JP2005294032A - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting control system capable of suppressing fluctuation of timing for the illuminance change of a lighting load even when a plurality of operation terminals are simultaneously operated, while preventing a response speed to the operation of the operation terminal from falling when there are a large number of control terminals and the operation terminals. <P>SOLUTION: The operation terminals 2a, 2b are mutually connected through signal lines 4a - 4c. Each of the operation terminals 2a, 2b detects that the other terminal 2a, 2b is operated, by a signal mutually inputted and outputted through the signal line 4a - 4c. When a plurality of the operation terminals 2a, 2b are simultaneously operated, one operation terminal 2a among those simultaneously operated produces a composite control signal containing the contents of the control signals of itself and the other terminal 2b to transmit it to control terminals 1a, 1b by multicasting, and the other operation terminal 2b stops transmission of the control signal. The control terminals 1a, 1b control light modulation of lighting loads La, Lb based on the composite control signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting control system in which a plurality of control terminals that respectively control a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals that are respectively operated for controlling the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line.

  Conventionally, in a lighting control system in which a plurality of control terminals each controlling a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals each operated to control the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line, signal collision is prevented. Various methods have been proposed for this purpose (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As this type of method, for example, a token ring method that circulates a control packet (Token) that grants a signal transmission right on a transmission line, or a control terminal communicates with each operation terminal in order. A polling method is known.

  However, when there are a large number of control terminals and operation terminals, it takes longer for the token to stay at the operation terminal that is not operated by the token ring method, and communication between the operation terminal that is not operated by the polling method and the control terminal. Since the time for which the transmission line is used becomes long, the response to the operation to the operation terminal is delayed by any method.

In addition, a means for detecting whether or not a signal exists on the transmission line is provided in the control terminal or the operation terminal, and the signal exists on the transmission line when the control terminal or the operation terminal tries to transmit the signal. Sometimes the transmission of the signal is postponed, and the signal is transmitted only when there is no signal on the transmission line, thereby reducing the collision, and the CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) method, and the CSMA / ACK (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with ACKnowledgement) is known. In the case of the CSMA / CD method and the CSMA / ACK method, even if the number of control terminals and operation terminals is large, a decrease in response speed to an operation on the operation terminal can be avoided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-197091

  Here, some illumination control systems can change the illuminance in stages, and when changing the illuminance in multiple stages, it is necessary to transmit a control signal as many times as the stage of changing the illuminance.

  In such an illumination control system, when the CSMA / CD method or the CSMA / ACK method is used, for example, even if another operation terminal is operated while a certain operation terminal transmits a plurality of control signals, Since the terminal has to wait until the operation terminal that is transmitting the control signal completes transmission, the illuminance of another lighting load changes after a while after the illuminance of one lighting load changes at a stroke, Variations in the timing of the illuminance change of the illumination load will cause a sense of discomfort to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and its purpose is to prevent a decrease in response speed to an operation to the operation terminal when the number of control terminals and operation terminals is large, An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination control system capable of suppressing variations in timing of illuminance changes of illumination loads even when operated simultaneously.

  The invention of claim 1 is an illumination in which a plurality of control terminals each controlling a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals corresponding to the control terminals and operated for dimming control of the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line. Each of the operation terminals includes an operation unit that is operated to perform dimming control of the lighting load, a control unit that generates a control signal according to an operation applied to the operation unit, and a control unit. A control transmission unit that transmits the generated control signal to the transmission line, an inter-operation terminal transmission unit that is connected to another operation terminal via the signal line and transmits a signal according to the control of the control unit to the other operation terminal, An inter-operation terminal receiving unit that is connected to another operation terminal via a signal line and receives a signal from the other operation terminal and inputs the signal to the control unit, and each control terminal is transmitted through a transmission line A receiver that receives the control signal; When the control signal from the operating terminal is received by the receiving unit, the control unit of each operating terminal has a load control unit that performs dimming control of the lighting load according to the control signal. To control the inter-operation terminal transmission unit to transmit a notice signal indicating the contents of the control signal to other operation terminals, and during the transmission of the notice signal, the advance signal from the other operation terminal is received by the inter-operation terminal reception unit. In such a case, in one of the operation terminals, the control unit generates a combined control signal including the contents of the control signals of all the other operation terminals that output the warning signal and its own control signal, A control signal is transmitted to the control transmitter for a plurality of control terminals including all the control terminals corresponding to each of the other operation terminals that output at least the notice signal and itself, and other than the above one In the operation terminal, the control unit The load control unit of the control terminal detects the content of the control signal intended for itself from the combined control signal received by the receiving unit, and determines the lighting load based on the content of the control signal. It is characterized by dimming control.

