A method for providing light unit to a network and corresponding light unit and control unit

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a method that provides improvements when simultaneously moving light units (102) to a first wireless network (100) from a second (200), different, wireless network. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding light unit and control unit. The present disclosure provides a simplified approach to commissioning of multiple light units, such as for example including but not limited to luminaires, lighting devices, light control devices, remotes for controlling light sources, relays for controlling light sources, etc., where the light units are arranged for wireless communication therebetween and possibly are of the same type.

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR PROVIDING LIGHT UNIT TO A NETWORK AND CORRESPONDING LIGHT UNIT AND CONTROL UNIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a method that provides improvements when simultaneously moving multiple light units to a first wireless network from a second, different, wireless network. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding light control system and control unit.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Lighting systems often comprise a plurality of lighting devices adapted to illuminate an area, and light switches or other control devices for controlling the illumination provided by the lighting devices. In such lighting systems, the lighting devices may be arranged in groups, e.g., associated with different rooms, each group being controllable by light switches in the corresponding room. The grouping of the lighting devices may be performed by connecting the appropriate lighting devices to the corresponding light switch, e.g., by wires or by using wireless communication.

[0006] The traditional approach for grouping wireless lighting devices is to add each of the wireless lighting devices one by one. Even though such an approach ensures that the user and / or electrician is provided with total control of the installation procedure, it may in some scenarios be cumbersome and / or time consuming, especially if the number of lighting devices is large.

[0007] With the above in mind, it would be desirable to introduce a novel scheme for grouping or commissioning a plurality of light units, including for example lighting devices, light control devices, and similar, where the user and / or electrician is allowed to simultaneously group / commission multiple light units, i.e. without having to resort to the one-by-one approach as is generally applicable according to prior-art.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the above is at least partly met by a method for providing a plurality of light units to a first network of light units using a first wireless control device, each of the light units and the first wireless control device comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the method comprises the steps of selecting, at the first wireless control device, a first light unit from a second network of light units, wherein the second network of light units is different from the first network of light units, and the light units of the second network of light units are wirelessly connected therebetween, establishing a direct wireless connection between the first wireless control device and the selected first light unit, selecting, at the first wireless control device, at least two light units from the second network of light units, providing, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units, and requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units to join the first network of light units.

[0010] By means of the present disclosure, there is provided a simplified approach to commissioning of multiple light units, such as for example including but not limited to luminaires, lighting devices, light control devices, remotes for controlling light sources, relays for controlling light sources, etc., where light units are arranged for wireless communication therebetween and possibly are of the same type.

[0011] The general idea behind the present disclosure relies on forming a one-to-one connection between a wireless control device, defined as a first wireless control device above and in the following, and a first of a plurality of light units. The light units are in turn arranged in a group or network sharing communication details which allows them to communicate with each other. Possibly, but not necessarily, the wireless network interconnecting the plurality of light units is a mesh network. Accordingly, the wireless control device may communicate with all of the light units in the same network through using a direct connection with the selected first light unit of the plurality of light units. The light units that are arranged on the same network will internally share information about their respective presence, thus making it possible for each of the light units to compile information of all of the light units connected to the same network.

[0012] The approach according to the present disclosure is generally used for commissioning of a plurality of “newly installed” light devices (e.g. a new installation of light units in e.g. a home or an office), whereby a user and / or an electrician is allowed to select a set of light devices from the compiled information of the plurality of light units sharing the same (second) network (e.g. to select two light units from a plurality of five light units, or to select five light units from a plurality of five light units), and then create a new “group” or network including the selected light units (defined above as the first network of light units). The user and / or electrician may for example select the light units within a graphical user interface (GUI) presented at a display screen comprised with the wireless control device.

[0013] It is worth noting that the expression “providing a plurality of light units to a first network” should be understood to be interpreted broadly, covering situations where the first network is initially formed, where light units are added to an existing first network, and where the first network is amended to include or remove light units.

