Patent Publication Number: US-9404641-B2

Title: Theatre light comprising of a plurality of remotely positionable light emitting modules

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to multiparameter theatre lighting fixtures comprised of a plurality of light sources. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Multiparameter 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 entitled “The High End Systems Product Line 2001” and are available from Barco Lighting 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. 4,392,187 titled “Computer controlled lighting system having automatically variable position, color, intensity and beam divergence” to Bomhorst, which is incorporated herein by reference, disclosed a plurality of multiparameter lights and a central controller. 
     Typically, the lamp housing of a 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. 
     Multiparameter lights may be constructed with various light sources. U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,893 to Belliveau, incorporated by reference herein, discloses various multiparameter lighting devices that have been constructed using light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources. U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,893 to Belliveau discloses a multiparameter light constructed of a plurality of LEDs that can individually vary the intensity of the light sources of the same wavelength or color in relation to each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,217 to Belliveau, incorporated by reference herein, discloses a multiparameter theatre stage light that comprises a plurality of LEDs as the light source. The theatre light disclosed comprises a lamp housing in which is mounted a plurality of LEDs to project a graphical output. The lamp housing can pan and tilt to provide remote positioning of the lamp housing for projection of light in different locations on the stage. 
     In the prior art the use of multiparameter LED theatre lights is now wide spread. An example of the prior art is the Impression “120 RZ” product by German Light Products of GLP German Light Products Inc., 10945 Pendleton Street, Sun Valley, Calif. 91352. 
     The Impression “120 RZ” is comprised of a lamp housing containing a plurality of LEDs that projection light from the lamp housing all in the same direction. The Impression “120 RZ” also has an optical zoom parameter that allows the light emitted from the LEDs to zoom from a spot (10 degrees) to a flood (26 degrees). 
     There is a need to provide a more dynamic theatre light device where the light emitted from the LEDs can be directed to more than one location simultaneously on the projection surface by remote control. A theatre light that can direct multiple beams of light to multiple locations on the projection surface can have greater control of the light energy emitted by the LEDs including changing the pattern and distribution of the projected light. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A novel theatre light apparatus is disclosed. The theatre light of one or more embodiments of the present invention incorporates a plurality of light emitting modules contained within a lamp housing each having a remotely controllable pan and tilt axis. The theatre light apparatus is also capable of remotely positioning the lamp housing containing the plurality of light emitting modules. 
     In at least one embodiment, a theatre lighting apparatus is provided comprising: a base, and a lamp housing. The lamp housing may be remotely positioned in relation to the base housing by a motor. The lamp housing may be comprised of a plurality of light emitting devices. The plurality of light emitting devices may include a first light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a first light in a first direction, a second light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a second light in a second direction, and a third light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a third light in a third direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction may be different from each other. 
     The first light emitting device may be comprised of a first plurality of light sources. The first plurality of light sources may be multicolored. Each of the first light emitting device, the second light emitting device, and the third light emitting device may emit light of a different color from each of the other of the first light emitting device, the second light emitting device, and the third light emitting device. Each of the first light emitting device, the second light emitting device, and the third light emitting device may emit light of a different intensity from each of the other of the first light emitting device, the second light emitting device, and the third light emitting device. 
     The theatre light apparatus may further include a computer or electronic memory. The computer memory may have stored therein a plurality of axis values, at least one axis value for each of the plurality of light emitting devices. 
     In another embodiment, a theatre lighting apparatus is provided comprising a base, a lamp housing, and a master pan and tilt device for remotely positioning the lamp housing in relation to the base. The lamp housing may be comprised of a plurality of light emitting modules. Each of the plurality of light emitting modules may be comprised of a module pan and tilt device for remotely directing light emitted by each of the plurality of light emitting modules to a plurality of locations on a projection surface. The theatre lighting apparatus may further include a coplanar optimization system. The theatre lighting apparatus may further include a user input device, wherein the coplanar optimization system is operated by a user operating the user input device. 
