Communication network

• US 20060203714A1
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Wang, Ling, Beij, Marcel, Wessels, Johannes Hendrik
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/216
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

In a communication network comprising plurality of devices, each equipped with device operating circuit, communication interface for receiving command signals, control circuit coupled between the device operating circuit and the communication interface for controlling the operation of the device operating circuit part in dependency of said command signals, a control unit for generating control signals to control the operation of the devices, -a master for receiving the control signals and for generating command signals and transferring the command signals to the communication interfaces of the devices, each device is equipped with a master and the communication network comprises activating means for activating one of the masters and for activating another master in case the active master fails. The communication network is thus effectively and plurally protected against master failure.

Claims

1. A communication network comprising

a plurality of devices, each equipped with

a device operating circuit,

a communication interface for receiving command signals,

a control circuit coupled between the device operating circuit and the

communication interface for controlling the operation of the device

operating circuit part in dependency of said command signals,

a control unit for generating control signals to control the operation of the devices,

a master for receiving the control signals and for generating command

signals and transferring the command signals to the communication interfaces of the devices,

characterized in that each device is equipped with a master and the communication network comprises activating means for activating one of the masters and for activating another master in case the active master fails.

2. Communication network as in claim 1, wherein the control unit is a wireless remote control unit.

3. Communication network as in claim 1, wherein each master is equipped with a transceiver for wireless communication between the control unit and the master and between the master and the communication interfaces of the devices.

4. Communication network as in claim 1, wherein in a group formed by a part, but preferably all, of the devices the device operating circuit comprises a ballast circuit for operating a lamp.

5. Communication network as in claim 4, wherein each device in the group is comprised in a luminaire.

6. Communication network as in claim 1, wherein each master is equipped with beacon means for transmitting periodical signals when it is active and with detecting means for detecting the periodical signals transmitted by an active master.

7. Communication network as in claim 6, wherein the detecting means comprise a timer circuit for timing the time lapse during which the periodical signal is absent.

8. Communication network as in claim 6, wherein each of the masters comprised in the network is equipped with means for activating itself in case the active master fails.

9. Communication network as in claim 7, wherein the means for activating itself become active when the time lapse during which the periodical signal is absent is longer than a predetermined time lapse.

10. A method for operating a communication network comprising

a plurality of devices, each equipped with

a device operating circuit,

a communication interface for receiving command signals,

a control circuit coupled between the device operating circuit and the

communication interface for controlling the operation of the device

operating circuit part in dependency of said command signals,

a control unit for generating control signals to control the operation of the devices,

a master for receiving the control signals and for generating command

signals and transferring the command signals to the communication interfaces of the devices,

characterized by equipping each device with a master and activating one of the masters and activating another master in case the active master fails.