AN AUDIO - LIGHT DEVICE

Technical field

This invention relates to an audio - light device, that is, a device for lighting and the diffusion of sound for entertainment purposes (in theatres, concerts, etc.).

The invention is applicable in particular in the entertainment sector and more specifically in the installation and preparation of scenography for stages and theatres.

Background art

In the prior art, in terms of theatrical lighting, that is, for entertainment purposes, two types of devices are mainly known.

Firstly, the most common devices are defined by the common spotlights or fixed floodlights, which are able to develop, once aimed, very high performing beams of light from the point of view of lighting intensity and colour.

However, the development of scenographies and the advances in technology have led to the need to increase the dynamic nature of the shows and the involvement of the audience.

In light of this, some innovative solutions have been proposed in recent years relating to directional lighting devices which can be controlled remotely and in real time by a suitable console.

These devices are usually provided with a frame which can be anchored to the structure of the stage and a movable head (for example, rotatable about one or more axes) equipped with a lighting body, also of a LED type.

The devices of this type are connectable in series to each other by suitable cabling and can be controlled using a control panel by which it is possible to define in real time the colour, the luminous intensity, the intermittent nature of the light and other related parameters.

In this way, a wide range of highly spectacular solutions have been made possible which allow the artistic value of the shows and the involvement of the audience to be increased.

Disadvantageously, however, the prior art relative to the diffusion of sound at shows has undergone a much more limited development, and currently remains substantially at that described in patent publication US2005175209 or the like.

That patent publication explains how it is possible to render the sensation, that is, the illusion, of movement of the sound to the audience by a suitable distribution of loudspeakers in different zones of the audience; a remote control, using a PC or control panel, allows the loudspeakers to be activated and deactivated at preset times or in real time, thus simulating the movement of the sound source.

Obviously, even by maximising the potential of the control unit and/or the number of audio sources, a solution such as the one described above is unable to provide a mobility performance and quality which is similar and comparable to that of flodlights, thereby establishing a considerable disparity which can be easily identified by the audience.

Disclosure of the invention

In light of this, the aim of this invention is to provide an audio - light device which is able to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide an audio - light device which has high performance levels both in terms of light diffusion and sound diffusion.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide an audio - light device which is simple to control and easy to integrate with existing devices. These aims are achieved by an audio - light device according to any one of the appended claims, and in particular comprising a frame, a head movably connected to the frame, movement means associated with the head to move it relative to the frame, at least one lighting unit integrated in the head and designed to generate a beam of light along a predetermined direction of light propagation, a control unit associated with the movement means and with the at least one lighting unit for controlling them depending on respective control signals, wherein the control unit is provided with at least a first module designed to control the lighting unit as a function of a first signal received through at least a first communication channel and at least a second module designed to control the movement means as a function of a second signal received through at least a second communication channel.

According to this invention, the audio - light device comprises at least one audio unit rigidly connected to the lighting unit and designed to generate a beam of sound along a predetermined direction of sound propagation, wherein the control unit is also provided with a third module designed to control the audio unit depending on a third signal received through at least a third communication channel.

The audio - light device according to this invention is able to move both the lighting unit and the audio unit and control the movement using a single control unit.

More specifically, the movement of the lighting unit and of the audio unit is controlled by the movement means, that is, by the second module, whilst the respective frequencies and intensities (light or sound) are controlled by respective modules (first and third).

It should be noted that the above-mentioned modules are operationally separate (or distinguishable), but physically they might be defined by a single control card.

Preferably, the control unit comprises a single input connector which can be connected to a control panel by a suitable cabling. The first, second and third module are all associated with the same connector to receive a signal for controlling a plurality of control parameters.

There are multiple parameters to be controlled, relating to the lighting (first module), movement (second module) or sound reproduction (third module).

The connector is preferably a XLR type (or similar) with 3 or 5 pins, allowing use of the DMX protocol (512 or later) for management of all the parameters.

Preferably, the device is provided with a memory associated with the control unit, in particular with the third module, and configured for allocating a plurality of audio tracks which can be selected using the control unit.

The expression "audio tracks" is used in this text to mean those/y/es containing digital information representing the sound, whether it is in the form music, songs or noise in general. The compression of the files may be of any type commonly in use, currently preferably .MP3 or .MP4.

Preferably, the memory, of a non-volatile type, is removable and provided with a quick connection interface for connecting to the control unit (for example, USB).