     In another embodiment a theatre lighting apparatus is provided including a base housing, a lamp housing, and a computer memory, wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the base, and wherein the lamp housing comprises a plurality of remotely positionable light emitting modules. The plurality of remotely positionable light emitting modules may include a first light emitting module, and a second light emitting module. The first light emitting module may be configured to be remotely positioned to a first set of coordinates to project a first light on to a projection surface to a first location. The second light emitting module may be configured to be remotely positioned to a second set of coordinates to project a second light on to a projection surface to a second location. The computer memory may have stored therein the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates. The first light emitting module and the second light emitting module may be substantially in a coplanar relationship. The theatre lighting apparatus may further include a user input panel. The first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates may be selected by a user operating the input panel, and thereafter stored in the computer memory. 
     The theatre lighting apparatus may further include a communications port. The first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates may be selected by a user operating a theatrical controller that communicates commands to the communications port. The computer memory may have stored therein a plurality of first axis values, at least one first axis value for each of the plurality of light emitting modules. The plurality of first axis values may be stored in the computer memory as a first preset. The computer memory may have stored therein a plurality of second axis values, at least one second axis value for each of the plurality of light emitting modules. The plurality of second axis values may be stored in the computer memory as a second preset. The first plurality of axis values and the second plurality of axis values may be different. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a theatre light in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in planar view; 
         FIG. 2  shows the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a forty-five degree view emitting light with a plurality of light emitting diode modules in a planar orientation; 
         FIG. 3  shows the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a forty-five degree view with the plurality of light emitting diode modules panned in a first state; 
         FIG. 4  shows the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a forty-five degree view with the plurality of light emitting diode modules tilted in the first state; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cooling system of the theatre light of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show perspective views of a first light emitting diode module of the plurality of light emitting diode modules of the theatre of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows an electrical diagram of the theatre light of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram which helps describe one method of articulating the first light emitting diode module of the plurality of light emitting diode modules of the theatre light of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9A  shows the projected light on the projection surface from the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in the first state; 
         FIG. 9B  shows the projected light on the projection surface from the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a second state; 
         FIG. 9C  shows the projected light on the projection surface from the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a third state; and 
         FIG. 9D  shows the projected light on the projection surface from the theatre light of  FIG. 1  in a fourth state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a theatre light  100  of an embodiment of the present invention in planar view. The theatre light  100  includes a lamp housing  130  and a base housing  110 . The multiparameter light  100  is capable of remotely panning and tilting the lamp housing  130  in relation to the base housing  110 . The lamp housing  130  is mounted by bearing assemblies  121  and  122  so that the lamp housing  130  can tilt in relation to a yoke  120 . The yoke  120  can pan in relation to the base housing  110  by means of a bearing  116 . The lamp housing  130  is remotely tilted in relation to the base housing  110  by a first motor actuator not shown for simplicity. The yoke  120  is remotely panned in relation to the base housing  110  by a second motor actuator not shown for simplicity. That parameter of the pan and tilt of the lamp housing  130  in relation to the base housing  110  for theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  is referred to as pan and tilt. 
     The lamp housing  130  is comprised of seven light emitting modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  each containing a plurality light emitting diodes (LEDS)  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  that emit light to illuminate a stage or projection surface. The modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  are remotely positionable modules. Module  7  of  FIG. 1  is a stationary center module. Each of the LEDs of  1   a - 7   a  is shown as either R=red, G=green, or B=blue but the LEDs of  1   a - 7   a  can be any color combination and may include white LEDs. Other light sources can be substituted for LEDs  1   a - 7   a , but LEDs are preferred. The light sources for each module of modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  can be a plurality or each module of modules  1 - 7 , can have a single light source. 
