DE102008061089B4 - Allocation of addresses for bus-compatible lamp operating devices, especially for LEDs - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for assigning an address to a bus-compatible operating device (3) for lighting means (5), in particular LEDs, wherein the operating device is connected to a light sensor (6) which is assigned to the lighting means, comprising the steps: sending an address assignment command via a bus (2) to at least one operating device (3) in order to put the operating device (3) into an address allocation mode, - sending an address to be allocated over the bus (2), and - allocation of the address to be allocated to an operating device (3), the light sensor (6) of which detects a changing incidence of light caused by the shading of the light sensor (6).

Description

The present invention is in the field of bus-compatible operating devices for lighting means (electronic ballasts for gas discharge lamps, converters for LEDs, OLEDs ...). The invention relates in particular to the physical allocation of one or more operating address (es) to such an operating device.

In larger rooms and buildings, a variety of lighting fixtures are usually available, with individual groups of these lighting fixtures, z. B. individual lines an arrangement of ceiling lights, with a control element, z. B. a simple switch to be switched on or off. In the simplest case, this can be achieved in that, starting from a first operating element, a supply line is laid to which all lighting fixtures are connected that are to be operated with the first operating element. The other operating elements and the respective associated lighting fixtures are wired in the same way. However, this procedure makes it necessary to lay a large number of supply lines and also has the disadvantage that once selected, hard-wired assignment of the lighting fixtures to an operating element can only be changed with great effort.

This disadvantage is in principle due to that in the European patent application EP 0 433 527 A1 the control system described by the same applicant. According to this previously known control system, an upstream control receiver is provided for each consumer. Furthermore, the known control system has a command generator, with which the operating elements are connected, and a control line for the transmission of control commands from the command generator to the control receivers and possibly also of control signals in the opposite direction. All control receivers are connected to the command generator via a common control line and a supply line, so that the wiring of the control receivers and the associated loads is simplified. The assignment of the individual consumers to a superordinate consumer group is carried out, however, through a relatively expensive and complicated programming process. The programming process is essentially based on the fact that a production number (original address), which is already stored in the control receiver during production and which identifies the specification of the connected consumer, is replaced by an operating address, which is e.g. B. can identify the room number, the group number and the individual consumer number, is replaced.

To start up the known control system, a start-up program must therefore be started to initialize the consumer, which requires the previous programming by a specialist. As described, the central command generator recognizes the configuration of the consumer connected to the control receiver from the production number (original address) transmitted from the control receiver to the command generator. Is the production number z. B. defective due to prolonged storage of the lighting fixture between production and installation, it inevitably leads to errors in the operation of the control system. In addition to the necessary programming by a specialist, this represents a major disadvantage of the known control system.

• - während einer Inbetriebnahmephase zur Festlegung der Gruppenzuordnung der Verbraucher die Verbraucher einer ersten Verbraucher-Gruppe jeweils mit ersten Steuerempfängern verbunden,
  • - eine erste Gruppen-Adresse, die die Zuordnung der ersten Verbraucher-Gruppe zu einem ersten
  • - Bedienelement indiziert, in den ersten Steuerempfängern gespeichert,
  • - die Verbraucher einer zweiten Verbraucher-Gruppe jeweils mit zweiten Steuerempfängern verbunden,
  • - eine zweite Gruppen-Adresse, welche die Zuordnung der zweiten Verbraucher-Gruppe zu einem zweiten Bedienelement indiziert, infolge einer Betätigung des zweiten Bedienelementes in den zweiten Steuerempfängern gespeichert, während die in den ersten Steuerempfängern gespeicherte erste Gruppen-Adresse erhalten bleibt, mit gegebenenfalls vorhandenen weiteren Verbraucher-Gruppen gruppenweise sukzessive in gleicher Weise verfahren wird, bis sämtliche Verbraucher mit zugeordneten Steuerempfängern verbunden sind,
  • - wobei während einer Betriebsphase infolge einer Betätigung eines bestimmten Bedienelementes an sämtliche Steuerempfänger eine Gruppen-Adresse übertragen wird, welche das betätigte Bedienelement indiziert, und die Ansteuerung eines an einem Steuerempfänger angeschlossenen Verbrauchers nur dann erfolgt, wenn die in dem jeweiligen Steuerempfänger gespeicherte Gruppen-Adresse mit der übertragenen Gruppen- Adresse übereinstimmt.

