WO2016043150A1

WO2016043150A1 - Lighting control system, communication system, lighting control method, communication method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2016043150A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/075981
Authority: WO
Inventors: 正人河野; 渡邊　剛; 仁嗣浦野; 石田　修一
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｎｔｔファシリティーズ
Priority date: 2014-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-14
Publication date: 2016-03-24

Abstract

In the present invention, a control unit: designates a text string showing the address of a wireless communication unit, and a prescribed command relating to control of a lighting unit by the control unit, thereby instructing the wireless communication unit to transmit a message including the text string showing the command; and, after the command is transmitted, sets as a determination time a limit value for a response time until a response to the command is received. The control unit executes a process corresponding with the command included in the message received by the wireless communication unit, and instructs the wireless communication unit to transmit a response message corresponding with the command. The control unit determines whether the response message was received within the determination time.

Description

Lighting control system, communication system, lighting control method, communication method, and program

The present invention relates to a lighting control system, a communication system, a lighting control method, a communication method, and a program.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-189996 filed in Japan on September 18, 2014 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-173138 filed on Japan on September 2, 2015. And the contents thereof are incorporated herein.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a system for saving power such as lighting fixtures. In the system described in Patent Document 1, a control unit that performs on / off of a lighting fixture, dimming control, and the like is installed for each lighting fixture. The operation of each control unit is controlled by one controller. In that case, each lighting fixture is specified using the address corresponding to each control unit.

In recent years, in addition to improving the efficiency of equipment that consumes power, there has been a demand for the advancement of equipment automatic control technology, that is, precise control that suppresses unnecessary power while responding to various needs of users. For such a request, for example, it is a problem to appropriately link a plurality of software such as software for realizing control at a level closer to hardware and software for realizing an easy-to-use user interface. It becomes.

By the way, for lighting equipment, a lighting control communication protocol called DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is standardized in IEC (IEC62386). DALI is mainly used for dimming a plurality of fluorescent lamps and LED (Light Emitting Diode) illumination. This DALI is defined as using a wired communication path as a transmission medium.

On the other hand, wireless communication has come to be used for purposes such as collecting sensor information. When other unscheduled systems coexist in the same frequency band, radio communication interference may occur. Even in such a situation where interference occurs, it is necessary to ensure desired communication quality.

JP 2014-39387 A

A problem to be solved is to provide a lighting control system, a lighting communication system, a lighting control method, a communication method, and a program capable of controlling lighting equipment while ensuring communication quality in wireless communication by a simple method. It is.

In order to solve the above problems, an illumination control system of one embodiment of the present invention includes a control device including a first control unit and a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination. A lighting control system comprising: a lighting device comprising: a lighting control system, wherein the first control unit includes an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command relating to the control of the lighting unit by the second control unit; Instructing the first wireless communication unit to transmit a message including the character string representing the command and instructing the transmission of the command, and then sending a response to the command. A limit value of response time until reception is set as a determination time, the first wireless communication unit transmits the message instructed by the first control unit, and the second wireless communication unit transmits the first Radio communication department sends The second control unit executes processing according to the command included in the message received by the second wireless communication unit, and transmits a response message according to the command. To the second wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication unit transmits the response message instructed by the second control unit, and the first wireless communication unit transmits the second wireless communication. The response message transmitted by the unit is received, and the first control unit determines whether the response message is received within the determination time.

Also, the illumination control system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the command corresponds to a command defined by DALI.

Further, the lighting control system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the message has a format defined by CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol).

In the illumination control system according to another aspect of the present invention, the first control unit represents an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit. A character string is specified as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

In the lighting control system according to another aspect of the present invention, the first control unit and the second control unit communicate according to a protocol stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer. By using the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit, the wireless signal is transmitted and received, and the first control unit or the second control unit uses the MAC used by the application layer process for the communication. A message that specifies layer identification information using a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is generated.

In the lighting control system according to another aspect of the present invention, the MAC layer identification information includes at least one of a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address.

An illumination control method of one embodiment of the present invention includes a control device including a first control unit, a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination unit. An illumination control system including a device includes a control device having a first control unit and a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination device having a lighting unit. In the illumination control system, the first control unit designates a character string representing an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit. The limit value of the response time from when the first wireless communication unit is instructed to transmit a message including the character string representing the command and until the response to the command is received after the command is transmitted. Is set as the judgment time. The first wireless communication unit transmits the message instructed by the first control unit, the second wireless communication unit receives the message transmitted by the first wireless communication unit, and the second control The unit executes processing according to the command included in the message received by the second wireless communication unit, and instructs the second wireless communication unit to transmit a response message according to the command The second wireless communication unit transmits the response message instructed by the second control unit, the first wireless communication unit receives the response message transmitted by the second wireless communication unit, The first control unit determines whether the response message is received within the determination time.

One embodiment of the present invention is a communication system that performs communication using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, and the processing of the application layer is used for the communication. A communication system comprising a controller that generates a message that specifies identification information of a MAC layer to be specified by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, the MAC layer identification information includes at least one of a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the controller controls a device attached to a building through the communication.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, the device attached to the building includes a lighting device.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the message has a format defined by CoAP (ConstrainedtrainApplication Protocol).

Another embodiment of the present invention is a communication method for performing communication using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, and is used for the application layer processing for the communication. The communication method further includes a step of generating a message that specifies identification information of the MAC layer by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

Further, an aspect of the present invention is used for communication in a computer of a communication system that performs communication using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer. This is a program for executing a step of generating a message that specifies identification information of the MAC layer by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

One embodiment of the present invention includes a controller that controls a device attached to a building. The controller and the device each include a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. The controller and the device include a physical layer, In accordance with a protocol stack including a MAC (Media Access Control) layer and an application layer, the wireless communication unit is used to transmit and receive wireless signals, and the controller executes a predetermined program according to the application layer, whereby the device A lighting control system is characterized in that a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address is determined and transmitted to another predetermined program executed in the device according to the application layer.

Also, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the message has a format defined by CoAP (ConstrainedtrainApplication Protocol).

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, the message includes a character string representing the PANID and a short address as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, the message includes a character string or data corresponding to a predetermined command related to lighting control specified by DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). To do.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a lighting control system including a controller that controls a device attached to a building, the controller and the device each include a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. In accordance with a protocol stack comprising a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, wireless signals are transmitted and received using the wireless communication units, and the controller executes a predetermined program according to the application layer. And determining a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the apparatus and transmitting the message to another predetermined program executed in the apparatus according to the application layer. It is.

One embodiment of the present invention is an illumination control system including a controller that controls a device attached to a building. The controller and the device each include a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. The controller and the device are In accordance with a protocol stack comprising a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, wireless signals are transmitted and received using the wireless communication units, and the controller executes a predetermined program according to the application layer. A message for determining a message including a PANID (PersonalsonArea Network ID) and a short address of the device and transmitting it to another predetermined program executed in the device according to the application layer.

According to the present invention, the first controller designates a character string representing a command by designating a character string representing an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to control of the illumination unit by the second controller. The first wireless communication unit is instructed to transmit a message including a column, and the first control unit determines whether a response message is received within the determination time. According to this configuration, since it is possible to access using the address of the second wireless communication unit, it is not necessary to use a system that takes a relatively long processing time for access such as DNS (Domain Name System). In addition, since a command for controlling the illumination unit can be designated, it is possible to easily perform the same control as in the prior art. Furthermore, by determining whether or not a response message has been received within the determination time, for example, it is recognized that the response message has not been returned within the normal time, and in that case, the control state can be reconfirmed. , You can resend the command. Therefore, according to this invention, communication quality in radio | wireless communication can be ensured by a simple method, and lighting equipment can be controlled.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the illumination control system 1 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structural example of the protocol stack applied to the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structural example of URI designated when transmitting the message used with the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the other operation example of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the further another example of operation | movement of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the format of the message transmitted with the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the data hold | maintained with the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lighting control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A lighting control system 1 (communication system) shown in FIG. 1 includes a building management system 11, a lighting controller 12, a terminal 13, a wired controller 14, a lighting device 15 with a wired dimming function, and a wireless controller 16. With. The illumination control system 1 further includes an illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function, a wireless unit 18, a sensor 19, a wireless unit 20, a fan 21, an external wireless unit 22, and an illumination device 23 with a dimming function. A setting unit 24, an operation unit 25, a wireless unit 26, a switch 27, a switch 28, and a lighting device 29 with a dimming function.

The building management system 11 is configured to include a computer and its peripheral devices. By executing a predetermined program on the computer, the operating state and energy of facilities such as lighting equipment and air-conditioning equipment installed in the building are recorded. A function for accumulating and managing data indicating consumption and the like is provided.

The lighting controller 12 is connected to the building management system 11 via a communication line 31, connected to a terminal 13 via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 32, and a communication line 33 such as RS-485 and the like. The communication line 34 is connected to the wired controller 14 and the wireless controller 16, and the communication line 43 is connected to the wireless unit 26. Here, RS-485 is a serial communication standard standardized by the Electronic Industries Association of the United States. The lighting controller 12 includes a computer and its peripheral devices, and the building management system 11, the terminal 13, the sensor 19, the wired controller 14, and the wireless controller 16 are executed by the computer executing a predetermined program. Are transmitted and received, and the lighting device with wired dimming function 15, the lighting device with wireless dimming function 17, the lighting device with dimming function 23, and the fan 21 are controlled.

The terminal 13 includes a computer and its peripheral devices. The terminal 13 accesses a lighting controller 12 in accordance with a user instruction by executing a predetermined program on the computer. For example, the lighting device with a wired dimming function is provided. 15. Set or change the control content for the illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function, or monitor the control status.

The wired controller 14 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and is connected via a communication cable 35 based on a signal received from the lighting controller 12, for example, by executing a predetermined program with the microcomputer. The lighting device with wired dimming function 15 is controlled. The wired controller 14 controls the illumination device 15 with a wired dimming function using a command and a communication signal according to DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), for example. The lighting device with a wired dimming function 15 is an illumination that uses an LED, a fluorescent lamp, or the like as a light source, and performs dimming control or on / off control of the light source according to a control signal received from the wired controller 14. .

For example, a switch 27 or the like is connected to the wired controller 14 via the wiring 44, and the wired controller 14 acquires the state of the switch 27 switched by the user's operation. The wired controller 14 may adjust the lighting state of the lighting device 15 with wired dimming function based on the acquired state of the switch 27. The switch 27 corresponds to DALI. Other devices corresponding to DALI other than the switch 27 may be connected to the wired controller 14 via the wiring 44.

The wireless controller 16 includes a control unit 161, a wireless communication unit 162, an interface (IF) unit 163, a PANID setting unit 164, and a wireless channel (ch) setting unit 165. The control unit 161 is, for example, a microcomputer with a built-in communication function, volatile and non-volatile memory, etc., and executes a program stored in the non-volatile memory to communicate with the lighting controller 12 or wireless communication. It communicates with the illuminating device 17 with a wireless light control function etc. via the part 162. The wireless controller 16 controls the illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal 36 via the wireless communication unit 162 based on a signal received from the illumination controller 12, for example. The wireless communication unit 162 includes, for example, the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function, the external wireless unit 22 and the setting unit 24 by wireless communication according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard such as IEEE802.15.4. A predetermined signal is transmitted and received. Further, the wireless communication unit 162 may include a nonvolatile memory that stores predetermined setting information in a rewritable manner. Further, the control unit 161 of the wireless controller 16 changes the setting of the wireless communication unit 162 based on command information received from the setting device 24 via the wireless signal 305, for example. The interface unit 163 is connected to the switch 28 and the like via the wiring 45, and the interface unit 163 acquires the state of the switch 28 switched by the user's operation. The interface unit 163 may adjust the lighting state of the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function based on the acquired state of the switch 28. The switch 28 corresponds to DALI, and other devices corresponding to DALI other than the switch 28 may be connected to the interface unit 163. The controller 161 of the wireless controller 16 controls the lighting device 29 with a dimming function using, for example, a command and a communication signal according to DALI. The illumination device with dimming function 29 is illumination corresponding to DALI, and performs dimming control or on / off control of the illumination unit (light source) according to a control signal received from the wireless controller 16. To do.

The PANID setting unit 164 includes, for example, a rotary switch, a DIP (Dual In-line Package) switch, and the like. For example, a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) that is a 16-bit network identifier is transmitted to the wireless communication unit. Used by the user for 162. However, the PANID setting unit 164 does not have a rotary switch, a DIP switch, or the like, but serves as an interface for inputting / outputting data for storing or changing the PANID in the nonvolatile memory of the control unit 161. It may be configured. That is, for example, the PANID setting unit 164 receives the PANID setting value by communicating with the wireless communication unit 241 of the setting device 24 via the wireless communication unit 162, and receives the PANID received in the nonvolatile memory included in the control unit 161. May be stored, or the received PANID may be stored in a non-volatile memory included in the wireless communication unit 162. In this case, the PANID setting unit 164 may be partly or wholly included in the control unit 161, for example. The PANID is an identifier of a short-range wireless network used by the wireless communication unit 162. For example, wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication unit 162 and the wireless communication unit 171 in which the same PANID is set.

The wireless channel setting unit 165 includes, for example, a rotary switch, a DIP switch, and the like, and any one of, for example, an 8-bit wireless channel included in the short-range wireless network is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 162. Is used to set. However, the wireless channel setting unit 165 does not have a rotary switch, a DIP switch, or the like, and is an interface for inputting and outputting data for storing or changing the wireless channel in the nonvolatile memory included in the control unit 161. Etc. may be configured. That is, the wireless channel setting unit 165 receives the wireless channel setting value by communicating with the wireless communication unit 241 of the setting device 24 via the wireless communication unit 162, for example, and receives the set value in the nonvolatile memory included in the control unit 161. The received wireless channel may be stored, or the received wireless channel may be stored in a nonvolatile memory included in the wireless communication unit 162. In this case, the wireless channel setting unit 165 may be partly or wholly included in the control unit 161, for example. Wireless communication is executed between the wireless communication unit 162 and the wireless communication unit 171 that use the same wireless channel.

The illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function includes a wireless communication unit 171, a control unit 172, and an illumination unit 173. Similarly to the wireless communication unit 162, the wireless communication unit 171 performs wireless communication in accordance with a predetermined short-range wireless network standard. The control unit 172 is, for example, a microcomputer with a built-in communication function, volatile and non-volatile memory, and the like. By executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory, the controller for wireless is connected via the wireless communication unit 171. 16 or the setting device 24, or the lighting unit 173 is controlled. The illumination unit 173 is illumination using, for example, an LED or an inverter-controlled fluorescent lamp (Hf) as a light source. The control unit 172 performs dimming control or on / off control of the illumination unit 173 according to a message received from the wireless controller 16 or the setting device 24. Moreover, the control part 172 of the illuminating device 17 with a wireless light control function changes the setting of the wireless communication part 171 based on the command information received from the setting device 24 via the wireless signal 304, for example.

The wireless unit 18 inputs a predetermined detection signal output from the sensor 19 via a predetermined communication line 40 or wirelessly communicates with the wireless unit 26 by wireless communication according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard. The signal 37 is transmitted and received. The sensor 19 is, for example, a human sensor that detects the presence of a person or a detector such as temperature, humidity, and illuminance, and transmits a signal representing a detection result to the illumination controller 12 via the wireless unit 18 and the wireless unit 26. To do.

The wireless unit 20 outputs a predetermined control signal to the fan 21 via a predetermined communication line 41, or wirelessly communicates with the wireless unit 26 by wireless communication according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard. 38 is transmitted and received. The fan 21 is a fan or a ventilation fan. The fan 21 receives a predetermined control signal transmitted from the wireless unit 26 via the wireless unit 20, and controls on / off of the fan or the ventilation fan or controls the rotation speed. .

