AU2013204208B2 - System and method for programming a controller - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for programming an electronic controller which maps inputs from switches to output electronic devices such as lights and electronic relays is described. The method facilitates programming of and identification of the physical location of electronic controllers in dark and cramp locations such as roof spaces in which these electronic controllers are typically located in. A simple interface is provided with large input mapping buttons and adjacent LED indicator next to each output port facilitates identification of the mapping of an output port and avoids having to set dip switched or jumpers which can be difficult in dark and cramp locations. Further to assist in locating the electronic controller actuation of the input devices causes the LED's indicators to flash to assist in identification of the physical location of the controller. 10% 04 12 14 95 35 r42 25 26 27 28 43 A A A A 6A/-44 21 22 23)-4 2 5 5 9 45 46 48 Figure 1 (A 8135 - 36 ne 2 -- 769 93 r70 -+ 387 21 22 23 24 5 25 26 27 28 Figure 2

Description

1 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING A CONTROLLER INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0001] The content of following co-pending patent application filed by the same applicant on the same day as the present application and entitled "ELECTRONIC LIGHTING CONTROLLER" is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to programmable control units. In a particular form the present invention relates to electronic lighting controllers comprising a plurality of input ports which can be mapped to a plurality of output ports. BACKGROUND [0003] In the past many devices in the home and office have been powered by Alternating Current (AC) power signals. However there is a growing need for supply of Direct Current (DC) power signals due to the development of low cost and efficient electronic lighting, such as LED lights, and the widespread use of portable electronic devices which require DC signals to recharge batteries. Additionally a growing number of houses and offices are generating DC power via photovoltaic and other systems. [0004] In order to facilitate wiring of new homes, and retrofitting of existing homes, an electronic controller has been developed which is described in co-pending patent application filed the by the same applicant on the same day entitled "ELECTRONIC LIGHTING CONTROLLER". This lighting controller converts mains AC power into DC power signals for use by devices such as LED lights and other devices, and provides mapping of inputs such as wall switches, to output devices such as a specific light. For example one embodiment features 4 input ports and 4 output ports and may be used to control operation of devices in multiple rooms. Such an electronic lighting controller will typically be installed in cramp and dark spaces such as roof spaces, false ceilings, or electrical/data rooms. Once wired in, the device needs to be programmed. Further, the device may need to be reprogrammed at a later date, such as to allow the addition of a further device. However given the compact size of the controller, combined with the cramp and dark spaces such devices are typically located in, it can be difficult for electricians (or other installers) to locate and program the switches on such devices. [0005] There is thus a need to provide a method which facilitates programming of such controllers in dark and cramp spaces.

2 SUMMARY [0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for programming an electronic controller comprising a plurality of input ports for receiving control signals from remote devices, a plurality of input indicators, each input indicator associated with one of the plurality of input ports and having a unique indication on state and an off state, a plurality of output ports for providing output signals to one or more devices, each output port having an associated output indicator and mapping input and each output ports mapped to either one of the input ports or to an unmapped state, and each output indicator having a plurality of indication states comprising each of the unique indication states of the input indicators, an unmapped indication state and an off state, the method comprising: receiving an actuation signal from a mapping input associated with an output port; entering a programming indication state if the electronic controller was not in the programming indication state when the actuation signal was received and setting each input indicator associated with an input port to the respective unique indication state, and setting each output indicator of each output port to either the indication state of the input indicator associated with the input port mapped to the respective output port, or the common indication state if the output port is not mapped to any of the input ports; and if the electronic controller was in the programming indication state when the actuation signal was received, then mapping the output port associated with the mapping input to either an unmapped state and setting the state the output indicator associated with the output port to the unmapped indication state, or another input port and setting the state of the output indicator associated with output port to the indication state of the input indicator associated with the mapped input port. [0007] In a further aspect, each of the input indicators and output indicators are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and the indication states are colours, and the unmapped indication state may be white. The choice of the next input port or unmapped state that an output port is mapped to may follow a predefined mapping sequence, which may be a logical order of the input ports followed by the unmapped state. [0008] In a further aspect, when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state, a timer is started and if an actuation signal is not received within a time out period, the electronic controller enters a quiescent indication state in which the state of each input indicator and each output indicator is set to the off state. The timer may be reset each time an actuation signal is received from a mapping input or the time out period may be recalculated as the current time plus a mapping input actuation time. [0009] In a further aspect the method further comprises: receiving a command signal from one of the plurality of input ports whilst in the quiescent indication state; entering a locate indication state wherein two or more of the plurality of output indicators are set to one of the plurality of indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously.

