U.S. patent application number 16/388641 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-24 for method and apparatus for managing large area lighting.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sportsbeams Lighting, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kevin C. Baxter, Wei Cao, Fred H. Holmes, Min Shi.
Application Number | 20190327820 16/388641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68236728 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-24 |
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190327820/US20190327820A1-20191024-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190327820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cao; Wei ; et al. |
October 24, 2019 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING LARGE AREA LIGHTING
Abstract
A lighting system suitable for illuminating large areas such as
sporting events or large events. The lighting system includes a
light server in communication with one or more wide area LED
lights, wherein the lights are each at least 300 watts; a
smartphone app; and wherein the light server is in communication
with the smartphone app; and wherein the smartphone app controls
the light server.
Inventors: |
Cao; Wei; (Round Rock,
TX) ; Baxter; Kevin C.; (Henderson, NV) ; Shi;
Min; (Round Rock, TX) ; Holmes; Fred H.;
(Clearwater, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sportsbeams Lighting, Inc. |
Round Rock |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68236728 |
Appl. No.: |
16/388641 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62659522 |
Apr 18, 2018 |
|
|
|
62666935 |
May 4, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/19 20200101;
H05B 45/10 20200101; H05B 47/105 20200101; H05B 45/20 20200101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; H05B 33/08 20060101 H05B033/08 |
Claims
1. A lighting system for large area lighting, comprising: a light
server in communication with at least one wide area LED light, said
light server adapted for controlling and scheduling said at least
one wide area LED light; said at least one wide area LED light
being lights of at least 300 watts; an app in communication with
said light server; said app adapted for controlling said light
server.
2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said lighting server
includes at least one timer.
3. The lighting system of claim 1 further including special effects
and wherein said special effects are controlled by said light
server.
4. The lighting system of claim 3 wherein said special effects
include at least one smoke generator controlled by said light
server.
5. The lighting system of claim 3 wherein said special effects
include at least one sound effects generator controlled by said
light server.
6. The lighting system of claim 3 wherein said special effects
include fireworks controlled by said light server.
7. The lighting system of claim 3 wherein said special effects
include at least one video display controlled by said light
server.
8. The lighting system of claim 7 wherein said video display
displays information supplied to said light server by a user.
9. The lighting system of claim 7 wherein said video displays
information stored on said light server as directed by a user.
10. The lighting system of claim 7 wherein said video display
displays information stored on said light server as directed by a
game official.
11. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said light server
receives input from one or more smart phones including motion
sensors.
12. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said light server
includes multiple levels of user priority.
13. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said app is adapted to
receive control input from a user.
14. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said app is adapted to
receive payment information from said user.
15. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said app is adapted to
receive time information from said user.
16. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said app is adapted to
receive dimming information from said user.
17. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein said user is an
individual user.
18. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein said user is a game
official.
19. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein said user is a
facilities manager.
20. A method for controlling or scheduling the output of large area
lighting, comprising: providing a wide area LED light of at least
300 watts; adapting an app for controlling a light server; said
light server adapted for controlling said wide area LED light.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/659,522 filed Apr. 18, 2018, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/666,935 filed May 4, 2018, both
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a large area lighting
system that is controlled by a computer such that users can be
provided lighting in an automated way, and they can be charged for
the use of this lighting, and special effects and features by the
automated system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Large area lighting has typically been used in sports
stadiums, parks, sea ports, prisons, airports, arenas, and similar
large venue locations. These lights have evolved from tungsten, to
sodium vapor, to HID, to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) being used
presently. Originally the only controls were a very large on-off
bull switch at the base of one of the poles. Turning off one of
these big switches often dropped the user into total darkness with
the prospect of blindly navigating out of the center of a sports
stadium or venue with all of its tripping hazards. More recently
there have been remote control schemes where users can make a phone
call to a center where an operator or automated process turns on
the lights remotely. This improvement only allows on-off control
but was a huge improvement over the bull switch.