The wireless unit 26 is connected to the illumination controller 12 via the communication line 43, communicates with the wireless unit 18 via the wireless signal 37, and communicates with the wireless unit 20 via the wireless signal 38. The wireless unit 26 relays communication between the lighting controller 12 and the wireless unit 18 and between the lighting controller 12 and the wireless unit 20. For example, the wireless unit 26 includes a PLC (programmable logic controller) or the like.

The combination of the external wireless unit 22 and the lighting device with dimming function 23 operates as an illuminating device having a function equivalent to that of the lighting device 17 with wireless dimming function. The external wireless unit 22 includes a wireless communication unit 221 and a control unit 222. The external wireless unit 22 and the lighting device with dimming function 23 are connected via a communication cable 42. The lighting device with dimming function 23 includes a lighting unit 231. The wireless communication unit 221 has the same configuration as the wireless communication unit 171, and transmits a predetermined signal using the wireless signal 39 according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard with the wireless communication unit 162 or the wireless communication unit 241. Send and receive. The control unit 222 is, for example, a microcomputer with a built-in communication function, volatile and non-volatile memory, and the like. By executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory, the wireless controller via the wireless communication unit 221 is executed. 16, and the lighting unit 231 is controlled. The illumination part 231 is illumination which uses LED as a light source, for example. The control unit 222 performs dimming control or on / off control of the illumination unit 231 in accordance with a message received from the wireless controller 16 or the setting device 24. In addition, the control unit 222 of the external wireless unit 22 changes the setting of the wireless communication unit 221 based on command information received from the setting device 24 via the wireless signal 303, for example.

The setting device 24 includes a wireless communication unit 241, a control unit 242, a storage unit 243, and an input / output unit 244. The control unit 242 is a microcomputer with a built-in communication function, volatile and non-volatile memory, for example, and wirelessly by executing a program stored in the storage unit 243 configured with the non-volatile memory. It communicates with the illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function or the like via the communication unit 162, or communicates with the operation device 25. For example, the input / output unit 244 is a touch panel configured integrally with a display unit and an input unit.

For example, the setting device 24 wirelessly transmits / receives a wireless signal 304 via the wireless communication unit 241 based on an instruction received by the input / output unit 244 or based on command information received as the wireless signal 301 from the operation device 25. The lighting device with dimming function 17 and the lighting device with dimming function 23 are controlled. For example, the wireless communication unit 241 performs predetermined communication between the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function and the external wireless unit 22 by wireless communication according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard such as IEEE802.15.4. Send and receive signals.
In addition, the setting device 24 adjusts settings related to communication of the wireless communication unit 162, the wireless communication unit 171, and the wireless communication unit 221 so that the wireless communication unit 162, the wireless communication unit 171, and the wireless communication unit 221 can communicate with each other.

The operation device 25 includes a wireless communication unit 251, a control unit 252, a storage unit 253, and an input / output unit 254. The control unit 252 is a microcomputer having a built-in communication function, volatile and non-volatile memory, for example, and is set by executing a program stored in the storage unit 253 configured with the non-volatile memory. The lighting device 17 or the like with the wireless dimming function is communicated via the device 24 to adjust the lighting state. For example, the input / output unit 254 is a touch panel configured integrally with a display unit and an input unit.
For example, based on an instruction received by the input / output unit 254, the operation device 25 transmits and receives the wireless signal 301 via the wireless communication unit 251 to connect the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function and the illumination device 23 with the dimming function. Control. For example, the wireless communication unit 251 performs predetermined communication between the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function and the external wireless unit 22 by wireless communication according to a predetermined short-range wireless network standard such as IEEE802.15.4. Send and receive signals.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the following types of wireless addresses are set in the wireless communication unit 162, the wireless communication unit 171, the wireless communication unit 221, and the wireless communication unit 241, and the wireless addresses are set as destinations and transmission sources. Wireless communication is performed. The wireless address can be composed of, for example, an IEEE802.15.4 PANID and a short address. The PANID is a 16-bit identifier for recognizing a network group. The short address is a 16-bit address dynamically allocated by a management device or the like on the network.
For example, a 920 MHz band is used as a frequency band used for communication between the wireless communication unit 162, the wireless communication unit 171, the wireless communication unit 221, and the wireless communication unit 241. The wireless method using the 920 MHz band is superior in communication distance and wraparound characteristics as compared to the wireless method using the 2.4 GHz band. By using the 920 MHz band having the above characteristics, communication can be performed with a relatively small transmission power, and the power related to the wireless communication is compared with that of the wireless system using the 2.4 GHz band. Can be reduced. In addition, by using the 920 MHz band, it is possible to communicate with a lighting apparatus 50 m or more away from the controller even in an indoor space.

Also, messages according to, for example, CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) are exchanged between the control unit 161, the control unit 172, the control unit 222, and the setting device 24. CoAP is one of protocols suitable for M2M (Machine to Machine) according to REST (Representational State to Transfer). CoAP has features such as a small packet header and stateless single message exchange.

Note that the configuration of the illumination control system 1 of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 may be changed as follows, for example. For example, instead of the wireless unit 26, the wireless communication unit 162 of the wireless controller 16 may communicate with the wireless unit 18 or the wireless unit 20. Further, the switch 28, the lighting device 29 with dimming function, and the IF unit 163 included in the wireless controller 16 may be omitted.

Next, an example of the operation of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation example of the illumination control system 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 2B is a sequence diagram showing the contents of the wireless communication unit setting process (step S200) shown in FIG. 2A.

(Initial state setting process)
In FIG. 2A, first, the illumination control system 1 performs an initial state setting process (step S100). For example, the control unit 242 of the setting device 24 acquires various setting data for wireless communication as the setting data TBL (step S121). In the setting data TBL, for example, data indicating the PAN ID and the wireless channel used by the wireless communication unit 162 is registered. On the other hand, the illuminating device 17 with the wireless dimming function is installed (step S141) and then turned on (powered on) (step S142). After the power is turned on, the control unit 172 of the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function executes its own initialization process to set the lighting state of the lighting unit 173 to a lighting state that saves power (step S142). Next, the control unit 172 determines whether or not to transit to a maintenance mode for performing various settings. For example, the determination as to whether or not to transit to the maintenance mode may be based on whether or not a predetermined signal has been received before a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on. After transitioning to the maintenance mode according to the determination result, the control unit 172 causes the illumination unit 173 to display that the state has transitioned to the maintenance mode (step S143). For example, the maintenance mode may be displayed by setting the illumination unit 173 to a predetermined lighting state.

(Wireless communication part setting process)
Subsequently, the illumination control system 1 performs a wireless communication unit setting process (step S200). 2B, for example, the control unit 242 of the setting device 24 sends a setting instruction command (command information) to the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function (step S221). In response to the “setting instruction command (command information)” from the setting device 24, the control unit 172 of the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function transitions to the setting registration mode (step S241). The “setting registration mode” is an operation mode in which various variables of the wireless communication unit 171 and the illumination unit 173 are set. The control unit 172 transmits individual identification information for identifying each lighting device on a wireless signal (step S242). The control unit 242 receives the wireless signal from the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function and collects the received individual identification information (step S222). The control unit 242 creates an equipment list using the received individual identification information, and writes the created equipment list in the setting data TBL (step S223). The control unit 242 transmits the individual setting data of the wireless communication unit 171 on the wireless signal (step S224). For example, the individual setting data of the wireless communication unit 171 includes a wireless communication channel number (wireless channel) used for communication, network identification information (PANID), an encryption key used when encrypting and decrypting communication data, and a link Address information (short address) used for control. The control unit 172 receives the individual setting data of the wireless communication unit 171 from the setting device 24, writes the received individual setting data in the storage area of the control unit 172 (step S244), and displays the writing status (step S245). . The setting data TBL can store information indicating the correspondence between individual identification information such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address and the DALI address.

Next, the control unit 242 of the setting device 24 sends a setting instruction command (command information) to the wireless controller 16 (step S225). The controller 161 of the wireless controller 16 receives the “setting instruction command (command information)” from the setting device 24, and transitions to the setting registration mode (step S215). The “setting registration mode” in this case is an operation mode in which various variables of the wireless communication unit 162 are set. The control unit 161 transmits individual identification information for identifying its own device (for example, the wireless communication unit 162) on the wireless signal (step S216). The control unit 242 receives the wireless signal from the wireless controller 16 and collects the received individual identification information (step S226). The control unit 242 creates an equipment list using the received individual identification information, and writes the created equipment list in the setting data TBL (step S227). The control unit 242 transmits the individual setting data of the wireless communication unit 162 including various setting data for wireless communication and the setting information of the lighting device on a wireless signal (step S228).

