• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    A method of commissioning an emergency lighting system implemented on a DALI network, comprising the automated steps of discovering all of the DALI interface devices in the system, commissioning each DALI line in the system by determining the addresses of each device on the DALI line and resolving any conflicts in the addresses of each device, ascertaining all of the emergency lighting devices in the system, assigning each emergency lighting device to a test group; and creating a test schedule for each test group.
    公开号:AU2013225621A1
    申请号:U2013225621
    申请日:2013-03-01
    公开日:2014-01-09
    发明作者:Clive Haskins；Andrew Newman
    申请人:Gerard Lighting Pty Ltd；
    IPC主号:H05B37-00
    专利说明:
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 1 System and method of commissioning a lighting system FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a system and method for commissioning of a lighting system, such as an emergency lighting system and in particular a system and method for commissioning and scheduling duration tests for an emergency lighting system utilizing devices that comply with the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) standard. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Emergency escape lighting and exit signs are a statutory requirement for modern commercial buildings as laid out in standards such as Australian Standard AS2293. These standards dictate the number, distribution and placement of emergency devices and requirements for their periodic testing. Emergency escape lighting and exit signs (EM lamps) can be stand-alone, or can part of a lighting control and supervisory network in a building. Such a network might be implemented using one of a number of possible networks, such as C-Bus, KNX, Bacnet, LON, or DALI. Such a network allows for centralised commissioning, control and supervision of the emergency lighting. [0003] Once installed the EM lamps must be tested periodically. In the case of AS2293 a requirement is for lamps to be tested at least once every six months, and this test includes discharging its battery. Testing can be autonomous, or under the control of a supervisory system. The advantage of a supervisory system is that the performing of tests, gathering or results, and production of reports can be done completely automatically. The supervisory system does, however, need to be commissioned. [0004] In addition, after an EM lamp has been tested it will have impaired functionality until its battery can fully recharge. Consequently it is desirable not to test all of the lamps in one area at the same time.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 2 [0005] The commissioning of an EM lamp supervisory system thus involves two major components, the first being configuring the EM lamp to operate as part of a network and the second being to schedule testing of the EM lamps. Such commissioning is traditionally a manual process involving the discovery of all devices on a network, assignment of network addresses to each device and setting up a schedule for testing each device. The commissioning of many hundreds of EM lamps is a slow, difficult, error prone, boring, and tedious business. This results in labour costs that make the commissioning of an EM lamp system expensive to the end-user and often results in EM lamp systems that do not comply with the testing requirements of relevant standards. [0006] There is a need for an automated system and method for commissioning an EM lamp supervisory system that will reduce commissioning costs and produce a schedule for testing the EM lamps that is compliant with relevant standards. [0007] The object of this invention is to provide a system and method of commissioning a lighting system such as an emergency lighting system that alleviates the above problems, or at least provides the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a method of commissioning an emergency lighting system implemented on a DALI network, comprising the automated steps of discovering all of the DALI interface devices in the system, commissioning each DALI line in the system by determining the addresses of each device on each DALI line, assigning addresses to each device that is un-addressed and resolving any conflicts in the addresses of each device, ascertaining all of the emergency lighting devices in the system, assigning each emergency lighting device to a test group, and creating a test schedule for each test group.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 3 [0009] Preferably each of the emergency lighting devices is configured with a test start date and time and a test interval. [0010] In a further aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of commissioning a lighting system implemented on a DALI network, comprising the automated steps of discovering all of the DALI interface devices in the system, commissioning each DALI line in the system by determining the addresses of each device on the DALI line and assigning addresses to each device that is un-addressed and resolving any conflicts in the addresses of each device, and configuring each device with a default configuration. [0011] Preferably the commissioning is instigated with a single click of a user interface. [0012] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. [0014] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an emergency lighting system implemented using DALI devices. [0015] Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the sequence involved in commissioning an emergency lighting system and producing a schedule of duration tests. [0016] Figure 3 illustrates a computer system operating as a hardware platform for the method described herein.