WO2016078918A1

WO2016078918A1 - Apparatus and method for hidden activation of a commissioning mode

Info

Publication number: WO2016078918A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/075761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hugo Jose KRAJNC
Original assignee: Philips Lighting Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2014-11-18
Filing date: 2015-11-05
Publication date: 2016-05-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for triggering a wirelessly connected device to enter a commissioning mode required for pairing the device in a network, by modifying a certain mechanical component when the device is plugged in or screwed in or mounted, and resetting it electrically after pairing has been successful, such that only re-plugging the device will re-enable the commissioning mode.

Description

Apparatus and method for hidden activation of a commissioning mode

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of an apparatus and method for activating a commissioning mode of an electronic device such as - but not limited to - a wireless lighting device which can be commissioned to a lighting network for remote control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays there are lots of products available which can be controlled wirelessly, whether it is via a smart device (phone, tablet, personal computer (PC), etc.) or via another wireless device (remote control, wall switch, sensor, etc.). Unlike for wired systems, where the connection is provided by the cabling itself, wireless devices need to be linked or associated with each other, to ensure that the communication does not involve third parties and a clear identification of all elements in the network is possible. This linking is normally referred to as pairing or commissioning of the devices.

Commissioning is a process of configuring nodes in a network so that they can communicate data to each other.

It is desired that commissioning is enabled in a controlled and secure manner, such that no unwanted/foreign elements join the network while doing so. Additionally, the commissioning process must be repetitive, such that the system and/or device can be reconfigured at a later time if needed.

For commissioning, at least two devices are necessary. One or more devices that want to be wirelessly linked to an existing network and one controlling device which has the relevant information (credentials) of that network and provides it to the new devices. For new devices to join the network, both parties need to be triggered (to accept joining a new network and to accept providing the credentials of such network respectively). Once the controlling device adds the new devices to its network, the commissioning process should be stopped.

Several approaches are known for triggering or activating the commissioning mode, though some known disadvantages exist depending on the methodology applied. Some systems rely on proximity (in the order of few cm) between two devices to link them. This is done for example by means of passive wireless tags or by actively measuring the received signal intensity. This can be troublesome since it might not always be possible to have such devices in close proximity (or only during a first installation, but not afterwards). For example, in case a control unit is glued or mounted to a surface (e.g. wall switch), it would not be possible to pair the control unit to devices far away from it (e.g. lamps in a ceiling).

Other systems rely on triggering the commissioning method by means of a specific sequence of buttons activations or other actions on all devices. For example, energizing a lamp sets it into commissioning mode for a limited period. Within this timeframe, a certain combination of buttons must be entered in a controlling device (e.g. a wall switch) to also trigger the commissioning mode. Although this requires fewer components, it is sometimes cumbersome and not always clear or evident for the user.

Additionally, it means that the lamp should not be powered off via a mains switch, because it would re-trigger this process.

In certain other cases, triggering the commissioning mode could be simplified by adding dedicated buttons on all devices, but from a user point of view this might not always be convenient due to aesthetics, accessibility, or proximity with mains-powered devices. Such would be the case of a lamp with a small button on its base and mounted in an enclosed luminaire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for activating the commissioning mode in a simple and easy manner.

This object is achieved by an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, by an electronic device as claimed in claim 8, and by a method as claimed in claim 10.

Accordingly, activation of the commissioning mode is simplified by ensuring that triggers for activation are hidden within standard actions that a user would normally execute while installing these devices. Normal actions include, for example, mounting, plugging-in or screwing the device to a support or fixture. By providing the bi-stable mechanical component that is modified when the hidden triggering action takes place, the concerned electronic device can detect whether it should enter the commissioning mode or not, while not requiring power to "remember" this state. After a successful pairing in the commissioning mode, the commissioned device electrically actuates on the mechanical component such that it is modified and will not trigger again the commissioning mode, unless the original hidden activation action (mounting, plugging-in or screwing) is repeated.

Therefore, by a simple activity such as screwing a lamp or plugging a device to a wall socket or the like, pairing can be achieved in an easy and transparent way.