3 [0010] In a further aspect, all of the input indicators and all of the output indicators are set to one of the plurality of indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously. Each of the input indicators and each of the output indicators may simultaneously be set to a common indication state. This may be the unmapped indication state. The sequence may be a progressive sequence (eg cycling in one direction around the edge of electronic controller or a random sequence. The indication states of the output ports do not need to correspond to the indication state of the mapped input state (although it could). [0011] A timer may be started to time a first time out period when entering the locate indication state, and if an actuation signal is not received within a time out period, the electronic controller enters a quiescent indication state in which the state of each input indicator and each output indicator is set to the off state, and if an actuation signal is received the electronic controller enters the programming indication state. The timer may be reset when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state. [0012] According to a second aspect, there is provided an electronic controller comprising: a plurality of input ports for receiving control signals from a remote device; a plurality of input indicators wherein each input indicator is associated with one of the plurality of input ports and having a unique indication on state and an off state; a plurality of output ports for providing output signals to one or more devices wherein each output port has an associated output indicator and mapping input, and each output port is mapped to either one of the input ports or to an unmapped state, and each output indicator has a plurality of indication states comprising each of the unique indication states of the input indicators, an unmapped indication state and an off state, a microcontroller; a memory comprising instructions for causing the microcontroller to perform the method of the first aspect (and further aspects). [0013] In a further aspect the lighting controller is an electronic lighting controller. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0015] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an electronic lighting controller connected to electronic lighting fixtures and an electronically controlled relay; [0016] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the controller illustrated in Figure 1; 4 [0017] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a home installation embodiment using multiple electronic controllers; [0018] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the multiple electronic controllers in Figure 3 located in a roof space; [0019] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a predefined mapping sequence of output states; [0020] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for programming an electronic controller; and [0021] Figure 7 is circuit diagram of an embodiment of an electronic lighting controller. [0022] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0023] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an electronic lighting controller connected to electronic lighting fixtures and an electronically controlled relay. The electronic lighting controller 10 includes a plurality of inputs ports 20 and a plurality of output ports 30 which are connected via wiring or cabling to electronic lighting fixtures 40, such as LED lights or fluorescent lights. The controller receives an input power signal 12 such as an alternating current (AC) voltage signal 12, and converts this into a direct current (DC) output voltage signal for driving the electronic lights connected to the output ports. The controller also allows a user (installer) to map an input port to an output port. Multiple inputs may be connected to one input port or multiple outputs may be mapped to a single input, and thus the number of inputs and the number of outputs do not have to be identical. In this embodiment the electronic lighting controller comprises four input ports and four output ports, however any number (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100) of input and output ports could be provided. The controller can be configured to perform 1 to 1 mapping, 1 to many, many to many or many to 1 mapping of input ports to output ports. The controller also includes a master control input port 50 which comprises a master on port 52 and a master off port 53 which can be used to override the inputs (eg to all on, or all off states) . A mapping interface 90 is also provided which comprises a visual indicator such as an LED and a mapping input (such as push button) associated with each of the output ports. Further each of the input ports has a visual indicator associated with each input port. Each of the input ports may also have a mapping input (such as a push button). [0024] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the controller illustrated in Figure 1. In this embodiment the controller includes a power supply circuit 60 which is used to supply power to a plurality of electronic driver circuits 80, which are under control of a microcontroller 70. Example microcontrollers include 5 HCO8 series, STM8 series (STM8L151), MSP430 series (MSP430F2012) microcontrollers, and ARM based microcontrollers (STM32FO51K4, LPC1100LV, etc.). An input power signal 12 (eg 50/60Hz 110 120V or 240-250V AC signal, or even a DC signal) is connected to a power source input 16 via connector 14, such as standard mains supply wiring which is typically used in residential buildings and offices (standard wiring). In one embodiment the power supply circuit comprises a switch mode power supply 60 which receives the