Distance based commissioning of building infrastructure devices
The commissioning device automates the identification and connection process for building infrastructure devices by measuring distances and controlling them wirelessly, addressing inefficiencies and errors in manual methods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
Smart Images

Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This invention relates to distance-based commissioning of building infrastructure devices.
[0002] The initialization of building infrastructure devices usually follows a systematic procedure, referred to as a commissioning process. This is, before initialization, the building infrastructure devices are merely installed. During installation, the operational requirements of the building infrastructure devices have not been configured yet. With regard to commissioning, the installed building infrastructure devices are verified, tested and adjusted to meet design specifications and operational requirements.
[0003] In particular, the commissioning process is essential for the initialization of lighting systems. For instance, lighting systems are often required to be incorporated into a lighting network. This lighting network may be a wired or wireless network. The wired network may be a DALI network, and the wireless network may be a ZigBee network. An exemplary configuration step during commissioning of such a system may be the grouping of lighting devices, which involves organizing the lighting devices into functional clusters for coordinated operation, such as the definition of scenes.
[0004] Moreover, the commissioning for lighting systems is required for other controlled network interfaces, like a local wireless interface.
[0005] Hence, a person that is known as the commissioner must configure each device respectively by using a commissioning device, which is most likely to be a smartphone or similar nowadays. For the building infrastructure device to be commissioned, it must be identified first. Typically, a user interface shows a list of all building infrastructure devices in the network. Alternatively, in case of the local wireless interface, the user interface may show a list of building infrastructure devices in reach of the wireless interface.
[0006] However, the list does not allow any conclusions between an element of the list and a real building infrastructure device to be commissioned. Therefore, it is often provided a light source at the building infrastructure device, such that this light source e.g. starts to blink when its corresponding list element has been selected by the commissioner.
[0007] Thus, the common procedure to identify the building infrastructure device often follows a trial and error process. In particular, the commissioner places himself in the vicinity of the building infrastructure device to be commissioned and randomly selects list elements until the list element that corresponds to the building infrastructure device has been selected. That is verified by visually checking for the blinking light.
[0008] In consequence, the identification of the building infrastructure device to be commissioned takes a significant amount of effort. Moreover, the chance of an incorrect assignment is rather high due to the manual process required.
[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned objective technical problems, this application provides a commissioning device, a building infrastructure device, a method and system thereof according to the enclosed independent claims. The invention is defined in the appended claims. Advantageous features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.
[0010] A commissioning device for at least one building infrastructure device comprises a communication module that is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one building infrastructure device. The commissioning device further comprises a determination module that is configured to determine a distance between each building infrastructure device and the commissioning device, wherein each distance is determined based on first information communicated by the corresponding building infrastructure device, and to determine a nearest building infrastructure device, which is the building infrastructure device having the smallest distance of the determined distances. The commissioning device further comprises a control module that is configured to generate first control information for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device. The communication module is further configured to communicate the first control information to the nearest building infrastructure device.
[0011] A commissioning device may be any device providing at least the features of claim 1. In particular, the commissioning device may be any type of smartphone, tablet, laptop or similar portable electric device with a specific software implementation that enables the general hardware components to be operated as claimed. For instance, the commissioning device may be a smartphone that includes an app, which enables the smartphone to be operated as a commissioning device for lighting systems. More generally, the commissioning device is a preferably mobile device with one or more processors, and the one or more processors execute a software for realizing the respective modules like the determination module or the control module.
[0012] The at least one building infrastructure device may be any operable device installed within a building infrastructure. For instance, the building infrastructure device may be any of an (emergency) luminaire, a sensor, a switch, lighting controller, a roller shutter or similar. Preferably, the building infrastructure device is part of a common lighting network.
[0013] Optionally, the communication module may be any wireless module that allows communication with at least one other communication participant. The word "communication" may be referred to the ability of the module to transmit and / or receive information. The communication between two or more communication participants may be a direct communication or an indirect communication. Direct communication does not use an intermediate communication participant for communication between the other at least two communication participants, whereas indirect communication does use at least one intermediate communication participant. The communication module may be any wireless module that allows transmission of information within the transmitted signal. The communication module may comprise at least one antenna and a plurality of antennas may be arranged as separated antennas and / or as an antenna array. Information may be transmitted via a signal by common modulation techniques, in particular by Pulse Position Modulation (PPM), Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM), Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). For reasons of efficiency, the signal may be encoded by common encoding techniques, in particular by Linear Block Codes, Convolutional Codes, Turbo Codes, Low Density Parity Check Codes, LT and Raptor Codes, Polar Codes or Space-Time Coding.
