Method for controlling light bar through bridge circuit and light bar control circuit adopting method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a method for controlling a light bar by a bridge circuit and a light bar control circuit adopting the method, and the method is used for controlling a plurality of light bars at specified positions and is compatible with light bars of different versions. The method for controlling the light bar through the bridge circuit comprises the steps that a bridge circuit is provided, and each bridge end of the bridge circuit is coupled with a corresponding light bar position; a sequence micro-control circuit is provided, and the sequence micro-control circuit is coupled with the control end of the bridge circuit through the wiring without the connecting pins and is coupled with the data input end of the bridge circuit through the wiring of the data pins; according to the position of the light bar to be controlled, the sequence micro-control circuit outputs an analog voltage through the wiring without the connecting pins, and the electrical coupling relation between the bridging end of the bridging circuit and the data input end of the bridging circuit is switched.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for controlling a light bar, and in particular, to a method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit and a light bar control circuit using this method. Background Art

[0002] Addressable RGB light-emitting diodes (ARGB LEDs) are generally used in computer cases, monitors, keyboards, mice, other gaming devices, art lighting, vehicle personalized lighting appearances, industrial machine status indicators, etc. to create attractive lighting effects and personalized appearances. These light-emitting diode light bars can be adjusted through software or hardware control to adapt to different gaming scenarios or user preferences. However, under the control of a single serial control port of the serial micro-control circuit, the first-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diodes can only control one addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bar. If two addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bars are coupled, they cannot be controlled separately.

[0003] To solve the pain point that the original addressable RGB light-emitting diodes can only control one light bar under the control of a single interface of the microcontroller and cannot control multiple light bars simultaneously, the second-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diodes (Gen2 ARGB LEDs) have added relevant communications for command control, enabling the microcontroller to individually control the light bars connected in parallel to a single interface through the newly added commands. Its operation mechanism is as Figures 1A to 1C shown Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C are respectively shown as the control schematic diagrams of the second-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bar control circuit of the prior art. Please refer to Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C . This second-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bar control circuit includes a first addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bar 101, a second addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bar 102, and a serial micro-control circuit 103.

[0004] In order to be able to distinguish the recipients of data packets, the second-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bars 101 and 102 will respond to the serial micro-control circuit 103 with their own identification codes, enabling the serial micro-control circuit 103 to obtain the identification codes of each light bar. In addition, after the serial micro-control circuit 103 is started, it will also assign a group of individual dynamic identifiers (Dynamic ID) to each of the second-generation addressable RGB light-emitting diode light bars 101 and 102.

[0005] Although the second-generation addressable red, green, and blue LED light strips 101 and 102 have added a Dynamic ID, which enables the serial micro-control circuit 103 to distinguish different light strips, the serial micro-control circuit 103 assigns the Dynamic ID only when it is powered on each time. As a result, each time it is powered on, the dynamic identifiers assigned to each of the second-generation addressable red, green, and blue LED light strips 101 and 102 may be different, as shown in Figure 1B and Figure 1C shown. Therefore, the user must first manually control the second-generation addressable red, green, and blue LED light strips 101 and 102 to confirm the positions of the second-generation addressable red, green, and blue LED light strips 101 and 102 being controlled.

