Digital control unit for projector automation systems

An automation device comprising:

• a housing;
• a processor provided in the housing capable of executing programmed instructions;
• a first port to the housing configured to communicate with a cinema automation system;
• a second port to the housing configured to communicate with a digital projector;
• and
• a third pod to the housing configured to communicate with a central scheduling system;
• wherein the automation device executes by operation of the processor stored scheduling commands and implements the stored scheduling commands by generating control signals on the first port and/or the second port with the processor;
• and
• wherein the automation device operates the process to monitor status information on the first port and the second port and to provide the status information to the central scheduling system via the second or third port.

A method for automating theatre activities comprising:

• monitoring operational state of a film projector;
• monitoring operational state of a digital projector;
• and
• generating automation control signals to the film projector and the digital projector in response to the execution of scheduling commands;
• wherein the acts of monitoring and generating automation control signals are performed by an automation device coupled to the film projector and the digital projector and the scheduling commands are provided by an external scheduling system coupled to the automation device.

An automation device comprising:

• a housing;
• a processor in the housing capable of executing programmed instructions;
• a first port to the housing configured to communicate with a cinema automation system;
• a second port to the housing configured to communicate with a digital projector;
• and
• a third port to the housing configured to communicate with a central scheduling system;
• wherein the automation device receives commands from the central scheduling system and with the processor implements the received commands by generating control signals on the first port and/or the second port;
• and
• wherein by operating the processor the automation device monitors status information on the first port and the second port and provides the status information to the central scheduling system via the third port.