EP2835038B1 - Method for the relative activation of a luminaire, control unit and lighting system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for the relative control of a light, a control for the relative control of a light and a lighting system.

For comfortable lighting control, modern lighting systems allow control commands for controlling lights to be transmitted to the lights or their operating devices. For example, operating devices of this type for luminaires can be designed to receive control commands generated according to the DALI ("Digital Addressable Lighting Interface") standard and to implement them when checking the corresponding luminaire. Such systems allow complex control processes of a lighting system with several lights to be carried out under the control of a controller. For example, the intensity and / or the hue and / or the color temperature of one or more lights can be controlled.

In principle, control can take place in two different ways. In the case of "absolute" control or "absolute" setting, an absolute control value that a lamp should assume at the end of the process is already fixed when the process is initiated and a control command is issued to the lamp. An exemplary scenario is the selection of one of several predefined moods of a lighting system, the intensity and color temperature assigned to a light being defined and a corresponding control command being generated as soon as the corresponding mood is selected. With absolute control, the luminaire can receive the absolute control value as a target. The light output of the lamp can be adjusted according to the absolute control value, for example in a fading process.

In the case of a "relative" control or a "relative" setting, the absolute control value that the lamp should assume at the end of the process is not yet fixed at the beginning of the process. Rather, a current manipulated variable of a manipulated variable of the lamp should be increased or decreased by one or more increments as long as a button is pressed, for example. An exemplary scenario is the adaptation of the intensity during dimming, which can take place, for example, as a reaction to the actuation of a button. In the case of a "relative" control or a "relative" setting, a End value not yet fixed at the beginning of the process. The duration of the process is also unknown when the process begins. A conventional implementation for controlling lights with "relative" activation or a "relative" position consists in repeating the same control command for as long as the process lasts. In this way, for example, by repeatedly issuing the same "UP" or "DOWN" command according to the DALI standard, an incremental increase or decrease in a control value of a lamp can be achieved. However, this procedure can lead to a relatively high utilization of a bus system. This can make it difficult to process other commands in a reasonable time.

The WO 99/60804 A1 describes information systems in which lighting can be controlled via a network. A light intensity can be increased or decreased by actuating a switch, a corresponding command being generated in response to a single actuation of a switch. If the switch is pressed several times, several commands are generated accordingly. A dimming rate can be programmed variably via the network.

The DE 10 2006 001 256 A1 describes a method for operating a light source and a lamp operating device, in which the lamp operating device receives brightness commands and independently determines a dimming period.

The CH 682022 A5 concerns a transmission procedure. To transmit signals triggered by long key presses from a transmitter to a receiver, repeating signals are sent out while the key is held down. Releasing the key triggers a separate toggle signal. By appropriately designing the receiver circuit, in that the lack of a command is not interpreted as the end of the keystroke, a reliable interpretation of the long keystroke can be achieved. For example, with each repeating signal, a light control is adjusted by a corresponding number of specific discrete values during a period of time.

The WO 2010/048987 A1 relates to a device for a lamp application, comprising a bus interface for connection to a bus system as well as configuration information, on the basis of which the device can be set, administered or used via the bus interface.

The US 6459938 B1 discloses a control terminal having an individual address setting section for setting a unique individual address and a Setting section for simultaneous control addresses for setting a simultaneous control address common to a plurality of control terminals. A simultaneous control address is generally assigned to control terminals that are subject to group control. When an up switch or a down switch of an operating terminal is pressed for a group dimming purpose, a transmission signal having the simultaneous control address is transmitted on a signal line from a transmission controller. The corresponding control terminals receive the transmission signal essentially simultaneously, as a result of which an intensity of lighting loads is changed.

The object of the invention is to specify a method, a control and a lighting system which allow efficient and precise relative control. The invention is based in particular on the object of specifying a method for the relative control of a lamp, a control for the relative control of a lamp and a lighting system in which the same command does not always have to be generated in very short intervals in order to achieve relative control.

The object is achieved by a method, a control and a lighting system with the features specified in the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define embodiments of the invention.

According to one aspect, a method for the relative control of a lamp is specified. An actuation of an actuating element is detected. During the actuation of the actuation element, the following steps are carried out cyclically: Determination of a target control value which corresponds to one of several support points that are approached sequentially during actuation; Generating a control command as a function of the target control value; and issuing the control command in order to move to a support point corresponding to the target control value with a predetermined fade time. During continued actuation of the actuating element, after an actuating command has been issued, there is a waiting period before a further actuating command is issued in order to move to a further interpolation point which corresponds to a further target manipulated variable.

In the method, setting commands are generated and output cyclically while an actuating element is operated, with successive setting commands only being output at time intervals that correspond to the predetermined time period. There is a support point-based control in which the luminaire moves to several support points sequentially, each of which is specified in a control command Target manipulated variable are assigned. As a result, a number of control commands to be transmitted can be kept relatively low.

The manipulated variable that is set with the method can include an intensity. In this case, the different target control values, which are determined one after the other, can correspond to different brightness values or intensities of the lamp. The manipulated variable that is set with the method can include a color temperature or a hue. In this case, the different target setting values that are determined one after the other can correspond to different color temperatures or color tones of the luminaire.