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0017] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [0018] In this case we describe a system and method that is used for commissioning a DALI lighting control network, however the principle can easily apply to any other arrangement of EM lamps or EM control gear that is installed in a building and networked together. Likewise the system and method could easily apply to commissioning DALI network systems with a mix of EM lamps and other devices or to DALI networks with no EM lamps. [0019] Ideally the method allows for the commissioning of a DALI network with minimal user interaction. The user simply initiates the process through a single mouse click or touch of a PC user interface, or pressing a button on a control system or the like. Whilst a fully automatic commissioning of a system may not provide the optimal configuration it will produce a system that is good enough for use and allow an optimal configuration to be reached faster than by manual configuration alone. [0020] A schematic representation of DALI EM lamp system 100 is shown in Figure 1. The system 100 comprises a PC (personal computer) 10 for commissioning and optionally controlling or supervising the system, a network 20 (typically Ethernet), and DALI interfaces 30 providing an interface between the network 20 and DALI lines 40 which have a number of DALI devices 50 attached. [0021] In the system described here a typical DALI system will allow up to 100 DALI interface devices 30 to be networked together although of course a smaller or larger number may be used. Also in the system described here each DALI interface can typically interface two DALI lines 40, although a smaller or larger number of lines may be used. Each DALI WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 5 line may have between 1 and 64 DALI devices 50 attached, where the upper limit is determine by the DALI standard. [0022] The DALI system of Figure 1 has a PC 10 as the commissioning and optional control device. This function could just as well be implemented on a processing device such as an embedded computing system, an iPad, a microcontroller, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The PC may only be present for the commissioning or the system, or may form a permanent part of the system being used to perform periodic testing or ad-hoc control or supervisory functions. [0023] The method of commissioning the system and producing a duration test schedule is shown in the high level flow chart of Figure 2 which is discussed below. These tasks may be done in various sequences, and not all tasks may need to be done to complete the process. When the process has completed, the commissioning will have detected or discovered all the DALI Emergency Lighting devices, and set up a schedule to run duration tests and optionally function tests, which will comply with the requirements of AS2293 or indeed any other requirements that may be specific to the system and the legal framework in which it must operate. [0024] At step 101 the commissioning of the system is initiated. This will typically be done by a single click of the user interface of the PC 10. [0025] At step 200 the system shall detect all equipment that enables access/communication to DALI lines. [0026] These devices form an interface or link between a computer (PC) and the DALI low speed communication line. These interface devices are essential because they act as a protocol translator as well as giving an electrically safe, isolated, link between the two otherwise separate systems. [0027] The interface devices allow the computer to communicate to the DALI devices to do such operations as determine their presence, assign addresses, set operating modes, and interrogate status.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 6 [0028] The process of discovering interface devices may include (but is not limited to) discovering interface devices via serial RS-232, serial RS 485, USB, wireless and/or Ethernet, infra-red, wired power line carrier, etc with Ethernet devices being one of the most popular. [0029] Discovery is made more complex by the need to probe communication ports of a computer to determine what devices might be connected and to ensure that a DALI interface device is actually connected. In the case of Ethernet, the process may detect other devices (for example networked drink dispensing machines or networked factory time clock/card machines). Steps need to be taken to ensure that the discovered devices are in fact DALI interface devices. This involves presetting specific information in the interface device product that can be found when searching, as well as probing the DALI portion to ensure that a DALI interface / converter portion is present. [0030] There are many known methods for discovering devices on an Ethernet network. Preferably an UDP broadcast packet is sent on a pre arranged port which is then received and acknowledged by a device. Once a compatible device has been discovered it can be interrogated to discover what type of device it is and its capabilities. [0031] At step 300 each DALI line is commissioned. [0032] To communicate with DALI Devices, each DALI Device requires a short-address that is unique on that DALI Line. The system configures the devices on each DALI Line to ensure that each DALI Device has a unique short address (on its line). This may include (but is not limited to) performing tasks such as: 1. Addressing un-assigned DALI Devices - Apply a unique short address to a DALI Device that has no existing address; 2. Re-assignment of DALI Device Short Addresses - Change the short address of a DALI Device to a new unique short address; and WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 7 3. Short-Address Conflict Resolution - Resolve the case where multiple DALI Devices have the same short address. This may be done by short address re-assignment of all or some of the conflicting devices. [0033] The end result is that each DALI Device on each DALI line has a distinct short address, not just emergency devices. Other networking systems may or may not treat emergency devices specially, and it may in some cases only be required to assign unique addresses for EM devices. [0034] From the point of view of the computer, the DALI devices in an installation have a compound address made up of the address of their DALI line interface device, the line number on that device (if applicable), and the device address on that line. [0035] For example, PC-style addresses for some devices in an installation might be: 192.168.73.62 / 1 / 44 192.168.73.63 / 2 / 9 192.168.73.35 / 1 / 44 [0036] Notice that in the first and third examples the last part (the DALI device short address on its DALI line) is the same. However the devices are uniquely addressable when the interface address and interface line number are included as part of a larger compound address. [0037] Of course, this PC-style addressing is merely a convention which can ease presentation to a user, or ease software development, or both. Other schemes for referring to all of the DALI devices in a site have the similar effect of allowing each device to be uniquely referred to. [0038] For DALI commissioning, a unique short address is required prior to being able to determine the type of the DALI Device on a line, i.e. to determine whether that DALI Device is an EM DALI Device. [0039] The more extreme case of clearing any pre-existing DALI short addresses is not shown in the task list above, which allows existing WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 8 addressing to be preserved (unless conflict resolution is performed); however, clearing existing addressing is also a possible step that may be desirable in some cases. [0040] At step 400 the DALI Emergency Devices (DALI Device Type 1) are discovered. [0041] Of all the DALI devices found on each of the DALI lines, the system must then refine the discovered set down to the EM-only set of DALI Devices on the DALI network. [0042] Following refinement to the EM subset, the system may store that subset of the network information in a format that can be used by other tasks to complete this process. [0043] In a DALI system, this process comprises determining the devices having Device Type 1, which corresponds to Emergency Lighting Devices. [0044] If this process were applied to a non-DALI system, some other means of determining or localising the Emergency lighting devices would be required. This may include use of techniques such as probing for or broadcasting to specific kinds of devices, or interrogation of each device found, in turn, or some other method. [0045] At this stage all of the non EM lamp devices may optionally be configured to default values. For example all of the dimmers may be set to operate with a minimum setting of 10% and a maximum setting of 100%. [0046] At step 500 test groups are constructed. [0047] An Emergency Device Duration Test (also known as a Discharge Test) operates the emergency luminaires from their battery supply by simulating failure of the monitored power supply. [0048] The period of this test varies in different legal jurisdictions around the world; typical test times are 1, 2 or 3 hours. In Australia, the test WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 9 takes approximately 2 hours when a product is first installed, and at least 90 minutes thereafter. [0049] The purpose of the test is to ensure that the emergency lighting product is fully functional, including lamp, electronics, and battery. [0050] After a discharge test has been performed, that emergency luminaire is permitted to take up to 16 hours to charge its battery and return to a fully operational state. During this charge time, the EM device will not be as effective if power is lost; i.e. does not have enough battery charge to sustain the lighting requirements as specified by the device in the event of a power outage - this vulnerability to a power failure just after a discharge test is normal and accepted behaviour within the AS2293 standard. [0051] To help alleviate possible "dark spots" or "dead spots" in a building in the vulnerable period after a discharge test is run, EM Devices may be allocated in groups or clusters, where all devices in a group can be tested at the same time. Careful allocation of devices to groups can ensure a physical separation - for example by assignment into different groups or clusters, all EM lamps in a long corridor might not be tested at the same time. [0052] The test groups can then be tested on a rotational basis, provided that the maintenance intervals for each individual luminaire do not exceed those specified by AS2293. These groups allow devices to be allocated into a number of subsets, where each subset is tested separately. [0053] The system at this step constructs a number of groups or subsets from the set of DALI EM Devices across all of the known DALI lines, such that across the groups, all of the DALI EM Devices are covered. These subsets shall be referred to as Test Groups through-out the rest of this paper. [0054] The system can be configured to produce any number of test groups although a convenient number is 4 groups.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 10 [0055] At step 600 the duration test schedules are created and optionally function test schedules are created as well. [0056] For each Test Group the system constructs and assigns one or more schedules 700. Each schedule 700 defines a starting date and time, and a repetition period. [0057] The system will run a Duration Test at the time nominated by the schedule 700, on all the DALI EM devices allocated to that schedule (which in turn is the devices placed into the Test Group associated with that schedule). [0058] The schedules 700 are such that each EM DALI Device will run a duration test at an interval of not greater than specified by AS2293 or any other applicable standard. [0059] Although not required by AS2293, it is sometimes possible to run a smaller, faster test which does not test battery capacity. This is sometimes called a "Function Test". Typical Function Tests might have a running time of a few seconds to perhaps 1-2 minutes. Such tests can check general connectivity, status reporting, switchover of mains / battery and emergency lamp operation. Depending on the site and policies of the building owner or other local regulations, Function Tests may also be required or desired. [0060] If Function Tests are also to be performed, it is a trivial matter to extend the Duration Test Schedule creation step to also create schedules for performing Function Tests. Generally, the starting date / time and intervals will be different to that used for Duration tests. Function tests, if used, are usually performed more frequently than Duration tests. [0061] At the conclusion of the above steps 100-600: - All DALI lines have been found; - All devices on lines have been found; WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 11 - All devices are allocated addresses, allowing each (of potentially thousands of devices) to be uniquely communicated with; - All devices are allocated into test groups which helps reduce dark spots in a building in the event of a power failure just after a number of devices were tested at the same time; and - All test groups have been allocated to schedules 700 which determine when (and how frequently) they will be tested. [0062] The information and allocations built up during these steps can optionally be stored for later retrieval, or directly used (or some combination of the two) to execute the tests and gather records showing that the building has had the emergency lighting devices tested in accordance with AS 2293. [0063] The execution of the Test Schedules might be done by the computer where the commissioning and schedule creation was performed. It might also be stored and later run by some other system or computer. The schedule may also be embodied in the EM lamp system with each EM lamp being configured to perform the tests autonomously at a given interval starting at a given time and date. [0064] One or more of the steps of the methods described herein and other steps described herein and one or more of the components of the systems described herein may be implemented as computer code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as memory and/or other types of data storage, and executed on a computer system, for example, by a processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other controller. The computer readable medium may be non-transitory. The code may exist as software program(s) included of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats. Examples of computer readable medium include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), hard drives, and flash memory.
    WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 12 [0065] Figure 3 illustrates a hardware platform of a computer system 10 that may be used to execute computer code embodying the steps and functions described above. The computer system 10 may be a hardware platform for one or more of the components of the system 100. The computer system 10 includes a processor 12 that may implement or execute software instructions performing some or all of the methods, functions, and other steps described herein. Commands and data from the processor 12 are communicated over a communication bus 14. The computer system 10 also includes a main memory 13, such as a random access memory (RAM), where the software and data for processor 12 may reside during runtime, and secondary data storage 18, which may be non volatile and stores software and data. The memory and data storage are examples of computer readable storage mediums. The computer system 10 may include one or more 1/O devices 15, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, etc. The computer system 10 may include a network interface 16 for connecting to a network. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other known electronic components may be added or substituted in the computer system 10. [0066] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field. [0067] In the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features WO 2013/126965 PCT/AU2013/000192 13 specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (4)
    [1] 1. A method of commissioning an emergency lighting system implemented on a DALI network, comprising the automated steps of: discovering all of the DALI interface devices in the system; commissioning each DALI line in the system by determining the addresses of each device on the DALI line, assigning addresses to each device that is un-addressed and resolving any conflicts in the addresses of each device; ascertaining all of the emergency lighting devices in the system; assigning each emergency lighting device to a test group; and creating a test schedule for each test group.
    [2] 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of configuring each of the emergency lighting devices with a test start date and time and a test interval.
    [3] 3. A method of commissioning a lighting system implemented on a DALI network, comprising the automated steps of: discovering all of the DALI interface devices in the system; commissioning each DALI line in the system by determining the addresses of each device on the DALI line, assigning addresses to each device that is un-addressed and resolving any conflicts in the addresses of each device; and configuring each device with a default configuration.
    [4] 4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the commissioning is instigated with a single click of a user interface.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    AU2012100372A4|2012-05-24|
    AU2012100372B4|2012-10-04|
    EP2712489A1|2014-04-02|
    NZ618700A|2015-04-24|
    EP2712489A4|2015-08-19|
    AU2013225621B2|2014-06-19|
    WO2013126965A1|2013-09-06|
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    法律状态:
    2014-10-16| FGA| Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)|
    2018-05-10| PC| Assignment registered|Owner name: OZUNO HOLDINGS LIMITED Free format text: FORMER OWNER(S): GERARD LIGHTING HOLDINGS PTY LTD |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    AU2012900814||2012-03-02||
    AU2012900814A|AU2012900814A0||2012-03-02|System and method of commissioning a lighting system|
    AU2013225621A|AU2013225621B2|2012-03-02|2013-03-01|System and method of commissioning a lighting system|
    PCT/AU2013/000192|WO2013126965A1|2012-03-02|2013-03-01|System and method of commissioning a lighting system|AU2013225621A| AU2013225621B2|2012-03-02|2013-03-01|System and method of commissioning a lighting system|
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