Distributed Lighting Fixtures With Clock-Synced Show Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DMX style lighting systems require numerous wires and a central processing unit for synchronous operation, leading to timing issues and user limitations in creating customized light shows, especially when using wireless communication methods like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with distributed programming, where each fixture includes a processor, memory, and communication interface, allowing for synchronized light show programs to be uploaded and executed locally, with clock synchronization and a user-friendly graphical interface that uses a 2D or 3D representation of the installation area to control fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central processing unit and dedicated high speed communication wires are used to achieve synchronous operation of multiple lights, then timing synchronization is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into autonomous segments where each light fixture contains its own processor and memory, eliminating the need for a central processing unit. Each fixture independently executes stored light show programs, achieving synchronization without centralized control or dedicated high-speed communication wires.
2Device complexity
If wireless communication methods like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are used to connect multiple lights without dedicated wires, then device complexity is reduced, but timing synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads light show programs into the memory of each light fixture before operation. This preliminary action ensures that all fixtures have the complete timing information and program instructions stored locally, eliminating timing synchronization issues that would otherwise arise from wireless communication delays or interruptions during execution.
3Device complexity
If preset patterns are programmed at the light level with internal clocks, then device complexity is reduced, but patterns become out of sync over time due to clock drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a controller periodically sends timing commands to synchronize the internal clocks of all light fixtures. This feedback loop corrects clock drift that occurs over time, ensuring that patterns remain synchronized across the entire system without requiring a complex central processing unit.
4Adaptability or versatility
If users control each light or group separately through manual commands, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple separate commands required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control functions into a unified graphical user interface that displays a visual representation of the installation area. Users can select and control multiple lights or groups simultaneously through this single interface, eliminating the need to send separate commands to each light while maintaining full customization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system is provided that includes: a plurality of lighting fixtures, each lighting fixture including a processor, a memory, a communication interface and one or more light sources; and a computerized controller, including a communication interface for communicating with the plurality of light fixtures. The system is configured such that the computerized controller uploads light show programs to each lighting fixture via the communication interfaces. Each lighting fixture stores its respective uploaded light show program in the memory and the processor operates the one or more light sources according to the light show program stored in memory. The controller is further configured to send timing/clock signals to the lighting fixtures periodically so that each fixture's internal clocks are synchronized together.