The actuating element can be a button. The button can be integrated into a control panel, which can be designed, for example, as a touch-sensitive control panel. The target control values can be determined depending on whether the button is operated in such a way that an increase in a manipulated variable is to be achieved, or whether the button is operated in such a way that the manipulated variable is to be decreased.

The target manipulated variable can be determined depending on the given fade time. The target manipulated value can be determined in each case as a function of an initial manipulated value that the manipulated variable has at the start of the actuation of the actuating element.

In response to an end of the actuation of the operating element, a stop command is generated and issued in order to end a fade operation. The stop command does not have to contain a new target manipulated variable. The stop command can suppress an undesired continuation of a fading process to the control value contained in the last control command when the end of the actuation of the actuating element is detected.

A final control value is determined as a reaction to the end of the actuation. A correction control command is generated and output depending on the final control value. The final control value can be determined arithmetically by a controller and depending on the duration of the actuation of the actuating element. This allows a small correction of the manipulated variable to be made after the stop command has been issued. In this way, for example, delays in the processing of control commands and / or the stop command, which can occur in the operating device of a lamp, can be compensated.

The stop command can be issued before the predefined period of time has elapsed after the output of that control command that was last generated before the actuation element was actuated. It is therefore not necessary to wait until the specified period of time has expired before the stop command is issued. The stop command can be generated and output immediately after the actuation element has ended.

The predefined period of time after which a new control command is issued can be equal to the predefined fade time or less than the predefined fade time.

During the continued actuation of the actuating element, a new control command can be generated periodically when the specified fade time has elapsed or before the specified fade time has elapsed. As a result, a new control command with a new target manipulated value can be generated and output when the manipulated variable of the lamp reaches a target manipulated value contained in the last output command. Alternatively, a new setting command with a new target setting value can be generated and output shortly before the point in time at which the setting value of the lamp reaches a target setting value contained in the setting command that was last issued.

An input signal which indicates a state of the actuating element can be evaluated at a rate which is greater than the inverse of the predetermined time period. The state of the actuating element can thus be queried at time intervals which are small in comparison to the predefined period of time after which a new control command is output. This allows a quick response to a change in the state of the actuating element.

For the respective control process that takes place during the continued actuation of the actuating element, adjacent support points of the multiple support points can each have the same control value difference. For the respective control process that takes place during the continued actuation of the actuating element, the predetermined fade time can have a fixed value which is not changed during the continued actuation of the actuating element. If a new relative control takes place at a later point in time, after the actuation of the actuating element was interrupted in the meantime, a different control value difference between adjacent support points and / or a different fade time can be defined for the new relative control process.

At the beginning of the actuation of the actuating element, a first control command can be generated, which includes the predetermined fade time and a target control value.

The control command can be transmitted to an operating device of the luminaire. In response to the control command, the control gear can approach the target control value continuously or in several stages within the specified fade time.

The positioning command can be a positioning command according to the DALI standard. The control command can include a DALI short address for the luminaire. The control command can be output to a bus, in particular a DALI bus.

According to a further aspect, a control for the relative control of a lamp is specified. The controller comprises a signal input for receiving an input signal which indicates a state of an actuating element. The controller includes an interface for issuing commands. The controller comprises a control logic which is coupled to the signal input and the interface and is designed to determine whether the actuating element is actuated as a function of the input signal. The control logic is set up to determine a target control value during actuation of the actuating element, which corresponds to one of several support points, in order to generate a control command as a function of the target control value, and to output the control command via the interface in order to include a support point corresponding to the target control value to approach a specified fade time. The control logic is set up in such a way that, during continued actuation of the actuating element after the setting command has been issued, a predetermined period of time is waited for before a further setting command is issued to move to a further support point that corresponds to a further target control value.

Developments of the control and the effects achieved thereby correspond to the developments of the method according to the exemplary embodiments. The controller can be set up to carry out the method according to one aspect or exemplary embodiment.

According to a further aspect, a lighting system is specified. The lighting system comprises an actuating element which causes a relative control or actuation of the lamp. The lighting system comprises a controller according to one aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention, the signal input of which is set up to receive an input signal which indicates a state of the actuating element. The lighting system comprises an operating device for a lamp, the operating device comprising a control device which is set up to approach the target setpoint with the predetermined fade time in response to the setting command.

The control and the operating device for the luminaire can be coupled via a bus.

The actuating element can be a button or comprise a button. The button can be integrated into a control panel, which can be designed, for example, as a touch-sensitive control panel. The target control values can be determined depending on whether the button is operated in such a way that an increase in a manipulated variable is to be achieved, or whether the button is operated in such a way that the manipulated variable is to be decreased. The button can be a changeover button.

The actuating element can comprise a sensor, for example a light sensor. An actuation of the light sensor is recognized as a function of a threshold value comparison of the brightness detected with the light sensor.

The control logic of the controller can be configured to generate and output a stop command in response to the end of the actuation of the actuating element. The control device of the operating device can be set up, in response to the stop command, to terminate an approach to a support point which corresponds to a target setpoint last determined before the end of the actuation.

Exemplary embodiments can generally be used for relative positions in lighting systems, for example when dimming.

• FIG. 1 zeigt ein Beleuchtungssystem nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 2 zeigt schematisch die Erzeugung einer Folge von Steuerbefehlen zur relativen Ansteuerung einer Leuchte nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 3 ist ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 4 ist eine schematische Darstellung zur Erläuterung von Verfahren nach Ausführungsbeispielen.
• FIG. 5 ist ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further features, effects and functions of exemplary embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• FIG. 1 shows a lighting system according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 shows schematically the generation of a sequence of control commands for the relative control of a lamp according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 3 Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4th is a schematic illustration to explain methods according to embodiments.
• FIG. 5 Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method according to another embodiment.

In the figures, identical or similar reference symbols designate identical or similar units or components. The features of the various exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another, unless this is expressly excluded in the following description. While some exemplary embodiments are described for a relative control in the context of an intensity or brightness control, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are not restricted to this, but can be used in general for the relative control of a lamp.

FIG. 1 shows a lighting system 1 with a controller 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lighting system 1 comprises a lamp with a lamp 2. The lamp 2 can be, for example, a gas discharge lamp or an LED-based lamp. The lighting system 1 can include further lights, each of which is assigned a unique address in order to allow the control 10 to address control commands. The lighting system 1 comprises an operating device 20 for the lighting means 2.

The operating device 20 can be configured as a ballast. Operating device 20 is operated on the basis of control commands that operating device 20 receives from controller 10. The operating device 20 has an interface 23 via which a Data communication with the controller 10 takes place. The data communication is wired via a bus 5. The data communication is digital data communication. The bus 5 can be a DALI bus and commands can be generated according to the DALI standard. Other operating devices are connected to bus 5. Commands received from the interface 23 are processed by a control device 21 which controls the operation of the operating device 20 as a function of the command received.

The operating device 20 can be designed in such a way that it allows intensity control and / or color control of the light. The operating device 20 is fed with energy via a supply line or supply lines 6. The operating device 20 has a circuit in order to supply the lighting means 2 with energy, the configuration of which depends on the functionalities that the operating device 20 provides when the lamp is checked. The operating device 20 can comprise, for example, a rectifier 24 and a circuit 25 connected downstream of this. If the operating device 20 allows an intensity control of the light, the circuit 25 can for example have an intermediate circuit circuit, an inverter and an output-side load circuit. In such a configuration, for example, the intermediate circuit circuit can generate an intermediate circuit voltage which is converted by the inverter into a high-frequency alternating voltage, which in turn can be fed to the output-side load circuit which has output connections for the lighting means 2. The brightness of the lamp can then be changed, for example, by changing the frequency of the alternating voltage generated by the inverter. The control device 21 integrated in the operating device 20 controls the circuit 25 as a function of a received control command in order to implement the control command. As a result, in the case of a brightness control, the control device 21 can, for example, adapt the power converted by the lighting means 2 in such a way that it is ultimately operated with the new desired brightness. The transition from the initial brightness to the new final brightness can take place continuously or in smaller steps in order to bring about a more pleasant brightness transition. Other configurations of the operating device 20 can be used depending on the type of the lighting means 2 and / or depending on the control options that the operating device 20 provides. For example, the control device 21 can control the circuit 25 of the operating device 20 such that color control is possible.

The controller 10 of the lighting system 1 is designed such that it generates control commands and outputs them to the operating device 20 of the lamp. As detailed below is described, the controller 10 is set up in such a way that, for the relative control of the light during continued actuation of an actuating element, it cyclically determines a new target control value for a control value of the light, generates a control command as a function of the target control value and sends the control command to the operating device 20 the lamp outputs. The processes are repeated cyclically, with no new control command for the relative control of the lamp being issued between successive control commands for a predetermined period of time. The target manipulated values determined in each case are only the intermediate values that the manipulated variable of the luminaire is supposed to assume after a predetermined fade time, not the final value of the manipulated variable at the end of the relative control. This final value is not yet known as long as the target control values are determined cyclically and appropriate control commands are generated and output. Likewise, the length of the time interval in which new setting commands are generated cyclically at a time interval is not known when the setting process is initiated by actuating the actuating element. The end value and the length of the time interval in which new control commands are generated cyclically at a time interval are defined by the point in time at which the actuating element is released again by the user.

The relative control of the luminaire is based on support points. During the continued actuation of the actuating element, several support points of the manipulated variable of the lamp are approached sequentially, which correspond to the various successively determined target manipulated values. The output of a new control command for the relative control of the lamp is only carried out after a predetermined period of time. The relative control of the lamp is thus carried out by data telegrams that are generated at a certain rate as long as the actuating element is actuated by a user. The relative control according to the exemplary embodiments is particularly suitable for the use of such data telegrams or is telegram-optimized.

In response to a control command that is generated by the controller 10 as a function of a new target control value for the control variable of the lamp, the control device 21 of the operating device 20 controls the control device 20 so that the control value of the control variable is continuously or in several stages in a predetermined fading time is changed to the target manipulated variable. The manipulated variable can be, for example, an intensity or brightness, a hue, a color temperature or the like.

The fading time with which a new interpolation point is approached by the operating device 20 can be a predetermined, unchangeable one during the relative activation Have value. The value for the fade time can be transmitted by the controller 10 in at least one of the setting commands. The fade time can be stored in a memory 22 of the control device 21 in the operating device 20 and used for all fade processes that are initiated by successive setting commands from the controller 10 in order to move to several support points one after the other during the continued actuation of the actuating element, which correspond to the different, one after the other correspond to the determined target values.

The predefined period of time after which the controller 10 issues a new control command can be selected depending on and coordinated with the predefined fade time. The predefined period of time can be shorter than the predefined fade time. The specified period of time can be equal to the specified fade time. This allows the controller 10 to issue a new control command when the target control value specified in the control command issued last was approached with the fade time. The controller 10 can determine the target setpoints, which are determined during the continued actuation of the actuating element and are approached by the operating device 20, depending on the fade time. The controller 10 can furthermore determine the target control values as a function of an initial control value of the lamp which the control value has at the beginning of the relative control.

As soon as the controller 10 detects that the user is no longer operating the actuation element, a stop command is generated and output. As a result, a fading process to the last determined target control value is aborted as soon as the user releases the actuating element. With the stop command, the controller 10 aborts the approach to a support point which corresponds to the target setpoint last determined before the actuating element was released. The stop command can in particular be generated directly in response to the recognized release of the actuating element. The controller 10 can output the stop command before the specified period of time has expired after the last generated control command has been output.

Before the actuation of the actuating element is ended, an actuating command was issued to the luminaire to approach a support point. The corresponding process in which the lamp moves to the new support point can still run when the actuation of the actuating element is ended. The stop command cancels the fade that is still running.

Optionally, a correction / adjustment command can be issued after the stop command. The control can do this depending on a period of time in which the actuating element has been continuously actuated, calculate a final manipulated variable for the manipulated variable of the luminaire. The corrective setting command can be generated depending on the final control value. As a result, for example, after releasing the actuating element, minor corrections can be made to the manipulated variable of the manipulated variable, which may be caused by processing times of control commands in operating device 20 and / or delays in command output to bus 5 by controller 10.

The controller 10 is set up in such a way that it detects the state of the actuating element with high temporal resolution. The inverse of a rate at which the state of the actuating element is checked can be small compared to the predefined period of time which defines the time interval between actuating commands. The inverse of the rate at which the state of the actuating element is checked can be small compared to the predetermined fade time with which new interpolation points are approached during the relative actuation.

In order to carry out the various processes described, the controller 10 has a control logic 11. The control logic 11 can comprise one or more processors or special purpose circuits. The control logic 11 can be coupled to a memory 12 in which, for example, the actual value of the manipulated variable of the lamp can be stored at the start of the actuation of the actuating element. The control logic 11 is coupled to an interface 13 via which generated commands are output. In particular, the setting commands that are generated sequentially during continuous actuation of the actuating element and the stop command that is generated at the end of actuation of the actuating element can be output via the interface 13. The interface 13 can be a wired interface that can be coupled to a DALI bus 5, for example. The interface 13 can also be designed as a wireless interface for wireless communication with the operating device 20.

In order to detect the state of the actuating element, the controller 10 has a signal input 14. The signal input 14 is coupled to an actuating element 3 in order to receive an input signal indicating the state of the actuating element 3. The actuating element 3 can be designed as a button. The button can be integrated into a control panel 4, which allows the control of several functions of the lighting system 1. The button does not have to have a tiltable or otherwise movably mounted element, but can also be designed as a section of a touch-sensitive control panel or as a proximity sensor. The The actuating element 3 and / or the control panel 4 can be integrated in the controller 10. In further refinements, the actuating element 3 can comprise a sensor. A signal indicating the state of the sensor can be provided at the signal input 14. The sensor can have an actuated state, which causes the controller 10 to generate new setting commands at time intervals in order to cause further support points to be approached. For example, the sensor can be a light sensor. Depending on a threshold value comparison of the detected brightness, the sensor can have an “actuated” state and trigger the output of setting commands to approach support points at time intervals. For example, a reference point-based relative control can take place in order to increase a brightness when the brightness detected by the light sensor is less than a first threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a reference point-based relative control can take place in order to lower a brightness if the brightness detected by the light sensor is greater than a second threshold value. The actuating element can alternatively or additionally comprise a proximity sensor.

The actuating element 3 can be designed in such a way that it allows a manipulated variable to be set in different directions. For example, the actuating element can have corresponding fields in order to increase or decrease the manipulated variable of a manipulated variable. The controller 10 receives an input signal at the signal input 14 which indicates the state of the actuating element 3. For example, the input signal can indicate that the actuation element is not actuated, that it is actuated to increase the manipulated variable of the manipulated variable, or that it is actuated to decrease the manipulated variable of the manipulated variable. The actuating element 3 can be designed as a switch button which can alternately increase or decrease the manipulated variable of a manipulated variable. The control logic 11 monitors the input signal with a high temporal resolution. For this purpose, the input signal can be interrogated and evaluated at a rate that is greater than the inverse of the predetermined fade time and / or the inverse of the predetermined time period after which new control commands are issued. As a result, both the beginning and the end of the actuation of the actuating element 3 can be detected quickly, and a corresponding actuating command or a stop command can be generated.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a command sequence that is output by the controller 10 for the relative control of the lamp when a user starts actuation by pressing the actuating element at a start time Ti, keeps the actuating element pressed for a period of time 30, and releases the actuating element at an end time Tf .

In response to the start of actuation, a first control command 31 is generated, which is output shortly after the start of actuation at Ti. The first control command 31 is generated as a function of a first target control value, which is to be approached by the operating device 20 of the lamp within a predetermined fade time. The first target manipulated variable can be generated as a function of an actual value of the manipulated variable of the lamp at the start time Ti and as a function of the predetermined fade time. The first control command 31 can include the first target control value. The first setting command 31 can also include the predetermined fade time, which is transmitted from the controller 10 to the operating device 20. The first control command 31 can include an address of the lamp or of the operating device 20 assigned to the lighting means 2. The address can be a DALI short address. In response to the first control command 31, the control variable of the lamp is set to the first target control value in the predetermined fade time in several stages or continuously.

During the period 30 in which the user continues to press the actuation element or in some other way the actuation element is recognized as activated, further target control values are determined cyclically, and corresponding control commands are generated and output. In this case, actuating commands which serve for the relative control of the lamp in response to the actuation of the actuating element are only output after a predetermined period of time 39 as long as the actuating element is pressed. For example, a second control command 32, which is generated as a function of a second target control value, is output a predefined time period ΔT later than the first control command 31. A third control command 33, which is generated as a function of a third target control value, is output a predefined time period ΔT later than the second control command 32. A fourth control command 34, which is generated as a function of a fourth target control value, is output a predefined time period ΔT later than the third control command 33. A fifth setting command 35, which is generated as a function of a fifth target setting value, is output a predefined time period ΔT later than the fourth setting command 34. By delaying the output of control commands by the specified time duration 39, data telegrams are used to move to different support points in succession, at which the control variable of the lamp assumes the first target control value, the second target control value, the third target control value and the fourth target control value. The second, third and fourth control commands can also each include the address of the lamp or of the operating device 20 assigned to the lighting means 2. The second, third and fourth control commands can each include the specified fade time, but can also be generated in such a way that the specified fade time is not included again.

In response to the end of the operation of the operating member at the end time Tf, a stop command 36 is immediately generated. The stop command 36 does not contain a new target setpoint, but rather causes the operating device 20 to end the current cross-fading process. This ongoing fade process is for the in FIG. 2 The illustrated sequence of setting commands of the fading process to the fifth target setting value, which is initiated with the fifth setting command 35. This process runs when the stop command 36 is issued. The control gear of the luminaire ends the fading to the fifth target control value in response to the stop command.

FIG. 3 Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a method 40 according to an embodiment. The method can be carried out automatically by the controller 10 in order to carry out a relative control of a lamp.

In step 41, the actual control value of the lamp can be determined. This actual control value can, for example, be stored in a memory of the control when a previous control process has ended, and / or can be queried by the operating device of the lamp. If the actual value is not to be queried by the control gear of the luminaire, an absolute correction control value can be sent after the previous activation, which is stored in the memory of the controller. For the relative control in method 40, it can be assumed that the lamp has assumed this corrective control value. The absolute correction value can be used as a computational start value for the new relative control.

In step 42 it is monitored whether a button is operated. As soon as a button actuation is detected, the method continues at 43. Otherwise, the monitoring of the actuation of the button is continued in step 42.

The following steps 43-45 are repeated cyclically as long as the button is pressed. In step 43, a target control value is determined. The target control value can be determined as a function of a predefined fade time and as a function of the actual control value of the lamp determined at 41. The target manipulated variable can be selected so that a desired manipulated variable difference, which can depend on the fade time, is achieved relative to the actual manipulated variable. At 44 a control command is generated which depends on the target manipulated variable. The control command can include the target manipulated variable. At least when the first control command is generated after the pushbutton has been actuated, the first control command can include the predetermined fade time. At 45 the Control command issued. The control command can be output to a bus, for example a DALI bus.

In steps 46 and 47 it is checked whether steps 43-45 should be run through again. In step 46 it is checked whether the pushbutton actuation has ended. The end of the pushbutton actuation is also recognized when the pushbutton allows setting in different directions and the user ends a setting process in a first direction, for example increasing brightness, and starting a setting process in a second direction, for example decreasing brightness. As soon as the end of the button actuation is recognized, the cyclical repetition of steps 43-45 is ended. The method continues at step 48 where a stop command is issued to abort the current fade operation.

If it is recognized in step 46 that the actuation of the button has not yet ended and the button is continued to be actuated, a check is carried out in step 47 to determine whether the specified period of time has elapsed since the last processing of steps 43-45, which is the waiting time between the output of control commands for the relative control of the luminaire. If the predefined period of time has not yet expired, the method returns to step 46.

If the specified time has elapsed since the last control command was generated and issued, steps 43-45 are run through again. A further target control value is determined and a further control command is generated and output as a function of the further target control value. The further target manipulated variable can be determined depending on the target manipulated variable determined in the previous cycle and depending on the specified fade time. The further target control value can be determined as a function of a characteristic curve characterizing the behavior of the lamp, for example a dimming curve. The target control value determined in the previous cycle and the fade time can be used to determine the new target control value depending on the characteristic curve characterizing the behavior of the luminaire. The further target manipulated variable can be determined in such a way that the same manipulated variable difference is achieved again relative to the target manipulated variable determined in the previous cycle.

In the case of relative control, steps 43-45 are repeated cyclically. The target manipulated values determined in each case in step 43 do not represent the final value of the manipulated variable at the end of the process, which is controlled by pressing the button. The target set values determined in step 43 are rather intermediate values that are approached sequentially while the button is pressed. A target set value that is set in step 43 is determined, thus corresponds to a support point that is to be approached when controlling the light. The target control value, which is generated and output in the last cycle before the button is pressed, is no longer achieved by the lamp. The corresponding cross-fading process is aborted by the stop command issued in step 48.

FIG. 4th is a schematic representation to further explain the functioning of controls and of methods according to embodiments.

A controller carries out a relative control of a lamp depending on an input signal 51. The input signal 51 indicates an actuation of an actuating element, for example a button. A first edge 54 of the input signal 51 indicates the beginning of the actuation of the actuating element, which lasts up to a second edge 55 of the input signal 51.

A change in a manipulated variable of the lamp, which is caused by the controller in response to the actuation of the actuating element, is shown at 52. When the actuation element begins to be actuated, the control variable of the lamp has an actual control value P_i, which is the control value at the beginning of the process. A sequence of control commands that are generated during the actuation of the actuating element successively create a support point 61, in which the manipulated variable of the lamp has a first target manipulated variable P_1 assigned to support point 61, and a further support point 62, in which the manipulated variable of the light has a the second target control value P_2 assigned to the further support point 62 is approached. A fade process takes place in a given fade time 68. The fade time 68 in which the lamp is transferred from the initial state 60 to the first support point 61 can be equal to the fade time with which successive support points are approached.

A manipulated value difference 69 between the first target manipulated value P_1 and the actual manipulated value P_i at the beginning of the process can be equal to a manipulated value difference 69 between the second target manipulated value P_2 and the first target manipulated value P_1. Similarly, a control value difference between target control values that are output in successive control commands can be identical in each case. If the manipulated variable of the lamp can only assume predetermined, discrete values, the manipulated variable differences 69 can be determined in such a way that they bridge several of these values. The control value differences 69, the respectively determined target control values for each cross-fading process can be determined by the controller as a function of the fade time 68.

As in FIG. 4th illustrated, changes to the manipulated variable by the same manipulated variable difference and in the same predetermined fade time can be made to control further support points during a continuous, continued actuation of the actuating element. The fading process, in which the manipulated variable is changed continuously or in several stages, can be carried out under the control of the control gear of the luminaire.

The command sequence issued by the controller, which controls the multiple cross-fading processes, is shown at 53. A first control command 71 is generated when or shortly after the detection of the edge 54 of the input signal 51, which indicates the beginning of the actuation of the actuating element. The first control command 71 can contain the first target control value P_1. The first control command 71 can also contain the fade time 68. In response to the first control command 71, the operating device of the luminaire changes the control variable to the first target control value P_1, a fading process with the fading time 68 being carried out.

After the fade time 68 has elapsed, a second control command 72 is generated and output. The second control command 72 can thus be generated when the control variable of the lamp has approached the first support point 61, which corresponds to the first target control value P_1 contained in the previous first control command 71. The second setting command 72 can contain the second target setting value P_2. In response to the second control command 72, the operating device of the luminaire changes the control variable to the second target control value P_2, a fading process with the fading time 68 being carried out.

After the fade time 68 has elapsed again, a third control command 73 is generated and output. The third control command 73 can thus be generated when the control variable of the lamp has approached the second support point 62, which corresponds to the second target control value P_2 contained in the previous second control command 72. The third control command 73 can contain a third target control value P_3. In response to the third control command 73, the operating device begins another fading process in order to change the control variable from the second target control value P_2 to the third target control value P_3.

In response to the end of the actuation of the actuating element, which is recognized as edge 55 in input signal 51, the stop command 74 is output. The stop command 74 does not have to contain a new target value. In response to the stop command 74, the fading process to the target set value P_3, which was last determined before the end of the actuation of the actuating element, is ended. The manipulated variable has an end value P_f, as shown at 64. The lamp is on and the manipulated variable has the manipulated variable P_f.

The fade time and the predetermined time period after which a new control command is issued as long as the actuation element continues to be actuated can be the same, as shown schematically in FIG FIG. 4th shown. The fade time and the predetermined time period after which a new control command is issued as long as the actuation of the actuating element continues, can each be longer than 1 second. The fading time and the predefined period of time after which a new control command is issued as long as the actuation of the actuating element continues, can each be 1.4 seconds, for example. Such an interpolation point spacing in the time domain leads to good results with regard to flickering or response when there is little data traffic on the bus.

The controller can optionally calculate a final manipulated variable for the manipulated variable. The end value can be determined, for example, as a function of the duration of the time interval in which the actuating element is continuously actuated. The final control value can be determined depending on the actual control value of the lamp at the beginning of the actuation and depending on the duration of the time interval in which the actuating element is continuously actuated. After the stop command 74, the controller can output a correction setting command 75 which contains the final control value or is generated in some other way as a function of the final control value. In response to the correction control command 75, the operating device can set the control variable to the final control value so that a state shown schematically at 65 is reached. The luminaire is on, and the control variable of the luminaire has the final manipulated variable calculated by the controller.

While in FIG. 4th If an increase in a manipulated variable is shown schematically in the case of a relative control, a decrease in the manipulated variable in a relative control can be implemented in a corresponding manner. Different button actuations for increasing or decreasing can be recognized by the control, whereby successive target set values which are recognized during the actuation of the button can be selectively either increased or decreased by a set value difference.

The manipulated variable that is set during the process can be, for example, the brightness or intensity of the lamp. The target control values or the final control value can in this case be brightness values.

FIG. 5 FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 80 according to another embodiment. The method can be carried out automatically by the controller 10 in order to carry out a relative control of a lamp. Steps similar to the one referring to FIG. 3 The method 40 described can be carried out are denoted by the same reference symbols.

In method 80, a check of the button actuation at 46, with which the end of the actuation can be recognized, is only repeated quasi-continuously with a short waiting time at 49. The waiting time at 49 is short compared to the predetermined period of time, which corresponds to the waiting time between the issuing of successive setting commands.

In method 80, in response to the end of the actuation of the button at 48, the stop command is issued. A correction / adjustment command is then output at 81. The correction control command can be determined depending on a computationally determined final control value of the manipulated variable. The final control value can be determined, for example, as a function of the duration of the time interval in which the actuating element is continuously actuated. The final control value can be determined depending on the actual control value of the lamp at the beginning of the actuation and depending on the duration of the time interval in which the actuating element is continuously actuated. The final manipulated variable can be determined as an absolute manipulated variable. As a reaction to the correction command that is output at 81, the control gear can set the manipulated variable to the final manipulated variable. The luminaire is on, and the control variable of the luminaire has the final manipulated variable calculated by the controller. The correction setting command which is output at 81 can cause an absolute setting.

In the case of methods, devices and systems according to exemplary embodiments, the continuous control of commands is replaced by control of support points with a fading time. Adjacent support points can have the same control value differences from one another and can each be approached with the same fade time. The manipulated variable changes can be increasing or decreasing. Such a telegram-optimized control can reduce the bus load that is necessary for the relative control.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the figures, modifications can be implemented in further exemplary embodiments. For example, the positioning command or the stop command do not have to be transmitted via a bus. The control commands and the stop command can be received and implemented directly by the luminaire.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in which the actuating element comprises a button, the actuating element can also have other configurations. For example, the actuation element that causes the relative activation can comprise a light sensor.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in which a manipulated variable can be changed linearly as a function of time, a change can also take place according to other characteristic curves. For example, a characteristic curve which shows the desired behavior of the lamp in the event of a relative activation as a function of the duration of the button actuation can be stored in the control of the lighting system. The characteristic curve can have a non-linear course. By evaluating the characteristic curve, as long as the actuation of an actuating element continues, new target control values can be determined, it being possible for the control value differences between successive new target control values to change.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in the context of a brightness control or a dimming process, the methods, devices and systems according to exemplary embodiments can also be used for other processes in which a relative setting takes place. The methods, devices and systems can in particular always be used when a control value change is to be made as a reaction to a button actuation, the end value at the end of the process and the duration of the process not yet being known at the beginning.

Methods, devices and systems according to exemplary embodiments can be used for building lighting. Methods, devices and systems according to exemplary embodiments can be used, in particular, for illuminating offices or business premises, without being restricted thereto. The relative control is not limited to lights as individual units, but generally to lighting systems in which individual light sources are operated by means of an operating device in accordance with the specifications of the relative control. This can also include more comprehensive lighting systems such as facade lighting. The methods, devices and systems according to exemplary embodiments generally relate to the control of bus users in a lighting system. This applies, for example, to the control of bus users with an actuator and with a continuous, discrete range of values.

Claims (10)

1. Method for the relative activation of a luminaire in which, at the beginning of the activation process, an absolute control value for a control variable of the luminaire which the luminaire should assume at the end of the activation process is still unknown,
   wherein an actuation of an actuating element (3), in particular of a pushbutton, is detected, and during the actuation of the actuating element (3), the following steps are carried out cyclically:

   determining a target control value (P_1, P_2) for an operating device (20) of the luminaire, wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is a target control value (P_1, P_2) for the control variable of the luminaire, wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is associated with one of a plurality of chronologically separate support points (61, 62) which are sequentially approached by the operating device (20) during the actuation,

   generating a control command (31-35; 71, 72) as a function of the target control value (P_1, P_2), wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is specified in the control command (31-35; 71, 72), and

   outputting the control command (31-35; 71, 72) to the operating device (20) of the luminaire so that the operating device (20) approaches a support point (61, 62) associated with the target control value (P_1, P_2) continuously or in a plurality of steps, with a predetermined fading time (68),

   wherein, if actuation of the actuating element (3) continues after the output of a control command (31; 71) of the cyclically output control commands (31-35; 71, 72), a predetermined duration (39; 68) elapses before a further control command (32; 72) of the cyclically output control commands (31-35; 71, 72) is output in order to approach a further support point (62) which is associated with a further target control value (P_2) of the cyclically determined target control values (P_1, P_2),

   wherein, in response to an end of the actuation of the actuating element (3), a stop command (36; 74) is generated and output in order to end the approach to the support point which is associated with a target control value lastly determined before the end of the actuation,

   wherein the method is characterized in that:

   the control command (31-35; 71, 72) is transmitted as a digital data communication via a bus (5) to which further operating devices are connected, and

   in response to the end of the actuation of the actuating element (3), a final control value is determined, and a correction control command (75) is generated as a function of the final control value and output to the operating device (20).
2. Method according to Claim 1,
   wherein the stop command (36; 74) is output before the predetermined duration (39; 68) after the output of the control command (34; 73) which was lastly generated before the end of the actuation has elapsed.
3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein, if actuation of the actuating element (3) is continued, one of the further control commands (32; 72) is generated and output after the predetermined fading time (68) has elapsed.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein an input signal (51) indicating a state of the actuating element (3) is evaluated at a rate which is greater than the inverse of the predetermined duration (39; 68).
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein control value differences (69) between target control values (P_1, P_2) which are output in successive control commands (31-35; 71, 72) of the cyclically output control commands (31-35; 71, 72) are respectively identical, and wherein the predetermined fading time (68) has a fixed value.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein, at the beginning of actuation of the actuating element (3), a first control command (31; 71) is generated which includes the predetermined fading time (68).
7. Control unit (10) for the relative activation of a luminaire, in which an absolute control value for a control variable of the luminaire, which the luminaire is to assume at the end of the activation process, is still unknown at the beginning of the activation process, wherein the control unit (10) comprises:

   a signal input (14) for receiving an input signal (51) indicating a state of an actuating element (3);

   an interface (13) for outputting commands; and

   a control logic (11) that is coupled to the signal input (14) and the interface (13) and configured to determine, as a function of the input signal (51), whether the actuating element (3) is actuated,

   wherein the control logic (11) is configured to, during actuation of the actuating element (3), cyclically

   determine a target control value (P_1, P_2) for an operating device (20) of the luminaire, wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is a target control value (P_1, P_2) for the control variable of the luminaire, wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is associated with one of a plurality of chronologically separate support points (61, 62) which are sequentially approached by the operating device (20) during the actuation,

   generate a control command (31-35; 71-73) as a function of the target control value (P_1, P_2), wherein the target control value (P_1, P_2) is specified in the control command (31-35; 71-73), and

   output the control command (31-35; 71-73) to the operating device (20) of the luminaire via the interface (13) as a digital data communication so that the operating device (20) approaches a support point (61, 62) associated with the target control value (P_1, P_2) continuously or in a plurality of steps, with a predetermined fading time (68),

   wherein, if actuation of the actuating element (3) continues after the output of a control command (31; 71) of the cyclically output control commands (31-35; 71, 72), the control logic (11) is configured to wait for a predetermined duration (39; 68) before outputting a further control command (32; 72) of the cyclically output control commands (31-35; 71, 72) to approach a further support point (62) which is associated with a further target control value (P_2) of the cyclically determined target control values (P_1, P_2),

   wherein the control logic (11) is configured to generate and output a stop command (36; 74) in response to an end of the actuation of the actuating element (3) in order to end the approach to the support point which is associated with a target control value lastly determined before the end of the actuation,

   characterized in that digital data communication takes place via a bus (5), and in that
   in response to the end of the actuation of the actuating element (3), the control logic (11) is configured to determine a final control value, and to generate a correction control command (75) as a function of the final control value and to output it to the operating device (20).
8. Control unit (10) according to Claim 7,
   wherein the control logic (11) is configured to implement the method according to any one of Claims 2-6.
9. Lighting system (1) comprising:

   an actuating element (3),

   a control unit (10) according to Claim 7 or 8, the signal input (14) of which is configured to receive an input signal (51) indicating a state of the actuating element (3), and

   the operating device (20) for the luminaire, wherein the operating device (20) comprises a control device (21) which is configured to, in response to the control command (31-35; 71-73), approach a support point (61, 62) associated with the target control value (P_1, P_2) with the predetermined fading time (68).
10. Lighting system according to Claim 9,
    wherein the control device (21) of the operating device (20) is configured to, in response to the stop command (36; 74), end an approach to a support point (63) which corresponds to a target control value (P_3) lastly determined before the end of the actuation.

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