Method for controlling motor-driven spotlights

Abstract

The invention further relates to a method for controlling motor-driven spotlights (1) which are part of a light installation for producing light effects, comprising the following steps: receiving or determining, by an electronic data processing unit (3), a global coordinate system comprising ideal positions and ideal orientations F(x, y, z, α, ß, y) of the spotlights (1); receiving or determining, by the data processing unit (3), the actual positions F'(x', y', z', α', ß', y') of the spotlights (1) in the global coordinate system; providing, by the data processing unit (3), ideal control values R (p,t) for each spotlight (1) according to a predefined sequence of light effects.

Description

[0001] 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0002] Method for controlling motor-driven headlights

[0003] The invention relates to a method for controlling motor-driven headlights that are part of a lighting installation for generating light effects.

[0004] In event technology, spotlights are known that are positioned above a surface, such as a stage, and create an illuminated area on the surface.

[0005] In particular, motorized moving heads (so-called moving head spotlights) are known, which are arranged to rotate or swivel along two axes. These two axes are a tilt axis parallel to the surface and a pan axis perpendicular to the surface. The spotlight can usually be rotated up to 540° along the pan axis and swiveled up to 270° along the tilt axis. By adjusting the pan and tilt values, any point on the stage can preferably be illuminated.

[0006] These types of spotlights also allow for the creation of digital light shows. Virtual 3D models of the stage area are created, representing an idealized version: all stage structures are perfectly perpendicular, columns are vertical, the spotlights are perfectly horizontal and exhibit no misalignment. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0007] The light show is designed in advance in such an idealized environment by programming sequential control values ​​R(p, t) for each spotlight, where p denotes the pan value and t the tilt value of the spotlight. A control value R is thus always a tuple of two numbers: the pan value and the tilt value of the spotlight. In the show, the spotlights are activated sequentially according to their control values ​​R(p, t) and other parameters such as color and brightness, generating the images of the light show.

[0008] The real world of a stage, however, is not perfect, as stage structures are not perfectly square, columns are crooked, and lighting fixtures bend under the weight of the lights. Therefore, the mounted lights are never positioned exactly as shown in the computer-generated plans. They never hang perfectly horizontally and are also slightly rotated in their orientation.

[0009] If spotlights in the real world are controlled with control values ​​R(p, t) derived from a perfect computer visualization, the resulting lighting pattern will differ significantly from the programmed visualization. These errors must be manually corrected on the actual stage, a time-consuming process. Each spotlight's pan / tilt value must be individually and painstakingly adjusted to achieve a lighting pattern on the real stage that closely matches the computer simulation.

[0010] The object of the invention is to solve these and other problems and to provide an automatic method to provide corrected control values ​​for each mounted spotlight of a light show in order to compensate for the differences between the real world and the idealized design and to produce a light pattern as identical as possible to that in the computer simulation.

[0011] These and other problems are solved using a method according to claim 1.

[0012] A method according to the invention is designed for controlling motor-driven spotlights that are part of a lighting installation for generating light effects. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0013] According to the invention, the headlights are rotatable about a pan axis by inputting pan values ​​and pivotable about a tilt axis by inputting tilt values. Starting from the position of the headlight, a control value R(p, t) thus determines the direction in which the headlight shines.

[0014] A method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0015] In a first step, an electronic data processing unit receives or determines a global coordinate system comprising the ideal positions and orientations F = (x, y, z, a, β, y) of the spotlights. The angles a, β, y represent the Euler angles of the spotlights, thus defining their orientation. This global coordinate system with the ideal positions and orientations of the spotlights is created in advance, stored as part of a program on a data carrier, and made available to the data processing unit on site. The data processing unit can be a PC equipped with interfaces for controlling a lighting installation, including the motorized spotlights.

[0016] In a further step, the data processing unit receives or determines the real positions and orientations F' = (x', y', z', a', ß', y') of the spotlights in the same global coordinate system. This position determination can be done manually or automatically. It is essential to ensure that the origin, scale, direction of rotation, and orientation of the real stage's coordinate system match the computer visualization's coordinate system.

[0017] The method according to the invention therefore assumes that the ideal positions and orientations as well as the actual positions and orientations of the spotlights in the global coordinate system of the stage are known. However, due to inaccuracies in the assembly, the actual positions and orientations of the spotlights deviate from the ideal positions and orientations in the previously created computer simulation. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0018] In a further step, the data processing unit receives or provides predefined ideal control values ​​(p, t) for each spotlight according to a programmed sequence of lighting effects. The spotlights are controlled by providing pan values ​​(p) and tilt values ​​(t) in a polar coordinate system. The center point of the spotlight head's rotation axes forms the origin of this polar coordinate system. The ideal position of the origin and orientation of the spotlight are defined by its ideal coordinates (F, x, y, z, a, β, y) in the global coordinate system.

