Illumination equipment network access initialization method

Abstract

A method of network access initialization of new lighting devices (10) that are joining or are being added to a network in a number n, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, where the network comprises at least one bridge device (9) and a network access initialization device (30), and where the method comprises: for each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), connecting the bridge device (9) and the network access initialization device (30) to the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14); determining (101), at or by the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), a first time t1 at which the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is energized, or a value derived from the first time t1; obtaining (102), by the network access initialization device (30), a first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1; and displaying (103), by the network initialization device (30), the new lighting devices (11, 12, 13, 14) on the user interface (4), wherein the order of the new lighting devices (11, 12, 13, 14) as displayed on the user interface (4) is defined by a first time t1 as obtained by the network initialization device (30) or a value derived from the first time t1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for initializing the network entry of n new lighting devices that are joining or being added to a network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and wherein the network includes a network entry initialization device. The present invention also relates to a corresponding lighting device network entry initialization system. Background Art

[0002] A common lighting system for similar domestic and professional purposes is a lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices that form a network and are connected to a bridge and are typically centrally controlled on a data processing device by an app running on the data processing device. In connection with such a system, it is often necessary to modify existing lighting devices, typically by replacing broken bulbs, and to add new lighting devices to the lighting system.

[0003] When the user installs several new lighting devices (such as screwing in a light bulb or plugging a power cord into a lamp), the user must use the app to bring the new lighting device into the lighting device system (initialize the new lighting device into the lighting device system). During the initialization, the app will instruct the bridge to open the network of lighting devices, and the various new lighting devices will join the network one by one in a random order.

[0004] These new lighting devices will then be put into the database of the bridge in the same order they were found (and therefore also in random order). The new lighting devices will also be shown on the user interface (UI) of the app in the same order they were found (and therefore also in random order).

[0005] After this, the user has to (re)name the lighting devices, group them, etc. This becomes a cumbersome task when the number of lighting devices is large, since the lighting devices will be in a random order and not in the order in which they were installed. Furthermore, the user will most likely remember the order in which the new lighting devices were installed as a mental model. This random ordering is caused by the inherent randomness when a collection of new lighting devices joins an open network.

[0006] US2014 / 300276 A1 discloses a lighting system, which includes luminaires installed at various locations in a house. The lighting system is initialized by arranging auxiliary network initialization devices at spaced locations in the house and arranging a central controller, and forming them into a wireless local area network. The auxiliary network initialization devices each include a sensor to detect light from the luminaire. Using the central controller, for example, by using ranging based on the signal strength of the auxiliary network initialization device in the local area network, the position of the auxiliary network initialization device is established relative to the house. The light emitted from the luminaire is individually detected by the sensor of the auxiliary network initialization device so as to associate the luminaire with an individual auxiliary network initialization device in the auxiliary network initialization device.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a method and system by which it is possible to make or present new lighting devices to a user in the order in which they have been installed. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem and to provide a method and a system with which it is possible to show or present to a user (new) lighting devices in the order in which they have been installed.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object and other objects are achieved by means of a method for initializing network entry for a number n of new lighting devices that are joining a network or being added to a network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, wherein the network includes a network entry initialization device, and wherein the method includes: for each new lighting device, determining at or by the new lighting device a first time t1 at which the new lighting device is powered on or a value derived from the first time t1; obtaining, by the network entry initialization device, the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1; and displaying, by the network entry initialization device, the new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1 as obtained by the network entry initialization device.

[0010] Thus, and in particular by determining and obtaining the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1 by the network initialization device, and by using the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1 as the basis for determining the display order of the lighting devices as described above, a method is provided, by which it is possible to make the user see the new lighting devices or to present the new lighting devices to the user in the order in which the user has installed the new lighting devices (assuming that the installation includes powering on the lighting devices) or at least in the order in which the lighting devices are powered on.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first time t1 when the new lighting device is powered on is any one of the time when the new lighting device is powered on for the first time and the time when the corresponding new lighting device is powered on for the first time after the corresponding new lighting device has been reset to factory defaults.

[0012] Thereby, the first time t1 can be determined by a new lighting device in a particularly simple and precise manner.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method also includes: obtaining, by the network entry initialization device, at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the user selects the new lighting device by using the central network entry initialization device for each new lighting device; determining, by the network entry initialization device, an amount of time Δt elapsed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 for each new lighting device; and displaying, by the network entry initialization device, the new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network entry initialization device.

[0014] Therefore, the only change required for the network initialization device involves enabling the network initialization device to read the first time t1, and one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 from the lighting device, which is equivalent to adding a new wireless command to the hardware or software of the existing network initialization device. Therefore, this method is particularly simple and direct to implement or retrofit in an existing lighting device system.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method also includes: for each new lighting device, at each new lighting device, obtaining at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device is selected by the user by using a central network entry initialization device; determining by each new lighting device the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3; obtaining by the network entry initialization device for each new lighting device the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3; and displaying by the network entry initialization device the new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the corresponding new lighting devices.

[0016] Therefore, the only change required to the network initialization device involves enabling the network initialization device to read the time amount Δt from the lighting device, which is equivalent to adding a new wireless command to the hardware or software of the existing network initialization device. Therefore, this method is particularly simple and straightforward to implement or retrofit in existing lighting device systems.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first time t1 is obtained by the network entry initialization device reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device.

[0018] Alternatively, the first time t1 may be determined by each new lighting device measuring and broadcasting or unicasting the first time t1.

[0019] By using any one of these embodiments, the network entry initialization device can obtain the first time t1 in a particularly simple manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first time t1 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device presenting a pattern indicative of the first time t1 , and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the first time t1 .

[0021] In one embodiment, the second time t2 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device presenting a pattern indicative of the second time t2, and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the second time t2.

[0022] In one embodiment, the third time t3 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device presenting a pattern indicating the third time t3, and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicating the third time t3.

[0023] In one embodiment, the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 is determined by light emitted by a new lighting device presenting a pattern indicating the amount of time Δt, and the network initialization device includes a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicating the amount of time Δt.

[0024] Thus, the network initialization device is enabled to determine one or more of the first time t1, the second time t2, the third time t3 and the time amount Δt in a particularly simple manner using a detection device that is already most often present in the network initialization device. For example, the network initialization device may be a data processing device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer or a laptop computer with a suitable network initialization app, and the detection device may be a camera of the mobile phone, the tablet computer or the laptop computer.

[0025] In one embodiment, one or more of the pattern indicating the first time t1, the pattern indicating the second time t2, the pattern indicating the third time t3, and the pattern indicating the time amount Δt is any one or more of a visible light communication (VLC) mode and a stroboscopic mode, and the detection device is a camera.

[0026] This enables the network initialization device to determine the first time t1 in a particularly simple manner using a detection device which is usually present in the network initialization device as standard.

[0027] In one embodiment, the step of displaying new lighting devices on the user interface by the network initialization device includes entering the new lighting devices into the database in ascending order of the determined first time t1 or in descending order of the determined time amount Δt, so that the order in which the new lighting devices are displayed on the user interface will match the order in which the new lighting devices are powered on.

[0028] Therefore, a method is provided by which it is possible in a particularly simple way and with a particularly high certainty to make (new) lighting devices visible to a user or to present them to a user in the order in which they have installed or powered on the (new) lighting devices in order to obtain the correct desired order.

[0029] In one embodiment, new lighting devices join the network or are added to the network in a random order.

[0030] Thus, a method is provided which achieves the above-mentioned advantages in a particularly simple manner.

[0031] In one embodiment, new lighting devices join or are added to the network with a delay k*(t2-t1) that is selected so that the new lighting devices will join or be added to the network in the order in which they are powered on.

[0032] Therefore, a method is provided by which the network initialization device can also use the time at which the respective new lighting device joins the network or is added to the network to determine the order in which the lighting devices will be displayed. Note that this means that the lighting devices will actually join the network in reverse order, i.e. the last installed lighting device has the lowest t2-t1 value and will therefore join the network first. Therefore, in practice, either the list displayed to the user on the user interface will have the last lighting device installed at the top, or the network initialization device can be configured to perform a reversal of the list order so as to place the lighting device that joined first at the top of the list. It is thus made possible to obtain the correct desired order in a particularly simple manner and with a particularly high certainty.

[0033] Furthermore, no changes need to be made to the network initialization equipment already in use in the existing network, since the new lamps will join the network in the desired order. Therefore, this method is particularly simple and straightforward to implement or retrofit in existing lighting equipment systems, since it does not require any changes to the network initialization equipment.

[0034] In one embodiment, the method further includes: positioning a camera in such a manner that the camera overlooks an area where new lighting devices are to be installed; picking up light from the new lighting devices by the camera during installation of the lighting devices; determining an order in which the new lighting devices are to be installed based on the light picked up by the camera; and controlling the new lighting devices one by one based on the determined order in which the new lighting devices are to be installed so as to associate the positions of the corresponding new lighting devices in a database as input into a network initialization device with the actual positions of the corresponding new lighting devices.

[0035] Thus, a method is provided by which the data required for establishing the correct desired sequence can be obtained in a particularly simple manner and with a particularly high degree of certainty, and furthermore by using a camera which is often present as standard in the network initialization device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the method further comprises, based on the associated locations, sorting the entries of the new lighting devices in the database of the on-boarding initialization device in the determined order in which the new lights are to be installed.

[0037] Thus, a method is provided by means of which it is possible to obtain and display the correct desired sequence in a particularly simple manner and with a particularly high degree of certainty.

[0038] In one embodiment, the network is a Zigbee based network.

[0039] In one embodiment, the network is a thread-based network.

[0040] In one embodiment, the network is a Wi-Fi based network.

[0041] In one embodiment, the network uses Bluetooth mesh technology.

[0042] In one embodiment, the network uses Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0043] In one embodiment, the network initialization device is a data processing device, such as any one of a mobile phone, a tablet computer and a laptop computer. The network initialization device may include a lighting device network initialization app and run the lighting device network initialization app in operation.

[0044] In one embodiment, the network further includes a number m of previously added lighting devices, where m is an integer equal to or greater than one.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a lighting device system, comprising a network and a number n of new lighting devices to join the network or to be added to the network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, the network comprising a network entry initialization device, and wherein each new lighting device is configured to determine a first time t1 at which the new lighting device is powered on or a value derived from the first time t1, the network entry initialization device is configured to obtain the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1, and the network entry initialization device is configured to display the new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1 as obtained by the network entry initialization device.

[0046] In one embodiment, the network entry initialization device includes a user interface.

[0047] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device is also configured to: obtain, for each new lighting device, at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device is selected by the user by using the central network entry initialization device; determine, for each new lighting device, an amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3; and display multiple new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network entry initialization device.

[0048] In one embodiment of the system, each new lighting device is also configured to obtain at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device is selected by the user by using a central network entry initialization device; and determine the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3, and the network entry initialization device is further configured to obtain the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 for each new lighting device; and display the new lighting devices on a user interface, wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the corresponding new lighting devices.

[0049] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device is configured to obtain the first time t1 by one or more of the following: reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device; and detecting the first time t1 from each new lighting device by virtue of each new lighting device being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the first time t1.

[0050] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device is configured to obtain the second time t2 by one of the following: reading the second time t2 from each new lighting device; and detecting the second time t2 by virtue of each new lighting device being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the second time t2.

[0051] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device is configured to obtain the third time t3 by one of the following: reading the third time t3 from each new lighting device; and detecting the third time t3 by virtue of each new lighting device being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the third time t3.

[0052] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device is configured to obtain the time amount Δt by one of: reading the time amount Δt from each new lighting device; and detecting the time amount Δt by virtue of each new lighting device being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the time amount Δt.

[0053] In one embodiment of the system, each new lighting device is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of the first time t1 , and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the first time t1 .

[0054] In one embodiment of the system, each new lighting device is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of the second time t2, and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the second time t2.

[0055] In one embodiment of the system, each new lighting device is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of the third time t3, and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the third time t3.

[0056] In one embodiment of the system, each new lighting device is configured to emit light exhibiting a pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt, and the network entry initialization device comprises a detection device configured to detect the pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt.

[0057] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a camera positioned in such a manner that the camera overlooks an area where new lighting devices are to be installed, and the system is further configured to: during installation of the lighting devices, pick up light from the new lighting devices by the camera; determine an order in which the new lighting devices are to be installed based on the light picked up by the camera; and, based on the determined order in which the new lighting devices are to be installed, turn on and off the new lighting devices one by one so as to associate the positions of the corresponding new lighting devices in a database as input into the network initialization device with the actual positions of the corresponding new lighting devices.

[0058] In one embodiment of the system, the network is a Zigbee based network.

[0059] In one embodiment of the system, the network is a thread-based network.

[0060] In one embodiment of the system, the network is a Wi-Fi based network.

[0061] In one embodiment of the system, the network uses Bluetooth mesh technology.

[0062] In one embodiment of the system, the network uses Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0063] In one embodiment of the system, the network initialization device is a data processing device, such as any one of a mobile phone, a tablet computer and a laptop computer.

[0064] In one embodiment of the system, the network entry initialization device includes a lighting device network entry initialization app, and runs the lighting device network entry initialization app during operation.

[0065] In one embodiment of the system, the network further includes a number m of previously added lighting devices, where m is an integer equal to or greater than one.

[0066] It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

[0068] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system according to the invention is shown.

[0069] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a number n of new lighting devices and a number m of already added or previously added lighting devices is shown.

[0070] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a central network initialization unit of the system according to the invention is shown.

[0071] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown.

[0072] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown.

[0073] Figure 6 A block diagram is shown which illustrates further steps of the method according to the invention.

[0074] The accompanying drawings are provided to illustrate the general structure of an embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to the skilled person.

[0076] Figure 1 A lighting device system 1 according to the present invention is schematically illustrated. The lighting device system 1 generally comprises a network and a number n of new lighting devices, which are collectively referred to by reference numeral 10 and which are to join the network or are to be added to the network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than two. The system generally further comprises a network entry initialization device 30. The network entry initialization device 30 may be a central network entry initialization device 30.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting device system 1 further comprises an optional bridge device 9. The bridge device 9 can act as a network initialization device, or as a Figure 1 As shown in , the bridge device 9 can act as a link between the lighting device 10 and the network initialization device 30. In the latter case, the network initialization device 30 is connected to the bridge device 9 via a network, and the bridge device 9 is connected to the lighting devices 10 and 20 via the network. Alternatively, the bridge device 9 can be omitted, in which case the network initialization device 30 is connected to the lighting devices 10 and 20 via the network and communicates directly with the lighting devices 10 and 20. The network can be any suitable type of network. The network is typically a wireless network. A frequently used network type used in conjunction with the lighting device system 1 is a Zigbee-based network. Other feasible network types include a Thread-based network, a Wi-Fi-based network, a network using Bluetooth mesh technology, and a network using Bluetooth low energy.

[0078] Figure 2An example of a number n of new lighting devices 10 to join or to be added to a network is illustrated in , wherein n=4 lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are shown. As shown, the four new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are luminaires, but may also be any other type of lighting device, such as, for example, a lamp. Each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 may be configured to determine a first time t1 at which the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is powered on (particularly for the first time), or a value derived from the first time t1. Each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 may also include a device 21, 22, 23, 24, which is configured to store, broadcast or unicast data indicating the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1. The devices 21, 22, 23, 24 may be, for example, a chip, a code, a transmitter, a broadcast device, a unicast device, etc. Each new lighting device 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 may also be configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1 .

[0079] Optionally, the lighting device system may also include a number m of lighting devices that have been added to the network before the new lighting device 10 and thus at a previous point in time, where m is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The number m of lighting devices will be referred to herein as previously added lighting devices and are collectively referred to by the reference numeral 20.

[0080] Figure 2 , an example of a number m of previously added lighting devices 20 is illustrated, wherein m=4 lighting devices 15, 16, 17, 18 are shown. As shown, the four previously added lighting devices 15, 16, 17, 18 are luminaires, but may also be any other type of lighting device, such as, for example, a lamp. Each previously added lighting device 15, 16, 17, 18 may also include a device 25, 26, 27, 28 configured to store, broadcast or unicast data. The device 25, 26, 27, 28 may be, for example, a chip, a code, a transmitter, a broadcast device, a unicast device, etc.

[0081] exist Figure 3. The network initialization device 30 is shown in more detail in . The network initialization device 30 is a data processing device. A suitable network initialization app can be provided on the network initialization device 30. The network initialization device 30 can be, for example, any one of a mobile phone, a tablet computer and a laptop computer. In any case, the network initialization device 30 is configured to obtain a first time t1 when each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is powered on (especially for the first time), or a value derived from the first time t1. The network initialization device generally includes a user interface 4, and is configured to display the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 in an order 6 on the user interface 4. The order 6 of the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 displayed on the user interface 4 is defined by the first time t1 when the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are powered on, or a value derived from the first time t1, as obtained by the network initialization device 30. The network initialization device 30 may also be configured to arrange the obtained first time t1 or the value derived from the first time t1 of each lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 in, for example, an internal list. The internal list may be accessed in or via the user interface 4, by the user and / or via a suitable programming interface (e.g., via other devices that also want to know and / or use the devices in the system 1).

[0082] Optionally, the network entry initialization device 30 may also be configured to: for each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14, obtain at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 to join the network or a value derived from the second time t2, and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is selected by the user using the central network entry initialization device 30 or a value derived from the third time t3; and determine for each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3. The network entry initialization device may then be configured to display the plurality of lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 on the user interface 4 in an order 6 defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network entry initialization device 30.

[0083] It is also possible that each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 may be configured to obtain at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 to join the network and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is selected by the user using the central network entry initialization device 30, and determine the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3. In this case, the network entry initialization device 30 may then be configured to obtain the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 for each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14, and display the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 on the user interface 4 in an order defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the corresponding new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0084] The network entry initialization device 30 may further include a processing unit 3 and a memory unit 2. Data 5 (such as the first time t1, the second time t2, the third time t3 and the elapsed time Δt) may be stored in the memory unit 2. The data 5 may also include further data about the lighting devices 10, 20 forming part of the network, such as, for example, the type or model of the lighting device, the expected lifespan of the lighting device, the service life of the lighting device and the expected remaining lifespan of the lighting device.

[0085] The lighting device system 1 may further comprise or be wirelessly connected to an external memory unit 8. The network entry initialization device 30 may be configured to store the data 5 in the external memory unit 8.

[0086] The network entry initialization device 30 may also optionally include a reading, detecting and / or receiving device 7. The device 7 may, for example, be configured to read or receive data from each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 and / or from a device 21, 22, 23, 24 of each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 configured to store, broadcast or unicast data indicating a first time t1. The device 7 may also be configured to detect a pattern indicating the first time t1 as transmitted by each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14. The device 7 may also be configured to detect a pattern indicating a second time t2 as transmitted by each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14. The device 7 may also be configured to detect a pattern indicating a third time t3 as transmitted by each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14. The device 7 may also be configured to detect a pattern indicating an amount of time Δt as transmitted by each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0087] Therefore, in general, the network entry initialization device 30 is configured to obtain the first time t1 by one or more of the following: reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14; and detecting the first time t1 from each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 by virtue of each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the first time t1.

[0088] Thus, the device 7 may be a detector, receiver or reader of a suitable type. The device 7 may also be a camera, such as a camera positioned in particular in such a way that the camera overlooks the area where the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are to be installed. If so, the lighting device system 1 is therefore further configured to: during the installation of the lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14, pick up light from the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 by the camera; determine the order in which the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are to be installed based on the light picked up by the camera; and based on the determined order in which the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are to be installed, turn on and off the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 one by one, so as to associate the position of the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 as entered in the database of the network initialization device 30 with the actual position of the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14. Alternatively, the camera may be an external camera 29 connected to the network initialization device 30 in a data transmission relationship (see Figure 2 ).