     The base housing  100  also contains the electronics for remotely positioning the base housing  110  in relation to the lamp housing  130  and for remotely positioning modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 . The base housing  100  also contains a communications input connector  111  and a communications output connector  112 . Input keys  114  are operated in conjunction with a graphic display  115  to allow a user to set different functions, test out the theatre light operation and optimize the planar alignment of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 . Modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  can remotely and individually pan and tilt their emitted light and the master pan and tilt system can also pan and tilt the lamp housing  130  with respect to the base housing  110 , which effectively pans and tilts all the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  simultaneously 
       FIG. 2  shows the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  in a forty-five degree orientation. The lamp housing  130  is comprised of a plurality light emitting diodes (LEDS)  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  that emit light to illuminate a stage or projection surface. The LEDs  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  are located within six remotely positionable modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 . Module  7  of  FIG. 1  is a stationary center module. All seven light emitting modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  are shown in a coplanar position in  FIG. 2 . The light emitted by the LEDs  1   a  of module  1  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  1   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  2   a  of module  2  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  2   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  3   a  of module  3  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  3   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  4   a  of module  4  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  4   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  5   a  of module  5  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  5   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  6   a  of module  6  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  6   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  5   a  of module  5  is shown by the direction of arrow  5   e . The light emitted by the LEDs  7   a  of module  7  in  FIG. 2  is shown by the direction of arrow  7   e . In  FIG. 2  the light directions as shown by arrows  1   e ,  2   e ,  3   e ,  4   e ,  5   e ,  6   e  and  7   e  are essentially parallel to one another. 
       FIG. 3  shows the theatre light  100  in the same forty-five degree orientation as in  FIG. 2 . The lamp housing  130  is comprised of a plurality light emitting diodes (LEDS)  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  that emit light to illuminate a stage or projection surface. The LEDs  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  are located within six remotely positionable modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 . Module  7  shown in  FIG. 3  is a stationary center module. 
     Light emitting modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  are shown in  FIG. 3  in a state with their pan axis panned plus fifteen degrees. An illustration  305  in  FIG. 3  shows the range of pan for module  4 , however the other modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6  also have this pan axis range, in at least one embodiment. The illustration  305  shows a maximum negative panning of negative fifteen degrees) (−15°), a zero degree or no panning (0°) and a positive panning of positive fifteen degrees (−15°) The light emitted by the LEDs  1   a  of module  1  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  1   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  2   a  of module  2  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  2   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  3   a  of module  3  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  3   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  4   a  of module  4  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  4   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  5   a  of module  5  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  5   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  6   a  of module  6  in  FIG. 3  is shown by the direction of arrow  6   e ′. The light emitted by the LEDs  7   a  of module  7  is shown by the direction of arrow  7   e ′. Although the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  in  FIG. 3  are shown all panning towards positive axis for simplicity any of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  can pan separately various amounts up to plus or minus fifteen degrees.  FIG. 3  shows the modules  1 - 6  only panning (and not tilting) for simplicity but any of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  can independently pan and tilt simultaneously and independently. 
       FIG. 4  shows the theatre light  100  in the same forty-five degree orientation as  FIG. 2 . The lamp housing  130  is comprised of a plurality light emitting diodes (LEDS)  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  that emit light to illuminate a stage or projection surface. The LEDs  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a  are located within six remotely positionable modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , respectively. Module  7  of  FIG. 1  is a stationary center module. 
     Light emitting modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  are shown in  FIG. 4  in a state with their tilt axis tilted plus fifteen degrees. An illustration  405  shows the range of tilt for module  4  however the other modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6  also have this tilt axis range. The light emitted by the LEDs  1   a  of module  1  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  1   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  2   a  of module  2  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  2   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  3   a  of module  3  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  3   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  4   a  of module  4  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  4   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  5   a  of module  5  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  5   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  6   a  of module  6  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  6   e ″. The light emitted by the LEDs  7   a  of module  7  in the  FIG. 4  state is shown by the direction of arrow  7   e ″. Although the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  in  FIG. 4  are shown all tilting in the same positive axis for simplicity any of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  can tilt separately various amounts up to maximums of plus or minus fifteen degrees.  FIG. 4  shows the modules  1 - 6  only tilting for simplicity but each of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  can independently pan and tilt simultaneously and independently. 
