Patent Application
20230380040
The present invention relates to the control of lighting equipment and, more particularly, to a portable multi-function lighting device having a built-in controller for the wireless, master-slave control of multiple light fixtures, including different types of light fixtures, and/or other accessory devices, and to an integrated lighting system and method that uses the portable multi-function lighting device.
Systems and methods for providing visual effects are known in the art. See, for example, PCT patent application No. WO 2014/043551 A1 to Woods et al., discloses a compact modular visual effects device including a housing having a plurality of receptacles each adapted to receive and to provide at least a supply of power and a control signal via a control signal input to an interchangeable visual effects device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,783 to Mitchell discloses a portable lighting system that includes a stand having an adjustable effective length which positions lights carried on a frame and having a foot operated dimmer. U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,797 to Pelletier discloses an illumination device with detachable light sources. U.S. Pat. No. 9,185,776 to Ahern discloses a user-actuated lighting effect device including a housing, a light-generating lamp coupled to the housing a power source and a control circuit.
Portable multi-function lighting systems offer a variety of lighting functions in a single unit. Used by production, entertainment and event companies, disc jockeys (DJs), and venues, they can be brought to remote locations and venues that do not otherwise have lighting installations capable of producing the lighting effects desired for a particular event. One particularly versatile portable multi-function lighting system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,094,542 to Chauvet et al. (hereafter, the “'542 patent”), that patent being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The '542 patent discloses, among other things, operating a plurality of portable multi-function lighting apparatuses in a master-slave system by ganging or daisy-chaining together the digital DMX output of a first device to the digital DMX input of the next device using an appropriate cable, and so on until all units are connected. See, for example, FIG. 8 of the Chauvet patent. Col. 7, lines 20-21 of the '542 patent state “[a]lternately, they may be daisy-chained using wireless control protocols, such as wireless DMX.”
Typical master-slave lighting setups require all lighting fixtures to be of the exact same type (i.e., all fixtures being the same fixture model). What is needed is a lighting system that can mix and match different types of fixtures in a master-slave configuration.
What is additionally needed is a portable multi-function lighting device having a built-in digital controller that can wirelessly connect the portable multi-function lighting device to other portable multi-function lighting devices and to control those other portable multi-function lighting apparatuses in a master-slave configuration without the use of cables and/or wireless DMX. What is further needed is a portable multi-function lighting device having a built-in digital controller that can wirelessly and simultaneously control a plurality of types of lighting devices (both portable multi-function lighting apparatuses and fixtures that are not portable multi-function lighting apparatuses) in a master-slave configuration without the use of cables and/or wireless DMX to create an integrated lighting system that operates in a coordinated fashion.
The present invention is particularly suited to meet the above-described needs in a manner not previously known or contemplated. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a portable multi-function lighting device including a built-in digital controller that is configured to be connected wirelessly with one or more other lighting fixtures in a master-slave relationship in order to perform a coordinated light show. In one particular embodiment, a portable multi-function lighting device is configured with a plurality of different types of lighting fixtures to perform different lighting effects. A digital controller of the device wirelessly transmits control signals to other lighting fixtures separate from the portable multi-function lighting device to coordinate a show in which like types of effects of the separate, external fixtures and of the portable multi-function lighting device are coordinated with one another. In another embodiment, the portable multi-function lighting device communicates with other devices separate from the device, to create an integrated lighting system wherein the performance of effects is coordinated by the portable multi-function lighting device.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a portable multi-function lighting device with built-in master-slave controller and an integrated lighting system and method using the portable multi-function lighting device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The foregoing background, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment that is presently preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. Additionally, like reference numerals represent like items throughout the drawings. In the drawings:
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application only to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Referring now to
The portable, multi-function lighting device 100 is built around a frame or mounting bar 120 detachably connected to the telescoping pole 112 of a folding tripod 110, via the tripod mount 122. The mounting bar 120 is configured to provide power and data to a plurality of lighting fixtures and/or other types of modules and accessories 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, mounted to the mounting bar 120. In the most preferred embodiment, the mounting bar 120 acts as a power and data bus for the attached fixtures 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, as well as other electrical devices. Note that fewer or more peripherals, or even different peripherals, may be attached to the mounting bar 120 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
It should be noted that, although the embodiment described above includes only light fixtures 140, 160 and 170 removably mounted to the mounting bar 120, it should be appreciated that any type of equipment capable of providing theatrical or special effects, such as speakers, atmospheric machines, confetti launching machines and pyrotechnic equipment may additionally and/or alternatively be used in place of, or in addition to, the fixtures 140, 160 and 170, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the light fixtures 140, 160 and 170 can each be placed on the mounting bar 120 in a plurality of locations.
