U.S. patent number RE46,068 [Application Number 13/792,369] was granted by the patent office on 2016-07-12 for method, apparatus, and system for image projection lighting.
The grantee listed for this patent is Richard S. Belliveau. Invention is credited to Richard S. Belliveau.
United States Patent |
RE46,068 |
Belliveau |
July 12, 2016 |
Method, apparatus, and system for image projection lighting
Abstract
A central controller and a number of image projection lighting
devices ("IPLD"), a type of multiparameter light, are
interconnected by an enhanced performance communications path that
is capable of simultaneously carrying different digital signals on
various bidirectional channels, such as various content signals,
including continuous video and/or audio, in digital form on
respective content transfer channels, a command signal on a control
channel, and a control or content signal in digital form on an
auxiliary channel. In accordance with commands transmitted from the
central controller over the control channel, content signals may be
sent from any of the IPLDs to any other of the IPLDs, or from the
central controller to any of the IPLDs, or from any of the IPLDs to
the central controller. The IPLDs have respective unique device
addresses, and the control channel, the auxiliary channel, and the
content transfer channels also have respective unique channel
addresses.
Inventors: |
Belliveau; Richard S. (Austin,
TX) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Belliveau; Richard S. |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
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Family
ID: |
45788126 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/792,369 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13292162 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
RE44114 |
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11199548 |
Mar 13, 2012 |
RE43234 |
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10002708 |
Oct 1, 2002 |
6459217 |
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09394300 |
Dec 18, 2001 |
6331756 |
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Reissue of: |
10090926 |
Mar 4, 2002 |
6605907 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
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Reissue of: |
10090926 |
Mar 4, 2002 |
6605907 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B
47/18 (20200101); H05B 47/155 (20200101); F21W
2131/406 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21S
8/00 (20060101); H05B 37/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;315/294,315,316
;362/133 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation. Active Vision IV, 2
pages, copyright 1998-2004, (Retrieved from the Internet < URL:
http:www.tlt/art/english/newpro/av4.htm on Jul. 14, 2006). cited by
applicant .
Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation. World Lighting Fair
in Tokyo, 3 pages, copyright 1998-2004, (Retrieved from the
internet <URL:
http://www.tlt.co.jp/tlt/art/english/exhbi/wlf2002.htm on Jul. 14,
2006. cited by applicant .
Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Topics, 3 pages,
coyright 1998-2004, (Retrieved from the internet URL:
<http://www.tlt.co.jp/tlt/art/english/topics/topi02.htm on Jul.
14, 2006). cited by applicant .
Carlson, Steven B., A Guided Tour of DMX512, ROXCO/ Entertainment
Technology, Mar. 25, 1996. cited by applicant .
High End Systems, Inc., High End Systems Product Line, 2001. cited
by applicant .
Clay Paky Light Dimension, Golden Scan: The absolute winner, in
Light Dimensions, Dec. 1988. cited by applicant .
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., Sensor CEM Dimming System User
Manual, Version 2.14, 1996. cited by applicant .
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., Sensor CEM Dimming System User
Manual, Version 3.0, 1998. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Deb; Anjan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tencza, Jr.; Walter J.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
.[.This patent document.]. .Iadd.The present application is a
divisional reissue patent application which claims the priority of
divisional reissue patent application Ser. No. 13/292,162, and
parent reissue patent application Ser. No. 11/199,548, filed on
Aug. 8, 2005, which is a reissue patent application of U.S. Pat.
No. 6,605,907 which .Iaddend.is a continuation-in-part of and
claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/002,708,
filed Nov. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,217, which is a
division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/394,300, filed Sep.
10, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756, issued Dec. 18, 2001), all
of which hereby are fully incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference thereto .Iadd.and all of which are claimed for priority
benefit by this present application; and in addition, this present
application also claims the priority of divisional reissue
application, Ser. No. 12/852,799 filed on Aug. 9, 2010, which also
claimed the priority of parent reissue application Ser. No.
11/199,548.Iaddend..
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A lighting system comprising: a central controller; a digital
communications path comprising a plurality of content transfer
channels having respective unique content transfer channel
addresses and being individually selectable in accordance with the
content transfer channel addresses thereof; and a plurality of
image projection lighting devices having respective unique device
addresses and being interconnected by the digital communications
path for communicating content on a selected one or more of the
content transfer channels in response to commands from the central
controller..].
.[.2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein: the digital
communications path is bi-directional and further comprises a
control channel; and the central controller is interconnected with
the image projection lighting devices by the digital communications
path for communicating device addresses and content transfer
channel addresses on the control channel..].
.[.3. The lighting system of claim 2 wherein the digital
communications path further comprises an auxiliary channel
accessible to the central controller and to the image projection
lighting devices for communicating commands and content in digital
form..].
.[.4. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising: a DMX
controller; and a DMX communications path; wherein the image
projection lighting devices are additionally interconnected by the
DMX communications path for communicating device addresses and
content transfer channel addresses thereon..].
.[.5. The lighting system of claim 4 wherein at least one of the
image projection lighting devices is a gateway-capable light
fixture..].
.[.6. A lighting system comprising: a first digital communications
path compliant with a DMX protocol; a second digital communications
path having a bandwidth sufficient for transferring content in
digital form; a plurality of light fixtures interconnected by the
first digital communications path, the light fixtures including a
plurality of image projection lighting devices having respective
unique device addresses and being interconnected by both the first
and second digital communications paths; and a DMX controller
interconnected with the light fixtures by the first digital
communications path; wherein the second digital communications path
is a bi-directional path comprising a plurality of addressable
content transfer channels individually selectable by the DMX
controller in accordance with the addresses thereof..].
.[.7. The lighting system of claim 6 wherein the second digital
communications path further comprises an addressable control
channel, the lighting system further comprising an additional
central controller interconnected with the image projection
lighting devices by the second digital communications path, wherein
the content transfer channels and the control channel are
individually selectable by the additional central controller in
accordance with the addresses thereof..].
.[.8. A multiparameter light comprising: an internal control
system; a light valve; an image control interface coupling the
light valve to the internal control system; a communications port
coupled to the internal control system; wherein the internal
control system comprises: a component for recognizing a unique
device address received at the communications port on a control
channel; and a component for selectively accessing a plurality of
content transfer channels having respective unique content transfer
channel addresses to communicate content in digital form thereon in
response to receipt of the unique device address and at least one
of the content transfer channel addresses at the communications
port on the control channel..].
.[.9. The multiparameter light of claim 8 further comprising: a
camera; and a video control interface coupling the camera to the
internal control system..].
.[.10. The multiparameter light of claim 8 wherein the component
for selectively accessing a plurality of content transfer channels
comprises: a component for receiving continuous video signals; and
a component for transmitting continuous video signals..].
.[.11. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path with a bandwidth sufficient for
communicating a plurality of content signals in digital form on
respective transfer channels having respective unique channel
addresses, and a plurality of image projection lighting devices
interconnected by the digital communications path and having
respective unique device addresses, the method comprising:
selecting a first one of the image projection lighting devices by
the unique device address thereof; instructing the first image
projection lighting device to communicate a first content signal on
a first one of the transfer channels of the digital communications
path by the unique channel address thereof; selecting a second one
of the image projection lighting devices by the unique device
address thereof; and instructing the second image projection
lighting device to communicate a second content signal on a second
one of the transfer channels of the digital communications path by
the unique channel address thereof..].
