WO2018053369A1

WO2018053369A1 - Digitally controlled lighting device network addressing

Info

Publication number: WO2018053369A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/051931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael ARDAI; Masatoshi HONJI; Ranjit Jayabalan; Sivakumar Thangavelu
Original assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
Priority date: 2016-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2018-03-22

Abstract

Automated network addressing systems, methods, and apparatuses capable of generating network addresses for digitally controlled lighting devices coupled to a network that includes a network controller. Such systems, methods, and apparatuses assign sequential, DALI communication protocol compliant network addresses to each of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices. Upon detecting a coupling of a replacement digitally controlled lighting device to the network, the network controller causes each of the digitally controlled lighting devices coupled to the network to respond with a message containing the network address of the respective digitally controlled lighting device. Since the network addresses are serially assigned, the network controller can then identify the location and/or function of the replacement digitally controlled lighting device by detecting which network address is missing from the sequence. The network controller then assigns the missing network address to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device.

Description

DIGITALLY CONTROLLED LIGHTING DEVICE NETWORK ADDRESSING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is an international application and claims the benefit of, and priority of, United States Provisional Application No. 62/395,335, filed September 15, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to network addressing, and more specifically, to addressing in networks including digitally controlled lighting devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In a rapidly changing society, technology and personalization bring new opportunities and challenges to building design and management; to the impact building and utility management have on occupant lifestyles, work habits, health and wellbeing, to personal control of living and work environments in a shared or communal residential, educational, and/ or work spaces. Building management systems assist in providing an environment appropriate for the activities taking place within interior and exterior spaces about the building. For example, a building management system in a college lecture hall may include an interior lighting system that provides bright lighting while classes are not in session to enable safe ingress to and egress from the lecture hall. When classes are in session, the lighting system may dim a portion of the lighting in the lecture hall while maintaining bright illumination in other portions of the lecture hall. During times when the lecture hall is unoccupied, motion sensors or timers may be used to place illumination in a low energy mode where lighting is severely dimmed or even turned off.

l SUMMARY

[0004] The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein beneficially and advantageously provide autonomous addressing and bidirectional communication capabilities to a network of digitally controlled lighting devices such as luminaires, ballasts, LED drivers, and dimmers that form a portion of an intelligent building management system. In such systems devices are assigned an address and a controller communicates instructions to each device via a message containing an address and a command. When a digitally controlled lighting device fails and a replacement digitally controlled lighting device installed, the system controller is manually updated with the address associated with the replacement device. The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein advantageously provide the system controller with the capability to autonomously identify and correctly address replacement digitally controlled lighting devices upon connection to the lighting network.

[0005] An example digitally controlled lighting system includes systems operated under the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocol. It should be noted that while the systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein are described in the context of the DALI standard for consistency and conciseness, one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will readily appreciate that the systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein are readily applicable to other digitally controlled lighting systems.

[0006] DALI commands are either broadcast to all digitally controlled lighting devices, broadcast to a sub-group of digitally controlled lighting devices, or addressed to a specific digitally controlled lighting device. When commands are addressed to a specific digitally controlled lighting device, the instruction includes the network address (i.e., the "short address") of the target digitally controlled lighting device. Under the DALI protocol, the network address is a number between 0 and 63. Each digitally controlled lighting device on a DALI network includes nonvolatile memory to store data indicative of the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device. The network address may be manually assigned by the OEM through an external tool or software or the network address may be assigned by a network controller. It is preferred that DALI compliant devices have a consistent network address so the mapping between the network address and a respective digitally controlled lighting device does not change. For example, maintaining such network addressing consistency permits network address "0" to always refer to the leftmost driver, the "red" driver in a color digitally controlled lighting device, or the "warm" driver in a tunable white digitally controlled lighting device. Maintaining such network addressing consistency, however, means the network address must be re-programmed to the same value when a digitally controlled lighting device is replaced. Such control of network addresses does not exist in new networks - there is no control over network address assignment by the system controller in newly created DALI networks. Thus, current schemes would require either stocking multiple digitally controlled lighting devices with different addresses or manual programming of the network address when a replacement digitally controlled lighting device is installed on the network.

[0007] Using the DALI protocol, a system controller has the ability to cause all of the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices to generate a random 24-bit long address. Each digitally controlled lighting device then transmits their respective long address to the system controller. The system controller then uses the received long addresses to generate the 6-bit (0-63) short address for each network connected digitally controlled lighting device.

[0008] At power up of a digitally controlled lighting device, the system controller automatically initiates a query of all network connected digitally controlled lighting devices to determine whether any of the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices do not have a network address (i.e., to determine whether the digitally controlled lighting device recently coupled to the network is a replacement device without a network address between 0 and 63).

[0009] The systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein beneficially permit the system controller to automatically assign network addresses to replacement digitally controlled lighting devices using the following protocol: (1) determine if any the network address associated with a digitally controlled lighting device previously connected to the network is no longer present on the network; (2) if the network address associated with a digitally controlled lighting device previously connected to the network is no longer present on the network, assign the network address to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device; and (3) if all network addresses associated with digitally controlled lighting devices are present on the network, the system controller assigns the next, sequentially higher, network address to the newly connected digitally controlled lighting device.

[0010] The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein beneficially address the following scenarios: (A) Normal operation in which all network connected digitally controlled lighting devices have been assigned addresses; (B) Instances where a replacement digitally controlled lighting device has been connected to the network, in which case the replacement digitally controlled lighting device receives the network address logically associated with the replaced digitally controlled lighting device; (C) Instances where a new digitally controlled lighting device has been added to the network (e.g., at network startup). The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein are amenable to both event-driven automatic addressing (e.g., upon connection of a new or replacement digitally controlled lighting device to the network) as well as schedule-driven automatic addressing (e.g., check for digitally controlled lighting devices without network addresses at scheduled intervals). The systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein are further amenable to automatic addressing based upon a command received from one or more external networks, such as a ZIGBEE^® wireless network or a MiFi^® wireless network.

[0011] In an embodiment, a digitally controlled lighting device network addressing system is provided. The network addressing system may include: a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices, each digitally controlled lighting device including: a non-transitory memory to store data representative of a network address logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device; a network communicably coupled to each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices; and a controller communicably coupled the network. The controller may include: a control circuit; and non-volatile storage communicably coupled to the control circuit, the non-volatile storage including machine-readable instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: responsive to detecting a newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device to a network: poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and responsive to a determination that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network: determine a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network; and communicate information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device.

[0012] In an embodiment, a method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices is provided. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices may include: responsive to detecting, by a control circuit, a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network: polling the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and responsive to determining, by the control circuit, that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network: determining, by the control circuit, a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network; logically associating, by the control circuit, the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and communicating, by the control circuit, information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device.