In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the portable, multi-function lighting device 100 is composed of the mounting light bar 120, a plurality of lights, fixtures and peripherals 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, and a tripod 110. Mounting light bar 120 is generally rectangular shaped with a generally square cross section and a hollow interior cavity. In one particular embodiment, the mounting light bar 120 includes at least one light 130 mounted in a hollow interior cavity of the light bar 120 and oriented to project light outward from a hole in the front face 124. In one preferred embodiment, four strobe lights 130 are mounted in the light bar 120 and oriented to project light from four corresponding holes in the front face 124 of the mounting bar 120. Thus, the four strobe lights 130 are structured to project a strobe light effect outward from the front face 124. It should be appreciated, however, that this is not meant to be limiting, as more or fewer lights 130 can be mounted in the mounting bar 120, and other types of lights 130 and/or other lighting effects, such as ultraviolet lights, can be provided without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood that, within the scope of the present invention, one or more of the lights 130 may be omitted, and/or one or more additional openings in the mounting bar 120 may be provided, so that another type of equipment capable of providing theatrical or special effects, such as speakers, atmospheric machines, confetti launching machines and pyrotechnic equipment, may additionally and/or alternatively be used in the mounting bar 120 in place of, or in addition to, the lights 130. For example, in one particular example, a light 130 can be replaced by a fog machine located inside the mounting bar 120 that would produce fog that is emitted from the opening provided for the replaced light 130. Such additional/alternative theatrical or special effects equipment can share a power source and controller with the lights 130.
In the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated in
To facilitate attachment of the peripherals, the mounting bar 120 includes a plurality of threaded mounting holes, in its top and/or bottom face for securing the peripherals 140, 160 and 170. More particularly, the light fixtures 140, 160, 170, are removably secured to the bottom face 123 or top face 125 of the mounting light bar 120 by threaded knob screws 127, but may be removably secured by any other means now known or later developed. For example, the fixtures 140, 160, 170, may snap into holes in the bottom face 123 or top face 125, or may slide to discrete locations in a track formed in the bottom of the bar 120, or, in another embodiment, may be physically and electrically connected to the bar 120 using a bayonet connector or other such mechanism. In the preferred embodiment shown in
In the present particular embodiment, each removable light fixture 140, 160, 170, includes a mounting bracket 129 that is configured to be removably secured to the mounting bar 120 by the threaded knob screws 127. Similarly, each light fixture 140, 160, 170, is removably secured between the side arms of the mounting brackets 129 by threaded screws 128, which are also, preferably, threaded knob screws. Threaded screws 128 are also used to adjust the illuminating angle and direction of each light fixture 140, 160, 170. Configured as shown, each of the fixtures 140, 160, 170, is individually adjustable relative to the bar 120, such that the user may direct the light from each light fixture 140, 160, 170, in the same or different directions.
