JP2022049066A - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lighting control system that can prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming interruption.SOLUTION: The lighting control system communicates with a lighting apparatus with communication functions while transmitting and receiving control signals that change the state of the lighting apparatus. The lighting control system also has a controlling device that interrupts the transmission of device information to the lighting apparatus on the basis of the amount of change in the state of the lighting apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control system.

Conventionally, in studios, stages, and the like, lighting control systems that control a plurality of lighting devices according to remote control have been introduced. For example, the lighting control device of such a lighting control system obtains information on lighting equipment from lighting equipment installed in a studio, a stage, or the like in accordance with a standard called RDM (Remote Device Management), which is an extension of the standard called DMX512. It collects and controls dimming and toning based on the collected information, and performs lighting production.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-224406

However, in the conventional technique, the expected lighting effect may not be reproduced. Specifically, in the prior art, when information on a lighting device is collected during dimming control, step dimming in which the brightness changes stepwise may occur unexpectedly, which causes discomfort and discomfort. May cause.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting control system capable of preventing or reducing the occurrence of dimming.

The lighting control system according to the embodiment communicates with the lighting device while transmitting and receiving a control signal that changes the state of the lighting device having a communication function. Further, the lighting control system has a control device that interrupts the transmission of device information to the lighting device based on the amount of change in the state of the lighting device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lighting control system capable of preventing or reducing the occurrence of dimming.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit included in the lighting control device of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit included in the lighting control device of the lighting control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Configurations having the same function in the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The lighting control system described below is merely an example, and does not limit the embodiment.

The lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment described below communicates with the lighting device 10 while transmitting and receiving a control signal for changing the state of the lighting device 10 having a communication function. Further, the lighting control system 1 has a control device (lighting control device 100) that interrupts transmission of device information to the lighting device 10 based on the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10.

The control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment described below includes a reception unit 151, a generation unit 152, and a monitoring unit 154. The reception unit 151 receives information regarding the control of the lighting device 10. The generation unit 152 generates a control signal for the lighting device 10. The monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change based on the information generated by the generation unit 152.

The control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment described below includes an operation unit 140 and a monitoring unit 154. The operation unit 140 receives operations related to control of the lighting device 10. The monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change based on the operation received by the operation unit 140.

The control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment described below interrupts the transmission of device information after a lapse of a predetermined time based on the operation received by the operation unit 140.

The control device according to the embodiment described below includes a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of change based on the control signal of the lighting device 10 received from the host device (lighting control device 100).

The control device according to the embodiment described below is a node 20 to which the lighting device 10 is connected.

The control device according to the embodiment described below is a relay device 40 located between the node 20 to which the lighting device 10 is connected and the host device (lighting control device 100).

The control device according to the embodiment described below causes the host device (lighting control device 100) to transmit a dummy signal instead of the device information.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of lighting control system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. The lighting control system 1 according to the first embodiment is shown as a plurality of lighting devices 10 (in FIG. 1, they are shown as lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n. When it is not necessary to distinguish between them, "lighting device 10". (Generally referred to as "node 20"), a plurality of nodes 20 (indicated as nodes 20-1 to 20-n in FIG. 1. When it is not necessary to distinguish between them, they are collectively referred to as "node 20"), a hub 30, and a power supply device. 50, has a lighting control device 100. The types and numbers of the lighting devices 10 and the nodes 20 included in the lighting control system 1 can be arbitrarily changed.

In the lighting control system 1, the lighting device 10 is a lighting device capable of bidirectional communication with the node 20 and the lighting control device 100 by a communication protocol according to the DMX standard and a communication method according to the RDM standard which is an extension of DMX. be. Further, the lighting device 10 has a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diodes), and changes the brightness, range, color, etc. according to a control signal to produce lighting in a studio, a stage, or the like. The lighting device 10 is a facility installed in an arbitrary space such as a studio or a stage, and is installed in a baton used for hanging the lighting device or the like. In the example of FIG. 1, it is shown that the lighting equipment 10-1 to the lighting equipment 10-n are installed in the baton B1. The lighting equipment 10 may include equipment that is not installed in the baton.

The node 20 is a distributor that distributes control information capable of bidirectional communication with the lighting device 10 and the lighting control device 100 by a communication protocol according to the DMX standard and a communication method according to the RDM standard that extends DMX. .. The node 20 is a device that relays communication between the lighting control device 100 and the lighting device 10, and is realized by, for example, a device called a DMX node or an RDM node. Specifically, the node 20 is connected to the hub 30 in a manner capable of bidirectional communication by a wired or wireless network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and communicates with the lighting control device 100 or the like via the hub 30. do.

Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the node 20 is installed in the baton like the lighting device 10. In the example of FIG. 1, the node 20-1 is installed in the baton B1, the node 20-2 is installed in the baton B2, and the node 20-n is installed in the baton Bn. Further, the node 20 stores information about the baton on which the node 20 is installed and information about the lighting device 10 connected to the node 20. In other words, the node 20 stores the arrangement information of the lighting device 10 showing the correspondence relationship between the baton and the lighting device 10. The node 20 does not have to be installed in the baton.

The hub 30 is connected to the lighting control device 100 by a wired or wireless network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) in a manner capable of bidirectional communication, and the lighting control device 100 and each node 20-1 to 20-n are connected to each other. It is a repeater that relays communication.

The power supply device 50 is a power supply device that supplies electric power to each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n, and has, for example, a function of voltage conversion, a breaker, a function of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), and the like. The power supply device 50 may be directly connected to the lighting device 10 or the like without going through the hub 30.

The lighting control device 100 is a control device capable of communicating a bidirectional control signal (for example, a control signal corresponding to the RDM standard) with the lighting device 10, and is generally used with a dimming table, a control table, or the like. It is a device called. When the lighting control device 100 receives an operation command for the lighting device 10 from a user (for example, an operator who operates the lighting control device 100), the lighting control device 100 outputs a control signal including a control address assigned to the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n. It is generated and a control signal is transmitted to the nodes 20-1 to 20-n via the hub 30. The nodes 20-1 to 20-n convert the control signal received from the lighting control device 100 into, for example, a signal (RDM signal) according to the RDM standard, and output the control signal to the lighting device 10 indicated by the control address. As a result, the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n are controlled. As described above, the lighting control device 100 remotely controls the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n by using, for example, the control address included in the control signal corresponding to RDM. The lighting control device 100 is an example of a control device.

Further, the lighting control device 100 transmits lighting device information such as "model number", "port number", "UID", "DMX address", "operation mode", and "lighting time" to each lighting device via the node 20. Collect from 10. The lighting control device 100 stores the device information collected from each lighting device 10 in the storage unit 120 as the lighting device information 121.

(Outline of processing executed by the lighting control device 100)
Here, in the conventional lighting control system, if the lighting control device 100 collects device information during the dimming control of the lighting device 10, step dimming may occur. Therefore, in order to avoid the occurrence of step dimming, for example, one of dimming control for changing the brightness of the lighting device 10 and communication for collecting information of the lighting device 10 is executed, and the other is executed. Was to be executed to make it infeasible.

Therefore, the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment monitors whether or not there is a high possibility of dimming, and in a state where there is a high possibility of dimming, from each lighting device 10. Executes the process of interrupting the collection of device information. Specifically, the lighting control device 100 monitors the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10. The lighting control device 100 interrupts the transmission of device information from the lighting device 10 based on the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10.

As described above, the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment executes a process of interrupting the transmission of device information from the lighting device 10 in a state where dimming is likely to occur. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

(Functional configuration of each device according to the first embodiment)
The process executed by the lighting control device 100 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 together with a description of the functional configuration of each device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. The contents described with reference to FIG. 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

First, the configuration of the lighting device 10 will be described. The lighting device 10 according to the present embodiment is a lighting device controlled by a control signal generated from control information corresponding to the RDM standard, and has a storage unit 13, a control unit 14, and a light source unit 15.

The storage unit 13 is a non-volatile memory possessed by the lighting device 10, and device information of the lighting device 10 is registered. Examples of device information include information such as manufacturer name, device model number, UID, control address, number of channels to be used, mode information to be used, lighting time, energization time, mass, and personality setting.

Here, the manufacturing company name is the name of the manufacturing company of the lighting equipment 10. The device model number is a model number of the lighting device 10 determined by the manufacturer. The UID is an identifier for identifying each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n. The UID is, for example, information represented by a 12-digit hexadecimal number given in advance to each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n. The control address is an address on the DMX data link, that is, a control address used by the lighting control device 100 to control the lighting device 10. The number of channels is the number of control addresses used to control the lighting equipment 10. For example, in the lighting device 10 having the number of channels of "4", the illuminance is set by setting individual control addresses for each of the illuminance (I), red (R), blue (B), and green (G). , Red, blue, and green can be controlled individually. In the following description, the control address having the smallest value among the one or more control addresses set in the lighting device 10 may be described as the start address.

The lighting time is information indicating the total time for lighting the light source of the lighting device 10. The energization time is information indicating the total time during which electric power is supplied to the lighting equipment 10. Further, the mass is information indicating the mass of the lighting device 10. The personality setting is information indicating the operation mode of the lighting device 10.

The control unit 14 controls the lighting. For example, when the node 20-1 receives a control signal from the lighting control device 100, the node 20-1 converts the received control signal into an RDM signal and outputs the received control signal to the lighting device 10 corresponding to the control address. Then, the control unit 14 controls the light source unit 15 according to the RDM signal received from the node 20-1.

Further, the node 20-1 may output a transmission request for device information to each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n. For example, the node 20-1 outputs a transmission request for device information of each lighting device 10 connected to itself to each lighting device 10 in accordance with a request from the lighting control device 100. In this case, the control unit 14 reads the device information registered in the storage unit 13 and outputs the read device information to the node 20-1.

Further, when the node 20-1 receives the instruction of the assignment process to the new control address from the lighting control device 100, the node 20-1 sends a setting signal indicating the value of the control address newly assigned to the lighting device 10 to each lighting device. Output to 10. In this case, the control unit 14 registers the control address indicated by the setting signal received from the node 20-1 in the storage unit 13.

The light source unit 15 is a light source included in the lighting device 10. The light source unit 15 is realized by a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED that can control the illuminance, the illumination range, the color, and the like according to the control of the control unit 14.

Next, the configuration of the node 20-1 will be described. The node 20-1 according to the present embodiment has a communication unit 23, a setting unit 24, a memory 25, an acquisition unit 26, and a plurality of ports 27-1 to 27-n. 27 "). Further, the address table 25a is registered in the memory 25.

First, an example of the information stored in the address table 25a will be described. In the address table 25a, the control addresses for controlling the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n installed in the node 20-1 are the position information possessed by the node 20-1 and the port number of the node 20-1. It is registered in association with each other. That is, in the address table 25a according to the present embodiment, the arrangement information of the lighting device 10 and the control address are registered in association with each other.

The communication unit 23 has a reception unit 23a and a transmission unit 23b, and is a communication device that transmits / receives information to / from the lighting control device 100 via the hub 30, and is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. It is realized by a communication device. For example, the communication unit 23 communicates with the lighting control device 100 in order to transmit information about the lighting device 10 acquired by the acquisition unit 26 described later. In other words, the transmission unit 23b related to the communication unit 23 transmits the information regarding the lighting device 10 acquired by the acquisition unit 26 to the lighting control device 100.

The acquisition unit 26 acquires information about the lighting device 10 connected to the port 27 which is a connection terminal. For example, the acquisition unit 26 outputs a transmission request for lighting equipment information from each port 27-1 to 27-n at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the acquisition unit 26 receives the device information as a response from the lighting device 10, the acquisition unit 26 notifies the setting unit 24 of the port number of the port for which the device information is received.

Next, the configuration of the lighting control device 100 will be described. The lighting control device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a control unit 150. The communication unit 110 transmits and receives control signals to and from the lighting device 10 via the hub 30 and the node 20. The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a communication device such as a NIC.

The storage unit 120 is realized by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 120 stores the lighting equipment information 121, the control information 122, and the monitoring parameter 123.

The lighting device information 121 is device information related to the lighting device 10 transmitted from the transmission unit 23b of the lighting device 10.

The lighting device information 121 includes, for example, items such as "control address", "lighting device UID", "lighting device information", "function", "baton number", and "installation position information".

"Control address" indicates a numerical value of the control address. The "lighting device UID" indicates identification information that identifies the lighting device, that is, a UID. The lighting device UID is actually information represented by a 12-digit hexadecimal number given in advance to the lighting device, but in the embodiment, it is represented by a reference code (10a-1, etc.). "Lighting equipment information" indicates information about lighting equipment. For example, the lighting equipment information includes information indicating the type of lighting equipment such as "spotlight" and "base light" and the power consumption of the lighting equipment such as "1 kW (kilowatt)".

"Function" indicates a function corresponding to a control address. For example, in a lighting device that uses 4 channels, the function of adjusting colors such as R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) for each channel and information indicating the overall light intensity. In the case of a lighting device having a function of adjusting I (Intensity), the function corresponding to each control address is registered in the lighting device information 121. Information such as Z (Zoom) that determines the focal position of the lens and S (Strobe) and C (Curve) that are operation information may be registered in the function.

The "baton number" is a number for identifying the node 20 that is the source of the lighting equipment information, that is, the node 20 to which the lighting equipment 10 is connected. The "installation position information" is information indicating which port of the node 20 the lighting device 10 is connected to, and is, for example, a port number. In the installation position information, information for identifying the node and the like may be further stored.

The control information 122 is information for controlling each lighting device 10, and includes, for example, information regarding dimming control and operation of a plurality of faders possessed by the operation unit 140. Specifically, the control information 122 includes, for example, information in which level values such as faders and submasters (SM), illuminance, colors, and the like are associated with each lighting device 10, and information on various scenes.

The monitoring parameter 123 is a threshold value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not to interrupt the transmission of the request signal of the lighting device information (device information) to the lighting device 10. In other words, the monitoring parameter 123 is a threshold value for determining whether or not to interrupt the transmission of device information from the lighting device 10. The monitoring parameter 123 includes, for example, a threshold value regarding the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10. The monitoring parameter 123 is, for example, a parameter related to dimming control of the lighting device 10. There may be a plurality of monitoring parameters 123. Further, the monitoring parameter 123 may be a function or a map in which a plurality of elements are combined. Further, for example, different monitoring parameters 123 may be adopted depending on the degree of dimming level of the lighting device 10.

The display unit 130 is set to the arrangement information of the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n connected to the lighting control device 100 and the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n according to the control by the control unit 150 described later. It is a display device that displays the control address, and is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like. Specifically, the display unit 130 arranges the lighting device 10 with information about the lighting device 10 (for example, a control address set in the lighting device 10) based on the acquired information about the lighting device 10. It is displayed together with the placement information, which is information indicating the situation. The display unit 130 may not only display (output) information but also have an interface function as an input device. For example, when the display unit 130 is realized by a touch panel display, the display unit 130 also functions as an interface for receiving an input operation.

The operation unit 140 accepts operations for each of the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n, and has, for example, a plurality of faders F01 to Fn. Each fader F01 to Fn is assigned an individual fader number. Faders F01 to Fn are sliders that accept operations for changing the illuminance of each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n, for example. The operation unit 140 may be realized by using a touch panel or the like. Further, the operation unit 140 may have a physical button.

The control unit 150 is an arithmetic unit that executes various types of information processing, and is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable). An integrated circuit such as Gate Array) can be adopted. The control unit 150 has an internal memory for storing programs and control data that specify various processing procedures, and executes various processing by these. The control unit 150 functions as various processing units by operating various programs.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit included in the lighting control device of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. The control unit 150 includes a reception unit 151, a generation unit 152, a collection unit 153, and a monitoring unit 154.

The reception unit 151 receives information regarding the control of the lighting device 10. The reception unit 151 receives, for example, information according to an operation on the operation unit 140. Further, the reception unit 151 may receive, for example, the control information 122 stored in advance in the storage unit 120.

The generation unit 152 generates a control signal for controlling the lighting device 10. For example, the generation unit 152 generates a control signal based on the information received by the reception unit 151. The control signal generated by the generation unit 152 is transmitted to the lighting device 10 via the communication unit 110.

The collecting unit 153 collects information about the lighting device 10 from the lighting device 10 via the node 20. The collection unit 153 requests the lighting equipment 10 to transmit device information at a predetermined timing set by an operator or the like. The collecting unit 153 acquires the device information transmitted from the lighting device 10 in response to the request. The collecting unit 153 stores the collected equipment information as lighting equipment information 121 in the storage unit 120. When the storage unit 120 has the lighting device information 121 having the same "UID", the collection unit 153 overwrites and updates the lighting device information 121 based on the collected device information. The collection unit 153 may repeatedly request the transmission of device information at a predetermined cycle. As a result, the lighting control device 100 can always grasp the latest device information collected by the collecting unit 153, such as the lighting time of the lighting device 10.

The monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10. For example, the monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 based on the information generated by the generation unit 152. Here, the amount of change in the state is, for example, the degree to which the dimming level of the lighting device 10 changes. Further, the amount of change in which the dimming level of the lighting device 10 changes per unit time, that is, the rate of change may be adopted as the amount of change in the state. Further, a plurality of elements such as a color tone and a color temperature may be combined with the amount of change in the dimming level of the lighting device 10.

Further, the monitoring unit 154 determines the state of the lighting device 10. For example, the monitoring unit 154 compares the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 with the monitoring parameter 123, and determines whether or not the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming. For example, when the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 exceeds the monitoring parameter 123, it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming.

Further, when it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of generating dimming, the monitoring unit 154 causes the collection unit 153 to interrupt the collection of device information. In other words, the monitoring unit 154 causes the lighting device 10 to interrupt the transmission of device information. Further, the monitoring unit 154 interrupts the request to the collection unit 153 to transmit the device information to the lighting device 10. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming due to the lighting device 10. The interruption of the collection of device information may be targeted at the lighting device 10 determined to be in a state of causing dimming, and the lighting device 10 determined to be in a state of causing dimming may be connected. Each lighting device 10 connected to the connected node 20-1 may be targeted. Further, all the lighting devices 10 connected to each node 20 may be targeted.

In addition, the monitoring unit 154 causes the collection unit 153 to resume collecting device information. Specifically, the monitoring unit 154 causes the lighting device 10 to resume transmission of device information. Further, the monitoring unit 154 causes the collecting unit 153 to resume the request for transmitting the device information to the lighting device 10. The resumption of collection of device information can be triggered, for example, when the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 falls below the monitoring parameter 123.

(Variation example of the lighting control device according to the first embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring unit 154 has been described as monitoring the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 based on the information acquired by the generation unit 152, but the present invention is not limited to this. The monitoring unit 154 may monitor the amount of change in the state based on the operation received by the operation unit 140.

The monitoring unit 154 may monitor the amount of change in the state based on the operation of changing the state of the lighting device 10 accepted by the operation unit 140, such as the operation of the faders F01 to Fn and the scene reproduction.

Further, when the lighting control device 100 executes scene reproduction based on, for example, the operation of the operation unit 140, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit 154, the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 increases after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the monitoring parameter If it is determined that the number exceeds 123, the monitoring unit 154 can suspend the collection of device information after a predetermined time has elapsed.

When the monitoring unit 154 determines that the lighting device 10 is in a state of generating dimming, the monitoring unit 154 causes the collecting unit 153 to interrupt the collection of device information. The collection of device information may be resumed, for example, when the collection of device information is interrupted and the amount of change in the state for a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 5 minutes) does not exceed the monitoring parameter 123. It may be restarted after the end of the scene reproduced by the operation accepted by the unit 140.

As described above, the lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment communicates with the lighting device 10 while transmitting and receiving a control signal for changing the state of the lighting device 10 having a communication function. Further, the lighting control system 1 has a control device (lighting control device 100) that interrupts transmission of device information to the lighting device 10 based on the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

Further, the control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment includes a reception unit 151, a generation unit 152, and a monitoring unit 154. The reception unit 151 receives information regarding the control of the lighting device 10. The generation unit 152 generates a control signal for the lighting device 10. The monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change based on the information generated by the generation unit 152. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

Further, the control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment includes an operation unit 140 and a monitoring unit 154. The operation unit 140 receives operations related to control of the lighting device 10. The monitoring unit 154 monitors the amount of change based on the operation received by the operation unit 140. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

Further, the control device (lighting control device 100) according to the embodiment interrupts the transmission of device information after a predetermined time elapses, based on the operation received by the operation unit 140. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit included in the lighting control device of the lighting control system according to the second embodiment.

In the lighting control system 1A according to the present embodiment, the lighting control device 100 has a control unit 150a having no monitoring unit 154 in place of the control unit 150, and the node 20 (node 20-1) as the control device monitors. It differs from the lighting control system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a unit 28.

The monitoring unit 28 monitors the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 based on the control signal received by the receiving unit 23a from the lighting control device 100, which is a higher-level device.

Further, the monitoring unit 28 compares the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 with the monitoring parameter 123, and determines whether or not the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming. For example, when the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 exceeds the monitoring parameter 123, it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming. The monitoring parameter 123 may be possessed by the lighting control device 100, or may be possessed by the memory 25 of each node 20.

Further, when it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of generating dimming, the monitoring unit 28 causes the lighting control device 100 to interrupt the collection of device information. In other words, the monitoring unit 28 interrupts the transmission of the control signal requesting the transmission of the device information to the lighting device 10 via the acquisition unit 26. Further, the monitoring unit 28 interrupts the transmission of the device information to the lighting control device 100. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming due to the lighting device 10.

Further, the monitoring unit 28 restarts the transmission of the device information from the node 20. The timing of resuming the collection of device information is the same as that of the lighting control system 1 according to the first embodiment.

By the way, when the transmission of the device information from the node 20 to the lighting control device 100 is interrupted, it is assumed that the lighting control device 100 erroneously detects that the lighting device 10 whose transmission has been interrupted does not exist. Therefore, the monitoring unit 28 may transmit the dummy signal generated by the dummy generation unit 29 to the lighting control device 100 via the transmission unit 23b to avoid erroneous detection. The dummy signal can be a weak signal (for example, a signal of a minimum number of packets) so that dimming does not occur.

As described above, the control device (node 20-1) according to the second embodiment includes a monitoring unit 28 that monitors the amount of change based on the control signal of the lighting device 10 received from the host device (lighting control device 100). Equipped. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

Further, the control device (node 20-1) according to the embodiment causes the host device (lighting control device 100) to transmit a dummy signal instead of the device information. This makes it possible to avoid erroneous detection of the lighting device 10.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each device included in the lighting control system according to the third embodiment. The lighting control system 1B according to the present embodiment further includes a relay device 40 having a monitoring unit 40a and a dummy generation unit 40b in place of the monitoring unit 28 and the dummy generation unit 29 of the node 20 (node 20-1). It is different from the lighting control system 1A according to the second embodiment.

The relay device 40 is located between the lighting control device 100 and the hub 30. The relay device 40 is, for example, a fixed terminal such as a notebook type or a desktop type, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Further, the relay device 40 may realize the above-mentioned functions in cooperation by communication between a plurality of devices.

The monitoring unit 40a monitors the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 based on the control signal received by the receiving unit 23a from the lighting control device 100, which is a higher-level device.

Further, the monitoring unit 40a compares the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 with the monitoring parameter 123, and determines whether or not the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming. For example, when the amount of change in the state of the lighting device 10 exceeds the monitoring parameter 123, it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of causing dimming. The monitoring parameter 123 may be possessed by the storage unit (not shown) of the relay device 40, or may be possessed by the memory 25 of each node 20.

Further, when it is determined that the lighting device 10 is in a state of generating dimming, the monitoring unit 40a interrupts the transmission of the device information from the lighting control device 100. In other words, the monitoring unit 40a interrupts the transmission of device information from the relay device 40 that relays the communication between the lighting control device 100 and each node 20 to each node 20. Further, the monitoring unit 40a interrupts the transmission of the device information from the lighting device 10 to the lighting control device 100 via the node 20-1. This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming due to the lighting device 10.

Further, the monitoring unit 40a causes the lighting control device 100 to resume collecting device information. Specifically, the monitoring unit 40a causes the collection unit 153 of the lighting control device 100 to resume the request for transmitting the device information to the lighting device 10. Further, the monitoring unit 40a restarts the transmission of the device information from the node 20. The timing of resuming the collection of device information is the same as that of each of the above-described embodiments.

Further, the monitoring unit 40a may transmit the dummy signal generated by the dummy generation unit 40b to the lighting control device 100 via the transmission unit 23b to avoid erroneous detection. The dummy signal can be a weak signal that does not cause dimming. The monitoring unit 40a uses the dummy generation unit 29 (see FIG. 4) of the node 20-1 instead of the dummy generation unit 40b, and sends the dummy signal generated by the dummy generation unit 29 to the lighting control device 100. You may send it.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the relay device 40 is located between the lighting control device 100 and the hub 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the relay device 40 may be connected to, for example, the hub 30.

As described above, the control device (relay device 40) according to the embodiment is the relay device 40 located between the node 20-1 to which the lighting device 10 is connected and the host device (lighting control device 100). This makes it possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of dimming.

Further, the control device (relay device 40) causes the host device (lighting control device 100) to transmit a dummy signal instead of the device information. This makes it possible to avoid erroneous detection of the lighting device 10.

[Other variants]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the lighting device 10 has been described as a device corresponding to the RDM standard, but may include a device not compatible with the RDM standard (for example, a device corresponding to the DMX standard or a halogen lamp).

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

1 Lighting control system 10 Lighting equipment 20 Nodes 30 Hub 40 Relay device 100 Lighting control device 140 Operation unit 150 Control unit 151 Reception unit 152 Generation unit 153 Collection unit 154 Monitoring unit

Claims (8)

In a lighting control system that communicates with the lighting device while transmitting and receiving a control signal that changes the state of the lighting device having a communication function.
A lighting control system having a control device for interrupting transmission of device information to the lighting device based on the amount of change in the state of the lighting device. The control device is
With a reception unit that receives information related to the control of the lighting equipment;
With a generation unit that generates a control signal of the lighting device based on the information received by the reception unit;
With a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of change based on the information generated by the generation unit;
The lighting control system according to claim 1. The control device is
With an operation unit that accepts operations related to the control of the lighting equipment;
With a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of change based on the operation received by the operation unit;
The lighting control system according to claim 1. The lighting control system according to claim 3, wherein the control device interrupts transmission of the device information after a lapse of a predetermined time based on the operation received by the operation unit. The control device is
A monitoring unit that monitors the amount of change based on the control signal of the lighting device received from the host device;
The lighting control system according to claim 1. The lighting control system according to claim 5, wherein the control device is a node to which the lighting device is connected. The lighting control system according to claim 5, wherein the control device is a relay device located between a node to which the lighting device is connected and the host device. The lighting control system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device transmits a dummy signal to the host device in place of the device information.

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