KR100670915B1 - System for controlling Electric Signboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signboard control system, and more particularly, to a signboard control system in which each of the light source controllers are controlled by a communication network in a central controller, and each light source controller is closely connected to a light source installed in the signboard. The electronic sign control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of light sources emitting light, a plurality of light source controllers which are adjacently coupled to one or more predetermined number of light sources to control a light source, a communication network connected to each light source controller, and each light source controller. And a central controller for recognizing a corresponding address and downloading control data to each light source controller via a communication network.

Light source, controller, central controller, communication, LAN

Description

Electronic control board {System for controlling Electric Signboard}

Figure 1a schematically shows the overall configuration of a signboard control system according to the prior art.

Figure 1b is a view showing the configuration of a light source controller according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a schematic view showing a signboard control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view showing the configuration of a light source controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a functional block diagram of a central controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing an operation procedure of the signboard control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6A illustrates the format of control data in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6B illustrates execution of a pattern command of control data in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

7A illustrates a setup and process for synchronization in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

7B is a diagram for explaining the format of a sync command (synchronization signal) according to synchronization.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

200: light source

210: light source controller

220: central controller

230: LAN

250: AC power line

270 AC power inlet

The present invention relates to a signboard control system, and more particularly, to a signboard control system in which each of the light source controllers are controlled by a communication network in a central controller, and each light source controller is closely connected to a light source installed in the signboard.

1A is a view schematically showing the overall configuration of a signboard control system according to the prior art.

The electronic sign control system according to FIG. 1A includes an electronic sign 10 having a plurality of light sources 15-n (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 15), and a pattern memory for controlling each light source 15. Light board controller 30, which is a set of a plurality of light source controllers 32-m (hereinafter collectively referred to as 32), a cable 20 and a light source controller connecting the light source 15 to the light source controller 32. It includes a power supply line 40 for supplying power.

The electric sign 10 is a device in which light sources 15 that emit light when power is applied are collected in a predetermined array, and display an entire advertisement according to the operation of each light source 15.

The display board controller 30 is configured to turn on and off each light source 15 constituting the display board 10 (off means the same as turning on a black light), lighter, darker, and panorama. It is a collection of light source controllers 32 that control to produce an effect.

The light source controller 32 of the signboard controller 30 is coupled to each light source 15 of the signboard 10 through a cable 20 to control each light source 15, the light source 15 is a comprehensive In order to display an advertisement, control data corresponding to the advertisement information is stored in the pattern memory and mounted on each light source controller 32.

1B is a view showing the configuration of a light source controller according to the prior art.

According to FIG. 1B, the light source controller 32 includes a processor 50, a program memory 51, a pattern memory 52, a pattern memory socket 53, an advertisement number setting switch 54, a selection switch 55, and a reset. And a switch 56, a power supply 57, and a light source switch 58.

The pattern memory 52 performs a function of storing control data. In the conventional system, in order to change the contents of the advertisement being displayed, the control data stored in the pattern memory 52 should be changed. In this case, a new pattern memory 520 using a separate ROM writer or a control data to be changed is stored. ) (Usually ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, etc.) should be found by replacing the light source controller 32 with the pattern memory socket 53.

The advertisement number setting switch 54 performs a function of selecting one advertisement when the control data corresponding to the plurality of advertisements exists in the pattern memory. When the capacity of these pattern memories 52 is sufficient, various kinds of advertisement information may be stored. If the information of several advertisements is stored in one pattern memory 52, it means that one advertisement needs to be selected, and the advertisement number setting switch 54 (normally DIP Switch) is set to set the advertisement number to be displayed newly. , A Rotary Switch, and a Jumper Switch).

The selection switch 55 performs a function of determining the processing speed of the control data. Depending on the type of advertisement, it is necessary to vary the performance speed of the control data. However, there is an inconvenience in that the selection switch 55 needs to be set again whenever the speed is desired.

The reset switch 56 is used to operate the light source controller 32 again from the beginning. It is also commonly called a restart switch. In order for a plurality of light sources 15 to display a single consistent advertisement, synchronization between the respective light source controllers 32 controlling them is required. Initially, even if the synchronization is correct, the synchronization is often broken for a variety of reasons. In this case, in a conventional system, the power supply must be turned off and then supplied again, or each of the light source controllers 32 must be pressed and the reset switch 56 is pressed.

As described above, in the conventional electronic sign control system, the light source controllers 32 are frequently visited and directly manipulated. Direct operation of the light source controller 32 is not possible for anyone, and requires a professional operation personnel who can handle this task. Therefore, all the light source controllers 32 are easily accessible by professional operating personnel, and are forced to install in a place where sufficient space is secured for them to work. As such, it can be referred to as a centralized display board controller system in the sense that all the light source controllers 32 are concentrated and installed in one place while bearing the long distance cable 20 between the light source 15 and the light source controller 32. Here, there are also inconveniences in installation along long distances and a large number of cables 20.

The problems as described above are due to the long distance between the light source 15 and the light source controller 32 and that all manipulations of the light source controller 32 must be directed to the light source controller 32.

Another problem with the conventional signboard system is the fact that the control data for controlling the light source is designed to control the operation of the light source 15 according to a certain time unit (typically 0.1 second). The light source 15 often maintains the same state for a long time, but even in this case, as the same data is stored in the memory for a period in which the same state should be maintained, the light source 15 occupies a large amount of memory.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sign control system that can reduce the cost, initial installation cost and maintenance costs of the electronic sign system.

Another object of the present invention is to change the contents of the advertisement, change the advertisement number, change the speed of the display, adjust the collapsed synchronization, and make it easier to check the error state of the light source controller that caused the malfunction, etc. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic board control system capable of easily managing a controller and a memory coupled to each light source.

Still another object according to the present invention is to provide a signboard control system capable of downloading new control data according to new advertisement contents requiring change into a pattern memory of a corresponding light source controller through a communication network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sign control system that can simplify the change of the advertising number, periodic synchronization between the light source controller, monitoring the operation state of all the light source controller and recovering the light source controller showing abnormal operation will be.

Still another object according to the present invention is to provide a signboard control system that can reduce the storage space of the pattern memory and can also reduce the capacity of the control data downloaded from the central controller.

Still other objects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described below.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a plurality of light sources for emitting light; A plurality of light source controllers which are adjacently coupled to each of at least one predetermined number of light sources to control the light sources; A communication network connected to each of the light source controllers; And a central controller that recognizes an address corresponding to each light source controller and downloads control data to each light source controller through the communication network.

The light source controller may include a pattern memory configured to store the control data for controlling the light source; A light source control module coupled to the light source; A communication module coupled with the communication network; A power module coupled to a power line to apply power to the light source controller; A local controller module for checking an operation and an error of the light source controller and providing the same to a local controller; And a processor controlling the respective modules and controlling the light source through the light source control module according to the control data stored in the pattern memory.

In addition, the control data stored in the pattern memory may include at least one pattern instruction, and the pattern instruction may include an attribute field, a color field, and a period field.

In addition, the attribute field is ON (ON), Dimming-In (DI), Dimming-Out (DO), Special Effect (SE) group, Jump to Subroutine (JS), Return from Subroutine (RS), Loop Back (LB) ) May be one of In addition, the light source controller may synchronize by issuing a sink command while executing a pattern command corresponding to the LB.

The central controller may further include a data transceiver configured to transmit data to store control data in the pattern memory of the light source controller or to receive a signal fed back from the light source controller; A storage unit for storing control data to be transmitted to the light source controller or storing information about the control data stored in the pattern memory of the light source controller; An error detecting unit detecting an error of each light source controller according to a signal fed back from the light source controller; And it may include a control data selection unit for providing information on the control data to be executed in the light source controller.