[0006] To accurately control the positions of each of the second-generation addressable red, green, and blue LED light strips 101 and 102, the user needs to manually create a special correspondence table so that the serial micro-control circuit 103 can control the light strips according to the user's expected target. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a method for controlling a light strip by a bridging circuit and a light strip control circuit using this method, so that the user can accurately control the light strip at each position without having to pre-determine the position of the light strip.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling a light strip by a bridging circuit, which is used to control a plurality of light strips and is compatible with different versions of light strips. Among them, the light strips are arranged at a plurality of light strip positions. Each socket at each light strip position includes a power pin, a ground pin, an unconnected pin, and a data pin. The method for controlling the light strip by this bridging circuit includes: providing a bridging circuit, wherein each bridging end of the bridging circuit is coupled to the data pin of the corresponding light strip position; providing a serial micro-control circuit, wherein the serial micro-control circuit is coupled to the control end of the bridging circuit through the trace of the unconnected pin and is coupled to the data input end of the bridging circuit through the trace of the data pin; and according to the light strip position to be controlled, the serial micro-control circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging end of the bridging circuit and the data input end of the bridging circuit.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a light bar control circuit for controlling a plurality of light bars and being compatible with different versions of light bars. Among them, the light bars are arranged at a plurality of light bar positions. The socket at each light bar position includes a power pin, a ground pin, an unconnected pin, and a data pin. The light bar control circuit includes a bridging circuit and a serial micro-control circuit. The bridging circuit includes a plurality of bridging terminals, a control terminal, and a data input terminal. Each bridging terminal is coupled to the data pin of the socket at the corresponding light bar position. The serial micro-control circuit is coupled to the control terminal of the bridging circuit through the trace of the unconnected pin and is coupled to the data input terminal of the bridging circuit through the trace of the data pin. The serial micro-control circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin according to the light bar position to be controlled, and switches the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging terminal of the bridging circuit and the data input terminal of the bridging circuit.

[0010] According to the method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit and the light bar control circuit using this method in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned plurality of light bars include second-generation addressable RGB light bars (Gen 2 Addressable RGB), and the method for controlling a light bar by the bridging circuit further includes: controlling the bridging circuit to electrically connect each bridging terminal of the bridging circuit to the data input terminal of the bridging circuit; and the serial micro-control circuit communicates with the second-generation addressable RGB light bars (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) among the above-mentioned plurality of light bars to obtain the identifiers of the second-generation addressable RGB light bars (Gen 2 Addressable RGB).

[0011] According to the method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit and the light bar control circuit using this method in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the above-mentioned light bar positions is N. According to the light bar position to be controlled, the serial micro-control circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging terminal of the bridging circuit and the data input terminal of the bridging circuit, including: enabling the serial micro-control circuit to output at least N groups of analog voltages through the unconnected pin; when controlling the Kth light bar position, outputting the Kth analog voltage to electrically connect the circuit between the Kth bridging terminal of the bridging circuit and the data input terminal of the bridging circuit, where N and K are natural numbers, and 0 < K ≤ N.

[0012] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention employ a configuration of a bridging circuit between the light bar and the sequential micro-control circuit, and this bridging circuit corresponds to sockets at multiple light bar positions. After the user sets up the light bar, the sequential micro-control circuit can intuitively control the light bar according to the position of the light bar that the user desires to control. The sequential micro-control circuit then outputs a control voltage according to the user's instruction to control the bridging circuit to electrically connect the line at the corresponding light bar position to the sequential micro-control circuit. Thus, the sequential micro-control circuit can directly control the light bar at the corresponding light bar position.

[0013] To further understand the technology, means, and effects of the present invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description and drawings, so as to thoroughly and specifically understand the objectives, features, and concepts of the present invention. However, the following detailed description and drawings are only for reference and illustration of the implementation manner of the present invention, and are not used to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The provided drawings are used to enable those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification of the present invention. The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the specification of the present invention to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1A It is a control schematic diagram of a second-generation addressable red, green, and blue light-emitting diode light bar control circuit shown as the prior art.

[0016] Figure 1B It is a control schematic diagram of a second-generation addressable red, green, and blue light-emitting diode light bar control circuit shown as the prior art.

[0017] Figure 1C It is a control schematic diagram of a second-generation addressable red, green, and blue light-emitting diode light bar control circuit shown as the prior art.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a circuit diagram of a light bar control circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3A It is a schematic diagram of a socket (Header) at the position of a 5V addressable red, green, and blue (ARGB) light bar shown as the prior art.

