Computer controlled movement of stage effects and stage installation employing same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In the computer controlled operation of motors to move a multiplicity of stage effects, the steps comprising:
- (a) providing a computer installation including a computer having memory, a monitor and a custom keyboard control;
(b) entering into said memory of said computer data indicative of individual stage effects to be moved, their initial position, a second position to which they are to be moved and the speed of such movement;
(c) entering into said memory of said computer data indicative of the order in which said effects are to be moved;
(d) providing a stage installation including a multiplicity of effects spaced about said stage installation and drive assemblies to move said effects about said stage installation between said initial and second positions;
(e) coupling said computer to said drive assemblies for each of said effects to be moved, said drive assemblies each being operable to move one of said effects between said initial and second positions;
(f) providing in said computer a program to utilize said entered data to operate said drive assemblies in said order to move said effects between said initial and second positions;
(g) running said computer program to effect said movement of said effects; and
(h) while said program is running and effecting movement of said effects, displaying on said monitor data concerning movement of said effects and representational movement of icons associated with said effects and using said keyboard to modify at least some of said data with respect to at least one of said effects and thereby its movement in said stage installation.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Stage effects are moved by a computer which has stored data indicative of individual stage effects to be moved, their start and finish positions, the speed of movement, and timing and order of movement. The computer controls drive assemblies for moving the effects by a program which, while the program is running, displays on the monitor data concerning movement of the effects and enables the operator to modify at least some of the data previously established.
87 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. In the computer controlled operation of motors to move a multiplicity of stage effects, the steps comprising:
-
(a) providing a computer installation including a computer having memory, a monitor and a custom keyboard control; (b) entering into said memory of said computer data indicative of individual stage effects to be moved, their initial position, a second position to which they are to be moved and the speed of such movement; (c) entering into said memory of said computer data indicative of the order in which said effects are to be moved; (d) providing a stage installation including a multiplicity of effects spaced about said stage installation and drive assemblies to move said effects about said stage installation between said initial and second positions; (e) coupling said computer to said drive assemblies for each of said effects to be moved, said drive assemblies each being operable to move one of said effects between said initial and second positions; (f) providing in said computer a program to utilize said entered data to operate said drive assemblies in said order to move said effects between said initial and second positions; (g) running said computer program to effect said movement of said effects; and (h) while said program is running and effecting movement of said effects, displaying on said monitor data concerning movement of said effects and representational movement of icons associated with said effects and using said keyboard to modify at least some of said data with respect to at least one of said effects and thereby its movement in said stage installation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. The computer controlled installation for effecting the controlled movement of stage effects comprising:
-
(a) a computer with a keyboard and at least one monitor; (b) a stage installation including a multiplicity of effects spaced about said stage installation; (c) a multiplicity of drive assemblies each operable to move a stage effect from an initial position to a second position; (d) a multiplicity of programmable logic controllers for controlling said drive assemblies to effect such movement of the stage effects; (e) interfaces between said computer and said programmable logic controllers and between said programmable logic controllers and said drive assemblies; (f) computer memory in said computer including; (i) data indicative of the first and second positions of the effects; (ii) data indicative of the speed of movement of the effects between said positions; (iii) date indicative of the order and timing in which the effects are to be moved; (g) a computer program in said computer including; (i) instructions for effecting said movement of the effects in accordance with said order and timing; (ii) instructions for displaying graphically on said monitor data concerning movement of the effects as said movement is taking place and representational movement of icons associated with said effects; and (iii) instructions enabling keyboard control to modify at least some of said data with respect to movement of at least one of said effects as said computer program is operating. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification