Lighting device preferably for a stage and method of operating the lighting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device, preferably for a stage, and a method for operating the lighting device. The lighting device is provided with a light source assembly (10) configured to generate visible light radiation of different colors; an optical device (19) configured to process at least a portion of the light radiation emitted by the light source (18) so as to form a light beam extending substantially along an optical axis (O); at least one beam processing element (21) located downstream of the optical device (19) and configured to selectively intercept the light beam; the beam processing element (21) comprising at least one portion (24; 25) movable between several positions; and a control device (13) configured to control the light source assembly (10) based on the position of a movable portion (24; 25) of the beam processing element (21) or based on a parameter associated with the position of the movable portion (24; 25) of the beam processing element (21).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian patent application no. 102019000004793 filed on March 29, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a lighting device, preferably a lighting device for a stage and a method for operating the lighting device. Background Art

[0004] Lighting equipment is used in the entertainment industry to create scenic effects using beams of light.

[0005] The entertainment industry is constantly searching for new scenic effects which can be achieved with the aid of lighting equipment that is increasingly powerful and high-performance and at the same time easy and economical to produce.

[0006] According to these aims, the present invention relates to a lighting device, preferably for stages, which is able to produce new scenic effects and which at the same time has high performance and is easy and economical to produce.

[0007] According to these objects, the present invention relates to a lighting device comprising:

[0008] at least one light source assembly configured to generate visible radiation of different colors;

[0009] an optical device configured to process at least a portion of the optical radiation emitted by the light source assembly so as to form a light beam extending substantially along the optical axis;

[0010] at least one beam processing element located downstream of the optical device and configured to selectively intercept the light beam; the beam processing element comprising at least one portion movable between several positions;

[0011] • Control means configured to control the light source assembly based on the position of the movable part of the beam processing element or based on a parameter associated with the position of the movable part of the beam processing element.

[0012] Thanks to this type of light source assembly control, innovative scenic effects can be obtained that have never been obtained before with lighting devices of the known art. The combinations that can be obtained are numerous in terms of the form and color of the projected light beam. Such combinations can be modified simply by controlling the light source assembly, without having to include specific means in the lighting device that would increase the size and cost of the lighting device.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the light source assembly comprises at least two light sources, which are configured to generate visible radiation of different colors.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the beam processing element comprises at least one portion which rotates about a respective axis of rotation; the control device is configured to control the light source assembly based on the angular position of the portion of the beam processing element.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the part can rotate at a speed of at least 25 rps. In this way, the persistence of the retinal image can be used to obtain special scenic effects.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the lighting device comprises at least one stepper motor configured to move the portion of the beam processing element; the control device is configured to control the light source assembly based on the angular position of the stepper motor. In this way, a parameter associated with the actual position of the movable part can be used, which parameter can be detected more easily.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is configured to control at least one of the light sources of the light source assembly based on the position of the movable part of the beam processing element or on a parameter associated with the position of the movable part of the beam processing element.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is configured to control the activation of each light source and / or the intensity of the light radiation emitted by each light source. In this way, a light beam can be obtained, wherein the light intensity and the color of the light beam can be adjusted as required. This enables to obtain set effects in which the projected light beam has a specific color effect or the like.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the light beam processing element is a gobo arrangement.In this way, special effects can be obtained in which parts of the light beam can have different forms and colors.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the part which rotates about the respective axis of rotation is a shutter retaining disk or a shutter. Summary of the invention

[0021] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a lighting device in order to produce special and innovative scenic effects.

[0022] According to these objects, the present invention relates to a method for operating a lighting device; the lighting device is provided with: a light source assembly configured to generate visible light radiation of different colors; an optical device configured to process at least a portion of the light radiation emitted by the light source assembly so as to form a light beam extending substantially along an optical axis; and at least one beam processing element, located downstream of the optical device and configured to selectively intercept the light beam; the beam processing element comprising at least one portion movable between several positions;

[0023] The method comprises the step of controlling the light source assembly based on the position of the movable part of the beam processing element or based on a parameter associated with the position of the movable part of the beam processing element. The present invention also aims at providing a computer program and a computer readable storage medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the various figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting device according to the present invention, wherein some components are shown in cross-section and some components are removed for clarity;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the details of the lighting equipment in the

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of further details of the lighting device in FIG.

[0028] Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c , Figure 4d shows schematic diagrams relating to trends of certain variables in respective different operating configurations of a lighting device according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 5a , Figure 5b , Figure 5c , Figure 5d Schematically shows the Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c as well as Figure 4d projection of a light beam emitted by a lighting device according to the invention in an operating configuration of

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of further details of the lighting device in FIG.

[0031] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c , Figure 7d shows schematic diagrams relating to trends of certain variables in further respectively different operating configurations of the lighting device according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 8a , Figure 8b , Figure 8c , Figure 8d Schematically shows the Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c as well as Figure 7d Projection of a light beam emitted by the lighting device according to the invention in a further operating configuration of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] exist Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 indicates a lighting device preferably used for a stage.

[0034] The lighting device 1 comprises a housing 2 and a support device (not shown in the drawings) configured to support the housing 2. The support device is preferably configured to move the housing 2 and to enable the housing 2 to rotate around two orthogonal axes, which are generally referred to as PAN and TILT. The operation of the support device is regulated by a motion control device (not visible in the drawings). The motion control device can also be managed remotely, preferably using a DMX communication protocol. According to a variant, the support device can be configured to only support the housing 2 without being able to move the housing 2.

[0035] The housing 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A and is provided with a first closed end 4 and a second end 5, which is opposite to the first closed end 4 along the axis A and is provided with a projection hole 6. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the projection hole 6 has a substantially circular cross section. The projection hole 6 is preferably centered on the axis A of the housing 2.

[0036] The lighting device 1 further comprises a frame (not visible in the drawings) coupled to the housing 2, a light source assembly 10, at least one beam processing assembly 11, at least one first optical assembly 12 and a control device 13. The beam processing assembly 11 is located between the light source assembly 10 and the first optical assembly 12.

[0037] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the lighting device 1 additionally comprises at least a second optical component 14 located between the beam processing component 11 and the first optical component 12 .

[0038] exist Figure 1Schematically shows a light source component 10, a light beam processing component 11, a first optical component 12, and a second optical component 14.

[0039] The frame is integral with the housing 2 and comprises a plurality of elements coupled to one another and configured to define a support structure for components located within the housing 2 , namely the light source assembly 10 , the beam processing assembly 11 , the first optical assembly 12 , and the second optical assembly 14 .

[0040] The light source assembly 10 is located within the housing 2 at the closed end 4 of the housing 2 , and the light source assembly 10 is supported by the frame.

[0041] The light source assembly 10 is configured to generate a light beam.

[0042] The light source assembly 10 is preferably configured to generate light radiation of different colors. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the light source assembly 10 includes a plurality of light sources 18 (schematically represented by blocks) designed to emit light beams primarily along an emission direction B, an optical device 19 (schematically represented by blocks), and a cooling device 20 (schematically represented by blocks) configured to cool the light sources 18. "Emission direction" refers to the propagation direction of the largest light beam emitted by the light sources 18 of the light source assembly 10. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the light source assembly 10 includes at least two light sources 18, and the at least two light sources 18 are configured to generate visible light radiation of different colors.

[0043] In other words, the at least two light sources 18 are configured to generate light beams having different emission spectra.

[0044] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, there are three light sources 18 , and the three light sources 18 are RGB (red, green, and blue) light sources.

[0045] The light source 18 may be a LED type light source, or the light source 18 may include laser diodes of different colors.

[0046] According to a variant, the light source assembly 10 may also comprise at least one source of the LARP (Laser Activated Remote Phosphor) type connected to the phosphor wheel so as to enable the color of the optical radiation emitted by the LARP source to be varied.

[0047] Other variations require that the light source assembly 10 include a halogen lamp or a discharge lamp.

[0048] The light source assembly 10 can be adjusted using the control device 13 .

[0049] In particular, each of the light sources 18 can be regulated independently of the control device 13 .

[0050] In particular, the control device 13 can adjust the activation of each source 18 and / or the intensity of the light radiation emitted by each source 18 and / or the modulation of the light radiation emitted by each source 18 and / or the color of the light radiation emitted by each source 18 and / or the duty cycle of each light source 18 and / or the polarization of the radiation emitted by each light source 18.

[0051] The control device 13 can also adjust parameters and components of an optical device 19 located downstream of the light source 18 .

[0052] The control device 13 can also adjust at least one other light source 18 associated with the state of one light source 18 of the light source assembly 10. For example, the control device 13 can make adjustments based on a positional relationship or curve defined by the International Illumination Commission (International Illumination Commission, CIE) and / or based on the complementarity of the colors emitted by the light sources 18.

[0053] The optical device 19 is located downstream of the light source 18 along the emission direction so as to intercept the light beam emitted by the light source 18, and the optical device 19 is configured to conveniently process the light beam emitted by the light source 18 and generate a single light beam along the optical axis O. In more detail, the optical device 19 is configured to process at least a portion of the light radiation emitted by the light source 18 so as to form a light beam extending substantially along the optical axis O.

[0054] The optical device 19 is preferably configured to focus the light beam onto a given point, called the focal point.

[0055] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the optical axis O coincides with the axis A of the housing 2 .

[0056] The optical device 19 may include optical components, such as a zoom element, a focusing element, a filter, a polarizer, a condenser or a mixer.

[0057] The light beam processing assembly 11 is located downstream of the light source assembly 10, and the light beam processing assembly 11 includes at least one light beam processing element 21, and the at least one light beam processing element 21 is configured to process the light beam emitted by the light source assembly 10, so as to obtain one or more scenic effects. In particular, the light beam processing element 21 is supported and / or configured to be able to selectively intercept the light beam so as to change the light beam only when necessary.

[0058] The beam processing assembly 11 preferably comprises a plurality of beam processing elements 21 .

[0059] The position of each of the beam processing elements 21 is adjusted by the control device 13 .

[0060] In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, at least one beam processing element 21 is a shutter device (in Figure 1 is schematically shown in Figure 2 more clearly visible in the figure).

[0061] The light beam processing component 11 may also include additional sunshade devices and / or frost components and / or prismatic elements (not shown in the drawings for simplicity) and / or optical components and / or zoom devices, etc.

[0062] It should be understood that the beam processing assembly 11 may include additional beam processing elements not listed here.

[0063] The beam processing assembly 11 is configured to selectively position one of the beam processing elements 21 at a focal point under the control of the control device 13 .

[0064] Described herein and in Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown in , the sunshade device 21 is positioned on the focal plane of the light beam emitted by the light source assembly 10 .

[0065] The first optical component 12 is a lens optical component preferably located at the projection hole 6 so as to become a final output optical component. The second optical component 14 is preferably a zoom optical component.

[0066] Reference Figure 2 The sunshade device 21 includes at least one sunshade holding disk 24 , at least one sunshade 25 , a first motor 26 configured to move the sunshade holding disk 24 , and a second motor 27 configured to move the sunshade 25 .

[0067] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the visor arrangement 21 comprises a plurality of visors 25 , in this case seven visors 25 .

[0068] The term "gobo" refers to a disk, usually made of stainless steel or glass, in which a pattern or shape is cut out so that a light design is created when the gobo intercepts a light beam.

[0069] Therefore, the visor device 21 is configured to selectively arrange the visor 25 in a position in which the visor 25 intercepts the light beam in order to obtain a certain scenery effect.

[0070] The gobo holding disk 24 rotates about a central rotation axis B and is moved by a first motor 26. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the rotation axis B is parallel to the optical axis O.

[0071] The sunshade holding plate 24 can rotate in two directions.

[0072] The sunshade holding plate 24 comprises a plurality of sunshade supports 28, in this case seven sunshade supports 28, each of which has a receiving groove 29 for a corresponding sunshade 25, and a plurality of grooves 30, which are distributed along a circular path around the axis B. In this case, the sunshade holding plate 24 has seven grooves 30, each of which is designed to receive a corresponding sunshade support 28, and the openings 31 are designed to allow the light beam to pass freely.

[0073] The visor supports 28 may be coupled such that they slide in a direction lying on a plane perpendicular to the axis B and are lockable with each other by means of a reversible locking mechanism to hold the visor supports 28 in a specific position in the corresponding slot 29 .

[0074] The visor supports 28 rotate about the respective rotation axes C1 to C7 , so that the respective visors rotate about the respective rotation axes C1 to C7 .

[0075] The visor support 28 is preferably provided with a toothed outer edge.