[0013] In an embodiment, a digitally controlled lighting device network controller is provided. The digitally controlled lighting device network controller may include: control circuitry; and non-volatile storage that includes machine-readable

instructions that when executed by the control circuitry cause the control circuitry to: responsive to detecting a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network: poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and responsive to a determination that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network: determine a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network; logically associate the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; communicate information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and cause the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device to store the received information indicative of the network address in a non- transitory memory location.

[0014] In an embodiment, a computer readable medium containing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed by a digitally controlled lighting device network control circuit, the instructions cause the digitally controlled lighting device network control circuit to: responsive to detecting a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network: poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and responsive to a determination that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network: determine a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network; logically associate the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and communicate information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device. Embodiments of the present invention provide a [explain why the invention is better and describe it in layperson's terms].

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages disclosed herein will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an illustrative digitally controlled lighting system in which a network controller includes a network control circuit that controls the operation of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0017] FIG 2 is an input/ output diagram of a system that includes a network control circuit coupled to a two-wire network according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0018] FIG 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative system that includes a network controller communicably coupled to a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices via a network according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] FIG 4 is an illustrative message generated using a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) compliant messaging protocol, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein.

[0020] FIG 5 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method of autonomously addressing digitally controlled lighting devices using sequential network addressing according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0021] FIG 6 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method of autonomously assigning a network address to a replacement digitally controlled lighting device on a network operating under the DALI protocol according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0022] FIG 7 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method of autonomously assigning a network address to a digitally controlled lighting device newly added to a network operating under the DALI protocol according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0023] FIG 8 is a high-level logic diagram of an illustrative method to assign sequential network addresses to each of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] FIG 9 is a high-level logic diagram of another illustrative method to assign sequential network addresses to each of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices according to embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As used herein, the term "digitally controlled lighting device" should be understood to refer to any number, combination, and/ or form of light producing elements. Such light producing elements may be disposed or otherwise coupled to a luminaire or similar fixture. Example light producing elements include, but are not limited to, LEDs, fluorescent tubes, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, and similar. Further, the term "digitally controlled lighting device" should also be understood to refer to any number and/ or combination of devices used to control the luminous output, color, temperature, and similar of such light producing elements. Such control devices may be incorporated into a luminaire or light fixture or may be stand-alone (i.e., remotely mounted) devices. Example control devices include, but are not limited to, motion sensors, proximity sensors, switches, dimmers, keypads, photoelectric cells, piezoelectric devices, and similar systems, components, and/ or devices capable of controlling, altering or adjusting one or more operating or output parameters of a light producing element (intensity, luminous output, color, warmth, etc.).

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an illustrative digitally controlled lighting system 100 in which a network controller 110 includes a network control circuit 112 that controls the operation of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n

(collectively, "digitally controlled lighting devices 120"), in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. As depicted in FIG 1, each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n includes a respective non-transitory memory 130A-130n (collectively, "non-transitory memory 130"), device control circuitry 140A-140n (collectively, "device control circuitry 140"); and communication interface 150A-150n (collectively, "communication interface 150"). A network identifier 132A-132n (collectively, "network identifier 132") logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120A-120n is stored or otherwise retained in the respective non-transitory memory 130A-130n of each respective digitally controlled lighting device 120A-120n. The digitally controlled lighting devices 120 are communicably coupled to the network control circuit 112 and to each other by a network 160.

[0027] The network controller 110 includes at least a network control circuit 112, a non-transitory memory 114, and a communications interface 116. The network control circuit 112 may include any number and/ or combination of systems and/ or devices capable of executing machine-readable instruction sets, generating and/ or assigning network addresses to a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120, and controlling one or more operating parameters of some or all of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 may include at least a processor, non-transitory memory, and a communications interface to communicably couple to the network 160. In some embodiments, one or more networks 170 may communicably couple the network control circuit 112 to one or more remote devices 180, such as a personal computer, workstation, or server.

[0028] The digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may include any number or combination of devices capable of receiving commands from the network control circuit 112 and communicating information back to the network control circuit 112. Some or all of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may include, but are not limited to, light producing elements (LEDs, fluorescent tubes, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, LED drivers, fluorescent ballasts, phase-cut dimmers, etc.), lighting controls (photosensors, motion sensors, switches, dimmers, etc.) or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of at least some of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may be powered from an external source such as a power distribution grid or portable power supply. In other embodiments, each of at least some of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may be network powered, for example using power over Ethernet or similar communications network based power delivery systems.

[0029] Each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 includes a non-transitory memory 130. In embodiments, some or all of the non-transitory memory 130, the device control circuitry 140, and the communication interface 150 may be collocated in a module or similar semiconductor package, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC), that is operably couplable to a light fixture or luminaire. The non-transitory memory 130 may include any number or combination of non-transitory storage, such as electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or similar electromagnetic or electroresistive memory. The non-transitory memory 130 may include a combination of read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The non-transitory memory 130 may have any capacity, such as 16 kilobytes (16KB) or more; 256KB or more; 1 megabyte (MB) or more; 10MB or more.

[0030] The non-transitory memory 130 may store a network address. For example, the non-transitory memory 130 may store or otherwise retain data representative of a randomly generated network identifier - such as a 24 bit randomly generated network identifier generated by a DALI fixture. In another example, the non- transitory memory 130 may store or otherwise retain data representative of a network address 132 - such as the 6 bit (i.e., sequential numeric network addresses from 0 to 63) assigned to the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120 by the network control circuit 112.

[0031] The non-transitory memory 130 may also store one or more machine-readable instruction sets executable by the device control circuitry 140. The one or more machine-readable instruction sets may provide basic functionality to the digitally controlled lighting device 120. The one or more machine-readable instruction sets may provide communication between the digitally controlled lighting device 120 and the network control circuit 112.

[0032] The device control circuitry 140 may include any number and/ or combination of electronic components, semiconductor devices, and/ or logic elements. In embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 may control the operation of the light fixture or luminaire to which the digitally controlled lighting device 120 is operably coupled. In embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 unidirectionally or bidirectionally communicates with the network control circuit 112 via the network 160. In embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 may receive commands from the network control circuit 112 and may adjust one or more operating parameters of the lighting fixture or luminaire responsive to the commands received from the network control circuit 112. Such operating parameters may include, but are not limited to: illumination output color, illumination output intensity, or combinations thereof. The device control circuitry 140 may include, but is not limited to: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a reduced instruction set computer (RISC); a programmable gate array (PGA); a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a system-on-a-chip (SoC); a controller; a microcontroller; a processor; or a single- or multi-core microprocessor. In some embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 may include an 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU). In embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 may be compliant with International Electro technical

Commission standard 62386 (IEC 62386 - Digital Addressable Lighting Interface - latest version).

[0033] The communications interface 150 may include any wired or wireless interface capable of unidirectional or bidirectional communication with the network control circuit 112 via the network 160. The communications interface 150 may be communicably coupled to the device control circuitry 140. The communications interface 150 may be a serial or parallel interface. In embodiments, the

communication interface 150 may include a serial, DALI compliant, two-wire interface using Manchester encoding at a data transfer rate of 1200 baud and operating at a voltage between 0 VDC and 16 VDC.

[0034] The network 160 may include a wired network, wireless network, or combinations thereof. The network 160 may include a serial topography, a star topography, or any combination of serial and star topographies. In some

embodiments, the network 160 may include, but is not limited to, a DALI protocol two wire network operating at voltages between 0 VDC and 16 VDC. In some embodiments, the network 160 may include a short-range wireless local area network (WLAN) that uses Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standard 802.15.4 (IEEE 802.15.4 - latest version) running a ZIGBEE^® wireless protocol. In some embodiments, the network 160 may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) using the IEEE 802.15.4 standard running a MiWi or MiWi P2P (Microchip Technology^®, Chandler, AZ) wireless protocol.

[0035] The network 170 communicably couples the network control circuit 112 with one or more remote devices or systems 180. The one or more networks 170 may include any number and/ or combination of local area networks (LANs, including BLUETOOTH^®; Near Field Communication/ NFC, ZIGBEE^®, and similar); wireless local area networks (WLANs); cellular networks; wide area networks (WANs);

and/ or worldwide area networks (WW ANs, such as the Internet). The one or more remote devices 180 may be used to configure the network control circuit 112 and to provide control programming for some or all of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120.

[0036] In some embodiments, upon initial commissioning, the network control circuit 112 causes each of the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120 to generate a random 24-bit identifier that is communicated via network 160 to the network control circuit 112. Using the 24-bit identifier provided by each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120, the network control circuit 112 generates and logically associates a unique network address 132 (e.g., a serially assigned number between 00 and 63) for each network connected digitally controlled lighting device 120. The network control circuit 112 communicates the unique network address 132 logically associated with a digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120 where the network address 132 is stored in a non-transitory memory within the digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0037] The network control circuit 112 may be configured to control operating parameters (dimming, intensity, color, etc.) of individual digitally controlled lighting devices 120. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may be grouped and the network control circuit 112 may control operating parameters of all of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 included in the group with a single instruction. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 may generate a broadcast instruction to control operating parameters of all of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 included coupled to the network 160.

[0038] The network control circuit 112 may intermittently, continuously,

periodically, or aperiodically scan the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 coupled to the network 160. The network control circuit 112 may detect the addition of a new digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network 160 if a network connected device 120 fails to return a network address. In such instances, the network control circuit 112 may determine if a gap exists in the previously assigned, sequential, network addresses 132A-132n. If a gap exists in the network address sequence, the network control circuit 112 assigns the "missing" address to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120. If no gap exists in the network address sequence, the network control circuit 112 assigns the next sequential network address 132 to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0039] FIG 2 is an input/ output diagram of a system 200 that includes a network control circuit 112 coupled to a two-wire network, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. In embodiments, the network control circuit 112 receives, as one or more inputs 210, information from network connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120 via the network 120. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 determines or otherwise receives information and/ or data representative of an externally assigned identifier associated with each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120. Such externally assigned identifiers may include, for example, a device serial number assigned by the device OEM. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 determines or otherwise receives information and/ or data representative of a randomly generated identifier associated with each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120. Such randomly generated identifiers may be generated by each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 either autonomously or upon receipt of a command from the network control circuit 112 to generate a random number. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 receives a signal 212 that includes information and/ or data representative of an assigned (e.g., 6-bit or 8-bit) network address from a communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device 120. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 autonomously assigns a unique, sequential, network identifier 132 to each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n.

[0040] In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 receives the signal 212 including information and/ or data representative of a 24-bit network identifier from a communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device 120 and generates a sequential network address that is logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120. The network control circuit 112 may store or otherwise retain in one or more data structures, data stores, or databases 230 data representative of the logical association between a network address 132 and a digitally controlled lighting device 120. The network control circuit 112 may provide a signal 222 containing information and/ or data representative of the network address 132 logically associated with a respective digitally controlled lighting device 120 at an output 220. The network control circuit 112 may communicate the signal 222 to the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120. Upon receipt of the signal 222, the digitally controlled lighting device 120 may store the data

representative of the network address 132 assigned by the network control circuit 112 in a local non-transitory memory 130.

[0041] The network control circuit 112 may periodically, aperiodically, continuously, or intermittently poll all or a portion of the network 160. In response to such polling, each connected digitally controlled lighting device 120 responds with a signal 212 that includes information and/ or data representative of the previously assigned network address 132. If a digitally controlled lighting device 120 responds without a network address 132 (e.g., the digitally controlled lighting device 120 responds with a network identifier), the network control circuit 112 determines whether a new gap exists in the previously assigned sequential network addresses 132A-132n. If a gap exists in the previously assigned sequential network addresses 132A-132n, the network control circuit 112 assigns the previously assigned network address to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120. If no gap exists in the previously assigned sequential network addresses 132A-132n, the network control circuit 112 assigns the next available sequential network address 132 to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0042] The network control circuit 112 executes machine-readable instructions that adjust one or more operating parameters of one or more digitally controlled lighting devices 120 on a schedule (e.g., dim the output of all digitally controlled lighting devices 120 to a defined brightness level between 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.). The network control circuit 112 112 executes machine-readable instructions that adjust one or more operating parameters of one or more digitally controlled lighting devices 120 on an event-driven basis (e.g., increase the output of all digitally controlled lighting devices 120 to a defined brightness level when motion is detected by a motion sensor communicably coupled to the network 160).

