Stage Lighting Tracking Using Infrared Vision and DMX Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic stage lighting tracking systems face limitations in accuracy and susceptibility to external interferences due to the need for complex setups, such as pressure sensor arrays or locating base stations, and are prone to errors when tracking performers who move offstage or encounter obstacles.

Innovation Solution

An automatic stage lighting tracking system utilizing an emitting element, a stage light source element, a control computer with OpenCV computer vision library, and a DMX512 console, where the emitting element emits infrared invisible light, and the control computer processes images to track the target's movement, adjusting the illumination direction via the DMX512 console to ensure accurate and continuous tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pressure sensor arrays are arranged on stage to detect target position, then automatic tracking function is achieved, but the system becomes complex and cannot track when performers leave stage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tracking functionVSAvoidpressure sensor array arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor array system with a visual detection system using cameras and image processing. The camera captures images of the stage, and computer vision algorithms automatically identify and track the performer's position without requiring physical sensors on the stage surface. This substitution eliminates the complexity of sensor array arrangement while maintaining automatic tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If multiple locating base stations are arranged on stage to detect target position, then automatic tracking is achieved, but measurement accuracy decreases due to obstacles and inherent errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tracking functionVSAvoidtarget position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual copying of the performer's appearance and position through camera imaging. Instead of relying on wireless communication between locating base stations and microphones, the system creates a visual copy (image) of the performer and tracks this copy through frame-by-frame image processing. This approach eliminates measurement errors associated with wireless communication and obstacles, as the camera directly captures the performer's position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If manual operation is used to control lighting direction, then system complexity is reduced, but operation efficiency decreases and more personnel are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidlighting control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically controls lighting direction based on captured images. The computer vision algorithm identifies the performer's position, calculates the required lighting angle, and automatically adjusts the lighting equipment without human intervention. This eliminates the need for manual operation while maintaining system simplicity, as the automation handles all control decisions based on visual input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system provides simple operation, strong practicality, and robust anti-interference performance by using computer vision algorithms to accurately track performers in real-time, ensuring effective lighting adjustment without the need for complex setups or manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

the emitting element emits infrared invisible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3691417B1Automatic stage lighting tracking system and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 GUANGZHOU HAOYANG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3691417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3691417B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An automatic stage lighting tracking system comprises an emitting element detachably mounted on a target to be tracked, a stage light source element for illuminating the tracked target, an upper computer software having an OpenCV computer vision library and a DMX512 console, and a photographing element for detecting a position of the emitting element and photographing an image of the target, and transmitting the image and position signal to the upper computer software, wherein the OpenCV computer vision library is used for processing the image transmitted by the photographing element, extracting, identifying and tracking the target according to a color in the image, then calculating a deviated position of the target relative to an illumination direction of a stage light source, and sending the deviated position to the stage light source element by means of the DMX512 console, and the stage light source element controls the illumination direction to go toward the target, such that the stage lighting automatically tracks the movement of the target. Compared with the prior art, the automatic stage lighting tracking system is simple in operation, with strong practicability, wide application range, and good anti-interference performance.