Abstract:
A format for controlling information between multiple masters and clients uses each of a plurality of ports over a specified line, where the specified line can be ethernet, and where the ports can be opened and closed, and where the ports are calculated based on the number assigned to the console, a console multiplier, and at least one increment that represents the kind of information where there are multiple kinds of information.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from provisional application No. 61714492 filed Oct. 16, 2012, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    This is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/055,678, filed 16 Oct. 2013, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Different protocols exist for exchanging information between a controlling computer such as a console or the like, and devices that become part of a stage lighting show. Exemplary protocols include so-called show control, as well as DMX, and others. The kinds of devices that can be controlled include controllable lights, winches, other movement devices, video walls, and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An embodiment describes a flexible process and system for exchanging information between an automation control computer and show devices. According to an embodiment, the protocol is used to provide status information, print position, and movement for any device on the network. 
         [0005]    According to an embodiment, all of the control is carried out over a single common line, and parameters are used to define ports according to the function of the signal or request. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    the figures show aspects of the invention. 
           [0007]    Specifically: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the system, including multiple masters and multiple remote client; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a layout of the structure of the ethernet signal including the clients and ports that are used. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    According to an embodiment, a communication protocol between a plurality of controlling computers  200  and  210 , and a plurality of controlled devices  109  is carried out. This protocol may be carried out using UDP, User Datagram Protocol over Ethernet  105 . However, other wireless and wired protocols can alternatively be used. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows the clients  109  including a light  110  and a winch  111 , however it should be understood that the device can control many such different clients. Multiple different controlling computers can be used and all connected together. A port configuration system as described herein allows automated definition of different information being sent over different ports over the same ethernet. The packets sent and received by either the Multicast or Broadcast method of Ethernet. 
         [0012]    A user configurable series of parameters determines the port on which this data is both sent and received. This provides a flexible, extensible and logical method of exchanging large amounts of data in a predetermined format. Due to the use of the UDP architecture, a virtually unlimited number of Masters and Remotes can be present on the same network. The protocol is formed by sending these packets over Ethernet with port numbers that are configured by a program that runs on one or all of the computers. 
         [0013]    Master controllers functions as server computers while all Remote devices such as  109  are treated as client computers. There can be more than one Master in the network. The Master sends data on a user configurable ports using a port-definition technique as described herein. Each Master is given a unique console number. 
         [0014]    All Masters send two types of data packets continuously, System packets and Axis packets. A third type of data, named Positions is transmitted only when requested by a Remote  109 . 
         [0015]    System data packets such as  205  contain information on the current status of the show. This information includes cue information  206  that indicates information about the current cue that is being executed about the show. For example, this can include Current cue number and description, executed cue number, Estop condition, fader values and cue conditional data. 
         [0016]    Status information  207  can also be included which represents the condition of the different parts of the show. The status information can also indicate system fault conditions, or other information about the show such as the brightness of the lights, the condition of the winches, temperatures of the devices, and the like. 
         [0017]    System and security information  208  can also be provided. This can include for example security information such as a password for securing remote access. This can also include information about the show that is used including the show number and the version number. 
         [0018]    The console number and a user configurable multiplier plus an offset determines the port number for system data uses. This is shown as  209 , where the port being used by a master for the system information is calculated based on the console number*multiplier M 1 +the console offset CO. 
         [0019]    An example of this procedure is as follows. The first Master computer  200  is assigned console number 0. The console multiplier M 1  is set as 10,000, although this number can be user-configured. The console offset CO is 1000. System Data for the first master is transmitted and received at a Multicast address with the port number of (0×10,000)+1000. In this case the port number of 1000 is used to transmit and receive System data for master 0. 
         [0020]    Subsequent Masters such as  210  are also given unique console numbers. The second Master could have a console number of 1. For Master  210 , therefore, system data packets are transmitted and received on port 11,000. (1×10,000)+1000. 
         [0021]    Axis data packets  215  describe the show in terms of the number of axes making up the show. A first part of the information, e.g., a header, provides the number of axis in the show  216 . Information about each of the axes is also provided at  217 . According to an embodiment, relevant information for each of up to 10 axes can be provided. This information includes the axis number and description, submaster assignment, owner ID, type, profile count, and profile data. 
         [0022]    Profile data can include acceleration, velocity, decay and time for each of the axes. Parameter data in the packet includes both high and low soft limit values and maximum velocity. Additionally status words in the packet provide fault and motion bits. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, Information for each axis is held to a fixed number of bytes. In an embodiment, there are a maximum of ten axes of data available on each Axis port. This means that for each multiple of 10 axes being controlled, an additional port is created. By limiting the number of axes to 10 per port, the total size in bytes stays less than 1000 bytes. This size is less than the most stringent switching protocols that restrict MTU, Maximum Transmission Units. 
         [0024]    Port numbers at  219  are determined by using the console number*the console multiplier M 1 , +the axis offset OA+an increment of one for each additional port required after the first port. If a Master computer controlled 65 axes, then the header  216  would indicate 65 and would indicate that 65/10 or 7 packets would be needed for axes. This means that there would be packets transmitted and received on seven sequential ports with each sequential port being the next number in the increment information. The header in each packet contains the total number of axis in that packet. 
         [0025]    The total number of ports to create by a Remote is determined by examining the total axes value sent with the system data. The first port would be at (Console number×console multiplier)plus(axis offset+0) Using the above example and an axis offset of 3000 this would be (0×10,000)+(3000+0) or port 3000. The second set of 10 axes would be at port 3,001. (0×10,000)+(3000+1). The third set of 10 would be at port 3,002. (0×10,000)+(3000+2). The last 5 axis would be at port 3,006. (0×10,000)+(3000+6). 
         [0026]    A third type of packet called Request data can be requested from a Master. This data typically includes target positions and target descriptions. It is requested by a Remote client such as  110  using a remote control port  226 . Port  226  is determined by multiplying the console number times console multiplier M 1 , then adding a request offset RO and the axis number A#. A Master with a console multiplier/offset of 10,000 and a request offset of 5,000 receiving a request for axis 12 position data from a Remote would send the data on port (0×10,000)+(5,000+12) or port 5012. 
         [0027]    The request port is only active while a remote is requesting the data. Once a remote has successfully received the data it stops the request and both Master and Remote close the port. 
         [0028]    The Receive Protocols This portion of the protocol allows two way communications between Remotes and Master controllers. These protocols are designed to minimize the amount of processing required by the Master while providing extensive control from the Remote. 
         [0029]    A Command data port  235  is constantly monitored by each Master. The sole purpose of the command data port is to receive a request from another Master device to take primary control. This is commonly used to provide hot backup of one Master that runs in parallel with another Master. The port for this is configured using the command port offset C 0 . A Master configured as console 0 with a console offset of 10,000 and a command port offset C 0  of 2,000 would listen for a take control request on port 2,000, (0×10,000)+2,000=2,000. 
         [0030]    If needed, any Remote can communicate with any Master using the Remote Control protocol  245 . This formatted data packet provides for individual or multiple axis control from a Remote. All or parts of cues can be selected and executed. Axis can also be controlled alone or in groups. This is done using a fixed length header  246  for cue manipulation combined with a repeating block of bytes  247  for each axis being controlled. Remotes can Arm, Disarm, Jog, Preset, Request Positions, Reset an axis and vary the velocity movement using this protocol. A Remote that commands a Master establishes a port at  248  by multiplying the console number times the console multiplier then adding the remote control offset R 0 . If the Master console number is 0 with a console multiplier of 10,000 and a remote control offset of 4,000 then the Remote would be expected to transmit on Port 4,000, (0×10,000)+4,000. 
         [0031]    Configurable Parameters By configuring these parameters, the Remote Protocol is capable of providing a useful, robust and extensible framework of two way communications and change the port numbers. 
         [0032]    Console number Value or C# is used to identify a Master controller. More than one Master can have the same console number but only one Master with the same console number can take control of the assigned axes at a time. The Master that currently has control is described as being Primary. Additional controllers with the same console number are considered Secondary and can function as hot backup. Console multiplier M 1  is the value used as a multiplier in conjunction with the console number to determine the spacing of ports between Master controllers. Console offset CO is the value added to the product of the console number and console multiplier in conjunction with the console number to determine the port number used for system data. 
         [0033]    Axis offset AO is the value added to the product of the console number and console offset that determines the starting port number for axes information. The port used for each group of ten axes after the first group of ten increments the axis offset by 1. Request offset RO is the value added to the product of the console number and console offset that determines the port number for request data. 
         [0034]    Command offset CO is the value added to the product of the console number and console offset that determines the port number for requesting transfer of control from a Primary to a Secondary controller. 
         [0035]    Remote Control offset RCO is the value added to the product of the console number and console multiplier that determines the port number used by a remote device to send data to a Master controller. 
         [0036]    The System Data Packet Structure forms the port number by multiplying the console number with the console multiplier then adding the console offset. The bits can be assigned as in Table 1. 
         [0000]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TABLE 1                       Index   Length   Type   Description                                         0   1   Int   Primary/Secondary                 1   3   Unused                     4   4   Int32   Show number            8   4   Int32   Version number            12   4   Int32   Cue number            16   4   Int32   Total number of Axis            20   4   Single   Submaster Value 1            24   4   Single   Submaster Value 2            28   4   Single   Submaster Value 3            32   4   Single   Submaster Value 4            36   4   Single   Submaster Value 5            40   4   Single   Submaster Value 6            44   4   Single   Submaster Value 7            48   4   Single   Master Value                 52   1   Submaster Force Bits                    Bit 0       Submaster force 1           Bit 1       Submaster force 2           Bit 2       Submaster force 3           Bit 3       Submaster force 4           Bit 4       Submaster force 5           Bit 5       Submaster force 6           Bit 6       Submaster force 7           Bit 7                 53   1   Submaster Stop Bits                    Bit 0       Submaster stop 1           Bit 1       Submaster stop 2           Bit 2       Submaster stop 3           Bit 3       Submaster stop 4           Bit 4       Submaster stop 5           Bit 5       Submaster stop 6           Bit 6       Submaster stop 7           Bit 7                 54   1   System Bits                Bit 0       Master force bit           Bit 1       Estop bit           Bit 2       System stopped bit           Bit 3           Bit 4           Bit 5           Bit 6           Bit 7                 55   4   Remote password                 59   30   String   Cue Conditional                       string            89   50   String   Cue Description                       string           139   4   Int32   Executing cue                       number                        
The Axis Data Packet Structure uses Axis data transmitted in blocks of 10 axis on ports. Each block of 10 axes is another port. Port number is determined by multiplying the console number with the console multiplier then adding the request offset. The data structure can be as in Table 2.
 
