Spotlight system, spotlight, optical component therefor and method of determining a spatial light distribution of the same

Abstract

A spotlight system for illuminating a film or stage environment comprises a spotlight for generating light; and at least one optical component couplable to the spotlight for producing at least one spatial light distribution, wherein the optical component and/or the spotlight has/have a memory in which information on the spatial light distribution producible by the optical component is stored.

Claims

1. A spotlight system for illuminating a film or stage environment, said spotlight system comprising: a spotlight for generating light; and at least one optical component, couplable to the spotlight, for producing at least one spatial light distribution, wherein at least one of the at least one optical component or the spotlight has a non-transitory memory in which information on the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component is stored, and wherein the spotlight system has an interface that is configured to output the stored information or values derived from the stored information out of the spotlight system.

2. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the stored information represents at least one of: a spatial brightness distribution producible by the at least one optical component, a spatial color distribution producible by the at least one optical component, a spatial spectral distribution producible by the at least one optical component, or light incident on respective spatial points when the at least one optical component is coupled to the spotlight.

3. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component is varied by setting at least one optics setting parameter.

4. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the stored information comprises at least a first piece of information that represents the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component at a first value of the at least one optics setting parameter; and a second piece of information that represents the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component at a second value of the at least one optics setting parameter.

5. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the stored information comprises a calculation rule for determining the at least one spatial light distribution in dependence on the at least one optics setting parameter.

6. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the calculation rule comprises at least one respective polynomial interpolation for a plurality of spatial points, wherein the at least one respective polynomial interpolation describes a dependence of a portion of the producible light distribution at the respective spatial point on the at least one optics setting parameter.

7. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spotlight system has a calculation device that is configured to determine the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component based on the information stored in the memory.

8. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the calculation device is configured to determine the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component also in dependence on a value of at least one settable light parameter of the spotlight, wherein the at least one settable light parameter of the spotlight includes at least one of a brightness value or a color value.

9. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the spotlight has a plurality of illuminants, wherein an activation state for each illuminant or a common activation state for a group of illuminants is settable; wherein the settable activation state of each illuminant comprises at least one of a switched-on state, a switched-off state, a switched-on state with a selected brightness or a switched-on state with a selected emission spectrum; and wherein the calculation device is configured to determine the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component in dependence on the set activation states of the plurality of illuminants.

10. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the spotlight system has an interface that is configured to output the determined at least one spatial light distribution.

11. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of an article number or a serial number of the at least one optical component is stored in the non-transitory memory.

12. A spotlight system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of a half-scatter angle or a luminosity value of the at least one optical component is stored in the non-transitory memory.

13. An optical component for a spotlight for illuminating a film or stage environment, wherein the optical component is couplable to a spotlight configured to generate light, wherein the optical component is configured to produce at least one spatial light distribution, wherein the optical component has a non-transitory memory in which information on the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component is stored, and wherein the optical component has an interface from which the non-transitory memory can be read.

14. An optical component in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component is varied by setting an optics setting parameter.

15. An optical component in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optical component has a calculation device that is configured to determine the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component based on the information stored in the non-transitory memory.

16. An optical component in accordance with claim 15, wherein the calculation device is configured to receive data from the coupled spotlight and to determine the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component also in dependence on the received data.

17. A spotlight for generating light for illuminating a film or stage environment, said spotlight comprising a coupling device by means of which at least one replaceable optical component for producing at least one spatial light distribution is couplable to the spotlight; and a reading device that is configured to read information on the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the at least one optical component from a non-transitory memory of the at least one optical component when the at least one optical component is coupled to the spotlight.

18. A spotlight in accordance with claim 17, wherein the spotlight has a calculation device that is configured to determine the producible at least one spatial light distribution based on the information read.

19. A spotlight for generating light for illuminating a film or stage environment, said spotlight comprising an integrated optical component for producing at least one spatial light distribution; a non-transitory memory in which information on the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component is stored; and an interface that is configured to output the stored information or values derived therefrom.

20. A spotlight in accordance claim 19, wherein the at least one spatial light distribution producible by the optical component is varied by setting at least one optics setting parameter.

21. A spotlight in accordance with claim 19, wherein the spotlight has a calculation device that is connected to the non-transitory memory and that is configured to determine the at least one producible spatial light distribution based on the information stored in the non-transitory memory.

22. A method of determining a spatial light distribution of a spotlight system that comprises a spotlight for generating light for illuminating a film or stage environment; and a replaceable or integrated optical component for producing at least one spatial light distribution, wherein the at least one producible spatial light distribution depends on a set value of at least one setting parameter of the spotlight system, comprising the steps: determining the set value of the at least one setting parameter; and determining an approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution at the set value of the at least one setting parameter based on at least one of a calculation rule or a look-up table.

23. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the at least one setting parameter comprises at least one of an optical setting parameter of the optical component that includes a half-scatter angle of the optical component, or a light setting parameter of the spotlight that includes an activation state of a lighting device of the spotlight, a brightness setting of the spotlight or a color setting of the spotlight.

24. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution is determined based on the calculation rule, wherein the determination of the approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution based on the calculation rule does not comprise any operations other than additions, subtractions, or multiplications.

25. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution is determined based on the look-up table, wherein the look-up table comprises a plurality of approximations for reference light distributions at a plurality of respective reference values of the setting parameter.

26. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution is determined based on the calculation rule, wherein the calculation rule defines a rule for an interpolation between a first reference light distribution at a first reference value of the setting parameter and a second reference light distribution at a second reference value of the setting parameter.

27. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the approximation of the at least one producible spatial light distribution is determined based on the calculation rule, wherein, in a parameterization step, the calculation rule is determined based on at least a first reference light distribution at a first reference value of the setting parameter and on at least a second reference light distribution at a second reference value of the setting parameter.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein, in the parameterization step, a respective polynomial interpolation is performed for a plurality of predefined or predefinable spatial points in order to parameterize the light incident on the respective spatial point in dependence on the setting parameter, wherein interpolation parameters of the polynomial interpolations are determined based on the reference light distributions, wherein the calculation rule comprises the respective polynomial interpolations for the plurality of spatial points.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28, wherein the interpolation parameters of the polynomial interpolations and the respective spatial points are stored in a non-transitory memory of the spotlight or in a non-transitory memory of the optical component.

Description

(1) The invention will be explained in the following purely by way of example with reference to embodiments and to the drawings.

(2) There are shown:

(3) FIGS. 1A to 1G a front view of a spotlight system comprising a spotlight and an optical component, a side view of the spotlight system, a perspective view of the spotlight system with the optical component released from the spotlight, a perspective front view and a perspective rear view of the optical component, and a perspective front view and a perspective rear view of a further optical component couplable to the spotlight;

(4) FIGS. 2A to 2D respective schematic representations of a spotlight system comprising a spotlight for generating light and an optical component couplable to the spotlight for producing a spatial light distribution;

(5) FIG. 3 a schematic front view of the spotlight or its lighting device;

(6) FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a spotlight comprising an integrated optical component;

(7) FIG. 5 a schematic representation for illustrating a method of determining an approximation of a spatial light distribution of a spotlight system in dependence on a variable setting parameter; and

(8) FIG. 6 a schematic representation for illustrating a determination of a calculation rule with polynomial interpolations for determining an approximation of a spatial light distribution of a spotlight system in dependence on a variable setting parameter.

(9) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a spotlight system 11 comprising a spotlight 13 and an optical component 15 releasably fastened thereto. The spotlight 13 has a holding section 43 via which the spotlight 13 may in particular be fastened to a ceiling, to a wall, to a scaffold, or to a tripod 41. The spotlight 13 further comprises a spotlight body 37, which is also designated as a tube, and a lighting device 23 that is configured to generate light L and to transmit the light L through a light exit opening 49 (cf. also FIGS. 2A to 2D, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

(10) To be able to set the direction of the light L transmitted by the spotlight 13 and to be able to focus the light L, for example, onto an object to be illuminated or onto a person to be illuminated, the spotlight body 37 is coupled to the holding section 43 via an alignment device 51 and a handle 39. This alignment device 51 makes it possible to pivot the spotlight 13 about a pivot axis A and to fix it at a desired deflection to be able to set the exit angle of the light L with respect to the horizontal. Furthermore, the spotlight 13 may have an interface 19 with a cable 45 connected thereto via which the spotlight 13 may, for example, be supplied with power, on the one hand, while this interface 19, in particular in a configuration of the cable 45 or of an additional cable as an Ethernet cable or the like, may also serve to transmit data of the spotlight 13 (in particular device data, operating data, and/or setting data) to the outside (cf. FIGS. 2A to 2D and FIG. 4).

(11) The optical component 15 coupled to the spotlight 13 in FIGS. 1A and 1B is provided to produce a spatial light distribution V from the light L generated by the spotlight 13 (cf. also FIGS. 2A to 2D and FIG. 4). For this purpose, the optical component 15 comprises a reflector 56, wherein such a reflector 56 may in particular be formed in a segmented manner as in the optical component 15 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D. Furthermore, such optical components 15 may also comprise (stepped) lenses 55 (cf. also FIG. 1F), projection lenses, diffusor lenses, or filters. In this respect, the optical component 15 makes it possible to deflect the light L generated by the spotlight 13 or its lighting device 23 in accordance with a geometric and/or spectral light shaping characteristic and to produce a desired spatial light distribution V on an area.

