Patent Description:
Lighting systems for buildings often comprise a number of lighting technology devices, such as drivers for luminaires, sensors or user interfaces, which can be connected to a DALI bus. The lighting technology devices can exchange communication data, e.g. status messages or commissioning data, with computing devices that are connected to the bus.

However, in order to establish a communication connection between a computing device and a lighting technology device via DALI, the computing device needs to be connected to the DALI bus and special application software for facilitating the communication needs to be installed on the computing device. This software is often limited to certain operating systems and needs to be updated regularly to make sure that the newest version is used. Furthermore, dedicated drivers usually need to be installed on the computer for establishing the connection to the DALI device.

Hence, a user requires a special computing device with dedicated software and drivers to exchange data with the lighting technology devices on the DALI bus. This results in increased costs and makes it difficult to access the lighting technology devices if the dedicated computing device is not available.

Thus, it is an objective to provide a lighting technology system and methods for communicating and receiving data to and from a lighting technology device, respectively, which avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an objective to provide a concept for exchanging data between a lighting technology device and a computing device via a DALI bus without requiring dedicated drivers or dedicated software on the computing device.

<CIT> discloses a lighting technology system comprising a computing device and an interface module connected to the computing device, the computing device configured to send data (i.e., requests and control commands) to the interface module, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus and for sending the translated data over the DALI bus to a DALI interface of a lighting technology device identified by a web browser address.

The "<NPL>) discloses a lighting technology system comprising a computing device and an interface module identified by a web browser address and connected to the computing device, the computing device configured to send data to the interface module, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus and for sending the translated data over the DALI bus to a DALI interface of a lighting technology device.

<CIT> discloses a lighting technology system comprising a computing device and an interface module connected to the computing device, the computing device configured to send data to the interface module, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus and for sending the translated data over the DALI bus to a DALI interface of a lighting technology device.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for communicating data, such as commissioning data, from a computing device to a lighting technology device with a DALI interface, comprising: opening a web browser app on the computing device; accessing a predefined web browser address; sending data provided by a web source at that web browser address to an interface module connected to the computing device, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus; and sending the translated data over the DALI bus to the DALI interface of the lighting technology device. This achieves the advantage that no dedicated software or drivers are required on the computing device to communicate with the lighting technology device.

The lighting technology device can be a driver for a luminaire, such as a gas discharge lamp, a LED, an OLED or a halogen lamp. The driver can comprise a DALI interface and a microprocessor. Furthermore, the lighting technology device can comprise a sensor, e.g. a motion, a smoke or light sensor, a control unit or a user interface, e.g. a dimmer or a touchscreen.

The computing device can be a personal computer (PC), a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone.

The interface module can be an external module or a peripheral that is connected to the computing device, e.g. a DALI USB mouse or a DALI/USB adapter. Alternatively, the interface module can be integrated into the computing device.

The web browser app can be a pre-installed web browser, in particular a native web browser, of the computing device. The web browser app can be a software or an App of the computing device. For instance, the software can be written in Javascript and is available to all operating systems of the computing device type.

Preferably, the web browser app is an internet browser and the web browser address corresponds to an internet address. The web browser address can refer to the website having the respective address.

In particular, sending data from the web browser address comprises sending data provided by a web resource at the respective address.

In an embodiment, the interface module is connectable to the computing device via a wire bound connection, in particular a USB or an Ethernet-over-USB connection, and/or a wireless connection, in particular a Bluetooth or WiFi connection.

In an embodiment, the predefined web browser address is accessed upon detecting a connection of the interface module to the computing device. This achieves the advantage that the user does not have to access the web browser address via a manual input.

In an embodiment, the interface module is adapted to provide a power supply to the DALI bus, in particular if the interface module is connected to the computing device via a USB-C connection. This achieves the advantage that an additional power supply for devices on the DALI bus can be provided. The power supply can be provided in the form of a DC supply voltage.

In particular, the interface module is adapted to provide a power supply to the lighting technology device via the DALI bus.

In an embodiment, the interface module can be configured by the computing device, in particular to establish a wireless communication connection to the computing device. This achieves the advantage that a wireless communication can be established efficiently between the interface module and the computing device.

In particular, configuring the interface module comprises setting or retrieving addresses for the wireless communication.

The web browser address corresponds to an internet address, wherein the computing device is configured to download the web resource from the internet address if the computer is connected to the internet, such that the web browser app can access the web resource after disconnecting the computing device from the internet. This achieves the advantage that the computing device continue exchanging data with the lighting technology device if the computing device is no longer connected to the internet.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for receiving data, such as status messages, from a lighting technology device with a DALI-interface at a computing device, comprising: opening a web browser app on the computing device; accessing a predefined web browser address; sending data from a DALI interface of the lighting technology device over a DALI bus to an interface module connected to the computing device, the interface module being designed for translating the data from the DALI bus to a computer readable format; and forwarding the translated data from the interface module to a web resource at the web browser address. This achieves the advantage that no dedicated software or drivers are required on the computing device to communicate with the lighting technology device.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a lighting technology system, comprising a computing device, a lighting technology device having a DALI interface configured to connect the device to a DALI bus, and an interface module, wherein the interface module is connectable to the computing device, and wherein the interface module is connectable to the DALI bus, wherein the computing device is configured to open a web browser app and to access a predefined web browser address, wherein the computing device is further configured to send data provided by a web source at that web browser address to the interface module, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto the DALI bus, and wherein the interface module is adapted to send the translated data over the DALI bus to the DALI interface of the lighting technology device. This achieves the advantage that no dedicated software or drivers are required on the computing device to communicate with the lighting technology device.

In an embodiment, the interface module is further configured to receive data from the lighting technology device via the DALI bus, wherein the interface module is designed for translating the data from the DALI bus to a computer readable format, and to forward the translated data to the computing device. This achieves the advantage that no data can be send to and received from the lighting technology device without using dedicated software or drivers on the computing device.

In an embodiment, the interface module comprises a USB interface, in particular a USB-C interface, and/or a wireless interface, in particular a Bluetooth, Thread, or WiFi interface, for connecting the interface module to the computing device.

In an embodiment, the interface module comprises a DALI interface for connecting the interface module to the DALI bus.

In an embodiment, the computing device is configured to access the predefined web browser address on the web browser app upon detecting a connection to the interface module. This achieves the advantage that the user does not have to access the web browser address via manual input.

Preferably, the computing device provides a power supply to the interface module via the USB-C connection. The interface module can then in turn provide a power supply to the DALI bus. In particular, the interface module provides a power supply to the lighting technology device of the system via the DALI bus.

In an embodiment, the interface module comprises a galvanic isolation stage and/or a DC/DC converter for providing the power supply to the DALI bus. This achieves the advantage that the interface module can provide a suitable DC supply voltage for devices on the DALI bus.

In an embodiment, the interface module is configured to receive a power supply from the DALI bus. This achieves the advantage that interface modules configured for wireless communication with the computing device can be supplied with electrical power.

The term "LED luminaire" shall mean a luminaire with a light source comprising one or more LEDs. LEDs are well-known in the art, and therefore, will only briefly be discussed to provide a complete description of the invention.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a method <NUM> for communicating data from a computing device to a lighting technology device according to an embodiment.

The method <NUM> comprises: opening <NUM> a web browser app on the computing device; accessing <NUM> a predefined web browser address; sending <NUM> data provided by a web resource at that web browser address to an interface module connected to the computing device, the interface module being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus; and sending <NUM> the translated data over the DALI bus to a DALI interface of the lighting technology device.

For example, the data comprises commissioning data and the method <NUM> is used to commission the lighting technology device.

The web browser address corresponds to an internet address.

The computing device is configured to download a web resource, e.g. a Web-App, from the internet address if the computer is connected to the internet. If the computer is subsequently disconnected from the internet the web browser app can still access the downloaded web resource. Thus, an internet connection is only initially required to forward data to the lighting technology device.

The interface module can be connected to the computing device via a wire bound connection, e.g. a USB, WebUSB, or Ethernet-over-USB connection, or a wireless connection, e.g. via Bluetooth or WiFi.