AC mains signal and provides Safe Electric Low Voltage (SELV) DC output signals 62 via wires 64 to each of the electronic driver circuits 81 82 83 84 associated with (or coupled to) an output port. The electronic driver circuits condition the DC SELV signal to the appropriate levels and/or switching frequencies or characteristics required to drive electronic loads 80 connected to output ports 30. [0025] In this embodiment electronic lighting controller 10 has 4 output ports 35, 36, 37, 38. An electronic driver circuit 81, 82, 83 and 84 is associated with each output port 35, 36, 37, 38, which are in turn connected to electronic devices 40 comprising electronic lighting fixtures 41, 42, 43 and an electronically controlled relay 44. The relay 44 receives an AC signal 45 which is electronically switched to provide the AC signal at an output 46 to non-electronic load 48 such as compact fluorescent light or a motor load. The output signals from the output ports may be constant amplitude signals to drive the light at a fixed luminesce level, or the signals may be encoded or varied to control the luminesce level of the light (eg using PWM to provide dimming functionality). Wiring to the electronic fixtures from the electronic controller may use standard building wiring, such as that used to provide AC power, or wire rated for DC signals (eg telephone wiring or CAT5/5e/6 twisted pair network cabling). [0026] The lighting controller 10 also includes 4 input ports (or more generally input channels) 21 22 23 24 which receive commands from switches for controlling one or more lighting fixtures via wires 25 26 27 28 (respectively). The wiring may be standard building wiring, and may be connected to dry contact push button switches. Alternatively the switches may be standard AC switches such as those typically used to control incandescent lighting. This facilitates use of the controller in new installations or retrofits in which existing wiring is utilised. Each input may include an input sensor for sensing whether the input is an AC switch input or a dry contact switch input. The input sensor can be used to generate an output signal to the microcontroller when the sensed input switch, whether it is a dry contact or AC switch, is in an on state. The controller 10 also includes a master control input port 50 which comprises a master on port 52 and a master off port 53 which can be used to override the inputs (eg to all on, or all off states) . The master off input may be connected to a master on switch adjacent an exit, and the master on may be connected to alarm system (eg to trigger off a zone detector and/or smoke detector signal). The microcontroller 70 receives and processing the command signals from the input devices via the input ports 20, and sending control signals to the outputs to control the switching and/or dimming of electronic lighting fixtures and other electronic devices. The output controller 70 also maps each input port to an 6 output port and may provide other functionality such as controlling a user display and other internal sensing and control functions such as thermal sensing, power measurement and protection mechanisms. [0027] Internally the lighting controller 10 includes a microcontroller 70 which includes switch inputs 72 and switch control outputs 75. Switch inputs 72 receive on/off and dimming commands signals from external switches via input ports 25 26 27 28. Switch control outputs 75 are provided via wires 76 to each of the electronic driver circuits 81 82 83 84 associated with each output. The switch control outputs act as control signals for controlling or switching the electronic driver circuits to control DC power on output ports 35 36 37 38. Thus there is not a direct connection between devices connected to inputs and devices connected to outputs. A mapping interface allows a user to select the mapping of input ports to outports and this mapping information (or mapping matrix) is stored and used by the microcontroller. Various mappings of input ports to output ports can be implemented such as 1 to 1 mappings (ie one switch controls one light), 1 to many (one switch controls several lights simultaneously), many to 1 mappings (multiple switches control one light), or many to many mappings (a switch can control multiple lights, and each light can control a different combination of lights). This can be defined or implemented using a mapping matrix with the number of rows corresponding to the number of inputs and number of columns corresponding to the number of outputs. If an entry (i, j) is set to a value of 1 the input i is mapped to the output j, and if the entry is set to zero the input i is not mapped to output j. For example 1 to 1 has l's in matrix elements (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4); Ito many has l's in (1,1), (1,2), (2,3), (2,4); many to 1 has l's in (1,1), (2,1), (3,3), (3,4), and many to many has l's in (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (2,3), (3,1), (3,3), (4,2), (4, 4). Zero's are in the remaining matrix elements. [0028] The mapping interface 90 comprises 4 visual indicators 91 92 93 94, such as LEDs, and a mapping input 95 96 979 98, such as a push button, each associated with respective output ports 31 32 33 34 (eg LED 91 and push button 95 are associated with output port 31. Further each of the input ports 21 22 23 24 has an associated visual indicator 25 26 27 28 such as an LED (eg LED 25 is associated with input port 21). A range of visual indicators may be used such as LEDs (including LEDs with light pipes or other optical arrangements), LCDs, a touch screen(s), or other lights or light projection devices to assist in location of the electronic controller. A combination of visual