[0004] There have been tennis courts and similar installations that
for many years have had coin or paper currency kiosks that allow
the players to buy light by the hour. Insert a certain amount of
currency and receive lighting for a fixed amount of time. If the
players finished early the lights stayed on and there was no chance
of a refund for the unused portion of the lighting.
[0005] Professional sports have evolved over the last few decades
to a very different form of entertainment than before. Player
statistics, big video screens, music, fan participation schemes,
fire effects, fireworks, lasers, and in general a very fan involved
experience. These presentations require a large staff and huge
budgets by the sports venues but it pays off with a very satisfied
fan base. Minor league and amateur sports, especially at the
municipal level have not really evolved in this way at all.
[0006] At the same time some municipalities have shrunk from their
typical responsibility of providing sports fields for all of their
residents with private pay-to-play operators popping up to fulfill
the needs of the amateur sports players. These sports field/arena
operators take reservations and require payment from the teams at
that time. It is often up to the team to divide up the costs
amongst themselves when using these facilities.
[0007] At seaports and airports the continuous large area light
traditionally used has been sodium vapor because of its long life
without bulb replacement. The downside is that the light levels
provided from Low Pressure Sodium Vapor (LPSV) in high mast
situations is very low, coupled with the low visual acuity
associated with that technologies extremely low color rendering
index (CRI). When workers are loading and unloading ships there is
not enough light to safely work under LPSV so HID lights are often
installed adjacent to the LPSV fixtures and the HID fixtures are
switched on by a timer when the work is underway. The problem is
that HID takes several minutes to come up to full brightness and
when the timer runs out the light goes out and needs a 20 minute
cool down period before being able to come back on. This has led to
workers occasionally working under only LPSV after a timer has gone
out, and they were accidentally killed in the low light working
conditions. LEDs have been used at ports but running them at the
high brightness all of the time including times when they are not
needed for working has added unacceptable power costs to
operations.
[0008] What is needed is to solve all of these problems with one
easy to use solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides an automated way to manage,
customize, and/or control large area lighting by individual users.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a way to record,
edit and produce customized video.
[0010] In one of the preferred embodiments of the inventive device
is based on an array of large-area lights that are focused on a
sports or entertainment venue and is controlled by a light server
which is a computer or computers common to all of the lights, and
that light server is connected to the internet (and the cloud). The
computer is also accessible by apps that can then request lighting
changes through the light server computer. Ideally the lights would
be individually addressable.
[0011] The light server has several useful functions, one being the
scheduling of turning on and off the lights. The light server can
change, add, or modify this schedule based on inputs from app
users. The light server also has similar functions regarding
dimming of the lights for economy, security, safety, or
entertainment.
[0012] The light server will have several layers of priority
regarding users, the first priority being a facilities manager. A
facilities manager could be the most important and will control
timing of the lighting schedule and lockout periods. Coaches or
referees could have the next level of priority and would be able to
turn on and off and dim the lights in contradiction of the lighting
schedule and lockout times. Players could have the lowest priority
and could be allowed specific control of fields or courts where
they are approved to play but would not be able to violate the
lockout times. All activities of the users' communications with the
light server will be verified and logged, with other levels of
priority to be added as needed.
[0013] As used herein, the term user could be an individual user,
such as a spectator, including without limitation a parent,
relative, or fan of a particular performer (individual or member of
a board) or participant or could be the participant, or a coach,
etc. The term user also includes game officials or league official,
venue official, director or other administrator who, for example,
is responsible to talk, track or maintain and display typical
information known to be displayed on scoreboards such as score,
game clock, video and still content (including time, replay,
streamed, or stock content) which may be related to the event or
performance or advertising.
[0014] The light server would allow a facilities manager to
remotely control the lights at a remote location. If individual
fields needed control then they could be accessed independently and
at the end of a field's use for the night the lights could be
dimmed down to a very low level, too low to continue to be used for
sports but bright enough that the public wouldn't trip over curbs
and similar hazards as they left the facility. Many facilities are
supported by fans commonly known as boosters, fans who donate money
to improve facilities. These fans could be given an option on their
app to control one or more lights (preferably during non-critical
portions of a game) to show others which light was their
contribution.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment the light server could also be
used to pay for or schedule use for specific fields or courts by
individual users who wanted to pay for light and/or a field/court
by the hour (time) and by the lighting level (dimming). The
individual users would have to have to pay via a credit card kiosk
or by an app which has a credit card attached to it. For the same
amount of money the individual user might opt for a longer period
of time at a low light level for practice purposes, or they might
opt for a shorter period of time at a higher light level for
increased visibility. Multiple app users could connect to the light
server in an additive way so that they could share the cost of a
longer period of time at a high lighting level. The sports facility
could also use this portal of the light server to charge for the
use of individual fields and courts as well as lighting. This
device of the present disclosure would allow municipalities to
shift the costs of sports fields and/or courts from the taxpayers
to the individuals who use the facilities.
[0016] Ideally the light server (computer) is also connected to a
large video screen display and/or scoreboard and a sound system
which allows the light server to control music, sounds, and video
presentations, and scores to the sports venue's spectators in
addition to the changes in lighting. In addition to the large area
lights there could be multicolored lights such as Red, Green, Blue
(RGB) lights that could be controlled by the light server. This
light server could also be connected to special effects, such as
smoke generators, firework's igniters, fountains, fireball
generators, air cannons, and video cameras, just as examples.
[0017] A game official, such as referee, umpire, or scorekeeper
could have an app that would allow them to control the video screen
and/or scoreboard. A video screen could also be utilized as a
scoreboard or both could be utilized in the lighting system of the
present disclosure. When a score or change in the game is
registered at the light server an app controlled by an individual
user(s) could have the ability to trigger special effects. These
special effects could, include (preferably short or momentary):
lighting changes, music, video presentations, sound effects, smoke
generators, firework's igniters, and fireball generators. Specific
changes on the scoreboard could trigger specific special effects,
in baseball a full count would trigger a tense music sequence, and
a home run would trigger a light chase and fireworks. There are
traditional rally cries and taunting tunes and displays that are
present in professional sports events as well as player and team
theme songs and such that could be replicated in municipal or
amateur sports settings via the inventive device's special effects.
The audio effect of an organ playing traditional fight-chants at a
junior league or even school hockey game would have a great
emotional impact on the players and their spectators, just like in
the major arenas.
[0018] The light server of the lighting system of the present
disclosure could also provide an accounting of revenue, electrical
usage, field usage, team scores, player stats etc.
[0019] Spectator app users (or individual users) could browse and
download specific special effects for specific situations that
could automatically trigger on the scoreboard changes or if they
were not detrimental to the fairness of the game they could be
triggered by the app user at will upon instruction by the app to
the light server. There could be an associated charge for special
effects to the app user (individual users). Leagues could also have
access to a portion of the app that could allow them to set how
much fan participation they would allow. Younger players might be
too sensitive to some of the taunting effects, and those effects
might be reserved for older players by the league, just as an
example.
[0020] The app and light server could be used to tally and display
player stats on the scoreboard or video display, it could become
the league's storehouse of player stats or it could simply import
them from an external source, such as a league's server.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment the light server could be
connected to video cameras and a video recording system. This
system would have several motion tracking cameras and at least one
of them would be projected on the large video screen a good portion
of the time, especially during periods of motion. App users (game
officials or individual users) could trigger instant replays,
record an isolation view of an individual player, or receive a
recording of an entire game. Isolated views of individual players
could show their statistics, such as a close-up of a quarterback,
center, or batter.
[0022] As a game is played, the players could be video recorded and
their performance could be analyzed in real time by Artificial
Intelligence (AI). The same user app that allows for controlling
the lights and special effects would also be used to receive
constructive coaching from AI.
