Data distribution in lighting systems

In a lighting system including a plurality of light fixtures, each of said light fixtures producing a light beam, a device comprising:

• a plurality of means for varying, each of said means for varying having a data input, and capable of varying at least one parameter of said light beam of at least one of said plurality of light fixtures, responsive to a first value received at said input, said first value corresponding to a desired adjustment of said at least one parameter, each of said means for varying further responsive to a second value received at said data input;
• a controller, said controller having at least one output, and capable of producing at said output said first values for said plurality of means for varying;
• and
• means for inserting, said means for inserting having an input coupled with said at least one output of said controller, and having at least one output, said output of said means for inserting coupled with said data input of at least one of said plurality of means for varying, said means for inserting inserting said second value into data received at said data input of at least one of said plurality of means for varying.

A lighting system including a plurality of light fixtures, each of said light fixtures producing a light beam, comprising:

• a plurality of means for varying, each of said means for varying having an input and an output, and capable of varying at least one parameter of said light beam of at least one of said plurality of light fixtures, responsive to a first value received at said input, said first value corresponding to a desired adjustment of said at least one parameter, each of said means for varying capable of generating at least one second value and providing said at least one second value at said output, said at least one second value representing status information;
• a controller, said controller having at least one output, and capable of producing at said output said first values for said plurality of means for varying;
• means for distributing, said means for distributing coupling said at least one output of said controller with said input of each of said plurality of means for varying;
• and
• means for consolidating, said means for consolidating having a plurality of inputs, said output of each of said plurality of means for varying being connected with only one of said inputs, such that said at least one second value is transmitted from each of said plurality of means for varying independently, said means for consolidating consolidating said second values.

A lighting system including a plurality of light fixtures, each of said light fixtures producing a light beam and having preselected characteristics, comprising:

• a plurality of means for varying, each of said means for varying having an input, and capable of varying an intensity of said light beam of at least one of said plurality of light fixtures, responsive to a first value received at said input, said first value corresponding to a desired adjustment of said intensity;
• a controller, said controller having at least one output, and capable of producing at said output a plurality of first values for said plurality of means for varying;
• means for maintaining a database describing said preselected characteristics of each of said light fixtures;
• means, coupled to and operable in proximity to said plurality of light fixtures, for designating at least one of said plurality of light fixtures;
• and
• means for presenting said preselected characteristics of said designated light fixture.