Hereinafter, the electronic sign control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components regardless of reference numerals The same reference numerals will be given, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a sign board control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 2, the electronic sign control system includes a plurality of light sources 200 (n, m), a light source controller 210 (n, m), a central controller 220, a communication network 230, and an AC power line 250. And an AC power inlet 270.

The light source 200 (n, m) is a device that emits light when power is applied, and a neon sign lamp, CCFL, EEFL, fluorescent lamp, etc. may be used. Hereinafter, the integration into the light source 200 will be described.

The light source controller 210 (n, m) performs a function of controlling the light source 200. Hereinafter, the integration into the light source controller 210 will be referred to. Here, one light source controller 210 may be provided for each light source 200, but one light source controller 210 may be provided for each predetermined number (eg, 2 to 8) of light sources 200. This is because a certain number of light sources 200 may be positioned for each pixel of the electronic display board, so that one light source controller 210 controls a certain number of light sources 200 corresponding to one pixel. Hereinafter, an example in which one light source 200 is positioned on one pixel of the electronic display board will be described. Of course, the same method may be used even when a plurality of light sources 200 are positioned in one pixel.

Each light source controller 210 controls the light source 200 to emit light according to the control data stored therein. For example, when the light by each light source 200 controlled by each light source controller 210 represents the overall text "Merry Christmas", each light source 200 corresponding to each light source controller 210 corresponds to the corresponding light. Each control data must be stored for operation. That is, in order to output a character or an image by the entire light source system, each light source controller 210 should store respective control data corresponding to each pattern memory. Therefore, each light source controller 210 controls the light sources 200 according to the control data stored in the memory to obtain an output of a letter shape or an image shape as a whole. Hereinafter, each light source operates by the control data in each light source controller 210, and a set of the respective control data representing the overall output according to the control data will be referred to as advertisement data. For example, the light source controller 210 controls each light source 200 according to the control data stored in the memory, so that each light source 200 operates separately to display one advertisement data called 'sell apple' with a blue light. You can print

The configuration of the light source controller 210 and the function of each configuration will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The central controller 220 stores advertisement data of all light source controllers 210 and downloads them to the light source controller 210 through the communication network 230 when necessary. In addition, it manages information on the control data stored in the memory of each light source controller (210). Here, for one advertisement data, the control data to be provided to each light source controller 210 may be directly created in the central controller 220, but may be edited in a separate system and copied to the central controller 220. It may be. Since the control data corresponding to each light source controller 210 is edited separately from the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The address of each light source controller 210 is registered in the central controller 220, so that the control data can be selectively downloaded to the arbitrary light source controller 210 through the communication network 230. Here, the central controller 220 stores information on the control data stored in the memory of each light source 200, so that the control data is stored only in the memory of the light source controller 210 in which the necessary control data is not stored. You can also download it.

In addition, the central controller 220 may perform a function of managing and controlling each light source controller 210 such as periodically investigating operation failures and errors of the light source controller 210 and sending a corresponding command to recover the error. .

The communication network 230 functions as a communication means for performing data communication between the light source controller 210 and the central controller 220. The communication network 230 generally uses a LAN, and may use a wired LAN such as RS-485 or Ethernet, an optical fiber, a power line LAN using a power line, and a wireless LAN. . Of course, the interface method varies according to the type of LAN selected.

Power line communication (PLC) refers to a technology for communicating voice and data on a high frequency signal of hundreds of kilohertz to several tens of MHz using a power line that supplies power. In fact, since PLCs communicate power lines through a medium, they are more difficult to implement than data transmission using communication cables or optical fibers.

Wireless LAN is also rapidly spreading communication means, and does not require a separate LAN line, and can perform data communication using a communication module having a wireless communication protocol. Detailed description thereof will be omitted since it is obvious. Hereinafter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a communication network will be described using a LAN as an example.

The AC power inlet 270 performs a function of supplying power to the light source controller 210 and the central controller 220 through the AC power line 250. The AC power inlet 270 may automatically supply and cut off AC power at a prescribed time under the control of the central controller 22.