[0043] FIG 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative system 300 that includes a network controller 110 communicably coupled to a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n via a network 160, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The following discussion provides a brief, general description of the components forming the illustrative system 300 that provides autonomous addressing for a network of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n. The system 300 may use a wired or wireless network to communicate using a proprietary or industry standard communications protocol (ZIGBEE^®, MiFi, DALI, etc.). Upon initial start-up of the network 160, the network controller 110 may logically associate one of a sequence of unique network addresses 132A-132n to each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n. Upon connection of a new digitally controlled lighting device 120 (i.e., a digitally controlled lighting device 120 not having a logically associated network address), the network controller 110 may determine if a gap in network addresses 132 exists among the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 currently coupled to the network 160. If a gap exists in the previously assigned sequential network addresses 132, the network controller 110 assigns the network address in the "gap" to the newly connected digitally controlled lighting device 120. If no gap exists in the previously assigned sequential network addresses 132, the network controller 110 assigns the next unassigned sequential network address to the newly connected digitally controlled lighting device 120. [0044] The network controller 110 includes a network control circuit 112 capable of executing machine-readable instruction sets, reading data from a storage device 320 and writing data to the storage device 320. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the illustrated embodiments as well as other embodiments can be practiced with other circuit-based device configurations, including portable electronic or handheld electronic devices, for instance smartphones, portable computers, wearable computers, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, personal computers ("PCs"), network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

[0045] The processor 310 may include any number of hardwired or configurable circuits, some or all of which may include programmable and/ or configurable combinations of electronic components, semiconductor devices, and/ or logic elements that are disposed partially or wholly in a PC, server, or other computing system capable of executing machine-readable instructions. In embodiments, at least a portion of the circuitry disposed in the processor 310 may form, provide, or otherwise enable the network control circuit 112.

[0046] The network controller 110 includes the processor circuitry 310 and a bus or similar communications link 312 that communicably couples and facilitates the exchange of information and/ or data between various system components including the system memory 330 one or more storage devices 320 and/ or the communications interface 360. The network controller 110 may be referred to in the singular herein, but this is not intended to limit the embodiments to a single device and/ or system, since in certain embodiments, there will be more than one network controller 110 that incorporates, includes, or contains any number of communicably coupled, collocated, or remote networked circuits or devices.

[0047] The network controller 110 may include any number, type, or combination of electronic components, semiconductor devices, and/ or logic elements. At times, the network controller 110 may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of semiconductor devices such as diodes, transistors, inductors, capacitors, and resistors. Such an implementation may include, but is not limited to any current or future developed single- or multi-core processor or microprocessor, such as: on or more systems on a chip (SOCs); central processing units (CPUs); digital signal processors (DSPs); graphics processing units (GPUs); application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic units, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. Unless described otherwise, the construction and operation of the various blocks shown in FIG 3 are of conventional design. Consequently, such blocks need not be described in further detail herein, as they will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art. The communications link 312 that interconnects at least some of the components of the network controller 110 may employ any known serial or parallel bus structures or architectures.

[0048] The system memory 330 may include read-only memory ("ROM") 332 and random access memory ("RAM") 334. A portion of the ROM 332 may be used to store or otherwise retain a basic input/ output system ("BIOS") 333. The BIOS 333 provides basic functionality to the network controller 110, for example by causing the processor 310 to load one or more machine-readable instruction sets. In embodiments, at least some of the one or more machine-readable instruction sets cause at least a portion of the processor 310 to provide, create, produce, transition, and/ or function as a dedicated, specific, and particular machine, for example, a DALI compliant lighting network control circuit 112.

[0049] The network controller 110 may include one or more communicably coupled, non-transitory, data storage devices, such as one or more solid-state storage devices 322 and/ or one or more hard disk drives 324. The one or more data storage devices 320 may include any current or future developed storage appliances, networks, and/ or devices. Non-limiting examples of such data storage devices 320 may include, but are not limited to, any current or future developed non-transitory storage appliances or devices, such as one or more magnetic storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, one or more electro-resistive storage devices, one or more molecular storage devices, one or more quantum storage devices, or various combinations thereof. In some implementations, the one or more data storage devices 320 may include one or more removable storage devices, such as one or more flash drives, flash memories, flash storage units, or similar appliances or devices capable of communicable coupling to and decoupling from the network controller 110.

[0050] The one or more data storage devices 320 may include interfaces or

controllers (not shown) communicatively coupling the respective data storage device or system to the bus 312. The one or more data storage devices 320 may store, retain, or otherwise contain machine-readable instruction sets, data structures, program modules, data stores, databases, logical structures, and/ or other data useful to the network control circuit 112 and/ or one or more applications executed on or by the network control circuit 112. In some instances, one or more data storage devices 320 may be communicably coupled to the network control circuit 112, for example via bus 312 or via one or more wired communications interfaces (e.g., Universal Serial Bus or USB); one or more wireless communications interfaces (e.g., BLUETOOTH^®, Near Field Communication or NFC); one or more wired network interfaces (e.g., IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet); and/ or one or more wireless network interfaces (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or WiFi^®).

[0051] An operating system 336 and one or more machine-readable instruction sets 338 may be stored in or otherwise transferred to, in whole or in part, the RAM 334 portion of the system memory 330. Such instruction sets 338 may be transferred, in whole or in part, from the one or more solid state storage devices 332 and/ or the one or more hard disk drives 534. The instruction sets 338 may be loaded, stored, or otherwise retained in system memory 330, in whole or in part, during execution by the processor 310. The machine-readable instruction sets 338 may include machine- readable and/ or processor-readable code, instructions, or similar logic capable of providing the autonomous network addressing functions and capabilities described herein.

[0052] For example, one or more machine readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to cause each communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device 120 to generate a random network identifier and

communicate the random network identifier to the network control circuit 112. One or more machine-readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to generate sequential network addresses 132, each of which may be logically associated with a respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 communicably coupled to the network 160. One or more machine-readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to poll or otherwise cause the communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting devices 120 to transmit their network address 132 to the network control circuit 112 upon detecting a communicable coupling of a digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network 160. One or more machine-readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to determine if a network address 132 is missing from a

previously assigned network address sequence 132A-132n. One or more machine- readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to assign the missing network address 132 to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120 upon determining a network address is missing from the previously assigned network address sequence 132A-132n. One or more machine-readable instruction sets 338 may cause the network control circuit 112 to assign the next available sequential network address to the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120 upon determining a network address is not missing from the previously assigned network address sequence 132A-132n.

[0053] A system user may provide, enter, or otherwise supply commands (e.g., selections, acknowledgements, confirmations, and similar) as well as information and/ or data (e.g., subject identification information, color parameters) to the network controller 110 using one or more communicably coupled input devices 340. The one or more communicably coupled input devices 340 may be disposed local to or remote from the network controller 110. The input devices 340 may include one or more: text entry devices (e.g., keyboard); pointing devices (e.g., mouse, trackball, touchscreen); audio input devices; video input devices; and/ or biometric input devices (e.g., fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, iris print scanner, voice recognition circuitry). In embodiments, at least some of the one or more input devices 340 may include a wired or wireless interface that communicably couples the input device 340 to the network controller 110.

[0054] The system user may receive output generated by the network controller 110 via one or more output devices 350. In at least some implementations, the one or more output devices 350 may include, but are not limited to, one or more: biometric output devices; visual output or display devices; tactile output devices; audio output devices, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, at least some of the one or more output devices 350 may include a wired or a wireless communicable coupling to the network controller 110.