indicators could be used, including both light projecting visual indicators (eg LEDs) and other visual indicators such as colour coded labels, surfaces, or ports. Each visual indicator could comprise multiple LEDs. The mapping inputs may be a momentary contact push button, a switch, a touch screen or button, etc. [0029] The visual indicators and mapping inputs need not be physically adjacent the port, provided some indication of the association of the visual indication or mapping input to a port is provided. For example each input port and output port could have a label on the top surface of the lighting controller adjacent the physical port. The label could be number, letter, or some combination, which is written, engraved or embossed on the lighting controller. The visual indicators and mapping inputs could then be provided in 7 some other location, such as the centre of the top surface of the lighting controller, and the label of the port that an indicator or mapping actuator is associated could be placed next to the indicator/input. In other embodiments an aural indicator, rather than a visual indicator could be used, or the two could be used in combination. For example a specific tone could be associated with each input port and a sequence of tones used to assist in locating the electronic controller unit. [0030] Each of the input indicators has an off state and unique indication state so that each port can be uniquely identified by the indicator. For example input indicators 25 26 27 28 associated with input ports 21 22 23 24 could be blue, red, yellow, green LEDs respectively (either single colour, or multicolour LEDs configured to display a single colour). Other colours could be used, and/or unique tones could be generated. [0031] As illustrated in Figure 2, microcontroller is connected to input indicators via 10 ports 71, output indicators via 10 ports 77 and mapping inputs via 10 ports 75. The microcontroller stores and controls the state of input and output indicators, as well as monitoring actuation of mapping inputs. The output indicators comprise a plurality of indication states comprising each of the unique indication states of the input indicators, an unmapped indication state and an off state. In this example the output indicators 91 92 93 94 may be multicolour LEDs which can be selected to display each of blue, red, yellow, green colours, as well as white colour (or light) to represent an unmapped state. The input LEDs may also be identical multicolour LEDs which can also display the white state. In some embodiments the same multicolour LEDS may be used to for both input indicators and output indicators (ie each LED is able to display blue, red, yellow, green and white). The microcontroller controls the state of the LEDs. For example for single colour LEDs this is on and off states and for multicolour LEDs this comprises off state and colour (on) state. In some embodiments the visual indicator may comprise multiple single colour LEDs, for example situated below a common light pipe, and which of the multiple single colour LEDs to switch on is controlled by the microcontroller. In the case of a touch screen or LCD screen, the microcontroller would control what is displayed, and monitor any inputs received. [0032] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration 300 of a home installation embodiment using multiple electronic controllers. The building comprises 4 rooms namely bedroom 1 320, bedroom 2 320, a hallway 330 and a lounge room 340. Three electronic lighting controller 350 360 370 are provided. Solid black lines indicate DC wiring between electronic lights and an electronic lighting controller, dashed lines indicate wiring between 2 wire momentary contact (ie dry contact) input wall switches and an electronic lighting controller, dotted lines indicate wiring for providing master off functionality (green button), and dash-dot lines indicate mains AC input to the electronic lighting controllers. [0033] Bedroom 1 310 comprises a momentary contact wall switch 315 connected to the first input of electronic lighting controller 350 which maps this input to the first two outputs ports, which are in turn 8 connected to two LED lighting fixtures 311 312. Bedroom 2 320 comprises a momentary contact wall switch 325 connected to the fourth input of the same electronic lighting controller 350 which maps this input fourth to the third and fourth two outputs ports, which are in turn connected to two LED lighting fixtures 321 322. Hallway 330 comprises a momentary contact wall switch 335 connected to the first input of electronic lighting controller 370 which maps this input to all four outputs ports, which are in turn connected to four separate LED lighting fixtures 331 332 333, 334. Lounge 340 comprises two momentary contact wall switches 345 346, both connected to the first input of electronic lighting controller 360 which maps this input to all four outputs ports, which are in turn connected to four separate LED lighting fixtures 341 342 343, 344. Additionally a momentary contact wall switch 381 is connected via wiring 380 to each master off input of each of the electronic lighting controllers 350, 360 and 370. [0034] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration 400 of the multiple electronic controllers 411 412 413 located in the roof space 410 of a house, such as the house illustrated in Figure 3. Roof spaces are often dark and cramp spaces, and thus it can be difficult for an installer to firstly locate an electronic controller and secondly to program (or reprogram) the input to output mappings in such dark and cramp spaces. To assist in the programming of such electronic controllers, a user interface for an electronic controller, and a method for programming an electronic controller has been developed. The method may also be extended to facilitate location of the electronic controller. Figure 6 is a flowchart 600 of the extended method for programming an electronic controller, and Figure 7 is another flowchart 700 illustrating an embodiment of the extended method. [0035] As illustrated in Figure 1, each output port has an associated mapping input, and an output indicator, and each input port has an input indicator. If a mapping input button is pressed on the electronic controller an actuation signal is generated and sent to the microcontroller. If the electronic controller was not already in a programming indication state, then the electronic controller enters entering a programming indication state 620 in which each input indicator associated with an input port is set to its respective unique indication state, and each output indicator of each output port is set to either the indication state of the input indicator associated with the input port mapped to the respective output port, or the common indication state if the output port is not mapped to any of the input ports 620. For example input LED indicators 25 26 27 28 associated with input ports 21 22 23 24 would be turned on in blue, red, yellow, green colours respectively. Each output indicator would be switched on in the colour of the input indicator associated with the input port the output port is mapped to, or, if no input port was mapped, then the output indicator would be switched on in the white colour to indicate an unmapped output port. That is the LED's are switched on in the currently programmed colour states which are stored by the microcontroller. The controller could be programmed with a default configuration such as all output ports being unmapped, or a one to one mapping of input ports to output ports.

9 [0036] Once in the programming indication state if the mapping input is again actuated (ie an actuation signal is received by the microcontroller), then the output port associated with the mapping input (ie button) is mapped to either an unmapped state in which case the state of the output indicator is set to the unmapped indication state, or the output port is mapped to another input port in which case the state of the output indicator is set to the indication state of the input indicator associated with the (newly) mapped input port. The choice of the next input port or unmapped state that an output port is mapped to may follow a predefined mapping sequence, which may be a logical order of the input ports followed by the unmapped state. Other arrangements are possible, for example the order could be the unmapped state then the logical order, or the logical order may be interspersed with the unmapped state (eg port 1, unmapped, port 2, unmapped, port 3, unmapped, port 4, unmapped, etc) or a random mapping may be performed. [0037] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration 500 of a predefined mapping sequence of output states 510. In this embodiment the mapping sequence is input ports 21, 22, 23, 24, and then the unmapped state. The sequence is cyclic so after the unmapped state is reached the next input port is the first input port in the sequence 21. The sequential output state of output indicator 91 is shown in response to a series of button presses 520 of mapping input (push button) 95. After a first mapping button press 511, the output port is mapped to the first input port 21, and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unique indication state of the input indicator 25. After a second mapping button press 512, the output port is mapped to the next input port in the sequence, in this case input port 22, and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unique indication state of input indicator 26. After a third mapping button press 513, the output port is mapped to the next input port in the sequence, in this case input port 23, and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unique indication state of input indicator 27. After a fourth mapping button press 514, the output port is mapped to the next input port in the sequence, in this case input port 24, and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unique indication state of input indicator 28. After a fifth mapping button press 515, the output port is mapped to the next input port in the sequence, in this case the unmapped state (ie no port), and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unmapped indication state. If the mapping button is again pressed, the sequence restarts (ie the output port is mapped to the first input port 21, and the state of output indicator 91 is set to the unique indication state of the input indicator 25, etc). [0038] In order to conserve power, a timer t; 608 and time out period may be used. The timer may be started when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state and if an actuation signal is not received within a time out period 632, then the electronic controller enters a quiescent indication state 614 in which the state of each input indicator and each output indicator is set to the off state. The time our period may be a period of time sufficient to allow programming of the controller, such as 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes or an hour. If an actuation signal is received within the time out period 634, then the output port is mapped to the next input port or the unmapped state and the output indicator set to the appropriate state 636. The controller then waits for another mapping input actuation signal within the time out period 640. In another embodiment, the timer may be reset each time an actuation signal is received from a 10 mapping