According to a first option, the state of the bi-stable mechanical component may be monitored after power supply of the electronic device is switched on and the electronic device may be set to the commissioning mode in response to a detection of the second state. This measure ensures that re-commissioning is possible after the electronic device has been de-installed and re-installed, so that the mechanical component is switched again to the second state which is detected after power is switched on again.

According to a second option that can be combined with the first option, the bi-stable mechanical component may be set into the first state after a successful

commissioning procedure of the electronic device. Thereby, re-commissioning is blocked until the device is de-installed and re -installed again.

According to a third option that can be combined with at least one of the first and second options, an electric actuator may be provided, which is adapted to set the bi-stable mechanical component into the first state in response to the electric control signal issued by the control unit. Thus, the mechanical component can be a passive component which does not need any own transducer for generating an activation force in response to the control signal issued by the control unit. The electric actuator serves to apply the required attracting or repelling force to move the mechanical component back to its initial first state.

According to a fourth option that can be combined with any of the first to third options, the bi-stable mechanical component may comprise a pivotable switch with a first and a second lever, wherein the pivotable switch is adapted to be set into the second state by an activation lever pushing against the first lever to cause the mechanical movement of the bistable mechanical component in response to the installation of the electronic device in its operating place, and wherein the pivotable switch is adapted to be set into the first state by an electric actuator acting on the second lever in response to the electronic control signal applied by the control unit. This provides an advantageous simple implementation of the mechanical activation mechanism with electrical resetting option, which can be implemented even in small electronic devices such as light bulbs or the like.

In a more specific example of the fourth option, a mechanical contraption may be provided, to which the activation lever is fixed and which is slidably moved towards the inner side of the electronic device against an expansion force of a spring when the electronic device is installed in its operating place. This provides the advantage that the simple action of pressing or screwing the electronic device into a socket or another mounting place automatically triggers the commissioning mode by moving the contraption with the activation lever towards the inside of the electronic device.

It shall be understood that the apparatus of claim 1 , the electronic device of claim 8, and the method of claim 10 have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments, in particular, as defined in the dependent claims.

It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or above embodiments with the respective independent claim.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a wireless electronic device according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of a control procedure after mounting of the wireless electronic device;

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a control procedure after successful commissioning of the wireless electronic device;

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary wireless bulb with activation mechanism according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a non- mounted state;

Fig. 6 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a mounted and non-powered state; and

Fig. 7 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a mounted, powered and paired state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are directed to a remotely controllable electronic device (e.g. lamp, sensor, plug-in unit, etc.) that can be operated wirelessly via a secondary controlling unit and that can be commissioned or paired in a network for remote control by the secondary controlling unit. As a non-limiting example, the electronic device of the present embodiments is a lighting device (e.g. a light bulb) which can be wirelessly controlled by a remote control function of a lighting network.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the wireless electronic device 10 according to a first embodiment. The block diagram shows only those components which are useful for describing the present invention. Other components have been omitted for brevity reasons.

According to Fig. 1, the electronic device 10 comprises a transceiver (TRX) circuit 18 for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal via a least one antenna element 11. The TRX circuit 18 is connected to a control unit (e.g. a microcontroller or processor or the like) 15 which is adapted to control at least one of an on-off state, brightness, directivity, color or the like of a lighting element (L) 12, e.g., a light bulb, based on a corresponding remote control information received from the lighting network via the antenna element 11 and the TRX circuit 18. Furthermore, the control unit 15 is connected to a sensor element (S) 13 and optionally to an actuator (A) 16. Additionally, the control unit 15 is connected to a bi-stable mechanical component (BMC) 14 which can be set into a first stable state and a second stable state. The control unit 15 is adapted to monitor the states of the bistable mechanical component 14 via a detection output received from the sensor element 13 and to detect the current state of the bi-stable mechanical component 14.

