Wireless DMX Bridge for Lighting Fixture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for controlling LED lighting fixtures using DMX protocols are cumbersome, require wired connections, and lack intuitive control, making it difficult for users to select and control multiple DMX slots without extensive manual lookup or guessing, especially in scenarios where only a subset of slots are in use.
Innovation Solution
A portable hardware device with Bluetooth LE technology that translates smartphone app instructions into DMX/RDM control protocols, allowing wireless control and automatic detection of lighting fixture personalities, combined with a suite of mobile applications for intuitive control and analysis of lighting fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wired connections are used for DMX control, then reliable control of lighting fixtures is achieved, but user mobility and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless bridge device acts as an intermediary between the smartphone and the lighting fixture. The bridge receives wireless commands from the smartphone via Bluetooth and converts them to DMX signals that are transmitted through the existing DMX infrastructure, enabling wireless control while maintaining reliable DMX communication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection requirement with a wireless communication system. Bluetooth wireless technology substitutes for the physical cable connection, allowing users to control lighting fixtures without being constrained by wired connections while maintaining control reliability through protocol conversion
2Productivity
If manual lookup of DMX slots is required, then precise control of specific fixture parameters is achieved, but setup time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic RDM discovery and fixture identification without requiring manual user input. The wireless bridge automatically queries the lighting fixture for its RDM data, retrieves fixture parameters, and configures the control interface, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures control parameters and fixture profiles before the user needs to control the lighting. RDM data is automatically retrieved and stored in advance, and the graphical interface is pre-populated with relevant control options, eliminating the need for users to manually look up DMX slot assignments during operation
3Ease of operation
If smartphone wireless protocols are used for data transmission, then user convenience and mobility are improved, but data transmission rate and reliability for DMX protocols are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct stages: first, wireless Bluetooth transmission from smartphone to bridge device handling user interface interactions; second, wired DMX transmission from bridge device to lighting fixture handling high-speed control data. This segmentation allows each protocol to operate in its optimal performance range
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless bridge device serves as a mediator that receives low-speed wireless commands from the smartphone and translates them into high-speed DMX signals for the lighting fixture. This intermediary architecture allows the system to benefit from both wireless convenience and wired transmission reliability/speed
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system, and method are provided for controlling a fixture, such as a lighting fixture. The device includes a fixture communication interface for transmitting data to a fixture using a first communication protocol, such as DMX, and an application communication interface for wirelessly receiving information using a second communication protocol, such as Bluetooth. The device further comprises a processor for converting the information received at the application communication interface from the second communication protocol to the first communication protocol. The first communication protocol requires more data than can be transmitted using the Bluetooth protocol, and converting the information may include adding default data or restored data to data being transmitted to the fixture.