[0019] The programmed sequence of ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) can be part of a predefined program for controlling the headlights, which is provided to the data processing unit via a data carrier. The ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) define beam angles via a pan value p and a tilt value t for the motorized headlight. The headlight, controlled in this way, emits light in this direction. In addition to the ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t), a corresponding program can include other parameters, in particular the color and brightness of the headlight, or the duration of the corresponding lighting effect.

[0020] According to the invention, the data processing unit calculates a specific correction value tuple AR (Ap, At) for each spotlight to compensate for positioning inaccuracies during spotlight control. Thus, the spotlights are not provided with the ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) predefined by the program, but rather with corrected control values ​​R' = Rideai (p, t) - AR (p, t). This ensures that inaccuracies in the mounting of the spotlights are compensated for without requiring any changes to the stored program itself. The data processing unit therefore adapts the stored light show to the actual spatial conditions on site.

[0021] According to the invention, the correction value tuple AR (Ap, At) for each headlight is calculated from the difference between the ideal and the actual control values ​​for a specifically selected, artificial target point P. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0022] First, an artificial target point P (x, y, z) is introduced. Starting from the ideal position and orientation F of the spotlight, the artificial target point P is defined on a straight line in the direction of a provided ideal control value Rideai (p, t) at an arbitrary distance k. The distance k can be chosen freely; for example, the distance k is the average distance of the actual position F' of the respective spotlight from known points on the ground onto which the spotlight shines or is intended to shine.

[0023] Next, the actual control values ​​Rreai (p, t) are determined that would direct the headlight from its real position F' to this artificial target point P. This can be achieved by drawing an imaginary line from the target point P to the real position F' and determining the control values ​​Rreai (p, t) that rotate the headlight along this imaginary line. The control values ​​Rreai (p, t) would thus also direct the real headlight to the artificial target point P.

[0024] The correction values ​​AR (Ap, At) of the headlight are then calculated from the difference between the ideal control value Rideai and the correspondingly determined real control value Rreai for the artificial target point P, for example in the form AR (Ap, At) = Rideai (p, t) - Rreai (p, t).

[0025] For each spotlight, corrected control values ​​R' (p, t) = Rideai (p, t) - AR (Ap, At) are calculated and provided to the respective spotlight. This corrects errors in the positioning and setup of the spotlights and allows an identical light pattern to be generated as intended in the program.

[0026] According to the invention, it can be provided that the method is carried out sequentially for several spotlights of a stage installation.

[0027] The invention further relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program that causes an electronic data processing unit to execute a method according to the invention. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0028] The computer program can be, for example, a smartphone app or a program on a PC or server that controls the execution of a method according to the invention. The computer program can control the spotlights with the corrected control values ​​to create the light show on stage.

[0029] The invention further relates to a computer program with instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to execute a method according to the invention.

[0030] The invention further relates to a data processing unit, in particular a computer, with means configured to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0031] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the following description of the figures.

[0032] The invention will now be explained using a non-exclusive embodiment. The figures show:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the data flow from the data processing unit to the headlights;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a spotlight above a stage during the execution of a method according to the invention.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the data flow from the data processing unit 3 to three independent, motor-driven spotlights 1. The data processing unit 3 is a PC connected to the motor-driven spotlights via an interface unit (not shown). The spotlights 1 are controlled by defining the two control values ​​Pan p and Tiit t in the polar coordinate system. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0036] The center point of the rotation axes of the headlight head forms the origin of the polar coordinate system. The ideal position of the origin and orientation of the headlight are given by the coordinates F (x, y, z, a, β, y) in the predefined program.

[0037] The data processing unit 3 receives from an external source, for example a data carrier, a program with a list of predefined ideal positions and ideal orientations Fi (x, y, z, a, ß, y) of the three spotlights 1, as well as a program with a temporal sequence of control values ​​Ri (p, t), R2 (p, t) and R3 (p, t) for each of the three spotlights 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the data processing unit 3 receives a list of the actual positions and orientations Fi' (x', y', z', a', ß', y') of the three headlights 1 from an external source, for example, an external positioning unit. Subsequently, the data processing unit calculates corrected control values ​​Ri' (p, t) = Ri (p, t) - ARi (p, t) using the method according to the invention and provides these to the headlights 1. The data processing unit 3 calculates a correction value tuple ARi (Ap, At) for each headlight 1 from the difference between the provided ideal and calculated actual control values ​​for a specifically selected artificial target point P.

