WO2023079131A1 - Controlling a plurality of lighting devices with multiple controllers - Google Patents

Abstract

A control system for controlling a plurality of lighting devices is disclosed. The control system comprising: a first control device configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices via a first wireless network, a second control device configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices different from the plurality of first lighting devices via a second wireless network, wherein the plurality of first lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups, wherein the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups,wherein at least a first lighting control group (of the plurality of first lighting control groups) and a second lighting control group (of the plurality of second lighting control groups) are the same lighting control group, a remote control device configured to communicate data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups to the first and second control devices, respectively, wherein the first control device is configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices by communicating one or more first commands to the plurality of first lighting devices, the one or more first commands defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, and wherein the second control device is configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices by communicating one or more second commands to the plurality of second lighting devices, the one or more second commands defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups.

Description

CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH MULTIPLE

CONTROLLERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a control system for controlling a plurality of lighting devices. The invention further relates to a lighting system comprising the plurality of lighting devices and the control system.

The invention further relates to a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices by a control system.

BACKGROUND

Current home systems comprise a plurality of controllable lighting devices. In such systems, the lighting devices may be controlled based on media content that is being rendered on a display. A user may, for example, play a movie or a game on the display of a display device (e.g. a television, a pc monitor, a tablet pc, a projector, etc.). The lighting devices may be controlled based on the media content that is being rendered on the display, for instance by analyzing colors of images that are rendered on the display and by controlling the lighting devices accordingly. Alternatively, the lighting devices may be controlled according to a light script which comprises pre-programmed lighting control instructions for the lighting devices. The lighting control instructions are communicated to the lighting devices to control them in sync with the media content that is being rendered on the display. This brings the atmosphere of the movie or the game into the room of the user.

Another way of creating an atmosphere in the room of the user is to control a plurality of lighting devices according to a light scene, or a dynamic light scene which changes over time.

The lighting control instructions that are transmitted to the lighting devices may depend on the location of the lighting devices relative each other, relative to a display, relative to a space, a user, etc. This may be done such that locations of events (e.g. an explosion, a sunset, music, an object approaching from one side of the display, etc.) correspond to locations of light effects generated by the lighting devices. It is desirable that when such an event occurs, the lighting devices in the space are controlled accordingly, and preferably in a synchronized manner. This becomes difficult when the number of lighting devices increases in the space. This requires that multiple control commands are to be transmitted to the different lighting devices. A disadvantage of this is that present (home) lighting control systems are not capable of handling this amount of control commands. Especially Zigbee networks are unable to handle a high amount of traffic. Additionally, the number of lighting devices on a Zigbee network is limited (e.g. to 63 lighting devices). For these reasons, users increase the number of control devices (e.g. bridges, control hubs, gateways, etc.) in the home such that multiple wireless (Zigbee) networks are created, each control device controlling the lighting devices assigned to it.

US10743394B2 discloses a lighting network which may have multiple control devices and wherein the lighting devices are controlled via a two-layer lighting control network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has realized that it may occur that a user has positioned first lighting devices controlled by a first control device and second lighting devices controlled by a second control device in the same room or area. Configuring and controlling all of these lighting devices according to the same input (e.g. media content, a (dynamic) scene) becomes cumbersome from a user’s perspective, because the user has to take into account to which control device each lighting device has been assigned. In current systems, the user would have to reconfigure the system and add all of these lighting devices to the same control device. However, the number of lighting devices that can be controlled by a single control device may be limited. It therefore desirable that when a user has installed multiple control devices, each controlling a group of lighting devices via its own wireless network, that these systems are - at least from a user’s perspective - merged. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lighting control system that enables control of multiple lighting devices via multiple control devices from a single input.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a control system for controlling a plurality of lighting devices, , the control system comprising: a first control device configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices via a first wireless network, a second control device configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices different from the plurality of first lighting devices via a second wireless network, wherein the plurality of first lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups, wherein the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups, wherein at least a first lighting control group (of the plurality of first lighting control groups) and a second lighting control group (of the plurality of second lighting control groups) are the same lighting control group, a remote control device configured to communicate data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups to the first and second control devices, respectively, wherein the first control device is configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices by communicating one or more first commands to the plurality of first lighting devices, the one or more first commands defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, and wherein the second control device is configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices by communicating one or more second commands to the plurality of second lighting devices, the one or more second commands defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups. Different individually controllable lighting devices are grouped into different lighting control groups. A lighting control group defines a group lighting devices to be controlled as a group according to the same light setting. This grouping information may be stored in the memories of the respective lighting devices. This enables the lighting devices to, when receiving lighting control commands targeted at the specific groups, control the light output accordingly. The remote control device communicates the data indicative of the light settings for the control groups to the first and second control devices. The control devices receive this data, and control the respective groups of lighting devices by communicating one or more commands to the respective groups of lighting devices. At least a first lighting control group (of the plurality of first lighting control groups) and a second lighting control group (of the plurality of second lighting control groups) are the same lighting control group. This lighting control group is a control group into which a first lighting device of the plurality of first lighting devices and a second lighting device of the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped. This is beneficial, because a system is provided wherein all of the plurality of lighting devices can be controlled based on the same input (e.g. media content, a (dynamic) scene). This merges the two separate systems, while each system controls its own devices via its respective wireless network. The one or more first commands may be a first broadcast command communicated to the plurality of first lighting devices, and the one or more second commands may be a second broadcast command communicated to the plurality of second lighting devices. By transmitting a broadcast command (instead of unicasts to the individual lighting devices), control of the different lighting devices is executed in a synchronized manner. Additionally, due to the reduced number of commands, the latency of the light effects is reduced and transitions between light effects are smoother.

Each of the plurality of lighting devices may comprise a memory configured to store grouping information, the grouping information being indicative of a respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped. The control system may further comprise a configuration module. The configuration module may be configured to: group the plurality of first lighting devices into the plurality of first lighting control groups, group the plurality of second lighting devices into the plurality of second lighting control groups, and communicate the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device. This enables configuration of the control system.

The configuration module may be configured to determine the grouping into the different lighting control groups based on relative positions of the lighting devices. The configuration module may, for example, be configured to determine the lighting control groups based on positions of the lighting devices relative to a space, relative to a predefined position in the space, relative to each other, relative to a device or an object, relative to a user, etc. It is beneficial to determine the groups based on the positions of the lighting devices because it enables grouping of proximate lighting devices. This may be further beneficial if the maximum number of lighting control groups is limited.

The control system may further comprise a user interface configured to receive user input indicative of the grouping of the lighting devices into lighting control groups. A user operating the control system may indicate the groups via the user interface.

The first and second commands may be communicated substantially simultaneously. This is beneficial, because different lighting devices of the separate systems are controlled in a synchronized manner. This is especially beneficial for the lighting control group into which a first lighting device of the plurality of first lighting devices and a second lighting device of the plurality of second lighting devices are grouped. The first control device may be configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices via a first communication protocol, and the second control device may be configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices via the same first communication protocol. The remote control device may be configured to communicate the data indicative of light settings via a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. The first and second wireless networks may be separate mesh networks.

The remote control device may be configured to determine the light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups based on media content when the media content is being rendered on a media rendering device. Alternatively, the remote control device may be configured to determine the light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups based on a light scene. A light scene may be defined as lighting control instructions/light settings for one or more lighting devices. The light scene may be a dynamic light scene which changes over time.

The number of groups may be limited, and the maximum number of lighting control groups may be smaller than the number of lighting devices. Therefore, at least two lighting devices may be grouped into the same lighting control group. Such grouping is beneficial because the number of lighting devices that can be controlled may exceed the number of available groups. The number of groups may be limited due to a limited size of the (first and/or second) broadcast command.

The first lighting device of the plurality of first lighting devices may comprise a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment comprising one or more light sources, and different segments of the plurality of individually controllable segments may be grouped into different first lighting control groups. The system may, for example, comprise a lighting device with individually controllable segments (e.g. a light strip). This enables the lighting devices to, when receiving lighting control commands targeted at the specific groups, to control the different segments accordingly. The commands communicated to the lighting devices define respective light settings for the respective lighting control groups. This enables the lighting device to control one or more light sources of each segment according to a respective light setting as defined in the control commands. By transmitting a broadcast command (instead of unicasts to the individual lighting devices and/or their segments), control of the different segments of the lighting device may be executed in a synchronized manner. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a lighting system comprising: a plurality of lighting devices, each comprising a memory, the control system, wherein each lighting device is configured to: receive grouping information indicative of the respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped, store the respective grouping information in its memory, receive a respective command, select a light setting from the command based on the grouping information, and control one or more light sources of the respective lighting device according to the selected light setting.

The lighting devices may each comprise a receiver for receiving the grouping information and the broadcast command. This enables the lighting devices to, when receiving lighting control commands targeted at the specific groups, to control the light output accordingly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices by a control system, the control system comprising a first control device configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices via a first wireless network, a second control device configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices different from the plurality of first lighting devices via a second wireless network, and a remote control device, wherein the plurality of first lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups, and wherein the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups, wherein at least a first lighting control group and a second lighting control group are the same lighting control group, the method comprising: communicating, by the remote control device, via a second communication protocol different from a first communication protocol, data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups to the first and second control devices, respectively, controlling, by the first control device, via the first communication protocol, the plurality of first lighting devices by communicating one or more first commands to the plurality of first lighting devices, the one or more first commands defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, and controlling, by the second control device, via the same first communication protocol, the plurality of second lighting devices by communicating one or more second commands to the plurality of second lighting devices, the one or more second commands defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups.

The method may further comprise: grouping the plurality of first lighting devices into the plurality of first lighting control groups, grouping the plurality of second lighting devices into the plurality of second lighting control groups, and communicating the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device.

It should be understood that the lighting system and the method may have similar and/or identical embodiments and advantages as the above-mentioned control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the disclosed systems, devices and methods will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of devices and methods, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically an example of a control system for controlling a plurality of lighting devices;

Fig. 2 shows schematically an example of a system wherein the lighting devices are grouped based on their relative positions; and

Fig. 3 shows schematically a method of method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices by a control system.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows schematically an example of a control system 100 for controlling a plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. Each lighting device comprises a memory (not shown). The memory of a lighting device is configured to store grouping information, the grouping information being indicative of a respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped. Each lighting device further comprises a plurality of light sources, a receiver and a controller (e.g. one or more processors) operatively coupled to the receiver, the memory and the plurality of light sources. The lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 may be any type of lighting device comprising one or more (LED) light sources. The lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 may be arranged for providing general lighting, task lighting, ambient lighting, atmosphere lighting, accent lighting, indoor lighting, outdoor lighting, etc. The lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 may be installed in a luminaire or in a lighting fixture. The lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 may be embedded in or attached to a peripheral device such as a keyboard, a computer mouse, a game controller, a PC casing, etc.

The control system 100 further comprises a first control device 102 configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112 of the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via a first wireless network. The control system 100 further comprises a second control device 202 configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212 of the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via a second wireless network. The control system 100 may comprise more than two of such control devices, each configured to control lighting devices via its own wireless network. The control devices may, for example, be central lighting controllers such as bridges. The first and second control devices 102, 202 may each comprise one or more communication units 104, 204 configured to wirelessly communicate with the respective lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The communication unit 104, 204 may be configured to communicate configuration information (such as grouping information) and/or lighting control commands to the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 to configure and/or control them. The communication unit may comprise hardware for communicating via one or more wireless communication protocols, for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G or ZigBee. A specific communication technology may be selected based on the system architecture of the control system 100.

