JP2000012242A - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate a plurality of loads under group control simultaneously without a time lag. SOLUTION: Each control terminal unit 32 has an individual address setting part 12 respectively setting a unique individual address, and a simultaneous control address setting part 13 setting the simultaneous control address common to the plural control terminal units 32. When the simultaneous control address is set in common in the control terminal units (32) under group control, and up-switches Sb or down-switches (Sc) of operating terminal units (31b) for group dimming are pushed down, transmission signals including the simultaneous control address are sent from a transmission control unit 30 to signal lines Ls, then the respective control terminal units 32 receive the transmission signals at approximately the same moment, to vary the dimming level of the illumination loads.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A remote monitoring control system having a configuration shown in FIG. 8 is conventionally known. In this remote monitoring and control system, a two-wire signal line L connected to the transmission control device 30 is used.
a plurality of operation terminals 31 and control terminals 32
Are connected in a branch connection (multi-drop connection). In the illustrated example, one operation terminal device 31 and one control terminal device 32 are shown, but a plurality of operation terminals are actually provided. In the illustrated example, a lighting fixture 33 including a lighting load is connected to the control terminal 32, and the light output of the lighting load is instructed from the control terminal 32. Here, the dimmer that controls the power supplied to the lighting load may be built in the control terminal 32 or the lighting fixture 33. Normally, when the lighting load is an incandescent lamp, a dimmer is built in the control terminal 32,
When the lighting load is a discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp, a dimmer is built in the lighting fixture 33.

When the control terminal 32 receives an instruction to change the light output of the illumination load to increase or decrease and an instruction to start the change, the control terminal 32 changes the light output to the indicated change direction. When the control terminal 32 receives the change end instruction, the light output at that time is maintained. In this way, only two points, the change start time and the change end time, of the light output are specified, and during this time, the control terminal 32 automatically changes the light output. It is called a dimming type terminal.

[0004] The operation terminal device 31 has three switches Sa to Sc that are pushed. The switch Sa instructs the lighting load to be turned on and off, the switch Sb instructs an increase in the light output, a change start and a change end, and the switch Sc instructs a decrease in the light output and a change start and a change end. here,
The switches Sb and Sc instruct a change start at the start of the push operation and a change end at the end of the push operation.

By the way, each address is set to each operation terminal 31 and each control terminal 32.
The transmission control device 30 individually recognizes the operation terminal device 31 and the control terminal device 32 using those addresses.

[0006] The transmission control device 30 controls the signal line Ls
The transmission signal Vs of the format shown in FIG. That is, a synchronization signal SY indicating the start of signal transmission, mode data MD indicating the mode of the transmission signal Vs, address data AD for individually calling the operation terminal device 31 and the control terminal device 32, control data CD for controlling the load L, Checksum data CS for detecting a transmission error, a return signal (monitoring data) from the operation terminal 31 or the control terminal 32
Is a bipolar (± 24 V) time-division multiplexed signal consisting of a signal return period WT as a time slot for receiving data, and data is transmitted by pulse width modulation (FIG. 9B). In each of the operation terminals 31 and the control terminals 32, when the address data AD transmitted by the transmission signal Vs received via the signal line Ls matches the preset address, the control data CD is transmitted from the transmission signal Vs. At the same time, the monitoring data is transferred to the current mode signal (signal line Ls) during the signal return period WT of the transmission signal Vs.
As a signal transmitted by short-circuiting through a suitable low impedance).

[0007] From the transmission control device 30 to the desired operation terminal 3
1 or the control terminal 32, a transmission signal Vs with the mode data MD as the control mode and the address of the operation terminal 31 or the control terminal 32 as the address data AD is transmitted. Vs to the signal line Ls
, The operation terminal device 31 or the control terminal device 32 that matches the address data AD receives the control data CD and returns the monitoring data during the signal return period WT. The transmission control device 30 confirms that the control data CD has been transmitted to the desired operation terminal 31 or control terminal 32 based on the relationship between the transmitted control data CD and the monitoring data received during the signal return period WT. The control terminal 32 outputs a load control signal for controlling the load L in accordance with the received control data CD, and the operation terminal 31 outputs a monitoring signal for displaying an operation confirmation of the load L in accordance with the received control data CD. I do.

On the other hand, the transmission control device 30 normally transmits the transmission signal Vs in which the mode data MD is in the dummy mode at regular time intervals (referred to as polling at all times). When transmitting any information, an interrupt signal as shown in FIG. 9C is generated in synchronization with the synchronization signal SY of the transmission signal Vs in the dummy mode. At this time, the operation terminal 31 sets an interrupt flag and prepares for the subsequent information exchange with the transmission control device 30. Upon receiving the interrupt signal, the transmission control device 30 sets the mode data MD to the interrupt polling mode and sequentially increases the upper half of the address data AD (the upper 4 bits if the address data AD is 8 bits). In the operation terminal device 31 that has transmitted the transmission signal and generated the interrupt signal, the upper 4 bits of the address data AD of the transmission signal in the interrupt polling mode match the upper 4 bits of the address set in the operation terminal device 31. Then, the lower 4 bits of the address are returned to the transmission control device 30 during the signal return period WT. Thus, the transmission control device 3
In the case of “0”, since 16 operation terminals 31 that have generated the interrupt signal are collectively searched, the operation terminal 31 can be found in a relatively short time.

When the transmission control device 30 obtains the address of the operation terminal 31 that has generated the interrupt signal, the mode data M
D is set to the monitoring mode, and a transmission signal having the acquired address data AD is transmitted to the signal line Ls. In response to this transmission signal, the operation terminal device 31 returns information to be transmitted to the signal return period WT. It is. Finally, the transmission control device 30 sends a signal for instructing an interrupt reset to the operation terminal device 31 that has generated the interrupt signal, and releases the interrupt flag of the operation terminal device 31. As described above, information transmission from the operation terminal device 31 to the transmission control device 30 is performed by four signal transmissions from the transmission control device 30 to the operation terminal device 31 (dummy mode, interrupt polling mode, monitoring mode,
(Interrupt reset). When the transmission control device 30 wants to know the desired operating state of the control terminal 32, it is only necessary to transmit a transmission signal using the mode data MD as monitoring data.

When the operation data is generated by operating the switches Sa to Sc, the operation data is returned from the operation terminal 31 to the transmission control device 30 and the transmission signal including the control data CD generated based on the operation data is transmitted. Is transmitted to the control terminal 32 by the transmission control device 30, the control terminal 32 controls the lighting load. Here, the control terminal 32 returns the monitoring data to the transmission control device 30, and transmits the returned monitoring data to the operation terminal 31. The operation terminal 31 outputs a monitoring signal according to the transmission signal. The monitoring signal is usually used for turning on / off the confirmation light. The operation terminal device 31 shown in FIG. 8 is used for dimming for instructing the light output of the illumination load, and transmits operation information to the transmission control device 30 at the start and end of the pressing operation of the switches Sb and Sc. When the switch Sb is pressed, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, an operation signal OP1 instructing to start increasing the light output of the illumination load is transmitted to the transmission control device 30, and the operation signal OP1 is transmitted. Control signal CN1 corresponding to
Is transmitted to the control terminal 32. When the pressing operation of the switch Sb is completed, the operation signal OP2 for stopping the change of the optical output is transmitted to the transmission control device 30, and the operation signal O is output.
A control signal CN2 corresponding to P2 is transmitted to the control terminal 32. Here, the operation signals OP1 and OP2, the control signal C
N1 and CN2 are transmitted by transmission signals.

In this type of remote monitoring and control system, the correspondence between the address of the operation terminal 31 and the address of the control terminal 32 is managed by the transmission control device 30. In addition to associating the address with the address of one control terminal 32, it is also possible to associate the address of one operation terminal 31 with the address of a plurality of control terminals 32. Is set, the lighting loads of a plurality of circuits can be collectively controlled by the switches Sa to Sc of one circuit. This type of control is called simultaneous control.In particular, simultaneous control that controls multiple lighting loads to the same control state is called group control, and simultaneous control that controls multiple lighting loads to a preset control state. Is called pattern control.

[0012]

On the other hand, the light output of each lighting load can be adjusted by operating the switches Sa to Sc corresponding to each lighting load. On the other hand, there is a demand to slightly increase or decrease the overall light output (illuminance) of the lighting space without changing the ratio of the light output of each lighting load. To satisfy this kind of demand, group control may be performed for a plurality of lighting loads.

Since individual addresses are set in the operation terminal 31 and the control terminal 32, when performing group control, a plurality of control terminals 32 are assigned to the address of one operation terminal 31. May be associated. That is, as shown in FIG.
An operation terminal device 31a corresponding to the operation terminal device one-to-one,
Operation terminal 3 associated with a plurality of control terminals 32
1b are provided, and when the switches Sa to Sc are operated in the operation terminal 31b, the operation signals OP1, OP2
Is transmitted to the transmission control device 30, the transmission control device 30
Here, a plurality of control signals CN11-CN13, CN21-CN are respectively associated with the operation signals OP1 and OP2.
23 are sequentially generated and sequentially transmitted to each control terminal 32 to be subjected to group control. According to this procedure, a plurality of lighting loads connected to the control terminal device 32 to be subjected to group control can be controlled collectively by operating one of the switches Sa to Sc.

However, since the operation information of the switches Sa to Sc is sequentially transmitted to each of the control terminals 32 to be subjected to the group control, the timing of receiving the operation information of the switches Sa to Sc for each of the control terminals 32 is determined. Will be different. In particular, when the number of control terminals 32 to be subjected to group control is large, the timing of receiving the operation information of the switches Sa to Sc is greatly shifted. For example, if the switch Sb is pressed to increase the light output of the lighting load, some control terminals 3
In the lighting equipment connected to 2, the increase in light output starts from the start of the pressing operation of the switch Sb, but another control terminal 3
In the lighting device connected to 2, the increase in the light output is started with a delay from the start of the pressing operation of the switch Sb, and a sense of incongruity due to a timing shift occurs.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of lighting fixtures 33 are connected in parallel to one control terminal 32 to provide a plurality of lighting loads in one circuit. It is conceivable that a plurality of lighting loads are controlled collectively by the switches Sa to Sc of the circuit. If this configuration is adopted, a plurality of lighting loads can be controlled collectively by one switch Sa to Sc. However, if this configuration is adopted, the brightness of each lighting load can be adjusted. Disappears.

By the way, when the lighting load is turned on from the off state, if the lighting load suddenly turns on under a low ambient illuminance, such as at night, the eyes may be dazzling and extremely burdensome to the eyes.

The first to ninth aspects of the present invention have been made in view of the former problem, and an object of the present invention is to enable a plurality of lighting loads to be subjected to group control to operate simultaneously without time lag. It is to provide a lighting control system.

The inventions of claims 10 to 13 have been made in view of the latter problem. The purpose of the invention is to reduce the burden on the eyes due to a rapid change in the dimming level.
An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control system capable of performing very fine dimming control according to an atmosphere.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address are branched and connected to a signal line and connected to the signal line. A transmission signal is transmitted and received between the transmission control device and each of the terminal devices in a time-division multiplexing transmission method, and the correspondence between addresses set in the transmission control device is used to operate the operation unit provided in the operation terminal device. A lighting control system that controls a lighting load connected to the control terminal by transmitting a transmission signal including data corresponding to the operation to the control terminal defined by the correspondence,
The correspondence includes an individual control relationship in which one operation unit is associated with a lighting load of one circuit, and a simultaneous control relationship in which one operation unit is associated with a lighting load of a plurality of circuits. An individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each device, and a general control address setting unit that sets a general control address that is an address commonly set to a plurality of control terminals. The terminal processing unit provided in the control terminal unit is instructed to use an individual address by the transmission signal, and the address data included in the transmission signal matches the individual address set in the individual address setting unit, or the transmission signal Indicates the use of the simultaneous control address and the address data included in the transmission signal is set in the simultaneous control address setting unit. When coincident, the dimming level of the lighting load is controlled to be the dimming level instructed by the operation unit of the operation terminal device, wherein each control terminal device has a simultaneous control address separately from the individual address. And the simultaneous control address is set in common by a plurality of control terminals, so that control terminals having the same simultaneous control address receive the same transmission signal at substantially the same time, and have substantially the same timing. It is possible to control the dimming level of the lighting load by using, and there is an advantage that the dimming level of the plurality of grouped lighting loads can be changed without a time difference. In addition, since the lighting load can be individually controlled by using the individual address,
When grouping while controlling the individual lighting loads, the dimming level is not changed at the same time, and there is no sense of incongruity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the simultaneous control address setting section is capable of setting a plurality of simultaneous control addresses, and one lighting load is shared by a plurality of groups. It is possible to belong. For example, in a case where a lighting fixture to be subjected to group control is changed depending on whether or not to use a partition in a room where a large number of lighting fixtures are arranged, a group and a partition when one lighting fixture uses a partition are used. Although they belong to the group where they are not used, it is possible to easily cope with such grouping.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the transmission control device sets a simultaneous control address in a simultaneous control address setting section of each control terminal through a signal line. Since it becomes possible to set the simultaneous control address of each control terminal using a signal line,
When setting the simultaneous control address to each control terminal, it is not necessary to go to the installation location of each control terminal, and the work of setting the simultaneous control address is facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, when the individual address of any of the control terminals is changed, the transmission control device obtains a new address based on the changed individual address. The simultaneous control address is set in the simultaneous control address setting section of the control terminal, and when the individual address of each control terminal is changed and it becomes necessary to set the simultaneous control address, each control terminal is set. There is no need to go to the installation location, making it easy to set the simultaneous control address.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device sets the simultaneous control address transmitted to the control terminal, a simultaneous control address setting unit of the control terminal, and It is equipped with a means to confirm whether the simultaneous control address returned by the transmission signal from the control terminal matches or not.The trouble that the simultaneous control address is not correctly transmitted to the control terminal due to noise or the like is provided. Can be prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device confirms the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting section of each control terminal at the time of starting the system. It is characterized by comprising means for setting a correct simultaneous control address to a control terminal in which an address different from the originally set simultaneous control address is set, for example, when the simultaneous control address setting operation is completed. Even when the system is shut down (such as when the power is turned off) in a state where there is no power supply, the correct simultaneous control address is set to each control terminal at the time of system startup, and the group dimming operation can be performed as intended.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a display unit for displaying a dimming level of a lighting load is provided on the operation terminal unit, and the transmission control device is provided with all terminals. While sequentially polling the devices, monitoring data indicating the dimming level of the actual lighting load is returned from each of the control terminals, and the dimming level displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal is updated based on the monitoring data. Also, when receiving a transmission signal from the operation terminal, each control terminal associated with the operation unit of the operation terminal in the simultaneous control relationship has priority over other terminals not associated in the simultaneous control relationship. Even when multiple control terminals are simultaneously dimmed by the simultaneous control address, the display on the display of the operation terminal is based on the change in the dimming level of the actual lighting load. That the late suppressed, can be performed without discomfort the display of the display unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device transmits a lighting load fade time to a control terminal having the same simultaneous control address, and The terminal processing unit fades the dimming level of the lighting load by the fade time when receiving the control data of the fade start by the transmission signal including the simultaneous control address, and a plurality of lighting loads to be simultaneously controlled. Since the dimming level can be gradually changed within the group, the load on the eyes due to the rapid change of the dimming level can be reduced, and the dimming control can be performed very finely according to the atmosphere.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the transmission control device is capable of transmitting the different fade times for each simultaneous control address. For each lighting load group, a certain group can change the dimming level quickly, and another group can change the dimming level slowly, such that the dimming control can be performed very finely.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address are branched and connected to a signal line, and a transmission control device connected to the signal line is connected to each of the terminals. The transmission signal is transmitted and received by the time division multiplex transmission method, and by using the correspondence of the address set in the transmission control device, the transmission signal including the data corresponding to the operation of the operation unit provided in the operation terminal device is transmitted. A lighting control system for controlling a lighting load connected to the control terminal by transmitting the lighting load to the control terminal specified in the above, wherein the correspondence relationship is such that individual operation corresponds to one circuit lighting load. The control terminal includes an individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each control terminal, and the transmission control unit After transmitting to the control terminal the data of the fade time for the change to the target dimming level and the target dimming level, the control terminal of the fade start is transmitted to the control terminal by a transmission signal, and each control terminal is transmitted to the control terminal. The provided terminal processing unit calculates a dimming amount required for the dimming level of the lighting load to reach the target dimming level in the fade time, and receives control data for starting the fade, and receives lighting data in accordance with the dimming amount. It is characterized in that the dimming level of the load is faded to the target dimming level, and the dimming level of the lighting load can be gradually changed. Very fine dimming control according to the atmosphere.

An eleventh invention is characterized in that, in the tenth invention, the transmission control device can transmit the different fade time for each control terminal.
For each of a plurality of lighting loads, it is possible to perform a very fine dimming control such that one lighting load changes the dimming level quickly and another lighting load changes slowly.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the correspondence relationship includes a simultaneous control relationship in which one operation unit is associated with a lighting load of a plurality of circuits. A broadcast control address setting unit that sets a broadcast control address that is an address commonly set to the control terminal, wherein the transmission control device is configured to control a plurality of the control terminals in which a broadcast control address is set. Along with transmitting the target dimming level and the data of the fade time for the change to the target dimming level, the control data of the fade start is transmitted to each of the control terminals by a transmission signal with the address data being the simultaneous control address. ,
The terminal processing unit of each of the control terminals calculates a dimming amount required for the dimming level of the lighting load to reach the target dimming level in the fade time, and the transmission signal instructs the use of the simultaneous control address. When the address data included in the transmission signal matches the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit and the control data for starting the fade is received, the dimming level of the illumination load is set to the target dimming according to the dimming amount. It is characterized by fading up to the level, and it can perform pattern control in which fade control can be performed simultaneously by multiple control terminals at the same time. Very fine pattern control is possible.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect, the transmission control device is capable of transmitting the different fade time for each control terminal.
By changing the fade time for each of a plurality of patterns, fine pattern control can be performed according to the atmosphere.

[0032]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a transmission control device 30 and a control terminal device 32.

The transmission control device 30 includes a transmission processing unit 20 composed of a microprocessor. The transmission processing unit 20 is connected to a signal line Ls via a transmission driver circuit 21. The operation of the transmission processing unit 20 is defined by a program stored in a program memory 22 composed of a ROM.
The correspondence between the terminals is stored in a rewritable data memory 23 in a table format. It is desirable to use a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM as the data memory 23. Further, a work memory 24 composed of a RAM is used for storing data and the like exchanged with the terminal during operation of the transmission control device 30.

The control terminal 32 is used for dimming, and is connected to a lighting fixture 33 (see FIG. 2).
It is possible to control the light output of the illumination load provided in the above. Therefore, hereinafter, the control terminal 32 shown in the present embodiment is referred to as a dimming terminal. The dimming terminal 32
When the lighting load is an incandescent lamp, a dimmer using a triac is built in, and when the lighting load is a fluorescent lamp, the dimmer provided in the lighting fixture is output by the dimming data by outputting the dimming data. Control. That is, the dimming control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a dimmer for an incandescent lamp, and has a function of generating dimming data for a fluorescent lamp.

As described above, the dimming terminal 32 is connected to the transmission control device 30 via the two-wire signal line Ls, and transmits data to and from the transmission control device 30. The signal is transmitted by a time division multiplex transmission method. Light control terminal 3
2 includes a terminal processing unit 10 composed of a microcomputer, and the terminal processing unit 10 is connected to a signal line Ls via a transmission / reception circuit 11. In the transmitting / receiving circuit 11, the bipolar transmission signal transmitted through the signal line Ls is depolarized (that is, full-wave rectified) and received.
The received signal is provided to the terminal processing unit 10. Further, a power supply circuit for obtaining an internal power supply of the dimming terminal 32 from a transmission signal transmitted through the signal line Ls is also provided. On the other hand, the terminal processing unit 10
Returned to the transmission control device 30 from the transmission / reception circuit 1
In step 1, the signal is converted into a current mode signal and transmitted to the signal line Ls.

The dimming terminal 32 includes an individual address setting unit 12 and a simultaneous control address setting unit 13. The simultaneous control address setting unit 13 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM.
2 is a dip switch or a nonvolatile memory. The individual address set in the individual address setting unit 12 is unique to each dimming terminal 32, and one signal line L
In the dimming terminal 32 connected to s, the same individual address is set so as not to be duplicated. On the other hand, the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit 13 is:
The same simultaneous control address is set redundantly in a plurality of dimming terminals 32 connected to one signal line Ls. In addition, only one individual address is set in the individual address setting unit 12, but a plurality of simultaneous control addresses can be set in the simultaneous control address setting unit 13.

The terminal processing unit 10 selects whether to use the individual address or the simultaneous control address as the address of the dimming terminal 32 based on the mode data included in the transmission signal transmitted through the signal line Ls. That is, if the mode data is the individual mode, when the address data included in the transmission signal matches the individual address set in the individual address setting unit 12, the lighting load is controlled through the dimming control unit 14, If the mode data is the group control mode, the lighting load is controlled through the dimming control unit 14 when the address data included in the transmission signal matches the simultaneous control address.

As described above, the dimming terminal 32 has two types of addresses, the individual address and the simultaneous control address. Therefore, in the case of group control, if the dimming is indicated using the simultaneous control address, the same simultaneous control is performed. The plurality of dimming terminals 32 having the control address receive the dimming instruction almost at the same time, and the control of the lighting load can be performed without a time difference. That is, in the present embodiment, one transmission signal is transmitted to a plurality of dimming terminals 32 by using the simultaneous control address.
Since the procedure is different from that for transmitting the transmission signal individually to the dimming terminal 32 which is the target of group control as in the collective control in the conventional configuration, it is referred to as simultaneous control in this sense. I do.

Now, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of (three in the figure) dimming terminals 32 are branched and connected to 0 via a signal line Ls, and one circuit lighting load (as described above, lighting control) is controlled by the dimming terminal 32. Utensil 3
It is assumed that an operation terminal device 31a associated with lighting loads of a plurality of circuits and an operation terminal device 31b associated with lighting loads of a plurality of circuits are connected to the signal line Ls. Lighting of the lighting load is provided to the operation terminals 31a and 31b.
An on / off switch Sa for instructing turning off, an up switch Sb for instructing an increase in the light output of the lighting load, a down switch Sc for instructing a decrease in the light output, and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a line to light the light emitting diodes A display section LD is provided for displaying the light output (dimming state) of the lighting load corresponding to the number. Hereinafter, the operation terminal device 31a associated with the lighting load of one circuit is referred to as an individual dimming switch, and the operation terminal device 31b associated with the lighting load of a plurality of circuits is referred to as a group dimming switch.

When the switches Sa to Sc provided on the individual dimming switches 31a are operated, the transmission control device 30 operates the switches Sa to Sc on one dimming terminal 32 defined by a preset correspondence. Transmit information. The on / off switch Sa instructs on / off of the lighting load. When the lighting load is on, operating the up switch Sb or the down switch Sc adjusts the light output of the lighting load. For example, if the down switch Sc is pressed, the start of a change in the light output in the decreasing direction is instructed to the dimming terminal 32 at the time of the pressing operation, and the end of the change is completed at the time of releasing the pressing operation. Is instructed to the container 32.

That is, the up switch Sb and the down switch Sc give an instruction to the dimming terminal 32 using the transmission signal at two points, ie, the start and end of the pressing operation. On the other hand, the dimming terminal 32, which has received the transmission signal associated with the pressing operation of the up switch Sb and the down switch Sc, changes the light output of the lighting load by a predetermined amount with time from the start to the end of the change. Let it. The change in the light output of the lighting load is actually performed stepwise, but the change amount of the light output in one step and the rate of change per time are set so that the light output looks almost continuous. .

Switch S of group dimmer switch 31b
When a to Sc are operated, a transmission signal is transmitted to each of the dimming terminals 32 in the group according to the procedure shown in FIG. Here, in the configuration of FIG. 3, two simultaneous control addresses are set to the dimming terminal (2) 32, one of which is set to be the same as the dimming terminal (1) 32, and the other is set to the dimming terminal. It is set the same as the container (3) 32. Further, two group dimming switches 31b are provided, and one group dimming switch (A) 31b is connected to the simultaneous control address set in the dimming terminal (1) 32 and the dimming terminal (2) 32. The other group dimmer switch (B) 31b is associated with the simultaneous control address set in the dimmer terminal (2) 32 and the dimmer terminal (3) 32.

Now, the group dimming switch (A) 31b
Is pressed, the operation signal O instructing to start increasing the light output of the illumination load at the start of the pressing operation.
P1 is transmitted to the transmission control device 30, and the transmission control device 30
Transmits a control signal CN1 corresponding to the operation signal OP1 to the dimming terminal (1) 32 and the dimming terminal (2) 32.
That is, the transmission control device 30 transmits the transmission signal of the simultaneous control address (A) to the signal line Ls in the group control mode, and the dimming terminal (1) in which the simultaneous control address (A) is set. 32 and dimming terminal (2) 32
And the control signal CN1 is received at the same time. As a result, the dimming terminal (1) 32 and the dimming terminal (2) 3
2 means that the light output of the illumination load starts increasing at the same time. On the other hand, when the pressing operation of the up switch Sb of the group dimming switch (A) 31b is released, the operation signal OP2 for instructing the stop of the change of the optical output is transmitted to the transmission control device 30. The control signal CN2 corresponding to OP2 is transmitted to the dimming terminal (1) 32 and the dimming terminal (2) 32. According to such a procedure, the dimming terminal 32 to be controlled by the group is controlled.
However, the operation information of the group dimming switch 31b is transmitted to each dimming terminal 32 almost at the same time without any time difference, and there is almost no time difference in controlling the individual lighting loads. Although only the operation corresponding to the up switch Sb is described here, the same applies to the on / off switch Sa or the down switch Sc.

The lower part of FIG. 3 shows a transmission procedure when the up switch Sb of the group dimming switch (B) 31b is operated. That is, the group dimming switch (B) 31b transmits the operation signal OP3 instructing the start of increasing the light output of the illumination load to the transmission control device 30,
The transmission control device 30 sends out a control signal CN3 corresponding to the operation signal OP3 to the signal line Ls. Here, the address data of the control signal CN3 is the simultaneous control address (B), so that the control signal CN3 is received by the dimming terminal (2) 32 and the dimming terminal (3) 32. Similarly, the group dimming switch (B) 31b
When the pressing operation of the switch Sb is completed in, the operation signal OP4 instructing the stop of the change of the light output of the illumination load is transmitted to the transmission control device 30, and the transmission control device 30 outputs the control signal CN4 corresponding to the operation signal OP4. Sent out. The operation signals OP1 to OP4 and the control signal C
N1 to CN4 are transmission signals.

By the way, the transmission control device 30 always controls the dimming terminals (1) to (3) 32 when they access the dimming terminals (1) to (3) 32 by polling. The light output data of the load is returned, and the individual light control switch 31a or the group light control switch 31b, in which the up switch Sb or the down switch Sc is operated, is operated based on the data. The control data for changing the lighting number is transmitted. On the other hand, in the individual light control switch 31a or the group light control switch 31b, when the control data is received, the number of light-emitting diodes of the display unit LD is changed and the display corresponding to the light output (light control level) of the lighting load is displayed. It is done in.

As described above, one dimming terminal 32 can have a plurality of simultaneous control addresses, so that one dimming terminal 32 can belong to a different group. Will be possible. For example, in a conference room or a presentation room, the entire room may be used as one room, or may be divided into a plurality of rooms using a partition. In such a case, the lighting to be controlled by the group may be used. Since the load range is changed, it is necessary to make the same lighting load belong to different groups.
If a single dimming terminal 32 can have only one simultaneous control address, the same lighting load cannot belong to different groups, but this configuration is made possible by the configuration of the present embodiment. That is, there is no problem even if the information is repeatedly registered in a plurality of groups, so that the group control can be dynamically and easily set.

The transmission control device 30 stores in the data memory 23 group data indicating to which group each dimming terminal 32 to be subjected to group control belongs. The setting of the group data may be performed by the transmission control device 30 itself, or the group data may be set by a transmission signal via a signal line Ls from a setting device for setting the group data. For example, when the group to which the light control terminal 32 belongs is changed (change of group data) due to a layout change or the like, it is necessary to register the simultaneous control address in the light control terminal 32 again. As described above, when registering the simultaneous control address in each dimming terminal 32, a method of transmitting the simultaneous control address through the signal line Ls and a method of transmitting the simultaneous control address using a transmission line different from the signal line Ls are used. Either way is adopted. As a method using another transmission line, a simultaneous control address is created by a setting device provided separately from the remote monitoring control system, and the optical wireless signal or the dimming terminal 32 is used.
The simultaneous control address is transmitted to the dimming terminal 32 by using the connection line connected to the terminal. On the other hand, in order to set the simultaneous control address in the dimming terminal 32 via the signal line Ls, the simultaneous control address is transmitted from the transmission control device 30 to the dimming terminal 32.

When setting or changing the dimming terminal 32 to be controlled by the group, the transmission control device 30 detects the currently used simultaneous control address and changes the available simultaneous control address to each of the devices. Assigned to the optical terminal 32.
In other words, the remote monitoring and control system is set to a state where group control can be set (operated in the group setting mode), and an instruction as to which group dimming switch 31b is associated with which lighting load (dimming terminal 32) ( (For example, provided by an installer from the outside), the available simultaneous control address is automatically calculated, and each dimming terminal 34
To transmit and register the simultaneous control address by the address setting signal.

By using the transmission control device 30 as described above, a usable simultaneous control address is automatically selected and registered in the dimming terminal 32. Therefore, the group control can be performed without being aware of the simultaneous control address. Can be set. Also, by simply selecting the dimming terminal 32 for which the simultaneous control address is to be set, each dimming terminal 32 is selected.
To set the simultaneous control address in the transmission control device 30
Therefore, the setting operation becomes easier as compared with the case where the simultaneous control address is set for each dimming terminal 32.

On the other hand, even if the dimming terminal 32 is added with the expansion of the system or the individual address of the existing dimming terminal 32 is changed, the added dimming terminal 32 or the individual address is changed. It is necessary to newly set a simultaneous control address in the dimming terminal 32 in which is changed. Therefore, the dimming terminal 32, which has been added or the individual address has been changed, interrupts constantly during polling, and the transmission control device 3 notifies that the addition or change of the individual address due to the addition has been performed.
0, the transmission control device 30 transmits to all the dimming terminals 34 by the address setting signal to set the simultaneous control address, and the dimming terminal 3
With respect to 2, a usable simultaneous control address is calculated by the processing described above, and the simultaneous control address is registered.

When the individual address of the light control terminal 32 is newly set or changed in this way, the transmission control device 30 automatically calculates the simultaneous control address of the group to which the light control terminal 32 belongs. Since the registration is performed in the dimming terminal 32 by the transmission signal, the setting operation of the simultaneous control address is further facilitated.

As described above, when the simultaneous control address is registered in the dimming terminal 32 by the transmission signal,
The simultaneous control address may not be accurately transmitted to the dimming terminal 32 due to the influence of noise or the like mixed into the signal line Ls, and a simultaneous control address different from the actual control address may be set. In this case, of course, a group dimming operation different from the intended operation is performed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described problem is prevented from occurring by setting the simultaneous control address in the following procedure.

The transmission control device 30 sets the simultaneous control address and the identification data of the simultaneous control address to the dimming terminal 32 together. Here, the identification data includes an individual address of each dimming terminal 32 at the time of setting the simultaneous control address, and checksum data obtained by adding all the simultaneous control addresses consisting of 8 bits × 16 data. You. Thus, the transmission control device 30 is connected to the dimming terminal 32.
Before setting the simultaneous control address to each dimming terminal 32,
Is polled to return the previously set identification data by a transmission signal, and each dimming terminal 32 included in the identification data is returned.
And the checksum data of the previously set simultaneous control address are obtained and compared with the identification data stored in the data memory 23. When the content stored in the data memory 23 matches the acquired identification data, that is, when the simultaneous control address corresponding to a certain individual address is the same as the simultaneous control address to be set from now on Is
Since it is not necessary to set the simultaneous control address again, it is not necessary to set the simultaneous control address, and it is necessary to set the simultaneous control address only when both are different. The simultaneous control address is set in the optical terminal 32. This makes it possible to reliably set the simultaneous control data by the transmission signal. The reliability can be further improved by transmitting and receiving checksums of all data transmitted after completing confirmation and setting of simultaneous control data for all terminals.

If the system goes down due to a power failure or the like before the transmission control device 30 completes the work of setting the simultaneous control address, the simultaneous control data to be actually operated when the system is restarted. And each dimming terminal 3
There is a possibility that the simultaneous control address set to 2 does not match. In this case, of course, the group dimming operation is performed differently from the intended operation. Therefore, when the power is turned on, the transmission control device 30 controls the simultaneous control set in the dimming terminal 32 connected to the signal line Ls. The address is confirmed, and if the value is different from the originally set value, if the correct simultaneous control address is set again to the dimming terminal 32 by the transmission signal, the above-described problem occurs. Can be prevented from occurring. Further, at the time of constant polling normally performed by the transmission control device 30, a similar simultaneous control address confirmation operation may be performed.

The display on the display section LD of the group dimming switch 31b is changed based on the optical output data returned from the dimming terminals 32 in the group by the transmission control device 30 by always polling. According to this, there is a time lag between the actual light output of the lighting load in the group and the display on the display section LD of the group dimming switch 31b, causing a sense of incongruity.

Therefore, the transmission control device 30 keeps the data memory 23 while the light output of the lighting load in the group is changing.
And polls each dimming terminal 32 belonging to the group with priority over the other terminals with reference to the group data table stored in the group. If the dimming terminal 32 which is group-controlled in this way is preferentially polled and the light output data of the lighting load is returned, the time lag in the display unit LD of the group dimming switch 31b as described above is reduced. It is possible to suppress the display and display with less discomfort.

(Embodiment 2) By the way, when the lighting of the room is turned on at night, if the light output of the lighting rises instantaneously, it is dazzling and very burdensome on the eyes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a fade function for gradually increasing the light output of the illumination load when the on / off switch Sa of the individual light control switch 31a is operated is provided in the light control terminal 32 for individual control. Since the basic configuration of the system is the same as that of the first embodiment, illustration and description are omitted.

The data memory 23 of the transmission control device 30 has an on / off switch S of the individual dimming switch off 31a.
Data indicating how much light output (target dimming level) the lighting load of the corresponding dimming terminal 32 is turned on when a is operated is registered in advance. The setting of the dimming level data may be set by the individual dimming switch 31a or may be set by a pattern setting device described later.

Here, the operation of the individual control in the present embodiment is performed by changing the lighting load of the dimming terminal 32 by the individual dimming switch 31a as shown in FIG.
An example will be described in which the temperature is raised in 3 seconds (this is referred to as a “fade time”) up to (a ratio in which all lighting is set to 100%). In the configuration of FIG. 4, the individual address of the individual dimming switch 31a is associated with the individual address of the dimming terminal 32.

When the on / off switch Sa of the individual light control switch 31a is pressed, an operation signal OPon indicating that the on / off switch Sa is pressed is transmitted from the individual light control switch 31a to the transmission control device 30, and the transmission control device In 30, a target dimming level (= 6) preset for the dimming terminal 32 associated with the individual address of the individual dimming switch 31 a that transmitted the operation signal OPon.
0%) after transmitting a level signal CN _L indicating the ON signal CNon to turn on the lighting load with 0% dimming level
Is transmitted. The dimming terminal 32 stores the received target dimming level in the memory, and turns on the illumination load at a dimming level of 0% when the ON signal is received.

Next, the transmission controller 30 sets the fade time (=
3 seconds) and the dimming terminal 32
To be transmitted. Then, the dimming terminal 32 that has received the fade start signal CNfe sets the dimming level of the lighting load to 0.
The amount of change in dimming required to increase from 3% to the target dimming level (= 60%) in 3 seconds is calculated, and the so-called fade-in is performed in which the dimming level of the lighting load is increased in accordance with the dimming change. .

On the other hand, a case where the lighting load that is turned on at the target dimming level is turned off will be described with reference to FIG.

When the on / off switch Sa of the individual dimming switch 31a is pressed while the lighting load is lit at the target dimming level (= 60%), the on / off switch Sa is transmitted from the individual dimming switch 31a to the transmission control device 30. An operation signal OPoff indicating that the push operation has been performed is transmitted, and the transmission control device 30 transmits the operation signal OPoff to the dimming terminal 32 associated with the individual address of the individual dimming switch 31a that has transmitted the operation signal OPoff. transmitting a level signal CN _L indicating the level (= 0%). The dimming terminal 32 stores the received target dimming level in the memory.

Next, the transmission control device 30 sets the fade time (=
3 seconds) and the dimming terminal 32
To be transmitted. Then, the dimming terminal device 32 that has received the fade start signal CNfe calculates a dimming change amount necessary for decreasing the dimming level of the lighting load from the target dimming level of 60% to 0% in 3 seconds. That is, a so-called fade-out is performed in which the dimming level of the illumination load is reduced according to the dimming change amount. The transmission control device 30 starts the time counting of the fade time simultaneously with the transmission of the fade start signal CNfe, and when the time counting is completed, the dimming terminal 3
2 off signal CNoff for turning off the lighting load
Is transmitted. The dimming terminal 32 that has received the off signal CNoff turns off the lighting load.

As described above, when the on / off switch Sa of the individual dimming switch 31a is pressed, the corresponding dimming terminal 32 dims the lighting load at the dimming variation obtained from the target dimming level and the fade time. Since the level is gradually changed to the target dimming level, the light output of the lighting load is gradually changed, so that the burden on the eyes due to glare can be reduced, and fine-grained lighting control according to the atmosphere can be performed.

In some cases, the lighting load in a certain place may change the dimming level slowly, and the lighting load in another place may want to change quickly. Therefore, an arbitrary fade time may be set for each lighting load of each circuit. It can be set. Thereby, fine lighting control can be performed according to the atmosphere.

(Embodiment 3) By the way, when controlling lighting equipment in a large area such as a conference room, for example, only the illuminance at the place where the OHP image is projected is reduced, and the illuminance at other places is reduced. In the case where the illumination load is set higher than that, pattern control for creating a predetermined illumination scene by collectively controlling the illumination loads of a plurality of circuits is performed. Even in the case of such a pattern control, if the light output of the illumination load changes abruptly, it is dazzling and burdens the eyes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above problem is solved by providing a fade function for pattern control.

Here, a point to be considered when realizing the fade function in the pattern control is that the light outputs of a plurality of illumination loads to be subjected to the pattern control start to change at the same time.
At the same time change must stop. In other words, in the pattern control of the conventional lighting control system, the transmission control device that receives the operation signal from the operation terminal for pattern control refers to the pattern table in which the pattern is registered, and sequentially controls the individual light control terminals. Since the data is transmitted, the start and stop timings of the change of the light output of the lighting load are shifted between the dimming terminals, resulting in a time difference.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above problem is solved by performing pattern control in the following procedure.

FIG. 6 shows a system configuration of the present embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment in that an operation terminal device for pattern control (hereinafter referred to as a "pattern switch") 31c,
An operation terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “group switch”) 31d for turning on / off the lighting loads in the group at once
Are connected to the transmission control device 30 by the signal line Ls. Pattern data is registered in the data memory 23 of the transmission control device 30 in advance. The pattern data includes an individual address of each dimming terminal 32 that controls a lighting load to be subjected to pattern control, a target dimming level for each dimming terminal 32, a fade time, and each of the above dimming levels. It consists of a broadcast control address commonly set to the optical terminal 32.

Here, the operation of the pattern control in the present embodiment is described by changing the illumination loads of the dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 by the pattern switch 31c as shown in FIG. An example in which the fade time is increased to 60%, 100%, and 0% in a fade time of 6 seconds will be described. FIG.
In the above configuration, the individual address of the pattern switch 31c is associated with the simultaneous control address of the dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32.

Now, when the switch Sd of the pattern switch 31c is pressed, the operation signal OPon is transmitted from the pattern switch 31c to the transmission control device 30, and the transmission control device 30 transmits the operation signal OPon to the pattern switch 3 which transmitted the operation signal OPon.
The plurality of dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 having the simultaneous control address associated with the individual address 1c are preset with reference to the pattern table stored in the data memory 23. The level signals CN _{L1 to} CN _L4 indicating the target dimming level are sequentially transmitted by transmission signals using individual addresses as address data. Next, the transmission control device 30 sequentially transmits the ON signal CNon for turning on the lighting load at the dimming level of 0% by a transmission signal using the individual address as address data. Each of the dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 stores the received target dimming level in the memory, and turns on the lighting load at a dimming level of 0% when the ON signal is received.

Next, the transmission control device 30 sets the fade time (=
(6 seconds) is transmitted by a transmission signal that uses the simultaneous control address set in common to the plurality of dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 as address data. Thus, each of the dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 can receive the fade start signal CNfe substantially simultaneously.
In each of the dimming terminals (1) to (4) 32 receiving the fade start signal CNfe, the dimming level of the lighting load is set to 0%.
, The amount of change in dimming required to raise each target dimming level in 6 seconds is calculated, and the dimming level of the lighting load is increased according to the amount of dimming (fade-in is performed). Note that the transmission control device 30 transmits the fade start signal CN
At the same time as the transmission of fe, the time count of the fade time is started, and when this time count ends, the lighting load for turning off the lighting load on the dimming terminal (4) 32 whose target dimming level is set to 0%. An off signal CNoff is transmitted.
The dimming terminal (4) 32 receiving this off signal CNoff
Turns off the lighting load.

As described above, by pressing the switch Sd of the pattern switch 31c, the corresponding dimming terminal (1)
(4) 32 calculates the dimming change amount from the target dimming level and the fade time, and upon receiving a fade start signal using the address data as the simultaneous control address from the transmission control device 30, simultaneously sets the dimming level of the lighting load. Since it gradually changes to the target dimming level, the light output of the lighting loads of the multiple circuits to be controlled can be changed at the same time, so that the pattern can be controlled without discomfort. Can reduce the burden on the eyes, and can perform fine lighting control according to the atmosphere.

In some cases, it may be desirable to change the dimming level slowly at a certain lighting load and quickly change the lighting load at another place, so that an arbitrary fade time can be set for each pattern. It is. Thereby, fine lighting control can be performed according to the atmosphere.

In the above-described pattern control, it is possible to switch to a preset illumination scene by depressing the switch Sd of the pattern switch 31c, but it is not possible to repeatedly turn on and off the illumination load of a plurality of circuits. Can not. For such an application, group control is performed in which lighting loads of a plurality of circuits are turned on and off collectively. In other words, the dimming terminal 32 that controls the illumination load of a plurality of circuits to be subjected to pattern control is added to the individual address of the group switch 31d in the system configuration shown in FIG.
Are associated. In this case as well, the target dimming level is first transmitted to each dimming terminal 32 in the above-described procedure, and the fade start signal is transmitted by the simultaneous control address, so that a plurality of lightings can be performed without causing discomfort due to a time difference. The load can be turned on and off all at once.
If an arbitrary fade time can be set for each of a plurality of groups, finer lighting control can be performed according to the atmosphere.

[0078]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address are branched and connected to a signal line, and the transmission control device connected to the signal line is connected to each of the terminals. A transmission signal is transmitted and received by a time-division multiplexing transmission method between the devices, and by using the correspondence of addresses set in the transmission control device, the transmission signal including data corresponding to the operation of the operation unit provided in the operation terminal device is transmitted. A lighting control system for controlling a lighting load connected to the control terminal by transmitting the lighting load to a control terminal defined by the correspondence, wherein the correspondence associates one operation unit with one circuit lighting load. There are individual control relationships and simultaneous control relationships that associate lighting loads of multiple circuits with one operation unit.
The control terminal, an individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each control terminal,
A general control address setting unit for setting a general control address which is an address commonly set to a plurality of control terminals, and a terminal processing unit provided for each control terminal uses an individual address by the transmission signal. Is specified and the address data included in the transmission signal matches the individual address set in the individual address setting unit, or the use of the simultaneous control address is specified by the transmission signal and the address data included in the transmission signal is synchronized. Since the dimming level of the lighting load is controlled to be the dimming level instructed by the operation unit of the operation terminal when it coincides with the simultaneous control address set in the control address setting unit. Has a simultaneous control address separate from the individual address, and the simultaneous control address is set in common by multiple control terminals. The control terminals to which the simultaneous control address is set receive the same transmission signal at substantially the same time, so that it becomes possible to control the dimming level of the lighting load at substantially the same timing, and the control terminals are grouped. There is an advantage that the dimming levels of a plurality of lighting loads can be changed without a time difference. Also, if the individual address is used, the lighting load can be controlled individually,
When grouping while controlling the individual lighting loads, the dimming level is not changed at the same time, and there is no sense of incongruity.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the simultaneous control address setting unit can set a plurality of simultaneous control addresses, it becomes possible to make one lighting load belong to a plurality of groups in common. For example, in a case where a lighting fixture to be subjected to group control is changed depending on whether or not to use a partition in a room where a large number of lighting fixtures are arranged, a group and a partition when one lighting fixture uses a partition are used. Although they belong to the group where they are not used, it is possible to easily cope with such grouping.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device comprises:
Since the simultaneous control address is set in the simultaneous control address setting section of each control terminal through the signal line, the simultaneous control address of each control terminal can be set using the signal line. When setting the simultaneous control address, it is not necessary to go to the place where each control terminal is installed, and the work of setting the simultaneous control address becomes easy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the transmission control apparatus,
When the individual address of any of the control terminals is changed, a new simultaneous control address obtained based on the changed individual address is set in the simultaneous control address setting section of the control terminal. When the individual address is changed and it becomes necessary to set the simultaneous control address, there is no need to go to the installation location of each control terminal, and the work of setting the simultaneous control address becomes easy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device comprises:
It is checked whether or not the simultaneous control address transmitted to the control terminal coincides with the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit of the control terminal and returned by the transmission signal from the control terminal. Since the means is provided, it is possible to prevent a trouble that the simultaneous control address is not accurately transmitted to the control terminal due to noise or the like.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device comprises:
Check the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting section of each control terminal when starting the system,
A means for setting a correct simultaneous control address for a control terminal in which an address different from the originally set simultaneous control address is provided, for example, in a state where the simultaneous control address setting operation is not completed. Even if the system goes down (power off, etc.), the correct simultaneous control address is set to each control terminal at system startup,
Group dimming operation as intended can be performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a display unit for displaying a dimming level of a lighting load is provided on the operation terminal device, and the transmission control device sequentially polls all the terminal devices from each of the control terminals. When returning the monitoring data indicating the dimming level of the actual lighting load, updating the dimming level displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal based on the monitoring data, and receiving a transmission signal from the operation terminal. Each control terminal associated with the operation unit of the operation terminal in the simultaneous control relationship is polled with priority over other terminals not associated in the simultaneous control relationship. Even if all control terminals are dimmed simultaneously, the display on the display unit of the operation terminal unit is suppressed from lagging behind the change in the dimming level of the actual lighting load, and the display on the display unit is performed without discomfort. Door can be.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device comprises:
The fade time of the lighting load is transmitted to the control terminals having the same simultaneous control address, and the terminal processing unit of each control terminal receives the control data of the start of the fade by the transmission signal including the simultaneous control address, and then receives the light. Since the dimming level of the load is faded by the fade time, the dimming level can be gradually changed within a group of a plurality of lighting loads to be simultaneously controlled. And light control can be performed very finely according to the atmosphere.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the transmission control device comprises:
Since the different fade times can be transmitted for each simultaneous control address, for each group of a plurality of lighting loads to be simultaneously controlled, one group changes the dimming level quickly, and another group changes it slowly. As described above, the dimming control can be performed very finely.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address are branched and connected to a signal line, and a transmission control device connected to the signal line is connected to each of the terminals. The transmission signal is transmitted and received by the time division multiplex transmission method, and by using the correspondence of the address set in the transmission control device, the transmission signal including the data corresponding to the operation of the operation unit provided in the operation terminal device is transmitted. A lighting control system for controlling a lighting load connected to the control terminal by transmitting the lighting load to the control terminal specified in the above, wherein the correspondence relationship is such that individual operation corresponds to one circuit lighting load. The control terminal includes an individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each control terminal, and the transmission control unit After transmitting to the control terminal the data of the fade time for the change to the target dimming level and the target dimming level, the control terminal of the fade start is transmitted to the control terminal by a transmission signal, and each control terminal is transmitted to the control terminal. The provided terminal processing unit calculates a dimming amount required for the dimming level of the lighting load to reach the target dimming level in the fade time, and receives control data for starting the fade, and receives lighting data in accordance with the dimming amount. Since the dimming level of the load is faded to the target dimming level, the dimming level of the lighting load can be gradually changed. Very fine dimming control is possible.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the transmission control device can transmit the different fade time for each control terminal, a certain lighting load changes the dimming level quickly for each of a plurality of lighting loads. This makes it possible to perform very fine dimming control, such as changing another illumination load slowly.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the correspondence relation includes:
There is a simultaneous control relationship for associating the lighting loads of a plurality of circuits with one operation unit, and the control terminal is a simultaneous control address setting unit for setting a simultaneous control address which is an address commonly set to the plurality of control terminals. Comprising, the transmission control device transmits a target dimming level and data of a fade time to be changed to the target dimming level to the plurality of control terminals for which a simultaneous control address is set, The fade start control data is transmitted to each of the control terminals by a transmission signal having the address data as the simultaneous control address, and the dimming level of the lighting load is set at the fade time in the terminal processing unit of each of the control terminals. Calculates the amount of dimming required to reach the dimming level, the transmission signal instructs the use of the simultaneous control address and is included in the transmission signal. When the address data matches the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit and receives the fade start control data, the dimming level of the lighting load is faded to the target dimming level according to the dimming amount. A pattern control that can simultaneously perform fade control simultaneously by a plurality of control terminals,
Since the dimming level of the illumination load can be gradually changed, very fine pattern control according to the atmosphere can be performed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the transmission control device can transmit the different fade time for each control terminal, the transmission control device can change the fade time for each of a plurality of patterns, and change the fade time according to the atmosphere. Can control.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a usage example of the above.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a control procedure in the above.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a control procedure in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a control procedure in the above.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a usage example of a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a control procedure of the above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional lighting control system.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a control procedure in the above.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view showing a procedure of group control in the above.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 transmission control device 31 operation terminal device 31 a individual dimming switch 31 b group dimming switch 32 control terminal device (dimming terminal device) 12 individual address setting unit 13 simultaneous control address setting unit Ls signal line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3K073 AA12 AA54 AA60 AA66 AA75 AA79 CA01 CB01 CB04 CB07 CC03 CE07 CE09 CE12 CF13 CF14 CG06 CG42 CH21 CJ00 CJ01 CJ02 CJ06 CJ11 CJ19 CJ21 CJ22 5K03 BA03 CA08 DA02 DA05 EB01 EB02 HA01 HA02

Claims (13)

[Claims] A plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address are branched and connected to a signal line, and a time division multiplex transmission system is used between a transmission control device connected to the signal line and each of the terminals. To send and receive transmission signals,
By using the correspondence of the address set in the transmission control device, by transmitting a transmission signal including data corresponding to the operation of the operation unit provided in the operation terminal to the control terminal defined by the correspondence, A lighting control system for controlling a lighting load connected to a control terminal, wherein the correspondence relationship is an individual control relationship in which one operation unit is associated with one circuit lighting load, and one operation unit is a plurality of circuit lighting loads. There is a simultaneous control relationship that associates, the control terminal,
An individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each control terminal, and a simultaneous control address setting unit that sets a simultaneous control address that is an address commonly set to a plurality of control terminals. The terminal processing unit provided in each control terminal device, the use of an individual address is instructed by the transmission signal, and the address data included in the transmission signal matches the individual address set in the individual address setting unit, or When the use of the broadcast control address is instructed by the transmission signal and the address data included in the transmission signal matches the broadcast control address set in the broadcast control address setting unit, the dimming level of the lighting load is changed to the operation terminal. A lighting control system that controls the light control level to be instructed by the operation unit. 2. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein said simultaneous control address setting section can set a plurality of simultaneous control addresses. 3. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control device sets a simultaneous control address in a simultaneous control address setting section of each control terminal through a signal line. 4. The transmission control device according to claim 1, wherein when the individual address of any of the control terminals is changed, the transmission control device assigns a new general control address obtained based on the changed individual address to the general control address of the control terminal. The lighting control system according to claim 3, wherein the setting is set in a setting unit. 5. The simultaneous control address transmitted to the control terminal, the simultaneous control set in the simultaneous control address setting unit of the control terminal, and the simultaneous control returned from the control terminal by a transmission signal. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for checking whether or not the address matches.
A lighting control system as described. 6. The transmission control device checks the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit of each control terminal at the time of starting the system, and determines that an address different from the simultaneous control address that should be originally set. 4. The lighting control system according to claim 3, further comprising means for setting a correct simultaneous control address for the set control terminal. 7. A display unit for displaying a dimming level of a lighting load on the operation terminal, wherein the transmission control device sequentially polls all the terminals and transmits the actual lighting load from each of the control terminals. Returning monitoring data indicating the dimming level, updating the dimming level displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal based on the monitoring data, and receiving the transmission signal from the operation terminal, 7. The polling device according to claim 1, wherein each of the control terminals associated with the operation unit in the simultaneous control relationship is polled with priority over other terminals not associated in the simultaneous control relationship. 3. The lighting control system according to 1. 8. The transmission control device transmits a lighting load fade time to control terminals having the same simultaneous control address, and a terminal processing unit of each control terminal transmits a transmission signal including the simultaneous control address. 2. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein when the control data for starting the fade is received, the dimming level of the lighting load is faded by the fade time. 9. The lighting control system according to claim 8, wherein the transmission control device can transmit the different fade times for each simultaneous control address. 10. A time division multiplex transmission system between a transmission control device connected to a signal line and a plurality of operation terminals and control terminals each having an address, and a control terminal connected to the signal line. By transmitting and receiving a transmission signal by using, and by using the correspondence of the address set in the transmission control device, the transmission signal including data corresponding to the operation of the operation unit provided in the operation terminal device is controlled by the correspondence defined by the correspondence. A lighting control system for controlling a lighting load connected to the control terminal by transmitting the lighting load to a control terminal, wherein the correspondence includes at least an individual control relation for associating a lighting load of one circuit with one operation unit, The control terminal includes an individual address setting unit that sets an individual address that is a unique address for each control terminal, and the transmission control device includes a target dimming level. After transmitting the fade time data for the change to the target dimming level and the control terminal device, the control terminal device transmits a fade start control data to the control terminal device by a transmission signal, and a terminal processing unit provided in each control terminal device. Calculates the dimming amount necessary for the dimming level of the lighting load to reach the target dimming level in the fade time, and receives control data for the start of the fade, and receives the dimming level of the lighting load according to the dimming amount. A lighting control system characterized in that the light is faded to a target dimming level. 11. The lighting control system according to claim 10, wherein the transmission control device can transmit the different fade time for each control terminal. 12. The correspondence relationship includes a simultaneous control relationship in which one operation unit associates a plurality of circuits with a lighting load, and the control terminal is an address commonly set to a plurality of control terminals. A broadcast control address setting unit configured to set a broadcast control address, wherein the transmission control device is configured to change a target dimming level and a target dimming level to a plurality of the control terminals to which the broadcast control address is set. And transmitting the fade start control data to each of the control terminals by a transmission signal using the address data as the simultaneous control address, and a terminal processing unit of each of the control terminals. The dimming amount required for the dimming level of the load to reach the target dimming level in the fade time is calculated, and the simultaneous control address of the simultaneous control address is calculated by the transmission signal. When use is instructed and the address data included in the transmission signal matches the simultaneous control address set in the simultaneous control address setting unit and receives the fade start control data, the dimming level of the illumination load is adjusted according to the dimming amount. The lighting control system according to claim 10, wherein the light is faded to a target dimming level. 13. The lighting control system according to claim 12, wherein the transmission control device can transmit the different fade time for each control terminal.