.[.12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: selecting a third
one of the image projection lighting devices by the unique device
address thereof; instructing the third image projection lighting
device to communicate the first content signal on the first
transfer channel by the unique channel address thereof; selecting a
fourth one of the image projection lighting devices by the unique
device address thereof; and instructing the fourth image projection
lighting device to communicate the second content signal on the
second transfer channel by the unique channel address
thereof..].
.[.13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: transmitting the
first content signal to the digital communications path on the
first transfer channel with one of the first and third image
projection lighting devices; receiving the first content signal
from the digital communications path on the first transfer channel
with the other one of the first and third image projection lighting
devices; transmitting the second content signal to the digital
communications path on the second channel with one of the second
and fourth image projection lighting devices; and receiving the
second content signal from the digital communications path on the
second channel with the other one of the second and fourth image
projection lighting devices..].
.[.14. The method of claim 11 wherein the lighting system further
comprises a central controller interconnected with the image
projection lighting devices by the digital communications path, the
method further comprising: communicating, with the central
controller, the first content signal on the first transfer channel
by the unique channel address thereof; and communicating, with the
central controller, the second content signal on the second
transfer channel by the unique channel address thereof..].
.[.15. The method of claim 11 wherein the lighting system further
comprises a central controller interconnected with the image
projection lighting devices by the digital communications path, the
method further comprising: transmitting the first content signal to
the digital communications path on the first transfer channel with
one of the first image projection lighting device and the central
controller; receiving the first content signal from the digital
communications path on the first transfer channel with the other
one of the first image projection lighting device and the central
controller; transmitting the second content signal to the digital
communications path on the second channel with one of the second
image projection lighting device and the central controller; and
receiving the second content signal from the digital communications
path on the second channel with the other one of the second image
projection lighting device and the central controller..].
.[.16. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of the first and
second content signals is an audio signal..].
.[.17. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of the first and
second content signals is a video signal..].
.[.18. The method of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring the
first content signal from a camera disposed with the first image
projection lighting device, the first content signal comprising a
video content signal; and transmitting the first content signal to
the digital communications path on the first transfer channel with
the first image projection lighting device..].
.[.19. The method of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring the
first content signal from an external video input disposed with the
first image projection lighting device, the first content signal
comprising a video content signal; and transmitting the first
content signal to the digital communications path on the first
transfer channel with the first image projection lighting
device..].
.[.20. The method of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring the
first content signal from a memory of the first image projection
lighting device, the first content signal comprising a video
content signal; and transmitting the first content signal to the
digital communications path on the first transfer channel with the
first image projection lighting device..].
.[.21. The method of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring the
first content signal from a microphone disposed with the first
image projection lighting device, the first content signal
comprising an audio content signal; and transmitting the first
content signal to the digital communications path on the first
transfer channel with the first image projection lighting
device..].
.[.22. The method of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring the
first content signal from an external audio input disposed with the
first image projection lighting device, the first content signal
comprising an audio content signal; and transmitting the first
content signal to the digital communications path on the first
transfer channel with the first image projection lighting
device..].
.[.23. The method of claim 11 wherein: the lighting system further
comprises a central controller interconnected with the image
projection lighting devices by the digital communications path; the
bandwidth of the digital communications path is also sufficient for
communicating a command signal on a control channel, the control
channel having a unique channel address; and the first image
projection lighting device selecting step comprises sending a
command signal from the central controller to the digital
communications path on the control channel by the unique channel
address thereof, the command signal comprising the unique device
address for the first image projection lighting device and the
unique channel address for the first transfer channel..].
.[.24. The method of claim 23 wherein the bandwidth of the digital
communications path is also sufficient for communicating a quality
identifier signal on the command channel, the command signal
further comprising the quality identifier signal..].
.[.25. The method of claim 11 wherein: the lighting system further
comprises a DMX controller interconnected with the image projection
lighting devices by a DMX communications path; and the first image
projection lighting device selecting step comprises sending a DMX
command signal from the DMX controller to the DMX communications
path..].
.[.26. A lighting system comprising: a central controller; an image
projection lighting device comprising a housing, a light valve
contained within the housing, and at least one communications
connector mounted to the housing; and a digital communications path
comprising a plurality of content transfer channels having
respective unique content transfer channel addresses, the digital
communications path being coupled to the central controller and
further being coupled to the image projection lighting device via
the communications connector..].
.[.27. The lighting system of claim 26 wherein the image projection
lighting device further comprises at least one external video input
mounted to the housing..].
.[.28. The lighting system of claim 27 wherein the external video
input is analog..].
.[.29. The lighting system of claim 27 wherein the external video
input is digital..].
.[.30. A lighting system comprising: a central controller; an image
projection lighting device comprising a housing, a light valve
contained within the housing, an external video input mounted to
the housing, an external audio input mounted to the housing, and at
least one communications connector mounted to the housing; and a
digital communications path comprising a plurality of content
transfer channels having respective unique content transfer channel
addresses, the digital communications path being coupled to the
central controller and further being coupled to the image
projection lighting device via the communications connector..].
.[.31. The lighting system of claim 30 wherein the external audio
input is analog..].
.[.32. The lighting system of claim 30 wherein the external audio
input is digital..].
.[.33. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path and a plurality of image projection
lighting devices interconnected by the digital communications path,
the method comprising: instructing a first one of the image
projection lighting devices by a first device address to transmit
an image-containing signal to the digital communications path, the
first device address being unique to the first image projection
lighting device; and instructing a second one of the image
projection lighting devices by a second device address to receive
an image-containing signal from the digital communications path,
the second device address being unique to the second image
projection lighting device; wherein transfer of an image from the
first image projection lighting device to the second image
projection lighting device occurs when the first image projection
lighting device is transmitting and the second image projection
lighting device is receiving, regardless of when the first image
projection lighting device instructing step occurs relative to the
second image projection lighting device instructing step..].
.[.34. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path and a plurality of image projection
lighting devices interconnected by the digital communications path,
the method comprising: transmitting an image-containing signal from
a first one of the image projection lighting devices to the digital
communications path, the image-containing signal containing an
image from a source disposed with the first image projection
lighting device; and receiving the image-containing signal at a
second one of the image projection lighting devices from the
digital communications path..].
.[.35. The method of claim 34 wherein the source is a memory of the
first image projection lighting device, further comprising reading
the image from the memory for transmission to the digital
communications path..].
.[.36. The method of claim 34 wherein the source is a camera
disposed with the first image projection lighting device, further
comprising acquiring the image from the camera for transmission to
the digital communications path..].
.[.37. A lighting system comprising: a digital communications path
having a control channel; a plurality of image projection lighting
devices having respective unique device addresses and being
interconnected by the digital communications path; and a central
controller interconnected with the image projection lighting
devices by the digital communications path; wherein at least one of
the image projection lighting devices comprises a camera; and
wherein the image projection lighting devices are individually
selectable by their respective device addresses to receive a camera
control signal from the control channel of the digital
communications path..].
.[.38. The lighting system of claim 37 wherein the camera control
signal is a camera enable signal, a color balance signal, an iris
signal, a focus signal, or a zoom signal..].
.[.39. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communications path, the method comprising: instructing a
first one of the image projection lighting devices by a first
device address to transmit an image-containing signal to the
digital communications path, the first device address being unique
to the first image projection lighting device; and enabling the
central controller to receive an image-containing signal from the
digital communications path; wherein transfer of an image from the
first image projection lighting device to the central controller
occurs when the first image projection lighting device is
transmitting and the central controller is receiving, regardless of
when the first image projection lighting device instructing step
occurs relative to the central controller instructing step..].