From the DE 43 27 809 A1 a method for controlling consumers combined in groups as a function of the actuation of an operating element provided for each consumer group is known. Be there

• - During a commissioning phase to determine the group assignment of the consumers, the consumers of a first consumer group are each connected to the first tax recipients,
  • - A first group address, which assigns the first consumer group to a first
  • - Control element indexed, stored in the first control receiver,
  • - the consumers of a second consumer group are each connected to second control receivers,
  • - A second group address, which indicates the assignment of the second consumer group to a second control element, stored in the second control receiver as a result of actuation of the second control element, while the first group address stored in the first control receiver is retained, with any existing ones further consumer groups are successively proceeded in the same way in groups until all consumers are connected to assigned tax recipients,
  • - During an operating phase, as a result of actuation of a specific control element, a group address is transmitted to all control receivers, which group address indicates the actuated control element, and the activation of one on a control receiver connected consumer only takes place if the group address stored in the respective control receiver matches the transmitted group address.

The document EP 0 688 119 A1 shows a method and a device for unambiguously activating bus users in information networks. An installer sends a targeted light beam to the bus participant via a light source, which is then activated.

It is the object of the invention to propose an improved address allocation.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central idea of the invention particularly advantageously.

• - Aussenden eines Adressvergabebefehls über einen Bus an wenigstens ein Betriebsgerät, um das Betriebsgerät in einen Adresszuteilungsmodus zu versetzen,
• - Aussenden einer zu vergebenden Adresse über den Bus, und
• - Zuteilung der zu vergebenden Adresse an ein Betriebsgerät, dessen Lichtsensor einen sich verändernden Lichteinfall, der durch Abschattung des Lichtsensors (6) erfolgt, detektiert.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for assigning an address to a bus-compatible operating device for lighting means, in particular LEDs. The control gear is connected to a light sensor that is assigned to the light sources,
comprising the steps:

• - Sending an address assignment command via a bus to at least one operating device in order to put the operating device into an address assignment mode,
• - Sending an address to be assigned via the bus, and
• - Allocation of the address to be assigned to an operating device whose light sensor is subject to a changing incidence of light caused by the shading of the light sensor ( 6th ) occurs, detected.

This method can therefore also be used for light sources that cannot easily be removed from a socket for physical address assignment.

In the address allocation mode, the operating device can switch on at least one connected lamp.

In order to detect the change in incidence of light, a reference measurement can be carried out before the lamps are switched on and this reference value can be saved.

In the address assignment mode, the operating device can operate at least two different lighting means, in particular LEDs of different spectrum, independently of one another and the operating device can be assigned an address specifically for each of the at least two different lighting means.

The operating device can sequentially control the various illuminants in order to assign addresses for the operation of the various illuminants.

A photodiode, in particular an LED operated in reverse, can be used as the light sensor.

The control gear can operate an RGB (red, green, blue) light-emitting diode module.

A central unit can detect the completed assignment of an address by feedback via the bus or via electrical parameters, in particular a jump in the current consumption, when the operating device that has completed an address assignment switches on another lamp.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an operating device for lighting means, in particular LEDs, which is designed to carry out a method of the type described above.

Lighting system, in particular for outdoor lighting, with a central control unit, at least one operating device for lighting means, in particular LEDs, that is connected to the control unit via a bus, the lighting system being designed to carry out a method of the type described above.