Using the threaded knob screws 127 and 128, the device 100 can be reconfigured by the user, in situ. For example, the positions of the fixtures 140, 160, 170, on the bar 120 can be swapped around, or the fixtures 140, 160, 170, themselves can be removed and/or replaced with other types of light fixtures or other types of non-light fixture modular accessory devices. In the presently illustrated preferred embodiment, a pair of moving head spotlights 150 are additionally attached to the mounting bar 120. The tripod 110 and fixtures 140, 160, 170, can be of the types described in, and can be configured and/or reconfigured as described in, U.S. Pat. No. 10,094,542, which patent is being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for all that it teaches.
As illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Connection ports 132 are provided on the bottom face 123 and/or top face 135 of the mounting light bar 120 to electrically connect the light fixtures 140, 160, 170, to the power supply and receive data from the controller within the mounting light bar 120, via a cable or cables from the fixtures 30. The connection ports 132 are electrically connected to the power supply and controller by cables or a bus within the mounting light bar 20. The moving head spotlights 150 are additionally connected to power from the power supply 202 and data from the controller 204, inside the mounting bar 120. Additionally, if desired, one or more different types of integrated lighting system fixtures including an integrated lighting system module 290 can be mounted to the mounting bar 120, and wirelessly controlled by the wireless control module 240. In particular, such fixtures can be physically attached to the mounting bar 120, but would not have any physical data connection to the bar, i.e., having only a wireless data connection existing between the fixture and the bar. If additionally desired, such an integrated lighting system fixture mounted on the bar 120 can be battery powered, so that there is also no physical power connection between the integrated lighting system fixture and the mounting bar 120.
Electrical outlets 211, 213 (for power in and power out, respectively) and additional connection ports (such as, DMX input interface or port 215a and DMX output interface or port 215b) may be provided on the rear face 126 of the mounting bar 120 to allow for other electrical equipment, such as a DJ's laptop or other lights or equipment, to be powered from (via, outlet 213), and provide control data to (via port 215b), the mounting bar 120. This capability provides the flexibility to combine the multi-function lighting device 100 with other equipment to provide an expanded portable entertainment system for the event.
The portable, multi-function lighting device 100 may be controlled at the device 100 by manually selecting and activating one of the automated programs stored within the controller 204 using the control panel buttons 208b located beneath the LCD display 208a of the user interface 208, which provides information to the user regarding control panel operation and device operating modes. Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, one of the pre-stored, automated programs within the controller 204 may be sound activated using the microphone 207. Alternatively, one of the automated programs stored within the controller 204 may be activated remotely by the user from a footswitch 180, which may be connected to the controller 204 via a wired or, more preferably, a wireless connection. In one particular embodiment illustrated, the footswitch 180 wirelessly communicates with the controller 204 by infrared or radio frequency signals received by one of the front or rear sensors 209A, 209B of the device 100. Additionally, more than one pedal 180a-180d of the footswitch 180 may be provided for controlling more than one function, light or fixture of the device 100.
A remote control 185 can additionally be provided to interact with the controller 204 and actuate different effects from the lights and devices on the mounting bar 120. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the remote control 185 can be an infrared remote control that beams signals via a line-of-sight connection to one of the sensors 209a, 209b. Alternately, if one or more of the sensors 209a, 209b is/are a radio frequency sensor, the remote control 185 and/or footswitch 180 may communicate with the device 100 via RF signals which do not require a line-of-sight connection to the device 100.
The portable, multi-function lighting device 100 may be controlled remotely from an external, digital multiplexing protocol (DMX) controller, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,094,542. Additionally, the portable, multi-function lighting device 100 may be controlled by a digital data controller providing digital data control signals in accordance with a data control protocol, such as, but not limited to, digital multiplexing (DMX512 or DMX), ACN, ArtNet, KlingNet, Dali or other known or later developed data control protocols. Further, the portable multi-function lighting device 100 of the present invention can be linked and/or daisy-chained to one or more other portable, multi-function lighting devices 100 using the DMX input and/or output 215a, 215b, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,094,542.
However, the portable, multi-function lighting device 100 of the present invention may also be controlled by, or may wirelessly control another external device that is not part of the multi-function lighting device 100, using the wireless control module 240 built into the mounting bar 120 of the portable multi-function lighting device 100. More particularly, the portable multi-function lighting device 100 of the present invention can be used to address one or more external intelligent lighting fixtures 280 and/or external theatrical or special effects devices 285 (e.g., speakers, atmospheric machines, confetti launching machines, pyrotechnic equipment, etc.) having a compatible wireless integrated lighting system module 290 that is able to receive and process the signals transmitted by the wireless control module 240.
The wireless control module 240 includes a memory device 250 that stores therein control algorithms and saved automated light shows made up of lighting programs and scenes. As used herein, “scenes” are static lighting states; while “programs” are a series of scenes stacked one after another. A lighting program can be programmed as either a single scene or multiple scenes in sequence, wherein each step or scene can be composed with a movement effect (i.e., pre-constructed Pan/Tilt movements that can be applied to a scene). In one particular embodiment, up to 485 scenes can be stored in a single program. Additionally, if desired, a lighting program can include control signals to coordinate other types of theatrical or special effects (i.e., fog, sound, confetti, etc.) with the programmed lighting scene or scenes.
A controller or processor 260 connected to the memory device 250 executes the control algorithms to generate control signals that are transmitted wirelessly to the one or more lighting fixtures or external devices 280, 285 of the integrated lighting system 200, via a communications module 270 of the wireless control module 240. In one preferred embodiment, the processor 260 is a digital microprocessor or microcontroller configured to run firmware and/or software to execute lighting programs, generate a stream of lighting commands relating to an entire light show or program, provide the lighting commands to the communications module 270 for transmission to any linked (i.e., chained) slave devices, and/or receive and process lighting commands received from a master device via the communications module 270. In one particularly preferred embodiment, each lighting program is pre-programed and stored in the memory device 250 and is made up of lighting commands designed to control the different types of lighting fixtures and external devices 280, 285 in a coordinated manner. For example, the lighting program may include separate lighting commands for moving lights, derbies, strobes, wash lights, fog machines, etc. In the present embodiment, each lighting fixture and external device 280, 285 of the integrated lighting system 200 receives the full lighting program and executes the lighting commands within the portion of the lighting program intended for that specific type of lighting fixture and external device 280, 285. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the processor 260 is programmable using the user interface 208 on a face of the mounting bar 120. If desired, the processor 260 may be programmed from an external source (i.e., a laptop, a DMX controller, remote control 185, etc.).
The communications module 270 includes a wireless transceiver device configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals wirelessly. In one particular embodiment, the communications module 270 transmits and receives 2.4 GHz radio frequency signal. Similarly, in one particular embodiment of the invention, each integrated lighting system module 290 includes a hardware device configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency signals transmitted by the communications module 270. In one embodiment, the integrated lighting system module 290 includes a transceiver device that can send radio frequency transmissions, as well as receive them. In another particular embodiment, the integrated lighting system module 290 includes the controller for processing the received signals, but does not, itself, include a receiver or transceiver, but such a receiver or transceiver is separately connected to the external device 280, 285 via a port (not shown) of the external device 280, 285. The port may be a standard USB port (type A, type B, type C, etc.), a standard 3-pin or 5-pin DMX port or any other port capable of communicating control signals to the external device 180, 285. Receiver devices that can be used by the external device 280, 285 to receive signals wirelessly and provide them to the intelligent lighting system module 290 include the CHAUVET DJ D-FI XLR RECEIVER and the CHAUVET DJ D-FI USB WIRELESS DMX TRANSCEIVER, both currently sold by CHAUVET LIGHTING®.
Each wireless integrated lighting system module 290 of the one or more external lighting fixtures 280 or external devices 285 can distinguish signals relevant to its operation and use them accordingly. More particularly, the wireless control module 240 of the portable multi-function lighting device 100 can be used to synchronize the operation of lighting fixtures and other devices, including moving lighting fixtures, that are of different types. Intelligent lighting fixtures and devices having a wireless module 290 can thus be linked together in an integrated lighting system, regardless of their type, to perform synchronized light shows based on the control signals received from the wireless control module 240.
