Relay device and system

Abstract

To reduce the time and effort required to control each control device.SOLUTION: A relay device includes a reception unit and a transmission unit. The reception unit receives information regarding a change in control information of a control target from a control device for controlling the control target. When the information regarding the change is received, the transmission unit transmits a notification regarding the change to another control device different from the control device of a change instruction source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a relay device and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting effects are produced using multiple lighting devices in studios, stages, etc. A known lighting system for producing such lighting effects is one that controls each lighting device in accordance with a standard called DMX512 (hereinafter referred to as "DMX"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, when there are a plurality of control devices that transmit control information to a DMX node, control of each control device can become complicated.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a relay device and a system that can reduce the effort required to control each control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A relay device according to an embodiment includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives information relating to a change in control information of a control target from a control device that controls the control target. When the transmitting unit receives the information relating to the change, the transmitting unit transmits a notification relating to the change to another control device that is different from the control device that issued the change instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required to control each control device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing executed by a relay device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of information processing executed by the relay device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing executed by a relay device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below includes a receiving unit 131 and a transmitting unit 133. The receiving unit 131 receives information relating to a change in control information of a control target from a control device that controls the control target. When the transmitting unit 133 receives the information relating to the change, it transmits a notification relating to the change to another control device different from the control device that issued the change instruction.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 133 of the relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below transmits information related to a command for changing the setting of control information as a notification related to the change.

[0011] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 133 of the relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below transmits, as a notification regarding the change, information regarding a command indicating that the setting change of the control information has been completed.

[0012] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 133 of the relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below transmits a notification regarding the change to a control device that is a destination stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit.

[0013] In addition, the reception unit 131 of the relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below receives a control command for controlling a control target from the control device, and the change unit 132 converts the control command into a DMX signal and transmits the DMX signal to a predetermined device that transmits the DMX signal to the control target.

[0014] Furthermore, the receiving unit 131 of the relay device 100 according to the embodiment described below receives information relating to changes in control information of lighting devices as control targets.

[0015] Moreover, the system 1 according to the embodiment described below includes a relay device 100 and a dimmer console 10. The relay device 100 includes a reception unit 131 and a transmission unit 133. The reception unit 131 receives information regarding a change in the control information of the control target from the dimmer console that controls the control target. When the transmission unit 133 receives the information regarding the change, it transmits a notification regarding the change to a dimmer console other than the dimmer console that issued the change instruction. When the dimmer console 10 receives the notification regarding the change, it updates the control information of the control target based on the content of the notification regarding the change.

[0016] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of a mode for carrying out a relay device and a system according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment") with reference to the drawings. Note that the relay device and the system according to the present application are not limited to the embodiment. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as the processing content is not contradictory. Furthermore, the same components in each of the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0017] [Embodiment] [Information processing indicated by relay device] The information processing executed by the relay device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the information processing executed by the relay device 100 according to the embodiment. The system shown in Fig. 1 includes a dimmer console 10 (an example of a control device), a DMX node 20, a lighting device LE1 (an example of a control target), and the relay device 100.

[0018] Here, the lighting device LE1 is fixedly installed in a studio, a stage, or the like, and is controlled by a control address. The lighting device LE1 has a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting element light sources such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The lighting device LE1 is a lighting equipment that can control, for example, the intensity (dimming level) of light output from the semiconductor light-emitting elements, the color and range of the light output, and the like, using control signals such as a DMX signal received from a dimmer console 10 or an RDM signal conforming to the RDM (Remote Device Management) standard, which is an extension of the DMX standard, and illuminates a predetermined position according to the received control signal.

[0019] In the example of FIG. 1, an example will be described in which there are a plurality of dimmers 10 and one DMX node 20. In the following, different dimmers 10 may be distinguished and written as dimmers 11, dimmers 12, etc. On the other hand, when the dimmers 11 and 12 are described without any particular distinction, they may be written as dimmers 10. Note that in the example of FIG. 1, the dimmers 10 is used as an example for description, but is not limited to this, and the dimmers 10 may be replaced with, for example, a tablet terminal or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0020] 1, the relay device 100 receives setting information, which is information related to a change in the control information of the lighting device LE1, from the dimmer console 11 (step S1). For example, the relay device 100 receives, as the setting information, information related to a command related to a change in the setting of the control information of the lighting device LE1.

