WO2003103342A2

WO2003103342A2 - Control of a linear lighting array

Info

Publication number: WO2003103342A2
Application number: PCT/GB2003/002403
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Wynne Willson; Paul Friedlander
Original assignee: Wynne Willson Gottelier Limited
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2003-12-11
Also published as: AU2003232353A1; WO2003103342A3; GB2389218A; GB0212704D0

Abstract

A method for controlling a linear array of light sources by selecting a subset of pixels in an input image and controlling the light sources according to the status of the pixels selected. A line of pixels may be scanned across an image, the line of pixels at a certain time determining the output of a line of light sources at a corresponding time. In a further aspect a set of mathematical rules are defined to govern the dynamic properties of the status of each light source. For example a given status condition can be moved along an array of light sources at a certain velocity, according to a set of mathematical rules.

Description

CONTROL OF A LINEAR LIGHTING ARRAY

The present invention relates to control of lighting apparatus, in particular to methods of control of a lighting apparatus comprising a linear array of light sources and to lighting effects obtainable with the apparatus. The present invention relates in particular to control of lighting effects generated using a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), especially to apparatus and methods for controlling light sources, including LEDs and micro-mirror devices (MMDs), in response to input derived from a graphical image or mathematically generated pattern.

The use of increasing numbers of multiple control and dimmer channels, such as linear lighting arrays, and sometimes using multi-parameter lights in architectural, entertainment, and display applications has made it increasingly difficult to create desired lighting effects. Often the use of more fixtures results in an exponential increase in the complexity of programming them. This programming is usually accomplished using manual keypad entry and laborious, repetitive keystrokes. Lighting programs involving synchronized and evolving effects over time, which move through an array of fixtures, can be particularly cumbersome to achieve.

To combat this problem, many lighting controllers are now equipped with effect generators using mathematical formulas to automate otherwise time- consuming and repetitive tasks. One such generator is the Effects Engine™ from Flying Pig Systems™ that, for example, enables the selection of a mathematical curve and applies it to a color parameter to generate a sequence of varying colors. This single step by the operator, obviates the need to program 30 separate cues to create the illusion of fluid movement. This method can also be used on other parameters such as intensity, movement, etc. However, these effects generators are not suitable for complex patterns.

Dedicated controllers have been designed specifically to give the operator more precise tools for manipulating images and patterns in an array of light fixtures. Two such systems are the Lamp-Tramp™ from Artistic License™ and the Martin Matrix Controller™ from Martin Professional™. These programs allow the operator to draw a pattern, manipulate it (rotate, enlarge, etc), and then move it throughout an array of lights. Whilst more flexible than an effects generator, these systems are still limited in their use. With lighting arrays that are specifically designed to display images, such as video walls and LED screens, users are able to feed video signals and static graphics to arrays of illuminators to create images. These inputs are either fed directly into the array or are manipulated using widely available proprietary video mixing software. Hence, with such lighting apparatus, a considerable time and effort is needed to program even simple routines, known apparatus requiring each dynamic image to be individually programmed and then queued. Generally, the amount of time required to input data to generate lighting effects is uneconomic and discourages use of such apparatus. An alternative to this time-consuming approach is to simply program random colour "noise" into the array. This, however, produces an unspectacular output, which can be unpleasant to the eye.

It is an object of the invention to reduce the time and/or effort required for programming lighting effects using linear arrays of light sources. A further object of specific embodiments of the invention is to avoid the need for pixel-by-pixel programming of lighting effects whilst nevertheless providing a lighting effect that is attractive for the viewer. A still further object is to provide new and eyecatching lighting effects and new programming routines for existing apparatus. In one aspect, the invention consists in a method of controlling a one dimensional array of light sources, comprising identifying n locations in an image and mapping the status of each location in the image to a corresponding location in the one dimensional array.

