Activation of a transmitting device of a lighting device

Abstract

Lighting devices with lighting means, transmitting device for transmitting an electromagnetic data signal and energy buffer for current supply of the transmitting device are to be protected from exhaustive discharge. Thereto, an activation device is provided, by which the transmitting device can be activated from an energy-saving mode, in which the transmitting device is switched off, into an operating mode, in which the transmitting device is switched on for operationally transmitting the electromagnetic data signal.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising: an illuminant, a transmitting device for transmitting an electromagnetic data signal, and an energy buffer for current supply of the transmitting device, and an activation device, by which the transmitting device can be activated from an energy-saving mode, in which the transmitting device is switched off, into an operating mode, in which the transmitting device is switched on for operationally transmitting the electromagnetic data signal; wherein: the activation device is configured to determine when periodic switching cycles of the transmitting device occur; and the activation device is configured to activate the transmitting device or keep the transmitting device activated despite an activated exhaustive discharge protection in case of internal current supply.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a main supply terminal, via which both the illuminant and the transmitting device and/or the energy buffer can be supplied with energy.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminant, the transmitting device, the energy buffer and the activation device are accommodated in a common housing.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device can be switched to a transmitting-receiving operation and/or a configuration operation by the activation device in the operating mode.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device comprises a photo detector, by which a light pulse is detectable for activating the transmitting device or for switching the transmitting device.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device can be cyclically activated by the activation device.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is configured such that it transmits a signal and examines if a connection request is present after each activation.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device is configured such that the transmitting device is automatically activated as soon as the lighting device is supplied with energy from an external energy supply device.

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein an input voltage of the lighting device can be acquired by a digital-analog converter and a corresponding value can be digitally transferred to the activation device or can be communicated from the energy supply device to the activation device via a communication interface of the lighting device.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device comprises a computing unit, by which the type of the energy supply of the transmitting device or a state of charge of the energy buffer is recognizable.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1, which is configured such that the transmitting device does not change to the energy-saving mode after an external current supply has been effected for a preset period of time.

12. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein a functionality of the lighting device can be automatically restricted if the state of charge of the energy buffer falls below a preset limit value.

13. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device is configured to examine a current supply of the lighting device in preset intervals and to correspondingly control the transmitting device.

14. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device is configured such that the transmitting device is activated as soon as a preset activation pattern is transferred to the lighting device via an external energy supply device.

15. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery for supply of the transmitting device besides the energy buffer, wherein the battery can be automatically electrically disconnected from the transmitting device if the lighting device obtains energy from an external energy supply device.

16. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device contains an insulating element, by the removal of which the transmitting device is switched from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode.

17. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is further supplied with energy via the illuminant.

18. A method for operating a lighting device comprising: an illuminant, a transmitting device for transmitting an electromagnetic data signal, an energy buffer for current supply of the transmitting device, an activation device, by which the transmitting device can be activated from an energy-saving mode, in which the transmitting device is switched off, into an operating mode, in which the transmitting device is switched on for operationally transmitting the electromagnetic data signal; wherein the activation device comprises a computing unit configured to determine a state of charge of the energy buffer; wherein the method comprises: determining, by the activation device, when periodic switching cycles of the transmitting device occur; and activating the transmitting device or keeping the transmitting device activated, by the activation device, despite an activated exhaustive discharge protection in case of internal current supply based on when the periodic switching cycles of the transmitting device occur.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Now, the present invention is explained in more detail based on the attached drawings, in which there show:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the integration of a beacon in a light installation according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 a concept of a lighting device with activation of the transmitting device via an optical signal;

(4) FIG. 3 a concept of a lighting device with immediate activation of the transmitting device when it is supplied with energy; and

(5) FIG. 4 a concept of the lighting device, the transmitting device of which can be activated by an activation pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. Therein, it is to be noted that the individual features can be realized not only in the described feature combinations, but also alone or in other technically reasonable feature combinations.

(7) It is the aim to for example protect a beacon storage system from exhaustive discharges. Thereto, a technical system or an assembly can be provided, which includes a transmitting-receiving device or transmitting device (below briefly transmitting device) in/on or as a part of a lamp/light installation or an illuminant (below briefly “on the lighting means”) as well as an energy buffer, which provides the required energy to the transmitting device, for example the beacon, in the operation if the energy supply by the lighting means is interrupted. Furthermore, the system comprises an activation mechanism or an activation device (e.g. manual/mechanical/software/via flash unit of a smart device) to change from an energy-saving mode to an operating mode and to protect the energy buffer from an exhaustive discharge.

(8) The transmitting device on the lighting means is preferably supplied with energy via the lighting means. The transmitting device for example cyclically emits a unique identification number. A possibility, in which an expensive energy converter is not required, is the electrical connection of the transmitting device in parallel with the lighting means like LED modules or with a group of LEDs or possibly with an LCD carrier module.

(9) Furthermore, an energy buffer (e.g. accumulator) is part of the overall system or the lighting device. It provides the required energy to the transmitting device, for example the beacon, in the operation if the energy supply by the lighting means is interrupted. The startup or installation of the lighting means represents an example for such a situation, in which the service of the transmitting device for the location-related identification is optionally required without the external energy supply being available via the home supply.

(10) A possible supplement of this characteristic provides that the transmitting device on the lighting means transmits control information to the lighting means via a communication link with it in case of an imminent complete or nearly complete discharge of the energy buffer such that the lighting means is switched on and the energy buffer is thus again charged. Therein, the lighting means does not necessarily have to emit light. Thus, the transmitting device can control the lamp in selected situations (e.g. switching on/off) and thus control the own energy state.

(11) Within the scope of a possible implementation of this solution, a converter is connected between the beacon and the electronic ballast of the illuminant, which translates the data of the transmitting device (e.g. the beacon chip) into a DALI format. Therein, the converter can be part of the transmitting device and/or be configured as a separate system element and/or be part of the lighting means, in particular be integrated in the electronic ballast.

(12) The lighting device has an energy-saving mode, i.e. individual elements or components, in particular the transmitting unit of the transmitting (receiving) device of the lighting device, are regionally switched off and an activation mechanism or an activation device to change from the energy-saving mode to an operating mode. Thus, e.g. within the scope of the production process of the overall system (manufacture and assembly), the system or the transmitting device on the lighting means is set into a state, in which no or only a very low amount of energy is consumed (energy-saving mode). Thus, exhaustive discharge of the energy buffer during the logistic processes between production and installation/startup is prevented. Within the scope of the implementation, various approaches are explained how this activation mechanism can be configured.

(13) In a specific form, the invention provides an activation (or wake-up) of the transmitting device by a light signal, which is emitted by a terminal. In this case, the transmitting device thus represents a transmitting-receiving device with receiving functionality.

(14) During the installation in a service area or in selected situations within the scope of logistics (e.g. commissioning of multiple illuminants in a building), the activation of the transmitting device (e.g. the beacon) is effected such that it can subsequently be configured according to required transmission parameters. Herein, the procedure of the activation means the change of state from a defined energy-saving mode with partially/regionally switched-off system components and an operating mode, wherein it can in turn be differentiated between a regular transmitting-receiving operation and a configuration mode.

(15) Below, various activation mechanisms are explained in detail:

(16) Variant 1:

(17) An optical activation is effected via a photo detector. It acquires a light signal, which is for example initiated by a flash of a smart device. The photo detector transmits an electrical signal for activating the transmitting device.

(18) Variant 2:

(19) The transmitting device wakes up from the energy-saving mode in defined periodic intervals or in cyclical manner (e.g. once per minute). Subsequently, the transmitting device transmits a signal, e.g. advertising data of a beacon, and controls if a connection request from a terminal follows the signal. Subsequently, a change of state can occur at the transmitting device (e.g. “non-connectable”, “connectable”, e.g. to perform a configuration of the signal strength or the transmission interval).

(20) Variant 3:

(21) An electrical or electronic activation is effected. Therein, immediate activation of the transmitting device is provided if it is supplied with energy via the lighting means (e.g. light installation/lamp) and the corresponding external energy supply (e.g. house connection). In this case, a deviating voltage level is recognized, e.g. by the transmitting device itself. Thus, for instance with an external energy supply by the lighting means, a voltage level of 3 V is applied, while with an energy supply by the energy buffer, a voltage level of 2.8 V is applied. As a result, a change of state of the transmitting device from the energy-saving mode to an operating mode is initiated.

(22) Variant 4:

(23) Compared to variant 3, the activation or the command for a change of state of the transmitting device is effected via an activation pattern or signal pattern. It is for instance initiated by actuating a light switch (on, off, on, off, . . . ). Different voltage levels between the external and internal energy supply (internal: supply via energy buffer) again constitute the basis.

(24) Variant 5:

(25) Besides the energy buffer, an additional battery is installed in the manufacture. The battery supplies the energy buffer with energy during storage and transport. As soon as the lamp or the illuminant is supplied with current, it is switched from the battery to normal accumulator operation.

(26) Variant 6:

(27) The energy supply or a special contact of the transmitting device is separated by an insulating element or a “zipper” (e.g. paper, non-conducting foil) during the transport. Upon the installation of the lamp, the insulating element is withdrawn and the beacon is thus activated or awoken from the energy-saving mode.

(28) In context of FIG. 2, an embodiment according to variant 1 is now explained in more detail. In this concept, the activation of the transmitting device SE is effected via an optical signal of a communication link KV4, which is received by a receiver EMP, e.g. a photo detector, of the lighting means LM. This receiver EMP acquires a light signal, which is for example initiated by a flash of a smart device as a controlling terminal STE. The photo detector or receiver EMP transmits an electrical signal for activating the transmitting device SE via a communication link KV5.

(29) The remaining components of the lighting device or the overall system are arranged and connected, respectively, as follows. The lighting means comprises an electronic ballast ECG and an energy interface ES besides the receiver EMP. A communication link KV6 exists between the electronic ballast ECG and the receiver EMP. An energy transfer channel EK1 exists from the energy interface ES to the ballast ECG and an energy transfer channel EK2 exists from the electronic ballast ECG to the receiver EMP. The energy interface ES obtains its energy in turn via an energy transfer channel EK3 from a mains supply NV external with respect to the lighting device, which for example provides an AC voltage of 230 V.

(30) An energy buffer EZ is arranged in or on the lighting means LM according to a physical connection PV1 or formed as a part thereof. A bidirectional energy transfer channel EK4 exists between the energy interface ES and the energy buffer EZ.

(31) The transmitting device SE, which can also have receiving functionality, internally comprises an information processing unit IV and also an energy interface ES. These two components are in contact with each other via a communication link KV7. Similarly, an energy transfer channel EK5 exists between them. According to the physical connection PV2, the transmitting device SE is arranged in/on or as a part of the lighting means LM. In addition, an energy transfer channel EK6 exists between the energy interface ES of the lighting means LM and the energy interface ES of the transmitting device SE.

(32) A wireless communication link KV8 can exist from the transmitting device SE to one or more terminals E. This communication link is preferably a BLE link. The terminal or terminals E can be in communication with a router R via a wireless communication link KV9 (e.g. WiFi). Furthermore, a communication link KV10 can exist to an infrastructure for services IS. This infrastructure can e.g. be the Internet or a central service server.

(33) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. In this concept, immediate activation of the transmitting device SE is effected if it is supplied with energy via the lighting means LM and the corresponding external mains supply NV (e.g. house connection). A deviating voltage level is recognized, e.g. by the transmitting device SE itself, via an energy transfer channel EK7 between the electronic ballast ECG and the energy interface ES of the transmitting device SE. Thus, with an external energy supply by the illuminant LM, a voltage level of 3 V is applied, while a voltage level of 2.8 V is applied with an energy supply by the energy buffer EZ. The latter results with an energy transfer channel EK8 between the energy interface ES of the transmitting device SE and the energy buffer EZ.

(34) In the present example, the lighting means LM is for example equipped with a LED board LP. It is in communication link KV11 with the electronic ballast ECG and obtains its energy from it via an energy transfer channel EK9.

(35) With respect to the remaining components and connections of the lighting device or the system of FIG. 3, reference is made to the description of the components and connections, respectively, of the example of FIG. 2.

(36) In a further embodiment according to FIG. 4, the activation or the initiation of a change of state of the transmitting device SE is effected via an activation pattern AM or signal pattern. It is for instance initiated by actuating a light switch LS (on, off, on, off, . . . ). Different voltage levels between the external and the internal energy supply (internal: supply via energy buffer EZ) again constitute the basis. The activation pattern AM can also be directly fed to the energy transfer channel EK7 between the energy storage ES of the transmitting device SE and the electronic ballast ECG of the lighting means LM or to the energy transfer channel EK8 between the energy interface ES of the transmitting device SE and the energy buffer EZ.

(37) With respect to the remaining components and connections, reference is again made to the description of these components in context of the example of FIG. 2.

(38) Advantageously, the systems according to the invention ensure that an error-prone exchange of batteries in lighting means with transmitting devices can be largely avoided. In particular, exhaustive discharge can also be inhibited during the logistic processes.