WO2013057666A1

WO2013057666A1 - Automatic recommissioning of electronic devices in a networked system

Info

Publication number: WO2013057666A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055649
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerardus Johannes Karel Marijke Koolen
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-10-17
Filing date: 2012-10-17
Publication date: 2013-04-25

Abstract

A method of automatically recommissioning a replacement component comprises determining that a new component is present in a networked system (M4), determining that a component of the networked system is missing or failing (M5), and causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component (M6).

Description

AUTOMATIC RECOMMISSIONING OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN

A NETWORKED SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of networked systems, in particular, but not exclusively, networked lighting systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a known specification for connecting lamps together in a network. Replacement of a lamp on a DALI network typically involves an installation engineer, who manually installs the replacement lamp, and a commissioning engineer, who sets up the replacement component so that it is uniquely identifiable in the network. This is called "recommissioning" the replacement component. Calling out a commissioning engineer can be particularly financially inefficient where only one or a few lamps are to be replaced (e.g. for repair).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method, comprising, at one or more electronic devices: determining that a new component is present in a networked system; determining that a component of the networked system is missing or failing; and causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, information relating to a component determined to be missing or failing can be used by the network to recommission a replacement component automatically, i.e.: without the need for human intervention.

Preferably, the networked system comprises a networked lighting system. Optionally, assigning data to the new component may comprise setting an address for the new component equal to an address for the missing or failing component. In this way, a mapping can be set up for the new component in which data (e.g.: location data, predefined dim levels, color levels) which is stored for the missing or failing component is assigned to the new component.

Preferably, the location of the missing or failing component is assigned to the new component. The method may further comprise obtaining type data for the component determined to be missing or failing, and type data for the new component, and determining whether the new component is a replacement type for the missing or failing component. If the new component is determined to be a replacement type for the missing or failing component, data relating to the missing or failing component may be assigned to the new component.

Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, automatic recommissioning of a replacement device based on a missing or failing component may be conditional on the replacement device being a replacement type for (e.g.: the same type as) the missing or failing component.

Alternatively, or in addition, the method may include obtaining region information identifying a region of the network which includes the new component and region information identifying a region of the network which includes the component determined to be missing or failing. If the new component is determined to be in the same region of the network as the missing or failing component and/or of a replacement type, then data relating to the missing or failing component may be assigned to the new component. Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, automatic recommissioning of a replacement device based on a missing or failing component may (a) be conditional on the replacement device being in the same region as the missing or failing component and/or (b) conditional on the replacement device being a replacement type for the missing or failing component. In this way, errors in automatic recomissioning can be reduced.

For example, in some embodiments coarse location information identifying the region of the network containing the missing or failing component may be obtained and compared with coarse location information identifying the region of the network containing the new component, so as to determine whether the components are in the same region. If they are in the same region, then specific location data for the missing or failing component may be assigned to the new component.

The region of the network may be a sub-region (e.g.: a subnet) of the networked system, e.g.: an ethernet subnet. Alternatively, where the networked system comprises DALI devices, the region may be a DALI line. Preferably, the region is one of a plurality of regions which together form the networked system.

The region information may be defined by neighboring components of the new component and/or neighboring components of the missing or failing component. The method may comprise obtaining information relating to neighboring components of the new component, obtaining information relating to neighboring components of the missing or failing component, and causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component if it is determined that the new component shares one or more neighbors with the missing or failing component.

The method may be carried out at a single electronic device, for example at a network lighting system controller. However, in some embodiments, one or more elements of the method may be carried out at one or more further electronic devices. That is, the method may be carried out at a plurality of electronic devices, which may be located at different locations in the networked system.

The invention also provides an apparatus comprising one or more electronic devices having one or more processing units configured to carry out the method. The apparatus may comprise a network lighting system control apparatus.

The invention also provides a network lighting system comprising the apparatus. The apparatus may optionally include a plurality of processors distributed amongst different components of the networked system.

An apparatus according to the invention may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to carry out the method.

The invention also provides an apparatus comprising means for determining that a new component is present in a networked system, means for determining that a component of the networked system is missing or failing, and means for causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

The invention also comprises a method of automatically recommissioning a replacement component in a networked system, comprising determining that a new component is present in the networked lighting system, determining that a component of the networked system is missing or failing, and causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of a networked lighting system comprising DALI components; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of the hardware configuration of the controller of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps whereby a replacement component is installed and automatically recommissioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic of a networked system in the form of a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) line 1 having a DALI controller 2 and a plurality of addressable components 3. Each component 3 may for example be a lamp, sensor, ballast, or user interface (e.g.: a knob) having a DALI interface. Each component 3 can be assigned an address in the range 0 to 63, and may also be assigned a group number. The controller 2 can monitor and control each component by way of bi-directional data exchange. Location data and behavioral settings are stored on the network 1 (e.g.: at controller 2) for each component 3.

As shown in Figure 1, the networked lighting system 1 extends over a room 4 and a corridor 5. Accordingly, location data "corridor" is stored for components 3 located in the corridor 5, and location data "room" is stored for the component 3 located in the room 4. The location data for each component may be mapped to the component's address when the system is first commissioned. Other data, e.g.: predefined dim levels, color levels, local address ID, type data identifying the type of component, serial number, etc may also be stored for the components, using known DALI techniques.

The controller 2 may be configured to carry out a discovery process at regular intervals, thereby to detect the presence of new devices which are added to the networked lighting system 1. The DALI discovery process is known per se to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. Briefly, when a new device is added to the DALI line, the controller 2 detects the component and obtains certain information relating to the new component, including type data identifying the new component type.

Failing (e.g.: malfunctioning) or missing components may also be automatically detected. The controller 2 may have obtained information, e.g.: type information, relating to components of the network which are logged as failing as missing. The DALI procedure for detecting, logging, and later obtaining information regarding failing or missing components is known per se to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described here. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating some aspects of the hardware and software configuration of the controller 2. As shown, the controller 2 includes one or more processors 6, and a memory 7. The memory 7 may include volatile memory such as RAM, DRAM and/or non- volatile memory such as ROM, flash memory or a hard disk. The memory 7 stores computer readable instructions used in operating the controller as well as other data, e.g.: location information relating to the location of components of the networked system, and behavioral settings which determine behavior of components. The processor 6 operates under the control of the computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 7.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps whereby a component of the networked lighting system is replaced and recommissioned automatically from the perspective of a user.

As shown, in block Ml, a component 3 on the DALI line 1 begins to malfunction.

As shown in M2, the malfunction is automatically detected and logged.

As shown in M3, an installer later replaces the malfunctioning component 3 with a new, replacement, component of the same type.

In step M4, controller 2 then determines that a new component is present on the DALI line 1, by way of a network discovery process. The controller 2 also obtains type data identifying the type of component added.

In step M5, controller 2 then determines whether a component of the same type has been logged as missing or failing.

The controller 2 determines that a component 3 of the same type has been logged as missing or failing and in response, automatically recommissions the new component by configuring the new component to have the same behavior as the missing or failing component 3. Configuring the new component may comprise assigning the address of the missing or failing component 3 to the new component.

In this way, data relating to the missing or failing component 3, for example data defining the location of the missing or failing component, behavioral settings, and other stored data for the missing or failing component 3, is automatically assigned to the new component, as shown in step M6.

Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, the replacement component is recommissioned by way of a computer-implemented method, which is automatic from the perspective of a user. In the example above, the controller recommissions the new component based on a component of the same type which has been logged as missing or failing. However, in some embodiments, the controller may recommission the new component based on a component of a different type. For example, the controller 2 may recommission the new component based on a missing or failing component, if the new component is determined to be a suitable replacement for the missing or failing component. This determination may for example be made by checking data pre- stored in the memory of the controller which indicates component types which are suitable for replacing others. In some examples, the new component may be determined to be a suitable replacement for the missing or failing component if the old and new components are determined to have the same family type. In this way, automatic recommissioning may occur when a component of an old type is replaced by a component of a new type.

In another example, component 3 does not malfunction, but is nonetheless replaced. When the component 3 is removed by the installer, it is automatically detected as missing by the network (e.g.: because it fails to respond to queries from the controller 2), and this is logged. When the replacement component is installed, the controller 2 detects the new component and determines that it is of a replacement type for the missing component. As a result, the controller 2 automatically recommissions the new component by assigning data relating to the missing component to the new component.

Although the controller 2 is described above as executing steps M3 to M6, these and/or other steps involved with automatic recommissioning may alternatively be executed by other electronic device(s) present on the networked lighting system, e.g.: by a building management system, or a dedicated computing system. Alternatively, some or all of the steps involved with automatic recommissioning may be carried out by entities not present on the network, e.g.: by a remote server connected to the networked lighting system via the internet.

Further, although the automatic recommissioning method is described above in the context of a DALI network, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method may alternatively be carried out in any suitable networked lighting system, e.g.: based on DALI, ZigBee, BACnet, KNX, 6LowPAN, LMM, Dynet, Starsense (Powerline or RF), Ethernet or Wifi. The network may be an indoor or an outdoor network. In some embodiments, the networked lighting system may comprise a mesh network.

In the context of Ethernet, new devices may be detected for example by a discovery process such as a Universal Plug and Play (UPNP) process. The network controller (or other electronic device) may obtain information identifying the subnet of the Ethernet network containing the new device, and the subnet for the device logged as missing or failing. According to embodiments, the controller determines whether a component of the networked lighting system is logged as missing or failing on the same subnet as the new device, and assigns data relating to the missing or failing component to the new component if the subnets are the same.

Similarly, in the context of a multi-line DALI network, the controller (or other electronic device) may determine whether a component of the networked lighting system is logged as missing or failing on the same DALI line as the new device, and may assign data relating to the missing component to the new component if the DALI lines are the same.

In some embodiments, the controller (or other electronic device) may assign data relating to the missing/ failing component to the new component if 1) the components are in the same region of the network and 2) the new component is determined to be a suitable replacement component for the missing or failing component.

In some examples, the controller (or other electronic device) may obtain information relating to neighboring components of the new component, and information relating to neighboring components of the missing or failing component. Neighboring components may for example be determined based on routing tables for example in the context of a mesh network (e.g.: in the context of a ZigBee, 6LoWPan or Starsense

Network). In the context of Ethernet, neighboring components may be determined as components which share the same port of a switch as the new component. In the context of a wireless network, an overview of neighboring devices may be maintained (e.g. based on signal strength). The controller may determine whether the new component shares one or more neighbors with the missing or failing component, and, if it does, may cause data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

It will be appreciated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and that the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel features or any novel combinations of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the parent invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived there from.

Other modifications and variations falling within the scope of the claims hereinafter will be evident to those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method comprising, at one or more electronic devices:

determining that a new component is present in a networked system (M4); determining that a component of the networked system is missing or failing

(M5); and

causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component (M6).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising

obtaining type data identifying the type of component determined to be missing or failing;

obtaining type data for the new component;

determining, based on the type data, whether the new component is a replacement type for the missing or failing component;

if the new component is determined to be a replacement type for the missing or failing component, then causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the data assigned to the new component comprises the location (4, 5) of the missing or failing component.

4. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising:

obtaining region information identifying a region of the networked system which includes the new component;

obtaining region information identifying a region of the networked system which includes the component determined to be missing or failing;

determining, based on the region information, whether the new component is in the same region of the networked system as the component determined to be missing or failing;

if the new component is determined to be in the same region as the missing or failing component, causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned the new component.

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the components of the networked system comprise IP devices, and wherein said region of the networked system is an IP subnet.

6. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the components of the networked system comprise DALI devices, and wherein said region of the networked system is a DALI line.

7. Method as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the components of the networked system comprise lighting devices, and wherein said region of the networked lighting system is a subset of the addressing range of the networked lighting system.

8. Method as claimed in any preceding claim, including obtaining information relating to neighboring components of the new component and neighboring components of the missing or failing component, and causing data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component if it is determined that the new component shares one or more neighbors with the missing or failing component.

9. Method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the networked system comprises a mesh network.

10. Method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the networked system comprises a networked lighting system.

11. Apparatus comprising one or more electronic devices having one or more processing units configured to carry out the method of any preceding claim.

12. Network lighting system control apparatus comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 11.

13. Network lighting system comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12.

14. Apparatus (2) comprising at least one processor (6) and at least one memory (7) storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:

determine that a new component is present in a networked system;

determine that a component of the networked system is missing or failing, cause data relating to the missing or failing component to be assigned to the new component.

15. Computer readable medium comprising instructions which enable a processor to carry out the method of any of claims 1 to 9.