In the present embodiments, the bi-stable mechanical component 14 has two stable equilibrium states, i.e., it can rest in either of the two states. These rest states need not be symmetric with respect to stored energy. A transition from one state to the other state may require some form of activation energy to penetrate a barrier. After the barrier has been reached, the system will relax into the other stable state. In the design of the present mechanical system, work is done on or energy is applied to the system to move it just past a peak, at which point the mechanism goes "over centre" to its other stable position. The result is a toggle-type action where work applied to the system below a predetermined threshold sufficient to send it "over centre" results in no change of the state. As an example, a spring element may be used to achieve the "over centre" action.

The bi-stable mechanical component 14 according to the embodiments is arranged in a manner that it is initially in the first stable state and can be set into the second stable state by a mechanical movement required to apply external energy so as to move the bi-stable mechanical component 14 past the peak, at which point the mechanism goes "over centre" to the second state. In the embodiments, this mechanical movement is achieved by a hidden operation linked with an installation of the electronic device 10 in its operating place (e.g. mounting in a mounting place, screwing in a socket, fixing at a support, etc.). As an example, the transition to the second state may be achieved by compressing a spring via the mechanical movement until it is fixed in compressed state by a snap or engagement mechanism. Transition from the second state back to the first state can then be achieved by having the control unit 15 apply an electric control signal to the optional activator 16 or directly to the bi-stable mechanical component 14 so as to release the snap or engagement mechanism (e.g., by an electromechanical or electromagnetic force), which results in a release of a compressed spring or the like. Due to the fact that the second state is maintained by a mechanical engagement operation, it can even be kept and mechanically stored when power supply of the electronic device 10 is switched off.

Any suitable bi-stable mechanism with the above characteristics can be used for the bi-stable mechanical component 14, so that the bi-stable mechanical component 14 can be set into the second state by a mechanical movement in response to an installation of the electronic device 10 (even in a power-off state) and can be set to the first state by means of an electric control.

The sensor element 13 may be a position sensor or proximity sensor or a displacement sensor and thus any sensor element that permits position measurement. It can either be an absolute position sensor or a relative one (displacement sensor). Possible examples are capacitive transducers, capacitive displacement sensors, Hall effect sensors, inductive non-contact position sensors, piezo-electric transducers, optical sensors etc.

The electronic device 10 of the first embodiment is configured as a remote controllable electronic device, wherein a non- volatile memory (not shown) may be used for storing commissioning information required for commissioning the electronic device 10 to a remote controller. More specifically, the electronic device 10 is configured to allow or to be open for commissioning when the sensor element 13 detects the second state of the bi-stable mechanical component, which is checked by the control unit 15. The control unit 15 may then write the commissioning information into the non-volatile memory after successful commissioning. Thus, the control unit 15 is adapted to use the bi-stable mechanical component 14 as a control element to activate the commissioning mode (i.e. open the electronic device 10 for commissioning) when it is in its second state (e.g. "0" state).

Thus, the wireless controlled device 10 can be initially commissioned to a remote control device when it is installed in its operating place, and can be later reset by the bi-stable mechanical component 14 when it is de-installed and then re-installed so that it can be commissioned again, possibly to another remote control device or to another setting. Due to the fact that the transition from the initial first state (e.g. "1" state) to the second state ("0" state) is achieved by a mechanical movement in response to an installation operation, no additional external button(s) is/are required. The bi-stable mechanical component 14 can be mechanically changed from the first state "1" to the second state "0" without electrical power needed. When in the second state "0" and the device 10 is powered on, the commissioning mode is triggered or activated so that commissioning can start, and after successful commissioning the bi-stable mechanical component 14 is set to the first state "1" again, e.g., by software and/or electronic control of the control unit 15 so as to deactivate the

commissioning mode. The commissioning mode is activated by the control unit 15 and commissioning is allowed when it detects based on the detection output of the sensor element 13 that the bi-stable mechanical component 14 is in the second state. This assures that commissioning always starts when the electric device 10 has been installed in its operating place. The mechanical movement needed to change the bi-stable mechanical component 14 to its second state assures that no one else can change the device status via remote control and therefore assures exclusive control. As already mentioned, resetting to the second state can be done during the power-off or non-powered state simply by installing the electronic device 10.