[0055] The network controller 110 further includes one or more communications interfaces 360. The one or more communications interfaces 360 may include any number and/ or combination of wired and/ or wireless interfaces. In some embodiments, the network controller 110 may include one or more DALI compliant, two-wire, communications interfaces 360. In some embodiments, the network controller 110 may include one or more IEEE 802.11 compliant wired or wireless communications interfaces 360.

[0056] For convenience, the processor circuitry 310, the one or more storage devices 320, the system memory 330, the input devices 340 the output devices 350, and the communications interfaces 360 are illustrated as communicatively coupled to each other via the bus 312, thereby providing connectivity between the above-described components. In alternative embodiments, the above-described components may be communicatively coupled in a different manner than illustrated in FIG 3. For example, one or more of the above-described components may be directly coupled to other components, or may be coupled to each other, via one or more intermediary components (not shown). In some embodiments, all or a portion of the bus 316 may be omitted and the components are coupled directly to each other using suitable wired or wireless connections.

[0057] Each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n includes at least: one or more respective input/ output devices 362A-362n (collectively, "1/ O devices 362"); a respective power supply 370A-370n (collectively, "power supplies 370"); a respective processor 380A-380n (collectively, "processor 380"); a respective system memory 390A-390n (collectively, "system memory 390"); and a respective

communications interface 398A-398n (collectively, "communications interface 398"). Each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may include the same or different input/ output devices 362. For example, a first portion of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may include one or more output devices such as a dimmable light emitting diode (LED) luminaire and a second portion of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may include one or more input devices (switches, motion sensors, proximity sensors, etc.) that control one or more operating parameters or operational aspects (luminous intensity, color, temperature, etc.) of the dimmable LED luminaires.

[0058] The I/O devices 362 may include any number and/ or combination of input devices and/ or output devices. Input devices 362 may include any number and/ or combination of systems and/ or devices capable of generating an output signal that may be communicated from the digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network controller 110. Example input devices 162 include, but are not limited to: dimmer switches, ON/ OFF switches, motion sensors, proximity sensors,

photoelectric sensors, timers, piezoelectric sensors, or combinations thereof.

Example input devices 362 may provide an indication that a change in illumination level is appropriate based on an event (e.g., presence of an individual) or based on a schedule (e.g., store closing time).

[0059] Output devices 362 may include any number and/ or combination of systems or devices capable of providing a human perceptible output. Such devices may include dimmable incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, sodium vapor, or LED luminaires. In embodiments, a plurality of output devices 362, such as red LEDs, green LEDs, and blue LEDs, may be controlled by a single digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0060] The power supply 370 may receive single or multi-phase line power (e.g., 110VAC, 240V AC, 480V AC, or similar) and may convert the received line power to a suitable form and voltage to power the 1/ O device 362, the processor 380, the system memory 390, and the communications interface 398. In some implementations, the power supply 370 may provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the I/O devices 362 to control the duty cycle of the I/O devices and therefore the color, temperature, and/ or intensity of the 1/ O devices 362. In some embodiments, the power supply 370 may provide two or more output voltages to power the I/O devices, processor 380, system memory 390, and/ or communications interface 398. [0061] The processor 380 may include any number and/ or combination of

controllers and/ or microcontrollers capable of receiving instructions from the network control circuit 112, controlling the 1/ O device 362, power supply 370, system memory 390 and communications interface 398. The processor 380 includes device control circuitry 140 that may include any number and/ or combination of electronic components, semiconductor devices, and/ or logic elements. In some embodiments, the processor 380 may include an 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to communicate with the network control circuit 112 using DALI protocol. In some embodiments, the processor 380 may include a 16-bit, 32-bit, or even 64-bit processor capable of providing the device control circuitry 140 and communicating with the network control circuit 112 using a ZIGBEE^® or MiFi^® communications protocol.

[0062] The system memory 390 may include RAM 392A-392n (collectively, "RAM 392") and ROM 394A-394n (collectively, "ROM 394"). The ROM 394 may store or otherwise retain one or more instruction sets that cause the execution of an operating system upon powering the digitally controlled lighting device 120. In addition, the ROM 394 may store or otherwise retain information logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device 120. The RAM 392 may store or otherwise retain instruction sets that, when executed by the device control circuitry 140, cause the digitally controlled lighting device 120 to perform one or more functions. For example, one or more instruction sets may cause the device control circuitry 140 to generate a random network identifier responsive to receipt of a request from the network control circuit 112. One or more instruction sets may cause the device control circuitry 140 to store a network address 132 generated by the network control circuit 112. One or more instruction sets may cause the device control circuitry 140 to communicate the stored network address 132 to the network control circuit 112 upon receipt of a request for the network address 132 generated by the network control circuit 112.

[0063] The communication interface 398 may include one or more wired or wireless communications interfaces. In some embodiments, the communication interface 398 may include a two-wire, DALI compliant, communications interface 398. In some embodiments, the communication interface 398 may include a wireless, IEEE 802.11 compliant communications interface 398.

[0064] FIG 4 is an illustrative message 400 generated using a DALI compliant messaging protocol, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The DALI messaging protocol uses a Manchester encoded, nominal 0 VDC to 16 VDC, signal in which a rising voltage (i.e., anything less than 6.5 VDC RISING to greater than 9.5 VDC represents a binary HIGH or "1" signal) and in which a falling voltage (i.e., anything greater than 9.5 VDC falling to less than 6 VDC represents a binary LOW or "0" signal). As depicted in FIG 4, the DALI messaging protocol begins a message with a start bit 410, followed by an 8-bit 420A-420H address field, followed by an 8-bit command field 430A-430H, closed by two stop bits 440A, 440B. The DALI communication protocol supports a 1200 baud data rate across the network 160.

[0065] In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein cause the network control circuit 112 to use the command field 430 to cause a digitally controlled lighting device 120 to store a network address 132 contained in the address field 420 in non-transitory memory 390 in the digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0066] FIG 5 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method 500 of

autonomously addressing digitally controlled lighting devices 120 using sequential network addressing, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. Using the DALI protocol, the network control circuit 112 assigns a network address 132 to newly connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120 with no assurance that, when a replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120 is coupled to the network 160, the same network address 132 logically associated with the removed digitally controlled lighting device 120 will be assigned to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120. Thus, if a digitally controlled lighting device 120 controlling the intensity of a blue LED in an RGB luminaire fails and is replaced, the network control circuit 112 may assign a different network address 132 to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120, requiring manual remapping of the network address 132 to the blue LED. The method 500 beneficially provides for the automatic addressing of replacement digitally controlled lighting devices 120 without requiring manual remapping of the network address 132. The method 500 commences at 502.

