GB2337173A

GB2337173A - Stage light steering

Info

Publication number: GB2337173A
Application number: GB9908265A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Robert Jones
Original assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Current assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Priority date: 1998-04-28
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: GB9908265D0

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically steering stage lighting and/or television cameras (12) at a target (2) includes a transmitting means (3) disposed on said target and arranged to transmit a signal (4) which is preferably a radio or other electromagnetic signal, a plurality of receiving means (5) disposed in the vicinity of the target arranged to receive the transmitted signal and processing means (6) connected to the plurality of receivers. The processing means is arranged to calculate a position of the target based on the received signals and to generate a set of steering commands based on the calculated position of the target. The apparatus then communicates these steering commands to the equipment, thereby enabling the equipment to be steered at the target. The target may comprise a plurality of sub-targets, each of which may have associated transmitting means arranged to transmit at substantially different frequencies.

Description

2337173 IMPROVED STAGE STEERING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to the field of automatic stage light steering. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for automatic steering of stage lighting and/or television cameras. The term stage as defined here means any area, field or venue in which an action, event or presentation is occurring.

It is well known that stage lighting is used to improve the quality of a performance. As events occur on stage and individuals and/or objects move around lighting fixtures must be rearranged accordingly.

Additionally, during sporting events or live broadcasts television cameras must be adjusted according to the movements of a target such as a person or a ball.

Current methods of adjusting lighting fixtures and television cameras are to manually track the target based on visual feedback or prior knowledge of the next location to be occupied by the target. This requires manual operation of each lighting fixture and camera. This can be costly when a large number of lighting fixtures and cameras are used. In addition the current manual method of adjusting lighting fixtures and cameras is subject to human error, resulting in incorrect lighting and/or missed events due to slow or incorrect camera adjustments.

A technical problem of improving the accuracy and reliability of lighting fixture and television camera adjustment as well as reducing the cost is addressed by the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for steering equipment at a target, said apparatus including a transmitting means disposed on said target and arranged to transmit a signal, a plurality of receiving means disposed in the vicinity of said target and each arranged to receive said transmitted signal, processing means connected to said plurality of receivers and arranged to calculate a position of said target based on said received signals, said processing means further arranged to generate a set of steering commands based on said calculated position of said target, said apparatus further including communication means coupled to said processing means and to said equipment and arranged to communicate said steeripe, commands to said equipment, thereby enabling said equipment to be steered at said target.

According to an aspect of the present invention said signal is an electromagnetic signal.

According to a further aspect of the present invention said electromagnetic signal is a radio signal.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention said receiving means operates to detect a distance from said transmitting means to said receiving means.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention said receiving means operates to detect an angular direction from said transmittincy means to said receiving means.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention said target comprises a plurality of subtargets and said transmitting means comprises a plurality of transmitters with at least one of said plurality of transmitters disposed on each of said plurality of subtargets, and said plurality of transmitters are each arranged to transmit said signal at substantially different frequencies, and said plurality of receiving means are further arranged to differentiate between said received signals transmitted at substantially different frequencies.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for steering equipment at a target, said method including the steps of transmitting a signal from a target, receiving said signal, calculating a position of said target based on said received signal, and communicating said position of said target to said equipment such that said equipment can be steered at said target.

The present invention offers several potential advantages over the prior art for automatic stage steering equipment. Greater accuracy and reliability can be obtained by the use of an automatic steering control system based on the position of the target. Sudden and unpredicted movements can be effectively corrected for. Additionally the present invention can be operated by a single operator thereby offering substantial cost savings over the prior art.

While the principle advantages and features of the invention have been described above, a greater understanding and appreciation of the invention may be obtained by referring to the drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment, presented by way of example only, in which;

FIGURE 1 shows a diagram of an automatic steering system according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 shows a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, stage area 1 is shown with a target 2 located proximate the stage area 1. As will be appreciated, more than one stage area and more than one target can be used without departing from scope of the present invention. Target 2 which may be a person, ball, or any other object, is fitted with an electro-magnetic emitting device 3. The electromagnetic emitting device 3 emits radio signals, such as those from a cordless radio microphone, or light signals, such as those from an infrared LED. Other regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum could also be used, such as microwaves, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The emissions from the electro-magnetic device 3 are shown to be radiating in all directions by arrows 4. The direction of these emissions could be limited to a particular region depending on the individual requirements of the event.

