EP2182778B1 - Method for controlling an external light and corresponding lamps - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling an outdoor lamp and a lamp set up for this method.

In the case of outdoor lights, in particular street lights, there is a need to control the lights during operation beyond simply switching them on and off. For example, it is common to reduce the brightness of the street lighting from a certain time of the night. At Luminaires with a differentiated control sometimes also have to be configured after they have been installed.

For this purpose, it is known to modulate information onto the mains voltage supply signal and to extract the modulated portion of the received voltage signal in the lamp and use it for control. However, this requires complex technology.

It is also known to control a relay in lights with a magnetic ballast via a second phase line, which relay changes the transformation ratio so that the light works with a reduced brightness. This operating state is maintained as long as the line voltage is applied to the second phase line. Groups of lights, for example in a street, are coupled with the same phase line so that the brightness reduction for all lights takes place at the same time.

It is still known. Control lights via serial buses. For luminaires in the outdoor area, however, this is complex both in terms of the additional lines to be laid and in terms of the electronics required for this.

EP 1 494 507 A discloses a digital interface for a ballast of a gas discharge lamp. A branch of the mains voltage is applied to a voltage divider in order to generate a control voltage with a reduced amplitude. This is converted in the interface into a digital signal with pulse width information in order to then be converted into control commands in an evaluation logic.

EP 0 893 941 A2 discloses a method and a system for operating distributed consumers, in particular city or street lighting systems. A control module assigned to the consumer is each connected to a phase of a supply voltage. The control modules are programmed to dim lights, for example, by modulating the operating AC voltage, preferably by fading out single or multiple half waves.

EP 1 685 552 A2 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is an object of the invention to enable a differentiated control of exterior lights with simple means

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Embodiments described in the following, which do not fall under one of the independent claims, are to be regarded as comparative examples.

D.c phase line is a line that is directly or indirectly connected to a phase of a power supply network and is not galvanically isolated from it.

The invention can provide that an alternating voltage is applied to the control input of the control device.

In principle, in all embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise mentioned or evident from the context, an alternating voltage can be used to control the lamp via the said control input of the control device. If a voltage value, a voltage level or the like is mentioned in connection with the patent, this refers to the effective value of the voltage in the case of alternating current, unless otherwise stated or emerges from the context.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the effective value of the voltage with which the control input is applied is equal to the effective value of the supply voltage for the luminaire applied via the supply connection of the luminaire, which in particular can be the mains voltage, or at least not less than 50% of the rms value of the supply voltage.

When using an alternating voltage to act on the control input, when using pulse-length-coded control signals, the length of the pulses from which the pulse-length-coded signals are made up is greater than the reciprocal of the frequency of the alternating voltage applied to the control input becomes. In particular, it can be provided that the pulse length is at least four times greater than the reciprocal value of the frequency of the alternating voltage, preferably at least ten times greater than the reciprocal value of the frequency of the alternating voltage. With the usual mains frequency of 50 Hz, the pulse lengths in these embodiments are more than 80 ms and preferably more than 200 ms. In the particularly preferred embodiments, the pulse lengths are greater than 400 ms. The pulse length is defined by the time during which the applied voltage or the effective value of the applied voltage is constant.

In certain embodiments of the invention, there is a conductive connection between the first phase line and the second phase line in the sense that at least in certain operating states of the system. e.g. when a switching element is switched on between the first and second phase line, charge carriers can flow from the first phase line into the second phase line.

The invention can provide that the first phase line is not galvanically separated from the second phase line.

According to a particular embodiment, it can be provided that the supply voltage is applied both to the first phase line and to the second phase line. The invention can in particular provide that the voltage on the first phase line is switched to the second phase line in accordance with the pulses to be transmitted by means of a suitable switching device.

The invention can provide that when the signal is applied to the control input of the control device, the voltage on the second phase line at the control input changes between exactly two different levels which correspond to an L level and an H level of the signals.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the L level of the signals corresponds to the voltage level of the neutral conductor and the H level to the value or effective value of the voltage applied to the second phase line. This can in particular be the mains voltage.

In the case of pulse-length-coded signaling, the pulses are discriminated on the basis of the period of time during which the signal has a certain constant value. According to one embodiment of the invention, rectangular pulses are defined in advance by combining a constant voltage level (e.g. H level or L level) and an associated pulse duration, i.e. the period during which the voltage is at the corresponding level and certain pulses or combinations of pulses a certain piece of information or information unit, e.g. a bit or a specific control measure. When the signal is applied to the second phase line, every pulse at the H level is followed by a pulse at the L level and vice versa. This can also be seen as a sequence of pulses at the H level, which are separated from one another by gaps, which may also have a different length, or, conversely, as negative pulses at the L level, starting from the H- Levels that are interrupted by gaps at the H level, possibly gaps of different lengths. A signal application device or a transmitter now sends a sequence of pulses of different lengths to the second phase line, corresponding to the information or information unit to be transmitted. On the receiving end, i.e. In the control device, an evaluation circuit is provided, which determines the length of each incoming pulse on the H level or on the L level or compares its length with one or more predetermined values of the pulse length and the sequence of these pulses or a segment of the Compare the sequence of these pulses with those pulses or pulse sequences to which specific information or a specific information unit has been assigned in advance. On the basis of this information encoded in the pulses, the lamp or lamps is then controlled by the control device. Means for determining the pulse length as well as devices for decoding pulse-length-coded signal sequences or for controlling a device in response to a specific pulse sequence are known and are not explained in more detail here.

If the voltage changes between the H level and the L level, a pulse can be defined according to the invention in that the voltage on the phase line is at the H level for a certain period of time or that it is at the L level for a certain period of time lies. For signaling within the scope of the invention, only pulses can be used for signaling that are defined by a constant H level, or only pulses that are defined by a constant L level. However, it is also possible to use both pulses that are defined by a constant H level and pulses that are defined by a constant L level for signaling.

The invention can provide that the pulse-length-coded signal is a binary signal, with a pulse with a first length or a first sequence of pulses each with a fixed length the value 0 and a pulse with a second pulse length or a second combination of pulses each with a fixed length Length, which is different from the first combination of pulses, represents the value 1.

The control device can e.g. be a control device that is integrated into the lamp or can also be designed separately from this. For example, the control device can be attached to the end of the same mast as the lamp or be arranged in a mast to which the lamp is attached. The control device does not necessarily have to control only a single lamp. It can also control multiple lights, for example multiple lights attached to the same pole. The control device can in particular be an operating device for one or more light sources, in particular LEDs or conventional lamps. The control device can, for example, be a ballast, in particular a fully electronic ballast, which operates one or more light sources and takes over control tasks. The control device can, for example, be a ballast of the lamp that is set up for decoding the pulse-length-coded signals or is coupled to a decoder for decoding the pulse-length-coded signals and, for example, regulates or dims the brightness of the lamp in response to a specific signal.

The invention can provide that the pulse-length-coded signals are generated by interrupting the conductive connection between the control input of the control device and the power supply.

This type of signal task has the advantage that, unlike, for example, modulating signals onto a mains voltage signal, it can be implemented with simple and robust means. For example, a switch, e.g. an optoelectronic switch or a relay can be provided which is installed in the second phase line or in the connection between the second phase line and the power supply, and is controlled electrically or optically in accordance with the desired sequence of pulses.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a switch can be arranged between the control device or the lamp and the power supply, which switch selectively interrupts or establishes the connection from the power supply to the control input of the control device.

As already mentioned above, information or information unit transmitted to the luminaire and to be decoded, e.g. a bit, by a pulse defined by a constant H level (H pulse) or a sequence of H pulses, by a pulse defined by a constant L level (L pulse) or a sequence of L pulses or the Combination of one or more consecutive H and L pulses are coded. According to one embodiment it can be provided, for example, that an H-pulse with a duration of 800 ms, followed by an L-pulse with a duration of 400 ms, encodes a logic I and an H-pulse with a length of 400 ms, followed A logic 0 is coded by an L pulse with a length of 400 ms. However, a 1 could also be defined by an H pulse with a length of 800 ms and a logic 0 by an H pulse with a length of 400 ms, with an L pulse also being used for the coding instead of the H pulse can.

The transmission of information by means of pulse-length-coded signals is not necessarily restricted to binary numbers. Numbers other than 0 and I can be coded or transmitted using specific pulse lengths or a combination of pulses of specific length. For example, it would be in the previous example in which a logic 1 is defined by a combination of an H-pulse and an L-pulse, the length of the H-pulse being different for a logic 0 and for a logic 1, while the length of the L-pulse is the same in both cases, it is possible to code further numbers in that the length of the L-pulse is also varied. If, for example, the length of the H-pulse and the length of the L-pulse can each be 800 ms or 400 ms, four numbers can be coded by appropriate combinations of an H-pulse and an L-pulse. In principle, it is also conceivable that more than two different pulse lengths of an H-pulse and / or an L-pulse are discriminated when decoding the control signal.

In addition or as an alternative to pulse length coding, pulse height coding can also be provided according to the invention. In the case of pulse height coding, when the signal is applied to the second phase line, depending on the information to be transmitted, a pulse is generated at one of several voltage levels that is assigned to the information to be transmitted, or a sequence of pulses is generated, each based on one of several predetermined voltage levels lie. According to the invention, more than two voltage levels are defined for signaling. In principle, however, pulse height coding is also possible for two voltage levels (H level and L Niseau). On the receiver side, apart from the pulse length if necessary, it is determined at which voltage level the pulse is. Depending on the voltage level of the pulse or the voltage level of a sequence of pulses, it is determined whether certain predetermined information has been transmitted. i.e. the information encoded in the pulses is decoded. Pulse length coding and pulse height coding can be combined. In this case, the information content of a pulse depends both on its pulse height or on its voltage level and on the pulse length, or the information of a sequence of pulses depends on the sequence of the corresponding pulse heights and pulse lengths.

It can in particular be provided that H-pulses are assigned different information content than L-pulses, which have the same length as the H-pulses, for example different numbers. It is also possible. To give up pulses with different pulse heights different from zero, i.e. with a different voltage in each case. The possible pulse heights are predefined and implemented in the control device, for example in a circuit for decoding the control signal or in software for decoding the control signal. According to one embodiment, each of the predetermined pulse heights can be assigned a specific information content, for example a specific number. However, it can it can also be provided that a specific information content, for example a specific number, is assigned to each combination of a pulse height and a pulse length. Especially when the supply voltage, typically 230V, is used for the signal task, easily discriminable pulse heights can be implemented and decoded with simple means. In this way, the information per unit of time that can be transmitted to the control device can be increased.

In the case of square-wave pulses, the pulse length is defined by the period of time during which the voltage remains at a constant voltage level or the level of the effective value of an alternating voltage (pulse height). With other pulses, the pulse length can be defined by the time interval between the rising and falling edge and the pulse height by the maximum value or the mean maximum value of a pulse.

According to the invention it is possible to control several lights individually and independently of one another with the same control signal

The invention can provide that the control device ignores received control signals, provided that the control signal does not contain an identifier which is assigned to the control device and / or a lamp controlled by the control device

In this way, it is possible to control several lights individually and independently of one another with the same control signal, in that the transmitted pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signal contains an identifier that is assigned to only one light or only some of the lights, and thus this Lamp or the said part of the lights targeted eg on and off.

The invention can provide that the control device controls one or more electrical components of a lamp assigned to it only in accordance with the received control signal if this control signal contains an identifier which is assigned to the component or components.

In this way, it is possible to specifically address individual luminaire assemblies, individual light sources or groups of light sources and, for example in the case of a luminaire with several light sources, to control only some of the light sources according to the received signal.

The invention can provide that the control device checks whether the received signal contains a predetermined identifier for an operating state, an operating mode or a control program and, if it detects such an identifier, one or more lights it controls according to the operating state corresponding to the identifier. Operating mode or control program controls or terminates a corresponding operating state, operating mode or control program.

Operating states in this sense can be, for example, the on-state and the off-state, an on-state with reduced brightness of the lamp or on-states with different brightness of the lamp. An operating mode can be, for example, a time-controlled mode or a remote-controlled mode. For example, by transmitting a first identifier, the lamp can be put in a mode in which it switches on and off at specific times or the light output varies according to a specific time mode, and a second identifier can be put into a state in which it remains in a certain operating state, for example the on or off state, until another identifier is received. A control program of the type mentioned above can be present, for example, as a predetermined routine in a control device which, for example, controls the luminaire depending on environmental influences (e.g. ambient brightness, precipitation, etc.). With corresponding identifiers, internal programs of the control device. e.g. a self-test, started and ended.

Because only an identifier is transmitted to control the lamp, which can be expressed by a small number of bits, it is also possible to carry out more complicated control and regulation processes with acceptable command transmission times.

The invention can provide that the lamp is switched to a predetermined operating state or operating mode when the period of time during which a voltage is applied to the control input of the control device or no voltage is applied to said control input, i.e. the potential is at the level of the neutral conductor, is greater than a predetermined limit value. The voltage that is present at the control input of the control device can in particular be a voltage with a predetermined constant voltage value or effective value.

It can be provided that the lamp then leaves the said operating state, in particular returns to the previous operating state or a predefined initial state, when this voltage is no longer present or a voltage other than zero is present.

In this way, in addition to being controlled by means of a pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signal, the light can also be controlled with a continuous signal. By comparison with the said limit value, the control device determines whether a pulse signal or a continuous signal is present. If there is a continuous signal, the control device puts the lamp in the corresponding operating state or operating mode. For example, by applying a permanent voltage to the control input, the lamp can be switched to a reduced brightness for the duration of the application of the permanent signal, the lamp switching back to normal brightness after the permanent voltage has ceased. In this case, the continuous signal controls the luminaire directly. It can also be provided that the control device executes a specific program, e.g. a control program for controlling the lamp or a self-test.

The invention can provide that the pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signals are used to configure or parameterize one or more lights.

The invention can in particular provide that the pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signal or a signal sequence contained therein provides information about an operating parameter and / or contains a configuration parameter and the control device, when it detects the corresponding signal or the corresponding signal sequence, configures one or more lights in accordance with the configuration parameters or sets the corresponding parameter or operates the light in accordance with this parameter.

For example, it is possible in this way to transmit a parameter relating to the brightness of the luminaires by means of a corresponding signal task and thereby set the illuminance in the illuminated area to different levels. In particular in connection with an identifier specific to a luminaire or luminaire group and / or an identifier specific to light sources or luminaire assemblies, it is also possible to adjust the brightness of the luminaires independently of one another according to the local conditions in an outdoor lighting system that includes several outdoor luminaires to change again when the circumstances change

The invention also provides a method for controlling multiple outdoor lights, in particular multiple street lights, by means of a control device assigned to the respective light, the lights each having a power supply input connected to a first phase line for supplying power to the light and the control device having a control input connected to a second phase line, available, which is characterized in that the individual lights are controlled according to a method as described above and the pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signals applied to the control input of the respective light are the same for all lights.

The invention also provides an outdoor light, in particular a street light, which has an input for a phase line for supplying power to the light and a control device, the control device having a control input for a second phase line, which is characterized in that the control device is set up for this to decode pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signals that are sent to the control input and to use them to control the luminaire.

The control device does not necessarily have to be integrated in a common housing with the actual luminous part, for example a lamp head of a street lamp. It can also be provided, for example, that the control device is fastened to the mast of the street lamp in a housing separate from the lamp head or is received in the mast.

The invention can provide that the control device is set up to receive an alternating current signal at its control input and to determine in a time-resolved manner whether the rms value of the alternating voltage corresponds to a predetermined voltage level, for example the L level or the H level.

For this purpose it can be provided in particular that the control device has a rectifier circuit or is coupled to a rectifier circuit which converts the alternating current into direct current and preferably smooths the direct current generated by the rectifier circuit in such a way that, despite the smoothing, the pulses that are applied to the control input, can be discriminated against.

According to the invention, the control device can be set up such that the exterior light can be controlled according to one of the methods described above and the control device controls the light according to one of these methods.

The invention can provide that the control device is set up to check the received signal for predetermined identifiers and to control the lamp in accordance with the detected identifier.

It can be provided here that the control device does not react to the received control signal if the identified identifier is not assigned to the lamp. As described above, individual lighting assemblies or lighting components can be addressed with corresponding identifiers, for example light sources or groups of light sources.

The invention also provides for the use of a line system for outdoor lights, in particular street lights, a first phase line and a second phase line being provided for each light, the first phase lines each having a first phase bus line for supplying the supply voltage and the second phase lines having a second Phase bus are connected so that the application of a voltage to the second phase bus results in the application of a voltage to every second phase bus, wherein the second phase lines and the second phase bus are designed so that a relay of one by applying the mains voltage to the second phase bus Ballast can be controlled in an outdoor lamp, with pulse-length-coded and / or pulse-height-coded signals on the phase busbar for decoding and controlling a lamp by a control device according to a method as above are given up.

The invention can provide that the first and second phase lines are not galvanically separated from one another

The invention can provide that the first and second phase bus are connected to each other in such a way that the voltage on at least part of the second phase bus is identical to the voltage on the first phase bus or the voltage on the first phase bus is on the second phase bus by actuation of a switching device can be given up.

When used in accordance with the invention, a switching device provided in the second phase bus line or between the second phase bus line and a power supply can be provided, with which the voltage on the second phase lines can be set to one of several predetermined levels.

In one embodiment, the connection between a voltage supply and the second phase lines can be interrupted by the switching device.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in lights which have light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources. A control device can be provided for such lights, with which individual light-emitting diodes or groups of light-emitting diodes can be controlled individually. With a pulse length-coded and / or pulse height-coded control of this control device according to the invention, it is possible not only to address individual lights from a remote location, but also to change individual LEDs or groups of LEDs within the light and thereby differentiate the operating behavior of the light. In this way, it is possible, even with a given line network, as provided for conventional street lights, to control corresponding lights individually and in a differentiated manner, without the need for complex new laying of lines. According to the invention, each lamp can be configured individually tailored to the respective location with regard to normal and reduced brightness. According to the invention, the luminaire or the luminaires can also have other light sources, possibly also in combination with LEDs. e.g. High-pressure gas discharge lamps or fluorescent lamps, in particular rod-shaped fluorescent lamps or compact fluorescent lamps

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in street lights or other lights or lighting systems in the outdoor area in which there are comparatively long line paths and in which the line infrastructure is often specified. In particular, the invention finds an advantageous application in lights that are attached to or on a mast or scaffolding or are mounted on ropes over a section of terrain. The invention is used, for example, in headlights for indoor and outdoor use, tunnel lights, in particular lights for lighting road tunnels or tunnels for rail traffic, or lights for sports field and / or stadium lighting, in particular lights for illuminating playing fields or competition areas.

An essential advantage of the invention is that in many cases an existing line infrastructure can be used and accordingly no new lines have to be laid when replacing old lights with more modern lights. Another advantage is that the signal task and the signal decoding with relative simple means. No low-voltage power supply or any other separate power supply is required for signaling.

• Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine Schaltung zum Ansteuern einer einzelnen Leuchte
• Fig. 2 zeigt schematisch eine Anordnung zum Ansteuern einer Gruppe von Leuchten

Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following descriptions of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows schematically a circuit for controlling a single lamp
• Fig. 2 shows schematically an arrangement for controlling a group of lights

In the drawings, only the power supply and the devices used to control the lamp or lamps are shown schematically. Details of the lights, in particular the lighting means and their interconnection with the control unit, are not shown.

Referring to Fig 1 the power supply for the lamp consists in the usual way of a phase conductor 1, which carries the mains voltage, typically 230 V AC at 50 Hz, and a neutral conductor 3. The phase conductor 1 and the neutral conductor 3 are not shown with the power supply connections of the lamp connected and in particular provide the voltage required to operate the light sources. From the first phase conductor 1, a second phase conductor 5 is branched off, which is connected to a control device 6 of the lamp, which, as shown symbolically, contains a rectifier and smoothing circuit 7, which is shown with dashed lines, and an evaluation and control circuit 9 . In the second phase conductor 5, a switch 11 is provided between the control input 10 of the control unit and the first phase conductor, i.e. between the rectifier and smoothing circuit 7 and the first phase conductor 1, with which the connection between the first phase conductor 1 and the circuit 7 or The control unit 6 can be interrupted. In the case shown, the switch 11 is an optoelectronic switch which is controlled by a transmitter 13.

The rectifier and smoothing circuit 7 has a series resistor R1 which is connected in series with a diode D1 and the evaluation and control circuit 9. Between the diode D1 and the evaluation and control circuit 9, a load resistor R2 and a capacitor C1 are connected in parallel to one another between the second phase conductor 5 and the neutral conductor 3. The resistor R1 serves as a series resistor. The diode D1 rectifies the applied alternating voltage. Capacitor C1 smooths the rectified voltage generated by D1 with R2 serving as a load resistor.

A pulse-length-coded signal is applied to the second phase conductor 5 by means of the switch 11, in that the switch is closed for a certain time, so that the supply voltage is applied for this time. This defines a pulse at the level of the supply voltage (H pulse). When the switch is opened, the potential on line 5 drops to the potential of neutral conductor 3. As a result, the potential is at the potential of the neutral conductor for a certain period of time. Overall, there are two voltage states on the second phase conductor 5, namely an alternating voltage that corresponds to the supply voltage and the voltage 0. This defines an H level and an L level, whereby a detectable pulse can be generated that the voltage is at the H level for a certain time (H pulse) and / or in that the voltage level is at the L level for a predetermined time (L pulse).

The evaluation and control circuit 9 analyzes the (rectified) voltage 10 present at its input 15 and assigns the respective pulses or sequences of pulses to a specific data value. Specifically, the evaluation and control circuit 9 compares the period of time during which the voltage applied to the input 15 is at the H level or at the L level with predetermined comparison values, the pulse lengths of the pulses defined as information carriers in the system correspond, and solves in the event that a pulse length coded for a certain information on the H level (H pulse) or on the L level (L pulse) corresponds to the length of the received pulse or a sequence of received pulses corresponds to predetermined information, the measure associated with this information, which can relate to a control or regulation of the lamp, but also the internal control or regulation of the control device 7.

In a specific embodiment it is provided that a serial sequence of binary data values, which can assume the values 0 or 1, is transmitted via the second phase conductor 5. A pulse sequence in which the voltage is initially at the H level for 800 ms, i.e. at the level for the supply voltage, and then 400 ms at the level of the neutral conductor, is defined as a logical 1 and a pulse sequence in which the voltage initially for 400 ms at the H level and then for 400 ms at the N level, defined as a logical 0. Accordingly, the control commands for the control device or the lamp can be digitally coded as a sequence of bits. The comparatively long pulse durations and the associated relatively low data transmission rate can be taken into account in that a certain number of control options are tested beforehand, each of which is indexed with an index, with only the corresponding index being sent via line 5 to trigger the corresponding control the control unit 6 is transmitted.

With the in Fig. 1 The circuit shown can continue to transmit parameters to the lamp or the control device 6 and the lamp can be configured. In this respect, it can be advantageous to define and index certain parameter values or configuration options in advance and then only to transmit the corresponding index for configuration or parameter transmission.

In the Fig. 1 The circuit shown can also be used to bring about a certain operating state of the lamp, for example a state of reduced brightness, by means of a continuous signal. For this purpose, it is provided that the control device 6 has a comparison circuit which determines whether the voltage level applied to the connection 10 is constant for longer than a certain period of time, for example 2 seconds. If the signal is not constant during this minimum time, the control unit 6 detects that a pulse-length-coded information signal is present, analyzes the pulse sequence and, based on this, triggers certain control measures, as described above. If, on the other hand, the control device determines that the signal is constant for longer than the minimum time, it assumes a continuous signal and switches the light for the duration of this signal to the operating state that is assigned to the continuous signal, for example to a reduced state Brightness. Switching between a control based on a pulse sequence and a control in which the lamp is kept in a certain operating state for the duration of the presence of a signal can also be done in another way, for example by transmitting a certain pulse sequence to the control unit, which indicates that a direct control of the said operating state should take place by the applied control signal. A further pulse sequence can also indicate that the light or the control device is now to be controlled on the basis of the pulsed information signals received thereafter.

