Digital Spotlight Mask Emulation With Real-Time Pattern Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for event technology are limited by physical constraints such as actuating speed and color/shape selection, restricting creative lighting design options due to predefined settings.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a digital projector to emulate a spotlight partially covered by a mask, transforming light parameters like brightness, shape, and color in real time via standardized lighting control protocols, allowing independent lighting designs using a device with a pattern memory, image mixer, and digital projector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized lighting control protocols are used with conventional spotlights, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited predefined settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital projector to create a virtual copy of a physical mask, projecting the mask pattern directly onto the spotlight beam. This allows the system to replicate mask effects through digital means rather than requiring physical mask changes, thereby expanding adaptability while maintaining compatibility with standardized control protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms light parameters (brightness, shape, color) in real-time by processing control protocol data through software algorithms. By changing parameters digitally rather than physically, the system achieves greater versatility in lighting design while remaining operable through conventional control protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical masks are used to change light beam shape, then adaptability is improved, but speed deteriorates due to limited actuating speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mask system with a digital projection system. Instead of physically moving or changing masks to alter beam shape, the system uses software-controlled projection to dynamically generate different patterns. This substitution eliminates mechanical limitations and enables rapid shape changes at digital processing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static physical masks to dynamic digital pattern generation. The projected patterns can change continuously and instantly in response to control signals, enabling real-time adaptation of light beam shape without the inertia or mechanical constraints of physical mask systems.
3Ease of operation
If predefined spotlight settings are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited color and shape options
Solution Approach 1:
The digital projector serves multiple functions: it acts as both the light source and the mask mechanism simultaneously. By projecting patterns directly onto the beam, the single device performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized components, thereby expanding the range of achievable effects while maintaining simple operation through unified control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device emulate a headlamp that is partially covered by a mask. In order to make it possible to implement a lighting design that is independent of any pre-settings in the headlamps using inexpensive and readily available lighting components while retaining existing lighting control protocols, a two-dimensional pattern is retrieved from a pattern memory in accordance with a pattern channel value of a lighting control protocol and is transformed in accordance with transformation channel values of the lighting control protocol. After transforming the two-dimensional patters, the resulting transformed pattern is converted into a raster image, the pattern pixels of which are brighter by at least 20% than the remaining pattern-free pixels. The raster image is output as a headlight using a digital projector.