[0020] Figure 3B It is a schematic diagram of a socket (Header) at the position of a 5V addressable red, green, and blue (ARGB) light bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5The flowchart of sub-steps of step S404 of the method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] 101 First addressable RGB LED light bar;

[0024] 102 Second addressable RGB LED light bar;

[0025] 103 Serial microcontroller circuit;

[0026] 201 Serial microcontroller circuit;

[0027] 202 Bridging circuit;

[0028] TA, TB…TO Bridging terminals;

[0029] CTRL Control terminal;

[0030] IN Data input terminal;

[0031] 301 Power pin;

[0032] 302 Data pin;

[0033] 303A No connection;

[0034] 303B No connection pin;

[0035] 304 Ground pin;

[0036] S401~S404 Steps of the method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] S501~S502 Sub-steps of step S404 of the method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manner

[0038] Now, reference will be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the exemplary embodiments will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or similar parts. Additionally, the practices of the exemplary embodiments are only one of the implementation manners of the design concept of the present invention, and the following exemplifications are not used to limit the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 The circuit diagram of the light bar control circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Please refer to Figure 2, in this embodiment, this light bar control circuit can control multiple light bars and is compatible with the first-generation addressable RGB light bars (Addressable RGB) and the second-generation addressable RGB light bars (Gen 2 Addressable RGB). In this embodiment, the light bar control circuit includes a series of micro-control circuits 201 and a bridge circuit 202. The bridge circuit 202 includes fifteen bridge terminals TA, TB... TO, a control terminal CTRL, and a data input terminal IN. Among them, each bridge terminal TA, TB... TO is coupled to the data pin of the socket at the corresponding light bar position.

[0040] In addition, since the socket at each light bar position has 4 pins, as Figure 3A and 3B shown, Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the socket (Header) of the 5V addressable RGB (ARGB) light bar position in the prior art. Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the socket (Header) of the 5V addressable RGB (ARGB) light bar position in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , in the prior art, the socket at the light bar position has a power pin 301, a data pin 302, no connection 303A, and a ground pin 304. The above-mentioned pins 301, 302, 304 all have corresponding pin positions in the series micro-control circuit 201. The bridge circuit 202 bridges the data pins 302 at each corresponding position and the data output terminal of the series micro-control circuit 201. Please refer to Figure 3B again. In order not to waste layout space, in this embodiment, a wire is pulled through the series micro-control circuit 201 to the original no-connection 303A position, and a no-connection pin 303B is configured at the no-connection 303A position. Through this no-connection pin 303B, the bridge circuit 202 is controlled. The specific control method in this embodiment is to use 16 groups of voltages for control, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0041]

[0042]

[0043] Table 1

[0044] Among them, the 16th level of voltage means that the bridge circuit 202 electrically connects each bridge terminal TA, TB... TO to the data input terminal IN; the 15th level of voltage means that the bridge circuit 202 electrically connects the bridge terminal TA to the data input terminal IN; the 14th level of voltage means that the bridge circuit 202 electrically connects the bridge terminal TB to the data input terminal IN; and so on.

[0045] Suppose the user wants to control the light bar at the position corresponding to the bridging terminal TA and outputs an instruction. At this time, the serial micro-control circuit 201 will output a voltage of level 15 through its pins. When the control terminal of the bridging circuit 202 receives the voltage of level 15, it will electrically connect the bridging terminal TA to the data input terminal IN, and the data pin of the serial micro-control circuit 201 will output the data for controlling the light bar corresponding to the bridging terminal TA to control the light bar corresponding to the bridging terminal TA.

[0046] In the above embodiment, there is also a voltage of level 16 for electrically connecting each of the bridging terminals TA, TB... TO to the data input terminal IN. This function is mainly designed for the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen2 Addressable RGB). Initially, the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) needs to transmit its own unique identifier to the serial micro-control circuit 201, and the serial micro-control circuit 201 must assign a corresponding dynamic identifier to each of the above second-generation addressable RGB light bars (Gen 2 Addressable RGB). Therefore, at this time, each of the bridging terminals TA, TB... TO will be electrically connected to the data input terminal IN to perform the above actions. In the prior art, since the position of the connection 303A itself has no pins, the voltage of this level 16 is preset.