[0076] The visor retaining plate 24 includes a central gear 33 and a plurality of intermediate gears 34, wherein the central gear 33 is connected to the second motor 27 and rotates around the axis B independently of the visor retaining plate 24, and each of the plurality of intermediate gears 34 is engaged with the central gear 33 and the toothed outer edge of at least one visor support 28.

[0077] Essentially, in use, rotation of the central gear determines the rotation of all the shutters 25 .

[0078] The second motor 27 is a stepping motor.

[0079] The transmission ratio depends on the toothing of the central gear 33 , the intermediate gear 34 and the outer edge of the sunshade support 28 .

[0080] Reference Figure 1 The control device 13 is configured to adjust the light source 18 based on the position of the at least one beam processing element 21 .

[0081] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the control device 13 is configured to adjust the light source 18 based on the angular position of the gobo 25 of the gobo arrangement 22 that intercepts the light beam.

[0082] In a variant that is not shown, the control device 13 regulates the light source 18 on the basis of the angular position of the second motor 27 .

[0083] In a variant that is not shown, the control device 13 adjusts the light source 18 as a function of the angular position of the shutter holding disk 24 .

[0084] In another variant, not shown, the control device 13 regulates the light source 18 on the basis of the position of the beam processing element 21 , for example on the basis of the angular position of a prismatic element.

[0085] The control device 13 can also preferably use DMX protocol communication for remote management.

[0086] Figure 3 The visor 25a is shown coupled to a respective visor support 28. In the visor 25a there is a shape 36a in the form of a circular sector.

[0087] The dashed lines indicate the angular positions that the visor 25a and the shape 36a can take in use.

[0088] Figure 4a Three graphs are shown on the same graph, which respectively plot the light intensity signals of the red source (R), the green source (G) and the blue source (B) relative to Figure 3 The trend of the angular position of the shading plate 25a in FIG.

[0089] Figure 4a The adjustments shown in Figure 5a , and wherein two circular sectors of different colors (in more detail, a red sector R and a green sector G) are provided.

[0090] Since the rotation speed of the shading plate 25a makes the rotation of the shading plate 25a itself imperceptible to the human eye, the projection effect of the separated circular sectors is obtained. In other words, the persistence of the retinal image is used to obtain a special scenery effect.

[0091] The rotation speed of the shading plate 25a is preferably higher than 25 rps (1500 rpm). In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the rotation speed of the shading plate 25a is 33.3 rps (2000 rpm).

[0092] Figure 4b shows the relative rotation speed at the above rotation speed Figure 3 A second example of adjusting the light intensities of the red source (R), the green source (G), and the blue source (B) by the angular position of the light shielding plate 25a in FIG.

[0093] Figure 4b The adjustments shown in Figure 5b , and provided with three circular sectors of different colors (in more detail, a red sector R, a green sector G and a blue sector B).

[0094] Figure 4c Shows relative to Figure 3 A third example of adjusting the light intensities of the red source (R), the green source (G), and the blue source (B) by adjusting the angular position of the light shielding plate 25a in FIG.

[0095] Figure 4c The adjustments shown in Figure 5c , and provided with four circular sectors of different colors (in more detail, four circular sectors alternating between red R and green G).

[0096] Figure 4d Shows relative to Figure 3 A fourth example of adjusting the light intensities of the red source (R), the green source (G), and the blue source (B) by adjusting the angular position of the light shielding plate 25a in FIG.

[0097] Figure 4d The adjustments shown in Figure 5d , and is provided with projection of a light beam of three different colors of circular sector areas: yellow sector area Y (obtained by mixing red R and green G), magenta sector area M (obtained by mixing red R and blue B), and white sector area W (obtained by mixing red R, green G and blue B).

[0098] The intensity value of the light source 18 is adjusted so that all desired color shades can be obtained.

[0099] Figure 6 The visor 25b is shown coupled to a respective visor support 28. In the visor 25b, a circular shape 36b has been made.

[0100] The dashed lines indicate the angular positions that the visor 25b and corresponding shape 36b may adopt in use.

[0101] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c , Figure 7d Three graphs are shown on the same graph, which respectively plot the light intensity signals of the red source (R), the green source (G) and the blue source (B) relative to Figure 6 The trend of the angular position of the shading plate 25a in FIG.