[0067] At 504, upon detecting the addition of a new digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network, the network control circuit 112 polls the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 coupled to the network. Responsive to receipt of the polling signal, each of the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120 responds by transmitting to the network control circuit 112 information and/ or data representative of the network address 132 logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network control circuit 112.

[0068] At 506, the network control circuit 112 determines whether a gap exists in the network addresses 132 returned by the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 responsive to the poll. By assigning the network addresses in a sequential order, the absence of a network address 132 from the sequence is detectable by the network control circuit 112.

[0069] In a first example, the network control circuit 112 has assigned sequential network addresses "0" through "19" to twenty (20) digitally controlled lighting devices 120 connected to the network 160. Digitally controlled lighting device 120 logically associated with the network address "16" fails and is removed and replaced with a new digitally controlled lighting device 120 that does not yet have a logically associated network address. At 504, upon detecting the connection of the new digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network 160, the network control circuit 112 polls the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 and receives network addresses 0-15 and 17-19. Using the network addresses 132 provided by the connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120, the network control circuit 112 determines the new digitally controlled lighting device 120 is a replacement for old digitally controlled lighting device and the method 500 proceeds to 508.

[0070] In a second example, the network control circuit 112 has assigned sequential network addresses "0" through "19" to twenty (20) digitally controlled lighting devices 120 connected to the network 160. A new digitally controlled lighting device 120 that does not yet have a logically associated network address is added to the network 160. At 504, upon detecting the connection of the new digitally controlled lighting device 120 to the network 160, the network control circuit 112 polls the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 and receives network addresses 0-19. Using the network addresses 132 provided by the connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120, the network control circuit 112 determines the new digitally controlled lighting device 120 is a new device and the method 500 proceeds to 510.

[0071] At 508, the network control circuit 112 prepares to configure the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120 and proceeds to method 600 described in detail in FIG 6.

[0072] At 510, the network control circuit 112 prepares to configure the newly added digitally controlled lighting device 120 and proceeds to method 700 described in detail in FIG 7.

[0073] FIG 6 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method 600 of

autonomously assigning a network address to a replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120 on a network 160 operating under the DALI protocol, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The method 600 may be used in conjunction with the method 500 depicted in FIG 5. Upon detecting the coupling of a replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW to the network, the network control circuit 112 autonomously assigns the network address logically associated with the replaced removed digitally controlled lighting device 120OLD (i.e., the previously installed digitally controlled lighting device 120 removed from the network 160) to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. The method 600 commences at 602.

[0074] At 604, the network control circuit 112 determines the network address 132 of the previously installed digitally controlled lighting device 120OLD. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 determines the network address based, at least in part, on which sequential network address is missing after polling the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120. In some

embodiments, the network control circuit 112 compares a list of the network addresses of digitally controlled lighting devices 120 currently coupled to the network 160 with a list of network addresses of digitally controlled lighting devices 120 previously coupled to the network 160.

[0075] Continuing with the first example (FIG 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has polled the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 and received network addresses 0-15 and 17-19. Based on the missing network address "18," the network control circuit 112 determines the network address 132 of the previously installed digitally controlled lighting device 120OLD is "18."

[0076] At 606, the network control circuit 112 logically associates the network address of the previously installed digitally controlled lighting device 120OLD with the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW- h some embodiments, data representative of the logical association between the network address and the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW may be stored in the network controller 110 non-transitory storage 320.

[0077] Continuing with the first example (FIG 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has identified the network address ("18") of the previously installed digitally controlled lighting device 120OLD. The network control circuit 112 generates and stores data representative of the logical association between the network address "18" and the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW in a non- transitory storage device 320 disposed in and/ or communicably coupled to the network controller 110.

[0078] At 608, the network control circuit 112 generates and transmits to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW a data packet 400 that uses the DALI compliant packet format depicted in FIG 4. Upon receipt of the data packet 400, the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW stores the network address in an on-board non-transitory memory 394.

[0079] Continuing with the first example (FIG 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has stored data representative of the logical association between the network address "18" and the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. The network control circuit 112 then generates a DALI compliant data packet 400 that includes the current address (long address or random address) of the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW and an command to store data representative of the logically associated network address "18" in a non-transitory memory 394 communicably coupled to and/ or accessible by the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW.

[0080] At 610, the network control circuit 112 causes the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW to store the information representative of the network address "18" in a non-transitory memory communicably coupled to and/ or accessible by the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW.

[0081] Continuing with the first example (FIG 5, above) - responsive to receipt of the data packet 400, the replacement digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW stores data representative of the network address "18" in the on-board non-transitory memory 394. The method 600 concludes at 612.

[0082] FIG 7 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method 700 of

autonomously assigning a network address to a digitally controlled lighting device 120 newly added to a network 160 operating under the DALI protocol, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The method 700 may be used in conjunction with the method 500 depicted in FIG 5. Upon detecting the coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW to the network, the network control circuit 112 autonomously assigns the next sequentially available network address to the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. Assigning the next sequentially available network address 132 maintains the integrity of the network address allocation process. The method 700 commences at 702.

[0083] At 704, the network control circuit 112 determines the next available sequential network address 132. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 determines the next available sequential network address based, at least in part, on the sequential network addresses returned by the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 in response to the poll performed by the network control circuit 112.

[0084] Continuing with the second example (FIG. 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has polled the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 and received network addresses 0-19. Based on the lack of gaps in the returned network addresses, the network control circuit 112 assigns the next sequentially available network address "20" to the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. This scenario also addresses the situation where the digitally controlled lighting device associated with the final network address is replaced.

[0085] At 706, the network control circuit 112 logically associates the next sequential network address 132 with the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. In some embodiments, data representative of the logical association between the network address and the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW may be stored in the network controller 110 non-transitory storage 320.

[0086] Continuing with the second example (FIG 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has identified the network address ("20") as the next available sequential network address. The network control circuit 112 generates and stores data representative of the logical association between the network address "20" and the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW in a non-transitory storage device 320 disposed in and/ or communicably coupled to the network controller 110.

[0087] At 708, the network control circuit 112 generates and transmits to the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW a data packet 400 that uses the DALI compliant packet format depicted in FIG 4. Upon receipt of the data packet 400, the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW stores the network address in an onboard non-transitory memory 394.

[0088] Continuing with the second example (FIG 5, above) - the network control circuit 112 has stored data representative of the logical association between the nest available sequential network address "20" and the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. The network control circuit 112 then generates a DALI compliant data packet 400 that includes the current address (long address or random address) of the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW and a command to store data representative of the logically associated network address "20" in a non-transitory memory 394 communicably coupled to and/ or accessible by the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW.