  According to the present invention, an operation terminal that is not operated and a control terminal corresponding to the operation terminal do not transmit / receive signals, thereby preventing a decrease in response speed to an operation to the operation terminal when the number of operation terminals and control terminals is large. However, since each control terminal corresponding to each operated operation terminal simultaneously controls the lighting load by simultaneously receiving the combined control signal, the variation in timing of the illuminance change of the lighting load varies. It is suppressed and does not give the user a sense of incongruity. Further, since the control signals of a plurality of operation terminals operated at the same time are transmitted as a combined control signal for all the control terminals corresponding to the operated operation terminals, one control terminal collides with each other. Is prevented.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, each operation terminal has a combined control signal detecting means for detecting whether or not a combined control signal exists on the transmission line. When the composite control signal is not detected by the composite control signal detection means within a predetermined time after the transmission of the control signal is stopped, the transmission unit transmits a retransmission request signal to the inter-operation terminal transmission unit, When the retransmission request signal corresponding to the synthesis control signal is received by the inter-operation terminal reception unit after being transmitted to the control transmission unit, the synthesis control signal is transmitted again to the control transmission unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a failure in transmission of the synthesis control signal by the synthesis control signal detection means, and when transmission of the synthesis control signal fails, transmission of the synthesis control signal can be performed again.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of control terminals each controlling a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals corresponding to the control terminals and operated for dimming control of the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line. Each of the operation terminals includes an operation unit that is operated to perform dimming control of the lighting load, a control unit that generates a control signal according to an operation applied to the operation unit, and a control unit. A control unit that transmits the generated control signal to the transmission line, and a signal detection unit that detects a signal on the transmission line, and each control terminal receives a control signal transmitted through the transmission line. And a load control unit that performs dimming control on the lighting load in accordance with the control signal when a control signal from the corresponding operation terminal is received by the reception unit, the control unit of each operation terminal includes: When trying to send a control signal When the control signal of the other operation terminal is detected by the signal detection means, or after the control signal of the other operation terminal is no longer detected by the signal detection means by the signal detection means, it is sufficient time for detection of the control signal. If it is before the waiting time has elapsed, at least after the control signal of the other operation terminal is no longer detected by the signal detecting means, the transmission of the control signal is postponed until the waiting time has passed. The control unit of the operation terminal holds the priority that is a parameter held for each operation terminal, and there is an operation terminal that delays the waiting time and postpones the transmission of the control signal as its own priority is higher The priority is changed at any time so that the control signal is not continuously transmitted from time to time.

  According to the present invention, an operation terminal that is not operated and a control terminal corresponding to the operation terminal do not transmit / receive signals, thereby preventing a decrease in response speed to an operation to the operation terminal when the number of operation terminals and control terminals is large. However, when a plurality of operation terminals are operated at the same time, the operated operation terminals will transmit a control signal once in the order of priority, so variation in the timing of illuminance change can be suppressed. Does not give the user a sense of incongruity.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the control terminal has a transmission unit that transmits a confirmation signal to the operation terminal through the transmission line when a control signal from the corresponding operation terminal is received by the reception unit. Then, the control unit of the operation terminal transmits the control signal to the control transmission unit, and then the signal detection means within a predetermined time-out time that is sufficient for the confirmation signal to reach the operation terminal and shorter than the standby time. If the confirmation signal is not detected, the control signal transmission is attempted again. When the control signal of another operation terminal is detected by the signal detection means, the transmission of the control signal is postponed. When the confirmation signal is not detected by the signal detection means within the timeout period after being sent to the control transmitter, the priority is increased, and the control signal is sent to the control transmitter, and then the control signal is handled. Sure Signal, characterized in that the lowest priority itself when it is detected in the signal detecting means.

  This invention is an embodiment of the invention of claim 3, and the same effect as that of the invention of claim 3 can be obtained.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, each operation terminal is connected to another operation terminal via a signal line and transmits a signal according to the control of the control unit to the other operation terminal. An inter-operation terminal transmission unit, and an inter-operation terminal reception unit that is connected to another operation terminal via a signal line and receives a signal from the other operation terminal and inputs the signal to the control unit. Before transmitting the control signal to the control transmission unit, the control unit transmits a notification signal indicating the contents of the control signal to the inter-operation terminal transmission unit. When received by the receiving unit, it is characterized in that its own priority is set so that the priorities of the respective operation terminals that have transmitted the warning signal are all different.

  According to this invention, since the occurrence of a collision due to the same priority among a plurality of operation terminals is prevented, the response speed to an operation on the operation terminal is improved.

  According to the present invention, an operation terminal that is not operated and a control terminal corresponding to the operation terminal do not perform signal transmission / reception so that a response speed to an operation on the operation terminal is reduced when the number of operation terminals and control terminals is large. While preventing, when a plurality of operation terminals are operated at the same time, the combined control signal obtained by synthesizing the control signals to the plurality of control terminals is received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of target control terminals receiving substantially the same. Since each control terminal that is controlled or operated transmits a control signal once in the order of priority, variation in the timing of illuminance change of the lighting load is suppressed, and the user does not feel uncomfortable. .