[0047] In the above embodiment, through the operations of the serial micro-control circuit 201 and the bridging circuit 202, it is possible to ignore whether the light bar coupled to each of the bridging terminals TA, TB... TO is a second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) or a first-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 1 Addressable RGB). For example, suppose the serial micro-control circuit 201 operates as above to control the light bar corresponding to the bridging terminal TB and does not know whether the light bar corresponding to the bridging terminal TB is a second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) or a first-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 1 Addressable RGB). In this case, the serial micro-control circuit 201 can sequentially output the control signals for the first-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen1 Addressable RGB), the control signals for the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) with a dynamic identification code (Dynamic ID) of 1, the control signals for the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) with a dynamic identification code (Dynamic ID) of 2... the control signals for the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) with a dynamic identification code (Dynamic ID) of 15.

[0048] Assuming that the coupled light bar is the first-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 1 Addressable RGB), the first output signal can complete the control. If it is assumed that the coupled light bar is the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB), then among the subsequent 15 output signals, one of them will complete the above control. In this way, it can be ensured that the light bar corresponding to the bridge terminal TB outputs the light signal controlled by the user.

[0049] From the above embodiments, a method for controlling a light bar by a bridge circuit can be summarized. Figure 4 The flowchart of the method for controlling a light bar by a bridge circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Please refer to Figure 4 , the method for controlling a light bar by this bridge circuit includes the following steps:

[0050] Step S401: Start.

[0051] Step S402: Provide a bridge circuit, wherein each bridge terminal of the bridge circuit is coupled to the data pin of the corresponding light bar position.

[0052] Step S403: Provide a serial micro-control circuit, wherein the serial micro-control circuit is coupled to the control terminal of the bridge circuit through the trace of the non-connected pin 303B, and is coupled to the data input terminal of the bridge circuit through the trace of the data pin.

[0053] Step S404: According to the position of the light bar to be controlled, the serial micro-control circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the non-connected pin to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridge terminal of the bridge circuit and the data input terminal of the bridge circuit.

[0054] Figure 5 The sub-step flowchart of step S404 of the method for controlling a light bar by a bridge circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Please refer to Figure 5 , this step S404 includes the following sub-steps:

[0055] Step S501: Control the bridge circuit to electrically connect each bridge terminal of the bridge circuit to the data input terminal of the bridge circuit.

[0056] Step S502: The serial micro-control circuit communicates with the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen2 Addressable RGB) among the above-mentioned plurality of light bars to obtain the identifier of the second-generation addressable RGB light bar (Gen 2 Addressable RGB).

[0057] The above Figure 5The sub-step is required only when the strip has a second-generation addressable RGB strip (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) or subsequent third-generation and fourth-generation strips. If each strip is a first-generation addressable RGB strip (Gen 1 Addressable RGB), this step can be ignored. The present invention is not limited thereto. Additionally, in the above embodiment, the analog voltage in step 404 only requires 15 levels of voltage according to the above embodiment in the absence of a second-generation addressable RGB strip (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) or subsequent third-generation and fourth-generation strips. If there is a second-generation addressable RGB strip (Gen 2 Addressable RGB) or subsequent third-generation and fourth-generation strips, 16 levels of voltage will be required. The present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] In summary, the embodiment of the present invention employs a bridge circuit configured between the strip and the serial micro-control circuit, and this bridge circuit corresponds to the sockets at multiple strip positions. After the user sets up the strips, the serial micro-control circuit can intuitively control the strips according to the positions of the strips that the user desires to control. The serial micro-control circuit then outputs a control voltage according to the user's instructions, controlling the bridge circuit to electrically connect the lines at the corresponding strip positions to the serial micro-control circuit. Thereby, the serial micro-control circuit can directly control the strips at the corresponding strip positions.