.[.40. The method of claim 39 further comprising reading the image
from a memory of the first image projection lighting device for
transmission to the digital communications path..].
.[.41. The method of claim 39 further comprising acquiring the
image from a camera disposed with the first image projection
lighting device, for transmission to the digital communications
path..].
.[.42. The method of claim 39 wherein the enabling step comprises
instructing the central controller by a second device address to
receive an image-containing signal from the digital communications
path, the second device address being unique to the central
controller..].
.[.43. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communications path, the method comprising: instructing a
first one of the image projection lighting devices by a first
device address to receive a first image-containing signal from the
digital communications path, the first device address being unique
to the first image projection lighting device; instructing a second
one of the image projection lighting devices by a second device
address to receive a second image-containing signal from the
digital communications path, the second device address being unique
to the second image projection lighting device; transmitting the
first image-containing signal to the digital communications path
from the central controller; and transmitting the second
image-containing signal to the digital communications path from the
central controller, wherein transfer of a first image is enabled
after both the first image projection lighting device instructing
step and the first image-containing signal transmitting step occur,
regardless of the order thereof; and wherein transfer of a second
image is enabled after both the second image projection lighting
device instructing step and the second image-containing signal
transmitting step occur, regardless of the order thereof..].
.[.44. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communications path, the method comprising: transmitting a
first image-containing signal to the digital communications path
from the central controller; receiving the first image-containing
signal from the digital communications path at a first one of the
image projection lighting devices based on a first device address,
the first device address being unique to the first image projection
lighting device; transmitting a second image-containing signal to
the digital communications path from the central controller; and
receiving the second image-containing signal from the digital
communications path at a second one of the image projection
lighting devices based on a second device address, the second
device address being unique to the second image projection lighting
device; wherein transfer of a first image occurs after both the
first image-containing signal transmitting step and the first
image-containing signal receiving step occur, regardless of the
order thereof; and wherein transfer of a second image occurs after
both the second image-containing signal transmitting step and the
second image-containing receiving step occur, regardless of the
order thereof..].
.[.45. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communications path, the method comprising: transmitting an
instruction from the central controller to a first one of the image
projection lighting devices to receive and store an
image-containing signal from the digital communications path, the
instruction including a first device address unique to the first
image projection lighting device; receiving the image-containing
signal from the digital communications path with the first image
projection lighting device; and storing an image from the
image-containing signal received in the receiving step in a memory
of the first image projection lighting device..].
.[.46. The method of claim 45, further comprising transmitting the
image-containing signal from the central controller to the digital
communications path..].
.[.47. The method of claim 45, further comprising transmitting the
image-containing signal from a memory of a second one of the image
projection lighting devices..].
.[.48. The method of claim 45, further comprising transmitting the
image-containing signal from a camera disposed with a second one of
the image projection lighting devices..].
.[.49. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communication path, the method comprising: receiving an
image-containing signal from the digital communications path with a
first one of the image projection lighting devices; transmitting an
instruction from the central controller to the first image
projection lighting device, by a first device address unique to the
first image projection lighting device, to act upon the
image-containing signal from the receiving step; and acting upon
the image-containing signal from the receiving step in accordance
with the instruction from the transmitting step under control of a
microprocessor in the first image projection lighting
device..].
.[.50. The method of claim 49, wherein the acting upon step further
comprises transferring an image in the image-containing signal to a
second one of the image projection lighting devices..].
.[.51. The method of claim 49, wherein the acting upon step further
comprises projecting an image in the image-containing signal from
the first image projection lighting device..].
.[.52. The method of claim 49, wherein the acting upon step further
comprises modifying an image in the image-containing signal..].
.[.53. The method of claim 49: further comprising receiving an
additional image-containing signal from the digital communications
path with the first image projection lighting devices; wherein the
acting upon step further comprises fading from an image in the
image-containing signal to another image in the additional
image-containing signal..].
.[.54. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a
digital communications path, a central controller, and a plurality
of image projection lighting devices, the central controller and
the image projection lighting devices being interconnected by the
digital communications path, the method comprising: selecting a
channel bandwidth from among a plurality of channel bandwidths to
establish a level of image quality; transmitting an instruction
from the central controller to a first one of the image projection
lighting devices by a first device address to receive an
image-containing signal at the selected bandwidth from the digital
communications path, the first device address being unique to the
first image projection lighting device; and transmitting the
image-containing signal to the digital communications path at no
greater than the selected bandwidth..].
.Iadd.55. An apparatus comprising a first image projection device
comprising: a first housing comprising: a first light source; a
first light valve disposed along a first light path from the first
light source; a first lens device disposed along the first light
path, the first lens device including a first focusing device; a
first memory for storing data; a first digital communications port
for receiving bidirectional network communications; wherein the
bidirectional network communications comprise a plurality of
address signals, a plurality of command signals, and a plurality of
video signals for a plurality of projection devices wherein the
plurality of projection devices includes the first image projection
device; wherein the plurality of address signals includes a first
address signal unique to the first image projection device; wherein
the housing further comprises a first control device coupled to the
first digital communications port and to the first memory; wherein
the first control device is programmed to respond to the first
address signal; wherein the first control device is programmed to
respond to a first command signal of the plurality of command
signals; wherein after the first control device responds to the
first command signal, the first control device is programmed to
cause the first image projection device to project a first video
derived from a first video signal of the plurality of video
signals; the apparatus further comprising a second image projection
device of the plurality of projection devices, said second image
projection device comprising: a second housing comprising: a second
light source; a second light valve disposed along a second light
path from the second light source; a second lens device disposed
along the second light path, the second lens device including a
second focusing device; a second memory for storing data; a second
digital communications port for receiving the same bidirectional
network communications as the first image projection device,
wherein the plurality of address signals of the bidirectional
network communications include a second address signal unique to
the second image projection device; the second housing further
comprising a second control device coupled to the second digital
communications port and to the second memory, wherein the second
control device is programmed to respond to the second address
signal; wherein the second control device is programmed to respond
to a second command signal of the plurality of command signals;
wherein after the second control device responds to the second
command signal the second control system is programmed to cause the
second image projection device to project a second video derived
from a second video signal of the plurality of video signals; and
wherein the first video signal and the second video signal are
different..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first control
device is programmed to respond to a third command signal of the
plurality of command signals received at the first digital
communications port by storing a first set of data in the first
memory..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the first set of data
is video image data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the first set of data
is video data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the first set of data
is camera data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first control
device is programmed to respond to a third command signal of the
plurality of command signals received at the first digital
communications port by varying focus of the first lens device by
using the first focusing device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first control
device is programmed to respond to a third command signal of the
plurality of command signals received at the first digital
communications port by varying zoom of the first lens
device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first control
device is programmed to respond to a third command signal of the
plurality of command signals received at the first digital
communications port by modifying an image projected from the first
image projection device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the video data is
cataloged by date..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lighting systems that are
digitally controlled and to the light fixtures used therein, and
more particularly to such lighting systems as well as to
multiparameter lights that have an image projection lighting
parameter and a camera and that are useful in such lighting
systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lighting systems are formed typically by interconnecting many light
fixtures by a communications system and providing for operator
control from a central controller. Such lighting systems may
contain multiparameter light fixtures, which illustratively are
light fixtures having individually remotely adjustable parameters
such as beam size, color, shape, angle, and other light
characteristics. Multiparameter light fixtures are widely used in
lighting industry because they facilitate significant reductions in
overall lighting system size and permit dynamic changes to the
final lighting effect. Applications and events in which
multiparameter light fixtures are used to great advantage include
showrooms, television lighting, stage lighting, architectural
lighting, live concerts, and theme parks. Illustrative
multiparameter light devices are described in the product brochure
entitled "The High End Systems Product Line 2001" and are available
from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex.