         [0000]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TABLE 2                       Index   Length   Type   Description                                    Packet Header                 0   1   Byte   Total axis in packet            Packet payload for 1st axis in packet       (payload repeats for next axis every 92 bytes)                 1   4   Int32   Axis number            5   20   String   Axis description                25   1   Submaster ID                    Bit 0       Submaster 1               Bit 1       Submaster 2           Bit 2       Submaster 3           Bit 3       Submaster 4           Bit 4       Submaster 5           Bit 5       Submaster 6           Bit 6       Submaster 7           Bit 7           26       Byte   Owner ID           27       Byte   Axis type           28       Byte   AVD count            1st AVD Profile                29   4   Single   Current Position           33   4   Single   Target Position           37   4   Single   Accel           41   4   Single   Decel           45   4   Single   Time           49   4   Single   Velocity            Axis Conditional                53   20   String   Axis Conditional                       String            Axis Parameters                73   4   Single   Soft Plus limit           77   4   Single   Soft Minus limit           81   4   Single   Vmax (maximum                       velocity)            Updated fault bits                85   1   Fault Bits 1                        
Remote Control Packet Structure uses request data transmitted from remot Master controller. The port number is determined by multiplying the console number with the console multiplier then adding the axis offset plus 1 for each block of ten axes after the first block of ten. Packet is fixed length of 558 bytes in length. This can use the data Structure as in Table 3.
 
