Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling power distribution by a control system that only requires a broadcast medium between a controller (30) and appliances or loads (20-1 to 20-n) and information about the current total power consumption of the system to precisely reach a target consumption level in a stepwise, fast converging way without “seesaw” effects and with “fair distribution” of any power reduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing a device in a network comprising a plurality of devices. The method includes a step of storing (132) replicated data of a first device in a storage means, a step of removing (352) the first device from the network, a step of connecting (354) a second device to the network, a step of providing (262) a replacement information comprising the first identifier and a step of providing (272) the replicated data of the first device from the storage means to the second device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compiler and a method for compiling control logic for a plurality of devices of a networked control system, particularly to the automated assignment of control logic to devices. The invention provides with a compilation an automatic assignment procedure of an executable runtime code to devices of a networked control system. The assignment process of control logic to the devices may take various optimization criteria into account which include various distribution aspects, e.g. network resources or capabilities, such as available bandwidth or reliability of the network links, and device resources or capabilities, e.g. CPU, memory, power source or sleeping behavior which may influence the observed behavior of the devices, e.g. due to transmission delay or data packet loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling power distribution by a control system that only requires a broadcast medium between a controller (30) and appliances or loads (20-1 to 20-n) and information about the current total power consumption of the system to precisely reach a target consumption level in a stepwise, fast converging way without “seesaw”effects and with “fair distribution” of any power reduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to composing a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description for example a lighting atmosphere specified in XML, wherein the lighting atmosphere is generated by several lighting devices, by automatically rendering the desired lighting atmosphere from the abstract description. The abstract description describes the type of light with certain lighting parameters desired at certain semantic locations at certain semantic times. This abstract atmosphere description is automatically transferred to a specific instance of a lighting system (14, 16, 18). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to create light scenes and lighting atmospheres at a high level of abstraction without requiring the definition of a lighting atmosphere or scene by setting the intensity, color, etc. for single lighting units or devices which can be very time consuming and cumbersome, particularly with large and complex lighting systems comprising many lighting devices.

Abstract: Networked control systems and methods include a plurality of devices connected to a network. At least one device has a logical address that includes a device type and a device location in an environment of the device in a user readable and understandable format, such as English or other languages. The system further includes a processor connectable to the network and configured to execute control logic using the logical addresses. A memory is provided for storing a mapping from the logical address to a physical network address of the device.

Abstract: A system (100) for controlling a plurality of light sources (104a-f) by means of light groups, wherein each light group synchronously controls a subset of the plurality of light sources. The system (100) comprises: a central controller (102); a plurality of light sources (104a-f) wired to the central controller (102); and a light sensor (106a-c) wired to the central controller (102). The central controller (102) is configured to: receive a measurement signal from the light sensor; based on the received measurement signal, determine a subset of light sources that are in optical contact with the light sensor; and include the subset of light sources in a light group associated with the light sensor.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of commissioning a device arrangement comprising a number of devices (L1, L2, L3,) communicating with each other over a wireless networked control system (WN). This method comprises the steps of—reading a unique identifier (ID1, ID2, ID3) from an electronic identification tag (T) which is tagged to a device (L1, L2, L3) currently to be installed by means of a reading device (3) carried by an installer who is to install the device (L1, L2, L3), and—compiling an inventory (IV) of the installed devices (L1, L2, L3) using the read unique identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3),—commissioning of the devices (L1, L2, L3) using the inventory (IV). The invention further describes a commissioning system (100) for commissioning such a device arrangement, a data logger and an installation tool (1) for installing devices (L1, L2, L3,) usable in such a commissioning system (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a compiler and a method for compiling control logic for a plurality of devices of a networked control system, particularly to the automated assignment of control logic to devices. The invention provides with a compilation an automatic assignment procedure of an executable runtime code to devices of a networked control system. The assignment process of control logic to the devices may take various optimization criteria into account which include various distribution aspects, e.g. network resources or capabilities, such as available bandwidth or reliability of the network links, and device resources or capabilities, e.g. CPU, memory, power source or sleeping behaviour which may influence the observed behaviour of the devices, e.g. due to transmission delay or data packet loss.

Abstract: The invention relates to a networked control system including comprising a resource limited device (102) and an assigned proxy device (104). The resource limited device (102) comprises a device logic (122) for providing a change notification message to the assigned proxy device (104) on a change of a device state of the resource limited device, wherein each device state of the resource limited device (102) is defined by a corresponding state variable and wherein the change notification message comprises a state variable corresponding to an actual device state of there source limited device (102).

Abstract: The invention relates to a networked control system, comprising a plurality of devices (100a, 100b, 100c), wherein each device (100a, 100b, 100c) is specified by a corresponding device logic and means (332) for collecting the device logics of the plurality of devices (100a, 100b, 100c) and for specifying a runtime behaviour of at least one device (100b) of the plurality of devices (100a, 100b, 100c) based on a device logic corresponding to the at least one device (100b). The networked control system further comprises means (334) for generating at least one device independent control logic program which defines the runtime behaviour of the at least one device (100b) and an apparatus for translating the at least one device independent control logic program into a device specific control logic code which is assigned to a selected device (100c).

Abstract: The invention relates to composing a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description for example a lighting atmosphere specified in XML, wherein the lighting atmosphere is generated by several lighting devices, by automatically rendering the desired lighting atmosphere from the abstract description. The abstract description describes the type of light with certain lighting parameters desired at certain semantic locations at certain semantic times. This abstract atmosphere description is automatically transferred to a specific instance of a lighting system (14, 16, 18). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to create light scenes and lighting atmospheres at a high level of abstraction without requiring the definition of a lighting atmosphere or scene by setting the intensity, color, etc. for single lighting units or devices which can be very time consuming and cumbersome, particularly with large and complex lighting systems comprising many lighting devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing a device in a network comprising a plurality of devices. The method includes a step of storing (132) replicated data of a first device in a storage means, a step of removing (352) the first device from the network, a step of connecting (354) a second device to the network, a step of providing (262) a replacement information comprising the first identifier and a step of providing (272) the replicated data of the first device from the storage means to the second device.

Abstract: A networked control system (100) includes a plurality of devices connected to a network. At least one device (120) has a logical address that includes a device type, a device owner, an intended device function and a device feature and/or a device location in an environment of the device. The control logic for the at least one device (120) is designed and executed using the logical address, whereby the execution is performed by processor (110), either in distributed fashion by an embedded processor (110) of the at least one device (120) or centrally by a central processor (110) connectable to the network (100). A memory (130), which may be centralized and/or distributed, is provided for storing a mapping from the logical address to a physical network address of the device (120).

Abstract: The invention relates to a security system for wireless networks, comprising a first portable unit (1) with a memory (3) for storing a worldwide unambiguous key record (4) provided for short-range information transmission of the key record (4). At least one wireless apparatus (2) of the network is provided with a receiving unit (7) comprising a receiver (9) for receiving the key record (4) and an evaluation component (11) of the apparatus for storing, processing and/or passing on the key record (4) or a part of the key record to a second component. Due to the key record, the apparatuses in the wireless network acquire a secret shared key by means of which the encryption and decryption of the transmitted useful data and/or the authentication is performed. In accordance with an optional embodiment of the invention, the key record in the portable unit can be derived from biometric characteristics of a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dongle (3) for access of guest apparatuses (2) to a wireless home network (1). The dongle (3) comprises a memory and processing unit (33) which is connected to the guest apparatus (2) by means of an antenna (32) as well as a configuration-free interface (31). The invention also relates to a method of connecting guest apparatuses (2) to wireless home networks (1), wherein the access of the guest apparatus (2) is realized via a dongle (3) which is connected to an interface (31) of the guest apparatus (2).

Abstract: A lighting system with a base station and a plurality of lighting units, as well as a method for controlling a lighting system are described. Each lighting unit (12) has a light source (14), a controller unit (18) and associated configuration data. A receiver (20) receives control commands over a medium shared by the lighting units (12), e.g. wireless. A base station (10) comprises a configuration memory unit (34) to store configuration data. A central processing unit (24) uses a transmitter (38) to transmit control commands to the lighting units (12). The lighting units (12) are addressed using data stored in the configuration memory unit. The lighting units (12) are operated sequentially.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (21) for managing guest key records (6) in wireless home networks (1), comprising at least one interface (211) for connecting a guest key transmitter (GKT) (5), a key generator (212) and a transmission unit (213) for transmitting a generated key record (6) to the GKT (5). The invention also relates to a security system for wireless networks, comprising a portable guest unit (5) for short-range transmission of a guest key record (GKT), at least one device (21) according to the invention and at least one receiving unit (31) for receiving the key record (6) in at least one wireless home apparatus (3) and/or access point (2) of the network (1).

Abstract: The invention describes a method of setting up a secure environment in wireless Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) networks, comprising a UPnP security console and UPnP controlled devices defined in the UPnP Device Security specification, wherein the entry of information concerning the UPnP security bootstrap as required in the UPnP Device Security specification (particularly an initialization public/private key pair) into the devices is realized via a short-range key transmitter (SKT). A special user-friendly implementation of the UPnP TakeOwnership procedure renders any user interaction other than entering information from a SKT into the devices superfluous. The invention further describes a security system for wireless UPnP networks, comprising a short-range key transmitter (SKT), a security console and a controlled device as defined in the UPnP device security specification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of accommodating a network apparatus (2) in an existing network (A), wherein a user (1) supplies characteristic biometrical data to the apparatus (2) as well as to the apparatuses of the network (A) via a biometry module. A network identifier and/or a configuration key can then be derived from the biometrical data. The network identifier can ensure that the new apparatus (2) is correctly assigned to the desired network (A), also when there are still other networks (B) within its range. The configuration key can be used for securing the information exchanged during the configuration phase from interception.