[0014] Optionally, the communication module includes any wireless module that allows a determination of the distance between two directly linked communication participants. The relative distance may be obtained with any measurement technique that allows determination of the Euclidian norm between the position of two distinct devices. Generally, for realization of a distance measurement between two devices using point to point communication, a first luminaire communicates wirelessly a first signal to a second luminaire. In response, the second luminaire sends a second signal wirelessly to the first luminaire. The distance may be obtained by knowledge of the Time of Flight (ToF) for the entire roundtrip of the signals, as the roundtrip time must be merely multiplied by the speed of light. In particular, the communication module may be a Bluetooth or a UWB module. For example, by using a UWB module, the distance can be obtained by multiplying the corresponding Time of Flight (ToF) value determined based on the communication with the speed of light. Generally, the UWB module may be implemented in different ways based on methods of the calculation of the Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA), Two Way Ranging (TWR) or Phase Difference of Arrival (PDoA). Preferably, for determination of the distance between two luminaires the TWR method is used.
[0015] The determination module and the control module may particularly be realized on as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Microcontroller (MCU).
[0016] The determination module is configured to determine, for each building infrastructure device, a distance between the building infrastructure device and the commissioning device. In particular, each building infrastructure device refers to each building infrastructure device to which a communication is established by the communication module, and to which communicates first information to the commissioning device.
[0017] That means, if two building infrastructure devices establish a connection to the communication module and communicate first information respectively, a first distance and a second distance is determined. The first distance is the distance between the first building infrastructure device and the commissioning device. The second distance is the distance between the second building infrastructure device and the commissioning device.
[0018] First information may be any information that enables the determination of a distance between the device that communicated the first information and the commissioning device by the commissioning device.
[0019] Optionally or alternatively, the first information may be any abstract information that encodes or directly includes the value of the distance. For instance, the first information may be a direct information of a numerical or string value encoded in the communicated information.
[0020] Optionally or alternatively, the first information may be any information that is part of a standardized procedure for determination of the distance as discussed with regard to the embodiment of the communication module.
[0021] Optionally or alternatively, in case of a UWB or Bluetooth module, the first information may be a ToF value or the already calculated distance by the other device.
[0022] Optionally or alternatively, in case of the Bluetooth module, the first information may be a PBR (Phase-Based Ranging) value or the already calculated distance to the other device.
[0023] Optionally or alternatively, the first information may be an RSSI value, which is not preferred due to its limited accuracy.
[0024] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that a connection between the commissioning device and the nearest building infrastructure device for transmission of control information for the nearest building infrastructure device is established by simply reducing the distance of both devices correspondingly.
[0025] In an embodiment, the control module is further configured to generate the first control information for controlling a change of state of a light source of the building infrastructure device.
[0026] The change of a state of the at least one light source particularly aims to change the illumination of an area. This is particularly advantageous for the building infrastructure device being a luminaire. Illumination and brightness are used as synonyms throughout the application. Exemplarily, the light sources may be controlled to be in a turned on or turned off state. But also other building infrastructure devices like sensors, switches, lighting controls can be provided with a light source that may be a dedicated one or used for other signaling purposes during regular operation of the building infrastructure device as well.
[0027] Optionally or alternatively, the light source may be controlled to be in a state of constant illumination, or a state of flashing or blinking.
[0028] Optionally or alternatively, the color of the light source may be changed to change the state of the light source.
[0029] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that a visual indicator is provided to inform the commissioner that the connection for transmission of control information between the commissioning device and the nearest building interface device has been established. Moreover, this visual indication provides a hint for the commissioner if the current distance between both devices must be reduced in order to establish said connection.
[0030] In an embodiment, the communication module is further configured to communicate with a central control unit of a lighting network. Additionally, the determination module is further configured to determine whether the nearest building infrastructure device is included in the lighting network based on second information communicated by the nearest building infrastructure device and / or the central control unit.
[0031] The central control unit may particularly be realized on as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Microcontroller (MCU).
[0032] Optionally, the central control unit may include plurality of the aforementioned embodiments of the central control unit.
[0033] Optionally, the central control unit may comprise means for DALI allowing the central control unit to be integrated within a DALI network and to use the control and communication functionality of a DALI network. Moreover, the central control unit may comprise means for alternative control and / or communication protocols. Standardized wired protocols may be, yet not being limited to 0-10V DC, DMX, RDM, BACnet, LonWorks, KNX, X10, HomePlug or G.hn. Standardized wireless protocols may be but are not limited to ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Z-Wave, EnOcean, Bluetooth Mesh or Matter. Similar means may be provided within the commissioning device and / or the building infrastructure device.
[0034] The lighting network refers to an interconnected system designed to provide controlled illumination for a specific area, such as a building, street, or outdoor environment. It typically comprises lighting fixtures, switches, dimmers, sensors, communication networks, power supply systems and mounting hardware.
[0035] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that the commissioning device may determine whether the nearest building infrastructure device is included in a lighting network.
[0036] In an embodiment, the control module is further configured to generate second control information for causing the central control unit to include the nearest building infrastructure device in the lighting network, in case the nearest building infrastructure device is determined to be not included in the lighting network. Additionally, the communication module is further configured to communicate the second control information to the nearest building infrastructure device and / or the central control unit.
[0037] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that the commissioning device may include the nearest building infrastructure device to the lighting network.
[0038] In an embodiment, the communication module is further configured to communicate the first control information to the central control unit, in case the nearest building infrastructure device is determined to be included in the lighting network.
[0039] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that the commissioning device may use a second data exchange channel within the communication module to communicate first control information to the building infrastructure device via the lighting network.
[0040] In an embodiment, the commissioning device further comprises a human machine interface that is configured to take control inputs by a user. Additionally, the control module is further configured to generate third control information based on the control inputs generated by the human machine interface for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device and / or the central control unit. Additionally, the communication module is further configured to communicate the third control information to the nearest building infrastructure device and / or the central control unit.
[0041] The human machine interface may be any analog or digital interface that enables a user to perform control inputs. For instance, the human machine interface may be implemented on an app for commissioning installed on a smartphone, such that the user may use the touch-sensitive display of the smartphone combined with the app as a user interface.
[0042] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that manual control inputs of a commissioner may be used for controlling the central control unit and / or the nearest building infrastructure.
[0043] In an embodiment, the communication module includes a UWB module.
[0044] An advantageous effect of the foregoing embodiment is that the advantages of a UWB module may be used in the communication module. Moreover, the UWB module provides an accurate distance measurement.
[0045] A building infrastructure device comprises a communication module that is configured to wirelessly communicate with a commissioning device, and to communicate first information to the commissioning device for enabling the commissioning device to determine a distance between the building infrastructure device and the commissioning device. Additionally, the control module is further configured to control the building infrastructure device based on first control information communicated by the commissioning device.
[0046] For the advantageous effect of this embodiment as well as of the following embodiments of the building infrastructure device, it is referred to the advantageous effect of the corresponding features of the commissioning device.
[0047] In an embodiment of the building infrastructure device, the control module is further configured to control a change of state of a light source of the building infrastructure device based on first control information communicated by the commissioning device.
[0048] In an embodiment of the building infrastructure device, the first communication module is further configured to communicate second information to the commissioning device for causing the commissioning device to determine whether the building infrastructure device is included in a lighting network.
[0049] In an embodiment of the building infrastructure device, the control module is further configured to include the building infrastructure device in a lighting network, in case the building infrastructure device is determined to be not included in the lighting network based on second control information communicated by the commissioning device.
[0050] In an embodiment of the building infrastructure device, the communication module is further configured to communicate with a central control unit of a lighting network. Additionally, the control module is further configured to control the building infrastructure device based on third control information communicated by the central control unit.
[0051] In an embodiment of the building infrastructure device, the first communication module includes a UWB module.
[0052] A method for commissioning at least one building infrastructure device comprises the steps of establishing a communication between a commissioning device and at least one building infrastructure device. Additionally, it is comprised of the step of determining a distance between each building infrastructure device and the commissioning device, wherein each distance is determined based on first information communicated by the corresponding building infrastructure device. Additionally, it is comprised of the step of determining the nearest building infrastructure device, which is a building infrastructure device having the smallest distance of the determined distances. Additionally, it is comprised of the step of generating control information for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device. Additionally, it is comprised of the step of communicating the control information to the nearest building infrastructure device. Additionally, it is comprised of the step of controlling the building infrastructure device based on the first control information.