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (for example, two) control terminals 1a and 1b for controlling the lighting loads La and Lb, respectively, and the lighting loads La corresponding to the control terminals 1a and 1b on a one-to-one basis. , Lb, a plurality of operation terminals 2a, 2b operated for control are connected to a common transmission line 3 by a bus. Here, each control terminal 1a, 1b and each operation terminal 2a, 2b each have a housing of a shape that can be attached to a mounting frame for an embedded wiring device. Each control terminal 1a, 1b is embedded in, for example, a wall surface at a position close to the corresponding lighting load La, Lb, and each operation terminal 2a, 2b is located at a position away from the control terminals 1a, 1b. For example, they are embedded in a wall surface close to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation terminals 2a and 2b are operated by operating the operation unit 21 and the operation unit 21 operated to control the lighting loads La and Lb corresponding to the operation terminals 2a and 2b, respectively. A control unit 22 that generates a control signal corresponding to the content of the operation applied to the operation unit 21 and a transmission unit 23 that transmits the control signal generated by the control unit 22 to the control terminals 1a and 1b through the transmission line 3. And have. The operation unit 21 includes, for example, a push button handle that is pressed and an up switch and a down switch that have a switch that generates an output every time the push button handle is pressed and inputs the output to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. When the signal is input from the up switch, the control unit 22 generates a control signal that increases the illuminance of the lighting loads La and Lb by one level. When the signal is input from the down switch, the control unit 22 A control signal for reducing the illuminance by one level is generated. The transmission unit 23 transmits the control signal as a pulse signal by turning on and off the voltage applied between the transmission lines 3 according to the content of the control signal, for example. Each operation terminal 2a, 2b transmits a control signal by a so-called CSMA method. That is, each operation terminal 2a, 2b has a signal detection unit 26 that detects a signal on the transmission line 3 by detecting a voltage between the transmission lines 3, for example, and the control unit 22 sends a signal to the transmission unit 23. If any signal is detected on the transmission line 3 by the signal detection unit 26 when transmitting the signal, the signal transmission is postponed until at least the signal detection unit 26 detects no signal. Here, since the transmission unit 23 and the signal detection unit 26 can be realized using a conventionally known technique, illustration and description of a detailed configuration are omitted. Although only one operation terminal 2a is shown in FIG. 2, the other operation terminals 2b have a common configuration.

  Here, the operation terminals 2a and 2b are connected via signal lines 4a to 4c, and each operation terminal 2a and 2b is driven by the control unit 22 and is connected to the other operation terminals 2a and 2b via the signal lines 4a to 4c. And an inter-operation terminal receiving unit 25 for inputting signals transmitted from the other operation terminals 2a and 2b through the signal lines 4a to 4c to the control unit 22. The signal lines 4a to 4c include, for example, signal lines 4a and 4b corresponding to one operation terminal 2a and 2b, respectively, and a common signal line 4c. In each operation terminal 2a, 2b, the inter-operation terminal transmission unit 24 operates all other operation terminals 2a, 2b that are close to each other via the signal lines 4a, 4b and the common signal line 4c corresponding to itself. It is connected to the inter-terminal receiving unit 25. For example, the inter-operation terminal transmitting unit 24 applies a voltage corresponding to the content of the signal between the signal lines 4a and 4b corresponding to its own operation terminals 2a and 2b and the signal line 4c of the reference potential, thereby providing another operation terminal 2a. , 2b. The inter-operation terminal receiving unit 25 detects signals from the other operation terminals 2a and 2b by detecting a voltage between the signal lines 4a and 4b that do not correspond to the operation terminals 2a and 2b and the reference potential signal line 4c, for example. Receive. In addition, since the transmission part 24 between operation terminals and the transmission part 25 between operation terminals are each realizable using a conventionally well-known technique, illustration and description about a detailed structure are abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each control terminal 1a, 1b receives a control signal by detecting a voltage between the transmission lines 3, for example, and a load control for dimming the lighting loads La, Lb. And a control unit 13 that causes the load control unit 12 to control the lighting loads La and Lb based on the control signal when the control signal is received by the receiving unit 11. Here, the control terminals 1a, 1b and the operation terminals 2a, 2b are associated with each other by an address, and the control signal includes an address corresponding to the target control terminal 1a, 1b. The control part 13 consists of microcomputers, for example, and when the control signal containing the address corresponding to self is received by the receiving part 11, it controls the load control part 12 according to this control signal. The load control unit 12 is inserted into the power supply path 5 connected to the AC 100V power source for supplying power to the lighting loads La and Lb, for example, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the lighting loads La and Lb, thereby adjusting the lighting loads La and Lb. Dimming control of Lb is performed. For example, the receiving unit 11 converts a control signal received from the transmission line 3 into a signal input to the control unit 13. Here, since the receiving unit 11 and the load control unit 12 can be realized using a conventionally well-known technique, illustration and description of a detailed configuration are omitted. Moreover, each control terminal 1a, 1b is provided with the operation part 14 similar to the operation terminals 2a, 2b operated in order to perform dimming control of the illumination loads La, Lb, and the operation part 14 is operated in the control part 13. The lighting loads La and Lb are dimmed and controlled according to the operation applied to the operation unit 14. That is, the lighting loads La and Lb can be dimmed and controlled by operating the operation unit 14 of the control terminals 1a and 1b. 3 shows only one control terminal 1a, other control terminals 1b also have a common configuration.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the operation terminals 2a and 2b, which is the gist of the present embodiment, will be described.

  When, for example, an up switch of the operation unit 21 is operated, the control unit 22 of each operation terminal 2a, 2b generates a control signal that increases the illuminance of the corresponding illumination load La, Lb. Then, before transmitting the generated control signal to the transmitting unit 23, the inter-operating-terminal transmitting unit 24 transmits a warning signal indicating that the illuminance of the corresponding lighting loads La and Lb is increased.

  Here, each of the operation terminals 2a and 2b has a setting unit 27 made of, for example, a dip switch, and a priority order is set in advance between the operation terminals 2a and 2b by the setting unit 27.

  Then, when the notice signal of the other operation terminals 2a, 2b is received by the inter-operation terminal receiving unit 25 during the notice time, that is, when the operation unit 21 is simultaneously operated by the plurality of operation terminals 2a, 2b. The different operation is performed between the operation terminal 2a having the highest priority and the other operation terminal 2b. That is, in the operation terminal 2a having the highest priority, the control unit 22 controls the contents of its own control signal and the information of the target control terminal 1a, the contents of the control signal of the other operation terminal 2b, and the target control terminal. A new synthesis control signal including all the information 1b is generated and transmitted to the transmission unit 23. Here, in the control unit 13 of each control terminal 1a, 1b, a multicast address for all the control terminals 1a, 1b is defined, and not only a control signal including an address corresponding to itself but also a multicast address. A control signal including an address is also received. The synthesis control signal includes a multicast address. That is, the composite control signal is transmitted by so-called multicast that simultaneously targets a plurality of control terminals 1a and 1b. Further, the control terminal 2b with the second or higher priority stops transmitting the control signal.

  In each control terminal 1a, 1b, when the combined control signal is received by the receiving unit 11, the control unit 13 detects the content of the control signal for itself from the combined control signal, and based on this, for example, the lighting loads 1a, 1b The load controller 12 controls the lighting loads 1a and 1b so as to increase the illuminance.

  Note that, in the operation terminals 2a and 2b in which the operation unit 21 is operated, when the notification signal from the other operation terminals 2a and 2b is not received by the inter-operation terminal receiving unit 25 during the notification time, the control unit 22 Causes the transmitter 23 to transmit the control signal as it is.

  According to the above configuration, the operation terminals 2a and 2b and the control terminals 1a and 1b corresponding to the operation terminals 2a and 2b that do not operate the operation unit 21 do not transmit and receive signals, thereby the number of operation terminals 2a and 2b and control terminals 1a and 1b. The control terminals 1a and 1b corresponding to the operation terminals 2a and 2b operated at the same time with the operation unit 21 are combined and controlled almost simultaneously while preventing a decrease in response speed to the operation to the operation terminals 2a and 2b when there are many Since the illumination loads La and Lb are controlled almost simultaneously by receiving the signal, the variation in the timing of the illuminance change of the illumination loads La and Lb can be suppressed, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable. Further, the control signals of the plurality of operation terminals 2a and 2b operated at the same time at the operation unit 21 are combined for all the control terminals 1a and 1b corresponding to the operation terminals 2a and 2b operated at the operation unit 21. Since one operating terminal 2a transmits as a control signal, there is no collision between the control signals.

  In this embodiment, the control terminals 1a and 1b and the operation terminals 2a and 2b are two. However, if the number of signal lines 4a to 4d is increased by the number of operation terminals 2a to 2c as shown in FIG. A case where three or more control terminals 1a to 1c and operation terminals 2a to 2c are used can also be handled.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, each operation terminal 2a, 2b transmits a control signal by the CSMA / ACK method. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, each control terminal 1 a and 1 b includes a transmission unit 15 that is controlled by the control unit 13 and transmits a signal to the operation terminals 2 a and 2 b through the transmission line 3. When the control unit 13 of each control terminal 1a, 1b receives the control signal intended for itself, the control unit 13 causes the load control unit 12 to perform dimming control of the lighting loads La, Lb and a predetermined confirmation signal. Is transmitted to the transmission unit 15. Since the transmission unit 15 can be realized by using a conventionally known technique, illustration and description of a detailed configuration are omitted.

  In each operation terminal 2a, 2b, the control unit 22 transmits the same control signal again when the signal detection unit 26 does not detect the confirmation signal within a predetermined time-out period after transmitting the control signal to the transmission unit 23. To do.

  Here, when the control unit 13 of each control terminal 1a, 1b transmits a confirmation signal to the transmission unit 15 with respect to the signal transmitted by multicast, the confirmation signals transmitted from the plurality of control terminals 1a, 1b are transmitted. Since a collision occurs on the line 3, in the CSMA / ACK method, a confirmation signal is usually not transmitted for a signal transmitted by multicast. Also in this embodiment, since the synthesis control signal is transmitted by multicast, in the control terminals 1a and 1b, when the synthesis control signal is received by the reception unit 11, the control unit 13 does not transmit the confirmation signal. However, the success or failure of transmission of the synthesis control signal cannot be detected as it is.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 22 detects success or failure of transmission of the composite control signal in the operation terminal 2b that has stopped transmission of the control signal, and the failure of transmission of the composite control signal is detected, the composite control signal Is requested to retransmit the composite control signal through the signal lines 4a to 4c.

  Specifically, for example, when the operation unit 21 is operated simultaneously on each of the plurality of operation terminals 2a and 2b, within the predetermined time after the control signal transmission is stopped in the operation terminal 2b having the second priority or lower. When the composite control signal is not detected by the signal detection unit 26, the control unit 22 causes the inter-operation terminal transmission unit 24 to transmit a retransmission request signal. In the operating terminal 2a that has transmitted the combined control signal, when the retransmission request signal is received by the inter-operating terminal receiving unit 25, the control unit 22 causes the transmitting unit 23 to transmit the combined control signal again.

  Alternatively, in the operation terminal 2b with the second or higher priority, when the combined control signal is detected by the signal detection unit 26 after the transmission of the control signal is stopped, the control unit 22 transmits to the inter-operation terminal transmission unit 24. A confirmation signal may be transmitted. In this case, in the operation terminal 2a that has transmitted the composite control signal, when the transmission confirmation signal is not received by the inter-operation terminal reception unit 25 within a predetermined time after the transmission of the composite control signal to the transmission unit 23, the control unit 22 again causes the transmission unit 23 to transmit the synthesis control signal.

