EQUIPMENT SYSTEM FOR CINEMATOGRAPHIC PRODUCTIONS

Abstract

The invention relates to an equipment system for cinematographic productions, having at least one film production device that is selected from a group comprising a motion picture camera, a lens ring drive unit, a motif lighting apparatus, and/or a remote control unit; and having at least two different radio modules. The film production device has an interface for a selective coupling to one of the two different radio modules, wherein each of the two different radio modules is configured for a wireless transmission of control signals and for a wired communication with the coupled film production device via the interface, and wherein the two different radio modules differ from one another with respect to their radio characteristics, namely with respect to a frequency range used and/or to a transmission protocol used.

Claims

1. An equipment system (10) for cinematographic productions, comprising at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) that is selected from a group comprising a motion picture camera (20, 22), a lens ring drive unit (24), a motif lighting apparatus (28), or a remote control unit (30); and having at least two different radio modules (40, 42), wherein the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) has an interface (44) for a selective coupling to one of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42), wherein each of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) is configured for a wireless transmission of control signals and for a wired communication with the coupled at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) via the interface (44), and wherein the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) differ from one another with respect to their radio characteristics, namely with respect to at least one of a frequency range used or to a transmission protocol used.

2. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) has a counter interface (46), wherein the counter interfaces (46) of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) are identical to one another and are compatible with the interface (44) of the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30).

3. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) comprises a control circuit that is configured to convert a control signal received by radio into an electrical signal, which is transmitted to the coupled at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30), and to convert an electrical signal received by the coupled at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) into a control signal that is transmitted by radio.

4. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the equipment system (10) comprises at least one motion picture camera (20, 22) or at least one motif lighting apparatus (28) and further at least one remote control unit (30) for remotely controlling the at least one motion picture camera (20, 22) or the at least one motif lighting apparatus (28); wherein the equipment system (10) comprises at least a first set and a second set of radio modules (40, 42); wherein the radio modules (40) of the first set are identical to one another with respect to their radio characteristics; wherein the radio modules (42) of the second set are identical to one another with respect to their radio characteristics; and wherein the radio modules (40) of the first set differ from the radio modules (42) of the second set with respect to their radio characteristics.

5. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the equipment system (10) comprises at least three different radio modules (40, 42) that differ from one another with respect to their radio characteristics.

6. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) has a housing, wherein the one of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42), when coupled to the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30), is arranged outside the housing of the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30).

7. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) has an externally or internally arranged antenna.

8. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) is marked with at least one visible code which represents the radio characteristic of the respective radio module.

9. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 8, wherein the at least one visible code comprises at least one of a color code, an alphanumeric code, or a symbol code.

10. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) comprises a remote control unit (30) which is configured as a camera remote control unit for remotely controlling a motion picture camera (20, 22) having a lens actuating motor, and wherein the remote control unit (30) has a movable operating element for setting control commands for the lens actuating motor and has an evaluation and control device, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to generate control signals for the motion picture camera (20, 22) in dependence on the set control commands and to transmit the generated control signals to the coupled one of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) via the interface (44) of the remote control unit (30).

11. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) comprises a remote control unit (30) which is configured as a lighting remote control unit for remotely controlling a motif lighting apparatus (28), and wherein the remote control unit (30) has at least one operating element for setting control commands for the motif lighting apparatus (28) and has an evaluation and control device, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to generate control signals for the motif lighting apparatus (28) in dependence on the set control commands and to transmit the generated control signals to the coupled one of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) via the interface (44) of the remote control unit (30).

12. An equipment system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein said group of film production devices (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) further comprises an adapter module for a motion picture camera (20, 22), said adapter module having: an interface (44) for a selective coupling to one of the at least two different radio modules (40, 42); an adapter interface for coupling to the motion picture camera (20, 22); and an actuating motor interface for coupling to a lens ring drive unit, wherein the adapter module is configured for a wired communication with the coupled radio module (40, 42) via the interface (44), for a wired communication with the coupled motion picture camera (20, 22) via the adapter interface, and for a wired communication with the lens ring drive unit via the actuating motor interface.