Further advantages, properties and features of the invention will now be explained with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

• 1 schematisch ein Beispiel eines zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens geeigneten Beleuchtungssystems mit mehreren Betriebsgeräten,
• 2 ein Beispiel eines Betriebsgeräts als Mutikanalsystem mit mehreren LEDs, denen unabhängig voneinander verschiedene Adressen zugeordnet werden können,
• 3 ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Betriebsgerätes als Mutikanalsystem mit vier LEDs, wobei die ersten drei davon ein RGB - Leuchtdiodenmodul darstellen,
• 4 ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung eines Verfahrens zur Adressierung von LEDs eines Betriebsgerätes,
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Adressierung von LEDs eines Betriebsgerätes anhand des Beispiels mit RGB - Leuchtdiodenmodul und zusätzlicher Diode, und
• 6 ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Adressierung auf Seiten der Zentraleinheit.

Show:

• 1 schematically an example of a lighting system suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention with several operating devices,
• 2 an example of an operating device as a multi-channel system with several LEDs to which different addresses can be assigned independently of each other,
• 3 an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention as a multi-channel system with four LEDs, the first three of which represent an RGB light-emitting diode module,
• 4th a flow chart to explain a method for addressing LEDs of an operating device,
• 5 a flowchart to explain the method according to the invention for addressing LEDs of an operating device based on of the example with RGB light-emitting diode module and additional diode, and
• 6th a flow chart to explain the method according to the invention for addressing on the part of the central unit.

First of all, a first exemplary embodiment of a lighting system according to the invention 9 based on 1 explained. Multiple control gear 3 are via one or more bus lines 2 connected. To the one or more bus lines 2 is a preferably central control unit 1 connected. Every control gear 3 controls one or more lamps 5 or comparable building technology means, preferably one or more LEDs.

However, alternatively or in addition, other lighting means, such as halogen or gas discharge lamps, can also be provided.

Every control gear 3 is still a light sensor 6th assigned. This can be, for example, an LED operated in reverse, which thus serves as a photodiode. An LED operated in reverse is particularly advantageous if it is used as a light source in normal operation.

According to the invention, an address is now physically assigned to an operating device by the incidence of light on a light sensor assigned to the operating device 6th Is "manipulated". According to the invention, this is done by shading the light sensor 6th respectively. In further refinements not according to the invention, this can be done, for example, by using the light emitted by the lighting means themselves (ie by reflecting this light in the direction of the light sensor) or by an external light source 10 , for example a laser pointer.

In the example of 1 the light emitted by the lamp is reflected by a reflective surface 4th , in this case one hand, so reflected that it is for the light sensor 6th a change in the incidence of light, in particular an increase in the light measurement results.

2 shows an embodiment of the operating device in which this is a multi-channel system 3 will be shown. A multichannel system is understood to mean an operating device which can operate a plurality of illuminants, preferably different in terms of the emission spectrum, independently of one another.

In the present example there are several different colored LEDs 5 intended.

The multi-channel system can be equipped with a diffuser 7th be covered in order to mix the light of the individual LEDs and thus give the viewer the impression of a mixed light, in particular a white light.

As a reflector 4th of the emitted light of the first LED 5 serves, for example, a kind of "cat's eye". In this embodiment, each lamp has an associated light sensor; alternatively, however, one light sensor could also be used for several illuminants. Furthermore, all lighting means are switched on here; an address assignment to the first lighting means in this case takes place in such a way that the reflector 4th is held directly over the light sensor belonging to the lamp.

An embodiment is shown in 3 explained. This is also a multi-channel system 3 , with an RGB light-emitting diode module here 8th (or several LEDs of the same color) and an additional light sensor 7th are provided. In the embodiment it is shown how the red light emitting diode 5 acts as a light emitter. The green light emitting diode 6th serves as a light sensor by being operated in reverse, ie with a reversed voltage and thus as a photodiode. How this RGB module works 8th is shown in the flow chart of 5 explained in more detail.

