LAMPS THEREOF

Technical field

The present invention relates to the lighting field. More specifically, this invention relates to the management of lighting systems.

Technological background

The background of the present invention is hereinafter introduced with the discussion of techniques relating to its context. However, even when this discussion refers to documents, acts, artifacts and the like, it does not suggest or represent that the discussed techniques are part of the prior art or are common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

Lighting systems are commonly used to provide an artificial illumination in a number of environments. Generally, each lighting system comprises one or more lighting devices, hereinafter simply referred to as lamps; each lamp provides the light (emitted by artificial sources, generally of the electrical type) that is required to illuminate the desired objects (in a broad sense). A typical example are displays of products for sale in commercial establishments, such as refrigerated showcases for fresh food products used in supermarkets.

The refrigerated showcases (like many other lighting systems) require continuous maintenance. Particularly, it is important to verify that the lamps are working correctly. Indeed, any malfunctions of the lamps result in the missing illumination of the products displayed in a corresponding compartment of the refrigerated showcase. This makes these products less visible to customers of the supermarket, which may involve a lost sale thereof with consequent economic damage to the supermarket. In any case, the resulting incorrect illumination of the refrigerated showcase (especially when the malfunction of the lamps causes an intermittent illumination) generates a particularly annoying aesthetic effect for the customers, which may generate a reputation damage for the supermarket.

The verification of the refrigerated showcases is generally performed manually by staff of the supermarket. However, this operation is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, the verification may be performed only sporadically, with the risk of leaving the refrigerated showcases with the lamps being malfunctioning for relatively long periods.

Moreover, the refrigerated showcases generally have a completely passive structure only allowing their switching on and switching off. Slightly more sophisticated structures may be provided with a control panel to manage some functions of the refrigerated showcases, for example, to adjust the intensity of the light. In this case as well, however, the management of the refrigerated showcases is performed manually by the staff of the supermarket, so that it is time consuming and expensive.

Automatic management devices are used in other applications to manage units of different types autonomously (with reduced human intervention). Generally, this requires a communication system between each management device and the corresponding units under management.

Known communication systems are generally based on network technologies (for example, Ethernet), which transmit information using corresponding dedicated network cables (such as coaxial cables, crossover conductors or optical fibers). However, this requires a dedicated cabling between the management device and the units under management. In any case, network technologies have a complexity that is completely disproportionate to the needs of the management of the refrigerated showcases.

Different known communication systems are instead based on the powerline technology, which allows transmitting information using the same electrical power supply network (in this case, of the units under management by the management device). For this purpose, during transmission the information is encoded by modulating (for example, in amplitude) a carrier signal at high frequency (for example, of the order of kHz) by means of a corresponding modulating signal in baseband; the modulated signal so obtained (in passband) is superimposed onto a supply voltage at low frequency (generally, at 50-60 Hz). In reception, the superimposed signal is filtered to separate the supply voltage and the modulated signal according to their different frequencies; the modulated signal so extracted is then demodulated to extract the corresponding information. However, the filters needed to separate the supply voltage and the modulated signal are relatively cumbersome and expensive. This makes it very difficult (if not impossible) to integrate the filters into the lamps. Moreover, the cost of the filters would adversely affect the cost of the lamps, and therefore the overall (purchase and management) cost of the refrigerated showcases. Summary

A simplified summary of the present invention is herein presented in order to provide a basic understanding thereof; however, the sole purpose of this summary is to introduce some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to its following more detailed description, and it is not to be interpreted as an identification of its key elements nor as a delineation of its scope.

In general terms, the present invention is based on the idea of managing a lighting system through selective power supply of its lamps.

Particularly, an aspect provides a method for managing a lighting system. In this method, one or more commands are sent from a management device to one or more lamps by interrupting their electrical power supply selectively; the electrical power supply is monitored by a control unit of each lamp to detect the commands.

A further aspect provides a lighting system for performing the method.

A further aspect provides a lighting apparatus for use in the lighting system (with corresponding lamp holders for mounting the lamps).

A further aspect provides a display comprising the lighting system.

A further aspect provides a lamp for use in the lighting system.

A further aspect provides a computer program for implementing the corresponding steps of the method on the management device.

A further aspect provides a computer program for implementing the corresponding steps of the method on a control unit of the lamp.

A further aspect provides a corresponding computer program product.

More specifically, one or more aspects of the present invention are set out in the independent claims and advantageous features thereof are set out in the dependent claims, with the wording of all the claims that is herein incorporated verbatim by reference (with any advantageous feature provided with reference to any specific aspect that applies mutatis mutandis to every other aspect).

Brief description of the drawings

The solution of the present invention, as well as further features and the advantages thereof, will be best understood with reference to the following detailed description thereof, given purely by way of a non-restrictive indication, to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (wherein, for the sake of simplicity, corresponding elements are denoted with equal or similar references and their explanation is not repeated, and the name of each entity is generally used to denote both its type and its attributes, like value, content and representation). In this respect, it is expressly intended that the drawings are not necessary drawn to scale (with some details that may be exaggerated and/or simplified) and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely used to illustrate the structures and procedures described herein conceptually. Particularly:

FIG.l shows a schematic representation of a display wherein the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used,

FIG.2A-FIG.2D show implementation examples of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG.3 shows a schematic block diagram of the lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG.4 shows the main software components that may be used to implement the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG.5A-FIG.5D show an activity diagram describing the flow of activities relating to an implementation of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

With reference in particular to FIG.l, a schematic representation is shown of a display 100 wherein the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used.

The display 100 comprises a support structure 105, generally divided in several compartments 110. The compartments 100 are used to display products 115 of various types to the public (such as products on sale in a supermarket). Particularly, this is a refrigerated showcase 100 for the refrigerated display of food and fresh products 115 (such as fruit, vegetables, cured meats, meat, dairy products, cheeses, snacks and so on).

A lighting system 120 is used to illuminate the compartments 110, and then the products 115 displayed therein. The lighting system 120 comprises one or more lamp holders 125i (with i=l ... N, for example, N=l-32) on which corresponding lamps 130i are mounted, for example, of LED type (such as one for each compartment 110). A management device 135 is connected to all the lamps 130i to supply and manage them.

With reference now to FIG.2A-FIG.2D, implementation examples are shown of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention. Starting from FIG.2 A, the management device provides a supply voltage Vac to the lamps (not shown in the figure) in order to furnish the (electrical) energy required for their operation. The waveform of the supply voltage Vac is shown in a qualitative time diagram that plots the value of the supply voltage Vac (on the ordinate axis) against the time t (on the abscissa axis). For example, the supply voltage Vac is of alternating type in sinusoidal regime, so that it varies repetitively in a sequence of periods P (for example, with an amplitude of 230-320V and a frequency of 50-60 Hz) .

In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, the management device sends one or more commands to the lamps through corresponding encodings, which are obtained by interrupting the supply voltage Vac selectively over time.

This allows managing the lighting system (not shown in the figure) autonomously, thereby significantly simplifying a task of corresponding operators, such as staff of the supermarket in the case at issue (reducing, or even completely removing, a human intervention).

This result is obtained with a very simple and inexpensive communication system (between the management device and the lamps); particularly, this communication system exploits the same supply cables already used to power the lamps without requiring cumbersome and expensive filters. Therefore, this is particularly advantageous in applications wherein the use of complex communication systems is not practicable (such as in the case of the refrigerated showcases).

In a specific implementation, the command encodings are binary. In this case, the commands are encoded by corresponding sequences of symbols (bits), each of which may only take two values (0 and 1). Each bit is represented by 2 consecutive periods of the supply voltage Vac (differentiated with the references Pi and P2).

For example, as shown in FIG.2B, the value 1 is represented by the supply voltage Vac that is not interrupted (i.e., it is maintained) in both periods Pi and P2.

For example, as shown in FIG.2C, the value 0 is instead represented by the supply voltage Vac that is not interrupted in the first period Pi and it is interrupted in the second period P2.

More generally, the command encodings are obtained by interrupting or not interrupting the supply voltage Vac for entire periods of the supply voltage Vac. In this way, imbalances in the power supply of the lamps are avoided. Particularly, the encodings are based on values that are each represented by a plurality of (consecutive) periods P of the supply voltage Vac, which comprise at least one period P wherein the supply voltage Vac is not interrupted. In this way, it is guaranteed that the lamps are powered (at least in part) during the sending of any command, regardless of its coding (for example, even when commands are sent that comprise many bits at the value 0 in the specific case).

Passing to FIG.2D, the waveform is shown of the supply voltage Vac in the case of sending of an exemplary command. In a specific implementation, each command has a fixed length (for example, 8 bits); the command is preceded by a start character (for example, a bit at the value 0) to signal its presence, and it is followed by an end character (for example, two bits at the value 1) to perform a redundancy check. For example, in the case at issue the sending of the binary command “11010010” (hexadecimal “D2”) is represented.

With reference now to FIG.3, a schematic block diagram is shown of the lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Starting from the management device 135, it has a reference terminal 305g and a supply terminal 305v for receiving a supply voltage Vms thereof, for example, through a connection to a phase cable and a neutral cable of a power grid (not shown in the figure); the supply voltage Vms corresponds to the supply voltage Vac in normal operating conditions, when no command is sent from the management device 135 to the lamps 130 (i.e., the supply voltage Vac is not interrupted). Moreover, the management device 135 has a (further) reference terminal 310g and an output terminal 310v for providing the supply voltage Vac to the lamps 130.

The management system 135 then comprises the following components. An AC/DC converter 315 is connected between the reference terminal 305g and the supply terminal 305v, for converting the supply voltage Vms of alternating type into a supply voltage Vdd a continuous type, for example, at 2-12 V with respect to the reference terminal 305g (by rectifying the supply voltage Vms and then regulating it). A microprocessor (mR) 320 provides the logic capability of the management device 135. The microprocessor 320 is coupled with the AC/DC converter 315, so as to be powered by the supply voltage Vdd. The microprocessor 320 is provided with a mass memory 325 for storing programs and data (implemented by a non-volatile memory, such as a flash E ² PROM). Moreover, the microprocessor 320 is coupled with an Input/Output (I/O) module 330 (for example, a keypad and a display, a wired, such as Ethernet, or wireless, such as Wi-Fi, network card and so on) for communicating with the operators. A current sensor 335 (for example, a Hall-effect ammeter) and a supply switch 340 (for example, a power MOS transistor) are connected in series between the supply terminal 305v and the output terminal 310v, downstream the AC/DC converter 315. The microprocessor 320 receives a measurement of the current that flows through the current sensor 335, and therefore it is absorbed by the lamps 130; moreover, the microprocessor 320 controls the supply switch 340 for closing and opening it, thereby connecting and isolating, respectively, the output terminal 3 lOv and the supply terminal 305v.

All the lamp holders, only one shown in the figure and generically indicated with the reference 125, are connected in parallel between the output terminal 310v and the reference terminal 310g through a corresponding pair of supply cables 345v and 345g, respectively, so as to receive the same supply voltage Vac.

Moving to a generic lamp, only the one mounted on the lamp holder 125 shown in the figure and indicated generically with the reference 130, it has a reference terminal 350g and a supply terminal 350v for receiving the supply voltage Vac from the lamp holder 125.

The lamp 130 comprises an illuminating source 355 that emits the required light, by means of a corresponding electrical source (for example, a strip of LEDs) and a conveyor body (with a substantially unchanged appearance compared to a normal lamp of passive type). Moreover, the lamp 130 comprises a control unit 360, which controls operation of the illuminating source 355. Particularly, in the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 360 monitors the supply voltage Vac for detecting the commands being sent by the management device 135 (according to the corresponding encodings) and then performing corresponding operations in response thereto. This makes the lamp 130 of the smart type.

The control unit 360 comprises the following components. A decoupling filter 365 is connected between the reference terminal 350g and the supply terminal 350v; the (decoupling) filter 365 receives the supply voltage Vac by avoiding (or at least reducing) the injection of disturbances by the control unit 360 into the power grid (through the lamp holder 125 and the management device 135). An AC/DC converter 370 is coupled with the filter 365 for receiving the supply voltage Vac of alternating type and converting it into a supply voltage Vdd' of continuous type, for example, at 2-12 V (by rectifying the supply voltage Vac and then regulating it). A microprocessor 375 provides the logic capability of the control unit 360. The microprocessor 375 is coupled with the AC/DC converter 370, so as to be powered by the supply voltage Vdd'. The microprocessor 375 is provided with a mass memory 380 for storing programs and data (implemented by a non-volatile memory, such as a flash E ² PROM). A Zero Cross Detector (ZCD) 385 is coupled with the filter 365 for detecting every instant at which the supply voltage Vac becomes zero (i.e., it changes between positive and negative with respect to the reference terminal 350g). The microprocessor 375 receives a zero crossing signal (for example, a voltage pulse) from the zero crossing detector 385 at each one of such instants. A supply modulator 390 (for example, a Pulse Width Modulator, PWM) is coupled with the AC/DC converter 370 for receiving the supply voltage Vdd' of continuous type and converting it into a supply voltage VI of impulsive type (by means of a switching system). The supply modulator 390 is coupled with the illuminating source 355, so as to apply the supply voltage VI to it. The supply voltage VI alternates positive pulses (at a predefined voltage, for example, 60-100 V) and null periods, with a variable duty-cycle that defines the current absorbed by the illuminating source 355. The microprocessor 375 controls the modulator 390 for setting its duty-cycle according to the light being desired by the illuminating source 355. A current sensor 395 (for example, a Hall effect ammeter) is connected between the modulator 390 and the illuminating source 355. The microprocessor 375 receives a measurement of the current flowing through the current sensor 395, and then the illuminating source 355, for its feedback control.

The above-mentioned communication system between the management device 135 and the lamp 130 allows having a very simple structure of the control unit 360. Consequently, the control unit 360 may be made in a compact way, for example, with surface mounting devices (SMDs) having reduced thickness. In this way, it is possible to substantially reduce the footprint of the control unit 360, for example, by containing it within a thickness of 2-4 mm, such as 3 mm.

With reference now to FIG.4, the main software components are shown that may be used to implement the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Particularly, all the software components (programs and data) are denoted as a whole with the reference 400. The software components are typically stored in the mass memory and loaded (at least partially) into a working memory (implemented by a volatile memory, RAM) of each microprocessor, of the management system and of the control units of the lamps, when the programs are running. The programs are initially installed into the mass memory, for example, in the factory. In this respect, each program may represent a module, segment or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function.

Starting from the management device 135, a lamp manager 405 manages all the lamps of the lighting system. The lamp manager 405 interacts with a communicator 410, which implements a user interface for the interaction of the operators with the lamp manager 405. For this purpose, the communicator 410 exploits an I/O interface 415 for driving the I/O module. For example, the I/O interface 415 simply receives commands from the keypad and sends information to the display locally; in addition or in alternative, the I/O interface 415 serves a client application (for example, an app installed on one or more mobile devices of the operators, such as their smartphones) for interacting remotely with the communicator 410. Both the lamp manager 405 and the communicator 410 access (in read/write mode) a configuration table 420. The configuration table 420 contains configuration information of the lighting system. For example, the configuration table 420 comprises an entry for each lamp holder, whose position in the table defines an address of the lamp holder (from 1 to N); the entry stores a presence flag (which is asserted when a lamp is mounted on the lamp holder and deasserted when the lamp holder is empty) and possibly one or more operating parameters of the corresponding lamp (for example, light intensity, lighting effects and so on). The lamp manager 405 commands a transmitter 425, which is used to transmit the commands to the lamps. For this purpose, the transmitter 425 exploits a switch interface 430 for driving the supply switch. For example, each command comprises a header (such as in the 4 most significant bits) that contains the address of the lamp being the receiver of the command, which has a generic value being not used in the lighting system (for example, "1111" with the addresses i = 1... N <16) when the command is broadcast to all the lamps; moreover, the command comprises a body (such as in the 4 least significant bits) that contains an identification code of the command with possible parameters thereof. The lamp manager 405 is fed by a receiver 435, which is used to receive possible responses to the commands being returned by the lamps. For this purpose, the receiver 435 exploits a sensor interface 440 for driving the current sensor. Particularly, the responses are defined according to the current being absorbed by all the lamps. This allows receiving responses from the lamps in a simple and inexpensive way, like for the sending of the commands (by exploiting the same supply cables without requiring cumbersome and expensive filters). In an embodiment, each response being returned by a generic lamp is defined according to the current being absorbed by the lamps in a measurement interval of predefined duration (for example, 1-10 ms), which measurement interval follows the sending of the command with a delay time corresponding to the address of the lamp. For example, the delay time is equal to a (fixed) service time Ts required to receive and process each command by the control units 360 of the lamps (for example, 1-5 ms) plus a base value Tb (for example, 1-2 ms) multiplied by the lamp address; therefore, the delay time will be Ts for the address 0, Ts Tb for the address 1, Ts 2 Tb for the address 2 and so on. This allows discriminating the lamp being the sender of each response without the need of transmitting its address, and then when the responses are very simple as well. For example, in a specific implementation the responses are encoded by a single symbol that may take two logic values only (true and false). Particularly, the false value may be represented by the absence of variation of the absorbed current and the true value may be represented by the variation of the absorbed current in the measurement interval with respect to a condition preceding it.

Moving to the control unit 360 of each lamp (only one shown in the figure), a lamp controller 445 controls its operation. For this purpose, the lamp controller 445 commands a modulator interface 450 for driving the supply modulator and it is fed by a sensor interface 455 for driving the current sensor. The lamp controller 445 accesses (in read/write mode) a configuration register 460. The configuration register 460 stores the address of the lamp and possibly its operating parameters (local copy of those defined centrally in the corresponding entry of the configuration table 420). The lamp controller 445 is fed by a receiver 465, which is used to receive the commands from the management device 135. For this purpose, the receiver 465 exploits a detector interface 470 for driving the zero crossing detector. Moreover, the receiver 465 accesses (in read/write mode) a command register 470. The command register 475 has a FIFO structure, with a number of entries equal to the total number of bits of each command comprising its start character and its end character (/. ., 8+l+2=l 1 in the example at issue); the entries store the values of possible bits that are received in the corresponding last periods of the supply voltage. The lamp controller 445 commands a transmitter 480, which is used to transmit the responses to the commands to the management device 135. For this purpose, the transmitter 480 exploits the modulator interface 450.

With reference now to FIGS.5A-FIG.5D, an activity diagram is shown describing the flow of activities relating to an implementation of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Particularly, the diagram represents an exemplary process that may be used to manage the lighting system with a method 500. In this respect, each block may correspond to one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function on the microprocessors of the management device and of the control units of the lamps.

The process passes from the starting black circle 502 to block 504 in the swimdane of the management device at its switching on. In response thereto, the lamp manager enters a normal operating condition wherein it powers all the lamps while keeping the supply switch closed (via the corresponding interface).

During release phase of the refrigerated showcase, an operator (at the factory) mounts new lamps on the lamp holders in succession according to their address (for example, indicated by corresponding labels); likewise, in maintenance phase of the refrigerated showcase, an operator (at the supermarket) replaces a faulty lamp with a new lamp on the corresponding lamp holder. All the new lamps have a same default value of the address (hereinafter referred to as the default address), written at the factory in their configuration table; the default address has a value that is not used in the lighting system (for example, 0000 with addresses i=l ... N). Whenever a new lamp has been mounted, the operator enters a corresponding mounting request via the I/O module. In response to the mounting request (received by the lamp manager via the I/O interface), the process passes from the block 506 to block 508. At this point, the lamp manager commands the transmitter to send (via the switch interface) an interrogation command to the lamps; the interrogation command has the header equal to the default address. Subsequently, the receiver at block 510 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) for the delay time corresponding to the default address, and then calculates an average value thereof (indicated as operating current in the following). As soon as the delay time has elapsed, the lamp manager at block 512 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) in the measurement interval, and then calculates an average value thereof (indicated as response current in the following). The lamp manager at block 514 compares the response current with the operating current for determining the response to the interrogation command. For example, the response is determined to be false or true if the difference is (strictly for one of the two cases) smaller or greater, respectively, than 0.4-0.6 times the current typically absorbed by each lamp when switched on (for example, 50-150 mA), whose value is predefined, set by the operator or automatically learned by the lamp manager in normal operating conditions. The flow of activity branches at block 516 according to the response being received. If the response to the interrogation command has the false logic value, this means that no new lamps have been mounted. In this case, the lamp manager at block 518 sends an error message (via the I/O interface) to the operator. The process then returns to the block 506 waiting for a further mounting request.

Conversely, if the response to the interrogation command has the true logic value, this means that the new lamp has been mounted correctly. In this case, the lamp manager at block 520 determines a new value of the address of the new lamp (hereinafter referred to as new address); the new address is set to the first free value of the address, i.e., that of the first empty lamp holder, indicated by the first entry in the configuration table with the presence indicator being deasserted. The lamp manager at block 522 commands the transmitter to send (via the switch interface) a corresponding setting command to the lamps; the setting command has the header equal to the default address and a parameter equal to the new address. As above, subsequently the lamp manager at block 524 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) for the delay time corresponding to the default address, and then calculates an average value thereof (operating current). As soon as the delay time has elapsed, the lamp manager at block 526 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) in the measurement interval, and then calculates an average value thereof (response current). The lamp manager at block 528 compares the response current with the operating current for determining the response to the setting command. The flow of activity branches at block 530 according to the response being received. If the response to the setting command has a false logic value, this means that the address of the new lamp has not been set. In this case, the lamp manager at block 532 sends an error message (via the I/O interface) to the operator. Conversely, if the response to the setting command has the true logic value, this means that the address of the new lamp has been set correctly. In this case, the lamp manager at block 534 updates the configuration table accordingly (by asserting the presence indicator of the entry of the corresponding lamp holder). In both cases, the process then returns to the block 506 (from the block 532 or the block 534) waiting for a further mounting request. This allows self configuring the lamps (by setting their address) without the need of manual programming; consequently, the lamps may all be produced with the same default address with a consequent reduction in their cost.

In a completely independent way, the process passes from block 536 to block 538 as soon as a (verification) event occurs which triggers a verification of the lighting system. For example, this happens periodically (for example, every night when the supermarket is closed) or in response to a corresponding verification request entered by the operator via the I/O module (received by the lamp manager via the I/O interface). In response thereto, the lamp manager commands the transmitter to send (via the switch interface) a verification command to the lamps; the verification command has the header equal to the general value. A loop is then performed a number of times equal to that of the lamp holders for processing possible corresponding responses to the verification command. The loop begins at block 540, wherein the lamp manager takes a (current) lamp holder into account, starting from the first one in ascending order of address (as indicated in the configuration table). The lamp manager at block 542 determines the delay time corresponding to the address of the lamp holder, by adding the base value ( Tb ) to the delay time of the previous iteration of the cycle, initially set to the service time ( Ts ); as above, the lamp manager then measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) for this delay time, and then calculates an average value thereof (operating current). As soon as the delay time has elapsed, the lamp manager at block 544 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) in the measurement interval, and then calculates an average value thereof (response current). The lamp manager at block 546 compares the response current with the operating current for determining the response to the verification command by the possible lamp being mounted on the lamp holder. The flow of activity branches at block 548 according to the response being received. If the response to the verification command has the false logic value, this means that the lamp holder is malfunctioning, since the lamp is faulty or the lamp holder is empty. In this case, the lamp manager at block 550 adds the address of the (malfunctioning) lamp holder to a malfunction list in a corresponding variable (being initially empty). The process then continues to block 552; the same point is also reached directly from the block 548 if the response to the verification command has the true logic value, indicating that the lamp being mounted on the lamp holder is working correctly. In both cases, the lamp manager verifies whether a last lamp holder has been processed. If not, the process returns to the block 540 for repeating the same operations on the lamp holder with the immediately following address (as indicated in the configuration table). Conversely, once all the lamp holders have been processed, the loop is exit by descending into block 554. At this point, the lamp manager sends a notification of the outcome of the verification (via the I/O interface) to the operator; the outcome of the verification indicates that the lighting system is working correctly if the malfunction list is empty, whereas it indicates the addresses of the malfunctioning lamp holders comprised in the corresponding list otherwise. The process then returns to the block 536 waiting for a further verification event. The above- described verification is completely automatic, so that it may also be performed very frequently without any extra cost. This allows the operator to intervene promptly in the event of malfunctions (for example, by mounting new lamps as above on the malfunctioning lamp holders).

In a completely independent way, the process passes from block 556 to block 558 every time the operator enters a modification request through the I/O module (being received by the lamp manager via the I/O interface). For example, the modification request is used to set the intensity or the color of the light emitted by the lamps, to turn on or off the lamps, to set lighting effects of the lamps (in terms of intensity/color variation over time) and so on, either globally for all the lamps or individually for a selected lamp. In response thereto, the lamp manager commands the transmitter to send (via the switch interface) a corresponding modification command to the lamps; the modification command has a null header if the modification request relates to all the lamps or it is equal to the address of the selected lamp provided with the modification request otherwise, and possibly one or more parameters relating to the desired modification provided with the modification request as well (for example, a code that identifies the intensity of the light in percentage terms with respect to a maximum value, the color of the light, the lighting effect and so on). A loop as above is then performed a number of times equal to that of the relevant lamp holders, i.e., from the first one to the last one in ascending order of address (as indicated in the configuration table) if the modification request relates to all the lamps or only for the one corresponding to the selected lamp otherwise. The loop begins at block 560, wherein the lamp manager takes a (current) lamp holder into account, starting from the first relevant one in ascending order of address. The lamp manager at block 562 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) for the delay time corresponding to the address of the lamp holder, and then calculates an average value thereof (operating current). As soon as the delay time has elapsed, the lamp manager at block 564 measures the current absorbed by the lamps (via the sensor interface) in the measurement interval, and then calculates an average value thereof (response current). The lamp manager at block 566 compares the response current with the operating current for determining the response to the modification command by the possible lamp mounted on the lamp holder. The flow of activity branches at block 568 according to the response being received. If the response to the modification command has the false logic value, this means that it has failed, since it has not been executed by the corresponding lamp or the lamp holder is empty. In this case, the lamp manager at block 570 adds the address of the (failed) lamp holder to a failure list in a corresponding variable (being initially empty). The process then continues to block 572; the same point is also reached directly from the block 570 if the response to the modification command has the true logic value, indicating that the modification command has been executed correctly. In both cases, the lamp manager verifies whether a last relevant lamp holder has been processed (always true in the case of only one). If not, the process returns to the block 560 for repeating the same operations on the relevant lamp holder with the immediately following address (as indicated in the configuration table). Conversely, once all the relevant lamp holders have been processed, the loop is exit by descending into block 574. At this point, the lamp manager sends a notification of the outcome of the modification (via the I/O interface) to the operator; the outcome of the modification indicates that it has been successful if the failure list is empty, whereas it indicates the addresses of the failed lamp holders comprised in the corresponding list otherwise. The process then returns to the block 556 waiting for a further modification event.

Moving to the swi -lane of a generic lamp, it passes from the starting black circle 576 to block 578 at its switching on, as a consequence of the power supply provided by the management device at the block 504. At this point, the lamp controller controls the operation of the lamp according to its operating parameters extracted from the configuration table (via the modulator interface and the sensor interface), for example, by switching on the lamp with a certain intensity/color of the light, setting a certain lighting effect and so on.

A loop is then performed continuously for processing the commands being sent to the lamp. The loop begins at block 580, wherein the receiver monitors the zero crossings by the supply voltage (notified by the detector interface) in monitoring intervals having a length equal to half the period of the supply voltage (predefined or measured initially) and centered around the instant at which it should occurs. The receiver records the zero crossings in 2 periods of the supply voltage (4 monitoring intervals). The receiver at block 582 decodes the possible bit being sent by the lamp manager. Particularly, the receiver assigns the value 1 to the bit if the zero crossings have been recorded in all the 4 monitoring intervals (non-interrupted supply voltage in the 2 periods) or the value 0 if the zero crossings have been recorded only in the first 2 monitoring intervals (non-interrupted supply voltage in the first period and interrupted supply voltage in the second period), whereas in all other cases the receiver assigns a null value to the bit (since no valid value has been decoded). The receiver at block 584 adds the bit to the command register, initially with all the entries at the null value (by writing it into a head entry thereof after shifting its content by one entry towards a queue entry, thereby losing the content thereof). The receiver at block 586 verifies whether the content of the command register decodes a valid command; this occurs when the first bit contains the start character (0), the last 2 bits contain the stop character (11) and the other 8 bits contain a valid command. If not, the process returns to the block 580 to repeat the same operations continuously. Conversely, the process descends into block 588; particularly, this occurs in response to the sending (by the management device) of the interrogation command at the block 508, of the setting command at the block 522, of the verification command at the block 538 or of the modification command at the block 558. In this case, the receiver extracts the command from the corresponding register (bits 2-9), passes it to the lamp controller and resets the command register by setting all its entries to the null value again. The lamp manager at block 590 verifies whether the lamp is the recipient of the command; this occurs when the address contained in the header is equal to the address stored in the configuration table or it is equal to the general value. If not, the process returns to the block 580 for repeating the same operations continuously. Conversely, the lamp controller at block 592 performs a possible action comprised in an operation corresponding to the command; for example, in the case of the interrogation command no action is performed, in the case of the setting command the default address in the configuration table is replaced with the new address extracted from the body of the command, in the case of the verification command no action is performed, and in the case of the modification command the requested action is performed (for example, by setting the intensity or the color of the light emitted by the lamp, its on/off status, a lighting effect and so on in the configuration table according to the code and any parameter extracted from the body of the command, and then modifying the operation of the lamp accordingly). In any case, the operation corresponding to the command involves the returning of a response at the true logic value to the management module. For this purpose, the lamp manager at block 594 waits for the delay time corresponding to the lamp address (extracted from the configuration table), after which it commands the transmitter to send (via the modulator interface) the true logic value; particularly, the switching status of the lamp is varied (by switching it on if off or switching it off if on) for the measurement interval, at the end of which its previous switching status is restored. This response is thus received by the lamp manager at the block 514 (for the interrogation command), at the block 528 (for the setting command), at the block 546 (for the verification command) and at the block 566 (for the modification command ). The process then returns to the block 576 for repeating the same operations continuously.

Modifications

Naturally, in order to satisfy local and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply many logical and/or physical modifications and alterations to the present invention. More specifically, although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to one or more embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details as well as other embodiments are possible. Particularly, different embodiments of the present invention may be practiced even without the specific details (such as the numerical values) set forth in the preceding description to provide a more thorough understanding thereof; conversely, well- known features may have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary particulars. Moreover, it is expressly intended that specific elements and/or method steps described in connection with any embodiment of the present invention may be incorporated in any other embodiment as a matter of general design choice. Moreover, items presented in a same group and different embodiments, examples or alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalent to each other (but they are separate and autonomous entities). In any case, each numerical value should be read as modified according to applicable tolerances; particularly, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “substantially”, “about”, “approximately” and the like should be understood as within 10%, preferably 5% and still more preferably 1%. Moreover, each range of numerical values should be intended as expressly specifying any possible number along the continuum within the range (comprising its end points). Ordinal or other qualifiers are merely used as labels to distinguish elements with the same name but do not by themselves connote any priority, precedence or order. The terms include, comprise, have, contain, involve and the like should be intended with an open, non-exhaustive meaning (i.e., not limited to the recited items), the terms based on, dependent on, according to, function of and the like should be intended as a non-exclusive relationship (i.e., with possible further variables involved), the term a/an should be intended as one or more items (unless expressly indicated otherwise), and the term means for (or any means- plus-function formulation) should be intended as any structure adapted or configured for carrying out the relevant function.

For example, an embodiment provides a method for managing a lighting system. However, the method may be used to perform any management operation (for example, verification, modification, measurement, and so on) of any lighting system (see below).

In an embodiment, the lighting system comprises one or more lamps. However, the lamps may be in any number and of any type (see below).

In an embodiment, the lighting system comprises a management device of he lamps. However, the management device may be of any type (for example, microprocessor, microcontroller and so on).

In an embodiment, the lamps comprise corresponding illuminating sources. However, the illuminating sources may be of any type (for example, each formed by one or more strips, bulbs, tubes and so on). In an embodiment, the lamps comprising corresponding control units each of the corresponding illuminating source. However, the control units may be of any type (for example, microprocessor, microcontroller and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises providing an electrical power supply by the management device to the lamps. However, the electrical power supply may be of any type (for example, voltage/current, alternating, direct, pulsed, of any value and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending one or more commands by the management device to the lamps through corresponding command encodings obtained by interrupting the electrical power supply selectively. However, the commands may be in any number and encoded in any way (for example, with fixed/variable length, with or without start/end characters, with or without redundant characters and so on) through any selective interruption of the electrical power supply (for example, based on any number of values each obtained by interrupting or not interrupting the electrical power supply completely and/or partially, in intervals of any length and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises monitoring the electrical power supply by the control unit of each of the lamps for detecting the commands according to the corresponding command encodings. However, the electrical power supply may be monitored in any way (for example, by detecting the zero crossings, measuring, sampling and so on the supply voltage/current) for detecting the commands in any way (for example, directly, with detection/correction of possible errors and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises performing corresponding operations by the control unit of each of the lamps in response to the detection of the commands. However, the operations may be in any number and of any type (for example, responding, setting the address, modifying the behavior, returning measures and so on).

Further embodiments provide additional advantageous features, which may however be omitted at all in a basic implementation.

Particularly, in an embodiment the method comprises providing the electrical power supply by the management device to the lamps of alternating type being variable repeatedly in a sequence of periods. However, the alternating electrical power supply may be of any type (for example, sinusoidal, square wave, sawtooth, with any frequency and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending the commands by the management device to the lamps through the corresponding command encodings each obtained by interrupting or not interrupting the electrical power supply in each of consecutive one or more of the periods thereof. However, the commands may be encoded by interrupting/not-interrupting the electrical power supply for any number of entire periods thereof; in any case, the possibility is not excluded of performing this operation on portions of the periods or even in a way completely uncorrelated therefrom.

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending the commands by the management device to the lamps through the corresponding command encodings based on a plurality of values. However, the values may be in any number (for example, 2 in binary encoding, 16 in hexadecimal encoding and so on).

In an embodiment, each of the values is represented by a plurality of consecutive periods of the electrical power supply comprising at least one of the consecutive periods wherein the electrical power supply is not interrupted. However, each value may be represented by any number of periods and it may comprise any number of periods wherein the electrical power supply is not interrupted; in any case, this constraint may also be completely absent when the risk of switching off the control unit is limited (for example, if the electrical power supply is stored into a capacitor with high capacity or the control unit has very low consumption).

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending information by the control units of the lamps to the management device. However, the information may be of any type (for example, responses to commands, heartbeat signals, measured data and so on); in any case, the possibility is not excluded of having a one-way communication only (from the management device to the lamps or vice-versa).

In an embodiment, the information is sent through corresponding information encodings obtained by varying an operating condition of the corresponding illuminating sources selectively. However, the information may be encoded in any way (for example, with any fixed/variable length, with or without start/end characters, with or without redundant characters, and so on) through any variation of the operating condition (for example, based on any number of values each obtained by turning on/off or varying the brightness of each illuminating source, in intervals of any length and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises monitoring a power absorption of the lamps by the management device for detecting the information according to the corresponding information encodings. However, the power absorption may be monitored in any way (for example, by measuring the current/voltage in a series of intervals with delays from the commands depending on the addresses of the lamps, in a single interval with fixed delay from the commands, continuously, by calculating any central trend statistical value of a plurality of measurements, such as their mean, median, mode and the like, or via a single measurement of the power being absorbed and so on) for detecting the commands in any way (for example, directly, with detection/correction of possible errors and so on).

In any case, this modality of sending information based on selective variation of the operating condition may be implemented stand-alone, even independently of the sending of the commands based on the selective interruption of the electrical power supply.

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending the information by the control unit of each of the lamps to the management device through the corresponding information encodings based on a first logic value and on a second logic value, the first logic value being represented by a maintenance of an on condition or of an off condition of the corresponding illuminating source and the second logic value being represented by a switching between the on condition and the off condition of the corresponding illuminating source. However, the switching on and off of the illuminating sources may be detected in any way (for example, by comparing the current power absorption with a previous value thereof determined in any way, either the same or different with respect to above, and so on). In any case, the possibility is not excluded of sending the commands with all the lamps in the same known condition (for example, off) and then verifying if a variation of the power absorption exceeds a predefined threshold.

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending the information by the control units of the lamps to the management device comprising corresponding responses to each of the commands. However, the responses may be of any type (for example, true/false, a return code, a value and so on); in any case, the possibility is not excluded of providing other types of responses (for example, visual ones for the operator) or even commands without any feedback.

In an embodiment, the lighting system comprises a plurality of said lamps having corresponding addresses. However, the addresses may be of any type (for example, progressive numbers, codes, and so on) and they may be associated with the lamps in any way (for example, stored therein, stored in the corresponding lamp holders and so on). In any case, a basic implementation without the possibility of addressing the lamps is not excluded.

In an embodiment, the method comprises returning the corresponding responses to each of the commands by the lamp control units to the management device through the corresponding information encodings obtained by varying the operating condition of the corresponding illuminating sources selectively in disjoint time intervals having corresponding delays from the detection of the command depending on the addresses of the lamps. However, the delays may be determined in any way (for example, by applying any linear or non-linear formula based on the addresses if numerical, retrieving them from a corresponding table through the addresses of any type and so on) so as to be disjoint in any way (for example, seamlessly consecutive, separated by a certain time interval and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises monitoring the power absorption of the lamps by the management device for detecting the responses of the control units of the lamps to each of the commands in further time intervals having further delays from the detection of the command corresponding to the addresses of the lamps. However, the further delays may be determined in any way (for example, taking into account the service time being predefined or determined dynamically, and so on).

In one embodiment, the control units of the lamps comprise corresponding non volatile memories storing the corresponding addresses of the lamps. However, the memories may be of any type (for example, E ² PROM, flash, ovonic and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending a setting command of said commands by the management device to the lamps in response to the mounting, in the lighting system, of a new one of the lamps having a default value of the address. However, the default value of the address may be of any type and the mounting of the new lamp may be determined in any way (for example, notified manually by the operator through a corresponding request, detected automatically by the management device in response to the receipt of the interrogation response to the interrogation command being sent continuously, such as every 5-10 minutes, and so on).

In an embodiment, the setting command is indicative of the default value of the address and comprises a new value of the address equal to a first free value of the address in the lighting system. However, the default value of the address may be indicated in any way (for example, contained explicitly in the setting command, associated implicitly with the setting command, and so on) and the first free value may be determined in any way (for example, through a table storing the addresses being assigned, interrogating the lamps for determining their addresses and so on). In any case, the possibility is not excluded of programming the new lamp with the new address before mounting it into the lighting system.

In an embodiment, the method comprises performing a setting operation of said operations in response to the detection of the setting command by the control unit of each of the lamps having the address equal to the address indicated by the setting command, the setting operation comprising replacing the address in the corresponding memory with the address contained in the setting command. However, the setting operation may be performed in any way (for example, with or without returning a response, and so on).

In any case, this dynamic setting of the addresses may be implemented stand-alone, even independently of the sending of the commands based on the selective interruption of the electrical power supply and/or of the sending of information based on the selective variation of the operating condition.

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending an interrogation command of said commands by the management device to the lamps, the interrogation command being indicative of the default value of the address. However, the default value of the address may be indicated in any way (either the same or different with respect to the setting command); moreover, the interrogation command may be sent in response to any event (for example, a request being entered manually by the operator after the mounting of the new lamp, an automatic detection of the mounting of the new lamp determined by a presence sensor of each lamp holder, periodically and so on), or it may also be omitted at all.

In an embodiment, the method comprises performing an interrogation operation of said operations in response to the detection of the interrogation command by the control unit of each of the lamps having the address equal to the address indicated by the interrogation command, the interrogation operation comprising returning an interrogation response of said responses by the control unit of the lamp to the management device. However, the interrogation response may be of any type (for example, a simple confirmation, comprising the address of the lamp and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending the setting command by the management device to the lamps in response to the detection of the interrogation response. However, any operation may be performed in the absence of the interrogation response or in case of its wrong content (for example, by notifying an error to the operator or even by doing nothing); in any case, the possibility is not excluded of sending the setting command directly without any interrogation command.

In an embodiment, the method comprises sending a verification command of said commands to the lamps. However, the verification command may be sent at any time (for example, periodically with any frequency, in response to a corresponding local/remote request, and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises performing a verification operation of said operations in response to the detection of the verification command by the control unit of each of the lamps, the verification operation comprising returning a verification response of said responses from the control unit of the lamp to the management device. However, the verification response may be of any type (for example, a simple confirmation, comprising the address of the lamp and so on).

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining a malfunction of each of the lamps by the management device in the absence of the detection of the verification response from the lamp. However, the detection of the malfunction may trigger any action (for example, a corresponding local/remote notification and so on).

Generally, similar considerations apply if the same solution is implemented with an equivalent method (by using similar steps with the same functions of more steps or portions thereof, removing some non-essential steps or adding further optional steps); moreover, the steps may be performed in a different order, concurrently or in an interleaved way (at least in part).

An embodiment provides a lighting system for performing the method of above, which lighting system comprises said lamps comprising said corresponding illuminating sources and control units for monitoring the electrical power supply (to detect the commands) and for performing the corresponding operations, and said management device for providing the electrical power supply and for sending the commands. However, the lighting system may be of any type (for example, for displays, hydroponic cultures, museums, exhibitions and so on).

An embodiment provides a lighting apparatus for use in the lighting system of above, which lighting apparatus comprises the management device and corresponding lamp holders for mounting the lamps. However, the lamp holders may be of any type (for example, with insertion, snap, bayonet, screw and so on fitting).

An embodiment provides a display of products comprising the lighting system of above. However, the display may be of any type (for example, a refrigerated showcase, a shelf, a display cabinet and the like for any products, such as food, clothing, books and so on).

An embodiment provides a lamp for use in the lighting system of above, which lamp comprises the corresponding illuminating source and control unit. However, the lamp may be of any type (for example, of LED, halogen, fluorescence, electroluminescence and so on type), with possible additional functionalities (for example, a wireless transmitter, such as of BLE type, for implement a beacon function, with sensors for collecting information, such as temperature, humidity and/or consumption and so on).

Generally, similar considerations apply if the lighting system, the lighting apparatus, the display and the lamp each has a different structure or comprises equivalent components or has other operative characteristics. In any case, every component thereof may be separated into more elements, or two or more components may be combined together into a single element; moreover, each component may be replicated to support the execution of the corresponding operations in parallel. Moreover, unless specified otherwise, any interaction between different components generally does not need to be continuous, and it may be either direct or indirect through one or more intermediaries.

An embodiment provides a computer program configured for causing the management device of above to perform the corresponding steps of the method when the computer program is executed on the management device.

An embodiment provides a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that embodies the computer program of above, the computer program being loadable into a working memory of the management device thereby configuring the management device to perform the corresponding steps of the method.

An embodiment provides a computer program configured for causing the control unit of each of the lamps of above to perform the corresponding steps of the method when the computer program is executed on the control unit of a lamp of above.

An embodiment provides a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that embodies the computer program of above, the computer program being loadable into a working memory of the control unit of the lamp thereby configuring the control unit to perform the corresponding steps of the method.

In any case, similar considerations apply if each program is structured in a different way, or if additional modules or functions are provided. The program may take any form suitable to be used by the corresponding computing system (management device or control unit of the lamp), thereby configuring the computing system to perform the desired operations; particularly, the program may be in the form of external or resident software, firmware or microcode (either in object code or in source code), for example, to be compiled or interpreted. Moreover, it is possible to provide the program on any computer readable storage medium; the storage medium is any tangible medium (different from transitory signals per se) that may retain and store instructions for use by the computing system. For example, the storage medium may be of the electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor type; examples of such storage medium are fixed disks (where the program may be pre-loaded), removable disks, memory keys (for example, USB), and the like. The program may be downloaded to the computing system from the storage medium or via a network (for example, the Internet, a wide area network and/or a local area network comprising transmission cables, optical fibers, wireless connections, network devices). In any case, the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention lends itself to be implemented even with a hardware structure (for example, by electronic circuits integrated on one or more chips of semiconductor material), or with a combination of software and hardware suitably programmed or otherwise configured.