[0039] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a spotlight above a stage during the execution of a method according to the invention. A surface 2, for example a theater stage, and a spotlight 1 mounted above the surface 3 are shown. The spotlight 1 is pivotable about two axes perpendicular to each other. Along the schematically indicated pan axis, the spotlight can be rotated by approximately 540°. Along the schematically indicated tilt axis, the spotlight can be pivoted by 180°. By rotating along the pan and tilt axes, the spotlight 1 can illuminate any point on the surface 2. The possible range of values ​​for the pan and tilt is, in the embodiment considered, 0 to 65,536 ticks. From a pan value of 0 to a pan value of 65,536, the spotlight thus completes a rotation about the pan axis of approximately 540°. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0040] The spotlight 1 is connected to a data processing unit 3 (not shown) analogous to Fig. 1. The data processing unit has interface units (not shown) for controlling the spotlight 1. The data processing unit 3 contains a global coordinate system (x, y, z) with the ideal position and orientation F (x, y, z, a, β, y) of the spotlight 1 relative to the background 2.

[0041] Furthermore, data processing unit 3 knows the real position F' (x', y', z', a', ß', y') of the spotlight 1 in the global coordinate system. These two positions F and F' differ by a three-dimensional difference vector.

[0042] Data processing unit 3 calculates a correction value tuple AR (Ap, At) using the method according to the invention and provides corrected control values ​​R' = R - AR to the headlight 1.

[0043] First, an artificial target point P (x, y, z) is defined. Starting from the ideal position and orientation F (x, y, z, a, β, y) of the spotlight 1, the target point P is defined at a distance k along the straight line extending from F towards an ideal control value Rideai (p, t). The distance k can be chosen arbitrarily; for example, the distance k could be the average distance between the actual position F' of the spotlight and known points on the ground onto which the spotlight is to shine.

[0044] A straight line is then drawn from the actual position of the headlight F' (x', y', z', a', ß', y') through the target point P thus determined. The control values ​​Rreai (p, t) are then those values ​​necessary to direct this real headlight 1 from the actual position F' to this artificial target point P.

[0045] The correction values ​​AR (Ap, At) schematically indicated in Fig. 2 are calculated for each headlight as the difference between the ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) and the calculated actual control values ​​Rreai (p, t) of the artificial target point P. 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT)

[0046] As a result, during the course of the light show, the control values ​​R (p, t) provided by the data processing unit 3 or a data carrier for each spotlight 1 are corrected by a correction vector AR, which is predetermined for this spotlight 1, so that the generated light effect is adapted to the actual local conditions.

Claims

64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT) Patent claims 1. A method for controlling motor-driven spotlights (1) that are part of a lighting installation for generating light effects, comprising the following steps: a. Receiving or determining, by an electronic data processing unit (3), a global coordinate system comprising ideal positions and ideal orientations F (x, y, z, a, β, y) of the spotlights (1); b. Receiving or determining, by the data processing unit (3), the real positions and real orientations F' (x', y', z', a', β', y') of the spotlights (1) in the global coordinate system; c. Receiving or providing, by the data processing unit (3), ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) for each spotlight (1) according to a predefined sequence of light effects, characterized in that d.The data processing unit (3) calculates correction values ​​AR (Ap, At) for each spotlight (1) and provides each spotlight (1) with corrected control values ​​R' = R (p, t) - AR (Ap, At), wherein e. ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) are used to direct the spotlight (1) from its ideal position and ideal orientation F to an artificial target point P (x, y, z) at an arbitrary distance k, and f. those real control values ​​Rreai (p, t) are determined which direct the spotlight (1) from the real position F' to this artificial target point P, and wherein g. the difference between Rideai and Rreai for the artificial target point P is calculated as correction values ​​AR for each spotlight (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance k is the mean distance of the real position F' of the respective headlight (1 ) from known points of a substrate (2). 64920 / AG / - zactrack GmbH, Schlosshoferstr. 4 / 7 / 1 , 1210 VIENNA (AT) 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method is carried out sequentially for several spotlights (1 ) of a stage installation.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ideal control values ​​Rideai (p, t) for each headlight (1 ) are taken from a predefined program for controlling the headlights (1 ) to generate a light show.

5. Computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program that causes an electronic data processing unit (3) to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Computer program with instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing unit (3), cause the data processing unit (3) to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Data processing unit (3), in particular computer, comprising means configured to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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