FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a Bluetooth Mesh device and control system suitable for a model track set, such as a model railway. A variety of components are intended to be controllable via the device and control system.

BACKGROUND

Recreational activities and games have advanced from board and table based compositions to computer programs and software run on a number of different platforms. With advances in wireless technology and data transmission capacity interconnectivity of devices has caused convergence in many forms of technology. This has caused a system that has become known and the “Internet of Things” (loT) to evolve. This typically involves interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines that have the ability to transfer data over a network, and has been adopted by many recreational activities and games to expand their versatility and interactivity.

Two of the main wireless means of transferring data that are incorporated into loT devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The use of each of these is typically determined by the data transfer requirements both in terms of physical distance, and quantity of data compared to data transfer rate. One form of recreational activity that has benefited from the integration of software and data transfer has been track based activities, such as slot cars and model railways (also referred to as railroads). Taking model railways as an example, these initially used analogue systems that control movement of trains using, for example, rotary dials attached to variable resistors, and physical levers and switches for other accessories. Advances in technology have led to model railways using digital command control, DCC, that allows trains and other accessories to be controlled by a user from a programmable console or a computer. Each of the analogue and DCC systems used for model railways are wired systems with comparable systems in other track based systems. There is a desire to allow wireless connectivity to be employed in track systems.

To address this desire, wireless connectivity has been attempted using a Bluetooth connection between a controller and controllable components of a model railway set. However, this is not user friendly since it is limited to requiring pairing between the controller and each component to be controlled over the Bluetooth connection, and a maximum of six connections are possible at any one time due to the standard limitations of using Bluetooth connectivity.

While the number of connections could be increased by using Wi-Fi, this would require a Wi-Fi network to be set up. Additionally, this would require each component and the controller to connect to the network, which typically requires the use of a password for security purposes. Using Wi-Fi therefore does not overcome the disadvantages of using Bluetooth without having its own disadvantages. Other forms of wireless connection, such as a telecommunications connections like 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G provide similar disincentives while overcoming some issues.

There is therefore a need to provide a more versatile wireless connectivity capable of being used with model track sets.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a Bluetooth Mesh device for (i.e. suitable for) a model track set, the device comprising: a Bluetooth receiver arranged to receive one or more messages, a processor, and an element connectable in use to an external component, functionality of the component determining each possible state of the element while the component is connected to the element, the processor being arranged in use to convert a received message determining a value of a state of the element into a signal outputable to any component connected to the element to control operation of said component based on the state and the value. Using a Bluetooth Mesh network device allows links to be maintained with more components (i.e. the elements or components connected in use thereto) than “standard” Bluetooth (i.e. non-Bluetooth Mesh). Additionally, no “pairing” is required using Bluetooth Mesh, instead devices are provisioned into the Bluetooth Mesh system, which is a less complex process; and there is a lower power consumption since Bluetooth Mesh predominantly uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. As such, the Bluetooth receiver is typically a BLE receiver. While not critical to the differences between the first aspect and the state of the art, the device typically has a power source, which could be a power supply such as from the mains or could be a battery.

In addition to these advantages provided by using Bluetooth Mesh technology, the device according to the first aspect allows different classes of components and/or different functionality to be controllable using a single device. For example, this may be achieved typically by the processor being configured to be able to output a plurality of classes of signals, thereby being able to control component functionality in a plurality of classes. Known Bluetooth Mesh devices are only used to control a single class of device, such as a light or a switch. In order to operate, each class of device only functions when sent commands for a state class specific to that class of device or a generic class, and each device is only configured to operate its elements in response to commands to modify the state within a single class. Due to the device according to the first aspect being operate in response to commands across a plurality of classes, this allows different classes of component to be linked to and operable using the device and/or a greater range of control is possible with each component.

Accordingly, the device according to the first aspect provides a greater range of functionality and interconnectability, allowing a user to keep the number of devices needed to a minimum while still being able to link to and operate whichever components without being limited as to the number of components or needing periphery devices to allow communication with the device. Since there is the possibility of linking, for example, about 15,000 BLE devices (the number of devices able to be linked depending on choice of internal device chip) into a Bluetooth Mesh network due to the mesh architecture if warranted, the ability to link provided by using Bluetooth Mesh is enhanced over conventional Bluetooth or standard Bluetooth Low Energy. For a practical implementation of such a Bluetooth Mesh network, this provides the ability to link many multiples of devices to the network more than are anticipated as being needed, but such a number would be possible if wanted.

Terms such as “element”, “message”, “state” and “value” are known terms of art in relation to Bluetooth Mesh, derivable from the Mesh Profile Bluetooth specification and Mesh Model Bluetooth specification (version 1.0 of each document available from 13 July 2017). The meaning of each of these terms is intended herein to be consistent with this, but may also be applied more generically, such as “element” meaning connector or interface; “message” meaning data or information transfer, possibly in a packet; “state” meaning status, functionality type or record number; and “value” meaning numerical or other value or setting.

The phrase “classes of signal” is intended to mean the different types of electrical output able to be caused, such as a (single) voltage pulse; an AC or DC voltage level to be applied; a voltage polarity; a current frequency or other frequency (such as a pulse width modulation frequency relating to the duty cycle of a signal) to be applied; a period over which voltage is to be increased or decrease; a voltage on/off signal; and/or a voltage on/off signal at a one port of a plurality of ports. Each of these are intended to qualify as a class of signals since they each achieve a different type of output or different effect on the operation of a component when connected to an element. As such, the processor may be configured be able to output signals of at least two of a pulse or pulsed signal, AC or DC signal, a set frequency signal, a ramped signal, a stepped signal and a pole specific signal.

Alternatively, the phrase “classes of signal” is intended to mean the different types of states available. For example, the Mesh Model Bluetooth specification sets out that there are the following states: generic; sensor; time and scene; and lighting. To be capable of outputting signals for each of a plurality of classes of states, it is intended that the device is able to output signals in corresponding to two of more of the generic, sensor, time and scene, and lighting classes.

The term “component” is intended to mean an accessory having electrical parts capable of being operated on application of voltage and current and its operation being able to be varied by altering the voltage and/or current provided to the accessory.

The device may comprise a plurality of elements, each element of which is able to be linked in use to an external component, functionality of each component determining each possible state of the element to which the respective component is connected while said component is connected to the element, the processor being arranged in use to convert a received message determining a value and a state of at least one element into a signal outputable to any component connected to said at least one element to control operation of said component based on the state and value. This allows different classes of component to be connected to the device and operable at the same time using the device, meaning a single controller can control multiple components through a single device and/or multiple controllers can control one or more components connected to a single device at the same time.

In relation to multiple controllers being able to control one or more components, one or more messages determining a value and a state of at least one element may be receivable from a plurality of (message) sources, operation of any component thereby being controllable by a plurality of sources. In such a case, the processor may be configured to convert messages from different sources (each source typically being a controller) into signals at the same time, the messages from each source determining a value and a state of different elements, the signals being outputable to any component connected to each respective element thereby allowing operation of components connected to different elements to be controllable by different sources.

The Bluetooth receiver may be a Bluetooth transceiver. This allows feedback from each component and/or from the device to be passed to any controller, thereby allowing two-way communication and for errors, status report, acknowledgements and data to be reported without altering any link with the device or linking a further device to the device.

The element may be connected in use to a component by a cable connector. While the cable connector could alternatively be a wireless interface (i.e. by providing a Bluetooth link to a component either independently or through the Bluetooth transceiver), providing a physical cable connector reduces power use over the power that would be used by a wireless interface. Further by the using a cable connector, the Bluetooth receiver would not need to be able to transmit as well as received.

The cable connector may be arranged in use to be releaseably connectable to a cable, such as by being a releasable cable connector. This allows components to be removed and replaced meaning a greater range of components is able to be used with device.

Each element may be simultaneously connectable to a plurality of identical external components. This allows multiple components to be controlled via a single element of the device. The term “simultaneously” is intended to mean, when connected, that each component connected to a respective element operates in parallel to the each other component connected to that element both in terms of function and timing.

As set out above, the processor may be arranged in use to be able to output signals in classes of at least two of a (single) voltage pulse, an AC or DC voltage level, a voltage polarity, a frequency, a period overwhich voltage is to be increased or decrease, a voltage on/off signal, and/or a voltage on/off signal at a one port of a plurality of ports. Consistent with the above, this allows a wide variety of control of elements to be achieved using a single device.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a control system for (i.e. suitable for) a model track set, the system comprising: a Bluetooth Mesh network device according to the first aspect; and a controller configured to be able to communicate with the device via (i.e. by or over) Bluetooth, the controller having a user interface arranged in use to allow a user to interact therewith to input instructions to be sent to the device, the controller being configured to send the instructions (for example, as a message) including an action to be performed and identifying the element by which the action is to be performed, wherein a processor of the device is arranged in use to receive each instruction and convert the instruction into a signal outputable to any component connected to the respective element, operation of the component in response to the signal causing the action to be performed.

This allows user control over each component connected to the device due to the wireless link provided between the controller and the device. This both reduces the amount of wiring needed to control each component since wiring is only needed between the component and device, not the component and controller, and allows the user to be mobile while controlling each component since they are not constrained by wiring connecting the controller to the components. In the example of a model railway set, this enhances the appearance of the railway set since the amount of wiring is reduced therefore making the wiring easier to conceal, and the user is able to move around the set while maintaining control providing them with a better view of movement on the set to avoid incidents occurring during operation of the set that could not otherwise have been easily seen.

When there are a plurality of Bluetooth Mesh network devices according to the first aspect, there may be a plurality of controllers, each controller being configured to be able to communicate with one or more devices of the plurality of Bluetooth Mesh network devices according to the first aspect via Bluetooth, each controller having a user interface arranged in use to allow a user to interact therewith to input instructions to be sent to one or more devices, each controller being further configured to send the instructions (such as in the form of a message) including an action to be performed and identifying the element by which the action is to be performed. In this arrangement, communication between a controller and device is achieved by the device being provisioned to the controller. This builds a Bluetooth Mesh network with each additional device that is provisioned increasing the number of network nodes. Once an individual device is provisioned into a first network (i.e. provisioned by a first controller), that device is not able to be provisioned into a second network (i.e. provisioned by a second controller) until the device is un-provisioned from the first network. This gives the first controller exclusive ability to control components connected to the device. This arrangement is used for security purposes. If security were less important, it would be possible to allow a device to be provisioned by two controllers at the same time. Regardless of the arrangement, this allows multiple users to each control one or more devices. Taking the example of a model railway set, this is not possible using existing analogue or DCC systems while a single user is operating an analogue or DCC controller, and allows greater interaction between users.

The user interface may have one or more elements of a device that are unselected elements, by which we intend to mean that the user interface may not be configured to allow operation of that element or any external component connected thereto to be controlled by or from the user interface. The user interface of each controller may be arranged in use to allow a user to select at least one unselected element of the elements of the device to which a component is connected, a respective element being allocated to a respective controller once selected from said controller. Should this arrangement be applied, this is different to a device being provisioned or un-provisioned to a controller. A user is able to see what elements or components are connected to the device without the device being physically visible to the user or seeing what is physically connected to the device. This makes it easier to decide which components a user wishes to control at any one time. By the term “unselected”, it is intended to mean that an element is either not selected by any controller and/or is not selected by the respective controller by which the element is later selected by action of the user. Which elements are available to select may have been previously input to the controller either manually by a user or via a transmission from the device or another controller, such as appearing as available items within a network without a current active link. In relation to provisioning and un-provisioning, the user interface may have one or more devices that are un-provisioned, by which we intend to mean the user interface (and controller) is not configured to allow communication with that device, and therefore to allow operation of any element or external component connected thereto. The user interface of each controller may be arranged in use to allow a user to select at least one un-provisioned device, a respective device being provisioned to a respective controller once selected from said controller. The user interface of each controller may be arranged in use to allow a user to deselect each selected device, once unselected the respective device is un- provisioned from the respective controller. By “un-provisioned” we intend to mean that the controller is not able, or no longer able, to operate any element or external component connected to the device that has been or is un-provisioned from the controller regardless of whether the device is still operational or not. If a device has been provisioned to a controller, once the device has been un-provisioned, it is possible for the same controller or a different controller to (re)provision the device (again). Should a device not have been provisioned to a controller before, it is possible for a controller to provision the device. This ability of provisioning and un-provisioning allows a user to build and adjust a network of devices with which it is able to communicate, allowing the elements and external components it is able to communicate with to be increased and decreased. The process of provisioning and/or un-provisioning thereby either establishes a link or removes a link between a respective controller and device, for example, setting a link status to linked or unlinked as appropriate.

The user interface of each controller may be arranged in use to allow a user to deselect each selected element, once unselected the respective element is unallocated from the respective controller. This provides the userwith control over when an element is to be operable from a particular controller, such as when the ability to operate that element and the component connected thereto in use is no longer needed orwanted by the user. This also reduces the memory requirements of the controller since the any unselected element can be removed from any data store of elements selected by the controller. The control system may comprise a Bluetooth enabled DCC controller, connectable in use to at least one accessory and arranged to control each accessory when connected, each controller being linkable to the DCC controller via Bluetooth, and the user interface of each controller being usable by a user to input commands to operate each accessory, the respective controller being arranged in use to transfer each input command to the respective accessory via the DCC controller. This allows the system to be compatible with existing or legacy systems used with model track sets. The DCC controller may be Bluetooth enabled by having a Bluetooth dongle connected thereto.

The Bluetooth Mesh device may be an accessory having at least one element or component connected thereto. By the term “accessory” we intend to mean an accessory of a model track set, such as a train containing a Bluetooth (or Bluetooth Mesh) enabled DCC decoder. The component may be a motor. This allows direct control by a controller of an accessory, such as a train, without control being passed through another device first.

Each controller may be an application able to be operated on a computing device. This provides the user with a greater choice of devices from which to user a controller by allowing the controller to be loaded on to a computing device at will by a user.

Such a computing device may include a smartphone, tablet, PC, computer, laptop or other such device. For example, the computing device may be a wireless handheld device. This increases the mobility of the user when using the controller.

A component connectable to an element of the Bluetooth Mesh device may be a rail track power connector, a voltage and/or current providable to the power connector being variable based on input at the user interface of each controller. This allows the user to control operation of a train on a loop of track. Such a power connector may be provided by a range of devices, such as two wires forming an electrical connection with the two rails of a track, or a device configured to transfer power from a pair of wires to the rails of a track. The user interface may be arranged in use to receive instructions from the user in the form of a speed setting, the speed setting being adjustable, the controller being arranged to output a message determining a voltage level to be provided by the power connector in response to the input speed setting. This allows a set to set a speed to be applied when a rail track power connector is in use.

The user interface may include a slider arranged in use to allow adjustment of the speed setting on movement of the slider, the controller being arranged to output a message in response to each movement of the slider or when movement of the slider stops. The slider may be a rotary slider or a linear slider provided by a physical slider or, typically by a manipulatable slider on a user interface, such as on a user interface displayed on a touchscreen.

When a message is output in response to each movement of the slider, this provides a dynamic response. This allows the output to more closely follow the user’s interaction with the user interface and thereby to provide a more rapid response. When a message is output when the movement of the slider stops, this provide a passive response, which allows a user greater precision in the final output they are seeking to achieve and a finer level of control than the dynamic response does.

A range over which the speed setting is adjustable may be selectable by the user. This may be achieved by a user setting a range, or setting a minimum and/or maximum speed setting at the user interface, the controller being arranged to output a message in response to this setting, the message including a minimum and/or maximum voltage level and/or a minimum and/or maximum current frequency to be provided by the power connector.

This allows a user to account for the differences between individual trains for example, such as different motors, different weight and/or amounts of friction to overcome, for instance due to number of wheels and/or linked parts. An adjusted lower limit therefore provides speed control to be tailored to an individual train allowing greater precision in controlling that train within its operable range and an adjusted upper limit provides greater realism to more accurately replicate what would be possible with the full scale version of that train.

The user interface may include a brake configured to incrementally decrease the speed setting when interacted with by a user by causing the controller to output a message including a voltage level to be provided by the power connector in response to the user interacting with the brake. This provides a user with a capability of controlled slowing of a train without needing to manage the slowing themselves. If the deceleration rate is able to be set by a user, the decrease in the speed setting may decrease at the deceleration rate set when the brake is interacted with by the user.

The control system may further comprise a sound emitting device arranged in use to emit sound when activated by a user, wherein the type of sound to be emitted is arranged in use to be proportional to the speed setting. This allows a suitable sound to be emitted without requiring additional control by the user providing greater realism to a model railway setting. The sound emitting device may typically be a speaker. The sound to be emitted may be determined by a look-up table that includes a record of what sound to play at a particular speed or voltage level that is being applied an any given moment.

The user interface may be arranged in use to receive instructions from the user in the form of a direction setting, the controller being arranged to output a message including a (voltage) polarity to be provided by the power connector in response to the input direction setting. This provides a user with the ability to modify the direction of a train on a track.

The user interface may be arranged in use to receive instructions from the user in the form of a speed rate of change setting, the controller being arranged to output a message determining a voltage ramp rate to be provided by the power connector in response to the speed rate of change setting. The voltage ramp rate may be in the form of a setting between a minimum and a maximum, each value between the minimum and maximum corresponding to a predetermined period of time over which the speed is changed from its current level to a new level. This allows a user to set an acceleration and/or deceleration rate.

The user interface may be arranged in use to receive instructions from the user in the form of a speed increase rate of change setting and a speed decrease rate of change setting, the controller being arranged to output a message including a voltage increase ramp rate and a voltage decrease ramp rate to be provided by the power connector in response to the speed increase rate of change setting and the speed decrease rate of change setting. The speed increase rate of change and the speed decrease rate of change may typically be providable by a user independently of each other. This allows the user greater versatility.

The user interface may be provided with a first switch arranged in use to be interactable with by a user, the controller being arranged in use to send a message to the device to provide 0 Volts (V) to the power connector when the user interacts with the first switch. This provides the ability to immediately cut power to a track loop, thereby allowing a user to avoid issues, such as a crash, without disrupting other track loops. By the term “interactable”, it is intended to mean that the user is able to operate, toggle, flip or activate the switch to cause it to move between a first position and a second position, the action typically occurring when the switch is moved from the first position to the second position.

If the Bluetooth Mesh device has a plurality of elements, each element being connectable to an external component in use, a plurality of rail track power connectors may be connectable to the Bluetooth Mesh device, each of the plurality of power connectors being connected to a different element, a voltage providable to each power connector may be variable based on input at the user interface of each controller, and the user interface may have a second switch arranged in use to be interactable with by a user, the controller being arranged in use to send a message to the device determining that 0 V is to be provided to all the power connectors when the user interacts with the second switch. This provides an emergency brake enhancing the user’s ability to stop all movement on a track. This reduces the likelihood of an issue, such as a crash, occurring by reducing the amount of time it takes a user to bring all track loops to 0 V. The user interface may be provided with a third switch arranged in use to be interactable with by a user, the controller being arranged in use to send a message to the device determining that the previous voltage applied before the user interacted with the first and/or second switch is to be provided. This allows a user to resume the previous settings without needing to manually reset those settings when the first and/or second switches are interacted with. This causes the first and/or second switches to operate like a pause in time when the third switch is provided. The third switch may be the first and/or second switch when in a second position, the first and second switches being respective first and second switches when they are in a first position relative to the second position provide by the third switch. In additional to applying a previous voltage when the third switch is interacted with by a user, a user is able to modify the settings on the user interface before interacting with the third switch, and when they do interact with the third switch the modified settings, and therefore a message may be sent to the device determining that the modified voltage is to be provided.

The system may further comprise a second Bluetooth Mesh device according to the first aspect, the second device being an accessory and having at least one element or component, each controller being configured to be able to communicate with the second device via Bluetooth, the user interface of the respective controller being arranged in use to allow a user to interact therewith to input instructions to be sent to the second device, the controller being configured to send the instructions (such as a message) including an action to be performed and identifying the element of the second device by which the action is to be performed. This allows simultaneous control of multiple devices.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for multi-user control in a Bluetooth Mesh network, the method comprising: a first controller linking, via Bluetooth, to a Bluetooth Mesh network device, the device being operable by the first controller when linked to the first controller; and a second controller linking, via Bluetooth, to the device, the device being operable by the second controller when linked to the second controller, the device thereby being operable by a plurality of controllers. This allows multiple users the ability to control a device through different controllers. Typically, it would be expected that a (different) user is operating each controller, hence how multi-user control is achieved. The device may be (only) a single device in a device pool, or any one of a plurality of devices in a device pool. Allowing a plurality of controllers to operate a/each device in the device pool (and regardless of whether the or each device is part of a device pool) provides the ability to expand the group of users operating the device(s) so they can work together and have great flexibility as to who or where each device is controlled from.

Each controller may link with the (or each) device via one or more means of establishing communication. Typically, each controller linking with the device comprises the respective controller provisioning the device. This provides a connection type that is within the Bluetooth Mesh architecture, allowing the method to be applicable across various platforms/use cases.

The terms “link”, “linking”, “linked” and other such terms, unless stated otherwise, is intended to include a Bluetooth Mesh device being provisioned and/or connected with a controller, or the act of provisioning and/or connecting such a device with a controller. Provisioning is intended to include such a device and controller being in a relationship or establishing a relationship therebetween. Consistent with how this is described elsewhere in the description, this intention can be such that once a device is provisioned to a controller, no other controller or item or other user equipment can establish a relationship with the device, search for the device, which provides security from other user equipment that may wish to control or attack the device. Further “connecting” is intended to occur when a relationship already exists, and allows control of the device via the controller. In view of this, a device node can be provisioned to a controller but still be unconnected from the respective controller with no control of the device by the controller therefore possible; however, no other user equipment can provision the device. In Standard Bluetooth Network terms, a connected controller can control a Bluetooth device. The use of the Bluetooth Mesh architecture effectively adds another layer of security and allows for, for example, 15,000 nodes (the number of devices able to be linked depending on choice of internal device chip) to be connected and controlled via one piece of user equipment.

While one controller may remain linked to a device when a further controller links to the device, typically, a respective controller linking to the device may include unlinking the device from each other controller to which the device is linked, thereby transferring exclusive operation of the device from one controller to another controller. This reduces the likelihood of the device receiving operation instructions from multiple sources of operation of the device being confused between two controllers.

Unlinking from a respective controller may be carried out by the controller taking on control or taking on the link, which would cause the link to the preceding controller to be stopped. Typically however, the device may be unlinked from a respective controller by the respective controller unlinking the device from the controller. By this it is intended that the controller to which the device is linked currently, or at any one time, will take a step (such as an active step) to unlink the device from that controller. This preserves choice as to when control of a device is given up instead of control potentially being lost unexpectedly if a new controller precipitates the unlinking from the controller to which the device is currently linked.

Typically, unlinking the device (from one controller) may comprise unprovisioning the device from the controller to which it is provisioned. As with provisioning, this provides removal of a connection type within the Bluetooth Mesh architecture allowing the method according to the third aspect to be carried out within a Bluetooth Mesh environment.

Consistent with the intended meaning for “link”, “linking”, “linked” and other such terms, the negative version of each, so “unlink”, “unlinking”, “unlinked” and other such terms is intended to include a Bluetooth Mesh device being unprovisioned and/or unconnected with a controller, or the act of unprovisioning and/or disconnecting such a device from a controller. When unprovisioned, it is intended that a controller or other piece of user equipment ends a relationship with such a device with which the controller currently has a relationship. Once unprovisioned, the device can be provisioned to another piece of user equipment. Regarding a controller and device being unconnected, it is intended to mean that, while the controller and device still have a relationship (due to the device continuing be provisioned to the controller), no control of the device is possible by the controller. While provisioning and connecting, and unprovisioning and disconnecting are able to be four separate operations, typically if unprovisioning occurs while a connection between a device and controller exists, the unprovisioning will also cause a disconnection. Additionally or alternatively, a connection may be established automatically when a device is provisioned to a controller, or a device may be provisioned and the separately connected. When the provisioning and connecting occur separately, throughout it can be understood that when control of a device is being carried out, it can be considered that a connection has occurred between provisioning and control of the device occurring. This may be established by an active step by a user or automatically by a controller, such as by selection of a component or element or by some other connection process.

The method according to the third aspect may further comprise the first controller or a further controller linking, via Bluetooth, to the device, after the second controller links with the device, the device thereby being operable by the first controller or further controller when linked to the respective controller. This allows a device and controller to be re-linked with, and allows more controllers to link to the device as desired should there be further users wishing to control the device. Additionally, this may be achieved as set out above in relation to how a device may be unlinked from one controller and then linked to a further controller once unlinked from the previous controller.

The method according to the third aspect may be (suitable) for multi-user control in a Bluetooth Mesh network of a model track set.

Typically, each device featuring in the method according to the third aspect may be a device according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a network for Bluetooth Mesh connectivity, the network comprising: a device pool including at least one Bluetooth Mesh network device, and a plurality of controllers, each controller being configured in use to be linkable with each device in the pool, each device being operable in use by a respective controller to which the respective device is linked, operation of each device thereby being controllable by a plurality of controllers.

Typically, each device of the pool, in use, may be in an available group or an unavailable group, each controller being configured in use to only be linkable with a respective device when said device is in the available group. This avoids one controller taking over operation of a device when not expected by a user of another controller to which that device is linked. In these circumstances, we intend the phrase “in use” to mean when each device is functional, such as when the device has power and is switched on/functioning/working as intended, so does not have an error or other issue prohibiting or limiting its ability to be interacted with by other components of the network.

Each device may be in or switched to a mode in which it is discoverable by one or more controllers. This may be achieved manually by interaction of a user with the device directly or indirectly, or automatically, for example on power up or on unlinking from a controller.

Each device may only be in the available group when unlinked from each controller. Additionally or alternatively, each device may be in the unavailable group (only) when linked to a respective controller. There may be other reasons, such as those outlined above that would make a device unavailable. A device being linkable with by a controller (i.e. a new/renewed link) only being possible when a device is in the available group avoids control of a device being forced by or through a controller to which the device is not currently linked. This avoids inadvertent or unintentional loss of control of a device by a controller to which the device is linked. This also network security benefits

While the grouping of a device into the available group or the unavailable group may be fixed, typically, each respective device may be arranged in use to transfer between the available group and unavailable group based on a link status with a respective controller. This allows devices to be made available to control once a link with a device is dropped or removed by a controller.

Typically, each controller may be configured to link to a respective device by provisioning said device. Additionally or alternatively, each controller may be configured to unlink from a respective device by un-provisioning said device.

A respective controller provisioning a respective device may be arranged in use to provision the respective device into a sub-network including the controller and each device provisioned to the controller, each device in a respective sub-network being operable (only) by the controller in said sub-network. This limits (i.e. prohibits) communication between sub-networks, thereby avoiding confusion as to which controller is operating a device. In other forms, each device may (also) be operable by a controller from a different sub-network. A sub-network may include only a single controller (instead of a plurality of controllers) (and may also include no devices, but typically also includes at least one device). This further defines the format of the whole network and how many controllers are able to operate any one device at any one time. In some cases, while different to the first sentence of this paragraph, a sub-network may include a plurality of controllers, each controller in such a sub-network being able to operate/control each device within that sub-network.

Typically, each device of the device pool of the network of the fourth aspect may be a device according to the first aspect.

Typically, the network of the fourth aspect may further comprise a control system according to the second aspect, wherein each device of the network is a Bluetooth Mesh network device of the control system according to the second aspect and each controller of the network is a controller of the control system according to the second aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a model track set comprising: a control system according the second aspect; and a set accessory, wherein the set accessory is connected to an element of a Bluetooth Mesh device. The set accessory may be a points motor, a signal, a turntable, a set of street lights, a set of traffic lights or a track power connector. This allows a user control over a wide variety of accessories.

The model track set may further comprise a plurality of interconnected track circuits, each track circuit being (electrically) isolatable from each circuit to which it is connected by a break between said circuits at each interconnection between said circuits. This provides the ability to control each track circuit (also referred to as a track loop) without disrupting other track circuits. Each track circuit may be isolatable from each other track circuit to which it is connected by the use of insulating fishplates between adjacent connected track sections or by use of self- isolating track points that remain in a closed position.

The device may be provided within a motorised vehicle, the set accessory comprising the motorised vehicle. This allows direct control of a train with DCC decoder via a Bluetooth link coupled to the decoder.

Typically, the model track of the fifth aspect may further comprise a network according to the fourth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Example devices, control systems and model track sets are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic of an example device;

Figure 2 shows a schematic of a further example device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic of an example device in an example use setting; Figure 4 shows a schematic of an example control system and example devices; Figure 5 shows a schematic of an example controller;

Figure 6 shows a schematic of an example track set;

Figure 7 shows a schematic of a further example track set;

Figure 8 shows a schematic of a further example track set; and Figure 9 shows a schematic of another example track set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A Bluetooth Mesh network device capable of being used for a model track set is generally illustrated at 1 in Figure 1. In examples described herein this is linkable, via Bluetooth, to one or more other Bluetooth Mesh devices in a network and/or to other one or more Bluetooth devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or other computing device.

In this example, the device 1 has a Bluetooth Mesh transceiver 10 that is able to send and receive data via Bluetooth and Bluetooth Mesh data transmission. In other examples, the transceiver may instead only be a Bluetooth/Bluetooth Mesh receiver, and therefore only be capable of receiving data over a Bluetooth link.

As is typical for Bluetooth Mesh devices, in this example, the Bluetooth transceiver 10 transmits and receives data using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration once provisioned into a network or to a controller. As well as using less power to operate than a standard Bluetooth configuration, using a BLE configuration means no pairing of devices is needed for data transmission between devices and only instead requires provisioning.

In order to build a network, the system described herein uses a combination of Bluetooth Mesh and BLE communication. The use of BLE communication assists with legacy connectivity to non-Bluetooth Mesh devices. As such, some communication in the system is able to be conducted only over BLE communication instead of also or only by Bluetooth Mesh communication.

Each device that is to be linked to a Bluetooth Mesh network in the system described herein is detected by a controller typically due to a Bluetooth signal from each device being detectable. Each device is provisioned into the network by being selected from a controller. For each device this causes the respective device to be catalogued and to be issued a secure key with the secure key being entered into one or more registers on the device and controller to which it is provisioned. As described in more detail below, should the device be the first device provisioned into the network, this typically becomes the host node in the network and subsequent devices provisioned into the network become child nodes. When devices are powered down or unlinked from the network for some other reason (other than being un-provisioned), the secure keys are kept and when the devices re-link to the network they do not need to be re-provisioned and become operable again by the controller to which they are provisioned.

To establish the Bluetooth Mesh link, once a device is provisioned into the network a BLE “Get” command is issued automatically to the device setting up the Bluetooth Mesh link.

Due to the mesh link that is established through this process, firmware updates are able to passed through the network “over the air”, i.e. wirelessly over the Bluetooth link. This removes the need for any device, component or controller linked to the network to include a hardware input capable of receiving data transmission therethrough. This enhances data capacity and firmware transmission speeds and enhances security by reducing the number of ports by which items are accessible.

In addition to the Bluetooth transceiver 10, in the example shown in Figure 1, the device 1 has a processor 12, memory 13, a power unit 14 and a plurality of interfaces 15. These are interconnected to allow data and electrical transmission therebetween. For example, a connection between the processor and memory allows the memory to store data usable by the processor.

While in some examples there can be only a single interface 15. In the example shown in Figure 1 , there are four interfaces.

The power unit 14 provides power to the components of the device 1. In various examples the power is drawing from an external power supply, such as from mains electricity either directly, through a transformer or from a track circuit supplied with power from the mains via a transformer or other component, such as another device. In other examples, the power unit is a battery.

The interfaces 15 are elements of the device 1. The interfaces provide the ports to which components can be connect. In some examples, these are cable connectors to which cables or wires are able to be removably or non-removably connected. In other examples, the interfaces are solder pads to which wires are able to be soldered.

Figure 1 shows three components, 16a, 16b, 16c, each connected to one of the interfaces 15 of the device 1 by wires 18. The three components shown in Figure 1 are different from each other, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 1 by the three components being different shapes to each other. The components connected to the device can however be the same as each other, or there can be some components connected to the device that are the same as each other while one or more other, different, components are connected to the device.

As shown in Figure 1, some components 16a, 16c have two wires 18 for connecting to the device 1 by two wires, and some components 16b have three wires for connecting to the device. The number of wires is typically determined by the functionality of the component.

By being connected to one or more components 16a, 16b, 16c, the device 1 is able to operate the components that are connected to the device. As shown in Figure 1 , some interfaces 15 can be left unconnected to components. Additionally, Figure 1 shows a device with four interfaces. In other examples, there may be a different number of interfaces, such as more interfaces or less interfaces.

Use of device in model tracks

Model track sets, such as model railway sets, are generally operable under two systems. These are analogue and digital (which is also referred to as Digital Command Control or DCC). The device 1 is able to be used in both the analogue and digital systems, and is also able to provide a bridge between the two systems to allow model tracks operated using the analogue systems to be augmented with items intended to be operated using the digital systems to provide a hybrid system.

Previously, when a model track is operated using the analogue system track accessories, such as signals, turntables, lighting and points are operated manually using levers or individual electrical switches to each component. Additionally, items such as trains are controlled by providing power to track circuits (also referred to as track loops or circuit loops) with the power provided to each track circuit typically being controlled using a rotary dial or slider.

Model tracks operated using the digital system function differently to model tracks operated using the analogue system. Under the digital system, individual items, regardless of whether they are a running on the track, such as a train, or are an accessory, such as signals, turntables, lighting or points each have an associated decoder. The decoders are each linked to a controller that is programmed by the user and communicates with the various decoders to send commands in order to cause each item to function in the desired manner. Each item is of course provided with power. For items placed on the track, this power is able to be drawn from the track; and for other items wiring is passed to them in the manner needed. The signal passed to the items in order to operate each item also pass through the track and/or wires depending on the type or class of item to be controlled.

In order to be able to supplement or replace the control mechanisms used in model track sets under the analogue and digital systems the device 1 is used in tandem with a controller. More detail is provided in relation to the controller below.

In relation to the role of the device 1 , when being used in place of, or in conjunction with, an analogue system, in some examples, the device is removably connected to one or more track accessories, which include signals, turntables, point motors, lighting and other electrical accessories. Taking the device shown in Figure 1 as an example, the accessories provide the components 16a, 16b, 16c, connected to each interface 15. Since each of these types of component has electrical wires connected to it, the interfaces each include a cable connector.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the number of wires per component 16a, 16b, 16c, varies between two wires and three wires. Components with three wires connect to two live ports and one common port. Examples of such a component are a point motor, due to the point motor having two solenoids operable in order to switch the points, and a two state signal (such as a signal with a stop light and a go light). Components with two wires include turntables and lighting, such as street lighting accessories.

In other examples, the interfaces 15 have one or more track power connectors removably connected thereto or integrated into the device 1 as a component 16. When integrated, the interface could be seen to be provided by the power connector that is then removably connectable to a track circuit. Power connectors typically have two wires that would connect to the interface of the device.

While track power connectors and accessories have been described in relation to separate examples, in some examples the device 1 is able to have one or more power connectors and one or more accessories removably connected thereto. As such, examples that include power connectors as components are also able to be provided by the example device shown in Figure 1.

When using the device in place of, or as part of, an analogue system, power is provided to the device 1 in some examples by a mains power supply that is typically passed through a transformer (not shown) connected to the power unit 14.

Figure 2 shows a device 1 with the same arrangement as the device 1 of Figure 1. As such, the device of Figure 2 has a Bluetooth transceiver 10, processor 12, memory 13, a power unit 14 and a plurality of interfaces 15. These function and are operable in the same way as described above in relation to the comparable components shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 also shows components, 16d, each connected to one of the interfaces 15 of the device 1 by wires. The devices shown in Figures 1 and 2 are interchangeable when referred to below apart from where explicit differences are referred to.

In various examples, there are separate devices to which track accessories are removably connected from devices to which track power connectors are connected. As such, there are some examples where devices only have track power connectors connected to or connectable thereto, while a separate device is used to provide connectivity to other non-track power connector components. If, for example, components 16a, 16b and 16c are interpreted as accessories and component 16d is interpreted as a track power connector, the device 1 shown in Figure 1 shows a device to which track accessories 16a, 16b, 16c are removably connected, and Figure 2 shows a device 1 to which track power connectors 16d are connected. These two variations for the derive 1 allow there to be variations of the device that function in the same manner but exclusively allow control of accessories or of track power connectors, but not both by the same device. Of course, in other examples, accessories and track power connectors are able to be controlled by a single device (such a device 1 being shown by Figure 1 for example is components 16a, 16b and 16c are interpreted as accessories and track power connectors).

Turning to the role of the device 1 when being used in place of, or in conjunction with, a digital system, in some examples, such as the example shown in Figure 3, the device is provided within a vehicle. In the case of Figure 3, the vehicle is a model train 2. The device takes the place of, and performs the role of, the decoder that would otherwise be connected to the train when operated in a digital system. However, instead of just being a decoder, the device has Bluetooth Mesh connectivity provided by a Bluetooth Mesh transceiver, and has a processor and memory (as described above in relation to Figure 1).

As such, the device 1 , is connected in use to the motor 20 used to drive the train. This is connected to one of the interfaces 15 of the device. In this example, the interface is typically provided by a solder pad, but can be provided by a connector of some form. In some examples, including the example shown in Figure 3, a speaker 22 is also connected to the device, through which sounds are able to be played.

In examples where the device 1 is placed in a train, such as the example in Figure 3, the device draws power from the track rails. This is achieved by the wheels 24 being in electrical connection with the rails that a cable 26 passing between the wheels and the device. In other implementations of an example device 1 being used in place of, or in conjunction with, a digital system, this is able to be used for track accessories as well as for trains. Such examples more closely resemble the example device and the features of that device shown in and as described in relation to Figure 1. As such, the device 1 is connected (typically, but not always, removably) to a component provided by a track accessory in the same manner as described above in relation to the device being used in place of an analogue system. This allows one or more track accessories such as signals, point motors, turntables, various lights and speakers to be connected to and operated through a device.

Unlike examples that are used, at least in part, in place of an analogue system, when such a device is used, at least in part, in place of a digital system, the device 1 shown in Figure 1 is also a decoder, and instead of drawing power from the mains via a transformer, power is drawn from the mains by a connection to a track circuit. In such examples, a transformer is provided with a direct connection to a track circuit.

When using the device in place of, or as part of, a digital system, power is able to be provided to the device 1 in some examples by a mains power supply that is typically passed through a transformer (not shown) connected to a power unit of the device. This arrangement may be implemented at the choice of the user. In other examples, the one or more track circuits can be provided with a constant, non-variable power supply, and the device is able to draw power from the track.

Model track set ups that use a digital system can have quite intricate wiring layouts and have been subject to significant time and cost investment by users. Replacing existing DCC controllers or control systems with a Bluetooth Mesh device may therefore be undesirable. As such, in various examples, such as the examples described in relation to Figure 4 below, the device is able to operate in conjunction with existing DCC controllers by the controllers being augmented with a Bluetooth or Bluetooth Mesh connector 30 (also referred to as a dongle). This allows the data transmission between the DCC controller and a controller being used with the Bluetooth Mesh network. As shown in Figure 4, a DCC controller 3 to which a dongle 30 is connected also has a component 16d connected thereto by wires 18. This component is any type of component able to be controlled through a DCC controller. This is any component able to operate with electronic input to a decoder.

Similarly to how DCC controllers are used, some users of digital systems use computers to control their model track setup. In order to integrate such a system with a Bluetooth Mesh network, a device is connected between the computer and the items to which it is connected in the model track setup to allow control through the device as well as through the computer.

Control system

Regardless of whether a Bluetooth Mesh network system is being used to replace or augment an analogue or digital system, the control systems used to operate the components connected to each device are similar to each other. In various examples, a controller is provided. This is typically provided in the form of an application (also referred to as an “app”), computer program or computer software.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the app implementing the controller is operated on a physical item such as a tablet 4. In other examples, the app is operated on a smartphone, computer or other device able to send and receive data over a Bluetooth link. For ease of reference the controller and physical item on which the app implementing the controller is operated are referred to interchangeably.

As described in more detail below, the controller 4 provides a user interface with which a user is able to interact. In some examples this is provided by an interactive display on a touchscreen display. Interaction by the user intended to operate or modify the operation of a component linked to the network causes data transfer across the network to the relevant location within the network to cause the desired effect. System functionality

In order to operate the system when using it with a model track, the user sets up their track and accessories as they wish. As shown in Figure 4, components operable electronically are then physically connected by a user to a Bluetooth Mesh device 1 as appropriate for each component. If the system is being set up to integrate with an existing digital system, a component 16d is connected, or is already connected, to a DCC controller 3, to which a dongle 30 is connected to provide Bluetooth or Bluetooth Mesh link. A user is then able to interact with a user interface of a controller 4 in order to control each component connected to a device or DCC controller.

To allow a user to control components, as well as the physical connections being set up, in various examples, the data links need to be configured. In other examples this configuration may be achieved automatically.

In examples where the data link is configured by a user, when the system is being used in place of, or to augment, an analogue system, the user provisions the device and adds a component. This is achieved in some examples by use of an add device/component button 40 as shown in Figure 5. While in the example shown in Figure 5 the add device/component button is shown on the same screen as screen zones 41 dedicated to a component 42, in some examples the add device/component button is located in a separate screen, such as in a settings screen.

When a device is provisioned, the device is selected from a list of available devices. If this is the first device that is provisioned to a controller, this device becomes the “host” device/node in the Bluetooth Mesh network or which the controller is part. If the device is a subsequent device (so the second or later device) to be added to the Bluetooth Mesh network, in some examples, this device becomes a child device/node within the network.

There are examples where a subsequent device that is added to the network becomes the host device instead of becoming a child device. In these examples, this may be due to there being a stronger link between the newly added device and the controller, such as due to improved proximity between the newly added device and the controller.

Once a device is provisioned, in some examples a user is then presented with the components the controller 4 is able to communicate with over Bluetooth, and selects a component. The user is then typically asked which element of a device 1 the component 16 is connected to (in examples where a device has more than one element; in examples where there is only a single element the user may instead be asked to select the device to which the component is connected). This is to allow the controller to direct data relevant to that component in use to the correct location and/or to provide the correct information to the processor of the device. If a device has previously been provisioned to the controller, in various examples, the controller will remember user settings based on the information that the user has previously input. As such, details in relation to a device that was previously provisioned to the controller is stored within memory of the controller or via a server uplink hosted elsewhere, such as on the cloud. In some examples, the user also has the option to purge any memory from the controller or server of a previously provisioned device.

Once the component 16 is added, the user interface is provided with a screen zone 41 dedicated to that component. In various examples, this provides an indication, such as a name or an icon 42, within the screen zone to assist the user in identifying which component that screen zone relates to. The screen zone also includes various controls relevant to the component that has been added.

In some examples, the controller 4 populates the user interface and screen zone 41 with the appropriate details and controls based on information it holds on each type of component available to link to the controller or Bluetooth Mesh device or network. In other examples the details used to populate the user interface and screen zone are drawn from the device to which the component is connected or from the component itself. The icon 42 that represents the component in the screen zone may also be provided by the user, such as by the user uploading an image or photograph to the controller for that specific component or for that type of component.

In the examples described above, when the component to be added by the user is a track circuit, the process works in the same manner as it does for adding an accessory. The functions able to be achieved by each track circuit will typically be the same regardless of the layout of the track circuit, and these will be different to the functions of track accessory components such as signals, turntables, point motors and lighting. Indeed, each accessory type has functions that are distinct from functions of each other accessory type. This means that when considering track circuits and track accessories, there are multiple classes of functions.

In some examples, or when certain types of components are used, a user may need to take extra precautions as to which element of a device 1 a component is connected. This is because a current that is too high can damage some components, whereas some other components need a high current to be able to operate effectively. A component type that requires higher current is turntables, whereas a signal, for example, would be damaged if it received too high a current. In order to address this, output from one or more elements may be protected. This is typically achieved by limiting the current able to be output by that element, such as by limiting the current able to pass through a cable connector provided as part of the element. Damage can also be caused to components if they are simultaneously connected to more than one device (e.g. have parallel wired connections to more than one device). This is due to the possibility of receiving signal at the same time from more than one device causing a cumulative current to be experienced device. In some examples, such an arrangement is possible however.

Turning to how a system to be used in place of, or to augment, a digital system is configured by a user, this is achieved in a similar manner to the examples above describing how to configure a system being used in place of or to augment an analogue system. The method for provisioning devices and adding items to the user interface for the user to be able to control is the same, namely use of an add component button 40, allowing the user to be able to provision a device and select from the items the controller 4 is able to communicate with over Bluetooth. A key difference however is that in addition to individual components being selectable by a user, since vehicles, such as trains, contain a device in the form of a decoder Bluetooth Mesh enabled device (referred to as a decoder-device) instead of being a component connectable to a device, at least some types of device, i.e. decoder- devices, are also selectable by a user (such as simply by provisioning that device and not requiring further steps of adding one or more items), and for those types of devices individual components connected to those decoder-devices are not selectable by a user. In other examples, individual components connected to such decoder-devices are selectable once the decoder-device is provisioned.

Once a component or decoder-device is provisioned and selected by a user as needed, if a component is selected, then the user is typically asked which element of a device 1 the component 16 is connected to (in examples where a device has more than one element; in examples where there is only a single element the user may instead be asked to select the device to which the component is connected). This selection does not need to occur when selecting a decoder-device. From this point, regardless of whether a component or decoder-device was selected/provisioned by a user, the process of configuring the digital system is the same as for a system being used in place of or to augment an analogue system.

Regardless of whether the system is taking the place of or augmenting an analogue or digital system, as shown in Figure 4, each controller 4 has the ability to link to one or more devices 1 , each of which may be capable of having one or more components 16 connected thereto. For systems with a DCC controller 3 already installed, each controller is able to alternatively or additionally link to one or more components 16d through one or more DCC controllers or other legacy digital system controllers, such as a laptop, by use of a dongle 30 or other connection means.

In order to allow groups of users to use the same system and/or to join the same network and/or use the same track and accessory layout, multiple controllers 4 are able to link to the Bluetooth Mesh network and establish links within the network. If multiple controllers are linked to multiple devices, this effectively builds multiple separate (sub) networks that do not communicate with each other or have data transmission therebetween over Bluetooth. Under these conditions, is some examples, a single controller is able to link to one or more devices. This creates a closed Bluetooth Mesh network that allows a user to operate devices within that network via the controller. This prohibits operation of those devices from any further controllers. To release a device from a network for it to be operable from another controller, the device would need to be un-provisioned from the network to which it is linked.

When multiple controllers are being used on the same network, to avoid more than one controller seeking to operate a decoder-device at the same time, in some examples, when a decoder-device has been added to the user interface of one controller (i.e. is provisioned to a controller), it is not available to be added to the user interface of another controller. In such examples, a user is able to remove the component or decoder-device from the controller to which it has been added. This can be achieved, for example, by “un-provisioning” the decoder-device from the controller. This makes that decoder-device or component available to be added to the user interface of another controller. This “pick up and drop” mechanism makes is easy for multiple users to engage with the same network or layout at the same time. A corresponding un-provisioning process is also available in systems as described above being used in place of, or to augment, an analogue system.

When devices have been provisioned to a controller, regardless of whether in a system being used in place of or to augment an analogue system or a digital system, if the system is out of use, such as being switched off when not being operated by a user and is then is brought into use again, all devices provisioned to the network are brought online again (assuming they are still being provided with power). This avoids needing to re-provision each device that was previously to that system previously.

In some examples, a decoder-device or component is able to be added to the user interface of a controller even when it has been added to the user interface of another controller. Each component or decoder-device then functions by sequentially responding to instructions that have been issued for example. This may be avoided however due to the security risk this would pose.

Once components and/or decoder-devices are added to the user interface of a controller, the components and decoder-devices are able to be operated by a user interacting with the user interface to modify how a component or decoder-device is functioning. A user input at the user interface causes data transmission in the form of a data packet or message to be transmitted from the controller over Bluetooth to the device with the element to which the component is connected or to the decoder-device. Typically, the transmission within a Bluetooth Mesh network is operated using 32-bit packets.

The form of the message is dependent on the setup of the system. In order to cause the correct component of decoder-device to operate a message typically contains an address for the element to which the component is connected or an address of the decoder-device. In some examples, the message contains information identifying the one or more states representing the one or more functions of the component or decoder-device and the value that state is to be as a result of the user input, the value representing the form in which the function is to be carried out. In other examples, typically in cases where decoders are used, the message contains a Configuration Variable (referred to as a CV) and a value that CV is to have.

On receipt of the message at the relevant device or decoder-device the message is converted into an output. For decoder-devices this causes the CV value to be written to the decoder causing a corresponding signal to be output. In cases where the message includes state and value information, this is interpreted by a processor and a corresponding signal is output. The signal output causes the component or decoder-device to function in the manner corresponding to the user’s input. Functionality controllable through user interface

The functionality of some example components controllable through the user interface is now described, including a track circuit or train, turntable, signal, points and lighting. These are described in relation to Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 5 shows a user interface with example screen zones 41 usable for controlling the functionality of a track circuit or train. A track circuit is operated by use of the controller 4 when the output from a device responding to track circuit output from a controller varies the voltage provided to the track circuit. A train is controlled (directly) when the track layout as a whole or a track circuit is provided with a constant voltage and the train contains a decoder-device such as the device 1 shown in Figure 3.

In the user interface shown on the controller 4 in Figure 5 the screen is divided into four sections. The upper two sections are example screen zones 41 usable for controlling the functionality of a track circuit or train. The top screen zone includes an icon 42 to indicate what train or track circuit is being controlled. Additionally there are three slider bars 43, 44, 45, a toggle switch 46, and two buttons 47, 56.

One of the slider bars 43 is provided to control the speed of the train or of a train on the track circuit being controlled. Each slider bar has a slider 48 that is movable along a respective slider bar. By moving the slider along the bar on the speed bar, the speed is able to be varied by modifying the voltage passed to the train motor either through the track or from the decoder-device. In other examples, speed can be controlled through a different input mechanism.

While there are various examples of adjusting the speed, two examples of the speed being be adjusted using the speed slider bar 43 are: by the user dragging the slider 48 to the desired position and releasing the slider, causing the speed to be adjusted when the slider is released (i.e. causing the speed to be adjusted in a passive manner); and by the user dragging the slider to the desired position and releasing the slider with the speed adjusting as the slider is moved (i.e. causing the speed to be adjusted in a dynamic manner). A user is able to change between these two example means of adjusting the speed by modifying settings (not shown) of the controller 4.

In the example in Figure 5, the other two slider bars in the top screen zone 41 are usable to control inertia - i.e. the rate of change of speed. One slider bar 44 is provided to allow control of the acceleration rate, and the other slider bar 45 is provided to allow control of the deceleration rate. The amount of inertia being applied is modified in the same manner as speed is modified, namely by moving the slider 48 along the slider bar. The inertia setting is interpreted by the relevant processor at the device or decoder-device as the rate at which to increase or decrease the voltage to the relevant voltage for the speed setting, so the time period over which the voltage is to be modified. As with speed, in other examples, the inertia can be controlled by a different input mechanism.

In addition to setting the speed and inertia, a user is also able to set the minimum speed and the maximum speed. In Figure 5, an example of how this is achieved is shown in the screen zone 41 of the user interface below the top screen zone. As well as having an icon 42 to indicate the train or track circuit that is controlled by the settings in that screen zone, this screen zone has a slider bar 49. Instead of the single slider 48 present on the slider bars 43, 44, 45 for the speed and inertia settings, this slider bar has two sliders 481, 482. One slider, slider 481 in Figure 5, sets the minimum speed, and the other slider, slider 482 in Figure 5, sets the maximum speed. By adjusting the position of these sliders, the minimum voltage that is provided to a train or track circuit when more than 0 V is to be provided is determined by the position of one slider and the other slider determines the maximum voltage able to be provided to the train or track circuit.

The minimum voltage is helpful for adjusting the voltage to be provided to start a train moving. Some trains are heavier than other trains or have greater amounts of friction to overcome and therefore require more voltage to be provided to the motor in order to move the train. As such, my increasing the minimum speed setting this causes the minimum voltage and therefore minimum speed that is applied to be set to a level where the motor is able to move the train instead of being incapable of moving the train.

Being able to provide a limit to the maximum voltage able to be provided also has the reverse effect on lighter trains and stops them or any other train from moving too fast. These settings also allow the movement of the trains to be tailored to provide a more realistic portrayal of the full size trains of which they are a model.

In order to save on the space taken up by a screen zone 41 for a single train or track circuit (i.e. the screen “real estate”), switchable screens are able to be provided within a single screen zone. This, and the ability to switch between the screens or pages is indicated by the page indicators 50 in the top two screen zones shown in Figure 5. For trains of track circuits, two or more pages may be provided that a user can switch between, for example by using a swipe gesture within the relevant screen zone. The screen zones shown in Figure 5 show the two pages typically present for a train or track circuit in some example controllers 4.

A further example function a user is able to control is the direction of the train on a track circuit. This is achieved using one of the toggle switches 46. In the example shown in Figure 5, in the top screen zone 41, the relevant toggle switch has two positions. Each position represents opposite directions of movement on the track circuit. The direction of movement is determined by the polarity of the voltage. When the polarity is one way the direction of movement is one way, and when the polarity is the opposition way, the direction of movement is the opposite way.

In the example shown in Figure 5, a button 47 is shown in the top screen zone 4. In various examples, this button is a stop switch that immediately cuts voltage being provided to the motor of train or track circuit to 0 V when pushed in order to immediately stop the train or track circuit being controlled. When pushed a second time, the same settings as were applied before the immediate stop are applied again. This allows a circuit or train to be paused quickly without needing to adjust any other settings, such as speed and inertia, while also allowing the previous settings to be restored without those settings being otherwise modified. The user is of course able to adjust the settings between cutting the voltage and re-applying the voltage to cause a change in the how the train runs after the voltage is applied again.

The immediate stop function bypasses the inertia settings in order to allow for an instant pause and restart to be achieved. An additional function is also able to be operated by a user. This is a brake function. In the example shown in Figure 5 use of this function is provided by a button 56. This function is implemented by the user tapping the button. This reduces the speed in increments. Each tap reduces the speed setting by a pre-determined increment. While the speed setting is reduced, the speed may take a longer time to reduce depending on the deceleration inertia setting. The user can of course use the speed slider bar to decrease the speed instead of, or in addition to, using the brake button.

The screen zone 41 below the top screen zone in the example shown in Figure 5 includes a drop-down box 51. In this example, the drop-down box is provided to allow a user to select a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency for signal to be provided to the track circuit. This is only applied to devices used to supplement or replace analogue systems. As set out below, due to how power is provided to and used by decoder-devices, PWM frequency is modified in a different manner for decoder-devices.

This frequency is able to be modified using mechanisms other than a drop-down box in other examples. Regardless of how the frequency is adjusted, modifying the frequency alters the sound the motor makes when the train is moving, which can be desirable to a user. Additionally, due to trains having different motors, modifying the frequency can change how smoothly or jerky the motor causes the train to move, especially at low speeds, allowing movement of the train to be made more realistic if wanted. Some example frequencies that are able to be used are 61.27 Hertz, Hz, (which may be a low setting, and/or a default setting), 100.79 Hz, 3905.96 Hz and 7811.92 Hz. Some examples may allow other frequencies to be used instead of or in addition to these. When decoder-devices are used, power is provided to the decoder-device from the track that is supplied with a flat DC power input. This differs from systems that supplement or replace analogue systems, since, in those systems, the track is provided power by applying a waveform to the track from a device allowing PWM frequency adjustments to be applied to the waveform supplied to track. As such, when decoder-devices are used, PWM frequency is instead controlled by adjusting CV values within the decoder-device. This is achieved by a user adjusting the relevant CV values from a controller. The output from the decoder- device therefore has a modified PWM frequency instead of its input as is the case with systems that supplement or replace analogue systems.

In the example shown in Figure 5, below the two screen zones 41 that are each used to control a train or track circuit, there is a button 52. This button is an emergency stop and resume button. While trains are being run on a track circuit, if a user clicks this button, movement of all trains will immediately stop. In some examples this is also able to be applied to track accessories that will immediately stop. On clicking the button again the settings that were previously applied will be immediately restored unless the user has made any changes to them before clicking the button a second time. This allows a pause to be applied across the whole track layout.

A similar effect occurs when a short circuit is detected within the track layout. In that situation, functionality at the location where the short circuit is present will not be possible and a notification is provided to a user that there is a short circuit. The user is then able to find the source of the short circuit, whether it be on the track layout or due to setting applied by the controller (such as mismatching direction, and therefore polarity between two track circuits), rectify the short circuit and dismiss the notification.

On dismissal of the notification, the system will resume based on the prevailing settings of the controller (whether these are the same settings as were in place before the notification was received or modified settings). If a short circuit is still present, a new notification will be received or the notification will not be possible to dismiss. Typically when a short circuit occurs movement will not be possible on one or more track circuits.

A similar process of notification, correction and notification dismissal is applied when other safety or security events occur, such as the loss of connection to a decoder-device, which can happen if the train with the decoder-device passes over a section of track that has poor connectivity, for example due to being dirty.

To allow a short circuit notification or other notification to be passed to the controller, the controller is always listening for signals transmitted with the network. This is achieved by using telemetry monitoring. This monitoring, for example, allows short circuit signals to be identified. While this monitoring increases traffic within the network, it assists with reducing and addressing problems within the network.

Additionally, should the controller 4 be running as an app on a device capable of receiving a telephone call, should a telephone call be received, a default setting of the controller is to immediately pause all activity on the track layout when a telephone call is received or answered. This setting is able to be modified to allow activity to continue should a telephone call be received. This setting is also the default, but modifiable, setting that is applied when the user leaves the app.

In some examples, users may wish to play sounds through a speaker. This speaker may be on the device on which the controller 4 is operated, attached to a decoder-device in a train or connected as a component 16 to another Bluetooth Mesh device 1 within the network. In some examples, sounds can be sent from the application, tablet, phone or other device running or acting as the controller to a generic Bluetooth speaker.

If the speaker is on the device on which the controller is operating, the user is able to select a sound to play from within the app. This may be included in a database of the controller or may have been added to the functions the controller can achieve by a sound file being downloaded and loaded into the controller. When the speaker is on a device other than the device on which the controller is operating, the sound file may be flashed to a memory of the device connected to the speaker and is able to be played on receipt of an instruction from the controller in response to a user action. The sound file can be retained or replaced with another sound file if a different sound is wanted. Access to previously used sound filed may be preserved in a library accessible from the controller.

The volume at which the sound is played may be set locally from the controller or may be set by writing the appropriate CV value to a decoder-device to which the speaker is connected.

In addition to the above functionality, if the controller is being used to operate a component with a decoder, the sliders used to set inertia, for example, typically correspond to the CV for inertia, and moving the slider sets the CV value. Instead of or in addition to the means for adjusting various settings described above, in some examples a number of sliders are provided for a predetermined number of CVs. This allows a user to adjust the CV value for individual CVs, for example for the most commonly used CVs. We have found some of the most commonly used CVs in the NMRA standard are CVs 1 to 10, 17, 18, 19 and 29. If a user wishes to directly set these using the controller 4, a user is able to adjust the relevant slider for a CV to set its value. This results in the CV value being altered in the decoder-device as data is transferred over the Bluetooth link, which also allows CV values on the decoder-device to be read and therefore presented to the user at the controller.

For less commonly used CVs, the user is also able to input into the controller a CV for which they wish to modify the value and input the value. This can be achieved in some examples using a keypad or keyboard. This allows a user to modify the value of any CV they wish. This provides cross compatibility between decoders supplied by different companies. Additionally, as mentioned above, when CV values are used, in various examples the CV values used throughout the system comply with the NMRA standard CV definitions, further enhancing cross-compatibility. In order for the controller to adjust speed when the controller is operating a component with a decoder-device, a slider on the user interface is used to modify the speed. This typically allows the speed to be modified without changing any CV values. Moving the slider sets the amount of the power available to the decoder-device for the decoder-device to output to drive the motor. This is similar to the mechanism used for controlling speed in systems that supplement or replace analogue systems where the amount of power (i.e. current and/or voltage, but typically current) applied to the track is modified to adjust the speed at which the train motor for a train on that track runs.

Writing CV values to the decoder using the controller is reasonably quick, but basing speed adjustment on power to be applied instead of on CV values limits lag in speed adjustment. This is beneficial since it reduces delays in a speed adjustment applied by a user at the controller being implemented at the train since the train speed is usually the only setting operational at all times. For other settings that are controlled by setting CV values, a slightly greater lag in adjusting the setting is not limiting since those settings are typically only applied when a further change to a different setting is applied, such as a change in speed, and so are not being applied continuously as is the case with speed. Brake, stop and emergency stop functionality typically operates in the same way as speed control is operated when a user is controlling a decoder-device.

The use of the Bluetooth (i.e. BLE) link between the controller and decoder allows much more rapid setting of CV values than known systems. This is because known systems require a train to be placed on a programming track in order for settings to be passed from a controller through the track to the decoder in the train. The wireless connection provided by the Bluetooth link increases the available bandwidth and speed at which data transfer can occur. This gives the appearance to the user of a CV value being updated instantaneously instead of the CV value update taking a noticeable period of time when a programming track is used. Additionally, the wireless connection allows the train to be in use at the time the CV value is updated instead of having to be removed from use in order to update the CV value as is needed in order to place the train on the programming track. Turning to items other than trains and track circuits, such as track accessories able to be controlled from the controller. The example controller shown in Figure 4 shows three screen zones 41 , one in the top half of the screen and two in the bottom half of the screen. Focusing on the two screen zones in the lower half of the screen, in this example each has an icon 42 indicating the component or item that screen zone is able to be used to control. As set out above, this includes track accessories such as turntables, signals, points and lighting. By turntables, we intend to mean turntable or motors, such as motors used in turntables or conveyor belts. Reference to turntables herein is intended to encompass turntables and motors, such as motors used in turntables or other accessories like conveyor belts for example.

To control a turntable, in some examples there are two toggle switches. These are a start/stop toggle switch 53. This switch has two positions. When the switch is in one position, the turntable is inactive, and when the switch is in the other position, the turntable is switched on and therefore rotates. This is achieved by respectively not supplying or supplying voltage to the turntable. A second toggle switch provides a direction switch 54. This again has two positions in this example. When the switch is in one position, the direction of movement of the turntable when moving will be clockwise, and in the other position the direction of movement will be anti-clockwise. The direction is determined by the polarity of the voltage applied across the motor that drives the rotation of the turntable.

In order to control lights, signals and points, the input needed from the user is approximately the same. Lights are either on or off, a signal is used to provide a stop or go indication or can be off (or give an off indication) and a set of points is either open or closed. For lighting, the signal that needs to be provided to the component is either a signal providing a voltage or no signal, i.e. no voltage. The signal needed for points and signals are is different however. For each of points and signals, these are three wire components, and so function based a signal providing a positive voltage to one port or another port in order to switch between states. In relation to a signal, this may be switching between a red light and a green light (additionally there may be a further setting, not shown, to turn off the switch completely) and for points this is to move the rails from one position to another position using a points motor.

On the controller these functions are provided by a toggle switch 55 in the screen zone used to control the relevant component. The toggle switch is a two position switch. As such, when the toggle switch is in one position, the lighting would, for example, be off, the signal would, for example, provide a stop indication, and a set of points would be in one position. When the toggle switch is in the other position the lighting would be on, the signal would provide a go indication and the set of points would be in the other position. While the input provided by the user to control these components is the same the class of signal differs between the lighting and the signal and points. This is due to the signal and points requiring input at one port or another instead of just a signal being provided.

If decoders are used for any of these accessories, suitable means for selecting a CV and a value for that CV is provided to a user, such as by a drop-down box, slider or pre-configured switch.

A further functionality able to be used with systems that replace or supplement digital systems is macro programming. In some examples, a macro is built by a user being able to program a sequence of events, transitions, actions and/or functionalities into a controller to be carried out by a decoder-device. This may be achieved in a number of ways and gives the ability for autonomous or semi- autonomous operation of the accessory to which the decoder-device is connected.

Once programmed, the macro may be storable in memory within the system, and may be executable by a processor within the system. The storage and processor location varies between examples. For example, each of these may be on/from a device capable of hosting the controller, such as a smartphone or tablet and/or on/from a decoder-device or other device within the system.

Network setup and functionality

As set out above, the general system disclosed herein allows a plurality of users to engage with the system at any one time. This is achieved through the setup of the network and functionality available. While disclosed predominantly in the context of model track sets, the ability for a plurality of users to engage with the system at any one time is able to be independent of the specific application or use. This ability can therefore be used and/or applied in other contexts.

As disclosed throughout the description, in some examples, the system includes at least one, and often a plurality of Bluetooth Mesh network devices 1 , 3 (i.e. a device or decoder-device). These, the elements 15 thereof, and whichever (if any) components 16 are linked thereto, are generally operable by controllers 4.

A description is provided above addressing how groups of users, in some examples, are allowed to use the same system and/or to join the same network and/or use the same track and accessory layout. An alternative, but consistent, way to describe this for various examples is from the perspective of the network setup and functionality. In such examples, the network has a device pool. The device pool has one or more Bluetooth Mesh network devices 1 , 3. Depending on the resources and/or desires of one or more intended users of the network, the device pool can have only a single device, or can have a plurality of devices. The network setup and functionality is the same regardless.

To allow a plurality of users to use the same system, the network also includes a plurality of controllers 4. The controllers are able to be linked to the devices 1 , 3 in the pool. The link between controller and device is established via a Bluetooth link. Each controller’s link to a device allows each device to which a respective controller is linked to be operated by that controller. In various examples, each controller establishes a link with a device by provisioning the device. Consistent with what is set out above, the term “provisioning” is intended to have its standard meaning within the Bluetooth Mesh field, such as a process of installing a device into a (sub)network.

When a device 1 , 3 is provisioned to a controller 4, in some examples, that controller has exclusive control and ability to operate the device relative to other controllers of the plurality of controllers. As set out above, this is due to communications, over a Bluetooth Mesh link, to a sub-network outside of the sub- network formed of a single controller and the devices provisioned to that single controller being prohibited.

By having multiple controllers 4, it is possible to create a plurality of sub-networks within the network, each sub-network including only a single controller and the devices 1 , 3 provisioned to that controller.

Should a user wish to no longer control a device 1, 3, the controller and device with which controller is linked are able to be unlinked. In various examples, this is achieved by the controller unprovisioning the device. Consistent with what is set out above, the term “unprovisioning”, also referred to herein as “un provisioning”, is intended to mean a process of uninstalling a device from a (sub)network. Since this removes the (unprovisioned) device from the sub network of which it formed a part, this allows another controller to link to that device by provisioning it into its own sub-network. In this manner, control of a device can be passed from one controller to another controller.

During use, there may be devices 1 , 3 that are not linked to any controller 4. Such devices are then in a group of available devices that can be linked to. Devices that are linked to a controller can therefore be considered to be in an unavailable group. The process of linking and unlinking (so typically provisioning and un provisioning) causes devices to transfer from one group to the other.

Physical track setup

Figure 6 shows an example track layout 6. The track layout in this example has three concentric rings provided by track circuits 60. The track circuits are interconnected by points 61.

At each set of points 61 there is a break 62 shown between the adjacent track circuits 60. This break is provided to isolate each track circuit from the other track circuits. This break is provided because the layout shown in Figure 6 is being used in place of a (traditional) analogue system, and it is the track circuit that provide power to any train 2, a representation of which is shown on the inner most track circuit. This means that in order for a complete electrical circuit to be provided, the track circuits need to be kept isolated from each other.

The layout shown in Figure 6 shows three devices 1 with components 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d connected to parts of the layout. Two of these device have components 16d each connect to one of the elements of the device. This component is a track power connector and each connects to a track circuit 60 with one device having two components connected to it, and the other having one component connected thereto.

The third device 1 shown in Figure 6 has components 16a, 16b and 16c each connected to respective elements of the device. These components are a points motor connected to one of the points 62 and two other track accessories.

The arrangement shown in Figure 6 is one of the various examples corresponding to examples described above with devices to which only track power connectors are connected or connectable thereto (for example as is represented in some interpretations of Figure 2), while also having a separate device used to provide connectivity to other non-track power connector components (for example as is represented in some interpretations of Figure 1). As noted above, and as shown in Figure 6, in some examples, for devices to which track power connectors are connected, the number of track power connectors may be limited to two track power connectors per device. This is also shown by Figure 2 in some interpretations of Figure 2. Other examples may allow a different number of track power connectors per device.

Each component 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d is able to be operated by a user making use of the controller 4 shown in Figure 6 due to the link between the controller and the devices 1 over the Bluetooth Mesh network. A user’s interaction with the controls for the inner most track circuit will cause movement of the train 2 due to the location in which it is shown to be in Figure 6.

The points isolate track circuits from each other since, in this example, the points have insulated frogs and the joints between the points, typically provided by fishplates, are provided by insulated fishplates. These fishplates are plastic instead of the typical conductive metal fishplates.

If a setup were to be being used in place of a digital system instead of an analogue system, instead of the layout shown in Figure 6, a layout shown in Figure 7 would be used. In Figure 7, the device providing the power couplings shown in Figure 6 is removed and is replaced with a power supply providing power being directly to one or more track circuits. Additionally, the isolation 62 between points 67 connecting track circuits would be removed, and instead points that conduct power through from one circuit to another in the layout would be used. This is achieved using non-isolating points or by installing electrical clips, also referred to as point clips, or another form of electrical connection across the isolating part of the points to bridge any insulation providing in a set of self-isolating points.

In the arrangement of Figure 7, the train 2 would be provided with a decoder- device 1 as shown and described above in relation to Figure 3. This would be able to be linked to the controller 4, along with the device 1 being able to be linked to the controller allowing a user to operate the various components and the train on the layout. The track layout is then provided with a power connection, which is only connected to a single track circuit since this power is conducted throughout the layout across the points between track circuits. The power is provided by a harness 63 to which a track power connector component 16d is connected. In some examples, this is achieved using a fly-lead between the harness and connector. In the example shown, the layout of Figure 7 is otherwise the same as the example show in Figure 6.

A hybrid option is also available. This option is anticipated as being applied by users that have previously run an analogue system but wish to move to using a digital based system using decoders. To achieve this, the layout 6 is provided as shown in Figure 6. Using the controller 4, the current and/or voltage (i.e. the speed) for each track circuit is turned up to the full amount and any PWM setting is removed (by adjusting a setting) so a “flat” constant power level is supplied (i.e. a DC power input). The train is then provided with a decoder-device as shown in and described above in relation to Figure 3. The train is then able to be directly controlled over the Bluetooth Mesh network from the controller interacting with the decoder-device while drawing its power from the track circuit as it would in a typical digital system.

Network connectivity

Figures 8 and 9 show two layouts with the Bluetooth Mesh network overlaid on top of the layout. In Figure 8, the layout 7 shows track circuits 60 on which trains 2, each connected with a decoder-device, placed on the track. Additionally, there are some devices 1 that are in static locations on the layout. The trains and devices each are able to communication over the Bluetooth Mesh network they form a part of with other trains and devices within their communication range. The links between the Bluetooth Mesh enabled devices is shown by interconnections 70.

In Figure 9, the layout 8 shows track circuits 60 on which trains 2, each connected with a decoder-device, placed on the track. In this layout there are no additional static devices. However, the links between the trains in a Bluetooth Mesh network is still present as indicated by interconnections 70.

In the layouts 7, 8 of each of Figures 8 and 9 there is a controller 4. This links to a parent/host node in the Bluetooth Mesh network. Should the parent node go out of range of the controller, such as in the layout of Figure 9 for example, due to the train that provides the parent node moving out of range, then a different node within the network will become the parent node. The parent node passes data transmission from the controller on to the rest of the network.

Typically we have found that the Bluetooth Mesh devices described herein are able to link with other devices within an 8 metre (m) range if the device has a metal casing and within a 45 m range if the device has a plastic casing, such as when a controller being operated on a smartphone or tablet and is communicating with a train with a plastic casing or a static (i.e. stationary) device with a plastic casing. This allows communication over significant distances due to the Bluetooth Mesh network providing the ability to create a chain of interconnected devices. As is apparent from the above examples, a track layout is able to include devices that are stationary, referred to as static, and/or devices that are able to move, referred to as non-static. Static devices include at least some devices through which track accessories are able to be operated, and non-static devices include decoder-devices connected to a train.

Typically, when a user provisions devices to the network, the first device the user provision becomes the parent or host node. In order for the most reliable link to be achievable, the user should choose a static device as the host node. This allows more reliable link between the controller and devices in the network by having a host node in a fixed location.

In order to provide flexibility it is also possible for the user to choose a non-static device to be the host node when provisioning devices to the network, such as by provisioning a non-static device first.

Regardless of whether a static or non-static device is used as the host node, there is a possibility the host node and the controller will become unlinked. This can be due to the controller moving out of link range, power loss or a number of reasons. In some examples, in order to avoid this causing the controller to lose control of the devices provisioned to the network, a different device is able to become the host node.

In various examples, the system receives a lost link notification if the host node and the controller become unlinked. One of the child nodes is then made the host node. In some examples, this is achieved by a BLE “Get” command being issued to the remaining devices provisioned to the network with the strongest link to the controller to re-establish the Mesh link between the devices provisioned to the network and the controller. Establishing a new host node is typically achieved over a period of 0.1 seconds (s) to 0.5 s of a lost link notification is received for the previous host node, and typically within 0.25 s of such a notification. This avoids a user noticing a disruption in service. The device with the strongest link to the controller is typically the device that is closest to the controller, which is why this is preferable to use as the host node in various examples. It is also possible to identify which device is the closest to the controller based on an analysis of the link and link strength. The system is able to achieve this automatically, which avoids the user needing to work out which device is most appropriate to use as host.

In some examples, instead of the new host being selected based on strongest link, static devices are given priority over non-static devices in order to prioritise a link to a static device as a host node. It is also possible in other examples for a user to select which device is to be a host node.

While it would be possible in some examples to allow the host node to be changed for other reasons or at the choice of the user, maintaining the same device as the host node unless the link to that device is lost is beneficial. This increases efficiency and stability within the network and avoids a drop in service. To make one device a host node, the previous device that was host node would need to be removed from being host, which would cause disruption. Additionally, since all the traffic on the network typically passes through the host node to the controller, the less changing of host that occurs, the less likely there is to be loss of data transfer.

Once a link to a device acting as host node has been lost, the system is able to monitor for the link to this device being restored. This is then typically added as a child node, but in some examples can be made host node again.

Typically, the more devices that are linked to the network, the stronger the links become within the network. As demonstrated by the device interconnections in Figures 8 and 9, this is because the number of interconnections increases as more devices are added. This reduces bottlenecks in the network (such as points where all messages or data needs to pass through a small number of devices, for example one or two devices), and reduces average path length across the network between the source and destination for a message. This also increases the network resilience. Even in view of this, we have found however that for implementation in arrangements similar to those set out above, the default total hop distance (also known as “Time To Live”) should be 4 instead of the standard 1 or 2 applied in Bluetooth Mesh applications. This is due to the possibility of using static and non- static networks, network topography (i.e. the link map and physical placement of the devices provisioned to the network), and due to messages passing downstream from the controller and upstream to the controller during use.