Method and system for supporting maintainability of a luminaire

Abstract

The invention relates to the integration of a programmable memory device in a luminaire for storing maintenance related information such as driving parameters, repair history information, etc. The memory device can be read out through the same connectivity used for driving the luminaire, so that the required operating conditions can be informed to the driver. The driver can thus be aware of the maintenance related information before starting to drive the luminaire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lighting systems, such as (but not limited to) solid-state lighting systems for use in a variety of different applications in residential, office, retail, hotel and industrial settings. Background Technology

[0002] Throughout the following disclosure, "luminaire" should be understood as any type of lighting unit or lighting appliance, including: one or more light sources (including visible or invisible (infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV)) light sources) for lighting and / or communication purposes; and optional other internal and / or external parts necessary for proper operation of the lighting, such as for distributing light, for positioning and protecting the light source and ballast (where applicable), and for connecting the luminaire to a power source. Luminaires can be of conventional types, such as recessed or surface-mounted incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or other discharge lamps. Luminaires can also be of non-conventional types, such as optical fibers having a light source and a fiber core or "light tube" for guiding the light generated by the light source.

[0003] During maintenance or upgrade operations, it may often be necessary to replace luminaire drivers (e.g., current drivers for light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) or luminaire modules (e.g., LED modules also known as "L2 (Level 2) boards"). Such luminaire modules can serve as carriers for light sources (e.g., LEDs) and can be manufactured as PCBs on typical printed circuit board (PCB) materials like FR4, rigid-flex, or on MCPCB (metal-clad PCB) carriers for enhanced cooling.

[0004] One of the main issues when it comes to replacing luminaire drivers or modules is that the new combination must operate properly. This requires either stocking obsolete parts throughout their lifespan or selecting appropriate sources for older parts and / or modules.

[0005] Typically, the light output of a luminaire module depends on the drive current (set by the driver) and the module's efficiency level. When replacing an existing luminaire module with an improved one (e.g., one with higher efficiency), the drive current should be adequate to ensure the same light output as the original module. In conventional lighting systems, the luminaire driver does not change the drive current when replacing a luminaire module, and reprogramming the driver by the user would be too complex. As a result, introducing a more efficient luminaire module may produce an excessively high light output.

[0006] Furthermore, in many cases, when the driver must be replaced, repairing the luminaire is hindered by unknown driver parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide improved maintainability for lighting systems when replacing drivers and / or modules.

[0008] This objective is achieved by a lighting module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a driver according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a computer program product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to the first aspect, a lighting module includes:

[0010] Memory elements used to store information related to the lighting system; and

[0011] Interface circuitry, which provides access to memory elements to the driver of the lighting module;

[0012] The interface circuitry is configured to provide access to the memory element by coupling the memory element to at least one connection line that can be connected to a driver, wherein the driver is used to drive at least one light source of the luminaire module via the connection line.

[0013] A single connection line can be used to provide interconnection between a driver, a memory element, and at least one light source. The driver can be used to provide power for driving at least one light source. On the same wiring, the driver can also perform a readout mode for reading out the memory element.

[0014] Furthermore, according to a second aspect, a method for controlling a driver in a lighting system is provided, wherein the method includes:

[0015] Inspect at least one connection line that connects the driver to the lighting module in response to the presence of an active memory element; and

[0016] In response to the inspection results, the driver is set to memory access mode for reading lighting system-related information from the memory element via the at least one connection line.

[0017] Therefore, the maintainability of the luminaire module can be improved by reading lighting system-related information (such as maintenance information (e.g., drive parameters), commissioning information, item number information (e.g., EAN), lamp identifiers, node names, or IP addresses of networked lighting systems) from a memory element provided on the luminaire module, without requiring any new cables or connectors between the driver and the luminaire module. The lighting system-related information stored in the memory element can be forwarded to the new driver after driver replacement (e.g., read by the new driver), or forwarded to the existing driver after luminaire module replacement (the luminaire board can also be a replaceable spare part). The availability and automatic reading of lighting system-related information allow non-expert users to replace the luminaire module in the field.

[0018] According to the first option of the first or second aspect, the lighting system-related information may include driving parameters for at least one of the luminaire module and at least one light source. Thus, after replacing the entire module or placing one or more light sources, the driving parameters can be read from the driver.

[0019] According to the second option, which can be combined with the first option, the memory element, interface circuit, and at least one light source can be connected in parallel. Thus, the luminaire module can be enhanced by simply connecting the interface circuit and memory element in parallel to the connection line between the driver and the luminaire module.

[0020] According to a third option of the first aspect, which can be combined with the first or second option, the interface circuitry may include an isolation element configured to isolate the memory element from the at least one light source during a drive mode for driving the at least one light source. Thus, the drive mode and memory access mode of the driver can be performed via the same connection line, while the isolation element ensures protection of the memory element from higher drive power.

[0021] According to the fourth option, the isolation element may include at least one of the following: a fuse (e.g., a one-time fuse or an electronically or mechanically resettable fuse), a voltage-controlled switch, and a coupling capacitor. Thus, isolation can be achieved with simple circuit elements, thereby providing an enhanced luminaire module with low circuit complexity.

[0022] According to the fifth option of the first aspect, which can be combined with any of the first to fourth options, the interface circuitry may include a voltage-limiting element (e.g., a Zener diode) connected in parallel with the memory element. This measure ensures that the memory element is protected from high voltage during the drive mode of the driver.

[0023] According to the sixth option of the first aspect, which can be combined with any of the first to fifth options, the luminaire module may further include a wireless communication unit for wirelessly writing received information to a memory element or for wirelessly transmitting information read from the memory element. This allows wireless access to the memory element, enabling remote programming or reading without mechanical access to the luminaire module. As an example, such wireless access may be performed by a mobile user equipment during the commissioning phase of the luminaire module.

[0024] According to the seventh option, which can be combined with any of the first to sixth options, the memory element can be a low-voltage device with a voltage range lower than the drive voltage of the driver, particularly a 1-Wire device. Therefore, the memory access mode and the drive mode can be distinguished by the lower voltage range. Furthermore, when the memory element is a 1-Wire device, only one connection line is required for memory access.

[0025] According to a third aspect (which relates to the driver side), an apparatus is provided for controlling a driver for a luminaire module in a lighting system, wherein the apparatus is configured to: check at least one connection line connecting the driver to the luminaire module in response to the presence of an active memory element, and set the driver to a memory access mode in response to the check result for reading lighting system related information from the memory element via the at least one connection line.

[0026] Therefore, in addition to the advantages mentioned above, the lighting module can be checked by the driver, and the driver can automatically derive the driving parameters from the read lighting system information to provide sufficient driving performance.

[0027] According to the first option of the third aspect, which can be combined with any of the first to seventh options of the first or second aspect, the device can be configured to set the driver to memory access mode during the driver's startup phase. Therefore, when power is supplied to the driver and startup processing is initiated, the driver automatically reads the memory elements of the lighting device.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, a driver is provided that includes the means according to a third aspect.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, a lighting system is provided, comprising at least one driver according to a fourth aspect and at least one luminaire module according to a first aspect.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a code means which, when executed on a computer device, generates the steps of the method described above in the second aspect.

[0031] Note that the above-described device may be implemented based on an arrangement of discrete hardware circuits, integrated chips, or chip modules having discrete hardware components, or based on a signal processing device or chip controlled by software routines or programs, which are stored in memory, written on a computer-readable medium, or downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0032] It should be understood that the lighting modules, apparatuses, drivers, lighting systems, methods, and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments.

[0033] It should be understood that the preferred embodiments of the present invention may also be any combination of the above embodiments.

[0034] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below, and will be illustrated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0035] In the following figures:

[0036] Figure 1 A block diagram of a luminaire system having a driver and an enhanced luminaire module according to various embodiments is shown schematically;

[0037] Figure 2 A timing diagram of the waveform of the driver output signal according to various embodiments is schematically shown;

[0038] Figure 3 A block diagram of a driver according to various embodiments is shown schematically;

[0039] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the enhanced luminaire driving process according to various embodiments is shown;

[0040] Figure 5 A block diagram schematically illustrates a first example of an enhanced luminaire module according to one embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6 A block diagram schematically illustrates a second example of an enhanced luminaire module according to one embodiment;

[0042] Figure 7 A block diagram schematically illustrates a third example of an enhanced luminaire module according to one embodiment; and

[0043] Figure 8 A block diagram schematically illustrates a fourth example of an enhanced luminaire module according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described based on luminaires in solid-state lighting systems. Solid-state lighting (SSL) is a type of lighting that uses semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), semiconductor lasers, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as the light source or light source, instead of filaments, plasma (used in arc lamps such as fluorescent lamps), or gas. Furthermore, unlike incandescent bulbs (which use thermal radiation) or fluorescent tubes, solid-state electroluminescence can be used in SSL. Compared to incandescent lighting, SSL creates visible light with reduced heat generation and less energy dissipation. Moreover, white LEDs can use photoluminescence to convert blue light from solid-state devices into a (approximate) white light spectrum, which is the same principle used in conventional fluorescent tubes.

[0045] The following embodiments relate to LED lighting fixtures. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be used for any type of lighting fixture to enhance their maintainability.

[0046] A driver is an electrical device that regulates the power supplied to an LED or LED string. As the electrical properties of an LED change with temperature, the driver responds to these changes by supplying a constant amount of power to the LED. Drivers are crucial because LEDs require very specific electrical power to operate properly. If the voltage supplied to the LED is lower than the required voltage, very little current flows through the junction, resulting in weak light and poor performance. On the other hand, if the voltage is too high, too much current flows to the LED, and the LED may overheat and become severely damaged or fail completely (thermal runaway). This, of course, also applies to other types of lighting fixtures.

[0047] According to various embodiments, a programmable memory device is integrated into a luminaire module, which may be a circuit board (e.g., an L2 board) or an integrated circuit, etc., on or within the luminaire module, where at least one light source of the luminaire is arranged. Among other things, the memory cells of the programmable memory can be used to store drive parameters, repair history information, or other lighting system-related information to enhance the maintainability of the luminaire. The programmable memory device may be random access memory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash EPROM, etc.

[0048] In one example, the luminaire module can be configured to allow the use of connection wires (e.g., two wires) that are also used to drive the luminaire module.

[0049] Various embodiments of drivers and luminaire modules with corresponding communication interface circuitry are described below, enabling the luminaire module to notify the driver of various maintenance parameters, such as required operating conditions. Thus, the driver can learn these maintenance parameters before starting to drive a new or replaced luminaire module, which can be accessed, for example, via a conventional two-pin connection to the driver.

[0050] Figure 1 A block diagram of a luminaire system having a driver 110 and an enhancement luminaire module 120 (e.g., a secondary (L2) board, etc.) according to various embodiments is shown schematically.

[0051] Note that throughout this disclosure, the structure and / or function of blocks or circuit components with the same reference numerals as previously described are not described again unless specific additional functionality is involved. Furthermore, only those structural elements and functions that aid in understanding the embodiments are shown. For the sake of brevity, other structural elements and functions have been omitted.

[0052] exist Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, the driver 110 is connected to the luminaire module 120 via two connecting lines or wiring 112. The luminaire module holds multiple solid-state light sources (e.g., LEDs) 121, and also holds a programmable memory element 132 and an interface circuit 131 for addressing individual memory cells or groups of memory cells to write to or read from the memory element 132 and drive the light sources 121.

[0053] In addition, the driver 110 may include a user interface and / or an input port 111, which is used to set driver parameters of the driver 110 and / or supply power to the driver 110.

[0054] In one example, the connection technology between the driver 110 and the lighting module 120 for accessing additional components mounted on the lighting module 120 (such as programmable memory element 132 and interface circuitry 131) can be 1-Wire technology. 1-Wire technology allows the driver wiring 112 to also be used for memory operations (such as reads, writes, etc.) of the programmable memory element 132. 1-Wire is a device communication bus system that provides low-speed transmission (e.g., 16.3 kbit / s) of data and signaling as well as power supply through a single conductor. It is conceptually similar to I... 2C, but with a lower data rate and longer range. A distinguishing feature of the bus is that only two wires 112 (i.e., data and ground) can be used. 1-Wire communication can be initiated by a master device (e.g., driver 110), and the 1-Wire protocol uses a voltage between 0 and 5V. A logic high level (5V) can be applied to the master side (e.g., at driver 110) by means of a pull-up resistor connected between the data wire of driver wire 112 and a reference voltage (e.g., the supply voltage). The master device (e.g., driver 110) and the slave device (e.g., lighting module 120) can use open-drain or open-collector switches to pull down the data wire of driver wire 112. All information can be carried in a fixed timing scheme.

[0055] Of course, other serial or parallel communication bus technologies can also be used to provide connectivity between the driver 110 and the lighting module 120 and the interface circuit 131 and programmable memory element 132. These technologies can be inter-integrated circuit (IIC) technologies. 2 C) Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), HyperTransport, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Advanced Technology Accessory (ATA), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), UNI / O, SMBus, Controller Area Network (CAN), ExpressCard, Fieldbus, FireWire, RS-232, RS-485, Thunderbolt, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Scalable Consistent Interface (SCI), Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Low Pin Count (LPC), Micro Channel (MCA), Multibus, SBus, VMEbus, etc.

[0056] Figure 2 A timing diagram of the waveform of the driver output signal according to various embodiments is schematically shown as an example of a 1-Wire memory access prior to the light source 121 of the driving lamp module 120.

[0057] Whenever driver 110 receives power, a 1-Wire memory access operation 401 is initiated. During memory access operation 401, the signal voltage on driver wire 112 is constrained from a low voltage (e.g., 0V) to a high voltage U. 1W-HThe 1-Wire operating range is 5V (e.g., 5V). If the 1-Wire component (i.e., luminaire module 120) is active, its information can be transmitted to the driver memory (not shown). After notifying the driver 110 of the required drive conditions, the driver 110 can automatically select the appropriate nominal voltage and drive current for driving the light source 121. It then begins to increase the voltage at time point 402. Subsequently, at time point 403, the voltage exceeds the 1-Wire voltage range (i.e., 5V), and the triggering circuit (e.g., fuse, switch, etc., as explained later) isolates the 1-Wire circuit (e.g., interface circuit 131 and memory element 132) from the light source 121 (e.g., LED string) of luminaire module 120. Therefore, the driver 110 can now operate at time point 404 with a typical forward voltage U higher than the 1-Wire voltage range. F Enter driver mode.

[0058] The advantage of using 1-Wire technology on the luminaire module 120 is that it assigns an inherent, unique serial number to all 1-Wire components. This serial number can be used to detect changes to the luminaire module 120 (e.g., replacement) and to report the serial number after a maintenance action is completed.

[0059] Another advantage of using 1-Wire technology is that the luminaire modules 120 connected in parallel can be addressed individually (e.g., the 1-Wire luminaire modules 120 can be read as in a DALI bus). This allows for the independent reading of different drive parameters or other parameters of the luminaire modules 120 connected in parallel. Therefore, the driver 110 can determine how many luminaire modules 120 have been connected in parallel and whether the forward voltages are compatible. If they are incompatible, a service message can be issued, or simply activating the compatible (e.g., lower voltage) luminaire modules can be activated, allowing service personnel to see that the problem persists.

[0060] Figure 3 A block diagram of a driver 110 according to various embodiments is shown schematically.

[0061] Driver 110 includes driver circuitry (D) 31, which generates a drive output to be supplied to luminaire module 120 to activate and drive light source 121 according to drive parameters of light source 121 stored in memory element 132. Driver circuitry 31 is configured as a controllable current source to provide sufficient current to illuminate light source 121 of luminaire module 120 at the desired brightness, but limits the current to prevent damage to light source 121. More complex current source circuitry may be required to drive high-power light sources used for lighting to achieve proper current regulation.

[0062] Furthermore, driver 110 includes an interface control circuit (I-CTRL) 32, which is configured (e.g., programmed) to access memory element 132 via interface circuit 131, for example, by providing 1-Wire master device functionality and controlling driver circuit 31 to provide the required 1-Wire signaling within a desired voltage range (e.g., 0-5V). Interface control circuit 32 is connected to drive wiring 112 and is configured to access memory element 132 of luminaire module 120 and read data received from memory element 132 of luminaire module 120 (including, for example, drive parameters and other maintenance parameters of luminaire device 120) via interface circuit 131 and drive wiring 112. Interface control circuit 32 can store received drive parameters in the memory (not shown) of driver 110 and supply drive parameters to driver circuit 31 (where driver circuit 31 has its own control circuitry). Alternatively, the interface control circuit 32 can be configured to control the driver circuit 31 to provide the required drive output to the luminaire module 120 via the drive wiring 112 according to the received drive parameters.