       FIG. 5  shows a ventilation system  500  for the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . A typically one hundred and twenty millimeter (mm) fan  530  creates air flow in the direction of an arrow  520  through an air duct  550  that directs air downward on the module  7  and exits through an air port  524 . The air that exits through air port  524  flows air across a heat sink  576  of the module  6  and exits in the direction of an arrow  506   f . Air exiting from an air port  526  flows across a heat sink  571  of the module  1  and the air exits from heat sink  571  in the direction of an arrow  501   f . Air exiting from an air port  522  exiting flows across a heat sink  575  of the module  5  and the air from the heat sink  575  exits in the direction of an arrow  505   f . An arrow  502   f  shows air exiting from the heat sink  572  of the module  2  (the air port for the heat sink  572  is not shown for simplicity). An arrow  503   f  shows air exiting from the heat sink  573  of the module  3  (the air port for the heat sink  573  is not shown for simplicity). An arrow  504   f  shows air exiting from the heat sink  574  of the module  4  (the air port for the heat sink  574  is not shown for simplicity). 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show perspective views of a module  601 . Each of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  of  FIG. 1 , may be the same as the module  601 . The diagram diagrams of  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are used to show closeup views of a possible module of any of the modules  1 - 6 . The module  601  may include a heat sink  602  and an LED housing  630  shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . To keep the lamp housing  130  of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  compact the pivoting points for the pan axis and tilt axis for the module  601  should be close to the intersection of the heat sink  602  and the LED housing  630 . The panning axis pivot point of the module  601  is shown by dotted line  662 . An illustration  660  of the panning range of the module  601  with respect to the lamp housing  130  is shown. The tilting axis pivot point is shown by dotted line  672 . An illustration  670  of the panning range of the module  601  with respect to the lamp housing  130  is shown. Although a range of plus and minus fifteen degrees for the panning axis and plus and minus fifteen degrees for the tilting axis is shown the range can be increased or decreased as desired however to prevent collisions and to make the lamp housing  130  of the theatre light  100  compact, the pivot points of the modules  1 - 6  should be located close to the intersection of the heat sink  602  and the LED housing  630 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an electrical diagram  700  of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . The base housing  110  has a means for accepting external power  706 , which may be an electrical cord. External power is routed to the motor and logic supply  730  and the LED power supply  740 . A theatrical controller  775  is shown connected to the communications input connector  111 . The theatre light  100  can be controlled to operate with the USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technology) DMX 512 protocol. The USITT DMX protocol, as known in the art, is comprised of 512 control channels with each channel having two hundred and fifty-six selectable values. Other communications protocols can be used. The communication connector  111  routes communication commands to a communications port  760  and sends the communication commands to a computer processor or micro processor  719  where the commands are operated on by operating software stored in the memory or computer memory  715 . The computer processor  716  can also operate on commands received by the control input  722  that is connected to user input keys  114  located on the electronics housing  110 . Visual confirmation of commands and input direction to the user is provided by the processor  716  working in conjunction with a display driver  720  and a user display  115  located on the electronics housing  110 . 
     The processor  716  provides instructions based upon received command from the communications port  760  to the motor control  732 . The motor control  732  provides power and control of the motors of module devices  1   m ,  2   m ,  3   m ,  4   m ,  5   m , and  6   m . that operate the pan and tilt axis of modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , respectively. Each motor device of devices  1   m - 6   m  has their own separate gimbal mechanism (or referred to as a pan and tilt apparatus) that operates with a pan and tilt motor (not shown for simplicity.) Thus each motor device of motor devices  1   m - 6   m  has two motors, one for panning and one for tilting, for a total of twelve motors, two for each of modules  1 - 6 . Each of the twelve motors (two for each module) can be remotely controlled to adjust the pan and tilt axis of each module of modules  1 - 6 , separately. The motor control  732  also supplies power and controls the master pan and tilt motors  750  that position the lamp housing  130  in relation to the base housing  110 . In at least one embodiment, the component labeled  7   m  is the same module as module  1  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  and is a stationary module so the motor control  732  of  FIG. 7  does not need to supply power and control to the module  7   m.    