[0014] In accordance with the present disclosure, the wireless control device will form, derive, or otherwise acquire a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the new group / first network. The wireless communication parameter will in a preferred embodiment be immediately provided to the selected light units, such that the light units are already “prepared” once the user and / or electrician requests that the selected light units are to join the new group / network. The wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the new group / first network typically comprises at least one of an encryption key, a selected frequency, a selected bit rate, and a network address.

[0015] Such an approach has, by the inventors, been identified as timesaving for the overall commissioning of the light units, since the light units can pre-process the wireless communication parameter, making the transition to the new group / network quicker. Accordingly, in such an embodiment the step of providing the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units is performed when selecting the at least two light units from the second network of light units and prior to requesting the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter.

[0016] In line with the above, the light units of the second network are arranged in communication with each other already at the stage when the commissioning scheme according to the present disclosure is to be performed. Thus, the light units may generally be seen as sharing wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the second network of light units, which allows them to already at an initial stage communicate therebetween. The wireless control device may thus preferably be provided with the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the second network of light units to be allowed to directly communicate with the first light unit of the second network.

[0017] Once the user and / or electrician operating the wireless control device is e.g. content with his selection of light units he interacts with the wireless control device which then will instruct, through the selected first light unit, the selected light units to apply the wireless communication parameter and thereby join the new group / network. The user and / or electrician has thereby been able to quickly and smoothly commission or group a plurality of light units essentially simultaneously, without having to go through the first light unit commissioning scheme as is generally used according to prior art.

[0018] A further advantage following the scheme according to the present disclosure is that the user and / or electrician need not to get within wireless communication reach with each of the light units that he wishes to commission. Instead, it is sufficient if the wireless control device operated by the user and / or electrician is arranged within a wireless communication range of one of the light units, whereby that one light unit will “reach” further, such as through a mesh network, to further light units arranged on the same network. Accordingly, the previously time-consuming approach of moving around in a building comprising a plurality of wireless light units may be reduced to getting on wireless range of just one of the light units connected to the same wireless network.

[0019] Within the context of the present disclosure the expressions “network”, “wireless networks”, as well as “first and second network” should be interpreted broadly. Specifically, the first and second network may be of a similar setup and units may be able to relay and partly interpret messages from one another, as well as to and from other different networks. The main purpose of the term network in this context is to distinguish between light units that are available for users to allocate when grouping and commissioning sites and groups of wireless devices. The first network may, as exemplified above, have an encryption key making proprietary messages unable to be interpreted by users / devices only having access to all the necessary communication parameters of the second network. The second network which users are to move units from is typically considered more open in terms of availability than the first network which is usually configured to be in a more proprietary state.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least two light units from the second network of light units are disconnected from the second network of light units once having joined the first network of light units. Accordingly, at the same time as the selected light units are joining the new group / network (i.e. the first network of light units as defined above), they will preferably be disconnect from the previous network of light units (i.e. the second network of light units as defined above). The light units now comprised with the first network will as such not necessarily be accessible by the light units of the second network, possibly increasing the security and reliability of the first network. The fact that the at least two light units from the second network of light units are disconnected from the second network of light units once having joined the first network of light units should be interpreted in light of the above discussion provided in relation to how the first and the second network are arranged to have partly different communication parameters.

[0021] The expression mesh network should within the context of the present disclosure be interpreted as a network of light units that have been adapted to connect directly and independently, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data between the light units.

[0022] By not having to organize a single one of the light units as a “master node” (according to a traditional network approach) and instead allowing every light unit to participate in the relay of data increases the reliability of the network, and by further configuring the network to dynamically self-organize and self-configure will reduce the overall amount of installation overhead.

[0023] It should however be understood that the commissioning scheme according to the present disclosure alternatively could be applicable to any other form of network, such as e.g. any form of conventional star / tree local network topology.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure the at least two light units from the second network of light units are defined as reserved for the first network of light units (already) once selected at the first wireless control device and prior to having applied the wireless communication parameter. An advantage with this approach is that it will be possible to ensure that selected devices eventually can be transferred to the first network and not thus intermediately be allowed to e.g. joint another non-related network.