[0023] As used herein the terms Artificial intelligence. AI, and/or
A.I. are terms known by one of skill in the art to refer to
computer technology that takes big data and then studies and learns
from it to make small algorithms that then perform tasks similar or
better than a human can perform. An example is with the panning and
tilting of camera bases in order for a camera to follow movement.
A.I. can attempt to pan and tilt in order to follow a moving sports
player and then learn the speed, resolution and limitations of the
motors that actually operate the base. After a few observations of
the player's movement and the shortcomings of the operations of the
motors (hardware) it can modify the algorithm that activates the
motors in order to do a better job the second time. This is
repeated many times until the algorithm smoothly follows a moving
player as good as or better than a human can.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment the light server could take in
data from real world sensors and allow lighting and special effects
that could be completely dynamic or canned based on the input. A
smartphone could transmit its movement to the light server where
the smartphone was in a performer's (or game official's or
individual user's) pocket, and the lighting and special effects
could follow the performer's body movements. For example, when the
performer (game official or individual user) jumped the light would
go up in brightness, when the performer (or game official or
individual user) swayed to the left or right (danced) the light
would change color, etc. Music performances could also trigger
special effects and lighting changes based on the music's
frequency, tempo, or volume. There could be a DMX output from the
light server to allow the output of data to almost any DMX fixture
or device. Using this inventive device all of the fans (individual
users) from one team that have apps could participate in a movement
competition, their movement could be judged collectively against
all of the fans from another team. This inventive device would
allow fans' movements to control the lighting at a sports or
entertainment event.
[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the light server could
take in input from Passive Infrared (PIR) motion detectors or
motion detecting video cameras. These motion sensors could detect
motion in areas such as car dealership lots, prisons, industrial
locations and running tracks or trails. Lights in such
installations would be preset at a low level by the inventive light
server computer and then would turn the lights up in brightness but
only in the immediate area of the motion or person detected. They
could be dimmed up slowly to take away any jumpiness or abruptness
so that it would be a gentle change. The light server could be in
communication with an app or a car dealer/salesmen's smartphone in
the case of a car lot, or an app on a guard's smartphone in the
case of a prison. The lights brightness alone would alert one to
movement. This would allow for a large savings in power but with
reasonable interim brightness.
[0026] The present disclosure relates to a lighting system for
large area lighting, including a light server in communication with
at least one wide area LED lights wherein the light server is
adapted for controlling and scheduling the at least one wide area
LED light; an app in communication with the light server such that
the app is adapted for controlling the light server. The at least
one wide area LED light is preferably at least 300 watts. The
lighting server may include at least one timer. The timer could be
a timing device or generated by software.
[0027] The lighting system may also include special effects
controlled by the light server. The special effects may include at
least one smoke generator controlled by the light server. The
special effects may also or alternatively include at least one
sound effects generator controlled by the light server. The special
effects may also or alternatively include fireworks controlled
(launched) by the light server. The special effects may also or
alternatively include at least one video display controlled by the
light server. The video display may be a large video monitor as
known and used in sporting events or it may be a small scoreboard.
The video display may display information supplied to the light
server by a user (game official or individual user, for example).
The video display may display information stored on the light
server as directed by a user. The video display may display
information stored on the light server as directed by a game
official.
[0028] The lighting system of the present disclosure may include a
light server which receives input from one or more smart phones
including motion sensors. The information from the motion sensor
could be input into the app such that particular movement input
triggers a customized lighting display (strobe, color, etc.) or
video display or other special effect.
[0029] The light server may include multiple levels of user
priority.
[0030] The app may be adapted to receive control input from a user.
The control information from the app may be payment information
derived in the app from the user. The app may be adapted to receive
time information from the user. This could be, for example, the
time the user requires lighting for a tennis or basketball court or
soccer pitch. The app may also or alternatively be adapted to
receive dimming information from the user. The user may be an
individual user, game official, facilities manager, etc.
