WO1991019236A1 - Unite de commande d'effets speciaux - Google Patents

Unite de commande d'effets speciaux Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991019236A1
WO1991019236A1 PCT/GB1991/000874 GB9100874W WO9119236A1 WO 1991019236 A1 WO1991019236 A1 WO 1991019236A1 GB 9100874 W GB9100874 W GB 9100874W WO 9119236 A1 WO9119236 A1 WO 9119236A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
special effects
control unit
control
control console
console
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000874
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Will Parker
Simon Temple
Nicholas Hugh Bourne
Original Assignee
Live Wire Contractors Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Live Wire Contractors Limited filed Critical Live Wire Contractors Limited
Publication of WO1991019236A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991019236A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
    • G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
    • G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
    • G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
    • G05B19/0421—Multiprocessor system

Definitions

  • This invention relates to special effects controllers of the kind which are used to control a number of lighting and/or other special effects devices, for example during a show or in other artistic performance environments .
  • special effects device is intended to include any kind of device capable of producing a visual and/or audible effect and thus embraces simple devices such as fixed lights and curtain motors as well as those capable of producing more spectacular effects such as lasers and video wal 1 s.
  • the object of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a control system which can be used by existing operators with a minimum amount of disruption to their established control procedures.
  • the present invention proposes a special effects controller, comprising a computer based control unit, an output interface coupled to the control unit, a plurality of special effects devices (e.g. lights) coupled to the output interface, and input means by which input trigger signals can be sent to the control unit, the input means comprising a language converter for connection to a user-operable control console, the arrangement being such that the control console is operable to trigger the control unit to operate the special effects devices so as to produce a predetermined sequence of effects.
  • a special effects controller comprising a computer based control unit, an output interface coupled to the control unit, a plurality of special effects devices (e.g. lights) coupled to the output interface, and input means by which input trigger signals can be sent to the control unit, the input means comprising a language converter for connection to a user-operable control console, the arrangement being such that the control console is operable to trigger the control unit to operate the special effects devices so as to produce a predetermined sequence of effects.
  • the language converter preferably comprises a microprocessor and fixed memory means containing operating instructions for controlling the microprocessor to convert one communications protocol into a different communications protocol for use by the control unit.
  • the language converter preferably comprises a plurality of input ports (e.g. serial and parallel ports) for passing input signals from a control console to the microprocessor.
  • the language converter preferably includes re-writable memory means for storing command data from the control console until polled by the control unit. This prevents the control unit from becoming overloaded with unwanted data and substantially speeds up its response time.
  • the computer based control unit will normally be associated with a keyboard, separate from the control console, for modifying sequences of effects which are stored in the control unit.
  • the invention includes the controller in combination with a control console which is arranged to directly control a further plurality of special effects devices (e.g. generic lights).
  • special effects devices e.g. generic lights
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a special effects controller of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a language converter included in the controller.
  • the controller includes a main high speed RISC computer 1 and a secondary high speed RISC computer 2 which communicate with each other via a high speed two-way communication bus 3.
  • the main computer 1 is also connected via a number of interfaces 4, 5 and 6 to respective special effects devices such as generic lights 7, moving lights 8, and a laser 9. It will be appreciated that although only three interfaces have been shown in the drawing for convenience the main computer could be connected to additional special effects devices such as colour changers, video walls and smoke machines via further interfaces, as required.
  • the main computer 1 contains a store of programs for sending sequences of control commands to the special effects devices to produce a sequence of effects. These programs may include commands to the main computer itself to cause different sequences to be initiated or any part of a programmed sequence to be disabled or re-enabled.
  • the programs are typically stored in a 4 megabyte RAM (Random Access Memory) or on a 20 megabyte autoparking hard disc drive (both not shown) .
  • the two computers 1, 2 contain battery backed real time clocks (not shown), and are provided with respective keyboards (also not shown) by which a user can define triggers for initiating the operating programs (see below), and modify the effects sequences and the cross- patches between them.
  • Visual display units and a mouse are also provided.
  • the secondary computer 2 contains performance monitoring software by which it can be used to monitor all data travelling to and from the main computer 1. This is a useful aid for tracing operating errors during rehearsals and provides additional system security against tampering.
  • the secondary computer also provides system back up to take over the control function of the main computer in the event of a failure of the main computer.
  • the controller includes a control console such as a Celco board 10, which is normally used to operate a group of generic lights via a databus 11 and an interface (not shown) in known manner.
  • a control console such as a Celco board 10
  • the output commands from the board 10 are fed to the main computer 1 via a language converter 15 (see below) to trigger the various effects sequences.
  • the computer 1 can also receive inputs from various additional triggers, indicated generally at 16, via suitable interfaces 17.
  • the triggers 16 can be as simple as a single switch closure to highly complex sequences of operations, and may be provided by infra ⁇ red detector beams, and a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) unit for example.
  • the language converter 15, which is shown in more detail in Fig.
  • the language converter comprises a microprocessor 21 connected to a re ⁇ writable memory in the form of a RAM 22 and a fixed memory in the form of an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 23.
  • the microprocessor is capable of receiving inputs from a serial port 24, a parallel port 25 and an analogue port 26, so that the control console can be connected to the appropriate port according to its output system.
  • the EPROM is "blown" (programmed) to enable the language converter to handle the communications protocol of the particular console used.
  • the microprocessor modifies and filters data which it receives from the control console according to the instructions stored in the EPROM.
  • the control data is then sent to the RAM 22 where it is temporarily stored until the main computer 1 requests information from (i.e. "polls") the language converter.
  • the information is then sent to the main computer 1 via a serial output port 27.
  • the language converter can translate any known communications protocol into the required communications protocol for the main computer 1.
  • the RAM 22 acts as a buffer which stores operating commands until the main computer is ready to handle them, this significantly speeds up the response time of the controller.
  • control console any existing control console may be used, in most instances it will be preferred to employ a control console for generic lights. In such cases it will be most convenient to continue to control the generic lights directly from the control board 10 rather than via the main computer 1 as illustrated in the drawings.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Control By Computers (AREA)

