A REMOTE POSITIONAL DIRECTION CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract: A remote positional direction control device (10) for controlling aiming of an article, for example a microphone (34), at a remote location comprises a receiver (12) for receiving signals transmitted by infrared radiation from a transmitter (11), the receiver (12) being powered by a battery (23) and having means (28, 29) for disconnecting a motor driver (25) of the device from the battery (23) when in a stand by mode thereby reducing dissipation of energy from the battery (23).

Description: "A Remote Positional Direction Control Device" This invention relates to a remote positional direction control device for controlling positional direction of a article, for example a microphone, when at remote location. When recordings of performing arts are made in concert halls, recording studios,* theatres or other venues, microphones are often slung on wires over a performance area to capture sound of the performance. Once the microphones are in place, it is often necessary to carry out adjustments, for example because of changes in the position of performers or staging, whereby the microphones are repositioned to receive sound from directions different from which they were originally directed to receive sound. Adjustments are made after the microphones have been lowered to positions where they are accessible and the microphones subsequently are raised to the previously slung locations. " It is often necessary to carry out the procedure many times to achieve satisfactory repositioning of the microphones and the process is time consuming and inexact. ' The difficulty can be resolved by providing a device including a component for carrying the microphones, the SUBSTITUTESHEET device being provided with drive means for moving the component, and thus adjusting positional direction of the microphones, relative to the device in response to signals received from a remote source and the device being adapted to be positioned over a performance area. It is known from DE 2 759 200 to provide a remote positional direction control device comprising drive means for moving a component f control means for controlling the drive means and communications means establishing a communications link between the control means and a control module at a remote location. The communications link is established by way of a cable and such an arrangement would not generally be acceptable for aesthetic reasons if it were to be used in concert halls and theatres. Preferably, therefore, the commumications means would be such that the control means would be adapted to receive signals transmitted by electromagnetic radiation from the control module. With such an arrangement, it would be necessary to provide for the drive means a power source which would be independent of the control module. However, it is often necessary for microphones to be installed at a location in a concert hall or theatre for a substantial period, for example the duration of a sequence of performances. In consequence, there would be dissipation of the-supply of power from the independent SUB source during the period since it would be necessary to ensure that the device is in a "ready state" to be operated for carrying out adjustment during the period. The dissipation of power may be such that, at any time when it is necessary to effect adjustment of the position of the microphones,, there is insufficient power to effect the adjustment. The invention is characterised in that the drive means and the control means are included in an electrical circuit powered by a power source independent of the control module and the circuit includes means for disconnecting the drive means from the power source when the circuit is in a stand by mode. Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect. In the drawings:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of an aiming control device in accordance with the present invention and Figure 2 is a block schematic diagram of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. SUBSTITUTE SHEET Referring to the drawings, there is shown an aiming control device 10 comprising a transmitter component 11 and a receiver component 12 . The transmitter component 11 comprises an encoder 13 which is supplied with power from a battery 14 , four direction buttons 15, 16, 17 and 18 , a channel select button 19 and a transmitter 20 for pulsing electromagnetic radiation in the infra-red portion of the *spectrum. The transmitter 20 is connected to the encoder 13 operation of which is under the control of the buttons 15 to 19 whereby coded signals are transmitted from the transmitter 20 in accordance with operative selection of the buttons 15 to 19 . The receiver component 12 comprises a receiver 21 for receiving signals from the transmitter 20 of the transmitter component 11 , the receiver 21 being connected to an ampli ier 22 supplied with power from a battery 23 , the amplifier being connected to a decoder 24 for decoding the signals received by the receiver 21 and the decoder being connected to a motor driver 25 for driving geared servo motors 26,27 . The decoder 24 also is connected to the motor driver 25 through a logic circuit 28 and a switch 29 . Power from the battery 23 is controlled by an "on/off" switch not shown . The receiver component 12 is connected to a carriage 30 TESHEET for rotational movement relative thereto, the carriage 30 being provided with hooks 31 engageable by wires 32 for slinging the carriage 30 in a raised position. The carriage 30 is secured to a shaft (not shown) of the motor 26 which extends upwardly from an upper surface of the component 12. The receiver component 12 also has connected thereto for rotational movement relative thereto an "L-shaped" bracket 33 on one limb of which is mounted a pair of microphones 34. An end portion of the other limb of the bracket 33 is secured to a shaft (not shown) of the motor 27 which extends from a side of the component 12. The central longitudinal axes of the motors 26 and 27 thus extend orthogonally one to another. The arrangement is such that, when the motor 26 operates, the receiver component 12 turns in a plane transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft of the motor 26 relative to the carriage 30 and operation of the motor 27 effects movement of the bracket 33 in an arcuate direction in a plane transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft of the motor 27 relative to the carriage 30. Assuming that an operator holds the transmitter component 11 and faces the receiver component 12 , operation of the motor 26 in a forward or reverse direction causes turning of the receiver component 12 relative to the carriage 30 in a left - right direction relative to the SUBSTITUTE SHEET operator and operation of the motor 27 results in movement of the bracket 33 relative to the receiver component 12 such as to effect movement of the microphones 34 upwardly and downwardly relative to the operator The direction buttons 15, 16, 17 and 18 are indicated "left", "right", "up" and "down" respectively and when each is operated, pulses are transmitted from the transmitter 20 in a code indicative of the associated button. The code is decoded by the decoder 24 . of the receiver component 12 and the motor driver 25 is operated to effect control of the appropriate motor 26,27 in the appropriate direction to effect the desired movement of the microphones 34 relative to the fixed slung position determined by wires 32. The channel select button 19 is adapted to select any one of a plurality of channels, each being associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of receiver components 12 each having associated microphones 34 whereby, if a plurality of receiver components 12 are mounted at different locations, operation of the microphones corresponding to each ' Component 12 may be selectively adjusted relative to the other receiver components 12 . When the device 10 is to be operational, the "on/o f" switch of the receiver component 12 is operated ■ so that SUBSTITUTE SHEET power is supplied from the battery 23. The receiver component 12 is then slung to a desired raised location. Adjustment of the microphones 34 subsequently is effected by operation of the direction buttons 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the transmitter component 11. The logic circuit 28 includes a capacitor (not shown) so that if, within a predetermined, period there is a pause in the signals received by the receiver 21 , the automatic switch 29 continues to connect the motor driver 25 to the decoder 24 in the event that further signals will be received by the receiver 21 during the period. If no further signals are received, the automatic switch 29 disconnects the motor driver 25 from the battery 23 thereby conserving power. However, power supply from the battery 23 to the remaining components of the circuit continues while the "on/off" switch remains in an "on" position. The receiver 21 thus is maintained in a "stand by" condition. When signals are again received by the receiver 21 from the transmitter 20, the automatic switch 29 connects the motor driver 25 to the battery 23 and the receiver component 12 operates under the control of the transmitter component 11 as before. In this manner, the receiver component 12 may be slung for periods of up to fifteen days unattended due to the power saving achieved by the switch 29. In a typical installation, the current requirement for maintaining the receiver component 12 on "stand-by" if the logic circuit 28 and switch 29 are not present would be 85 ma (milliamps) but this is reduced to 15 ma when the motor driver 25 is disconnected from the "stand by" power. When one or the other of the motors 26, 27 is in operation, the current requirement would be 200 ma. It will be appreciated that a device in accordance with the present invention may be adapted for controlling directional positioning of articles other than microphones. For example, the device may be used for controlling directional positioning of a lamp or an antenna. It will also be appreciated that a device in accordance with the present invention need not necessarily be mounted in a slung condition by means of wires. It may, for example, be located on a fixed support, such as a stand. TE SHEET

