Method and device for controlling a lighting system

1. A controller for accessing a network of lighting system devices, the controller comprising:

a communication subsystem configured to allow the controller to be identified as a node on the network, and to communicate according to a first protocol with at least one of the lighting system devices on the network;

wherein the controller is configured to detect the presence of a Master lighting system device on the network via the first protocol;

wherein the controller is configured to assume a role based on the detection; and

a master power supply comprising a switching feature configured to power the network when the switching feature is connected to the network.

2. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the network is a DALI network.

3. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the role is a DALI Slave role and the master power supply is not in connection with the network via the switching feature.

4. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the role is a DALI Master role and the master power supply is in connection with the network via the switching feature.

5. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the role is a DALI Slave and Master-on-Demand.

6. The controller of claim 3 , wherein the DALI Slave role indicates a Master lighting system device on the network.

7. The controller of claim 4 , wherein the DALI Master role indicates the absence of a Master lighting system device on the network.

8. The controller of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to operate as a DALI Master while the presence of the Master lighting device is detected on the network after a predetermined amount of inactivity.

9. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising a digital communication channel, wherein the digital communication channel is configured to communicate with an independent device through a second protocol.

10. A method for a controller accessing a network of lighting devices comprising:

identifying the controller as a node on said network through a communication subsystem;

communicating according to a first protocol with at least one of said lighting devices on the network;

determining the presence of a Master lighting device on the network;

assuming a role based on the detection; and

controlling a switching feature of a master power supply of the controller based on the assumed role,

wherein the master power supply is configured to power the network.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the network is a DALI network.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising detecting the presence of the Master lighting device.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising assuming a DALI Slave and Master-on-Demand role.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising operating the controller as a DALI Slave on the network, wherein the master power supply is not in connection with the network via the switching feature.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

detecting a delay in communication from the Master lighting device;

switching the switching feature of the master power supply of the controller to the network;

powering the network with the master power supply;

issuing commands from the controller to the network.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

detecting a communication from the Master lighting device; and

disconnecting the switching feature of the master power supply from the network.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

communicating with an independent device according to a second protocol,

wherein the second protocol is configured to communicate through a digital communication channel in the controller.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

receiving a command from independent device; and

relaying the command to the lighting devices.

19. A network of lighting system devices comprising:

at least one lighting system device;

and a controller comprising:

a communication subsystem configured to allow the controller to be identified as a node on the network, and to communicate according to a first protocol with at least one of the lighting system devices on the network;

wherein the controller is configured to detect the presence of a Master lighting system device on the network via the first protocol; wherein the controller is configured to assume a role based on the detection; and

a master power supply comprising a switching feature configured to power the network when the switching feature is connected to the network.