Vari-lite, Inc.

Brooks W Taylor

Thomas E Walsh

Charles H Reese

Andrew J Meldrum

Mikell D Nelson

A stage lighting system is comprised of a plurality of lamp units which may have diverse communication protocols, functions and data parameters. The stage lighting system is controlled by a modular control system comprised of a modular controller mainframe interconnected with a plurality of control devices which may have diverse communications protocols and data formats. The modular controller mainframe consists of a plurality of input and output modules, mass storage devices and a main processor kernel, all interconnected by a number of data buses. The input modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various control devices. Similarly, the output modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various types of lamp units. The modular controller mainframe serves as an interface system by providing one or more of said input or output modules with the capability of translating parameter commands, where necessary, to accommodate control devices having diverse communications protocols and output devices having diverse communications protocols, functions and data formats. The system may also include a distributed control system for a lighting system in which two or more fully-functional control devices are online simultaneously to control any function of any of a plurality of luminaries from the control devices. Various methods for arbitrating and resolving conflicts between or among plural control consoles are also used.

Computer controlled lighting system with distributed control resources

A stage lighting system is comprised of a plurality of lamp units which may have diverse communication protocols, functions and data parameters. The stage lighting system is controlled by a modular control system comprised of a modular controller mainframe interconnected with a plurality of control devices which may have diverse communications protocols and data formats. The modular controller mainframe consists of a plurality of input and output modules, mass storage devices and a main processor kernel, all interconnected by a number of data buses. The input modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various control devices. Similarly, the output modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various types of lamp units. The modular controller mainframe serves as an interface system by providing one or more of said input or output modules with the capability of translating parameter commands, where necessary, to accommodate control devices having diverse communications protocols and output devices having diverse communications protocols, functions and data formats.

Computer controlled lighting system with modular control resources

A modelling and control system for creating lighting designs off-line and for controlling on-line the operation of the actual lighting systems producing those designs. Using a programmable computer, the modelling system prompts inputs by the designer/programmer describing model objects and their parameters including stage dimensions, set pieces and their locations, performers and their positions, trusses, lamps and their parameters such as color, focus, intensity, beam edge, and the relations among the objects. The sytem computes the resutant lighting scenes, organized as cues and arranged and formatted to be compatible with actual lighting controller usage. The system displays the model environment in such a way as to facilitate the modelling operation and its results. It also also generates a variety of spreadsheets for use by the designer.

Creating and controlling lighting designs

A stage lighting system has a plurality of automated lamp units which can vary the parameters of a light beam for pan, tilt, brightness, intensity and size. A remote console controller system is connected to each of the lamp units via an intelligent data link system. Each of the lamp units includes a microprocessor and a memory. Control programs for driving each of the lamp parameters are stored in the memory and are executed by the lamp microprocessor. The console controller system includes a plurality of controllers, each of which can alternatively or additionally control the operations of the lighting system. The intelligent data link system includes a plurality of signal repeaters, each of which includes a microprocessor and an associated memory for controlling the communication of data and for cooperating in error detection and correction.

Computer controlled lighting system with intelligent data distribution

A stage lighting system has a plurality of automated lamp units which can vary the parameters of a light beam for pan, tilt, brightness, intensity and size. A control console is connected to each of the lamp units via a bidirectional data link. A communication system provides for the exchange of information between the lamps and the console control system, permitting the console controller to selectively and coordinately test and control the individual lamps. To this end, each of the lamp units includes a microprocessor and a memory where lighting cues may be stored for recall and execution. Control programs for driving each of the lamp parameters are also stored in the memory as are various routines for initializing, testing and diagnosing the lamps. The console includes a microprocessor as well as memory. Commands entered at the console to change the lighting effect produce signals broadcast to all of the lamp units, each of which responds individually and independently to change the light parameters based upon its own operating programs and current state. Programs in the console controller provide for lamp polling and the execution of comprehensive testing regimes to insure a trouble free performance.

Console/lamp unit coordination and communication in lighting systems

A stage lighting system has a plurality of automated lamp units which can vary the parameters of a light beam for pan, tilt, brightness, intensity and size. A control console is connected to each of the lamp units via a data link. Each of the lamp units includes a microprocessor and a memory. Control programs for driving each of the lamp parameters are stored in the memory and are executed by the lamp microprocessor. The console includes a microprocessor as well as memory. Commands are input through the console to change the effect produced by the lighting system. Each of these changes is directed to all of the lamp units. Each lamp unit responds individually and independently to change the light parameters based upon its own operating programs and the data condition of the lamp at the time that the change was made. Each of the lamps further stores a unique lamp cue which corresponds to a system cue that is stored in the memory of the console. When a new system cue is selected at the console, this system cue is directed to each of the lamp units which then recall their independent corresponding lamp cues and set the lighting parameters of each individual lamp.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Brooks W Taylor