Detecting a toggle of power on a power line

Abstract

A mechanism for detecting a power toggle on a power line and controlling an illumination device accordingly. A clock for a processing unit of a control circuit for the illumination device is powered by an energy buffer circuit. When a power drops on the power line, the clock will continue to be temporarily powered by the energy buffer circuit and upon each reset of the clock, reset the value of the running clock signal to a reset value that indicates the start time. The processing unit detects, upon power up, when or not the clock has reset to thereby distinguish between a toggle of power on the power line and a longer power off of the power line.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80276

[0002] 1

[0003] DETECTING A TOGGLE OF POWER ON A POWER LINE

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to the field of lighting.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The use and adoption of artificial lighting is becoming ever more common worldwide. There is an increasing demand for artificial lighting solutions with adjustable or modifiable light output properties. As such, there is a need to facilitate control over an illumination device.

[0008] One approach for controlling an illumination device (e.g., to change an operational state of the illumination device) is the use of power toggling. Here controlling an illumination device includes many aspects. In particular, an operator of the illumination device may indicate a desire to switch an operational state of the illumination device by toggling (i.e., turning off and then on again) the power source to the illumination device, e.g., toggling a switch. In this context, a toggle is defined by having a (pre)defined pattern such as a power down followed by a power up of a power line for the illumination device within a short time period (e.g., < 1 second). This defined pattern is for differentiating from an intentional turning off of the illumination device and a relatively much later turning on of the illumination device which just intends to make the illumination device to illuminate again without switching its operation state.

[0009] By way of an example only, an illumination device may enter a network configuration state (e.g., pairing mode) responsive to a plurality of toggles being detected. As another example, the lighting profile of the illumination device may switch responsive to a single toggle being detected. The lighting profile includes lumen output, color output, and / or color temperature output.

[0010] There is therefore an ongoing demand for reliable and robust detection of toggles of a power on a power line for the illumination device, for controlling the illumination device.

[0011] US9345093B2 discloses line voltage switch event detection for LED assemblies and more specifically it discloses a timing circuit starts counting in power off, a memory unit 2024PF80276

[0012] 2

[0013] 129 may store the counter value (called power off time value) of the timing circuit 130 upon determination of a line voltage power-on, and determine the next illumination state based on the current illumination state and the power-off time value.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] One disadvantage of existing approaches is the significant additional circuitry and interfaces required to identify the occurrence of a toggle of power on the power line. In particular, existing solutions for toggle detection make use of a dedicated buffer circuit that needs to be powered and monitored by a processing unit of a control circuit. More specifically, a typical existing solution includes an RC circuit whose remaining voltage is indicative of power loss time. An MCU has an I / O pin to charge / maintain the charge on the RC circuit when powered and an ADC (analog to digital converter) to measure the remaining voltage of the RC circuit upon power up of the MCU. The MCU has internal logic circuitry to compare the remaining voltage with a certain reference to determine whether the power loss time is longer than the defined pattern. The EO pin and the ADC pin usually take up two different pins on the MCU and thus take up a significant footprint in the circuit and have a substantial cost (e.g., material cost).

[0016] The present disclosure proposes an alternative approach in which a clock for an illumination device control circuit is powered by an energy buffer circuit so that it is able to temporarily continue operation when there is a drop in power on the power line to the illumination device. This continued operation means that a running clock signal produced by the clock will not reset upon a brief / defined pattern toggle of power on the power line, which can be detected by the processing unit to thereby detect the occurrence of a toggle having the defined pattern or not. The illumination device is controlled accordingly.

[0017] The proposed approach therefore reduces the number of interfaces or wired connections at or in the processing unit, rather a single interface or wired connection can be used for receiving the clock and performing toggle detection.

[0018] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0019] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control circuit for an illumination device control circuit for identifying a toggle of a power carried by a power line for the illumination device to control the illumination device, wherein the control circuit comprises: an energy buffer circuit adapted to buffer energy of the power; a clock configured to provide a running clock signal having a value that changes starting from a start time from power up of the clock, wherein the clock is adapted to be powered by 2024PF80276

[0020] 3 the energy buffer circuit and configured to upon each reset of the clock, reset the value of the running clock signal to a reset value that indicates the start time; and a processing unit adapted to be powered by the power line and configured to receive the running clock signal from the clock.

[0021] The processing unit is configured to: upon power up of the processing unit, determine whether or not the running clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit by determining whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the reset value / the start time to thereby identify whether or not there has been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern; and control the illumination device responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

[0022] The proposed control circuit provides a mechanism for detecting a toggle of power on a power line by monitoring a running clock signal provided by a clock. The clock is powered by an energy buffer circuit to thereby maintain power to the clock for a short duration after the power line experiences a drop or interruption. This temporary power maintenance allows the clock to continue running during brief power outages or intentional toggles.

[0023] When power is restored to the processing unit, after a drop of power on the power line, it examines the state of the running clock signal. If the clock has reset, indicating it lost power completely and implying the power off time is substantially long, the processing unit interprets this not as a toggle event but as an ordinary power up after an intentional power off of the illumination device. Conversely, if the clock signal shows continuous operation, the processing unit determines the power off interval is substantially short and that a toggle with defined pattern has therefore occurred. This method provides a reliable way to identify power toggles.

[0024] Since it is common for existing illumination devices to comprise the clock which works with the control circuit of the illumination device, by reutilizing the clock for this extra function, the proposed approach eliminates the need for separate toggle detection hardware, reducing complexity and material cost, as well as providing a reliable mechanism for identifying power toggles. The additional energy buffer circuit can be implemented at a very low cost compared with providing an extra I / O and ADC pin for the processing circuit.

[0025] This approach to toggle detection may also improve the overall power efficiency of the illumination device. Since it exploits existing components and doesn't require constantly active dedicated detection circuitry, it is able to consume less power compared to alternative methods. 2024PF80276

[0026] 4

[0027] Furthermore, the system's reliance on the clock signal for toggle detection may provide increased reliability in noisy electrical environments. Traditional voltage-sensing toggle detection methods can be susceptible to false triggers from power line noise or voltage fluctuations. The clock-based approach is more robust to such interference, potentially leading to more accurate and consistent toggle detection.

[0028] The defined pattern may indicate, for instance, that (from a starting point of there being power on the power line) there has been a power down followed by a power up of a power line for the illumination device within a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period is defined by the characteristic(s) of the energy buffer circuit.

[0029] In some embodiments, the processing unit is adapted to, responsive to determining that the clock has reset upon power up of the control circuit, identify that there has not been the toggle of the power with the defined pattern of an off duration not sufficient to reset the clock, and responsive to determining that the clock has not reset upon power up of the control circuit, identify that there has been the toggle of the power with the defined pattern of an off duration not sufficient to reset the clock. This approach allows the processing unit to reliably identify a toggle of power. The power off period sufficient to reset the clock should be substantially long, allowing an intended off (and on again) of the illumination device should not be recognized as the toggle having the defined pattern for controlling the illumination device (e.g., in changing its operational states).

[0030] In some embodiments, the energy buffer circuit is configured to power the clock for up to a predetermined period of time after loss of power on the power line. By powering the clock for a defined period after power loss, this feature enables an indirect detection of power off time, telling whether the intentional power toggles is within the defined period, whilst being able to distinguish from intentional long term turn-off of the illumination device.

[0031] The clock may comprise a clock source configured to generate regular pulses; and a register configured to generate the clock signal by counting the number of regular pulses emitted by the clock source.

[0032] In some embodiments, the clock is configured to increment the value of the running clock signal responsive to a time elapsed since power up of the clock.

[0033] This implementation provides a simple and effective way for the processing unit to determine if a power toggle has occurred by checking if the clock signal has not been reset to its start value.

[0034] In some embodiments, the control circuit further comprises a first memory, wherein the processing unit is configured to, upon a first power up of the clock, store the value 2024PF80276

[0035] 5 of the running clock signal as a first reference value in the first memory, and upon any subsequent power up of the processing unit, compare the first reference value to the value of the running clock signal to determine whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time.

[0036] Storing a reference value in this way allows for adaptation of the reference value to the specific manufactured device, i.e., to account for any slight variations in the earliest value of the clock signal that may be available to the processing unit due to manufacturing tolerances or specific hardware characteristics of the illumination device. The first reference value stored in this way is also able to include a small offset to account for any consistent or tolerable delays between when the clock resets and when the processing unit first reads the clock signal after power-up.

[0037] This proposed system is also more adaptable for use in different configuration or designs of illumination device and / or clock, e.g., to continue to function with a variety of different clock designs that may have different initial values or increment rates, without requiring changes to the toggle detection logic.

[0038] In some alternative embodiments, the control circuit further comprises a second memory configured to, before first power up of the clock, store a second reference value representing the start time. The processing unit is configured to, upon a power up of the processing unit, compare the second reference value to the value of the running clock signal to determine whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time.

[0039] This approach provides immediate functionality of the toggle detection techniques, and ensures consistent and repeatable behavior across different illumination devices. This approach also reduces a risk of an erroneous reference value being stored (e.g., due to a cold start up of the clock or a power failure during the first start up sequence of the lighting device). This approach is more suitable for making the illumination device with a batch of clocks with consistent start time.

[0040] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to control, responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been a toggle of power with the defined pattern, whether or not an operational state of the illumination device changes from an active operational state to a different operational state.

[0041] This feature allows the illumination device to change its operational state based on detected power toggles, enabling user control of device modes or settings through simple power switching. This provides a mechanism by which an individual or user is able to provide 2024PF80276

[0042] 6 a manual or controllable input to the illumination device by controlling the power fed or available to the illumination device.

[0043] In some embodiments, the processing unit is configured to control the illumination device to switch the operational state of the illumination device from the active operational state to the different operational state responsive to identifying that there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern, and control the illumination device to maintain the active operational state of the illumination device responsive to identifying that there has not been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

[0044] This provides a reliable mechanism for controlling the operation of the illumination device responsive to detecting whether or not there is a toggle. If there is the intentional toggle, the operation state should be changed accordingly; if not, it is implied that the user has simply just powered up the illumination device from an intentional power off, and the previous / last operation state of the illumination device should be recovered.

[0045] In some embodiments, the processing unit is configured to store a toggle counter identifying a number of toggles of power, responsive to identifying that there has been the toggle of power, increment the value of the toggle counter, responsive to the toggle counter reaching a predetermined value, control the illumination device to switch from the active operational state to the different operational state, and responsive to the toggle counter failing to reach the predetermined value, control the illumination device to maintain the active operational state of the illumination device.

[0046] The toggle counter enables more complex control schemes based on multiple sequential power toggles, allowing for a wider range of user control options using a single user interface (e.g., a power switch or the like). Thus, changing of the operational mode may be responsive to not one single toggle, but rather a sequence of multiple toggles. This is more reliable in preventing mis-trigger the switching of operation state.

[0047] In some embodiments, the processing unit is configured to reset the toggle counter to an initial value responsive to the running clock signal indicating an expiration period of time has elapsed since power up of the clock. Resetting the toggle counter after a defined period helps increase the likelihood that only intentional sequences of power toggles trigger state changes, improving control reliability.

[0048] In some embodiments, the control circuit further comprises a memory configured to store state information identifying the active operational state of the illumination device, wherein the active operational state is one of plurality of candidate operational states for the illumination device, and the candidate operational states comprise one or more light 2024PF80276

[0049] 7 output states, each indicating a light output profile for the illumination device, and / or a network configuration state of the illumination device.

[0050] This feature allows the device to maintain and switch between multiple operational states, enabling sophisticated control of both light output and network configuration through power toggle sequences.

[0051] In some embodiments, the control circuit comprises a first microcontroller comprising the processing unit and the clock, or a second microcontroller comprising the processing unit, wherein the clock is external to the second microcontroller. These alternative configurations provide flexibility in implementation, allowing for either an integrated solution or the use of an external clock for potentially improved accuracy or cost-effectiveness.

[0052] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an illumination device is provided comprising a light emitting element and the control circuit as described in any of the preceding embodiments. This approach integrates the control circuit into a complete illumination device, providing a fully functional product with enhanced control capabilities.

[0053] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method for controlling an illumination device by identifying a toggle of power carried by a power line is provided. The method comprises providing, using a clock, a clock signal that resets and indicates a running time elapsed since power up of the clock, wherein the clock is powered by an energy buffer circuit that buffers energy of the power carried by the power line. Upon power up from the power carried by the power line, the method determines whether or not the clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up, identifies whether or not there has been a toggle of power of a defined pattern accordingly, and controls the illumination device according to whether or not there has been the toggle of power of the defined pattern.

[0054] In some embodiments of the method, the step of identifying comprises, responsive to determining that the clock has reset upon power up, identifying that there has not been the toggle of power of the defined pattern, and responsive to determining that the clock has not reset upon power up, identifying that there has been the toggle of power of the defined pattern.

[0055] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment s) described hereinafter.

[0056] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2024PF80276

[0057] 8

[0058] 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:

[0059] Figure 1 illustrates an illumination device according to the prior art;

[0060] Figure 2 illustrates an illumination device with a proposed control circuit;

[0061] Figure 3 illustrates a proposed method;

[0062] Figure 4 illustrates another proposed method; and

[0063] Figure 5 illustrates yet another proposed method.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0065] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0066] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, circuits 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, circuits 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.

[0067] The invention provides a mechanism for detecting a power toggle on a power line and controlling an illumination device accordingly. A clock for a processing unit of a control circuit for the illumination device is powered by an energy buffer circuit. When a power drops on the power line, the clock will continue to be temporarily powered by the energy buffer circuit. The processing unit detects, upon power up, when or not the clock has reset due to the power drop to thereby distinguish between a toggle of power on the power line and a longer power off of the power line. The illumination device is controlled accordingly.

[0068] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an illumination device 100 known in the art, for the purposes of improved contextual understanding.

[0069] The illumination device 100 comprises a light emitting element 110, an illumination device control circuit 120 and a power line 190.

[0070] The light emitting element 110 may comprise a light output element 111 (e.g., a LED array) configured to (controllably) output light and a driver 112. The driver 112 may define the power provided to the light output element 111 and / or one or more properties of the light output by the light output element 111. 2024PF80276

[0071] 9

[0072] The illumination device control circuit 120 is configured to control an operation of the light emitting element and / or other components of the illumination device, e.g., to control one or more properties of light output by the light emitting element (e.g., light intensity, pattern, color, angle, beam spread an / or any other modifiable property of the output light). The illumination device control circuit may, for instance, control a function or operation of the driver 112 of the light emitting element 110 and / or one or more other components of the illumination device (not illustrated in Figure 1), such as a lens repositioning device and / or a reflective mirror. Approaches for controlling the operation of components of an illumination device are well known in the art, and the specifics are largely immaterial to the present disclosure.

[0073] The illumination device control device 120 comprises a clock 121. The clock 121 generates a running clock signal, which indicates a time that has elapsed since power up of the clock. Put another way, the running clock signal will indicate how much time has elapsed from a start time, wherein the start time is defined by a time at which the clock was most recently reset. Thus, when the clock resets (e.g., loses power and then regains power), the running clock signal will also reset.

[0074] By way of example, the clock may comprise a clock source configured to generate regular pulses; and a register configured to generate the clock signal by counting the number of regular pulses emitted by the clock source. The clock source may, for instance, comprise an electronic oscillator such as a crystal oscillator.

[0075] Traditionally, the running clock signal is used by the illumination device control circuit to control the operation of the light emitting element. For instance, the illumination device control circuit may be configured to activate the light emitting element for a predetermined period of time after receiving a predefined sensor signal from a sensor (e.g., a motion sensor). After the predetermined toggle count value has elapsed, as monitored using the running clock signal, the illumination device control signal may deactivate the light emitting element. Other uses for a running clock signal will be readily apparent to the skilled person (e.g., to control or define a movement through different colors or similar). For instance, in a scenario in which the illumination device is one a plurality of the illumination devices that forms a mesh network, the clock may also be used for communication within the mesh network.

[0076] There is a demand to enable a user or other system to communicate with the illumination device control circuit. Although this could be enabled using a dedicated communication circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit) of the illumination device control circuit, such communication circuits can draw significant power if continually in 2024PF80276

[0077] 10 operation. As such, it is desirable for communication circuits to be disabled when not in use, e.g., such that the illumination device enters a non-communi cative operational state in which the communication circuit is disabled or deactivated (e.g., depowered).

[0078] Another approach for providing a user-controllable input to an illumination device control circuit is the use of power toggling. In particular, an operator of the illumination device may indicate a desire to switch an operational state of the illumination device by toggling (i.e., turning off and then on again) the power source to the illumination device, e.g., toggling a switch. This creates a toggle (of power) on a power line for the illumination device control device. In this context, a toggle is defined by a power down followed by a power up of a power line for the illumination device control device within a window of time (a “toggle window”) having a predefined duration (e.g., < 1 second), i.e., following a defined pattern. This window of time is used to differentiate the toggle for switching an operational state of the illumination device from an intentional off and later on of the illumination device which off time is beyond the predefined duration.

[0079] In particular, there is a need to distinguish between a power toggle and a longer depowering of the power line.

[0080] The illustrated illumination device 100 provides a power buffer 130 that cooperates with the illumination device control circuit 120 to detect a toggle of a power on the power line for the illumination device.

[0081] The illumination device control device 120 comprises a charging pin 128 that outputs a predetermined voltage when the illumination device control circuit is powered (i.e., when there is power on the power line for the illumination device control circuit), and no voltage otherwise. The power buffer 130 buffers the power provided by the charging pin 128, which slowly dissipates when the illumination device control circuit is not powered. The charging and discharging is implemented by an RC circuit as shown in figure 1, wherein the dissipation rate of the power is determined by the RC constant of the RC circuit.

[0082] The illumination device control device 120 also comprises a readout pin 129 that monitors the power stored by the power buffer 130. When the illumination device control device 120 powers up, it samples the power stored by the power buffer 130 to determine whether or not there has been a toggle of power. In particular, if no power or power less than a certain threshold is stored by the power buffer, then no toggle of power is determined. Otherwise (i.e., there is a non-zero power stored by the power buffer), then a toggle of power is determined. The power is measured as the remaining voltage on the capacitor in the RC circuit. 2024PF80276

[0083] 11

[0084] In this way, a toggle of power is detected by directly monitoring a power stored by the power buffer upon startup of the illumination device control device 120. The illustrated power buffer here comprises an RC circuit. Appropriate selection of the component values of the RC circuit allow for selection of the predefined duration of the toggle window.

[0085] The present disclosure provides an alternative approach for performing toggle detection in an illumination device.

[0086] More particularly, the present disclosure proposes to exploit the resetting of the running clock signal to perform toggle detection. In particular, it is proposed to provide the clock of an illumination device with an energy buffer circuit that allows the clock to continue running for a predefined period of time (i.e., the toggle window) after the power on a power line has dropped or ended. The illumination device control circuit is able to effectively determine whether or not the clock has reset by checking the running clock signal to thereby determine whether or not a power toggle

[0087] Figure 2 illustrates an illumination device 200 comprising a light emitting element 110 and a proposed illumination device control circuit 250. The illumination device control circuit is configured for identifying a toggle of a power carried by a power line 290 (for the illumination device) to control the illumination device.

[0088] The light emitting element 110 may be as previously embodied.

[0089] The illumination device control circuit 250 comprises an energy buffer circuit 260. The energy buffer circuit is configured to buffer energy of the power carried by the power line 290.

[0090] In the illustrated example, the energy buffer circuit comprises a rectifying arrangement DI, here embodied as a diode, and an energy storage device Cl, here embodied as a capacitor. This configuration provides an efficient mechanism for the (temporary) storage of energy / power from the power line.

[0091] Other example forms of energy buffer circuits (e.g., employing one or more cells, batteries, inductors and / or capacitors) will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

[0092] The illumination device control circuit 250 further comprises a clock 270, which is powered by the energy buffer circuit.

[0093] The clock 270 is configured to generate a running clock signal. As previously explained, a running clock signal provides an indicator of a time elapsed since a start time, which is defined as the time at which the clock was most recently powered up and / or reset. A suitable example of a clock has been previously described, and other examples will be readily apparent to the skilled person. 2024PF80276

[0094] 12

[0095] It will be appreciated that, when no power is carried by the power line, then the clock 270 will continue to draw power from the energy buffer circuit until the energy buffered by the energy buffer circuit is depleted optionally below the minimum voltage requirement of the clock 270. Similarly, when power is carried by the power line, then the energy buffered by the energy buffer circuit will be effectively maintained at or near the (average) power of the power line.

[0096] The illumination device control circuit 250 further comprises a processing unit 280. The processing unit 280 is powered by the power line 290 and is configured to receive the running clock signal from the clock. Accordingly, the processing unit 280 may comprise a clock input interface 289 for receiving the running clock signal from the clock.

[0097] Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 that may be performed by the control circuit. Continued reference will be made, where appropriate, to the elements illustrated in Figure 2.

[0098] As previously mentioned, the clock is configured to provide the running clock signal. The clock is configured to reset upon power up. As such, the method 300 comprises a step 310 of providing, using the clock, a running clock signal having a value that changes starting from a start time from power up of the clock. It is noted that the clock is powered by an energy buffer circuit that buffers energy of the power carried by the power line.

[0099] It will be appreciated that step 310 also comprises receiving, at the processing unit, the running clock signal.

[0100] The processing unit is configured to, upon power up 305 (of the processing unit), determine 320 whether or not the running clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit. This thereby identifies whether or not there has been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern.

[0101] As such, the method 300 comprises a step 310 of determining (using the processing unit) whether or not the running clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit to thereby identify whether or not there has been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern.

[0102] In other words, the processing unit identifies whether or not the clock 270 was powered down (i.e., the energy stored by the energy buffer circuit was depleted) during a time in which the processing unit was powered down. If the clock was not powered down, this indicates that there has been a toggle of power with a defined pattern (e.g., on-off-on within a predetermined period of time) with a proper off duration not sufficient to reset the clock. Otherwise, if the clock was powered down, then this indicates that there has not been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern (e.g., on-off-on within a predetermined period 2024PF80276

[0103] 13 of time), but implying that the off time is substantially long and should be regarded as an intentional off.

[0104] The processing unit is therefore configured to identify whether or not there has been a toggle of power (with the defined pattern) responsive to the determination of whether or not the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit.

[0105] In some examples, responsive to determining that the clock has not reset upon power up of the control circuit, the processing unit identifies that there has been the toggle of the power. Correspondingly, the processing unit may be adapted to, responsive to determining that the clock has reset upon power up of the control circuit, identify that there has not been the toggle of the power.

[0106] It will be appreciated that the precise mechanism by which a determination of whether or not the clock has been reset upon power up of the processing unit will vary dependent, for instance, upon the precise mechanism of the running clock signal.

[0107] In some examples, the clock is configured to upon each power up of the clock, reset the value of the running clock signal (e.g., to a reset value) to indicate a / the start time; and incrementing the value of the running clock signal responsive to a time elapsed since power up of the clock. In this way, the value of the running clock signal will incrementally change with the time that has elapsed since a reset of the clock.

[0108] In such examples, the processing unit may be configured to, upon power up, determine whether or not the clock has reset by determining whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time. In other words, the processing unit may identify whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates a time that is substantially close to or equal to (e.g., within a predetermined error margin) the start time.

[0109] This can be performed by comparing a reference value (representing the start time) to the value of the running clock signal obtained upon power up or startup of the processing unit. If the value of the running clock signal is similar to (e.g., within a predetermined error margin of) the reference value, then the processing unit may determine that the clock has reset, and therefore that there has not been a toggle of power with the defined pattern. Otherwise, the processing unit may determine that the clock has not reset, and that therefore there has been a toggle of power with the defined pattern.

[0110] In particular, the processing unit may store a reference value that represents the expected value taken by the running clock signal at the start time. This reference value therefore represents the expected value of the running clock signal if the clock has been (recently) reset, thereby effectively representing the start time or a delayed time that represents a time a short 2024PF80276

[0111] 14 period after the start time. The use of a delayed time may, for instance, take account of delays in monitoring the running clock signal due to, for instance, a startup routine of the processing unit.

[0112] In some examples, the reference value may be defined upon a first power up of the clock (for the illumination device). Accordingly, the processing unit may be configured to, upon a first power up of the clock, store the value of the running clock signal in a first memory 291. The first memory is a non-volatile memory, which may form part of the illumination device control circuit. In some examples, the reference value stored by the first memory may, for instance, be manually reset or modified.

[0113] In other examples, the reference value may be defined in advance, e.g., during manufacture of the illumination device control circuit and / or the illumination device. Thus, the control circuit 292 may further comprise a second memory configured to, before first power up of the clock, store a second reference value representing the start time. The processing unit may be configured to, upon a power up of the processing unit, compare the second reference value to the (monitored) value of the running clock signal to determine whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time. The second memory is a nonvolatile memory.

[0114] The processing unit is further configured to control the illumination device responsive to whether or not there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern. Example approaches are provided later in this disclosure.

[0115] Thus, the method 300 further comprises a step 330 of (using the processing unit) controlling the illumination device responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

[0116] In the illustrated example, the control circuit 250 is configured wherein the processing unit is formed as an aspect of a microcontroller, with the clock being formed externally to the microcontroller. This separated approach may, for instance, provide greater flexibility in terms of clock selection and replacement, potentially extending the lifespan or upgradeability of the illumination device.

[0117] However, this configuration is not essential. In another example, the control circuit comprises a microcontroller that integrates both the processing unit and the clock. This integrated approach may provide a more compact and cost-effective design. The tight integration between the processing unit and clock may also allow for more efficient communication and synchronization between these components, potentially improving the overall performance and reliability of the toggle detection system. 2024PF80276

[0118] 15

[0119] In yet another example, a part of the clock such as the oscillator source is external to and another part of the clock such as the register is embodied in the microcontroller unit.

[0120] In any configuration, the processing unit is responsible for the core functionality of the control circuit, including monitoring the running clock signal, detecting power toggles, and controlling the operational state of the illumination device. The clock, whether integrated or external, may provide the critical timing information necessary for accurate toggle detection.

[0121] A non-exhaustive number of example approach for controlling the illumination device responsive to the determination of whether or not there has been a toggle of power are hereafter described.

[0122] In particular examples, the processing unit may be configured to determine whether or not to change an operational state of the illumination device responsive to the determination of whether or not there the toggle of power is identified.

[0123] It will be appreciated that the illumination device is operational in a plurality of different operational states or modes, which can be labelled candidate operational states. An operational state in which the illumination device is (currently) operating may be labelled an active operational state.

[0124] A number of example operational states are hereafter described, any two or more of which may function as candidate operational states for an illumination device, dependent upon the precise use-case scenario and / or desired implementation. The precise operational states for an illumination device will, of course, depend upon the functionality and / or capabilities of the illumination device.

[0125] In some examples, the candidate operational states comprise one or more network configuration states. In a network configuration state, a communicative functionality of the illumination device is activated, e.g., a communication circuit is activated. One example of a network configuration state is a pairing mode, in which a communication circuit of the illumination device attempts to wirelessly connect or pair to another wirelessly enabled device. The illumination device may exit the network configuration state upon pairing with another device and / or responsive to a command from a paired other device.

[0126] In some examples, the candidate operational states comprise one or more fixed communication states. In a fixed communication state, a communicative functionality of the illumination device may be fixed or disabled. For instance, in a first fixed communication state, the illumination device may be unable to establish a new communication channel with another 2024PF80276

[0127] 16 device. As another example, in a second fixed communication state, the illumination device may be unable to communicate with any other device.

[0128] In some examples, the candidate operational states comprise one or more different light profile states. Each light profile state represents a different desired light output (profile) for the illumination device. For instance, each light profile state may indicate a different combination of properties for the light output by the illumination device (e.g., a different color, intensity, pattern, angle, beam spread and / or any other modifiable property).

[0129] In some examples, the candidate operational states comprise light activation states. When operating in a first light activation state (a light-off / standby state), the illumination device may output no light. When operating in a second light activation state (a light-on state) the illumination device may be permitted to output light. Other example light activation states are possible, such as a low-power light activation state in which the illumination device is permitted to output light up to a maximum light intensity or a safety light activation state in which the illumination device outputs light at a fixed light intensity. Note that in this first light activation state (a light-off / standby state) the illumination device is still receiving the input power but just does not emit light, which must be distinguished from turning off the input power at the switch to block the illumination device from the input power.

[0130] In some examples, the candidate operational states may comprise one or more power saving states. In a power saving state, the illumination device may operate with reduced power consumption compared to a normal operating state. For instance, in a first power saving state, certain non-essential components or features of the illumination device may be deactivated or operated at a lower power level. In a second power saving state, the illumination device may enter a sleep mode where only essential functions are maintained.

[0131] In some examples, the candidate operational states may comprise one or more sensor-based states. In a sensor-based state, the operation of the illumination device may be controlled based on input from one or more sensors. For instance, in a motion sensor state, the illumination device may activate or change its light output in response to detected motion. In an ambient light sensor state, the illumination device may adjust its light output based on the detected ambient light levels. Thus, different sensor-based states may define which of one or more sensors for the illumination device are activated or used to control the operation of the illumination device.

[0132] The skilled person will appreciate that any defined operational state may be combined with one another to create more complex operational modes tailored to specific use cases or user preferences. For instance, the skilled person will appreciate that combinations of 2024PF80276

[0133] 17 candidate operational states may define one or more combined states that function as candidate operational states. By way of example, in a first combined state, the illumination device may have a first light profile state and a network configuration state - whereas in a second combined state, the illumination device may have the first light profile state and a fixed communication state. Other examples will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

[0134] As previously mentioned, the processing unit may be configured to determine whether or not to change an operational state of the illumination device responsive to the determination of whether or not there the toggle of power (with a defined pattern) is identified.

[0135] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a simple example method 400 that may be performed by the control circuit in which the processing unit determines whether or not to change an operational state of the illumination device.

[0136] The method comprises providing 310 the running clock signal using the clock, approaches for which have been previously disclosed.

[0137] The method 400 also comprises determining (using the processing unit) whether or not the clock has reset, in step 420, to thereby identify whether or not a toggle of power with the defined pattern has occurred. This provides an example approach to performing step 320 (Fig. 3), and example approaches have been previously described.

[0138] Responsive to a positive determination in step 420 (i.e., the clock has reset and no toggle of power is thereby identified), then the processing system takes no action to change the operational state, i.e., the method ends in a procedure 450. In other words, the method maintains the active operational state of the illumination device. Responsive to a negative determination in step 420 (i.e., the clock has not reset and a toggle of power is thereby identified), then the processing system is configured to switch 430 the illumination device to a predetermined operational state.

[0139] Thus, the processing unit may be configured to switch the illumination device to a predetermined operational state responsive to detecting the (single) toggle of power. This predetermined operational state may, for instance, be a network configuration state.

[0140] As a more complex example, the illumination device may be associated with a sequence of two or more candidate operational states. The processing unit may be configured to switch the illumination device to a next candidate operational state (sequentially immediately after the active operational state) responsive to identifying a (single) toggle. Thus, the processing unit may step the illumination device through a sequence of candidate operational states (i.e., to a next operational state in the sequence) responsive to detecting a toggle. The sequence may be circular, such that when reaching a final candidate operational 2024PF80276

[0141] 18 state in the sequence, the next candidate operational state is the first / earliest candidate operational state in the sequence.

[0142] Thus, step 430 may instead comprise switching the illumination device to a next candidate operational state.

[0143] In more sophisticated examples, the determination of whether or not to change the operational state of the illumination device may be responsive to a number of toggles of power identified by the processing unit.

[0144] In particular, the processing unit may be configured to store a toggle counter identifying a number of toggles of power with the defined pattern. The processing unit may be configured to, responsive to identifying that there has been the toggle of power, increment the value of the toggle counter. The processing unit may be configured to control whether or not the illumination device switches responsive to the value of the toggle counter.

[0145] For instance, responsive to the toggle counter reaching a predetermined value, the processing unit may control the illumination device to switch from the active operational state to a different operational state. Responsive to the toggle counter failing to reach the predetermined value, control the illumination device to maintain the active operational state of the illumination device.

[0146] In some examples, the processing unit may be configured to associate a plurality of predetermined toggle count values with different modifications to the operational state of the illumination device. This allows for more complex control schemes based on the number of detected power toggles. The association may be defined, for instance, by a lookup table or similar which maps predetermined toggle count values to respective modifications (e.g., respective candidate operational states). The processing unit may be configured to identify the modification by looking up the modification in the lookup table using the value of the toggle counter.

[0147] For instance, the processing unit may be configured to monitor the running clock signal to determine when a toggle count period of time has elapsed since startup of the processing unit. This can be performed by monitoring a value of the running clock signal and comparing the monitored value to an initial value of the running clock signal upon startup of the processing unit. Upon the value of the toggle counter reaching a predetermined toggle count value and detecting that the toggle count period of time has elapsed, the processing unit may perform the modification associated with that predetermined toggle count value.

[0148] As an example, if the toggle counter indicates only a single toggle after the toggle count period of time has elapsed since power up of the processing unit, then the 2024PF80276

[0149] 19 processing unit may step through a sequence of candidate operational states to the next state in the sequence. This allows for cycling through different light output profiles or other operational modes with repeated single toggles.

[0150] In another example, if the toggle counter indicates only four toggles after the toggle count period of time has elapsed since power up of the processing unit, then the processing unit may cause the illumination device to enter a network configuration state, such as a pairing mode for establishing wireless communication with another device.

[0151] If there are multiple predetermined toggle count values associated with different modifications, the processing unit may be appropriately configured to handle cases where the toggle counter value falls between two predetermined toggle count values after the toggle count period of time has elapsed since power up of the processing unit. In such cases, the processing unit may perform the modification associated with the nearest predetermined toggle count value below the current toggle counter value. This provides a fallback behavior for partial toggle sequences.

[0152] In some examples, if the toggle counter reaches the highest predetermined toggle count value, the processing unit may be configured to immediately perform the modification associated with that highest value, without waiting for the toggle count period of time to elapse. This allows for quick access to certain modes or states through a specific number of rapid toggles.

[0153] To reset the toggle detection process, the processing unit may be configured to reset the toggle counter to an initial value (e.g., zero) when the running clock signal indicates an expiration period of time has elapsed since power up of the processing unit. This expiration period may be longer than the predetermined period used for toggle detection, allowing the system to reset and be ready for a new sequence of toggles.

[0154] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one method 500 that may be performed by a control circuit that exploits a toggle counter using one or more previously outlined approaches.

[0155] The method comprises performing the steps 310 and 420 previously disclosed and not repeated for the sake of conciseness.

[0156] Responsive to a negative determination in step 420 (i.e., no reset is detected and therefore a toggle is detected), the method 500 moves to a step 510 of incrementing the toggle counter. Step 510 is performed by the processing unit.

[0157] After performing step 510, the method 500 then moves to a step 520 of determining whether or not a toggle count period of time has elapsed since startup of the processing unit. The method 500 may hang at step 520 until the toggle count period of time 2024PF80276

[0158] 20 has elapsed (i.e., step 520 may be repeatedly performed, optionally with a predetermined delay between each iteration, whilst a negative determination is made in step 520). Of course, if the processing unit is reset during the toggle count period, then the method will naturally revert back to step 420 (as a new power up 305 occurs).

[0159] Responsive to a positive determination in step 520, i.e., the toggle count period of time has elapsed, the method 500 moves to a step 530 of determining whether or not the value of the toggle counter has reached at least one predetermined toggle count value.

[0160] Responsive to a positive determination in step 530, i.e., the toggle counter has reached at least one predetermined toggle count value, the method moves to step 540 of modifying the operational state of the illumination device. Step 540 may comprise for instance, using a lookup table to identify a state modification or candidate operational state for the illumination device that corresponds to the value of the toggle counter (or optionally, if between values, to a nearest lower predetermined value).

[0161] In some examples, step 530 comprises determining whether or not the value of the toggle counter exactly matches one of the at least one predetermined toggle count value(s). In such examples, step 540 is only performed when there is an exact match between the value of the toggle counter and a predetermined toggle count value. Otherwise, the method may maintain the active operational state of the illumination device.

[0162] After performing step 540, the method may perform a step 550 of resetting the value of the toggle counter to an initial value (e.g., 0). Step 550 may also be performed, for example, responsive to a positive determination in step 420 (i.e., when it is determined that the clock has reset and that there is therefore no toggle). After performing step 550, the method 500 ends 570.

[0163] In some examples, responsive to a negative determination in step 530 (i.e., the toggle counter has not reached at least one predetermined toggle count value), the method 500 comprises a step 560 determining whether or not an expiration period of time has elapsed since reset of the processing unit. The expiration period of time is a predetermined period of time that is larger than the toggle count period of time. Responsive to a positive determination (i.e., when the expiration period of time has elapsed), the method 500 moves to step 550. Otherwise, the method ends 570.

[0164] Where relevant and if performed, each of steps 510 - 560 is performed by the processing unit of the control circuit.

[0165] 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 2024PF80276

[0166] 21 disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0167] Functions implemented by a processor may be implemented by a single processor or by multiple separate processing units which may together be considered to constitute a "processor". Such processing units may in some cases be remote from each other and communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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 "circuit", and vice versa.

[0170] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

2024PF8027622CLAIMS:

1. An illumination device control circuit for identifying a toggle of a power carried by a power line for the illumination device to control the illumination device, wherein the control circuit comprises: an energy buffer circuit adapted to buffer energy of the power; a clock configured to provide a running clock signal having a value that changes starting from a start time from power up of the clock, wherein the clock is adapted to be powered by the energy buffer circuit and configured to upon each reset of the clock, reset the value of the running clock signal to a reset value that indicates the start time; and a processing unit adapted to be powered by the power line and configured to receive the running clock signal from the clock, wherein the processing unit is configured to: upon power up of the processing unit, determine whether or not the running clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit by determining whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the reset value / the start time, to thereby identify whether or not there has been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern; and control the illumination device responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

2. The illumination device control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the clock is adapted to reset when the energy buffered by the energy buffer circuit is depleted optionally below the minimum voltage requirement of the clock, and said processing unit is adapted to: responsive to determining that the clock has reset upon power up of the control circuit, identifying that there has not been the toggle of the power with the defined pattern of an off duration not sufficient to reset the clock; and responsive to determining that the clock has not reset upon power up of the control circuit, identifying that there has been the toggle of the power with the defined pattern of an off duration not sufficient to reset the clock.2024PF80276233. The control circuit of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the energy buffer circuit is configured to power the clock for up to a predetermined toggle count value after loss of power on the power line.

4. The control circuit of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clock is configured to increment the value of the running clock signal responsive to a time elapsed since power up of the clock.

5. The control circuit of claim 4, further comprising a first memory, wherein the processing unit is configured to: upon a first power up of the clock, store the value of the running clock signal as a first reference value in the first memory; and upon any subsequent power up of the processing unit, compare the first reference value to the value of the running clock signal to determine whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time.

6. The control circuit of claim 4, further comprising a second memory configured to, before first power up of the clock, store a second reference value representing the start time; and the processing unit is configured to, upon a power up of the processing unit, compare the second reference value to the value of the running clock signal to determine whether or not the value of the running clock signal indicates substantially the start time.

7. The control circuit of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processing unit is further configured to control, responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been a toggle of power with the defined pattern, whether or not an operational state of the illumination device changes from an active operational state to a different operational state.

8. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is configured to: control the illumination device to switch the operational state of the illumination device from the active operational state to the different operational state responsive to identifying that there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern; and2024PF8027624 control the illumination device to maintain the active operational state of the illumination device responsive to identifying that there has not been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

9. The control circuit of any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the processing unit is configured to: store a toggle counter identifying a number of toggles of power; responsive to identifying that there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern, increment the value of the toggle counter; responsive to the toggle counter reaching a predetermined value, control the illumination device to switch from the active operational state to the different operational state; and responsive to the toggle counter failing to reach the predetermined value, control the illumination device to maintain the active operational state of the illumination device.

10. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein the processing unit is configured to reset the toggle counter to an initial value responsive to the running clock signal indicating an expiration period of time has elapsed since power up of the clock.

11. The control circuit of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a memory configured to store state information identifying the active operational state of the illumination device, wherein: the active operational state is one of plurality of candidate operational states for the illumination device; and the candidate operational states comprise one or more light output states, each indicating a light output profile for the illumination device, and / or a network configuration state of the illumination device.

12. The control circuit of any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a first microcontroller comprising the processing unit and the clock, or a second microcontroller comprising the processing unit, wherein the clock is external to the second microcontroller.

13. An illumination device comprising:2024PF8027625 a light emitting element; and the control circuit of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method for controlling an illumination device by identifying a toggle of power carried by a power line, wherein the method comprises: providing, using a clock configured to reset upon power up of the clock, a running clock signal having a value that changes starting from a start time from power up of the clock, wherein the clock is powered by an energy buffer circuit that buffers energy of the power carried by the power line; upon power up of the processing unit: determining whether or not the running clock signal indicates that the clock has reset upon power up of the processing unit to thereby identify whether or not there has been a toggle of power at the power line with a defined pattern; and controlling the illumination device responsive to the identification of whether or not there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

15. The method for controlling the illumination device of claim 14, wherein the step of identifying comprises: responsive to determining that the clock has reset upon power up, identifying that there has not been the toggle of power with the defined pattern; and responsive to determining that the clock has not reset upon power up, identifying that there has been the toggle of power with the defined pattern.

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