Lighting Control System with Wireless Network Connection

• US 20070268680A1
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Inventors: Lee, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 7,748,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

Wireless network used to control multiple lights, includes multiple different networks for different purposes, and interference prevention mechanisms.

Claims

1. A stage lighting device, comprising:

a mounting part, allowing mounting a light;

a controllable motor, that allows moving the light in at least pan and tilt directions;

a light source, producing an output of at least 100 W; and

a controller, that controls at least said movement in said pan and tilt directions, and controls said light source, wherein said controller includes a wireless network interface device, which receives commands over a wireless network, and said controller operates to accept a command from a wireless network only if a specified security function is met.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said specified security function includes receiving the same command more than once.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein said specified security function includes a feature beyond the encryption that is built into the wireless network.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said specified security function includes a hash function, associated with a control that is sent, and said light responding to a command only when said hash function is properly received.

5. A stage lighting controller device, comprising:

a user interface, adapted for controlling a plurality of stage lighting devices, each of which are controllable remotely, and also controllable at least to move in pan and tilt directions; and

a wireless connection to said stage lighting devices, said wireless connection producing commands to control said plurality of stage lighting devices, and producing at least one security function as part of said commands.

6. A controller device as in claim 5, wherein said security function is a function beyond any encryption built into a protocol of the wireless network.

7. A controller device as in claim 6, wherein said security function includes sending multiple commands until a confirmation of a command is received.

8. A controller device as in claim 6, wherein said security function comprises sending a hash function.

9. A controller device as in claim 5, wherein said wireless connection includes multiple different wireless connections, each directed to a different type of unit.

10. A controller device as in claim 9, wherein said wireless connections includes a first wireless connection connectable to stage lighting devices, and the second wireless connection connectable to remote controllable devices.

11. A controller device as in claim 10, wherein said second wireless connection connects to a dedicated remote computer.

12. A controller device as in claim 10, wherein said second wireless connection produces signals that define an Internet webpage that can be used to control said controller device.

13. A controller device as in claim 10, wherein said wireless connections further include a third wireless connection, connectable to personal communication devices, and which controls effects being carried out on said personal communication devices.

14. A controller device as in claim 5, wherein said wireless connection is wireless ethernet.

15. A method, comprising:

sending a control signal wirelessly from a controlling console to a controlled stage light of a type that can be controlled to change its movement in at least pan and tilt directions; and

using an encryption function that is part of the wireless network format, and also adding an additional security function as part of said control signal, such that the controlled stage light will not respond to the command unless the additional security function is verified by the stage light.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the additional security function includes sending commands more than once prior to their execution.

17. A method as in claim 15, wherein the additional security function includes sending commands with hash codes that confirm contents of the commands.