OUTDOOR LASER SHOW CONTROL SYSTEM USING AIRCRAFT TRACKING DATA

Number: 20230419841
Published: 2023-12-28
Filed: 2022-06-24
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Milluzzi; Andrew Jesse et al.
CPC: G01C15/004; G08G5/21; G08G5/22
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Outdoor laser-show control system using drone/aircraft tracking.

Abstract

A control system, and associated control method, that processes aircraft tracking data to determine precise location information for aircraft in the vicinity of an outdoor show that includes laser projectors. The aircraft location information for each aircraft is processed along with heading and speed data to generate a set of laser control data, which is communicated via a monitoring interface to a laser projector operator for use in operating the laser projector. The control system determines the scan field into which the laser projector may project its light during the show, and this scan field is provided, e.g., visually in the monitoring interface, to the laser projector operator along with the sets of laser control data for each aircraft. The laser projector operator may then terminate or continue to operate the laser projector based on this very precise information related to the scan field and location of aircraft.

Background

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description

The present invention relates, in general, to control systems and methods for safely providing an outdoor show that includes lasers, and, more particularly, to a laser show control system that is configured to facilitates terminating laser operations in an effective and safe manner when aircraft are traveling in or near a laser scan space or field. 2. Relevant Background

Outdoor laser shows are used in many settings to provide unique entertainment. For example, lasers are used as part of nighttime shows in theme and amusement parks to entertain crowds in outdoor venues. The laser lighting may be used to illuminate the sky above the crowd's heads on their own or as part of a show with an aerial display that may include fireworks, drones, projected features, and the like.

The laser projectors must be operated safely as part of these shows including when aircraft such as piloted airplanes and helicopters enter the air space in which the outdoor show is being presented. Many laser show or projector operators utilize unterminated lasers or laser projectors, and these laser projectors need to be operated so as to not interfere with aircraft. Particularly, operators of the laser projectors need to terminate laser emissions when there is a risk that laser light could be projected onto an aircraft or into a cockpit, which could undesirably interfere with a pilot's vision.

During operations of a laser projector or show

Claims

1. A system for use in controlling a laser projector, comprising: a receiver configured for receiving a tracking beacon transmitted by a transmitter in an aircraft; a monitoring system communicatively linked to the receiver operable to communicate with the receiver to receive aircraft tracking data provided in the tracking beacon; memory accessible by the monitoring system storing a digital model of a scan field for the laser projector; a display in the monitoring system with a screen observable by an operator; and a processor on the monitoring system configured to execute code or instructions to provide a control module, wherein the control module generates a monitoring interface displayed on the screen, and wherein the monitoring interface includes an image of the digital model of the scan field and an icon representing the aircraft, the icon being spatially mapped to boundaries of the digital model of the scan field. || 11. A system for use in controlling a laser projector, comprising: an RF receiver configured to receive ADS-B protocol signals transmitted from an aircraft; a monitoring system communicatively lined to the RF receiver to receive aircraft tracking data from the RF receiver based on a received one of the ADS-B protocol signals, wherein the aircraft tracking data includes a current position and heading of the aircraft; a controller in the monitoring system generating a monitoring interface that includes an image of a scan field of the laser projector, an icon representing the aircraft spatially mapping the current position to the image of the scan field, and a textual or graphic representation of the heading of the aircraft; and a display operated by the controller to display the monitoring interface. || 17. A method for use in controlling a laser projector during an outdoor show, comprising: displaying an image representative of a scan field of the laser projector on a display screen; receiving aircraft tracking data from a receiver; processing the aircraft tracking data to determine 3D coordinates for an aircraft associated with the aircraft tracking data; and concurrently with the displaying of the image, displaying a symbol representative of the aircraft on the display screen at a position mapped to coordinates of one or more boundaries defining the scan field based on the 3D coordinates of the aircraft.