Computer controlled lighting system with modular control resources

• US 5,329,431 A
• Filed: 09/14/1993
• Issued: 07/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Walsh, Thomas E., Taylor, Brooks W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah P.
• Application Number:
  US08/122,355
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 362/85, 362/233, 362/234, 362/293, 362/319, 362/339, 362/386, 362/419, 362/286, 315/292, 315/293, 315/299, 315/315, 315/316, 315/317, 315/318, 315/319, 315/320, 364/132, 364/188, 364/189
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0075 with translation or conversion means for unvailable commands, e.g. special tone colors
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A stage lighting system is comprised of a plurality of lamp units which may have diverse communication protocols, functions and data parameters. The stage lighting system is controlled by a modular control system comprised of a modular controller mainframe interconnected with a plurality of control devices which may have diverse communications protocols and data formats. The modular controller mainframe consists of a plurality of input and output modules, mass storage devices and a main processor kernel, all interconnected by a number of data buses. The input modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various control devices. Similarly, the output modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various types of lamp units. The modular controller mainframe serves as an interface system by providing one or more of said input or output modules with the capability of translating parameter commands, where necessary, to accommodate control devices having diverse communications protocols and output devices having diverse communications protocols, functions and data formats.

Claims

1. A controller for a lighting system adapted to control a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units, said controller comprising:

A. a primary control system having;

(1) source interface processors for receiving parameter-controlling inputs; and

(2) a central processing system cooperating with said source interface processors for encoding said inputs into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;

B. a plurality of supplementary control units coupled to one or more of said source interface processors of said primary control system for entering parameter-controlling inputs; and

C. one or more of said source interface processors further comprising translating means for translating said parameter controlling inputs to meet requirements of said primary control system.

2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein each of said source interface processors has autonomous operating software.

3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein each of said source interface processors is constructed as a replaceable module to allow said primary control system to be reconfigured.

4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units is comprised of reprogrammable input devices.

5. The controller according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units generates image data files.

6. The controller according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units generates video image signals.

7. The controller according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units generates signals conforming to the MIDI convention that may be translated into said system control commands.

8. The controller according to claim 1, wherein said translating means ensures that said translated parameter-controlling inputs have the same signal format as said system control commands generated by said primary control system.

9. The controller according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units is comprised of a modem and a telephone line interface for communication of said lighting system with a remote facility.

10. The controller according to claim 1, wherein said supplementary control units are comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for coordinating the manual control of multiple parameter lamp units.

11. The controller according to claim 1, wherein said supplementary control units are comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for storing, recalling and initiating lighting cues.

12. The controller according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said supplementary control units is comprised of a computing device capable of receiving and analyzing status reports.

13. A lighting system comprising:

A. a control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processing system responding to said inputs and generating system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;

B. a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units each having means for producing a light beam having a plurality of adjustable parameters relating to beam characteristics and drive means for controlling a plurality of said parameters, said plurality of lamp units comprised of;

(1) a first set of said multiple parameter lamp units having memory for storing cues, and processors for executing cues upon receipt of said system control commands identifying cues; and

(2) a second set of said multiple parameter lamp units having a controller for receiving and processing absolute parameter values; and

C. a communication system for connecting said control system to each of said lamp units, said communication system including a first load interface processor for connecting said control system to said first set of lamps and a second load interface processor for connecting said control system to said second set of lamps, said second load interface processor including a processor for translating said system control commands into absolute parameter values for said second set of lamp units.

14. The controller according to claim 13, wherein each of said first and second load interface processors has autonomous operating software.

15. The controller according to claim 13, wherein said first and second load interface processors are constructed as replaceable modules to allow said communication system to be reconfigured.

16. The controller according to claim 13, wherein one or more of said plurality of multiple parameter lamp units are capable of projecting images generated by a liquid crystal device.

17. The controller according to claim 13, wherein said processor of said second load interface processor ensures that said translated absolute parameter values have the proper signal format associated with said second set of multiple parameters.

18. A lighting system comprising:

A. a first and a second control device for generating parameter-controlling commands, said first and second control devices having diverse signal formats and communications protocols;

B. a first and a second multiple-parameter lamp unit, each lamp unit responsive to said parameter-controlling commands, said first and second lamp units having diverse data formats and communications protocols; and

C. a central control system connected to each of said control devices and said lamp units, said central control system having one or more interfacing systems for transmitting said parameter-controlling commands to one or more of said control devices or lamp units, each interfacing system conforming said parameter-controlling commands according to the data format and communications protocol specific to the control device or lamp unit connected thereto.

19. The controller according to claim 18, wherein each of said interfacing systems has autonomous operating software.

20. The controller according to claim 18, wherein each of said interfacing systems is constructed as a replaceable module to allow said lighting system to be reconfigured.

21. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said first and second control devices is comprised of reprogrammable input devices.

22. The controller according to any one of claims 18-21, wherein at least one of said first and second control devices generates image data files.

23. The controller according to any one of claims 18-21, wherein at least one of said first and second control devices generates video image signals.

24. The controller according to any one of claims 18-21, wherein at least one of said first and second control devices generates signals conforming to the MIDI convention that may be translated by one or more of said interfacing systems into said parameter-controlling commands.

25. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said first or second control devices is comprised of a modem and a telephone line interface for communication of said lighting system with a remote facility.

26. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said first or second control devices is comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for coordinating the manual control of said multiple parameter lamp units.

27. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said first or second control devices is comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for storing, recalling and initiating lighting cues.

28. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said first or second control devices is comprised of a computing device capable of receiving and analyzing status reports.

29. The controller according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said multiple parameter lamp units is capable of projecting images generated by a liquid crystal device.

30. A lighting system comprising:

A. a control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processor translating said inputs into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;

B. a first plurality of multiple parameter lamp units each having memory for storing cues, and processors for executing cues upon receipt of said system control commands identifying cues;

C. means for translating said system control commands into absolute parameter values, said means for translating comprising;

(1) means for receiving said system control commands;

(2) memory for storing parameter data and programs; and

(3) processor means responsive to said system control commands, parameter data and stored programs for calculating said absolute parameter values; and

D. a second plurality of multiple parameter lamp units connected to said means for translating, said second plurality of lamp units each having a controller for receiving and processing said absolute parameter values.

31. The controller according to claim 30, wherein said control system is comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for coordinating the manual control of said multiple parameter lamp units.

32. The controller according to claim 30, wherein said control system is comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for storing, recalling and initiating lighting cues.

33. The controller according to claim 30, further including a computing device configured to receive status reports from one or more of said lamp units for analysis.

34. The controller according to claim 30, wherein at least one of said multiple parameter lamp units are capable of projecting images generated by a liquid crystal device.

35. A modular controller for a lighting system, comprising:

A. a central control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processing system translating said inputs into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;

B. a plurality of supplementary control devices for entering parameter-controlling inputs according to a specified format, said parameter-controlling inputs directing the operation of said lighting system;

C. at least one source interface module for connecting said central control system to one or more of said supplementary control devices, said source interface module supporting an independent data network that conforms transmissions to each of said connected supplementary control devices according to said specified input format associated with said supplementary control device;

D. a plurality of multiple-parameter lamp units each having means for producing a light beam having a plurality of adjustable parameters relating to beam characteristics and drive means for controlling a plurality of said parameters in response to said parameter-controlling commands; and

E. at least one load interface module for connecting said central control system to one or more of said multiple-parameter lamp units, said load interface module supporting an independent data network that conforms transmissions to each of said connected lamp units according to the specific communications protocol associated with said lamp units.

36. The controller according to claim 35, wherein each of said source interface modules has autonomous operating software.

37. The controller according to claim 35, wherein each of said load interface modules has autonomous operating software.

38. The controller according to claim 35, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices is comprised of reprogrammable input devices.

39. The controller according to any one of claims 35-38, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices generates image data files.

40. The controller according to any one of claims 35-38, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices generates video image signals.

41. The controller according to any one of claims 35-38, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices generates signals conforming to the MIDI convention that may be translated into said system control commands.

42. The controller according to claim 35, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices is comprised of a modem and a telephone line interface for communication of said lighting system with a remote facility.

43. The controller according to claim 35, wherein said supplementary control devices are comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for coordinating the manual control of multiple parameter lamp units.

44. The controller according to claim 35, wherein said supplementary control devices are comprised of a plurality of control panel units, one or more of said control panel units incorporating means for storing, recalling and initiating lighting cues.

45. The controller according to claim 35, wherein one or more of said supplementary control devices is comprised of a computing device capable of receiving and analyzing status reports generated by one or more of said lamp units.

46. The controller according to claim 35, wherein one or more of said plurality of multiple parameter lamp units are capable of projecting images generated by a liquid crystal device.

47. A method for controlling a lighting system having a primary control system from any one or all of a set of supplementary control units having diverse signal formats, said primary control system having a central processing system, said control method comprising the steps of:

generating supplementary control commands at one or more of said supplementary control units;

coupling said supplementary control commands to said primary control system;

translating said supplementary control commands generated by one or more of said supplementary control units into a format compatible with said primary control system; and

processing said translated supplementary control commands in said central processing system into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system.

48. The method according to claim 47, further including the step of generating image data files by one or more of said supplementary control units.

49. The method according to claim 47, further including the step of generating video image signals by one or more of said supplementary control units.

50. The method according to claim 47, further including the steps of generating signals conforming to the MIDI convention by one or more of said supplementary control units and translating said MIDI signals into said system control commands.

51. The method according to claim 47, wherein said translating step further includes the step of ensuring that said translated supplementary control commands are compatible with said system control commands generated by said central processing system.

52. The method according to claim 47, further including the step of transmitting said system control commands to a remote facility by means of a modem circuit and telephone line interface.

53. A method for controlling a lighting system having a control system and a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units, said method comprising the steps of:

generating parameter controlling inputs;

processing said parameter-controlling inputs for directing the operation of said lighting system;

generating system control commands for exercising control over said lamp units;

transmitting said system control commands to a first load interface processor and a second load interface processor each connected to said control system and one or more of said multiple parameter lamp units;

transmitting said system control commands from said first load interface processor to said connected lamp units;

translating said system control commands in said second load interface processor into absolute parameter values; and

transmitting said absolute parameter values from said second load interface processor to said connected lamp units.

54. The method according to claim 53, further including the steps of generating and transmitting image signals to one or more of said lamp units.

55. The method according to claim 53, further including the steps of receiving status reports from one or more of said lamp units and transmitting said status reports to said control system for processing.