Here, the entire system may further include a local controller (not shown) for each light source control, which may monitor an error and an operation state of the light source controller 210. Each light source controller 210 notifies its administrator of its operating status (including errors) to the administrator through the display device of the local controller, or edits and loads the simple advertisement information in the pattern memory according to the administrator's command. It can also be displayed. The local controller is a subset concept of the central controller 220. The light source controller 210 and the local controller have separate connectors for their own communication. The local controller doesn't directly contribute to displaying the ad, so you don't always have to keep it connected.

3 is a view showing the configuration of a light source controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 3, the light source controller 210 includes a pattern memory 211, a light source control module 212, a LAN module 213, a power module 214, a local controller module 215, a processor 216, and a program memory. (217).

The pattern memory 211 is a storage medium in which control data for controlling the light source 200 is stored. The pattern memory 211 can be easily written to or read from by a processor of the light source controller 210, even when power is not supplied. Non-volatile memory can be used. Here, the control data is a set of commands for not only the light source 200 is turned off and on, but also the color of the light source 200 and the time when the light is turned off or on, and the control data is executed according to a synchronization signal to control the light source 200. do. A detailed description of the synchronization signal indicating the start of the control data stored in the pattern memory 211 of each light source controller 210 will be described below.

The control data stored in each light source controller 210 are all different, and according to the operation of each light source 200, the output of the entire light source 200 is made. For example, in order to output the message "Happy Birthday", each of the light sources 200 may have to perform different or some of the same operations (turn on and off, color assignment). Operation commands of the respective light sources 200 are included in the control data. Here, the control data stored in the pattern memory according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not store control data for controlling the light source but control data including pattern instructions. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the following control data will be described taking the example consisting of pattern commands. Controlling the operation of the light source 200 according to the pattern command and the pattern command will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The light source control module 212 performs a function of an interface between the light source 200 and the light source controller 210 for controlling the light source 200 under the control of the processor 216. That is, the light source 200 is controlled according to the control signal generated from the processor 216 which has recognized the above-described control data.

The LAN module 213 is connected to the LAN 230 to perform an interface function between the LAN 230 and the light source controller 210. Therefore, the light source controller can perform data communication with the central controller 220 through the LAN due to the LAN module. Here, the LAN module 213 of each light source controller 210 has an IP address. Accordingly, the central controller 220 may recognize each light source controller 210 according to an address assigned to each light source controller 210.

The power module 214 serves to supply power for the operation of the light source controller 210 by using power supplied from the AC power inlet 270 through the AC power line 250. In addition, the light source controller 210 uses power supplied from the power supply module 214 to supply power to the light source 200 to emit light.

The local controller module 215 checks the operation state of each module through the processor 216 or checks an error so that a user (or an administrator) can check an error and an operation state of the light source controller 210 from time to time through the local controller. Detect and send the relevant data to the local controller.

The processor 216 performs a function of controlling each module of the light source controller 210. The control data (or pattern command) received from the central controller 220 through the LAN 230 and the LAN module 213 is stored in the pattern memory 211, or data stored in the pattern memory 211 is deleted. . In addition, the light source 200 is controlled through the light source module according to the control data stored in the pattern memory 211.

The program memory 217 is a memory storing programs defining operations of the processor 216, and may be provided with a ROM memory as well as a flash memory. In the case where the control data according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is a pattern command, the processor 216 controls the light source through the light source control module 212 in the program memory 217, and the central controller 220 or the like. Programs for performing a LAN command transmitted from another light source controller 210 and analyzing a pattern command from the pattern memory 211 to control the operation of the light source 200 previously defined are stored. Detailed description will be described below with reference to the drawings.

4 is a functional block diagram of a central controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 4, the central controller 220 includes a data transceiver 222, a storage 224, an error detector 226, and a control data selector 228.

The data transceiver 222 transmits and downloads corresponding control data to the pattern memory 211 of the light source controller 210, or receives a signal fed back from the light source controller 210. Here, since the data transceiver 222 performs data communication with each light source controller 210 through the LAN 230, the data transceiver 222 is connected to the LAN 230 and has an interface function with the LAN 230. In addition, it should be possible to recognize the address of each light source controller (210).

The storage unit 224 stores the control data to be transmitted to the light source controller 210 or stores information on the control data stored in the pattern memory 211 of the light source controller 210.

The error detector 226 detects an error of each light source controller 210 according to a signal fed back from the light source controller 210. For example, when transmitting the control data and receiving the response signal, the central controller 220 may detect an error of the light source controller 210 that does not transmit the proper response signal. Alternatively, a check signal may be periodically transmitted to each light source controller 220, and an error and a failure may be detected through the response signal. Alternatively, when an address of any light source controller is not recognized, an error or a failure of the light source controller may be recognized. That is, the error detector 225 of the central controller 220 performs a function of detecting an error related to data communication through each light source controller 210 and the LAN 230. Inspection of the operation error and failure of the remaining light source controller 210 may be performed in the above-described local controller.

If a plurality of control data stored in each light source controller 210 is provided, the control data selector 228 provides a function of providing information corresponding to the control data to be executed. For example, when control data corresponding to five pieces of advertisement data exist in the pattern memory 211 of each light source controller 210, in order to execute one of the pieces of advertisement data, the control data selection unit selects the arbitrary data. By transmitting the identifier corresponding to the advertisement data of each light source controller, each light source controller can execute the control data corresponding to the identifier among a plurality of control data. Here, the control data selector may also perform a function of providing a synchronization signal for starting execution of the selected control data to each light source controller.

5 is a view showing an operating procedure of the electronic sign control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 5, in step S510, the central controller 220 extracts, from the storage unit, control data to be executed in each light source controller 220 corresponding to one advertisement data created in the above-described editing apparatus, and corresponds to the corresponding control in step S520. Transfer to the light source controller 220.

In operation S530, the central controller 220 stores control data information on the control data list stored in the pattern memory 211 of each light source controller 220 in the storage unit and updates the information.

In operation S540, the light source controller 220 stores the control data received from the central controller 220 in the pattern memory 211. When the light source controller 220 receives the control data, the light source controller 220 transmits a response signal thereto to the central controller 220. The central controller 220 transmits control data to the light source controller 220 which does not transmit the response signal again. If there is no response even after a predetermined number of times, the central controller 220 recognizes the error as the light source controller 220. Therefore, the light source controller 220 may be inspected to detect and solve a failure and an operation error of the light source controller 220.

In operation S550, the light source controller 220 executes the received control data. Execution of control data of each light source controller 220 may be started by receiving power and receiving a synchronization signal from a predetermined light source controller 220 of the central controller 220 or the light source controller 220. Generally, any one of the plurality of light source controllers 220 is set as a master controller and the other is set as a local master. Therefore, the master controller generates the synchronization signal and transmits the synchronization signal to the remaining light source controller 220. The local master acts as the master controller for the sync signal in case of master controller failure or operational error. A detailed description of the operation of the light source controller 220 according to the synchronization signal will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Each light source controller 220 sequentially outputs the pattern data of the control data stored in the pattern memory 211, thereby outputting the entire advertisement data.

Hereinafter, the pattern command and the execution of the pattern command will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

6A illustrates the format of control data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 6A, the control data 600 stored in the pattern memory 211 may be a set of pattern instructions (PI) 610. The pattern command 610 consists of an attribute field 612, a color field 614, and a period field 614.

Attribute field 612 represents an attribute of the pattern command. Types include On / Off 612-1 of the light source 200, Dimming-In (which means that brightness is getting brighter) 612-2, and Dimming-Out, which is There may be a special effect group (SEA) 612-4, such as brightness gradually dimming) (612-3), panorama (panorama). Here, the turning off of the light source 200 may have an effect such that the light source 200 is turned off by emitting a black color instead of turning off the light source 200.

