GUI Time Stamps for Media-Synchronized Lighting Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current software tools for synchronizing lighting and other effects with recorded media are cumbersome and require complex programming, making them unsuitable for easy and cost-effective configuration in applications like theatrical shows and retail displays.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to configure timed events by creating time stamps within a media pane, where each time stamp triggers specific light channel intensities during playback, enabling intuitive and efficient synchronization of lighting effects with recorded media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex theatrical systems with complex software code are used to control lighting devices, then synchronization capability with media is achieved, but device complexity and programming difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential synchronization function from complex theatrical systems and implements it as a standalone software tool. This separates the synchronization capability from the need for complex multi-subsystem theatrical control software, allowing users to achieve media-synchronized lighting effects without requiring complex programming environments or multiple interconnected subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified software interface that copies and adapts the synchronization functionality needed for lighting control, rather than requiring users to work with full-featured complex theatrical software. This copied functionality is tailored specifically for the synchronization task, eliminating unnecessary complexity while maintaining the core capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of each timed event is performed, then precise control over lighting events is achieved, but time consumption and programming effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The software automatically generates timed events based on media playback timing, performing the configuration action in advance rather than requiring manual setup of each event. The system pre-processes the media file to identify key moments and automatically creates corresponding lighting events, eliminating the need for users to manually program each timed event while maintaining precise synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic configuration of timed events based on media content analysis, making the software serve itself in generating the synchronization schedule. Users provide the media file and basic parameters, and the system autonomously creates the timed event sequence, reducing programming time while preserving control precision through automatic timing extraction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing software interfaces are used for programming lighting events, then lighting control functionality is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of intuitive interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual configuration interfaces with an automated software-driven approach. Instead of requiring users to manually set parameters through complicated interfaces, the system automatically generates timed events based on media playback, substituting manual mechanical configuration with automated software processing while maintaining full lighting control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The software interface is designed to handle multiple functions within a unified system: media file processing, automatic timed event generation, lighting channel control, and playback synchronization. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate tools and complex interfaces into a single intuitive application that handles the entire synchronization workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for configuring timed events synchronized with recorded media. The GUI includes a plurality of fader bars representing a light intensity of corresponding light channels and a media pane representing a timed progression of a selected piece of media. A set of time stamps are created in the media pane, each time stamp configuring at least one timed event synchronized with a corresponding time instant of the recorded media, wherein the time stamp is represented by a visual element within the media pane. At least one timed event configured by the time stamp includes triggering of at least one of the set of light channels at the corresponding time instant of the recorded media at a configured light intensity, wherein a corresponding fader bar displays the configured light intensity.