JP2011040227A - Lighting device, lighting system, and control method of lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device, a lighting system, and a control method of a lighting device capable of restraining flicker and setting light-controlling time from start to finish of change of a light output of a light source at a given time. <P>SOLUTION: In the lighting device provided with a light source and a control means for controlling light by changing a light output of the light source on the basis of target brightness, the control means is so structured that light control time from start to finish of change of the light output of the light source is to be at a given time, so that the light control time can be set at the given time, whatever a change volume of the light output is. Therefore, by presetting light control time of all of the plurality of lighting devices at the given time when the lighting devices with different light control characteristics are light-controlled at the same time, light control time of the plurality of lighting devices can be made constant, with sense of incongruity and displeasure to a user restrained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device, an illuminating system, and an illuminating device control method including a light source and a control unit that performs light control by changing the light output of the light source based on a target brightness.

  2. Description of the Related Art As lighting devices used for indoor lighting in houses, offices, and the like, lighting devices including light sources such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are used. In general, the lighting device is configured to be able to change the light output of the light source so as to change the brightness according to time or according to a user's input operation.

  If the light output of this light source is changed abruptly to change the brightness, it will be perceived by the user as flicker (flicker), giving the user a sense of discomfort or discomfort. For this reason, in order to reduce flicker, a method of controlling an illumination device that changes the light output in stages has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the control method of the lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light output is changed stepwise so that the amount of change in the intensity (light output) of the light source per certain time interval gradually decreases. is there. As a result, the user's eyes perceive that flicker is reduced as time passes.

JP 2008-117773 A

  By the way, in a large room such as an office or a store, a plurality of lighting devices are used. As the plurality of lighting devices, lighting devices in which the relationship between the control value for controlling the light output of the light source and the light output (dimming characteristics) are different may be used. When the same control is performed in the plurality of lighting devices, the current supplied to the light source is different, and the brightness between the plurality of lighting devices is different. In the PWM method in which dimming is performed by changing the on-time of the on / off operation of the switching element to change the average current value supplied to the LED, this control value is the PWM output value (duty ratio). Value to be entered in the register to be set).

  In these lighting devices, when the control values are determined in order to obtain the same target brightness, the amount of change in the control value for changing from the same brightness to the same target brightness is different. Therefore, when the control value is changed at the same rate of change, the time to reach the target brightness (dimming time) will be different.

  Thus, when using the illuminating device from which dimming characteristics differ in the same room, brightness and / or dimming time differ, and there exists a possibility of giving a user discomfort or discomfort. In the illuminating device described in Patent Document 1, the control method in the case of using the illuminating device having different dimming characteristics is not particularly described and is not taken into consideration, so that the user feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable. There was a risk of giving.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an illumination device, an illumination system, and an illumination that can suppress flicker and can adjust the light control time from the start to the end of the light output of the light source to a predetermined time. An object is to provide a method for controlling an apparatus.

  The illuminating device according to the present invention includes a light source and a control unit that performs dimming control by changing a light output of the light source based on a target brightness. The control unit is configured to control the light output of the light source. The dimming time from the start to the end of the change is configured to be a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, the control means for controlling the dimming by changing the light output of the light source based on the target brightness so that the dimming time from the start to the end of the change of the light output of the light source is a predetermined time. Since it is configured, the dimming time is constant regardless of the amount of change in the light output. Accordingly, when dimming control is performed simultaneously on lighting devices having different dimming characteristics, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be set by setting the dimming times of all of these lighting devices to be a predetermined time. It becomes possible to make it constant, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  The illumination device according to the present invention is configured to change the light output of the light source in a stepwise manner, and the control means includes a target value of a control value corresponding to the target brightness and a control value at the start of the change. And a determining means for determining the number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time at each stage in accordance with the calculated difference.

  In the present invention, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the number of stages for changing the light output of the light source according to the calculated difference, The time at each stage is determined. According to the calculated difference, the number of steps and the time in each step are determined so that the dimming time becomes a predetermined time, so the dimming time is set regardless of the amount of change in the light output. Can be constant. Accordingly, when dimming control is performed simultaneously on lighting devices having different dimming characteristics, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be set by setting the dimming times of all of these lighting devices to be a predetermined time. It becomes possible to make it constant, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  The illumination device according to the present invention is configured to change the light output of the light source by PWM control, and a table representing a relationship between a PWM output value corresponding to a duty ratio of a current supplied to the light source and brightness. The calculating means applies the target brightness to the table to obtain a target PWM output value, obtains a difference between the obtained target PWM output value and a PWM output value at the start of change, and calculates the difference. It is characterized by calculating.

  In the present invention, the PWM output value is obtained by applying the target brightness to a table representing the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value corresponding to the duty ratio of the current supplied to the light source, and the obtained PWM output value The difference is calculated by obtaining a difference from the PWM output value at the start of the change. According to the calculated difference, the number of steps and the time in each step are determined so that the dimming time becomes a predetermined time, so the dimming time is set regardless of the amount of change in the light output. Can be constant. Accordingly, when dimming control is performed simultaneously on lighting devices having different dimming characteristics, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be set by setting the dimming times of all of these lighting devices to be a predetermined time. It becomes possible to make it constant, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  The lighting device according to the present invention is characterized in that, when there are a plurality of stages of changing the light output of the light source, the determining means determines the time of the first stage to be longer than the other stages. .

  In the present invention, when there are a plurality of stages for changing the light output of the light source, the time of the first stage is determined to be longer than the other stages. At the start of the change, the user is particularly sensitive to flicker. By increasing the time of the first stage, in other words, by reducing the amount of change in the light output per hour, the brightness at the start of the change is reduced. Since the change is made small, it can be suppressed that the user perceives flicker, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  The lighting device according to the present invention is characterized in that the determining means determines the times of the plurality of stages in descending order.

  In the present invention, the time of each of the plurality of stages is determined to be in descending order. The amount of change in light output is small at the start of change, and the amount of change in light output is increased over time.In other words, the change in brightness is reduced at the start of change, and the change in brightness over time. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  In the illumination device according to the present invention, the light source is an LED.

  In the present invention, an LED is used as the light source. The LED is a light source with good responsiveness, and there is a possibility that the light output is changed rapidly according to the control value to cause flicker. However, flicker can be suppressed by controlling the light control as described above.

  The illumination system according to the present invention is an illumination system including a plurality of illumination devices according to the above-described invention, wherein the plurality of illumination devices have a relationship between a control value for controlling a light output of the light source and the light output. Including the different lighting devices, the dimming time of all of the plurality of lighting devices is set to the predetermined time.

  In the present invention, an illumination system including a plurality of illumination devices according to the above-described invention includes illumination devices having different relations between a control value for controlling the light output of a light source and the light output. The dimming time of all the lighting devices is set to a predetermined time. As a result, the dimming time of the plurality of lighting devices can be made constant, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  A control method for an illuminating device according to the present invention is a control method for an illuminating device including a light source and a control unit that performs dimming control by changing the light output of the light source stepwise based on a target brightness. Based on the target brightness, a difference between the target value of the control value for controlling the light output of the light source and the control value at the start of change is calculated, and the light of the light source is calculated according to the calculated difference. The number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time in each stage are determined so that the dimming time from the start to the end of output change becomes a predetermined time, and the light source according to the determined time of each stage It is characterized by controlling the light output.

  In the present invention, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the light output of the light source is changed from the start to the end according to the calculated difference. Since the number of stages to change the light output of the light source and the time at each stage are determined so that the light control time of the light source becomes the predetermined time, the light control time is kept constant regardless of the amount of change in the light output. can do. Accordingly, when dimming control is performed simultaneously on lighting devices having different dimming characteristics, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be set by setting the dimming times of all of these lighting devices to be a predetermined time. It becomes possible to make it constant, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  According to the present invention, flicker can be suppressed, and the light control time from the start to the end of the light output change of the light source can be set to a predetermined time.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a parent-child lamp. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a single lamp. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a control value and illumination intensity. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control of a parent-child lamp and a single lamp. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control of a parent-child lamp and a single lamp. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the light control time calculation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the light control time calculation process. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between PWM variation | change_quantity and dimming time. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between PWM variation | change_quantity and dimming time.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an illumination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices (hereinafter referred to as parent-child lamps) 1 each having one power supply circuit and two light sources that are driven by power supplied from the power supply circuit. In addition, the lighting system includes a lighting device (hereinafter referred to as a single lamp) 2 having one power supply circuit and one light source driven by power supplied from the power supply circuit. An input device 3 having an operation switch 31 (hereinafter referred to as operation SW) 31 that accepts a user's input operation is connected to the parent lamp 1, 1... And the single lamp 2.

  The operation SW 31 includes a power switch for accepting an operation for turning on / off the light source, and a dimming volume for accepting an operation for selecting and changing the brightness of the light source in a range from 0% to 100%. It becomes. In addition, a rotary switch, a slide switch, etc. can be used as a light control volume. The selectable brightness range is not limited to a range from 0% to 100%, and may be another range.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the parent-child lamp 1. The parent-child lamp 1 is provided with a power supply circuit 4 that is supplied with electric power from an external power source and converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage. A control unit 5 is connected to the output terminal of the power supply circuit 4, and DC power is supplied to the control unit 5 from the power supply circuit 4.

  The control unit 5 includes a control power supply circuit 51 that steps down the DC voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 4 and supplies the reduced DC voltage to a control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a control microcomputer) 52. An operation switch input unit (hereinafter referred to as an operation SW input unit) 53 is connected to the control microcomputer 52. The operation SW input unit 53 gives a signal given by the operation SW 31 of the input device 3 to the control microcomputer 52.

  The control microcomputer 52 is connected to a drive circuit 54 that drives the light source. The control microcomputer 52 gives a control signal for controlling the dimming of the light source to the drive circuit 54 in accordance with the signal given by the operation SW input unit 53. The drive circuit 54 has a switching element such as a field effect transistor that supplies / shuts off the light source in accordance with a control signal from the control microcomputer 52. Connected to the drive circuit 54 are two LED modules 6A and 6B serving as light sources driven by a DC voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 4. The LED modules 6A and 6B include, for example, a plurality of surface mount LEDs. The control signal is a current signal in accordance with the current-luminance characteristics of the LEDs constituting the LED modules 6A and 6B, and is a PWM signal in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the single lamp 2. The single lamp 2 includes only one LED module 6 as a light source. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the parent-child lamp 1 shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 are assigned to the corresponding structural members, and detailed description of the configuration is omitted. In this embodiment, the parent and child lamps 1, 1... And the single lamp 2 use the same output power circuit 4 and the same load light source (LED module 6, LED module 6A, LED module 6B). The load is the same). This is for making the production efficient and reducing the cost by sharing the parts of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2.

  The dimming characteristics of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 configured as described above are different. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the control value and the illuminance. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 indicates the PWM output value that is the control value, and the vertical axis indicates the illuminance (Lx). In the figure, the dimming characteristics of the parent lamp 1 are indicated by broken lines, and the dimming characteristics of the single lamp 2 are indicated by solid lines. Note that the illuminance shown in FIG. 4 is measured illuminance at a predetermined position directly below the parent-child lamp 1 (single lamp 2), is a value that varies depending on various conditions, and is merely a reference value.

  As described above, in the single lamp 2, the light source as a load is half that of the parent lamp 1, but as shown in the figure, the PWM output value is not halved. For example, the PWM output value necessary to obtain the illuminance Ea (all lighting state, light output 100%) is 167 for the parent-lamp lamp 1 and 92 for the single lamp 2. The PWM output value necessary for obtaining the illuminance Eb is 75 for the parent-child lamp 1 and 59 for the single lamp 2. Thus, since the PWM output value of the single lamp 2 is not half that of the parent and child lamp 1 for the same illuminance, the same illuminance can be obtained even if a PWM output value that is half that of the parent and child lamp 1 is simply used. Don't be. In particular, in the parent-child lamp 1, even when the illuminance change amount is the same, for example, when the illuminance is changed from 0.1 × Ea to 0.2 × Ea and the illuminance is changed from 0.8 × Ea to 0.9 It can be seen that the amount of change in the PWM output value differs when it is changed to xEa.

  By the way, when the light output of the light source is suddenly changed and the illuminance is suddenly changed, it is perceived as flicker (flicker) to the user's eyes, and the user feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable. In particular, flicker is easily perceived when the change is started from a state where there is no change in illuminance (a state where the light output is constant). Therefore, in order not to perceive flicker, it is necessary to reduce the change rate of illuminance (light output) at the start of the change. However, if the illuminance is changed while the rate of change is low, the time (dimming time) will be too long from the start of the change until the target illuminance is reached, so change the light output stepwise to gradually increase the rate of change. Therefore, the dimming time must be adjusted to an appropriate length. When the user adjusts the illuminance by himself / herself, unless the illuminance is changed following the user's operation, it is difficult to adjust to the desired illuminance, which may be frustrating.

  Therefore, when the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 having different dimming characteristics are dimmed at the same time, it is natural that the same illuminance is used in order to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable. In addition, it is necessary to set the dimming time for all of the parent and child lamps 1, 1... And the single lamp 2 as a predetermined time and to suppress flicker. Hereinafter, control for setting the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 to a predetermined time so as to simultaneously end the dimming change regardless of the PWM change amount will be described. More specifically, a method for controlling the total dimming time to be constant by changing the number of stages for changing the light output and the time at each stage according to the amount of change in PWM will be described. In the present embodiment, the dimming time is set to a predetermined time of 400 (msec). The predetermined time is not limited to this time, and is appropriately set to such an extent that the user is not frustrated according to the type of operation SW.

  In the following description, a case will be described in which dimming is performed with a 1% illuminance change with respect to full lighting (light output 100%) as one step. That is, for example, when changing from unlit to fully lit, there are 100 steps. In order to prevent the user from perceiving flicker, it is desirable that the time of the first stage be 150 (msec) or more. About the time in each subsequent stage, it determines so that it may change as smoothly as possible so that the time of each of several stages may become a descending order. On the other hand, if the time at each stage is too short, it cannot be perceived by human eyes, and as a result, it is recognized that the illuminance has changed instantaneously and is perceived as flicker. It is more desirable to determine the time at each stage so as to change over a time of msec or more.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the dimming control processing procedure of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2. In the present embodiment, a microcomputer of about 8 bits that does not have a multiplication and subtraction function is used as the control microcomputer 52.

  First, the control microcomputer 52 determines whether or not there is a switch (SW) input change according to the presence or absence of an input from the operation SW input unit 53 (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that there is a change in SW input (step S1: YES), the process proceeds to SW input processing (step S2). If it is determined that there is no change in SW input (step S1: NO), dimming is performed. The control processing operation is terminated. The SW input process is a process for obtaining a PWM output value corresponding to the required light output of the LED module based on the input signal given by the operation SW input unit 53. For example, a table indicating the relationship between the PWM output value corresponding to the duty ratio of the current supplied to the LED module and the brightness is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown), and the target brightness obtained based on the input signal Is applied to the table to obtain the PWM output value. Since this SW input process has a different processing method depending on the type and input form of the input signal, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the PWM output value obtained by processing in step S2 is determined as a target PWM output value (step S3). Then, a PWM change amount (ΔP) that is the difference between the target PWM output value determined in step S3 and the PWM output value at the start of change is calculated (step S4). A dimming time calculation process is performed using the PWM change amount (ΔP) calculated in step S4 (step S5). In the dimming time calculation process, the number of stages for changing the light output and the time at each stage are determined according to the magnitude of ΔP.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the dimming time calculation process. First, it is determined whether or not the PWM change amount (ΔP) is 6 or more (step S30). If it is determined in step S30 that ΔP is 6 or more (step S30: YES), the quotient Q is set to 0, and the remaining number of stages ΔP ′ is the first and second stages from the PWM variation (ΔP). The value is obtained by subtracting 2 which is the sum of the PWM change amounts of the eyes, and the remainder (A) is initialized to 200 (step S31).

  [Delta] P 'is subtracted from A initialized in step S31, and 1 is added to Q (S32). Using A and ΔP ′ determined in step S32, it is determined whether A is smaller than ΔP ′ (step S33). When it is determined in step S33 that A is smaller than ΔP ′ (step S33: YES), the first stage time (T1) and the second stage time (T2) are set as preset times, and the third stage The time (T3) is set to the time obtained by adding A to Q, the time (T4) after the fourth stage (the fourth stage for convenience) is set to Q (step S34), and the process returns. If it is determined in step S33 that A is larger than ΔP ′ (step S33: NO), the process returns to step S32 and the series of processes is repeated.

  Here, a specific example will be described. When ΔP, which is the amount of PWM change, is 100 (the number of stages for changing the optical output is 100), the first stage time T1 is 150 (msec), and the second stage time T2 is 50 (msec) in advance. Set it. As a result, the remainder A, which is the remaining time, is 200 (msec), and ΔP ′, which is the remaining number of stages, becomes 98 by subtracting the number of two stages, one stage and two stages, from 100 of ΔP (step S31). reference). This remaining time A is distributed to the remaining third and fourth stages. At this time, the third stage is set to be shorter than the second stage so that the times of the plurality of stages are in descending order. Since the remaining 98 stages, 200 ÷ (100−2) = 2 remainder 4 and since the quotient is 2, the 97 stage is dimmed at 2 (msec), and the remaining 1 stage is the remainder of 4 (msec) in the quotient 2 Dimming is performed at the added 6 (msec). In this embodiment, since an inexpensive microcomputer without a division function is used, when a numerical value is defined as a positive number and 98 is subtracted from 98, the number of times that the subtraction can be performed as a positive number can no longer be quotient or subtracted. Is calculated by a method in which the remaining value is a remainder (see steps S32 and S33). At this time, since 6 (msec) is longer than 2 (msec), the 3rd stage is 6 (msec) and the 4th stage to the 100th stage is 2 so that the times of the respective stages are in descending order. The light is adjusted at (msec) (see step S34).

  When ΔP is 50 (the number of stages for changing the optical output is 50), the same calculation is performed. The first stage time is 150 (msec), the second stage time is 50 (msec), and 200 ÷ (50−2) = 4 remainder 8, so the third stage is 4 + 8 = 12 (msec), and the fourth stage to the 50th stage is 4 (msec).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S30 that ΔP is 5 or less (step S30: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 5 (step S35). If it is determined in step S35 that ΔP is 5 (step S35: YES), the preset time is set as the dimming time for each stage (step S36), and the process returns.

  If it is determined in step S35 that ΔP is not 5 (step S35: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 4 (step S37). If it is determined in step S37 that ΔP is 4 (step S37: YES), the preset time is set as the dimming time for each stage (step S38), and the process returns.

  If it is determined in step S37 that ΔP is not 4 (step S37: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 3 (step S39). If it is determined in step S39 that ΔP is 3 (step S39: YES), the preset time is set as the dimming time for each stage (step S40), and the process returns.

  If it is determined in step S39 that ΔP is not 3 (step S39: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 2 (step S41). If it is determined in step S41 that ΔP is 2 (step S41: YES), the preset time is set as the dimming time for each stage (step S42), and the process returns.

  If it is determined in step S41 that ΔP is not 2 (step S41: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 1 (step S43). If it is determined in step S43 that ΔP is 1 (step S43: YES), the preset time is set as the first-stage dimming time (step S44), and the process returns. If it is determined in step S43 that ΔP is not 1 (step S43: NO), the dimming time is not determined and the process returns as it is.

  As described above, when the PWM change amount is 5 or less, the processes in steps S35 to S44 are performed such that the first stage time T1 is 150 (msec) and the second stage time T2 is 50 (msec). This is because the time of the third stage becomes longer than the second stage, so that an appropriate time is set in advance.

  As described above, after determining the number of stages for changing the light output and the time in each stage, first, the first-stage dimming time T1 is set as the dimming time (step S6), and the dimming change process is performed (step S7). ). The dimming change process is a process for actually changing the illuminance by 1%. If the illuminance equivalent to 1% is changed instantaneously (if the illuminance is changed in steps of 1%), the human eye may catch the change and feel flicker. It is desirable to multiply and gradually change. For this process, there are various methods depending on the system, such as a method of gradually increasing the ratio of the next value by time division, a method of increasing the illuminance little by little by breaking down 1% illuminance more finely. Detailed description will be omitted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has been completed (step S8). In step S8, when it is determined that one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has been completed (step S8: YES), 1 is subtracted from ΔP, and it is determined whether the subtraction result is greater than 0 (step). S9). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S8 that the one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has not been completed (step S8: NO), the process returns to step S8 and the series of processes is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S9 that ΔP-1 is greater than 0 (step S9: YES), the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined that ΔP-1 is 0 (step S9: NO), dimming control is performed. The processing operation of is terminated.

  In step S10, the second-stage dimming time T2 is set as the dimming time (step S10), and the dimming change process (step S11) is performed. It is determined whether or not the one-step dimming in the dimming time T2 has been completed (step S12). In step S12, when it is determined that one-step dimming in the dimming time T2 has been completed (step S12: YES), 1 is subtracted from ΔP, and it is determined whether the subtraction result is greater than 0 (step). S13). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has not been completed (step S12: NO), the process returns to step S12 and a series of processes is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S13 that ΔP-1 is greater than 0 (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined that ΔP-1 is 0 (step S13: NO), dimming control is performed. The processing operation of is terminated.

  In step S14, the dimming change process (step S15) is performed using the third-stage dimming time T3 as the dimming time (step S14). It is determined whether or not one-step dimming in the dimming time T3 has been completed (step S16). If it is determined in step S16 that one-step dimming in the dimming time T3 has been completed (step S16: YES), 1 is subtracted from ΔP, and it is determined whether or not the subtraction result is greater than 0 (step S16). S17). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S16 that the one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has not been completed (step S16: NO), the process returns to step S16 and the series of processes is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S17 that ΔP-1 is greater than 0 (step S17: YES), the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined that ΔP-1 is 0 (step S17: NO), dimming control is performed. The processing operation of is terminated.

  In step S18, the fourth-stage dimming time T4 is set as the dimming time (step S18), and the dimming change process (step S19) is performed. It is determined whether or not one-step dimming in the dimming time T4 has been completed (step S20). In step S20, when it is determined that one-step dimming in the dimming time T4 has been completed (step S20: YES), 1 is subtracted from ΔP, and it is determined whether the subtraction result is greater than 0 (step). S21). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S20 that one-step dimming in the dimming time T1 has not been completed (step S20: NO), the process returns to step S20 and the series of processes is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S21 that ΔP-1 is greater than 0 (step S21: YES), the process returns to step S19 and the series of processes is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that ΔP-1 is 0 (step S21: NO), the dimming control processing operation is terminated. That is, the dimming change process at the dimming time T4 is repeated until ΔP-1 becomes 0, and the dimming control processing operation is ended when ΔP-1 becomes 0.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show examples of the relationship between the amount of PWM change obtained and the dimming time by performing the above dimming control processing operation. 9 and 10, the horizontal axis represents the PWM change amount (ΔP), and the vertical axis represents the dimming time (msec). In FIG. 9, the relationship when ΔP = 1 is indicated by a broken line, and the relationship when ΔP = 4 is indicated by a solid line. In FIG. 10, the relationship when ΔP = 50 is indicated by a broken line, and the relationship when ΔP = 100 is indicated by a solid line. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the dimming time is a predetermined time of 400 (msec) regardless of the PWM change amount (ΔP). Further, when there are a plurality of stages for changing the light output of the light source (other than ΔP = 1), the first stage dimming time T1 (the dimming time corresponding to the PWM change amount between 0 and 1 in the figure) is other. It is longer than the dimming time (T2 to T4) at this stage. Moreover, it turns out that the time of each of several steps is a descending order.

  As described above, in the present invention, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and light from the LED module that is the light source is calculated according to the calculated difference. Since the number of stages to change the light output of the light source and the time at each stage are determined so that the dimming time from the start to the end of the output change becomes the predetermined time, regardless of the change amount of the light output The light control time can be set to a predetermined time. Therefore, when the dimming control is performed simultaneously on the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 having different dimming characteristics, the dimming time of all the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 is set in advance so as to be a predetermined time. The light control time of the plurality of lighting devices can be made constant, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  In addition, the time at the first stage is lengthened, in other words, the amount of change in light output per hour is made small, and the change in brightness at the start of change is made small. It can reduce, and it can suppress giving a discomfort or discomfort to a user. Further, the time of each of the plurality of stages is determined to be in descending order, in other words, the change amount of the light output is decreased at the start of the change, and the change amount of the light output is increased with the passage of time (change start). (Sometimes, the change in brightness is reduced and the change in brightness is gradually increased over time), so that it is possible to further suppress the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  Further, even in a light source with good response such as an LED, flicker can be suppressed by controlling the light control as described above.

  In the above embodiment, when the PWM output value is obtained based on the input signal given by the operation SW input unit 53, the table showing the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value is based on the input signal. Although an example in which the PWM output value is obtained by applying the target brightness obtained in this way has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of a table indicating the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value, a function indicating the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value may be used. Further, the target brightness is obtained based on the input signal. As this brightness, for example, a physical property value representing brightness such as illuminance and luminance can be used.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although it has comprised so that light control may be performed according to the user's setting input with the input device 3, it is not limited to this, An illumination sensor or a timer is used. You may comprise so that dimming change is possible automatically.

  In the above embodiment, the control microcomputer 52 is an 8-bit microcomputer that does not have a multiplication and subtraction function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a 32-bit microcomputer is used. Also good. In this case, since the multiplication / division function is also substantial and the calculation speed is high, the illuminance can be changed more smoothly. In the present embodiment, the 1% change in illuminance with respect to full lighting (light output 100%) is defined as one step, but the dimming time is defined by defining 0.1% or 0.01% as one step. Fine time distribution becomes possible. Further, since the processing speed is fast, it is possible to add a fine change in the light control time. However, even in that case, the rate of change at the start of dimming is small, and the principle that control for gradually increasing the rate of change is not changed. Even if the dimming is changed gradually, even if the dimming is changed gradually, if the entire change time is high, the human eye will feel a flicker because it appears to be a momentary event, so about 100 (msec /%) at first. The dimming change time of about 1 (msec /%) is required after that, as in the case of using the 8-bit microcomputer described above.

  In the above embodiment, the LED module has been described as an example of the light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other light sources such as a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, and an EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in variously modified forms within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 Parent-child lamp (lighting device)
2 Single lamp (lighting device)
5 Control unit (control means)
52 Control microcomputer (calculation means, determination means)
6A, 6B, 6 LED module (light source)

Claims (8)

In an illuminating device including a light source and a control unit that performs light control by changing the light output of the light source based on a target brightness,
The illuminating device characterized in that the control means is configured so that a dimming time from the start to the end of the change of the light output of the light source is a predetermined time. The light output of the light source is configured to change stepwise,
The control means calculates a difference between a target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and a control value at the start of change, and changes the light output of the light source according to the calculated difference. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a determining unit that determines the number of stages and the time in each stage. The light output of the light source is configured to be changed by PWM control,
A table representing a relationship between a PWM output value corresponding to a duty ratio of a current supplied to the light source and brightness;
The calculation means applies the target brightness to the table to obtain a target PWM output value, obtains a difference between the obtained target PWM output value and a PWM output value at the start of change, and calculates the difference. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein   The said determination means determines the time of the 1st step so that it may become longer than the other steps, when there are a plurality of steps to change the light output of the light source. Lighting device.   The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines the times of the plurality of stages so as to be in descending order.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is an LED.   7. The illumination system comprising a plurality of illumination devices according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination devices have different relations between a control value for controlling a light output of the light source and the light output. An illumination system including an illumination device, wherein the dimming time of all of the plurality of illumination devices is set to the predetermined time.   A control method of a lighting device comprising: a light source; and a control unit that performs dimming control by changing the light output of the light source in a stepwise manner based on the target brightness, wherein the light source of the light source is controlled based on the target brightness. The difference between the target value of the control value for controlling the light output and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the light control time from the start to the end of the change of the light output of the light source according to the calculated difference The number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time in each stage are determined so that the predetermined time is reached, and the light output of the light source is controlled according to the determined time of each stage. Control method of lighting device.

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