Prior to the advent of relatively small commercial digital
computers, remote control of light fixtures from a central
controller was done with either a high voltage or low voltage
current; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,914, issued Dec. 19, 1972
to Van Buren, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,643, issued Aug. 5, 1975 to
Ettlinger. With the widespread use of computers, digital serial
communications over wire was widely adopted as a way to achieve
remote control; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,139, issued Jun. 13,
1978 to Symonds et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,227, issued Sep.
29, 1987 to Callahan. In 1986, the United States Institute of
Theatre Technology ("USITT") developed a digital communications
system protocol for multi-parameter light fixtures known as DMX512.
Basically, the DMX512 protocol consists of a stream of data which
is communicated one-way from the control device to the light
fixture using an Electronics Industry Association ("EIA") standard
for multipoint communications know as RS-485.
A variety of different types of multiparameter light fixtures are
available. One type of advanced multiparameter light fixture which
is referred to herein as an image projection lighting device
("IPLD") uses a light valve to project images onto a stage or other
projection surface. A light valve, which is also known as an image
gate, is a device such as a digital micro-mirror ("DMD") or a
liquid crystal display ("LCD") that forms the image that is
projected. U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,958, issued May 2, 2000 to Hunt,
discloses a pixel based gobo record control format for storing gobo
images in the memory of a light fixture. The gobo images can be
recalled and modified from commands sent by the control console.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,868, issued Nov. 3, 1998 to Hutton, discloses
storing video frames as cues locally in a lamp, and supplying them
as directed to the image gate to produce animated and real-time
imaging. A single frame can also be manipulated through processing
to produce multiple variations. Alternatively, a video
communication link can be employed to supply continuous video from
a remote source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,485, issued Oct. 27, 1998 to Hewlett, discloses
the use of a camera with a DMD equipped light fixture for the
purpose of following the shape of the performer and illuminating
the performer using a shape that adaptively follows the performer's
image. The camera taking the image preferably is located at the
lamp illuminating the scene in order to avoid parallax. The image
can be manually investigated at each lamp or downloaded to some
central processor for this purpose. This results in a shadowless
follow spot.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
While the type of light fixture that provides a shadowless follow
spot function and while the type of light fixture that stores
images internally for projection have value in the lighting
industry, these types of light fixtures and/or the lighting systems
in which they operate all limit the operator of the lighting system
to carrying out image projection operations on the basis of
individual light fixtures. Moreover, having to store images at the
light fixture is very limiting to the user of the device, since the
operator must upload images to the light fixture from a computer
before placing the light fixture into service.
These and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome in one
or more embodiments of the present invention by supporting two or
more channels of content in digital form, including content such as
image content, over one communications path for projection by
multiple IPLDs in a lighting system, or by supporting a command
channel and at least one channel of content in digital form,
including content such as image content, over one communications
path for projection by at least one IPLD in a lighting system. The
term "image" is a general term that refers to a wide variety of
image types, including continuous video images such as movies,
graphic effects, and news programs, and still images such as
pictures and clip art. In this way, one or more IPLDs on the same
communications system may be supplied with one or more different
channels of image content while at the same time being able to
respond to commands, thereby giving the operator of the lighting
system enormous creative control with regard to the image content
projected by the various IPLDs in the system. The term "content" is
a general term that refers to various types of creative works,
including image-type works and audio works.
One embodiment of the present invention is a lighting system
comprising a central controller, a digital communications path, and
a plurality of image projection lighting devices. The digital
communications path comprises a plurality of content transfer
channels having respective unique content transfer channel
addresses and being individually selectable in accordance with the
content transfer channel addresses thereof. The plurality of image
projection lighting devices have respective unique device addresses
and are interconnected by the digital communications path for
communicating content on a selected one or more of the content
transfer channels in response to commands from the central
controller.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a lighting system
comprising a first digital communications path compliant with a DMX
protocol; a second digital communications path having a bandwidth
sufficient for transferring content in digital form; a plurality of
light fixtures interconnected by the first digital communications
path, the light fixtures including a plurality of image projection
lighting devices having respective unique device addresses and
being interconnected by both the first and second digital
communications paths; and a DMX controller interconnected with the
light fixtures by the first digital communications path. The second
digital communications path is a bidirectional path comprising a
plurality of addressable content transfer channels individually
selectable by the DMX controller in accordance with the addresses
thereof.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a multiparameter
light comprising an internal control system, a light valve, an
image control interface coupling the light valve to the internal
control system, and a communications port coupled to the internal
control system. The internal control system comprises a component
for recognizing a unique device address received at the
communications port on a control channel, and a component for
selectively accessing a plurality of content transfer channels
having respective unique content transfer channel addresses to
communicate content in digital form thereon in response to receipt
of the unique device address and at least one of the content
transfer channel addresses at the communications port on the
control channel.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of
controlling a lighting system comprising a digital communications
path with a bandwidth sufficient for communicating a plurality of
content signals in digital form on respective transfer channels
having respective unique channel addresses, and a plurality of
image projection lighting devices interconnected by the digital
communications path and having respective unique device addresses.
The method comprises selecting a first one of the image projection
lighting devices by the unique device address thereof; accessing
with the first image projection lighting device a first one of the
transfer channels of the digital communications path by the unique
channel address thereof; carrying a first content signal over the
digital communications path on the first transfer channel during at
least part of the first image projection lighting device accessing
step; selecting a second one of the image projection lighting
devices by the unique device address thereof; accessing with the
second image projection lighting device a second one of the
transfer channels of the digital communications path by the unique
channel address thereof; and carrying a second content signal over
the digital communications path on the second transfer channel
during at least part of the second image projection lighting device
accessing step.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a lighting system
comprising a central controller; an image projection lighting
device comprising a housing, a light valve contained within the
housing, and at least one communications connector mounted to the
housing; and a digital communications path comprising a plurality
of content transfer channels having respective unique content
transfer channel addresses, the digital communications path being
coupled to the central controller and further being coupled to the
image projection lighting device via the communications
connector.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a lighting system
comprising a central controller; an image projection lighting
device comprising a housing, a light valve contained within the
housing, an external video input mounted to the housing, an
external audio input mounted to the housing, and at least one
communications connector mounted to the housing; and a digital
communications path comprising a plurality of content transfer
channels having respective unique content transfer channel
addresses, the digital communications path being coupled to the
central controller and further being coupled to the image
projection lighting device via the communications connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a .[.frontal.]. .Iadd.side .Iaddend.plan view of a
multiparameter light of the IPLD type .Iadd.showing multiple
communications system I/O ports.Iaddend..
FIG. 2 is a .[.side.]. .Iadd.frontal .Iaddend.plan view of the
multiparameter light of FIG. 1 .[.showing multiple communications
system I/O ports in accordance with the present invention.]..
FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a lighting system.
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the architecture of an image
projection lighting device.
FIG. 5 is a bandwidth allocation diagram.
