Touch-Sensitive Lighting Console Interface for Simultaneous Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic lighting control consoles become increasingly complex, making it difficult for operators to intuitively configure and control lighting programs due to the need to navigate multiple submenus and adjust various parameters, which hinders efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive sensor surface on the display unit allows for simultaneous detection of multiple contact points, replacing mechanical control elements and enabling operators to make multiple inputs at once, such as selecting and adjusting multiple buttons, slide controls, or rotary knobs, thereby simplifying the configuration and control of lighting programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical control elements (pushbuttons, rotary knobs, slide controls) are used for controlling lighting devices, then multiple control elements can be operated simultaneously, but the operator must navigate through multiple submenus to access different control functions, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control elements with a touch-sensitive display surface that integrates both the display interface and control interface. The touch-sensitive surface detects finger contacts and translates them into control commands, eliminating the need for separate mechanical buttons and knobs while maintaining the ability to operate multiple controls simultaneously. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing intuitive visual feedback (improving ease of operation) while consolidating control functions into a single interface (reducing device complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive display surface serves multiple functions: it displays lighting control parameters, receives touch input for selection, and processes control commands all through a single interface. This multi-functional design allows operators to access and control various lighting parameters without navigating through separate physical controls, thereby simplifying the overall system operation while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple submenus are used to configure lighting program parameters, then comprehensive control of lighting devices is achieved, but the operator experience becomes less intuitive and slower
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive display provides visual feedback for each interaction, showing the operator exactly which parameter or control element is currently selected and what changes are being made. This feedback mechanism makes the control process more intuitive by clearly indicating the current state and expected outcome of operations, reducing the cognitive load associated with navigating through multiple submenus while maintaining comprehensive control adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive sensor surface is used instead of mechanical control elements, then intuitive operation is improved, but the ability to detect and process multiple simultaneous inputs may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive display surface is segmented into multiple independent detection zones corresponding to different control elements (buttons, slide controls, rotary knobs). Each zone can be independently detected and processed, allowing the system to identify and respond to multiple simultaneous touch inputs across different segments of the display surface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining intuitive touch-based operation while enabling robust detection of multiple concurrent control actions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the intuitive operation of lighting control consoles by allowing simultaneous input of multiple commands, reducing the complexity of configuring lighting programs and improving the ease of use, especially when adjusting parameters like brightness, color, and diaphragm apertures.
Implementation Method 1
the display unit (07) includes a touch-sensitive sensor surface (10), via which contacts are detected when the user's fingers touch contact surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a lighting control console for controlling a lighting system includes generating digital adjustment commands in the lighting control console. The digital adjustment commands are transmittable via data connections to lighting devices of the lighting system. The lighting control console includes at least one digital processor and at least one digital memory for generating, managing and storing the adjustment commands. The lighting control console further includes at least one display unit, and wherein graphical elements can be displayed graphically for the operator on the display unit. The display unit includes a touch-sensitive sensor surface, wherein touching the touch-sensitive sensor surface in the area of a contact surface on the display unit enables an operator input associated with each of these contact surfaces to be selected. Detection of contact with the touch-sensitive sensor surface in the area of a first contact surface associates a first operator input with the first contact surface. Detection of simultaneous touching of the touch-sensitive sensor surface in the area of at least a second contact surface associates a second operator input with the second contact surface. The first and second operator inputs are then processed further.