EP2364574B1 - Address assignment for bus-capable lighting-means operating devices particularly for leds - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is in the field of bus-compatible operating devices for light bulbs (ECGs for gas discharge lamps, converters for LEDs, OLEDs ...). In particular, the invention relates to the physical allocation of one or more operating addresses to such an operating device.

In larger rooms and buildings a variety of lighting fixtures are usually available, with individual groups of lighting fixtures, z. B. individual lines an arrangement of ceiling lights, with a control element, eg. B. a simple switch, 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 the lighting bodies are connected, which are to be actuated by the first operating element. In the same way, the other controls and associated lighting fixtures are wired. However, this approach requires the laying of a variety of supply lines and also has the disadvantage that a once selected, hard-wired assignment of lighting fixtures to a control can be changed only with great effort.

This disadvantage is in principle by that in the European patent EP 0433527 A1 encountered by the same applicant. According to This prior art control system, an upstream control receiver is provided for each consumer. Furthermore, the known control system comprises a commander, with which the controls are in communication, and a control line for the transmission of control commands from the commander to the control receivers and possibly also of control signals in the reverse direction. All the control receivers are connected to the commander via a common control line and a supply line, so that simplifies the wiring of the control receiver and the associated consumers. However, the assignment of the individual consumers to a superordinate consumer group is carried out by a relatively complicated and complicated programming process. The programming process is essentially based on the fact that in the control receiver already stored in production production number (original address), which identifies the specification of the connected consumer, by an operating address, the z. B. the room number, the group number and the single consumer number can be replaced is replaced.

For commissioning of the known control system, therefore, a commissioning program must be set in motion to initialize the consumer, which requires the previous programming by a specialist. As described, the central commander recognizes the configuration of the consumer connected to the control receiver at the production number (originating address) transmitted from the control receiver to the commanding device. If the production number z. B. due to a longer storage of the lighting fixture Between the production and the installation faulty, it inevitably leads to errors in the operation of the control system. In addition to the necessary programming by a specialist, this represents a significant disadvantage of the known control system.

• 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 4327809 is a method for controlling groups summarized consumers in response to the operation of a provided for each consumer group control known. In this case, during a commissioning phase for determining the group assignment of the consumers, the consumers of a first consumer group are each connected to first control receivers,

• a first group address, which indicates the assignment of the first consumer group to a first operating element, stored in the first control receiver,
• the consumers of a second consumer group are each connected to second tax receivers,
• a second group address, which indicates the assignment of the second consumer group to a second control element, stored as a result of actuation of the second control element in the second control receivers, while the stored in the first control receivers first group address is maintained, with possibly existing further Groups of consumers will be successively proceeded in the same way until all consumers are connected to associated tax receivers,
• wherein during an operating phase as a result of actuation of a specific control element to all the control receiver a group address is transmitted, which indicates the operated control element, and the control of a consumer connected to a control receiver only takes place when the stored in the respective control receiver group address matches the transmitted group address.

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

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further form the central idea of the invention particularly advantageous.

• 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 detektiert.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for allocating an address to a bus-compatible operating device for lighting devices, in particular LEDs. The operating device is connected to a light sensor, which is assigned to the light sources,
having the steps:

• Sending an address assignment command via a bus to at least one operating device in order to place the operating device in an address allocation mode,
• Sending an address to be given over the bus, and
• Assignment of the address to be assigned to an operating device whose light sensor detects a changing light incidence.

Thus, this method can also be applied to bulbs that can not be easily taken out of a socket for physical address assignment.

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

In order to detect the change in light incidence, a reference measurement can be carried out before the light source is switched on and this reference value can be stored.

The address to be assigned can be assigned to an operating device whose light sensor detects an increased incidence of light in the address allocation mode.

The incidence of light can be changed by a reflective surface, for example the hand of a user or an external light source. As a result, light emitted by the light source is reflected back to the light sensor.

In the address allocation mode, the operating device can independently operate at least two different light sources, in particular LEDs of different spectrum, and the operating device can be assigned an address specifically for each of the at least two different light sources.

The operating device can drive the various lamps sequentially for address allocation for the operation of the various lamps.

As a light sensor, a photodiode, in particular a reverse-operated LED can be used.

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

A central processing unit can detect the completed allocation of an address by feedback via the bus or via electrical characteristic values, in particular a jump in the current consumption, when the operating device which has completed an address allocation turns on a further light source.

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

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

Fig. 1

schematisch ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungssystems mit mehreren Betriebsgeräten,

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Betriebsgerät als Mutikanalsystem mit mehreren LEDs, denen unabhängig voneinander verschiedene Adressen zugeordnet werden können,

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Betriebsgerät als Mutikanalsystem mit vier LEDs, wobei die ersten drei davon ein RGB - Leuchtdiodenmodul darstellen,

Fig. 4

ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Adressierung von LEDs eines Betriebsgerätes,

Fig. 5

ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Adressierung von LEDs eines Betriebsgerätes anhand des Beispiels mit RGB - Leuchtdiodenmodul und zusätzlicher Diode, und

Fig. 6

ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Adressierung auf Seiten der Zentraleinheit.

Showing:

Fig. 1

schematically an embodiment of the illumination system according to the invention with multiple operating devices,

Fig. 2

An embodiment of the operating device according to the invention as Mutikanalsystem with multiple LEDs, which independent of each other, different addresses can be assigned,

Fig. 3

An embodiment of the operating device according to the invention as Mutikanalsystem with four LEDs, the first three of which represent a RGB - light-emitting diode module,

Fig. 4

a flowchart for explaining the method according to the invention for addressing LEDs of a control gear,

Fig. 5

a flowchart for explaining the method according to the invention for addressing LEDs of an operating device based on the example with RGB light emitting diode module and additional diode, and

Fig. 6

a flowchart for explaining the method according to the invention for addressing on the part of the central unit.

First, a first embodiment of a lighting system 9 according to the invention based on Fig. 1 be explained. Several operating devices 3 are connected via one or more bus lines 2. To the one or more bus lines 2, a preferably central control unit 1 is connected. Each operating device 3 controls one or more light sources 5 or comparable building technology means, preferably one or more LEDs.

However, alternatively or additionally, other illuminants, such as, for example, halogen or gas discharge lamps may be provided.

Each operating device 3 is further assigned a light sensor 6. This can be, for example, a reverse-operated LED, which thus serves as a photodiode. A reversely operated LED is particularly advantageous if it serves as a light source in normal operation.

According to the invention, an address is now physically allocated to an operating device by "manipulating" the light incidence onto a light sensor 6 assigned to the operating device. This can be done, for example, by using the light emitted by the light sources themselves (i.e., by reflecting this light in the direction of the light sensor), by an external light source 10, for example a laser pointer, or by shading the light sensor 6.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the light emitted by the light source is reflected by a reflecting surface 4, in this case one hand, so that the light sensor 6 is subject to a change in the incidence of light, in particular an increase in the light measurement.

Fig.2 shows a second embodiment of the operating device, in which this is shown as a multi-channel system 3. In this case, a multi-channel system is understood to mean an operating device which has a plurality of preferably can operate independently of each other with regard to the emission spectrum different light sources.

In the present example, several differently colored LEDs 5 are provided.

The multi-channel system can be covered with a diffusing screen 7 in order to mix the light of the individual LEDs and thus to produce the impression of a mixed light, in particular of a white light, on the viewer.

As a reflector 4 of the emitted light of the first LED 5 is used, for example, a kind of "cat's eye". In this embodiment, each illuminant has an associated light sensor; Alternatively, however, a light sensor could also be used for several lamps. Furthermore, all bulbs are switched on here, an address assignment to the first light source in this case takes place in such a way that the reflector 4 is held directly over the light sensor associated with the light source.

A third embodiment is in Fig. 3 explained. This is also a multi-channel system 3, in which case an RGB light-emitting diode module 8 (or several LEDs of the same color) and an additional light sensor 7 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 6 serves as a light sensor by reversing, that is operated with a reverse voltage and thus as a photodiode. The operation of this RGB module 8 is shown in the flow chart of Fig. 5 explained in more detail.

An example of an addressing method in a multi-lamp operating device is described in US Pat Fig. 4 shown.

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

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

Thereupon, a first operating address to be issued is sent by the control unit.

In step S102, the operation red turns on the first channel x. The first (or possibly only) light source, which hangs on the channel, is thereby also switched on. On a second channel x + 1, the operating device in step S103 performs a reference measurement, the result of which is stored in the operating device.

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

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

If light emitted by the light source at channel x is reflected by deliberate manipulation of the user, the light incident on the light sensor on channel x + 1 increases.

When measuring such a light value increase leaves the flow. The current bus address to be assigned is placed in S106 on the first channel x 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. For this, the algorithm jumps back to step x at step S107 to step S102 for turning on the illuminant each time. For each return, x is incremented by 1 so that the next one is prepared for address assignment.

After all channels have been processed, therefore, all bulbs are also turned on. This or the associated channels are turned off again in step S108 before completion.

This shutdown, ie the load current dropping by leaps and bounds 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 Figure 4 is in 5a and 5 b shown. This is a lighting system with operating device, which is equipped with an RGB light-emitting diode module and an additional light sensor. This corresponds to the embodiment in Figure 3 ,

After the initialization by the controller and after the operating apparatus has been set in an address allocation mode in step S201, a first address A to be issued is sent out from the control unit in step S202.

The red LED is then turned on in step S203. Subsequently, a reference light measurement, which serves as a reference measurement, is carried out on the green, reverse-operated LED in step S204.

Thereafter, a loop of steps S205, S206 expires until a reflector reflects the light emitted from the red LED back to the green LED.

When measuring this increase, the address A is applied to the channel of the red LED in step S207.

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

The controller registers this jump in power consumption and sends out a new address B in step S209.

The process repeats itself for the green LED, whereby the red LED still lights up and the blue LED is operated reversely as a light sensor.

As 5 b shows, the blue LED last the additional light sensor is used to detect the change in 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, revers operated operated as such. For this, however, the algorithm would have to be adjusted so that at least one LED is switched off before.

After each of the three channels of the RGB light emitting module has been assigned an address, the three LEDs turn off in step S220.

Alternatively, it is also possible to perform this addressing method for only a single LED. In this case, because no second LED is present, an external light source 10, such as a laser pointer, must be used. As an external light source 10 but other light sources can be used, especially if they emit a well-directed light. The emitted light can also be in the non-visible area, for example, an infrared remote control can be used. In this way, single-color systems can be addressed, in which no separately controllable LEDs are present.

The external light source (10) can also transmit the address to be assigned directly via a modulation of the emitted light. This light can either be through a additional light sensor or one of the existing LEDs, which is used reversely operated as such, are received. The operating device can read the data from the received modulated light and determine the address based on the data.

An example of the addressing method in the control unit, which in the embodiment in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 6 played.

In this example, the control unit detects feedback about the allocation of an address by a change, in particular a jump in the current consumption.

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

After the start of the process in step S301, initialization takes place in step S302 and step S303. In this case, an address-assignment command is switched to all operating devices in step S302. These are put into the address allocation mode. Then, in step S303, the first channel is activated for each operating device.

Alternatively, however, other procedures of initialization can be used, for example, an address assignment command can only be given to a single operating device. This may be previously selected by a random mode or according to a scheme implemented in the control unit. Still must not necessarily only one channel can be activated, it can also be several, or as in Fig.2 shown, all channels are activated.

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

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

If the total current consumption of all bulbs is not zero, which means that at least one operating device still has the first channel activated, the process is repeated by jumping back from step S307 to step S304.

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

If, after passing through the algorithm, the total current consumption of all lamps in step S307 is zero, this means that all the operating devices have completed the addressing. Accordingly, the process is completed in step S308.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(1)

control unit

(2)

bus

(3)

ballasts

(4)

reflector

(5)

Lamp

(6)

light sensor

(7)

pane

(8th)

light emitting diode module

(9.)

lighting system

(10)

External light source

Claims (12)

1. A method for allocating an address to a bus-capable operating device (3) for at least one lighting means (5), in particular LED,
   wherein the operating device is connected to a light sensor (6) which is associated with the lighting means (5); the method comprising the following steps:

   - sending out an address assignment command over a bus (2) to at least one operating device (3) in order to place the operating device (3) in an address allocation mode;

   - sending out an address to be assigned over the bus (2), and

   - allocating the address to be assigned to an operating device (3), the light sensor (6) of which detects a changing incidence of light of the emitted light from the associated lighting means (5).
2. The method according to claim 1,
   wherein the operating device (3) turns on at least a connected lighting means (5) in the address allocation mode.
3. The method according to claim 2,
   wherein for detecting the change in the incidence of light, a reference measurement is performed, and this reference value stored.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   in which the address to be assigned is allocated to an operating device (3), the light sensor (6) of which detects an increased incidence of light in the address allocation mode.
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   in which the incidence of light by a reflective surface (4), for example the hand of a user.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein in the address allocation mode, the operating device (3) can operate at least two different lighting means (5) independently of each other, in particular LEDs of different spectrum, and an address specific for each of the at least two different lighting means (5) is assigned to the operating device (3).
7. The method according to claim 6,
   wherein the operating device (3) for address allocation for the operation of the different lighting means (5) sequentially activates the different lighting means (5).
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein a photodiode, in particular an inversely operated LED is used as light sensor (6).
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the operating device (3) operates an RGB LED module (8).
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    in which a central unit detects the completed allocation of an address by feedback over the bus (2), or electrical characteristic values, especially a jump in power consumption, when the operating device (3), which has completed an address allocation, turns on a further lighting means.
11. An operating device (3) for at least one lighting means (5), in particular LED, wherein the operating device is connected to a light sensor (6) which is associated with the lighting means (5), comprising:

    - means for receiving an address assignment command over a bus (2) in order to place the operating device (3) in an address allocation mode, and for receiving an address to be assigned over the bus (2), and

    - means for allocating the address to be assigned to the operating device (3), if the light sensor (6) detects a change in the incidence of light of the emitted light from the associated lighting means (5).
12. An illumination system (9), especially for outdoor lighting, having 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) over a bus (2), wherein the illumination system (9) is designed for use in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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