GB2414100A - A configurable marshalling box - Google Patents

Abstract

A control unit 20 (marshalling box) comprises a plurality of output ports 21 for connecting to respective electrical loads e.g. lights, and a plurality of inputs 22,23 for connecting to respective control devices such as switches. The outputs and inputs can be assigned to groups A,B,C so that any control device can control all loads in a group.

Description

Control Unit This invention relates to a control unit for use in control

systems for controlling electrical loads, more particularly but not solely control systems for controlling electrical lights.

Lights in dwellings and other buildings are generally controlled by a wall-mounted switch, which is arranged in the lighting circuit to physically connect or disconnect wires that extend between the mains supply and the light. Typically such wires are installed during construction of the dwelling etc., so that they are hidden from view.

It is often desirable to be able to add further light switches, so that a light can be controlled by more than one switch. It is also sometimes desirable to move light switches to another location.

Hitherto, in order to add or move a light switch, additional wires have had to be routed through the ceiling cavity and then down the wall to the location of the new switch. The wires extending down the wall can be concealed by routing them through a channel formed in the wall. However, a disadvantage of this is that it is difficult, time consuming and messy to channel out the wall and then reinstate the wall afterwards. Furthermore, it is not always practical to channel out the wall, for example in situations where wallpaper has been applied to the wall.

It has been proposed to overcome this problem by routing the wires through a plastic conduit attached to the wall. However, such plastics conduits are almost as unsightly as having bare wires extending down the wall.

Another disadvantage of adding switches is that the existing switch needs to be wired in a special manner, otherwise the switches will work independently of each other, thereby creating the problem that the light cannot be turned off, except from the switch that was used to turn it on.

British Patent Application GB-A-2-336-045 discloses a remote control system, which provides a solution to the above- mentioned problems and which is arranged to control an existing switched light. The system is installed by disconnecting the light from the existing hard-wired switch and connecting it to a control unit of the system, such that a switching device in the unit is arranged in series between the light and the mains supply. The wire leading from the existing switch can then be connected to a switch terminal of the control unit, so that the light can be turned on or off using either the existing wired switch or a wireless remote control device of the system.

The wireless device may resemble a conventional plate switch which is recessed into the wall. In some applications, a plurality of wireless remote control devices are arranged to control one light or a group of lights. However, there may be occasions (such as when an office space is being partitioned) that it is desirable to disassociate a particular remote control device from a control unit of one light or group, so that it can be assigned to the control unit of another light or group.

Hitherto, this has been achieved by clearing the memory of the control unit and then re-programming the control unit with identities of the remote devices. This is both time consuming and complicated.

Our UK patent application no. 0212372.7 (2,390,204), from which the present application is divided, describes and claims a control system which alleviates the above-mentioned problems, and comprises a control unit for connecting to an electrical load and configured to respond to a plurality of remote control devices, each remote control device having an ID code which is transmitted to the control unit together with control signals, the control unit comprising memory means which stores the ID codes of the remote control devices with which it is configured to respond, the control unit being arranged to respond to an erase control signal received from a said remote control device such that the ID code of a said remote control device is erased from the memory when a control signal is subsequently received therefrom.

Thus, in order to disassociate a particular remote control device from the control unit of one light or group, the user merely has to put the control unit into an erase mode, for example by pressing an erase button on one of the remote control devices assigned to the control unit. Once in the erase mode, the control unit will erase the ID code of the next remote control device that transmits a signal, provided that device is already assigned to the control unit. The disassociated remote control device can then be assigned to another control unit and will not longer operate the original unit.

In this manner a particular remote control device can quickly and easily be disassociated from a control unit of one light or group.

In some cases the memory means of the control unit may only be programmed with the ID code of one remote control device. In order to prevent the ID code of that device being erased and thereby isolating the control unit, the control unit is preferably arranged such that the ID code of a remote control device is only erased from the memory when a control signal is subsequently received from a remote control device which is different from the device which transmitted said erase control signal.

Preferably, the control unit will only erase an ID code if a control signal is received from a remote control device within a predetermined time period after said erase control signal is received.

In order to simplify lighting wiring installations, it is well known to connect each individual light directly to a respective output port of a single control or so-called marshalling box, to which a mains supply is applied. The marshalling box is provided with a plurality of input ports for connecting directly to wall switches for operating the lights.