[0025] However, in some situations the wireless control device may lose its wireless direct connection to the selected first light unit, i.e. when performing the commissioning scheme according to the present disclosure. To allow any selected light units to be made “free” from the reservation, it is desirable, and in line with the present disclosure, to configure the light units such that the reservation for the first network of light units is withdrawn if the first wireless control device is disconnected from the selected first light unit, such as after a predefined period of time. Accordingly, if for example the wireless control device will engage in an activity that will make the wireless control device to lose it connection with the selected first light unit, or simply turn off, then the previously selected light units will again be available for selection at a later stage. In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure the wireless control device may be configured to repeatedly, e.g. according to a predefined pattern, send a “heart-beat” signal to the selected first light unit. A similar implementation approach may be taken in case e.g. the selected first light unit loses its power or wireless capability, whereby the remaining light units of the second network will ensure that any reserved light units are “released” from the reservation.

[0026] The commissioning approach of the present disclosure is specifically useful for a situation where a plurality of light units of the same type are to be commissioned by the user and / or electrician. A possible scenario is when the user and / or electrician has installed a plurality of light units in the form of luminaires throughout a building, possibly within multiple rooms or areas of the building. The user and / or electrician, subsequent to the installation, typically wants to form groups of the luminaires that relates to the different areas of rooms of the building, such as one group for an office room, one group for a lounge area, one group for a hallway passage, etc. The user and / or electrician may then e.g. first select and group all of the luminaires for the office room, e.g. followed by all of the luminaires for the lounge area, etc. The GUI presented at the wireless control device may possibly visualize information relating to all of the luminaires (i.e. including the luminaires installed in each of the office room, one group for a lounge area, one group for a hallway passage, etc.), but for forming the group for the office room (etc.) the user and / or electrician then just selects the luminaires for the relevant luminaires out of all of the available luminaires.

[0027] To further assist in the commissioning of light units being in the form of luminaires or lighting devices, i.e. when the light unit comprises or is in connection with a controllable light source, it is preferred to arrange the wireless control device such that it is configured to request each of the at least two light units from the second network of light units to alter an illumination parameter when being selected at the first wireless control device. Generally, the at least two light units from the second network of light units are configured to, within the GUI of the wireless control device, to possibly be sequentially selected by the user and / or electrician.

[0028] By altering an illumination parameter when being selected at the wireless control device allows the user and / or electrician to be provided with direct visual feedback when selecting a light unit of the second network of light units. The user and / or electrician can then quickly confirm that the correct light unit is selected, e.g. such as only light units of the office room is selected when forming the group of light units for that specific room, thereby reducing the risk that the user and / or electrician selects non-related light units. Preferably, the alternation illumination parameter includes at least one of altering an intensity, a color, a temperature, and a pattern of light emitted by the controllable light source. Other alterations are of course possible and within the scope of the present disclosure, such as turning on and off the light source according to different on-off sequences.

[0029] In a possible embodiment it may for example be possible to allow “nonselected” light units to emit cold white light, whereas “selected” light units are altered to emit warm white light. Consequently, the user and / or electrician may save a great deal of time when commissioning light units using the approach according to the present disclosure.

[0030] In some embodiments more than a single user and / or electrician is assigned to commission the plurality of light units of the second network. Accordingly, in one embodiment it is therefore desirable to arrange the light units such that a second wireless control device is allowed to be directly and wirelessly connected to a selected second light unit of the second network of light units. The second wireless control device is thus arranged to operate in parallel with the first wireless control device, where the second wireless control device is configured to provide light units to at least one of the first and a third network of light units. That is, e.g. a first user / electrician may be operating the first wireless control device to provide the group of light units to e.g. the office room, while a second user / electrician may be providing the group of light units to the lounge area. Accordingly, the second wireless control device is defined to be different from the first wireless control device, and the third network of light units is defined to be different from each of the first and the second network of light units.

[0031] It should however be understood that the first and the second user / electrician within the scope of the present disclosure in parallel may provide light units to the same network, such as e.g. the first network.

[0032] In accordance to the present disclosure and in line with the discussion above, the second wireless control device is prohibited from selecting a light unit of the second network of light units that is defined as reserved for the first network of light units (such as by the first wireless control device). A corresponding approach is applicable for the first wireless control device, i.e. the first wireless control device is prohibited from selecting a light unit of the second network of light units that is defined as reserved for the third network of light units (i.e. earlier selected by the second wireless control device).

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a light control system, comprising a first wireless control device, the first wireless control device comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, and a plurality of light units comprised with a second network of light units, each of the light units comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the system is adapted to form a first network of light units using the first wireless control device by selecting, at the first wireless control device, a first light unit from a second network of light units, wherein the second network of light units is different from the first network of light units, and the light units of the second network of light units are wirelessly connected therebetween, establishing a direct wireless connection between the first wireless control device and the selected first light unit, selecting, at the first wireless control device, at least two light units from the second network of light units, providing, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units, and requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units to join the first network of light units. This aspect of the present disclosure provides similar advantages as discussed above in relation to the previous aspect of the present disclosure.

[0034] According to a still further aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a first control unit, comprising a processing unit, and a wireless communication module, wherein the control unit is adapted to establish a wireless connection with a plurality of further control units, the first control unit and the plurality of further control units wirelessly arranged as a second network of control units, establish a direct wireless connection with a first wireless control device, provide the first wireless control device with information indicative of the control units comprised with the second network of control units, receive, from the first wireless control device, a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for a first network of control units, the first network of control units being different from the second network of control units, provide the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of control units to at least two control units of the second network of control units, relay, from the first wireless control device and to the at least two control units of the second network of control units, a request to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of control units to join the first network of control units. Also this aspect of the present disclosure provides similar advantages as discussed above in relation to the previous aspects of the present disclosure. This aspect of the invention extends the commissioning scheme according to the present disclosure also to areas where not necessarily lighting related equipment is controlled, such as a fan, a pump, window shades, or similar. The first control unit may as such be provided as a separate component or integrated with electrically controllable equipment. Thus, in some embodiments the first control unit further comprises e.g. a relay (mechanical or solid state), or any other type of electrical device for controlling a secondary electrical element, including a light source.

[0035] Further features of, and advantages with, the present disclosure will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled addressee realize that different features of the present disclosure may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The various aspects of the present disclosure, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates a network of light unit and a wireless control device according to a currently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0039] Figs. 2A - 2B conceptually presents the formation of a commissioned network of light units from an un-commissioned network of light units,

[0040] Figs. 3A - 3C present light illumination alternation when commissioning a plurality of light units, and

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout. Referring now to the drawings and to Fig. 1 in particular, there is depicted an “un-commissioned” network 100 (throughout the present disclosure also referred to as the second network), comprising a plurality of light units 102. Each of the light units 102 comprises a wireless communication module 104 and a processing unit or other form of processing circuitry (not explicitly shown). Generally, the light units 102 may for example be arranged as luminaires, comprising one or a plurality of light sources, a housing, mains interconnection points, etc. The light units 102 could however be provided without any light source(s), for example as relay devices used for e.g. controlling other secondary electrical equipment.

[0044] The processing unit provided with each of the light units 102 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable digital signal processor or another programmable device. The processing unit may also, or instead, each include an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array or programmable array logic, a programmable logic device, or a digital signal processor. Where the processing unit includes a programmable device such as the microprocessor, microcontroller or programmable digital signal processor mentioned above, the processor may further include computer executable code that controls operation of the programmable device.

[0045] The wireless communication module 104 may be adapted to function as a transceiver, arranged to send and receive e.g. light control data in a wireless manner. The wireless communication module 104 is preferably configured for Bluetooth communication. However, other wireless implementations are possible, such as using WLAN, CDMA, GSM, GPRS, 3G mobile communications, 4G mobile communications, 5G mobile communication, Zig-Bee, Z-wave, infrared, or similar. The wireless communication is preferably performed within a radio spectrum comprising frequency bands within the 2.4 GHz range, possibly also or instead at the 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum.

[0046] As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the light units 102 are wirelessly connected to each other, for example according to a wireless mesh network topology as discussed above, where the light units have self-organized and are interconnected with each other preferably with as many interconnections as possible. As can be seen from Fig. 1, not all of the light units 102 are however interconnected with each of the light units 102, possibly due to limitations in a wireless range for the light units 102.

[0047] Fig. 1 exemplifies a “start-up scenario” where the light units 102 are activated for the first time, such as for example connected to a mains power supply for the first time. The light units 102 will then start to broadcast their presence and thereafter organize themselves as the interconnected network 100 of light units 102. As part of organizing themselves as the network 100, each of the light units 102 will typically collect data relating to the other light units 102, such that typically each of the light units 102 maintain a list or similar indication comprising information pertaining to all of the light units 102 of the uncommissioned network 100.

[0048] The automatic formation of the network 100 is made possible by predefining a wireless communication parameter for each of the light units 102 of the network 100, for example in a manufacturing step of the light units 102. Accordingly, once the light units 102 are activated, they will share necessary information to set up the network 100.

[0049] The network 100 is in turn interconnected with a wireless control device 106, also comprising a processing unit (not shown) and a wireless communication module 104. The wireless communication module 104 is configured to allow the wireless control device 106 to communicate with the first network 100, typically using the same wireless communication protocol as is used by the wireless communication modules 104 of the light units 102. The wireless control device 106 may for example be a mobile phone, a tablet or a laptop. Other devices may of course be used as the wireless control device 106.

[0050] Although the light units 102 of the network 100 are arranged to freely communicate therebetween, such as in line with a wireless mesh topology, the wireless control device 106 is arranged in direct wireless connection with a first selected light unit 102 of the plurality of light units 102 of the network 100, in one embodiment automatically selected by the wireless control device 106. Any and all information transferred between the network 100 and the wireless control device 106 is thus relayed through the selected first light unit 102 and the remaining light units 102 of the network 100. It should be understood that the selected light unit 102 may be any of the light units 102 of the network 100, for example the light unit 102 having the highest level of signal strength as measured at the wireless control device 106 or having a signal strength that is determined by the wireless control device 106 to be above a predefined threshold.

[0051] The selected light unit 102 is maintained as the connection point between the network 100 and the wireless control device 106 at least throughout a single “commissioning session”. The wireless control device 106 may however possibly be configured to allow a user / electrician to automatically or manually “rescan” and to possibly be allowed to freely select one light unit 102 from a set of light units 102.

[0052] Within the context of the present disclosure, it could be possible to allow the wireless control device 106 to establish a direct connection also with a second light unit 102 of the network 100. The second light unit 102 can as such form a “backup” in case the connection between the wireless control device 106 and the first light unit 102 is lost, such as if the user / electrician is moving too far away from and outside of the wireless range of the first light unit 102. The second light unit 102 could in such a scenario function be seen as taking over the commissioning session without the user / electrician having to rescan or otherwise manually select another connection point to the network 100.

[0053] Once a wireless connection link has been established between the wireless control device 106 and the selected light unit 102 it is possible to start forming a commissioned network 200 (throughout the present disclosure also referred to as the first network), with further reference to Figs. 2A - 2B.

[0054] In Fig. 2A the user / electrician is presented with information relating to the network 100 using the wireless control device 106, such as e.g. within a graphical user interface (GUI) presented at a display screen of the wireless control device 106. Specifically, the GUI is here exemplified to present a list of the light units 102 comprised with the network 100.

[0055] The user / electrician is at this time requested to select a number of the listed light units 102 with the intention to “regroup” the light units 102 of the network 100 to form / amend another group / network 200 of light units 102, the commissioned network 200.

[0056] When the user / electrician is selecting each of the light units 102 in the list of light units, the wireless control device 106 will request the selected first light unit 102 to provide the selected light unit 102 with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the commissioned network 200. As mentioned above, the wireless communication parameter may for example comprise at least one of an encryption key, a selected frequency, a selected bit rate, and a network address, or similar element used for distinguishing the commissioned network 200 from the un-commissioned network 100.

[0057] The wireless communication parameter is preferably provided to the selected light units 102 even before the user / electrician necessarily completed his selection of the light unit 102. That is, the wireless communication parameter is preferably provided “on the fly” when the selection takes place. The selected light units 102 that have been provided with the wireless communication parameter may then be defined as reserved (indicated with “R” in Fig. 2A) and will also preferably “prepare themselves” to be ready to apply the wireless communication parameter.

[0058] Once the user / electrician is content with the selection of the light units 102, the wireless control device will automatically (e.g. following a timeout) request the selected light units 102 to apply the previously provided wireless communication parameter. The selected light units 102 will thereby join the commissioned network 200. In a preferred embodiment, it may be desired that the light units 102 “leave” the un-commissioned network 100. However, in some embodiments it may possibly be desirable to allow the light units (now comprised with the commissioned network 200) to be allowed to have some relation with the un-commissioned network 100.

[0059] Turning now to Figs. 3 A - 3C, there is presented an illustration of an optional and additional part of the commissioning scheme according to the present disclosure, where the light units are provided or arranged in connection with a light source that in line with this optional commission step is to be used for providing visual feedback to the user / electrician. For reference, Figs. 3A - 3C have close relation to Figs. 1 and 2A as previously presented.

[0060] Specifically, in Fig. 3 A all of the light units 102 are shown to be active and emit light (as indicated by the long-dashed lines), such as emitting cold white light. Accordingly, Fig. 3 A corresponds to the situation as presented in Fig. 1, where all of the light sources 102 are comprised with the un-commissioned network 100 and none of the light sources has been selected for commissioning using the wireless control device 106.

[0061] In Fig. 3B one of the light units 102 has been selected (for commissioning), i.e. corresponding to Fig. 2A. At the time of selecting the light unit 102, the wireless communication parameter for the commissioned network 200 is provided to the selected light unit 102. However, the selected light unit 102 is also requested to adjust the light emitted by the light unit 102, thereby providing the user / electrician with visual feedback as to which of the light units 102 that has been selected. In Fig. 3B the adjusted emission of light is indicated by short-dashed lines. As an example, the selected light unit 102 may be requested to change from emitting cold white light to warm white light. That said, any form of adjustment of the emitted light is possible, including for example changing a color of the emitted light, pulsing the emitted light with a different frequency, etc.

[0062] In Fig. 3C, all of the four light units have been selected, and thus all the four of the light units have adjusted the emitted light. The adjusted light emitted from all of the light units may be the same, however it may as an alternative be possible to allow each light unit to emit light with a different color, which in turn may be reflected in the GUI of the wireless control device 106. For example, once a specific light unit is selected for commissioning, the GUI may display a colored marking in relation to the selected light unit, where the selected light unit 102 at the same time is adjusted to emit light of the same color as the GUI marking. In summary and with further reference to Fig. 4, there is provided a method for providing a plurality of light units to a first network, 200, of light units, 102, using a first wireless control device, 106, each of the light units and the first wireless control device comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, 104, wherein the method comprises the steps of selecting, SI, at the first wireless control device, a first light unit from a second network, 100, of light units, wherein the second network of light units is different from the first network of light units, and the light units of the second network of light units are wirelessly connected therebetween, establishing, S2, at the first wireless control device, a direct wireless connection between the first wireless control device and the selected first light unit, selecting, S3, at the first wireless control device, at least two light units from the second network of light units, providing, S4, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units, and requesting, S5, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units to join the first network of light units.

[0063] By means of the present disclosure, there is provided a simplified approach to e.g. simultaneous commissioning of multiple light units, such as for example including but not limited to luminaires, lighting devices, light control devices, etc., where light units are configured for wireless communication therebetween.

[0064] The control functionality of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwire system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine- readable medium for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data, which cause a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0065] Although the figures may show a sequence the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. In addition, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. Additionally, even though the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art.

[0066] In addition, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed present disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Furthermore, 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.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for providing a plurality of light units to a first network of light units using a first wireless control device, each of the light units and the first wireless control device comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- selecting, at the first wireless control device, a first light unit from a second network of light units, wherein:- the second network of light units is different from the first network of light units, and- the light units of the second network of light units are wirelessly connected therebetween,- establishing a direct wireless connection between the first wireless control device and the selected first light unit,- selecting, at the first wireless control device, at least two light units from the second network of light units,- providing, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units, and- requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units to join the first network of light units.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two light units from the second network of light units are disconnected from the second network of light units once having joined the first network of light units.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein each of the first and the second network of light units is a mesh network.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of providing the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units is performed when selecting each of the at least two light units from the secondnetwork of light units and prior to requesting the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two light units from the second network of light units are defined as reserved for the first network of light units once selected at the first wireless control device and prior to having the apply the wireless communication parameter.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the reservation for the first network of light units is withdrawn if the first wireless control device is disconnected from the selected first light unit.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the light units in the first set of light units are of the same device type.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two light units from the second network of light units are sequentially selected at the first wireless control device.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the light units further comprises a controllable light source, and the method further comprising the step of:- requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, each of the at least two light units from the second network of light units to alter an illumination parameter when being selected at the first wireless control device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the alternating illumination parameter includes at least one of altering an intensity, a color, a temperature, and a pattern of light emitted by the controllable light source.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units comprises at least one of an encryption key, a selected frequency, a selected bit rate, and a network address.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- a second wireless control device arranged in direct wireless connection to a selected second light unit of the second network of light units is configured to operate in parallel with the first wireless control device for providing light units to at least one of the first and a third network of light units,- the second wireless control device being different from the first wireless control device, and- the third network of light units being different from each of the first and the second network of light units.

13. The method according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the second wireless control device is prohibited from selecting a light unit of the second network of light units that is defined as reserved for the first network of light units.

14. A light control system, comprising:- a first wireless control device, the first wireless control device comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, and- a plurality of light units comprised with a second network of light units, each of the light units comprising a processing unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the system is adapted to form a first network of light units using the first wireless control device by:- selecting, at the first wireless control device, a first light unit from a second network of light units, wherein:- the second network of light units is different from the first network of light units, and- the light units of the second network of light units are wirelessly connected therebetween,- establishing a direct wireless connection between the first wireless control device and the selected first light unit,- selecting, at the first wireless control device, at least two light units from the second network of light units,- providing, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units with a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units, and- requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, the at least two light units from the second network of light units to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units to join the first network of light units.

15. The light control system according to claim 14, wherein each of the light units in the first set of light units are of the same device type.

16. The light control system according to any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the at least two light units from the second network of light units are sequentially selected at the first wireless control device.

17. The light control system according to any one of claims 14 - 16, wherein each of the light units further comprises a controllable light source, and the system is further adapted to:- requesting, by the first wireless control device and through the selected first light unit, each of the at least two light units from the second network of light units to alter an illumination parameter when being selected at the first wireless control device.

18. The light control system according to claim 17, wherein the alternating illumination parameter includes at least one of altering an intensity, a color, a temperature, and a pattern of light emitted by the controllable light source.

19. The light control system according to any one of claims 14 - 18, wherein the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of light units comprises an encryption key.

20. A first control unit, comprising:- a processing unit, and- a wireless communication module, wherein the control unit is adapted to:- establish a wireless connection with a plurality of further control units, the first control unit and the plurality of further control units wirelessly arranged as a second network of control units,- establish a direct wireless connection with a first wireless control device,- provide the first wireless control device with information indicative of the control units comprised with the second network of control units,- receive, from the first wireless control device, a wireless communication parameter specifically defined for a first network of control units, the first network of control units being different from the second network of control units,- provide the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of control units to at least two control units of the second network of control units, - relay, from the first wireless control device and to the at least two control units of the second network of control units, a request to apply the wireless communication parameter specifically defined for the first network of control units to join the first network of control units.

21. The first control unit according to claim 20, further comprising at least one of a controllable light source and a relay.

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