WO2009027901A2 - Apparatus for configuration of lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for lighting systems that facilitate the configuration of fixtures. The methods and apparatus embody transmitting configuration data in portions for receipt by lighting fixtures and querying the one or more lighting fixtures for status data that indicates complete receipt of the configuration data. They further embody instructing the lighting fixtures to initiate configuration using the configuration data.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURATION OF LIGHTING FIXTURES

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is directed generally to lighting systems. More particularly, various inventive methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to configuration of networked lighting fixtures.

Background

[0002] Digital lighting technologies, i.e. illumination based on semiconductor light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), offer a viable alternative to traditional fluorescent, HID, and incandescent lamps. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, lower operating costs, and many others. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient and robust full-spectrum lighting sources that enable a variety of lighting effects in many applications. Some of the fixtures embodying these sources feature a lighting module, including one or more LEDs capable of producing different colors, e.g. red, green, and blue, as well as a processor for independently controlling the output of the LEDs in order to generate a variety of colors and color-changing lighting effects, for example, as discussed in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626, incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Some types of fixtures may also be interconnected into lighting systems that can generate complex concerted lighting effects. Lighting systems may require a properly configured lighting control system, properly configured fixtures, as well as means to properly configure the lighting control system and the fixtures so the fixtures can work together effectively. Fixtures may include control systems that may rely on analog and/or digital designs and employ a combination of hardware and software so they can be interconnected with a lighting control system. Besides operation, installation and maintenance of fixtures in a lighting system can be a complex process that may require repetitively performing long sequences of simple steps. Configuration of fixtures in lighting systems, for example, during initial installation or maintenance, can be error-prone and time-consuming. The following delineates a number of known methods and apparatus that may be used in conjunction with a number of tasks when configuring fixtures for use in lighting systems.

[0004] There are numerous systems and methods that may be employed to aid in the specification and/or assignment of one or more addresses to fixtures in a lighting system so that a fully addressable networked lighting system can be configured. For example, suitable user controllable programming devices may be interconnected with one or more fixtures to provide one or more addresses to the fixtures in a programmable lighting system. The fixtures can be adapted to store one or more assigned addresses in a suitable memory.

[0005] There are also a number of systems and methods that may be employed in fixtures that enable the interpretation of instructions received by the fixtures. For example, fixtures may include controllers or computer-controlled devices for the conversion of data and instructions received by the fixtures over a network into lighting control signals for the operation of the light sources in the fixture. The methods and systems may take into account operational characteristics of the fixtures and provide for the generation of desired lighting effects as indicated by the data and instructions received by the fixtures. The methods and systems may be embodied in configuration data, for example, operating software that may be used to configure the operational characteristics of the fixture, for example.

[0006] There are also methods and systems for downloading operating software into networked computers. For example, a one-to-many disk imaging transfer to networked computers may be performed in order to facilitate the configuration of the networked computers. These methods and systems may transfer disk images from a transmitting computer to one or more downloading computers in a manner that allows an operator to initiate the download to one computer while preparing another computer for downloading or shutting down a yet another computer after it has finished downloading the disk image. The methods and system may be configured to broadcast images of operating software and computers may be able to join an ongoing broadcast and obtain earlier transmitted data at a later time to receive a complete image. This may reduce the time spent for each computer to obtain a copy of the image as well as the time spent for the whole system to provide a copy of the image to all computers in the network. In addition, data compression and connection selection may be employed in response to changes in network performance. Image file packing and error management techniques may also be used, as well as on-the-fly file system instance manipulations during download.

[0007] Other methods and systems may be employed to securely update firmware for the operation of certain networked devices when replacing, for example, an installed firmware with a newer version. A firmware update operating system may be downloaded to the networked device and used to control, for example, to receive, possibly decode and initiate, firmware updates in the networked device. After completion of a firmware update, the firmware update operating system may be replaced, for example, with another operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the networked device. The networked device may then be reinitialized, for example, by a cold boot, so as to load the other operating system and use the new firmware. The cold boot may be server initiated so as to allow for firmware updates without requiring intervention by an operator at the network computer. Operating system data or firmware may also be distributed to multiple destinations by using multicast to allow a single transmitter to send data to any number of receivers. Multicast also provides for grouping receivers into multicast groups with one transmitter per group.

[0008] Although the above-described methods and apparatus can aid in certain aspects of the configuration of programmable devices, they may be unsuitable and/or inefficient for at least some purposes and their operation may be unnecessarily difficult, specifically when performing certain lighting fixture configuration tasks. Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus to overcome at least some of the deficiencies in the prior art.

Summary

[0009] In its various embodiments and implementations, the present invention relates to facilitating the configuration and control of lighting fixtures on a network.

[0010] Generally, in one aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for configuring one or more lighting fixtures that includes a communication interface configured to establish a communication link with each lighting fixture. The apparatus further includes a configuration control system configured to interact with each interconnected lighting fixture via the communication interface. The configuration control system is configured to transmit configuration data in one or more portions to the one or more lighting fixtures and is further configured to query at least a first one of the lighting fixtures for status data. The status data is indicative of completeness of receipt of said one or more portions of configuration data by the first one of the one or more lighting fixtures. The apparatus further includes a user interface configured to control configuration of the one or more lighting fixtures with the configuration data. The apparatus can be is configured to transmit the one or more portions in a predetermined sequence.

[0011] In some embodiments, the apparatus is further configured to transmit start instructions to the one or more lighting fixtures indicating initiation of transmission of the one or more portions of the configuration data.

[0012] In other embodiments, the apparatus is further configured to analyze the status data to determine if one or more portions of configuration data are missing, and the apparatus is further configured to retransmit one or more missing portions of configuration data.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the apparatus is configured to retransmit the one or more missing portions in a predetermined order. For example, the apparatus can be configured to retransmit one of the missing portions before identification of another one of the missing portions. The apparatus can also be configured to retransmit the one or more missing portions before querying further status data from another one of the one or more lighting fixtures.

[0014] Generally, in another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for configuring one or more lighting fixtures. The method includes transmitting configuration data in one or more portions for receipt by the one or more lighting fixtures. The method further includes querying at least a first one of the one or more lighting fixtures for status data that is indicative of completeness of receipt of said one or more portions of configuration data by the first one of the one or more lighting fixtures. The method even further includes transmitting instructions for receipt by at least the first one of the one or more lighting fixtures to initiate configuration of at least the first one of the one or more lighting fixtures using the configuration data. [0015] In some embodiments, the method further includes analyzing the status data to determine if one or more portions of configuration data are missing and retransmitting one or more missing portions of configuration data.

[0016] Generally, in another aspect, the invention is directed to a lighting system comprising one or more lighting fixtures, a configuration apparatus for providing the one or more lighting fixtures with configuration data; and a user interface configured to control the configuration of the one or more lighting fixtures with the configuration data. In embodiments, the lighting system is configured to establish a communication link between each lighting fixture and the configuration apparatus to communicate at least the configuration data in one or more portions to the one or more lighting fixtures, and the configuration apparatus is further configured to query at least one of the one or more lighting fixtures to identify missing portions of the configuration data for retransmission.

[0017] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term "LED" should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection/junction- based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be appreciated that LEDs may be configured and/or controlled to generate radiation having various bandwidths (e.g., full widths at half maximum, or FWHM) for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad bandwidth), and a variety of dominant wavelengths within a given general color categorization. [0018] For example, one implementation of an LED configured to generate essentially white light (e.g., a white LED) may include a number of dies which respectively emit different spectra of electroluminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white light. In another implementation, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts electroluminescence having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum. In one example of this implementation, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum "pumps" the phosphor material, which in turn radiates longer wavelength radiation having a somewhat broader spectrum.

[0019] It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different spectra of radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element (e.g., a diffusing lens), etc.

[0020] The term "light source" should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources (e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo- luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers.

[0021] A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Hence, the terms "light" and "radiation" are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, a light source may include as an integral component one or more filters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other optical components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, indication, display, and/or illumination. An "illumination source" is a light source that is particularly configured to generate radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this context, "sufficient intensity" refers to sufficient radiant power in the visible spectrum generated in the space or environment (the unit "lumens" often is employed to represent the total light output from a light source in all directions, in terms of radiant power or "luminous flux") to provide ambient illumination (i.e., light that may be perceived indirectly and that may be, for example, reflected off of one or more of a variety of intervening surfaces before being perceived in whole or in part).

[0022] The term "spectrum" should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation produced by one or more light sources. Accordingly, the term "spectrum" refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range, but also frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other areas of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (e.g., a FWHM having essentially few frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide bandwidth (several frequency or wavelength components having various relative strengths). It should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixing of two or more other spectra (e.g., mixing radiation respectively emitted from multiple light sources).

[0023] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "color" is used interchangeably with the term "spectrum." However, the term "color" generally is used to refer primarily to a property of radiation that is perceivable by an observer (although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term). Accordingly, the terms "different colors" implicitly refer to multiple spectra having different wavelength components and/or bandwidths. It also should be appreciated that the term "color" may be used in connection with both white and non-white light.

[0024] The term "color temperature" generally is used herein in connection with white light, although this usage is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers to a particular color content or shade (e.g., reddish, bluish) of white light. The color temperature of a given radiation sample conventionally is characterized according to the temperature in degrees Kelvin (K) of a black body radiator that radiates essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample in question. Black body radiator color temperatures generally fall within a range of from approximately 700 degrees K (typically considered the first visible to the human eye) to over 10,000 degrees K; white light generally is perceived at color temperatures above 1500-2000 degrees K.

[0025] Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant red component or a "warmer feel," while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant blue component or a "cooler feel." By way of example, fire has a color temperature of approximately 1,800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent bulb has a color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning daylight has a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees K, and overcast midday skies have a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degree K has a relatively reddish tone, whereas the same color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K has a relatively bluish tone.

[0026] The term "lighting fixture" is used herein to refer to an implementation or arrangement of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or package. The term "lighting unit" is used herein to refer to an apparatus including one or more light sources of same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s), enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of the light source(s). An "LED-based lighting unit" refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED- based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-based light sources. A "multi-channel" lighting unit refers to an LED-based or non LED-based lighting unit that includes at least two light sources configured to respectively generate different spectrums of radiation, wherein each different source spectrum may be referred to as a "channel" of the multi-channel lighting unit.

[0027] The term "controller" is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A "processor" is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0028] In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as "memory," e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present invention discussed herein. The terms "program" or "computer program" are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

[0029] The term "addressable" is used herein to refer to a device (e.g., a light source in general, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or more light sources or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) that is configured to receive information (e.g., data) intended for multiple devices, including itself, and to selectively respond to particular information intended for it. The term "addressable" often is used in connection with a networked environment (or a "network," discussed further below), in which multiple devices are coupled together via some communications medium or media.

[0030] In one network implementation, one or more devices coupled to a network may serve as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network (e.g., in a master/slave relationship). In another implementation, a networked environment may include one or more dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, multiple devices coupled to the network each may have access to data that is present on the communications medium or media; however, a given device may be "addressable" in that it is configured to selectively exchange data with (i.e., receive data from and/or transmit data to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular identifiers (e.g., "addresses") assigned to it.

[0031] The term "network" as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and/or among multiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readily appreciated, various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any of a variety of network topologies and employ any of a variety of communication protocols. Additionally, in various networks according to the present disclosure, any one connection between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In addition to carrying information intended for the two devices, such a non-dedicated connection may carry information not necessarily intended for either of the two devices (e.g., an open network connection). Furthermore, it should be readily appreciated that various networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or more wireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate information transport throughout the network.

[0032] The term "user interface" as used herein refers to an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that enables communication between the user and - l i ¬

the device(s). Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementations of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse, keyboard, keypad, various types of game controllers (e.g., joysticks), track balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response thereto.

[0033] The term "configuration data" is used herein generally to describe information relating to the operation of a light source. Configuration data can be used in various ways, including, for example, to program a system comprising one or more controllers, processors or other hardware that is configured to control the operation of a light source, so that the light source can perform in accordance with desired operating conditions provided by corresponding control signals. Configuration data may include instructions and data that may be used to determine operating conditions of a light source and parameters for determining operating conditions that are necessary to operate one or more light sources at desired conditions, for example. Configuration data may include data for the configuration of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or software such as firmware or microcode, for example. Configuration data can further be used to define a program or computer program. Configuration data may be stored in memory or be a representation of the configuration of a device such as an ASIC or FPGA, for example.

[0034] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a third use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an architecture of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a number of views of an example apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate example states of step by step packet broadcast in four nodes of a lighting system in accordance with a configuration procedure of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0042] As some types of fixtures may be interconnected into lighting systems that can generate complex concerted lighting effects, lighting systems sometimes require a properly configured lighting control system, properly configured fixtures, as well as means to properly configure the lighting control system and the fixtures so the fixtures can work together effectively. Fixtures may include control systems that may rely on analog and/or digital techniques and employ a combination of hardware and software so they can be interconnected with a lighting control system. Besides operation, installation and maintenance of fixtures in a lighting system can be a complex process that may require repetitively performing sequences of steps for each fixture. Configuration of fixtures in lighting systems, for example, during initial installation or maintenance, can be error prone and time consuming.

[0043] The present invention arises from the realization that certain aspects of the configuration of fixtures can be automated and the configuration process can be simplified and made more effective.

[0044] More generally, Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide an apparatus and method for the configuration of fixtures that can be used to automate and/or simplify the configuration process of fixtures.

[0045] In view of the foregoing, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention are directed to various aspects of configuration of lighting fixtures, particularly thouse connected to a lighting network.

[0046] FIGs. 1, 2 and 3 schematically illustrate uses of configuration apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. Generally, different embodiments of configuration apparatus may be interconnected with lighting fixtures in one or more different ways. Some apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention may be interconnected as illustrated, for example.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a user 110 can interact with a configuration apparatus 130 through a computer 120 in order to control configuration of the fixtures 141, 143, 145, 147 and 149 which are interconnected through a fixture communication system into lighting network 140.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a user can interact with apparatus 330 directly in order to control configuration of the fixtures 141, 143, 145, 147 and 149 which are interconnected through a fixture communication system into lighting network 140.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, a user can interact with apparatus 330 in order to control configuration of one of fixtures 141, 143, 145, 147 or 149 at a time, for example with fixture 145. As indicated by dashed symbols, the apparatus can be connected to fixtures 141, 143, 147 or 149. The apparatus, however, can be connected to only one fixture at a time and configuration of a fixture requires connecting the apparatus to that fixture. The fixtures 141, 143, 145, 147 and 149 may be, but do not need to be interconnected by a fixture communication system. Apparatus 330 can optionally be used in combination with a computer.

Fixture and fixture control system

[0050] In many embodiments, a fixture includes a fixture control system employing a controller that is used to control the fixture and to achieve or maintain desired fixture operating conditions. For example, the fixture control system can control fixture operating conditions such as brightness and/or chromaticity of the light emitted by the fixture in accordance with respective desired operating conditions.

[0051] A fixture control system may utilize information obtained from internal sensors for monitoring certain fixture operating conditions such as operating temperature, voltage or the light emitted by the light sources of the fixture, in order to determine suitable electrical drive currents and/or voltages for driving the light sources of the fixture. The fixture control system may employ feed forward and/or feedback control mechanisms in order to emit light of desired characteristics under operating conditions of the fixture.

[0052] The fixture control system may include a combination of hardware and software and it may rely on analog and/or digital control designs. Fixture control systems for different fixtures with different functionality can be different and of different complexity and may be configurable with configuration data to different extents. Once manufactured, the installation, maintenance or operation of a fixture or the fixtures in lighting systems can be a lengthy and potentially error-prone process, depending on the complexity of the fixture control system and the number of fixtures that need to be configured.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fixture control system includes two functional blocks: an internal control block and an external control block. The internal control block can comprise software and/or firmware for controlling the hardware for the generation of control signals and for monitoring sensor signals regarding the emitted light, device voltages, device currents or device operating temperatures at a low level to achieve or maintain desired fixture operating conditions, and/or the like.

[0054] The external control block may operate based on configuration data comprising software or firmware to achieve or maintain desired fixture operating conditions by issuing higher level commands to the internal control block in response to user input or commands received via the communication interface, for example. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus can be configured via the communication interface to configure, for example, flash or reflash the external control block or the internal control block, or both with respective configuration data as required.

[0055] The configuration of fixtures may involve providing operating parameters and/or operating instructions and/or operating programs, for example, that can be used to determine the operational characteristics of the fixture. The operating parameters may include information for determining inputs to the fixture that may affect the light output of the fixture such as drive currents or the boundaries of operating temperature, or ranges of drive currents for the light sources of the fixture, as well as presets of predefined brightness or chromaticity settings, or address data for the identification of the fixture in lighting networks, for example.

[0056] Configuration data such as operating programs or operating systems, for a fixture control system may include software or firmware for the operation of the fixture control system as well as for other components of the fixture. Configuration data may also include operating parameters or software implemented methods for the determination of operating parameters, for example. Configuration data may also include certain software implemented methods that are required to control the operation of a fixture control system during configuration or reconfiguration while the fixture control system receives new configuration data, for example. Configuration data may also include software implemented methods that include encoded predefined lighting sequences, for example. Predefined lighting sequences stored within a fixture can be invoked for the generation of desired lighting effects and are useful when repeated often or to save bandwidth on a fixture communication system.

Configuration apparatus

[0057] A configuration apparatus according an embodiment of the present invention can be used for the configuration of the fixture control system of each of one or more fixtures in a lighting system. The apparatus can be effectively used when configuring a number of fixtures of the same type or kind, for example, when each fixture control system requires the same configuration data and/or firmware and/or software.

[0058] An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be connected to and used to configure one fixture at a time. Another embodiment of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be connected to a plurality of fixtures and be used to configure a lighting system comprising a plurality of fixtures.

[0059] In many embodiments, the configuration apparatus employs a communication interface for operatively interconnecting the apparatus to a fixture. The apparatus may include a configuration control system for interacting with one or more fixtures, and a user interface for controlling the configuration control system. The apparatus can be connected to one or more fixtures and can be used to configure each fixture via interaction of the configuration control system with the fixture.

[0060] In one embodiment, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used in combination with an additional control device such as a general- purpose computer. Communication interface

[0061] The communication interface of an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention provides the physical and logical elements to connect the apparatus to a fixture or to a fixture communication system. The communication interface can provide a serial, for example a RS-232, RS-485, or a parallel connection. The communication interface can provide a simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex connection. The communication interface can be wired or wireless and can utilize a number of different communication systems known in the art. For example, the communication interface can employ analog or digital protocols such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) DMX512 or DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) or similar protocols. The communication interface can also use other networking technologies well known in the art including various forms of Ethernet, token ring and other telecommunication networks.

[0062] The apparatus may have more than one communication interface to provide compatibility and be operatively connected to different telecommunication networks. During configuration, apparatus with two or more communication interfaces may use at least one communication interface at a time.

Configuration control system

[0063] In one embodiment, the configuration control system includes a controller for controlling the communication with the one or more fixtures during configuration of the one or more fixtures. The controller may include or be operatively connected to a computer, for example, a general-purpose computer. In one embodiment, the apparatus can be used as a simple configuration and reflash converter designed to be used in combination with an external computer. The configuration and reflash converter (CRC) converts signals provided by the computer via a computer interface into signals that are suitable for transmission via the communication interface.

[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an architecture of a CRC according to an embodiment of the present invention. The CRC 500 comprises a computer interface 530 for connection to an external computer, a configuration control system 510 with a controller for controlling the operation of the CRC and a communication interface 520. The communication interface 520 may comprise up to N sub-communication interfaces 521, 523 to 525, for example, one per connection to one type of fixture communication system. The configuration control system 530 and the one or more sub-communication interfaces 521, 523 to 525 are designed to convert and transmit data and commands in adequate formats between the computer and the respective fixture communication system.

[0065] In embodiments, the CRC comprises a resident user interface 545. The resident user interface 545 may be used for purposes of configuration of one or more lighting fixtures with configuration data. The configuration of the one or more lighting fixtures may also be performed by extending the resident user interface 545 with a user interface extension (not illustrated) that may be provided by an external computer connected to the computer interface 530. In embodiments, a user interface 540 may comprise the resident user interface and the user interface extension.

[0066] Configuration of fixtures with configuration data, for example, by flashing the firmware of each fixture in a network may be achieved. For example, in order to replace the existing firmware and/or software of one or more fixtures with new firmware and/or software, the new firmware and/or software can be downloaded to the one or more fixtures. Reasons for configuration of fixtures may include replacing existing firmware and/or software that may suffer from known faulty functionality or provide inferior performance or functionality in comparison to other, for example, newer firmware and/or software. Configuration procedures may be performed in different ways, depending on how the fixtures are interconnected, the characteristics of the fixture communication system and the functionality of the specific embodiment of the apparatus used for the configuration as indicated by the illustrations in FIGs. 1, 2, 3, for example.

[0067] For example, a network configuration procedure or network reflashing or upgrade of the firmware of each fixture of a lighting system may be accomplished by disconnecting an existing lighting system controller that may normally be used to control the operation of the fixtures in the lighting system, and connecting an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in place of the lighting system controller. In one embodiment, a CRC may be connected in place of the lighting system controller. The CRC may need to be suitably configured, for example, to support DMX512, DALI or other communication system using a number of interface elements including buttons or switches, for example, and may be connected to a computer.

[0068] In one embodiment, a computer may instruct the CRC to submit commands to the fixtures in the lighting network in accordance with the specification of the fixture communication system. Proprietary commands beyond standardized communication protocols that may be used to operate the fixture communication system such as DMX512 or DALI, for example, may be used for the configuration of the fixtures. Once the configuration of the fixtures is completed, the CRC may be disconnected from the fixture communication system and the lighting system controller can be reconnected in order to resume normal operation of the lighting system.

[0069] In another embodiment, a different procedure may be employed for the configuration of fixtures with modular fixture control systems. Modular fixture control systems can comprise a configurable multi-interface board (MIB) which may be removed from the fixture and connected to a CRC, for example. Similar to the described network reflashing procedure, the MIBs of a number of fixtures may be configured, for example one by one, by separately attaching each MIB to the CRC and configuring each MIB while it is attached to the CRC. After configuration of the MIB it can be replaced in the fixture.

[0070] In another embodiment, for fixtures with monolithic fixture control systems, a CRC can be connected to the fixture via an adequate interface and the configuration of the fixture control system can take place, one at a time, by repeatedly following a sequence of connection, configuration and disconnection steps.

[0071] In another embodiment, a CRC can be configured or adapted to allow for a plurality of MIBs to be connected and configured simultaneously for faster configuration of multiple MIBs. User interface

[0072] The user interface of an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention includes a number of user interface elements, such as switches, buttons, keyboards, indicators, displays and the like. FIG. 5 illustrates back, front, top, a detailed view, and side views of an example apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary apparatus 400 provides at least a part of a user interface of the apparatus. As illustrated, the apparatus 400 comprises a proprietary 405, a DMX 410, a DALI 420, a computer interface 430, a power supply input 440, a power switch 450, a switch for DALI/DMX selection 460, a switch for initiating configuration/programming 470, a switch 480 for selecting between reconfiguration/reflash modes and an interface 490 for connecting a MIB (multi-interface board). According to an embodiment of the present invention the MIB interface includes a proprietary hardware connection which provides power and data signals to the MIB as required for configuration or programming.

Fixture communication system

[0073] In one embodiment, a fixture communication system can be used to connect to a single fixture or can be used to interconnect a plurality of fixtures. In accordance with different embodiments of the present invention, a fixture communication system can include, for example, DMX512, DALI, and/or other communication protocol, which have been designed for the control of fixtures in lighting systems as well as other lighting systems networks or other telecommunication or information exchange networks.

[0074] To make fixtures and possibly other devices from different manufacturers work together when they are interconnected using a fixture communication system, for example, DMX512 and DALI define standardized communication protocols with specifications that are readily available. DMX512 and DALI may provide sufficient functionality for transmitting commands or for the exchange of information suitable for the operation of fixtures in a lighting system. In some embodiments of the present invention, however, these protocols may not be fully suitable for the described configuration of fixture control systems. As such, extensions of these protocols or other protocols may be required in some embodiments for the transmission of some or all of the configuration data to the one or more lighting fixtures.

Configuration

[0075] The configuration procedure employs a number of steps that may be performed by different components including components of the lighting system at different times. According to one embodiment of the present invention a master configuration application (MCA) may be invoked, for example in a computer. The computer can be a personal computer, desktop, notebook, mobile or handheld device. A number of different operating systems may be used to operate the computer. A wide range of existing and new operating systems may be used as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. The computer may also be integrated into a CRC, for example.

[0076] Upon invocation, the MCA may submit commands to survey the fixture communication system for network nodes which may include fixtures or fixture control systems. It may gather information about the nodes including type and model of the node and configuration data of the node such as installed firmware and version, for example. The MCA may provide this information to a user via a user interface including different configuration data files such as firmware images that are available on the computer.

[0077] The MCA may be designed to configure different nodes with different configuration data. For example, the MCA may be capable to flash different nodes with different firmware images. The MCA may provide functionality for the user to select which configuration data to use for the configuration of a node. The MCA can be instructed to initiate the configuration of the nodes with at least portions of the configuration data. For example, the actual flashing of the firmware of each selected fixture control system and indicate progress of or faults during the configuration to the user via a user interface element. The MCA can implement a master control procedure for the configuration process.

[0078] Furthermore a slave configuration application (SCA) can be invoked in each node in order to properly handle receipt of configuration data and received commands, and to execute the configuration of the node with the new configuration data. [0079] In embodiments, the SCA may provide the basic functionality for a node to at least initiate and configure the node, even if a previous configuration failed, for example, due to power loss during an earlier configuration attempt. A SCA may be implemented in each node and may be configured in different formats for different fixture communication systems. The SCA may be part of the fixture control system. The SCA may reside in a programmable permanent or volatile memory component of a fixture or fixture control system, for example in PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory or the like. The SCA may optionally be copied from a permanent to a volatile memory component such as dynamic or static RAM for invocation, if required.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixture control system may include sufficient temporary memory, for example, dynamic or static RAM, to store all configuration data. According to another embodiment of the present invention the fixture can comprise memory sufficient to hold only a portion of the configuration data. If the memory can hold only a portion of the configuration data, the system may be configured to support receipt of the configuration data in portions of adequate size and configuration of the nodes in a portion-by-portion manner.

[0081] In one embodiment, a MIB can comprise a configuration bridge software or firmware that provides a functional bridge between the MCA and an SCA for forwarding and transmitting data in both directions.

[0082] The fixture communication system provides sufficiently high data rates and comprises an adequate configuration protocol with a number of commands to reliably configure one or more fixture control systems. The configuration protocol comprises commands for surveying a lighting system, for identifying types of fixtures or other nodes, for requesting the status of whether configuration data or portions of the configuration data were received completely and without error. The configuration protocol also comprises commands for broadcasting configuration data or portions of configuration data for instructing SCAs in one or more nodes to initiate configuration, for example, flashing of firmware with the new configuration data or a portion of the new configuration data. The configuration protocol further comprises commands for requesting a node to indicate missing portions for retransmission.

[0083] The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples. It will be understood that the following examples are intended to describe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0084] In one embodiment, the configuration procedure for fixture control systems which can hold only a portion of configuration data at a time comprises the following steps. First using the MCA the lighting system is surveyed and the nodes for configuration are selected. The MCA splits the configuration data into portions than can fit in packets of predetermined size, for example 4 Kbyte. The MCA may alternatively negotiate a packet size with the nodes of the lighting system. The MCA breaks up the configuration data so it fits with, for example, transmission control and error correction codes into the previously determined number of packets of also previously determined packet size. For example, each packet may be 256 byte for DMX512 or 16 byte for DALI.

