WO2014026659A2 - General-purpose single chip control device - Google Patents

General-purpose single chip control device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014026659A2
WO2014026659A2 PCT/CZ2013/000095 CZ2013000095W WO2014026659A2 WO 2014026659 A2 WO2014026659 A2 WO 2014026659A2 CZ 2013000095 W CZ2013000095 W CZ 2013000095W WO 2014026659 A2 WO2014026659 A2 WO 2014026659A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
values
microprocessor unit
single chip
general
purpose single
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CZ2013/000095
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2014026659A3 (en
Inventor
Dalibor SLOVÁK
Original Assignee
Univerzita Tomase Bati Ve Zline
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Univerzita Tomase Bati Ve Zline filed Critical Univerzita Tomase Bati Ve Zline
Priority to EP13776710.9A priority Critical patent/EP2896276A2/en
Publication of WO2014026659A2 publication Critical patent/WO2014026659A2/en
Publication of WO2014026659A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014026659A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63J—DEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
    • A63J5/00—Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63J—DEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
    • A63J17/00—Apparatus for performing colour-music
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/18—Controlling the light source by remote control via data-bus transmission

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a general-purpose single chip control device using to the programmed control of electrically powered machines and equipments, such as lighting and visual stage effects technical equipments.
  • control devices that use the DMX512 protocol are primarily best-known. These are included in most of the basic professional devices and equipment which serve to operate stage-lighting equipment. They were/are the first digital replacements of analogue control devices where the basic control variable is the specific voltage value. Their specification is based on the EIA485 industry standard, which was previously designated as RS485.
  • the DMX512 protocol was designed in 1986 by the USITT Institute (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) to control dimmers and other special effects equipment using a digital interface.
  • the basis of the DMX512 protocol is its electrical specifications, based on the aforementioned problems associated with the proven RS485industry standard. In view of the use of this standard in the industry, the technical resources for their implementation are relatively cheap and adapted for these challenging conditions.
  • Three-pin or five-pin XLR connectors are used to transfer signals. Since the data is transmitted over two wires and the third wire is a ground, in five-pin connectors the fourth and fifth pin are not used. In practice, a three-pin plug is mainly used.
  • bus topologies are involved. Individual devices are determined by direct address tables - ⁇ ⁇
  • the disadvantage of using the DMX512 protocol is the fact that it increases the cost of lighting equipment and thereby reduces their availability to the wider user in public; who would like to be able to enrich their production with visual effects as well.
  • Another disadvantage associated with the DMX512 protocol is the need to equip the parent device with a module able to transform audio or MIDI commands into DMX512 protocol commands. This functionality is, of course, reflected in the price of the equipment.
  • the General- purpose Single chip Control Device is used to the programmed control of electrically powered machines and equipments, thereby contributing largely to remedy the above-mentioned deficiencies, and which is applied inter alia, for lighting and visual stage effect technical equipments.
  • the General- purpose Single chip control device comprises a microprocessor unit connected to an external timer, and equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values by modulating the signal control voltage.
  • the input of the microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one control signal source based on MIDI messages.
  • At least one device controlled by the continuous value states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V - depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal, is connected to the output, or respectively, outputs of the microprocessor unit.
  • the microprocessor unit of the General- purpose Single chip control device may be fitted with one to eight outputs to connect the device with the states controlled by the continuous value of the output electrical voltage(s), or - as required, a USB input port to connect to a central computer.
  • the source of the control signal can be the advantageous use of recorded audio music tracks and at least one MIDI control signal track.
  • a single-chip highly versatile controller may be connected to any terminal, for example in order to help coordinate visual effects on stage with the music.
  • the device is conceived such that it is possible to program it to treat not only the keyboard (i.e. note numbers) to which the device will respond, but also can be connected via a power level of not only light equipment, but also to any compatible electrical equipment which use TTL logic as an input - for instance, water fountain motor pumps or artificial smoke creation equipment.
  • the device is its production cost.
  • a further advantage is its simple implementation in the final stages of lighting applications. Only a USB connector and jumper or switch for easy reprogramming/pre-prograrnming of the application itself in the event of changes in the light assembly will be available from the device.
  • a significant benefit is the ability to use any effect devices, regardless of what the protocol has or does not have in its software. The only prerequisite is the treatment of the outcomes for the light assembly by means of chokes in the case of large inputs for. intensity control by pulse width modulation reasons.
  • the device is thus, certainly also configurable and programmable.
  • the General- purpose Single chip Control Device in the sample prototype includes a microprocessor unit - specifically, a PIC 18F2550 (Microchip), connected to an external tinier equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values into continuous signal control voltage values.
  • the source for generating time signals is a 20 MHz XTAL with two 15pF ceramic capacitors. The values of this crystal were chosen because of availability reasons; the microcontroller itself allows the use of crystals with the following values (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 40, 48 Hz).
  • the microcontroller is also equipped with an internal RC oscillator, but when using a USB port for connection, it is essential to use a precise time frequency source - the crystal.
  • the input of the microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one source of a control signal based on MIDI messages.
  • Each MIDI message can contain a value from 0 to 255, thus in essence, for a total of 256 different values.
  • the MIDI messages are dividdd into two basic categories: Status Report and Data.
  • the Status Report serves to determine the type of information to be sent through MIDI. It informs the device that receives a message which event belongs to which MIDI channel and what kind of event it is. For example, it could be the event: Note Oh, Pitch bend (change pitch), Program Change (change patches) or Aftertouch (the last event occurs at the moment when further pressure is developed on an already depressed note).
  • the data bytes contained in the report in turn provide information about what values are assigned to events - which are contained in the Status Byte.
  • the microprocessor unit of the General-purpose Single chip Control Device is equipped with eight outputs for connections to control devices controlled by the continuous value states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V, depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal.
  • the microprocessor unit equipped with the appropriate USB input is then connected to a central computer.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Control By Computers (AREA)

