Computer controlled lighting system with modular control resources

A lighting system comprising:

• A. a control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processing system responding to said inputs and generating system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;
• B. a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units each having means for producing a light beam having a plurality of adjustable parameters relating to beam characteristics and drive means for controlling a plurality of said parameters, said plurality of lamp units comprised of:
• (1) a first set of said multiple parameter lamp units having memory for storing cues, and processors for executing cues upon receipt of said system control commands identifying cues;
• and
• (2) a second set of said multiple parameter lamp units having a controller for receiving and processing absolute parameter values;
• and
• C. a communication system for connecting said control system to each of said lamp units, said communication system including a first load interface processor for connecting said control system to said first set of lamps and a second load interface processor for connecting said control system to said second set of lamps, said second load interface processor including a processor for translating said system control commands into absolute parameter values for said second set of lamp units.

A lighting system comprising:

• A. a first and a second control device for generating parameter-controlling commands, said first and second control devices having diverse signal formats and communications protocols;
• B. a first and a second multiple-parameter lamp unit, each lamp unit responsive to said parameter-controlling commands, said first and second lamp units having diverse data formats and communications protocols;
• and
• C. a central control system connected to each of said control devices and said lamp units, said central control system having one or more interfacing systems for transmitting said parameter-controlling commands to one or more of said control devices or lamp units, each interfacing system conforming said parameter-controlling commands according to the data format and communications protocol specific to the control device or lamp unit connected thereto.

A lighting system comprising:

• A. a control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processor translating said inputs into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;
• B. a first plurality of multiple parameter lamp units each having memory for storing cues, and processors for executing cues upon receipt of said system control commands identifying cues;
• C. means for translating said system control commands into absolute parameter values, said means for translating comprising:
• (1) means for receiving said system control commands;
• (2) memory for storing parameter data and programs;
• and
• (3) processor means responsive to said system control commands, parameter data and stored programs for calculating said absolute parameter values;
• and
• D. a second plurality of multiple parameter lamp units connected to said means for translating, said second plurality of lamp units each having a controller for receiving and processing said absolute parameter values.

A modular controller for a lighting system, comprising:

• A. a central control system having a central processing system for processing parameter-controlling inputs, said central processing system translating said inputs into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system;
• B. a plurality of supplementary control devices for entering parameter-controlling inputs according to a specified format, said parameter-controlling inputs directing the operation of said lighting system;
• C. at least one source interface module for connecting said central control system to one or more of said supplementary control devices, said source interface module supporting an independent data network that conforms transmissions to each of said connected supplementary control devices according to said specified input format associated with said supplementary control device;
• D. a plurality of multiple-parameter lamp units each having means for producing a light beam having a plurality of adjustable parameters relating to beam characteristics and drive means for controlling a plurality of said parameters in response to said parameter-controlling commands;
• and
• E. at least one load interface module for connecting said central control system to one or more of said multiple-parameter lamp units, said load interface module supporting an independent data network that conforms transmissions to each of said connected lamp units according to the specific communications protocol associated with said lamp units.

A method for controlling a lighting system having a primary control system from any one or all of a set of supplementary control units having diverse signal formats, said primary control system having a central processing system, said control method comprising the steps of:

• generating supplementary control commands at one or more of said supplementary control units;
• coupling said supplementary control commands to said primary control system;
• translating said supplementary control commands generated by one or more of said supplementary control units into a format compatible with said primary control system;
• and
• processing said translated supplementary control commands in said central processing system into system control commands for exercising control over said lighting system.

A method for controlling a lighting system having a control system and a plurality of multiple parameter lamp units, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating parameter controlling inputs;
• processing said parameter-controlling inputs for directing the operation of said lighting system;
• generating system control commands for exercising control over said lamp units;
• transmitting said system control commands to a first load interface processor and a second load interface processor each connected to said control system and one or more of said multiple parameter lamp units;
• transmitting said system control commands from said first load interface processor to said connected lamp units;
• translating said system control commands in said second load interface processor into absolute parameter values;
• and
• transmitting said absolute parameter values from said second load interface processor to said connected lamp units.