  According to the above configuration, the transmission failure of the synthesis control signal can be detected, and when the transmission failure of the synthesis control signal is detected, the synthesis control signal can be transmitted again.

(Embodiment 3)
Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 13 of each of the control terminals 1a to 1c changes the illuminance of the illumination loads La to Lc in stages each time a control signal intended for itself is received by the receiving unit 11. In addition, the present embodiment does not use the signal lines 4a to 4d as shown in FIG. 6, and the operation terminals 2a to 2c are respectively connected between the operation terminal transmitter 24 and the operation terminals as shown in FIG. The receiving unit 25 is not provided. Each operation terminal 2a to 2c monitors the signal on the transmission line 3, and when the control signal is detected on the transmission line 3 and when the control signal is not detected, the standby time postpones the transmission of the control signal. In addition, when the operation unit 21 is operated simultaneously on each of the plurality of operation terminals 2a to 2c, the operation terminals 2a to 2c operated on the operation unit 21 sequentially transmit the control signal once in order. By adjusting the waiting time, the variation in the timing of the illuminance change of the illumination loads La to Lc is suppressed.

  More specifically, when the operation unit 21 is operated, the control unit 22 of each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c generates a control signal corresponding to the added operation as many times as the added operation.

Moreover, the control part 22 of each operation terminal 2a-2c has each monitored the output of the signal detection part 26, and is controlled on the transmission line 3 by the signal detection part 26, as shown to Fig.8 (a) (b). When signal SC is detected, a period in which the control signal SC on the transmission line 3 by at least the signal detecting section 26 is detected, the control signal SC is given from the time T _E that is no longer detected timeout on the transmission line 3 The transmission of the control signal is postponed until the time Δt _O has elapsed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the confirmation signal SA is detected by the signal detection unit 26 before the timeout time Δt _O elapses, the confirmation signal SA is not detected and is longer than the timeout time Δt _O. until after a long predetermined interframe gap time Delta] t _F postpones the transmission of the control signal as the transmission prohibition period [Delta] T _P1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the confirmation signal is not detected by the signal detection unit 26 before the timeout time Δt _O elapses, the control signal is not detected on the transmission line 3. counting from T _E to the point where the inter-frame gap time Delta] t _F has elapsed postpone the transmission of the control signal as the transmission prohibition period [Delta] T _P2.

Then further waits integer n times the time of a predetermined unit waiting time Delta] t _u, the if time to Tn to the signal detection unit 26 on the transmission line 3 is the next control signal SC long as it is detected, the control signal SC The transmission is further postponed, and if the control signal SC is not detected on the transmission line 3, the control signal SC is transmitted. That is, if a confirmation signal SA is detected, the control signal SC is detected not become to check the signal SA is the integer n times the interframe gap time Delta] t _F and the unit waiting time Delta] t _u until no longer be detected (hereinafter the , referred to as "slot number n".) plus the fold becomes standby time, if the confirmation signal SA is not detected, and the slot number n times the interframe gap time Delta] t _F and the unit waiting time Delta] t _u The thing that adds is the waiting time. Here, the length of the unit standby time Δt _u indicates that the control signal transmitted at a certain timing T _n−1 is detected by the operation terminals 2 a to 2 c by the next timing T _n after the unit standby time Δt _u. long enough that part 26 can be reliably detected, and may be any common is the unit waiting time Delta] t _u is the operation terminal 2a~2c at the same time, may not necessarily always constant.

In addition, the control unit 22 of each operation terminal 2a to 2c of the present embodiment holds the priority that is an internal parameter, and the higher the priority, the smaller the slot number n is selected and the earlier timing T ₁ transmitting a control signal in through T _n. That is, the higher the priority, the shorter the waiting time. Furthermore, the timing at which the control signal is transmitted is a period in which the control signals of the other operation terminals 2a to 2c are detected by the signal detection unit 26 or a transmission prohibition period accompanying the control signals of the other operation terminals 2a to 2c. Therefore, when the transmission of the control signal is postponed and when the confirmation signal is not detected by the signal detection unit 26 until the timeout time Δt _O elapses after the transmission of its own control signal, The priority is increased, and when a confirmation signal is detected by the signal detection unit 26 after transmission of the control signal, the priority is set to the lowest value.

Specifically, for example, when there are 15 slot numbers n of 1 to 15 and the priority is five levels from the lowest value 1 to the highest value 5, the control unit 22 of each operation terminal 2a to 2c If its own priority is 5, if one of the three timings T _{1 to} T ₃ of slot numbers n = 1 to 3, which is the earliest timing, is randomly selected and its own priority is 4. For example, one of the three timings T _{4 to} T ₆ of the next slot number n = 4 to 6 is randomly selected from among the three timings respectively assigned to the respective priorities. Choose one at random. Also, if the priority is already 5, when transmission of the control signal is postponed because the control signal of the other operation terminals 2a to 2c is detected on the transmission line 3, or after transmitting its own control signal Even when the confirmation signal is not detected by the signal detection unit 26 before the timeout time Δt _O elapses, the control unit 22 of each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c does not increase the priority.