FIG. 6 is a bandwidth allocation diagram.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST MODE
FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of an image projection lighting
device ("IPLD") type of multiparameter light fixture that is
capable of serving as a node on either one or both of two
communications paths of a communications system. One of the
communications paths is a digital communications path that is
capable of simultaneously carrying command signals as well as two
or more channels of content in digital form, including image
content for projection by multiple IPLDs. FIG. 1 shows a
.[.frontal.]. .Iadd.side .Iaddend.view of a camera-equipped
multiparameter light fixture 100, and FIG. 2 shows a .[.side.].
.Iadd.frontal .Iaddend.view of the camera-equipped multiparameter
light fixture of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera 140 is attached
to lamp housing 130. The camera 140 may be any desired type of
camera, including cameras sensitive to visible wavelengths as well
as cameras sensitive to infrared wavelengths. The lamp housing 130
is rotatably attached to a yoke 120 to enable a tilt movement of
the lamp housing 130 and the camera 140. The yoke 120 is in turn
rotatably attached to a base housing 110 to enable a pan movement
of the lamp housing 130 and the camera 140. The base housing 110
contains a power supply and communications and control electronic
circuits (not shown). A control panel 116 (FIG. 2) on the base
housing 110 contains a display and various buttons for manually
setting a unique device address and controlling various other
operations of the multiparameter light fixture 100. The base
housing 110 also includes two communications connectors 112 and 114
(FIG. 1) that are part of respective digital communications ports
contained in the light fixture 100. It will be appreciated that
more than two communications ports may be used if desired, and the
multiple ports may include one or more analogue ports if desired.
The digital communications connector 114 illustratively is part of
a conventional DMX512 port that has a digital line-in terminal
passing through to a digital line-out terminal, and is suitable for
connection to a DMX communications path in the communications
system. The digital communications connector 112 illustratively is
part of a moderate to high bandwidth bidirectional digital port,
and is suitable for connection to a moderate to high bandwidth
bi-directional digital communications path such as an Ethernet
network. The multiparameter light fixture 100 also has a power
connector (not shown), which is omitted for clarity.
Although the IPLD shown in FIG. 1 has two different types of
communications ports and a yoke for pan and tilt, IPLDs generally
may have only one communications port or may have two or more
communications ports, and may have only a couple of parameters or
may have many parameters. For example, one type of IPLD has the
parameters of color, shutter, image, dimming, lamp enable, zoom and
focus, but not the parameters of pan and tilt (may not have a yoke
mount).
The DMX port is provided in the IPLDs of FIGS. 1 and 2 for
compatibility with existing installations and to provide a somewhat
redundant control path, if desired. The DMX port may be eliminated
entirely, or a different type of port may be provided as desired
for redundancy or other purposes.
Other types of multiparameter light fixtures such as, for example,
the unitary housing type that uses mirrors to direct the projected
light (not shown), may also be equipped for image projection
lighting and may also be provided with a camera.
While the camera 140 may be integrated with the lamp housing 130 in
any desired manner, and may be independently positionable if
desired, preferably the camera 140 is rigidly and securely attached
to the lamp housing 130. The camera 140 thereby receives an image
from wherever the lamp housing 130 is directed at by the pan and
tilt mechanism of the multiparameter light 100. In this way, the
light projected by the multiparrameter light and the camera
essentially point in the same direction. Images received by the
camera 140 are sent to the control electronics located within the
base housing 110 of the multiparameter light fixture 100.
Having a camera mounted on a multiparameter light fixture is
advantageous in may ways. For example, frequently large television
shows such as award shows and the like use many multiparameter
lights on the stage set. A broadcasting company may also use
several cameras to create several camera angles that provide
different looks at the stage, for broadcast purposes. IPLD type of
light fixtures also may be mounted at many locations on the stage
set. Some will often be mounted on the stage itself behind the
performer. Some lights of the invention will be mounted overhead of
the performer while still others are mounted to stage right or
left. A camera as a component of a IPLD can produce at or almost
broadcast quality pictures from aspects of the stage where the
broadcast companies television cameras are not located and do not
have the ability to image that particular location or direction.
The video camera may be a block camera type such as those available
from Sony Broadcast and Professional of One Sony Drive Park Ridge,
N.J. The communications port 112 is connected to a digital
communications path (FIG. 3) in the communication system to enable
the transfer of images to other IPLDs in the lighting system or to
a central controller, as well as the receipt of images from the
other IPLDs in the lighting system or from a central controller.
The operator of the lighting system may address individual IPLDs
from the central controller 380 and choose which of many content
transfer channels is to be acted upon or projected by the selected
IPLDs.
The multiparameter light 100 is suitable for use in a
communications system with other multiparameter lights, which may
or may not be IPLD type, as well as with other types of light
fixtures that may or may not have integrated cameras. The
communications system may be single path or multiple path. A
suitable multiple path communications system is described in my
U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Digital
Communications with Multiparameter Light Fixtures," which issued
Dec. 18, 2001 and hereby is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIG. 3 shows an illustrative multiple path lighting system 300.
Central controller 370 (illustratively a DMX controller of a type
well known in the art, although controllers based on other
protocols may be used if desired), central controller 380
(illustratively a computer system or two or more computer systems
linked together), and light fixtures 312, 314 and 316 are powered
from the power mains over standard building electrical wiring 310.
A DMX communications cable 302 is run from the DMX controller 370
to an IPLD 312, which illustratively is an IPLD type multiparameter
light fixture such as the light fixture 100, but which may be any
other type of IPLD. Additional communication cable segments 304 and
306 respectively run to IPLDs 314 and 316. While only three IPLDs
are shown in FIG. 3 for clarity, typically lighting systems may
have thirty or more light fixtures, including light fixtures that
are not IPLDs. The communication cable segment 308 represents the
presence of additional light fixtures. Communications along the DMX
communications path is unidirectional, in accordance with one
aspect of the DMX512 protocol.
FIG. 3 also shows a second central controller 380, illustrative a
suitably programmed computer system having a monitor and a system
cabinet. The central controller 380 communicates with the IPLDs
312, 314 and 316 over a digital communications path, which
preferably is a moderate to high transmission rate digital
communications path or network having enhanced performance relative
to a standard DMX communications path. The enhanced performance
communications path over which the central controller 380
communicates preferably is capable of simultaneously carrying
multiple bi-directional channels of content, preferably continuous
video content, in digital form. Such channels are referred to
herein as content transfer channels. The enhanced performance
communications path is also capable of simultaneously carrying
commands that provide operating instructions to the IPLDs 312, 314
and 316, in addition to the content transfer channels. For full
duplex operation, a hub or intelligent switch 330 is used, which
individual bi-directional conductors 320, 322 and 324 being
respectively run to the multiparameter light fixtures 312, 314 and
316. The use of such a hub or switch for full duplex communications
is well known in the computer network arts, and is preferable
because full duplex helps to minimize collisions of digital
information traveling to and from the various light fixtures
connected to the enhanced performance communications path. For half
duplex communication, no such hub or switch need be used. Generally
speaking, the enhanced performance communications path may be of
any desired type, including, for example, such wired networks as
token ring, FDDI ring, star, parallel bus, and serial bus, and such
wireless networks as radio frequency ("RF") and infrared. Various
protocols may be used depending on the type of network, including,
for example, Ethernet, the CEBus (Consumer Electronics Bus)
Standard EIA-600, Bluetooth, and the IEEE 802.11b networking
standard. Other light fixtures in the lighting system 300, which
are represented by the communication cable segment 308, may or may
not be connected to the enhanced performance communications
path.
The communications system of FIG. 3 illustratively operates as
follows, for an illustrative situation in which the operator
desires to have the IPLD 312 project one continuous video and the
IPLDs 314 and 316 project a second continuous video.
Illustratively, the first video is a movie that originates from,
for example, a DVD player 340, while the second video is a pleasing
dynamic multicolored graphics work generated by a computer graphics
generator 350. The central controller 380 receives the respective
video signals from the DVD 340 and graphics generator 350, and
processes the video signals for transmission over the enhanced
performance communications path to the IPLD devices 312, 314 and
316. The processing by the central controller 380 may involve
compressing the video signals in a format such as MPEG (Motion
Picture Experts Group), as is well known in the video compression
art. A variety of compression techniques are well known and are
suitable for reducing the bandwidth requirements of various image
types, including video.
Content transfer channels each have an identification scheme or
address. The identification scheme is defined as a way for the
central processor of the IPLD to recognize a particular content
transfer channel from a group of available content transfer
channels available on the enhanced performance communications path.
Examples of suitable address or identification schemes include a
specific digital code such as a stream of bytes identifying the
start of the channel, a timed based address when one particular
content transfer channel starts sending video information, and the
expected order of the content transfer channels. Any scheme by
which an IPLD can select one particular content transfer channel
from a plurality of content transfer channels is an identification
scheme, and is herein referred to as an "address" for convenience.
A particular IPLD is commanded over the enhanced performance
communications path by commands sent from the central controller
380 to select, for example, content transfer channel 1 from several
content transfer channels, and to decode the content transfer
channel information and project the resultant image.
Each of the IPLDs 312, 314 and 316 has a unique device identifying
address for use with the control channel of the enhanced
performance communications path. This enables an operator to send
operation commands to a specific IPLD from among many IPLDs. The
command set used by the control channel for commanding the IPLDs
may include but are not limited to the following commands: Lamp ON,
Lamp OFF, X and Y (pan and tilt) coordinates, color change values,
intensity values, request for service information, lens focus, and
lens zoom. The command set may also include commands for the on
board camera, such as zoom, focus, color balance, camera enable and
iris. The control channel may have any suitable address or
identification scheme, including, for example, a default address, a
specific digital code such as a stream of bytes identifying the
start of the channel, a timed based address when one particular
channel starts sending information, an expected channel ordering,
and so forth.
As implemented in FIG. 3, the communications protocol for the
enhanced performance communications path uses an address for each
light fixture to enable a light fixture to be discretely addressed
from other light fixtures on the communications path, and also uses
respective addresses for the several content transfer channels. The
communications protocol for the enhanced performance communications
path preferably has several hundred device addresses available to
recognize IPLD devices, since large theatrical events use a large
numbers of IPILDs. If a bidirectional communications path is used,
the central controller 380 is also assigned an address. One method
for controlling image projection lighting is the following. The
operator inputs to the central controller 380 which IPLD is to be
selected and what command the IPLD is to act upon. Any suitable
input may be used, including, for example, a keyboard (not shown),
interaction with a user interface (not shown) via a touch-sensitive
screen or a mouse, or in any other desired manner. The address and
command that was input by the operator is sent upon the control
channel to the IPLDs on the enhanced performance communications
path, and the IPLD with a matching address responds by acting upon
the desired command. If the command is to access a content transfer
channel for projection of an image, then the command contains the
address of the desired content transfer channel. The addressed IPLD
identifies the desired content transfer channel, and then decodes
the content transfer channel to acquire and project the image.
The system architecture of an IPLD-type multiparameter light 400
having a camera 464 contained in a camera housing 460 that is
rigidly attached to a lamp housing 440 is shown in FIG. 4, along
with simplified portions of a communications system to which the
IPLD 400 is connected. The camera housing 460 is rigidly attached
to the lamp housing 440 so that as the lamp housing 440 is moved,
the camera 464 and the light projected from the lamp housing 440
are directed towards the same place. As described in the context of
FIG. 3, the DMX controller 370 is of a type well known in the art,
and the central controller 380 illustratively is a computer system
capable of communicating with IPLDs over an enhanced performance
communications path. The DMX controller 370 may be omitted if
desired.
The IPLD 400 has separate base and lamp housing sections with
respective housings 410 and 440. The lamp housing section 440 is
capable of pan and tilt relative to the base housing 410 by virtue
of yoke (see yoke 120 in FIGS. 1 and 2). The base housing 410
contains an internal control system formed by, illustratively, a
microprocessor 416 (various well known alternatives include
microcontrollers, dedicated logic, and so forth) and a memory 415,
a port 411 for the enhanced performance communications path, a port
413 for the DMX communications path, a motor control interface 418
for interfacing the microprocessor 416 to the motors (not shown)
that move the lamp housing section 440 relative to the base housing
410, a lamp power supply control interface 419 for interfacing the
microprocessor 416 to the lamp power supply 421, an image control
interface 412 for interfacing the microprocessor 416 to a light
valve 446, a video control interface 417 for interfacing the
microprocessor 416 to the camera 464, and an analogue-to-digital
("A/D") converter 414 for interfacing the microprocessor 416 to a
microphone 462. The microphone 462 illustratively is shown mounted
in the camera housing 460, but may be mounted in the lamp housing
440 or in any other convenient place in the IPLD 400. The lamp
housing 440 contains a reflector 444, a lamp 445, the light valve
446, a condensing lens 447, filter wheels 442, 449 and 443, an iris
diaphragm 450 (motor omitted for clarity), and a focusing lens 451
(motor omitted for clarity). External connectors 422 and 423 (not
shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) are provided for external audio and
video signals, respectively. Various wires are run between the base
housing 410 and the lamp housing 440 (some wires are omitted for
clarity) through a wireway 430, which typically is a flexible
conduit or pathway between the bearings used to attach the lamp
housing 440 to the base housing 410 on pan and tilt lights. Various
other well known components standard to multiparameter light
fixtures, such as various thermal sensors and cooling system
components, are omitted from FIG. 4 for clarity.
The communications port 413 has an input to receive the DMX
transmissions from the DMX controller 370. The DMX input typically
is looped through an output to pass communications received on the
input to a neighboring light fixture (not shown) in the lighting
system. The communications port 411 is an I/O port for handling
communications between the central controller 380 and the IPLD 400
over the preferably bi-directional enhanced performance
communications path, and may terminate the connection or act as a
pass through depending on the networking technology used for the
enhanced performance communications path. If desired, one may use a
priority determining system such as, for example, the type
described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756 entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Digital Communications with Multiparameter Light
Fixtures," which issued Dec. 18, 2001 and which hereby is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
If the central controller 380 transmits an address on the control
channel over the enhanced performance communications path that is
the same as the address of the IPLD 400, the match is recognized by
the microprocessor 416 which then responds to an operational
command that follows the address on the enhanced performance
communications path. The memory 415 stores the operating system for
the microprocessor 416, as well as various applications programs
that are capable of producing or modifying images. One type of
program for producing images is the graphics program, which
generates artistic images using various algorithms. An example of a
graphics program is the Gforce program, which is available from
Andy O'Meara from his Website at the internet address
http://www.55ware.com/index.html. The memory 415 is any type or
combination of types of memory, including ROM and RAM, implemented
in any desired memory technology, including magnetic, electronic or
optical. If desired, the memory 415 may buffer incoming image data
received from the communications port 411, from the camera 464, or
from the external video input connector 422 to assist in producing
a visually error free signal to the image control interface
412.