[0053] For the advantageous effect of this embodiment, it is referred to the advantageous effect of the corresponding features of the commissioning device and the building infrastructure device.
[0054] A lighting system for commissioning comprises a commissioning device according to the foregoing embodiments of the commissioning device. Additionally, the lighting system comprises at least one building infrastructure device according to the foregoing embodiments of the building infrastructure devices.
[0055] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present application shall be described in more detail based on the corresponding figures. Figure 1 is a schematic view of a commissioning device and a building infrastructure device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system comprising the commissioning device, the building infrastructure device and a lighting network. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a case of application of the commissioning device during commissioning of a plurality of building infrastructure devices based on a first scenario. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a case of application of the commissioning device during commissioning of a plurality of building infrastructure devices based on a second scenario. Figure 5 is a flowchart of a first method.
[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a commissioning device 1 and a building infrastructure device 2 according to an embodiment.
[0057] The commissioning device 1 comprises a communication module 11, a determination module 12, a control module 13 and a human machine interface 14.
[0058] The building infrastructure device 2 comprises a communication module 21, a control module 22 and a light source 23.
[0059] The commissioning device 1 may preferably be a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch that contains an app for commissioning the building infrastructure device 2.
[0060] The building infrastructure device 2 may be any operable device installed within a building infrastructure. For instance, the building infrastructure device may be any of an (emergency) luminaire, a sensor, a switch, a roller shutter or similar. Preferably, the building infrastructure device is part of a common lighting network.
[0061] The determination module 12 and the control modules 13, 22 may particularly be realized as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Microcontroller (MCU).
[0062] The light source 23 may be realized as an LED source. However, the light source 23 could be realized as any of an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, fluorescent lamp, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, laser light sources or Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) lamps to just mention a few.
[0063] The communication modules 11, 21 may preferably be realized as UWB module. In particular, the UWB modules provide high accuracy in distance measurement and perform superior to modules using the RSSI method for distance measurement. Also Bluetooth modules supporting HADM (High Accuracy Distance Measurement) provide a good accuracy if averaged over more time. However, the communication modules 11, 21 may comprise additional modules that may establish wireless communication, like a Bluetooth module. It should be noted that a focus on the design of the communication module 11, 21 shall be set on the accuracy of distance measurements. Thus, wireless distance measuring modules with a high measuring accuracy and a compact size shall be preferred as communication modules 11, 21. When using multiple modules for communication, which is indicated by the dashed line within the communication modules 11, 21, one can for instance be configured to establish a communication to another wireless device, and another module can be configured to measure the distance to that wireless device.
[0064] The human machine interface 14 (HMI) may preferably be realized as a touch-sensitive display in combination with a controllable software interface of a software for commissioning building infrastructure devices 2.
[0065] Optionally or alternatively, the commissioning device and / or the building infrastructure device 2 may contain a storage, which is not shown. The storage may be any device for storing information electronically. In particular, the storage may be realized as a flash memory, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), hybrid drives, Non-Voltatile RAM (NVRAM) or cloud storage.
[0066] Internally, each module may be electrically connected to any of the other modules, which is not shown explicitly. The displayed arrows show the preferred information flow and its direction. The connection may be realized by an internal data exchange link. The internal data exchange link may be any one of Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART), Controller Area Network (CAN), Universal Serial Bus (USB), General Purpose Input / Output (GPIO), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) or Ethernet.
[0067] The commissioning device 1 and the building infrastructure device 2 are wirelessly connected to each other via their respective communication modules 11, 22. In particular, when using the wireless data exchange link, information may be added to a signal by common modulation techniques, in particular by Pulse Position Modulation (PPM), Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM), Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). For reasons of efficiency, the signal may be encoded by common encoding techniques, in particular by Linear Block Codes, Convolutional Codes, Turbo Codes, Low Density Parity Check Codes, LT and Raptor Codes, Polar Codes or Space-Time Coding.
[0068] The general interaction between the modules is explained within the description of Figure 3 and 4.
[0069] It should be noted, that whenever the reference signs of Figure 1 are used in the following Figures, it is assumed that the foregoing description that refers to such reference sign can be fully adopted, if not stated differently elsewhere. Hence, a repetitive description is omitted. However, additional remarks can be made for specific embodiments of the following Figures.
[0070] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system comprising the commissioning device 1, the building infrastructure device 2 and a lighting network 3.
[0071] The lighting network 3 refers to an interconnected system designed to provide controlled illumination for a specific area, such as a building, street, or outdoor environment. It typically comprises lighting fixtures, switches, dimmers, sensors, communication networks, power supply systems and mounting hardware.
[0072] In particular, a central control unit 3 is used as a representative of the lighting network 3 in the following.
[0073] The central control unit 3 may particularly be realized as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Microcontroller (MCU). Optionally, the central control unit 3 may be a plurality thereof.
[0074] The data exchange links including the commissioning device 1 are preferably wireless data exchange links as already described for the data exchange link between the commissioning device 1 and the building infrastructure device 2 explained in Figure 1.
[0075] The data exchange link between the central control unit 3 and the building infrastructure device 2 is preferably realized as a wired data exchange link that is commonly used in a DALI network.
[0076] Therefore, direct or indirect communication between the commissioning device 1 and the building infrastructure device 2 may be established by using two separate data exchange channels.
[0077] The first data exchange channel may be realized by a direct data exchange link between the commissioning device 1 and the building infrastructure device 2.
[0078] The second data exchange channel may be realized by an indirect data exchange link between the commissioning device 1 and the building infrastructure device 2. This is, the central control unit 3 is used as an intermediate communication partner for both devices.
[0079] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a case of application of the commissioning device 1 during commissioning of a plurality of building infrastructure devices 2 based on a first scenario.
[0080] In the first scenario, the commissioning device 1 is a smartphone, comprising a commissioning software for commissioning of a plurality of building infrastructure devices 2.
[0081] The building infrastructure devices are realized as luminaires 2.
[0082] A commissioner who is not shown in Figure 3 usually carries the smartphone 1.
[0083] The task of the commissioner is to commission each of the luminaires 2 that do not necessarily have to be part of a lighting network. In this example, the commissioner has to interconnect the luminaires 2 with respective configuration settings for each luminaire 2 respectively.
[0084] For commissioning of the luminaire 2 located in the middle, the commissioner starts to approach this luminaire.
[0085] While approaching, the smartphone 1 establishes a communication with each of the luminaires 2 within reach of the wireless interface. In particular, the communication is established between the communication module 11 of the smartphone 1 and the communication modules 21 of each of the luminaires 2. In this example, the range of the wireless interface is within each of the displayed luminaires 2.
[0086] Moreover, the communication is established in a way that the smartphone 1 may determine the origin of communicated information, meaning it can distinguish which luminaire 2 communicated the information. This can be achieved by communicating a unique ID. However, this and similar features of common communication are considered to be implemented in each device that comprises a communication module and are therefore not mentioned in detail.
[0087] After the communication is established, the communication module 21 of each luminaire 2 communicates first information to the smartphone 1. The communication modules 11, 21 preferably include UWB modules. Thus, the first information preferably enables the smartphone 1 to determine a ToF value. In such a case, the smartphone 1 must have previously communicated information to each of the luminaires 2 according to the TWR method using UWB. Thus, the first information may also be understood as a response of the luminaires 2. Based on the ToF value, the determination module 12 determines the distance between the UWB module 11 of the smartphone 1 and the UWB module 21 of the respective luminaire 2 for each luminaire 2. The distance d L is the distance between the smartphone 1 and the luminaire 2 located on the left side. The distance d C is the distance between the smartphone 1 and the luminaire 2 located in the middle. The distance d R is the distance between the smartphone 1 and the luminaire 2 located on the right side.
[0088] It should be noted that the communication module 11 and the determination module 12 may form one entity, as a determination of a distance is also possible for the luminaires 2 without displaying a distinct determination module.
[0089] In a next step, the determination module 12 of the smartphone 1 determines the nearest luminaire having the smallest distance of the determined distances d L , d C and d R . For instance, the luminaires 2, or their UWB modules 21 to be more precise, may be separated by a distance of 1m. Assuming that a commissioner carries the smartphone such that d C = 14m, the remaining distances will result in d L = 14,035m = d R . Therefore, the determination module 12 of the smartphone 1 determines that the luminaire 2 located in the middle is the nearest luminaire 2.
[0090] In a next step, control module 13 of the smartphone 1 generates first control information. The first control information is generated for controlling the light source 23 of the luminaire 2 to be turned on. The luminaires 2 are turned off by default.
[0091] In a next step, the communication module 11 of the smartphone 1 communicates the first control information to the nearest luminaire 2.
[0092] In a next step, the control module 22 of luminaire 2 controls the light source 23 based on first control information communicated by the smartphone 1 and obtained by the communication module 21. In particular, the control module 22 controls the light source 23 to be turned on.
[0093] In particular, the aforementioned steps shall be executed automatically whenever the smartphone is turned on.
[0094] Preferably, the distance measurement will be performed continuously by the smartphone. Thus, when the nearest luminaire changes, the aforementioned steps for commissioning the luminaire 2 may be repeated.
[0095] Optionally or alternatively, the distance measurement shall be interrupted until the commissioning of the nearest luminaire 2 is finished. The finishing could be acknowledged automatically by the smartphone 1 or manually by operating the HMI 14. Afterwards, the aforementioned steps for commissioning a luminaire 2 may be repeated.
[0096] In consequence, of the aforementioned steps the commissioner will recognize that the luminaire 2 located in the middle is turned on. Please note, that when referring to a turned on or turned off luminaire it is always referred to the state of the light source comprised in said luminaire. Hence, the commissioner does not have to identify the luminaire 2 located in the middle. The identification step is replaced by an approaching step, which is much more efficient.
[0097] Optionally or alternatively, the commissioner may use the HMI 14 to control the nearest luminaire 2. In particular, the HMI 14 is configured to take control inputs by a user. Hence, the commissioner may configure the nearest luminaire 2 to be in line with the operation requirements.
[0098] Optionally or alternatively, the luminaires 2 may not be connected to a lighting network.
[0099] Hence, the communication module 21 of the nearest luminaire 2 may communicate information to the smartphone 1. When the smartphone 1 receives the information, the determination module 12 determines that the nearest luminaire is not included in the lighting network. Then, the smartphone 1 generates a control information by the control module 11 and communicates this information to the luminaire 2 and / or the central control unit 3 of the lighting network by the communication module 21.
[0100] When the luminaire 2 receives this control information, the luminaire may establish a communication with the central control unit 3 to be included in the network.
[0101] When the central control unit 3 receives this control information, the control unit 3 may establish a communication with the luminaire 2 to include the luminaire 2 into the network.
[0102] Optionally or alternatively, the luminaires 2 are included in a lighting network.
[0103] Then, the devices may communicate as shown in Figure 3.
[0104] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a case of application of the commissioning device 1 during commissioning of a plurality of building infrastructure devices 2 based on a second scenario.
[0105] The second scenario incorporates the steps and configurations of the devices as discussed in Figure 3. Thus, a repetitive discussion is omitted and merely the distinguishing features are explained in the following.
[0106] In Figure 4, the commissioner moved to the right such that the distance between the smartphone 1 and the luminaires 2 has changed. In particular, as the commissioner moved the smartphone 1 kept determining the distances d L , d C and d R . Eventually, the smartphone reached a location, where the nearest luminaire 2 is not located in the middle anymore. The nearest luminaire 2 in Figure 4 is the luminaire 2 located on the right side. It should be noted that Figure 4 is merely a schematic view and thus, geometrical relationship between the devices shall not be determined by evaluation of the Figure.
[0107] In this scenario, the aforementioned description concerning the nearest luminaire 2 can similarly be adopted to the new nearest luminaire 2 which is located on the right side in order to omit a repetitive description. However, it should be mentioned that the previous nearest luminaire 2 located in the middle is turned off, whereas the new nearest luminaire 2 which is located on the right side is turned on.
[0108] Such a behavior may be implemented by continuously communicating an acknowledgment information by the smartphone 1 to the determined nearest luminaire 2. In case a luminaire 2 will not receive the acknowledgement information in due time, the control module 22 may be determined to turn off the light source 23.
[0109] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a first method according to an embodiment of this application.
[0110] It is shown a step S1 for establishing a communication, a step S2 for determining distance(s) of building infrastructure devices, a step S3 for determining a nearest building infrastructure device, a step S4 for generating control information for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device, a step S5 for communicating the control information to the nearest building infrastructure device and a step S6 for controlling the building infrastructure device based on the control information.
[0111] For steps S1 and S5 it is referred to the detailed description above of the communication modules 11, 21 which completely describe the functionality of the indicated steps in their entirety. It should be noted that the indicated steps are independent of the executing device.
[0112] For steps S2 and S3 it is referred to the detailed description above of the determination module 12 which completely describes the functionality of the indicated steps in its entirety. It should be noted that the indicated steps are independent of the executing device.
[0113] For step S4, it is referred to the detailed description above of the control module 13 which completely describes the functionality of the step S4 in its entirety. It should be noted that step S4 is independent of the executing device.
[0114] For step S6, it is referred to the detailed description above of the control module 22 which completely describes the functionality of the step S6 in its entirety. It should be noted that step S6 is independent of the executing device.
Claims
1. A commissioning device (1) for at least one building infrastructure device (2), comprising: a communication module (11) that is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one building infrastructure device (2); and a determination module (12) that is configured to determine a distance between each building infrastructure device (2) and the commissioning device (1), wherein each distance is determined based on first information communicated by the corresponding building infrastructure device (2), and to determine a nearest building infrastructure device (2), which is the building infrastructure device (2) having the smallest distance of the determined distances; and a control module (13) that is configured to generate first control information for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device (2); and the communication module (11) is further configured to communicate the first control information to the nearest building infrastructure device (2).
2. A commissioning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control module (13) is further configured to generate the first control information for controlling a change of state of a light source (23) of the building infrastructure device (2).
3. A commissioning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (11) is further configured to communicate with a central control unit (3) of a lighting network; and the determination module (12) is further configured to determine whether the nearest building infrastructure device (2) is included in the lighting network based on second information communicated by the nearest building infrastructure device (2) and / or the central control unit (3).
4. A commissioning device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the control module (13) is further configured to generate second control information for causing the central control unit (3) to include the nearest building infrastructure device (2) in the lighting network, in case the nearest building infrastructure device (2) is determined to be not included in the lighting network; and the communication module (11) is further configured to communicate the second control information to the nearest building infrastructure device (2) and / or the central control unit (3).
5. A commissioning device (1) according to any of claims 3 to 4 wherein the communication module (11) is further configured to communicate the first control information to the central control unit (3), in case the nearest building infrastructure device (2) is determined to be included in the lighting network.
6. A commissioning device (1) according to any of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a human machine interface (14) that is configured to take control inputs by a user; and the control module (13) that is further configured to generate third control information based on the control inputs generated by the human machine interface (14) for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device (2) and / or the central control unit (3); and the communication module (11) is further configured to communicate the third control information to the nearest building infrastructure device (2) and / or the central control unit (3).
7. A commissioning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (11) includes a UWB module and / or a Bluetooth module supporting HADM.
8. A building infrastructure device (2), comprising a communication module (21) that is configured to wirelessly communicate with a commissioning device (1), and to communicate first information to the commissioning device (1) for enabling the commissioning device (1) to determine a distance between the building infrastructure device (2) and the commissioning device (1), and a control module (22) that is configured to control the building infrastructure device (2) based on first control information communicated by the commissioning device (1).
9. A building infrastructure device (2) according to claim 8, wherein the control module (22) is further configured to control a change of state of a light source (23) of the building infrastructure device (2) based on first control information communicated by the commissioning device (1).
10. A building infrastructure device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first communication module (21) is further configured to communicate second information to the commissioning device (1) for causing the commissioning device (1) to determine whether the building infrastructure device (2) is included in a lighting network.
11. A building infrastructure device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the control module (22) is further configured to include the building infrastructure device (2) in a lighting network, in case the building infrastructure device (2) is determined to be not included in the lighting network based on second control information communicated by the commissioning device (1).
12. A building infrastructure device (2) according to any one of the claims 10 to 11, wherein the communication module (21) is further configured to communicate with a central control unit (3) of a lighting network; and the control module (22) is further configured to control the building infrastructure device (2) based on third control information communicated by the central control unit (3).
13. A building infrastructure device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first communication module (21) includes a UWB module.
14. A method for commissioning at least one building infrastructure device (2), comprising the steps of establishing (S1) a communication between a commissioning device (1) and at least on building infrastructure device (2); and determining (S2) a distance between each building infrastructure device (2) and the commissioning device (1), wherein each distance is determined based on first information communicated by the corresponding building infrastructure device (2); and determining (S3) a nearest building infrastructure device (2), which is a building infrastructure device (2) having the smallest distance of the determined distances; and generating (S4) control information for controlling the nearest building infrastructure device (2); and communicating (S5) the control information to the nearest building infrastructure device (2); and controlling (S6) the building infrastructure device (2) based on the first control information.
15. A lighting system for commissioning, comprising a commissioning device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 7; and at least one building infrastructure device (2) according to any of the claims 8 to 13.