Patents Assigned to City Theatrical Inc.
  • Patent number: 11172563
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for wireless data broadcasting. The system provides a hub for broadcasting data wirelessly to a plurality of end devices, such as light fixtures, and a plurality of nodes for retrieving at least a portion of the data broadcasted from the hub. Each node is associated with at least one corresponding end device, and transmits data retrieved to the end device. A method is provided for broadcasting the data using the system. The method includes interrogating the nodes and determining what data is required by the corresponding end devices. The hub then packetizes, in RF packets, the required data and transmits data to each of several nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CITY THEATRICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Paul Kleissler, Philip Nye
  • Patent number: 10973110
    Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for controlling a fixture, such as a lighting fixture. The device includes a fixture communication interface for transmitting data to a fixture using a first communication protocol, such as DMX, and an application communication interface for wirelessly receiving information using a second communication protocol, such as Bluetooth. The device further comprises a processor for converting the information received at the application communication interface from the second communication protocol to the first communication protocol. The first communication protocol requires more data than can be transmitted using the Bluetooth protocol, and converting the information may include adding default data or restored data to data being transmitted to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CITY THEATRICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Paul Kleissler, Matteo Vigni
  • Patent number: 10855773
    Abstract: An end device having a controller and a method for controlling the end device are provided. The end device has a host module for processing commands received at the end device and for applying commands received to the end device, a radio module for receiving wireless communications to be provided to the host module as commands and for receiving wired communications to be provided to the host module as commands, and a DMX module for receiving wired communications to be provided to the host module as commands. When wired communications are received at the DMX module, those communications are provided to the radio module for relaying to the host module as a command. A method is provided for controlling the end device described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: CITY THEATRICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Paul Kleissler, Philip Nye
  • Patent number: 10129964
    Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for controlling a fixture, such as a lighting fixture. The device includes a fixture communication interface for transmitting data to a fixture using a first communication protocol, such as DMX, and an application communication interface for wirelessly receiving information using a second communication protocol, such as Bluetooth. The device further comprises a processor for converting the information received at the application communication interface from the second communication protocol to the first communication protocol. The first communication protocol requires more data than can be transmitted using the Bluetooth protocol, and converting the information may include adding default data or restored data to data being transmitted to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CITY THEATRICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Paul Kleissler, Matteo Vigni
  • Publication number: 20110280251
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for a fixture with integrated gateway capabilities is provided. In one embodiment, a fixture with integrated gateway may include an output, an input for receiving data formatted in an industry-standard communication protocol, a logic unit configured to selectively distribute received data, and an integrated gateway configured to receive the data formatted in the industry-standard communication protocol and convert the data to a second data format. A user interface, in communication with the integrated gateway, for receiving input commands from a user, may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CITY THEATRICAL INC.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Lauren E. Dunn, Paul Kleissler
  • Patent number: 7432803
    Abstract: A wireless control system and a method for controlling devices (e.g., luminaires, dimmers, effects devices, stepper motors, and the like) used in entertainment lighting applications is disclosed. Embodiments disclose a modular transceiver utilizing a wireless broadcasting transmission technique and a wireless control system where an interface between a controller and controlled devices is facilitated using the transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: City Theatrical Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Lauren E. Dunn, Paul Kleissler