[0089] At 710, the network control circuit 112 causes the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW to store the information representative of the next available sequential network address in a non-transitory memory communicably coupled to and/ or accessible by the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. [0090] Continuing with the second example (FIG 5, above) - responsive to receipt of the data packet 400, the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW stores data representative of the nest available sequential network address "20" in the on-board non-transitory memory 394. The method 700 concludes at 712.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a high-level logic diagram of an illustrative method 800 for assigning sequential network addresses 132A-132n to each of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The method 800 may be used in conjunction with any of methods 500 described in FIG 5, 600 described in FIG 6, and/ or 700 described in FIG 7. The method 800 commences at 802.

[0092] At 804, the network control circuit 112 assigns a sequential network address 132A-132n to each respective one of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n. In some embodiments, the network control circuit 112 assigns a such sequential addresses over a limited range, such as 16 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; 32 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; 64 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; 128 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; 256 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; 512 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices; or 1024 or fewer digitally controlled lighting devices. The method 800 concludes at 806.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a high-level logic diagram of an illustrative method 900 for assigning sequential network addresses 132A-132n to each of a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n, in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The method 900 may be used in conjunction with any of methods 500 described in FIG 5, 600 described in FIG 6, and/ or 700 described in FIG 7. The method 900 commences at 902.

[0094] At 904, upon initial network power-up, the network control circuit 112 causes each of the network connected digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n to generate a respective random network address. Using the DALI protocol as an example, the random network address may include a randomly generated 24-bit network address. In some embodiments, the device control circuitry 140 may generate the random 24-bit network address (i.e., the "long address"). [0095] At 906, the network control circuit 112 receives the random network addresses from each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120.

[0096] At 908, the network control circuit 112 generates a sequential network address 132 for each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120. In some embodiments, the random network addresses of each of the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 may be sorted in an ascending or descending order and the sequential network addresses 132 may be assigned to the digitally controlled lighting devices 120 in an order corresponding to the sorted random network addresses. Using the DALI protocol, the network control circuit 112 may sort the random network addresses in ascending order. The network control circuit 112 may the assign sequential network addresses between 0 and 63 to digitally controlled lighting devices 120 according to the sorted random network address logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120.

[0097] At 910, the network control circuit 112 logically associates the assigned sequential network address 132 with the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120 to which the network address 132 has been assigned. In some

embodiments, data representative of the logical association between the assigned sequential network address 132a-132n and the respective digitally controlled lighting device 120A-120n with which the sequential network address is associated may be stored in a location accessible by the network controller 110, for example in the on-board non-transitory storage 320.

[0098] At 912, using the DALI compliant packet format depicted in FIG 4, the network control circuit 112 generates and transmits to each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices 120A-120n a data packet 400 that includes the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device 120 and a command that will cause the digitally controlled lighting device 120 store or otherwise retain data representative of the sequential network address 132.

[0099] At 914, the network control circuit 112 causes the digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW to store the information representative of the sequential network address in a non-transitory memory communicably coupled to and/ or accessible by the new digitally controlled lighting device 120NEW. The method 900 concludes at 916.

[00100] While FIGs. 5 through 9 illustrate various operations according to an embodiment, it is to be understood that not all of the operations depicted in FIGs 5 through 9 are necessary for other embodiments. Indeed, it is fully contemplated herein that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the operations depicted in FIGs 5 through 9 and/ or other operations described herein, may be combined in a manner not specifically shown in any of the drawings, but still fully consistent with the present disclosure. Thus, claims directed to features and/ or operations that are not exactly shown in one drawing are deemed within the scope and content of the present disclosure.

[00101] As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term "and/ or" can mean any combination of the listed items. For example, the phrase "A, B and/ or C" can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term "at least one of" can mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B or C" can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.

[00102] The term "coupled" as used herein refers to any connection, coupling, link or the like by which signals carried by one system element are imparted to the "coupled" element. Such "coupled" devices, or signals and devices, are not necessarily directly connected to one another and may be separated by intermediate components or devices that may manipulate or modify such signals. Likewise, the terms "connected" or "coupled" as used herein in regard to mechanical or physical connections or couplings is a relative term and does not require a direct physical connection.

[00103] Thus, this disclosure is directed to automated network addressing systems, methods, and apparatuses capable of generating network addresses for digitally controlled lighting devices coupled to a lighting network that includes at least one network controller. In some embodiments, such systems, methods, and apparatuses may cause the assignment of sequential, DALI communication protocol compliant network addresses to each of a plurality of network connected digitally controlled lighting devices. When a previously coupled digitally controlled lighting device is removed from the network and a replacement digitally controlled lighting device coupled to the network, the network controller causes each of the digitally controlled lighting devices coupled to the network to respond with a message containing the network address of the respective digitally controlled lighting device. Since the network addresses are serially assigned, the network controller can then identify the location and/ or function of the replacement digitally controlled lighting device by detecting which network address is missing from the sequence. The network controller then assigns the missing network address to the replacement digitally controlled lighting device.

[00104] The methods and systems described herein are not limited to a particular hardware or software configuration, and may find applicability in many computing or processing environments. The methods and systems may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. The methods and systems may be implemented in one or more computer programs, where a computer program may be understood to include one or more processor executable instructions. The computer program(s) may execute on one or more programmable processors, and may be stored on one or more storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and no n- volatile memory and/ or storage elements), one or more input devices, and/ or one or more output devices. The processor thus may access one or more input devices to obtain input data, and may access one or more output devices to communicate output data. The input and/ or output devices may include one or more of the following: Random Access Memory (RAM), Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), floppy drive, CD, DVD, magnetic disk, internal hard drive, external hard drive, memory stick, or other storage device capable of being accessed by a processor as provided herein, where such aforementioned examples are not exhaustive, and are for illustration and not limitation.

[00105] The computer program(s) may be implemented using one or more high level procedural or object-oriented programming languages to communicate with a computer system; however, the program(s) may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The language may be compiled or interpreted.

[00106] As provided herein, the processor(s) may thus be embedded in one or more devices that may be operated independently or together in a networked environment, where the network may include, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and/ or may include an intranet and/ or the internet and/ or another network. The network(s) may be wired or wireless or a combination thereof and may use one or more communications protocols to facilitate communications between the different processors. The processors may be configured for distributed processing and may utilize, in some embodiments, a client-server model as needed. Accordingly, the methods and systems may utilize multiple processors and/ or processor devices, and the processor instructions may be divided amongst such single- or multiple-processor/ devices.

[00107] The device(s) or computer systems that integrate with the processor(s) may include, for example, a personal computer(s), workstation(s) (e.g., Sun, HP), personal digital assistant(s) (PDA(s)), handheld device(s) such as cellular

telephone(s) or smart cellphone(s), laptop(s), handheld computer(s), or another device(s) capable of being integrated with a processor(s) that may operate as provided herein. Accordingly, the devices provided herein are not exhaustive and are provided for illustration and not limitation.