Using the wireless control module 240, intelligent fixtures including a compatible wireless module 290, i.e., scanners, yokes and projectors, can be synchronized even on stand-alone mode, through the control module 240 of the portable multi-function lighting device 100. Additionally, the memory device 250 of the control module 240 can be pre-programmed with programs to produce different and adjustable shows and can control all types of intelligent lights (having a module 290) at the same time. In one particular embodiment, fixtures having the wireless integrated lighting system module 290 are also controllable via any universal DMX-512 controller and in that case, they perform Ike any other standard DMX-512 fixture. Conversely, the wireless control module 240 is additionally configured as a universal DMX-512 controller and, when used with fixtures that do not include a compatible integrated lighting system module 290, performs like any other universal DMX-512 controller. In such an embodiment, the end user will choose to operate the system using either DMX via an external controller, or using the integrated lighting system protocol of the control module 240.
However, although the wireless control module 240 can control any type of DMX-512 fixture, it is specially designed to control fixtures equipped with an integrated lighting system module 290. Consistent DMX addressing allows the wireless control module 240 to control all types of module 290 containing fixtures (scanners, moving yokes, etc.) at the same time.
In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the wireless control module 240 is configured to be compatible with the ILS™ system by CHAUVET LIGHTING®. One such device 100 is the GIGBAR MOVE+ILS produced by CHAUVET LIGHTING®. Other devices including an integrated lighting system control module 290 operable with the ILS™ system by CHAUVET LIGHTING® include, but are not limited to, the GIGBAR MOVE ILS, the 4BAR FLEX ILS, the 4BAR FLEX Q ILS, the 4BAR QUAD ILS, the 4BAR LT QUAD BT ILS, the COLORBAND H9 ILS, the COLORBAND PIX ILS, the COLORBAND PIXM ILS, the COLORBAND Q3 BT ILS, the COLORBAND T3 BT ILS, the COREPAR Q120 ILS, the COREPAR Q60 ILS, the COREPAR UV120 ILS, the EZLINK PAR Q1 BT ILS, the EZLINK PAR Q4 BT ILS, the EZLINK PAR Q6 BT ILS, the EZLINK STRIP Q6 BT ILS, the EZLINK STRIP Q3 BT ILS, the INTIMIDATOR FREE SPOT 60 ILS, the INTIMIDATOR SPOT 160 ILS, the KINTA FX ILS, the LEDSHADOW 2 ILS, the MINIKINTA ILS, the SCORPION DUALRGB ILS, the SLIMBANK Q18 ILS, the SLIMPAR H6 ILS, the SLIMPAR Q12 ILS, the SLIMPAR Q6 ILS, the SLIMPAR T12 ILS, the SWARM 5 FX ILS and the SWARM WASH FX ILS, all produced by CHAUVET LIGHTING®.
In one particular embodiment of the invention, the wireless controller 240 of a GIGBAR MOVE+ILS can be wirelessly paired to one or more devices including an integrated lighting system module 290, in order to synchronize, for example, four modes of operation with the GIGBARMOVE+ILS. In this example, modes 1 and 3 synchronize with one side of the GIGBARMOVE+ILS, whereas modes 2 and 4 synchronize with the other (second) side of the GIGBARMOVE+ILS. When linked, effects of like devices will sync with the most similar effect on the selected side of the GIGBARMOVE+ILS. For example, derby lights (i.e., KINTA FX ILS and MINIKINTA ILS) will sync with the derbies of the GIGBARMOVE+ILS; moving heads (i.e., INTIMIDATOR FREE SPOT 60 ILS and INTIMIDATOR SPOT 160 ILS) will sync with one of the moving heads of the GIGBARMOVE+ILS; and par lights (i.e., COLORBAND H9 ILS, COREPAR 0120 ILS and SLIMPAR Q12 ILS) will sync with one of the pars. Laser effects (i.e., SCORPION DUALRGB ILS) will sync with the laser and strobe effects (i.e., SWARM WASH FX ILS) will sync with the strobe effects regardless of the mode. For example, if the device including the integrated lighting system module 290 is a COREPAR Q120 ILS, the effects from that device will synchronize with the par light(s) on the side of the GIGBAR MOVE+ILS, based on the selected mode.