An example of an addressing method in an operating device with several illuminants is shown in 4th shown.

In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that each lighting means has a corresponding light sensor, for example a further LED operated in reverse. However, it would also be conceivable to have an operating device in which several illuminants share a light sensor.

The start of the method is triggered, for example, by a user at a user interface of the central control unit, in step S101 initiated by sending out an address assignment command, which the control unit sends over the bus in the sense of a "broadcast", whereby each connected operating device is put into an address assignment mode.

A first operating address to be assigned is then sent out by the control unit.

In step S102 the operating device switches on the first channel x. The first (or possibly only) lamp that is attached to the channel is also switched on. On a second channel x + 1, the control gear takes step S103 a Reference measurement, the result of which is stored in the operating device.

In a following step S104 , S105 it is recorded whether a significantly higher light is measured on the second channel x + 1 (light measuring channel).

For this purpose, a light sensor measures on channel x + 1 in step S104 The current brightness is then shown in step S105 compared with the reference value.

If the light emitted by the lamp on channel x is reflected through conscious manipulation by the user, the light incident on the light sensor on channel x + 1 increases.

When such a light value increase is measured, the process exits. The bus address currently to be assigned is placed on the first channel x in S106 and this assignment is stored in a memory of the operating device.

This address assignment of individual channels is repeated until the last channel of an operating device has been assigned an address. To do this, the algorithm jumps at step every time S107 to step S102 return to channel x to switch on the lamp. With each return, x is increased by 1 so that the next one is prepared for address assignment.

After all channels have been processed, all lamps are switched on. These or the associated channels are shown in step S108 switched off again before termination.

This shutdown, i.e. the resulting sudden drop in load current and / or a bus feedback from the operating device can provide the control unit with the information about how many and which addresses belong to a multi-channel operating device.

A concrete application example of the addressing method 4th is in 5a and 5b shown. This is a lighting system with control gear, which is equipped with an RGB light-emitting diode module and an additional light sensor. This corresponds to the embodiment in 3 .

After the initialization by the control device and after the operating device in step S201 has been placed in an address allocation mode in step S202 a first address A to be assigned is sent by the control unit.

The red LED will then go into step S203 switched on. The green, reverse operated LED is then shown in step S204 made a reference light measurement, which serves as a reference measurement.

A loop then runs with the steps S205 , S206 until a reflector reflects the light emitted by the red LED back onto the green LED.

When measuring this increase, step S207 the address A is placed on the channel from the red LED.

After the control gear has assigned the address to the channel, it switches to step S208 the next LED on, in this case the green LED.

The control unit registers this jump in the power consumption and sends in step S209 select a new address B.

The process is now repeated for the green LED, whereby the red LED is still lit and the blue LED is operated in reverse as a light sensor.

How 5b shows, the additional light sensor is used last for the blue LED to detect the changed incidence of light. However, it is also conceivable that no additional light sensor is used, but one of the existing LEDs, in this case the red or the green, operated in reverse, is used as such. For this, however, the algorithm would have to be adapted so that at least one LED in front of it is switched off.

After each of the three channels of the RGB light-emitting diode module has been assigned an address, the three LEDs switch on in step S220 out again.

Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out this addressing process for just a single LED. In this case, because there is no second LED, an external light source must be used 10 , for example a laser pointer can be used. As an external light source 10 however, other light sources can also be used, especially if they emit well-directed light. The emitted light can also be in the invisible range, for example an infrared remote control can be used. In this way, single-color systems can also be addressed in which there are no LEDs that can be controlled separately from one another.

The external light source (10) can also transmit the address to be assigned directly via modulation of the emitted light. This light can either be received by an additional light sensor or one of the existing LEDs, which is operated in reverse and is used as such. The operating device can read out the data from the received modulated light and use the data to set the address.

An example of the addressing method in the control unit, which in the exemplary embodiment in 1 is shown in 6th reproduced.

In this example, the control unit registers a response about the allocation of an address due to a change, in particular a jump in the power consumption.

However, it would also be conceivable to record other electrical or other characteristic values or signals, for example light. Direct communication between the operating devices and the central unit via a bus or other means of communication would also be possible.

After starting the procedure in step S301 takes place in step S302 and step S303 an initialization takes place. This is in step S302 an address assignment command is switched to all operating devices. This puts these in the address allocation mode. That is in step S303 the first channel is activated for each control gear.

Alternatively, however, other initialization procedures can also be used, for example an address assignment command can only be given to a single operating device. This can be selected beforehand by a random mode or according to a scheme implemented in the control unit. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary to activate only one channel, several can also be activated, or as in 2 shown, all channels are activated.

After initialization, step S304 a first address a sent out by the control unit. This state holds in through the loop S304 , S305 until in step S305 a change, in this case a jump in the current consumption is measured. The change in current is triggered by the fact that either a channel has been addressed in an operating device and then another channel with the associated lighting means has been switched on or that an operating device has completed the addressing of all channels and then switched them off. In the first case the change in current consumption is characterized by a slight increase, in the second case by a more pronounced decrease. This distinction can be used for additional procedural steps that are described in 5 are not shown.

After the in step S305 detected change in current consumption is in step S306 another address a = a + 1 selected by the control unit.

If the total power consumption of all lamps is not zero, which means that the first channel is still activated in at least one operating device, the method is repeated by starting from step S307 to step S304 is jumped back.

In this example, the user can select the next operating device to be addressed himself. However, another procedure would also be conceivable in which the next operating device to be addressed is prescribed to the user, for example by selecting it using a random mode or according to a scheme implemented in the control unit.

If, after running through the algorithm, the total power consumption of all lamps in step S307 equals zero, this means that all operating devices have completed addressing. The procedure is accordingly in step S308 completed.

List of reference symbols

(1)

Control unit

(2)

bus

(3)

Control gear

(4)

reflector

(5)

Bulbs

(6)

Light sensor

(7)

Pane of glass

(8th)

LED module

(9)

Lighting system

(10)

External light source

Claims (10)

Method for assigning an address to a bus-compatible operating device (3) for lighting means (5), in particular LEDs, the operating device being connected to a light sensor (6) which is assigned to the lighting means, comprising the steps: - Sending an address assignment command via a bus (2) to at least one operating device (3) in order to put the operating device (3) into an address assignment mode, - Sending an address to be assigned via the bus (2), and - Allocation of the address to be assigned to an operating device (3), the light sensor (6) of which detects a changing incidence of light caused by the shading of the light sensor (6). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein in the address allocation mode the operating device (3) switches on at least one connected lighting means (5). Procedure according to Claim 2 , whereby a reference measurement is carried out to detect the change in incidence of light and this reference value is stored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the address allocation mode can operate the operating device (3) independently of one another at least two different lighting means (5), in particular LEDs of different spectrum, and the operating device (3) an address specifically for each of the at least two different lighting means (5) is allocated. Procedure according to Claim 4 , wherein the operating device (3) for address allocation for the operation of the various lighting means (5) controls the various lighting means (5) sequentially. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a photodiode, in particular an LED operated in reverse, is used as the light sensor (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the operating device (3) operates an RGB light-emitting diode module (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a central unit detects the completed allocation of an address by feedback via the bus (2) or via electrical parameters, in particular a jump in the power consumption, when the operating device (3) that has completed an address allocation, another lamp switches on. Operating device (3) for lighting means (5), in particular LEDs, which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Lighting system (9), in particular for outdoor lighting, with a central control unit (1), at least one operating device (3) for lighting means (5), in particular LEDs, which is connected to the control unit (1) via a bus (2), the Lighting system (9) for carrying out a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th is trained.

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