Firmware Update Tool for Bus-Powered Lighting Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Updating firmware of devices in a lighting system via a control bus, such as DALI, often results in a lockout situation due to the control bus power supply ceasing to operate during the update process, preventing the continuation of the update.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent firmware update tool that scans devices connected to the control bus, identifies which devices supply power, and selectively enables or disables bus power supplies to ensure continuous power to the control bus during the update process, allowing for automated and uninterrupted firmware updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If firmware update is performed via control bus, then update cost and time are reduced, but control bus power supply may cease to operate causing lockout situation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of bus power supply devices before the firmware update process. The application controller queries each device to determine if it has bus power supply functionality and stores this information. Based on this preliminary knowledge, the controller proactively manages power supply devices to ensure continuity throughout the update process, preventing lockout situations before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The application controller acts as an intermediary between firmware update processes and bus power supply devices. It receives update requests, identifies which devices provide power to the control bus, and coordinates with these power supply devices to maintain power continuity. This intermediary management layer ensures that power supply considerations are integrated into the update workflow without compromising update efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If bus power supply is disabled during update, then update can proceed for that device, but control bus loses power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of multiple devices by identifying and utilizing any device on the control bus that has bus power supply capability. Instead of relying on a single dedicated power supply device, the system can use any available device with power supply functionality to maintain bus power during updates. This merging approach ensures that power supply capability is distributed and redundant across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices with bus power supply functionality serve the system's power needs during firmware updates. Rather than requiring an external power supply source, the system uses its own devices that already have power supply capability to maintain bus operation. The power supply devices essentially self-service the system by continuing to provide power even while their firmware is being updated in a coordinated manner.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for updating firmware of devices of a lighting system. The lighting system comprises a control bus for connecting a plurality of the devices. At least one device includes a bus power supply for supplying the control bus. The lighting system performs the update of the firmware of the devices via the control bus. The method includes steps of: acquiring information on the at least one bus power supply from the plurality of devices via the control bus, and selecting devices of the plurality of devices based on the acquired information. The selected devices exclude at least one of the devices of the plurality of devices that includes the bus power supply outputting a supply current to the control bus. The method then updates the firmware of the selected devices of the plurality of devices.