Stage Automation Server for Cross-Vendor Mechanism Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stage automation systems face inefficiencies due to the need for extensive programming to communicate and coordinate disparate hardware and software components from various manufacturers, leading to complex and tedious configurations that are difficult to modify or expand.
Innovation Solution
A stage automation system that employs a centralized server to manage distributed program objects, allowing actionable mechanisms from different manufacturers to be controlled through a common communication protocol, enabling efficient coordination and scalability by transmitting time-stamped variables and data packets across a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional indexed register communication protocol is used to control hardware devices from disparate manufacturers, then device compatibility is achieved, but programming complexity and configuration time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the automation controller with object-oriented architecture) that mediates between the user interface and the diverse hardware devices. This controller translates high-level object commands into manufacturer-specific register operations, shielding users from the complexity of disparate communication protocols while maintaining device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control interface that can interact with multiple types of hardware devices from different manufacturers through a common object-oriented framework. The system defines universal object types (e.g., motor objects, position objects) that can represent various specific devices, allowing a single programming interface to control diverse hardware without manufacturer-specific code.
2Reliability
If manufacturer-specific programming is implemented for each hardware device, then precise control is achieved, but system scalability and ease of modification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into independent, modular objects that can be individually configured and controlled. Each hardware device is represented as a separate object with its own properties and methods, allowing precise control of individual devices while enabling easy addition or removal of devices without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where objects can be added, removed, or modified at runtime through a plug-and-play architecture. The controller dynamically discovers and configures new devices, allowing the system to adapt to changing requirements without requiring complete reprogramming or system redesign.
3Loss of information
If extensive programming is required to coordinate multiple components, then communication capability is established, but configuration time and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration through object templates and pre-defined communication protocols. Common device configurations are pre-programmed as reusable object types, allowing rapid deployment of new devices by simply instantiating predefined objects rather than programming each device from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic device discovery and configuration. When a new device is connected, the controller automatically detects it, retrieves its capabilities, and configures appropriate objects and communication parameters without requiring manual programming, significantly reducing configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A stage automation system may include a first and second executing program configured to selectively control a first and second actionable mechanism, respectively. The stage automation system may further include a stage automation server configured to: receive, from the first executing program, a distributed program object announcement including a set of one or more time-stamped variables associated with the first actionable mechanism; transmit a distributed program object announcement to the second executing program; receive one or more data packets from the second executing program; adjust at least one time-stamped variable of the distributed program object based on the one or more received data packets; and transmit one or more data packets to the first executing program to cause the first executing program to adjust the at least one time-stamped variable of the distributed program object associated with the first actionable mechanism.