     The processor  716  provides instructions based upon received commands from the communications port  760  to the LED control  742 . The LED control  742  provides power and control of the LEDs  1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5   a ,  6   a , and  7   a  of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , respectively. The processor  716  is configured to be able to vary, through the LED control  742 , red light intensity of each LED of each of modules  1 - 7  independently of the other LEDs of the other modules of modules  1 - 7 . The processor  716  is configured to be able to vary, through the LED control  742 , green light intensity of each LED of each of modules  1 - 7  independently of the other LEDs of the other modules of modules  1 - 7 . The processor  716  is configured to be able to vary, through the LED control  742 , blue light intensity of each LED of each of modules  1 - 7  independently of the other LEDs of the other modules of modules  1 - 7 . The processor  716  is configured to be able to vary, through the LED control  742 , partial spectrum or full spectrum (such as white light) intensities of each LED of each of modules  1 - 7  independently of the other LEDs of the other modules of modules  1 - 7 . 
     The theatre lights of the prior art have one pan and tilt parameter wherein the lamp housing is positioned remotely relative to the base housing by panning and tilting. The theatre light of at least one embodiment of the present invention has a master pan and a master tilt parameter where the lamp housing  130  is positioned relative to the base housing  110  by panning and tilting and additionally, a module pan and a module tilt parameter for each of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 . Thus for theatre light  100 , there are six module pan parameters (for modules  1 - 6  versus lamp housing  130 ), six module tilt parameters (for modules  1 - 6  versus lamp housing  130 ), one master pan parameter (for lamp housing  130  versus base housing  110 ), and one master tilt parameter (for lamp housing  130  versus base housing  110 ). 
     This means parameters of pan and tilt along with the variable parameters of control of the LED intensities of the LEDs of modules  1 - 7  and color for each module of modules  107  bring a lot of complexity when the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  is controlled by a user of the theatrical controller or theatre controller  775 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the memory  715  of  FIG. 7  of the theatre light  100 , may be pre programmed or have stored therein computer software for a plurality of preset functions. The preset functions can contain panning and tilting axis values stored in the memory  715  wherein the processor  716  of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  can implement the present functions and/or values stored in the memory  715  by varying the pan and tilt axis for modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  to a programmed routine stored in the memory  715  of  FIG. 7 . A user of the theatre controller  775  of  FIG. 7  can send preset control commands to the theatre light  100  where it is received by the communication port  760  and acted upon by the processor  716 . The processor  716  in conjunction with the operating software and preset axis values stored in the memory  715  can send control signals to vary the pan and tilt axis of the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . Each preset stored in the memory  715  can contain control information to independently vary the pan and tilt axis of modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 . The memory  715  contains axis values for a plurality of pan and tilt modules. A preset or preset value stored in the memory  715  can also contain separate color and intensity information for the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , which can be implemented by the processor  716  to control the modules  1 - 6 . 
     Because of mechanical tolerances between the gimbal mechanisms of modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  the zero degree reference from each module of modules  1 - 6 , may vary. It has been deemed desirable to have a user input system for alignment of the six modules of modules  1 - 6  to optimize the coplanar relationship between them. In at least one embodiment, the processor  716  is programmed by software stored in computer memory  715  to respond to a user input through the input of the user keypad  114  of  FIG. 7  to cause selection of a coplanar mode. When the coplanar mode is selected the user, through keypad  114 , the user can adjust the coplanar relationship of each module of modules  106 . For example the user in the coplanar mode can select module  1  of  FIG. 2  and make an adjustment with the theatre light  100  projecting on a screen at a distance so that the light emitted by module  1  is in alignment with the light projected by module  7  (the fixed module). When the user is satisfied with the coplanar adjustment the user can cause the processor  716  to record the coplanar coordinates in the memory  715 , through use of the keypad  114 . The processor  716  is programmed by software stored in the memory  715  to allow the user to continue to adjust all six modules for being coplanar in relation to module  7  of  FIG. 2 , through keypad  114 , and to store all coplanar coordinates in the memory  715 . In this way later operation of the theatre light  100  by position commands received by the theatrical controller  775  will be more accurate and the modules  1 - 6  will have better position tracking relative to one to another. 