  Next, a specific example of the operation of this embodiment will be described using the following table. Here, a case where there are three operation terminals 2a to 2c operated simultaneously is considered.

Here, the “number of transmissions” is counted as one time regardless of whether or not the control signal is received by the control terminals 1a to 1c when at least one of the operation terminals 2a to 2c transmits the control signal. Yes. The parentheses in the column of “Slot Number” indicate the result of the operation of the control unit 22, “Transmit” indicates that the control signal has been transmitted and the confirmation signal has been received, and “Deferred” indicates the control signal. Indicates that transmission has been postponed. First, since the priority is 1 which is an initial value in all the operation terminals 2a to 2c, the control unit 22 of each operation terminal 2a to 2c has three timings T _{13 with} slot numbers n = 13 to 15, respectively. the to try to transmit the transmission unit 23 a control signal at one timing of the through T _15. Since the table is selected timing T ₁₃ of the first operation terminal 2a only the earliest slot number n = 13, to transmit the control unit 22 first control signal SC1 of the first operation terminal 2a to the transmitter 23 . Then, in the other two operation terminals 2b and 2c that have selected the timings T ₁₄ and T ₁₅ of the later slot numbers n = ₁₄ and ₁₅ , respectively, as shown in FIG. Since the control signal SC1 of the first operating terminal 2a already exists on the transmission line 3 when trying to transmit to the control line 23, the control unit 22 postpones the transmission of the control signals SC2 and SC3 and its own priority Increase by one step.

Next, when a confirmation signal for the control signal of the first operation terminal 2a is detected by the signal detection unit 26 of each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c, the priority is 1 in the first operation terminal 2a, so that the control unit 22 selects the transmission timing from the timings T _{13 to} T _{15 of} the slowest slot number n = 13 to ₁₅ , whereas the other operation terminals 2b and 2c have a priority of 2, so the control unit 22 selecting a transmission timing reliably from the timing _T 10 _{through T 12} early slot number n = 10 to 12 than the first operation terminal 2a. When the timing T ₁₀ of the third operating earliest slot number n = 10 than the timing T ₁₂ in the selected slot number n = 12 in the terminal 2c is selected in the second operation terminal 2b, a second operation terminal 2b The control unit 22 causes the transmission unit 23 to transmit a control signal, and sets its own priority to the lowest value, that is, 1 when the signal detection unit 26 detects the confirmation signal. In the other operation terminals 2a and 2c, when the control signal is to be transmitted, the control signal already exists on the transmission line 3. Therefore, the control unit 22 postpones the transmission of the control signal and raises its own priority by one level. To do. Here, the priority of the first operation terminal 2a is 2, and the priority of the third operation terminal 2c is 3.

Next, after the confirmation signal for the control signal of the second operation terminal 2b is detected by the signal detection unit 26 of each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c, the priority is 3 in the third operation terminal 2c and the other operation terminal 2a, by a higher priority than 2b, selects the transmission timing from other operating terminal 2a, reliably early timing _T 7 through T ₉ than 2b. Naturally, in the third operation terminal 2c, the control unit 22 causes the control signal to be transmitted, and in the other operation terminals 2a and 2b, the control unit 22 postpones the transmission of the control signal and increases its own priority by one step.

  Thereafter, the priority is 3 only in the order of the first operation terminal 2a, the second operation terminal 2b, and the third operation terminal 2c, and the priority is 2 or less in the other operation terminals. It becomes. Therefore, each time the confirmation signal is detected by the signal detection unit 26 of the operation terminals 2a to 2c, the control signal is transmitted from only one operation terminal 2a to 2c having a priority of 3, and the control signals collide with each other. Does not occur.

  The operation when the same timing is accidentally selected and a collision between the control signals occurs will be described with reference to the following table.

  Here, “collision” in parentheses in the column of “slot number” indicates that the control signal is transmitted and the confirmation signal is not received.

During the first transmission, in a first operation terminal 2a and the second operation terminal 2b, together a timing earlier than the timing T ₁₄ of the third slot operation was selected in the terminal 2c of the number n = 14, respectively the same timing _{T 13} of slot number n = 13 is selected. Further, the third at the time of transmission, in the second operation terminal 2b and the third operation terminal 2c, a timing earlier than the timing T ₁₄ of the first operation terminal 2a slots selected in number n = 14, respectively Timing T8 of the same slot number n = ₈ is selected.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the control signals SC1 and SC2 collide on the transmission line 3 and are not received by the control terminals 1a to 1c, so that the confirmation signals are not transmitted from the control terminals 1a to 1c. Accordingly, in each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c that have transmitted the control signals SC1 and SC2, the confirmation signal SA is not detected by the signal detection unit 26 even after the timeout time Δt _O has elapsed, so that the control unit 22 sets its own priority. While increasing by one step, the slot number n for transmitting the control signals SC1, SC2 is selected again, and transmission of the same control signal is attempted.

  That is, if the control signal is not received by the control terminals 1a to 1c, the priority is increased. Therefore, the illuminance changes of the illumination loads La to Lc corresponding to the operation terminals 2a to 2c that transmitted the collision control signals are There is no case that the illuminance change of the illumination loads La to Lc corresponding to the other operation terminals 2a to 2c is greatly delayed.

