EP0639039A1 - Process for the program control of lights or blinds - Google Patents

Abstract

The controller for the illumination is programmed in such a manner that the room probes (sensors, push-button switches) are initially allocated in a computer, in each case via input masks, to illumination groups. After this, functions are assigned to each illumination group. On the bases of these input values, the computer automatically produces the control program for the controller by combining existing software modules. In this way, the control programme can be established in a very time-saving and cost-effective manner.

Description

The invention relates to a method for programming a programmable logic controller or a microprocessor control circuit for groupwise control of lighting fixtures. The invention further relates to a method for programming a programmable logic controller or a microprocessor control circuit for group-wise control of window blinds.

To set up a complex lighting control e.g. In an office and shop building, it was previously common to carry out the control with a large number of switch box modules and conventional wiring. Such an installation is very time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, it was previously known to provide programmable logic controllers for controlling lighting. Due to the relatively high programming effort, such controls were only used for relatively simple lighting control tasks. Up to now, it was not possible to carry out a complex control with many different lighting functions using a programmable logic controller with realistic expenditure of time and money. However, it would of course be desirable if the complex, previously conventionally switched and wired lighting controls could be replaced by a programmable logic controller or a microprocessor control circuit.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method by means of which the programming of a programmable logic controller for lighting control can be carried out in a simple and rapid manner.

In the method mentioned at the outset, this is achieved in that the assignment into a computer is entered by room push buttons to the lighting groups, the assignment of lighting functions for the lighting groups is also entered, and that the computer uses the input values to generate a program which can be loaded into the programmable logic controller or the microprocessor control circuit and which, in the controller or the control circuit, the selected one Assignments and functions. Instead of a loadable program, it is also possible to generate a parameter list to supplement a program preloaded in the control or the control circuit.

Because the programming of the control is divided in such a way that on the one hand only the assignments of the room pushbuttons to the lighting groups and the desired functions per lighting group are entered into a computer, and that the computer uses these input values to load a program or a parameter that can be loaded into the control. If a list is created, the programming of such a controller is simplified in such a way that a controller ready for installation can be provided within a very short time.

Assignments and functions are preferably entered using screen input masks. Preferably, the computer also forms the program that can be loaded into the control system by compiling the program from a plurality of existing software modules on the basis of the input values.

• Figur 1 schematisch die gruppenweise Beleuchtungssteuerung in einem Gebäude mittels einer speicherprogrammierbaren Steuerung;
• Figur 2 eine Eingabemaske zur Zuordnung von Raumtastern zu Beleuchtungsgruppen;
• Figur 3 eine Eingabemaske zur Zuordnung von Funktionen zu den Beleuchtungsgruppen;
• Figur 4 eine weitere Eingabemaske zur Zuordnung von Unterfunktionen zu den Beleuchtungsgruppen;
• Figur 5 eine Eingabemaske für Zentralfunktionen; und
• Figur 6 ein stark vereinfachtes Ablaufschema für das Rechnerprogramm.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It shows

• Figure 1 shows schematically the group-wise lighting control in a building by means of a programmable logic controller;
• Figure 2 shows an input mask for assigning room buttons to lighting groups;
• FIG. 3 shows an input mask for assigning functions to the lighting groups;
• FIG. 4 shows a further input mask for assigning sub-functions to the lighting groups;
• FIG. 5 shows an input mask for central functions; and
• Figure 6 is a greatly simplified flow diagram for the computer program.

Figure 1 shows schematically a conventional control of lighting groups by means of a programmable logic controller. One lighting group 1 is provided in each room, only the lighting group 1 in room 1 being shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity. In the same way, however, an illumination group 2 in room 2 or an illumination group 3 in room 3 etc. would be provided. At least one room push button RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5 and RT6 is also provided in each room. The lighting groups are controlled by means of a programmable logic controller 8. This is e.g. a known controller of the type Micro-1 from the company Square D. To control the lighting groups, the room push buttons are connected to the inputs 1-6 of the controller 8. The lighting groups are each connected to an output of the controller 8. This is shown in the figure for lighting group 1, which is controlled by contactor C1 through output 200 of the controller. Furthermore, the buttons ZE and ZA are shown in the figure, which act on the inputs 0 and 7 and enable the central activation or deactivation of all lighting groups. For the programmable logic controller, software modules are available which allow the programming of the controller in such a way that a conventional sensible controller of the room lighting can be programmed. Nevertheless, the programming is relatively complex and complicated control functions cannot be implemented with reasonable effort.