Abstract

L'unité de commande comprend un ordinateur principal (1) et un ordinateur secondaire (2). L'ordinateur principal commande des dispositifs à effets spéciaux tels que des lumières génériques (7), des lumières mobiles (8) et des lasers (9) par l'intermédiaire d'interfaces respectives (4, 5 et 6) pour produire des séquences prédéterminées d'effets. Les séquences d'effets sont déclenchées à partir de n'importe quelle console de commande (10) souhaitée, communiquant avec l'ordinateur principal (1) à travers un convertisseur de langage (15) qui est agencé pour convertir le protocole de communications de la console en un protocole adapté à l'ordinateur (1).
PCT/GB1991/000874 1990-06-02 1991-05-31 Unite de commande d'effets speciaux WO1991019236A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9012371.2 1990-06-02
GB909012371A GB9012371D0 (en) 1990-06-02 1990-06-02 Special effects controller

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991019236A1 true WO1991019236A1 (fr) 1991-12-12

Family

ID=10677012

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000874 WO1991019236A1 (fr) 1990-06-02 1991-05-31 Unite de commande d'effets speciaux

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7976491A (fr)
GB (1) GB9012371D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1991019236A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996021179A1 (fr) * 1994-12-29 1996-07-11 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Systeme de protocole et de point d'acces definis par l'utilisateur pour un controleur logique programmable
EP0709755A3 (fr) * 1994-10-27 1999-04-14 General Motors Corporation Communication de diagnostic pour véhicules automateurs
US6930455B2 (en) 1993-11-12 2005-08-16 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Theatrical lighting control network
WO2009114647A1 (fr) * 2008-03-11 2009-09-17 Robe Lighting Inc Matrice de commande de couleur universelle

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2208553A (en) * 1987-08-12 1989-04-05 Renishaw Plc Communications adaptor for automated factory system
WO1989005086A1 (fr) * 1987-11-25 1989-06-01 Advanced Lighting Systems (Scotland) Limited Systeme de commande programmable

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2208553A (en) * 1987-08-12 1989-04-05 Renishaw Plc Communications adaptor for automated factory system
WO1989005086A1 (fr) * 1987-11-25 1989-06-01 Advanced Lighting Systems (Scotland) Limited Systeme de commande programmable

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6930455B2 (en) 1993-11-12 2005-08-16 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Theatrical lighting control network
US7737819B2 (en) 1993-11-12 2010-06-15 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Theatrical lighting control network
EP0709755A3 (fr) * 1994-10-27 1999-04-14 General Motors Corporation Communication de diagnostic pour véhicules automateurs
WO1996021179A1 (fr) * 1994-12-29 1996-07-11 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Systeme de protocole et de point d'acces definis par l'utilisateur pour un controleur logique programmable
US5727170A (en) * 1994-12-29 1998-03-10 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. User defined port and protocol scheme for a programmable logic controller
WO2009114647A1 (fr) * 2008-03-11 2009-09-17 Robe Lighting Inc Matrice de commande de couleur universelle
EP2838320A1 (fr) * 2008-03-11 2015-02-18 Robe Lighting Inc. Matrice de contrôle de couleur universel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9012371D0 (en) 1990-07-25
AU7976491A (en) 1991-12-31

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