Remote Focusing Unit

Abstract

A remote-control device which allows remotely controlling parameters of a light via a console. The console actually does the controlling, but the remote-control device enables control of the light parameters by sending the information to the console. For example, the remote can be used to control preset values or to control other aspects of the console. The console may store presets associated with focus, and those presets can be changed from the remote.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remote control device, comprising:
 a portable computer, having a housing, a screen that shows a display that is touched to select functions, and a processor, and a wireless capability that sends information wirelessly to a remote location,   said portable computer running a stored program that produces a user interface on said display for controlling at least one remotely controllable light, that is controlled to move a position of its output under control of the portable computer, and is also remotely controllable to have other controlled lighting functions that are remotely controlled from said portable computer;   said portable computer controlled to select a selected control function for said at least one light, including a first function include including moving the position of the light, and a second function including changing a light output;   said user interface display including a picture of an encoder that includes a first spot on the encoder indicating a location to be touched in order to rotate the encoder on the display,   and where the encoder is virtually rotated by holding said spot and rotating, in order to change a control amount of the selected control function,   and where rotating areas by holding areas on the screen other than said spot on the encoder do not correspondingly change the control amount of the selected function; and   where the control of the function is sent using the wireless capability.   
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said encoder is used to focus the light. 
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said changing the beam of the light includes changing the intensity of the light. 
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the spot is a black spot shown on the display. 
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the spot is held by a stylus in order to rotate the spot to virtually rotate the encoder and change the selected control function. 
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the controls include a slow function which toggles on and off to slow the action of the encoder in order to allow more minor adjustments. 
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the encoder is displayed on different locations on the display for different functions. 
     
     
         8 . A method of remotely controlling at least one light from a portable computer, comprising:
 running a stored program on a portable computer that has a screen that shows a display that is touched to select functions on a user interface on said display for controlling at least one remotely controllable light;   said controlling including moving a position of an output of said light under control of the portable computer,   and also controlling other controlled lighting functions that are remotely controlled from said portable computer;   selecting a selected control function for said at least one light, including a first function that includes moving a position of the light, and a second function including changing a light output;   said stored program display a picture of an encoder that includes a first spot on the encoder indicating a location to be touched in order to rotate the encoder on the display,   and where the encoder is virtually rotated by holding said spot and rotating, in order to change a control amount of the selected control function, and sends a command via a wireless capability to a remote location,   and where rotating areas by holding areas on the screen other than said spot on the encoder do not correspondingly change the control amount of the selected function.   
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein said encoder is used to focus the light. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein said changing the beam of the light includes changing the intensity of the light. 
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the spot is a black spot shown on the display. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the spot is held by a stylus in order to rotate the spot to virtually rotate the encoder and change the selected control function. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the controls include a slow function which toggles on and off to slow the action of the encoder in order to allow more minor adjustments. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the encoder is displayed on different locations on the display for different functions.