DALI Lighting Firmware Update via Physical Signal Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for firmware updates in lighting technology devices via a DALI bus require decoding and conversion of signals, consuming device resources and increasing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A method that sets the lighting technology device in a firmware update mode, allowing it to directly translate physical states of the DALI signal into binary code without decoding, using a central unit to generate and transmit the DALI signal for efficient firmware updates, and employing a boot loader for updating the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If firmware update is performed via DALI bus using known techniques, then firmware can be updated to newer versions, but device complexity and cost increase due to required decoding software and memory space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the decoding function from the device by implementing it in the external programming device. The lighting technology device only needs to receive raw DALI signals directly, without requiring internal decoding software or dedicated flash memory regions. This separation reduces device complexity while maintaining firmware update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the external programming device handles the complex decoding and conversion tasks. The lighting technology device simply receives the raw DALI signals through its existing interface, eliminating the need for built-in decoding software and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If decoding software is stored in device memory for firmware updates, then firmware can be updated via bus interface, but memory space and programming power are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update capabilityVSAvoidprogramming power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power-intensive decoding function from the lighting technology device and places it in the external programming device. The device only needs to receive raw DALI signals, significantly reducing its programming power consumption and memory requirements during firmware updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The external programming device performs the decoding and conversion operations independently, serving the lighting technology device's firmware update needs without requiring the device to allocate resources for these functions. This allows the device to focus solely on receiving and processing the updated firmware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate flash region is allocated for decoding software, then firmware update protocol can be implemented, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update protocol supportVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the requirement for dedicated flash memory regions by implementing the decoding function externally. This eliminates the need for complex memory layout design and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining full firmware update protocol support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the existing DALI interface universal by enabling it to directly receive firmware update data without requiring separate decoding software. This multi-functional use of the DALI interface eliminates the need for additional hardware components and simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If decoding and conversion is performed at the device, then firmware update can be received via bus, but time is consumed and resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update receptionVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the time-consuming decoding and conversion operations from the device to the external programming device. The lighting technology device directly receives raw DALI signals, eliminating the time delay associated with internal decoding and conversion processes, thereby reducing overall update time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3855871B1Method for performing a firmware update of a lighting technology device

Publication Date: 2023.03.08 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for performing a firmware update of a lighting technology device (300), comprising the steps of: supplying (101) firmware update data according to a firmware update protocol; transmitting (103) said firmware update data via a DALI bus (303) using the physical layer of a DALI signal; and receiving (105) said firmware update data at a DALI interface (305) of said lighting technology device (300); wherein the firmware update data is obtained directly by translating changes of the physical states, in particular phase changes of a square wave carrier signal, of the DALI signal into a binary code representing the firmware update data according to the firmware update protocol.