WO1991019236A1

WO1991019236A1 - Special effects controller

Info

Publication number: WO1991019236A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/000874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Will Parker; Simon Temple; Nicholas Hugh Bourne
Original assignee: Live Wire Contractors Limited
Priority date: 1990-06-02
Filing date: 1991-05-31
Publication date: 1991-12-12
Also published as: GB9012371D0; AU7976491A

Abstract

The controller includes a main computer (1) and a secondary computer (2). The main computer controls special effects devices such as generic lights (7), moving lights (8) and lasers (9) via respective interfaces (4, 5 and 6) to produce predetermined sequences of effects. The effects sequences are triggered from any desired control console (10) which communicates with the main computer (1) via a language converter (15) which is arranged to convert the communications protocol of the console into a suitable protocol for the computer (1).

Description

SPECIAL EFFECTS CONTROLLER

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to special effects controllers of the kind which are used to control a number of lighting and/or other special effects devices, for example during a show or in other artistic performance environments .

In this specification the term "special effects device" is intended to include any kind of device capable of producing a visual and/or audible effect and thus embraces simple devices such as fixed lights and curtain motors as well as those capable of producing more spectacular effects such as lasers and video wal 1 s.

BACKGROUND

During the course of a show such as a rock concert it is usual for each special effects device or group of devices such as generic (fixed) lights, moving lights, colour changers, video walls, lasers and smoke machines to each be controlled by a separate control system. This normally requires a number of operators who usually take their cues from a master operator or lighting designer.

International Patent Specification No. WO 89/05086 discloses a computer based control system which is capable of controlling a number of groups of special effects devices simultaneously using inputs from a dedicated control keyboard. The proposed system completely replaces the existing control systems so that the operator is required to learn how to handle a completely new control system before the system can be put into operation.

The object of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a control system which can be used by existing operators with a minimum amount of disruption to their established control procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a special effects controller, comprising a computer based control unit, an output interface coupled to the control unit, a plurality of special effects devices (e.g. lights) coupled to the output interface, and input means by which input trigger signals can be sent to the control unit, the input means comprising a language converter for connection to a user-operable control console, the arrangement being such that the control console is operable to trigger the control unit to operate the special effects devices so as to produce a predetermined sequence of effects.

Thus, the user can designate an existing control console (e.g. a control console for generic lights) as the master console and use this to trigger sequences of special effects. The language converter preferably comprises a microprocessor and fixed memory means containing operating instructions for controlling the microprocessor to convert one communications protocol into a different communications protocol for use by the control unit.

In order to increase the range of control consoles with which the controller can be used the language converter preferably comprises a plurality of input ports (e.g. serial and parallel ports) for passing input signals from a control console to the microprocessor.

The language converter preferably includes re-writable memory means for storing command data from the control console until polled by the control unit. This prevents the control unit from becoming overloaded with unwanted data and substantially speeds up its response time.

The computer based control unit will normally be associated with a keyboard, separate from the control console, for modifying sequences of effects which are stored in the control unit.

The invention includes the controller in combination with a control console which is arranged to directly control a further plurality of special effects devices (e.g. generic lights).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a special effects controller of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a language converter included in the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 , the controller includes a main high speed RISC computer 1 and a secondary high speed RISC computer 2 which communicate with each other via a high speed two-way communication bus 3. The main computer 1 is also connected via a number of interfaces 4, 5 and 6 to respective special effects devices such as generic lights 7, moving lights 8, and a laser 9. It will be appreciated that although only three interfaces have been shown in the drawing for convenience the main computer could be connected to additional special effects devices such as colour changers, video walls and smoke machines via further interfaces, as required.

The main computer 1 contains a store of programs for sending sequences of control commands to the special effects devices to produce a sequence of effects. These programs may include commands to the main computer itself to cause different sequences to be initiated or any part of a programmed sequence to be disabled or re-enabled. The programs are typically stored in a 4 megabyte RAM (Random Access Memory) or on a 20 megabyte autoparking hard disc drive (both not shown) .

The two computers 1, 2 contain battery backed real time clocks (not shown), and are provided with respective keyboards (also not shown) by which a user can define triggers for initiating the operating programs (see below), and modify the effects sequences and the cross- patches between them. Visual display units and a mouse (not shown) are also provided.

The secondary computer 2 contains performance monitoring software by which it can be used to monitor all data travelling to and from the main computer 1. This is a useful aid for tracing operating errors during rehearsals and provides additional system security against tampering. The secondary computer also provides system back up to take over the control function of the main computer in the event of a failure of the main computer.

The controller includes a control console such as a Celco board 10, which is normally used to operate a group of generic lights via a databus 11 and an interface (not shown) in known manner. However, in the present system the output commands from the board 10 are fed to the main computer 1 via a language converter 15 (see below) to trigger the various effects sequences. The computer 1 can also receive inputs from various additional triggers, indicated generally at 16, via suitable interfaces 17. The triggers 16 can be as simple as a single switch closure to highly complex sequences of operations, and may be provided by infra¬ red detector beams, and a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) unit for example. The language converter 15, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 2, allows the user to designate any control console of his/her choice as the sole control console for the controller. The language converter comprises a microprocessor 21 connected to a re¬ writable memory in the form of a RAM 22 and a fixed memory in the form of an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 23. The microprocessor is capable of receiving inputs from a serial port 24, a parallel port 25 and an analogue port 26, so that the control console can be connected to the appropriate port according to its output system. The EPROM is "blown" (programmed) to enable the language converter to handle the communications protocol of the particular console used. The microprocessor modifies and filters data which it receives from the control console according to the instructions stored in the EPROM. The control data is then sent to the RAM 22 where it is temporarily stored until the main computer 1 requests information from (i.e. "polls") the language converter. The information is then sent to the main computer 1 via a serial output port 27. Thus, by appropriate programming of the EPROM the language converter can translate any known communications protocol into the required communications protocol for the main computer 1. Furthermore, since the RAM 22 acts as a buffer which stores operating commands until the main computer is ready to handle them, this significantly speeds up the response time of the controller.

Although any existing control console may be used, in most instances it will be preferred to employ a control console for generic lights. In such cases it will be most convenient to continue to control the generic lights directly from the control board 10 rather than via the main computer 1 as illustrated in the drawings.

Claims

1. A special effects controller, comprising a computer based control unit, an output interface coupled to the control unit, a plurality of special effects devices (e.g. lights) coupled to the output interface, and input means by which input trigger signals can be sent to the control unit, the input means comprising a language converter for connection to a user-operable control console, the arrangement being such that the control console is operable to trigger the control unit to operate the special effects devices so as to produce a predetermined sequence of effects.

2. A special effects controller according to Claim 1, in which the language converter comprises a microprocessor and fixed memory means containing operating instructions for controlling the microprocessor to convert one communications protocol into a different communications protocol for use by the control unit.

3. A special effects controller according to Claim 2, in which the language converter comprises a plurality of input ports for passing input signals from a control console to the microprocessor.

4. A special effects controller according to any preceding claim, in which the language converter includes re-writable memory means for storing command data from the control console until polled by the control unit.

5. A special effects controller according to any preceding claim, in which the computer based control unit is associated with a keyboard, separate from the control console, for modifying sequences of effects which are stored in the control unit.

6. A special effects controller according to any preceding claim, in combination with a control console which is arranged to directly control a further plurality of special effects devices (e.g. generic lights).

7. A special effects controller substantially as described with reference to the drawings.