Overview of the UTCS Automation
System
The Goto star projector is operated manually, as described in
other pages on this website. Full automatic control for the star
projector is now being implemented, and will be completed in spring
1998. All projector lamps will be dimmable to one of 100 levels at
one of 1000 rates. All motion controls will include speed and
position.
All auxiliary projectors and the sound and video systems are
already automated with Hercules software, which controls Universal
Theater Control Systems (UTCS) hardware installed by
Jon Frantz, founder of East Coast
Control Systems (ECCS). For maximum flexibility in interactive shows
and planetarium labs, and to facilitate student operation of the
planetarium, the UTCS automation system is modular and Hercules
scripting is easily learned.
Hercules software interface.
- Automation software provides a single user friendly
environment for show programming, editing and playback. In
producing a new program we can cut and paste different segments of
existing programs without having to work from scratch. The
automation system also allows for alterations of programming and
show schedules (e.g., different shows may be set up to run on the
same days).
- Manual control is possible by means of the computer keyboard,
allowing purely live and extemporaneous presentations through
direct-command keying. In addition, live sequences may be
preprogrammed and cued manually, for a computer-assisted live
presentation.
- Device status is displayed at all times. Up to eight
independent and simultaneous looping events allow multitasking.
Looping constructs provide advanced animation and flashing
capabilities with user-defined frame rates, flash frequencies, and
flash duty cycles.
Full automatic and manual control has been installed for the
following:
- Slide projectors
Control for each slide projector includes power, lamp (dimmable to
one of 100 levels at one of 1000 rates), tray forward, tray
reverse, and tray home sense.
- Special effects projectors
Control for each special effect projector includes lamp (120VAC,
dimmable to one of 100 levels at one of 1000 rates), and motion #2
(120VAC, switchable on/off).
- Room lighting
Includes theatrical lighting, star machine spotlights, footlights,
entry lights, and quartz worklights. All lighting channels are
dimmable to one of 100 levels at one of 1000 rates.
- Timecoded Playback
Playback synchronization of all devices is maintained using SMPTE
time code. Full random access capabilities allows the correct
playback of show sections. All projection devices correctly follow
the ADAT soundtrack, even if the tape is stopped, shuttled to
another show section, and restarted.
The system is readily expandable to incorporate future equipment
additions. Up to 256 devices can be accommodated. The devices may
include any combination of slide projectors, special effects, video
devices, general and special room and cove lighting, and star machine
control.
OBU Planetarium:
http://www.okbu.edu/academics/natsci/planet/index.htm