Thus, the wirelessly controllable device 10 (e.g. lamp, sensor, plug-in unit, etc. that can be operated wirelessly via a secondary controlling unit) is configured so that a mechanical contraption modifies the state of the bi-stable mechanical component 16 when the electronic device 10 is installed, e.g., mounted or plugged-in or screwed. The mechanical component 16 can be set to an "on" position (second state) via the mechanical contraption or cleared to an "off position (first state) via electronics. Due to its bi-stability, the mechanical component 16 does not attempt to leave either states due to internal forces or effects, but only when external forces are applied to it in response to an installation of the electronic device 10. A set of electronics or firmware within the wireless electronic device 10 can sense or read the state of the mechanical component based on the output of the sensing element 13 when the electronic device 10 is energized. Furthermore, the set of electronics or firmware is adapted to trigger or activate the commissioning mode when the mechanical component 16 is in the "on" position (i.e. second state), and to actuate on the mechanical component 16 to set it to the "off position. To achieve this, the set of electronics or firmware can trigger the actuator 16 or directly the mechanical component 16 upon a successful commissioning. Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of a control procedure for opening and closing the electronic device 10 for commissioning after installation thereof, where successful commissioning also triggers the bi-stable mechanical component 14 to be set into the first state "1".

When the electronic device is installed into its place of operation (e.g., screwed or pressed into a socket, mounted on a mounting support, etc.) the bi-stable mechanical component 14 is forcedly moved in step S200 into its second state. In step S201, the control unit 15 detects, e.g., based on the detection output of the sensor element 13, that the bi-stable mechanical component 16 is in its second state and controls the electronic device 10 to be triggered to the commissioning mode (i.e., open for commissioning to a remote controller), when the device is powered. Then, in step 202, after successful commissioning, the bi-stable mechanical component 16 is set by means of a control signal issued by the control unit 15, e.g. via the actuator 16 or directly, into the first state "1" to deactivate the commissioning mode, and the procedure ends in step 203.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a control procedure for opening and closing the electronic device 10 for (re-)commissioning after successful commissioning of the wireless electronic device 10.

After turning power off and on again in step 300, the commissioning mode of the electronic device 10 is not activated and it is not open for commissioning, as its bi-stable mechanical element 16 remains in its first state "1" as long as it has not been de -installed. Then, e.g., after power off, a mechanical movement of the bi-stable mechanical component 16 caused by a de-installation and re-installation of the electronic device 10 in step 301 sets the bi-stable mechanical component 14 into the second state "0".

Then, e.g., when powered-on again, the procedure of the control unit 15 checks in step 302 whether the bi-stable mechanical component 14 is set into the second state state "0". If so, the procedure proceeds to step 303 and the detected second state "0" triggers or activates the commissioning mode and thus opens the electronic device 10 for

commissioning and the procedure ends with step 304. Otherwise, if the control unit 15 detects the first state "1", no action is applied and the procedure jumps to step 304 and ends there, so that the commissioning mode is not triggered or activated and the electric device 10 is not opened for commissioning.

In the following, a more detailed mechanical design of the proposed commissioning mode activation mechanism is described in connection with a wirelessly controllable lamp (e.g. light bulb) according to a second embodiment. Fig. 4 shows cross-sectional side view of a mounting portion of the wirelessly controllable lamp with activation mechanism according to the second embodiment. A control unit (e.g. a microcontroller with radio frequency (RF) front end and firmware) 15 is connected to an electronic sensor element 13 adapted to detect the position of a bi-stable mechanical component 14 configured as a pivotable switch with two plate-like levers by means of which the switch can be switched between a first stable state and a second stable state. The bi-stable character can be achieved by means of a spring and snap mechanism or the like. The sensor element 13 is thus adapted to detect the position or displacement of the upper lever of the switch- like mechanical component 14.

Furthermore, the control unit 15 is connected to an electronic actuator 16 which is adapted to attract the lower lever of the switch-like mechanical component 14 e.g. by a magnetic or electric force or the like so as to force the switch-like mechanical component 14 into the first state.