In one embodiment, there may be only one input, such that one switch control all lights. Alternatively, there may be two input ports with port controlling one or more lights in a group and the other controlling one or more different lights in another group.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that a light has to be physically disconnected from one output port and reconnected to another output port if it is to work in conjunction with another switch. This is time consuming and complicated, particularly since marshalling boxes are usually mounted in ceiling cavities. Furthermore, the procedure normally requires an electrician and it will be appreciated that this is costly.

Another disadvantage of known marshalling boxes is that the configuration of the box has to be specified prior to purchase and thus it is not possible to change which outputs belong to which inputs or to change the total number of groups.

We have now devised a control unit which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a control unit comprising a plurality of output ports for connecting to respective electrical loads, at least one input for connecting to a control device for controlling one or more of said loads, means for selecting a number of groups to which said output ports can be assigned, means for assigning one or more of said output ports to a said group, and means for assigning the or each input to a said group, so that the load connected to each port within a group is controlled by the input assigned to that group.

In order to reconfigure a lighting installation, so that a light works in conjunction with another switch, the user merely has to reassign the output port to which the light is connected to another group. This process is straightforward and does not require the attendance of an electrician.

Users are able to configure the unit on site to meet their particular requirement and thus the need to specify the configuration prior to purchase is avoided. Furthermore, it is relatively simple for the user to change which output ports belong to which inputs and to change the total number of groups.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described i by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting control system which may include a lighting control unit in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a flow diagram to explain the operation of i the system of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of a lighting control unit in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a lighting control system comprises a control unit 10 for mounting in a ceiling cavity or other convenient location and at least one wireless remote control device 12. The control unit 10 is connected via a cable 13 to a light 11 and to the mains supply 15.

In use, the light 11 can be controlled using the remote control device(s) 12, or conventional switches 18,19 connected to the unit via a cable 16.

Each remote control device 12 comprises a unique ID code which is transmitted along with control signals when the device is actuated. The control unit 10 comprises a memory; which stores the ID codes of each remote control device 12 that it is configured to respond to.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, at step 1 the unit 10 is initially supplied in its OPERATE mode with an empty memory and thus it will be appreciated that the unit 10 is unable to be controlled remotely in this condition, although the light can be controlled using the switches 18,19. In order, to program the unit 10 with the ID code of a remote control I device 12, the unit 10 can be put into LEARN mode at step 2 by actuating a button on the unit 10. Once in the LEARN mode at step 3, if the unit 10 receives a signal from any remote control device 12 within a predetermined number of seconds, the unit 10 stores the ID code of that remote control device 12 in its memory at step 4, otherwise the unit 10 reverts back to its initial condition in OPERATE mode.

Once the unit 10 has learnt the ID code of one remote control device 12, it reverts to OPERATE mode at step 5. At this point, the unit 10 can be installed in the ceiling cavity etc. However, further remote control devices 10 can be added by repeating steps 2-4.

In this condition when the unit 10, receives a signal i from a remote control device 12 at step 6, the unit 10 checks at step 7 whether the ID code contained in the received signal is one which is stored in its memory. If the ID is one which is stored in memory, the unit 10 acts according to the received signal at step 8, as will be explained hereinafter.

If the ID code is not one which is stored in memory, the unit reverts back to OPERATE mode at step 5.

At step 8, the received signal from one of the remote: devices 12 whose ID code is stored in memory can contain an instruction to either control the lights 11 (step 8A), to enter remote device LEARN mode (step 8B) or to enter remote device.

ERASE mode (step 8C) . : At step 8A, the light can be controlled to turn it ON or OFF or to make it brighter or dimmer.

At step 8B, once in the LEARN mode, the unit reverts to step 3, wherein if the unit 10 receives a signal from any different control device 12 within a predetermined number of seconds, the unit 10 stores the ID code of that remote control device 12 in its memory at step 4, otherwise the unit reverts: back to its OPERATE mode at step 5.

At step 8C, when in the ERASE mode and in accordance i with this invention as seen from the first aspect, the unit 10: waits for the next received signal and, when this is received I at step 9, the unit 10 checks at step 10 whether the ID code contained in the received signal is stored in its memory and is not the same ID code belonging to the remote control device! 12 which put the unit 10 into ERASE mode at step 8C.

If the signal is not from a known device 12 or is from the device 12 which put the unit 10 into ERASE mode, the unit reverts to OPERATE mode at step 5. However, if the test L conditions are met at step 10 and the received signal is from a different known device 12, the ID code of that device 12 is erased from the unit's memory.