[0059] It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and various modifications or changes thereto will be suggested to those skilled in the art and will be included within the spirit and scope of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a strip light with a bridge-type circuit, which is used to control a plurality of strip lights and is compatible with strip lights of different versions, characterized in that, The light bars are arranged at a plurality of light bar positions. Each socket at each light bar position includes a power pin, a ground pin, an unconnected pin, and a data pin. The method for the bridge circuit to control the light bars includes: Providing a bridge circuit, with each bridging end of the bridge circuit coupled to the data pin of the corresponding light bar position; Providing a serial microcontroller circuit, the serial microcontroller circuit is coupled to the control end of the bridge circuit through the trace of the unconnected pin, and is coupled to the data input end of the bridge circuit through the trace of the data pin; and According to the light bar position to be controlled, the serial microcontroller circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging end of the bridge circuit and the data input end of the bridge circuit.

2. The method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to claim 1, wherein The above-mentioned plurality of light bars include second-generation addressable RGB light bars, and the method for the bridge circuit to control the light bars further includes: Controlling the bridge circuit to electrically connect each bridging end of the bridge circuit to the data input end of the bridge circuit; and The serial microcontroller circuit communicates with the second-generation addressable RGB light bars among the above-mentioned plurality of light bars to obtain the identifiers of the second-generation addressable RGB light bars.

3. The method for controlling a light bar by a bridging circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of light bar positions includes N. According to the light bar position to be controlled, the serial microcontroller circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging end of the bridge circuit and the data input end of the bridge circuit, including: Enabling the serial microcontroller circuit to output at least N groups of analog voltages through the unconnected pin; When controlling the Kth light bar position, output the Kth analog voltage to electrically connect the circuit between the Kth bridging end of the bridge circuit and the data input end of the bridge circuit, wherein, N and K are natural numbers, and 0 < K ≤ N.

4. The method for controlling a light bar by a bridge-type circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The serial microcontroller circuit can output at least N + 1 groups of analog voltages through the unconnected pin, wherein, When the (N + 1)th group of analog voltage is output, the circuit between each bridging end of the bridge circuit and the data input end of the bridge circuit is electrically connected.

5. A light bar control circuit for controlling a plurality of light bars and compatible with different versions of light bars, characterized in that, The light bars are arranged at a plurality of light bar positions. Each socket at each light bar position includes a power pin, a ground pin, an unconnected pin, and a data pin. The light bar control circuit includes: A bridge circuit, including a plurality of bridging ends, a control end, and a data input end. Each bridging end is coupled to the data pin of the socket at the corresponding light bar position; and A serial microcontroller circuit. The serial microcontroller circuit is coupled to the control end of the bridge circuit through the trace of the unconnected pin, and is coupled to the data input end of the bridge circuit through the trace of the data pin, wherein, the serial microcontroller circuit outputs an analog voltage through the trace of the unconnected pin according to the light bar position to be controlled to switch the electrical coupling relationship between the bridging end of the bridge circuit and the data input end of the bridge circuit.

6. The light bar control circuit according to claim 5, wherein, The above-mentioned plurality of light bars include second-generation addressable RGB light bars, and The sequential micro-control circuit controls the bridging circuit such that each bridging terminal of the bridging circuit is electrically connected to the data input terminal of the bridging circuit; and The sequential micro-control circuit communicates with the second-generation addressable RGB light bars among the plurality of light bars to obtain the identifiers of the second-generation addressable RGB light bars.

7. The light bar control circuit according to claim 5, wherein, The number of light bar positions includes N, and The sequential micro-control circuit can output at least N sets of analog voltages through the unconnected pins, wherein when controlling the Kth light bar position, the Kth analog voltage is output to electrically connect the circuit between the Kth bridging terminal of the bridging circuit and the data input terminal of the bridging circuit, wherein N and K are natural numbers, and 0 < K ≤ N.

8. The light bar control circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sequential micro-control circuit can output at least N + 1 sets of analog voltages through the unconnected pins, wherein when the sequential micro-control circuit outputs the (N + 1)th set of analog voltages, the bridging circuit electrically connects the circuit between each bridging terminal of the bridging circuit and the data input terminal of the bridging circuit.

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