(12) For example, with the aid of such an optical component 15, the light L may be cast in a bundled manner onto an area in a relatively narrow circle or in an ellipse in order, in such a spot setting, to light a specific region of a scene to be recorded and to set it apart from the surroundings, whereas provision may alternatively, for example, be made in a flood setting to produce such a spatial light distribution V by means of an optical component 15 that as large as possible an area is irradiated uniformly and with soft transitions to the non-illuminated surroundings.

(13) As FIG. 1C shows, the optical component 15 is releasable from the spotlight 13 and is consequently configured as an interchangeable optics. Due to the possibility of releasably fastening optical components 15 to the spotlight 13, different optical components 15 or 15a may selectively be coupled to the spotlight 13 to be able to obtain a respective spatial light distribution V, which is ideally adapted to specific requirements, from the light L generated by the spotlight 13. The optical components 15 and a further optical component 15a are illustrated in more detail by way of example here in FIGS. 1D to 1G.

(14) To be able to selectively connect the optical components 15 for producing a spatial light distribution V and 15a to the spotlight 13, the spotlight 13 has a coupling device 29 having a plurality of coupling elements 30 at a front side at which the light L exits through the light exit opening 49. These coupling elements 30 are formed as recesses in a ring 34 here into which corresponding web-like coupling elements 32 of the optical components 15 and 15a may be inserted. The coupling elements 32 of the optical component 15 or 15a may be secured to the spotlight 13 by the ring 34 by a subsequent rotation of the optical component 15 or 15a to be coupled so that the optical components 15 and 15a may be coupled very quickly to the spotlight 13 by this plug-in rotary connection in order to produce a desired spatial light distribution V. To securely fix the respective coupled optical component 15 or 15a to the spotlight 13 and so-to-say to enable a fast and uncomplicated release of the optical component 15 or 15a, for example to change the coupled optical component 15 or 15a, the spotlight 13 has a release mechanism 36 that is likewise arranged at the front side. Said spotlight 13 may, for example, be actuable by a pressing or pushing, wherein the coupled optical component 15 or 15a may only be released for a rotating back and release from the spotlight 13 as a result of such an actuation and may otherwise be secured to the spotlight 13.

(15) Thus, the coupling device 29 may make it possible to selectively couple one of the optical components 15 and 15a or also other optical components 15, not shown and of a different type, to the spotlight 13. In this respect, the optical components 15 may have respective and in particular different light shaping characteristics to be able to produce a desired spatial light distribution V.

(16) The optical component 15 shown in more detail in FIGS. 1D and 1E (perspective front view and rear view) is formed by way of example with a segmented reflector 56. Alternatively to a fixed-position reflector 56 with an invariable (in particular “soft”) light field, provision may be made that the optical component 15 couplable to the spotlight 13 is, for example, movable or extendable with respect to the optical axis, wherein the produced spatial light distribution V may be variable in dependence on this setting of the optical component 15. For example, values of a beam angle of the generated light beam of 15°, 30° and/or 60° may be settable by such a setting. An optical component 15 formed in this manner comprising a reflector 56 may in particular be used to irradiate objects that are relatively far away with a brightness that decreases continuously toward the edges of the lit area.

(17) Alternatively to a design with a reflector 56, the optical component 15a shown in FIGS. 1F and 1G (perspective front view and rear view) has a lens 55, in order, for example, to be able to illuminate a region to be illuminated as uniformly as possible with respect to brightness and color. In this respect, the optical component 15a is settable so that, for example, a beam angle or a half-scatter angle of the optical component 15a may be adapted. For this purpose, an adjustment device 59 in the form of a rotary knob is provided at an outer side of the optical component 15a, by means of which rotary knob the spacing of the lens 55 from the light exit opening 49 may, for example, be variable. The optical component 15a may in particular also have further lenses not visible in FIGS. 1F and 1G and two lenses arranged at a fixed spacing from one another may, for example, be displaceable together by actuating the adjustment device 59 in order to adapt the spatial light distribution V that may be produced by the optical component 15a. Provision may furthermore be made to adapt the radiation characteristic of the optical component 15a by changing the spacing of a plurality of lenses, and in particular of two lenses, for which purpose one of these lenses may, for example, be movable by means of the adjustment device 59. Beam angles of 15°, 25°, and/or 35° may in particular be settable in such an optical component 15a.

(18) Consequently, such a settability of the optical components 15 and 15a couplable to the spotlight 13 makes it possible to be able to adapt the produced spatial light distribution V without having to change the optical component 15. In a corresponding manner, alternatively to the spotlight system 11 shown here comprising interchangeable optics, provision may also be made to form a spotlight 13 comprising an integrated optical component 15. In this respect, the optical component 15 may be settable to be able to flexibly adapt the spatial light distribution V that may be produced, whereas it is also possible to form a spotlight 13 comprising an integrated and fixed optical component 15 so that the producible spatial light distribution V is defined.

(19) Due to the influence of a lighting or of the light conditions on a scene to be recorded or on a recorded scene, there is a need to be able to take into account data on the spatial light distribution V produced by an optical component 15 in conjunction with a spotlight 13, for example in postproduction, in order to expand the possibilities for the postprocessing of a scene, for example. Furthermore, it may be desired to perform a simulation of the light conditions on the basis of such data already before the recording of a scene in order to be able to find ideal settings and to apply them directly at the start of a shoot.

(20) To enable this, a spotlight system 11 described in the following with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D, comprising a spotlight 13 and an optical component 15 couplable to the spotlight 13, and a spotlight 13 illustrated in FIG. 4 comprising an integrated optical component 15 are configured to determine and output data on the spatial light distribution V producible by the respective optical component 15.

(21) The spotlight system 11 schematically shown in FIG. 2A comprises a spotlight 13 to which an optical component 15 is releasably coupled. In this respect, the spotlight 13 has a coupling device 29 having coupling elements 30 via which a coupling section 47, formed at a support body 53, of the optical component 15 is coupled to the spotlight 13. For this purpose, a plug-in connection, a rotary connection, a rotary plug-in connection or a sliding connection, and in particular a form fit or a force fit, may be present between the coupling elements 30 and the coupling section 47.

(22) Due to this releasable connection of the optical component 15 to the spotlight 13 via the coupling device 29, a plurality of different optical components 15, which may correspondingly be configured as interchangeable optics, may be flexibly coupled to the spotlight 13. The spotlight 13 is furthermore formed with a handle 39 so that the spotlight system 11 may be transported in a simple manner and may be positioned at a provided location by means of the tripod 41.

(23) The optical component 15 here has a lens 55 that is configured as a converging lens and that forms a spatial light distribution V from the light L generated by a lighting device 23 and exiting through a light exit opening 49. In this respect, the lens 55 acts such that light L emitted isotropically by the lighting device 23 is irradiated as a substantially parallelized radiation in order, for example, to be able radiate an object or a person in a focused manner. However, this design of the optical component 15 with a lens 55 is purely exemplary in this respect and optical components 15 of any desired design for producing any desired spatial light distributions V may generally be couplable to the spotlight 13 as a component of the spotlight system 11.

(24) Furthermore, the optical component 15 has a control device 33 that is configured to move the optical component 15 or at least parts thereof along an adjustment direction S and thereby to vary the spacing between the lens 55 and the light exit opening 49. For example, the control device 33 may for this purpose be connected to an electrically controllable adjustment device (e.g. an electric motor or other actuator, not shown) and may itself be electrically controllable, in particular via a radio connection. Alternatively to the control device 33, a manually actuable adjustment device may be provided. A half-scatter angle may in this respect, for example, be set by this spacing, wherein the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 may depend on the half-scatter angle or on the set spacing as an optics setting parameter E.

(25) To be able to provide data on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15, the optical component 15 has a memory 17 in which information I on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 is stored. In this respect, the information I may, for example, relate to a spatial brightness distribution and/or to a spatial color or spectral distribution, wherein the information I may, for example, also indicate a parameter of the optical component 15 such as a half-scatter angle or merely an identification of the optical component 15.

(26) The memory 17 is connected to the spotlight 13 via an interface 27, wherein the memory 17 may be automatically connectable to the interface 27 and readable via it on a coupling of the optical component 15 to the spotlight 13. The interface 27 is furthermore connected to an interface 19 to which a cable 45 is connected so that the information I stored in the memory 17 may be transmitted to an external data collection device 57 or the memory 17 may be read by the data collection device 57. In addition to the information I on the producible spatial light distribution V, an article number, a serial number, a half-scatter angle, and/or a luminosity value of the optical component 15 may, for example, also be stored in the memory 17 and may be transmittable to the outside or to the external data collection device 57 in this manner.

(27) As already mentioned above, the spatial light distribution V produced by the optical component 15 may be varied by moving the lens 15 along the adjustment direction S relative to the light exit opening 49. Consequently, the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 may depend on an optics setting parameter E, for example a half-scatter angle, that may be varied by such a setting.

(28) In order, for such a variably settable optical component 15, to be able to obtain and output data on the respective producible spatial light distribution V in dependence on the set value of the optics setting parameter E, the information I stored in the memory 17 may enable an approximation of the spatial light distribution V in dependence on the set value of the optics setting parameter E. For example, the stored information I may comprise a calculation rule that may comprise at least one respective polynomial interpolation F for a plurality of spatial points r that describes the dependence of a portion T of the producible spatial light distribution V at a respective spatial point r1 on the set value of the optics setting parameter E, as explained in more detail in the following in connection with the method illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6 of determining an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V. Furthermore, for a plurality of values E1, E2, E3 of the optics setting parameter E, the memory 17 may comprise a respective look-up table by means of which the spatial light distribution V producible at the respective value E1, E2 or E3 of the optics setting parameter E may be determined (cf. also FIGS. 5 and 6).