Claims: Claims 1. A remote positional direction control device (10) comprising drive means (25) for moving a component (33), control means (21, 22, 24) for controlling the drive means (25) and means (20, 21) establishing a communications link between the control means (21, 22, 24) and a control module (11) at a remote location characterised in that the drive means (25) and the control means (21, 22, 24) are included in an electrical circuit powered by a power source (23) independent of the control module (11) and the circuit includes means (28, 29) for disconnecting the drive means (25) from the power source (23) when the circuit is in a stand by mode. 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the control means (21, 22, 24) is adapted to receive signals transmitted by electromagnetic radiation from the control module (11). 3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the communications link is effected by electromagnetic radiation in the infra red portion of the spectrum. 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the drive means (25) is adapted to drive a plurality of motors (26, 27). SUBSTITUTESHEET 5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that two motors (26,27) are provided each having a drive shaft and the drive shafts extend orthogonal one to another. 6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that a first bracket (30) is- secured to the drive shaft of the the first motor (26) and is adapted to be slung in a raised position. 7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that the component (33) comprises a second bracket which is secured to the drive shaft of the second motor (27). 8. A device as claimed in Claim 7 characterised in that the second bracket is adapted to receive at least one microphone (34). HEET

Inventors: EBBS STUART EDWARD, EBBS, STUART, EDWARD
Applicants: WOODFORD NIGEL VARAH, WOODFORD VALERIE ANN, WOODFORD, NIGEL, VARAH, WOODFORD, VALERIE, ANN
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G08C23
IPC codes: G08C23