A plurality of electro-magnetic detector units 5 are disposed at a distance from the target 2 and proximate the stage area 1. The detector units 5 operate to receiving electro-magnetic radiation transmitted from the electro-magnetic emitting devices 3 and to determine the direction and/or range of the target 2. A central computer 6 in communication with detectors 5 via data lines 8 operates to triangulate the position of the target 2 and to calculate a set of steering commands required to aim steerable equipment 12 at the target 2. These steering commands are output from the computer 6 to the steerable equipment 12 via a further data line 10.

A minimum of two detector units 5 are required to ascertain a target's position in two dimensions. A third detector unit (not shown) would enable the position of target 2 to be determined in three dimensions. The use of a further detector unit could alternatively serve to increase the accuracy of the target's location in two dimensions.

An initial calibration of the system is required during which the absolute positions of the detectors 5 is communicated to the computer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the detector units 5 operate to determine the distance to the target 2, in which case the values of rl. and r2 are used to determine the position of the target 2.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention detector units 5 operate to determine the direction of incident electro-magnetic signals from target 2, in which case the values of 0 and 0 are used to calculate the position of the target 2.

As will be appreciated the steerable equipment 12 could be lighting fixtures, television cameras, microphones, and any other stage equipment which requires steering.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a plurality of targets are located proximate the stage area 1, with each target having disposed on it an electro-magnetic emitting device which emits a different frequency or wavelength of radiation. Detector units 5 are fitted with filters to allow detection of these different frequencies or wavelengths. After an initial calibration procedure in which each target was identified with a particular frequency or wavelength and this information communicated to the central computer, the automatic steering system could operate to selectively steer different pieces of steerable equipment 12 at specific targets.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, and as depicted in Figure 2, the automatic steering system is essentially reversed with the detector disposed on the target, and the emitters disposed on the stage.

In Figure 2, where parts appearing in Figure 1 bear identical numerical designations, a detector unit 5 is disposed on a target 2 and a plurality of el ectro -magnetic emitting devices 3 are disposed proximate the stage area 1 and at a distance from target 2. Also disposed on target 2 is a computer 16, which operates to determine the position of the target in a manner similar to that previously described in the preferred embodiment. The target's position is then communicated via a radio link to a base station 18, which comprises of a computer 6 and which operates to calculate a set of steering commands as previously described in the preferred embodiment. These steering commands are output to the steerable equipment 12 via a data line 10 as previously described.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention the target's position data is used to create a history of the target's movements, which is then used, amongst other things, to conduct consumer research.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various modifications may be made to the embodiment hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for steering equipment at a target, said apparatus including a transmitting means disposed on said target and arranged to transmit a signal, a plurality of receiving means disposed in the vicinity of said target and each arranged to receive said transmitted signal, processing means connected to said plurality of receivers and arranged to calculate a position of said target based on said received signals, said processing means further arranaed to generate a set of steering commands based on said calculated position of said target, said apparatus further including communication means coupled to said processing means and to said equipment and arranged to communicate said steering commands to said equipment, thereby enabling said equipment to be steered at said target.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said signal is an electromagnetic signal.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim is a radio signal.

2, where said electromagnetic signal

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said receiving means operates to detect a distance fTom said transmitting means to said receiving means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of preceding Claims 1-3, wherein said receiving means operates to detect an angular direction from said transmitting means to said receiving means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said target comprises a plurality of subtargets and said transmitting means comprises a plurality of transmitters with at least one of said plurality of transmitters disposed on each of said plurality of subtargets, and said plurality of transmitters are each arranged to transmit said signal at substantially different frequencies, and said plurality of receiving means are further arranged to differentiate between said received signals transmitted at substantially different frequencies.

7. A method for steering equipment at a target, said method including the steps of: transmitting a signal from a target, receiving said signal, calculating a position of said target based on said received signal, and communicating said position of said target to said equipment such that said equipment can be steered at said target.

8. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.