According to the invention, such a control is now programmed in a fundamentally different way.

This is done by first entering the assignments between room buttons and lighting groups into a computer. For this purpose, the computer preferably generates a screen input mask, as is shown schematically in FIG. 2. On the one hand, the lighting groups are specified in this input mask, which is preferably constructed in the form of a matrix or crossbar. In the illustration in FIG. 2, this was done in such a way that the outputs 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 of the programmable logic controller are shown for the lighting groups.

On the other hand, the room buttons RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5 and RT6 are specified in the input mask. This input mask allows you to easily assign the room push buttons to the lighting groups. This is done by keyboard-controlled or mouse-controlled marking of the matrix or crossbar element that links the respective room sensor with the respective lighting group. In Figure 2, on the one hand, the assignment of each room button to an illumination group is highlighted by marking the respective matrix element. For example, the controller 8 is to be programmed by the computer in such a way that the room push button RT1 is assigned to the lighting group which is addressed by the output 200 of the controller 8; the push button RT2 is assigned according to the output 201, the push button RT3 is assigned to the output 202 etc. This initially results in the assignment according to the diagonals of the matrix. However, any other assignments can now also be selected in the same simple way. For example, by selecting the matrix element in the first row and second column, the RT1 button can also control the lighting group connected to output 201. In other words, when the RT1 button is pressed, the lighting group in room 1 and room 2 is switched on. This can be useful, for example, if the rooms 1 and 2 have a connection with each other. It can also make sense if room 1 and room 2 are only partially separated from each other by partitions. It can also be useful if separate rooms 1 and 2 are expected to have the partition removed in the foreseeable future. The shown possibility of assigning buttons to lighting groups now results in a completely new, purely functional possibility of assigning which room buttons should switch which lighting groups, which deviates from conventional wiring diagrams. When the program for the control 8 is later compiled, the computer, which is generally a normal personal computer, selects corresponding control program modules from a module library according to the input values on the screen input mask and connects these to bring about the desired assignment of the room push button control output the controller 8. The program modules for the controller 8 stored in the computer are known per se and their connection is also known in principle. Therefore, this need not be explained in detail here.

The input mask shown in FIG. 3 is generated after the screen input mask shown in FIG. This is function-related. On the one hand, the outputs 200-205 of the controller 8 are shown again. On the other hand, a number of selectable functions are listed. In the example shown, these are the function ON / OFF, the function ONLY ON, the function ENERGY SAVING switch, the function MINUTERIE and the function MINUTERIE WITH TWO DELAY TIMES. One of these functions can now be assigned to each output 200-205. In the example shown, outputs 200 and 201 are assigned the ONLY function. The output 202 as an ON / OFF output and the other outputs according to the matrix elements highlighted in FIG. 3. The ON ONLY function causes the lighting to be activated using the corresponding buttons that act on these outputs can only be switched on, but not switched off. Such a function is useful, for example, for shop lighting. There it is not desirable for a customer to be able to switch off the shop lighting by means of a generally accessible button. With this function, the switching off or the deactivation of the outputs 200 and 201 can only be achieved by the central function explained below, that is to say by a central button ZA. The specified ON / OFF function results in the normal function of a light switch, whereby the state of the lighting changes each time the button is pressed.

The function designated as an energy-saving switch in the input mask causes the correspondingly selected output to react to the buttons assigned to it in such a way that one press of a button switches on the lighting for a preselected lighting period and a second press of the button switches it off immediately. A central ON / OFF switch is possible for both the ON / OFF switch and the energy-saving switch. The following function, which is called the minute track, corresponds to the usual staircase lighting. When the buttons assigned in accordance with FIG. 3 are pressed, the output of the control 8 or the lighting group is activated during a preselected lighting period. The lighting then goes out. A central ON / OFF switch is also possible here. The additional function minute scale with two delay times results in two different pre-selected lighting times. The selection of these lighting durations can be selected, for example, by the duration of the key press on the assigned keys. A short key press gives a lighting duration during a preselected short time, a long key press gives a lighting duration during a preselected long time. Such an application can be useful, for example, in an underground car park, where the user can change the duration of the lighting as required can choose. The central ON / OFF switching can also be possible here. Based on the input values selected in the input mask of FIG. 3, the computer selects the corresponding software modules from the module library when creating the program for the controller 8 and assigns them to the respective output. This also needs to be described here, which is basically known from the programming of programmable logic controllers. The modules for the above-described new functions of the control are not yet known in the prior art, but can easily be created by a person skilled in the art on the basis of the above-described desired function.

FIG. 4 shows a further input mask which appears when a function with a time delay has been selected in the previous function input mask, that is to say in the case of the energy-saving switch and the minute track function. Accordingly, the desired time can be selected in the input mask for the respective output or for the lighting group. In such functions with two times, two times can be selected or one time can be fixed and only the second time must be selected in each case or one time can be entered and the second time is obtained by multiplying the first time by a predetermined factor, for example the factor 4. The selection is again made via the matrix-type screen input mask from FIG. 4 via the selection of the corresponding matrix element. The selection of a variable time is also provided, which is shown in FIG. 4 with a second to 100 minutes. In this case, the controller 2 provides an adjustment option for this time. In accordance with the input value in the input mask of FIG. 4, the time is set in a known manner in the corresponding software modules by inserting a count value.

The input mask shown in FIG. 5 enables the input of the desired central ON or central OFF functions into the computer, if such are provided. With the function Central ON, which in turn can be assigned in matrix form to the corresponding outputs or the pushbuttons that act on them, you can select whether the central switch-on takes place without delay or whether it is used in cascade to avoid peak network loads, i.e. in lighting groups in succession. You can also choose whether a cascade switch-on should only take place after a mains interruption or only in normal operation.

The central functions can be designed in such a way that they take precedence over the local functions. For example, the time functions for the central OFF function are interrupted. Conversely, the time function can be switched to steady light if the central ON function is activated on the corresponding switch. If one of the room pushbuttons is subsequently actuated, the central ON command can be canceled again for this room; for example the light in each cleaned room can be switched off separately by cleaning staff. These links are also made automatically by the computer when the control program is created.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a flow diagram of a computer program for the method according to the invention. The program for the controller 8 formed by the computer in this way can be introduced into the respective control circuit in various ways. For example, it is possible for the program formed by the computer to be programmed directly into an electrically programmable memory module via a programming device connected to the computer. This is then used in the controller 8. It can also be the case that the controller 8 has an interface for direct connection to the computer and that the program code in this way is entered into the controller. The program created by the computer 8 on the basis of the input values can also be temporarily stored on a data carrier. The computer preferably also uses a connected printer to create a label for identifying the controller 8. This can be identified, for example, by the system name, a project name, a date, etc. An exact protocol is preferably also generated and printed out, in which, in addition to the project name, the individual input masks are also specified with the input values.

The invention described using the example enables a significant simplification of the programming of a lighting control. The entire programming takes place on the one hand configuration-related when selecting the assignment of room buttons and lighting groups and on the other hand function-related separately when selecting the function belonging to each lighting group. Programming is carried out by entering values into a computer, preferably via screen input masks, and thus detached from conventional wiring diagrams that are difficult to understand. This simplification of programming means that new functions such as the energy-saving switch described or the minute scale with two delay times can only be implemented in practice.

Instead of the screen masks shown, it is of course also possible to generate several simpler masks, for example one mask each, which only shows one of the outputs 200, 201, 202, etc. Instead of entering data using the masks described, it is also possible to enter code values, albeit much more uncomfortably. For example, code 2: 200, 201, 202 can be entered for the assignment of room push button 2 to outputs 200, 202, 203. Instead of manually entering the screen masks, it is also possible for the masks to be printed on a paper sheet, for the input values to be marked on the sheet and that the input values are transferred to the computer by reading them into the computer, for example by means of a hand scanner. Instead of a complete, loadable program, the computer can also generate a parameter list based on the input values. This is then loaded into the controller or control circuit and, together with a preloaded standard program, forms the individual, executable program according to the input values. Instead of just one program or only one list, several different programs can also be created and loaded into the controller. These programs are then effective depending on the time and / or event. For example, a different lighting control program can be active at night than during the day, or it can be switched to a different lighting control program when a fire alarm is triggered in the building.

The method was described using the example of a lighting control. Instead of a lighting control, a control for window blinds can also be programmed in the same way. In this case, too, the programming is carried out by a computer by entering the desired assignments of actuation switches and blinds and the desired functions. Based on these input values, the computer then generates the corresponding control program for the control. Here, too, central functions can of course be provided, such as a centrally switchable raising or lowering of the blinds and possibly centrally selectable intermediate positions.

Claims (18)

Method for programming a programmable logic controller or a microprocessor control circuit for group-wise control of lighting fixtures, characterized in that the assignment of room buttons to the lighting groups is entered into a computer, that the assignment of lighting functions for the lighting groups is also entered, and that the computer a program which can be loaded into the programmable logic controller or the microprocessor control circuit is generated by means of the input values and which effects the selected assignments and functions in the controller or the control circuit. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the assignment of centrally switchable central functions to the lighting groups is further entered. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the computer generates a screen input mask in which the room push buttons and on the other hand the lighting groups are specified, and that the room push buttons are assigned to the lighting groups in each case by selecting a picture element of the screen input screen. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the screen input mask is generated in the form of a matrix, in which on the one hand the lighting groups and on the other hand the room push buttons are arranged, and that the assignment is selected by selecting a matrix element. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for assigning lighting functions, the computer generates at least one second screen input mask, in which on the one hand the functions and on the other hand the lighting groups are specified, and in that the assignment of a function to a lighting group by selecting a picture element of the screen input mask. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the screen input mask is generated in the form of a matrix, in which on the one hand the lighting groups and on the other hand the functions are arranged, and that the assignment is selected by selecting a matrix element. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a third screen input mask is generated for predetermined functions, in which function parameters can be selected. Method according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that an ONLY ON function can be selected as the first function, an ON / OFF function as the second function and a MINUTERY function as the third function. Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a key multiple function can be selected as a function, different functions being carried out by a key depending on the key actuation time period or the key actuation frequency. Method according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that for assigning the centrally switchable central functions to the lighting groups, the computer generates a screen input mask, in which on the one hand the central functions and on the other hand the lighting groups are specified, and in that the assignment of the central functions and the lighting groups by the selection of a picture element of the screen input mask takes place. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the screen input mask is generated in the form of a matrix, in which on the one hand the lighting groups and on the other hand the central functions are arranged and that the assignment is selected by selecting a matrix element. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the computer generates the program by making a selection from pre-existing program modules on the basis of the input values, and compiling them into the program in the number resulting from the input values. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the computer links the modules when forming the program in such a way that the central functions are superior to the functions and that the functions are reactivated by local room push button actuation. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the computer is provided for controlling a printer and, depending on the program created, generates at least one label for attachment to the programmable logic controller or the microprocessor control circuit. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, instead of a loadable program, a parameter list is generated which is loaded into the control or control circuit and supplements an existing program there for the executable program, in accordance with the selected assignments and functions . Method according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that window blind groups and blind functions are provided instead of lighting groups and lighting functions. Programmable logic controller or microprocessor control circuit programmed according to the method of claims 1 to 16. Building lighting installation or building window blind installation with at least one programmable logic controller or microprocessor control circuit programmed according to the method of claims 1 to 16.

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