It should also be noted that the control unit (more specifically, the third module) is provided with at least one auxiliary input connectable to an audio source external to the device (for example, mixer, radio, etc.).

The auxiliary input is preferably defined by a seat for a connector of the XLR type with 3 pins, a jack or the like.

In this way, it is simple for the operator both to prepare a plurality of stored songs or tracks and to reproduce audio in real time from sources external to the device.

The audio - light device according to this invention is inserted, or can be inserted, in an audio - light diffusion system, preferably of the theatrical type or for stages in general. More specifically, the audio - light diffusion system comprises a control panel (or console), at least one audio - light device according to this invention and at least one wiring harness extending between a first connector associated with the control panel and a second connector associated with the single input of the control unit of the audio - light device.

The first and second connector are preferably of the XLR type. In light of this, it should be noted that the cabling is preferably defined by a Digital Multiplex cable.

In embodiments where there are two or more audio - light devices, they are connected together in series. In other words, the system is configured in such a way that a single control panel can operate on a plurality of audio - light devices which are connected together in series.

The expression "connected in series" means that each audio - light device is provided both with the above-mentioned single input and with an output which is designed to be connected with the single input of the successive audio - light device.

Brief description of drawings

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an audio - light unit according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a cross section of a detail of the device of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a schematic view of an audio - light diffusion system provided with the device of the preceding figures.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes an audio - light device according to this invention.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 and a head 3 movably connected to the frame 2.

The frame 2 is a structure for supporting and/or connecting with the stage supports.

Preferably, the frame 2 comprises a base 2a to allow the device 1 to be self-supporting. Moreover, there are connecting means (not illustrated) associated with or which can be associated with the base 2a.

The head 3 is connected to the frame by movement means 4; the movement means 4 are configured to move the head 3 with a translational and/or rotational movement relative to the frame 2.

Preferably, the movement means 4 are configured for rotating the head 3 relative to the frame 2 about at least a first axis of rotation "A".

The movement means 4 comprise at least one pin interposed between the head 3 and the frame 2 and at least one actuator (not illustrated) designed to rotate the head 3. The pin 5 is aligned with the above-mentioned first axis of rotation "A".

In the preferred embodiment, also, the movement means 4 are configured for rotating the head 3 relative to the frame 2 also about at least a second axis of rotation "B".

The drive means 4 comprise at least a first portion 4a pivoted on the base 2a and rotatable about the first axis of rotation "A" and at least a second portion 4b pivoting on the first portion 4a and rotatable about the second axis of rotation "B".

In the preferred embodiment, the first portion 4a is at least partly formed by a U-shaped body pivoted on the base 2a at the groove of the "U".

Two pins or slots which are aligned with each other along the second axis of rotation "B" are positioned close to the ends of the U-shaped body, defining, therefore, the second portion 4b. The head 3 has respective slots or pins rotatably associated with the above-mentioned pins or slots of the second portion 4b.

Preferably, the first axis of rotation "A" is at a right angle to the second axis of rotation "B".

Even more preferably, the first axis of rotation "A" is at a right angle to the base 2a.

The movement means 4 are configured for generating a first and a second movement of the head 3.

The first movement corresponds to a rotation of the head 3 about the first axis of rotation "A" (in technical jargon, PAN).

The second movement corresponds to a rotation of the head 3 about the second axis of rotation "B" (in technical jargon, TILT).

In light of this, the movement means 4 are provided preferably with two independent actuators 4c designed to generate the first and the second movement. The actuators 4c are preferably electric motors.

The device 1 also comprises a lighting unit 5 integrated in the head 3 (that is, rigidly connected to it) for moving with it and designed to generate a beam of light "L" along a predetermined direction of light propagation.

The lighting unit 5 is constrained to the head 3 and movable with it. More specifically, the head 3 defines partly the lighting unit 5.

The lighting unit 5 comprises at least one lighting body 5a positioned in such a way as to generate the beam of light "L" away from the head 3.

Preferably, the lighting body 5a is formed by one or more LEDs.

Alternatively, the lighting body 5a may be of the LASER type or of another type.

According to this invention, the device 1 is also provided with an audio unit 6 rigidly connected to the lighting unit 5 and designed to generate a beam of sound "S" along a predetermined direction of sound propagation.

The audio unit 6 is connected to the head 3 to move with it. Advantageously, in this way it is possible to freely direct the sound and the light, increasing considerably the dynamic nature of the show (as well as the involvement of the audience).

