Abstract:
The portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system enables the director of a stage or motion picture production to control the lighting and various other technical aspects of the production simultaneously with his or her direction of the performers. The system includes a case containing three DMX 512 format lighting control boards or panels, a computer system having a video monitor display, a miniature camera and DVD recorder and player for capturing a video of the performance, and various other features, such as ports for the connection of peripherals (a keyboard, printer, computer mouse, headphones, etc.). The lid or cover of the case includes a storage tray for the various electrical and power cords and cables associated with the system, the lid and case including carrying handles for transport of the device when not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of my prior application Ser. No. 13/219,575, filed Aug. 26, 2011 now pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to lighting control and audiovisual equipment, and particularly to a portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Theatrical and stage productions and shows are highly dependent upon sources of very strong and/or bright lighting for various purposes and scenes. Generally, very strong lighting is required in a darkened theater to highlight the performers and/or scenery in order to provide good contrast for the audience during a live performance. Bright lighting is also required when filming motion picture scenes in order to provide sufficient exposure for the film or electronic video recording means. Moreover, lighting of various colors is often used in certain areas of the production and/or at certain times in order to set a mood and/or to highlight or emphasize a specific area of the stage and/or performer(s). 
         [0006]    The use and corresponding control of such lighting has become ever more sophisticated and complex as theatrical technology has advanced over the years. Lighting is now generally controlled by what is known as a “DMX 512” controller. The term “DMX 512” actually refers to the standard for the device, i.e., Digital Multiplex, 512 units of information. A number of such controllers are manufactured by various commercial enterprises and are commonly used to control not only the intensity or brightness of individual lights in a lighting array having a plurality of lights, but also other effects, such as remote control of the location and movement of mobile lights, the control of fog machines, etc. It has become commonplace for large and/or sophisticated stage and motion picture productions to require multiple DMX 512 control boards or panels in order to control all of the various aspects of the lighting and special effects employed. 
         [0007]    As a result, the director of the theatrical production often finds it difficult to direct a scene and/or critique the acting in the scene while simultaneously attempting to control the lighting of the scene. Accordingly, specialized personnel are often employed to set and control such lighting, but this removes the direct control of the lighting from the director of the production. The director may turn his or her attention either to the presentation of the scene by the actors and actresses or to the nuances of the lighting of the scene, but will generally find it difficult to impossible to cover both aspects of the production simultaneously. 
         [0008]    A number of devices and systems for the control of theatrical lighting and special effects have been developed in the past. An example of such is found in German Patent Publication No. 19,825,837, published on Dec. 16, 1999. This publication describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a theatrical lighting control system with a gantry camera and computer for recording the production. The system permits the production scene to be compared with an exemplary scene for adjustment of the lighting. 
         [0009]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system comprises a series of three DMX 512 control panels or boards in a single portable case, along with various additional components. The case contains the aforementioned DMX 512 format lighting control panels, a video monitor and controls therefor, a miniature video camera, a DVD recorder and player, an external audio speaker, and various ports for peripherals, such as a headset, microphone, printer, keyboard, computer mouse, etc. The removable lid or cover includes a built-in storage tray for the carriage of the various electrical cords and cables required for the operation of the device. 
         [0011]    The case and lid of the system include a pair of carrying handles thereon for portability of the device. When the system is to be deployed, it is positioned with the lid or cover oriented generally upward, and the lid is removed for access to the panels and other controls therein. When the case is oriented in this manner, the back panel or wall of the case is oriented vertically and clear of the underlying surface to permit the various electrical cords and cables to be plugged into corresponding sockets and ports in this rearward panel of the case. The device or system, thus deployed, permits the director of the theatrical production to control the lighting and/or other technical aspects from one location as he or she directs the performers during the production. When the performance ends, the director and/or other crew may disconnect the various cables and store them within the storage tray in the lid or cover, and the cover may be secured to the case for transport or storage of the device. The DVD recording may be played back for viewing via any compatible video system, or may alternatively be viewed using the monitor of the system when the system is actuated. 
         [0012]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system according to the present invention, shown with the lid removed from the case to show the components thereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system according to the present invention, shown with the front panels removed from the case to show the internal electronic components. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system according to the present invention, shown with the lid installed on the case. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system according to the present invention, shown with the lid installed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lid of the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system according to the present invention, the lid being inverted to show provisions for storage for various electrical power and communication cords associated with the device. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system includes a number of different audiovisual control and recording components, all contained in a single portable carrying case to facilitate setup and control of lighting and other devices involved in theatrical and film productions.  FIG. 1  of the drawings provides a perspective view of the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system  10 , shown with its lid or cover removed to illustrate many of the components included therewith. The various components of the system  10  are installed within a portable carrying case  12 , the removable lid or cover  14  being illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 5 . 