Referring now to
It should be understood that one great advantage to the system of the present invention is that the portable multi-function lighting device 100m can also act as a master device for lighting fixtures that are not portable multi-function lighting devices, but rather, are other types of lighting devices. For example, referring now to
In the embodiment illustrated, each of the lighting devices 100s1, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, includes its own integrated lighting system module 290 or wireless control module 240 for receiving and processing control signals from the wireless control module 240 of the master device 100m. It should be noted that, if desired, one or more of the lighting devices 100s1, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1 can be linked to one or more additional slave devices, via DMX cabling, such that the tethered slave will receive the same signal information from the device 100s1, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, from its module 240, 290, by cable. Thus, if the control module 290 of a lighting fixture does not include a wireless receiver, this technique can save money by not requiring the purchase of a wireless receiver for every single lighting fixture of the system. Further, it should be understood that, since all signals processed by the module 240, 290, are provided in accordance with an integrated lighting system protocol, different types of fixtures (e.g., a COLORBAND to a par light) can be connected to one another by cable in order to receive the full signal stream. The module 240, 290 will then be able to pick the packets relevant to that fixture from the full stream provided via the cable.
Additionally, each of the intelligent lighting fixtures 100s1, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, includes a user interface (not shown), which can be of the same type as the user interface 280 of the device 100m, and which can be used to place the fixture 100s1, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, into a slave mode (also referred to as integrated lighting system (ILS) mode) in which it is controlled by signals transmitted from the wireless control module 240 of the device 100m. In one particular embodiment relating to an advanced master-slave mode, the integrated lighting system may include an option to differently identify slave devices of the same type, so that those slave devices can alternate and bounce the light back and forth, instead of all slave devices of a particular type performing the exact same effect at all times.
It is important to note that the integrated lighting system configurations illustrated in
Referring now to
At least one of the intelligent lighting devices 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1 is then placed into slave mode (i.e., ILS mode). Step 370. This can be done using the user interface of the intelligent lighting device. In another embodiment of the invention, other mechanisms can be used, in addition to the user interface, to place a lighting device into slave mode, such as the remote control 185.
If other intelligent lighting devices exist that are to be put into slave mode, they should also be switched into slave mode before the master device is placed into the master or ILS control mode. Steps 380 and 370.
After all slave devices have been switched into slave mode, the master device 100m is added to the integrated lighting system using the user interface 280 of the master device 100m. Step 390. Once joined to the integrated lighting system 200, 200a, 200b, a lighting program can be set or selected from the program memory of the master device 100m. Step 400.
The master 100m device transmits commands to the slave devices 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1 for performing the set program. Step 410. In one preferred embodiment of the system, to ensure that all lighting devices of the same type are performing the same scene at the same time in real time, the wireless control module 240 transmits all commands (action, color, strobing, etc.) to the slaves 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1 in real time. In the present preferred embodiment, the transmitted commands are not DMX code, but rather, are commands according to an ILS protocol used by the modules 240, 290.
More particularly, in one embodiment of the invention, the master device 100m transmits the entire show to the chain. Each slave device 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1 thus receives the entire show, in real time, but only performs the part of the show relevant to that slave. For example, the portable multi-function lighting device 100m is, itself, configured to perform a show using different types of effects. As discussed above, in the present example, the master portable multi-function lighting device 100m has strobe lights 130, par lights 140, moving head spotlights 150, a laser 160 and derby lights 170. Thus, the lighting program executed by the master device 100m includes different style effects based on these types of lighting devices. The master device 100m transmits all of the commands for the entire show to the chain of slave devices to ensure that each of the slave units 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, will do the same action as the corresponding lighting fixture of the master device 100m. Note that, in one particular embodiment, the master device 100m can also transmit commands to the slave devices that produce other types of theatrical or special effects.