[0085] In one embodiment, the MCA may determine error correction codes for each packet and initiates a broadcast of the package. It repeats the packet transmission steps in a broadcast fashion until the full configuration data has been broadcast. The SCAs gather the packets in accordance with the above steps. After all packets have been broadcast, the MCA queries the first node to identify missing packets that have been unsuccessfully received by an SCA that require retransmission. The MCA subsequently broadcasts the missing packets again. In embodiments, the SCAs are configured to receive and process, if necessary, or to ignore, if previously successfully received, retransmitted packets. The first node is queried again and respective packets are retransmitted if required. This process is repeated until no retransmission is required for the first node. The query of further nodes is continued and the retransmission steps are repeated in as for the first node until all nodes have successfully received all packets without error. The MCA subsequently broadcasts a command that instructs the SCAs to initiate configuration with the configuration data, for example, the flashing of transmitted firmware. The above procedure is repeated until all portions of the configuration data have been successfully transmitted and configured by the SCAs. [0086] It is noted that the broadcasting with the subsequent determination of failed transmissions, for example, on a per-node or SCA basis, is key to the performance of the configuration procedure. A number of reasons exist why a node may fail to receive a transmission packet including noisy signal transmission on the fixture communication system while the transmission is in progress as well as during transmission of the broadcast initialization data. Broadcasting of retransmissions overall improves performance.

[0087] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B schematically illustrates steps during configuration of an example lighting system comprising four nodes with configuration data according to an embodiment of the present invention. The nodes may comprise fixtures or other lighting network control systems as described above, for example. The configuration process is illustrated in six states 601, 602, 603, 604, 605 and 606 of step by step packet broadcast in the four nodes 610, 620, 630 and 640. The transmission of configuration data to the nodes may be split into a number of portions. For example, the configuration data comprises five packets. It is noted that the number of packets used in this example is for illustrative purposes only and may be different for other embodiments. It is further noted that the configuration does not need to involve all nodes but may be limited to select nodes of the lighting network.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the configuration of the four nodes 610, 620, 630 and 640 begins at an initial state 601. In this example, during configuration of the nodes, each node will receive the configuration data in five portions comprising Packet 1 to Packet 5. In the initial state, the four nodes 610, 620, 630 and 640 have been preconfigured so each node is ready to receive Packet 1 to Packet 5 as further described. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished, for example, by transmitting start instructions indicating initiation of transmission to the nodes. The configuration comprises the following steps.

[0089] In this example, the configuration begins with the MCA broadcasting the five packets to all nodes. It is noted that in other examples, an MCA may multicast packets to select predetermined nodes of the lighting network using a suitable addressing protocol. In the present example, the MCA first broadcasts the first packet for receipt by the nodes of the lighting network so that all nodes have a chance to receive Packet 1. Should, for example, the packet get lost or only a corrupt copy be received by one of the nodes, no immediate action is taken until later as described below. Upon completion of transmission of Packet 1, the MCA goes on to broadcast Packet 2 in the same fashion as it broadcasted Packet 1. The MCA repeats the broadcasting steps for all further packets until all packets have been broadcast.

[0090] Correctly received packets, are stored by the nodes in respective memory and each node records status data indicating information as to whether the data included in a received packet is valid and correct and, for example, was not corrupted or lost during transmission. The status data can be used later during the configuration process as described below. As indicated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, correctly received packets are illustrated by hatched rectangles.

[0091] A received packet may be further analyzed by the SCA in a node in order to determine whether the data in a received packet is valid and correct. In one embodiment, each packet may include verification data, for example, a transmitted checksum that is transmitted along with the packet so that the transmitted checksum may be compared with a computed checksum that can be computed using data included in the packet in appropriately configured nodes that may be configured in accordance with a predetermined method for determining a checksum.

[0092] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate an exemplary state of the lighting system after initial broadcast of Packets 1 to 5. Packets that have been successfully received by each node are indicated by hatched rectangles. Packets that have not been successfully received are indicated by plain rectangles and need to be retransmitted in order to complete receipt of the configuration data in the nodes.

[0093] Once Packets 1 to 5 have been transmitted, the MCA queries Node 1 to report status data regarding the successful receipt of packets that the node has determined based upon previously broadcast/received packets. The status data may provide an indication of missing packets that need to be retransmitted or simply indicate that at least one packet was not successfully received. Depending on the information provided by the status data, the MCA may need to issue another query to determine which exact packets need to be retransmitted. In one embodiment, upon determination of the missing packets by the MCA, the MCA retransmits the missing packets by broadcasting them again to the nodes. [0094] In one embodiment, each node is configured to remain in a listing mode and receive and collect any retransmitted packets that it has not previously successfully received, even if has not been queried to report status data or a detailed identification of missing packets. If an SCA reports no missing packets in a node, the MCA proceeds to query the next node, if any.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, in state 602 the SCA of Node 1 indicates to the MCA that Packet 4 and Packet 5 are missing upon which the MCA retransmits the missing packets by broadcasting Packet 4 and Packet 5. In another example embodiment, the MCA may broadcast Packet 4 and query Node 1 before the MCA broadcasts Packet 5. As further illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B in state 602, also Node 2 was previously missing Packet 4 and was able to successfully receive it when the MCA was retransmitting Packet 4 during the second broadcast. Although Node 2 was not queried, the configuration benefited from Node 2 listening and receiving the transmitted data. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrates the outcome of this in state 603, which further indicates that Node 1, despite the retransmission, still not successfully received Packet 4.