         [0020]    The case  12  includes a plurality of DMX 512 lighting control panels  16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c  housed therein. The DMX 512 lighting control panels  16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c  are conventional units. Although only a single such lighting control panel or perhaps two such panels might be incorporated in the system  10 , preferably three such panels  16   a  through  16   c  are incorporated in order to provide the range of control often required of relatively complex modern theatrical and film productions. The control panels  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c  may be daisy-chained by using a cable to connect one DMX control panel to the next so that all the lighting equipments may be controlled by a single chain of cables, if desired, as known in the art. In some instances only a single DMX 512 lighting control panel might be used in a production, even though three such panels are provided with the system  10 . A series of switches, e.g.,  17   a ,  17   b , and  17   c  are included in the upper panel of the system  10  to control power to the respective DMX 512 panels  16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c.    
         [0021]    A miniature video camera  18  is mounted on the distal end of a camera support arm  20 . The camera support arm  20 , in turn, is pivotally mounted on a bracket or base  22  on the upper panel of the system  10 . The arm  20  may be pivoted or rotated to a generally horizontal position on the order of 90° from that shown in  FIG. 1  to retract and store the camera  18  and support arm  20  within the case  12  when not in use. The camera  18  enables the director or other person involved with the theatrical production to record the production for later review and/or critique of the performance, if desired. The recording means may comprise a conventional digital video disc (DVD) recording system  26  ( FIG. 2 ), the disc insertion port of which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A video monitor  24  is installed in the upper panel of the system  10  to allow the director or other person(s) to observe the scene(s) as seen live by the camera  18  to observe lighting effects to determine any adjustments needed, which may be made using the control panels  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c.  It will be understood that a DMX control system may be used to control fixed light fixtures (generally through a dimmer), moving light fixtures, strobe lights, fog machines, projectors, or other accessories used to produce visual effects on a theatrical stage. 
         [0022]    The upper panel of the system  10  includes various additional features to expand the utility of the system. A plurality of USB ports  28  are provided for the attachment of various peripheral components, such as a microphone, printer, keyboard, computer mouse, and/or perhaps other peripheral devices. An audio output port or receptacle  30  is also provided for the connection of a headset or the like to the system  10 , enabling the director or other party to listen to the audio recorded during the performance. Alternatively, a speaker  32  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is provided in the case  12  to enable others to hear the audio output without need for headphones. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  of the drawings provides a view of the internal components of the system  10 , the three DMX 512 units  16   a  through  16   c  and the upper panel of the system  10  being removed in the view of  FIG. 2 . The case  12  includes a computer motherboard  34  installed therein, the motherboard  34  having a plurality of electronic and computer components installed thereon. A central processing unit (CPU)  36  is installed on the motherboard  34 , which communicates electronically and conventionally with the various lighting control panels  16   a  through  16   c , the video camera  18 , the video monitor  24 , the digital video recorder  26 , and other electronic components of the system  10 . Three video display converters  40   a ,  40   b , and  40   c  are provided in the case  12  to receive and process video output received from the camera  18 . Similarly, a plurality of audio recorders and players  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  is provided in the case  12  to record and provide for playback of the audio portion of the theatrical production. Additional conventional electronic components, e.g., power supplies, etc., may be provided within the case  12  according to the specific configurations and requirements of the components installed. A cooling fan  44  is provided in the case  12  to exhaust the heated air produced by the electronic components within the case  12 , and other ventilation ports  46  may be provided as well. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  of the drawings provides a perspective view of the back side or surface of the case  12 , i.e., oriented substantially 180° from the orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This face or surface of the case  12  includes three outlets  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c  that communicate electronically with the respective DMX 512 control panels  16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c , to which the various lighting and/or other systems may be connected for control by the panels  16   a  through  16   c.  A power plug receptacle  50  is also provided for connection of the system  10  to a conventional source of electrical power for its operation. 
         [0025]    The portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system  10  is normally oriented for operation as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , with the back surface of the case  12  oriented vertically to facilitate the connection of the various electrical cords and cables to the outlets  48   a  through  48   c  and the receptacle  50 . However, the case  12  with its lid or cover  14  installed thereon is normally carried by means of the handles  52  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  5 ) extending from the case  12  and lid  14 , with the back surface of the case  12  illustrated in  FIG. 4  being oriented downwardly. Accordingly, pads or feet  54  are provided on the rearward face of the case  12  to support the system  10  when it is positioned with the handles  52  oriented upwardly for carriage or storage. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  provides an illustration of the internal structure of the lid or cover  14 . A storage tray  56  is provided within the lid  14  for the storage of the various electrical cords and cables required for the operation of the system  10 . Thus, when the electrical cables and cords C are stored within the storage tray  56  and the lid or cover  14  is secured to the case  12  by means of the conventional latches  58  illustrated generally in the various drawings, the portable theatrical lighting control and audiovisual recording system  10  may be carried or stored conveniently as a single unit. Deployment of the apparatus is easily accomplished by carrying the closed system  10  to the site of the performance, removing the cover or lid  14  from the case  12 , and removing the various cords and cables C from their storage tray  56  within the lid  14  and connecting them to the various ports and receptacles  48   a  through  48   c  and  50  shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. The cords and cables C are then connected to the appropriate power source and lighting systems, with the system  10  then being ready for operation. The director or other responsible party may then have complete control of the lighting and perhaps other theatrical systems controlled by the DMX 512 boards  16   a  through  16   c  of the system  10  from a central location while being able to direct the performance simultaneously. 
         [0027]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.