     In one or more embodiments, it the theatre light  100  is also configured and it can also be desirable for the operator of the theatre controller  775  to make a coplanar optimization of the theatre light  100  from the theatre controller  775 . Therefore the theatre light  100  of one or more embodiments of the present invention can be put into a coplanar optimization mode by commands sent by the theatre controller  775 , which are received through the communications port  760  by the processor  716 , and acted on by the processor  716  in accordance with computer software stored in the memory  715  to put the theatre light into coplanar optimization mode. This can be useful to the operator because many time theatrical lights, such as one or more of lights identical to light  100 , may be hanging in hard to reach locations and it can be useful for an operator of the theatre controller  775  to adjust the coplanar optimization for all the modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  in relation to the fixed module  7  from the operator&#39;s remote location. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a diagram  800  for an articulating module  804  that can be the same as the module  4  of  FIG. 1 . The module  804  has a heat sink  806 . The heat sink  806  can rotate round a shaft  846  with the aid of bearing  844  allowing the module  804  to articulate in the tilt axis. A motor pulley  822  is fixed to a motor mounting plate  840  and a motor pulley  828  drives a belt  830  that is connected to a module mount  834  at connection point  826 . The belt  830  also rotates around motor pulley  828  and causes the module mount  834  and the articulating module  804  to rotate about the shaft  846 . 
     The motor mounting plate  840  is attached to a pulley  832  that can be driven to rotate by belt  820  when the motor pulley  818  operates. The pulley  832  is smoothly rotated on a bearing  812  that can turn about shaft  836  mounted to yoke  808 . The yoke  808  also has opposite bearing  810  affixed to the yoke  808 . A shaft  836  is fixed to the motor mounting plate  840 . In this way the motor mounting plate  840  can be driven by motor pulley  818  to swing inside of the yoke  808 . This causes a panning action of the articulating module  804 . 
       FIG. 9A  shows a projection surface  900  that may be a stage. There are seven spots of projected light  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  that are superimposed to produce a single spot of light  910  because the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  (not shown for simplicity) is operating in planar mode and emitting light from modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . The light spots  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  may be any color or intensity to create the light spot  910 . 
     For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  901   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  1  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  902   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  2  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  903   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  3  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  904   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  4  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  905   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  5  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  906   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  6  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . For  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D  the projected light  907   e  is the projected light emitted by the module  7  of theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9B  shows a projection surface  900  that may be a stage. There are seven spots of projected light  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  that are producing an overall combined region or pattern of light  912  (referred to as zoomed out) because the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  (not shown for simplicity) is operating to direct the light from modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  in a non-planar mode to form the combined region or pattern of light  912 . The light spots  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  may be any color or intensity to create the combined region or pattern of light  912 . 
       FIG. 9C  shows the projection surface  900  that may be a stage. The seven spots of projected light  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  are shown, but they are placed in different locations which respect to one another compared to  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B . In the configuration of  FIG. 9 c    the combination of lights  901   e - 907   e  produce a linear shaped combined region or pattern of light  1014  because the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  (not shown for simplicity) is operating to direct the light from modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  in a non-planar mode to form the linear shaped combined region or pattern of light  914 . The sports of projected light  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  may be any color or intensity to create the linear shaped combined region or pattern of light  914 . 
       FIG. 9D  shows the projection surface  900  (show as same size and shape in all  FIGS. 9A-9B ) that may be a stage.  FIG. 9C  shows the six spots of projected light  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e , and  906   e , but in a different configuration from  FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C , that are producing a rectangular shaped combined region or pattern of light  916  because the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  (not shown for simplicity) is operating to direct the light from modules  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  in a non-planar mode to form the rectangular spot pattern  916 . Module  7  of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  has been controlled to not emit light to create the rectangular light pattern  916 . The light spots  901   e ,  902   e ,  903   e ,  904   e ,  905   e ,  906   e , and  907   e  may be any color or intensity to create the rectangular light spot  916 . 
     Infinite color variations, light intensity and lighting projection patterns can be achieved with the operation of the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  operating by a user of the theatre controller  775   
     Although the theatre light  100  of  FIG. 1  is comprised of six modules that each have separate pan, tilt, color and intensity control as also influenced by a master pan and tilt system, more or less modules can be applied in one or more alternative embodiments of the present invention. Additionally module  7  could also be equipped with a remote pan and or tilt functions. 
     Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention&#39;s contribution to the art.