WO2016020472A1

WO2016020472A1 - Controllable device

Info

Publication number: WO2016020472A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrianus Johannes Stephanus Maria De Vaan; Marco Haverlag; Leendert Teunis Rozendaal
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2014-08-06
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2016-02-11

Abstract

There is provided a control device, such as a mobile device 3 or a wall panel 2, comprising one or more transmitters configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device, such as light sources la, lb, ic, through at least a first communication path between the control device and the controllable device, such as the mobile device 3 (or wall panel 2) to the internet service provider 50, to the public internet 40, to the Internet gateway 31, to the company IT infrastructure 30, to the local network 20, to the router 12, to the gateway/bridge 10, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the controllable device, such as mobile device 3 (or wall panel 2) to the router 12, to the gateway bridge 10. The first communication path comprising a first network and the second communication path comprising a second network. A determination logic 13 determines whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path. The control device switches from transmitting control signals through the first communication path to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path. The error detection logic 13 may receive information regarding the status of elements in the first communication path and connections therebetween from a variety of different sources.

Description

Controllable Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure relates to a control device and error detection logic and methods suitable for operating the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a network controlled lighting system, controllable devices such as lights can be controlled via a user device, such as a mobile device, a desktop PC and/or a wall panel.

Figure la illustrates an example of a network controlled lighting system 90 controlled by a mobile device 3 or a wall panel 2. The mobile device 3 and/or wall panel 2 controls the lighting system 19 by transmitting a communication along a communication path through the public internet network to a gateway 10 that is connected to a local network 20.

The mobile device 3 may communicate via the internet communication path using an internet interface 4a configured to communicate with a corresponding interface 51 of an internet service provider 50 using an appropriate communication protocol. The internet service provider 50 forwards information received from the mobile device 3 to the public internet 40. Other service providers or proprietary servers 60 may also interface with the public internet 40. The public internet may forward the information received to a local network 20 via an internet gateway 31 and a company IT infrastructure 30. The information is then routed by router 12 to gateway/bridge 10, which controls light sources la, lb, lc.

The connection towards the public internet 40 and mobile devices 3 on the one side and the connection to the lighting system 19 on the other is typically established by a "bridge" or "gateway" device 10 which makes the connection from the wide-area network 4a, 50, 40, 31,20,11,12 towards a personal area network (e.g. Zigbee) that the light sources la, lb, lc use to communicate. The gateway 10 translates the commands into the "last-mile" communication protocol, which is the communication protocol used to communicate with individual light sources la, lb, lc. In many cases, the last-mile protocol is a wireless protocol 15, such as the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Examples of communication protocols that use the IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer protocol are ZigBee, Z-wave and JenNet-IP protocols. A practical implementation of this system is the Philips Hue system, which uses ZigBee Light Link (ZLL) as the last- mile protocol towards the individual light sources.

In such a system, it is possible to reach each light source la, lb, lc individually from virtually any place inside or outside the location where the lighting system 19 is present, offering interesting use cases in which the light sources la, lb, lc can be controlled even when the user of the user device 3 is not present in the immediate

vicinity/locality 8 of the light sources la, lb, lc. This system is therefore subject to security issues when a malicious user attempts to control the lighting or arbitration issues when multiple users send conflicting commands to the lighting system 15, particularly when one of those users is unaffected by the current state of the light source la, lb, lc.

For home applications, this is not usually a problem and may be useful in particular circumstances. However, in a setting in which a potentially large number of users can access the local network, such as open plan offices, cell offices, meeting rooms, hotel rooms and public areas 19, this opens up the possibility that user devices 99 of users who are not in the immediate locality 8 of the system may still be able to influence the settings of the light sources la, lb, lc. This could disturb those people who are the de facto users 5,6 in the vicinity 8 of the lighting system

Further, errors in the communication path may develop relating to connectivity between the user device and the light source la, lb, lc. An error is considered to be anything that blocks and/or impedes the passage of a communication passing through that

communication path. For example, errors may occur due to a variety of network issues, such as network instabilities, network overload, network availability, network down periods, network conflicts, network maintenance, network delays, network latency, timing errors, firewall conflicts, damages or broken parts, installation errors, design errors, hardware errors, software bugs, or even errors caused unintentionally by users, such as when a user impatiently sends a series of commands which get buffered due to network latency, misunderstandings and more. An error could manifest as a delay in effecting a user command that is noticeable to the user. An error could manifest as the non-execution of a user command.

Usually, network problems in a working environment are solved by a help desk. In this case, the user may request assistance or file an electronic ticket. To reduce the cost of such a helpdesk, the customer is often placed in a queue until a helpdesk worker becomes available. However, the inventors have realised that, in the case of a lighting system, an instant solution is preferred. Even in the presence of network issues (such as those mentioned above) the users 5,6 in the room 8 still need to be able to control the lighting system 19 in the room without any (or with a minimum amount of) effort.