[0063] Both the driver circuit 31 and the interface control circuit 32 receive their power supply P from a power supply circuit (not shown) inside or outside the driver 110.

[0064] The interface control circuit 32 can be implemented as a programmable processor controlled by software routines stored in program memory.

[0065] Figure 4 A flowchart of an enhanced luminaire driving process according to various embodiments is shown. This process can be implemented in the driver 110, for example, through software routines of the control interface control circuit 32.

[0066] In step S401, the bus connection line (e.g., drive connection 112) is accessed, for example, by sending its own request and waiting for a response, or by waiting to receive an advertisement or other signaling from the lighting module 120.

[0067] Then, in step S402, it is checked whether the lighting equipment (e.g., lighting module 120) includes an active low-voltage device (e.g., a 1-Wire device) connected to the bus connection line, or whether the active low-voltage device gives a "new factory" response.

[0068] If so ("Yes"), the process branches to step S403 and accesses the memory of the low-voltage device (e.g., memory element 132), and reads the stored drive parameters and / or other maintenance parameters. In the subsequent step S404, the read parameters are used to select appropriate settings for driving the lighting device. The process then continues to step S405, where the output voltage applied to the bus connection line is increased to the drive voltage required by the lighting device, and in step S406, the drive mode is entered.

[0069] Otherwise, if no active low-voltage device is detected in step S402, or if the active low-voltage device does not give a "new factory" response, the process proceeds directly to steps S405 and S406 to increase the output voltage and enter the driving mode of the lighting device.

[0070] In the following text, see references Figures 5 to 8 To illustrate an example of an enhanced lighting module 120 for implementing low-voltage devices (e.g., 1-Wire devices). Figure 5 A block diagram schematically illustrates a first example of an enhanced lighting module according to one embodiment.

[0071] like Figure 1 As in the example, programmable memory element 132 is a 1-Wire low-voltage device and is added to light source 121 (e.g., a series connection of LEDs) 221 on lighting module 120 (e.g., L2 board).

[0072] In the first example, Figure 1 The interface circuit 131 is implemented by a replaceable or resettable fuse 231 and a Zener diode 232 (with a Zener voltage of, for example, 5V) or other voltage limiting elements connected in parallel with the memory element 132.

[0073] The driver 110 operates at a typical positive voltage U F Before driving the light source 121, the driver 120 executes low-voltage device protocol signaling (e.g., 1-Wire protocol signaling) based on initial settings received via user input 111. Here, the voltage of the protocol signaling is much lower than the typical forward voltage U. F ,like Figure 2 As indicated in [the document]. The startup process of driver 110 can always begin with a period of checking the available 1-Wire components connected in parallel to the string of light source 121. Figure 2 The document describes such an access process prior to normal drive operation.

[0074] Because normal drive operation will disconnect fuse 231, the 1-Wire interface circuit needs to be reactivated, for example, by replacing or resetting fuse 231. Therefore, when servicing the lighting module 120 after driver 110 has been replaced, fuse 231 can be replaced with a new fuse, and the new driver can once again access all important information regarding the drive requirements of the lighting module 120.

[0075] In a modification of the first example, the disconnectable or non-resettable unidirectional fuse 231 can be advantageously replaced by an automatically resettable type fuse that opens the circuit upon detecting an overcurrent but reconnects it after cooling. This could be, for example, a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) overcurrent protector placed in series with the circuit or component to be protected. A PTC element protects the circuit by changing from a low-resistance state to a high-resistance state in response to an overcurrent. This function is referred to as the "tripping" of an overcurrent protection device.

[0076] Therefore, both traditional fuses and resettable PTCs function by reacting to the heat generated by excessive current flow in the circuit. A fuse melts and opens the circuit, thus interrupting current flow, while a resettable PTC changes from low resistance to high resistance to limit current flow.

[0077] In this way, memory element 132 can always be accessed before entering the lamp drive mode, and there is no longer a need to replace the broken fuse.

[0078] In a further modification of the first example, the separation of the low-voltage section (e.g., memory element 132) from the high-voltage luminaire source can be achieved via a manual switch or a removable jumper (instead of fuse 231). This keeps driver 110 in read mode until the switch or jumper is activated (e.g., flipped or pressed). Thus, a service technician can easily manually set luminaire module 120 to service mode.

[0079] Figure 6 A block diagram schematically illustrates a second example of an enhanced lighting module according to one embodiment.

[0080] In the second example, the fuse 231 of the interface circuit is replaced by a voltage-dependent isolation circuit, which includes, for example, a voltage-dependent control element 535 and an isolating switch 534 controlled by the voltage-dependent control element 535. The control element 535 is configured to close the isolating switch 534 at low voltages (i.e., during access to memory element 132) and when the voltage is higher than the I-Wire high voltage U. 1W-H (For example, 5V) to open the isolating switch 534.

[0081] Voltage-dependent isolation circuits can be implemented as integrated circuits (e.g., eFuse) with integrated isolation switches, control circuits, and power management.

[0082] The advantage of the second example is that the memory element 132 of such an enhanced lighting module 120 can be easily switched to a higher voltage U below 1-Wire. 1W-H The lower voltage (e.g., 5V) is accessed at any time. Then, the driver 110 has complete control over access to the memory element 132.

[0083] As an additional application, memory element 132 can be used to periodically record drive diagnostics and drive history of the lighting module 120.

[0084] Figure 7 A block diagram schematically illustrates a third example of an enhanced lighting module according to one embodiment.

[0085] In the third example, the fuse 231 in the first example is replaced by a coupling capacitor 331. Thus, the memory element 132 of the luminaire module 120 is capacitively coupled to the output of the driver 110. This is a simple and inexpensive solution and is resettable. The capacitor 331 blocks high DC drive voltages and protects the memory element 132 during normal operation. During maintenance or access modes, low-voltage AC protocol signaling for accessing the memory element 132 can be transmitted via the capacitor 331, which acts as an interface circuit. The memory element 132 consumes very little current and can likely be powered by voltage transitions on the communication bus of the drive wiring 112.

[0086] In the modification of the third example, communication for retrieving lighting system-related information (such as drive parameters) from memory element 132 can be implemented during normal operation mode (lamp drive mode) by superimposing protocol signaling onto the DC drive voltage.

[0087] Figure 8 A block diagram schematically illustrates a fourth example of an enhanced luminaire module according to one embodiment.

[0088] In the enhanced fourth example, which is a second instance, when the voltage-controlled isolating switch 534 is open, the auxiliary power supply 550 feeds power to the memory element 132 and another circuit 551. The other circuit 551 may be a memory controller capable of writing to and / or reading from the memory element 132.

[0089] According to the fourth example, another circuit 551 may include a wireless communication unit, such as an infrared (IR) unit, a Bluetooth (BT) unit, or a near-field communication (NFC) unit. This wireless communication unit can be configured to write (i.e., program) information into memory element 132, which can be read by driver 110 during subsequent startup processing. Furthermore, during startup processing, driver 110 can write information to memory element 132, which can later be communicated outside the luminaire module 120 by the wireless communication unit of the other circuit 551.

[0090] Lighting modules (e.g., L2 boards) are well-suited for housing wireless communication units because, unlike drivers, they are virtually unshielded from the environment by housings or the like. Furthermore, when upgrading (e.g., replacing) lighting module 120, the wireless communication unit of another circuit 551 can be upgraded.

[0091] In alternative embodiments based on the first to fourth examples described above, memory element 132 may store other lighting system-related information besides driving parameters (e.g., driving current and forward voltage). Such other lighting system-related information may be luminaire module information, such as color temperature, production date, spectral details like color rendering index, expected lifespan, optical details like beam size, etc.

[0092] In embodiments that can be further developed based on the first to fourth examples described above, the memory element 132 or the lighting module 120 may also include a lifetime counter that can count, for example, the number of operating times (e.g., in hours) or the number of on / off cycles.

[0093] In embodiments that can be further developed based on the first to fourth examples described above, memory element 132 may also store lighting system-related information, such as spare parts codes (e.g., 12NC codes) for designating luminaire module 120 and / or its components as spare parts, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), Unique Instance Codes, repair tags, or links to specific websites of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

[0094] In embodiments that can be further developed based on the first to fourth examples described above, driver 110 may write a copy of trial run or setup information to memory element 132. At the site of any driver defect, a newly installed driver can then automatically recall this trial run or setup information and seamlessly take over the role of the damaged driver. In this way, repairs performed by replacing driver 110 do not require any new trial run or adjustments. Such information may additionally include lamp identifiers, node names, or IP addresses for networked lighting systems.

[0095] In embodiments that can be further developed based on the first to fourth examples described above, the same interface connection and storage mechanisms can be used for other modules in the luminaire. These other modules may be sensors, communication modules, etc.

[0096] In summary, the integration of a programmable memory device into a luminaire has been described. The memory device can be used to store maintenance-related information, such as drive parameters and repair history. The memory device can be read using the same connectivity used to drive the luminaire, allowing the driver to be notified of the required operating conditions. The driver can thus learn the maintenance-related information before starting to drive the luminaire.

[0097] While the invention has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such description should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The proposed separation and access to the programmable memory element 132 can be applied to any type of module provided in a driver-driven lighting device, and may be standardized within such a module.

[0098] By studying the accompanying drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used. The foregoing description has detailed certain embodiments of the invention. However, it will be appreciated that the invention can be practiced in many ways, however detailed the foregoing may be, and is therefore not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It should be noted that the use of unique terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be construed as implying that the term is redefined herein as limited to any particular characteristic of the invention's features or aspects associated with that term.

[0099] A single unit or device can perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used.

[0100] picture Figure 4The processes described herein can be implemented as program code means of a computer program, and / or as dedicated hardware of a receiver device or transceiver device, respectively. The computer program can be stored and / or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, which is supplied together with or as part of other hardware; however, the computer program can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems.

Claims

1. A lighting module (120), comprising: A memory element (132) is used to store information related to the lighting system; as well as An interface circuit (131) is provided to the driver (110) of the lighting module (120) to provide access to the memory element (132); The interface circuit (131) is configured to provide access to the memory element (132) by coupling the memory element (132) to at least one connection line (112) that can be connected to the driver (110), wherein the driver (110) is used to drive at least one light source (121) of the lighting module (120) via the at least one connection line (112). The interface circuit (131) includes an isolation element (231); 534; 331), the isolation element is configured to isolate the memory element (132) from the at least one light source (121) during a drive mode for driving the at least one light source (121), wherein the lighting system related information includes drive parameters for at least one of the luminaire module (120) and the at least one light source (121).

2. The lighting module (120) according to claim 1, wherein the memory element (132), the interface circuit (131) and the at least one light source (121) are connected in parallel.

3. The lighting module (120) according to claim 2, wherein the isolation element comprises at least one of a fuse (231), a voltage control switch (534), and a coupling capacitor (331).

4. The lighting module (120) according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuit (131) includes a voltage limiting element (232) connected in parallel with the memory element (132).

5. The lighting module (120) according to claim 1 further includes a wireless communication unit (551), the wireless communication unit (551) being used to write wirelessly received information into the memory element (132) or to wirelessly transmit information read from the memory element (132).

6. The lighting module (120) according to claim 1, wherein the memory element (132) is a low-voltage device with a voltage range lower than the driving voltage of the driver (110).

7. The lighting module (120) according to claim 6, wherein the memory element (132) is a 1-Wire device.

8. An apparatus for controlling a driver (110) of a luminaire module (120) according to any one of the preceding claims in a lighting system, the apparatus (32) being configured to: check at least one connection line (112) connecting the driver (110) to the luminaire module (120) in response to the presence of an active memory element (132), and, in response to the result of the check, set the driver (110) to a memory access mode for reading lighting system related information from the memory element (132) via the at least one connection line (112).

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory access mode is a low-voltage mode with a voltage range lower than the drive voltage of the driver (110).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory access mode is a 1-Wire mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus (32) is configured to set the drive (110) to the memory access mode during the startup phase of the drive (110).

12. A driver (110) comprising the device (32) according to claim 8.

13. A lighting system comprising at least one driver according to claim 12 and at least one luminaire module (120) according to claim 1.

14. A method for controlling a driver (110) in a lighting system, comprising: Check (S401) for the presence of an active memory element (132) at least one connection line (112) connecting the driver (110) to the lighting module (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and In response to the result of the inspection, the driver (110) is set (S403) to memory access mode for reading lighting system related information from the memory element (132) via the at least one connection line (112).

15. A computer program product comprising code means, which, when executed on a computer device, is used to generate the steps of the method according to claim 14.

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