[0102] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c , Figure 7d The adjustment shown in determines the projection of a light beam in the shape of a circular crown, in which sectors of different colors are present.

[0103] Also in this case, the rotation speed of the visor 25b is such that the rotation of the visor 25b itself cannot be perceived by the human eye. The rotation speed of the visor 25b is preferably higher than 25rps (1500rpm). In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the rotation speed of the visor 25b is 33.3rps (2000rpm).

[0104] Figures 4a to 4d , Figure 5a to Figure 5d , Figures 7a to 7d as well as Figures 8a to 8d These illustrate only a few examples of what can be achieved by adjusting the light intensity of the light source 18 based on the position of the visor 25 through which the light beam passes in use.

[0105] The form of the light beam obtained depends on the shape formed on the shading plate 25, while the color and size of the fan-shaped area of ​​the light beam depend on the adjustment of the light intensity of each light source according to the angular position of the shading plate 25 through which the light beam passes.

[0106] Thanks to the invention, it is also possible to project an image in which the movement of one or more coloured sectors is perceptible by means of the modulation of the light intensity which varies with each revolution of the mask 25 through which the light beam passes.

[0107] It is also possible to obtain the projection of an image in which a gradual change of color or a change of color with a "rainbow" effect is perceived.

[0108] Due to the adjustment of the light intensity of the light source 18 based on the position of the beam processing element 21 intercepting the light beam emitted by the light source assembly 10, innovative scenic effects can be obtained which cannot be obtained with lighting devices of the known art.

[0109] In particular, the adjustment of the light intensity of the light source 18 makes it possible to obtain many combinations of static or moving multi-color images based on the angular position of the mask intercepting the light beam. In other words, the invention has a high degree of flexibility and can meet the most diverse requirements in terms of scenic effects.

[0110] Finally, it is obvious that modifications and variations can be made to the lighting device and the method described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising: a light source assembly, the light source assembly comprising at least two light sources, the at least two light sources being configured to generate visible light radiation of different colors; an optical device configured to process at least a portion of the optical radiation emitted by the light source assembly so as to form a light beam extending along an optical axis; at least one beam processing element, the at least one beam processing element being located downstream of the optical device and configured to selectively intercept the beam; wherein the at least one beam processing element comprises at least one disk, the at least one disk being configured to rotate about a first rotation axis; wherein the at least one disk comprises one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk; wherein each of the one or more smaller disks is configured to rotate about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis; A control device is configured to control activation of each of the at least two light sources based on the angular position of the one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk of the at least one beam processing element.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stepper motor, the at least one stepper motor being configured to move the one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk of the at least one beam processing element; wherein, The control device is configured to control the light source assembly based on an angular position of the at least one stepper motor.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device is configured to control the intensity of the optical radiation emitted by each of the at least two light sources.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one beam processing element is a shutter arrangement.

5. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein: The disk that rotates about the first rotation axis is a sunshade holding disk.

6. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein: The one or more smaller discs are light shields.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more smaller disks are configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation at a speed of at least twenty-five revolutions per second.

8. A method for operating a lighting device, the lighting device being provided with: a light source assembly, the light source assembly comprising at least two light sources, the at least two light sources being configured to generate visible light radiation of different colors; an optical device, the optical device being configured to process at least a portion of the light radiation emitted by the light source assembly so as to form a light beam extending along an optical axis; and at least one light beam processing element, the at least one light beam processing element being located downstream of the optical device and being configured to selectively intercept the light beam; wherein, The at least one beam processing element comprises at least one disk, wherein the at least one disk is configured to rotate about a first rotation axis; wherein the at least one disk comprises one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk; wherein each of the one or more smaller disks is configured to rotate about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis; wherein the method comprises: controlling activation of each of the at least two light sources based on an angular position of the one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk of the at least one beam processing element.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The lighting device further comprises at least one stepper motor configured to move the one or more smaller disks arranged on the at least one disk of the at least one beam processing element; wherein the light source assembly is controlled based on an angular position of the at least one stepper motor.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Controlling activation of each of the at least two light sources comprises controlling an intensity of the optical radiation emitted by each of the at least two light sources.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The at least one beam processing element is a shutter arrangement.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The one or more smaller disks are configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation at a speed of at least twenty-five revolutions per second.

13. A computer program configured to perform the method according to claim 8.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 8.

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