Spotlight Calibration via Ground Interaction Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibrating rotatable and pivotable stage equipment, such as spotlights and cameras, is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the difficulty in determining absolute position and mapping digital control values to angular coordinates, especially when the equipment's position changes between measurement and performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an interacting element on the ground that detects the stage equipment's illuminated or observed area through optical, sound, or radio interactions, allowing for the determination of pan and tilt values' mapping to angular coordinates by rotating and panning the equipment until interaction is detected, and calculating the imaging rule from these interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If computer-aided 3D modeling is used to determine device position and mapping rules, then calibration can be performed automatically, but measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to inability to measure exact position and model-real condition mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interaction element as an intermediary object placed on the stage that mediates between the stage equipment and the calibration system. This element creates detectable interactions (optical, acoustic, or electromagnetic) that provide reliable measurement data, serving as a bridge between the physical device position and the digital calibration data, thereby resolving the mismatch between computer-generated models and real conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods (physical measuring tools and manual position determination) with field-based detection methods using optical, acoustic, or electromagnetic interactions. This substitution enables automatic detection of device position and orientation through interaction data, improving both automation and measurement precision simultaneously.
2Reliability
If manual measurement and computer-generated 3D models are used for calibration, then position data can be obtained, but time consumption increases and errors occur due to measurement difficulties and position changes between measurement and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration actions by having the stage equipment assume specific predetermined positions and detect interactions with the interaction element at these positions. This preliminary data collection establishes the mapping rules between control values and angular coordinates in advance, enabling rapid and reliable calibration without time-consuming manual measurements during actual performance setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The stage equipment performs self-calibration by automatically detecting interactions with the interaction element at predetermined positions and autonomously determining its own mapping rules. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external manual measurement and model generation, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining high reliability through direct physical interaction detection.
3Measurement precision
If the stage equipment is calibrated using predetermined positions and interaction detection, then mapping rules can be determined accurately, but device complexity increases due to additional calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction element is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal reference object that can be detected through multiple types of interactions (optical, acoustic, electromagnetic). This universal design allows the same element to work with different types of stage equipment (spotlights, cameras, microphones) and different detection methods, simplifying the overall calibration procedure while maintaining high mapping rule accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The interaction element acts as a simplified intermediary that mediates between the complex stage equipment and the calibration system. By detecting interactions with this single standardized element at predetermined positions, the system can determine accurate mapping rules without requiring complex calibration procedures, as the element provides consistent and reliable interaction data across different equipment types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a reliable and efficient calibration of stage equipment by accurately determining the position and orientation, reducing errors and ensuring precise control of the equipment's movement, allowing for precise lighting or recording setups.
Implementation Method 1
an optical interaction can be provided
Implementation Method 2
an interaction based on directed sound waves, for example ultrasonic pulses
Implementation Method 3
or directed radio waves, for example radar
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Method for calibrating a spotlight (1) to absolute angular coordinates, which spotlight (1) can be rotated about a pan axis (7) by inputting pan values and can be pivoted about a tilting axis (8) by inputting tilting values, wherein the spotlight generates an illuminated, preferably ellipsoidal region (5) on an underlying surface (3) by means of a directional light cone (4), wherein a light sensor (2) is positioned on the underlying surface (3), the illuminated region (5) is moved over the underlying surface (3) by rotating and pivoting the spotlight (1), the light sensor (2) detects the edges of the illuminated region (5), and a mapping rule of the pan values and/or of the tilting values of the headlight (1) onto the angular coordinates of the spotlight (1) is determined by rotating and/or pivoting the spotlight (1) and detecting the illuminated region (5) again.