Selecting a target node device

Abstract

A mechanism for selecting one of a plurality of candidate node devices to function as a target node device. A directional infrared signal is output from a control device. Any candidate node device that receives the directional infrared signal with a signal strength greater than a predetermined threshold, for a predetermined period of time, transmits or broadcasts a response signal to the control device. The control device then selects one of the candidate node devices that transmitted or broadcast a respective response signal to function as the target node device.

Description

[0001] SELECTING A TARGET NODE DEVICE

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There is an increasing interest in networks, systems or arrangements of devices, such as lighting devices. One example is a lighting system that is used to provide artificial light in a wide variety of environments, such as in domestic, industrial and / or public settings.

[0004] Systems of devices commonly comprise a plurality of (node) devices. There is a desire to facilitate configuration and / or commissioning of the plurality of (node) devices, and it is typical for a control device to be configured or designed for this task. An existing technique for configuring the plurality of devices is to configure each (node) device in turn. A (node) device will indicate when it is its turn for commissioning or configuration, e.g., by flashing, blinking or dimming a light emitting element (e.g., for a lighting device, the lighting element of the lighting device). The control device, of an operator thereof, will identify the flashing / blinking / dimming to identify which device is to be configured - before performing one or more commissioning or configuration tasks with the identified device.

[0005] Examples of commissioning or configuration tasks to be performed for a device include: defining a location of the device in space; defining to which group(s) and / or sub-group(s) of devices the device belongs; defining which device(s) is / are to operate or be controlled simultaneously; and so on. Typically, commissioning or configuration tasks are adapted to configure a device for distributed control during use of the device.

[0006] There is an ongoing desire to increase the ease and speed of commissioning or configuring devices, particularly to increase an ease of selecting or identifying the device to be commissioned or configured.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0009] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for identifying, to a control device, a target node device from a plurality of candidate node devices. The computer-implemented method comprises: transmitting a directional infrared signal from the control device in a predefined direction from the control device; monitoring a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device; for each candidate node device, responsive to the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaching a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration, transmitting a respective response signal from the candidate node device to the control device; and responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, selecting one of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a mechanism for selecting one of a plurality of candidate node devices as a target node device. This proposed mechanism makes use of a directional infrared signal to select only a candidate target device that is within the beam spread of the directional infrared signal, i.e., an infrared beam, such that the target node device generally lies in a predefined direction from the control device. This provides an approach for directional selection of a target node device from a plurality of candidate node devices.

[0011] Embodiments are based on the realization that a directional infrared beam, which may be produced by the control device using a component originally designed for one or more other functions, can be used to provide directional selection of a target node device without providing a further dedicated component for the target node device. Embodiments also recognize that the use of a directional infrared beam facilitates the determination of other properties of candidate node devices, such as a distance to candidate node devices or the like.

[0012] In some examples, the computer-implemented method further comprises transmitting, from the control device, a selection signal to the target node device to initiate a communication channel between the control device and the target node device. This provides a mechanism for establishing a communication between the control device and the target node device, e.g., for facilitating a control over the operation of the selected candidate node device.

[0013] In some examples, the method further comprises commissioning the target node device.

[0014] This may be performed, if available, via the communication channel established between the control device and the target node device. Alternatively and / or additionally, this may be performed independently by the control device, e.g., based on information of the target node device carried by the response signal (e.g., metadata of the response signal, such as that identifying the target node device). This provides a mechanism by which commissioning of the target node device can be performed for configuring future control of the target node device. Examples of suitable tasks or functions that may be performed to execute a commissioning of the target node device include defining a location of the device in space; defining to which group(s) and / or sub-group(s) of devices the device belongs; defining which device(s) is / are to operate or be controlled simultaneously; and so on. Typically, commissioning or configuration tasks are adapted to configure a device for distributed control during use of the device.

[0015] The computer-implemented method may further comprise, after commissioning the target node device, configuring the target node device to no longer function as a candidate node device. This advantageously reduces a risk of an already commissioned target node device being repeatedly selected for commissioning in a subsequent iteration of the method.

[0016] In some examples each response signal includes a measurement of the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the respective candidate node device; and the step of, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, selecting one of the candidate node devices comprises selecting the candidate node device that transmitted, to the control device, a respective response signal indicating the greatest monitored strength of the directional infrared signal as the target node device.

[0017] This increases a likelihood that the target node device will be a candidate node device that lies in the predefined direction. This provides a more reliable mechanism for selecting and / or identifying a candidate node device as a target node device.

[0018] In some examples, the predefined direction from the control device is a user- defined direction from the control device. This approach provides a mechanism by which a user is able to select or choose the target node device from amongst the plurality of candidate node device, i.e., by modifying or controlling the direction of the infrared signal.

[0019] In some examples, the control device comprises an augmented reality display; and the user-defined direction is derived from a field of view of an environment visually represented in the augmented reality display. In this way, the user is able to manipulate the user-defined direction by controlling the field of view of the environment in the augmented reality display. This provides an intuitive and easy to control mechanism for defining or selecting the target node device from amongst the plurality of candidate node devices. The predefined direction is preferably within the field of view represented in the augmented reality display. This increases an ease by which the target node device can be selected from the plurality of candidate node devices.

[0020] In some examples, the computer-implemented method further comprises superimposing a visual representation of the predefined direction within the environment represented in the augmented reality display. This facilitates an improved human-machine interaction for selecting the target node device. In particular, by monitoring the visual representation of the predefined direction, the user is able to control the user-direction to intersect with a desired one of the candidate node devices to facilitate selection of the desired candidate node device as the target node device.

[0021] The computer-implemented method may further comprise using the infrared signal to determine the distance between the control device and the target node device. Thus, the infrared signal may be repurposed in order to determine a distance between the control device and the target node device.

[0022] The computer-implemented method may further comprise defining the position of the control device and the orientation of the control device; and predicting the position of the target node device responsive to the defined position of the control device, the defined orientation of the control device and the determined distance between the control device and the target node device. This provides an approach for automatically localizing the position of the target node device with respect to the control device. This thereby effectively performs a commissioning and / or configuring task.

[0023] In some examples, the directional infrared signal is generated by a time-of- flight sensor. This provides a cost and resource effective mechanism for generating the directional infrared signal used for selection of a candidate node device, as the time-of-flight sensor can be repurposed and / or reused for one or more other functionalities (e.g., may be an existing piece of equipment of the control device). This embodiment thereby facilitates the retroactive modification of existing control devices to perform the herein proposed functionality, thereby providing backward compatibility for the proposed approach.

[0024] There is also provided a computer program product comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, cause the processing system to perform all of the steps of any herein proposed (computer-implemented) method.

[0025] There is also provided a system comprising a control device and a plurality of candidate node devices, wherein: the control device is configured to transmit a directional infrared signal in a predefined direction; each candidate node device is configured to: monitor a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device; and responsive to the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaching a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration, transmit a respective response signal from the candidate node device to the control device; and the control device is configured to, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, select one of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

[0026] The skilled person will be readily capable of modifying the system to perform the function(s) of any herein proposed method and vice versa.

[0027] In some examples, the control device comprises a time-of-flight sensor configured to generate the directional infrared signal.

[0028] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment s) described hereinafter.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates an environment in which embodiments may be employed;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a proposed method;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating further optional steps for a proposed method; and

[0034] Fig. 4 illustrates a proposed system.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0037] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0038] The invention provides a mechanism for selecting one of a plurality of candidate node devices to function as a target node device. A directional infrared signal is output from a control device. Any candidate node device that receives the directional infrared signal with a signal strength greater than a predetermined threshold, for a predetermined period of time, transmits or broadcasts a response signal to the control device. The control device then selects one of the candidate node devices that transmitted or broadcast a respective response signal to function as the target node device.

[0039] Embodiments are based on the realization that a directional infrared signal can be exploited to control the selection of one of a plurality of candidate node devices as a target node device. Thus, control over the direction of the directional infrared signal facilitates control over the selection of the target node device.

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an environment 10 in which embodiments may be employed for improved contextual understanding of the proposed disclosure.

[0041] The environment 10 comprises a plurality of (candidate) node devices 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, e.g., luminaires or lighting devices, which are here represented as circles. The environment 10 also includes a control device 120 for defining an operation of each node device, e.g., for configuring or commissioning each node device, which is here represented as a square.

[0042] The node devices 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and the control device 120 are configured to communicate with one another, e.g., wirelessly. Thus, the node device and the control device may each comprise a communications module, such as a wireless transceiver.

[0043] Suitable wireless communication protocols that may be used to perform such communications include: an infrared link, Zigbee, Bluetooth, a wireless local area network protocol such as in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standards family, a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G telecommunication protocol, and so on. Other formats, including proprietary formats, will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.

[0044] A pre-requisite for a control system to perform a commissioning or configuring procedure is the selection of a candidate node to perform the commissioning / configuring procedure. The present disclosure provides a mechanism for selecting, from the plurality of candidate nodes, one of the candidate nodes as a target node device. The proposed approach makes use of a directional infrared signal to perform the selection. Figure 2 illustrates a computer-implemented method 200 for identifying, to a control device, a target node device from a plurality of candidate node devices. Continued reference will be made to Figure 1 where appropriate.

[0045] For the sake of illustrative clarity, steps performed by the control device are illustratively positioned on one side of a dividing line 205, with steps performed by the / each candidate node device being illustratively positioned on the other side of the dividing line 205.

[0046] The method 200 comprises a step 210 of transmitting, from the control device 120, a directional infrared signal 125, i.e., an infrared beam or beam of infrared light. Thus, step 210 is performed by the control device 120.

[0047] In the context of the present disclosure, a directional infrared signal is a beam of infrared light that has a beam spread of less than 30°, e.g., less than 20°, e.g., less than 10°. A beam spread may be defined as the smallest angle for a cone, having its apex located at the control device, that contains 95% of the infrared light transmitted by the control device.

[0048] The directional infrared signal may be generated by a time-of-flight sensor. This advantageously facilitates the repurposing of a component of the control device, which may be used for another task, for the transmission of a directional infrared signal. This reduces a number of additional components or features for a control device.

[0049] By way of example, the control device may be a component of an augmented reality system (e.g., an augmented reality display), which commonly make use of time-of- flight sensors to provide an augmented reality function, e.g., to map an environment. The proposed approach facilitates the repurposing of such a time-of-flight sensor.

[0050] However, this approach is not essential. In alternative examples, the control device instead comprises a separate or dedicated IR emitter.

[0051] The method 200 also comprises a step 220 of monitoring a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device 111, 112, 113, 114, 115. Thus, step 220 may comprise generating (at each node device) a respective infrared strength signal that changes responsive to an intensity of the strength of the directional infrared signal received at said node device. One suitable example of a measure of signal strength is an RSSI.

[0052] It will therefore be appreciated that each candidate node device comprises an infrared sensor (i.e., a sensor whose output is responsive to an intensity (i.e., strength) of a received infrared signal thereon). Examples of suitable infrared sensors are well known in the art, such as PIR sensors. The method 200 further comprises a conditional step 240 of transmitting a respective response signal from any condition-meeting candidate node device 111, 112, 113 to the control device. In this context, a condition meeting candidate node device is one for which the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaches a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration.

[0053] Accordingly, the method 200 may comprise performing, for each candidate node device: a sub-step 231 of determining whether or not the monitored strength SS of the directional infrared signal breaches a predetermined threshold THss. For each candidate node device, responsive to a positive determination (i.e., SS > THss) in sub-step 231, the method moves to sub-step 232. Otherwise, i.e., when SS <= THss, the method reverts back to 220. Sub-step 232 comprises determining whether a time T lapsed since the monitored strength SS breached the predetermined threshold THss has reached a predetermined duration TPD. Responsive to a positive determination (i.e., T >= TPD), the method moves to step 240. Otherwise, i.e., when T <= TPD, the method reverts back to step 231 to continue whether the predetermined threshold is breached. It will be appreciated that step 220 is continually performed through the execution of sub-steps 231, 232 to continually / repeatedly update the monitored strength SS of the directional infrared signal.

[0054] By way of example only, the predetermined duration TPD may be no less than 2 seconds, e.g., no less than 3 seconds. This significantly reduces a risk of noise triggering the generation of a response signal.

[0055] In some examples, the predetermined duration TPD may be no greater than 10 seconds, e.g., no greater than 5 seconds. This significantly reduces a risk of a slight change in the direction and / or position of the infrared signal (e.g., resulting from a movement of the control device) causing an unintentional failure in the threshold being breached. Such movement of the control device may, for instance, result from a movement of a user carrying or wearing the control device.

[0056] The response signal(s) produced in step 240 may be communicated from the node device(s) to the control device using any wireless communication protocol in which the devices are configured to communicate. More particularly, when transmitting a response signal, the node device(s) may broadcast the response using a predetermined communication protocol, e.g., a communication via Bluetooth (such as a BLE broadcast) or the like.

[0057] The method 200 further comprises, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, selecting 250 one (i.e., only one) of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

[0058] Accordingly, the method 200 may comprise a step 245 of determining whether or not any response signals are received by the control device. Step 245 may be performed by the control device. Responsive to a positive determination in step 245 (i.e., at least one response signal is received) the method moves to step 240). Otherwise, i.e., when no response signal is received, the method 200 may end and / or revert back to step 210 as illustrated.

[0059] Step 245 may comprise monitoring for any response signals for a second predetermined duration. The second predetermined duration is no less than the predetermined duration TPD, e.g., to provide the candidate node devices with the opportunity to meet the conditions for responding. Thus, the second predetermined duration may be the predetermined duration TPD with an additional buffer period, e.g., to permit processing by the node device(s) and the propagation of signals between the node device(s) and the control device.

[0060] It will be appreciated that if only one candidate node device transmits a response signal that is received by the control device, then said candidate node device will be selected in step 250 as the target node device.

[0061] The present disclosure envisaged a variety of approaches for performing step 250 when a plurality of candidate node devices transmit respective response signals that are received by the control device. A number of these approaches are hereafter described. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, a candidate node device that transmits a response signal (in step 240) that is received by the control device may be labelled a responding node device.

[0062] In one example, step 250 may comprise (pseudo-)randomly selecting one of the responding node devices as the target node device. Approaches for performing a (pseudorandom selection of an element from a plurality of elements are well known and established in the art. This approach provides an efficient mechanism for selection of a responding node device with a reduced amount of data required in the response signals.

[0063] In another example, step 250 may comprise selecting the responding node device having the response signal of the greatest strength or intensity. Thus, step 250 may comprise determining a signal strength of each response signal, and selecting the responding node device with the greatest signal strength. This approach provides a mechanism that is more likely to select a closer node device, as well as a node device with which further communications are more likely to be reliable. In another example each response signal includes a measurement of the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the respective candidate node device. In this example, step 250 comprises selecting the candidate node device that transmitted, to the control device, a respective response signal indicating the greatest monitored strength of the directional infrared signal as the target node device. This approach increases a likelihood that the selected candidate node device will be closer to a main lobe of the infrared signal and is therefore a candidate node device that is in the predefined direction from the control device.

[0064] The response signal generated by each condition-meeting candidate node device (i.e., each responding device) in step 240 may comprise or carry a device identifier or device ID that identifies the respective candidate node device. This facilitate accurate identification of the responding candidate node device by the control device.

[0065] The proposed approach makes use, in step 210, of a directional infrared signal that is transmitted in a predefined direction.

[0066] Preferably, the predefined direction from the control device is a user-defined direction from the control device.

[0067] This provides a mechanism for facilitating or permitting a user to control which candidate control devices are selected. When this technique is combined with an approach in which the selected candidate device emits a respective response signal indicating the greatest monitored strength of the directional infrared signal as the target node device, then there is a significantly increased probability that the target node device will be a target node device in a user-defined direction.

[0068] In some further examples, the control device comprises an augmented reality display; and the user-defined direction is derived from a field of view of an environment visually represented in the augmented reality display. This provides a mechanism by which the user, by adjusting the field of view, is able to control the direction of the infrared signal. In this, the user wearing the augmented reality display only needs to look in a particular direction to control the direction of the infrared signal and therefore select a target node device.

[0069] In preferred examples, wherein the predefined direction is within the field of view represented in the augmented reality display. This provides a mechanism by which the user wearing the augmented reality display is able to simply look at the target node device to define the direction of the infrared signal (e.g., to match the direction in which the user is looking). In some examples, the method 200 further comprises a step 260 of superimposing a visual representation of the predefined direction within the environment represented in the augmented reality display. This provides immediate feedback to a user for controlling the user defined direction, thereby facilitating a continued human-machine interaction that facilitates increased ease of maintaining a direction of the infrared signal towards a user-desired candidate node device.

[0070] As an alternative example, the control device may comprise a handheld infrared generator configured to generate the directional infrared signal, e.g., responsive to a user input at the infrared generator. Examples of handheld infrared generators include an IR remote control or similar, which allow the user to control the direction of the directional infrared signal (e.g., by pointing or otherwise directing the IR remote control in a particular direction).

[0071] It will be appreciated that step 210 may be performed independently by a component of the control system that is independent of any component of the control system that performs any other step. For instance, step 210 may be performed by a handheld remote control system, with the communication module of the control system (for receiving the response signal(s)) being entirely separate.

[0072] Figure 3 illustrates another proposed computer-implemented method 300 that makes use of the previously disclosed method 200. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates a number of optional steps that may be performed in addition to method 200.

[0073] The method 300 comprises performing any previously described example of method 200.

[0074] The method 300 further comprises a step 310 of transmitting, from the control device (CD), a selection signal to the target node device (TND) to initiate a communication channel between the control device and the target node device. The selection signal may, for instance, be a handshake for establishing the communication link between the control device and the target node device. As an example, the selection signal make initial a pairing procedure between the control device and the target node device (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing procedure).

[0075] It has been previously explained how a response signal produced by a candidate node device may carry or comprise a device identifier of the candidate node device. In such examples, step 310 may comprise using the device identifier in the relevant response signal to target the selection signal. The method 300 may further comprise a step 320 of commissioning the target node device. This may be performed via the communication channel established between the control device and the target node device.

[0076] Alternatively, step 320 (or some sub-steps of step 320) may be performed independently of any further communication from the target node device beyond the response signal.

[0077] Step 320 may comprise performing any known commissioning and / or configuration task or function, examples of which include: defining a location of the device in space; defining to which group(s) and / or sub-group(s) of devices the device belongs; defining which device(s) is / are to operate or be controlled simultaneously; and so on. Typically, commissioning or configuration tasks are adapted to configure a device for distributed control during use of the device.

[0078] The function(s) performed in step 320 may be responsive to one or more user inputs provided at the control device. This provides a mechanism for allowing a user to control the commissioning and / or configuring of the target node device. By way of example only, the user input may identify to which group(s) and / or sub-group(s) of devices the device belongs - e.g., for future group control of the target node device(s).

[0079] In some examples, the method 300 may further comprise a step 330 of (e.g., after commissioning the target node device) configuring the target node device to no longer function as a candidate node device. Step 330 may be performed by the target node device (i.e., changing its mode of operation after the performance of step 320) and / or by the control device (e.g., instructing the target node device to change its mode of operation). The performance of step 330 avoids the now commissioned node device from being unintentionally reselected for a future iteration of method 200.

[0080] In some examples, step 330 is performed independently of the step 320 of commissioning the target node device.

[0081] In some examples, the method 300 may comprise a step 340 of controlling the target node device to provide and / or change a user-perceptiple output. This may be performed responsive to the selection signal. By way of example, step 340 may comprise controlling the candidate node device to emit light having one or more predetermined properties (e.g., a flashing / blinking light, a light of a certain color and so on).

[0082] Step 340 is useful for providing a user with an indication of a selected target node device, to reduce a risk of an inappropriate or incorrect (subsequent) commissioning of the target node device, e.g., to reduce a risk of the user misidentifying the target node device - which may otherwise result from an error or misunderstanding in the performance of the method 200.

[0083] More particularly, step 340 allows a user to intervene if an incorrect (i.e., not matching a user’s intention) target node device has been selected by providing them with an indication of the target node device. This correction can be in the form of an override input signal indicating that the incorrect target node device has been selected. This override input signal may be provided to the control device. The control device may revert back to step 200 to reselect or reidentify a target node device responsive to the override input signal.

[0084] The method 300 may comprise a step 350 of using the infrared signal to determine the distance between the control device and the target node device. Thus, the infrared signal is repurposed for providing additional information about the positional relation between the control device and the target node device.

[0085] This can be achieved, for instance, by using the infrared signal as a time-of- flight signal, and exploiting well known approaches for determining a distance using a time- of-flight signal. More particularly, in some examples, step 350 is at least partially integrated into the performance of step(s) 245 and / or 240.

[0086] In particular, each response signal may, for instance, carry a timestamp or similar that identifies a time at which the response signal was generated. The difference between this timestamp and a time of receiving the response signal may be used to determine a distance between the responding candidate node device and the control device (e.g., as part of step 245 and / or in a separate step 350).

[0087] In some examples, the method 300 further comprises a step 361 of defining the position of the control device and the orientation of the control device. The position and orientation of the control device may together define an effective direction of the directional infrared signal, i.e., represent the source and output direction of the directional infrared signal.

[0088] In the context of the present disclosure, a position may be a position defined with respect to a predefined co-ordinate system. The precise data structure and format of the position will, of course, depend upon the localization system or technique(s) employed, which may vary in different embodiments.

[0089] Determination of the position of the control device can be achieved using any one of a variety of positioning systems, such as a Wi-Fi ® positioning system, a Lighthouse tracking system, a simultaneous localization and mapping system or even a satellite navigation system. Other approaches are known in the art, for instance, some device tracking systems employ a time-of-flight sensor and IMU sensor (e.g., accelerometer) to detect the coordinates of a device in the physical environment and track movement. Thus, the control device may comprise a positioning system for identifying a location of the control device within the environment.

[0090] Similarly, orientations may be defined as a (relative) orientation within the pre-defined co-ordinate system. In particular examples, a global orientation of a control device can be determined using an electronic compass, such as a magnetometer or similar, and mapped to the pre-defined co-ordinate system. In other approaches, an orientation can be determined using an accelerometer or inclinometer. Thus, the control device may comprise an orientation determining system for identifying a position of the control device within its environment and / or with respect to the predefined co-ordinate system.

[0091] In other approaches, a simultaneous localization and mapping may be used to construct a model of an environment whilst tracking the position and orientation of the control device therein.

[0092] The method 300 may further comprise a step 362 of predicting the position of the target node device responsive to the defined position of the control device, the defined orientation of the control device and the determined distance between the control device and the target node device. The skilled person will appreciate that once the orientation and position of the control device and the distance between the control device and the target node device is established, then determining the position of the target node device is trivial, e.g., by identifying a location that lies the determined distance along an axis starting at the position of the control device and extending in the direction of the orientation of the control device.

[0093] The performance of steps 361 and 362 effectively provide a mechanism for performing a commissioning task for a target node device.

[0094] Figure 4 illustrates a portion of a proposed system 400 comprising a control device 410 and a plurality of candidate node devices 420 (of which only one is illustrated).

[0095] The control device 410 is configured to transmit a directional infrared signal in a predefined direction. Accordingly, the control device 400 may comprise an infrared generator 411 configured to generate the directional infrared signal. The infrared generator 411 may be a time-of-flight sensor.

[0096] Each candidate node device 420 is configured to monitor a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device. This may be performed using an infrared sensor 421 of the candidate node device. Each candidate node device is further configured to responsive to the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaching a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration, transmit a respective response signal from the candidate node device to the control device.

[0097] For each candidate node device, the determination of whether or not the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaches a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration may be performed by a candidate node processor 422 of the candidate node device. The candidate node processor 422 may further be configured to control the function or operation of the infrared sensor 421 (e.g., to perform the monitoring of a property of the infrared sensor 421).

[0098] For each candidate node device, the transmission of the respective response signal may be performed using a candidate node transceiver 423. The operation of the candidate node transceiver may be controlled by the candidate node processor, using well established principles.

[0099] The control device 410 is further configured to, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, select one of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

[0100] The control device 410 may comprise a control device processor 412 configured to perform the selection of one of the candidate node devices. The receiving of the response signal may be performed using a control device transceiver 413.

[0101] The skilled person would be readily capable of modifying the control device 410 and / or each candidate node device 420 to perform or carry out the function(s) of any herein described method.

[0102] Thus, the skilled person would be readily capable of developing a system 400 having a control device 410 and a plurality of candidate node devices 420, e.g., defining a processing system, for carrying out any herein described method.

[0103] Thus, each step of the flow chart may represent a different action performed by a processing system distributed across the system (with the control device and plurality of node devices), e.g., using one or more further elements (such as a communication module or the like) where necessary and may be performed by a respective module of the processing system.

[0104] Embodiments may therefore make use of a processing system. The processing system can be implemented in numerous ways, with software and / or hardware, to perform the various functions required. A processor is one example of a processing system which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the required functions. A processing system may however be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

[0105] Examples of processing system components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0106] In various implementations, a processor or processing system may be associated with one or more storage media such as volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or processing systems, perform the required functions. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or processing system or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or processing system.

[0107] It will be understood that disclosed methods are preferably computer- implemented methods. As such, there is also proposed the concept of a computer program comprising code means for implementing any described method when said program is run on a processing system. Thus, different portions, lines or blocks of code of a computer program according to an embodiment may be executed by a processing system or computer to perform any herein described method.

[0108] There is also proposed a non-transitory storage medium that stores or carries a computer program or computer code that, when executed by a processing system, causes the processing system to carry out any herein described method.

[0109] In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block diagram(s) or flow chart(s) may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0110] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. 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. If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0111] A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. If a computer program is discussed above, it may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0112] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A computer-implemented method (200, 300) for identifying, to a control device (120, 410) a target node device from a plurality of candidate node devices (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 420), the computer-implemented method comprising: transmitting (210) a directional infrared signal (125) from the control device in a predefined direction from the control device; monitoring (220) a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device; for each candidate node device, responsive to the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaching a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration, transmitting (240) a respective response signal from the candidate node device to the control device; and responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, selecting (250) one of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

2. The computer-implemented method (300) of claim 1, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises transmitting (310), from the control device, a selection signal to the target node device to initiate a communication channel between the control device and the target node device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising commissioning (320) the target node device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising after commissioning the target node device, configuring (330) the target node device to no longer function as a candidate node device.

5. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: each response signal includes a measurement of the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the respective candidate node device; and the step of, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, selecting (250) one of the candidate node devices comprises selecting the candidate node device that transmitted, to the control device, a respective response signal indicating the greatest monitored strength of the directional infrared signal as the target node device.

6. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the predefined direction from the control device is a user-defined direction from the control device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the control device comprises an augmented reality display; and the user-defined direction is derived from a field of view of an environment visually represented in the augmented reality display.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the predefined direction is within the field of view represented in the augmented reality display.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising superimposing a visual representation of the predefined direction within the environment represented in the augmented reality display.

10. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, further comprising using the infrared signal to determine the distance between the control device and the target node device.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising: defining (361) the position of the control device and the orientation of the control device; and predicting (362) the position of the target node device responsive to the defined position of the control device, the defined orientation of the control device and the determined distance between the control device and the target node device.

12. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, wherein the directional infrared signal is generated by a time-of-flight sensor (411).

13. A computer program product comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, cause the processing system to perform all of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A system (400) comprising a control device (410) and a plurality of candidate node devices (420), wherein: the control device (410) is configured to transmit (210) a directional infrared signal (125) in a predefined direction; each candidate node device (420) is configured to: monitor (220) a strength of the directional infrared signal at each candidate node device; and responsive to the monitored strength of the directional infrared signal at the candidate node device breaching a predetermined threshold for no less than a predetermined duration, transmit (240) a respective response signal from the candidate node device to the control device; and the control device is configured to, responsive to at least one response signal being received by the control device, select (250) one of the candidate node devices that transmitted a respective response signal to the control device as the target node device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control device (400) comprises a time-of- flight sensor (411) configured to generate the directional infrared signal.

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