         [0000]                                                                                                                                                              TABLE 3               Index   Length   Type   Description                                Packet Header             0   1   Byte   Owner ID (last 3 digits                   of IP address)             1   1   System Commands            Bit 0                   Bit 1       Go       Bit 2       Stop       Bit 3       Advance       Bit 4       Reverse       Bit 5       Select Cue       Bit 6       Bit 7        2   4   Int32   Cue number request        6   2   Int16   Total number of Axis            Packet Payload begins here and repeats every 11 bytes             8   2   Int16   Axis Number            10   1   Axis Commands            Bit 0       Disarm/Arm           Bit 1       Jog       Bit 2       Preset       Bit 3       Send Existing Positions       Bit 4       Handheld Reset       Bit 5       Relinquish Ownership       Bit 6       Bit 7       11   4   Single   Command Value 1       Jog Target       Preset       Position       15   4   Single   Command Value 2       Jog Velocity            16       Payload for next Axis               begins here.                    
Request Data Packet Structure receives existing position values and names from a Master Port is determined by multiplying the console number with console multiplier then adding the command offset. This can have the Structure of Table 4
 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Index 
                 Length 
                 Type 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 8 
                 Currently unused. 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Packet Payload begins here and repeats every 20 bytes 
               
             
          
           
               
                 8 
                 4 
                 single 
                 Target value 
               
               
                 12 
                 16 
                 String 
                 Target Description 
               
             
          
           
               
                 28 
                   
                 Payload for next existing position begins 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 here . . . Maximum of 50 existing positions 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Take Control Packet Structure 
       [0037]    Sent from a Secondary Master to the Primary Master to request control as Primary. Port is determined by multiplying the console number with the console multiplier then adding the Command offset. This can have the structure shown in Table 5. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Index 
                 Length 
                 Type 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 
                 1 
                   
                 Send value of 1 to rRequest 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 control = 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    These parameters can be affected by programming that is put onto the master and run simultaneously in any and/or all of the Masters either at the same time or individually. The programs that run on the master may both assign the ports and recognize the ports, so that all of the Masters and clients have the same definition of ports. 
         [0039]    Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other formats and other port numbers can be can be used. 
         [0040]    Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. 
         [0041]    The lights which are described herein can be computer-controlled, and can be controlled for example over a network or DMX connection by sending remote controls over that connection. These lights can also, for example, the remotely controllable for pan and tilt. 
         [0042]    Also, the inventor(s) intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims. 
         [0043]    The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.