  112  are positioned across the optical aperture  130 . The resultant light beam is directed through output lenses  114  and  116  which may be adjusted so as to move the focal point of the system such that any optical component is in focus in the output beam. A dual graphic wheel  141  includes a carrier plate  140  which carry the graphic wheels  142  and  143  ( 143  not identified in this view). Graphic wheel carrier plate  140  may be rotated about axis  146  such that large gobo  142  is positioned across the optical aperture of the luminaire. In the position illustrated in  FIG. 5  gobo  142  is outside of the optical path and not across the optical aperture  130 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6   a - d  illustrate a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the invention. Graphic wheel carrier plate  140  contains a gobo  142 . Gobo  142  may be a single pattern or incorporate multiple patterns and may be replaceable on carrier plate  140 . Carrier plate  140  may be rotated around pivot axus  146  such that gobo  142  is moved across the optical aperture  130  of the luminaire. Gobo  142  may be substantially larger than the optical aperture  130 . In the embodiment shown, the diameter of the graphic wheel  142  is over three times the diameter of the aperature  130 . Other relative sizes are also possible but for the desired effect and functionality the relative size should be substantially larger than the relative size of the gobos in the prior art gobo wheels illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  Carrier plate  140  may have a counterweight  149  such that the assembly is substantially balanced around pivot axis  146 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6   a  shows carrier plate  140  positioned such that gobo  142  is outside the optical aperture  130  and thus has no effect on the projected light beam. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6   b  shows carrier plate  140  positioned such that gobo  142  is across the optical aperture  130 . In this position the focus mechanism of the luminaire may be adjusted such that the patterns or images on gobo  130  are in focus in the projected image or are out of focus in the projected image. The edge of gobo  142  is adjacent to optical aperture  130  such that gobo  142  may be rotated around its centre point (not identified) to provide a arc movement of the pattern across the optical aperture  130 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6   c  shows carrier plate  140  positioned such that gobo  142  is across the optical aperture  130 . In this position the focus mechanism of the luminaire may be adjusted such that the patterns or images on gobo  130  are in focus in the projected image or are out of focus in the projected image. The centre of gobo  142  is coincident/concentric with the centre of optical aperture  130  such that gobo  142  may be rotated around its centre point to provide a rotation movement of the pattern around the centre of the optical aperture  130 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6   d  shows carrier plate  140  positioned such that gobo  142  is across the optical aperture  130 . In this position the focus mechanism of the luminaire may be adjusted such that the patterns or images on gobo  130  are in focus in the projected image or are out of focus in the projected image. The edge of gobo  142  is adjacent to optical aperture  130  such that gobo  142  may be rotated around its centre point to provide a movement of the pattern across the optical aperture  130 . Gobo  142  is positioned such that the opposite edge to the position illustrated in  FIG. 6   b  is across the optical aperture  130 , thus, for the same rotation direction of gobo  142 , arc movement of the pattern across the optical aperture will be in the opposite direction. 
         [0034]    Although three positions have been illustrated, the invention is not so limited and graphic wheel carrier plate  140  may be positioned by rotation around pivot point  146  such that any portion of gobo  142  defined by an arc drawn around pivot point  146  may be placed across optical aperture  130 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the invention. Lamp  102  is mounted within reflector  104  and directs a light beam through gobos in prior art rotating gobo wheels  106  and  110 . Rotating gobo wheel  106  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  108  are positioned across the optical aperture and rotating gobo wheel  110  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  112  are positioned across the optical aperture. The resultant light beam is directed through output lenses  114  and  116  which may be adjusted so as to move the focal point of the system such that any optical component is in focus in the output beam. Graphic wheel carrier plate  140  may be rotated such that large gobo  142  is positioned across the optical aperture of the luminaire. In the position illustrated in  FIG. 7  gobo  142  is inside the optical path and is positioned across the optical aperture (not seen in  FIG. 7 ). In this position lenses  114  and  116  may be adjusted such that any of the optical elements including gobo wheel  106 , gobo wheel  110  and gobo  142  are in focus in the output beam. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates a more detailed view of an embodiment of the invention. Rotating gobo wheel  106  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  108  are positioned across the optical aperture  130  and rotating gobo wheel  110  may be rotated such that any of the gobos  112  are positioned across the optical aperture  130 . Graphic wheel carrier plate  140  may be rotated  147  by motor  150  around pivot axis  146  such that large gobo  142  is positioned across the optical aperture  130  of the luminaire. In the position illustrated in  FIG. 8  gobo  142  is outside of the optical path and not across the optical aperture  130 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates the same system depicted in  FIG. 8  showing a situation where graphic wheel carrier plate  140  has now been rotated by motor  150  around pivot axis  146  such that large gobo  142  is positioned across the optical aperture (not seen in  FIG. 9 ) of the luminaire. In this position light will travel through both large gobo  142  as well as gobos on rotating gobo wheels  106  and  110 . Further, gobo  142  may be rotated around its own centre by motor  152  as further described below. 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  illustrates a detailed backside view of the graphic wheel mechanism of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment graphic wheel carrier plate  140  carries two serially mounted, concentric gobos  143  and  142 . First gobo  143  is mounted within rim  139  and second gobo  142  is mounted within rim  141 . First and second gobos  143  and  142  are concentric and will move together with carrier plate  140  such that both of them will be moved across the optical aperture together. Rim  139  and rim  141  are constrained by, but free to rotate within, bearings dual  137   a,    137   b,    137   c  and  137   d.  Each dual bearing allows individual rotation of Rim  139  from rotation of Rim  141 . Rim  139 , and thus contained first gobo  143 , is connected by belt  153  to motor  152 . Similarly rim  141 , and thus contained second gobo  142 , is connected by belt  155  to motor  154 . Rotation of motor  152  will cause rotation of rim  139  and contained first gobo  143 . Rotation of motor  154  will cause rotation of rim  141  and contained second gobo  142 . Rotation of motor  150  will rotate the carrier plate  140  across or away from the optical aperture as previously described. Motors  150 ,  152  and  154  may be of a type selected from a list comprising but not limited to, stepper motors, servo motors, and linear actuators. 
         [0039]    Through this mechanism, by coordinated and separate adjustment of motors  150 ,  152  and  154 , carrier plate  140  and attached first and second gobos  142  and  143  may be positioned such that the desired area of first and second gobos  142  and  143  are positioned across the optical aperture. Once in position either or both of first and second gobos  142  and  143  may be independently and separately rotated about its own centre point. First and second gobos  142  and  143  may contain the same pattern or different patterns. The patterns may be chosen such that the movement of first gobo  142  relative to second gobo  143  produces moiré, kaleidoscopic, or other interference effects. Such effects may be produced independently or in conjunction with gobos on prior art gobo or rotating gobo wheels or other optical devices in the luminaire as well known in the art. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  illustrates a slightly offset view of the drive system for the graphic wheels  143  and  142  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The rotation of carrier  140  is driving by motor  150  via shaft  171  about axis  146 . Shaft  171  also supports idler pulleys  161  and  165  but does not impede there rotation of the idler pulleys  161  and  165 . Idler pulley  161  has two grooves for accepting drive belts  152  and  163 . While idler pulley  165  has two grooves for accepting drive belts  167  and  155 . In this way drive belts  163  and  167 , which drive rotation of the frames  139  and  141  respectively which in turn rotate graphic wheels  143  and  142  respectively, are right next to each other so that the graphic wheels are right next to each other. Rotation of frame  139  and wheel  143  is driven by motor  152  which rotates shaft  173  which drives belt  153  which rotates idler pulley  161  which drives belt  163 . Rotation of frame  141  and wheel  142  is driven by motor  154  which rotates shaft  175  which drives belt  155  which rotates idler pulley  165  which drives belt  167 . The frames are held in place by dual idler bearings  137   a,    137   b  (not identified in  FIG. 11 ,  137   d  (not identified in  FIG. 11) and 137   c  (not seen in  FIG. 11 ) as previously described above. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. First gobo  142  mounts within first rim  139  which may be rotated about its centre point by first belt  153 . Second gobo  143  mounts within second rim  141  which may be rotated about its centre by second belt  155 . First and second gobos  142  and  143  may be easily removed and replaced such that the user can change the effect produced. 
         [0042]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where first and second gobos  143  and  142  have patterns that provide a moiré or kaleidoscopic effect. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate the reverse and obverse views of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment first gobo  143  contains a plurality of smaller patterns within it,  145   a,    145   b,    145   c,    145   d  and  145   e.  By coordinated and separate adjustment of the motors first gobo  143  may be positioned and rotated such that any of the smaller patterns  145   a,    145   b,    145   c,    145   d  or  145   e  is positioned across the optical aperture of the luminaire. In such position the second gobo  142  may contain a break up pattern as illustrated herein. By altering the focal position of the optical system the user can superimpose or overlay this break up pattern over the pattern from first gobo  143 . By rotating second gobo  142  an effect may be created to simulate fire or water movement. It can further be seen that by positioning gobo  143  prior to moving it across the aperture it is possible to directly select any of the smaller patterns  145   a,    145   b,    145   c  or  145   d  without the need to pass through any other gobos. Further, to move from a first small pattern chosen from  145   a,    145   b,    145   c  or  145   d  to a second small pattern chosen from  145   a,    145   b,    145   c  or  145   d  the user may choose to either move directly to the second small pattern without concern for intervening patterns or may choose to first remove gobo  143  from the optical aperture using motor  150  before continuing to select a second small pattern. Thus the operator has complete control over the route taken from a first pattern to a second pattern. 
         [0044]    The specific mechanism illustrated herein using belts and bearings is illustrative only and not a limitation of the invention. Other mechanisms well known in the art to move carrier plate  140  and rotate first gobo  143  and second gobo  142  may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0045]    In further embodiments either or both of first and second gobos  143  and  142  may comprise a piece of optical filter glass with, for example, lenticular lens pattern or prisms. Rotation of such a filter by motors  152  or  154  will cause a rotation of the optical effect caused by the optical filter glass. 
         [0046]    In further embodiments the separation along the optical axis of the first gobo wheel, second gobo wheel and rotating gobo wheels may be minimized such that the optical system can focus on more than one of these optical elements at the same time. 
         [0047]    In a further embodiment software in the automated luminaire may provide automated or semi-automated selection of motor control parameters, such that a single control selection by the user will recall combinations of positions of the rotating gobo wheels, graphic wheel carrier plate, first gobo rotation position, second gobo rotation position and other optical component parameters in order to provide a pleasing pre-defined effect. The user may then switch between many complex pre-defined effects through operation of this single control. 
         [0048]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this invention, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.