[0096] As indicated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B in state 603, the MCA queries Node 1 again and retransmits Packet 4 upon which Node 1 successfully receives Packet 4. Upon further query of Node 1 by the MCA, no further missing packets are indicated by it as illustrated in state 605 in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B and the MCA moves on to query the next node and repeat retransmitting and querying nodes as described. The MCA may query nodes in any predetermined order, for example in ascending order, as illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B and explained in this example. It is again noted, that as mentioned earlier, configuration of the lighting network does not need to include all nodes but merely selected nodes within the lighting network and that selected nodes may be configured via multicast of configuration to the selected nodes by adequately addressing packets of configuration data for receipt only by the selected nodes.

[0097] Upon complete receipt of the configuration data by all nodes, the MCA broadcasts an adequate command to the nodes to initiate configuration using the downloaded configuration data. In one embodiment, the MCA may further query the nodes to return performance status data indicating whether configuration with the configuration data was successful. [0098] It is further noted that the SCA code which is stored in nodes can be part of the configuration data and may be replaced in the same way as described above in the configuration procedure. The SCA code in a node, however, may be stored redundantly in order to preserve functionality of the SCA even if power is lost during configuration of the SCA which can leave the rest of the firmware for the node broken. In one embodiment of the present invention, two copies of the SCA may be stored in each node and only one copy may be updated during configuration of the SCA code for the node so that a node can store a new and a previous version of an SCA, for example. The node can comprise an SCA selection element that indicates which version to use in the node. The setting of the SCA selection element may also be altered via an optional user interface element of the user interface of the node.

[0099] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. [00100] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[00101] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."

[00102] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[00103] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. [00104] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[00105] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[00106] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. An apparatus (130) for configuring one or more interconnected lighting fixtures, the apparatus comprising:

a. a communication interface (520) configured to establish a communication link with at least one lighting fixture;

b. a configuration control system (510) configured to interact with the at least one lighting fixture via the communication interface, the configuration control system configured to: i. transmit configuration data in one or more portions to the at least one lighting fixture, and ii. query the at least one lighting fixture for status data, said status data indicative of completeness of receipt of said one or more portions of configuration data; and c. a user interface (540) configured to control configuration of the at least one lighting fixture with the configuration data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to transmit the one or more portions in a predetermined sequence.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to transmit start instructions to the at least one lighting fixture indicating initiation of transmission of the one or more portions of the configuration data.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to analyze the status data to determine if one or more portions of configuration data are missing, the configuration control system further configured to retransmit one or more missing portions of configuration data.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one or more missing portions are retransmitted in a predetermined order.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to retransmit a first one of the missing portions before identification of a second one of the missing portions.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to retransmit the one or more missing portions before querying further status data from a second one of the one or more lighting fixtures.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to transmit instructions for receipt by the at least one lighting fixture to initiate configuration of the at least one lighting fixture using the configuration data.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the configuration control system is further configured to query the at least one lighting fixture for performance status data indicative of success of configuration with the configuration data.

10. A method for configuring one or more interconnected lighting fixtures, the method comprising:

a. transmitting configuration data in one or more portions for receipt by at least one lighting fixture;

b. querying the one or more lighting fixtures for status data, said status data indicative of completeness of receipt of said one or more portions of configuration data; and

c. transmitting instructions for receipt by the at least one lighting fixture to initiate configuration thereof using the configuration data.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein step (b) further comprises analyzing the status data to determine if one or more portions of configuration data are missing and retransmitting one or more missing portions of configuration data.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein in step (a) each of the one or more portions is transmitted for receipt by the at least one lighting fixture.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein in step (a) the one or more portions are transmitted in a predetermined order.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein step (b) comprises querying the one or more lighting fixtures in a predetermined order.

15. The method according to claim 10 further comprising querying each one of the one or more lighting fixtures for performance status data indicative of success of configuration with the configuration data.

16. A lighting system comprising a. one or more lighting fixtures; b. a configuration apparatus for providing the one or more lighting fixtures with configuration data; and c. a user interface configured to control the configuration of the one or more lighting fixtures with the configuration data; wherein the lighting system is configured to establish a communication link between each lighting fixture and the configuration apparatus to communicate at least the configuration data in one or more portions to the one or more lighting fixtures, and the configuration apparatus is further configured to query at least one of the one or more lighting fixtures to identify missing portions of the configuration data for retransmission.