13. A film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) comprising an interface (44) for a selective coupling to one of at least two different radio modules (40, 42) for a wireless communication with other film production devices, wherein the interface (44) is configured to transmit control signals between the film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) and the coupled radio module (40, 42), and wherein the at least two different radio modules (40, 42) differ from one another with respect to their radio characteristics, namely with respect to at least one of a frequency range used or to a transmission protocol used; and wherein the film production device has a recognition device that is configured to receive from the coupled one of the at least two radio modules (40, 42) an identification of the radio characteristic used by the coupled one of the at least two radio modules (40, 42).

14. A film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) in accordance with claim 13, wherein the interface (44) is configured for a wired communication with the coupled one of the at least two radio modules (40, 42).

15. A film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) in accordance with claim 13, wherein the film production device (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) is selected from a group comprising a motion picture camera (20, 22), a lens ring drive unit (24), a motif lighting apparatus (28) or a remote control unit (30).

Description

[0031] The invention will be described in the following with reference to an embodiment and to the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an equipment system in accordance with an embodiment in a schematic representation.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary equipment system 10 for cinematographic productions that comprises a plurality of film production devices, namely a motion picture camera 20; a lens ring drive unit 24; a motif lighting apparatus 28; and a remote control unit 30.

[0034] Different parameters may be set and/or varied in a remote-controlled manner at the motion picture camera 20, for example, the image recording rate, the shutter speed, or the iris aperture opening, the focal position, and/or the focal length of an objective 26 of the motion picture camera 20.

[0035] The remote control of the motion picture camera 20 may, for example, take place by means of the remote control unit 30. The remote control unit 30 has a plurality of operating elements 32 for operating the camera functions. To monitor the settings and/or the image that is recorded by the motion picture camera 20 and that is transmitted wirelessly, the remote control unit 30 may additionally comprise a display apparatus 34.

[0036] The lens ring drive unit 24 may be arranged at an objective 26 of the motion picture camera 20 or at a further motion picture camera 22 and may comprise one or more actuating motors that are mechanically couplable to lens rings of the objective 26 in order to set different objective parameters, such as the iris aperture opening, the focal position or the focal length, in a remote-controlled manner.

[0037] The motif lighting apparatus 28 may comprise an integrated light source that may be switched on and off in a remote-controlled manner and whose brightness and/or light color may preferably likewise be set in a remote-controlled manner. Furthermore, the orientation of the motif lighting apparatus 28 may also be changed, for example, via a motorized tilt and swivel apparatus (not shown).

[0038] The remote control of the lens ring drive unit 24 and of the motif lighting apparatus 28 may likewise take place via the remote control unit 30 or a further remote control unit of identical design thereto or also via a further remote control unit having a different number, arrangement and/or functionality of the operating elements.

[0039] A respective two different radio modules 40, 42 are associated with each film production device 20, 24, 28, 30 and possibly also with each further remote control unit, wherein all the radio modules 40 are identical to one another with respect to their radio characteristics and form a first set of radio modules 40, and wherein the radio modules 42 are likewise identical to one another with respect to their radio characteristics and form a second set of radio modules 42. However, the radio modules 40 of the first set differ from the radio modules 42 of the second set with respect to their radio characteristics, namely with respect to a frequency range used and/or to a transmission protocol used.

[0040] Each film production device 20, 24, 28, 30 has a respective interface 44 for a selective coupling to one of the two different radio modules 40, 42, wherein each of the two different radio modules 40, 42 is configured for a wireless transmission of control signals and for a wired communication with the coupled film production device 20, 22, 24, 28, 30 via the interface 44. The wireless transmission of control signals and/or of other signals may be unidirectional or bidirectional. The interfaces 44 of the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 are formed identically to one another in a mechanical and electrical aspect.

[0041] Each radio module 40, 42 has a respective counter interface 46 that is compatible with the interfaces 44 of the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 in order to couple a radio module 40, 42 to a respective film production device 20, 24, 28, 30, wherein the interface 44 and the counter-interface 46 in each case together establish a mechanical and electrical connection between the coupled radio module 40, 42 and the associated film production device 20, 24, 28, 30.

[0042] In the present example, the coupled radio modules 40 are located at an outer side of the associated film production device 20, 24, 28, 30. In accordance with a modification, the coupled radio modules 40 may also at least partly be arranged within a respective device housing of the associated film production device 20, 24, 28, 30.

[0043] The respective radio module 40, 42 has a radio transmitter and a radio receiver in the embodiment shown. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the radio modules 40, 42 each have inwardly disposed antennas, i.e. the antennas are located within a housing of the radio modules 40, 42. In accordance with a further modification, the antennas may also be arranged externally with respect to a respective module housing (not shown).

[0044] In the representation of FIG. 1, all the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 are coupled to the radio modules 40 of the first set. Since the radio modules 40 are of the same type with respect to one another, all the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 communicate with the same radio characteristic, i.e. in the same frequency range and with the same transmission protocol. It is understood that, in the individual case, the different film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 of an equipment system 10 may, however, communicate at different frequencies within the uniform frequency range in order to exclude mutual interference. This is in particular useful when a plurality of remote control units 30 are to be used that are each associated in a dedicated manner with a specific film production device to be controlled, such as with a motion picture camera 20, a lens ring drive unit 24, or a lighting unit 28.

[0045] If the equipment system 10 is now to be used at another geographical location for which, based on regulatory provisions, it is not permitted to use the radio modules 40 of the first set, but rather only radio applications are permitted to which the radio modules 42 of the second set correspond, all the radio modules 40 may be released from the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 and the radio modules 42 of the second set may instead be coupled. Since these radio modules 42 are again of the same type, i.e. have the same radio characteristics, the communication of the film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 may take place in the same way as with the radio modules 40, i.e. the provided communication relationships of the film production devices with one another are generally maintained. Due to the possibility of selectively providing a respective film production device 20, 24, 28, 30 with one of a plurality of different radio modules 40, 42, a suitable radio characteristic may be selected in a simple manner and with a low cost effort.

[0046] To enable a distinction of the different types of radio modules 40, 42, each radio module 40, 42 may be marked with a respective visible code, for example, with a color code, an alphanumeric code, a symbol code, or a combination of a plurality of said codes, wherein the code represents the type of a respective radio module 40, 42. For example, all the radio modules 40 of the first type may be marked with a blue circle and all the radio modules 42 of the second type may be marked with a red square. In addition, an alphanumeric code may be printed, for example, the country codes of those countries in which an operation of a respective radio module 40, 42 is permitted.

[0047] The equipment system 10 in accordance with FIG. 1 comprises two different radio modules 40, 42 for each film production device 20, 24, 28, 30. Three or more different radio modules may naturally also be provided for a film production device 20, 24, 28, 30.

[0048] The number of film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 in the equipment system 10 shown is likewise exemplary. Thus, the number of film production devices 20, 24, 28, 30 in an equipment system 10 may also amount to more than or less than four. A single film production device 20, 24, 28 or 30, including the associated two radio modules 40 and 42, in particular already forms a respective equipment system 10 in the sense of the present invention.

[0049] An exemplary equipment system typically comprises at least one film production device to be controlled, such as a motion picture camera 20, a lens ring drive unit 24 or a motif lighting apparatus 28, and further at least one remote control unit 30 as the controlling film production device.

[0050] In the present example, the coupled radio modules 40 are located at an outer side of the associated film production device 20, 24, 28, 30. In accordance with a modification, the coupled radio modules 40 may also be arranged within a respective device housing.

[0051] In accordance with a further modification, an adapter module (not shown) for a motion picture camera may also be provided as a further film production device, said adapter module having, in addition to an interface 44 for a selective coupling to one of the two different radio modules 40, 42, an adapter interface for coupling to a motion picture camera and an actuating motor interface for coupling to a lens ring drive unit, wherein the adapter module is configured for a wired communication with the coupled radio module 40, 42 via the interface 44, for a wired communication with the coupled motion picture camera via the adapter interface, and for a wired communication with the lens ring drive unit via the actuating motor interface.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

[0052] 10 equipment system [0053] 20, 22 motion picture camera [0054] 24 lens ring drive unit [0055] 26 objective [0056] 28 motif lighting apparatus [0057] 30 remote control unit [0058] 32 operating element [0059] 34 display apparatus [0060] 40, 42 radio module [0061] 44 interface [0062] 46 counter interface