U.S. patent application number 16/774256 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-13 for pan/tilt limitation method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harman Professional Denmark ApS. Invention is credited to Christian Quist NIELSEN.
Application Number | 20200256542 16/774256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65411749 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200256542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NIELSEN; Christian Quist |
August 13, 2020 |
PAN/TILT LIMITATION METHOD
Abstract
The invention relates to a moving head light fixture including a
base, a yoke connected to the base and configured to be rotated
relative to the base around a pan axis, a head connected to the
yoke and configured to be rotated relative to the yoke around a
tilt axis, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to
operate the moving head light fixture in a calibration mode to
determine a maximum needed rotation around the tilt and pan axis in
order to illuminate a target area, and to operate in an operating
mode in which the moving head light fixture illuminates the target
area only within the maximum needed rotation.
Inventors: |
NIELSEN; Christian Quist;
(Aalborg Ost, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harman Professional Denmark ApS |
Aarhus N |
|
DK |
|
|
Family ID: |
65411749 |
Appl. No.: |
16/774256 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2131/406 20130101;
F21V 23/0492 20130101; G05B 2219/36447 20130101; F21S 8/003
20130101; F21V 14/02 20130101; F21V 21/30 20130101; G05B 19/402
20130101; F21V 21/15 20130101; H05B 47/10 20200101 |
International
Class: |
F21V 14/02 20060101
F21V014/02; F21S 8/00 20060101 F21S008/00; F21V 21/30 20060101
F21V021/30; G05B 19/402 20060101 G05B019/402; H05B 47/10 20060101
H05B047/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2019 |
EP |
19156117.4 |
Claims
1. A moving head light fixture, comprising: a base, a yoke
connected to the base and configured to be rotated relative to the
base around a pan axis, a head connected to the base and configured
to be rotated relative to the yoke around the tilt axis, a control
unit configured to: operate the moving head light fixture in a
calibration mode used to determine a maximum needed rotation around
the tilt axis and the pan axis in order to illuminate a target
area, and operate in an operating mode in which the moving head
light fixture illuminates the target area only within the maximum
needed rotation, control the movement of the yoke around the pan
axis and of the head around the tilt axis, determine that the
calibration mode should be entered upon detection of a first
predefined user interaction with the moving head light fixture,
wherein in the calibration operating mode the control unit is
configured to: determine a minimum pan rotation angle of the yoke
around the pan axis upon detecting that the user has moved the
moving head light fixture to a first position, determine a maximum
pan rotation angle of the yoke around the pan axis upon detecting
that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to a second
position, determine a minimum tilt rotation angle of the head
around the tilt axis upon detecting that the user has moved the
moving head light fixture to a third position, determine a maximum
tilt rotation angle of the head around the tilt axis upon detecting
that the user has moved the moving light fixture to a fourth
position, wherein the control unit is further configured, when
operating in the operating mode, to limit the rotation of the yoke
around the pan axis to pan rotation angles in a range between the
minimum pan and the maximum pan rotation angle, and to limit the
rotation of the head around the tilt axis to tilt rotation angle in
a range between the minimum tilt and the maximum tilt rotation
angle independent of a control signal provided to the control unit
for controlling the movement of the yoke and the head.
2. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to operate the head and the yoke such
that a resistance to manually rotate the yoke around the pan axis
and the head around the tilt axis is smaller in the calibration
mode than in the operating mode.
3. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to: determine that the calibration mode
is entered when a first predefined user interaction is detected,
and detect the position of the yoke at the minimum pan rotation
angle as positioned by the user in the first position when a second
predefined user interaction is detected.
4. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to: determine that the calibration mode
is entered when a first predefined user interaction is detected,
and detect the position of the yoke at the maximum pan rotation
angle as positioned by the user in the second position when a third
predefined user interaction is detected.
5. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to: determine that the calibration mode
is entered when a first predefined user interaction is detected,
and detect the position of the head at the minimum tilt rotation
angle as positioned by the user in the third position when a fourth
predefined user interaction is detected.
6. The moving head light fixture according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the control unit is configured to: determine that
the calibration mode is entered when a first predefined user
interaction is detected, and detect the position of the head at the
maximum tilt rotation angle as positioned by the user in the fourth
position when a fifth predefined user interaction is detected
7. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to: determine that the calibration mode
is entered when a first predefined user interaction is detected,
detect the position of the head and the yoke as the minimum pan
rotation angle and the minimum tilt rotation angle upon detecting
that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to a single
first position corresponding to the first and third position, when
a second predefined user interaction is detected.
8. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is configured to: determine that the calibration mode
is entered when a first predefined user interaction is detected,
detect the position of the head and the yoke as the maximum pan
rotation angle and the maximum tilt rotation angle upon detecting
that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to a single
second position corresponding to the second and fourth position,
when a third predefined user interaction is detected.
9. The moving head light fixture according to claim 7 further
comprising a first operating element for the user, the control unit
being configured to determine the minimum pan rotation angle and
the minimum tilt rotation angle upon detection that the first
operating element is operated by the user.
10. The moving head light fixture according to claims 8, further
comprising a second operating element for the user, the control
unit being configured to determine the maximum pan rotation angle
and the maximum tilt rotation angle upon detection that the second
operating element is operated by the user.
11. The moving head light fixture according to claims 9, wherein
the control unit is configured to detect that the calibration mode
should be entered when either the first or second operating element
is operated by the user.
12. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is further configured to determine for each of the
minimum pan rotation angle, maximum pan rotation angle, minimum
tilt rotation angle and maximum tilt rotation angle, a
corresponding amount of rotation relative to a reference position
of the head relative to the base and the yoke.
13. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit is further configured to determine that the moving
head light fixture should keep the light beam exiting the light
fixture located at a fixed reference position upon detection of a
sixth user interaction.
14. The moving head light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the
minimum pan rotation angle is smaller than a theoretical minimum
pan rotation angle by which the yoke could be rotated around the
pan axis, and the maximum pan rotation angle is smaller than a
theoretical maximum pan rotation angle, by which the yoke could be
rotated around the pan axis, wherein the minimum tilt rotation
angle is smaller than a theoretical minimum tilt rotation angle by
which the head could be rotated around the tilt axis, and the
maximum tilt rotation angle is smaller than a theoretical maximum
tilt rotation angle, by which the head could be rotated around the
tilt axis.
15. A method for operating a moving head light fixture which
comprises a base, a yoke connected to the base and configured to be
rotated relative to the base around a pan axis, a head connected to
the yoke and configured to be rotated relative to the yoke around a
tilt axis, and a control unit configured to operate the moving head
light fixture in a calibration mode used to determine a maximum
needed rotation around the tilt and the pan axis in order to
illuminate a target area, and in an operating mode in which the
moving head light fixture illuminates the target area only within
the maximum needed rotation, the method comprising: determining
that the calibration mode should be entered upon detection by a
control unit of an interaction of a user with the moving head light
fixture, and when operating in the calibration mode: determining a
minimum pan rotation angle of the yoke around the pan axis upon
detecting that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to
a first position, determining a maximum pan rotation angle of the
yoke around the pan axis upon detecting that the user has moved the
moving head light fixture to a second position, determining a
minimum tilt rotation angle of the head around the tilt axis upon
detecting that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to
a third position, determining a maximum tilt rotation angle of the
head around the tilt axis upon detecting that the user has moved
the moving light fixture to a fourth position, and when operating
in the operating mode: limiting a rotation of the yoke around the
pan axis to pan rotation angles in a range between the minimum pan
and the maximum pan rotation angle, and limiting the rotation of
the head around the tilt axis to tilt rotation angles in a range
between the minimum tilt and the maximum tilt rotation angle
independent of a control signal provided to the control unit for
controlling the movement of the yoke and the head.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a moving head light
fixture and to a method for operating the moving head light
fixture.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Moving head lighting fixtures are commonly known in the art
of lighting and especially in connection with entertainment
lighting. A moving head light fixture typically comprises a head
having a number of light sources creating a light beam and a number
of light effect elements with which various light effects can be
generated. The head is rotatably connected to a yoke and the yoke
is rotatably connected to a base. As a result the head can be
panned and tilted around a pan axis and a tilt axis so that the
light beam can be directed in many directions. Typically the moving
head light fixture allows an angular position of the yoke relative
to the base between 0 and 540.degree., meaning that the yoke can be
rotated 11/2 revolutions relative to the base. Similarly the head
can be moved relative to the yoke in a theoretical angle of 0 to
270.degree.. However the exact numbers depend on the kind of light
fixture use and the allowed angles might be larger or smaller than
the angles indicated above.
