Method and device capable of unique pattern control of pixel LEDs via smaller number of DMX control channels

• US 9,924,584 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James David Smith
• Original Assignee: James David Smith
• Inventors: Smith, James David
• Primary Examiner(s): Taningco, Alexander H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahr, Kurtis R
• Application Number:
  US15/090,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20160234912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A method of pixel control which reduces the number of DMX control channels required for generation of artistic pixel patterns displayed on a large number of pixel LEDs is described. Further described are a set of control parameters which facilitate the introduction of pixel control and sophisticated pixel pattern generation without a costly DMX controller upgrade. Also described is a device for generating lighting effects. The device may be portable, battery-powered, radio-controlled and small enough to easily hide in most theatrical and film sets, set pieces, props, and practicals. The device may be configured to process DMX data for controlling and generating graphical patterns among pixel LEDs based on the set of one or more control parameters. The method and device relocate the processing of the DMX data from the DMX controller to one or more individual hardware drivers for the pixel LEDS.

Claims

1. A method for controlling and generating graphical patterns among pixel LEDs, comprising:

generating keyframe data, which is a source pattern authored by a lighting designer in real-time by manipulating a first set of DMX control channels of a DMX controller;

providing control parameters comprising each of the following;

one or more settings which define one or more characteristics of the keyframe data including a length of the source pattern in terms of a number of pixels, wherein the number of pixels may be set as a subset of pixels of a pixel LED string; and

one or more pattern replication algorithms configured to display the keyframe data in replicable patterns by mapping and repeating the source pattern across one or more blocks of pixel LEDs, wherein each block has a number of pixels equal to the length of the source pattern;

assigning a specific DMX control channel chosen from a second set of DMX control channels of the DMX controller for each of the control parameters;

adjusting the control parameters by setting one or more of the assigned DMX channels to levels that correspond with the one or more settings of the control parameters; and

processing DMX channel data comprising the keyframe data from a DMX controller based on the control parameters;

wherein the processing occurs at a point of processing external to the DMX controller;

wherein the control parameters define how the keyframe data is interpreted, processed, and distributed among the pixel LEDs to generate graphical patterns;

wherein each pixel LED comprises a plurality of colors selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber and white;

wherein the one or more assigned DMX channels provide a capability for the lighting designer to create graphical patterns among the pixel LEDs by manipulating the replication, repetition and distribution of the source pattern among the pixel LEDs in real time such that groups of contiguous pixels respond together and such that a ratio of pixel LED colors addressed per DMX channel exceeds 1 to 1;

wherein neither the source pattern nor the graphical patterns among the pixel LEDs are preprogrammed patterns.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the point of processing is at one or more individual hardware drivers for the pixel LEDs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the point of processing is at a pre-processor between the DMX controller and one or more individual hardware drivers for the pixel LEDs.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the control parameters are uploaded and stored in a memory of the one or more individual hardware drivers for the pixel LEDs.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the control parameters are uploaded and stored in a memory of the pre-processor between the DMX controller and one or more individual hardware drivers for the pixel LEDs.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of saving values of the settings by pressing a single button after adjustment of the settings of the control parameters.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more settings comprise one or more of:

a Pixel Channel Footprint, which is a number of individual DMX control channels that control a single LED pixel;

DMX Start, which is a channel number within a 512-channel DMX universe where keyframe data begins;

DMX Offset, which denotes a channel within a keyframe where a pixel driver will begin pattern generation for its first physical pixel; and

Pixel Group Size, which allows multiple physical pixels to be mapped to each control pixel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more pattern replication algorithms comprise one or more of:

Forward Keyframe Copy, which displays keyframe data as presented by the DMX controller, and then repeats the keyframe for subsequent blocks of pixels;

Reverse Keyframe Copy, which displays keyframe data as presented by the external DMX controller, but mapped to pixels in reverse order;

Forward/Reverse Keyframe Copy, which combines Forward Keyframe Copy and Reverse Keyframe Copy to create a mirrored pixel pattern that is twice the length of the keyframe, wherein a first keyframe length of pixels displays as a Forward Keyframe, and a second keyframe length of pixels displays as a Reverse Keyframe;

Reverse/Forward Keyframe Copy, which combines Forward Keyframe Copy and Reverse Keyframe Copy to create a mirrored pixel pattern that is twice the length of the keyframe, wherein a first keyframe length of pixels displays as a Reverse Keyframe and a second keyframe length of pixels displays as a Forward Keyframe; and

Mapped Keyframe, which provides a look-up table mapping a relationship between control channels and physical pixels.