input. In this case the time out period used is always same amount of time. In another embodiment the time out period may be recalculated as the current time plus a mapping input actuation time. Thus when the electronic controller first enters the programming indication state, an initial time out period could be provided such as 15 minutes. Once programming of a specific output port begins, then another, typically shorter, time out period, such as 30 seconds, 1, 2, 5 or 10 minutes, may be used to wait for subsequent presses of the mapping input to program the output port. Longer time periods may be provided to provide sufficient time for an installer to program an output and then follow the wiring in the roof space to verify the correct mapping has been performed. [0039] As previously mentioned, the electronic controllers are typically located in dark and cramp spaces such as roof cavities. This can make an electronic controller difficult to locate. Thus the method may be extended to facilitate location of the electronic controller so that it can be programmed. In this extension of the method, when the electronic controller is in the quiescent indication state (ie all indicators off), a command signal 602 received from one of the input ports will cause the electronic controller to enter a locate indication state 604. In the locate indication state two or more of the output indicators may be set to one of the indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously. In one embodiment all of the input indicators and all of the output indicators are set to one of the plurality of indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously. In another embodiment each of the input indicators and each of the output indicators are simultaneously set to a common indication state such as the unmapped indication state. This may be white light. Alternatively the sequence may be a progressive sequence (eg cycling in one direction around the edge of electronic controller or a random sequence. The indication states of the output ports do not need to correspond to the indication state of the mapped input state (although it could). Further rather than the visual indicators being turned and left in an on state, the visual indicators could be flashed. Further subsets of indicators could be switched on in groups or pairs, or individual indicators could be sequentially turned on in a fast sequence. For example each indicator could be switched on for a short period such as lOims, 50ms 100ms, 250ms, 500ms, ls with only very short gaps between turning on (ie shorter than the on period). This could be as fast as the hardware limits of the electronic controller (or microcontroller). [0040] The locate state provides a visual indication to the installer of the location of the controller. Rather than staying on, the LEDs may be operated in a flashing mode, and may cycle though different colours. Similarly if a speaker was included, an audio tone, or tones could be played to assist in location of the controllers. [0041] The command signal may be for example the switching on or actuation of a wall switch. For example the wall switch could be a toggle switch, or a momentary contact push button switch (eg the Saturn OneTouch manufactured by Clipsal) Thus an installer could go to a wall switch, press it (or turn it on), and then go and climb into the roof space. The installer could then look around and locate the 11 electronic controller by the light projected from the output indicators on the electronic controller. Referring back to Figure 4, the roof space 410 contains three electronic controllers 411 412 413. When a switch 414 connected (not shown) to an input of the first electronic controller 411 is pushed (actuated) the input signal is detected and the output indicators are switched on, projecting light in the space around the electronic controller 415. [0042] The timer t 1 608 may be started to time a first time out period when entering the locate indication state 606 during which the controller waits to see if an actuation signal is received within the time out period 610. If no actuation signal is received then the electronic controller re-enters the quiescent indication. If an actuation signal is received 616, then the electronic controller enters the programming indication state 620 (as discussed above). The time out period may be a fixed time period, such as 15 minutes based upon a received input signal, or the time out period may be reset when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state 620, or even every time a mapping input actuation signal is received. Alternatively a first time out period (eg 15 minutes) may be used to allow the installer to climb into the roof space, and locate the controller, and a second (typically) shorter time out period (eg 1 minute) may be used when in the programming state. This second time out period may be reset each time a mapping input is actuated, or the time out period may be recalculated by adding a fixed amount (a mapping input actuation time) to the current value of the timer. [0043] The above method enables one to one and one to many mappings to be easily programmed. Many to one and many to many mappings can also be implemented by including input buttons (or actuators) associated with each input port. In this variation, a user first pushes the button of the input port to be mapped. The associated indicator then indicates it has been selected. This may be by entering a flashing state, or by dimming the other input indicators. Once an input is selected, the user then presses the button associated with the output port to be mapped within a predefined time out interval. This could cause an instant mapping, and the output indicator would then indicate the colour of the selected input port, or the alternatively the user could keep toggling the output button until the colour matches the selected input indicator. Once a first output is mapped to an input port, another output port can be mapped by pressing the associated output button within a time out period. In this way many to one and many to many mappings can be programmed. To indicate a multiple mapping, and output indicator could flash between the colours of the input ports the output port is mapped to. [0044] Figure 7 is an internal circuit diagram of an embodiment of an electronic lighting controller, featuring a network interface, an input/output mapping interface and input and output mapping indicators in the form of buttons and coloured LEDs. The circuit has a number of functional blocks which will now be described.