Accordingly, apparatus and methods for addressing at least one of the above mentioned issues are described in the following.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Certain more specific embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a control device, such as a user handset or a wall panel controller. The control device is arranged to transmit control signals that are suitable for controlling another device, such as a light source, blinds, air conditioning units, etc. The control signals may be passed along at least one

communication path between the control device and the device to be controlled. The control device comprises determination logic for determining whether or not there exists an error in the currently communication path. If it is determined that there is an error in the currently used communication path, the control device switches from transmitting control signals through that communication path to transmitting control signals through a communication path of a different network.

According to the first aspect, there is disclosed herein a control device, comprising: one or more transmitters configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of at least one controllable device through at least a first communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of the at least one controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and a determination logic configured to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path; the control device being configured to transmit control signals through the first

communication path and not the second communication path when no error exists in the first communication path, and to switch to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path.

The first network may utilise different access technologies to the second network. For example, the first network may use WiFi as an access technology whilst the second network uses Bluetooth as an access technology. One of the networks may be a local area network whilst the other of said networks is a wide area network. For example, the first network may include the internet whilst the second network only includes network elements in the locality of the light source being controlled. One of said networks may utilise a first gateway whilst the other of said networks utilises a second gateway. For example, the first and second networks may be accessed via different access points, e.g. the first network may comprise a first Zigbee hub whilst the second network comprises a second Zigbee hub that is different to the first Zigbee hub.

In embodiments, the second communication path has the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path. So counter-intuitively, the control signals may be transmitted along a less direct communication path until an error is detected, in response to which they are switched to a more direct communication path. In general, when less direct communication paths are used by default, this is for some good reason, such as a security related issue (e.g. to restrict access to the device being controlled) or to arbitrate between potentially conflicting control requests from different users. Offering more direct access would defeat this object. Another reason why the system may be set up by default to route communications through a longer route is to continue communications in the same way, e.g. keep the same connection, as a controlling device (for example, a mobile device) moves from one room to another. This allows for a consistent user experience regardless of the actual location of the control device. However, the inventors have realised that when there is an error in such systems as lighting systems, the desire to still be able to provide user control may override other concerns such as security or arbitration. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the communication path to which the control device switches has fewer nodes than the current communication path.

In an embodiment, the first communication path provides a first level of control of the at least one controllable device and the second communication path provides a second level of control of the at least one controllable device, and wherein the first level of control is different from the second level of control.

According to a second aspect disclosed herein, there is provided error detection logic. The error detection logic may be located (at least in part) in network equipment such as, for example, a server, a communication manager or a wall panel controller. The error detection logic comprises an input configured to receive information relating to at least part of a first communication path between a control device and a controllable device. The information may be, for example, information indicating that one of the nodes in the first communication path has failed and/or become overloaded. The information may be, for example, information indicating that a connection between two nodes in the first communication path has failed. In response to the received information, determination logic in the error detection logic may determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path. If it is so determined, generation logic in the error detection logic generates an error signal that indicates that the first communication path should be switched with a second communication path of a different network to the first communication path. The error detection logic then outputs the generated error signal (for example, to the control device).

As in the above case, the second communication may have the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path. Also as mentioned previously, in a preferred embodiment, the second communication path has fewer nodes than the first communication path.

According to a further aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium configured such as when run to perform the steps of: determine whether or not there exists an error in a first communication path; and transmit control signals through the first communication path and not a second communication path when no error exists in the first communication path, and to switch to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination that there exists an error in the first communication path.

According to one aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a control device comprising: one or more transmitters configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a first communication path between the control device and the controllable device, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the controllable device, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and a determination logic configured to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path; the control device being configured to switch from transmitting control signals through the first communication path to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path.

In embodiments, the first network utilises different access technologies to the second network, and/or one of said networks is a local area network whilst the other of said networks is a wide area network, and/or one of said networks utilises a first gateway whilst the other of said networks utilises a second gateway.

In embodiments, the second communication path has the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path.

In embodiments, the control device is configured to only transmit said control signals using the second communication path when the determination logic determines that there exists an error in the first communication path.

In embodiments, the control device further comprises a receiver for receiving information from error detection logic external to the control device that indicates that there is an error in the first communication path; wherein the determination logic makes said determination based on the received information.

In embodiments, the received information indicates at least one of the location and/or the severity of the error in the first communication path, and wherein the control device is configured to select the second communication path in dependence on the received information.

In embodiments, the control device is a handportable device and further comprises: a display configured to display information indicating that a switch will be made from the first communication path to another communication path along with at least one other communication path; and a user input unit for receiving an input from a user in response to said display selecting a communication path from the at least one other communication path; wherein the second communication path is the selected other communication path. In embodiments, the control device is a wall panel controller, the wall panel controller being configured to operate in a plurality of modes, including at least one of:

providing full control of the controllable device at any time to any user; providing limited control of the lighting system at any time to any user; providing control of the controllable device to only authorised users; and/or providing control of the controllable device at only during pre-selected times.

In embodiments, the control device is configured to only transmit said control signals when at least one of the following is fulfilled: error detection logic external to the control device has instructed the control device to control the controllable device; a network operator has manually instructed the control device to control the controllable device; and/or a user has instructed the control device to control the controllable device via a handportable device in the locality of the controllable device.

According to a further aspect disclosed herein, there is provided error detection logic comprising: an input configured to receive information relating to at least part of a first communication path between a control device and a controllable device through which the control device controls the controllable device; a determination logic configured to, in response to the received information, determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path; a generation logic configured to generate an error signal indicative that the first communication path comprises an error and should be switched with a second communication path when it is determined that there is an error in the first communication path, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and an output configured to output the generated error signal.

In embodiments, the error signal includes information relating to at least one of the severity and/or the location of an error in the first communication path. In embodiments, the first communication path comprises a communication manager for authorising control signals to be passed from the control device to the controllable device and/or for arbitrating between control signals attempting to control the controllable device from multiple control devices, and wherein the second communication path bypasses the communications manager.

According to a further aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a system comprising: a control device according to any embodiment disclosed herein; and error detection logic according to any embodiment disclosed herein, wherein the control device is configured to receive said generated error signal and to use said generated error signal to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path.

These and other aspects are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may be put into effect, reference is made by way of example to the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. la illustrates background art;

Fig. lb illustrates a system according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 illustrates a control device according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 3 illustrates error detection logic according to an embodiment.

Items having the same reference numbers in different Figures have the same functional features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following relates to controllable devices, such as controllable devices in a lighting system. Examples of controllable devices include light sources la, lb, lc, blinds/shades, air conditioning units and a display device. For illustrative purposes, throughout the following only light sources will be referred to. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, these devices may be other controllable devices.

The following refers to the system described in Figure lb. In the following, there is described a system 90 comprising a light source la, lb, lc; a control device 2/3 such as a mobile device 3 or wall panel 2 configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of the light source; a first communication path 50,40,31,30,20,12,10 between the control device and the light source for controlling operation of the light source; and a second communication path 11,12,10 between the control device and the light source. The first communication path may comprise part of a first network whilst the second communication path may comprise part of a second (different) network. In response to the determination of an error in the first communication path, the control device is configured to switch from controlling the light source through the first communication path to controlling the light source through the second communication path.

By communication path, it is meant a route along which communications are passed. Thus a communication path between the control device and the light source is a route along which communications between the control device and the light source are passed. This encompasses points along the route where information contained in those communications are reformatted (perhaps to utilise a different protocol and/or layer). Although the first communication path is described as being suitable for controlling operation of the light source (i.e. as being suitable for transferring control information from the control device to the light source for controlling a state of the light source), it is understood that the first (and/or second) communication path may also be suitable for receiving data (non-control) communications. The second communication path is also suitable for controlling operation of the light source.

The control device switches from using the first communication path to using the second communication path in response to the determination that there has been an error in the first communication path. Examples of how the control device and/or any other entity in the system determines that an error has occurred are detailed below in relation to the error detection logic 13. However, it is understood that determination logic in the control device may determine that an error has occurred on receipt of an instruction to change

communication paths from an external entity (such as, for example, the error detection logic described below).

As previously mentioned, an error is considered to be anything that blocks and/or impedes the passage of a communication passing through that communication path. An error could manifest as a delay in effecting a user command that is noticeable to the user. An error could manifest as the non-execution of a user command. The first network may utilise different access technologies to the second network. For example, the first network may use WiFi as an access technology whilst the second network uses Bluetooth as an access technology. One of the networks may be a local area network whilst the other of said networks is a wide area network. For example, the first network may include the internet whilst the second network only includes network elements in the locality of the light source being controlled. One of said networks may utilise a first gateway whilst the other of said networks utilises a second gateway. For example, the first network may comprise a first Zigbee hub whilst the second network comprises a second Zigbee hub that is different to the first Zigbee hub.

The second communication path may comprise part of a different network to the network of the first communication path, or comprise only part of the same network of the first communication path. An example of this is when the first communication path comprises both the internet and a local network for routing communications whilst the second communication path only utilises the local network. In this context, the term local network is used to refer to a network in the locality of the light source to be controlled that can route instructions to the light source.

The control device 2/3 may switch communication paths by changing the communication path over which it transmits said control signals. The communication paths may utilise different communication protocols. In this case, a change in communication paths may result in the control device changing the protocol by which it transmits control instructions to the light source. However, it is understood that the same protocol could be used, provided that on said switching, the second communication path is at least as direct than the first communication path.

The first and second communication paths may provide different relative functionality. That is, the level of control the control device has over the controllable device may depend on the communication path used. For example, the first communication path may allow control of multiple devices at once, and the second communication path allowing only single-device control. E.g. in a lighting system comprising a plurality of lamps, the first communication path allows control oat a scene level (e.g. multiple lamps) and the second communication path allows direct control of individual lamps. As a further example, in the case of the controllable device being a lighting device the first communication path may provide access to colour control and/or dimming control, whereas the second communication path may only allow ON/OFF control of the lighting device.

The control device may comprise one or more transmitters for transmitting the control signals to the controllable device. When one transmitter is used, the control device is configured to provide an indication provided in the transmitted communication that indicates which communication path is being used. This is used for routing purposes. The indication could be an address. The indication could be a different communication property in the transmitted communication.

The second communication path may have the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path. By this, it is meant that a communication being passed between the control device and the light source in the second communication path would have the same number or fewer hops than when passing that communication between the control device and the light source using the first communication path. In other words, the second communication path is a more direct communication path than the first

communication path. An example of this may be where the second communication path is only via a local area network whilst the first communication path is via wide area network. When the router 12 (or some other appropriate device in the locality of the mobile device 3) comprises a local wireless interface, such as a WiFi interface 11, the mobile device 3 may communicate its control instructions to the light via its own WiFi interface 4b. Thus in the example of Figure lb, the first communication path may be the communication path from the mobile device 3 (or wall panel 2) to the internet service provider 50, to the public internet 40, to the internet gateway 31, to the company IT infrastructure 30, to the local network 20, to the router 12, to the gateway/bridge 10; whilst the second communication path may be the communication path from the mobile device 3 (or wall panel 2) to the router 12, to the gateway bridge 10. It will be appreciated that these are only examples, and in other embodiments, other combinations of nodes may be involved in the first and/or second communication paths.

Preferably, the second communication path comprises fewer nodes than the first communication path. This results in the communications being passed along a more direct communication path than was used when the error was detected.

Moving from transmitting communications along a less direct communication path to a more-direct communication path is an unusual step in networked systems. In typical networked systems, if connections and/or components fail, no broader/direct control is provided to a user for security reasons. The presently described system is therefore very different to typical networked systems.

The first communication path may comprise a communications manager. The communications manager manages access between devices that transmit control signals and controllable devices. It may provide arbitration and/or security functions. With regard to security, if a device is not authorised by the communications manager to control the controllable device, control signals transmitted by that device are blocked in the first communication path. With regard to arbitration, the communications manager could mediate control of a light source la,lb,lc when control instructions have been received from several control devices, such as mobile device 3, wall panel 2 and mobile device 99. In this case, the communications manager may be configured to allow only one device out of those transmitting control signals to control the light source. The communications manager may be implemented at any appropriate place in the first communication path. Assuming the functions of the communications manager are executed by a particular network equipment in the first communication path, the functions of the communications manager may only be executed in the second communication path when that second communication path also uses that particular network equipment. Thus, in some embodiments, by switching from the first communication path to the second communication path, some override of the default authentication and/or arbitration mechanism(s) is performed. It is understood that the second communication path may comprise a second communications manager, different to the communications manager of the first path but configured to perform at least some of the same functions.

The control device may be configured to only transmit control signals for controlling the light source through the second communication path when it is determined that an error is present in the first communication path (in an entity/element of the first communication path and/or of a connection between two elements/entities of the first communication path), and not otherwise. I.e. the control device is configured to only transmit said control signals using the second communication path when the determination logic determines that there exists an error in the first communication path. The second

communication path may thus be considered a "last resort" communication path. The error detection logic 13, located at any suitable entity in the system, may be configured to assess whether errors on the first communication path have been resolved. If the error(s) on the first communication path has been resolved, the control device 2/3 may receive a communication to this effect from the error detection logic. The control device would then, in response to that communication, initiate the switching of communication paths from the second communication path to the first communication path. Thus, the system may further comprise error detection logic configured to receive information regarding the status of elements and connections therebetween in the first communication path and configured to determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path.

Further details on potential implementation of the error detection logic are detailed below.

A potential control device 2/3 is described in relation to Figure 2. The control device 2/3 comprises one or more transmitters 201,202 (4a,4b in Figure 1) configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a light source through at least a first communication path between the control device and the light source and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a light source through at least a second communication path between the control device and the light source, the second communication path having the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path; and a determination logic 203 configured to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path. The control device is configured to switch from transmitting control signals through the first communication path to transmitting said control signals through the second

communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path.

The error may be as described above (i.e. an impediment and/or failure along at least part of a communication path). Further, in the preferred case, the second

communication path has fewer nodes than the first communication path.

In this embodiment, the control device comprises one or more transmitters. It is understood that, in embodiments, the one or more transmitters may utilise the same physical parts in the control device for effecting transmission of the control signals. However, to distinguish between the first and second communication paths, an indication is provided in the transmitted communication that indicates which communication path is being used. For example, the indication may be implemented via the use of different IP addresses for different communication paths to guide the communication towards/along a desired communication path. The indication may be as described above. It is further understood that the following described features apply regardless of whether there is one or more transmitters in the control device.

The control device 2/3 may be configured to transmit control signals through the first communication path and not the second communication path when no error exists in the first communication path, and to switch to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path. That is, the control device defaults to a state in which the control signals are transmitted over only the first communication path, even though the second communication path is available. Then, at least when an error is detected in the first communication path, the control device can switch to a second state in which the control signals are transmitted over only the second communication path.

The control device 2/3 may be configured to transmit the control signals along the second communication path only when the control device is in the locality of the light source. This is so that only control devices that are local to the devices they are transmitting control signals to can control the controllable devices.

The control device 2/3 may be configured to only transmit said control signals using the second communication path when the determination logic 203 determines that there exists an error in the first communication path.

The control device 2/3 may further comprise a receiver 204 for receiving information from error detection logic 13 external to the control device that indicates that there is an error in the first communication path. The determination logic 203 makes said determination based on the received information. The error detection logic 13 may be implemented in any network equipment, e.g. router 12, Gateway 10, local network 20, company IT infrastructure 30, Internet gateway 31, public Internet 40, internet provider 50 and wall panel 2. In embodiments, the information detected and received from the error detection logic 13 indicates at least one of the location of the error (e.g. which node in the first communication path the error is detected in) and/or the severity of the error in the first communication path. The control device may be configured to select the second

communication path in dependence on the received information. In embodiments, this information may take the form of one or more error flags. For example, the error flag EF1 may indicate that there is an error in the internet service provider 50 whilst the error flag EF2 may indicate that there is an error in the public internet 40. In another example, the error flag EFl may indicate that some, although not all, communications are being correctly transmitted along the first communication path whilst the error flag EF2 may indicate that no

communications are being correctly transmitted along the first communication path.

Combinations of these two schemes are possible. In embodiments, the control device 2/3 is configured to receive the error flags and switch communication paths. The control device 2/3 may be configured to only switch communication paths (for example, from a less direct communication path to a more direct communication path) when an error flag indicating that an error has occurred in the less direct communication path has been received. The control device 2/3 may be configured to only switch communication paths when an error flag indicates that a threshold level of severity of errors in the less direct communication path has been surpassed. The control device 2/3 may use information regarding the location of errors in the communication paths to determine how to switch communication paths (i.e. to determine how to re-route communications).

The control device may be directly connected to any of the light sources la, lb, lc or any of the other connected control devices (10...40) in the first communication path. This direct connection may serve as the second communication path. 2/32/32/3

The control device may be a handportable device 3 further comprising: a display configured to display information indicating that a switch will be made from the first communication path to the second communication path along with at least one possible second communication path; and a user input unit for receiving an input from a user in response to said display selecting the second communication path from the at least one possible second communication path. In this case, the second communication path is the selected second communication path. The display may comprise a display screen. The display may comprise an LED configured to switch on or off to indicate a switch is to be made.

In all of the above and following cases, it is understood that the second communication path could be selected from a plurality of possible second communication paths. Each of these possible second communication paths may comprise the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path. In the present embodiment, the user is described as providing an input for selecting the second communication path to switch to when an error is detected in a first communication path. However, it is understood that this process may be performed automatically by appropriately programmed software in a device within the system. For example, the control device 2/3 itself could execute such software to select a second communication path. Alternatively, the control device 2/3 could receive an indication of which second communication path to utilise from another unit within the system. This indication may be provided through the use of the error flags mentioned above. For example, EF1 could indicate a switch to a communication path using protocol A, whilst EF2 could indicate a switch to a communication path using protocol B. Amalgamations of the different things that may be indicated using error flags are possible, now enabled, and are within the ambit of the skilled person to implement.

The control device may be a wall panel controller 2. By this, it is meant a static controller installed on a wall in the locality of the light source. The wall panel controller may comprise a display as described above in relation to the handportable device 3. The wall panel controller 2 may be configured to operate in a plurality of modes, including at least one of: providing full control of the light source at any time to any user; providing limited control of the lighting system at any time to any user; providing control of the light source to only authorised users; and/or providing control of the light source at only during pre-selected times. These modes may be set such that they can only be manually changed by an operator. However, it is understood that remote instructions may also configure the wall panel controller to effect a change of mode. The change of mode may be determined by a preselected sequence. For example, the wall panel controller may be configured to be in a first mode during a first time period, a second mode during a second time period, etc.

