I am using the Mirf to send a packet containing a 5 byte sequence. The first 2 bytes are for addressing (making sure the right message goes to the right unit) then the last 3 bytes can be either RGB, or just other data I want to pass to the controllers. In this video it is just controlling the 'mode; in a switch statement controlling the animations.
Just an inspiration how to achieve a good mapping on the ring. Have a look in the comments here: https://plus.google.com/115124694226931502095/posts/YxazKtMd31M
The basic idea is to grab the closest pixel from the matrix by describing the ring as a Lissajous circle.