  Further, in the two operation terminals 2a to 2c in which a collision between the control signals has occurred, if a different slot number n is selected thereafter, the operation terminals 2a to 2c having selected a smaller slot number n (for example, 10). Only the control signal SC1 is received by the control terminals 1a to 1c, and the priority of the operation terminals 2a to 2c becomes 1, while the operation terminals 2a to 2c that have selected a larger slot number n (for example, 11) are controlled. The transmission of the signal SC2 is postponed and the priority is further increased. That is, since a difference occurs in priority, the collision between the control signals does not occur between these two operation terminals 2a to 2c.

  Then, after the fifth transmission frequency in which all the operation terminals 2a to 2c simultaneously operating the operation unit 21 have successfully transmitted the control signal once, the priority of the operation terminals 2a to 2c is different from each other. Therefore, similarly to the operation when no collision occurs, the control signals are transmitted from the operation terminals 2a to 2c in order of priority.

  According to the above configuration, the operation terminals 2a to 2c on which the operation unit 21 is not operated and the control terminals 1a to 1c corresponding to the operation terminals 2a to 2c do not transmit and receive signals, so that the number of the operation terminals 2a to 2c and the control terminals 1a to 1c. When the operation unit 21 is simultaneously operated by the plurality of operation terminals 2a to 2c while preventing a decrease in response speed to the operation to the operation terminals 2a to 2c when there are many, the operation unit 21 is operated at the same time. Since each operation terminal 2a to 2c transmits a control signal once in the order of priority, among the lighting loads La to Lc corresponding to each operation terminal 2a to 2c operated at the same time, the operation unit 21 Is prevented from changing the illuminance at once before the other illumination loads La to Lc. That is, since the variation in the timing of the illuminance change of the illumination loads La to Lc can be suppressed, the user does not feel uncomfortable.

(Embodiment 4)
Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, when the operation unit 21 is simultaneously operated on the plurality of operation terminals 2a to 2c, the control unit 22 is configured to have different priorities in the operation terminals 2a to 2c operated on the operation unit 21. It is a thing.

  Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the operation terminals 2a to 2c are connected to each other via the signal lines 4a to 4d, and the operation terminal transmission unit 24 and the operation terminal reception unit are connected to the operation terminals 2a to 2c, respectively. 25, and a priority order is set in the control unit 22 for each of the operation terminals 2a to 2c. When it is detected that the operation units 21 of the plurality of operation terminals 2a to 2c are simultaneously operated by communication through the signal lines 4a to 4d, the operation terminals 2a to 2c having higher priority are set to the initial priority. Try to increase the value.

  For example, a case where the operation unit 21 of the first operation terminal 2a and the operation unit 21 of the second operation terminal 2b set with a lower priority than the first operation terminal 2a are operated at the same time is taken as an example. This will be described using the following table.

  First, in the second operation terminal 2b, the control unit 22 sets its own priority to 1 because the control unit 22 itself has the lowest priority among the operation terminals 2a and 2b that have operated the operation unit 21 at the same time. To do. In addition, in the first operation terminal 2a, there is one operation terminal 2b having a lower priority than itself among the operation terminals 2a and 2b that are operated on the operation unit 21 at the same time. Set to 2. At the time of the first transmission, the control unit 22 controls the transmission unit 23 at a timing that is surely earlier than the timing selected by the second operation terminal 2b with a low priority in the first operation terminal 2a with a high priority. In the second operation terminal 2b, the control unit 22 delays the transmission of the control signal when the signal detection unit 26 detects the control signal of the first operation terminal 2a. Further, in the first operation terminal 2a that has transmitted the control signal, the confirmation signal is subsequently detected by the signal detection unit 26, and the control unit 22 sets the priority to 1.

  When a confirmation signal for the control signal of the first operation terminal 2a is detected by the signal detection unit 26 in each of the operation terminals 2a and 2b, the priority of the second operation terminal 2b that has postponed transmission of the control signal for the first time Therefore, at the second transmission time, the control unit 22 transmits the second operation terminal 2b at a timing that is surely earlier than the timing selected by the first operation terminal 2a having a lower priority. The control signal is transmitted to the unit 23, and in the first operation terminal 2a, the control unit 22 delays the transmission of the control signal when the signal detection unit 26 detects the control signal of the second operation terminal 2b. Further, in the second operation terminal 2b that has transmitted the control signal, the confirmation signal is subsequently detected by the signal detection unit 26, and the control unit 22 sets the priority to the lowest value of 1.

  Thereafter, since the priority of the operation terminals 2a and 2b is always different, the first operation terminal 2a and the second operation terminal 2b transmit control signals alternately.

  According to the above configuration, the priority of the plurality of operation terminals 2a and 2b that have been operated on the operation unit 21 at the same time does not become the same, so that a collision between the control signals does not occur. The response speed to the operation is improved as compared with the third embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments and the present embodiment, instead of making the operation terminals 2a to 2c and the control terminals 1a to 1c correspond one-to-one, one of the operation terminals 2a to 2c or the control terminals 1a to 1c. It is good also as a structure in which a stand | base has the function for multiple units | sets and respond | corresponds to the some operation terminal 2a-2c or control terminal 1a-1c.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the operation terminal same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows a control terminal same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another form same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows the control terminal of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the operation terminal same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement same as the above, (a) shows the case where a confirmation signal is transmitted, (b) shows the case where a confirmation signal is not transmitted. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an operation | movement same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement same as the above when the collision of a control signal generate | occur | produces.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1c Control terminal 2a-2c Operation terminal 3 Transmission line 4a-4d Signal line 11 Reception part 12 Load control part 13 Control part 15 Transmission part 21 Operation part 22 Control part 23 Transmission part 24 Inter-operation terminal transmission part 25 Between operation terminals Reception unit 26 Signal detection unit La to Lc Lighting load

