Lighting Network Protocol for Auto-Configuring Mixed Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face complexity and high costs due to the use of multiple communication protocols, interfaces, and proprietary converters, leading to inefficient setup and operation of mixed lighting devices from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A unified network protocol, KlingNet 3, enables bidirectional communication and auto-configuration among lighting fixtures and controllers, allowing devices to discover and configure themselves within a network, supporting a wide range of devices and reducing the need for manual setup and costly converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols and interfaces are used to connect different lighting devices from various manufacturers, then device compatibility and functionality are improved, but system complexity and setup difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal protocol that enables a single communication interface to work with multiple different lighting device types and manufacturers. The protocol defines standardized message structures, parameter formats, and communication procedures that can accommodate diverse lighting fixtures, moving lights, LED panels, and other stage lighting equipment without requiring separate proprietary interfaces for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol acts as an intermediary layer between control systems and various lighting devices. By establishing a standardized intermediate communication language, the protocol translates between different device-specific requirements and a common control interface, thereby simplifying system integration without losing device-specific functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary converters from different manufacturers are used to enable communication between incompatible devices, then device interoperability is achieved, but cost and system complexity increase drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple proprietary converters into a single universal protocol implementation. Instead of requiring separate conversion hardware or software for each device pair, the universal protocol consolidates these conversion functions into standardized communication routines that can be implemented once and reused across all device combinations, thereby reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal protocol serves as a multi-functional communication interface that can handle multiple device types, protocols, and manufacturers through a single standardized framework, eliminating the need for multiple specialized converters and reducing system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mixed lighting systems with different protocols are set up, then diverse lighting capabilities are achieved, but coordinated control and operational consistency become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol allows each lighting device to maintain its local characteristics and capabilities (such as specific fixture types, moving mechanisms, or LED configurations) while communicating through a standardized interface. This enables diverse lighting capabilities to be preserved at the device level while ensuring consistent control at the system level through uniform communication procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal protocol provides a consistent control interface that works uniformly across all lighting devices regardless of their specific capabilities. Operators can control all devices through the same procedures and parameter structures, while the protocol handles device-specific variations transparently, thereby maintaining operational consistency.
4Manufacturing precision
If vendor-specific protocols are implemented by manufacturers, then device functionality and precision are optimized, but system-wide coordination and troubleshooting become excessively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The universal protocol serves as an intermediary communication layer that preserves device-specific functionality while providing standardized access. The protocol translates between control commands and device-specific operations, allowing precise device control to be maintained while simplifying the control interface and troubleshooting procedures through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol implements standardized feedback mechanisms that provide consistent status information, error codes, and diagnostic data across all lighting devices. This uniform feedback structure enables operators to troubleshoot issues systematically without needing to understand each device's proprietary communication format, thereby reducing troubleshooting complexity while preserving device functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A protocol for controlling lighting devices within a network enables bidirectional communication between different connected devices, any of which may function as a server, a device, a broker, or multiple of these roles. Upon initialization of the network, a server device requests a basic configuration data file from each device on the network and, thereafter, requests a more extensive configuration data file identifying capabilities and functionalities of the device which the manufacturer has made discoverable. Each device sends its basic configuration file to the server device upon any of power on, reboot, reset, hardware configuration change, or software change to the respective device. A device on the network can also be a collection of sub-devices each of which may be separately identified, and their respective capabilities evaluated, so that the server can separately control either the device or any of the individual sub-devices.