In addition, a plurality of pattern commands 610 of the SE (special effect group) may be defined and used as necessary. That is, the pattern command 610 of several SE group attributes may be defined and set to distinguish each SE group attribute to execute the pattern command 610 of the corresponding SE group attribute.

Multiple SE commands are each numbered and distinguished and their definition can be recorded in a pattern command table.

In addition, a jump to subroutine (JS) 612-5 that jumps to a subroutine constituting a plurality of pattern commands 610 and a return from subroutine (RS) 612-returned from the subroutine. 6) and a total of seven attributes, including attributes that change the control sequence, such as the Loop Back (612-7), which returns to the beginning of the advertisement (the first Pattern Instruction of the corresponding Pattern No.). have.

The color field 614 and the period field 616 may have different values depending on the value of the attribute field 612. That is, when the attribute field 612 is an ON, DI, DO, SE group that directly controls the above-described light source, the color field 614 designates the color of light, and the period field 616 designates the pattern command 610. ) Means the time it takes to run. The value of the duration field 616 is typically such that it is an integer multiple of 0.1 (and possibly more) seconds. For example, if the attribute field 612 is ON, the color field 614 is yellow, and the period field 616 is 10, the light source 200 emits yellow light for 1 second. If the attribute field 612 is DI, the color field 614 is blue, and the period field 616 is 20, the light source 200 emits blue light to become brighter for 2 seconds.

In contrast, when the attribute field 612 is the JS 612-5, the color field 614 and the period field 616 are combined to indicate a address containing a pattern command to be newly fetched. In addition, when the attribute field 612 is RS and LB, the values of the color field 614 and the period field 616 are ignored. The execution method of JS and RS will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6B.

It is possible to allocate four bits to the attribute field 612 and the color field 614, respectively, and eight bits to the period field 616. By assigning 4 bits to the attribute field 612, a total of 16 pattern instructions 610 can be defined, including 6 basic attributes (ON, DI, DO, JS, RS, LB) and 10 SE group instructions. have. A total of 16 colors can be defined in the color field 614 of 4Bit and a total of 256 periods (maximum of 25.5 seconds when the basic period unit is set to 0.1 second) can be defined in the period field 616 of 8Bit. Of course, the bits of each field can be allocated differently.

Here, the light source controller 210 stores an attribute table and a color table corresponding to the value of the color field 614 in the program memory 217 to recognize a command corresponding to the value of the attribute field 612. Accordingly, the light source controller 210 reads each pattern command 610 and controls the light source 200 accordingly. The attribute table and the color table can be set as follows.

Field value (4 bits) property Field value (4 bits) property 0000 ON 1000 SE Group 6 0001 DI 1001 SE Group 7 0010 DO 1010 SE Group 8 0011 SE Group 1 1011 SE Group 9 0100 SE Group 2 1100 SE group10 0101 SE Group 3 1101 JS 0110 SE Group 4 1110 RS 0111 SE Group 5 1111 LB

<Property>

Field value (4 bits) Color Field value (4 bits) Color 0000 black 1000 Indigo 0001 White 1001 purple 0010 blue 1010 Brown 0011 Sky blue 1011 yellow 0100 Red 1100 Ocher color 0101 Orange 1101 pink 0110 purple 1110 grey 0111 green 1111 Dark blue

<Color>

Therefore, when the pattern command 610 is executed, the light source controller 220 controls the light source 200 to emit light of a color corresponding to the value of the color field 614 corresponding to the value of the attribute field 612.

Hereinafter, a process of executing control data related to attributes of JS, RS, etc. of the pattern command 610 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B.