[0031] The present disclosure also includes a method for
controlling or scheduling the output of large area lighting. The
method including providing a wide area LED light of at least 300
watts; adapting an app for controlling a light server; the light
server adapted for controlling said wide area LED light.
[0032] The foregoing has outlined in broad terms the more important
features of the invention disclosed herein so that the detailed
description that follows may be more clearly understood, and so
that the contribution of the instant inventors to the art may be
better appreciated. The instant invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the construction and to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather the invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various other ways not specifically enumerated herein.
Additionally, the disclosure that follows is intended to apply to
all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included
within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Further, it should be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting, unless the
specification specifically so limits the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of the preferred
configuration of the inventive lighting system.
[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of the light server and its
connections.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the progression of screens of the app.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the video system.
[0037] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of the preferred
configuration of the motion to light system.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the area reacting lighting
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The embodiments herein and the various features and
advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with
reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following
description. Descriptions of well-known components and processes
and manufacturing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily
obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are
intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
invention herein may be practiced and to further enable those of
skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly,
the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
claimed invention.
[0040] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is
important to understand that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the construction illustrated and the
steps described herein. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of
ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation.
[0041] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a
representative lighting as a service system 100 is shown in its
general environment in FIG. 1. In one preferred embodiment, a
plurality of LED based large area lighting fixtures 112-118 are
positioned to light a sporting event or entertainment venue. Large
area lights 112-116 are ideally LED white light fixtures whereas
large area light 118 may be an RGB fixture. Light 116 may be a
white light fixture but it may be bi-color where one color is warm
white and the other color is a cool white and the fixture can
cross-fade between these two colors by commands from the light
server 101 and make any selected particular color temperature
between 2700K to 6000K as an example, without limitation. The
lights 112-118 are connected to the light server 101. The light
server 101 may be also connected to a user's smart phone or tablet
application 106 both directly by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or other known
protocol 150 or over cell networks, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi 134 to the
web 108 and cloud 107 which then communicates to the light server
101 via the internet 136. Communication links 142 -148 can be made
of many technologies such as DMX, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cell modem, to
name a few non-limiting examples.
[0042] The light server 101 may also be connected to a special
effects 102 via link 152 in an embodiment where the light server
101 can control special effects 102. The special effects 102 could
include one or more of the following, fireworks, fireballs, lasers,
smoke generators, confetti, cannon blasts, sound effects,
searchlights, drones, and music, just as non-limiting examples. The
communications link 152 could be one of many communications schemes
which are well known in the art.
[0043] A spectator app 106 user can select a special effect 102 or
lighting 142-148 change from a large number listed on either the
light server 101 or from the web 108. A referee app user 106 could
enter a scoring change to the light server which would trigger a
special effects display 102, or video 120, or scoreboard 122,
because previously a spectator app 106 user had selected a special
effect 102 when a particular team scored. The user may be charged
and pay for special effects 102. Similarly a user app 106 can
select reservations and payment for use of a facility such as a
field, pitch, or arena through the light server 101 which
communicates to the web 108 and possibly to the facilities
website.
[0044] Referring now to the next drawing, the light server 101 is
shown in particular detail in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment,
the light server 101 has at its heart a computer 202, wherein a
Linux based computer 202 is particularly suited, which has several
ways to communicate out to the world such as, without limitation,
an Ethernet port 208, a fiber optics communication port 210, serial
ports, USB 218 and DMX-512 212 or other such communication port
known to those of skill in the art. The computer would also have
wireless options such as Wi-Fi 216 and Bluetooth 216. The computer
202 would ideally also have a computer tablet (such as an Android
or Apple iPad base) 214 that provided a touchscreen interface. The
Linux computer 202 should also have substantial storage and the
ability to receive software updates over the web. This physical
computer 202 would then be connected to the internet where a cloud
version of light server 101 would reside as a mirror or backup.