The wall panel controller 2 may be configured to only transmit said control signals when at least one of the following is fulfilled: a controller external to the wall panel controller has instructed the wall panel controller to control the light source; the wall panel has determined that there is an error in the first communication path and automatically configures itself to transmit control signals; a network operator has manually instructed the wall panel controller to control the light source; and/or a user has instructed the wall panel controller to control the light source via a handportable device in the locality of the light source.

Examples of the present system include when the WiFi connection between a user equipment and the bridge 10 fails. In this case, a wall panel may display a dialogue to a user to assist the user in directly connecting over Bluetooth to a specific light instead. This would allow the user to continue using the user equipment to control the lights.

Another example is when the connection between a bridge and a specific light source fails. This error can be displayed on the control device via a display. In this instance, the control device may be configured to directly connect to that light source. The control device may utilise the above-mentioned last-mile protocol to make this connection to the light source.

Other examples include: when the connection between a bridge and a control device fails; when this bridge itself fails; and when the connection of the bridge to the router 12 fails. In these instances, the user may connect to a bridge in an adjacent room, that bridge authorising temporary control over the room it predominantly controls in addition to the room in which there is the failed control device/bridge connection.

According to another embodiment, there is provided error detection logic as illustrated by Figure 3. The error detection logic 13 comprises an input 301 configured to receive information relating to at least part of a first communication path between a control device and a light source through which the control device controls the light source; a determination logic 302 configured to, in response to the received information, determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path; a generation logic 303 configured to generate an error signal indicative that the first communication path comprises an error and should be switched with a second communication path, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and an output 304 configured to output the generated error signal.

The second communication preferably has the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path

The error detection logic may be comprised within any appropriate part of the system 90 indicated in Figure lb. For example, the error detection logic 13 may be comprised with any piece of network equipment 40, 31, 30, 20, 12, 10. The error detection logic 13 may be comprised within the control device 2/3. The error detection logic may be implemented as a stand-alone device, such as error detection logic 13 in Figure lb, which can communicate directly with the router 12 and the gateway bridge 10. The error detection logic may be represented by a processor in a server implementing software. The error detection logic may be implemented by any hardware and/or software suitable for implementing the described functionality of the error detection logic.

communication path has fewer nodes than the first communication path.

The information relating to at least part of a first communication path may be received via the first communication path. This may be in the form of feedback signals, as described further below.

The error detection logic 13 may receive information regarding the status of elements in the first communication path and connections therebetween from a variety of different sources. The information may be reported periodically, aperiodically and/or continually. The information may only be provided when an error is detected. The information may be provided to the error detection logic automatically, and/or in response to a query from the error detection logic.

The error signal may comprise information relating to at least one of the severity and/or the location of an error in the first communication path. The control device may be configured to select the second communication path in dependence on the received information.

The error signal may comprise an error flag that indicates at least one of the severity and/or the location of an error in the first communication path. This error flag may be as described above.

The error signal may comprise information regarding at least one possible second communication path having the same number or fewer hops than the first communication path. This may be as described above.

The control device 2/3 may provide information on the first communication path to the error detection logic 13. The applet on the control device 3 may include code suitable for this purpose. This code may initiate direct data transfer from a device of the lighting system 19 towards the error detection logic 13. Alternatively, the control device 2/3 may store a file of data received from a device in the lighting system 19 for upload to the error detection logic 13 at a later stage after a suitable connection between the control device 2/3 and the error detection logic 13 becomes available. A particular example of a software update of a network controlled light source la, lb, lc or another relevant device in the lighting system 90 is an update from the proprietary server 60, which is a Philips server in the present case. Since a network connected light source la, lb, lc might not be connected to the Philips server (e.g. due to firewall protection), the control device 2/3 may serve to transfer a software update from the Philips server 60 towards the network controlled light source la, lb, lc.

The error detection logic may be further configured to, in response to the determination of an error, initiate software updates to address said error. This may be achieved by transmitting information on said error to an entity in the system 90 that can assess the information and determine whether or not a software fix may be applied. The software fix may be broadcasted as a software update of an applet that can be downloaded onto a control device 3, such as a smartphone, tablet or phablet (a phone-tablet hybrid device). Downloading a software fix allows for a temporary solution to be applied to, or made available to, entities in a communication path to address any error detected thereon. The error detection logic 13 may comprise a second output configured to provide information on said error to a network operator. It is understood that the second output and the first output may utilise the same physical means for transmission. In such a case, it may be necessary to implement a time duplex arrangement for making outputs to different devices/entities within the system 90.

