File system for a stage lighting array system

• US 7,401,934 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Hunt, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US11/688,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 362/85, 362/233, 362/286, 362/301, 315/189, 315/291, 315/312, 315/316, 315/318, 315/362, 345/6, 345/423, 700/3, 700/17, 700/19
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

A file system for a stage lighting system that maintains the different files associated with the stage lighting system. Each of the files that can represent an effect are maintained within the system within a configuration file. The configuration file can be updated on each start of the system so that the system can maintain information indicative of current configuration files. A test mode can also be entered in which a pre-formed show can be tested against the current state of the configuration files.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a controlling console, which produces output signals indicative of desired lighting effects, said desired lighting effects including at least a shape for light to be projected, and a rotation effect for said light to be projected;

a first lighting processing part, and a second lighting processing part, each of said lighting processing parts including a processor, and a memory storage, storing prestored lighting effects, and a video rendering part, which produces an output indicative of the prestored lighting effects based on commanded lighting effects; and

the user interface, and user interface switch, said user interface enabling local control of either the first or second lighting part, based on position of the switch, and enabling local display of the first or second lighting part, based on position of the switch.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first and second lighting processing part each also include a configuration file representative of different lighting effects which are stored within the lighting processing part.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said configuration file is in XML form.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein each of said lighting processing parts produces an output effect by combining effects from said configuration file to form layers of an effect, said layers collectively forming said output effect.