[00108] References to "a microprocessor" and "a processor", or "the

microprocessor" and "the processor," may be understood to include one or more microprocessors that may communicate in a stand-alone and/ or a distributed environment(s), and may thus be configured to communicate via wired or wireless communications with other processors, where such one or more processor may be configured to operate on one or more processor-controlled devices that may be similar or different devices. Use of such "microprocessor" or "processor"

terminology may thus also be understood to include a central processing unit, an arithmetic logic unit, an application-specific integrated circuit (IC), and/ or a task engine, with such examples provided for illustration and not limitation. [00109] Furthermore, references to memory, unless otherwise specified, may include one or more processor-readable and accessible memory elements and/ or components that may be internal to the processor-controlled device, external to the processor-controlled device, and/ or may be accessed via a wired or wireless network using a variety of communications protocols, and unless otherwise specified, may be arranged to include a combination of external and internal memory devices, where such memory may be contiguous and/ or partitioned based on the application. Accordingly, references to a database may be understood to include one or more memory associations, where such references may include commercially available database products (e.g., SQL, Informix, Oracle) and also proprietary databases, and may also include other structures for associating memory such as links, queues, graphs, trees, with such structures provided for illustration and not limitation.

[00110] References to a network, unless provided otherwise, may include one or more intranets and/ or the internet. References herein to microprocessor instructions or microprocessor-executable instructions, in accordance with the above, may be understood to include programmable hardware.

[00111] Unless otherwise stated, use of the word "substantially" may be construed to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement, orientation, and/ or other characteristic, and deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems.

[00112] Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles "a" and/ or "an" and/ or "the" to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one, of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[00113] Elements, components, modules, and/ or parts thereof that are described and/ or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/ or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/ or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein.

[00114] Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An addressing system, comprising:

a plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices, each digitally controlled lighting device comprising a non-transitory memory to store data representative of a network address logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device;

a network communicably coupled to each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices; and

a controller communicably coupled the network, the controller comprising: a control circuit; and

non-volatile storage communicably coupled to the control circuit, the non-volatile storage including machine-readable instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to:

responsive to detecting a newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device to a network;

poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network;

responsive to a determination that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network, determine a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network; and

communicate information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device.

2. The addressing system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuit to: responsive to a determination that all of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices remain coupled to the network;

determine a new network address to logically associate with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device;

logically associate the network address with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device;

communicate information indicative of the new network address to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and

cause the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device to store the received information indicative of the network address in a non-transitory memory location.

3. The addressing system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuit to:

assign sequentially increasing network addresses to each of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices.

4. The addressing system of claim 3, wherein the machine-readable instructions that cause the control circuit to poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed further cause the control circuit to:

poll the network to determine if a gap exists in the sequentially increasing network addresses assigned to each of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices, a gap in network addresses indicative of a previously installed digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network.

5. The addressing system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuit to, upon an initial start-up of the lighting device controller:

cause each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices to generate an identifier logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device that generated the respective identifier;

detect the identifier logically associated with each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices;

generate a respective, sequentially increasing, network address for each digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices;

logically associate the generated network address with the respective digitally controlled lighting device;

communicate the network address to the respective digitally controlled lighting device; and

cause the digitally controlled lighting device to store the network address in a non-transitory memory location.

6. The addressing system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable instructions that cause the control circuit to detect a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network further cause the control circuit to:

detect one or more digitally controlled lighting devices communicably coupled to the network that do not have a logically associated network address.

7. A method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices, comprising:

responsive to detecting, by a control circuit, a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network, polling the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and responsive to determining, by the control circuit, that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network:

determining, by the control circuit, a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network;

logically associating, by the control circuit, the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and

communicating, by the control circuit, information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device.

8. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to determining that all of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices remain coupled to the network:

determining a new network address to logically associate with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device;

logically associating the new network address with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device;

communicating information indicative of the new network address to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and causing the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device to store the received information indicative of the new network address in a non-transitory memory location.

9. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices of claim 7, further comprising: assigning, by the control circuit, sequentially increasing network addresses to each of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices.

10. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices of claim 9, wherein polling the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network further comprises:

polling the network, by the control circuit, to determine if a gap exists in the sequentially increasing network addresses assigned to each of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices, a gap in network addresses indicative of a previously installed digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network.

11. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices of claim 7, further comprising, upon an initial start-up of the system:

causing, by the control circuit, each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices to generate a random identifier that is logically associated with the respective digitally controlled lighting device;

detecting, by the control circuit, the random identifier logically associated with each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices;

generating, by the control circuit, a respective, sequentially increasing, network address for each digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices;

logically associating, by the control circuit, the generated network address with the respective digitally controlled lighting device;

communicating, by the control circuit, the network address to the respective digitally controlled lighting device; and

causing, by the control circuit, the digitally controlled lighting device to store the network address in a non-transitory memory location.

12. The method of addressing digitally controlled lighting devices of claim 7, wherein detecting a connection of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network further comprises:

detecting, by the control circuit, one or more digitally controlled lighting devices communicably coupled to the network that do not have a logically associated network address.

13. A lighting device controller, comprising:

control circuitry; and

non-volatile storage that includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the control circuitry, cause the control circuitry to:

responsive to detecting a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network, poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed from the network; and

responsive to a determination that a digitally controlled lighting device included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices has been removed from the network:

determine a network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network;

logically associate the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device;

communicate information indicative of the network address logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network to the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and

14. The lighting device controller of claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuitry to:

responsive to a determination that all of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices remain coupled to the network:

15. The lighting device controller of claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuitry to:

16. The lighting device controller of claim 15, wherein the machine-readable instructions that cause the control circuitry to poll the network to determine if any of a plurality digitally controlled lighting devices previously connected to the network have been removed further cause the control circuitry to:

17. The lighting device controller of claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the control circuitry to, upon an initial start-up of the lighting device controller:

18. The lighting device controller of claim 13, wherein the machine-readable instructions that cause the control circuitry to detect a communicable coupling of a new digitally controlled lighting device to a network further cause the control circuitry to:

19. A computer readable medium containing instructions, that when executed by a control circuit, cause the control circuit to:

logically associate the network address of the digitally controlled lighting device removed from the network with the newly communicably coupled digitally controlled lighting device; and

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the control circuit to:

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further cause the control circuit to, upon an initial start-up of the system:

cause each of the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices to generate a random identifier logically associated with the digitally controlled lighting device that generated the respective random identifier;

detect the random identifier logically associated with each respective one of the digitally controlled lighting devices included in the plurality of digitally controlled lighting devices;