US5017770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmissive and reflective optical control of sound, light and motion
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-08-02
•
Granted: 1991-05-21
•
Expires: 2009-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A source of multiple beams of light is arrayed with a plurality of optical transmission and reflection mirrors to provide control of light, sound and motion. The light source can be portable and opened like an umbrella to position the multiple beams of light above a stage. An entertainer, for example a dancer, can move among the beams of light and sensors to produce a desired effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Hagai Sigalov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:12
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/135; G10H2220/141; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/405; G10H2220/411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An optical control means comprising: means for producing a plurality of light beams; a plurality of directional sensing means arranged to sense cutting of the respective beams by a user and an output signal from said plurality of directional sensing means, the beam producing means being carried on a support means comprising a plurality of arms, the arms being hinged to enable the support means to be collapsed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical control means comprising: means for producing a plurality of light beams; a plurality of directional sensing means arranged to sense cutting of the respective beams by a user and an output signal from said plurality of directional sensing means, the beam producing means being carried on a support means comprising a plurality of arms, the arms being hinged to enable the support means to be collapsed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which the arms are telescopic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which the arms extend generally radially outwards in a plane and are hinged at their inner ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 3 in which the arms are arranged to collapse in the manner of an umbrella.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which the beam producing means are arranged to produce a plurality of generally vertical beams, of such spacing and location as to enable a user to stand amongst them.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 5 in which the beam producing means are arranged in a circle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 5 in which at least one sensing means is arranged to detect a light beam, an output signal being produced when the user interrupts said light beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 5 in which at least one sensing means is arranged to detect the output signal being produced when the user cuts one of said vertical beams and thereby reflects it back to the said one sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 8 in which said sensing means are located on the arms adjacent said beam-producing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 8 in which at least some of the sensing means are arranged to produce an output signal only when the respective beam is reflected back by retroreflective material on a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 7 in which said sensing means have respective collimating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 5 in which said beam producing means comprises a plurality of individual light sources.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 5 in which said beams are generated by a single light-source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of filters for the beams, to produce beams not all of the same colour.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 14 in which the colours are so arranged that by cutting beams of a first colour a user can produce output signals of a first class and by cutting beams of a second colour he can produce output signals of a second class.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which said support means is positioned above a user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 including velocity sensing means comprising timing means arranged to measure the time difference between the cutting of adjacent beams, and means for producing an output signal representative thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 including distance sensing means for sensing how far from its respective sensing means a beam was cut.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 18 in which the distance sensing means comprises source means for producing two substantially parallel beams and adjacent thereto two angled beams, respective sensing means, and circuitry arranged to distinguish the order of successive cuttings of the four beams and hence provide an indication of the distance from the sensing means of the cutting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein an output signal is produced by one of said plurality of sensing means, said output signal modifying the output signal from at least another of said sensing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which said sensing means are arranged to produce output signals in MIDI compatible code.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a sound producing means is controlled by said output signal from said plurality of sensing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 22 in which the sound producing means comprises an electronic musical instrument.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 23 including at least one sensing means adapted to produce an output signal for changing the programming of the musical instrument.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical control means as claimed in claim 1 in which the output signals are arranged to control stage lighting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
WO1984004986A1
Cited
US4841283A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |