EP2957148B1 - Method and system for driving loads connected to a bussystem - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for actuating consumers which are connected to a bus system, the actuation being carried out with the aid of at least one command transmitter which is likewise connected to the bus system. The consumers can be lamp operating devices in particular.

The integration of several lights in a common lighting system brings many advantages. One of the main advantages is that the luminaires can be controlled in a coordinated manner, so that a uniform appearance is obtained when illuminating larger rooms or larger building complexes. Since appropriate activation of the luminaires often also takes into account the influence of daylight, energy can also be saved, since the brightness achieved with the help of the available luminaires is supplemented by daylight and, accordingly, the luminaires do not always have to be operated at maximum brightness . There is also the possibility of integrating different command devices into the system, with the help of which the lighting can be adapted to the special wishes of individual users or current situations. These additional command generators can be, for example, local operating elements such as light switches, dimmers or the like. In particular, however, sensors, e.g. Act brightness sensors or presence sensors.

A standard commonly used in lighting technology for controlling consumers connected to a bus system is the so-called DMX (Digital Multiplex) standard. It is a digital control protocol that was initially developed in stage and administration technology to control dimmers, intelligent spotlights or other effect devices. Due to its high flexibility and diverse options for controlling consumers, DMX is now also used in general lighting technology. A special variant for using the DMX protocol is, for example, in the EP 2 475 227 A1 described.

In its original form, a DMX system has a so-called unidirectional bus with a central command transmitter, the so-called DMX transmitter, and several receivers. The fact that DMX is initially unidirectional means that only the DMX transmitter can issue commands to the bus line, which are then recorded by the receivers and implemented accordingly. In the basic version of DMX, however, the receivers themselves are not authorized to send signals to the bus. If control information from additional command transmitters, for example sensors or the like, is to be taken into account, the DMX system is usually expanded to a bidirectional bus, for example using RDM (Remote Device Management) or another proprietary protocol. In this case, the central command transmitter is still the only unit that is authorized to send signals of its own accord to the bus line. The other commanders, however, for example the sensors, are not authorized to do this. In this case, if the signal from a sensor, for example a presence sensor for controlling multiple lights, is to be taken into account, the central command transmitter must contact the sensor in accordance with the previous procedure and query its measured values. The sensor then sends the corresponding information as a response to the central command generator, which evaluates this information and then controls the corresponding lights based on this.

It can be seen that the procedure just described involves relatively complex data traffic until the measurement results of the sensor are ultimately converted into a corresponding control of the lights. In particular, in the event that several command devices, i.e. sensors or other devices, via which control information is generated to control the consumers, are integrated into the system, it is necessary for the central command device to poll these local command devices cyclically, as a result of which the data traffic continues to increase . However, since the bandwidth available through the bus system is limited, this means that only little bandwidth is available for the actual control of the consumers, for example for the transmission of the lighting control values for the various lights.

From the DE 100 00 305 A1 a method for exchanging data between several participants connected to a bus system is known. It is provided that areas of a data packet are assigned to the participants, which areas are filled accordingly by the participants. In this case, since several participants are involved in the generation of a larger data packet, the bandwidth of the system can be increased and a faster data transmission takes place.

The present invention is therefore based on the task of further optimizing the integration of commanders into a corresponding system, so that corresponding control information can be passed on to the lights or the consumers of the system more quickly and effectively and the scope of the data transfer is kept as low as possible . The operational reliability of the system is also to be increased.

The object is achieved by a method for controlling consumers connected to a bus system according to claim 1 and by a system for controlling several consumers according to claim 6. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Control commands are usually transmitted to the lamp operating devices of a corresponding system in the form of digital information which is combined to form a data packet. While it was previously customary for a data packet to be generated exclusively by a single unit, that is to say when the lights were actuated by the central command transmitter, the method according to the present invention is analogous to the solution of DE 100 00 305 A1 provided that the sensors or operating devices of the system contribute directly to the generation of the data packet. This is done by initiating a data packet transmission by means of a central clock generator, and then the sensor or the operating device, which is hereinafter generally referred to as a local command generator (in contrast to a central command generator or a central control unit), an area of the previously assigned to it Filled data packet, ie sends data in the corresponding period.

However, since it may well be the case that one of the participants is not able to fill up the area of the package in the intended manner, it is also provided that in the event that the central clock generator recognizes that the local command generator or one of the local command transmitters is not able to fill up the area of the data packet assigned to it, the central clock transmitter sends the data last transmitted by the local command transmitter to fill up the corresponding area.

According to the invention, a method for controlling lamp operating devices connected to a bus system is accordingly proposed, the control being carried out by at least one local command transmitter also connected to the bus system and, according to the invention, being controlled by the transmission of data packets and after the initiation of a data packet transmission by a central clock generator, the local one Command generator fills an area of the data packet assigned to it, and in the event that it is recognized by the central clock generator that the local command transmitter or one of the local command transmitters is not able to fill up the area of the data packet assigned to it, the central clock generator provides Filling in the corresponding area that the data last transmitted by the local command transmitter sends.

The advantages of the procedure according to the invention are particularly evident when the system has a plurality of local command transmitters, that is to say a plurality of sensors or operating elements, which are connected to the bus system. In this case, a different area of the data packet, a so-called slot, is assigned to each local command transmitter, with each local command transmitter then filling up the corresponding area of the data packet in accordance with the inventive procedure described above after initiation of the data packet transmission. Instead of the previous procedure, in which the information from the local command devices is queried by the central control unit and then converted into corresponding control information for the consumers, the corresponding control information can now be passed on directly to the consumers by the local command devices. In this case, all control information from the local command transmitters is then sent to the bus system in the context of a single data packet, which obviously has a very high level Time saving and also a reduction in the data to be transmitted is connected. The consumers in turn know which section or slot of a data packet comes from which local command transmitter and are accordingly immediately in a position to recognize and implement the information of the local command transmitter (s) relevant to them. The solution according to the invention thus opens up the possibility, in a very simple and elegant way, of integrating a large number of local command transmitters into a bus system and, despite everything, keeping the effort with regard to the data to be transmitted extremely low.

An essential prerequisite for realizing the method according to the invention is that it can be seen for all participants in the system, that is to say both for the local command generator (s) and for the consumer, at what point in time the transmission of such a collectively created data packet takes place. The aforementioned central clock generator is responsible for this, which notifies all system participants in a corresponding manner and synchronizes accordingly. The central clock generator can be a completely independent unit or can be part of a central command generator, for example. In this context, it should be mentioned that in the method according to the invention, not all of the transmitted data packets necessarily have to come about in the manner described above. Instead, the use of a central command transmitter can definitely be provided, which controls the consumers in a previously known manner, for example in a time-dependent manner or the like. A data packet collectively created according to the invention can then only be generated at certain time intervals, with the aid of which the control information generated by the local command generator (s) is forwarded. The procedure according to the invention thus represents an optimal addition to the existing practice for controlling consumers in a bus system.

Another function that the central clock generator fulfills according to the invention is to compensate for the failure of one of the local command generators, if necessary. As already mentioned, it is provided for this that the central clock generator monitors the filling of the corresponding sections of the data packet by the local command generator. In the case, The fact that the local command transmitter or one of the local command transmitters is not able to fill up the area of the data packet assigned to it is recognized by the central clock generator, which then immediately detects the corresponding area of the data packet by the data last transmitted by the local command transmitter replenishes. If, for example, one of the local command transmitters is defective, this does not necessarily mean that the consumers no longer contain appropriate control information or that the data packet is incorrect or incomplete. Instead, the control information generated last is permanently transmitted by the central clock generator to the corresponding position in the data packet, so that continuous operation of the consumers is guaranteed in this regard.

As already mentioned, the local command transmitters can be sensors as well as operating elements. The method is not limited to a certain number of corresponding local command generators, but can be expanded in almost any way. Basically, the method represents an ideal extension of the DMX standard, i.e. the data transmission according to the method according to the invention is preferably carried out according to this DMX standard.

Figur 1

den Aufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zum Ansteuern mehrerer Verbraucher;

Figur 2

die Ausgestaltung eines entsprechend dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemeinsam generierten Datenpakets zur Ansteuerung der Verbraucher;

Figur 3

ein Ablaufdiagramm darstellend die Vorgehensweise des Taktgebers beim Generieren des Datenpakets und

Figur 4

die Vorgehensweise eines Befehlsgebers zum Generieren eines Datenpakets.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

the construction of a system according to the invention for controlling several consumers;

Figure 2

the design of a data packet generated jointly in accordance with the method according to the invention for controlling the consumers;

Figure 3

a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the clock generator when generating the data packet and

Figure 4

the procedure of a command generator for generating a data packet.

Figure 1 initially shows in the broadest generality a lighting system in which control according to the inventive method is to take place. As a consumer at the in Figure 1 System luminaires 20 shown, generally provided with the reference numeral 1 or their operating devices. In general, however, the method according to the invention can be used to control all conceivable consumers. In other words, in the sense of the present invention, air-conditioning devices, blinds or the like could also be actuated, wherein such units can also be part of the system together with lights.

According to the representation of Figure 1 In the system 1 according to the invention, all consumers 20, that is to say all the lights, are connected to a common bus system 2. This bus system 2 connects the consumers 20 to one another, but in particular also to units which are responsible for controlling the lights 20. In the present case, a central control unit 5 is provided for this, which controls the data transmission via the bus system 2 in the manner described in more detail below. In addition, however, local command generators 10 and 15 are also provided, which also generate information relevant for controlling the lights 20. The local command transmitter 10 can, for example, be an operating element provided in a specific room, So act a switch or a dimmer, through which a user can directly control a correspondingly assigned lamp 20 ₁ . The second local command transmitter 15 in turn could be formed, for example, by a presence sensor. This detects the movement or generally the presence of people within a certain area and should then switch on the lights 20 ₂ to 20 ₄ located in the corresponding room. Of course, the system 1 can also be expanded by other command transmitters, depending on which consumers are connected to the system 1 and in which way they are to be controlled. Particularly worth mentioning would be brightness sensors for controlling the luminaires and temperature sensors and the like in accordance with the incident outside light, for example to control heating systems or the like.

The communication via the bus system 2 is preferably carried out in accordance with the DMX standard in the context of digital activation of the consumers or lights 20, it also being conceivable to use a different communication standard. An essential property of the DMX standard, however, is that only one unit, in the present case the central command transmitter 5, is authorized to send control signals of its own accord to the bus system 2. As part of an expansion for bidirectional communication, in particular the known RDM protocol, it would be possible for individual participants in the system to transmit feedback to the central command transmitter 5, despite everything the local command transmitters, that is to say the control element 10 and the sensor 15, cannot transmit control information of its own accord to the lights 20. Instead, these local command transmitters have so far been queried cyclically by the central command transmitter 5 and then transmit their corresponding control information to the central command transmitter 5. This in turn then generated corresponding control commands for the lights 20, which were then sent via the bus system 2.

In order to simplify such complex data communication and, in particular, also to optimize the time required to control the lights 20, a novel procedure is now proposed according to the invention, with the aid of which a significantly more efficient control can be carried out.

A first essential element of the invention consists in the fact that the transmission of control information to the consumers takes place with the aid of a data packet which, for example, corresponds to the schematic representation of Figure 2 is constructed. The data packet 30 in this case consists of a plurality of sections transmitted in time, the so-called slots, which in particular include a start sequence 30 ₀ and adjoining slots or sections 30 ₁ , 30 ₂ , etc., these areas then corresponding control information that generated by the local commanders. Esp. exactly one section is assigned to each local command transmitter connected to the bus system 2, it being assumed for the further explanation that the first section 30 _{1 is} assigned to the control element 10 and the subsequent section 30 _{2 contains} information relating to the presence sensor 15 . Depending on the number of local command devices connected to the system, the in Figure 2 shown data packet on a corresponding number of data areas, at the end of the data packet then possibly a slot 30 _{n + 1} with an end sequence can follow.

The use of a data packet transmitted in this way is based on the fact that, as already mentioned, on the one hand each data area 30 ₁ to 30 _{n is assigned to} one of the local command devices 10, 15 and on the other hand the consumers, that is to say the lights 20, know which local command device and thus which data area contains the tax information relevant to you. This must be taken into account when commissioning system 1 and stored in the operating devices of the consumers. In the application described above, this means that the data area 30 _{1 of} the data packet 30 is relevant for the first luminaire 20 ₁ . The three lights 20 ₂ to 20 _4, on the other hand, are to implement the information contained in the second data area 30 ₂ , which comes from the presence sensor 15, in a corresponding manner.

The special feature of the method according to the invention now consists in the fact that the data packet 30 is not - as was previously the case - generated solely by the central command transmitter 5, but instead, in particular, the local command transmitters 10 and 15 also contribute to the generation of the data packet 30. Esp. it is provided that the central command generator 5 only functions as a central clock generator in this case takes over, which initiates the transmission of the data packet 30. This is done by the central clock transmitting the first section of the data packet, that is to say the start sequence 30 ₀ . As a result, all further units connected to the bus system 2, that is to say both the local command transmitters 10 and 15 and the lights 20, are synchronized and all participants know in which subsequent time periods information from the corresponding local command transmitters 10 and 15 is transmitted. These local command transmitters 10 and 15 are now responsible for independently filling the slot or area of the data packet assigned to them, which is done by sending data in the corresponding time period that corresponds to this slot. In this way, the entire data packet is generated jointly by the central clock generator and all command generators until the last data area 30 _{n has} been filled up by the last local command generator. Either the final sequence is then finally transmitted by the central clock generator, or all participants know, based on the fact that they know the number of local command generators, that the transmission of the entire packet 30 has ended.

It can be seen from the above description that information originating from the individual local command transmitters can thus be transmitted to the consumers much more quickly, since in particular a complex cyclical query by a central command transmitter can be dispensed with. The scope of the transmitted data is also significantly reduced by the procedure according to the invention, so that the bandwidth of the bus system is available for other purposes.

A further development of the basic principle described above could also consist in that the central clock generator also performs a monitoring function and, if necessary, compensates for the failure of one of the local command transmitters. In other words, during the generation of the data packet, the central clock generator monitors whether all local command transmitters are actually filling up the corresponding data sections of the packet. If this is not the case because, for example, one of the local command transmitters is defective or the like, this is recognized by the central clock generator and the latter automatically fills the packet. In this case, it preferably sends the information that was last transmitted by the corresponding local command transmitter, so that in In this case, the corresponding consumers continue to operate. However, it cannot happen that a consumer assumes uncontrolled operation due to a lack of transmission of control information.

Based on Figures 3 and 4 the procedure of the central clock generator and a local command generator when generating a data packet according to the invention is to be summarized again, wherein Figure 3 First the procedure of the central clock is shown. The transmission of the data packet is initiated by sending the start sequence in step S101. The central clock generator then switches to a ready-to-receive state (step S 102), so that it is subsequently able to monitor the extent to which the further local command generators fill up the data packet. This monitoring represents step S103, in which the central clock waits until the last data area or slot is transmitted, but at the same time checks whether there is no transmission in the meantime, which indicates the failure of the corresponding local command generator. In this case, the corresponding section is filled up in step S104 by the central clock generator itself - as already mentioned preferably with the information last transmitted by the corresponding local command generator - and the central clock generator in turn switches to ready to receive and continues to monitor the data transmission in step S103.

After transmission of the last data area, the central clock then switches again to transmission in step S105 and transmits a break signal, which accordingly represents the start sequence of the next packet.

Basically, this completes the procedure according to the invention for generating a data packet for controlling the consumers, and step S101 could be started again immediately. However, it can be provided that, in addition to the collective generation of a data packet according to the invention, classic control of the consumers is also carried out by a central control unit. In the present case, the central clock generator checks in step S106 whether there is, for example, an RDM request to be sent, with the aid of which an individual subscriber is thus contacted individually. Is this the If this is the case, there is also a communication provided in accordance with the RDM protocol (step S 107). If this has been completed or there is no RDM request to be sent, the start sequence can be started again in step S101 and a data packet is sent again collectively.

From the point of view of a local commander, however, the process is as in Figure 4 shown, it being assumed that in a first step S201 the command transmitter assumes a ready-to-receive state. He then waits in step S202 for the transmission of the start sequence by the central clock, so that it is synchronized with the other participants for the generation of the data packet. At the time of transmission of the area or slot assigned to the local command transmitter, the latter switches to transmission in step S203 and then transmits the corresponding information in step S204. The local command transmitter then switches back to ready to receive and the process begins again.

As already mentioned, the collective generation of a data packet according to the invention can also be combined with a classic control according to the DMX or RDM standard. In this case, the consumers are then controlled by a central command transmitter in a conventional manner. In certain regular sections, however, the central command generator then initiates the transmission of a collectively generated data packet in accordance with the procedure according to the invention. In this case, the central command generator preferably also takes over the function of the central clock generator.

As an alternative to this, however, it would of course also be conceivable for the consumers to be controlled exclusively as part of the procedure according to the invention. In this case, no central command transmitter is then provided in the system itself, but only the central clock generator required to initiate the data packet transmission is required. This can be an independent unit connected to the system or it can also be part of one of the local command devices. In the case of parallel use of conventional control and collective control, on the other hand, as mentioned above, the central clock generator is preferably part of the central command generator.

Ultimately, with the aid of the procedure according to the invention, the consumers can be controlled very simply but efficiently by local command transmitters. A particular advantage here is that already existing systems can be expanded in a very simple manner by the method according to the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Method for controlling lamp operating devices (20) connected to a bus system (2), by means of at least one local command emitter (10, 15) which is likewise connected to the bus system (2),
   wherein a central clock pulse generator is connected to the bus system,
   wherein the lamp operating devices (20) are controlled via transmission of data packets (30),
   wherein each of the data packets includes segments transmitted one after another,
   wherein, after initiation of the data packet transmission by the central clock pulse generator, the local command emitter (10, 15) fills up a segment (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30) assigned to it with data,
   wherein the data from the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) include control information generated by it for controlling the lamp operating devices (20),
   wherein filling up includes the local command emitter (10, 15) sending the control information generated by it in the corresponding segment of the data packet,
   characterized in that
   the central clock pulse generator monitors the at least one local command emitter (10, 15),
   in the event the central clock pulse generator detects that the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) is unable to fill up the assigned segment (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30), the central clock pulse generator in this event fills up the corresponding segment (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet with the data last sent by this local command emitter (10, 15) and sends said segment.
2. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   a plurality of local command emitters (10, 15) are connected to the bus system (2) and are each assigned different segments (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the central clock pulse generator is a unit separate from the local command emitter or emitters (10, 15), in particular a central control unit (5).
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the local command emitters (10, 15) are sensors and/or control elements.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   data transmission takes place in accordance with the DMX standard.
6. System for controlling a plurality of lamp operating devices (20), comprising:

   • a bus system (2) to which the lamp operating devices (20) are connected, and also a central clock pulse generator,

   • at least one local command emitter (10, 15) which is likewise connected to the bus system (2),

   wherein the lamp operating devices (20) are controlled via transmission of data packets (30),
   wherein each of the data packets includes segments transmitted one after another,
   and the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) is designed to fill up the segment (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30) assigned to it with data after initiation of the data packet transmission by the central clock pulse generator,
   wherein the data from the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) include control information generated by it for controlling the lamp operating devices (20),
   wherein filling up includes the local command emitter (10, 15) sending the control information generated by it in the corresponding segment of the data packet,
   characterized in that
   the central clock pulse generator is designed to monitor the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) and to detect when the at least one local command emitter (10, 15) is not able to fill up the segment (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30) assigned to it, and in this event fills up the corresponding segment of the data packet with the data last transmitted by this local command emitter (10, 15) and sends the same.
7. System according to Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   a plurality of local command emitters (10, 15) are connected to the bus system (2) and in each case are assigned different segments (30₁, 30₂, 30_n) of the data packet (30).
8. System according to Claim 6 or 7,
   characterized in that
   the central clock pulse generator is a unit separate from the local command emitter or emitters (10, 15), in particular a central control unit (5).
9. System according to any one of Claims 6 to 8,
   characterized in that
   the local command emitters (10, 15) are sensors and/or control elements.
10. System according to any one of Claims 6 to 9,
    characterized in that
    data transmission takes place in accordance with the DMX standard.

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