WO2010048987A1 - Device for a lamp application, method for communication between devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a lamp application, particularly for a lighting system, comprising a bus interface for connecting to a bus system and a configuration information used for adjusting, administering, and/or utilizing the device via the bus interface. The invention further relates to a method for communication between such devices.

Description

 Confession

Device for a lamp application, method for communication between devices

The invention relates to a device for a lamp application, a method for communication between devices.

Known is a so-called DALI standard (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, DIN EN 60929).

DALI is a control protocol for controlling digital lighting equipment in buildings (e.g., electronic transformers, electronic ballasts (ECGs), electronic power dimmers, etc.). Each operating device that has a DALI interface can be individually controlled via DALI short addresses. Through bidirectional data exchange, a DALI control unit or a DALI gateway can monitor the status of light sources or of

Interrogate control gear of a luminaire or set the state.

DALI uses a serial, asynchronous data protocol with a transfer rate of 1200 bps. The

Control cable is galvanically isolated and polarity-free (reverse polarity protected). The cables can be laid in almost any topology, ie star, line or tree structures. However, an annular connection of components must be avoided. The cable length between two system users is limited to a maximum of 300 meters (depending on the cable cross-section). There are no termination resistors at the end of a line necessary.

According to Fig.l be electronic ballasts 101 to 103 according to the DALI standard with lines L, N and PE connected. To the electronic ballasts 101 to 103 each have a lamp 105 to 107 is connected.

A DALI controller 104 ("master") is connected to each electronic ballast 101 to 103 via two DALI lines DA (a DALI bus) and can switch on and off the lamps 105 to 107 via DALI control commands. The individual electronic ballasts 101 to 103 respond only when they are addressed ("asked") by the DALI controller 104. For this, the DALI sends

Control unit 104 a 19-bit data frame, the addressed electronic ballast 101 to 103 responds by means of an 11-bit data frame.

The object of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned limitations and in particular to provide a possibility for efficient information distribution for lighting applications.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, a device is specified for a lamp application, in particular for a lighting system comprising

a bus interface for connection to a bus system;

- Configuration information by means of which the device can be set, administered and / or used via the bus interface.

The configuration information allows, for example, a controller as a participant in the bus system to determine the configuration and the options for configuring the device and to set or modify the configuration for the device accordingly. In particular, the configuration information can be stored in a memory of the device.

A further development is that the configuration information is organized or stored in the form of a file in the device, the file in particular comprising an XML file.

As such, the file may include variables and / or parameters, e.g. a value determined by the device, a

Possibility to select a configuration, a period for a "repeat", a period for a "silence" as well as markers for setting and / or deleting various functions.

Another training is that the

Configuration information from a control unit queried and / or is adjustable.

The control device may include or be associated with an operating device and / or an electronic ballast (ECG). In particular, a lamp or a lamp can be provided which has such a control unit.

It is also possible that the device is connected to a lamp and / or lamp or integrated in such.

In particular, it is a further development that the device comprises a sensor and / or an actuator, wherein in particular each sensor and / or each actuator has an address for addressing via the bus system.

Thus, for example, each sensor or actuator can be addressed directly via the bus interface. Accordingly, at least one value can be determined per sensor or actuator and be provided to the controller via the bus system.

In particular, the device is a sensor element comprising at least one sensor and / or at least one actuator.

It is also a development that the sensor is a brightness sensor or a motion detector.

Furthermore, it is a development that the actuator is a control element, in particular a switch and / or a button.

Within the scope of an additional development, a sensor value of the sensor can be interrogated and / or a state of the actuator can be interrogated.

A next development consists in that a sensor value of the sensor and / or a state of the actuator can be transmitted from the device to a further component with a bus interface.

In this respect, the device itself can transmit the sensor value or state e.g. to the controller.

One embodiment is that the device transmits and / or provides values or states or past values or states.

An alternative embodiment is that a communication with the device or from the device via the bus system takes place according to a predetermined prioritization.

A next embodiment is that the bus system a

DALI bus system, in particular an extended DALI bus system is. It is also an embodiment that the bus system comprises a data transmission via a power supply.

A development consists in that the device has at least one light-emitting means, in particular at least one light-emitting diode.

To achieve the object, a method for communicating a first device with a second device via a bus system is furthermore specified,

- in which the first device and the second device are in connection with at least one lamp application in particular for a lighting system; - where the first device depends on one

Configuration information provides the second device a message.

A further development is that the first device provides the message to the second device for retrieving or transmits the message to the second device.

Furthermore, the above object is achieved by a system comprising at least one device as described herein.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated and explained below with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

2 shows a possible implementation for devices of a lamp application, each having a configuration information and are connected to a bus system. The present approach allows efficient management and / or use of multiple sensors and / or actuators via a bus system. This is expediently carried out based on at least one control device or at least one operating device of the bus system.

The control / operating device may in particular be an electronic ballast (ECG).

Preferably, the sensors are addressable via the bus system. For example, each input, each operating element (eg push button, switch), each sensor (eg presence sensor, light sensor, etc.) may be assigned its own address, even if several of these components are combined in one module and via a common microcontroller to the bus system access.

For communication with the sensor, an addressing scheme can be used which is not understood by the already existing ECGs accessing the bus system and thus preferably ignored. For example, instead of a 2-byte DALI command, a 3-byte command can be used. Thus, there is compatibility with existing ECGs of the bus system, i. Existing ECUs do not need to be replaced and / or modified.

According to this addressing, the sensor provides a value (eg a measured value or a state), eg in the form of an 8-bit value. This 8-bit value can be queried by means of a command which differs from a standard communication according to the DALI standard in that it comprises less than the 8 bits usual for commands in the DALI standard (eg a command with a width of only 6 bits). , In particular, the sensors can be operated continuously or discontinuously:

(a) In the continuous case, a value query provides a current value of the sensor (e.g., a brightness of a light sensor or a switching state of a button or switch). Past values of the sensor are irrelevant here.

(b) In the discontinuous case, a value query provides the sensor's event (e.g., a keystroke or a motion signal) since the last poll. Thereafter, the event is deleted. Accordingly, this case is directed to the past.

Preferably, the command to query the sensor may only include the address of the sensor or the address of the actuator. Thus, the possible with eg. 6 bit combination in terms of the number of addresses are maximized.

It is also possible for the sensor to emit a signal when the current sensor value changes, i. independently sends a command via the bus system. This command may differ from common DALI standard commands, e.g. differ in that it has less than 8 bits (for example, 6 bits). It is also possible that the bit width (number of bits for the command) is equal to the bit width of the command for querying the current state. Preferably, the signal transmitted by the sensor as a command comprises the address of the transmitting sensor; In particular, only addressed sensors can send signals.

Accordingly, the command can also have more or equal to many bits as the DALI standard. For example, the sensor can send as a signal a 3 byte command (eg to itself). This command can contain a short address of the sensor in the first byte and the current value with a 16 bit resolution in the following two bytes. It is also possible to send the command (via "broadcast") to all nodes of the bus system. This proves to be advantageous if a not yet addressable sensor is added to the bus system. For example, the controller may determine at the first signal corresponding to the broadcast that a new sensor is present and addressing or addressing it. Also, the controller may provide a basic function for cabling functional testing for easy commissioning.

In particular, the following time sequences can be configured:

(a) As long as a sensor signal is present (e.g., a continuous press of a button), the signal on the

Bus system repeated over a configurable time interval, in particular with an adjustable periodicity (for example, to realize dimming operations with continuous key press).

(b) After the sensor has transmitted a signal via the bus system, preferably no further signal is to be transmitted by this sensor for a predetermined period of time. This is e.g. in sensors that continuously record similar data (e.g., movements detected by a person)

Motion detector) effectively achieves data reduction and prevents these sensors from blocking the bus system.

To avoid collisions with commands of the bus system, eg with other commands after the DALI By default, a prioritization is proposed comprising at least two of the following time slots:

(1) Time window one: Responses to inquiries from the control gear and / or operating devices or ECGs as well as the

Sensors.

(2) Time window two: A second command or further commands of a command sequence should / should not be interrupted.

(3) Time window three: Signals from sensors having collision detection on the bus system.

(4) Time window four: A single command (e.g., a DALI command) as well as a first command of a sequence (e.g., a DALI sequence).

A component or device of the bus system (e.g., control and / or operating device, electronic ballast or sensor) starts a

Transmission during a time window preferably only if no transmission was previously initiated by another component in a preceding time window.

Preferably, the sensor includes a memory (e.g., a so-called memory page) into which parameters of the sensor or multiple sensors may be stored. Examples of such parameters are: GIN, version number and / or identification (ID).