The wirelessly controllable lamp comprises a cylindrical base screw thread 44 for screwing the lamp into a socket (not shown). The cylindrical base screw thread 44 is electrically isolated from an inner cylindrical mechanical contraption 46 by a ring-shaped isolation portion 45. The mechanical contraption 46 can be moved in a sliding fashion in the axial direction and is fixed at the inner side of the lamp via a compression spring 42 which is connected to a support member fixed at the inner wall of the lamp. Thus, the mechanical contraption 46 is pushed into the lamp against the expansion force of the spring 42 when the lamp is screwed into the socket. At the opposed end of the cylindrical mechanical contraption 46 an activation lever 43 extends in the axial direction towards the inner of lamp. Thus, when the lamp is screwed into the socket, the mechanical contraption 46 and the activation lever 43 are slidably moved towards the inner side of the lamp until the activation lever 43 comes into contact with the upper lever of the switch- like mechanical component 14 and forces the switch-like mechanical component 14 into the second state to thereby trigger the activation of the commission mode.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a non- mounted state where the lamp is still unpaired (i.e. is not commissioned and therefore does not belong to any network) as obtained from the factory after manufacturing. The activation lever 43 is located in the outwards position due to the expansion force of the relaxed spring 42. The control unit 15, the electrical sensor element 13 and the actuator 16 are non-powered and the switch-like mechanical component 14 is in its "off position or first stable state "1". Fig. 6 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a mounted and non-powered state. When screwed in for the first time, the activation lever 43 is moved into the lamp, as the pressure of the holder or fixture will be greater than that of the compressed spring 42. After having travelled a certain distance, the activation lever 43 will mechanically move the switch-like mechanical component 16 into its "on" position or the second stable state "0". Due to its bi-stable design, the switch- like mechanical component 16 will not bounce back or accidentally change its position and state. Still, the control unit 15, the electrical sensor element 13 and the actuator 16 are non-powered.

Fig. 7 shows the exemplary wireless bulb of the second embodiment in a mounted, powered and paired state. If pairing was successful, the control unit 15, which is now powered, will trigger the electronic actuator 16 so as to force the switch- like mechanical component 16 to the "off position or first stable state "1". The switch- like mechanical component 16 will remain in this position and state, regardless of whether the actuator 16 is powered or not. From here onwards, as long as the lamp is not unscrewed, every time that the control unit 15 is powered, it will sense that the switch- like mechanical component 16 is in the "off position or first state "1" and will therefore not enter the commissioning mode (as desired, since the lamp is already a part of a network).

However, if pairing failed, the electronic actuator 16 will have never forced the switch- like mechanical component 16 to the "off position or first state "1". Therefore, upon repowering the lamp the control unit 15 will again detect the switch-like mechanical component 16 in the "on" position or second state "0" and attempt to repeat the

commissioning process.

Thus, the only way to trigger the commissioning mode after successful commissioning is by unscrewing and screwing the lamp back in. By doing so, the activation lever 43 will first travel outwards due to the force of the spring (now unhindered by external pressure, as shown in Fig. 5). When the lamp is screwed back in, the commissioning mode will be activated again, effectively re-pairing the lamp.

The same approach could be used for devices that are plugged-in to wall- sockets, where instead of having an activation lever in the base or cap of the lamp, it could be placed among the contacts of the device's connector. Similar implementations are possible based on the same concept of a mechanically-triggered, electrically-cleared commissioning mode depending on the external mechanics of the wireless device.

Furthermore, any simple bi-stable mechanism can be used for implementing the bi-stable mechanical component 16. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the specific kind of mechanical component 16 shown in Figs. 4 to 7. Various other options are readily available to the skilled person.

To summarize, a method and an apparatus have been described for triggering a wirelessly connected device to enter a commissioning mode required for pairing the device in a network, by modifying a certain mechanical component when the device is plugged in or screwed in or mounted, and resetting it electrically after pairing has been successful, such that only re -plugging the device will re-enable the commissioning mode.