The error detection logic 13 is configured to receive feedback signals from light sources la, lb, lc, as well as devices higher up in the hierarchy of the first

communication path. The feedback signals of a particular device provides information such as the state of operation of that device, any error messages originating from that device, any error messages received from other devices forming part of the first communication path, routing information of any error messages received by that device and so forth. The feedback signals can be instantly provided towards the error detection logic 13 or, since the error may involve a disconnection of a particular device to the error detection logic 13, the information may be stored in a (sub)device ready to communicate to the error detection logic 13 at any moment the usable network connection becomes available. The information may be communicated by uploading as a file or by any other appropriate method.

The error detection logic 13 may be configured to provide information related to the proper operation of the lighting system 19. For example, the error detection logic may be configured to provide information on at least one of access requests of control devices 2/3, control commands sent by the control devices 2/3 towards the lighting system 19, routing information of these control commands and confirmations of proper execution of these control commands by the lighting system 19. The error detection logic 13 may contain functionality to automatically detect issues with respect to the correct/proper operation of the lighting system 19.

The provided information is used by either the error detection logic 13, or another entity in the system 90 with which the error detection logic 13 is communicating, to determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path. Depending on the error detected, the error detection logic 13 sets one or more error flags (EF1 ... EFN) for the lighting system 19. The error flags may have functions as described above.

The error detection logic 13 serves to transfer information to a device in the lighting system 90 from the control device 2/3.

In accordance with the above and Figure lb, the following describes how such devices described above may be further implemented in the system of Figure lb. It is understood that the following implementation is merely one possible embodiment.

The system comprises error detection logic 13 connected via a wireless link to router 12. As mentioned above in the background section, router 12 receives control signals from local network 20 when the control device (e.g. user equipment 3 or wall panel controller 2) is transmitting control signals for controlling a light source la, lb, lc through a first communication path (i.e. internet service provider 50, public internet 40, internet gateway 31, company IT infrastructure 30 and local network 20). Router 12 also comprises an antenna 16 for receiving wireless control signals from the control device.

Both the router 12 and the error detection logic 13 are connected to the gateway bridge 10, through which light sources la, lb, lc can be controlled. It is understood that the light sources la, lb, lc may be controlled individually or with at least one other light source la, lb, lc (e.g. groups of lights may be controlled simultaneously).

The error detection logic 13 can be implemented as electronic circuitry integrated in the router 12, gateway/bridge 10 and/or in one or more of the light sources la, lb, lc. The error detection logic may comprise a number of control elements that are present on different locations within the infrastructure (i.e. from the public internet 31 to the gateway bridge 10). Parts of the infrastructure may be software protocols that run on a processor inside the physical infrastructure of the first communication path.

The error detection logic 13 may comprise multiple communication interfaces for communicating with a network operator for reporting issues/errors in the first

communication path.

The light system 19 may be configured to broadcast in the room 8 address information of how to contact the error detection logic 13. The contact information may contain an IP address, a domain name, port numbers, PIN codes and/or a telephone number. This address information may be broadcasted by the lighting control system 19 in the form of coded light communication 17, a QR tag displayed on the wall panel controller 2, a near field communication protocol such as an NFC or a Bluetooth protocol, and/or information that is broadcasted as part of an identifier such as a network identifier of a router 12, the gateway 10, the error detection logic 13 or of the individual light sources la, lb, lc. The term coded light communication is used to indicate light having identifiers embedded therein (whether in the visible spectrum and/or non-visible infrared or UV part of the spectrum). An embedded identifier may be the application of a particular modulation to the light (or a part of the spectrum thereof).

Thus, in summary, in operation the control device is configured to, transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a first communication path between the control device and the controllable device; determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path; and in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path, transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the controllable device. Preferably, the second communication path has the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path. The second communication path may comprise part of a different network to the network of the first communication path, or comprise only part of the network of the first communication path.

Further, the error detection logic is configured to receive information via at least part of a first communication path between a control device and a controllable device through which the control device controls the controllable device; determine, in response to the received information, whether or not there is an error in the first communication path; generate an error signal indicative that the first communication path comprises an error and should be switched with a second communication path when it is determined that there is an error in the first communication path; and transmit the generated error signal. Preferably, the second communication path has the same number or fewer nodes than the first

communication path. The second communication path may comprise part of a different network to the network of the first communication path, or comprise only part of the network of the first communication path.

It is understood that, although in the above described embodiments, the second communication path is described as comprising a second (different) network to the first communication path, this may not always be necessary for addressing some of the above- mentioned issues. Instead, the communication path could merely comprise the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path without the first and second communication paths being of different networks.

In such cases, there is provided a control device (2/3), comprising: one or more transmitters (201, 202) configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device (la, lb, lc) through at least a first communication path between the control device and the controllable device, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of a controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the controllable device, the second communication path having the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path; and a determination logic (203) configured to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path; the control device being configured to switch from transmitting control signals through the first communication path to transmitting said control signals through the second

Further, there may also be provided error detection logic (13) comprising: an input (301) configured to receive information relating to at least part of a first communication path between a control device and a controllable device through which the control device controls the controllable device; a determination logic (302) configured to, in response to the received information, determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path; a generation logic (303) configured to generate an error signal indicative that the first communication path comprises an error and should be switched with a second communication path when it is determined that there is an error in the first communication path, the second communication path having the same or fewer number of nodes than the first network; and an output (304) configured to output the generated error signal.