Preferably, the sensor comprises a configuration ^¬ information, such as a description in XML (Extensible Markup Language). An operating and / or control device can read this configuration information from the sensor by means of the bus system and thus carry out a central configuration of the sensor. In particular, learns on this Way the operating / control unit Details about the sensor, eg retrievable sensor data and parameters (time intervals, ranges, place of installation, cover, etc.).

In particular, the sensors are thus identifiable and / or functionally distinguishable from the information stored in the memory or from the configuration information (i.e.

Each sensor may have at least one configuration parameter, e.g. can be read or written via the XML file and can be selected based on which between possible operating states of the sensor. The configuration parameter is e.g. in the

Commissioning set and stored in the sensor, for example. In an EEPROM.

Furthermore, the XML file of the sensor may have parameters or variables that are transmitted via the bus system from a

Operating and / or control unit or an ECG can be read or written (set).

For example, a sensor may have the following parameters or variables (or part of it):

Value The current value of the sensor; these

Variable is changed by the sensor itself; the value has, for example, a length of 8 bits, optionally 16 bits.

Configuration Selection of the behavior of the sensor if several options are available (eg between a tactile and a switching behavior). Repetition time in which a pending sensor signal should repeatedly trigger a signal (eg to generate a continuous dimming from a long press on a button); the repetition has, for example, a length of 16 bits.

Silence in the even with changing

Sensor signal no signal to be triggered (useful in connection with

Motion detector); For example, this variable has a length of 16 bits.

Flag (r) A brand that distinguishes between continuous and discontinuous behavior.

Flag (r / w) A flag indicating whether a sensor value should be actively communicated by the sensor. Otherwise, the sensor value, e.g. from the TOE.

Flag (r / w) A flag indicating whether the sensor's active message should be suppressed for a predetermined period of time; this can e.g. during troubleshooting in a plant (no signals are sent from the sensor for the duration of the troubleshooting).

The same applies in addition to the sensor analog or in addition to the actuator.

FIG. 2 shows a possible implementation for devices of a lamp application, which each have configuration information and are connected to a bus system. By way of example, FIG. 2 shows a bus system 209 with two data lines DA1 and DA2. The bus system can be an (extended) DALI bus system. Furthermore, electronic ballasts 201 and 202 and a device 208 and a device 203 with light source 207 connected thereto are connected to the bus system 209.

Each electronic ballast 201 and 202 is connected to a lighting means 205 and 206.

The electronic ballasts 201 and 202 and the devices 203 and 208 are powered by electrical lines L, N and PE.

Furthermore, a control unit 212 is connected to the bus system 209, wherein the control unit 212, for example, as a "master" takes over or coordinates a central control of the components of the bus system.

Each of the devices 203 and 208 includes configuration information 210, 211 for setting the respective device. The device 203 or the device 208 has in each case at least one sensor and / or at least one actuator. The configuration information 210, 211 is e.g. an XML file having parameters and / or variables that are provided to or transmitted to the controller 212 upon request. Also, it is possible for data from the device 203 or 208 to be active - i. without explicit request - be sent to the control unit.

The controller 212 may, by accessing the configuration information 210 and 211, determine the nature of the particular device and, respectively, manage or utilize that or the functions provided by the device.

Claims

claims 1. apparatus (203, 208) for a lamp application comprising a bus interface for connection to a bus system (209); - Configuration information (210, 211) by means of which the device (203, 208) via the bus interface adjustable, administered and / or usable. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information (210, 211) is organized or stored in the form of a file in the device, wherein the file in particular comprises an XML file. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the configuration information (210, 211) is interrogated and / or adjustable by a control unit. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a sensor and / or an actuator, wherein in particular each sensor and / or each actuator has an address for addressing via the bus system. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is a brightness sensor or a motion detector. 6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the actuator is an operating element, in particular a switch and or a button. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a sensor value of the sensor is interrogated and / or in which a state of the actuator is interrogated. 8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a sensor value of the sensor and / or in which a state of the actuator from the device to a further component with a bus interface can be transmitted. 9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the device transmits values or states or past values or states and / or provides. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which there is a communication with the device or from the device via the bus system according to a predetermined prioritization. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bus system is a DALI bus system, in particular an extended DALI bus system. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bus system data transmission over a Power includes. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least one lighting means, in particular at least one light emitting diode. 14. A method for communicating a first device with a second device via a bus system, - in which the first device and the second device are in connection with at least one lamp application in particular for a lighting system; - In which the first device depending on a configuration information to the second device provides a message. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first device sends the message to the second device to retrieve or send the message to the second device.