The control unit 161 of the wireless controller 16 receives various setting data for wireless communication and the setting information of the lighting device, and writes the received individual setting data as setting data TBL in the storage area of the control unit 161 (step S218). ). FIG. 9 shows an example of individual setting data (setting data TBL) of the wireless communication unit 162. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the setting data TBL includes a wireless parameter, a DALI parameter, and parameters other than the DALI parameter. The wireless parameters include a wireless communication channel number (wireless channel) used for communication, network identification information (PANID), an encryption key used when encrypting and decrypting communication data, and address information (short address) used for link control. ) Etc. However, the encryption key may be omitted. The DALI parameter includes a value at the time of starting the dimming level, a maximum value, a minimum value, an abnormal value, information for setting a set of a plurality of parameters as a scene, information representing a group to be collectively controlled, and the like. Parameters other than the DALI parameter include a PWM frequency, a physical minimum level, a setting value of a duty ratio at the time of startup, and the like. When the wireless parameter is received, the control unit 161 of the wireless controller 16 sets various variables of the wireless communication unit 162 to predetermined values, for example. That is, for example, the control unit 161 sets the PANID and the wireless channel used by the wireless communication unit 162 (for example, hands over those setting values to the driver of the wireless communication unit 162).

(Lighting control information setting process)
Subsequently, the illumination control system 1 performs illumination control information setting processing (step S300). For example, the wireless controller 16 receives command information for instructing the setting of the individual illumination information, and puts the instruction information for instructing the setting of the individual illumination information on the wireless signal to the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function. Send. For example, the individual illumination information includes data such as fade rate, fade time, group number (step S311). When receiving the command information for instructing the setting of the individual illumination information, the control unit 172 of the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function writes the individual illumination information in the storage area of the control unit 172 (step S341). With the above processing, the lighting control system 1 finishes each of the “initial state setting processing”, “wireless communication unit setting processing”, and “lighting control information setting processing”, and performs the lighting adjustment processing (step S400). The illumination adjustment process adjusts the lighting state of the illumination unit 173 included in the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function by transmitting and receiving a predetermined wireless signal between the wireless controller 16 and the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function. It is processing to do.

Next, the configuration of a protocol stack used in wireless communication between the wireless controller 16 and the illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function (or the external wireless unit 22) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of a protocol stack applied to wireless communication between the wireless controller 16 and the lighting device 17 with a wireless dimming function in the lighting control system 1 shown in FIG. It is. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wireless controller 16 and the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function use the

wireless communication units

162 and 171 according to the protocol stack including the physical layer 401, the MAC layer 402, and the application layer 403. Wireless signals. In the present embodiment, the physical layer 401 can be compliant with the protocol specified by IEEE 802.15.4g PHY, and the MAC layer 402 can be compliant with the protocol specified by IEEE 802.15.4 MAC. can do. Further, the application layer 403 can make a message that is transmitted and received between the wireless controller 16 and the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function compliant with CoAP. That is, by executing a predetermined program according to the protocol of the application layer 403, the control unit 161 of the wireless controller 16 and the control unit 172 of the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function can transmit and receive a message conforming to CoAP, A program for performing processing based on the content of the message is executed. The control unit 161 of the wireless controller 16 generates a message conforming to CoAP or converts a command conforming to DALI into a message conforming to CoAP by executing a program according to the protocol of the application layer 403, for example. To do. Moreover, the control part 172 of the illuminating device 17 with a wireless light control function controls the illumination part 173 (FIG. 1) based on the content of the message based on received CoAP, for example.

For example, in the lighting control system 1 of this embodiment, the wireless controller 16 and the lighting device 17 with a wireless dimming function are connected to each wireless communication unit according to the protocol stack 400 including the physical layer 401, the MAC layer 402, and the application layer 403. When transmitting and receiving wireless signals using 162 and 171, the wireless controller 16 executes a predetermined program according to the application layer 403, so that a message including the PANID and the short address of the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function is received. It determines and transmits with respect to the other predetermined | prescribed program run according to the application layer 403 in the illuminating device 17 with a wireless light control function.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, a configuration example of messages transmitted and received according to the application layer 403 between the wireless controller 16 and the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function or the external wireless unit 22 will be described. . When the control unit 161 transmits a CoAP message indicating a command for controlling the illumination unit 173 to the control unit 172, the control unit 161 specifies the URI of the following format and the type of the CoAP method, Furthermore, parameters are designated as necessary, and the wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit a wireless signal including a CoAP message. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a URI used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows the general format of the URI specified when transmitting the CoAP message in this embodiment, and FIG. 4B shows one format of the resource <resource> shown in FIG. FIG. 4C shows a specific example of a URI. In the present embodiment, “coap” representing a URI scheme defined in RFC3986 is arranged at the head of a URI when a CoAP message is transmitted. Next, PANID <panid> indicating the destination wireless address is placed after “coap”, followed by the symbol “: //”, and a short address <short address> is placed, further sandwiching the symbol “:”. The <Panid> and <short address> are expressed in hexadecimal. The PANID <panid>, the symbol “:”, and the short address <short address> are URI authorities defined by RFC3986. The URI of this embodiment includes at least PANID <panid> and <short address>. Contains. Furthermore, the resource name <resource> follows with the symbol “/” in between. Then, the query parameter <query> follows with the symbol “?” In between. In the present embodiment, the resource name <resource> is a character string representing a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit 173 by the control unit 172 or the control of the illumination unit 231 by the control unit 222, for example.

The resource name <resource> takes, for example, the format shown in FIG. That is, “levels” and “actual” shown in FIG. 4B are “DIRECT ARC POWER CONTROL” commands (= any dimming according to the fade time) among the commands for manipulating the dimming levels specified by DALI. Command for dimming the level) or “QUERY ACTUAL LEVEL” command (= command for inquiring about the current dimming level). Which of the two commands is represented depends on the type of CoAP method specified in the CoAP message. In <channel>, for example, when the wireless communication unit 171 or the wireless communication unit 221 has a plurality of output channels, a value specifying a channel number is set. For example, when the output channel is one channel, <channel> = <0> is set.

There are four types of CoAP methods: GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE. GET is a method for acquiring information corresponding to the resource identified by the URI. PUT is a method that requests updating or creating a resource identified by a URI with data included in a message. POST is a method for requesting processing for data included in a message. DELETE is a method for requesting deletion of the resource identified by the URI.

For example, when the CoAP method is “PUT”, when the resource name <resource> is “/ levels / <channel> / actual” shown in FIG. 4B, “DIRECT ARC” with respect to <channel>. Execution of the “POWER CONTROL” command is instructed. In this case, data indicating the dimming level is enclosed in the CoAP message. On the other hand, when the CoAP method is “GET”, when the resource name <resource> is “/ levels / <channel> / actual” shown in FIG. 4B, “QUERY ACTUAL” is set for <channel>. The execution of the “LEVEL” command is instructed. In this case, the CoAP message may not include data indicating parameters in particular.

In the specific example of the URI shown in FIG. 4C, for example, if the address of the wireless communication unit 171 is “0021: 1E94”, the wireless communication unit 171 having a PANID of 0x0021 and a short address of 0x1E94 is connected. This is information for instructing the control unit 172 to execute a “DIRECT ARC POWER CONTROL” command or a “QUERY ACTUAL LEVEL” command represented by “/ levels / 0 / actual”.

The resource name described with reference to FIG. 4 is an example, and a plurality of other resource names can be prepared corresponding to other commands of DALI.

Note that the format of the CoAP message is composed of fields 51 to 59 as shown in FIG. A 2-bit field 51 represents a CoAP version number. A 2-bit field 52 represents the type of message. This indicates whether the message is “Conformable” (message requesting a response), “Non-Conformable” (message not requesting response), “Acknowledgement”, or “Reset” message.

The 4-bit field 53 represents the token length. The token is a continuous number for collating the request message and the response message, and can be set to a length of 0 to 8 bytes. An 8-bit field 54 represents a message code. The message code is divided into 3 bits representing the class and 5 bits representing the details. The class indicates that the message is a request, indicates that the message is a successful response, indicates that the message is a client error response, and indicates that the message is a server error response There are things. More specifically, data indicating whether the CoAP method is GET, PUT, POST, or DELETE, data indicating the content of a response, and the like are defined. A 16-bit field 55 represents a message ID (identifier). The message ID is information for uniquely identifying the message, and is used for detecting duplication of a message, or for comparing a request and a response, or a “Conformable” and a “Non-Comfortable”.

The above fields 51 to 55 are the header of the CoAP message. Fields 56 to 59 are arbitrary fields. The field 56 stores the value of the token having the length specified in the field 53 indicating the token length. The field 57 stores 0 or multiple byte option information. The option information includes data indicating a URI path (a character string indicated as <resource> in FIG. 4) and the like.

The field 59 stores optional payload information. For example, a dimming level instruction value can be stored in the payload. The field 59 is prefixed with fixed 1-byte (0xFF) data shown as the field 58 in FIG. Each field can store arbitrary data, not limited to ASCII characters.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the exchange of messages between the wireless controller 16 and the illumination device with wireless dimming function 17 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 171 is set to “0021: 1E94”.

Now, it is assumed that a command to be issued to the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function is generated in the control unit 161 (S11). For example, when the application program executed by the control unit 161 determines to issue a command by itself based on time information, information acquired from the sensor 19, or the like, when the lighting controller 12 instructs to issue a command, A command is issued when a command is issued from the terminal 13 according to a user operation. In this example, it is assumed that in S11, issuance of a command for inquiring the current dimming level is determined for channel 0 of the wireless communication unit 171.

The control unit 161 calculates the arrival time zone of the response message that is expected when the command is issued to the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function, and sets it as the determination time (S12). When the response message arrives before or after the determination time in S <b> 19 described later, the control unit 161 determines that some problem may have occurred.

Next, the control unit 161 designates the URI as “coap: // 0021: 1E94 / levels / 0 / actual” and instructs the wireless communication unit 162 to transmit a message with the CoAP method set to “GET”. (S13). The wireless communication unit 162 has data indicating that the method is “GET” in the header of the CoAP message, and data indicating that the URI path (that is, resource) is “/ levels / 0 / actual” in the field storing the option. A CoAP message is stored. Then, the wireless communication unit 162 generates a wireless packet including the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, uses the wireless address set in the own device as the transmission source address, and the wireless address “0021: 1E94” of the wireless communication unit 171. And a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S14).

Next, the wireless communication unit 171 receives a wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts a CoAP message, indicates that the CoAP method is “GET”, the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, and the like. Data is transferred to the control unit 172 (S15). Since the CoAP method is “GET” and the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, the control unit 172 recognizes that the instructed command is a “QUERY ACTUAL LEVEL” command by DALI. . Then, the control unit 172 instructs the wireless communication unit 171 to return a response message containing the current dimming level value (“0x80”) of the illumination unit 173 as a command execution result ( S16).

The wireless communication unit 171 creates a CoAP message in which the code “2.05” (Content) is stored in the CoAP header and “0x80” is stored in the payload in response to an instruction from the control unit 172. Then, the wireless communication unit 162 generates a wireless packet that includes the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, and uses the wireless address set in its own device as the transmission source address and the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 162 as the transmission destination address. Then, a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S17). Next, the wireless communication unit 162 receives the wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts the CoAP message, the code of the CoAP header is “2.05” (Content), and “0x80” is stored in the payload. The data indicating that the user is present is handed over to the control unit 161 (S18).

The control unit 161 determines whether or not the time when the response message (that is, the response message) for the request message (that is, the request message) instructed to be transmitted in S13 is received from the wireless communication unit 162 is within the determination time set in S12. Determine (S19). When the control unit 161 determines that it is within the determination time, for example, based on the current dimming level included in the response message, a predetermined process of recording data or transferring acquired data to the lighting controller 12 is performed. Do. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is earlier or later than the determination time, the control unit 161 issues, for example, a request message indicating the same command again or indicates that the response message could not be received within the determination time. Or process to notify.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the exchange of messages between the wireless controller 16 and the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to another example. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 171 is set to “0021: 1E94”.

Now, it is assumed that a command to be issued to the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function is generated in the control unit 161 (S31). In this example, it is assumed that in S31, issuance of a command for dimming the current dimming level to “0x50” is determined for channel 0 of the wireless communication unit 171.

The control unit 161 calculates the arrival time zone of the response message that is expected when the command is issued to the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function, and sets it as the determination time (S32). When the response message arrives before or after the determination time in S40, which will be described later, the control unit 161 determines that some problem may have occurred.

Next, the control unit 161 designates the URI as “coap: // 0021: 1E94 / levels / 0 / actual”, sets the CoAP method to “PUT”, and sets the instruction value “0x50” of the dimming level to the payload. The wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit the stored message (S33). The wireless communication unit 162 has data indicating that the method is “PUT” in the header of the CoAP message, and data indicating that the URI path (ie, resource) is “/ levels / 0 / actual” in the field storing the option. And a CoAP message storing data indicating the instruction value “0x50” in the payload. Then, the wireless communication unit 162 generates a wireless packet including the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, uses the wireless address set in the own device as the transmission source address, and the wireless address “0021: 1E94” of the wireless communication unit 171. And a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S34).

Next, the wireless communication unit 171 receives a wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts a CoAP message, the CoAP method is “PUT”, the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, and the payload The data indicating that the content of the data stored in “0x50” is transferred to the control unit 172 (S35). Since the CoAP method is “PUT” and the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, the control unit 172 recognizes that the instructed command is a “DIRECT ARC POWER CONTROL” command by DALI. To do. Then, the control unit 172 sets the dimming level to the instruction value “0x50” / “0xFE” (0xFE is the instruction value of the dimming level 100%) × 100% duty ratio (= on / (on + off) time ratio) Is generated and output to the illumination unit 173 (S36). Then, the control unit 172 instructs the wireless communication unit 171 to return a response message containing the current dimming level value (“0x50”) after the change of the illumination unit 173 as the command execution result. (S37).

The wireless communication unit 171 creates a CoAP message in which the code “2.04” (Changed) is stored in the CoAP header and “0x50” is stored in the payload in response to an instruction from the control unit 172. Then, the wireless communication unit 171 generates a wireless packet including the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, and uses the wireless address set in the device as the transmission source address and the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 162 as the transmission destination address. Then, a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S38). Next, the wireless communication unit 162 receives the wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts the CoAP message, the code of the CoAP header is “2.04” (Changed), and “0x50” is stored in the payload. The data indicating that the user is present is handed over to the control unit 161 (S39).

The control unit 161 determines whether or not the time when the response message (that is, the response message) for the request message (that is, the request message) instructed to be transmitted in S33 is received from the wireless communication unit 162 is within the determination time set in S32. Determine (S40). When the control unit 161 determines that it is within the determination time, for example, based on the current dimming level included in the response message, a predetermined process of recording data or transferring acquired data to the lighting controller 12 is performed. Do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time is earlier or later than the determination time, the control unit 161 issues, for example, a request message that instructs the same command again, issues a command that inquires about the current dimming level, Or processing for notifying the illumination controller 12 that the response message could not be received.

Next, message exchange between the wireless controller 16 shown in FIG. 1, the external wireless unit 22, and the lighting device with dimming function 23 will be described with reference to FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 221 is set to “0021: 1E95”.

Now, it is assumed that a command to be issued to the lighting device with dimming function 23 is generated in the control unit 161 (S51). In this example, it is assumed that a command for dimming the current dimming level to “0x50” is determined for channel 0 of the wireless communication unit 221 in S51.

The control unit 161 calculates an arrival time zone of a response message that is expected when the command is issued to the lighting device with dimming function 23, and sets it as a determination time (S52). When the response message arrives before or after the determination time in S60, which will be described later, the control unit 161 determines that some problem may have occurred.

Next, the control unit 161 designates the URI as “coap: // 0021: 1E95 / levels / 0 / actual”, sets the CoAP method to “PUT”, and sets the instruction value “0x50” of the dimming level to the payload. The wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit the stored message (S53). The wireless communication unit 162 has data indicating that the method is “PUT” in the header of the CoAP message, and data indicating that the URI path (ie, resource) is “/ levels / 0 / actual” in the field storing the option. And a CoAP message storing data indicating the instruction value “0x50” in the payload. Then, the wireless communication unit 162 generates a wireless packet including the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, uses the wireless address set in the own device as the transmission source address, and the wireless address “0021: 1E95” of the wireless communication unit 221. Is used as a transmission destination address, and a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S54).

Next, the wireless communication unit 221 receives a wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts a CoAP message, the CoAP method is “PUT”, the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, and the payload Data indicating that the content of the data stored in “0x50” is delivered to the control unit 222 (S55). Since the CoAP method is “PUT” and the resource is “/ levels / 0 / actual”, the control unit 222 recognizes that the instructed command is a “DIRECT ARC POWER CONTROL” command by DALI. To do. Then, the control unit 222 sets the dimming level to the instruction value “0x50” / “0xFE” (0xFE is the instruction value of the dimming level 100%) × 100% duty ratio (= on / (on + off) time ratio). For example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal is output to control the illumination unit 231 (S56). Then, the control unit 222 instructs the wireless communication unit 221 to return a response message including the current dimming level value (“0x50”) after the change of the illumination unit 231 as a command execution result. (S57).

The wireless communication unit 221 creates a CoAP message in which the code “2.04” (Changed) is stored in the CoAP header and “0x50” is stored in the payload in response to an instruction from the control unit 222. Then, the wireless communication unit 221 generates a wireless packet including the created CoAP message in the payload of the wireless packet, and uses the wireless address set in the device as the transmission source address and the wireless address of the wireless communication unit 162 as the transmission destination address. Then, a wireless packet is transmitted according to a predetermined wireless protocol using the set wireless channel (S58). Next, the wireless communication unit 162 receives the wireless packet addressed to itself, extracts the CoAP message, the code of the CoAP header is “2.04” (Changed), and “0x50” is stored in the payload. The data indicating that the user is present is handed over to the control unit 161 (S59).

The control unit 161 determines whether or not the time when the response message (that is, the response message) for the request message (that is, the request message) instructed to be transmitted in S53 is received from the wireless communication unit 162 is within the determination time set in S52. Determine (S60). When the control unit 161 determines that it is within the determination time, for example, based on the current dimming level included in the response message, a predetermined process of recording data or transferring acquired data to the lighting controller 12 is performed. Do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time is earlier or later than the determination time, the control unit 161 issues, for example, a request message that instructs the same command again, issues a command that inquires about the current dimming level, Or processing for notifying the illumination controller 12 that the response message could not be received.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 161 has the character string representing the address of the

wireless communication unit

171 or 221 and the predetermined command related to the control of the

illumination unit

173 or 231 by the

control unit

172 or 222. Is specified, the wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit a message including a character string representing a command, and the control unit 161 determines whether a response message is received within the determination time. According to this configuration, since access can be performed using the address of the

wireless communication unit

171 or 221, it is not necessary to use a system that takes a relatively long processing time for access, such as DNS (Domain Name System). In addition, since a command for controlling the

illumination units

173 and 231 can be directly specified, the same control as in the past can be easily performed. Furthermore, by determining whether or not a response message has been received within the determination time, for example, it is recognized that the response message has not been returned within the normal time, and in that case, the control state can be reconfirmed. , You can resend the command. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting equipment while ensuring the communication quality in wireless communication by a simple method.

Further, according to the present embodiment, commands for controlling the illumination unit 173 and the illumination unit 231 at a predefined command level are included in the URI. Therefore, command designation can be realized in the form of access to a URI. Therefore, according to this embodiment, cooperation of a plurality of software can be appropriately achieved easily. That is, the software executed by the control unit 161 and the software executed by the control unit 172 and the software executed by the control unit 222 can be appropriately linked. Further, since the message is generated in accordance with HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and CoAP that can be easily converted, cooperation with software using HTTP can be easily performed.

In addition, since the command included in the URI is made to correspond to the command specified by DALI, versatility can be improved and it can be used in many lighting devices. Further, since the message format has a format defined by CoAP, versatility can be improved.

In the above embodiment, since there is not necessarily a restriction that TCP must be used, for example, on the physical layer 401 and the MAC layer 402 (data link layer) for wireless communication, the application layer 403 is set to DALI. It is possible to devise a combination of protocols, such as using a protocol stack equipped with software to perform compliant command conversion and control processing, etc. Expected to reduce the data amount of one message by the combination it can. In addition, it is possible to easily ensure responsiveness by adopting a configuration in which time does not fluctuate easily.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, an instruction to create and transmit a CoAP message performed by the control unit 161 included in the wireless controller can be performed from the lighting controller 12, the terminal 13, or the building management system 11. In that case, the control unit 161 can be regarded as functioning integrally with a control unit such as a computer included in the lighting controller 12, the terminal 13, or the building management system 11. In addition, the lighting control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 can appropriately make changes such as integrating the blocks or separating and arranging the blocks. Further, the processing performed by each block can be appropriately executed in other blocks or can be executed in a distributed manner. 1 can be distributed via a computer-readable recording medium or a communication line, part or all of the program executed by the computer included in each block shown in FIG.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the control unit 161 designates a character string representing the address of the wireless communication unit 171 and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit 173 by the control unit 172, whereby the command The wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit a message including a character string representing “”, and the control unit 161 determines whether a response message has been received within the determination time. According to this configuration, since the access can be performed using the address of the wireless communication unit 171, it is not necessary to use a system such as DNS that requires a relatively long processing time for access. In addition, since a command for controlling the illumination unit 173 can be designated, it is possible to easily perform the same control as in the prior art. Furthermore, by determining whether or not a response message has been received within the determination time, for example, it is recognized that the response message has not been returned within the normal time, and in that case, the control state can be reconfirmed. , You can resend the command. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting equipment while ensuring the communication quality in wireless communication by a simple method.

Also, as described above, the illumination control system 1 can individually control the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function via the wireless controller 16 based on a user operation. Moreover, the illumination control system 1 individually controls each illumination device such as the illumination device with a light control function 23 and the illumination device with a light control function 29 by the same process in addition to the illumination device with a wireless light control function 17. be able to. In addition, by registering a plurality of lighting devices to be controlled together in the same group, it is possible to instruct to adjust the dimming rate of the lighting devices in the group by a single operation. The lighting control system 1 can control lighting devices such as the lighting device 17 with a wireless dimming function individually or in groups by a user operation or control from the building management system 11.

Further, the illumination control system 1 may control the illumination device 17 with the wireless dimming function using various sensors. For example, the lighting control system 1 may perform automatic control that adjusts the lighting state of each lighting device individually or collectively so as to effectively use daylight using a sensor that measures brightness.

Further, the lighting control system 1 is controlled based on a turn-off control when the user is absent or a preset schedule by linking with a human sensor, an entrance / exit security system (not shown), a schedule system, and the like. May be.
Thereby, the illumination control system 1 controls the lighting state in a lump without performing the control for adjusting the lighting state in units of areas based on a preset schedule or the turning-off control when the user is absent. Compared with, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption by an illuminating device.

Moreover, the illumination control system 1 may apply the dimming control method prescribed | regulated to DALI or the dimming control method by PWM control as a method of the dimming control with respect to an illuminating device.
The building management system 11 can be configured as a building energy management system (BEMS (Building Energy Management System)) that manages the control states of various facilities (not shown). For example, the lighting control system 1 may be configured to visualize the use status of energy such as the control status of the air conditioning equipment and the power consumption amount in cooperation with various facilities related to the building management system 11.

Further, when the lighting control system 1 is configured to use a wireless communication line, it is possible to eliminate the need for control wiring for connecting each lighting device included in the range using the wireless communication line. In the above case, according to the lighting control system 1, when the system is introduced or when the building is renewed or the office layout is changed, the wiring for control is laid or changed in each lighting device. Wiring work is unnecessary.

Also, the lighting control system 1 can be configured without the automatic control function corresponding to various sensors. In such a configuration, it is possible to control the lighting state of the lighting device via the wireless communication line by operating the setting device 24, the operation device 25, or the like. When configured as described above, the system can be configured without using a gateway or the like for converting the communication method, and the configuration of the illumination control system 1 can be simplified. For example, the setting device 24 and the operation device 25 may be portable terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals. Thereby, the illumination control system 1 can control the lighting fixture with a light control function wirelessly for every lamp from terminal devices, such as a smart phone and a tablet terminal.

In addition, the lighting control system 1 uses a brightness sensor or a human sensor to suppress the use of the lighting device in the daytime period or automatically turn off the light when it is absent. The state can be finely controlled, and the power consumption of lighting can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, when the wireless controller 16 and the lighting device 17 with the wireless dimming function communicate using the protocol stack structure including the physical layer, the MAC layer, and the application layer, the wireless controller 16 The processing of the application layer generates a message specifying the identification information of the MAC layer used for communication by URI, but the same configuration can be adopted not only for wireless but also for wired communication. For example, between the wired controller 14 and the lighting device 15 with wired dimming function shown in FIG. 1, physical communication is performed between the wired controller 14 and the lighting device 15 with wired dimming function, instead of DALI communication. Communication is performed using a protocol stack structure including a layer, a MAC layer, and an application layer. In the wired controller 14, the application layer process generates a message specifying the identification information of the MAC layer used for communication with a URI. You can do that.

By the way, in recent years, in addition to improving the efficiency of equipment that consumes electric power, there has been a demand for evolution of automatic equipment control technology, that is, fine-grained control that suppresses unnecessary electric power while responding to various needs of users. . For such a request, for example, it is a problem to appropriately link a plurality of software such as software for realizing control at a level closer to hardware and software for realizing an easy-to-use user interface. It becomes. In addition, wireless communication has been used for the purpose of collecting sensor information. When other unscheduled systems coexist in the same frequency band, radio communication interference may occur. Even in such a situation where interference occurs, it is necessary to ensure desired communication quality.

However, in order to ensure the communication quality of wireless communication, a configuration is possible in which messages are exchanged using a plurality of software. For example, a protocol such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) can secure communication quality by retransmission processing or the like, but is not suitable for using retransmission processing for control. In particular, when transmission is performed on a wireless line having a relatively low communication speed, it is difficult to strictly manage the time from a request message to a response message for the transmission because the transmission time fluctuates. On the other hand, in DALI, a time limit is determined between a forward frame transmitted from the master to the slave and a backward frame transmitted from the slave to the master as a response to the forward frame. In other words, communication quality is improved by appropriately linking software that has time constraints such as DALI and software that is difficult to keep time constraints, such as software used when communicating using wireless communication. Ensuring is an issue.

This embodiment solves the above-mentioned problem of ensuring communication quality by providing the following configuration. That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 161 designates a character string representing the address of the

wireless communication unit

171 or 221 and a predetermined command related to the control of the

illumination unit

173 or 231 by the

control unit

172 or 222. The wireless communication unit 162 is instructed to transmit a message including a character string representing a command. In addition, the control unit 161 determines whether a response message is received within the determination time. According to this configuration, it is possible to access using the address of the

wireless communication unit

171 or 221. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a system such as DNS that requires a relatively long processing time for access. In addition, since a command for controlling the

illumination unit

173 or 231 can be designated, the same control as in the past can be easily performed. Furthermore, by determining whether or not a response message has been received within the determination time, for example, it is recognized that the response message has not been returned within the normal time, and in that case, the control state can be reconfirmed. , You can resend the command. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting equipment while ensuring the communication quality in wireless communication by a simple method.

The embodiment of the present invention described above can be regarded as having the following aspects.

(1) One aspect of the illumination control system 1 of the present embodiment is a control device (wireless controller 16) having a first control unit (control unit 161) and a first wireless communication unit (wireless communication unit 162). A lighting device (lighting with wireless dimming function) having a second wireless communication unit (wireless communication unit 171 or 221), a second control unit (control unit 172 or 222), and an illumination unit (illumination unit 173 or 231) Device 17 or an external wireless unit 22 and a lighting device with dimming function 23), and the first control unit is configured to transmit the second wireless communication. The first wireless communication unit transmits a message including the character string representing the command by designating a character string representing the address of the unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit Against In addition to instructing, a limit value of a response time from when an instruction to transmit the command is received until a response to the command is received is set as a determination time, and the first wireless communication unit instructs from the first control unit The second wireless communication unit receives the message transmitted by the first wireless communication unit, and the second control unit receives the message received by the second wireless communication unit. The process according to the included command is executed, the response message according to the command is transmitted to the second wireless communication unit, and the second wireless communication unit is configured to transmit the second control unit. The response message instructed by the first wireless communication unit is transmitted, the first wireless communication unit receives the response message transmitted by the second wireless communication unit, and the first control unit within the determination time Serial response message and judging whether or not received.

(2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 according to (1), wherein the command corresponds to a command defined by DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). To do.

(3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 of (1) or (2) above, wherein the message has a format defined by CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol). Features.

(4) One aspect of the present embodiment is the illumination control system 1 according to (1), (2), or (3), in which the first control unit includes the address of the second wireless communication unit, A character string representing a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit is designated as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

(5) One aspect of the present embodiment is the illumination control system 1 according to the above (1), (2), (3), or (4), wherein the first control unit and the second control unit are According to a protocol stack stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit are used to transmit and receive wireless signals, and the first control unit or The second control unit is characterized in that the process of the application layer generates a message specifying MAC layer identification information used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
If it is the lighting control system 1 of embodiment, it will become possible to simplify communication processing and to improve responsiveness by using the message designated as mentioned above.

(6) One aspect of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 of (5) above, wherein the MAC layer identification information includes at least one of a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address. Features.

(7) An aspect of the illumination control method of the present embodiment includes a control device having a first control unit, a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination unit. In a lighting control system comprising a lighting device, a lighting device having a first control unit, a control device having a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and a lighting unit. The first control unit designates a character string representing an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the lighting unit by the second control unit. Thus, the first wireless communication unit is instructed to transmit a message including a character string representing the command, and the response time from when the command is transmitted to when the response to the command is received. Set limit value as judgment time The first wireless communication unit transmits the message instructed by the first control unit, the second wireless communication unit receives the message transmitted by the first wireless communication unit, and 2 The control unit executes processing according to the command included in the message received by the second wireless communication unit, and transmits a response message according to the command to the second wireless communication unit. The second wireless communication unit transmits the response message instructed by the second control unit, and the first wireless communication unit receives the response message transmitted by the second wireless communication unit. The first control unit determines whether or not the response message is received within the determination time.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention described above can be regarded as having the following aspects.
(A1) For example, the lighting control system 1 (communication system) is a communication system that performs communication using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer. Is configured to include a controller (wireless controller 16) that generates a message that specifies identification information of the MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
In such a lighting control system 1, the process of the application layer generates a message specifying the identification information of the MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). Thereby, the lighting control system 1 can use a communication system suitable for controlling lighting equipment using wireless communication.

(A2) In the illumination control system 1 (communication system) of (A1), the MAC layer identification information includes at least one of PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address. Such a lighting control system 1 can specify at least one of PANID (Personal Area で Network ID), which is identification information of the MAC layer, and a short address by processing of the application layer. Thereby, the lighting control system 1 can control lighting equipment using wireless communication.

(A3) Also, in the lighting control system 1 (communication system) of the above (A1) or (A2), the controller (wireless controller 16) is a device (with wireless dimming function) attached to the building through the communication. The lighting device 17) was controlled.
(A4) In the illumination control system 1 (communication system) of (A1), (A2), or (A3) above, the device attached to the building (the illumination device with wireless dimming function 17) is an illumination device (illumination). Part 173).
(A5) In the illumination control system 1 (communication system) of (A1), (A2), (A3) or (A4), the message generated by the controller (wireless controller 16) is CoAP (Constrained Application). Protocol).
Thus, the lighting control system 1 can control the lighting equipment using wireless communication.

(A6) The lighting control system 1 also includes a controller (wireless controller 16) that controls a device attached to the building (lighting device with wireless dimming function 17), and the controller and the device perform wireless communication. Each having a wireless communication unit, the controller and the device transmit and receive wireless signals using the wireless communication units according to a protocol stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, The controller determines a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the device by executing a predetermined program according to the application layer, and performs other predetermined processing executed according to the application layer in the device. Send to the program.
In such a lighting control system 1, a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the device is determined by executing a predetermined program according to the application layer, and the application layer Can be sent to other predetermined programs executed in accordance with
Thereby, the lighting control system 1 can control lighting equipment using wireless communication.

(A7) Further, the message in the lighting control system 1 is configured to include a character string representing the PANID and the short address as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), and is defined by DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). A character string or data corresponding to a predetermined command related to lighting control is included.
Thereby, the lighting control system 1 can control lighting equipment using wireless communication.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, an instruction to create and transmit command information (CoAP message) performed by the control unit 161 included in the wireless controller can be performed from the lighting controller 12, the terminal 13, or the building management system 11. In that case, the control unit 161 can be regarded as functioning integrally with a control unit such as a computer included in the lighting controller 12, the terminal 13, or the building management system 11. In addition, the lighting control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 can appropriately make changes such as integrating the blocks or separating and arranging the blocks. Further, the processing performed by each block can be appropriately executed in other blocks or can be executed in a distributed manner. 1 can be distributed via a computer-readable recording medium or a communication line, part or all of the program executed by the computer included in each block shown in FIG.
Moreover, the illumination control system 1 can also be configured by degenerating a part of the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the illumination control system 1 can be configured to include at least the illumination device 17 with a wireless dimming function and the setting device 24. The lighting control system 1 may further include an operation device 25.

Moreover, although the illumination control system 1 demonstrated as what performs on / off of a lighting part of the said illuminating device, dimming control, etc. for every illuminating device, the lighting part (light source) is turned on / off for every illuminating device. The dimming control included in the adjustment range may be performed, or the lighting unit (light source) may be controlled to be turned on and off for each lighting device.
In the lighting control system 1, the above-described controls can be mixed to have different settings (operation modes) for each lighting device. For example, when using a relatively large space divided into relatively small rooms as necessary, the lighting devices provided in the space can be dimmed or used separately according to the usage state of the space The lighting device may be dimmed in units of rooms or in units of lighting devices. Since the lighting control system 1 is configured to control each lighting device individually, the light control method can be changed according to a change in the usage state of the space.
Moreover, although the illumination control system 1 demonstrated as what implements after setting installation for every lighting fixture, the setting of the lighting fixture already used can be changed according to the procedure similar to the above.
In addition, the “command information for controlling the lighting state of the lighting device” is not limited to the command information for commanding the dimming control for adjusting the lighting state of the lighting device according to the user's operation. Command information for specifying an action can also be included.

1 Lighting control system,
11 Building management system (control device, first control unit),
12 Illumination controller (control device, first control unit),
13 terminals (control device, first control unit, first device),
14 wired controller, 15 lighting device with wired dimming function,
16 Wireless controller (control device),
161 control unit (first control unit),
162 wireless communication unit (first wireless communication unit),
163 interface (IF) section,
164 PANID setting unit, 165 wireless channel (ch) setting unit,
17 Lighting device with wireless dimming function (lighting device),
171 wireless communication unit (second wireless communication unit),
172 control unit (second control unit), 173 illumination unit,
22 External wireless unit,
221 wireless communication unit (second wireless communication unit),
222 control unit (second control unit),
23 Lighting device with dimming function (lighting device), 231 lighting unit,
24 setting device, 241 wireless communication unit, 242 control unit, 243 storage unit,
244 input / output unit,
25 operation unit, 251 wireless communication unit, 252 control unit, 253 storage unit,
254 I / O section,
26 wireless unit, 27, 28 switch, 29 lighting device with dimming function,
400 protocol stack, 401 physical layer, 402 MAC layer, 403 application layer

Claims

An illumination control system including a control device having a first control unit, a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination device having an illumination unit,
The first control unit designates a character string representing the command by specifying an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit. Instructing the first wireless communication unit to transmit a message including the command, and setting a limit value of the response time until the response to the command is received after instructing the transmission of the command, as a determination time,
The first wireless communication unit transmits the message instructed by the first control unit;
The second wireless communication unit receives the message transmitted by the first wireless communication unit;
The second control unit performs processing according to the command included in the message received by the second wireless communication unit, and transmits a response message according to the command to the second wireless communication unit Directed against
The second wireless communication unit transmits the response message instructed by the second control unit;
The first wireless communication unit receives the response message transmitted by the second wireless communication unit;
The lighting control system, wherein the first control unit determines whether or not the response message is received within the determination time.
The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the command corresponds to a command defined by DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface).
The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the message has a format defined by CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol).
The first control unit designates, as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), a character string representing an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The first control unit and the second control unit are:
By communication according to a protocol stack consisting of a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer, the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit are used to transmit and receive wireless signals,
The first control unit or the second control unit is
The illumination according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing of the application layer generates a message that specifies identification information of a MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). Control system.
The lighting control system according to claim 5, wherein the identification information of the MAC layer includes at least one of a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address.
In an illumination control system including a control device having a first control unit, a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination device having an illumination unit,
An illumination control system including a control device having a first control unit, a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, a second control unit, and an illumination device having an illumination unit,
The first control unit designates a character string representing the command by specifying an address of the second wireless communication unit and a predetermined command related to the control of the illumination unit by the second control unit. Instructing the first wireless communication unit to transmit a message including the command, and setting a limit value of the response time until the response to the command is received after instructing the transmission of the command, as a determination time,
The first wireless communication unit transmits the message instructed by the first control unit;
The second wireless communication unit receives the message transmitted by the first wireless communication unit;
The second control unit performs processing according to the command included in the message received by the second wireless communication unit, and transmits a response message according to the command to the second wireless communication unit Directed against
The second wireless communication unit transmits the response message instructed by the second control unit;
The first wireless communication unit receives the response message transmitted by the second wireless communication unit;
The said 1st control part determines whether the said response message was received within the said determination time. The lighting control method characterized by the above-mentioned.
A communication system that communicates using a protocol stack structure comprising a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
A communication system, comprising: a controller that generates a message for designating identification information of a MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
A communication method for communicating using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
The communication method characterized in that the processing of the application layer includes a step of generating a message that specifies identification information of the MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
In a computer of a communication system that communicates using a protocol stack structure including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
A program for executing a step of generating a message that specifies identification information of the MAC layer used for the communication by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) as processing of the application layer.
It has a controller that controls equipment attached to the building,
The controller and the device each have a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication,
The controller and the device transmit and receive wireless signals using the wireless communication units according to a protocol stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
The controller determines a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the device by executing a predetermined program according to the application layer, and performs other predetermined processing executed according to the application layer in the device. A lighting control system characterized by being transmitted with respect to the program.
In a lighting control system including a controller for controlling a device attached to a building,
The controller and the device each have a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication,
The controller and the device transmit and receive wireless signals using the wireless communication units according to a protocol stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
The controller determines a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the device by executing a predetermined program according to the application layer, and performs other predetermined processing executed according to the application layer in the device. The lighting control method characterized by transmitting to the program.
In a lighting control system including a controller for controlling a device attached to a building,
The controller and the device each have a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication,
The controller and the device transmit and receive wireless signals using the wireless communication units according to a protocol stack including a physical layer, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and an application layer,
The controller determines a message including a PANID (Personal Area Network ID) and a short address of the device by executing a predetermined program according to the application layer, and performs other predetermined processing executed according to the application layer in the device. Program to send to other programs.