The control system 100 further comprises a remote control device 302. The remote control device 302 is configured to control the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via the first and second control devices 102, 212. The remote control device may, for example, be a smartphone, a media rendering device, a voice assistant, a lighting control application running on a remote server, etc. The remote control device is configured to communicate data indicative of light settings for the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 to the first and second control devices 102, 212 via the control devices 102, 202. The remote control device 302 may comprise a processor 306 configured to generate or obtain the data (for instance from media content, from a media streaming device, from a lighting control application, etc.) and a communication unit 304 configured to communicate the data to the control devices 102, 202.

The first and second control devices 102, 202 are configured to control the respective lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 by transmitting control commands to the respective lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The first control device 102 is configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112 by communicating one or more first commands 120 to the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112. The second control device 202 is configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212 by communicating one or more second commands 220 to the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212. Each command defines respective light settings for respective lighting control groups. The one or more first commands may be a first broadcast command communicated to the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112, and the one or more second commands may be a second broadcast command communicated to the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212.

In the example of Fig. 1, the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112 have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups 402, 404, and the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212 have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups 404, 406. Here, a first lighting control group 404 of the plurality of first lighting control groups 402, 404 and a second lighting control group 404 of the plurality of second lighting control groups 404, 406 are the same lighting control group 404. In other words, lighting device 110 has been grouped into lighting control group 402, lighting device 210 has been grouped into lighting control group 406, and lighting devices 112 and 212 (which are controlled by different control devices 102, 202, respectively) have been grouped into lighting control group 404. The grouping may be predefined, or the grouping may be determined by a configuration module, which is further described below. A lighting control group may comprise a single lighting device or a plurality of lighting devices.

The first and second control devices 102, 202 may further comprise a receiver 108, 208 (which may be part of the communication unit 104, 204) configured to receive messages from the remote control device 302. These messages may include the data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first lighting control groups 402, 404 and the plurality of second lighting control groups 404, 406 to the first and second control devices.

The processor 306 of the remote control device 302 may be configured to generate or obtain the data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first lighting control groups 402, 404 and the plurality of second lighting control groups 404, 406.

In a first example, the processor 306 may be configured to determine the light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups based on media content when the media content is being rendered on a media rendering device. The processor 306 may be configured to analyze the media content to generate the light settings based on the media content. Examples of media content (video, audio, video gamers) and how light settings are generated based thereon are provided below. Such generation of light settings based on media content are known in the art and will therefore not be discussed in detail. The processor 306 may be further configured to analyze one or more upcoming parts of the media content (e.g. upcoming video scenes or images, upcoming game events, upcoming audio/songs, etc.) and analyze the one or more upcoming parts to generate the light settings based on the media content. The upcoming parts may be buffered (i.e. temporarily stored) in a memory (not shown) when the media content is streamed. The processor 306 may control the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via the control devices 102, 202 when the upcoming parts are rendered on the media rendering device. Alternatively, the processor 306 may be configured to obtain a light script associated with the media content. The light script may comprise predefined light settings (e.g. color, saturation, brightness, beam width/size, etc.) according to which the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 are to be controlled while the media content is being rendered on the media rendering device. The light script may be stored in an internal memory, and the processor 306 may obtain the light script from the memory via the input 108. Alternatively, the light script may be streamed to the processor 306. The light script may be divided in multiple parts, and upcoming parts (i.e. parts that correspond to upcoming media content that has not yet been rendered) may be buffered in a memory (not shown). This prevents disruptions if there are momentary delays in transmission of the light script from the remote server.

In a second example, the processor 306 may be configured to determine or obtain the light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups based on an activated light scene. A light scene may be defined as lighting control instructions/light settings for the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The lighting control instructions may be the same for each lighting device, but are typically different for different lighting devices. The lighting control instructions may relate to one or more light settings, which may for instance be defined as RGB/HSL/HSB color values, CIE color values, brightness values, etc. The light scene may be a dynamic light scene which changes over time. The processor 306 may control the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via the control devices 102, 202 according to the light scene. In case of a dynamic light scene, the processor 306 may control the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 via the control devices 102, 202 according to the dynamic light scene by continuously communicating data indicative of light settings according to the dynamic light scene to the control devices 102, 202, or by communicating the complete dynamic light scene in one or more commands.