In this manner, a remote control device 12 can easily be removed from the unit's memory without having to totally clear the memory. The removed device 12 can then be assigned i to another unit by putting that unit into its LEARN mode.

The reason that the unit 10 will only erase the ID code of a known device 12 which is different from that which put the unit 10 into ERASE mode, is to ensure that the unit will always respond to at least one device 12 and to avoid the need to access the unit 10 to manually to put the unit back into LEARN mode at step 2.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a lighting control unit in accordance with this invention. The unit is arranged to be mounted in a ceiling cavity or other convenient location and comprises a housing 20 on which a plurality of output ports 21 are provided for connecting via cables to respective light fixtures. In the example shown there are nine ports 21, although there could be any number.

The unit is capable of assigning each of the ports 21 to a group and in the embodiment shown there can be up to three groups (groups A, B & C), although there again could be any number.

The unit also comprises a plurality of inputs 22, 23 which can be assigned to respective groups as will be explained L hereinafter.

Initially, when the unit is supplied it is configured to have one group with all output ports 21 assigned to that I group. In order to change the number of groups, the user has to press a MENU button 24 until a first 7segment display 25 on the unit displays that the unit is in the group program! mode. The user then presses a STAGE button 27 to change a second 7-segment display 26 to read 1, 2 or 3 depending on the required number of groups. Once this has been done, the user presses a CONFIRM button 28 to store the number of groups.

Next, the user has to assign which output ports 21 belong to which group: as previously explained all ports 21 are assigned to group A at the outset. In order to change the output ports 21 to other groups, the user presses the MENU button 24 until the display 25 shows that the port assignment mode has been entered. The second display 26 indicates a number between 1 and 9 corresponding to the port 21 being assigned.

A third 7-segment display 29 indicates a number between 1 and 3 corresponding to the group being addressed and a SELECT button 30 adjacent the display 29 can be actuated to change the group being addressed.

Finally, each port 21 comprises an associated LED 31 which indicates the status of the ports 21 in the group being examined.

Once in the assign mode, to move one of the ports 21 say port #5, from initial group A to group C, the user presses the STAGE button 27 until the numeral "5" is displayed on the display 26. The SELECT button 30 is then depressed to activate the display 29. Initially, when "5" is showing on display 26 and "A" is showing on display 29, the LED 31 for output port 21 #5 should be illuminated, since all ports 21 are originally assigned to group A. The user then changes the display 29 to display "C" by pressing the SELECT button 30 and then assigns output port 21 #5 to group C by pressing the STAGE button 27 whilst "5" is still showing on the display 26: this then illuminates the LED 31 for output port 21 #5, indicating that the port is operating with group C. In order to remove the port #5 from group C, the user merely has to depress the SELECT button 27 again whilst "5" is indicated on display 26 and "C" is indicated on display 29. In each case, the CONFIRM button 28 has to be depressed to stored the action.

In the above manner, ports 21 can easily be assigned or removed from any particular group. In the present embodiment a port 21 can only belong to one group and thus assigning a port to a new group will take the port out of its original group. However, it is envisaged that the ports 21 could belong to more than one group, in which case the user will physically have to take a port out of a group.

A user is always able to determine which ports 21 belong to which groups by pressing the SELECT button 30 to toggle through groups A, B and C on the display 29. The LEDs 31 illuminate to show if their corresponding ports are active in the group being examined.

Finally, the user can program which inputs 22, 23 A-C control which groups and this is again achieved by using the MENU button 24 to enter a learn mode. The inputs can then be assigned to groups by using the STAGE button 27 to select the required input and the SELECT button 30 to select the required group.

The inputs 23, 23 may comprise wireless inputs from remote control devices, infra-red (JR) sensors or lux sensors, as well as hard wired inputs from conventional switches and dimmers.

In the case of the wireless inputs, each remote device has its own ID code and devices can be added and/or removed in the manner explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It will be appreciated that a control unit in accordance with this invention is extremely flexible since lights can easily be changed from one group to another, so that they work in conjunction with different input devices, and without the need to change any wiring or to call the services of an electrician. t

Claims (2)

1. Claims 1. A control unit comprising a plurality of output ports for

   connecting to respective electrical loads, at least one input for connecting to a control device for controlling one or more of said loads, means for selecting a number of groups to which said output ports can be assigned, means for assigning one or more of said output ports to a said group, and means for assigning the or each input to a said group, so that the load connected to each port within a group is controlled by the input assigned to that group.
2. 2. A control unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.