[0021] Next, the repeater 100 transmits the setting information to the DMX node 20 as a notification regarding the change in the control information of the lighting device LE1 (step S2). For example, the repeater 100 converts information regarding the command regarding the setting change into a DMX signal. Next, the repeater 100 transmits the converted DMX signal to the DMX node 20.

[0022] Then, the DMX node 20 changes the setting of the lighting device LE1 (step S3). For example, the DMX node 20 changes various pieces of information set in the lighting device LE1 based on the command related to the setting change. To give a more specific example, it is assumed that the command related to the setting change indicates that the address of the lighting device LE1 is to be changed from "10" to "20". In this case, the DMX node 20 changes the address of the lighting device LE1 from "10" to "20" based on the command related to the setting change.

[0023] Next, the lighting device LE1 transmits notification content that the setting change has been completed to the DMX node 20 (step S4). Then, the DMX node 20 transmits notification content that the setting change has been completed to the repeater 100 (step S5). Next, the repeater 100 transmits information related to the setting change content to the dimmer console 12 (step S6). For example, the repeater 100 transmits information such as "the address of the lighting device LE1 has been changed from '10' to '20'" as information related to the setting change content.

[0024] Here, the relay device 100 is assumed to have stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit the IP (Internet Protocol) addresses of the dimming desk 11 and the dimming desk 12 in association with identification information for identifying the dimming desk 11 and the dimming desk 12. In this case, the relay device 100 transmits information regarding the change in setting to the dimming desk 12 having the IP address stored in the predetermined storage unit.

[0025] Conventionally, when there are multiple dimmers 10 that transmit control information to a DMX node, it is not possible to transmit information regarding setting changes made on the dimmer 11 to the dimmer 12. Therefore, the user who operated the dimmer 11 had to separately input the setting changes to the dimmer 12. In this way, when there are multiple dimmers 10 that transmit control information to a DMX node, controlling each dimmer 10 can become complicated.

[0026] Therefore, when the relay device 100 receives information regarding a change in the control information of the control target from the control device that controls the control target, it transmits a notification regarding the change to another control device that is different from the control device that issued the change instruction. In this way, it is possible to notify other dimmer consoles 10. This allows the relay device 100 to reduce the effort required to control each control device.

[0027] [System configuration] Next, the configuration of the system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the system 1 includes a dimmer 10, a DMX node 20, and a repeater 100. The dimmer 10, the DMX node 20, and the repeater 100 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Note that the system 1 shown in Fig. 2 may include a plurality of dimmer 10s, a plurality of DMX nodes 20, and a plurality of repeater 100.

[0028] The dimmer console 10 is realized by a device known as an operation console or control console, and controls the lighting device based on operations by an operator. For example, the dimmer console 10 has an operation unit such as a preset fader, a master fader, and buttons, and receives control of the dimming level and color of the lighting device from a user via the operation unit.

[0029] In this case, the dimmer console 10 controls the lighting device by outputting a DMX signal containing a control address indicating the lighting device to be controlled and the control content as a dimming signal. For example, when the dimmer console 10 receives a control command for the dimming level or color of the lighting device, it outputs a DMX signal indicating the control content.

[0030] The lighting console 10 is also connected to a network N via Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0031] The DMX node 20 distributes a dimming signal to a plurality of lighting devices. The DMX node 20 also has a plurality of ports to which a plurality of lighting devices can be connected. The DMX node 20 is connected to a network N via Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0032] The DMX node 20 is connected to the dimmer console 10 via a network such as Ethernet or LAN (Local Area Network) in a state where two-way communication is possible. On the other hand, the DMX node 20 and the lighting device are connected in a state where two-way communication is possible via a predetermined communication line according to the DMX standard or the RDM standard.