The principle significant advantage provided by the invention is that the output produced by the linear array is a captivating, progressive display, at very low complexity and programming cost. Suitably, the n locations in the image constitute a row or a part of a row or a column or a part of a column in that image.

Advantageously, the method comprises mapping a first set of n locations in the two dimensional image to n corresponding locations in the linear array and then mapping a second set of m locations in the two dimensional image on to the n locations in the linear array. Preferably, locations in adjacent rows or adjacent columns are sequentially mapped on to corresponding locations in the linear array, so as to scan the two dimensional image to the one dimensional array.

Preferably, the light sources comprise LED's, micro mirror devices, ray emitters or other light sources.

In one form of the invention, the mapping comprises identifying the status of a pixel at a given location and reproducing that status in the corresponding light source in the linear array. In another form, the mapping comprises identifying the status of a pixel in a given location, carrying out a transformation on that status and then reproducing the transformed status in a light source in the array.

Suitably, a light source comprises an individual light source or a light source composed of a plurality of individual light sources. The source image to linear array mapping may be one to one, one to many, many to one, or many to many.

In a further aspect, the invention consists in a method of controlling a linear array of light sources, comprising the steps of: receiving an initial status condition for each light source; lighting the lights sources according to their initial status conditions; generating a set of mathematical rules for governing the dynamic properties of the status condition for each light source; dynamically varying the status conditions of each light source according to the rules. Preferably, the step of dynamically varying the status conditions comprises substituting the current status condition of a first light source for the current status condition of an adjacent light source, thereby moving the first source's status condition along the array.

Suitably, the method comprises generating varying velocities for moving status conditions along the array. In one form of the invention, the method comprises, at a given light source where a first and a second status condition moving in converging directions along the array meet, producing a third status condition, and lighting the given light source according to the third status condition. Advantageously, the method comprises allowing user interaction to vary the properties and behaviour of status conditions. The status conditions typically comprise values of hue, saturation or luminosity, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides lighting apparatus comprising a linear array of light sources, an input for receiving dynamically varying input information, a processor for deriving status conditions for each light source from the input information, and means for dynamically controlling each light source according to the varying status conditions, wherein the dynamically varying input information is defined by least two orthogonal variables.

In one form of the invention, the input information comprises a scanned two dimensional image.

In another form, the input information comprises a set of mathematical rules defined by the at least two orthogonal variables.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figure, which illustrates apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

In one specific embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1a and lb this invention takes an ordinary graphics computer file such as but not limited to: jpeg, gif, tif, dwg, dxf or bmp as a source image and converts it into a series of lighting cues. These source images can be created and manipulated by any commonly available proprietary computer graphics package such as

Photoshop™ and others. Images may also be obtained using programs designed to generate specialized graphics, such as fractal generators, and cellular automata. A typical source image is illustrated at (100).

The data is mapped to destinations on a linear lighting apparatus (110), such as a plurality of light sources (112) arranged in a linear array. The array of light sources is linear and each is typically in close proximity to the next in the line. The light emitted may be of substantially any wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, including gamma rays, X-rays, UV light, visible light, IR light, microwaves, and short-, medium- and long-wave radiowaves. It is preferred that both the wavelength and the intensity of the output from each transmitter can be individually varied, providing the apparatus with a wide range of outputs. Typically, the light sources are LEDs and/or MMDs.

The image may be produced by an image generator (104), or input (106) directly to the apparatus as a pre-existing graphics file or as a scanned print image. Typically some processing (108) is performed, in order to allow the translation from the image format to an appropriate format for control of the light sources.

Further advantages of the invention in use include that it can use widely available proprietary graphical programs to create cues taking advantage of their powerful tools, and can utilize existing artwork including such material as company logos, which results in the array operating within the palette of house colours. Results are achieved much faster than with existing and manual entry of cues. It gives more control over images than with either existing lighting array controllers or effects generators, and the operating process is simple to understand and convenient using a PC graphical interface.^" In one embodiment of the invention, the X-axis of a graphics file represents time and the Y-axis is the color information to be used on a linear lighting array.