12 [0045] Power supply. The power supply circuit is an AC/DC switching mode converter connected to main supply with high efficiency at full load and standby. This power supply provides power to internal circuits and external lighting loads. [0046] Load Drivers. Load driver outputs constant current to drive LED lamps. LED lamps can be dimmed by controlling the output constant current with pulse width modulation (PWM) waveforms. This load driver is implemented by forward converter topology. [0047] Control Unit. The Control Unit can be implemented by a microcontroller for sensing input signals from Input Devices, driving LED indicators, controlling Load Drivers, decoding and encoding network packages. [0048] Channel / Master-ON / Master-OFF Control Inputs. All these control inputs are implemented by opto-couplers. The input devices such as momentary switches when connected to these control inputs generates signals through the opto-diode coupling into the photo-transistor of the opto-couplers, creating sensing signals to the control unit for lighting control purposes. Short press of momentary switches for channel control inputs toggle ON and OFF of associated LED lamps. Long presses can dim up and down of the LED lamps. For master-ON control input, any short or long press forces all LEDs to ON and similar for master-OFF control input. [0049] Input & Output Mapping Interfaces and Input & Output Mapping Indicators. The input mapping interfaces are implemented by momentary contact push buttons, and the input and output indicators are multi-colour LEDs, whose colour state is controlled by the Control Unit. [0050] Network Interface. The network interface is directly connecting with the control unit. The control unit decodes the data packages from network to control its LED lamps. [0051] The above embodiments describe the use of programming method and interface in relation to an electronic lighting controller in which inputs from switches are mapped to output electronic devices such as lights and electronic relays. This is described in more detail in co- pending patent application, filed by the same applicant on the same day as the present application and entitled "ELECTRONIC LIGHTING CONTROLLER", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The controller can be programmed to include added functionality (not described). Other embodiments and variations are also possible. For example a long button press could exit the setup, end a time out period, or cancel the previous selection. In one embodiment an LCD screen could be divided into regions, with each region associated with one of the input ports or output ports. The LCD screen could be used in conjunction with push button inputs. The LCD screen could be switched off in quiescent mode and switched onto full brightness when in the locate indication state. Similarly, a touch screen could also be utilised in which 13 case the mapping inputs would be regions of the touch screen. Further the programming method and interface could also be used for other electronic controllers used in roof spaces and similar locations which require mapping of inputs to outputs. For example the controllers could be part of an alarm system, a security access system or a home automation system such as the C-BUS system manufactured by Clipsal (a Schneider Electric company). For example in a home automation systems the method and interface could be used for relays or dimmers, where wall switches need to be mapped to devices such as relay for blind and curtain control, ceiling and exhaust fans, bathroom heat lamps, garage doors, pool pumps, a light dimmer, or other relay or motor. [0052] The programming method and interface described herein facilitates programming and location of electronic controllers in dark and cramp locations such as roof spaces that such electronic controllers are typically located in. The use of visual indicators that switch on when a wall switch is activated facilitates location of the unit, as well as programming of the unit. A simple interface with large mapping input buttons and adjacent LED indicator next to each output port facilitates identification of the mapping of an output port and avoids having to set dip switched or jumpers which can be difficult in dark and cramp locations. The use of time out periods provides sufficient time for the installers to locate and program units, whilst ensuring the controller does not stay permanently on so as to reduce power during normal operation. [0053] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. [0054] Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. [0055] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware implementation, processing may be implemented within one or 14 more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD ROM, a DVD-ROM or any other form of computer readable medium. In the alternative, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and executed by a processor. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art. [0056] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [0057] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0058] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. A method for programming an electronic controller comprising a plurality of input ports for receiving control signals from remote devices, a plurality of input indicators, each input indicator associated with one of the plurality of input ports and having a unique indication on state and an off state, a plurality of output ports for providing output signals to one or more devices, each output port having an associated output indicator and a mapping input and each output port is mapped to either one of the input ports or to an unmapped state, and each output indicator having a plurality of indication states comprising each of the unique indication states of the input indicators, an unmapped indication state and an off state, the method comprising: receiving an actuation signal from a mapping input associated with an output port; entering a programming indication state if the electronic controller was not in the programming indication state when the actuation signal was received and setting each input indicator associated with an input port to the respective unique indication state, and setting each output indicator of each output port to either the indication state of the input indicator associated with the input port mapped to the respective output port, or the common indication state if the output port is not mapped to any of the input ports; and if the electronic controller was in the programming indication state when the actuation signal was received, then mapping the output port associated with the mapping input to either an unmapped state and setting the state the output indicator associated with the output port to the unmapped indication state, or another input port and setting the state of the output indicator associated with output port to the indication state of the input indicator associated with the mapped input port.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the input indicators and output indicators are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and the indication states are colours.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unmapped indication state is white.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein when in the programming indication state, the choice of the next input port or unmapped state that an output port is mapped to follows a predefined mapping sequence.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predefined mapping sequence comprises a logical order of the input ports followed by the unmapped state. 16

6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state, a timer is started and if an actuation signal is not received within a time out period, the electronic controller enters a quiescent indication state in which the state of each input indicator and each output indicator is set to the off state.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the timer is reset each time an actuation signal is received from a mapping input.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the time out period is recalculated as the current time plus a mapping input actuation time.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a command signal from one of the plurality of input ports whilst in the quiescent indication state; entering a locate indication state wherein two or more of the plurality of output indicators are set to one of the plurality of indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein all of the input indicators and all of the output indicators are set to one of the plurality of indication states either in a sequence or simultaneously.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the input indicators and each of the output indicators are simultaneously set to a common indication state.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the common indication state is the unmapped indication state.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the timer is started to time a first time out period when entering the locate indication state, and if an actuation signal is not received within a time out period, the electronic controller enters a quiescent indication state in which the state of each input indicator and each output indicator is set to the off state, and if an actuation signal is received the electronic controller enters the programming indication state.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the timer is reset when the electronic controller enters the programming indication state.

15. An electronic controller comprising: a plurality of input ports for receiving control signals from a remote device; 17 a plurality of input indicators wherein each input indicator is associated with one of the plurality of input ports and having a unique indication on state and an off state; a plurality of output ports for providing output signals to one or more devices wherein each output port has an associated output indicator and mapping input, and each output port is mapped to either one of the input ports or to an unmapped state, and each output indicator has a plurality of indication states comprising each of the unique indication states of the input indicators, an unmapped indication state and an off state, a microcontroller; a memory comprising instructions for causing the microcontroller to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. The electronic controller as claimed in 13, wherein the electronic controller is an electronic lighting controller.