EP1468590A1 - Device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control - Google Patents

Device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control

Info

Publication number
EP1468590A1
EP1468590A1 EP02787618A EP02787618A EP1468590A1 EP 1468590 A1 EP1468590 A1 EP 1468590A1 EP 02787618 A EP02787618 A EP 02787618A EP 02787618 A EP02787618 A EP 02787618A EP 1468590 A1 EP1468590 A1 EP 1468590A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
control device
control
digital
brightness
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02787618A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michele Tontini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Codem Music Srl
Original Assignee
Codem Music Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Codem Music Srl filed Critical Codem Music Srl
Publication of EP1468590A1 publication Critical patent/EP1468590A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/18—Controlling the light source by remote control via data-bus transmission

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control.
  • the invention relates to a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp that allows to convert an individual lamp from "passive” to "active".
  • the purpose of the dimmer is to control the brightness of each lamp connected thereto according to a control signal in input.
  • the function of a dimmer is to control the power delivered to an apparatus connected thereto; by means of an external control it is therefore possible to vary the output power.
  • FIG. 1 A classic light system is shown in Figure 1, in which the reference numeral 1 designates a control device/light mixer that transmits a digital control signal, by means of an interface cable 2, to a dimmer 3, which usually has six or more output channels that can drive a load of one or more spotlights (lamps) 4, depending on the power characteristic of the dimmer and on the power absorbed by the lamps 4.
  • a control device/light mixer that transmits a digital control signal, by means of an interface cable 2
  • a dimmer 3 which usually has six or more output channels that can drive a load of one or more spotlights (lamps) 4, depending on the power characteristic of the dimmer and on the power absorbed by the lamps 4.
  • connection between the power outputs of the dimmer 3 and each lamp 4 is provided by way of expensive multicore power cables 5 and corresponding wiring.
  • the interface cable 2 can be used to connect other dimmers 3 in series to each other.
  • the signal transmitted along the digital line is of the low-voltage type and therefore the path between the transmitter (control unit 1) and the corresponding dimmers 3 has a high-safety electrical line.
  • each dimmer 3 and the corresponding lamps 4 instead occurs at a dangerous voltage and requires cables and wiring that may be very complicated and expensive.
  • the distance between the dimmers and the corresponding spotlights or lamps 4 can be considerable and therefore the total length of the high- voltage cables can be quite relevant.
  • control device-light mixer 1 transmits the digital control signal by means of the interface cable 2 to a dimmer 3, which is enclosed in a bar 6 that supports the lamps 4.
  • the dimmer usually has six output channels, which can drive a load of one or more lamps 4 depending on the power capacity of the dimmer.
  • connection between the power outputs of the dimmers 3 and each lamp 4 occurs by means of a very short cable and remains within the assembly constituted by the bar 6 and the lamp 4.
  • the advantage of this system is the fact that the dimmer 3 is included in the lamp system 4, consequently reducing the wiring at line voltage.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, for remote control, which eliminates the need to interpose any kind of device between the control unit (mixer) and the lamp.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which it is possible to eliminate expensive multicore power cables.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which the wiring of the various lamps has been simplified extremely with respect to known solutions.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp that is highly reliable, relatively simple to manufacture and at competitive costs.
  • a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control characterized in that it is associated with a corresponding lamp and is connected to a control unit by means of an interface for transmitting a digital control signal and is provided with at least one output for connection to a similar control device with which a corresponding lamp is associated.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a known type of light control system
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of another known type of light control system
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of a light control system according to the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of a lamp with a brightness control device according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the brightness control device according to the invention.
  • Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the brightness control device according to the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic view of a lamp with an integrated brightness control device, according to the invention.
  • the device for controlling the brightness of a lamp according to the present invention is provided as follows.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a light control system according to the present invention, i.e., in which the control device according to the present invention is used.
  • the reference numeral 1 designates the control unit- mixer, which is connected by means of the interface cable 2 to a plurality of lamps 4, each of which is conveniently provided with a brightness control device or dimmer, which is here designated by the reference numeral 10 in order to distinguish it from the dimmers 3 of the known art.
  • Each brightness control device 10 is therefore associated with a corresponding lamp 4 or, as an alternative, can be integrated in the structure of the lamp 4. In this manner, each lamp 4 is converted from a "passive" element to an "active” element, with built-in dimmer and digital signal decoder.
  • the control unit 1 therefore transmits the digital control signal by means of the interface cable 2 to the plurality of active lamps 4, and said digital signal can be used, by means of a simple low-voltage three-core cable, to connect other active lamps 4 in series to each other.
  • connection between the power output of the dimmer 10 and the spotlight occurs by means of a very short cable and remains inside the dimmer/light assembly.
  • the spotlight becomes active, integrating the brightness control device and the digital interface circuit for the control device 1.
  • each spotlight 4 in fact has its own circuit and therefore if one unit fails the problem affects only one spotlight 4 instead of all the spotlights controlled by a classic dimmer or dimmer bar.
  • Each spotlight has a digital input and a digital output, designated by the reference numerals 11 and 12 respectively in Figure 4, and the reference numeral 13 designates the output for an optional second spotlight 4.
  • each spotlight 4 has a digital input and a digital output so that it can be placed in contact with other spotlights, ultimately obtaining the set of spotlights 4 with a single control cable for all the spotlights.
  • the reference numeral 14 designates a digital signal address selector, while the reference numeral 15 designates the mains power supply cable.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control device 10 according to the present invention, which illustrates power supply means 18 for the final stage and for protection against overloads, which are connected to a power unit with a noise filter 19 being driven by a microcontroller 20 that receives signals from a digital signal receiver 21 and from the selector 14 for assigning the digital address.
  • a circuit 23 for electronic protection against current overloads and a circuit 24 for thermal protection, with a temperature sensor, are further connected to the microcontroller 20.
  • the power supply of the logic section i.e., the microcontroller, is ensured by a power supply 25, which receives in input the mains voltage, like the power supply means 18.
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the control device according to the present invention, the electronic circuit of which is conveniently designated by the reference numeral 30 and is accommodated in a containment unit 31 provided with a removable panel 32 and with a control panel 33, already shown in Figure 4.
  • the spotlight 4 is connected to the corresponding brightness control device by way of fixing means 35, which are conveniently constituted for example by a bolt that is suitable to allow to fix the structure 36 of the spotlight or lamp 4 to the front panel 32 of the brightness control device 10.
  • control device it is possible to eliminate the need to interpose any kind of apparatus between the control unit 1 and the active spotlight 4, making the spotlight versatile, since it can be transferred and repositioned without having to redo all the wiring. Moreover, the light system as a whole is safer, since there is a minimal use of power cables and of dangerous cables at mains voltage.
  • the greater wiring simplicity of the light system is determined by the fact that it is possible to eliminate all wiring with multicore power cables and therefore the connection is simplified extremely.
  • the light system as a whole can be transported in a much more simplified manner, since all the separate dimmers, the dimmer carrier and installation units, and all the long cables are eliminated, with great advantages in terms of weight and dimensions/transportability.
  • control device In practice, it has been found that the control device according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to render each spotlight active, by providing a control device that is associated with the spotlight or can be even integrated in said spotlight.
  • the materials used may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Abstract

A device (10) for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control; the device is associated with a corresponding lamp (4) and is connected to a control unit (1) by an interface (2) for transmitting a digital control signal and is provided with at least one output for connection to a similar control device with which a corresponding lamp is associated.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE BRIGHTNESS OF A LAMP, WITH REMOTE CONTROL Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control. Background Art
More particularly, the invention relates to a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp that allows to convert an individual lamp from "passive" to "active".
As is known, in a classic light system there is a control device (light mixer) connected to a plurality of dimmers whose number is determined by the number of lamps or spotlights connected thereto.
The purpose of the dimmer is to control the brightness of each lamp connected thereto according to a control signal in input.
Substantially, the function of a dimmer is to control the power delivered to an apparatus connected thereto; by means of an external control it is therefore possible to vary the output power.
A classic light system is shown in Figure 1, in which the reference numeral 1 designates a control device/light mixer that transmits a digital control signal, by means of an interface cable 2, to a dimmer 3, which usually has six or more output channels that can drive a load of one or more spotlights (lamps) 4, depending on the power characteristic of the dimmer and on the power absorbed by the lamps 4.
The connection between the power outputs of the dimmer 3 and each lamp 4 is provided by way of expensive multicore power cables 5 and corresponding wiring.
The interface cable 2 can be used to connect other dimmers 3 in series to each other.
The signal transmitted along the digital line (interface cable 2) is of the low-voltage type and therefore the path between the transmitter (control unit 1) and the corresponding dimmers 3 has a high-safety electrical line.
The connection between each dimmer 3 and the corresponding lamps 4 instead occurs at a dangerous voltage and requires cables and wiring that may be very complicated and expensive. The distance between the dimmers and the corresponding spotlights or lamps 4 can be considerable and therefore the total length of the high- voltage cables can be quite relevant.
An evolution of the system shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2, in which identical reference numerals designate identical elements. In this case, the control device-light mixer 1 transmits the digital control signal by means of the interface cable 2 to a dimmer 3, which is enclosed in a bar 6 that supports the lamps 4.
In this case also, the dimmer usually has six output channels, which can drive a load of one or more lamps 4 depending on the power capacity of the dimmer.
The connection between the power outputs of the dimmers 3 and each lamp 4 occurs by means of a very short cable and remains within the assembly constituted by the bar 6 and the lamp 4.
The advantage of this system is the fact that the dimmer 3 is included in the lamp system 4, consequently reducing the wiring at line voltage.
However, even in this case, as shown in Figure 1, it is necessary to have long interface cables 2 between the control unit 1 and the bars 6 that support the lamps 4.
Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, for remote control, which eliminates the need to interpose any kind of device between the control unit (mixer) and the lamp.
Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which the lamp itself becomes "active". Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which the use of power cables is minimal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which it is possible to eliminate expensive multicore power cables.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, in which the wiring of the various lamps has been simplified extremely with respect to known solutions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp that is highly reliable, relatively simple to manufacture and at competitive costs.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, characterized in that it is associated with a corresponding lamp and is connected to a control unit by means of an interface for transmitting a digital control signal and is provided with at least one output for connection to a similar control device with which a corresponding lamp is associated. Brief description of the Drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the control device according to the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a known type of light control system; Figure 2 is a block diagram of another known type of light control system;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a light control system according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a lamp with a brightness control device according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the brightness control device according to the invention; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the brightness control device according to the invention; and
Figure 7 is a schematic view of a lamp with an integrated brightness control device, according to the invention.
Ways of carrying out the Invention With reference to the figures, and particularly to Figures 3 to 6, the device for controlling the brightness of a lamp according to the present invention is provided as follows.
Figure 3 illustrates a light control system according to the present invention, i.e., in which the control device according to the present invention is used.
In all the figures, identical reference numerals designate identical elements; therefore, the reference numeral 1 designates the control unit- mixer, which is connected by means of the interface cable 2 to a plurality of lamps 4, each of which is conveniently provided with a brightness control device or dimmer, which is here designated by the reference numeral 10 in order to distinguish it from the dimmers 3 of the known art.
Each brightness control device 10 is therefore associated with a corresponding lamp 4 or, as an alternative, can be integrated in the structure of the lamp 4. In this manner, each lamp 4 is converted from a "passive" element to an "active" element, with built-in dimmer and digital signal decoder.
The control unit 1 therefore transmits the digital control signal by means of the interface cable 2 to the plurality of active lamps 4, and said digital signal can be used, by means of a simple low-voltage three-core cable, to connect other active lamps 4 in series to each other. To connect a subsequent active lamp 4 it is sufficient to carry, in addition to the normal mains power supply, the digital signal by means of an output connector provided on the preceding lamp.
The connection between the power output of the dimmer 10 and the spotlight occurs by means of a very short cable and remains inside the dimmer/light assembly.
Substantially, the spotlight becomes active, integrating the brightness control device and the digital interface circuit for the control device 1.
This allows to eliminate the need to interpose any kind of device between the control device 1 and the active spotlight 4 and also ensures greater reliability and flexibility of the light system.
In case of malfunction, each spotlight 4 in fact has its own circuit and therefore if one unit fails the problem affects only one spotlight 4 instead of all the spotlights controlled by a classic dimmer or dimmer bar. Each spotlight has a digital input and a digital output, designated by the reference numerals 11 and 12 respectively in Figure 4, and the reference numeral 13 designates the output for an optional second spotlight 4.
Substantially, each spotlight 4 has a digital input and a digital output so that it can be placed in contact with other spotlights, ultimately obtaining the set of spotlights 4 with a single control cable for all the spotlights.
In Figure 4, the reference numeral 14 designates a digital signal address selector, while the reference numeral 15 designates the mains power supply cable.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the control device 10 according to the present invention, which illustrates power supply means 18 for the final stage and for protection against overloads, which are connected to a power unit with a noise filter 19 being driven by a microcontroller 20 that receives signals from a digital signal receiver 21 and from the selector 14 for assigning the digital address. A circuit 23 for electronic protection against current overloads and a circuit 24 for thermal protection, with a temperature sensor, are further connected to the microcontroller 20.
The power supply of the logic section, i.e., the microcontroller, is ensured by a power supply 25, which receives in input the mains voltage, like the power supply means 18.
The output of the power unit, designated by the reference numeral 26, is separated into a power output 27, for the spotlight that is directly connected to the control device, and a power output 13, for an optional second spotlight 4. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the control device according to the present invention, the electronic circuit of which is conveniently designated by the reference numeral 30 and is accommodated in a containment unit 31 provided with a removable panel 32 and with a control panel 33, already shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the spotlight 4 is connected to the corresponding brightness control device by way of fixing means 35, which are conveniently constituted for example by a bolt that is suitable to allow to fix the structure 36 of the spotlight or lamp 4 to the front panel 32 of the brightness control device 10. In practice, with the control device according to the present invention it is possible to eliminate the need to interpose any kind of apparatus between the control unit 1 and the active spotlight 4, making the spotlight versatile, since it can be transferred and repositioned without having to redo all the wiring. Moreover, the light system as a whole is safer, since there is a minimal use of power cables and of dangerous cables at mains voltage.
The greater wiring simplicity of the light system, moreover, is determined by the fact that it is possible to eliminate all wiring with multicore power cables and therefore the connection is simplified extremely. In addition, the light system as a whole can be transported in a much more simplified manner, since all the separate dimmers, the dimmer carrier and installation units, and all the long cables are eliminated, with great advantages in terms of weight and dimensions/transportability.
Still further, the fact of eliminating expensive multicore power cables for the transport and installation units for the separate dimmers achieves a lower overall cost of the light system as a whole.
In practice, it has been found that the control device according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to render each spotlight active, by providing a control device that is associated with the spotlight or can be even integrated in said spotlight.
The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the device according to the invention can be directly integrated in the lamp, as illustrated in Figure 7. All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2001A000165 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, characterized in that it is associated with a corresponding lamp and is connected to a control unit by means of an interface for transmitting a digital control signal and is provided with at least one output for connection to a similar control device with which a corresponding lamp is associated.
2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one input and one output for said digital signal and at least one input for mains power supply.
3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a digital signal receiver and a selector for assigning a digital address, said digital signal receiver receiving in input said digital signal and being connected to a microcontroller.
4. The control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a power unit with a noise filter, powered by power supply means, said power unit driving the output of said control device.
5. The control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a circuit for protection against current overloads and a thermal protection circuit, said circuits being connected to said microcontroller.
6. The control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lamp is fixed monolithically to a unit for accommodating said control device.
7. The control device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is integrated in the containment enclosure of said lamp.
8. A light control system, comprising at least one control unit that is suitable to send a digital control signal to multiple lamps that can be connected thereto, characterized in that it comprises, for each one of said lamps, a control device according to one or more of the preceding claims.
9. The light system according to claim 8, characterized in that each control device related to each one of said lamps is connected to a device for controlling the adjacent lamp.
10. The light system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises multiple series of lamps connected to said control unit, each series of lamps being connected to the adjacent series by means of a low-voltage cable.
11. The device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control, characterized in that it is integrated in the enclosure of a lamp, is connected to a control unit by means of an interface for transmitting a digital control signal, and is provided with at least one output for connection to a similar control device with an associated corresponding lamp or integrated in the enclosure of a corresponding lamp.
EP02787618A 2001-12-12 2002-11-08 Device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control Withdrawn EP1468590A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTV20010016 2001-12-12
IT2001TV000165A ITTV20010165A1 (en) 2001-12-12 2001-12-12 BRIGHTNESS CONTROL DEVICE OF A LAMP WITH REMOTE CONTROL
PCT/EP2002/012524 WO2003055277A1 (en) 2001-12-12 2002-11-08 Device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1468590A1 true EP1468590A1 (en) 2004-10-20

Family

ID=11460154

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02787618A Withdrawn EP1468590A1 (en) 2001-12-12 2002-11-08 Device for controlling the brightness of a lamp, with remote control

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1468590A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002351937A1 (en)
IT (1) ITTV20010165A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003055277A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE9300193L (en) * 1992-11-20 1994-05-21 Airport Tech Scandinavia Method and system of communication from the secondary side of a transformer, in particular for a lamp monitoring system for airport lights
SE9400847D0 (en) * 1994-03-11 1994-03-11 Airport Tech Scandinavia Communication on power cable
JPH118077A (en) * 1997-06-18 1999-01-12 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Lighting system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03055277A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTV20010165A1 (en) 2003-06-12
WO2003055277A1 (en) 2003-07-03
AU2002351937A1 (en) 2003-07-09

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