In one example of an effect that could be achieved by this embodiment of the invention, a single line (102) of the PC graphical display is mapped to a linear array (110) of a single pixel wide, or of several light sources (112) (including LEDs and MMDs) treated as a single pixel, over its entire length, or in sections. Thus, for example, in an image (100) with blue sky and green grass, the upper light sources would be blue, and the lower light sources green.

Overtime, scans across the graphical image cause a related effect to be sent to the lighting array (including LEDs and MMDs). In another example, an array 10 pixels wide and 60 pixels high has 10 cues for 60 separate light sources. These 60 sources may either be in a single fixture or in multiple fixtures.

If the array is used to control fewer than 60 sources, certain pixels (typically those at the end or ends of a column) can be ignored or used as a basis to provide additional cues. In the latter case, there would be more than 10 cues.

If there are more light sources than pixels in a column, the program can either interpolate the cue information to accommodate the size or repeat it.

In certain embodiments, the information in the input graphics file is translated directly to the array. Therefore, for example, a blue sky and green grass may light blue LEDs towards the top of the array, and green at the bottom. In other embodiments, a processing of the image information is performed, in order to produce a different effect. For example, the linear array might show a negative of the image, or produce different colours on a one-to-one mapping, or may produce a lighter or darker array output than the image. The mapping may be produced by alternating the axes of the image, for example, using a mirror- image. Various combinations of such examples will be apparent to the skilled reader.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the net result is to take a two dimensional image and to add time as the third dimension.

Hence, embodiments of the invention are distinguished over previous methods in that they may use only a portion of the source image, using it to provide cues for a one-dimensional display. The light sources (including LEDs and/or MMDs) are not used as pixels in a 2 dimensional display image. In one respect, the invention takes a 2 dimensional image and displays it as a one- dimensional array plus time being an added dimension. In some embodiments therefore, a line or linear 'window' is scanned across an image (or conversely an image is scanned past a stationary scanning line) in a first direction, to control a line of light sources to produce a dynamic effect which varies in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The light sources will typically be stationary. The invention also operates in further embodiments.

In certain embodiments, information contained within an image is used to produce a lighting effect bearing no visual similarity or visually perceivable relationship to that image. The invention gives the operator and designer considerable creative advantages.

In another further embodiment of the invention, one or more mathematically generated waveforms may be modified and selected as the carriers for preloaded colour palettes. These may be applied to existing images or to generated graphics, so that the colours blend with the graphics. The colours may be modulated dynamically by pre-set colour cycling or the interaction of the various wave bases.

On separate axes, parameters such as speed, direction, attack, decay and hue, saturation and luminosity, (HSL) may be varied in real-time by dragging an onscreen cursor, or by pre-sets that ensure that a dynamic sequence may run indefinitely without perceivable repeat. Conditions may be set to ensure the generated patterns stay within the bounds of that which is useful for the purpose of generating patterns and effects in the linear lighting array.

In another embodiment of the invention, the control of a linear lighting array is effected by dynamically varying one or more of the axes of control such as hue, saturation and luminosity of one or more pixels in a one dimensional array of single, or super pixels; that is to say a group of adjacent pixels controlled via a common cue.

A number of mathematically represented nodes may be defined, such that a node has attributes which enable it to be displayed and distinguished on a linear array of light sources. For example a node may comprise a group of adjacent light sources displaying one colour against a 'background' of surrounding light sources displaying a different colour. Each node can be provided with qualities of position and velocity, the nodes' activities may be governed by one or more mathematical rules, for example:

the velocity of each node is adjusted at each iteration of the formula - the new displacement equals the old displacement plus new velocity

- the velocity of each node is adjusted according to the displacement of adjacent nodes

- a cyclic force is applied to a single node in its initial condition - the properties of a node are instantaneously altered when another node

"collides" with it.