While previously referring to Fig. 1 an embodiment has been described in which the control signal applied to the control input 10 only changes between two levels (H level and L level), in a modification of this embodiment, not shown, it can also be provided that the signal at the control input 10 is more than can have two different values. In this embodiment it is provided that the switch 11 not only establishes a conductive connection to the first phase conductor, but at the same time also the voltage level in the section of the line 5 between the switch 11 and the control input 10 on one of several predetermined voltage levels, which the supply voltage and comprise the zero voltage as extreme values and one or more intermediate values, switches. Due to the different voltage level, additional information can be transmitted with a pulse by means of pulse height coding. For the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that a switching process by the switch 11 not only includes switching the connection to the first phase conductor 1 on and off, but also switching between different voltage levels. Therefore, a pulse with a non-vanishing voltage level or a non-vanishing pulse height does not necessarily follow, as in the embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 , a pulse with the voltage level of the neutral conductor. Rather, a pulse with a specific voltage different from zero can be followed by a further pulse with a further non-zero voltage. In this embodiment, the evaluation and control circuit 9 determines not only the length of a pulse, but also its pulse height, ie the voltage level of the signal present at the control input 10. The control and evaluation circuit 9 determines as a function of the detected pulse lengths and pulse heights or the detected sequence of pairs of pulse lengths and pulse heights that each belong to a pulse, the information assigned to the corresponding combination or sequence, and triggers the associated control measure.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an inventive control of a plurality of lights, the same elements having the same reference numerals as in FIG Fig. 1 are designated. In the system shown, a first phase conductor 1 and a neutral conductor 3, as well as a second phase conductor 5 are again provided, which is connected to the first phase conductor 1 via the optoelectronic switch 11, which is controlled via the transmitter 13. The two phase conductors 1 and 5 serve as busbars to which lights 20a, 20b, 20c are connected. In the embodiment shown, the lights 20a to 20c each have an integrated control device 22a to 22c, which is connected to the control device 6 in FIG Fig. 1 corresponds. Each of the lights is connected to the first phase conductor I via a supply line 24a to 24c via a control line 26a to 26c to the second phase conductor 5 and to the neutral conductor 3 with a neutral line 28a to 28c Fig. 2 system illustrated are operated in the same manner as previously for Fig. 1 was explained, by means of the transmitter 13 of the optoelectronic switch on the second phase line 5, here the second phase bus, pulse-length-coded signals applied, which are applied in the same way to the control units 22a to 22c via the control lines 26a to 26c.

According to a simple embodiment of the invention, the lights 20a to 20c are all controlled in the same way, i. the control signal applied to the second phase line 5 causes the same behavior for all lights.

According to the invention, however, it is also possible to address the lights individually by assigning an identifier to the signal present on the second phase conductor 5 and the control lines 26a to 26c which assigns the control signal to one or more lights. If, for example, a logical 1 is coded by a pulse sequence of 800 ms H level / 400 ms L level and a logical 0 is coded with a sequence 400 ms H level / 400 ms L level, the following identifiers, for example, can be coded using a sequence of 3 bits be transmitted. Identifier lamp 000 20a 001 20b 010 20c 011 20a + 20b 100 20a + 20c 101 20b + 20c 110 20a + 20b + 20c

In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the previously given 3-bit identifiers precede the actual control signal and that the control devices 22a to 22c only react to the control signal and trigger a control if this control signal is preceded by an identifier that precedes the associated lamp 20a is assigned to 20c. For example, the control unit 22a will only respond with the codes 000, 011, 100 and 110, the control unit 22b only with the codes 001, 011, 101 and 110 etc.

In the same way, it is possible to address individual components in the luminaires, for example individual light sources or groups of light sources, by using appropriate identifiers. The latter is particularly advantageous in lights in which light emitting diodes are used as light sources, since groups of light emitting diodes are very often interconnected in such lights and the invention allows such groups of light emitting diodes to be addressed individually.

The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous for LED lights that can be dimmed very well. For example, different dimming levels can each be assigned a specific bit sequence, which is transmitted in the manner described above, so that the light in question, controlled via the transmitter 13 and the switch 11, can be set to different levels. If a lamp-specific identifier is added, as described above, the lamps 20a to 20c can be operated independently set from each other to an individual dimming level, and if you continue to use an additional bit sequence as an identifier for individual light-emitting diode groups, different LED groups can be dimmed differently within a luminaire. In this way, each luminaire can be configured individually and tailored to the respective location with regard to normal and reduced brightness.

According to the invention, in particular, individual control of individual lights and the transfer of parameters to several street lights are possible by addressing them accordingly. For example, minimum or maximum values can be set. Luminaires can be switched on or off and a time sequence control can be triggered. The invention makes it possible in particular to change the light intensity distribution of the lamp by means of a control. This can already be of advantage during the installation of the luminaire, since the light intensity distribution can be adjusted without accessing the luminaire itself. For example, the light distribution of a street or mast luminaire can be corrected or adjusted if a subsequent check reveals that the light distribution or the lighting of the corresponding room or surface area does not or does not optimally correspond to the specifications without affecting the luminaire itself must be accessed. Subsequent readjustment or readjustment is also possible in the same way. In the case of street lights in particular, the light emission properties of the light can also be adapted to changed conditions later without direct access to the light itself. For example, the luminance of the road surface does not only depend on the illuminance of the luminaire, but also on the optical properties of the road surface, so that after an exchange or repair of the road surface, changed settings of the lamp may be necessary in order to obtain the same lighting result. Such adaptations can also take place automatically, for example under sensor control. For example, the lighting can be adapted in this way to ambient or weather conditions and also depending on whether external light sources, for example building lighting, shop window and advertising lighting, etc., are activated or not.

