AmBX
Encyclopedia
AmBX is an internationally patent
protected technology (originally developed by a Philips
research project which also produced their Ambilight
technology) for controlling incandescent and white/coloured LED
lighting and other enabled devices. This allows lighting designers, end users and content providers (of video games, films, music, programs and websites) to create and enjoy immersive experiences or bespoke designed lighting environments by the triggering of specially developed AmBX enabled devices (such as lights). The technology is now owned by a British company based in Redhill, amBX UK LTD
.
AmBX is a controlling technology that enables devices (via generic input, scripted scenes or embeded code) to synchronise with any game, sound and video content in real time. AmBX enabled devices deliver many effects; lighting, airflow, rumble and others. As well as LED lights, rumble kit and fans, other types of devices which have been prototyped include heat and water atomisers. The events triggering effects as well as having the ability to be layered can have a 'rest' mode (effect) which can be generated when content is inactive. The technology works seamlessly with all legacy source content (including video and PC games). Content that has specially scripted AmBX code embeded can trigger a reaction to on screen video and audio output with any immersive/ambient device effects the designers require.
AmBX has a proprietary professional hardware product (amBIENT XC) but allows other hardware manufacturers with a licensing agreement to create AmBX enabled hardware capable of delivering the AmBX experience. AmBX technology (via the amBIENT XC) also 'talks' to lighting industry standard control interfaces and light sources via the DMX512 control language. AmBX technology is available for the home user, PCs and professional and commercial lighting (stage, shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, AV installations and offices). Game consoles, mobile phone apps, film and other entertainment media are also expected to follow. The XC controls lighting via "Lightscapes", these are designed control parameters that display lighting in the fashion that designers require, some react to music others to video and others to designed control parameters.
Future applications will be extremely varied, for instance an AmBX lightscape could be produced that simulated natural daylight over time including the natural shading movement of cloud cover. Trials are also being considered for lightscapes to act as a prevention for colic and other medical conditions.
In the PC
gaming arena, for the full experience and to trigger specific events/effects, developers embed code (via free SDK download) into their applications to tell the devices what to do. Current developers and publishers using AmBX include Ubisoft
, THQ
, Codemasters
, Gamecock
, Gearbox Software
, Introversion Software
and Spark
. AmBX licenses the technology to content providers for free. AmBX technology works with generic content of any age. The latest AmBX-enabled games include Far Cry 2
, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
, Multiwinia
, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, and Legendary
. The AmBX FXGen is a piece of software that forms part of the standard software install that analyses on-screen events and triggers (writes it own scripts for) the AmBX peripherals to generate effects. For games AmBX isn't embedded in, such as World of Warcraft
, Call of Duty
, Crysis
, Assassin's Creed
, the AmBX software team provide constant updates (currently FOC), allowing these games to work in a hybrid fashion, creating effects that sit somewhere between generic and fully AmBX scripted ones, meaning there is a large amount of AmBX enhanced gameplay available (including popular online games). When using the current Philips AmBX enabled PC Gaming peripherals (or Mad Catz gaming lights) to watch films and music AmBX generates immersive lighting effects when viewing popular media players. These include iTunes
, Quick Time, VLC media player
, Media Player Classic
, and Winamp
. Different presets are available: Moderate, Colour, Relaxed and Dynamic.
In October 2008 AmBX UK LTD
announced a new application called AmBX Creator which for the first time allows AmBX users to create their own effects and tag them to events on the PC e.g. multicoloured light shows when you get emails. AmBX is being trialled and developed for a variety of diverse applications including wireless alerts for the hard of hearing, possible treatments for seasonally affected depression, jet lag and other media, educational and health care applications. Currently the amBIENT XC controls a single DMX universe, recent trials (2011 and ongoing) have increased this to three, with further improvements likely. In the medium term the technology could output (reflect/mimic) video in enhanced definition.
Kits and Mad Catz
Cyborg PC Gaming Lights (January 2011 announcement at CES
), AmBX amBIENT XC professional controller box and as a freely downloadable SDK from the AmBX website. amBIENT XC is AmBX's professional lighting control unit (from 2010) that is used for architectural, stage, commercial and events applications and also for high-end AV installations. Mad Catz
have incorporated the technology into their latest pro gaming Cyborg brand via AmBX enabled PC gaming lights (launched July 2011) and an AmBX enabled gaming PC keyboard (available 2012). AmBX technology allows multiple hardware installations, i.e. more than one set of lights, the software automatically knows its hardware extensions and controls accordingly, more light sets, more/better immersive effects. Philips
produced the first commercially available AmBX enabled consumer equipment in 2007. Available in basic or advanced forms which included LED
and speaker units, LED wall washers and fan and rumble devices.
The system is addative, new product can be added to an existing set up so old and new product can combine to provide an expanded effect.
The table shows the configuration of the original (discontinued, but still available) Philips gaming kits (large installed user base). These kits come with speakers integrated into each satellite light. Although each wallwasher
(rear lights) supports a maximum of two satellite lights, two fans, and one rumble pad, several kits may be used on a single PC to create a larger setup. Wallwashers may be used independently of all other devices, but are required for all AmBX applications via Philips
kits.
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
protected technology (originally developed by a Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
research project which also produced their Ambilight
Ambilight
Ambilight, which is short for Ambient Lighting Technology, is a feature invented by Philips Electronics, generating light effects around the TV that correspond to the video content. The effect, the company claims, is a larger virtual screen and a more immersive viewing experience. In addition,...
technology) for controlling incandescent and white/coloured LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
lighting and other enabled devices. This allows lighting designers, end users and content providers (of video games, films, music, programs and websites) to create and enjoy immersive experiences or bespoke designed lighting environments by the triggering of specially developed AmBX enabled devices (such as lights). The technology is now owned by a British company based in Redhill, amBX UK LTD
AmBX UK LTD
AmBX UK LTD is a British company with bases in Middlesbrough in Teesside and Redhill, Surrey. It owns, develops and licences the internationally patent protected AmBX lighting and coloured LED controlling technology....
.
Overview
The distinctive features of the technology are that sound and video can be interpolated and mapped to a 3 dimensional space, creating effects by whatever enabled devices the technology senses on the fly, allowing lighting effects to "move" around the space. Adding devices to the AmBX universe enhances (automatically) the immersive experience, allowing scripts to be ported to different locations if required where the technology can render a similar experience. As well as these unique features, basic device control is also available and the technology can also layer different effects that act in unison. Ultra fine control of an entertainment space is offered via this layering technique and the technology can control (lighting for instance) in multiple zones simultaneously (see lightscapes below).AmBX is a controlling technology that enables devices (via generic input, scripted scenes or embeded code) to synchronise with any game, sound and video content in real time. AmBX enabled devices deliver many effects; lighting, airflow, rumble and others. As well as LED lights, rumble kit and fans, other types of devices which have been prototyped include heat and water atomisers. The events triggering effects as well as having the ability to be layered can have a 'rest' mode (effect) which can be generated when content is inactive. The technology works seamlessly with all legacy source content (including video and PC games). Content that has specially scripted AmBX code embeded can trigger a reaction to on screen video and audio output with any immersive/ambient device effects the designers require.
AmBX has a proprietary professional hardware product (amBIENT XC) but allows other hardware manufacturers with a licensing agreement to create AmBX enabled hardware capable of delivering the AmBX experience. AmBX technology (via the amBIENT XC) also 'talks' to lighting industry standard control interfaces and light sources via the DMX512 control language. AmBX technology is available for the home user, PCs and professional and commercial lighting (stage, shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, AV installations and offices). Game consoles, mobile phone apps, film and other entertainment media are also expected to follow. The XC controls lighting via "Lightscapes", these are designed control parameters that display lighting in the fashion that designers require, some react to music others to video and others to designed control parameters.
Future applications will be extremely varied, for instance an AmBX lightscape could be produced that simulated natural daylight over time including the natural shading movement of cloud cover. Trials are also being considered for lightscapes to act as a prevention for colic and other medical conditions.
How it works
AmBX code acts as a conversion middleware (sitting between source and output device) that takes generic or specifically scripted (via AmBX SDK) input signals from video, audio, PC or media content, then outputs it to suitable hardware such as LED lights, rumble boxes or similar devices via cable or wireless, subject to hardware.In the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
gaming arena, for the full experience and to trigger specific events/effects, developers embed code (via free SDK download) into their applications to tell the devices what to do. Current developers and publishers using AmBX include Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
, THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
, Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
, Gamecock
Gamecock
A gamecock or game fowl is a type of rooster with physical and behavioral traits suitable for cockfighting. Game fowl are more closely related to their wild cousins "jungle fowl"; a shy wild chicken from forests in South Central and Southeastern Asia...
, Gearbox Software
Gearbox Software
Gearbox Software, LLC is an American video game development company based in Plano, Texas.-History:Gearbox Software was founded in January 1999 by five members of the content team from the defunct developer Rebel Boat Rocker: Randy Pitchford, Brian Martel, Stephen Bahl, Landon Montgomery, and Rob...
, Introversion Software
Introversion Software
-History:The company was founded in 2001 by three friends, Chris Delay; Mark Morris; and Thomas Arundel, who met when they were undergraduates at Imperial College London...
and Spark
Spark Unlimited
Spark Unlimited, based in Sherman Oaks, California, is a video game developer founded by former developers from the Medal of Honor PC and console franchise. They are most known for the Call of Duty: Finest Hour console game....
. AmBX licenses the technology to content providers for free. AmBX technology works with generic content of any age. The latest AmBX-enabled games include Far Cry 2
Far Cry 2
Far Cry 2 is an open world first-person shooter developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It was released on October 21, 2008 in North America and on October 23, 2008 in Europe and Australia. It was made available on Steam on October 22, 2008...
, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway
On September 15, 2008, Ubisoft and Gearbox Software announced that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game had gone gold. The Windows version went gold two days later. Playable demos on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace are available now....
, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X is an arcade flight video game developed by Ubisoft Romania and published by Ubisoft for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Android, webOS, and iOS. It was released in United States on March 6, 2009. The Wii version was announced, but it has been canceled. In September...
, Multiwinia
Multiwinia
Multiwinia is the fourth video game made by Introversion Software, the creators of Uplink, Darwinia and Defcon. It is a real-time strategy game. It is included with the Darwinia+.-Plot:...
, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, and Legendary
Legendary (video game)
Legendary is a first-person shooter video game developed by Spark Unlimited and published in the United States by Gamecock Media Group and in the United Kingdom by Atari....
. The AmBX FXGen is a piece of software that forms part of the standard software install that analyses on-screen events and triggers (writes it own scripts for) the AmBX peripherals to generate effects. For games AmBX isn't embedded in, such as World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
, Call of Duty
Call of Duty
Call of Duty is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision in 2003. It is the first game in a series with the same name. The game simulates the infantry and combined arms warfare of World War II. The game is based on the Quake III: Team Arena engine...
, Crysis
Crysis
Crysis is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek , published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, and released in November 2007. It is the first game of a trilogy. A separate game entitled Crysis Warhead was released on September 12, 2008, and follows similar...
, Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed is an award-winning historical third person, stealth action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The bulk of the game takes place during the Third Crusade, with the plot revolving around a sect known as the Secret Order of...
, the AmBX software team provide constant updates (currently FOC), allowing these games to work in a hybrid fashion, creating effects that sit somewhere between generic and fully AmBX scripted ones, meaning there is a large amount of AmBX enhanced gameplay available (including popular online games). When using the current Philips AmBX enabled PC Gaming peripherals (or Mad Catz gaming lights) to watch films and music AmBX generates immersive lighting effects when viewing popular media players. These include iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, Quick Time, VLC media player
VLC media player
VLC media player is a free and open source media player and multimedia framework written by the VideoLAN project.VLC is a portable multimedia player, encoder, and streamer supporting many audio and video codecs and file formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It is able to...
, Media Player Classic
Media Player Classic
Media Player Classic is a compact media player for 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows. The application mimics the look and feel of the old, lightweight Windows Media Player 6.4 but integrates most options and features found in modern media players...