Referring back to Fig. 1, the remote control device 302 may communicate data indicative of light settings for lighting control group 402 and lighting control group 404 to the first control device 102. This data may, for example, contain control instructions to set the lighting devices of lighting control group 402 (in this example lighting device 110) to a first light color and to set the lighting devices of lighting control group 404 (in this example lighting device 112) to a second light color. Subsequently or (substantially) simultaneously, the remote control device 302 may communicate data indicative of light settings for lighting control group 404 and lighting control group 406 to the second control device 202. This data may, for example, contain control instructions to set the lighting devices of lighting control group 406 (in this example lighting device 210) to a third light color and to set the lighting devices of (the same) lighting control group 404 (in this example lighting device 212) to the same second light color. The control devices 102, 202 may then control their respective lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 by communicating the one of more first (broadcast) command(s) 120 and the one or more second (broadcast) command(s) 220, respectively. The one or more first commands 120 define respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, which in this example would be the first light color for all lighting devices of lighting control group 402 and the second light color for all lighting devices of lighting control group 404. The one or more second commands 220 define respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups, which in this example would be the second light color for all lighting devices of lighting control group 404 and the third light color for all lighting devices of lighting control group 406.

The one or more first and second commands are lighting control commands for controlling the light output of the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The one or more first and second commands may be first and second broadcast commands, each broadcast command being addressed to its respective lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The broadcast commands may define light settings (e.g. lighting control instructions for controlling one or more light properties of the light sources) of the respective lighting control groups. Table 1 shows schematically an example of the first broadcast command comprising light settings for the different lighting control groups:

Table 1

Table 2 shows schematically an example of the second broadcast command comprising light settings for the different lighting control groups:

Table 2

In tables 1 and 2, the light settings are shown as numerical values (which may correspond to lighting control values stored in the memories of the lighting devices), but other examples of light settings may include RGB values, XY values in the CIE color spectrum, beam shape/size/direction control values, etc. A light setting defined by the broadcast command may comprise an off-setting for a lighting control group.

The control system 100 may further comprise a configuration module (not shown). The configuration module may be configured to assign each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 to a group. The configuration module may group the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112 into the plurality of first lighting control groups 402, 404, and group the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212 into the plurality of second lighting control groups 404, 406. The configuration module may be further configured to communicate the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device. The configuration module may be comprised in the remote control device 302, in the first or second control device 102, 202, in a central lighting control system, in a remote device (e.g. located on a remote server), etc.

The configuration module may be configured to determine the grouping into the different lighting control groups based on relative positions of the lighting devices. The configuration module 106 may be configured to obtain position information indicative of the positions of the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212. The position information may, for example, be obtained from a positioning system such as an RF -based positioning system or a coded light positioning system, via a user interface wherein the user can position the lighting devices in a virtual space, from the lighting devices, etc. Techniques for obtaining positions of lighting devices are known in the art and will therefore not be discussed in detail. The position information may be indicative of the positions of the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 relative to a space, relative to an object, relative to a (media rendering) device, relative to a user, relative to each other, etc. The configuration module may configured to determine the grouping based on the position information. For instance, the configuration module may group all lighting devices located in a first subarea of a space into a first lighting control group, and group all lighting devices located in a second subarea of the space wherein the lighting devices are located into a second lighting control group.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example of grouping lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 into different lighting control groups based on their positions. Lighting devices LI and L2 are grouped into lighting control group 510, lighting devices L3 and L4 are grouped into lighting control group 520, lighting devices L5 and L6 are grouped into lighting control group 530 and lighting devices L7 and L8 are grouped into lighting control group 540. The grouping may be determined based on the positions of the lighting devices relative to a space 580, relative to a predefined position in the space (e.g. couch 560 or media rendering device 550), relative to each other, relative to a device or an object (e.g. couch 560 or media rendering device 550), relative to a user (not shown), etc. These lighting devices L1-L8 are controlled by at least two different control devices 102, 202. For example, LI, L2, L3 and L7 may be controlled by a first control device 102, and L4, L5, L6 and L8 maybe controlled by a second control device 202.

The control system 100 may further comprise a user interface configured to receive user input indicative of the grouping of the lighting devices 110, 112, 210, 212 into lighting control groups 402, 404, 406. The user may, for example, provide an input to adjust the size, number and/or location of the groups on a map displayed on a display of a user interface. Alternatively, the user may, for example, select lighting devices (e.g. by selecting them on a display) to add the selected lighting device to a specific lighting control group. The user interface may enable the user to add or remove lighting control groups.

The first control device 102 may be configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices 110, 112 via a first communication protocol. The second control device 202 may be configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices 210, 212 via the same first communication protocol. The remote control device 302 may be configured to communicate the data indicative of light settings via a second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol. The first communication protocol may, for example, be a mesh protocol such as Zigbee, Thread, BLE-mesh, etc. The second communication protocol may, for example, be a point-to-point protocol such as Wi-Fi, BLE, etc. The first communication protocol may, for example, have a lower data rate compared to the second communication protocol.

The number of lighting control groups may be limited, and the maximum number of lighting control groups may be smaller than the number of lighting devices. Therefore, at least two lighting devices may be grouped into the same lighting control group. The at least two lighting devices may for example be proximate lighting devices, lighting devices located in the same luminaire, etc. The size (i.e. the amount of data) of the broadcast command may be limited, thereby limiting the number of available lighting control groups (e.g. max. 10 groups). Therefore, it may be necessary to group different lighting devices into the same lighting control group. The configuration module may be configured to group different lighting devices into the same lighting control group based on the limited number of lighting control groups and the positions of the lighting devices.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a method 300 of controlling a plurality of lighting devices by a control system, wherein each lighting device comprises a memory configured to store grouping information, the grouping information being indicative of a respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped. The control system comprises a first control device configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices via a first wireless network, a second control device configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices different from the plurality of first lighting devices via a second wireless network, and a remote control device. The plurality of first lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups, and wherein the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups, and at least a first lighting control group and a second lighting control group are the same lighting control group.

The method 300 comprises: communicating 308, by the remote control device, data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups to the first and second control devices, respectively, controlling 310, by the first control device, the plurality of first lighting devices by communicating a first broadcast command to the plurality of first lighting devices, the first broadcast command defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, and controlling 312, by the second control device, the plurality of second lighting devices by communicating a second broadcast command to the plurality of second lighting devices, the second broadcast command defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups.

The method 300 may further comprise: grouping 302 the plurality of first lighting devices into the plurality of first lighting control groups, grouping 304 the plurality of second lighting devices into the plurality of second lighting control groups, and communicating 306 the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device. The steps 302-306 may be performed independently of and/or prior to steps 306-308.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer or processing unit. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. 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.

Aspects of the invention may be implemented in a computer program product, which may be a collection of computer program instructions stored on a computer readable storage device which may be executed by a computer. The instructions of the present invention may be in any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs) or Java classes. The instructions can be provided as complete executable programs, partial executable programs, as modifications to existing programs (e.g. updates) or extensions for existing programs (e.g. plugins). Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed over multiple computers or processors or even the ‘cloud’. Storage media suitable for storing computer program instructions include all forms of nonvolatile memory, including but not limited to EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as the internal and external hard disk drives, removable disks and CD-ROM disks. The computer program product may be distributed on such a storage medium, or may be offered for download through HTTP, FTP, email or through a server connected to a network such as the Internet.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A control system (100) for controlling a plurality of lighting devices (110,

112, 210, 212), the control system (100) comprising: a first control device (102) configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) of the plurality of lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212) via a first wireless network, a second control device (202) configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212) of the plurality of lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212) different from the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) via a second wireless network, wherein the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups (402, 404), wherein the plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212) have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups (404, 406), and wherein at least a first lighting control group (404) and a second lighting control group (404) are the same lighting control group (404), a remote control device (302) configured to communicate data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups (402, 404, 406) to the first and second control devices (102, 202), respectively, wherein the first control device (102) is configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) by communicating one or more first commands (120) to the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112), the one or more first commands (120) defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups (402, 404), and wherein the second control device (202) is configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212) by communicating one or more second commands (220) to the plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212), the one or more second commands (220) defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups (404, 406), and wherein the first control device (102) is configured to control the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) via a first communication protocol, and wherein the second control device (202) is configured to control the plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212) via the same first communication protocol, and wherein the remote control device (302) is configured to communicate the data indicative of light settings via a second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol.

2. The control system (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more first commands (120) are a first broadcast command (120), and wherein the one or more second commands (220) are a second broadcast command (220).

3. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212) comprises a memory configured to store grouping information, the grouping information being indicative of a respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped.

4. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising a configuration module, the configuration module being configured to: group the plurality of first lighting devices (110, 112) into the plurality of first lighting control groups (402, 404), group the plurality of second lighting devices (210, 212) into the plurality of second lighting control groups (404, 406), and communicate the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device.

5. The control system (100) of claim 3, wherein the configuration module is configured to determine the grouping into the different lighting control groups based on relative positions of the lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212).

6. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the control system (100) further comprises a user interface configured to receive user input indicative of the grouping of the lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212) into lighting control groups (402, 404, 406).

7. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more first and second commands (120, 220) are communicated substantially simultaneously. 19

8. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wireless networks are separate mesh networks.

9. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the remote control device (302) is configured to determine the light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups (402, 404, 406) based on media content when the media content is being rendered on a media rendering device.

10. The control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the number of lighting control groups is limited, and wherein the maximum number of lighting control groups is smaller than the number of lighting devices.

11. A lighting system comprising: a plurality of lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212), each comprising a memory, the control system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein each lighting device is configured to: receive grouping information indicative of the respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped, store the respective grouping information in its memory, receive a respective command, select a light setting from the command based on the grouping information, and control one or more light sources of the respective lighting device according to the selected light setting.

12. A method (300) of controlling a plurality of lighting devices by a control system, the control system comprising a first control device configured to control a plurality of first lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices via a first wireless network, a second control device configured to control a plurality of second lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices different from the plurality of first lighting devices via a second wireless network, and a remote control device, 20 wherein the plurality of first lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of first lighting control groups, and wherein the plurality of second lighting devices have been grouped into a plurality of second lighting control groups, wherein at least a first lighting control group and a second lighting control group are the same lighting control group, the method comprising: communicating (308), by the remote control device, via a second communication protocol different from a first communication protocol, data indicative of light settings for the plurality of first and second lighting control groups to the first and second control devices, respectively, controlling (310), by the first control device, via the first communication protocol, the plurality of first lighting devices by communicating one or more first commands to the plurality of first lighting devices, the one or more first commands defining respective light settings for the respective first lighting control groups, and controlling (312), by the second control device, via the same first communication protocol, the plurality of second lighting devices by communicating one or more second commands to the plurality of second lighting devices, the one or more second commands defining respective light settings for the respective second lighting control groups.

13. The method (300) of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices (110, 112, 210, 212) comprises a memory configured to store grouping information, the grouping information being indicative of a respective lighting control group into which the respective lighting device has been grouped.

14. The method (300) of claim 12 or 13, further comprising: grouping (302) the plurality of first lighting devices into the plurality of first lighting control groups, grouping (304) the plurality of second lighting devices into the plurality of second lighting control groups, and communicating (306) the grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in the memory of the respective lighting device.