[0033] The relay device 100 is an information processing device capable of communicating with various devices via a network N, and is realized by, for example, a server device or a cloud system. For example, the relay device 100 is connected to various other devices via the network N so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0034] [Configuration of relay device] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the relay device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the relay device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[0035] (Regarding the communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC). The communication unit 110 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices. The communication unit 110 may also be capable of communicating with an external cloud system that stores setting information.

[0036] (Regarding the storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 stores programs and the like for implementing control by the control unit 130. The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 also has a device information storage unit 121.

[0037] (Regarding the device information storage unit 121) The device information storage unit 121 stores information about various devices. For example, the device information storage unit 121 stores identification information for identifying the dimming table 10 in association with the IP address of the dimming table 10. Note that the device information storage unit 121 may previously store the identification information for identifying the dimming table 10 in association with the address of the dimming table 10.

[0038] An example of the device information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 3. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the device information storage unit 121 has items such as "identification information," "device information," and "address."

[0039] "Identification information" is an identifier that identifies a device. "Device information" is various information related to the device associated with the "identification information." "Address" is information related to the address assigned to the device associated with the "identification information."

[0040] For example, in Fig. 3, "ID1" identified by the identification information has device information "AP1" and address "AD1." Note that in the example shown in Fig. 3, device information etc. is expressed by abstract codes such as "AP1," but device information etc. may also be in the form of a file containing numerical values, character strings, various information indicating device information etc.

[0041] (Regarding the control unit 130) The control unit 130 executes various processes of the relay device 100. The control unit 130 can be realized by a control circuit including a processor and a memory. Each functional unit of the control unit 130 is realized, for example, by the processor reading instructions written in a program from an internal memory and executing the program using the internal memory as a work area. The programs read by the processor from the internal memory include an operating system (OS) and application programs. Each functional unit of the control unit 130 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2, control unit 130 has reception unit 131, change unit 132, and transmission unit 133, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2, and may have other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Furthermore, the connection relationship between each processing unit included in control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in Fig. 2, and may be other connection relationships.

[0043] (Regarding the reception unit 131) The reception unit 131 receives various types of information. Specifically, the reception unit 131 receives information related to a change in control information of a control target from a control device that controls the control target. For example, the reception unit 131 receives setting information, which is information related to a change in control information of a lighting device (an example of a control target), from the dimmer console 10 (an example of a control device). For example, the reception unit 131 receives information related to a command related to a setting change of the control information of the lighting device as the setting information.

[0044] When receiving the setting information from the dimming table 10, the receiving unit 131 may receive identification information for identifying the dimming table 10 and the IP address of the dimming table 10. In this case, the receiving unit 131 may store the identification information for identifying the dimming table 10 and the address of the dimming table 10 in the device information storage unit 121 in association with each other.

[0045] (Regarding the change unit 132) The change unit 132 changes various types of information. Specifically, the change unit 132 changes setting information. For example, the change unit 132 converts information related to a command for changing settings, which is received by the reception unit 131, into a DMX signal.

[0046] (Regarding the transmitting unit 133) The transmitting unit 133 transmits various information. Specifically, the transmitting unit 133 transmits setting information to the DMX node 20 as a notification regarding the change in the control information of the lighting device. For example, the transmitting unit 133 transmits the DMX signal changed by the changing unit 132 to the DMX node 20.

[0047] Furthermore, when the transmitting unit 133 receives information regarding the change, it transmits a notification regarding the change to another control device different from the control device that issued the change instruction. In the example of Fig. 1, the transmitting unit 133 transmits information regarding the change in the setting to the light dimmer console 12.

[0048] For example, the transmission unit 133 transmits information regarding the change in settings to the dimmer console 12 having the IP address stored in the device information storage unit 121. For example, the transmission unit 133 transmits information such as "the address of the lighting device LE1 has been changed from '10' to '20'" as the information regarding the change in settings.