, and Winamp
Winamp
Winamp is a media player for Windows-based PCs and Android devices, written by Nullsoft, now a subsidiary of AOL. It is proprietary freeware/shareware, multi-format, extensible with plug-ins and skins, and is noted for its graphical sound visualization, playlist, and media library features.Winamp...
. Different presets are available: Moderate, Colour, Relaxed and Dynamic.
In October 2008 AmBX UK LTD
AmBX UK LTD
AmBX UK LTD is a British company with bases in Middlesbrough in Teesside and Redhill, Surrey. It owns, develops and licences the internationally patent protected AmBX lighting and coloured LED controlling technology....
announced a new application called AmBX Creator which for the first time allows AmBX users to create their own effects and tag them to events on the PC e.g. multicoloured light shows when you get emails. AmBX is being trialled and developed for a variety of diverse applications including wireless alerts for the hard of hearing, possible treatments for seasonally affected depression, jet lag and other media, educational and health care applications. Currently the amBIENT XC controls a single DMX universe, recent trials (2011 and ongoing) have increased this to three, with further improvements likely. In the medium term the technology could output (reflect/mimic) video in enhanced definition.
Equipment and product
AmBX technology is now available for the professional and the consumer markets in three formats, PC peripherals, discontinued PhilipsPhilips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
Kits and Mad Catz
Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.- History :The company was...
Cyborg PC Gaming Lights (January 2011 announcement at CES
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
), AmBX amBIENT XC professional controller box and as a freely downloadable SDK from the AmBX website. amBIENT XC is AmBX's professional lighting control unit (from 2010) that is used for architectural, stage, commercial and events applications and also for high-end AV installations. Mad Catz
Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.- History :The company was...
have incorporated the technology into their latest pro gaming Cyborg brand via AmBX enabled PC gaming lights (launched July 2011) and an AmBX enabled gaming PC keyboard (available 2012). AmBX technology allows multiple hardware installations, i.e. more than one set of lights, the software automatically knows its hardware extensions and controls accordingly, more light sets, more/better immersive effects. Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
produced the first commercially available AmBX enabled consumer equipment in 2007. Available in basic or advanced forms which included LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
and speaker units, LED wall washers and fan and rumble devices.
The system is addative, new product can be added to an existing set up so old and new product can combine to provide an expanded effect.
| Kit: | Starter | ProGamer | Premium | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallwasher & Satellite Lights | * | * | ||
| Fans | ||||
| Rumble Pad | ||||
| Speaker System |
The table shows the configuration of the original (discontinued, but still available) Philips gaming kits (large installed user base). These kits come with speakers integrated into each satellite light. Although each wallwasher
Wallwasher
Wallwashing is a popular name for a lighting design technique for illumination of large surfaces. It is mainly used with contemporary architecture; in public cultural buildings, museums and galleries; and in landscape lighting....
(rear lights) supports a maximum of two satellite lights, two fans, and one rumble pad, several kits may be used on a single PC to create a larger setup. Wallwashers may be used independently of all other devices, but are required for all AmBX applications via Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
kits.
History
- 2001 First of multiple IP patents lodged for AmBX technology via PhilipsPhilipsKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
research projects. - 2005 AmBX technology officially announced via PhilipsPhilipsKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
. - 2006 First AmBX enabled games released.
- 2007 AmBX enabled peripherals become available.
- 2008 AmBX partners with Ubisoft.
- 2008 AmBX UK LTD business and technology spins out of Philips.
- 2009 AmBX UK LTD partners with Sony and receives a tools & middleware license.
- 2009 AmBX UK LTD releases free SDK via download.
- 2010 AmBX UK LTD launches professional amBIENT XC controller with DMX512 interface.
- 2010 AmBX UK LTD partners with Mad Catz to produce PC gaming lights.
- 2011 Extra Vegetables produces Control4Control4Control4 is a company located in Salt Lake County, Utah, that manufactures home theater and automation controllers, and which are branded and sold under the same name....
app for the amBIENT XC. - 2011 Mad Catz releases amBX enabled Cyborg PC gaming lights in July.