[0089] In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the present invention will be described. According to experience, the lighting device network initialization procedure usually follows the following general timeline.

[0090] First, the user installs a number n of new lighting devices 10. Each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is installed.

[0091] As part of installing the new lighting devices 10, the user connects each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 to a power source, whereupon each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 powers up as it is now connected to the power source at a first time t1.

[0092] Next, the user uses the network initialization device 30 to open the network for the new lighting device to join. The lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 and / or the network initialization device 30 record this time as the second time t2.

[0093] After the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 have joined the network, the user can use the network initialization device 30 to select one or more of the lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14. The network initialization device 30 can then communicate with that or those lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14. The lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 and / or the network initialization device 30 record this as the third time t3.

[0094] Now turn to Figure 4 , shows a method for initializing network entry when a number n of new lighting devices 10 join a network or are to be added to a network according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the method according to the present invention includes the following steps.

[0095] In a first step 101 , for each new lighting device, a first time t1 at which the new lighting device is powered on is determined at or by the new lighting device.

[0096] In the second step 102, the first time t1 when each new lighting device is powered on is obtained by the network initialization device 30. For example, the network initialization device 30 can read, detect or receive the first time t1.

[0097] In a third step 103 , the network initialization device 30 displays the new lighting devices 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 on the user interface 4 in the order 6 defined by the first time t1 at which the respective new lighting devices 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 are powered on as obtained by the network initialization device 30 .

[0098] In step 102, the first time t1 can be obtained by the network entry initialization device 30 reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14. Alternatively or additionally, each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 can measure and broadcast or unicast the first time t1, which can then be detected by the network entry initialization device 30 using a detection device 7 in the form of a suitable receiver, or received by a communication interface.

[0099] The first time t1 may alternatively be determined by light emitted by the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 presenting a pattern indicating the first time t1, and the network initialization device 30 may then detect the pattern indicating the first time t1 using a suitable detection device 7. The pattern indicating the first time t1 may be a visible light communication (VLC) pattern or a strobe pattern. The detection device 7 is then a camera. The second time t2 and / or the third time t3 may optionally be determined in a similar manner as described above for the first time t1.

[0100] The first time t1 may alternatively be determined by the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 presenting a pattern indicating the first time t1, and the network initialization device 30 may then detect the pattern indicating the first time t1 using a suitable detection device 7. The pattern indicating the first time t1 may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon pattern. The detection device 7 is then a BLE receiver. The second time t2 and / or the third time t3 may optionally be determined in a similar manner as described above for the first time t1.

[0101] Figure 5 A second embodiment of the method according to the invention is illustrated. Figure 5 The method illustrated in FIG. 1 differs from the above method in that it includes two additional steps performed between steps 102 and 103 described above.

[0102] After steps 101 and 102, in a fourth step 104, the network entry initialization device 30 obtains, for each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14, at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 to join the network and a third time t3 at which the user selects the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 by using the central network entry initialization device.

[0103] Then, in a fifth step 105 , the network initialization device 30 determines, for each new lighting device 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 .

[0104] The method then continues to step 103 in which the network initialization device 30 displays the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 on the user interface in a predetermined order 6. The order 6 of the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 as displayed on the user interface 4 is now defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network initialization device 30.

[0105] As an alternative, it is also possible that in step 104, each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 obtains at least one of the second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 to join the network and the third time t3 at which the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is selected by the user by using the central network entry initialization device 30, and in step 105, the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 is determined. In this case, the method then continues to an intermediate step in which the network entry initialization device 30 obtains the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 for each new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14, and further to step 103 in which the network entry initialization device 30 displays the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 on the user interface 4 in an order defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0106] Figure 6 A third embodiment of the method according to the invention is illustrated. Figure 6 The method shown in the figure is the same as above and Figure 4 The method illustrated in FIG. 1 differs in that step 102 is performed in a different manner, namely by performing steps 107 - 110 as described below.

[0107] First, in step 106, the camera 7, 29 is positioned in such a way that it overlooks the area where the new lighting device 11, 12, 13, 14 is to be installed. The camera 7, 29 may be a camera 7 forming part of the network initialization device 30, or it may be an external camera 29 connected to the network initialization device 30 in a data transmission relationship (see Figure 2 ).

[0108] The method then continues with step 101 as described above.

[0109] Next, in step 107, during installation of the lighting devices, light from the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 is picked up by the cameras 7, 29. Data corresponding to or indicative of the light picked up by the cameras 7, 29 is obtained by the network initialization device 30, such as transmitted by the cameras 7, 29 and received by the network initialization device 30.

[0110] In step 108, the order in which the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are installed is determined based on the light picked up by the cameras 7, 29. Step 108 is performed by the network entry initialization device 30.

[0111] In step 109, based on the determined order of installing the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14, the new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 are controlled by the network initialization device 30 (such as turning them on and off one by one) so as to associate the positions of the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14 as input into the database of the network initialization device 30 with the actual positions of the corresponding new lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0112] Finally, in step 110 , based on the associated locations, the entries of the new lighting devices 11 , 12 , 13 in the database of the network initialization device 30 are sorted in the determined order in which the new lighting devices 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 are installed.

[0113] The method may continue to step 103 as described above, either before or after step 110 .

[0114] Those skilled in the art realize that the present invention is by no means limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0115] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A method for initializing a number n of new lighting devices (10) that are joining a network or being added to a network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, wherein the network includes a network initialization device (30), and wherein the method comprises: For each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), determining (101) at or by the new lighting device a first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1, the first time t1 being the time when the new lighting device was powered on, The network initialization device (30) obtains (102) a first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1, and The new lighting devices are displayed (103) on a user interface (4) by a network initialization device (30), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by a first time t1 as obtained by the network initialization device or a value derived from the first time t1.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first time point is any one of the following: the time when the corresponding new lighting equipment was first powered on, and The time when the corresponding new lighting device is powered on for the first time after the corresponding new lighting device has been reset to factory default settings.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining (104) by the network initialization device (30) for each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the user selects the new lighting device by using the central network initialization device, The network initialization device (30) determines (105) for each new lighting device an amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3, displaying (103) the new lighting devices on a user interface by the network initialization device (30), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network initialization device, Or wherein the method further comprises: For each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), at each new lighting device, at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the new lighting device is selected by the user using the central network entry initialization device is obtained; determining, by each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), an amount of time Δt that has elapsed from a first time t1 to at least one of a second time t2 and a third time t3; The network initialization device (30) obtains, for each new lighting device, the amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3; and The new lighting devices are displayed on a user interface (4) by a network initialization device (30), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the respective new lighting devices.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the following applies: The first time t1 is obtained by the network initialization device (30) reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device and each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) measuring and broadcasting or unicasting any one of the first time t1, The second time t2 is obtained by the network entry initialization device (30) reading the second time t2 from each new lighting device and each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) measuring and broadcasting or unicasting any one of the second time t2, The third time t3 is obtained by the network initialization device (30) reading the third time t3 from each new lighting device and each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) measuring and broadcasting or unicasting any one of the third time t3, and The amount of time Δt that has passed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3 is obtained by the network initialization device (30) reading the time Δt and each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) measuring and broadcasting or unicasting any one of the time amounts Δt.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the following apply: The first time t1 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) presenting a pattern indicative of the first time t1, and the network initialization device comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the first time t1, The second time t2 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) presenting a pattern indicative of the second time t2, and the network initialization device comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the second time t2, The third time t3 is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) presenting a pattern indicative of the third time t3, and the network initialization device comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the third time t3, and The amount of time Δt is determined by light emitted by the new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) presenting a pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt, and the network initialization device comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt.

6. The method according to any one of claims 5, wherein any one or more of the mode indicating the first time t1, the mode indicating the second time t2, the mode indicating the third time t3, and the mode indicating the time amount Δt is any one or more of a visible light communication VLC mode and a stroboscopic mode, and wherein the detection device (7) is a camera.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein displaying new lighting devices (11, 12, 13, 14) on a user interface (4) by a network initialization device (30) comprises entering the lighting devices into a database in ascending order of an obtained first time t1 or in descending order of a determined amount of time Δt, so that the order in which the new lighting devices are displayed on the user interface will match the order in which the new lighting devices are powered on.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein new lighting devices (11, 12, 13, 14) join the network or are added to the network in a random order.

9. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein new lighting devices (11, 12, 13, 14) join the network or are added to the network with a delay k*(t2-t1), the delay being selected so that the new lighting devices will join the network or be added to the network in the order in which they are powered on.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: positioning (106) the camera (7, 29) in such a way that it overlooks the area where the new lighting equipment (11, 12, 13, 14) is to be installed, During installation of the lighting device, light is picked up (107) by a camera from the new lighting device, determining (108) an order in which to install new lighting devices based on the light picked up by the camera, and Based on the determined order in which the new lighting devices are to be installed, the new lighting devices are controlled (109) one by one so as to associate the positions of the respective new lighting devices as entered into the database of the network initialization device with the actual positions of the respective new lighting devices.

11. The method of claim 10, and further comprising sorting (110) entries of the new lighting devices in a database of the onboarding initialization device in the determined order in which the new lighting devices are powered on based on the associated locations.

12. A lighting device system (1) comprising a network and n number of new lighting devices (10) to join the network or to be added to the network, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, The network comprises a network entry initialization device (30), and wherein: Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is configured to determine a first time t1 at which the new lighting device is powered on or a value derived from the first time t1, The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to obtain a first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1, and The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to display the new lighting devices on the user interface (4), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the first time t1 or a value derived from the first time t1.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the network entry initialization device (30) is further configured to: obtaining, for each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14), at least one of a second time t2 at which the user selects the new lighting device by using the central network initialization device and a third time t3 at which the user selects the new lighting device by using the central network initialization device, determining for each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) an amount of time Δt that has elapsed from a first time t1 to at least one of a second time t2 and a third time t3, and displaying a plurality of new lighting devices on a user interface (4), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the network entry initialization device, or where: Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is also configured to: Obtain at least one of a second time t2 at which the network is open to the lighting device to join the network and a third time t3 at which the user selects the new lighting device by using the central network entry initialization device; and determining an amount of time Δt that has elapsed from the first time t1 to at least one of the second time t2 and the third time t3, and The network initialization device (30) is further configured to: For each new lighting device, obtaining an amount of time Δt that has passed from a first time t1 to at least one of a second time t2 and a third time t3; and The new lighting devices are displayed on a user interface (4), wherein the order of the new lighting devices as displayed on the user interface is defined by the amount of time Δt as determined by the respective new lighting devices.

14. The system according to any of the preceding claims 12-13, wherein one or more of the following apply: The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to obtain the first time t1 by one of the following: reading the first time t1 from each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14); and detecting the first time t1 from each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) by virtue of each new lighting device being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the first time t1, The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to obtain the second time t2 by one of the following: reading the second time t2 from each new lighting device; and detecting the second time t2 by virtue of each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the second time t2, The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to obtain the third time t3 by one of the following: reading the third time t3 from each new lighting device; and detecting the third time t3 by virtue of each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the third time t3, and The network entry initialization device (30) is configured to obtain the time amount Δt by one of the following: reading the time amount Δt from each new lighting device; and detecting the time amount Δt by virtue of each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) being configured to measure and broadcast or unicast the time amount Δt.

15. The system according to any one of the preceding claims 12-14, wherein one or more of the following apply: Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of a first time t1, and the network initialization device (30) comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the first time t1, Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicative of a second time t2, and the network initialization device (30) comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the second time t2, Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is configured to emit light presenting a pattern indicating a third time t3, and the network initialization device (30) comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicating the third time t3, and Each new lighting device (11, 12, 13, 14) is configured to emit light exhibiting a pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt, and the network initialization device (30) comprises a detection device (7) configured to detect the pattern indicative of the amount of time Δt.

Images