Theatrical lighting control network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for operating a lighting control system including a local area network having a plurality of connection points, the method comprising:
- coupling a first node controller to the network at a first connection point;
coupling at least one peripheral control device to the first node controller;
configuring the first node controller as a peripheral node controller for receiving settings from the at least one peripheral control device and transmitting the settings over the network;
coupling a second node controller to the network at a second connection point;
coupling a plurality of effect control elements to the second node controller; and
configuring the second node controller as a network protocol converter for receiving the settings through the network, translating the settings to a control protocol and transmitting the control protocol to the effect control elements, whereby the at least one peripheral control device can directly control a first one of the effect control elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A theatrical lighting control network which incorporates a local area network for communication among a number of node controllers and control consoles or devices employed in establising lighting or other effects levels in a theater, film production stage or other performance environment. Use of the network eliminates the requirements for the majority of hardwiring for interconnection of consoles and other controller or monitoring devices to effects controller racks and provides great flexibility in location and relocation of various components of the system.
217 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for operating a lighting control system including a local area network having a plurality of connection points, the method comprising:
-
coupling a first node controller to the network at a first connection point; coupling at least one peripheral control device to the first node controller; configuring the first node controller as a peripheral node controller for receiving settings from the at least one peripheral control device and transmitting the settings over the network; coupling a second node controller to the network at a second connection point; coupling a plurality of effect control elements to the second node controller; and configuring the second node controller as a network protocol converter for receiving the settings through the network, translating the settings to a control protocol and transmitting the control protocol to the effect control elements, whereby the at least one peripheral control device can directly control a first one of the effect control elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for operating a lighting control system including a local area network, the method comprising:
-
coupling a plurality of control devices to the network; coupling a network protocol converter to the network; coupling a plurality of effect control elements to the network protocol converter, transmitting settings from the control devices to the network; receiving the settings through the network at the network protocol converter; translating the settings to control information; and transmitting the control information to the effect control elements; whereby a first one of the plurality of control devices can directly control a first one of the effect control elements, and a second one of the plurality of control devices can directly control a second one of the effect control elements. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A lighting control system consisting of:
a single local area network having a plurality of connection points for a structure of control devices, peripheral devices, and effect control elements, said structure comprising; a peripheral node controller coupled to the network at a first connection point for receiving settings from at least one peripheral control device and transmitting the settings over the network; and a network protocol converter coupled to the network at a second connection point for receiving the settings through the network, translating the settings to a control protocol and transmitting the control protocol to a plurality of effect control elements, whereby the at least one peripheral control device can directly control a first one of the effect control elements.
Specification