The audio unit 6 is preferably at least partly formed by a loudspeaker 6a rigidly connected to the lighting body 5a.

More specifically, the audio unit 6 might be defined by a plurality of small sized loudspeakers (for example 2") or a single larger loudspeaker (for example from 6" to 8").

In effect, the loudspeaker 6a might have a diameter of between 2" and 12", a sensitivity of between 80 and 1 12 dB and an RMS output of between 10 and 1000 Watt, in the example illustrated, between 90 and 1 10 Watt.

Alternatively, the audio unit 6 might comprise compression or static drivers.

In the preferred embodiment, the audio unit 6 and the lighting unit 5 are rigidly connected to each other in such a way that the predetermined direction of light propagation and the predetermined direction of sound propagation substantially coincide with one another.

Advantageously, in this way the light and the sound can be directed together, allowing an immediate involvement of the audience, for example by illuminating a part of the audience and at the same time striking them with the sound desired by the operator.

More specifically, the head 3 comprises a diffuser unit 7 extending along its own central axis "C" between a portion with smaller cross-section 7a and a portion with larger cross-section 7b.

The diffuser unit has a frustoconical tubular shape. In other words, the diffuser unit 7 has at least one divergent tubular portion.

It should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated the diffuser unit 7 has a convergent protrusion 7c leading from the portion with smaller cross- section 7a away from the portion with larger cross-section 7b. The divergent tubular portion of the diffuser unit 7 and the convergent protrusion 7c define a convergent-divergent duct provided with a first zone, delimited by the convergent protrusion 7c, and a second zone, delimited by the divergent tubular portion.

Preferably, the audio unit 6 and the lighting unit 5 are positioned coaxially to each other in such a way that the central axis "C" coincides with the predetermined direction of light propagation and the predetermined direction of sound propagation.

The lighting body 5a and the loudspeaker 6a are positioned coaxially to each other, preferably in succession along the central axis "C".

In the preferred embodiment, the lighting body 5a is positioned coaxially to the diffuser unit 7 in such a way as to form an annular portion 8 around the lighting body 5a.

The audio unit 6 is located in a zone which is distal from the portion with larger cross-section 7b relative to the lighting body 5a in such a way that the sound beam "S" passes through the diffuser unit 7 at the annular portion 8.

More in detail, it should be noted that the loudspeaker 6a is located close to an entrance of the first zone.

The lighting body 5a is, on the other hand, installed, preferably, at the necking interposed between the first and the second zone.

Both the loudspeaker 6a and the lighting body 5a are anchored to the walls of the diffuser unit 7.

In order to control the movement means 4, the lighting unit 5 and the audio unit 6, the device 1 comprises at least one control unit 9 associated with them.

The control unit 9 is integrated in the device 1 , that is to say, inserted in the frame 2.

Preferably, the control unit 9 is physically located at the base 2a of the frame 2.

The control unit 9 is associated with the movement means 4, the lighting unit 5 and the audio unit 6 for controlling them as a function of respective control signals (preferably coming from a control panel).

The control unit 9 may be defined by one or more control cards which are in communication with each other and provided with respective communication channels for controlling a predetermined number of parameters of the movement means 4, the lighting unit 5 and the audio unit 6.

Preferably, the control unit 9 is provided with at least a first module 9a configured to control the lighting unit 5 (in particular the lighting body 5a) as a function of at least one signal received through at least one communication channel.

Moreover, the control unit 9 is provided with at least a second module 9b configured to control the movement means 4 (that is, the actuators) as a function of a signal received through at least one communication channel. According to one aspect of the invention, the control unit 9 is provided with a third module 9c configured to control the audio unit 6 (that is, the loudspeaker 6a) as a function of a signal received through at least one communication channel.

The communication channels, from a physical point of view, may be defined by a single wiring harness 102, as described in more detail below. The first module 9a is connected to the lighting unit 5. The second module 9b is connected to the movement means 4. The third module 9c is connected to the audio unit 6.

In the preferred embodiment, the first module 9a and the second module 9b are integrated together in a single control card.

The third module 9c may be defined by a control card which is either separate or integrated with the first module 9a and/or the second module 9b.

Preferably, each module 9a, 9b, 9c defines at least partly a Digital Multiplex interface card.

Preferably, each module 9a, 9b, 9c of the control unit 9 is programmed to control one or more operating parameters of the relative hardware unit. It should be noted that the term "hardware unit" means the movement means 4, the lighting unit 5 and the audio unit 6.

It should be noted that, preferably, the device 1 comprises at least a memory 10 associated with the control unit 9 (in particular with the third module 9c) and configured for allocating a plurality of audio tracks which can be selected using the control unit 9.

The device is or can be provided with a non-volatile memory 10 in which the audio tracks to be reproduced using the audio unit 5 are stored.

The expression "audio tracks" is used in this text to mean those/y/es containing digital information representing the sound, whether it is in the form music, songs or noise in general. The compression of the files may be of any type commonly in use, currently preferably .MP3 or .MP4.

Advantageously, the presence of a memory 10 connected or connectable to the control unit 9, that is, to the device 1 , eliminates the need to send the audio signals between a remote control panel 101 and the device 1 . On the other hand, it is sufficient for the control panel 101 to send a control signal corresponding to the activation or absence of one of the tracks allocated in the memory to control in an optimum manner the reproduction of the above-mentioned racks.

In the preferred embodiment, the memory 10 (non-volatile type) is removable and provided with an interface 10a for quick connection with the control unit (in particular with the third module 9c).

The control unit 9, that is, the third module 9c, comprises a seat for receiving the quick connection interface 10a.

Advantageously, it is possible in this way to define the audio tracks to be reproduced even in remote locations and then associate them with the device 1 , that is to say, the control unit 9, through the memory 10.

Preferably, the quick connection interface 10a is defined by a USB connector. In light of this, the memory 10 comprises a USB type male connector, whilst the control unit 9, that is, the third module 9c, comprises a USB type female connector. For this reason, the memory 10 may be any USB "stick" available on the market, thus facilitating the use of the device 1 .

To allow sounds to be provided which are not allocated directly on the device, preferably the third module 9c of the control unit 9 is also provided with at least one auxiliary input 1 1 connectable to a audio source external to the device. Advantageously, in this way it is not necessary to prepare a list of predetermined tracks to be selected during the show, but it is possible to connect the device 1 directly to an external audio source such as, for example, a radio, a mixer or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, the auxiliary input 1 1 is defined by a seat for a 3-pin XLR connector. Alternatively, it might be a jack or the like.

It should be noted that the control unit 9 could also comprise a module for generating (not illustrated) the above-mentioned control signal, configured for sending the signal to the control modules 9a, 9b, 9c in order to run the lighting unit 5 and/or the audio unit 6 and/or the movement means 4 according to predetermined or preset instructions (for example, a predetermined routine).

In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 9 comprises a single input connector 12 which can be connected to a control panel 101 by a suitable cabling 102.

The first module 9a, the second module 9b and the third module 9c are all associated with the same connector 12 to receive a control signal.

Preferably, the control signal is a digital signal. In the preferred embodiment, the control signal uses the Digital Multiplex (DMX) protocol, preferably DMX512 or later.

Preferably, the third module 9c of the control unit 9 is designed to control one or more of the following parameters of the audio unit 6:

- volume of the beam of sound "S";

- audio track to be reproduced;

- track start and/or pause and/or repetition. Each of these parameters defines its own communication channel used inside the DMX protocol.

In the preferred embodiment, the third module 9c of the control unit 9 is preferably provided with a number of communication channels (digital) at least equal to three.

Similarly, the third module 9a of the control unit 9 is designed to control one or more of the following parameters of the lighting unit 5:

- intensity of the beam of light (L);

- intensity of the colour red in the RGB model;

- intensity of the colour green in the RGB model;

- intensity of the colour blue in the RGB model;

- stroboscopic effect intermittence.

In this regard, it should be noted that the lighting unit 5 preferably also comprises a stroboscopic light (not illustrated), in place of or in addition to the lighting body 5a.

Also in this case, each of these parameters defines its own communication channel used inside the DMX protocol.

In the preferred embodiment, the first module 9a of the control unit 9 is preferably provided with a number of communication channels (digital) variable from four to five (depending on the presence or not of the stroboscopic effect).

It should be noted that the third module 9b of the control unit 9 is also designed to control one or more of the following parameters of the movement means 4:

- angular position relative to the first axis of rotation "A";

- angular position relative to the second axis of rotation "B";

- speed of movement about the first axis of rotation "A";

- speed of movement about the second axis of rotation "B".