Abstract

The device includes a microprocessor unit connected to an external timer equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values into linked signal control voltages. The input of the microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one source of a control signal based on MIDI messages, while the output - respectively, outputs, of the microprocessor unit is/are connected to at least one device controlled by the continuous values states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V, depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal. This general-purpose single chip control device programme is designed to control electrically powered machines and equipment, such as, inter alia, lighting equipment and visual stage effects technical equipment.

Description

GENERAL-PURPOSE SINGLE CHIP CONTROL DEVICE
Technical field
The invention relates to a general-purpose single chip control device using to the programmed control of electrically powered machines and equipments, such as lighting and visual stage effects technical equipments.
Background of the invention
At present, control devices that use the DMX512 protocol are primarily best-known. These are included in most of the basic professional devices and equipment which serve to operate stage-lighting equipment. They were/are the first digital replacements of analogue control devices where the basic control variable is the specific voltage value. Their specification is based on the EIA485 industry standard, which was previously designated as RS485. The DMX512 protocol was designed in 1986 by the USITT Institute (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) to control dimmers and other special effects equipment using a digital interface.
They were supposed to replace analogue control equipment then in use, where a control variable served as the above-mentioned specific voltage on the control cable. This was directly linked to several problems. For each control input (e.g. a one-channel dimmer), one wire was needed; moreover, the control variable was not always accurately given because of the influence due to manufacturing tolerances which various devices could understand - or, vice versa deliver slightly different commands.
The basis of the DMX512 protocol is its electrical specifications, based on the aforementioned problems associated with the proven RS485industry standard. In view of the use of this standard in the industry, the technical resources for their implementation are relatively cheap and adapted for these challenging conditions. Three-pin or five-pin XLR connectors are used to transfer signals. Since the data is transmitted over two wires and the third wire is a ground, in five-pin connectors the fourth and fifth pin are not used. In practice, a three-pin plug is mainly used.
If, within the framework of a single light assembly more lighting units are used, then bus topologies are involved. Individual devices are determined by direct address tables - ~ ~
which are always produced by the given device's manufacturer. Due to the need for impedance matching, it is necessary to connect a terminator to the last unit.
The disadvantage of using the DMX512 protocol is the fact that it increases the cost of lighting equipment and thereby reduces their availability to the wider user in public; who would like to be able to enrich their production with visual effects as well. Another disadvantage associated with the DMX512 protocol is the need to equip the parent device with a module able to transform audio or MIDI commands into DMX512 protocol commands. This functionality is, of course, reflected in the price of the equipment.
Substance of the invention
According to the invention the General- purpose Single chip Control Device is used to the programmed control of electrically powered machines and equipments, thereby contributing largely to remedy the above-mentioned deficiencies, and which is applied inter alia, for lighting and visual stage effect technical equipments.
The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the General- purpose Single chip control device comprises a microprocessor unit connected to an external timer, and equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values by modulating the signal control voltage.
The input of the microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one control signal source based on MIDI messages. At least one device controlled by the continuous value states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V - depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal, is connected to the output, or respectively, outputs of the microprocessor unit.
The microprocessor unit of the General- purpose Single chip control device may be fitted with one to eight outputs to connect the device with the states controlled by the continuous value of the output electrical voltage(s), or - as required, a USB input port to connect to a central computer. The source of the control signal can be the advantageous use of recorded audio music tracks and at least one MIDI control signal track.
According to the invention, a single-chip highly versatile controller may be connected to any terminal, for example in order to help coordinate visual effects on stage with the music. The device is conceived such that it is possible to program it to treat not only the keyboard (i.e. note numbers) to which the device will respond, but also can be connected via a power level of not only light equipment, but also to any compatible electrical equipment which use TTL logic as an input - for instance, water fountain motor pumps or artificial smoke creation equipment.
Among the basic advantages of the device is its production cost. A further advantage is its simple implementation in the final stages of lighting applications. Only a USB connector and jumper or switch for easy reprogramming/pre-prograrnming of the application itself in the event of changes in the light assembly will be available from the device. A significant benefit is the ability to use any effect devices, regardless of what the protocol has or does not have in its software. The only prerequisite is the treatment of the outcomes for the light assembly by means of chokes in the case of large inputs for. intensity control by pulse width modulation reasons. The device is thus, certainly also configurable and programmable.
Example of the invention
The General- purpose Single chip Control Device in the sample prototype includes a microprocessor unit - specifically, a PIC 18F2550 (Microchip), connected to an external tinier equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values into continuous signal control voltage values. The source for generating time signals is a 20 MHz XTAL with two 15pF ceramic capacitors. The values of this crystal were chosen because of availability reasons; the microcontroller itself allows the use of crystals with the following values (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 40, 48 Hz). The microcontroller is also equipped with an internal RC oscillator, but when using a USB port for connection, it is essential to use a precise time frequency source - the crystal.
The input of the microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one source of a control signal based on MIDI messages. Each MIDI message can contain a value from 0 to 255, thus in essence, for a total of 256 different values. The MIDI messages are dividdd into two basic categories: Status Report and Data.
The Status Report serves to determine the type of information to be sent through MIDI. It informs the device that receives a message which event belongs to which MIDI channel and what kind of event it is. For example, it could be the event: Note Oh, Pitch bend (change pitch), Program Change (change patches) or Aftertouch (the last event occurs at the moment when further pressure is developed on an already depressed note). The data bytes contained in the report in turn provide information about what values are assigned to events - which are contained in the Status Byte. The microprocessor unit of the General-purpose Single chip Control Device is equipped with eight outputs for connections to control devices controlled by the continuous value states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V, depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal.
The microprocessor unit equipped with the appropriate USB input is then connected to a central computer.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S
1. General-purpose Single chip Control Device for the programmed control of electrically powered machines and equipments, such as - inter alia, lighting equipments and visual stage effect technology, characterized in that it contains a microprocessor unit connected to an external timer and equipped with a software module for the transformation of the logical values of discrete signal values into the continuous signal values of the control voltage, whereby the input of this microprocessor unit is connected via a USB port with at least one control signal source based on MIDI messages, while the output is - respectively outputs of the microprocessor unit are connected to at least one device controlled by the continuous value states of the output voltage in the range of 0 to 5.5 V - depending on the logic values of the discrete input signal.
2. General-purpose Single chip Control Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor unit is equipped with one to eight outputs for connecting the device with states controlled by modulating the values of the output voltage.
3. General-purpose Single chip Control Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor unit is equipped with a USB port for connection to a central computer.
4. General-purpose Single chip Control Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the source of the control signal is a recording comprising an audio music track and at least one MIDI control signal track.
5. General-purpose Single chip Control Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor unit is equipped with one to eight outputs to connect the device with the states controlled by modulating the values of the output voltage.
PCT/CZ2013/000095 2012-08-15 2013-08-13 General-purpose single chip control device WO2014026659A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13776710.9A EP2896276A2 (en) 2012-08-15 2013-08-13 General-purpose single chip control device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CZ2012-552A CZ304233B6 (en) 2012-08-15 2012-08-15 General-purpose single chip control device
CZPV2012-552 2012-08-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014026659A2 true WO2014026659A2 (en) 2014-02-20
WO2014026659A3 WO2014026659A3 (en) 2014-04-10