[0049] [Processing Procedure] Next, the procedure of information processing executed by the relay device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the relay device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0050] 4, the receiving unit 131 determines whether to receive setting information (step S101). Specifically, if the receiving unit 131 has not received setting information (step S101; No), the receiving unit 131 waits until the receiving unit receives setting information.

[0051] On the other hand, if the receiving unit 131 receives the setting information (step S101; Yes), the changing unit 132 changes the setting information (step S102). Subsequently, the transmitting unit 133 transmits information on the changed setting to the other dimming consoles 10 (step S103).

[0052] [Modification] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the repeater 100 transmits information about changes in settings to other dimmer consoles 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the DMX node 20A may have the function of the repeater 100.

[0053] An example of information processing executed by the DMX node 20A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the DMX node 20A receives setting information, which is information related to a change in control information of the lighting device LE1, from the dimmer console 11 (step S21). For example, the DMX node 20A receives information related to a command related to a setting change in the control information of the lighting device LE1 as the setting information.

[0054] Next, the DMX node 20A changes the setting of the lighting device LE1 (step S22). For example, the DMX node 20A changes various pieces of information set in the lighting device LE1 based on the command related to the setting change. To give a more specific example, it is assumed that the command related to the setting change indicates that the address of the lighting device LE1 is to be changed from "10" to "20". In this case, the DMX node 20A changes the address of the lighting device LE1 from "10" to "20" based on the command related to the setting change.

[0055] Subsequently, the lighting device LE1 transmits notification content that the setting change has been completed to the DMX node 20A (step S23). Then, the DMX node 20A transmits information related to the setting change content to the dimming console 12 (step S24). For example, the DMX node 20A transmits information such as "the address of the lighting device LE1 has been changed from '10' to '20'" as information related to the setting change content.

[0056] In this way, the DMX node 20A according to the modified example can reduce the effort of controlling each control device. Note that the DMX node 20A may transmit information about the change in setting to the dimmer console 12 by broadcasting.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the system is installed in a studio or a stage, but the system may be installed in other facilities. For example, the other facilities may be public institutions such as theaters, movie theaters, and community centers, or any other facilities such as buildings.

[0058] In addition, in the above embodiment, the control device is the dimmer table 10, but the control device is not limited to this. For example, the control device may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the control target is a lighting device, but the control target is not limited to this. For example, the control target may be a baton, a power panel, a dimmer panel, another DMX node 20, etc.

[0060] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the transmitting unit 133 of the relay device 100 transmits information regarding the setting change to other dimmer consoles 10, but the transmitting unit 133 may also transmit information regarding a command indicating that the setting change of the control information has been completed as a notification regarding the change.

[0061] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] N Network 1 System 10, 11, 12 Lighting console 20 DMX nodes 100 Repeater 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Device information storage section 130 control section 131 Reception 132 Changes 133 Transmitter

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives information regarding a change in control information of a control object from a control device that controls the control object; a transmitting unit that, when information regarding the change is received, transmits a notification regarding the change to another control device that is different from the control device that issued the change instruction; A relay device comprising:

2. The transmission unit As a notification regarding the change, information regarding a command regarding the setting change of the control information is transmitted. The relay device according to claim 1 .

3. The transmission unit As a notification regarding the change, information regarding a command indicating that the setting change of the control information has been completed is transmitted. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The transmission unit A notification regarding the change is sent to the control device, which is a destination stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The reception unit receiving a control command for controlling the control target from the control device; A conversion unit converts the control command into a DMX signal, The transmission unit The DMX signal is transmitted to a predetermined device that transmits the signal to the control target. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The reception unit and receiving information regarding a change in control information of the lighting device as the control target. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A system including a relay device and a dimmer console, The relay device a receiving unit that receives information regarding a change in control information of a control object from the lighting console that controls the control object; a transmitting unit that, when information regarding the change is received, transmits a notification regarding the change to another dimmer console different from the dimmer console that is the source of the change instruction; Equipped with The dimmer console is When the notification regarding the change is received, the control information of the control target is updated based on the content of the notification regarding the change. system.

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