(29) To be able to carry out such a determination or calculation of the spatial light distribution V in dependence on the optics setting parameter E, the optical component 15 has a calculation device 21 that is connected to the memory 17 and that may, for example, be configured as a microprocessor. This calculation device 21 is in this respect also connected to the control device 33 of the optical component 15 so that a set or selected value of the optics setting parameter E may be determined and may be taken into account in a determination of the spatial light distribution V or an approximation thereof by the calculation device 21. For this purpose, the control device 33 (or a manually actuated adjustment device provided instead) may, for example, comprise a sensor by means of which the spacing of the lens 55 from the light exit opening 49 may be determined directly or indirectly and may thereby be taken into account as an optics setting parameter E by the calculation device 21. For example, such a sensor may be configured as an absolute or incremental position encoder (sensing an angle of rotation or sensing linearly).

(30) A determination of an approximation of the spatial light distribution V by the calculation device 21 may in particular comprise an insertion of the respective value of the optics setting parameter E into the aforementioned polynomial interpolations F. This may in particular enable a morphing between different spatial light distributions V, in which only additions and subtractions are performed, so that the calculated approximation of the spatial light distribution V may be obtained without a large calculation effort. Furthermore, the information may also comprise other types of calculation rules for determining the approximation by means of which the calculation device 21 determines the approximation. Such calculation rules may, for example, be based on physical models or comprise rules for interpolation between different reference light distributions Z, in particular measured reference light distributions Z. For example, provision may be made to determine an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V for values of the optics setting parameter E between reference values E1, E2, E3, for which reference light distributions Z1, Z2, Z3 are present, by linear interpolation between adjacent reference light distributions Z1 and Z2 or Z2 and Z3.

(31) The calculation device 21 is also connected via the first interface 27 to the spotlight 13 and via the latter to the interface 19 so that the approximation determined from the information I may be transmitted to the external data collection device 57.

(32) Furthermore, the spotlight 13 also has a control device 31 that is connected to the lighting device 23 and that is configured to control it. As FIG. 3 illustrates, the lighting device 23 of such a spotlight 13 may comprise a plurality of illuminants 25, wherein the illuminants 25 may in particular be configured as light-emitting diodes. The size of the already mentioned light exit opening 49 may be adapted to the size of the lighting device 23 or to the number of illuminants 25. In this respect, the control device 31 may be configured to selectively set a respective activation state of the illuminants 25. For example, such an activation state may comprise a switched-on state of an illuminant 25, a switched-off state, a switched-on state with a selected brightness, and/or a switched-on state with a selected emission spectrum. Such an activation state may furthermore be provided for a respective group of illuminants 25. Accordingly, by controlling the lighting device 23 and, for example, switching on a specific selection of illuminants 25 and switching off the further illuminants 25, the light L leaving the light exit opening 49 may be changed and the spatial light distribution V that may ultimately be produced by the optical component 15 may thus also be influenced. Similarly, brightness or color settings of the spotlight 13 may also be variable by the control of the lighting device 23.

(33) To also be able to take into account the setting of the lighting device 23 in the determination of the spatial light distribution V or to be able to output it as part of a light data set via the interface 19, the lighting device 23 is connected to the interface 27 between the spotlight 13 and the optical component 15. A settable value of a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13, for example a brightness value or a color value, may thereby be transmitted via the interface 27 and the interface 19 may be transmitted as part of a light data set, for example in EULUMDAT format, to the data collection device 57. Furthermore, the calculation device 21 of the optical component 15 may be configured to take into account the settable value of the light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13 in a determination of the spatial light distribution V, wherein the value of the light setting parameter P may be transmitted to the calculation device 21 via the interface 27. For example, a set brightness or color of the spotlight 13 or of the lighting device 23 may in this way be included as a settable parameter P in the determination, performed by the calculation device 21, of an approximation of the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15.

(34) In the embodiment of a spotlight system 11 illustrated in FIG. 28, the optical component 15 also has a memory 17 in which information I on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 is stored and which is connected to the spotlight 13 via an interface 27. Again, the memory 17 of the optical component 15 is connected via the interface 27 to an interface 19 formed at the spotlight 13 so that the data stored in the memory 17 and in particular the information I on the producible spatial light distribution V may be transmitted to the outside. However, this connection is not absolutely necessary if the calculation device 21 explained in the following is provided.