These nodes, with their associated properties, are thus observed to travel up and down the linear array of light sources, providing a novel and striking effect. The output of a single light source, therefore, may be governed by the rules affecting its output, and also the output of those light sources immediately surrounding it.

The model may be influenced in real time, by the application of external control, for example, by dragging an on screen cursor across a graphical display representing the linear lighting array, to set various new parameters of the model. Here, the graphical representation of the array is translated into a serial digital signal that is transmitted to the drivers of the elements of the actual array. The graphic is thus mapped onto a single section, multiple or repeating sections, or indeed with super pixels, onto the entire length of the array. Another option is to operate apparatus and method of the invention by mapping a single pixel of the source onto a number of light sources of the array which are grouped. For example, the array, rather than being a strip of single light sources, may be five LEDs in width, with each group of five LEDs actuated by the information from a single pixel. Apparatus of the invention, whilst typically a straight linear array, can also be configured into different shapes.

Usually the programming will comprise colour clues, but it may also be used for control of intensity, movement and any other lighting parameter. Source images may also be or comprise video images. In previously described embodiments, the array effectively scans a static 2D image. In other embodiments, the image may be a moving video image, scanned to the array in a similar fashion. Alternatively, the input to the array may simple take a specific portion of the video image, for example, a column of pixels, and remain "stationary" (rather than scanning across the image). Here, the only changes in the array output would be produced moving elements in the video image, and thus in the column of pixels chosen.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of arrays may be provided, with content related between arrays. For example, in the example of a video signal input, a set of two arrays might choose two columns of a video image, thus providing a novel effect whereby the lighting of one array is closely related to the other, for instance, by an object moving across both columns in the image. In the example of a mathematically generated input, the generated outputs may be linked by some rule. For example, one array may produce the inverse of another, or a delayed version, or may introduce new rules for any of the lighting nodes traveling between light sources in the arrays. Various methods of providing a lighting control input have been described.

It should be understood that such a lighting control input may be used to simultaneously control a number of lighting arrays, or may be stored to be used to control a lighting array on demand, optionally repeatedly.

It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the invention has been described by way of example only, and that many variations upon these examples, and combinations of the techniques described, may be employed without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of control of a lighting apparatus, said apparatus comprising a linear array of light sources wherein each light source is independently controlled, comprising:-

providing a two dimensional image made up of a plurality of pixels;

selecting a subset of those pixels; and

controlling the light sources in the linear array according to the status of the pixels in the subset.

2. A method according to Claim 1 , comprising, for each light source in the linear array, identifying a status of a corresponding light source in a first subset of pixels in the image, controlling the light source in the array according to that status, selecting a second subset of pixels in the image, and subsequently controlling the light source in the array according to the status of the second subset of pixels.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2 comprising mapping the status of N pixels in the image to N light sources in the linear array.

4. A method according to Claim 3 wherein the N pixels are in a 1 x N block in the image.

5. A method according to Claim 3 wherein the N pixels are in a block of Z x Y pixels in the image, wherein Y x Z = N.

6. A method of control of a lighting apparatus, said lighting apparatus comprising a linear array of light sources, comprising:-

providing a source image;

identifying n locations in the source image; and

controlling the status of n light sources in the linear array according to the status of the n locations in the source image.

7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the source image comprises an block of locations Si to S_n referred to as Sj, the status of locations S, are identified, the linear array comprising an array of light sources is referred to as , the status of light source is controlled according to the status of location Sj.

8. A method according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein locations S constitute a subset of locations within the source image.

9. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 8, comprising carrying out a first step of controlling the light sources according to the status of locations Sj, identifying a further m locations within the source image and thereafter controlling the status of the light sources according to the status of locations S_n+ι to S_m.

10. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein locations Sj comprise a row or part of a row or a column or part of a column in the source image.

11. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the method comprises mapping the status of locations in a first row or column or part thereof on to light sources in the linear array, selecting an adjacent row or column or part thereof and mapping the statuses of locations in the adjacent row or column or part thereof on to light sources in the linear array, thereby scanning the image.

12. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 11 wherein the mapping comprises identifying the status of a pixel at a given location and reproducing that status in the corresponding light source in the linear array.

13. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 11 wherein the mapping comprises identifying the status of a pixel in a given location, carrying out a transformation on that status and then reproducing the transformed status in a light source in the array.

14. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 13 wherein a light source comprises an individual light source or a light source composed of a plurality of individual light sources.

15. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 14 wherein the source image to linear array mapping is one to one, one to many, many to one, or many to many.

16. A method according to any of Claims 6 to 15 wherein the apparatus comprises a linear array of LED's.

17. A method of controlling a one dimensional array of light sources, comprising:-

identifying n locations in a two dimensional image; and

mapping the status of each location in the image to a corresponding location in the one dimensional array.

18. A method according to Claim 17 wherein the n locations in the two dimensional image constitute a row or a part of a row or a column or a part of a column in that image.

19. A method according to Claim 17 or 18 comprising mapping a first set of n locations in the two dimensional image to n corresponding locations in the linear array and then mapping a second set of m locations in the two dimensional image on to the n locations in the linear array.

20. A method according to any of Claims 17 to 19 wherein locations in adjacent rows or adjacent columns are sequentially mapped on to corresponding locations in the linear array, so as to scan the two dimensional image to the one dimensional array.

21. A method according to any of Claims 17 to 20 wherein the light sources comprise LED's.

22. A method of controlling a one dimensional array of light sources, comprising:-

providing a two dimensional source image;

selecting a line through the source image and deriving a set of output values which vary according to an image characteristic along the selected line; and

using the set of output values to control the output of the light sources such that the output along the array is representative of the image characteristic along the selected line.

23. A method according to Claim 22, comprising selecting a first line through the source image to derive a first set of output values for the linear array and then selecting a second line through the source image to derive a second set of output values for the linear array

24. A method according to Claim 22 or Claim 23, wherein a series of lines through the source image are selected sequentially to derive a time changing series of sets of output values for the linear array.

25. A method according to Claim 24, wherein the series of lines are defined by scanning said image and sampling the said image characteristic at time intervals.

26. A method according to any one of Claims 22 to 25, wherein the source image is a time changing image.

27. A method according to any one of Claims 22 to 26, wherein the light sources are arranged along a curved path.

28. A method of controlling a linear array of light sources, comprising the steps of: receiving an initial status condition for each light source; activating the lights sources according to their initial status conditions; generating a set of mathematical rules for governing the dynamic properties of the status condition for each light source; dynamically varying the status conditions of each light source according to the rules

29. A method according to Claim 28, wherein the step of dynamically varying the status conditions comprises substituting the current status condition of a first light source for the current status condition of an adjacent light source, thereby moving the first source's status condition along the array.

30. A method according to Claim 29, comprising generating varying velocities for moving status conditions along the array.

31. A method according to Claim 29 or Claim 30, comprising, at a given light source where a first and a second status condition moving in converging directions along the array meet, producing a third status condition, and lighting the given light source according to the third status condition.

32. A method according to any one of the Claims 28 to 31 , comprising allowing user interaction to vary the properties and behaviour of status conditions.

33. A method according to any one of the Claims 28 to 32, wherein the status conditions comprise values of hue, saturation or luminosity.

34. Lighting apparatus comprising a linear array of light sources, an input for receiving dynamically varying input information, a processor for deriving status conditions for each light source from the input information, and means for dynamically controlling each light source according to the varying status conditions, wherein the dynamically varying input information is defined by least two orthogonal variables.

35. Apparatus according to Claim 34, wherein the input information comprises a scanned two dimensional image.

36. Apparatus according to Claim 34, wherein the input information comprises a set of mathematical rules defined by the at least two orthogonal variables.