This cloud version may be identical to computer 202. The local
physical light server 101 would be able to address most functions
when internet connection was not available.
[0045] Referring now to the next drawing, the smart phone
application screens 106 is shown in FIG. 3. Referring now to the
next drawing, the smart phone and computer application screens 300
is shown in FIG. 3. The app drops the user into screen 302 which is
the log-in screen. This screen is the home screen that the user
navigates from. The common user would most likely select and go to
318 the control screen 304 in order to operate the lights. Once
completed they might go to the Effects screen 306 or return 320 to
the log-in/home screen 302 and then go to 344 the Payment screen
316. After choosing the payment method or conditions the user would
return 342 to the Log-in/Home screen. Only managers would be
allowed to go 334 to the Management screen 312. There they can set
other user's priority levels and make scheduling and other
high-level changes. They can also go to 340 a reports screen 314
where they can generate reports that show hours of use, power
usage, cost savings, and other similar charts and spreadsheets.
Managers would also have access to the Set-up screen 308 where the
system is configured, from there they could go to 330 to the
Individual fixture screens 310 where each individual fixture's
information, location, address, and connection is defined.
[0046] Referring now to the next drawing, the video system 104 is
shown in FIG. 4. In a preferred embodiment, a combined Digital
Video Recorder (DVR) and video switch 422 is connected to a
plurality of cameras 402-408 by their respective connections
412-418. These connection technologies are well known in the art
and depending on the location and technical requirements the best
connection method would be preferred. Additionally, a drone's 428
camera could be wirelessly connected 420 to the DVR 422. Flight
instructions for the drone 428 would come through wireless
connection 152 from the light server 101 and the video from the
drone's 428 camera could use this same connection path but would
then need to be relayed to the DVR through connection 140. The
cameras 412-418 would ideally have Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) mounts and
the cameras would also have automatic motion tracking capabilities,
these capabilities are well known in the art. The cameras would be
generally aimed at the playing field or stage and there would be a
variety of views.
[0047] The view of camera 402 would be mounted on one of the light
poles 424 for a high angle view. Camera 404 could be a bullet
camera, a small waterproof camera, mounted directly over or beside
the point where scoring occurs. This location could be at the goal
line in football, over the net in hockey, over the plate in
baseball, or looking down at the rim in basketball, just as
non-limiting examples. Camera 406 could be a camera with a
telescopic lens that would be fixed and focused on a point of
activity, such as a batter in baseball or a quarterback in
football. Camera 408 could use its motion tracking or AI to follow
a soccer ball during a game. The camera in drone 428 could fly over
the field at parts of the game such as at inning changes, where
there was a great deal of movement over the entire field. These
same cameras 402-408, 428 (drone camera) and their capabilities
could be used for performances such as concerts, monster truck
meets, and special events. A user's app 106 could use the light
server 101 to communicate aiming instructions (which may be
generated by AI) through the DVR 422 to a camera 406 in order to
record a specific player or performer. There could be enough
cameras so that all of the players could be isolated on separate
camera views if there were users willing to go to their apps and
command them. The DVR 422 would record all of the video feeds from
the cameras 402-408, 428 and each app user could have a different
final edit of the recording based on their favorite player. This
final edit could be live streamed over the web 108 to distant video
recipients 410 or it could be transmitted or viewed at a later
date, or made available to other video recipients 410 which would
be social media sites, like Facebook, YouTube, WeChat and
others.
[0048] The video screen 120 would receive images from the DVR 422
that could be single or multi-frame. The DVR 422 would switch to
particular cameras based on priority and the motion detecting
cameras 408 or AI would take priority during periods of activity.
Activity near the scoring location by camera 404 may take the
highest priority. During periods of low activity the switching
could slowly cycle through all of the views. This same video feed
could be sent to app users or made available to the video
recipients 410.