The microprocessor 416 acts on commands that are received from the
communications system to control various parameters of the IPLD
400. For example, the microprocessor 416 controls the motors of the
IPLD 400 through the motor control interface 418, controls power
levels and duty cycle of the lamp 445 by controlling the lamp power
supply 421 through the lamp power supply control interface 419, and
to control the light valve 446 through the image control interface
412. Commands of this type may be received over the DMX
communications path from the DMX controller 370 or over the
enhanced performance communications path from the central
controller 380. Other types of commands not conventionally sent
over a DMX communications path may be sent over the enhanced
performance communications path. For example, the microprocessor
416 may act on commands that are received over the enhanced
performance communications path from the central controller 380 to
control the camera 464 through the video control interface 417.
The microprocessor 416 also receives image data that is transmitted
over one or more content transfer channels from the central
controller 380 or from other IPLDs in the lighting system 400.
The microprocessor 416 also receives video signals from the video
control interface 417. The video control interface 417 may include
the ability to process the video signal in various ways, such as,
for example, by compressing the video received from the camera 464,
or signal compression may be performed in the microprocessor 416.
The microprocessor 416 may use the camera video in various ways.
One way is simply to use the camera video to control the light
valve 446 through the image control interface 412. Another way is
to transmit the camera image to any one or more other IPLDs in the
lighting system or to the central controller 380 by transmitting
the addresses of the selected IPLDs or the central controller 380
over the enhanced performance communications path on the control
channel via the communications port 411, and transmitting the
camera video over the enhanced performance communications path on
one of the content transfer channels via the communications port
411. If the camera image is sent to the central controller 380, the
central controller 380 may store the camera image for later use by
any IPLD in the lighting system, or may manipulate the image in a
manner to produce special effects or some pleasing alteration and
then stored for later use or returned to the IPLD 400 or sent to
any other IPLD in the lighting system. Any camera image received,
stored, or manipulated by the central controller 380 may also be
sent to a television network wireless transmitter 360 and
transmitted over the airways or via satellite.
Transmitting a camera image from one IPLD (a "source") to another
IPLD (a "recipient") in the lighting system may be performed by the
operator in various ways, using the central controller 380. The
operator may select the source or recipient first, depending on the
desired effect. The operator selects the source IPLD by, for
example, using the keyboard to type in the address of the source
IPLD followed by the command to send its video image to the address
of the particular content transfer channel. The operator selects
the recipient IPLD by, for example, using the keyboard to type in
the address of the recipient IPLD followed by the command to
project any image data appearing on the particular content transfer
channel that has been addressed. Alternatively or in addition to
the projection command sent to the recipient IPLD, the recipient
IPLD may be instructed to store any image data appearing on the
particular content transfer channel. A variety of other addressing
schemes, including addressing schemes well known in the art, are
suitable for use in transmitting a camera image from one IPLD to
another.
If the IPLD 400 is designated as a recipient IPLD for storage of
images transmitted on one or more particular content transfer
channels, the memory 415 would contain one or more sets of images
received over one or more content transfer channels. These image
data are stored and cataloged in the memory 415 of the IPLD 400 in
any appropriate manner; for example, by date, time and address
received from or by designated file names. The date, time and
address image that identifies the image file may automatically
become the identifier of the file when the record command is given
from the central controller 380. It is also possible for the store
command to contain a file name so that the operator can name the
image file with the keyboard of the central controller 380 for
later recall from the memory 415.
While the central controller 370 (FIG. 3) may use any desired
protocol, preferably the central controller 370 uses the DMX
protocol and a DMX communications path to maintain compatibility
with conventional multiparameter lighting systems. The IPLDs 312,
314 and 316 are all on the DMX communications path. If the operator
prefers to use the conventional DMX controller 370 to control image
projection from the IPLDs, suitable control command sets are sent
using the DMX protocol from the DMX controller 370 to operate the
IPLDs in the desired manner. However, since the DMX protocol is not
specified for the transmission of continuous video, any required
application programs and image content would have to be available
at the IPLD from local memory, in the absence of the enhanced
performance communications path. However, with the enhanced
performance communications path present, the various content
transfer channels may be used to transfer image content among the
central controller 380 and the various IPLDs in the lighting system
for storage in local memory, so that the image content may later be
recalled in response to a control command on the DMX communications
path from the DMX controller 370 by first addressing the IPLD to
respond to a selected address, and then commanding the IPLD to
operate from its internal memory and project the image content. The
DMX controller 370 also controls various other features of the
IPLDs 312, 314 and 316, such as XY coordinates for pan and tilt,
color, intensity, zoom, focus, video effects, camera white balance,
camera enable, camera iris, and camera zoom and focus.
It will be appreciated that if all the light fixtures in the
lighting system are interconnected by the communications path from
the central controller 380, all of the functions of the DMX
controller 370 as well as additional functions may be performed by
the central controller 380. In this event, the DMX controller 370
and the DMX communications path may be omitted from the lighting
system.
While image content may be transferred under operator control from
the central controller 380, the DMX controller 370 may be used to
control the transfer of image content between the IPLDs in the
lighting system over the enhanced performance communications path
in a manner similar to that described for the central controller
380, even in the absence of the central controller 380. The image
data transferred between IPLDs can be projected immediately, stored
locally, or both stored and projected, and may even be cataloged if
desired. In this way the DMX controller 370 with the simpler
protocol can still command a show of significant magnitude.
FIG. 5 shows one distribution of channel addresses for the enhanced
performance communications path. Parts 500 and 502 of the bandwidth
are taken up by two control channels, one of which is an auxiliary
channel. The control channel 500 is used to command various
operations of the IPLDs. This includes but is not limited to one or
more of the following operations: supplying IPLD unique device
addresses, supplying the addresses of the various content transfer
channels for the IPIDs to use, lamp On, lamp Off, X and Y (pan and
tilt) coordinates, color change values, intensity values, request
for service information, lens focus, lens zoom, and on-board camera
commands. The auxiliary channel 502 may contain control information
for light fixtures that may not support the same protocols as used
on the enhanced performance communications path. One example of how
the auxiliary control channel 502 may be used is in a lighting
system having gateway-capable light fixtures, such as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756, which hereby is fully incorporated herein
by reference thereto. The central controller 380 may originate DMX
command sets for the DMX communications path, but send the commands
over the auxiliary channel 502 in a form suitable for the enhanced
performance communications path. As further described in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756, a gateway-capable light
fixture, which may also be an IPLD, receives the control
information sent on the auxiliary channel on a communications port,
decodes and converts it to a DMX protocol signal, and transmits the
DMX protocol signal from a DMX communications port. In this way,
the IPLD may act as a gateway-capable lighting fixture. This
eliminates the need to run additional communication cables to the
location where the other type of lighting fixtures and devices are
located if they are in the vicinity of a IPLD acting as a gateway.
The auxiliary channel is capable of transmitting several DMX
universes, wherein a DMX universe is a group of 512 channels per
universe. Each universe can be identified by an identifier when
decoded at the IPLD acting as a gateway.
While FIG. 5 (and FIG. 6) show only one auxiliary channel 502 in
addition to the control channel 500, one or more additional
auxiliary channels may be provided with their own identifying
addresses, if desired.
An auxiliary channel may carry additionally or separately other
types of information, including audio information and low quality
image information. Each IPLD may be equipped with a transducer
device such as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,091, which
issued Jun. 19, 2001, and hereby is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. The transducer may be a microphone such
as the microphone 462 (FIG. 3), and may send a signal
representation of sound waves to an analog-to-digital converter 414
(FIG. 3). The digital audio signal from the converter 414 is sent
to the microprocessor 416, where it can be further processed for
various purposes. One such purpose to for the microprocessor 416 to
manipulate the digital audio data for use in altering an image at
the light valve 446. As explained more fully in the aforementioned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,091, various other parameters can be modified
by command signals contained in an auxiliary channel of the
enhanced performance communications path of a communications
system. Another such purpose is to transmit the digital audio data
from the microprocessor 416 through the communications port 411
(FIG. 4) to the central controller 380, where it may be stored or
used in various ways. Since the IPLDs are likely to me mounted in
various locations around a stage, there are uses for audio signals
in various locations close to performers, the audience, or specific
instruments. For example, the digital audio data received at the
central controller 380 from the IPLD over the enhanced performance
communications path of the communications system is from a specific
location on the stage. The central controller 380 then processes
the audio content to provide or modify operating commands sent on
the control channel of the enhanced performance communications path
to specific IPLDs based on the audio content. In this way, various
addressed IPLDs commanded by the central controller 380 may have
their parameters modified based upon the audio received from a
specific IPLD. In addition, an external audio source (not shown)
may be plugged into the external audio connector 422 (FIG. 4) so
that various parameters including an image at the image gate may be
modified in accordance therewith. The external audio input works in
the same manner as the transducer output. The external audio input
may be used simultaneously with the transducer or an external
switch (not shown) may be used to switch between the transducer 462
and the external input .[.423.]. .Iadd.422.Iaddend.. It is also
possible to electronically switch between the transducer 462 and
the external audio input .[.423.]. .Iadd.422 .Iaddend.with an
electronic switch as known in the art that is controlled by the
microprocessor 416. The transducer 462 and the external audio input
.[.423.]. .Iadd.422 .Iaddend.may be stereo or multichannel as known
in the art. The external audio input may alternatively be a digital
audio input. The input connector may be mounted to the housing of
the IPLD.
The IPLD may also have at least one external video input such as
the video input 423 (FIG. 4) mounted to the outside of the base
housing 410 of the IPLD 400, or in any other convenient place on
the IPLD. The video input 423 is fed into the video control
interface 417, which that converts the external video signal to a
digital video signal as required by the microprocessor 416.
Alternatively, the external video input may be digital, RGB, or any
other type of video signal known in the art. The microprocessor 416
selects which of the inputs to the video control interface 417, the
camera 464 or the external video input 423, is to be processed, or
may select both inputs for processing as a combined image. The
external video or combined video may be processed for the purposes
described for the video from the camera 464 alone, namely, to be
sent to the image control interface 412 for manipulation of the
light valve 446 to produce a desired projected image, or to be sent
to the central controller 380 or to other IPLDs in the lighting
system over a content transfer channel on the enhanced performance
communications path via the port 411. If sent to the central
controller 380, the central controller 380 may store the video
image, or may further process the video image for subsequent use or
for immediate transmission back to the originating IPLD or to other
IPLDs in the lighting system.
The microprocessor 416 may be programmed in various ways to process
images, whether received from the camera 464, from the external
video input 423, any image content (video or graphics) received
over any content transfer channel, and any image content (video or
graphics) stored in the memory 415. The microprocessor 416 in the
IPLD 400 may be commanded by the central controller 380 to act upon
any of the sources of content described above. The IPLD 400 may act
upon the various content in a variety of different ways, as by
transferring content to another IPLD over the communications
system, or by projecting an image using the light valve 446 on a
stage or other projection surface. Modifications include but are
not limited to rotation of the image, digital zoom, keystone
correction, color modification, fading between one video content
source such as one content transfer channel to another, and various
other special effects.
FIG. 5 also shows four content transfer channels 510, 512, 514 and
516, in addition to the control channel 500 and the auxiliary
channel 502. Illustratively, each of the content transfer channels
510, 512, 514 and 516 has the same bandwidth. The enhanced
performance communications path also is allocated unused bandwidth
520, which provides a buffer so that the enhanced performance
communications path is allowed to degrade slightly without causing
loss of data on the control and content transfer channels.
Degrading of bandwidth can happen from various causes, including
error checking and collisions as will as long cable distances.
FIG. 6 shows another allocation of bandwidth to the enhanced
performance communications path. The control channel 500 and the
auxiliary channel 502 are allocated as in the allocation of FIG. 5.
One of the content transfer channels, channel 610, is allocated
greater bandwidth than the other content transfer channels 612 and
614, which provides a high quality content transfer channel 610 in
addition to the normal quality content transfer channels 612 and
614. High quality often requires the use of increased bandwidth.
More than two quality levels may be provided if desired; for
example, the auxiliary channel 502 may be used as a low quality
image channel. The address of the content transfer channel may be
followed by a quality identifier. For example, in FIG. 6 the high
quality content transfer channel 610 has the address V01 and the
quality identifier QH (quality high) so that a receiving device
such as the central controller 380 or another IPLD can optimize the
receiving processing of the content transfer channel. The lower
quality (less bandwidth) content transfer channels 612 and 614
respectively have the addresses V02 and V03 and the quality
identifier QM (quality medium) following their addresses. If the
auxiliary channel 502 is used for video transfer, its address might
have the quality identifier QL (quality low). If no video quality
identifier is sent the content transfer channel may operate at a
default quality such as QM.
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, higher quality video
transferring requires more bandwidth and as such may reduce the
number of content transfer channels available to the enhanced
performance communications path. However, at certain times it is
acceptable to sacrifice the number of available content transfer
channels if transferring a high quality image has the highest
priority.
The level of quality established for the various content transfer
channels may be dynamically set by the operator. The operator
decides which of the central controller 380 and the other IPLDs in
the lighting system are to receive the image content from the
source IPLD, and also decides on the importance of a particular
image content that is intended to be transmitted. Using the central
controller 380, the operator enters using the keyboard or any other
suitable input technique the source IPLD address, followed by the
address of the content transfer channel to be used for sending the
particular image content, followed by a quality identifier to
indicate the level of quality. Using the central controller 380,
the operator enters using the keyboard or any other suitable input
technique the recipient IPLD (or central controller) address or
addresses, followed by the address of the content transfer channel
to be used for sending the particular image content to the
recipient, followed by a quality identifier to indicate the level
of quality.
Preferably, a quality identifier is furnished to both the source
and recipient so that the source may ready the data by preparing
the appropriate level of compression, and the recipient may
optimize the receiving process. The part of the communications
system under control of the central controller 380 preferably is
designed so that an operator of the central controller 380 can
command all the IPLDs, including what is being sent on a content
transfer channel, what IPLD is projecting from what content
transfer channel, and what the quality of the video is on the
content transfer channel. The quality identifier can happen as a
separate identifier that is sent when the commands are given for
the IPLD to select the designated content transfer channel, or it
could automatically happen by the IPLD just recognizing the
bandwidth or other attributes such as a data stream of the content
transfer channel. Preferably, the IPLD receives specific commands
that identify the quality of the channel it is about to act upon.
The order in which the commands are given can be varied. For
instance, the operator could address an IPLD to receive a
particular content transfer channel at a particular quality level,
and to act by projecting that image content with no image content
yet being transferred on the particular content transfer channel.
Later the operator could supply from the control system a
continuous video signal over that particular content transfer
channel, in which event the IPLD would respond as soon as the
continuous video signal is detected on the particular content
transfer channel.
The description of the invention and its applications as set forth
herein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of
the invention as set forth in the following claims. Variations and
modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible, and
practical alternatives to and equivalents of the various elements
of the embodiments are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
These and other variations and modifications of the embodiments
disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *
References