Due to technological progress high-power show lasers systems are becoming increasingly affordable. In many countries national regulations allow audience scanning if the exposures are below specific limit values typically defined in the international laser safety standard IEC 60825-1. The assessment of a laser show is complex and time-consuming as the maximum exposure occurs typically only at a specific time and place during the show. Usually exposures are measured “manually” at simple patterns (circles, rectangles) using a simple detector.
This paper presents an alternative approach to the assessment of laser show hazards consistent and in real time. It comprises two steps: First, the show laser projector is characterized by sending specific signals to the laser head and measuring its output. From the output the deflection speed and position of the scanners, as well as the optical characteristics of the laser projector is obtained in relation to the input signals. In a second step the signals generated by the laser show driving software is analyzed. By this the exposure of the laser show can be assessed in real time and at each point within a defined audience region simultaneously.