The above embodiments can be applied in any wireless control systems (office, retail, home and others) with wireless controlled devices (e.g. switches, sensors or controls), building control systems with wireless sensors (temperature, presence, humidity, light level, etc.), or any other IP -based system with sensing or control or load devices. The proposed button-less, mechanically-triggered, electrically-cleared commissioning mode according the above embodiments can be applied to any wirelessly controllable device where the mechanical housing and dimensions allow for it. For example, this could be applied to all wireless retrofit bulb (such as the Hue line of products currently in the market). For example, future outdoor lighting systems based on IP networking. Additionally, by adding

modifications such as described for other kind of connectors, it can be also applied to any device that is plugged directly (i.e. not via cables) to a wall socket (e.g. sensors, on/off switches, intelligent power strips, plug-in wall dimmers, etc.).

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Any processing and/or control functions of the control unit 15 (e.g. as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3) can be implemented as program code means of a computer program and/or as dedicated hardware.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. 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. An activation apparatus of an electronic device (10) for controlling activation of a network commissioning mode of the electronic device (10), said apparatus comprising:

- a bi-stable mechanical component (14) adapted to be set into a first state in response to an electric control signal and to be set into a second state in response to a mechanical movement of the bi-stable mechanical component (14);

- a control unit (15) for issuing the electric control signal in order to set the bi-stable mechanical component (14) into the first state when the electronic device (10) has been successfully commissioned to a network; and

- a sensing element (13) for detecting at least one of the first and second states of the bi-stable mechanical component (14) and for supplying the detection result to the control unit (15);

- wherein the apparatus is adapted to cause the mechanical movement of the bi-stable mechanical component (14) in response to an installation of the electronic device (10) in its operating place; and

- wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to activate the network commissioning mode of the electronic device (10) when the bi-stable element (14) is in the second state and to deactivate the network commissioning mode of the electronic device (10) when the bi-stable element (14) is in the first state.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to monitor the state of the bi-stable mechanical component (14) after power supply of the electronic device (10) is switched on and to activate the commissioning mode of the electronic device (10) in response to a detection of the second state.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to set the bi-stable mechanical component (14) into the first state after a successful commissioning procedure of the electronic device (10).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an electric actuator (16) adapted to set the bi-stable mechanical component (14) into the first state in response to the electric control signal issued by the control unit (15).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bi-stable mechanical component (14) comprises a pivotable switch with a first and a second lever, wherein the pivotable switch is adapted to be set into the second state by an activation lever (43) pushing against the first lever to cause the mechanical movement of the bi-stable mechanical component (14) in response to the installation of the electronic device (10) in its operating place, and wherein the pivotable switch is adapted to be set into the first state by an electric actuator (16) acting on the second lever in response to the electronic control signal applied by the control unit (15).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanical contraption (46) to which the activation lever (43) is fixed and which is slidably moved towards the inner side of the electronic device (10) against an expansion force of a spring (42) when the electronic device (10) is installed in its operating place.

7. An electronic device (10) comprising an apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device (10) is a lamp device for commissioning to a lighting network.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device (10) is a wirelessly controllable lamp device.

10. A method of controlling activation of a network commissioning mode of an electronic device (10), said method comprising:

- setting a bi-stable mechanical component (14) into a first state by applying an electric control signal when the electronic device (10) has been successfully commissioned to a network; - setting the bi-stable mechanical component (14) into a second state by a mechanical movement caused in response to an installation of the electronic device (10) in its operating place;

- detecting at least one of the first and second states of the bi-stable mechanical component (14);

- activating the network commissioning mode when the bi-stable mechanical component (14) is in the second state; and

- de-activating the network commissioning mode when the bi-stable mechanical component (14) is in the first state.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising applying the control signal to an electric actuator (16) so as to set the bi-stable mechanical component (14) into the first state after successful commissioning of the electronic device (10).

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising causing the mechanical movement by an activation lever (43) which is moved towards the inner side of the electronic device (10) in response to the installation of the electronic device (10) in its operating place.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the installation of the electronic device (10) in its operating place is achieved by screwing the electronic device (10) into a socket.