6B is a view showing a pattern command execution of control data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 6B, while the pattern commands 610-1, 610-2, 610-3,..., 610 according to the control data are executed in sequence, the attribute field 612 JS (bit value 1101) Is executed. The value after the attribute field 612 value, 001000000011 (four bits of the color field 614 and eight bits of the period field 616) is 12 bits, and indicates an address where the pattern instruction 610 to be executed is stored. Here, according to RS, which is the last instruction of the subroutine, save the address that should be returned to the JS instruction (increased by one to the address value that contains the JS instruction) and the first instruction of the subroutine (001000000011). Command) to fetch and execute.

The pattern command 610 stored at 001000000011 is executed. The pattern command 610 at 001000000011 performs this because it emits white light (0001) for 1.5 seconds (00001111). The next command executes a command to emit black (0000) light for 0.5 seconds (00000101), and then returns to the address saved before jumping to the subroutine with the last command, RS (bit value 1110). This may represent the blinking of the light source 200. In order to return to the original position by the RS, a method of temporarily storing the address of the original position by the processor may be used.

After executing the subroutine, the pattern instruction 610 of the following LB (bit value 1111) attribute is executed. Thus, it returns to the beginning of the control data, that is, the first pattern command 610.

Although the plurality of light source controllers 220 independently perform the control data stored in the pattern memory 211 provided in each of the plurality of light source controllers 220, each light source controller 220 may use one unified mode, That is, control data corresponding to the same advertisement data and concurrency must be secured. To this end, synchronization of each light source controller 220 should be performed.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a setting and process for synchronization according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a diagram for describing a format of a sync command (synchronization signal) according to synchronization.

According to FIG. 7A, a unique ID is added to the central controller 220 and each light source controller 220. The central controller 220 is number 0, the master controller is number 1 and the sub master controller is number 2, and the other light source controllers 220 are slave controllers. Add. This may be substantially assigned as an address for LAN 230 communication.

Synchronization is a method in which a sync command is issued through the LAN 230 and all light source controllers 220 that receive the sync command perform an operation necessary for synchronization. The master controller issues a sink command (case 1), and if the master controller fails to issue a sink command due to a malfunction or failure, the sub master controller issues (case 2). The sink command is generally issued in the process of performing a power-on initialization and a LB command that returns to the beginning after one advertisement data ends.

Here, the sink command for powering on and performing the first advertisement data may be issued from the master controller or the central controller 220. When issued from the master controller, when power is applied, the sink command is issued by itself without a separate command from another device, and thus each light source controller 220 controls the light source 200 according to preset control data.

In another embodiment, the central controller 220 issues a sink command only when power is applied. Since each light source controller 220 may store a plurality of control data, the central controller 220 provides information on the control data for controlling the light source 200 and issues a sync command at the same time. In another embodiment, the central controller 220 transmits a sink command containing control data information only to the master controller, and the master controller receiving the command issues a sink command to another light source controller 210.

If neither the master controller nor the sub-master controller has issued a sync command for a period of time (case 3), then all the light controllers will return to the beginning of the advertisement (Self Loop Back), so that neither the master controller nor the sub-master controller In this case, the advertisement may be displayed even when the LAN 230 is not connected and there is only a single light source controller 210. In this case, the perfect synchronization of all the light source controllers 210 cannot be guaranteed, but once the synchronization is correct, most of them are correct.

Referring to FIG. 7B, a LAN command 750 for various commands through the LAN 230 includes a main field 752 and a subfield 754. The main field 752 has a value corresponding to the type of command, and the subfield 754 has additional information corresponding thereto. Therefore, the sink command 750 'has a specific value preset in the main field 752 to recognize that the sink command 750' is a control command, and the subfield 754 has control data information (preset control) for control data to be executed. Data number). Each light source controller 220 recognizes the number of the control data according to the value of the subfield 754 of the received sink command 750 'and controls the light source 200 according to the control data. Here, the main field 752 and the subfield 754 each have a 4-bit value. Accordingly, the LAN command 750 may have 16 types, and in particular, the sink command 750 ′ may identify 16 control data using the subfield 754.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic board control system capable of minimizing the cable between the light source and the light source controller and completing the installation simply by connecting one strand of power cable and another LAN cable between each light source controller. There is an effect that can provide.

In addition, it is possible to monitor the operation status, failure and malfunction of each light source controller and to control all the light source controllers by simple LAN command through LAN (communication network), so that special operation personnel can directly operate. By eliminating the necessity of the system, it is possible to provide an electronic board control system that can greatly reduce maintenance costs.

It also eliminates the need for these specialty operators to operate the light source controllers directly, eliminating the cause of system reliability degradation caused by mistakes or misoperations that may occur during their operation.

In addition, there is an effect that can provide an electronic board control system that can easily manage the controller and the memory of the controller coupled to each light source.

In addition, by centrally downloading the control data to each memory in a central controller via the LAN, there is an effect that can be provided with an electronic board control system that can conveniently download the control data to each memory of the light source controller.

In addition, by storing the light source control data consisting of the pattern command in the pattern memory, it is possible to provide an electronic board control system that can reduce the memory storage space and also reduce the capacity of the control data downloaded from the central controller. .

The central controller can control the operation by sending a sync command to each controller coupled to each light source, and can provide an electronic board control system that can easily detect the error of each controller coupled to the light source by a feedback signal. It also works.

Although described above with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below And can be changed.

Claims (12)

A plurality of light sources emitting light; A plurality of light source controllers which are adjacently coupled to each of at least one predetermined number of light sources to control the light sources; A communication network connected to each of the light source controllers; And Recognizing an address corresponding to each of the light source controller, including a central controller for downloading control data to each light source controller through the communication network, the light source controller, A pattern memory for storing the control data for controlling the light source; A light source control module coupled to the light source; A communication module coupled with the communication network; A power module coupled to a power line to apply power to the light source controller; A local controller module for checking an operation and an error of the light source controller and providing the same to a local controller; And And a processor for controlling each of the modules and controlling the light source through the light source control module according to the control data stored in the pattern memory. delete The method of claim 1, The control data stored in the pattern memory comprises at least one pattern instruction (Pattern Instruction). The method of claim 3, wherein The pattern command may include an attribute field, a color field, and a period field. The method of claim 4, wherein The attribute fields include ON (ON), Dimming-In (DI), Dimming-Out (DO), Special Effect (SE) group, Jump to Subroutine (JS), Return from Subroutine (RS), and Loop Back (LB). One board control system. The method of claim 5, And the light source controller issues a sync command to synchronize while executing a pattern command corresponding to the LB. The method of claim 1, The central controller may include a data transceiver configured to transmit data to the light source controller or to receive a signal fed back from the light source controller so that control data is stored in the pattern memory of the light source controller; A storage unit for storing control data to be transmitted to the light source controller or storing information about the control data stored in the pattern memory of the light source controller; An error detecting unit detecting an error of each light source controller according to a signal fed back from the light source controller; And And a control data selector configured to provide information about control data to be executed in the light source controller. In the light source controller for controlling a light source for emitting light, A pattern memory in which control data for controlling the light source is stored; A light source control module coupled to the light source; A communication module coupled with a communication network for data communication with a central controller; A local controller module for checking an operation and an error of the light source controller and providing the same to a local controller; A power module coupled to a power line to apply power to the light source controller; And A processor for controlling each of the modules and controlling the light source through the light source control module according to control data stored in the pattern memory Light source controller comprising a. The method of claim 8, And control data stored in the pattern memory comprises at least one pattern command. The method of claim 8, And the pattern command includes an attribute field, a color field, and a period field. The method of claim 8, The attribute fields include ON (ON), Dimming-In (DI), Dimming-Out (DO), Special Effect (SE) group, Jump to Subroutine (JS), Return from Subroutine (RS), and Loop Back (LB). One light controller. The method of claim 8, A light source controller for synchronizing by issuing a sync command while executing a pattern command corresponding to the LB.

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