System and method for controlling multiple light sources

• US 7,990,080 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chang, Chih-Kuang, Sun, Wei-Qi
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Haissa
• Application Number:
  US12/195,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 315291-294, 315/297, 315/307, 315/312, 315/316, 315/318, 315/360, 700/20, 700/24, 700/84, 700/10, 700/75
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 1/662 Multiplexed conversion systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

A system for controlling multiple light sources is provided. The system includes a controller, a digital to analog converter (DAC), and at least one power amplifier. The controller is configured for receiving light control data for at least one light circuit, and for determining a digital luminance signal and an encoded address for each light circuit according to the light control data. The DAC is connected to the controller and configured for receiving the digital luminance signal and the encoded address for each light circuit, converting the digital luminance signal into an analog luminance signal, and for outputting the analog luminance signal according to the encoded address. Each power amplifier is connected to the DAC, and is configured for amplifying the analog luminance signal for the light circuit so as to drive the light circuit to control a corresponding light source.

Claims

1. A system for controlling multiple light sources, the system comprising:

a controller configured for receiving light control data for at least one light circuit, and for determining a digital luminance signal and an encoded address for each light circuit according to the light control data, wherein each light circuit is configured for controlling a light source included in the light circuit;

a digital to analog converter (DAC) connected to the controller, the DAC configured for receiving the digital luminance signal and the encoded address for each light circuit from the controller, converting the digital luminance signal into an analog luminance signal, and for outputting the analog luminance signal according to the encoded address; and

at least one power amplifier connected to the DAC, each power amplifier corresponding to one light circuit and configured for receiving the analog luminance signal from the DAC, and amplifying the analog luminance signal for the light circuit so as to drive the light circuit to control a light source corresponding to the light circuit;

wherein the controller connects to a computer for receiving a plurality of communication parameters of a communication between the computer and the controller, and displaying errors when the communication parameters are incorrect, the errors comprising an invalid serial port number for the computer, an error of invalid access information, and a data transmission error between the computer and the controller.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encoded address is a binary code.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital luminance signal is stored in a built-in memory of the controller.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is selected from a group consisting of a single chip microcomputer, a digital signal processor, and a programmable logic controller.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller receives the light control data via the computer.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured for verifying access information before receiving the light control data via the computer.

7. A method for controlling multiple light sources, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of communication parameters of a communication between a computer and a controller, and determining if the communication parameters are correct;

upon the condition that the communication parameters are incorrect, displaying errors during the process of controlling each of the light sources, the errors comprising an invalid serial port number for the computer, an error of invalid access information, and a data transmission error between the computer and the controller;

or

upon the condition that the communication parameters are correct, performing steps (a) to (e);

(a) receiving light control data for at least one light circuit, wherein each light circuit is configured for controlling a light source included in the light circuit;

(b) determining a digital luminance signal and an encoded address for each light circuit according to the light control data;

(c) sending the digital luminance signal and the encoded address to a digital to analog converter (DAC);

(d) converting the digital luminance signal into an analog luminance signal, and outputting the analog luminance signal to a power amplifier according to the encoded address; and

(e) amplifying the analog luminance signal so as to drive the light circuit to control a light source corresponding to the light circuit.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the encoded address is a binary code.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the digital luminance signal is stored in a built-in memory of the controller.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein block (a) to block (c) is executed by one of a group consisting of a single chip microcomputer, a digital signal processor, and a programmable logic controller.