9. A device for controlling and generating graphical patterns among pixel LEDs comprising:

a storage unit comprising control parameters which are configured to control keyframe data, which keyframe data is a source pattern authored by a lighting designer in real-time by manipulating a first set of DMX control channels of a DMX controller, which control parameters comprise each of the following;

one or more settings which define one or more characteristics of the keyframe data including a length of the source pattern in terms of a number of pixels, wherein the number of pixels may be set as a subset of pixels of a pixel LED string; and

one or more pattern replication algorithms configured to display the keyframe data in replicable patterns by mapping and repeating the source pattern across one or more blocks of pixel LEDs, wherein each block has a number of pixels equal to the length of the source pattern;

a receiver capable of receiving DMX channel data comprising the keyframe data from a DMX controller; and

a processing unit programmed to assign a specific DMX control channel chosen from a second set of DMX control channels of the DMX controller for each of the control parameters;

wherein the processor is capable of processing the keyframe data based on the control parameters;

wherein the control parameters define how the keyframe data is interpreted, processed, and distributed among the pixel LEDs to generate graphical patterns;

wherein the device is external to the DMX controller;

wherein each pixel LED comprises a plurality of colors selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber and white;

wherein during use the one or more assigned DMX channels provide a capability for the lighting designer to create graphical patterns among the pixel LEDs by manipulating the replication, repetition and distribution of the source pattern among the pixel LEDs in real time such that groups of contiguous pixels respond together and such that a ratio of pixel LED colors addressed per DMX channel exceeds 1 to 1;

wherein neither the source pattern nor the graphical patterns among the pixel LEDs are preprogrammed patterns.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is capable of receiving DMX channel data from a wireless DMX transmitter at the receiver and converting the DMX channel data to one or more outputs, wherein each output is capable of controlling a pixel LED string comprising at least 500 red/green/blue pixel LEDs.

11. The device of claim 9, which is battery powered.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a memory capable of storing settings of the control parameters.

13. The device of claim 9, comprising a bootloader which provides a capability of updating the control parameters.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is configured to provide a capability to configure pixel color order.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is configured to provide a capability to correct color discrepancies among pixel LED strings.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is configured to provide a capability of saving values of the control parameters by pressing a single button.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more settings comprise one or more of:

a Pixel Channel Footprint, which is a number of individual DMX control channels that control a single LED pixel;

DMX Start, which is a channel number within a 512-channel DMX universe where keyframe data begins;

DMX Offset, which denotes a channel within a keyframe where a pixel driver will begin pattern generation for its first physical pixel; and

Pixel Group Size, which allows multiple physical pixels to be mapped to each control pixel.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more pattern replication algorithms comprise one or more of:

Forward Keyframe Copy, which displays keyframe data as presented by the DMX controller, and then repeats the keyframe for subsequent blocks of pixels;

Reverse Keyframe Copy, which displays keyframe data as presented by the external DMX controller, but mapped to pixels in reverse order;

Forward/Reverse Keyframe Copy, which combines Forward Keyframe Copy and Reverse Keyframe Copy to create a mirrored pixel pattern that is twice the length of the keyframe, wherein a first keyframe length of pixels displays as a Forward Keyframe, and a second keyframe length of pixels displays as a Reverse Keyframe;

Reverse/Forward Keyframe Copy, which combines Forward Keyframe Copy and Reverse Keyframe Copy to create a mirrored pixel pattern that is twice the length of the keyframe, wherein a first keyframe length of pixels displays as a Reverse Keyframe and a second keyframe length of pixels displays as a Forward Keyframe; and

Mapped Keyframe, which provides a look-up table mapping a relationship between control channels and physical pixels.