Claims (5)

A lighting control system in which a plurality of control terminals each controlling a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals corresponding to each control terminal and operated for dimming control of the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line,
Each operation terminal transmits an operation unit operated for dimming control of the lighting load, a control unit that generates a control signal according to an operation applied to the operation unit, and a control signal generated by the control unit A control transmission unit that transmits to the track, a transmission unit between operation terminals that is connected to another operation terminal via a signal line and transmits a signal according to the control of the control unit to the other operation terminal, and another via a signal line An inter-operation terminal receiving unit that is connected to the operation terminal and receives a signal from another operation terminal and inputs the signal to the control unit,
Each control terminal receives a control signal transmitted through the transmission line, and when the control signal from the corresponding operation terminal is received by the reception unit, dimming control is performed on the lighting load according to the control signal. A load control unit,
Before transmitting the control signal, the control unit of each operation terminal controls the inter-operation terminal transmission unit to transmit a warning signal indicating the content of the control signal to other operation terminals, and performs other operations during the transmission of the warning signal. When the notice signal from the terminal is received by the inter-operation terminal receiving unit, in one of the operation terminals, the control unit controls the control signals of all other operation terminals that output the notice signal and the control of itself. A composite control signal including the contents of the signal is generated, and at the same time, a composite control signal is generated for a plurality of control terminals including all the control terminals respectively corresponding to at least all other operation terminals that output the warning signal. In the control terminal other than the above one, the control unit stops transmission of the control signal.
The load control unit of the control terminal detects the content of the control signal intended for itself from the combined control signal received by the receiving unit, and performs dimming control of the lighting load based on the content of the control signal. Lighting control system. Each operation terminal has a combined control signal detection means for detecting whether a combined control signal exists on the transmission line,
The control unit of each operation terminal causes the inter-operation terminal transmission unit to transmit a retransmission request signal when the combination control signal is not detected by the combination control signal detection unit within a predetermined time after stopping transmission of the control signal. ,
After transmitting the composite control signal to the control transmitter, when the retransmission request signal corresponding to the composite control signal is received by the inter-operation terminal receiver, the control signal is transmitted again to the control transmitter. The lighting control system according to claim 1. A lighting control system in which a plurality of control terminals each controlling a lighting load and a plurality of operation terminals corresponding to each control terminal and operated for dimming control of the lighting load are connected to a common transmission line,
Each operation terminal transmits an operation unit operated for dimming control of the lighting load, a control unit that generates a control signal according to an operation applied to the operation unit, and a control signal generated by the control unit A control transmitter for transmitting to the line, and a signal detecting means for detecting a signal on the transmission line,
Each control terminal receives a control signal transmitted through the transmission line, and when the control signal from the corresponding operation terminal is received by the reception unit, the lighting load is adjusted stepwise according to the control signal. A load control unit for optical control,
When the control unit of each operation terminal tries to transmit a control signal, if the control signal of another operation terminal is detected by the signal detection unit, or the control signal of another operation terminal is detected by the signal detection unit If the waiting time, which is a sufficient time for detection of the control signal, has not passed since the detection is stopped by the means, at least after the control signal of the other operation terminal is no longer detected by the signal detection means Until the time has passed, the transmission of the control signal is postponed,
The control unit of the operation terminal holds the priority that is a parameter held for each operation terminal, and shortens the standby time as the own priority is higher,
A lighting control system, wherein priority is changed at any time so that a control signal is not continuously transmitted when there is an operation terminal that has postponed transmission of the control signal. The control terminal has a transmission unit that transmits a confirmation signal to the operation terminal through the transmission line when a control signal from the corresponding operation terminal is received by the reception unit,
The control unit of the operation terminal transmits a control signal to the control transmission unit, and then confirms with the signal detection means within a predetermined time-out time that is sufficient for the confirmation signal to reach the operation terminal and is shorter than the standby time. If no signal is detected, try sending a control signal again,
When the control signal of another operation terminal is detected by the signal detection means, the confirmation signal is detected by the signal detection means when the transmission of the control signal is postponed and within the timeout period after the control signal is transmitted to the control transmission unit. If not, increase your priority,
4. The illumination control system according to claim 3, wherein when the confirmation signal corresponding to the control signal is detected by the signal detection means after the control signal is transmitted to the control transmission unit, the priority of the control signal is made lowest. Each operation terminal is connected to another operation terminal via a signal line, and transmits to the other operation terminal via the signal line between an operation terminal transmission unit that transmits a signal according to the control of the control unit to the other operation terminal. An inter-operation terminal receiving unit that receives signals from other operation terminals and inputs the signals to the control unit;
The control unit of the operation terminal causes the inter-operation terminal transmission unit to transmit a warning signal indicating the content of the control signal before transmitting the control signal to the control transmission unit, and during the transmission of the warning signal, the warning signal of the other operation terminal 5. The priority level is set so that the priority levels of the respective operation terminals that have transmitted the warning signal are all different when received by the inter-operation terminal receiving unit. Lighting control system.

Images