The predefined web browser address can be accessed upon detecting a connection of the interface module to the computing device. Said connection can be detected by the computing device, in particular by the web browser app.

Preferably, a user has to manually agree to the connection between the interface module by the web browser address. The web browser address can refer to a website using regular web technologies, such as HTML, JS, or CSS.

If the interface module has a wireless functionality, it can be configured by the computing device as long as it is connected to the computing device via a wire bound connection, e.g. a USB connection.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a method <NUM> for receiving data from the lighting technology device at the computing device according to an embodiment.

The method <NUM> comprises: opening <NUM> a web browser app on the computing device; accessing <NUM> a predefined web browser address; sending <NUM> data from a DALI interface of the lighting technology device over a DALI bus to an interface module connected to the computing device, the interface module being designed for translating the data from the DALI busto a computer readable format; and forwarding <NUM> the translated data from the interface module to the web browser address.

For example, the data that is retrieved by the method <NUM> comprises status messages from the lighting technology device such as error messages. The method <NUM> can be used to monitor the lighting technology device on the computing device.

The method <NUM> for communicating data and the method <NUM> for receiving data can be performed successively or simultaneously using the same computing device, interface module and lighting technology device. In particular, the web browser app and web browser address are designed for supporting both methods <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a lighting technology system <NUM> according to an embodiment according.

The system <NUM> comprises the computing device <NUM>, the lighting technology device <NUM> having the DALI interface <NUM> configured to connect the device <NUM> to a DALI bus <NUM>, and an interface module <NUM>, wherein the interface module <NUM> is connectable to the computing device <NUM>.

The interface module <NUM> of the system <NUM> can be connectable to the DALI bus <NUM>, and in particular to the lighting technology device <NUM> via the DALI bus <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> can be configured to open a web browser app on the computing device and to access a predefined web browser address, wherein the computing device <NUM> can further be configured to send data provided by a web resource at that web browser address to the interface module <NUM>, the interface module <NUM> being designed for translating the data onto the DALI bus <NUM>, and wherein the interface module <NUM> is adapted to send the translated data over the DALI bus <NUM> to the DALI interface <NUM> of the lighting technology device <NUM>.

Preferably, the interface module <NUM> is further configured to receive data from the lighting technology device <NUM> via the DALI bus <NUM>. The interface module <NUM> can be designed to translate the data from the DALI bus to a computer readable format and to transfer the translated data to the computing device <NUM>.

In this way, data can be exchanged in both directions between the computing device <NUM> and the lighting technology device <NUM> via the interface module <NUM>.

The interface module can comprise a communication interface <NUM> for establishing a communication connection to the computing device. The communication interface <NUM> can be a USB interface, in particular a USB-C interface or a wireless communication interface, e.g. a Bluetooth, Thread, or WiFi interface.

Preferably, the interface module <NUM> also comprises a DALI interface <NUM> for connecting the module <NUM> to the DALI bus <NUM>.

Preferably, if the USB interface <NUM> of the interface module <NUM> is a USB-C interface, it is possible to supply the interface module <NUM> with electrical power from the computing device <NUM>. The interface module <NUM> can in turn provide a power supply to the DALI bus <NUM> and the devices on the DALI bus <NUM>. For this purpose, the interface module <NUM> can comprise a galvanic isolation stage, for instance by means of a DC/DC converter.

The computing device <NUM> can be configured to access the predefined web browser address on the web browser app in response to detecting the connection to the interface module <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of the interface module <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The interface module <NUM> in <FIG> is shown as an external module that can be connected to the computing device <NUM> via a USB connector <NUM>.

The interface module <NUM> in <FIG> further comprises a housing <NUM> and the DALI interface <NUM> for connecting the module <NUM> to the DALI bus <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of the interface module <NUM> according to an embodiment. In particular <FIG> and <FIG> show the same interface module <NUM>.

The interface module <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a USB-C interface <NUM> that is connected to a USB port <NUM>, e.g. of the computing device <NUM> and the DALI interface <NUM> that is connected to the DALI bus <NUM>.

The interface module <NUM> further comprises a USB-C power supply unit <NUM> configured to receive an electrical power supply from the computing device via the USB interface <NUM> The interface module <NUM> comprises a further DALI power supply unit <NUM> configured to forward electrical energy to the DALI bus <NUM>.

Preferably, the interface module further comprises a processing unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> can have a WebUSB and/or an USB-EEM (USB-Ethernet Emulation) functionality. The processing unit <NUM> in <FIG> also has an optional wireless functionality.

Preferably, the interface module <NUM> can also be adapted as a wireless radio adapter, which for instance uses Bluetooth to connect to the computing device <NUM>. The interface module <NUM> can additionally comprise the USB interface <NUM> for configuring the interface module <NUM> before establishing the wireless connection. If the interface module <NUM> is not connected to the computing device <NUM> via USB it can receive a separate voltage supply via the DALI bus <NUM>.

The processing unit <NUM> can further be configured to perform the task of translating the data from the DALI bus <NUM> to a computer readable format and/or translating the data from the computing device <NUM> on the DALI bus <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a lighting technology architecture <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The architecture <NUM> comprises a DALI bus <NUM> and a mains supply <NUM> with three lines. The mains supply is connected to the DALI bus <NUM> via a DALI power supply unit <NUM> for providing a power supply to the DALI bus <NUM>. In addition, two processor controlled ballasts <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to the DALI bus <NUM> and the mains supply <NUM>.

The architecture <NUM> further comprises a number of lighting technology devices 303a-303d, which are connected to the DALI bus <NUM>. The lighting technology devices 303a-303d comprise a DALI touch panel 303a, control modules for dimming and switching 303b-c and a control module to set an recall lighting scenes 303d.

In addition, a number of computing devices 301a-c is connected to the DALI bus via two interface modules 309a-b. Each one of the interface modules 309a-b can correspond to the interface modules <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, <FIG> and/or 4b. Each one of the computing devices 301a-c can be configured to open a web browser app on the devices 301a-c and to access the predefined web browser address to exchange data with the interface modules 309a-b.

The computing devices 301a-c can be connected to an IP network <NUM>, such as the internet or a local network. The web browser address can be an address in the IP network <NUM> and can refer to a web resource. Updates of the resource stored at this address can be provided centrally to IP network <NUM> and are thus available to all users.

In particular, the computing device 301a can have a WebUSB functionality and the computing device 301b has an USB-EEM (USB-Ethernet Emulation) functionality for providing access to the interface module 309a-b from the web browser address. Suitable USB-Ethernet Emulation protocols such as RNDIS, CDC (ECM, EEM, NCM) can be used in the interface modules 309a-b, such that they can be used as network interfaces. The host can then route network traffic which encoded DALI commands into the interface modules 309a-b. Thus, the interface modules 309a-b provide an IP networked DALI interface for the computing devices 301a-c.

In particular, the interface modules 309a-b can be integrated into the IP network <NUM> via the computing devices 301a-c without requiring host side applications.

All features of all embodiments described, shown and/or claimed herein can be combined with each other.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit of scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalence.

Claim 1:
Method (<NUM>) for communicating data, such as commissioning data, from a computing device (<NUM>) to a lighting technology device (<NUM>) with a DALI interface (<NUM>), comprising:
- opening (<NUM>) a web browser app on the computing device (<NUM>) ;
- accessing (<NUM>) a predefined web browser address;
- sending (<NUM>) data provided by a web resource at that web browser address to an interface module (<NUM>) connected to the computing device (<NUM>), the interface module (<NUM>) being designed for translating the data onto a DALI bus (<NUM>); and
- sending (<NUM>) the translated data over the DALI bus (<NUM>) to the DALI interface (<NUM>) of the lighting technology device (<NUM>),
characterised in that the web browser address corresponds to an internet address, wherein the computing device (<NUM>) is configured to download the web resource from the internet address if the computer is connected to the internet, such that the web browser app can access the web resource after disconnecting the computing device (<NUM>) from the internet.