Preferably, the position relative to the first axis of rotation "A" can be controlled by means of two distinct channels, one for rough (or preliminary) adjustment and one for fine adjustment. Similarly, the position relative to the second axis of rotation "B" can be controlled by means of two distinct channels, one for rough (or preliminary) adjustment and one for fine adjustment.

In the preferred embodiment, the second module 9b of the control unit 9 is preferably provided with a number of communication channels (digital) variable from four to six.

In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 9 has at least thirteen or fourteen communication channels, each dedicated to a control parameter of a hardware unit.

Another object of this invention is an audio - light diffusion system 100 comprising at least one audio - light device 1 according to this invention. More specifically, the audio - light diffusion system 100 comprises a control panel 101 (or consul), at least one audio - light device 1 according to this invention and at least one wiring harness 102 extending between a first connector 102a associated with the control panel 101 and a second connector 102b associated with the above-mentioned single connector 12 of the control unit 9 of the audio - light device 1 .

The control panel 101 is provided with a plurality of commands (not illustrated), each relating to one or more control parameters of the device 1 .

The control panel 101 is connected to the device by the wiring harness 102 which, preferably, is defined by a single cable 103 extending between the two connectors 102a and 102b.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second connectors are of the 3- pin or 5-pin XLR type.

The cable is preferably of the Digital Multiplex type, in particular DMX512 (or later).

The DMX512 data is sent using the voltage levels and the cabling system of the RS-485 standard. The DMX specification refers to RS-485 for information concerning the electric signals. The data is transmitted in a serial fashion, preferably at 250 kbit/s and is grouped together in packets with a maximum size of 513 bytes, with 1 start bit and 2 stop bits, in LSB first mode. The start of a packet is identified by a pause of at least 44 s, preferably at least 88 s. The receiver devices, when they recognise the pause, reset the reception counters. At this point the data is sent up to a maximum of 513 bytes. The first byte is always the status byte, which indicates to the receivers the type of the data which will follow.

The remaining bytes constitute the actual data. A maximum of 512 bytes may be sent and the duty of the receivers is to keep an internal count of the bytes to distinguish the individual channels.

A complete packet takes approximately 23 ms to be sent. This corresponds to a refresh rate of approximately 44 Hz. If a higher refresh rate is necessary, fewer channels may be used simply by starting the despatch of a new packet before all the 512 values have been sent. The minimum size of a packet is 24 channels. However almost all the transmitters always send 512 values as many receivers have problems in managing smaller packets.

It should be noted that, preferably, the device 1 (that is, the control unit 9) is provided with an output connector 13 which can be connected, by means of a wiring harness 102 similar to that connecting to the control panel 101 , to a successive audio - light device 1 .

Preferably, the input connector 12 and output connector 13 are, respectively, a male connector and a female connector.

Preferably, the input connector 12 and the output connector 13 are 5-pin XLR connectors.

It should be noted that the device 1 (that is, the control unit 9, in particular the third module 9c) is also provided with an auxiliary output 14 which can be connected, by using a special wiring which transfers only the audio signal, to an auxiliary input 1 1 of a successive audio - light device 1 .

It should be noted that the cabling is parallel with the cabling 102 (DMX) and connects in a serial fashion all the devices 1 of the system 100 with an audio source (mixer, consul etc.). Preferably, the auxiliary input 1 1 and the auxiliary output 14 are, respectively, a female connector and a male connector.

More preferably, the auxiliary input 1 1 and the auxiliary output 14 are 3-pin XLR connectors.

The audio - light devices 1 in the system 100 are connected in series. In other words, the system is configured in such a way that a single control panel 101 can operate on a plurality of audio - light devices 1 which are connected together in series.

The expression "connected in series" means that each audio - light device 1 is provided both with the above-mentioned single input 12 and with the output 13 which is designed to be connected with the single input 12 of the successive audio - light device.

The invention achieves the preset aims and brings important advantages. In effect, the presence of a single device which is able to freely move and direct both the audio and the light considerably increases both the simplicity of construction and the quality of the shows.

The use of a DMX protocol for controlling both the audio and the lights is an absolutely novel feature which allows the entire system (DMX universe) to be controlled extremely quickly and simply using a single control panel. This is achieved thanks also to the preparation of a memory (removable and not) in which it is possible to save and store the audio tracks (preferably at least 32) which are to be used during the show.