(35) Furthermore, the spotlight 13 here has a calculation device 21 that is connected to the interface 27 and that is configured to determine the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 or an approximation of this light distribution V on the basis of the information I and in dependence on a value of a variable optics setting parameter E. The calculation device 21 is in this respect connected to a sensor 35 by means of which the value of the optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 may be determined and may thus be taken into account in the determination of the approximation of the spatial light distribution V. For this purpose, the sensor 35 may, for example, be configured to determine the spacing between the lens 55 and the light exit opening 49, wherein this measure may, for example, be communicated to the calculation device 21 as a respective half-scatter angle corresponding thereto.

(36) The calculation device 21 is furthermore connected to the lighting device 23 so that the calculation device 21 may also take into account respective settable values of a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13 in the determination. The calculation device 21 is furthermore connected to a control device 31 of the spotlight 13 that is configured to control the lighting device 23. Alternatively or in addition to the direct connection of the calculation device 21 to the lighting device 23 and to the sensor 35, the parameters P and E relating to the spotlight system 11 may, as shown, also be transmitted indirectly via the control device 31 to the calculation device 21.

(37) In this respect, in addition to the lighting device 23, the control device 31 is also connected to an electrically controllable adjustment device 59 that may, for example, be integrated in the coupling device 29, wherein the control device 31 is configured to move the optical component 15 coupled to the spotlight 13 or its lens 55 along the adjustment direction S by means of the adjustment device 59 and thereby to set the optics setting parameter E. Alternatively thereto, an adjustment device that is not shown in FIG. 2B, that is separate from the coupling device 29 and that is manually actuable may generally also be provided (cf. also adjustment device 59 in FIG. 1G), wherein the value of the optics setting parameter E in such embodiments, as mentioned, may be determined by means of the sensor 35, may be transmitted to the calculation device 21, and may thereby be taken into account in the determination of the approximation of the spatial light distribution V.

(38) Again, the calculation device 21 is connected to the interface 19 so that the value of the optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 and/or the calculation result already determined by the calculation device 21 may be forwarded to the outside and in particular to the external data collection device 57.

(39) Provision may generally also be made that the determination of an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V is carried out in a plurality of steps and, for example, distributed over respective calculation devices 21 of the optical component 15 and of the spotlight 13. In this respect, a first result of a determination of the calculation device 21 of the optical component 15 may, for example, be transmitted to a calculation device 21 of the spotlight 13, wherein the calculation device 21 of the spotlight 13 ultimately calculates the desired approximation based on the first result.

(40) In the exemplary embodiment of a spotlight system 11 illustrated in FIG. 2C, the optical component 15 coupled or couplable to the spotlight 13 also has a memory 17 comprising information I on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15. This information I and other data stored in the memory 17 may be transmitted to an external data collection device 57 via an interface 27 and an interface 19 and the cable 45. Furthermore, the interface 19 is connected to a sensor 35 for determining a settable optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 and also any settings of the lighting device 23 or values of a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13 may be transmitted to the external data collection device 57 via the interface 19.

(41) Furthermore, the data collection device 57 in this respect has a calculation device 21 that is configured to determine the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 in dependence on the optics setting parameter E and on the settable value of the light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13. Provision may thus be made to only transmit the values of the parameters E and P and other light data from the spotlight system 11 to the external data collection device 57, wherein any calculations are not performed in the spotlight system 11 itself, but rather by external devices. For example, the external data collection device 57 may be configured as a computer that prepares or processes the metadata for postproduction.

(42) In addition to the transmission via a cable 45, provision may generally also be made in all the embodiments that the data is transmitted wirelessly via the interface 19 and/or the interface 27 and via a radio connection, for example. In such a transmission, a determination of the spatial light distribution may in particular also be performed in a light planning app or light evaluation app on a mobile device or smartphone.

(43) In the spotlight system 11 shown in FIG. 2D, an optical component 15 is provided that is releasably connectable to a spotlight 13 via a coupling device 29, wherein the spotlight 13 has a memory 17 in which information I on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15 is stored. The spotlight 13 additionally has a calculation device 21 connected to the memory 17 to be able to determine an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V in dependence on a settable value of an optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 (if the optics setting parameter E is adjustable) and on a settable value of a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13 (if the light setting parameter P is settable).

(44) In this respect, the calculation device 21 is connected to a selection device 61 so that a user may, for example, select a respective coupled optical component 15 to make the determination of the spatial light distribution V producible by means of that optical component 15 possible for the calculation device 21. For a plurality of couplable optical components 15, the memory 17 may accordingly comprise information I on the respective spatial light distribution V that may be produced by means of this optical component 15. Furthermore, the spotlight 13 has a detection device 63 that is configured to automatically detect a respective coupled optical component 15 so that this identification, which is necessary for determining the producible spatial light distribution V, may be automatically transmitted to the calculation device 21 via the control device 31 of the spotlight 13 connected to the detection device 63.