Claims (10)

1. A method for controlling an outdoor light, in particular a street light, by means of a control device (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) assigned to the outdoor light, the outdoor light having a power supply input connected to a first phase line (1; 24a, 24b, 24c) carrying a mains voltage for supplying power to the outdoor light and the control device having a control input (10) connected to a second phase line (5; 26a, 26b, 26c),
   characterized in that the method comprises applying to the control input (10) pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals defined with more than two voltage levels via the second phase line (5; 26a, 26b, 26c), which are decoded by the control means and used to control the outdoor light, and in that the control means (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) checks whether the pulse length-coded and pulse height-coded signals contain an identifier for a control program and, if it detects such an identifier, controls the outdoor light controlled by it in accordance with the control program corresponding to the identifier or terminates the control program corresponding to the identifier.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first phase line (1; 24a, 24b, 24c) is galvanically connected to the second phase line (5; 26a, 26b, 26c).
3. The method according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the control device (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) ignores received pulse length-coded and pulse height-coded signals unless the signals contain an identifier which is assigned to the control device and/or the outdoor light controlled by the control device.
4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the control device (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) controls one or more electrical components of the outdoor light assigned to it in accordance with the received pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals only if this signal contains an identifier which is assigned to the component or components.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outdoor light is switched to a predetermined operating state or operating mode if a predetermined period of time during which a voltage is constantly present at the control input of the control device or no voltage is present at said control input is greater than a predetermined limit value.
6. A method for controlling a plurality of outdoor lights (20a, 20b, 20c), in particular a plurality of street lights, by means of a control device (22a, 22b, 22c) assigned to the respective outdoor light, the outdoor lights each having a power supply input connected to a first phase line (24a, 24b, 24c) for supplying power to the outdoor light and the control device having a control input connected to a second phase line, characterized in that the individual outdoor lights are controlled according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 5 and the pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals applied to the control input of the respective outdoor light are the same for all outdoor lights.
7. An outdoor light, in particular street light, which has an input for a first phase line (1; 24a, 24b, 24c) carrying a mains voltage for supplying power to the outdoor light and a control device (6; 22a, 22b, 22c), the control device having a control input for a second phase line (5; 26a, 26b, 26c), characterized in that the control device (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) is adapted to decode pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals defined with more than two voltage levels and applied to the control input (10) and to use them for controlling the outdoor light, and to check whether the pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals contain an identifier for a control program and, if it detects such an identifier, to control the outdoor light according to the control program corresponding to the identifier or to terminate the control program corresponding to the identifier.
8. The outdoor light according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means (6; 22a, 22b, 22c) is adapted to determine whether the effective value of a voltage received at the control input corresponds to a predetermined voltage level of the pulse length coded and pulse height coded signals.
9. Use of a line system for outdoor lights, in particular street lights, wherein a first phase line (24a, 24b, 24c) carrying a mains voltage and a second phase line (26a, 26b, 26c) are provided for each outdoor luminaire, wherein the first phase lines (24a, 24b, 24c) are each connected to a first phase collection line (1) for supplying the supply voltage and the second phase lines are connected to a second phase collection line (5) so that the application of a voltage to the second phase collection line results in the application of a voltage to each second phase collection line, the second phase lines and the second phase collection line being designed such that a relay of a ballast in an outdoor light can be controlled by feeding the mains voltage to the second phase collection line, characterized in that the outdoor light are controlled by means of pulse length-coded and pulse height-coded signals fed to the phase collection line (5) for decoding and controlling the outdoor lights by a respective control device (22a, 22b, 22c) in accordance with a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.
10. The use according to claim 9, wherein a switch device (11) is provided in the second phase collection line (5) or between the second phase collection line (5) and a power supply, and by the switch device (11) the pulse length-coded and pulse height-coded signals on the second phase lines (26a, 26b, 26c) can be set to one of several voltage levels,
    in particular the connection between a voltage supply and the second phase lines (26a, 26b, 26c) can be interrupted by the switching device (11).

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