However, when the master device 100m sends the commands for the entire show to the chain of slave devices, the commands are split into different sections, with each section equating to one effect (e.g., section 1 for par effect, section 2 for laser effect, section 3 for strobe effect, section 4 for spotlight, section 5 for derby, etc.). The different style effects of the slave units may differ from the master and from one another. Thus, a heading part of each section is coded with regard to the type of effect to which the particular section relates. Each slave unit monitors the chain and picks out the command sections that are pertinent to the respective slave device, and not the ones that are not pertinent to that respective slave device, based on the heading part coding. If the heading part coding identifies an effect that is to be performed by that slave device, the slave device will pick the commands of that section from the chain and execute them. Step 420. For example, the SWARM 5 FX by CHAUVET LIGHTING® has laser, strobe and derby style effects, but not a moving head spotlight. Therefore, a SWARM 5 FX ILS slave device (i.e., including an integrated lighting system modules 290) will pick from the chain section 2 for laser effect, section 3 for strobe effect, and section 5 for derby effect in order to perform the corresponding actions in unison with the laser effect, strobe effect and derby effect performed by the master device 100m and any slave devices having those effects. However, the SWARM 5 FX ILS will not pick from the chain, commands relating to par effects transmitted in section 1 or commands relating to spotlights transmitted in section 4. The SWARM 5 FX ILS will then perform the parts of the show relevant to it, as defined by the commands picked from the chain, in unison with the master device 100m.
In the above-discussed embodiment, the control signals transmitted to the chain of slaves by the master device include all lighting commands for producing the light show. Each slave device picks out the particular commands that are relevant to the respective slave device and executes those commands in unison with the master device 100m. However, other methods of transmitting the commands from the master device to the slave device may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, in an alternate embodiment, instead of the transmitted control signals containing all lighting commands for performing the effects for the light show, the control signals transmitted by the master device 100m may transmit only a stream of command triggers to the slave devices. These command triggers can then be used by each slave device to recall prestored commands for producing the desired effects from a memory of the slave device, for execution in unison with the master device 100m.
In one particular embodiment of the invention, the stream of control signals transmitted to the chain by the master device 100m only include the lighting commands (and/or triggers) for effects to be performed by the slaves, that correspond to an effect produced by a light of the master device 100m (i.e., par, derby, spotlight, strobe or laser). However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control signals transmitted in the stream from the master device 100m to the slave devices 100s1, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1, include lighting commands (and/or triggers) for at least one lighting effect not provided by a lighting device of the portable multi-function lighting device 100m. Thus, in this embodiment, the control signals provided by the master device 100m can be used to cause one or more slave devices to produce an effect having no corresponding effect on the master device 100m, but which is included as part of the lighting program for the control of slave devices able to produce that effect. The contents of the stream of control signals transmitted by the control module 240 are defined by pre-stored or modified program provided by the processor 260 and/or controller 204. Thus, a pre-stored program can include lighting commands for effects not found on the master device 100m, but possibly found in one or more of the slave devices 10051, 100s2, 100sn, 280s1, 280s2, 300s1, 300s2, 310s1. It should be understood that a command to produce a lighting effect not found in the master device or in any of the slave devices, is merely ignored by all devices of the integrated lighting systems 200, 200a, 200b.
Note that although one particular configuration of the portable multi-function lighting apparatus 100 is described in connection with
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications, which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved, especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended. Accordingly, while a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that within the embodiments certain changes in the detail and construction, as well as the arrangement of the parts, may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/344,257 filed on May 20, 2022; That application being incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63344257 | May 2022 | US |