[0003] In most cases the area that is to be illuminated by the
moving head light fixture is limited, e.g. to an area such as a
dance floor or a stage area.
[0004] Normally software tools are used to control the operation of
the moving head light fixture, especially how the head is moved
relative to the yoke and the base. The software used to control the
moving of the light beam is normally not aware of the exact
dimensions of the location where the moving head light fixture is
installed. Accordingly the situation often occurs that the moving
head light fixture is illuminating part of the environment not
related to the scene to be illuminated. This is disadvantageous as
first of all parts of the environment are illuminated which should
not be illuminated and the scene that should be illuminated is not
illuminated the whole time.
SUMMARY
[0005] Accordingly a need exists to overcome the above mentioned
problems and to be able to easily adapt the movement of the moving
head light fixture to the current environment.
[0006] This need is met by the features of the independent claims.
According to a first aspect a moving head light fixture is provided
comprising a base and a yoke connected to the base wherein the yoke
is configured to be rotated relative to the base around a pan axis.
The moving head light fixture furthermore comprises a head
connected to the yoke and configured to be rotated relative to the
yoke around a tilt axis. The moving head light fixture furthermore
comprises a control unit configured to operate the moving head
light fixture in a calibration mode used to determine a maximum
needed rotation around the tilt and pan axis in order to illuminate
a target area and is configured to be operated in an operating mode
in which the moving head light fixture actually illuminates the
target area within the maximum needed rotation. The control unit is
furthermore configured to control the movement of the yoke around
the pan axis and of the head around the tilt axis and is configured
to determine that the calibration mode should be entered upon an
interaction of the user of the moving head light fixture. In the
calibration operating mode the control unit is configured to
determine a minimum pan rotation angle of the yoke around the pan
axis upon detecting that the user has moved the moving head light
fixture to a first position, and to determine a maximum pan
rotation angle of the yoke around the pan axis upon detecting that
the user has moved the moving head light fixture to a second
position. Additionally the control unit is configured to determine
a minimum tilt rotation angle of the head around the tilt axis upon
detecting that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to
a third position and configured to determine a maximum tilt
rotation angle of the head around the tilt axis upon detecting that
the user has moved the moving light fixture to a forth position.
The control unit is further configured, when operating in the
operating mode to limit a rotation of the yoke around the pan axis
to pan rotation angles in a range between the minimum pan and the
rotation of the head around the tilt axis to tilt rotation angles
in a range between the minimum tilt and the maximum tilt rotation
angle independent of a control signal provided to the control unit
for controlling the movement of the yoke and head.
[0007] The moving head light fixture comprises different operating
modes and in the calibration operating mode the user can easily
determine the range of the pan rotation angle and the range of the
tilt rotation angle by moving the head light fixture to the
different positions which should correspond to the maximum and
minimum pan rotation angles and maximum and minimum tilt rotation
angles, respectively. In the operating mode the head can then be
rotated only within the defined range of rotation angles so that it
can be made sure that only a certain area is illuminated by the
moving head light fixture independent of the fact which control
signals are received for controlling the yoke and the head.
[0008] It is possible to configure the control unit in such a way
that in the calibration mode the head and the yoke can be moved
with a resistance which is smaller compared to the resistance that
is needed to move the head and/or the yoke in the operating mode.
Accordingly when the calibration operating mode is detected, an
easy to move interaction is enabled, by way of example by providing
an appropriate hold current which is lower compared to the hold
currents applied in the operating mode.
[0009] Furthermore the control unit can be configured to determine
that the calibration mode is entered when a first user interaction
is detected, and the position of the head and of the yoke is
determined as minimum pan rotation angle and minimum tilt rotation
angle upon detecting that the user has moved the moving head light
fixture to a single first position corresponding to the first and
third positions mentioned above when a second predefined user
interaction is detected.
[0010] Here a first predefined user interaction such as the
pressing of an operating element may be detected to determine that
the calibration mode should be entered and when the moving head
light fixture is moved to the closest corner of the target area and
a second predefined user interaction is detected, the minimum pan
rotation angle and the minimum tilt rotation angle are set.
[0011] In the same way the position of the head and of the yoke can
be detected as maximum pan rotation angle and maximum tilt rotation
angle upon detecting that the user has moved the moving head light
fixture to a single second position which corresponds to the second
and forth position indicated above when another predefined user
interaction is detected.
[0012] The moving head light fixture can comprise two different
operating elements which can be operated by the user when the user
has moved the moving head light fixture to the first single
position and the first operating element is operated by the user so
that the minimum tilt and pan rotation angles are set. In the same
way, when the user moves the moving head light fixture to a second
single position the corresponding maximum pan and maximum tilt
rotation angle can be determined by the control unit when a second
operating element is operated by the user.
[0013] The operating element may be a mechanically operated element
or a virtual operating element displayed on a display.
[0014] Furthermore the corresponding method for operating the
moving head light fixture is provided in which it is determined
that the calibration mode should be entered upon an interaction of
the user of the moving head light fixture. When the light fixture
is operated in the calibration mode the minimum pan rotation angle,
the maximum pan rotation angle, the minimum tilt rotation angle,
and the maximum tilt rotation angle are determined when it is
detected that the user has moved the moving head light fixture to
the different positions, and in the operating mode during
illumination the rotation is then limited to the ranges between the
minimum and maximum tilt rotation angles and minimum and maximum
pan rotation angles
[0015] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and
features yet to be explained below can be used not only in the
respective combinations indicated but also in other combinations or
in isolation without departing from the scope of the present
invention. Features of the abovementioned aspects and embodiments
described below may be combined with each other in other
embodiments unless explicitly mentioned otherwise. Other devices,
systems, methods, features and advantages will become apparent to
one with skill in the art upon examination of the following
detailed description and figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing and additional features and effects of the
application will become apparent from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a moving head light fixture
wherein the movement of head can be easily controlled in a
calibration mode.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of how the allowed range of
tilt and pan rotation angles can be easily controlled by the user
with two different positions of the moving head light fixture.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows schematically a flowchart comprising the steps
carried out by the moving head light fixture for calibrating the
movement of the moving head light fixture and of using the light
fixture within the calibrated range.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows schematically a flowchart comprising the steps
that may be carried out to easily calibrate the rotation ranges of
the moving head light fixture in a calibration mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following embodiments of the invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
is to be understood that the following description of embodiments
is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention
is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described
hereinafter or by the drawings, which are to be illustrative
only.
[0022] The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic
representations, and elements illustrated in the drawings are not
necessarily shown to scale. Rather the various elements are
represented such that their function in general purpose becomes
apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling
between functional blocks, devices, components of physical or
functional units shown in the drawings and described hereinafter
may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A
coupling between components may be established over a wired or
wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in
hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram illustrating a moving head
light fixture 100. The moving head light fixture 100 comprises a
base 103 rotatably connected to a yoke 105 and a head 107 rotatably
carried by the yoke 105. The head comprises a plurality of light
sources not shown generating a light beam 117 illustrated by dotted
lines. The light sources are arranged inside the head 111 and the
light beam exits the head through an emitting window 119. The light
sources can be any kind of light sources, for instance incandescent
lamps, discharge lamps, plasma lamps, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes),
organic LEDs or polymere LEDs or a combination thereof. The
emitting window can be implemented as an optical lens configured to
deflect the light beam, however it should be noticed that the light
emitting window can be provided as any component allowing the light
beam to propagate through the head housing. Furthermore it is
possible that the light sources are arranged at the outer surface
of the rotatable structure or the head. At least one actuator not
shown in the figures is adapted to rotate the yoke relative to the
base around a pan axis 107. Furthermore, an actuator is configured
to rotate the head 111 around the yoke 105 around a tilt axis 113.
The pan rotation is symbolized by arrow 109 and the tilt rotation
is symbolized by arrow 115.
[0024] The moving head light fixture comprises a controller 121
which is configured to control the components in the moving head
light fixture based on a number of control parameters such as light
effect parameters, position parameters and other parameters related
to the moving head light fixture. Light effect parameters can
relate to light effects that the light beam should generate and may
relate to color, dimming level, prism effects, gobo effects,
animation effects, etc.
[0025] The position parameters can relate to the position of the
head 111 in relation to the yoke 105 and/or the position of the
yoke 105 relative to the base 103. The control parameters can be
stored on a memory not shown in the drawings or may be received via
an input signal 123. The input signal can be provided as separate
signal comprising different control parameters. The input signal
123 may be received from a light controller, not shown, the moving
head light fixture comprises a human machine interface enabling a
user to interact directly with the moving head light fixture. The
human machine interface, HMI, can for instance comprise buttons,
joysticks, touchpads, keyboards, a mouse or virtual elements such
as a display indicating different icons. The display can provide a
menue structure shown on the display and maybe implemented as a
touch screen. In the embodiment shown the human machine interface
comprises a first button or operating element 130 and a second
button or operating element 140.
[0026] In the following a simple way to limit the pan and tilt
movements for the moving head light fixture is described. When the
moving head light fixture 100 is used to illuminate a target area
50 as shown in FIG. 2 such as a dance floor or stage area, the user
can press a dedicated button, e.g. one of the buttons 130 and 140
which may be called minimum button. This helps to activate a
calibration mode. The user can then physically move the pan and the
tilt of the light fixture until the minimum point or corner 51 of
the target area is reached. Here the tilt angle is the minimum
angle needed to illuminate the target area and the pan angle is the
minimum angle needed to illuminate target area 50. When this
minimum button such as operating element 130 is operated, the
control unit 121 can notice that a calibration mode is entered in
which the user can indicate the limits of the target area to be
illuminated. In this calibration mode the motors such as stepper
motors provided in the moving head light fixture 100 preferably
have an easy to move hold current which is applied to coils
provided in the moving head light fixture used to control the
positioning of the different components as known in the art. This
hold current can be lower compared to the situation when the moving
head light fixture 100 is not in the calibration mode, but in the
operating mode where the light fixture 100 illuminates the target
area 50 based on control signals received via the input signal 123
or by control signals stored in the control unit 121 as shown
program control signals.
[0027] Accordingly, when the user presses the minimum button such
as operating element 130 again when the corner 51 is illuminated,
the control unit 121 can reset its pan and tilt position and
thereby know exactly how many pan and tilt steps are needed to
reach this minimum point when a step motor is used. The user can
then move the moving head light fixture to another position
indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2 in which the moving head light
fixture illuminates corner 52 which represents the maximum tilt
angle and the maximum pan angle. Accordingly the user can press
dedicated operating element on the light fixture such as a maximum
button or operating element 140, and then physically moves the
light fixture 100 until the maximum point such as corner 52 is
reached. When the user then presses this maximum button or
operating element 140 for the second time the fixture 100,
especially the control unit 121 will reset its pan and tilt
position and thereby know exactly how many pan and tilt steps are
needed to reach this maximum point.
[0028] In the embodiment discussed above two different operating
elements 130 and 140 were used to set the minimum and maximum
angles. It should be understood that a single operating element may
be used wherein in dependence on the sequence in which the
operating element is operated, the control unit 121 knows whether
the minimum pan or tilt angle or maximum pan and tilt angle is set
by the user.
[0029] Furthermore it is possible that four different operating
elements are provided to individually set the four different
angles, two maximum angles and two minimum angles.
[0030] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 two single positions were used,
one to set the minimum tilt and minimum pan angle and the other
position to set the maximum tilt and pan angle. However it should
be understood that also four separate positions of the moving head
light fixture might be used and in each of the four positions one
of the maximum and minimum tilt angles and maximum and minimum pan
angles is determined In such a situation the moving head light
fixture 100 may be controlled to separately illuminate the
different edges of the target area. Furthermore it is possible to
provide a single preset position of the pan and tilt movement. This
could be used by the moving head light fixture or triggered by the
input signal such as a DMX signal. This preset focus point for the
moving head light fixture 100 can be a mirror ball or a special
place on the stage area.
[0031] When the calibration mode is left, the control unit can
control the movement of the moving head light fixture 100 in such a
way that the moment is limited to a range of angles delimited by
the maximum and minimum tilt angle and by the maximum and minimum
pan angle.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows some of the steps that may be carried out to
operate the light fixture 100 as discussed above. In step S31 the
method starts and in step S32 it is detected whether the
calibration mode is entered. This can be detected, by way of
example when one of the operating elements such as the minimum
button or maximum button is pressed by the user. When it has been
detected that the calibration mode is entered in step S32 it is
detected in step S33 how the user moves the moving head light
fixture. When the user has reached the minimum position such as
corner 51 and when the minimum angles of the tilt and pan angles
are confirmed in step S34 (e.g. by again pressing the minimum
button), the control unit can determine the pan and tilt steps that
are needed to reach this minimum point when the motor is a step
motor. If another type of motor is used, the absolute angle to
reach the minimum angle is determined In step S35 it is detected
whether the maximum angles should be set, e.g. by detecting whether
the maximum button/operating element has been activated. If this is
the case, the angle is detected to which the user moves the light
fixture, here the other corner such as corner 52 and the indicated
position is detected in step S36 as maximum position when in step
S37 the confirmation is received by the user, e.g. by pressing an
operating element. When the user has confirmed the maximum
positions (the maximum tilt and pan angle) in step S37 the control
unit can deduce that the calibration mode is finished and that it
should return to the operating mode in step S38. Within this
operating mode the movement of the moving head light fixture,
especially of the head and of the yoke is determined such that the
obtained rotation angles for the pan and tilt angles do not exceed
the minimum and maximum angles as determined in steps S33 to S37
(S39), if the angles have been limited. Without the calibration the
angles are limited in the range of the theoretical maximum values
larger than the angles determined in steps S33 to S37 above. The
method ends in step S40.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of how the operation of the
moving head light fixture 100 can be limited to a certain area. The
method starts in step S41 and in step S42 the presence of a
calibration mode is detected, e.g. by a predefined user interaction
with the light fixture 100. The possibility for the interaction can
be provided by dedicated hardware elements, mechanical actuators or
by virtual elements shown on a display. In step S43 the minimum pan
rotation angle is detected after the user has moved the light
fixture 100 to a position where the desired minimum pan rotation
angle is reached. This minimum pan rotation angle can then be
indicated to the control unit with another user interaction. In the
same way, when the user has moved the light fixture 100 to a
maximum pan rotation angle, this position can be indicated to the
control unit by another user interaction in step S44. In the same
way the minimum tilt rotation angle and the maximum tilt rotation
angle are indicated to the system by moving the light fixture 100
to the minimum tilt rotation angle as desired and by indicating it
to the system by a defined user interaction (S45). The user can
rotate the light fixture to the maximum tilt rotation angle and can
indicate or confirm this angle to the control unit as maximum
rotation angle by a user interaction such as the activation of an
activating element (S46). In step S47 it is then detected that the
calibration mode is left and the normal operating mode is obtained.
This can be deduced when all four angles have been confirmed by the
user or when another user interaction with the HMI has occurred. In
steps S43 to S46 the elements needed to control the position of the
head and yoke such as the stepper moters can be designed such that
the moving head light fixture and the components can be moved
relative to each other more easily than in the normal operating
mode of step S47. In step S48 the rotation of the head and yoke are
then limited to the determined maximum and minimum angles during
use. In the operating mode control signals for the tilt and pan
rotation may be received from input signal 123. The control signals
are then interpreted such that the tilt or pan rotation is limited
to the values manually input as described above. The method ends in
step S49.
[0034] In the above described example an effective way is obtained
to limit the movement of a moving head light fixture to a certain
area. There is no need for an extra hardware except a Hall sensor
which can be used to determine the pan and tilt angles relative to
a referenced position and physical or virtual buttons provided that
might be used to confirm the corresponding maximum and minimum tilt
and pan rotation angles.
[0035] Different options exist to determine the angle range within
which the components can be rotated.
[0036] It is possible that the calibration mode is entered when a
first predefined user interaction is detected wherein the position
of the yoke at the minimum pan rotation angle as positioned by the
user in the first position is detected when a second predefined
user interaction is detected. Accordingly after the first user
interaction the calibration mode is entered and then the user moves
the head to a position corresponding to the minimum pan rotation
angle and carries out another predefined user interaction which is
detected by the system and from which it can be deduced that this
angle should be the minimum pan rotation angle.
[0037] In the same way, the position of the yoke can be detected at
the maximum pan rotation angle as positioned by the user in
another, a second position when a third predefined user interaction
is detected. The second and the third predefined user interaction
can be the pressing of a single operating element a first time for
the minimum pan rotation and the second time for the maximum pan
rotation. For the maximum pan rotation, also a separate or other
operating element may be provided in order to confirm the maximum
pan rotation angle.
[0038] When the calibration mode is entered and when a first
predefined user interaction is detected the minimum tilt rotation
angle may be detected as positioned by the user in the third
position when a forth predefined user interaction is detected.
[0039] Furthermore, the position of the head at the maximum tilt
rotation angle can be detected as positioned by the user in a forth
position when a fifth predefined user interaction is detected.
[0040] In this example a separate user interaction is provided for
each of the different angles. The user interaction can be the
pressing of one or several operating elements and the sequence of
the activation can indicate which of the rotation angles, be it the
minimum or maximum pan rotation angle or the minimum or maximum
tilt rotation angle is meant, when not a single operating element
is provided for each angle.
[0041] As discussed above in the other example two single positions
were used to limit the rotation as discussed in connection with
FIG. 2.
[0042] One option is to use a single operating element to be
activated by the user when the minimum pan rotation angle and the
minimum tilt rotation angle is selected. In the same way a single
second operating element may be used to determine the maximum pan
rotation angle and the maximum tilt rotation angle upon detecting
that this second operating element is operated by the user.
[0043] The entering of the calibration mode can be detected when
one of these operating elements is operated by the user, be it the
minimum or maximum operating element first.
[0044] For each of the determined angles it is possible to
determine a corresponding amount of rotation relative to a
referenced position.
[0045] It should be understood that the determined and needed
angles are not the theoretical maximum values which could be
obtained by the light fixture. The rotation angles as set by the
user by moving the moving head light fixture are smaller than the
theoretical maximum or minimum values for the pan or tilt
rotation.
[0046] The user obtains a very easy way to define where the focus
area will be so that a better light experience is provided.
* * * * *