Family

ID=49356150

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CZ2013/000095 WO2014026659A2 (en) 2012-08-15 2013-08-13 General-purpose single chip control device

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP2896276A2 (en)
CZ (1) CZ304233B6 (en)
WO (1) WO2014026659A2 (en)

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03158788A (en) * 1989-11-16 1991-07-08 Yamaha Corp Automatic musical instrument play type time-casting timepiece
JP3149093B2 (en) * 1991-11-21 2001-03-26 カシオ計算機株式会社 Automatic performance device
JP3516406B2 (en) * 1992-12-25 2004-04-05 株式会社リコス Karaoke authoring device
JPH09319292A (en) * 1996-05-28 1997-12-12 Kawai Musical Instr Mfg Co Ltd Display device and keyboard instrument using the same
JPH1023373A (en) * 1996-07-09 1998-01-23 Sony Corp Device for measuring reproducing time
JP3671274B2 (en) * 1998-12-18 2005-07-13 カシオ計算機株式会社 Music information transmitting / receiving device, receiving device, and storage medium
KR20010058808A (en) * 1999-12-30 2001-07-06 구자홍 Note hight automatic control method for karaoke system
ES2380075T3 (en) * 2000-06-21 2012-05-08 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a lighting system in response to an audio input
US20040252486A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2004-12-16 Christian Krause Creating and sharing light shows
US8185838B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2012-05-22 Bomers Florian U Universal computer input event translator
US7501571B2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2009-03-10 Jon Forsman Lighting display responsive to vibration

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2014026659A3 (en) 2014-04-10
EP2896276A2 (en) 2015-07-22
CZ2012552A3 (en) 2014-01-15
CZ304233B6 (en) 2014-01-15

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