Error detection and recovery in a DMX512 network
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling DMX512 devices on a network comprising:
- a first gateway device; and
a second gateway device;
wherein each gateway device includes a first port in communication with a network device and a second port connected to one of a plurality of DMX512 devices, wherein the plurality of DMX512 devices are connected in series and the second port of the first gateway device is connected to a first device of the plurality of DMX512 devices and the second port of the second gateway device is connected to a last DMX512 device of the plurality of DMX512 devices;
wherein when the second gateway device operates in a standby mode, the second gateway device is configured to;
receive a first network packet on the first port of the second gateway device from the network device, wherein the first network packet uses a first communication protocol;
determine whether a frame corresponding to the first network packet was received on the second port of the second gateway device within a predetermined period of time; and
when the determination is that no frame was received, enter a backup mode and transmit a backup frame on the second port to the last DMX512 device, wherein the backup frame uses a second communication protocol.
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Abstract
A DMX512 network may include two gateway devices or two ports of a single gateway device, which are connected to a number of DMX512 devices. Under normal operating conditions, one gateway device or one port transmits and the other gateway device or the other port receives DMX512 frames. If there is a connection failure, then both gateway devices or both ports may transmit DMX512 frames. Once the connection is restored, the system may detect the restoration and one of the gateway devices or one of the ports ceases to transmit DMX512 frames.
45 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for controlling DMX512 devices on a network comprising:
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a first gateway device; and a second gateway device; wherein each gateway device includes a first port in communication with a network device and a second port connected to one of a plurality of DMX512 devices, wherein the plurality of DMX512 devices are connected in series and the second port of the first gateway device is connected to a first device of the plurality of DMX512 devices and the second port of the second gateway device is connected to a last DMX512 device of the plurality of DMX512 devices; wherein when the second gateway device operates in a standby mode, the second gateway device is configured to; receive a first network packet on the first port of the second gateway device from the network device, wherein the first network packet uses a first communication protocol; determine whether a frame corresponding to the first network packet was received on the second port of the second gateway device within a predetermined period of time; and when the determination is that no frame was received, enter a backup mode and transmit a backup frame on the second port to the last DMX512 device, wherein the backup frame uses a second communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling DMX512 devices on a network comprising:
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receiving a first network packet on a first port from a network device, wherein the first network packet uses a first communication protocol; while in a standby mode, determining whether a frame was received on a second port within a predetermined period of time; when the determination is that no frame was received on the second port, then entering a backup mode and transmitting a backup frame on the second port, wherein the backup frame uses a second communication protocol; receiving a second network packet on the first port from the network device, wherein the second network packet uses the first communication protocol; transmitting a second backup frame on the second port, wherein the second backup frame uses the second communication protocol; listening on the second port for a transition; and when the transition is detected, entering the standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling DMX512 devices on a network comprising:
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receiving a first network packet on a first port of a gateway device from a network device, wherein the first network packet uses a first communication protocol, wherein a second port of the gateway device is connected to a first DMX512 device of a plurality of DMX512 devices connected in series, and a third port of the gateway device is connected to a last DMX512 device of the plurality of DMX512 devices; incrementing a packet counter; when the packet counter is odd, transmitting a first frame on the second port to the first DMX512 device using a second communication protocol; and when the packet counter is even, transmitting a second frame on the third port to the last DMX512 device using the second communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for controlling DMX512 devices on a network comprising:
a gateway device having a first port in communication with a network device, a second port connected to a first DMX512 device of a plurality of DMX512 devices connected in series, and a third port connected to a last DMX512 device of the plurality of DMX512 devices; the network switch; and the plurality of DMX512 devices, wherein when the gateway device operates in a backup mode, the gateway device; receives a network packet from the network device using a first communication protocol and increments a packet counter; when the packet counter is odd, the gateway device; transmits a first frame on the second port to the first DMX512 device using a second communication protocol; listens on the third port; and when the first frame is received on the third port, configures the gateway device to operate in a standby mode; when the packet counter is even, the gateway device; transmits a second frame on the third port to the last DMX512 device using the second communication protocol; listens on the second port; and when the second frame is received on the second port, configuring the gateway device to operate in the standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification