TECHNICAL FIELD

{0001] The present application. relates to a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALl) control system and in particular, in relation to the communications between an electronic control device and an electronic control gear.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[00021 The following co-pending patent applications are referred to in the following description;

Australian Provisional Patent. Application No. 2013905070 entitled "DALl Device Grouping System and Method";

Australian Provisional Patent. Appiication No. 2013905071 entitled "DALl Electronic Control Device, System and Method";

PCT/AU ⁽⁾ 3/00365 entitled "Improved Dimmer Circuit Arrangement"; PCX/A 1J03/00360 entitled "'Dimmer Circuit with Improved Inductive Load"; PCT/AU03/00364 entitled Dimmcr Circuit with Improved Ripple Control"; PCT/AU2006/001883 entitled "Current Zero Crossing Detector in A Dimmer Circuit"; PCT/AU2006/0Q1882 entitled "Load Detector For A Dimmer"; PCT/AU2OO6/0O188I entitled "A Universal Dimmer";

PCT/A1J2008/00I 398 entitled "improved Start-Up Detection in a Dimmer Circuit";

PCT/A 112008/001399 entitled "Dimmer Circuit With Overeurrent Detection";

PCT/AU2OO&/0OI4O0 entitled "Overeurrent Protection in a Dimmer Circuit"; and

PCT/AU2007/00I697 entitled "Dimmable Light Emitting Diode Load Driver with Bypass Current".

The entire content of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference. PRIORITY

[0003] The present application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013905074 entitled "DALI Control System and Method";

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013905070 entitled "DALI Device Grouping System and Method"; and

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013905071 entitled "DALI Electronic Control Device, System and Method".

|000 } The content of these application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0005] The control of elements in a building such as lighting, heating and cooling is becoming more important as attempts are made to use these elements in a more energy efficient manner and to provide the building occupants with a grea ter degree of comfort and control.

[0006| The Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) is a lighting control protocol that allows individual control and monitoring of each device in a lighting system (e.g. ballasts, emergency lighting etc.), as well as groups of such devices. D ALI evol ved from Digital Signal Interface (DSI) to become an open standard now defined in lEC 60929. The standard defines, the communications protocol and electrical interface for compliant devices, and allows 64 DALI compliant devices to be supported on a single loop or network.

10007} A DALI Communications Interface unit is used to communicate with devices on a DALI network (also referred to as. a loop or line) and may be connected to a controller or gateway device to allow connection of the DALI network to a computer or othe network. DALI controllers ma include a clock and. be used to provide scheduling of DALI groups for scheduled occupancy, sequencing for override timers and effect lighting. The- controller may also provide local intelligence enabling operation in the absence of a network connection.

(OOOSf DALI systems thus provide a great degree of flexibility and control of lighting systems., allowing control and monitoring of individual devices such as ballasts and emergency fittings, as well as groups of such devices. [0009] in a DALI network, devices are provided either as an electronic control device (ECD) (which includes devices such as switches, sensors and other control input devices) or electronic control gear (ECG) (which include ballasts and dimmer circuits, and which receive control signals from an ECD to control a load connected to the ECG). The ECDs and ECGs are connected via a DALI data bus whic consists of two wires carrying the data according to the DA Li protocol.

|0010j Figure 1 shows a typical prior ait DALI system arrangement 500. The arrangement comprises a DALI bus 510, connecting a plurality of electronic control gear (ECGs) I (X), 100', 100"', 100"" to I ϋϋιι' , and a. plurality of electronic control devices (ECDs) 200 and 200' . Each of the ECGs and ECDs is connected to the DALI. bus 510 via respective connector lines 51 1. In some arrangements, a DALI controller 520 is provided to provide additional control functions and allow programming of the various devices once installed.

[00111 A typical DALI system may also comprise a power supply 300, which provides power to each of the devices via power supply line 310.

[0012[ Each ECG 100 is connected to a respective load 600 which in one example is a light emitting diode (LED) light which the EC controls.

[0013] The ECDs 200 allow control of the loads by a user, i n one embodiment, the ECD 200 is a simple ON/OFF switch. In another embodiment, the ECD 200 is a dimmer switch, allowing the user to selectively dim a load.

[0014] For example, if a user turns the switch on the ECD 200 from the OFF pos ition to the ON position, this signal is transferred to the DALI bus 510 on connector line 511, via a forward frame, which is provided to all ECGs 100 that are associated with the group ith which the ECD 100 is associated . This will cause those ECGs 100 to turn their respective loads 600 from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0015] In some cases, an ECD 200 will interrogate an ECG 100 to determine its current status. This interrogation is done by way of the ECD 200 generating and broadcasting to the relevant ECGs 100 a forward frame containing the appropriate data. In response, the interrogated ECGs 100 will respond with a shorter, backward frame, containing the appropriate data.

[0016] One of the features of the DALI system is that devices can be grouped together so that a control input applied to an ECD 200 (for example an ON/OFF switch) causes all ECGs 1 0 that are grouped in the same group as the ECD 200 to perform that function (e.g. turn ON or OFF), Up to 1 groups can be alloca ed to the various devices within the network. [0017{ Figure.2 shows the arrangement of Figure .1 , illustrating devices associated to a particular DALI group. In this Figure, the shaded DALI devices are associ ted with the same group. This association is done via programming of each device once installed, as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0018] One of the complexities of setting up a DALI network is that each device (ECD or ECG) must be programmed once installed, to allow the network to function as required.

SUMMARY

[0019] According to a first aspect, there is provided an electronic control gear (ECG) for use in a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) system, the control gear comprising: a switched active input for receiving a control signal from a control device connected in use, to the switched active input to cause the EGG to perform, a function; a DALI output for outputting data; and a microprocesso configured to generate the data for outputting in accordance with the control signal received at the switched active input.

[0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) system comprising: at least a first electronic control gear (ECG) assigned to a first DALI group; and a second electronic control gear (ECG) assigned to the first DALI group; wherein the first ECG for connection, in use, to a control de vice via a switched ac tive input of die first ECG fo receiving a control signal from the control device to cause the first ECG to perform a function, and wherein in response to the control signal received at the switched active input, the first ECG outputs data to cause the second ECG to also perforin the .function'.

[002 J According to a third aspect, there is provided, in a Digital Addressable Lightin Interface (DALI) system comprising a first electronic control gear (ECG) and a second electronic. control gear (ECG), the first ECG connected to a control device via a switched active input of the first ECG, and the first ECG and the second ECG assigned to a same DALI group, a method of controlling the second ECG, the method comprising: recei ving at the switched active input of the first ECG, a control signal from the control device; generating data in accordance with the control signal received at the active switched input; and outputting the generated data to control the second ECG in accordance with the generated data.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a lighting control system comprising: the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) system according to the second aspect; and the control device.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an electronic control gear (ECG) for use in a DALI system wherein the ECG is configured to transmit a forward frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the various aspects described herein will be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

[0025] Figur 1 - shows a general DALI system arrangement of the prior art;

[0026] Fi ure 2 - shows the arrangement of figure 1 indicating that some of the devices are associated with a. particular DALI group;

[0027] Figure 3 A - shows a general DALI system according to one embodiment described herein;

[0028] Figure 3.B - shows a general DALI system according to the embodiment of .Figure 3A using a DALI bus,

[0029] Figure 4A - shows a general DALI system according to another embodiment described herein;

[0030] Figure 4B - shows a general DALI system according to the embodiment of Figure 4A using a DALI bus;

[0031] Figure 5 - shows an embodiment of a DALI system according to one aspect described herein;

[0032] Figure 6A - shows general lighting control system according to one embodiment described herein;

[0033] Figure 6B - shows a general lighting control system according to the embodiment of Figure 6A using a DALI bus;

[0034] Figure 7A - shows a general lighting control system according to another embodiment described herein;

[0035] Figure 7B - shows a general lighting control system according to the embodiment of Figure 7A using a D ALI bus;

[0036] Figure 8 - shows an embodiment of a lighting control system according to one aspect described herein; i[0037j Figure 9- shows the fl ow of information between the control de v ice, the first ECO an d the second ECG in the arrangement, of Figure 9; [0038] Figure. 1 - shows the flow of information between the eontrol device, the first ECG and further EGGs in the arrangement of Figure 9;

[0039] Figure 1 1 - show s a more detailed vi e w of the first ECG;

[0040] Figur 12 - shows an example of a data frame transmitted by the first ECG to cause other EGGs of the same group to perform the function as controlled by the control device;

[00411 Figure 13 - shows a flowchart of a method of controlling an ECG as described herein;

|0042[ Figure 14 - shows a circuit diagram of the pathway between the switched active input of the ECG and the input to the microcontroller;

[0043 j Figure- 15 - shows an example of a burst signal in the ECG when the controller is activated: |00 4} Figure 16 - shows an example of a forward frame output by the ECG ;

[0045] Figure 17 - shows a general block diagram of an ECG according to another aspect in which the control signal is received by the ECG via means other than the switch active input;

[0046] Figure 18 - shows the ECG of Figure 18 with a wireless control device;

[0047] Figure 19 - shows a broad method of controlling an ECG in a DALI. network;

|0048 j Figure 20 - shows an embodiment of a DAL! system with an ECG with a control device connected to the switched active input; and

|0049} Figure- 21 - shows another embodiment of a DALI system with an ECG with a control device connected to the switched active input and an ECG with control device connected wireiessly.

DESCRIPTIO OF EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Figure 3 A shows a general embodiment of one aspect described herein. Shown here is a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) system 500 comprising at least a first electronic control gear (ECG) 100 and a second electronic control gear (ECG) 1.00 ^* . Both ECOs 100 and 1 0' are assigned to the same DALI group (e.g. group 5 of 16). i[005i j First ECG 100 has switched acti ve input 110. hi use, this switched active input i 10 receives a control signal .from, a control device (not shown in this view) such as a wall switch, to turn a light on or off, or a rotary switch to allow dimming of the light, it will be noted that this control device need not he connected to the DALI bus.

[00521 When the first ECG 100 recei ves the control signal from the control device at the switched active input 1 10, to perforin a function (e.g. to turn on), the first ECG 1 0 generates and outputs data to cause the second ECG 100' to also perform this same function.

;[0053 j The arrangement shown in Figure 3A is a general arrangement and encompasses a wireless DALI system in which the DALI devices such as the ECGs are not connected by a hard wire, but rather communicate with each other irelessly, using radio frequency (RF) signals, infrared (I.R) signals or other wireless media. The transmissions are still in accordance with the DALI protocol.

(0054} Figure 3.B shows a specific arrangement of the DALI system 500 of Figure 3A. In this arrangement, the first ECG 100 and the second ECG 100' are physically connected to a DALI bus 510 through connector lines 511. In this arrangement, ECG 100 outputs the data generated in response to the control signal received at the switched active input 1 10 onto the DALI bus. This data is then received by the second ECG 100' which then performs the function in accordance with the instructions in the data frame.

[0055] Figure 4A shows another embodiment of the D ALI system 500, comprising the first ECG 100 with switched active input 110, second ECG 100' and a. further ECG 1 0", In this embodiment all three ECGs are assigned to the same DALI group and thus upo first ECG generating and outputting data in accordance with the control signal received at its switched acti e input 110, both the second ECG 100' and the furthe ECG 100" receive this data and perform the function originally determined b the controi device.

[0056] Again, this arrangement contemplates a general arrangement, including a wireless network.

[0057] Figure 4B shows a specific embodiment of the DALI system 500 arrangement of Figure 4A, this time with the ECGs connected to DALI bus 5 JO. in this arrangement, the data output b first ECG 100 is received and acted upon by the second ECG J 00' and the further ECG 100" since they are assigned to the same DALI group as the first ECG 1 0.

[0058] It will, be appreciated that the number of further ECGs can be an number. While a single DALI network is limited to 64 devices, multiple networks can be linked to provide an almost unlimited number of devices. [0059] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a D ALl system 500 comprising DALI bus 510, connecting a plurality of electronic control gear (ECGs) including first ECG 100, second ECG 100' , and further ECGs 100"', 100"" to 10Gn\ and a plurality of electronic control devices (ECDs) 200 and 200'. Each of the ECGs and ECDs is connected to tite DALl bus 510 via respective connector lines 51 1. In some arrangements, a DALI controller 520 is provided to provide additional control functions and allow programming of the vari ous devices once installed.

10060] The DALI groups can be programmed into each device using the conventional programming methods for DALI installations, however, other forms of assigning a DALI device to a particular group can be used in this aspect, including the use of a group-assigning plug, or via a group designator device incorporated wi thin the DALI device. These latter two features are the subject of other co-pending patent applications referred to above, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0061 J A typical DALI system may also comprise a power supply 300, which provides power to each of the devices via power supply line 310. 0062| Some or all of the ECGs 100 are connected to a respective load 600 which in one example is a light emitting diode (LED) light which the ECG controls.

[0063] The ECDs 200 allow control of the loads by a user, in one embodiment, the ECD 200 is a simple ON/OFF switch. In another embodiment, the ECD 200 is a dimmer switch, allowing the user to selectively dim a load.

[0064] For example, if a user turns the switch on the ECD 200 from the OFF pos ition to the ON position, this signal is transferred to the DALI bus 510 on connector line 511, via a forward frame, which is provided to all ECGs 1.00 that are associated with the group with which the ECD 100 is associated . This will cause those ECGs 100 to turn their respective loads 600 from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0065] In some cases, an ECD 200 will interrogate an ECG 100 to determine its current status. This interrogation is done by way of the ECD 200 generating and broadcasting to the relevant ECGs 100 a forward frame containing the appropriate data. I response, the interrogated ECGs 100 will respond with a shorter, backward frame, containing the appropriate data.

[0066] In this arrangement shown in Figure 5, first ECG 1 0 comprises switched active input 1 10 for connection to a control device (not shown in this view) as described previously with reference to Figures 3 A, 3B, 4A and 4B. Specifically, when first ECG 100 recei ves a control signal at its switched active input 1 10, it generates and outputs onto DALI bus 10, data in accordance with the control signal. This data will be received and acted upon by those other ECGs that are assigned to the same group as the first ECG 1 0 to perform the same function.

[0067 j Figure 6A shows a general embodiment of a lighting control system 1000 according to one aspect. In this aspect, lighting control system 1000 comprises the DAL! system 500 and the control device 400, connected to the switched acti ve inpu i 10 of the first ECG 100. The control device can be any suitable device including a wall switch fo switching a light on or off, a rotary dimming switch, a sliding dimming switch or a sensor (for example an occupancy detector).

(0068| Upon actuation, control device 400 generates a control signal which is applied to the switched active input 1 10 of first ECG 100, which in one embodiment causes first ECG to perform the function controlled by the control device 400 (e.g. turns oft) and generates and outputs data to cause the second ECG 100' to perform this same function. In other embodiments, first ECG 100 need not itself perform the function, but may simply generate and output the data to c use the second ECG to perform the function controlled by control device 400.

[0069] Again this arrangement contemplates a wireless network as previously described with reference to Figures 3A and 4A.

[0070] Figure 6B shows a wired embodiment of lighting control system 1 00 with the ECGs connected to DALI bus 510,

|0071 j Figure 7 A shows another general embodiment of lighting control system 1000 comprising the first ECG 100, second ECG 100' and further ECG 100' ' . As described with reference to Figure 4A, in this embodiment, first ECG 100 generates dat to cause second ECG 100' and further ECG 10" to perform the function controlled by the control device 400. Again, this embodiment contemplates a wireless lighting control system 1000, while the embodiment of Figure 7B shows a wired lighting control system with the ECGs connected to DALI bus 510.

[0072] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of lighting control system 1000 comprising DALI system 500 and the control device 400 connected to the switched active input 110 of first ECG 1 0 as described with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D.

[0073] The lighting control system of Figure 8 works in the same way as the DALI system described previously with reference to Figure 5 but with the control device 400 connected to the switched active input 110 of first ECG 100. [0074 j Figure 9 shows a specific embodiment of lighting control system 1000 comprising DALI system 500 with eight ECGs 100, 100', 100", 100"', 100"", 100'"", 100"" ", 100'""" , and two LC Ds 200, 200 ^'' . Control device 400 is connected to the switched active input 110 of first ECG 100 as previously described. Figure 9 sho ws the flow of the date generated and output by first ECG 100. n this embodiment, since only second ECG 1 0' is assigned to the same DALI group as first ECG 1 0, the dat is received and actioned only by this device, as indicated by the arrow between the two devices.

[0075} in another embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, there are eight ECDs as in Figure 9, each assigned to one of three DALI groups, 1, 2 or 3, ECD 200' is assigned to DALI group 2. in this embodiment, there are two control devices, 400 (a wall switch) and 400' (a dimmer switch).

[0076} Actuation of ECD 200' (for example switching from an off state to an on state) will cause ECD 200 to generate and output a forward frame onto DALI bus 510 to cause all ECGs that are assigned to the same DALI group as ECD 200' (in this case grou 2), to turn on. Thus in this example, ECGs 100% 100"' and 100"'" will turn on.

[00771 Ac tuation of control device 400 (for example switching from an off state to an on state), w ill cause control device 400 to generate a control signal (for example a voltage step) that is applied to the switched active input 1 10" of ECG 1 0". As ECG 100" is assigned to DALI group 3, ECG 100" will generate and output data onto DALI bus 510 to be received and actioned by ECGs 100 and 100"", which are each assigned to DALI group 3, to cause them all to turn on. In this embodiment, ECG 1 0" will also turn on, but in another embodiment, it need not turn on.

[0078] Control device 400', being a dimmer switch, upon actuation (for example rotating the dimmer switch to 50% dim),, will generate an appropriate control si nal (for example a voltage of a particul r magnitude), which is applied to the switched active input 1 10"" " of ECG 100" " ". ECG 100" "", being assigned to DALI group 1 , generates and outputs data to DALI bus 510 to cause all other ECGs assigned to DALI group 1 to dim to 50% brightness. In this embodiment there is only one other ECG (ECG 100" ^" " " '),

[0079} It will be appreciated mat an advantage of this arrangement is that it is possible to connect non- DALi devices to a DALI network and still achieve the same control as I f the control device were a DALI device.

[OOSOj This facilitates retrofitting a DALI system into a non-DALI system. In cases where the control device 400 is a DALI device, this system allows the control device to be connected to the DALI system without having to program the device. This system also allows the number of D AL! devices and control devices to exceed the usual 64 device limit of a single DALI network wtthouc having to integrate multiple π

DALI networks, because the control devices 400 do not take up one of the 64 addresses of the DALl network. For example, the number of devices on a single DALl network can be 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, between 70 and 80, between 80 and 100, between 100 and 128, between 128 and 200 and more than 200.

[00811 Figure .1 1 shows an electronic- control gear (ECG) 100 according to one aspect in more detail, in this embodiment, ECG 100 comprises switched active input 110, output 120 and microcontroller or microprocessor 130. In some embodiments, ECG 100 will also comprise other control circuitry for controlling a load (not shown) connected to ECG 1 0 in accordance with control signals received from tlie DALI bus (not shown) or wireless receiver (not shown).

1 _. 0082] t will be appreciated that the ECG may be any suitable device including a luralnaire, a dimmer, a relay, or an LED driver.

|0083] Examples of dimme circuits and LED drivers are described in detail in PCT/AU03/00365 entitled ^' "Improved Dimmer Circuit Arrangement"; PCT/AU03/O0366 entitled "Dimmer Circuit with improved inductive Load"; PCT/AU03/00364 entitled "Dimmer Circuit with Improved Ripple Control"; PCT/AU 2006/001.883 entitled "Current Zero Crossing Detector in A Dimmer Circuit";

PCT/AU2 067 O1882 entitled "Load Detector For A Dimmer"; PCT/AU2006 001881 entitled "A Universal Dimmer" ; PCT/AU2O08/ 0I 398 entitled "Improved Start-Up Detection in a Dimmer Circuit"; PCT/AU2008/001399 entitled "Dimmer Circuit Wit Overcurrctrt Detection"; PCT/AU2008/OOI400 entitled "Overcurreiit Protectio i a Dimmer Circuit"; and PCT AU2007/001697 entitled "Dimmablc Light Emitting Diode Load Driver with Bypass Current", all previously incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(008 { In accordance with one aspect as described herein, upon receiving a control signal from a control device (not shown) connected to switched active input. 1 10, microcontroller 130 generates a data frame fo ontpiit ing to the DALI system, whether it be for a wireless transmission from a wireless transmitter of ECG 1 0, or to a DALI bus to which ECG 100 may be connected. This data frame accords with the DALI protocol as will be described further below, and causes other ECGs that are assigned to the same DALI group as ECG 100, to perform the same function as commanded by the control signal.

[0085] As will be understood by the person skilled in the art, microprocessor 100 also contains DALl- specific data in its memory that allows it to perform certain functions in response to DALI commands contained in the data frames.

[0086] Usually, an ECG will receive data from an ECD in the form of a forward ^' frame, which contains 1 bits according to the DALl protocol . In some cases, if an ^' ECD interrogates an ECG to determi ne its status, the ECG will reply with a backward frame, which contains 11 bits. According to another aspect described herein however, the ECG generates and transmits a data frame in the form of a forward frame. This forward frame is t en received by other ECGs and processed as if it were a. command from an ECD.

[0087 j Figure 12 shows an exemplary forward frame structure, comprising a start bit "a" , an address byte (b (1-bit), c (6 bits] and d (i-hit)), a data byte (e (8 bits)) which specifies a command, and stop bits (f (2 bits)).

[00881, The address bits indicate which devices the frame is directed to. Options are "Broadcast" in which all ECGs react; "Group (1-16) - in which the ECGs assigned to the specified group react; and ''Address" (1 -64) - in which a particular ECG at that address reacts.

(0089| The command byte determines the action of the ECG, for example "turn on", 'turn off" , "direct level 50%" (1-100), "step up", "step down", " recall scene 2" (there are 16 scenes in total) and many others.

[0090] In some embodiments, groups may be defined using short addresses to allow for a greater number than 16 groups to be defined, in one example, in the case where the control device 400 turns ON, the DAL! command would be [group x ][ ON |, where x is. the group numbe of 1 -1 . In another embodiment, using short addresses instead of groups, the equivalent DALI command is [address JfON f , where x is the address number ( 1 -64).

[0091 j Figure ί 3 shows a flowchart of a method according to one aspect described herein. At step 800, the control signal from the control device is received at the switched active input of the ECG. At step 81 , data is generated by the ECG in accordance with the control signal, and in step 820, this generated data is output from the ECG to control the second ECG in accordance with the control signal.

[0092] Figure 14 shows a more detailed vie w of an ECG 100 and in particular, a circuit path between the active input 1 10 and the microcontroller 130.

[0093 j When the switch of control dev ice 400 connected to the active input, of ECG 100 is pressed momentarily, the switched active signal will drive the opto-coupkr in Figure 14 which in turn drives Ac transistor Q4, This produces a burst of mains or supply pow¾r frequency (for example 50Hz) signal as shown in Figure 15, for as long as the switch is depressed by the user.

!0094j Dimming is performed by identifying long and short press, A. short press will toggle the light. A long press will dim the light. Alternating between long presses changes tire direction of dimming. [0095{ When this burst signal of Figure 15 is apptied to the microcontroller of Figure 1 , _. it will generate a forward frame for output to th.e-.DALi ^' bus as previously described. An example pseudo code for the microcontroller to transform this input signal to an output control signal is as follows:

FROG ^' R AM listen to input

Detect mains or supply frequency burst on input port Measure burst duration If long pressed

Send dimming command on the bus

Else if short pressed

Send toggle command on tie bus

Esse

Do nothing

[0096] An example of an output forward frame generated by the microcontroller of ECG 100 is shown in Figure 16.. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the address byte will contain the address of the ECG that is generating this forward frame. The data byte will contain an ON, OFF, step up or step down command depending upon the length of the switched active press signal.

[0097f In one embodiment, code used to create a forward frame from an ECD can be- used in the microcontroller of the ECG, with appropriate substitutions for the device identifiers etc.

[0098] According to another broad aspect described herein, there is provided an electronic control gear (ECG) for use in a DALI system wherein the ECG is configured to transmit a forward frame. In this aspect, it does not matter where a control input is applied. The embodiment above provides for the input to be applied to the active input of the ECG, however, in this aspect, the control input can be provided to the ECG via a wireless communication or transmission from a wireless control, device to a wireless receiver inside the ECG. This control signal is then app lied to the inpu t of the microcontroller .130 to be processed to generate an output data in the form of a- forward frame as shown in Figure 16, using the same or similar coding as described previously. [009 { in other embodiments of this aspect, there need be no specific input to cause the ECG to generate a forward frame, in one embodiment for example, ECG 100 can he programmed to generate a predetermined forward frame at a predefined time or at predefined time intervals. An example of suitable pseudo code to perform, this is as follows:

PROGRAM generate forward frame Increment clock

If clock count equals predetermine time Send forward frame Reset clock count Goto ^' Increment clock

Esse

Goto Increment clock

[00100] Figure 17 shows another embodiment of an ECG 1 0 configured to generate a forward frame, in this embodiment, no signal is applied to the switched active input 1 10. Rather, a control signal is received at receiver 140 which applies a control signal, to the appropriate input of microcontroller or microprocessor 130.

[001 1 j Figure 18 shows the ECG 100 of Figure 17 recei ving a signal from wireless control device 400, in response to which ECG 1 0 generates and outputs a forward frame as described above.

[00 02] A broad method is therefore provided and shown in Figure 19, in which, in a Digital

Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) .s stem comprising a first electronic control gear (ECG) and a second electronic control gear (ECG) connected to a DALI Bus, the first ECG and the second ECG assigned to a same DALI group, a mediod of controlling the second ECG, the method comprising, at step 900. recei ving at the first ECG, a control signal from a control device not connected to the DALI Bus; at step 910, generating data in accordance with the control signal received at the first ECG; and, at step 920, outputting the generated data to control the second ECG in accordance with the generated data.

I ^' QOlOd] Figure 20 shows an example of a DALI system using various aspects described herein, in particular, the DALI system has n+1 ECGs, being n LED Drivers 100 to 100 ^n"1 with corresponding loads (in this example being LEDs) 600 - 60 ^{n !} . Another ECG 100 " (in this ease being a relay unit) controls load 600 ¹⁵ in this case a chandelier with multiple incandescent lights. [001041 ECD 200 is connected to the DALI Bus 510 to control. the ECGs connected to the Bus

510.,

1001053 Control device 400 is connected to the switched active input 110 ofECG lOO ^ ^' as previously described, and control device 400' is connected to the switched active input Ϊ 10 ^a of the relay unit .100 ^α as well, as to the switched active input 1.10'" of ECG 100" '. As previously described, actuation of the control devices 400 and 400' will, allow the user to control corresponding ECGs on the DALI system by causing those ECGs to transmit a forward frame controllin other ECGs in the same group to act as instructed by the control device as previously described,

(00106) In thi system depicted in Figure 19, instructions can also be issued to the DALI system by personal mobile devices such as a smart phone or tablet 500 with an appropriate App loaded thereon. The personal mobile device 550 transmits a wireless signal to Wi-Fi device 540 which in tur transmits a. Wi-Fi signal to Wi-Fi gateway 530 connected to the DALI system to thereby process control commands.

100107] Figure 21 shows the same DALI system arrangement as in Figure 19, except that it also includes a wireless control device 400' ' that issues a command to a wireless receiver in ECG 100 ⁵¹ to cause it to output a forward f ame onto the DALI bus as previously described with reference to Figures 17 and .18 above. In this ECG embodiment, the control device 400" does not necessarily send its signal to the switched active input of the ECG, but to a receiver within the ECG.

100108] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a sta ted integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

(00109] The reference to any prior art in this specificatio is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such p rior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[00110} Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals ma be represented using any of a variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles _. , or any combination thereof

[00111] Those of skill, in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection wi h the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or instructions, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this jnterehangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suc implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the various applications and aspects described herein.

[00112] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed b a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware implementation, processing ma be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits. (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro -controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions, described herein, or a combination thereof. Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD- ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Biu-ray disc , or any other form of computer readable medium. In some aspec ts the computer-readable media may comprise non-trans itoiy computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media). I addition, for other aspects computer-readable media may comprise transitory computer- readable media (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer- readable media. In another aspect, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and the processor may be configured to execute them. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known i the art.

[001131 Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained b computing device. For example, such a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that, a computing device can obtain the various methods upo coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a de vice can be utilized. [00114 j In one form the various aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the method or operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer (or processor) readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspects, the computer program product -may include packaging material.

|00 15] Any Input/Output Interface may Comprise a network interface and/or communications module for comManicatirrg with an equivalent commu ications module in another device usin a predefined communications protocol (e.g. Bluetooth, Zigbec, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, TCP/IP, TJDP, etc.).

[00116] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims, in other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[00117] As used herein, the term "determimng" encompasses wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investi ating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining ^' " may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and tile like.

[OOllSj It will, be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various aspects and embodiments described herein are not restricted in their use to the particular application described. Neither are the restricted in the embodiments with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that tile various aspects are not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.