(45) In general, as can be seen from the different possible embodiments of the spotlight system 11, the components described together in connection with a spotlight system 11 with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D, a spotlight 13 and an optical component 15, may thus also separately enable the provision of data on the spatial light distribution V producible by means of the optical component 15. Accordingly, despite their joint description in a spotlight system 11, these components are each also to be understood independently of this spotlight system 11 as separate aspects of the present invention.

(46) In addition to such spotlight systems 11 comprising spotlights 13 and optical components 15 selectively couplable thereto, FIG. 4 shows a spotlight 13 comprising an integrated or fixedly connected optical component 15 for producing a spatial light distribution V. The optical component 15 is in this respect consequently permanently connected to the spotlight 13. The spotlight 13 has a memory 17 in which information I on the producible spatial light distribution V is stored and the memory 17 is connected to a calculation device 21 to be able to determine an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V in dependence on a variable optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 and of a settable parameter P of the spotlight 13. To be able to change the producible spatial light distribution V in the case of such an integrated optical component 15, the spotlight 13 has an adjustment device 59 via which the spacing between the lens 55 and the light exit opening 49 may be varied manually or by an electrical control by means of the control device 31 of the spotlight 13.

(47) Furthermore, provision may also be made that a spotlight 13 comprising an integrated optical component 15, whose setting is not variable, has a memory 17 comprising information I on the spatial light distribution V producible by the optical component 15, wherein such a spotlight 13 may, for example, also comprise a calculation device 21 to be able to determine the producible spatial light distribution V in dependence on a settable value of a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13, for example a brightness value.

(48) FIG. 5 illustrates a method of determining an approximation of a spatial light distribution V of a spotlight system 11 comprising a spotlight 13 and an optical component 15 couplable or coupled thereto, which method may, for example, be performed by the calculation devices 21 of the spotlight systems 11 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D or by the calculation device 21 of the spotlight 13 illustrated in FIG. 4.

(49) In this respect, in a first step 101, a value of a setting parameter E, P of the spotlight system 11, on which the spatial light distribution V directly or indirectly depends, is first determined. In this respect, the setting parameter E, P may, for example, comprise an optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15, in particular a half-scatter angle of the optical component 15, or a light setting parameter P of the spotlight 13 such as the already mentioned activation states of illuminants 25 of a lighting device 23 of the spotlight 13. The setting parameter E. P may furthermore, for example, also comprise a spacing of a lens 55 or of a reflector 56 from said lighting device 23 or spacings of such optical elements of the optical component from one another.

(50) Subsequently, in the step 103, a memory 17 is read in which, for example, look-up tables or calculation rules for determining an approximation of the spatial light distribution V in dependence on the set value of the setting parameter E, P may be stored. Accordingly, in a subsequent step 105, a check may take place as to whether the memory 17 comprises a look-up table, from which an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V may be read, for the respective determined value of the setting parameter E, P or whether the approximation for this value of the setting parameter E, P may be determined by means of a stored calculation rule.

(51) If a look-up table is present, it may be read in a step 107 and the thus determined approximation of the spatial light distribution V at the determined value of the setting parameter E, P may be output in a final step 109.

(52) For example, in such a look-up table, approximations of the spatial light distribution V that may actually be produced may be reproduced for a plurality of reference light distributions Z that may, for example, have been obtained in a preceding calibration step 201 by a plurality of measurements of the spatial light distribution V at different values E1, E2, E3 of the setting parameter E or P (cf. also FIG. 6). In particular in spotlight systems 11 that only enable a limited and discrete selection of values E1, E2, E3 of the setting parameter E or P, for example a discrete selection of possible half-scatter angles of an optical component 15, all of the possible producible spatial light distributions V may generally be determined from such look-up tables.

(53) If, in contrast, no look-up table is available for the respective determined value of the optics setting parameter E, a calculation rule, based on which an approximation of the spatial light distribution V may be calculated, may be read from the memory 17 in a step 111. For example, such a calculation rule may define a rule for interpolation between respective reference light distributions Z1. Z2, Z3 to be able to determine an approximation of the producible spatial light distribution V at a value of the optics setting parameter E for which no reference light distribution Z is present. A linear interpolation between such reference light distributions Z may in particular be provided in this respect.

(54) Furthermore, the calculation rule may comprise respective polynomial interpolations F for a plurality of spatial points r, said respective polynomial interpolations F describing the portion T of the light incident on a respective spatial point r1 in dependence on the optics setting parameter E. Such polynomial interpolations F may in this respect have been determined in a parameterization step 203 preceding the method, as FIG. 6 illustrates.