In both of these cases (the alternative control device and error detection logic), the device and logic may comprise the above-mentioned features described in relation to the different-network embodiment (albeit with or without the feature of the first communication path comprising part of a first network whilst the second communication path comprises part of a second (different) network).

It is understood in the above that functions described above as being performed by various logic in the device may be implemented using a processor executing appropriate computer program code. Further, the error detection logic represent distributed logical functions in a network and/or a standalone device.

It is understood that the above described embodiments may be combined with other lighting control functions. For example, there may be a control entity, such as a control manager, in the first and/or second communication path that restricts control of the light source(s) to only devices that are local to those light source(s). This may be determined in a variety of different ways. For example, a control device may be determined to be local to the light source if a short range communication protocol (such as Bluetooth or infrared) is used for communications between the light source and the control device. Alternatively or in addition, GPS data provided by the control device may be used to establish locality. Further, the use of specific codes (for example, in coded light communication) may be employed to establish locality.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A control device (2/3), comprising:

one or more transmitters (201, 202) configured to transmit control signals for controlling operation of at least one controllable device (la, lb, lc) through at least a first communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of the at least one controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and

a determination logic (203) configured to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path;

the control device being configured to transmit control signals through the first communication path and not the second communication path when no error exists in the first communication path, and to switch to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path.

2. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first network utilises different access technologies to the second network, and/or one of said networks is a local area network whilst the other of said networks is a wide area network, and/or one of said networks utilises a first gateway whilst the other of said networks utilises a second gateway.

3. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second communication path has the same number or fewer nodes than the first communication path.

4. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a receiver (204) for receiving information from error detection logic external to the control device that indicates that there is an error in the first communication path; wherein the determination logic makes said determination based on the received information.

5. A control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the received information indicates at least one of the location and/or the severity of the error in the first communication path, and wherein the control device is configured to select the second communication path in dependence on the received information.

6. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control device is a handportable device and further comprises:

a display configured to display information indicating that a switch will be made from the first communication path to another communication path along with at least one other communication path; and

a user input unit for receiving an input from a user in response to said display selecting a communication path from the at least one other communication path;

wherein the second communication path is the selected other communication path.

7. A control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device is a wall panel controller, the wall panel controller being configured to operate in a plurality of modes, including at least one of:

providing full control of the at least one controllable device at any time to any user;

providing limited control of the at least one controllable device at any time to any user;

providing control of the at least one controllable device to only authorised users; and/or

providing control of the at least one controllable device at only during preselected times.

8. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control device is configured to only transmit said control signals when at least one of the following is fulfilled: error detection logic external to the control device has instructed the control device to control the at least one controllable device;

a network operator has manually instructed the control device to control the at least one controllable device; and/or

a user has instructed the control device to control the at least one controllable device via a handportable device in the locality of the at least one controllable device.

9. A control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first communication path provides a first level of control of the at least one controllable device and the second communication path provides a second level of control of the at least one controllable device, and wherein the first level of control is different from the second level of control.

10. A system comprising:

a control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 and 14; and error detection logic (13) comprising:

an input (301) configured to receive information relating to at least part of a first communication path between a control device and at least one controllable device through which the control device controls the at least one controllable device;

a determination logic (302) configured to, in response to the received information, determine whether or not there is an error in the first communication path;

a generation logic (303) configured to generate an error signal indicative that the first communication path comprises an error and should be switched with a second communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device when it is determined that there is an error in the first communication path, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and

an output (304) configured to output the generated error signal; wherein the control device is configured to receive said generated error signal and to use said generated error signal to determine whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path.

11. A control device or system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first communication path comprises a communication manager for authorising control signals to be passed from the control device to the at least one controllable device and/or for arbitrating between control signals attempting to control the at least one controllable device from multiple control devices, and wherein the second communication path bypasses the communications manager.

12. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium configured such as when run to perform the steps of:

transmitting control signals for controlling operation of at least one

controllable device (la, lb, lc) through at least a first communication path between a control device and the at least one controllable device, and to transmit control signals for controlling operation of the at least one controllable device through at least a second communication path between the control device and the at least one controllable device, the first communication path comprising part of a first network and the second communication path comprising part of a second network; and

determining whether or not there exists an error in the first communication path;

transmitting control signals through the first communication path and not the second communication path when no error exists in the first communication path, and to switch to transmitting said control signals through the second communication path in response to a determination by the determination logic that there exists an error in the first communication path.