[0049] Referring now to the next drawing, the motion-to-light
system 500 is shown in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment, a
motion-to-light system would have a smart phone 502 that had in
inertial motion chip or chips that could measure the smart phone's
motion and transmit that data to the light server 101. The light
server 101 would then use that motion data and make relative
changes to the lights 112-118 as well as changes to special effects
102 and possibly change images on the video screen 120. The motion
chips would determine x, y, and z movements along with, rotation,
heading, the rate of change, and combinations of all of these.
These motion parameters would influence the brightness and color of
the lights as well as the amount and timing of the special effects.
Multiple smart phones 502-508 would all be in communication with
the light server 101 and could have the sum of their movements
determine the changes in lighting and special effects. The
communications between the smartphones 502-508 and the light server
101 would probably be a variety of different communications such as
the smartphones 502-508 communicating via a cell network 134 to the
web 108 which would then connect to the light server 101, but such
communication paths are well understood by one skilled in the art.
Smartphones 502 and 504 could add their motion sums together and
compete against the sum of smartphones' 506 and 508 motions, with
the result displayed by the light server 101 in making changes to
the lights 112-118 and the special effects 102, and the video
screen 120. The light server 101 could also communicate with a
DMX-512 interface 510 and that interface could talk to other lights
(which may or may not be located at the stadium/venue). The light
server 101 and DMX-512 interface 212 could be combined into one
device.
[0050] Referring now to the drawing of the area reacting lighting
system 600 is shown in FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, an array
of large area lights 112-118 are laid out in a pattern as shown.
The motion detecting cameras or PIR motion sensors or AI 402-406
have fields of view depicted by the dotted lines. Camera/sensor 402
has a view of lights 116 and 112, camera/sensor 404 has a view of
lights 118 and 114, and camera/sensor 406 has a view of lights 118,
112, and 114.
[0051] In the preferred embodiment lights 112-118 may all be turned
on but dimmed to 20% brightness, when camera/sensor 402 or AI sees
motion it turns lights 112 and 116 up to full brightness. After one
minute with no detected motion the lights 112 and 116 are returned
to 20% brightness. Similarly when camera sensor or AI 404 sees
motion lights 118 and 114 are turned on to full brightness. Light
server 101 preferably uses the internet to contact security.
[0052] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well
as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous
changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the
scope and spirit of this invention.
[0053] It is to be understood that the terms "including",
"comprising", "consisting" and grammatical variants thereof do not
preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps,
or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be
construed as specifying components, features, steps or
integers.
[0054] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional"
element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the
additional element.
[0055] It is to be understood that where the claims or
specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not
be construed that there is only one of that element.
[0056] It is to be understood that where the specification states
that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may",
"might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component,
feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be
included.
[0057] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or
both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not
limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For
example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state,
or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.
[0058] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by
performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination
thereof, selected steps or tasks.
[0059] The term "method" may refer to manners, means, techniques
and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not
limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either
known to, or readily developed from known manners, means,
techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the
invention belongs.
[0060] The term "at least" followed by a number is used herein to
denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may
be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on
the variable being defined). For example, "at least 1" means 1 or
more than 1. The term "at most" followed by a number is used herein
to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be
a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no
lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For
example, "at most 4" means 4 or less than 4, and "at most 40%"
means 40% or less than 40%. Terms of approximation (e.g., "about",
"substantially", "approximately", etc.) should be interpreted
according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the
associated art unless indicated otherwise. Absent a specific
definition and absent ordinary and customary usage in the
associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be .+-.10% of
the base value.
[0061] When, in this document, a range is given as "(a first
number) to (a second number)" or "(a first number)-(a second
number)", this means a range whose lower limit is the first number
and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100
should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and
whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that
where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within
that range is also specifically intended unless the context
indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification
indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to
include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc.,
as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values
within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc.
Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for
purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values
(e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as
possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.
[0062] It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a
method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can
be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context
excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or
more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined
steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the
defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).
[0063] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well
as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous
changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the
spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *