JP2001244083A - Dimmer system device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To concurrently monitor and control the state of a plurality of dimmer systems by accessing only to one supervisory server. SOLUTION: Consoles 1A to 1C respectively transmit state information to dimmer system servers 4A to 4C. A supervisory server 9 manages the dimmer systems 3A to 3C by receiving state information from the dimmer system servers 4A to 4C. Clients 5, 6 can monitor and control the dimmer systems 3A to 3C by accessing only to the supervisory server 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dimming system apparatus for controlling and monitoring indoor and outdoor lighting collectively.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a dimming system device using a network has been developed for centralized management of lighting in each room in an office or the like, centralized management of lighting in each studio in a broadcasting station or the like.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing such a conventional light control system device.

[0004] In the case of stage lighting, it is necessary to continuously change the lighting over time according to scenes and scenes that change with time. In studio lighting such as TV,
Since an image is reproduced through a video system such as a television camera, it is necessary to consider brightness and color rendering in consideration of the video system. In a television studio, the arrangement, posture, and dimming setting of each lamp are performed for each broadcast program, and the brightness of each lamp is dimmed as the program progresses. There is a need.

As described above, in a stage or a studio, a dimming system is provided to adjust the brightness of a plurality of lamps. The dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 can be controlled by operating the operation buttons (not shown) provided on the console 1A constituting the dimming system 3A. Dimmer 2
A1 to 2A3 perform dimming control and the like of each lighting device (not shown) based on a dimming signal from the console 1A.

On the other hand, status information indicating the state of dimming of the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 is input to the console 1A, and the status of each dimmer 2A1 to 2A3 is monitored by the console 1A. Can be. The console 1A outputs the state information to the dimming system server 4A. Thereby, even on the dimming system server 4A, each dimmer 2A1 to 2A2
The state of A3 can be monitored. Further, the dimming system server 4A can output a control signal to the console 1A to control the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3.

In the consoles 1B and 1C, similarly, the dimmers 2B1 to 2B3 and the dimmers 2C1 to 2C
The control of 3 and the monitoring of the state are performed. The dimming system servers 4A to 4C control the consoles 1A to 1C, respectively, and receive and store state information. Accordingly, the dimming system servers 4A to 4C can perform display based on the received state information and can present the states of the dimmers 2A1 to 2C3 to the user.

[0008] Clients 5 and 6 constituted by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) and the like,
The dimming system servers 4A to 4C can be accessed via a general-purpose network. Client 5,6
Can access the dimming system servers 4A to 4C to control the dimming system and monitor the states of the dimmers 2A1 to 2C3.

For example, the dimming system servers 4A to 4C
When the client 5 and the client 5 and 6 can communicate with each other using the TCP / IP protocol, the client 5 and the client 5 and 6
Using the WW browser, each of the dimming system servers 4A to 4C can be accessed.

However, it is necessary for the clients 5 and 6 to specify the URL for each of the dimming system servers 4A to 4C on the WWW browser. Therefore, when accessing a plurality of dimming system servers, such as when monitoring different studios, it is necessary to specify a URL for each access, which is complicated. In addition, only one light control system state can be confirmed by one access.

By the way, in office buildings and the like, lighting control using a network is adopted. In the office, it is conceivable that the control method of each lighting is fixed depending on the day of the week and the time for each installation location. Therefore, some conventional light control system devices used in offices and the like have a time schedule function of controlling each lighting load in a pattern automatically determined according to the day of the week and time.

By setting the time schedule in the central control and monitoring device corresponding to the console of FIG. 14, automatic control of each lighting is possible. In addition, generally, a wall switch for directly operating each lighting by a user is also provided.

By the way, it is conceivable that a user controls a specific lighting load by a wall switch at a fixed time on a fixed day of the week other than the time schedule control contents set by the user. It is better to incorporate the contents of the customary control into the time schedule, but it is necessary to additionally set a new pattern (time schedule) in the central control and monitoring device, which is complicated.

In general, the dimming system (operating console) and the dimming system server are often installed at remote locations. Therefore, when using the console, the console and the dimming system server are operated independently, and the power is turned on separately even though the dimming system server must be started at the same time. Done.

Therefore, in order to make the dimming system available after the power of the console is turned on, it is necessary to move to a place where the dimming system server is installed and start the dimming system server software. is there. Conversely, if the user wants to use the dimming system immediately after turning on the console, it is necessary to activate the dimming system server software in advance regardless of whether the console is turned on.

Further, when the power of the light control system server is not turned on, it is necessary to turn on the power of the light control system server before starting the server software.

By the way, as described above, the dimming system server acquires the status information of the dimmer by transmitting the status information from the console. The state information of the dimmer changes at an arbitrary timing. Since it is necessary to store the latest information in the dimming system server, the console regularly sends the status information of all dimmers to the dimming system server. I have.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing communication between the console and the dimming system server.

When the dimmer monitoring signal from the console is supplied to each dimmer (step S102), the dimmer is turned on at step S102.
At 100, status information indicating the status of the dimmer etc. is returned to the console. The console receives and stores the state information in step S103, and transmits the state information to the dimming system server in step S104. The dimming system server stores the received state information.

Thereafter, the same operation is repeated.

However, the console periodically transmits a monitoring signal to each dimmer, and when the number of dimmers is large, the console frequently receives status information and transmits it to the dimming system server. As a result, there is a problem that the amount of data from the console to the light control system server is extremely large and the efficiency is low.

By the way, the amount of luminous flux of the illumination lamp decreases depending on the use time and the use environment. Generally, when designing equipment, such a decrease in luminous flux is expected,
The design is designed so that the design illuminance can be maintained even after the lapse of the rated lighting time when the luminous flux amount decreases most.

Therefore, in an initial state such as when starting to use the equipment or immediately after replacing the lamp, the brightness becomes higher than the design illuminance, and more power is consumed than necessary.

Therefore, in order to save energy, techniques such as initial illuminance correction and proper illuminance control may be adopted.
In these methods, the brightness of the room is detected by an optical sensor or the like, the lighting time is integrated, and the dimming control of the lighting load is appropriately performed according to the lighting time.

However, according to this method, when the amount of lamp luminous flux falls below a predetermined value, the designed illuminance cannot be maintained. For this reason, conventionally, it has been necessary for maintenance personnel to periodically check the necessity of lamp replacement.

[0026]

As described above, in the above-described conventional dimming system device, the states of a plurality of dimming system servers cannot be displayed at the same time.
There is a problem that an operation for accessing a plurality of light control system servers is complicated. There is also a problem that the operation for incorporating the customary control into the time schedule is complicated. There is also a problem that, apart from turning on and off the power of the light control console, it is necessary to turn on the power of the light control system server and start the server software. Further, there is a problem that the amount of data from the light control console to the light control system server is extremely large, and the efficiency is low.
In addition, there is also a problem that maintenance personnel need to periodically check the necessity of lamp replacement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a dimming system device capable of simultaneously displaying the states of a plurality of dimming system servers. I do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system device that can simplify the operation for accessing a plurality of dimming system servers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system that can automate an operation for incorporating customary control into a time schedule.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system device that can automatically start dimming system server software when the power of the dimming console is turned on.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system device that can link the turning on and off of the power of the dimming desk with the turning on and off of the power of the dimming system server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system device that can reduce the amount of data from the dimming console to the dimming system server and improve transmission efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimming system device that can automatically check the necessity of lamp replacement and notify the user of the change.

[0034]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a dimming system includes a plurality of dimmers for controlling a lighting load and a console for controlling and monitoring the dimmers. A dimming system; a plurality of dimming system servers capable of communicating with respective consoles of the plurality of dimming systems; and 1 connected to the plurality of dimming system servers via a predetermined network A plurality of clients; an integrated server provided on the predetermined network, capable of communicating with the plurality of dimming system servers to collectively manage states of the plurality of dimming systems; According to claim 1 of the present invention, the console of each dimming system communicates with the corresponding dimming system server to transmit the status of the dimming system. Each dimming system server, the general server and the client are connected on a network, and information from each dimming system server is supplied to the general server. Thereby, the central server manages the states of the plurality of light control systems collectively, and the client accesses the central server to obtain the states of the plurality of light control systems.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dimming system apparatus, comprising: a dimmer for controlling a lighting load; a monitoring terminal for monitoring a user's control operation on the lighting load; A central control and monitoring device for controlling and monitoring a dimmer, and maintaining a time schedule that is a setting of habitual control of the dimmer; and capable of communicating with the central control and monitoring device; A lighting control system server configured to detect a user's habitual operation based on an output of the monitoring terminal, create a time schedule, and set the time schedule in the central control and monitoring device; According to 2, the monitoring terminal monitors the control operation of the user. The lighting control system server creates a time schedule by detecting a user's customary operation from the output of the monitoring terminal. The created time schedule is set in the central control and monitoring device. Thereby, the customary operation of the user is automated.

A dimming system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a dimming system having a dimmer for controlling a lighting load and a dimmer console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer; A light control system server that can communicate with the light control table, and activates a light control system server software for monitoring and controlling the light control system when the power of the light control table is turned on; According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light control system server software is activated by turning on the power of the light control console. As a result, it is possible to control and monitor the dimming system immediately after turning on the power of the dimming console.

A dimming system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a dimming system having a dimmer for controlling a lighting load and a dimmer console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer; And a dimming system server capable of communicating with the light desk and turning on and off in conjunction with turning on and off of the light desk. According to this, the power of the light control system server is turned on and off in response to the power on and off of the light control console.

A dimming system apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a dimmer for controlling a lighting load, and a dimmer for controlling and monitoring the dimmer and receiving status information from the dimmer. A light control system having a light console; and a light control system server capable of communicating with the light control console and performing polling on the light control console to acquire the state information;
According to claim 8 of the present invention, the dimmer receives status information from the dimmer. Then, the light control console transmits the status information in response to the polling of the light control system server.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dimming system device, comprising: a dimmer for controlling a lighting load; a detecting terminal for detecting the illuminance of the lighting load; and controlling the dimmer and the detecting terminal. And a central control and monitoring device for setting the illumination load to a constant illuminance according to the detection result of the detection terminal. The illuminance of the lighting load is detected by the terminal, and the central control and monitoring device sets the lighting load to a constant illuminance according to the detection result of the detecting terminal.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a light control system device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same components as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Operation console 1A constituting light control system 3A
Has operation buttons and the like (not shown) for performing dimming control of a plurality of lights, and controls each of the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 based on the operation of the operation buttons and the like by the user. Each of the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 performs dimming control or the like of each lighting device (not shown) based on a dimming signal from the console 1A.

The console 1A receives status information indicating the status of each of the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 such as dimming. The console 1A stores the status information and also controls the dimming system server. 4A. The console 1A can also control each of the dimmers 2A1 to 2A3 according to a control signal from the dimming system server 4A.

Similarly, the console 1B controls the dimmers 2B1 to 2B3 and monitors the status, and the console 1C controls the dimmers 2C1 to 2C3 and monitors the status.

The consoles 1A to 1C and the dimming system servers 4A to 4C are respectively connected by dedicated signal lines corresponding to, for example, the RS232C standard. The dimming system servers 4A to 4C communicate with the consoles 1A to 1C to control the consoles 1A to 1C, and receive and store state information. The dimming system servers 4A to 4C are capable of performing display and the like based on the received state information.

The dimming system servers 4A to 4C are interconnected by a general-purpose network. Clients 5 and 6 constituted by personal computers and the like are also connected on the general-purpose network. The clients 5 and 6 can access the dimming system servers 4A to 4C to control the dimming system and monitor the states of the dimmers 2A1 to 2C3.

For example, the dimming system servers 4A to 4C
When the client 5 and the client 5 and 6 can communicate with each other using the TCP / IP protocol, the client 5 and the client 5 and 6
Using the WW browser, each of the dimming system servers 4A to 4C can be accessed.

In this embodiment, the central server 9 is connected on a general-purpose network. Central server 9
Periodically sends a request to each of the dimming system servers 4A to 4C to return current monitoring data of each dimming system. The dimming system servers 4A to 4C include consoles 1A to 1A, respectively.
The communication with the C is performed to acquire monitoring data of each dimming system, and transmit the monitoring data to the general server 9 as return monitoring data.

The central server 9 can store the received return monitoring data and transfer the return monitoring data in response to a request from the client 5 or 6. This allows
The state of each dimming system can be displayed on a display screen (not shown) of each of the clients 5 and 6.

When there is a dimming system server that does not respond to the request for returning the monitoring data, the central server 9 determines that the dimming system controlled by this dimming system server is not operating. And that the system is inactive is stored.

The light control system server and the console may be configured separately and connected by a dedicated signal line.
Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the dimming system server is housed in the cabinet of the console.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of monitoring.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of control.

The consoles 1A to 1C control the dimmers of the dimming systems 3A to 3C, respectively, acquire status information indicating the status, and output the status information to the dimming system servers 4A to 4C.

The control server 9 is provided for each dimming system server 4
Information requests from the light control systems 3A to 3C are periodically made to the light control systems A to 4C. That is, steps S1 and S2 in FIG.
In steps S4 and S7, the central server 9 requests status information from the dimming system servers 4A to 4C, respectively. On the other hand, the active light control system servers 4A to 4C return a response to the central server in steps S2, S5 and S8. Thus, the supervising server 9 performs steps S3, S6,
In S9, the status information of the dimming systems 3A to 3C is obtained and stored.

Here, the user can control the light control system 3
It is assumed that the state of A and 3B is to be monitored. In this case, the user will be able to use client 5 or
Access to the central server 9 and the dimming system 3
Request the status information of A and 3B (step S10).

For example, when the central server 9 and the clients 5 and 6 adopt the TCP / IP protocol, the http protocol, or the like, the clients 5 and 6
By specifying the URL of the central server 9 on a WWW browser or the like, a display based on information from the central server 9 can be performed on the WWW browser. In this case, on the side of the central server 9, based on the state information,
An http server that stores a display indicating the state of each dimming system in a format compatible with a WWW browser may be provided.

When the clients 5 and 6 request status information using a WWW browser or the like, the central server 9 returns status information on the dimming systems 3A and 3B (step S11). The clients 5 and 6 receive the status information in step S12 and display the status information on a WWW browser. In this way, the user can simultaneously monitor the states of a plurality of dimming systems by specifying only the URL of the central server 9 using the client 5 or 6.

Next, the operation for controlling each dimming system will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, even when each dimming system is controlled, the user can use the client 5
Alternatively, only the central server 9 may be accessed by 6. The clients 5 and 6 access the central server 9 by, for example, a WWW browser or the like, and request a change in the state of each dimming system according to a user's input operation. In this case, the central server 9 only has to write a program for receiving the input of the user.

For example, the dimmer 2A2 of the dimming system 3A
Dimming control is performed. The user inputs a request for changing the state information of the dimmer 2A2 together with the value while referring to the display on the WWW browser of the clients 5 and 6. The status information change request in step S21 is transmitted and received from the clients 5 and 6 to the central server 9 (step S22).

The central server 9 responds to the status information change request by controlling the dimming system server 4A that manages the dimming system 3A.
A is requested to change the state information of the dimmer 2A2 (step S23). When the light control system server 4A receives the change request in step S24, the light control system server 4A
A control signal is output to A to instruct dimmer control of the dimmer 2A2. The console 1A controls the dimmer of the dimmer 2A2,
The status information as the control result is returned to the dimming system server 4A.

The dimming system server 4A responds to the operation console 1A and responds to the status information change request in response to the status information change request.
If it is determined that the dimming control is normally performed, the status information is normally returned to the central server 9 (step S24).

The control server 9 determines in step S25
The status information of the light control system 3A is received and updated and stored. In step S26, the light control device 2A2 of the light control system 3A
Is returned to the client 5 or 6 that the dimming control is normally performed. Upon receiving the status information changed normally, the client 5 or 6 performs display indicating that the dimming control has been performed normally. Thereby, the user can know that the dimming control is performed as instructed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the general control server for controlling each light control system server is provided, when the client accesses one control server, all the light control systems are controlled. Status monitoring and status control can be performed simultaneously.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example applied to a device having a time schedule function.

The central control and monitoring device 13 is a console 1A shown in FIG.
, And controls the control terminals 11A, 11B,... The control terminals 11A, 11B,... Are controlled by the central control and monitoring device 13 to perform lighting control of a lighting device (not shown). Also, state information indicating the state of each of the control terminals 11A, 11B,... Is input to the central control / monitoring device 13, and the central control / monitoring device 13 stores each state information and the lighting control system server 14 Can be output to In addition, the central control monitoring device 13 can control each of the control terminals 11A, 11B,... According to a control signal from the lighting control system server 14.

The central control and monitoring device 13 and the lighting control system server 14 are connected by a dedicated signal line conforming to, for example, the RS232C standard. The lighting control system server 14 communicates with the central control and monitoring device 13 to control the control terminals 11A, 11B,..., And receives and stores state information. The lighting control system server 14 can perform display and the like based on the received state information.

The lighting control system server 14 is connected to client PCs 15 and 16 via a general-purpose network. The client PCs 15 and 16 access the lighting control system server 14 and control the control terminals 11A and 1A.
1B,... Can be controlled and their status can be monitored.

The client PCs 15 and 16 access the lighting control system server 14 to access the respective control terminals 11 acquired by the lighting control system server 14.
Display of the state of A, 11B,...
, And a screen for controlling each of the control terminals 11A, 11B,... Can be displayed.

The monitoring terminals 12A, 12B,...
Are respectively constituted by wall switches for controlling the control terminals 11A, 11B,..., And control the control terminals 11A, 11B,. Is output to the central control and monitoring device 13.

The central control / monitoring device 13 is connected to each monitoring terminal 1
Operation signals (switch data) from 2A, 12B,... Are transmitted to the lighting control system server 14 as needed. In the present embodiment, the lighting control system server 14 stores the content of the switch data and the time zone in which the switch data occurs for each monitoring terminal. Lighting control system server 1
4 monitors switch data input as needed to determine whether a customary operation is performed for each monitoring terminal. For example, the lighting control system server 14
The presence or absence of a habitual operation is determined by detecting that the same operation has been repeated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time zone range. The criterion for determination can be appropriately changed by a user operation or the like.

When the lighting control system server 14 determines that a customary operation is being performed, the lighting control system server 14 creates a time schedule for automatically controlling the corresponding monitoring terminal, and generates a time schedule. 13 is output. The central control and monitoring device 13 updates the time schedule based on the output of the lighting control system server 14.

It should be noted that various methods for judging a customary operation in the lighting control system server 14 can be considered. For example,
The lighting control system server 14 continuously receives an operation signal (switch data) from one or more monitoring terminals within a specified time.
May be determined that there is a possibility of a conventional switch operation. The lighting control system server 14
When it is determined that there is a possibility of a conventional switch operation, the operation signal and the operation time zone at that time are stored. When the lighting control system server 14 detects a continuous operation of the monitoring terminal device, if the operation is a stored operation and the operation time period is the same, it is determined that the operation is a habitual operation. Is also good.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

It is assumed that the monitoring terminal 12A is operated by the user. The monitoring terminal 12A adds its own address (address 1) to the switch data based on the user operation and outputs the data to the central control monitoring device 13 (step S31 in FIG. 5). Similarly, the other monitoring terminals 12B,
When the user operation is performed, addresses (addresses 2, 3,...) Are added to the switch data and output to the central control and monitoring device 13 (steps S37, S3).
8).

The central control and monitoring device 13 transmits the received switch data to the lighting control system server 14 (steps S32, S38, S44). Lighting control system server 1
4 receives the switch data (steps S33, S33).
39, S41), the content and the operation time zone are stored for each monitoring terminal, and are compared with the previous history for each monitoring terminal.

For example, a monitoring terminal other than the monitoring terminal that is automatically operated by the user according to the time schedule,
It is assumed that the operation is performed for a plurality of days at a predetermined time every day.
Then, the lighting control system server 14 detects that the same operation of the same monitoring terminal in the same time period has reached a predetermined number of times, and the customary operation is performed on this monitoring terminal. Is determined.

If the lighting control system server 14 determines in step S34, S40, or S46 that a customary operation is being performed on each monitoring terminal, the lighting control system server 14 sets a time schedule for automating the operation. It is created and output to the central control and monitoring device 13. Central control and monitoring device 13
Updates the time schedule based on the received data (steps S36, S42, S48).

In this manner, the operations habitually performed by the user are incorporated into the time schedule and automated thereafter.

FIG. 6 shows an operation flow in the case where it is determined that the operation is a habitual operation based on the related operations of a plurality of switches.

When the monitoring terminals 12A, 12B, and 12C are continuously operated in steps S51, S54, and S57 in FIG. 6, the lighting control system server 14 continuously receives switch data from each monitoring terminal. I do. In step S60, the lighting control system server 14 determines that there is a possibility of a habitual operation by receiving more than a specified number of switch data within a specified time.

Thereafter, it is assumed that the same continuous switch operation is repeated a plurality of times. Then, in step S70, the lighting control system server 14 determines that the operation is a habitual operation and creates a time schedule. Thereby, the central control monitoring device 13 additionally updates the time schedule.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a time schedule is automatically created and set by detecting a user's habitual operation, so that a habitual operation can be performed without performing a complicated operation. Operation can be automated.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the light control system server software can be activated by turning on the power of the light control console.

The light control console 1 constituting the light control system 3 controls the light control devices 2A, 2B,... Like the console of FIG. Each of the dimmers 2A, 2B,...
A, 7B,... Are connected, and dimmers 2A, 2B,.
Controls the dimming of the loads 7A, 7B,... Based on the signal from the dimming console 1.

The dimming console 1 transmits and receives data to and from the dimming system server 4 through, for example, a signal line of the RS232C standard, and controls the dimmers 2A, 2B,... And each dimmer 2A, 2
, And the statuses of the loads 7A, 7B,... Are acquired and stored. The dimmer 1 has dimmers 2A, 2B, ... and a load 7A,
7B,... And the own device are supplied to the dimming system server 4.

Note that the status information includes a load capacity, a ball out,
This includes information on overload, circuit failure, level monitor, etc., and information on power reduction of the dimmer console itself, connected dimmers, etc.

The dimming system server 4 is connected to the monitor 4a, and can display the monitoring status of the dimming system 3 on the monitor 4a. Also, the dimming system server 4
Are connected to a general-purpose network. The client PCs 15 to 18 can access the dimming system server 4 via the general-purpose network and acquire and display the monitoring status of the dimming system 3. Further, the client PCs 15 to 18 can control the light control system 3 via the light control system server 4.

In the present embodiment, the light control system server 4 can start the light control system server software in conjunction with the turning on of the power of the light control console 1. That is, the light control console 1 transmits a light control system server start signal to the light control system server 4 when the power is turned on. Further, when the user turns off the power of the light control console 1, the light control system server 4 before the power is turned off.
, A dimming system server end signal is transmitted.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the user turns on the power of the lighting console 1. Then, the light control console 1 transmits a light control system server start signal to the light control system server 4 (step S81). Upon receiving the light control system server start signal, the light control system server 4 starts the light control system server software (step S82).

On the other hand, the dimmer 1 with the power turned on instructs the dimmers 2A, 2B,... To perform initialization processing (step S83). As a result, each of the dimmers 2A, 2B,... Starts an initialization process (step S84). Dimmer 2A, 2
B,... Transmit initialization data (initialization processing data) to the light control console 1, and the light control console 1 transmits the initialization processing data to the light control system server 4. The dimming system server 4 stores the received initialization processing data by the activated dimming system server software (step S87).

Here, it is assumed that an abnormality occurs in the initialization processing. The dimmer in which the abnormality has occurred transmits the initialization process abnormal data to the dimmer 1 (step S88), and the dimmer 1 transmits this data to the dimmer system server 4 (step S89). The light control system server 4 receives and stores the initialization process abnormal data (step S90). When the initialization process ends, the dimmers 2A, 2B,... Report the end of the initialization process to the dimmer 1.

When the user operates the client PCs 15 to 18
It is assumed that the display of the state of the light control system 3 is requested by any one of the steps (step S93). This request is transmitted to the light control system server 4 via the general-purpose network, and the light control system server 4 returns the stored various initialization processing data to the client PC. As a result, a display based on various types of initialization processing data is performed on the client PC (step S95).

Here, it is assumed that the user performs an operation of turning off the power of the light control console 1. The light control console 1 transmits a light control system server end signal to the light control system server 4 before the power is turned off. Thereby, the dimming system server 4
Terminates the dimming system server software.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the dimming system server software can be automatically started and terminated in accordance with the turning on and off of the power of the dimming console 1. Even when the light control system server 4 is located at a distance from the light control system server 4, the light control system 3 can be controlled immediately after the light control console 1 is turned on.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are block diagrams showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the power of the light control system server is turned on and off in response to the power on and off of the light control console. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 7 only in the configuration of the light control desk and the light control system server, and the other parts are not shown.

In FIG. 9, the dimming console 21 and the dimming system server 22 have the functions of dimming control and status monitoring and the communication between them for the control and monitoring. It has the same configuration as the optical desk 1 and the dimming system server 4, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the power switch of the light control console 21 and the power switch of the light control system server 22 are linked. That is, when the power switch of the light control console 21 is turned on, the power of the light control system server 22 is also turned on, and when the power switch of the light control console 21 is turned off, the power of the light control system server 22 is also turned off. Has become.

In the embodiment configured as described above, when the power switch of the light control console 21 is turned on for dimming control and status monitoring of the light control system, the power of the light control system server 22 is simultaneously turned on. Becomes The light control system server 22 automatically starts the light control system server software when the power is turned on.

The subsequent initialization processing and the like are the same as in the embodiment of FIG.

In FIG. 10, the dimming console 23 and the dimming system server 24 have the dimming control and status monitoring functions and the communication between them for the control and monitoring. The configuration is the same as that of the light console 21 and the light control system server 22, respectively, and the power of the light control system server 24 is turned on and off as the power of the light console 23 is turned on and off.

In the present embodiment, the light control console 23 is
When the power is turned on, an initialization start process (step S83 in FIG. 8) for initializing the dimmer is started, and the dimming system server communication software is started. When the initialization process is completed, the communication software transmits a light control console activation completion signal to the light control system server 24. When the power of the light control console 23 is turned off, the communication software outputs a light control system server end signal to the light control system server 24 before the power is turned off.

The power of the light control system server 24 is turned on when the power of the light control console 23 is turned on. When the power is turned on, the dimming system server 24 starts the boot end software and starts the dimming system server software. The dimming system server software receives and stores initialization processing data when a dimming console activation completion signal is input. When the dimming system server end signal is input, the startup end software ends the dimming system server software before the power of the dimming system server 24 is turned off.

In the embodiment configured as described above, when the power switch of the light control console 23 is turned on, the power of the light control system server 22 is simultaneously turned on. The dimming system server 22 activates the boot end software when the power is turned on, and thereby starts up the dimming system server software.

On the other hand, the dimming console 23 activates the dimming system server communication software when the power is turned on, and transmits a dimming console activation completion signal to the dimming system server 24 after the initialization process of the dimmer is completed. . Thereby, the dimming system server software of the dimming system server 24 acquires and stores the initialization processing data.

When the power of the light control console 23 is turned off, the light control system server communication software transmits a light control system server end signal to the light control system server 24.
After this transmission process, the power of the light control console 23 is turned off.

When the dimming system server 24 receives the dimming system server end signal, the dimming system server software terminates the dimming system server software before the power of the dimming system server 24 is turned off.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the power of the light control console 23 is turned on, the light control system server software of the light control system server 24 executes the light control after the completion of the light control device initialization processing. Get the initialization data. This prevents the device from malfunctioning due to bad data immediately after startup. When the power of the light control console 23 is turned off, the light control system server 24 turns off the power after terminating the light control system server software.
This prevents data from being damaged.

FIG. 11 shows data communication between the light control desk 23 and the light control system server 24. The normal process after starting the dimming system server software is performed by the dimming system server communication software of the dimming console 23, for example, by RS232.
C or the like. The various data transmitted from the light control console 23 is once received by the startup end software of the light control system server 24, and is further passed to the light control system server software. In addition, various data transmitted by the dimming system server software is received by the activation end software once, for example, R
The data is transmitted to the dimming system server communication software of the dimmer 23 using S232C or the like.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation flow employed in another embodiment of the present invention. 12, the same processes as those in FIG. 15 of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals. The hardware configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.

The present embodiment is designed to reduce the amount of communication between the light control desk and the light control system server.

The dimmer 1 (see FIG. 1) transmits a dimmer monitoring signal to each dimmer, receives status information from the dimmer, and transmits it to the dimming system server. Has become.

In the present embodiment, the dimmer 1 stores the received state information and transmits it to the dimming system server only when there is a change in the state information received in response to the monitoring signal. It has become.

In the embodiment configured as described above, data transmission and reception between the dimmer and the dimmer is the same as in the conventional example. That is, in step S102 of FIG. 12, the dimmer transmits a dimmer monitoring signal to the dimmer, and in step S100, the dimmer transmits status information to the dimmer.

In the present embodiment, the dimming console determines in step S120 whether or not the status information has changed by comparing it with the previously received status information, and updates the storage only when the status information has changed. It is supposed to. Then, the lighting console does not immediately transmit the stored state information.

In this embodiment, the light control console transmits status information in response to polling from the light control system server. That is, the dimming system server starts polling at predetermined time intervals. In step S125, when the polling is started, the light control console transmits the state information to the light control system server in response to the poll, if there is information that has not been transmitted in the changed state information.

The dimming system server stores the received status information. When the predetermined period has elapsed, the light control system server starts polling again (step S129). On the other hand, the dimmer outputs a dimmer monitoring signal to the dimmer at predetermined time intervals, and the dimmer returns status information to the dimmer. If there is no change in the status information, the dimmer does not store the received information signal.

When the polling is performed after the transmission of the status information and before the reception of the changed status information, the dimming console transmits only the information indicating that there is no changed information to the dimming system. Return to the server (step S123). The light control system server determines that there is no state information to be stored from the received information.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the status information is transmitted only when the status information changes, and when the status information does not change, only the information indicating that fact is transmitted. Therefore, the amount of transmission data can be significantly reduced. Further, by performing polling processing, information is transmitted only when necessary, so that highly efficient information transmission is possible.

If there is no status information changed by polling, no signal may be transmitted to the dimming system server.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. 13, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the required dimming level is automatically calculated, and the lamp replacement time is automatically detected so that the user can be notified.

The dimming system 30 includes the central control and monitoring device 3
1, control terminals 32A, 32B,..., Optical sensor terminal 3
3, and loads 34A, 34B,... And an optical sensor 35. The central control and monitoring device 31 has the same function as the light control console 1 in FIG. Control terminals 32A, 32B,
Are respectively controlled by the central control and monitoring device 31, and the load 3
4A, 34B,... And outputs status information indicating the status to the central control and monitoring device 31.

The light sensor terminal 33 controls the light sensor 35 to detect the illuminance. The optical sensor terminal 33 outputs the detected illuminance to the central control and monitoring device 31.

In the present embodiment, the central control and monitoring device 31 receives the detection result of the optical sensor 35, calculates the required dimming level, and sets the dimming level of each control terminal. Has become.

The central control / monitoring device 31 stores in advance data which predicts the relationship between the lamp luminous flux reduction and the lighting time, and based on the detection result of the optical sensor 35, the loads 34A, 34B,. Are integrated.

In the embodiment configured as described above, the central control and monitoring device 31 is, of course,
The current dimming levels of A, 34B,... Are known. Further, the central control monitoring device 31 can know the actual illuminance of the lighting load based on the detection result of the optical sensor 35. As a result, the central control and monitoring device 31 controls each control terminal to obtain the required illuminance.

When the dimming level set by the central control and monitoring device 31 reaches a predetermined value (generally, 100% lighting), if the lamp luminous flux further decreases,
It will be lower than the design illuminance.

Therefore, when the dimming level set by the central control and monitoring device 31 reaches a predetermined value, the central control and monitoring device 31 transmits this data to the dimming system server 4 and A warning is issued to each client PC for prompting lamp replacement. This warning is sent to client P
It is presented on the screen of C.

Thus, the user can know the lamp replacement time by the screen display and the warning sound of the client PC.

The central control and monitoring device 31 can also estimate the cumulative use time of the lamp, and if this time exceeds a predetermined time, a warning may be issued to prompt the user to replace the lamp. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the dimming level can be automatically set, and the lamp replacement time can be automatically detected and notified to the user.

[0132]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously display the states of a number of dimming system servers and to access a plurality of dimming system servers. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation for simplifying the operation can be simplified, and the operation for incorporating customary control into the time schedule can be automated. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the light control system server software can be automatically started when the power of the light control console is turned on, and according to the fifth aspect of the present invention. For example, there is an effect that the power on / off of the light control console and the power on / off of the light control system server can be linked with each other. Dimming system By reducing the amount of data to have the effect that it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency, also,
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that a check of necessity of lamp replacement can be automated and notified to a user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a dimming system device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation flow employed in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional light control system device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining data transmission in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A-1C: operation console, 2A1-2C3: dimmer, 3A-
3C: dimming system, 4A to 4C: dimming system server, 5, 6: client, 9: general server.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hidenori Nishigaki 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term in Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp. 3K060 AA06 BD10 CA08 CB09 3K073 AA03 AA16 AA53 AB03 AB07 CB01 CC02 CC11 CC22 CC24 CE06 CE12 CG06 CG42 CJ02 CJ05 CJ11 5H215 AA19 BB16 BB18 CC09 CX06 CX08 GG02 GG03 GG05 KK04 KK06 5K048 AA04 BA07 DA02 DC04 EB02 EB11 EB12 HA01 HA02 9A001 JJ05 JZ38 KK55

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of dimming systems each having a dimmer for controlling a lighting load and a console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer; and between each console of the plurality of dimming systems. A plurality of dimming system servers that can communicate with each other, and one or more clients connected to the plurality of dimming system servers via a predetermined network; and the plurality of dimming systems provided on the predetermined network. A dimming system device, comprising: an integrated server that communicates with an optical system server and can collectively manage the states of the plurality of dimming systems. 2. A dimmer for controlling a lighting load; a monitoring terminal for monitoring a user's control operation on the lighting load; and controlling and monitoring the dimmer and the monitoring terminal. A central control and monitoring device for maintaining a time schedule that is a setting of customary control of the dimmer;
A lighting control system capable of communicating with the central control monitoring device, detecting a user's habitual operation based on an output of the monitoring terminal, creating a time schedule, and setting the time schedule in the central control monitoring device. A light control system device, comprising: a server; 3. A dimming system comprising: a dimmer for controlling a lighting load; and a dimming console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer; and capable of communicating with the dimming console; A dimming system server for starting dimming system server software for monitoring and controlling the dimming system when the power of the dimming console is turned on. 4. The light control system server acquires each information of an initialization process performed between the light control console and the light control device after turning on the power of the light control console. The light control system device according to claim 3. 5. A dimming system, comprising: a dimmer for controlling a lighting load; and a dimming console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer; and communicating with the dimmer, A dimming system server that turns on and off the power in conjunction with turning on and off the power of the dimming console. 6. The dimming system server may be configured such that when power is turned on, start-up / termination software for starting or terminating dimming system server software for monitoring and controlling the dimming system is automatically started. The light control system device according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The light control system device according to claim 6, wherein the start / stop software can control start / stop from the light control console. 8. A dimming system comprising: a dimmer for controlling a lighting load; a dimming console for controlling and monitoring the dimmer and receiving status information from the dimmer; and the dimming. A dimming system server capable of communicating with the desk and polling the dimming table to obtain the status information. 9. The light control system according to claim 8, wherein the light control console transmits the content to the light control system server only when there is a change in the status information received from the light control device. Optical system equipment. 10. A dimmer for controlling a lighting load; a detection terminal for detecting illuminance of the lighting load; and a controller for controlling and monitoring the dimmer and the detection terminal, wherein the detection terminal A central control and monitoring device for setting the illumination load to a constant illuminance according to the detection result of the light control device. 11. A dimming system server capable of communicating with the central control and monitoring device; and one or more clients connected to the dimming system server via a predetermined network; The dimming system device according to claim 10, wherein the central control and monitoring device has a function of notifying the client of dimming level information. 12. A dimming system server capable of communicating with the central control and monitoring device; and one or more clients connected to the dimming system server via a predetermined network; The dimming system according to claim 10, wherein the central control and monitoring device has a function of accumulating a lighting time of the lighting load according to a detection result of the detection terminal and notifying the client of the accumulation result. apparatus.