JP7472077B2 - lighting equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures, and in particular to lighting fixtures that can be controlled for dimming, color adjustment, etc.

There are lighting fixtures that have a color-adjusting function and lighting fixtures that do not have a color-adjusting function. The color-adjusting function is realized by the power supply device equipped in the lighting fixture adjusting the power supplied to each of the multiple color light sources. One example of a lighting fixture with a color-adjusting function is a lighting fixture that communicates wirelessly using an address set in an address setting section using a dip switch, and controls color adjustment and the like using a lighting control device (see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in lighting fixtures that do not have a color adjustment function, the power supply unit supplies a specific amount of power to each of the multiple color light sources to light the light sources at a specific color temperature. For this reason, in lighting fixtures that do not have a color adjustment function, the power supply unit does not have the function of adjusting the power supplied to the light sources, taking into account costs, etc. Lighting fixtures that do not have a color adjustment function come in a variety of specifications, such as those that emit light at a specific color temperature of 3000K (Kelvin) and 4000K.

JP 2020-126851 A

However, a situation may arise where sales of lighting fixtures without a color-adjusting function are strong, resulting in a shortage of inventory, while sales of lighting fixtures with a color-adjusting function are poor, resulting in a buildup of inventory. If we were to imagine a case where a lighting fixture with a color-adjusting function were repurposed and sold as a lighting fixture without a color-adjusting function, it would be necessary to satisfy conditions such as changing the program so that the color cannot be adjusted using a lighting control device, and requiring the emitted color temperature to be specific, but this is not easy to achieve with the technology of Patent Document 1. The above has been explained regarding color adjustment, but the same applies to dimming.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a lighting fixture capable of emitting light in multiple light emission states that can be easily converted into a lighting fixture that emits light in a specific light emission state.

To solve the above problems, the lighting device according to the present invention is a lighting device that includes a detachable small device, which includes an operation unit for inputting user instructions, and emits light in a light emission state according to the user instructions input to the operation unit.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the lighting device according to the present invention can easily be converted from a lighting device capable of emitting light in multiple light emission states into a lighting device that emits light in a specific light emission state.

1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a lighting fixture according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power supply device provided in the lighting fixture, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the appearance of a dongle provided in the lighting fixture 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting fixture. 11 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between the setting values of the dip switches included in the dongle and the light emission states that are achieved. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a lighting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting fixture provided in the lighting system; FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting control device provided in the lighting system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between the setting values of dip switches provided in a wireless module constituting a lighting system and the contents that are realized. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between the setting values of the dip switches according to the third embodiment and the contents to be realized. FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power supply device provided in a lighting fixture according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 13B is a perspective view showing the appearance of a dongle provided in the lighting fixture as viewed from the front side; and FIG. 13C is a perspective view of the dongle as viewed from the back side. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the functions of each terminal and the types of signals used for 1CH control, 2CH control, and 3CH control of the power supply device when controlling lighting using a dongle. (a) A diagram showing a DS setting value-signal correspondence table showing the correspondence between the DS setting value, the set color temperature and dimming rate, and the lighting control signal, and (b) a diagram showing the DS setting value-signal correspondence table (a continuation of Figure 11 (a)). 11(a) is a diagram showing a DS setting value-signal correspondence table (continuation of FIG. 11(b)), and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing a DS setting value-signal correspondence table (continuation of FIG. 12(a)).

The following describes a lighting device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

1. First embodiment
<1.1. Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a lighting fixture 2.

2(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the power supply device 5 provided in the lighting fixture 2, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the dongle 7 provided in the lighting fixture 2. The dongle 7 is an example of a small device that receives power and operates independently.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting fixture 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixture 2 is, for example, a downlight that is installed on a ceiling 11, which is an example of an installation location, and includes a fixture body 4, a power supply unit 5, and a dongle 7.

<Apparatus body 4>
As shown in Fig. 3, the fixture body 4 includes a light source unit 41. The light source unit 41 includes a light source configured with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light source board, which is a circuit board on which the light source is arranged. The light source unit 41 performs operations such as turning on and off the light source, changing the dimming rate (hereinafter also referred to as "dimming"), and changing the emitted color (hereinafter also referred to as "color adjustment") according to the power supplied from the power supply unit 54 of the power supply device 5 via the electric wire 51. Here, changing the emitted color also includes changing the color temperature.

<Power supply device 5>
The power supply device 5 has a function of supplying power to the light source unit 41 for controlling the light source unit 41 to turn on and off, adjust brightness, adjust color, and the like (hereinafter referred to as "light source control").

2(a), the power supply device 5 includes a power supply main unit 50 and an electric wire 51, and is electrically connected to the appliance main unit 4 by connecting the electric wire 51 to the appliance main unit 4. The power supply main unit 50 also includes a socket unit 53. The dongle 7 is detachably attached to the socket unit 53. The power supply device 5 functionally includes the socket unit 53 and a power supply unit 54, as shown in FIG.

The power supply unit 54 has a function for adjusting brightness and color, and converts the power supplied from outside the lighting device 2 into power corresponding to the lighting control signal received from the dongle 7, and supplies it to the light source unit 41 to perform light source control.

The power supply unit 54 is assumed to store in advance the correspondence between the received lighting control signal and the power to be supplied to the light source unit 41, but is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if it can realize dimming and color adjustment according to the lighting control signal, and may be configured as a circuit to output power for dimming and color adjustment according to the lighting control signal, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the socket portion 53 is externally a groove-shaped insertion port (slot) provided on the side wall of the power supply main body portion 50 into which the dongle 7 is inserted, and inside the insertion port, there are multiple terminals that are electrically connected to each of the signal terminals provided on the terminal portion 75 of the dongle 7 when the dongle 7 is inserted.

The multiple terminals are electrically connected to the power supply unit 54, and when the dongle 7 is inserted into the socket unit 53, the dongle 7 and the power supply unit 54 are electrically connected.

<Dongle 7>
2(b), the dongle 7 includes a housing 71, a board section 72, and a dip switch (hereinafter referred to as "DS") 73. The housing 71 constitutes the outer shape of the dongle 7, and is made up of a long cylindrical housing first section 71a and a rectangular cylindrical housing second section 71b that are connected together. The housing 71 houses most of the board section 72 inside, and a part of the board section 72 protrudes from an opening provided on the side surface of the housing second section 71b opposite to the side surface to which the housing first section 71a is connected.

The board section 72 is a plate-shaped printed circuit board on which electronic components for operating the dongle 7 are mounted. A terminal section 75 is provided on the portion of the board section 72 that protrudes from the housing 71. When the dongle 7 is inserted into the socket section 53 of the power supply device 5 as shown in FIG. 2(a), the first housing section 71a of the dongle 7 protrudes from the power supply main body section 50 of the power supply device 5.

DS73 is an example of an operation unit for inputting a desired setting value as a user instruction, and is composed of a dip switch. As shown in FIG. 2(b), DS73 is provided on one side of the first housing part 71a, but is not limited thereto and may be provided on the top surface (the surface furthest from the second housing part 71b). DS73 has six switches 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, 73e, and 73f, each of which represents 1 bit of information. In other words, DS73 represents a 6-bit value.

Switch 73a has a knob 74a that slides between a first position and a second position. Hereinafter, switch 73a represents 1 (sometimes called "on") when knob 74a is in the first position, and 0 (sometimes called "off") when knob 74a is in the second position. Switches 73b to 73f each have knobs 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, and 74f, similar to switch 73a, and represent 1 when in the first position and 0 when in the second position.

Here, the first position is, as an example, a position on the first housing part 71a side as viewed from the second housing part 71b in FIG. 2(b), and the second position is a position opposite to the first position, on the second housing part 71b side as viewed from the first housing part 71a. In FIG. 2(b), as an example, the knob 74a of the switch 73a is set to the first position, and the knob 74b of the switch 73b is set to the second position.

In the following, the information represented by DS73 is referred to as the "DS setting value." The DS setting value is a binary, 6-bit value. Below, the most significant digit of the 6 digits will be referred to as the "first digit," the least significant digit as the "sixth digit," and the digits in between as the "second digit," "third digit," "fourth digit," and "fifth digit." The first digit of the DS setting value is the value represented by switch 73a, and like the first digit, the second to sixth digits are the values represented by switches 73b to 73f, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the terminal section 75 has five terminals: terminal 75a, terminal 75b, terminal 75c, terminal 75d, and terminal 75e.

The terminal 75b is a terminal for inputting power to operate the dongle 7, and accepts the input of a 3.3 volt (V) power signal supplied from the power supply unit 54 of the power supply device 5. Note that the voltage of the power signal is not limited to 3.3 V, and may be changed according to the required specifications.

Terminal 75c is a terminal for connecting to ground, which is the reference for circuit operation, and by connecting to the power supply unit 54, the power supply unit 54 and the dongle 7 share a common ground. The other terminals are used to transmit a lighting control signal. The lighting control signal is, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal or a serial signal, depending on the control specifications for controlling the light source unit 41.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dongle 7 functionally comprises a DS 73, a control unit 712, a memory unit 714, and a terminal unit 715.

The control unit 712 is, for example, a processor, and realizes functions such as a lighting control function by the processor executing a program stored in the storage unit 714. More specifically, the control unit 712 transmits lighting control instructions regarding the operation of the light source, such as turning the light source on, off, blinking, increasing the dimming rate, and decreasing the dimming rate, to the power supply device 5 via the terminal unit 715.

The control unit 712, in particular, reads the DS setting value of the DS 73, and outputs a lighting control signal for controlling the dimming and color adjustment according to the DS setting value to the power supply unit 54 of the power supply device 5 via the terminal unit 75 and the socket unit 53. The power supply unit 54 supplies power according to the received lighting control signal to the light source unit 41 of the fixture body 4 via the electric wire 51.

1.2. DS setting values and lighting control
Fig. 4 is a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the DS setting value and the color temperature and dimming rate, where the color temperature and dimming rate are the color temperature and dimming rate for the light emission state of the light source unit 41 realized by the illumination control according to the DS setting value. In the correspondence table of Fig. 4, column a represents the first digit of the DS setting value, column b represents the second digit, column c represents the third digit, column d represents the fourth digit, column e represents the fifth digit, and column f represents the sixth digit.

In the correspondence table in Figure 4, the four-digit value in columns a through d specifies the color temperature, and the two-digit value in columns e through f specifies the dimming rate. When the value in columns a through d is 0000, it indicates 6500K, when it is 0001 it indicates 6000K, when it is 0010 it indicates 5000K, when it is 0011 it indicates 4000K, when it is 0100 it indicates 3500K, when it is 0101 it indicates 3000K, and when it is 110 it indicates 2700K.

The dimming rate is 100% when the value in columns e to f is 00, 75% when it is 01, 50% when it is 10, and 25% when it is 11.

The control unit 712 of the dongle 7 outputs a lighting control signal for realizing the color temperature and dimming ratio specified by the DS setting value set in the DS 7 based on the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4 to the power supply unit 54 of the power supply device 5 via the terminal unit 715 and the socket unit 53. The power supply unit 54 converts the power supplied from outside the lighting device 2 into power for realizing the color temperature and dimming ratio represented by the received lighting control signal, and supplies it to the light source unit 41.

For example, when the DS setting value is 000000, the power supply unit 54 sends a lighting control signal to the light source unit 41 so that the color temperature is 6500K and the dimming rate is 100% according to the correspondence table in FIG. 4. When the DS setting value is 001111, the power supply unit 54 sends a lighting control signal to the light source unit 41 so that the color temperature is 4000K and the dimming rate is 25%.

By configuring as described above, the lighting fixture 2 can adjust the brightness and color by changing the DS setting value of the DS 73 provided in the dongle 7.

The lighting fixture 2 configured as described above can be used, for example, in the following ways:

The lighting fixture 2 is shipped with the DS value of 000000 set for the dongle 7. In this case, the lighting fixture 2 equipped with the power supply device 5 having dimming and color-adjusting functions can be shipped as a lighting fixture without dimming and color-adjusting functions in which the light source unit 41 emits light at a specific dimming rate (e.g., 100%) and color temperature (e.g., 2700K).

As a result, in a situation where there is a shortage of lighting devices without dimming and color-adjusting functions and there is an abundant surplus of lighting devices with dimming and color-adjusting functions, it is possible to process the inventory of lighting devices with dimming and color-adjusting functions, and to make effective use of the lighting fixtures 2, and in particular the power supply devices 5.

In addition, since the brightness and color can be adjusted by operating the DS7 of the dongle 7, it is possible to change the color temperature of the light source unit 41 of the lighting fixture 2 that has already been delivered to the customer to 3000K or the dimming rate to 75%. Since the power supply unit 5 of the lighting fixture 2 is usually placed above the ceiling, it is conceivable that the manufacturer, distributor, electrical contractor, etc. of the lighting fixture 2 will dispatch maintenance personnel to change the settings of the DS7.

As another mode of use, the lighting device 2 can be configured so that the light source unit 41 emits light at a certain color temperature and dimming rate when the dongle 7 is not inserted. More specifically, the power supply device 5 supplies power so that the light source unit 41 emits light at a certain color temperature and dimming rate when the dongle 7 is not inserted.

In this case, after the lighting fixture 2 is delivered, if the dongle 7 is inserted into the power supply device 5 of the lighting fixture 2 at the delivery destination, the lighting fixture 2 is changed to a lighting fixture 2 that can adjust brightness and color. This can also be thought of as updating the lighting fixture 2 and upgrading it to a higher-end model.

2. Second embodiment
In the first embodiment, the DS 37 of the dongle 7 is used to set the color temperature and the dimming ratio, but this is not limited thereto, and the DS 37 may be used for settings other than the color temperature and the dimming ratio. As an example, in the second embodiment, the DS setting value is used for setting the ID and password.

The lighting system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

2.1. Configuration
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system 1 according to the second embodiment.

5, the lighting system 1 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 2a, 2b, ..., 2c (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lighting fixtures 2a, etc.") and a lighting control device 9. Since lighting fixtures 2a, 2b, ..., 2c have the same configuration, the following description will focus on lighting fixture 2a, and lighting fixtures 2b, ..., 2c will be described only when necessary.

Lighting fixture 2a differs from lighting fixture 2 in that it includes a wireless module (hereinafter, "WM") 700 having wireless communication capabilities instead of dongle 7 as an example of a small device. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions will be omitted unless otherwise necessary.

The wireless communication between lighting fixtures 2a, 2b, ..., 2c (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "lighting fixtures 2a, etc.") and the lighting control device 9 is based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as "BLE") specification, but is not limited to this and wireless communication based on other specifications may be performed. Furthermore, lighting fixtures 2a, etc. and the lighting control device 9 can form a mesh network with each other using BLE, and can communicate with each other directly or indirectly through the mesh network.

Figure 6(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting fixture 2a, and Figure 6(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting control device 9.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the lighting fixture 2a includes a fixture body 4, a power supply device 5, and a WM 700. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the WM 700 includes a wireless unit 711, a control unit 712, a memory unit 714, a DIP switch 730, and a terminal unit 715.

The wireless unit 711 is an antenna used for wireless communication, and is configured, for example, as a chip antenna. The control unit 712 uses the wireless unit 711 to transmit and receive control signals, data, and the like to and from the other lighting fixtures, lighting fixture 2b, ..., lighting fixture 2c, and the lighting control device 9, via wireless communication.

Here, the configuration of DS73 is the same as in the first embodiment, but the contents associated with the DS setting value differ from those in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, a dimming rate and a color temperature are associated with each DS setting value, but in the second embodiment, authentication information, which is an example of information required for wireless communication, is associated with each DS setting value.

Figure 7 shows the DS setting values and examples of authentication information associated with each DS setting value, such as the channel used, mesh ID, and password.

The usage channel indicates the frequency channel used for wireless communication by BLE. The lighting fixtures 2a and the like perform wireless communication using the usage channel specified by the DS setting value.

The mesh ID indicates the identification information of the mesh network to be formed.

Password indicates the password to be used for the mesh network.

Lighting fixtures 2a etc. and lighting control devices 9 that use the same mesh ID form a mesh network. To join a mesh network that has been formed, it is necessary to use the mesh ID and password used in that mesh network.

Lighting fixtures 2a and the like join the mesh network by communicating using the channel, mesh ID, and password indicated by DS73 of the attached WM700.

<Lighting control device 9>
The lighting control device 9 is configured as a portable information processing device, and an example thereof is a smartphone having a rectangular plate-like appearance as shown in FIG. 5 and having a touch panel embedded on one surface.

The lighting control device 9 is used to transmit, via wireless communication, instructions (hereinafter referred to as "lighting control instructions") to the lighting fixtures 2a, etc. to perform lighting control such as turning the light source on and off, changing the dimming rate, and changing the light emission color temperature, in accordance with instructions input by a user using a touch panel or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the lighting control device 9 includes a control unit 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, a wireless communication unit 94, and a touch panel 95.

ROM 92 is composed of flash memory etc. and holds apps, programs, UIs and various other data. RAM 93 is a storage device into which the lighting control programs stored in ROM 92 are loaded.

The touch panel 95 is an electronic component that combines a display unit that displays images and information constituting the UI with an input unit that accepts user instructions, and functions as a user interface means. The display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit is, for example, a touch pad. The touch panel 95 notifies the control unit 91 of user input. The touch panel 95 has a function of displaying a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "UI").

The control unit 91 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Each function of the lighting control device 9 is realized by the control unit 91 executing a lighting control program that is loaded from the ROM 92 and stored in the RAM 93.

The control unit 91 also determines the instruction for the operation requested by the user (user instruction) based on the contents of the UI displayed on the touch panel 95 and the touch and gesture input (hereinafter referred to as "user input") made by the user on the touch panel 95, and executes processing according to the user instruction.

The wireless communication unit 94 is composed of a device that performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 94 performs wireless communication with the lighting fixture 2a, etc.

Here, in order for the lighting control device 9 to participate in the mesh network and communicate with the lighting fixtures 2a, etc., it is necessary to use a mesh ID and a password. The channel, mesh ID, and password used in the mesh network are the channel, mesh ID, and password set using the DS73 of the lighting fixtures 2a, etc.

The user of the lighting control device 9 recognizes the mesh ID and password set using the DS 73 of the lighting fixture 2a, etc., and inputs them using the touch panel 95. The user also instructs the lighting control device 9 on the channel to be used for wireless communication.

The lighting control device 9 joins the mesh network using the input channel, mesh ID, and password. If the input mesh ID and password are different from the mesh ID and password set using DS73 in the lighting fixtures 2a etc. that make up the mesh network, the lighting control device 9 will not be able to succeed in authentication and will not be able to join and communicate in the mesh network. Furthermore, if the channel used by the lighting control device 9 is different from the channel specified by the DS setting value, wireless communication itself will not be established.

<3. Third embodiment>
The contents (meanings) specified by the DS setting value of DS73 are the dimming ratio and color temperature in the first embodiment, and the channel used, mesh ID, and password in the second embodiment, but are not limited to these.

In the first and second embodiments, the content represented by multiple bits (bit groups) in the DS setting value was fixed, but this is not limited thereto, and the content of other bit groups may change depending on the content of the higher or lower digits.

In the third embodiment, DS73 of WM700 is an 8-bit DIP switch. The DS setting value is an 8-bit value. The most significant digit of the DS setting value is bit a, followed by bit b, bit c, bit d, bit e, bit f, bit g, and so on, and the least significant digit is bit h.

Figure 8 shows a correspondence table that lists the bits in the DS setting value and their contents.

(1) Bit a
For example, when bit a, which is the most significant digit of the DS setting value, is 0, the WM 700 functions as a dongle that does not perform wireless communication, and when bit a is 1, the WM 700 functions as a wireless module.

(2) Bit bc
The contents of bits b and c (bits bc) of the DS setting value differ depending on whether the value of bit a is 1 or 0.

When the value of bit a is 1, WM700 functions as a wireless module that performs wireless communication, when the value of bit bc is 00, channel 1 is used for wireless communication, when the value of bit bc is 01, channel 2 is used, and when the value of bit bc is 11, channel 3 is used.

When the value of bit a is 0, WM700 functions as a dongle that does not perform wireless communication, so the value of bc does not specify the channel to be used, and either value has no effect on the operation of WM700.

(3) Bit defgh
The content of bit defgh differs depending on whether the value of bit bc is 00 or 01 or 10.

When the value of bits bc is 00, of bits defgh, bit def represents the color temperature, and bit gh represents the mesh ID and password to be used for communication.

When the value of bit bc is 01 or 10, bit defgh represents the mesh ID and password.

As explained above, the DS setting value does not have to have fixed content for each bit, but rather the content can change depending on the values of other bits. This allows content to be flexibly assigned to the DS setting value, allowing for effective use of the DS setting value.

<4. Fourth embodiment>
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the light emission state, such as the dimming rate and color temperature, is changed according to the DS setting value, but no specific example has been described of the lighting control signal transmitted from the dongle 7 to the power supply device 5. The specifications of the lighting control signal are defined so that the power supply device 5 can receive and interpret it.

The following describes an example in which a dongle 801 equipped with a dip switch (DS) 811 transmits lighting control signals based on multiple different specifications to the power supply device 5 depending on the settings made to the DS 811, i.e., the DS setting value. The dongle 801 basically has the same configuration as the dongle 7. In the block diagram, the dongle 7 in FIG. 3 is replaced with the dongle 801, and the dip switch 73 is replaced with the dip switch 811.

The following will explain dongle 801, focusing on the differences between dongle 7 and dongle 801.

Figure 9(a) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a power supply device 50 provided in a lighting fixture according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 9(b) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a dongle 801 provided in a lighting fixture, as seen from the side having a DS 811 (hereinafter referred to as "front surface 802"). Figure 9(c) is a perspective view showing the dongle 801, as seen from the side opposite the front surface 802 (hereinafter referred to as "rear surface 803").

As shown in FIG. 9(a), the dongle 801 is inserted into a slot provided in the power supply device 5. When the dongle 801 is inserted into the slot, the DS 811 is located inside the slot. In this state, the user cannot touch the DS 811, and the DS setting values cannot be changed. This prevents the setting values of the DS 811 from being changed accidentally due to carelessness, etc. Also, it prevents dust and the like from accumulating on the DS 811.

Note that the DS811 does not have to be located in a position where it cannot be touched when inserted into the slot of the power supply device 5 in the dongle 801, and may be positioned outside the slot.

As shown in FIG. 9(b), the DS 811 is exposed from an opening 812 having a taper 813 provided on the surface 802 of the dongle 801.

DS811 has eight knobs including knob 814, and each knob can be moved between a first position (ON) and a second position (OFF). The first position represents a value of "1", and the second position corresponds to a value of "0". DS811 can represent an 8-bit DS setting value depending on whether each knob is in the first position or the second position. Note that knob 814 can be configured to be thin enough to be difficult to operate with a human finger or nail, thereby preventing erroneous operation or incorrect setting by the user.

As shown in FIG. 9(c), dongle 801 has six holes 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, and 836 on rear surface 803. Electrode pad 851 provided on substrate 72 is exposed from hole 831. Similarly, electrode pads 852 to 856 provided on substrate 72 are exposed from holes 832 to 836, respectively.

The electrode pads 851 to 856 are electrically connected to the control unit 712 and the memory unit 714.

The contents of the memory unit 714 can be rewritten by inputting a specific signal to the electrode pads 851 to 856.

Figure 10 shows the correspondence between the functions of each terminal and the type of signal used when controlling the power supply device 5 in 1CH (channel), when controlling the power supply device 5 in 2CH, and when controlling the power supply device 5 in 3CH when controlling lighting with the dongle 801. Here, the channel represents the signal used to control the controlled object (power supply device 5). The signal used differs depending on the light source adopted for the light source unit 41 to be controlled.

1CH control is control performed using one signal. As an example, when the light source unit 41 is only capable of dimming, the dongle 801 instructs the power supply unit 5 to dim using one dimming signal. More specifically, in the case of 1CH control, the dongle 801 uses the terminal 75d to send a dimming signal indicating the dimming rate to the power supply unit 5. The power supply unit 5 controls the light source unit 41 to light up at the dimming rate indicated by the received dimming signal.

The dimming signal is, as an example, a PWM signal, but is not limited to this and any signal format that can convey the dimming rate to the power supply device 5 will suffice.

2CH control is control that uses two signals. As an example, when the light source unit 41 is capable of dimming and color adjustment, the dongle 801 uses a dimming signal to instruct the power supply device 5 to adjust the dimming, and uses another signal (color adjustment signal) to instruct the power supply device 5 to adjust the color. Dimming is the same as the 1CH control described above.

For color adjustment, more specifically, dongle 801 uses terminal 75a to transmit a color adjustment signal indicating the color that light source unit 41 should light up to power supply device 5. Power supply device 5 controls light source unit 41 to light up in the color indicated by the received color adjustment signal.

The color adjustment signal is, for example, a PWM signal, but is not limited to this and any signal format that can convey the color to be lit to the power supply unit 5 will suffice.

3CH control is a control that uses three signals, but in this embodiment, 3CH control is realized by transmitting data that should be transmitted using three signals in one serial signal. Although it is called "3CH control", even if four or more signals are required, they can be transmitted in a serial signal, so it is not limited to 3CH control, and more complex control that targets four or more CHs may be performed. Also, although a serial signal is used for 3CH control, other types of signals may be used as long as it is possible to transmit the signals required for control. For example, multiple signals may be transmitted in a time-division multiplexed manner on one signal line.

As an example of 3CH control, when the light source unit 41 is composed of three color LEDs, a blue-white LED, a red LED, and a yellow-white LED, the dongle 801 is configured to specify the dimming rate for each color LED. If a dimming signal were sent to each of the three color LEDs via separate signal lines, 3CH would be required, but as described above, the dongle 801 transmits the dimming rates for the three colors to the light source unit 41 with one control signal by including the dimming signals for each of the three colors in one serial signal and sending it from terminal 75d. Then, the power supply 5 extracts the dimming rate for each color from the serial signal and controls the light source unit 41 so that each LED has the dimming rate it received.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a DS setting value-signal correspondence table showing the correspondence between the DS setting value (DS setting value in FIG. 11) set in the DS 811 provided in the dongle 801, the color temperature and dimming rate to be set, and the lighting control signal. The tables shown in FIG. 11(a), FIG. 11(b), FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 12(b) are one table. That is, the bottom end of the table in FIG. 11(a) is continuous with the top end of the table in FIG. 11(b), the bottom end of the table in FIG. 11(b) is continuous with the top end of the table in FIG. 12(a), and the bottom end of the table in FIG. 12(a) is continuous with the top end of the table in FIG. 12(b).

The DS setting value-signal correspondence tables in Figures 11 and 12 correspond to 2CH control and 3CH control. In the case of 2CH control, the DS setting value-signal correspondence table lists PWM in the "Signal" column, but in reality lists the duty ratio of two predefined PWM signals (PWM1 and PWM2). In the case of 2CH control, control is performed using two PWM signals (PWM1 and PWM2) to achieve the color temperature listed in the "Color temperature" column and the dimming rate listed in the "Dimming rate" column.

For example, when the DS setting value is 00000000, by controlling using a PWM signal (PWM1) with a duty ratio of 100% and a PWM signal (PWM2) with a duty ratio of 0%, the color temperature will be 2700K and the dimming rate will be 100%, as shown in the DS setting value-signal correspondence table.

DS setting values of 01011000 and above support 3-channel control via serial communication. The serial communication includes data indicating the dimming rate for each of the blue-white LED, red LED, and yellow-white LED, which achieve the corresponding color temperature and dimming rate.

For example, when the DS setting value is 01011000, this indicates that data indicating the dimming rate of each of the blue-white LED, red LED, and yellow-white LED is transmitted by serial communication so that the light source unit 41 as a whole emits light with a color temperature of 1800K and a dimming rate of 100%. Note that the DS setting value-signal correspondence tables in Figures 11 and 12 only state "serial communication" and do not state specific examples of the data to be transmitted, but in reality, the serial communication data to be transmitted is recorded. The data transmitted by serial communication complies with the specifications of the power supply unit 54 that receives the serial communication.

As described above, the dongle 801 controls the dimming and color adjustment of the light source unit 41 using a signal selected from a PWM signal and a serial signal that correspond to the DS setting value that is set.

Here, the DS setting value-signal correspondence table is stored in the memory unit 714. The control unit 712 acquires the DS setting value set in the DS 811, references the DS setting value-signal correspondence table stored in the memory unit 714, and outputs a signal corresponding to the DS setting value to the power supply unit 5.

The DS setting value-signal correspondence table does not need to be stored separately in the memory unit 714, but may be incorporated into the control program for operating the control unit 712.

In the above example, the DS setting value-signal correspondence table describes signals for 2CH control and signals for 3CH control, but it is not limited to this and may also describe signals for 1CH control, or signals for controlling 3CH or more. The DS setting value-signal correspondence table may describe the correspondence between the necessary signals and the DS setting values according to the specifications for controlling the light source unit 41. For example, the DS setting value may be associated with a blinking control that blinks the light source unit 41, or with a control that changes the color that the light source unit 41 is lit up in over time.

In addition, when the DS setting value-signal correspondence table is stored in the memory unit 714, the contents can be changed by rewriting the contents stored in the memory unit 714. When the DS setting value-signal correspondence table is incorporated into the control program stored in the memory unit 714, the contents of the DS setting value-signal correspondence table can be rewritten by rewriting the contents of the control program stored in the memory unit 714.

In other words, by rewriting the DS setting value-signal correspondence table, it is possible to change the signal output from dongle 801 according to the DS setting value. As a result, even if it becomes necessary to change the signal required for control, such as when the control target is changed to a light source unit 41 with different control specifications, control by dongle 801 is possible by rewriting the DS setting value-signal correspondence table.

5. Modifications
Although an embodiment of the lighting system according to the present invention has been described above, the exemplified lighting system can be modified as follows, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the lighting system as shown in the above embodiment.

(1) In the above embodiment, the lighting fixture 2 has a configuration in which the fixture body 4 and the power supply unit 5 are separate (external power supply type), but this is not limited thereto, and the lighting fixture 2 may have a configuration in which the fixture body 4 has the power supply unit 5 built in (built-in power supply type).

(2) In the above embodiment, the light source unit 41 is configured with an LED, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if it functions as a light source for illumination, and it may be configured with something other than an LED, such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) device.

(3) In the above embodiment, DS73 represents a 6-bit value as an example, but is not limited to this and may be a dip switch that represents a value of 5 bits or less, or a dip switch that represents a value of 7 bits or more. Furthermore, DS73 is not limited to a dip switch, and may be another switch such as a rotary switch as long as the user can input the setting value. The number of digits of the dip switch and DS setting value may be changed depending on the number of contents such as color temperature, dimming rate, ID, password, etc. that are required.

In addition, content such as color temperature, dimming rate, ID, and password may be assigned to all DS setting values, or content may be assigned to some of the DS setting values, leaving some DS setting values unused.

(4) Although it has been described that lighting device 2 is capable of both dimming control and color adjustment control, it may be capable of only one of them.

(5) In the second embodiment, the lighting control device 9 controls the lighting fixtures 2a etc. by directly communicating wirelessly with them. However, this is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient for the lighting control device 9 to be able to control the lighting fixtures 2a etc. For example, a gateway may be provided between the lighting control device 9 and the lighting fixtures 2a etc.

The gateway is a device that has the function of receiving dimming and color adjustment instructions from the lighting control device 9 via wireless communication, and adjusting the dimming and color of each lighting fixture 2a, etc., according to the received instructions via wireless communication.

(6) The dongle 7 may communicate according to other communication specifications, not just BLE, or may be capable of wireless communication according to multiple communication specifications. In addition, without being limited to this, for example, a dongle 7 may be prepared for each different communication specification. In this case, by inserting the dongle 7 according to the communication specification to be used into the socket unit 53, the lighting fixture 2 becomes capable of wireless communication according to that communication specification.

(7) Each of the functional components shown in the above embodiments may be realized as a circuit that performs its function, or may be realized by executing a lighting control program by one or more processors.

(8) The above-described embodiments and variations may be partially combined.

＜6. Supplementary Information＞
The configuration of the lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention, its modifications, and the effects thereof will be described below.

(1) A lighting fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable small device, which includes an operation unit for inputting user instructions, and emits light in a light emission state according to the user instructions input to the operation unit.

With this configuration, a lighting fixture capable of emitting light in multiple light emission states can be easily converted into a lighting fixture that emits light in a specific light emission state.

(2) The lighting device may be capable of emitting light in a plurality of light-emitting states in response to a user instruction, and each of the plurality of light-emitting states may have a different dimming rate.

With this configuration, a lighting fixture capable of emitting light at multiple dimming rates can be easily converted into a lighting fixture that emits light at a specific dimming rate.

(3) The lighting device may be capable of emitting light in a plurality of light-emitting states in response to a user instruction, and each of the plurality of light-emitting states may have a different light color.

This configuration allows a lighting fixture capable of emitting light in multiple colors to be easily converted into a lighting fixture that emits light in a specific color.

(4) The small device may also include a switch as the operation unit.

With this configuration, the lighting state of the lighting fixture can be specified as desired by simply operating a switch.

(5) The lighting device may further include a light source unit and a power supply device, the power supply device causing the light source unit to emit light in response to the control signal received from the small device, and the small device may have a function of transmitting control signals using a plurality of communication methods, and may transmit the control signal using a communication method corresponding to the content of the user instruction.

With this configuration, the small device can control the power supply device using multiple communication methods, and can flexibly accommodate the control specifications of the power supply device.

(6) The small device may store a correspondence table between user instructions and communication methods.

With this configuration, the small device can determine and transmit a control signal according to the specifications of the power supply device based on user instructions.

(7) The contents of the correspondence table may be changeable by inputting a predetermined signal from outside the small device.

With this configuration, even if the specifications of the power supply device, such as the data content or communication method, are changed, the contents of the correspondence table can be rewritten to control the power supply device in accordance with the changed specifications.

(8) A lighting fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention is a lighting fixture that emits light based on an instruction from a lighting control device via wireless communication, and includes a small device that is detachable and has wireless communication capabilities, and the small device includes an operation unit for inputting user instructions and stores authentication information corresponding to each of a plurality of user instructions. When communicating wirelessly with the lighting control device, the small device authenticates the lighting control device using the authentication information based on the user instructions.

With this configuration, it is possible to instruct the lighting fixture to authenticate using specific authentication information.

(9) The operation unit may also be a switch for inputting a multi-digit setting value as a user instruction, and when the multi-digits in the setting value are divided into groups of a predetermined number of digits, the content of the user instruction corresponding to a value indicated by one group may differ depending on the value indicated by the other group.

This configuration allows the user's instructions to be flexibly assigned to the switch settings, making effective use of the limited number of digits of the settings.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lighting system 2, 2a, 2b, 2c Lighting fixture 4 Fixture body 5 Power supply device 7, 801 Dongle 9 Lighting control device 11 Ceiling 41 Light source unit 50 Power supply body unit 51 Electric wire 53 Socket unit 54 Power supply unit 71 Housing 71a Housing first part 71b Housing second part 72 Board unit 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, 73e, 73f Switch 75 Terminal unit 75a, 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e Terminal 91, 712 Control unit 92 ROM
93 RAM
94 Wireless communication unit 95 Touch panel 711 Wireless unit 714 Memory unit 715 Terminal unit 730, 811 DIP switches 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836 Holes 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856 Electrode pads

Claims (9)

A lighting fixture, comprising:
A small device is provided which is detachable and receives power and operates only when attached ,
the small device includes an operation unit that is operated by a user to input a user instruction;
The lighting fixture is characterized in that , when the small device is attached, the lighting fixture emits light in a light emission state according to a user instruction inputted to the operation unit. The lighting device is capable of emitting light in a plurality of light emission states in response to a user instruction,
The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emission states each have a different dimming rate. The lighting device is capable of emitting light in a plurality of light emission states in response to a user instruction,
The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emitting states each have a different light emission color. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the small device includes a switch as the operation unit. The lighting device includes a light source unit and a power supply device.
the power supply device causes the light source unit to emit light in response to a control signal received from the small device;
The small device comprises:
The lighting fixture according to claim 1 , further comprising a function of transmitting control signals by a plurality of communication methods, the lighting fixture transmitting the control signal by using a communication method corresponding to the content of the user instruction. The lighting fixture according to claim 5 , wherein the small device holds a correspondence table between user instructions and communication methods. The lighting fixture according to claim 6 , wherein the contents of the correspondence table are changeable by inputting a predetermined signal from outside the small-sized device. A lighting device that emits light based on an instruction from a lighting control device via wireless communication,
A small device that is detachable and has a wireless communication function is provided,
the small-sized device includes an operation unit for inputting user instructions, and stores authentication information corresponding to each of a plurality of user instructions;
a lighting device that, when wirelessly communicating with the lighting control device, authenticates the lighting control device using authentication information based on the user instruction. the operation unit is a switch for inputting a multi-digit setting value as a user instruction,
The lighting fixture according to claim 8 , wherein, in the setting value, when the plurality of digits are divided into groups, the content indicated by one group differs depending on the value indicated by another group.