(55) In this respect, a plurality of reference light distributions Z may first be measured in a calibration step 201 at different values E1, E2 and E3, here three values by way of example, of the optics setting parameter E (cf. FIG. 6). On the basis of these reference light distributions Z, a portion T of the light attributable to a spatial point, for example the spatial point r1, at the respective values E1, E2 and E3 of the optics setting parameter E may be determined for a plurality of spatial points r.

(56) In a parameterization step 203, the thus determined portions T1, T2 and T3 that are incident on the spatial point r1 at the values E1, E2 and E3 of the optics setting parameter E may serve as sampling points by means of which a polynomial interpolation F may be determined that reflects the dependence of the portion T incident on the spatial point r1 on the optics setting parameter E. For example, the interpolation parameters a.sub.i of the polynomial interpolation F may be determined by fitting an Nth order polynomial function to the sampling points. Finally, the determined interpolation parameters at as well as the spatial point r1 may be stored in the memory 17 of the spotlight system 11 in a storage step 205. Alternatively or additionally, the reference light distributions Z1, Z2 and Z3 may, for example, be written to the memory 17 in the form of a respective look-up table so that, on a setting of the optics setting parameter E to one of the values E1, E2 or E3, such a table may be accessed directly and in a time-saving manner without a determination taking place.

(57) Alternatively to such a calculation rule that is based on a plurality of polynomial interpolations F, other types of calculation rules may also be stored in the memory 17 and read in the step 111 (cf. FIG. 5). For example, the calculation rule may have been developed by means of one or more or different physical models or may be based thereon or on previous simulations.

(58) In addition to determining the value of an optics setting parameter E in the step 101, a querying of further settings of the spotlight system 11 that may influence the producible spatial light distribution V may take place in a step 113. In addition to a half-scatter angle of the optical component 15 or a setting influencing the half-scatter angle, respective light setting parameters P, such as brightness and/or color settings, of the spotlight 13 may in this respect particularly be taken into account as a determined setting parameter E. Such a step 113 for querying further parameters P may generally take place at any desired point in time of the method shown in FIG. 5 and, if necessary, look-up tables may also be created that take into account the influence of further parameters P on the producible spatial light distribution V. Accordingly, also in the case of determining an approximation by means of a look-up table, further parameters P influencing the producible spatial light distribution V may also be determined in a step, not shown, before the step 105 or the step 107, or the step 113 may in particular also take place before step 105.

(59) After the calculation rule as well as the values of all the parameters E. P of the spotlight system 11 to be taken into account have been determined, an approximation of the spatial light distribution V that is or may actually be produced may be determined on the basis of the calculation rule in a step 115. Only additions and subtractions may in particular be carried out in this determination to be able to obtain a result in a simple manner, and accordingly without a large calculation effort, and to be able to transmit it in real time. For example, the determined values of the relevant parameters E, P may in this respect be inserted into said polynomial interpolations F in order to determine an approximation of the spatial light distribution V. Finally, the determined approximation may be output in a step 117.

(60) The method illustrated in FIG. 5 may generally be carried out in different variants. For example, only either look-up tables or calculation rules may in particular also be provided.

(61) The spotlight systems 11, spotlights 13, and optical components 15 disclosed herein make it possible to determine light data that are as complete as possible, and in particular data on the spatial light distribution V that may be produced by means of an optical component 15, and to provide them in real time. Furthermore, the producible spatial light distribution V may also be determined in dependence on a settable optics setting parameter E of the optical component 15 or on other settable parameters, in particular light setting parameters P of the spotlight 13 or of the spotlight system 11, in particular by carrying out the method described so that light data may, for example, be provided for the postproduction of a film recording at any setting of a spotlight system 11.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

(62) 11 spotlight system 13 spotlight 15 optical component 15a further optical component 17 memory 19 interface to the outside 21 calculation device 23 lighting device 25 illuminant 27 interface between optical component and spotlight 29 coupling device 30 coupling element of the spotlight 31 control device of the spotlight 32 coupling element of the optical component 33 control device of the optical component 34 ring 35 sensor 36 release mechanism 37 spotlight housing 39 handle 41 tripod 43 holding section 45 cable 47 coupling section 49 light exit opening 51 alignment device 53 support body 55 lens 56 reflector 57 external data collection device 59 adjustment device 61 selection device 63 detection device 101 determining a value of the setting parameter 103 reading the memory 105 checking 107 reading a look-up table 109 outputting an approximation 111 reading a calculation rule 113 querying settings of the spotlight system 115 determining an approximation 117 outputting the calculated approximation 201 calibration step 203 parameterization step 205 storage step A pivot axis a.sub.i parameters of the polynomial interpolation E, E1, E2, E3 optics setting parameters F polynomial interpolation I information L generated light P light setting parameter S adjustment direction V producible spatial light distribution Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 reference light distribution