JP2006352562A - Visible light communication lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visible light communication lighting device which can adjust a communication range of the visible light communication and/or light volume of the visible light at a site even in a case that a layout of display articles is changed at the site. <P>SOLUTION: The visible light communication lighting device 100 is composed of a light emitting part 102 which emits a visible light and carries out lighting; an irradiation part 104 which irradiates the visible light emitted from the light emitting part 102 to a predetermined irradiation range; a diffusion part 106 which diffuses the visible light emitted from the light emitting part 102; a light volume change part 108 which changes the light volume of the visible light emitted by the light emitting part 102 to a light volume established by a light volume setting part 114; a modulation part 110 which modulates the light emitting part 102, and transmits information by the visible light communication; an AC/DC conversion part 112 which converts an AC current supplied from a power supply through a lighting rail 120 to a DC current; and the light volume setting part 114 which establishes the light volume. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visible light communication illumination device that performs illumination with visible light emitted from a light source and modulates the light source to transmit information through visible light communication.

  Currently, there is a visible light communication technology that is a technology for performing wireless communication using visible light emitted from a light source used for illumination. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to deliver visible light from the lighting device to the space and simultaneously deliver information from the lighting device to the portable terminal. When the visible light communication technology is used, since the light irradiation range matches the information communication range, there is an advantage that the communication range is easily understood by the user. Note that, when it is desired to increase the communication speed of visible light communication, an LED (light emitting diode) having a characteristic that the response speed is extremely fast is suitable as a light source. In recent years, LEDs with high output, white color, low color temperature, and high color rendering (reproducibility of irradiated object color is good) have been developed. For example, LEDs can be used as display lighting. . Note that Patent Document 1 exists as a conventional technique related to visible light communication technology. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to an “information providing apparatus using LEDs” that transmits data according to changes in luminance of LEDs.

  By the way, when visible light communication technology is applied in an exhibition space such as a museum, specifically, the exhibit is illuminated and information such as explanation of the exhibit and tour route guidance is provided via a mobile terminal, for example. Can be provided. However, in this case, it is necessary to adjust the communication range of visible light communication according to the size of the exhibit or the installation interval of the exhibit. In addition, the amount of visible light emitted from the light source needs to be relatively adjusted based on the light environment around the exhibit (specifically, the illuminance and brightness at various points in the exhibition space).

JP 2002-202741 A

  However, until now, by adjusting the visible light irradiation range, that is, the communication range of visible light communication, by preparing an appropriate light source in advance based on a predetermined layout of the exhibits, When the layout of the exhibit was changed on site, there was a problem that the communication range of visible light communication could not be adjusted on site.

  In addition, until now, when preparing an appropriate light source based on a predetermined layout of the exhibit, the amount of visible light emitted from the light source was also adjusted, so the layout of the exhibit was There was a problem that the amount of visible light could not be adjusted on site when it was changed on site.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when the layout of an exhibit is changed on site, the visible light communication range and / or the visible light amount can be adjusted on site. An object is to provide an optical communication lighting device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a visible light communication lighting device according to claim 1 according to the present invention comprises a light emitting means for emitting light by emitting visible light, and modulating the light emitting means to transmit information by visible light communication. In a visible light communication illumination device including a modulating means for transmitting, an irradiating means for irradiating a predetermined irradiation range with visible light emitted from the light emitting means, and a light quantity for changing a light quantity of visible light emitted from the light emitting means It further comprises at least one of changing means.

  Moreover, the visible light communication illumination device according to claim 2 according to the present invention is the visible light communication illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a light amount setting unit that sets a light amount of visible light, and the light amount changing unit. Is characterized in that the light quantity of visible light emitted from the light emitting means is changed to the light quantity set by the light quantity setting means.

  Further, the visible light communication illumination device according to claim 3 according to the present invention is the visible light communication illumination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light amount changing means is a predetermined time or a predetermined time interval. The amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting means is changed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the visible light communication lighting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein an alternating current supplied from an external power source is converted into a direct current. It further comprises current conversion means for converting into current, and the light emitting means is an LED.

  According to the present invention, in a visible light communication illumination device comprising: a light emitting unit that emits visible light to illuminate; and a modulation unit that modulates the light emitting unit to transmit information by visible light communication. Since at least one of the irradiation means for irradiating the given visible light to the predetermined irradiation range and the light quantity changing means for changing the light quantity of the visible light emitted from the light emitting means is further provided, the layout of the exhibit is changed on site Even in such a case, the communication range of visible light communication and / or the amount of visible light can be adjusted on site. Specifically, even if the layout of the exhibit is changed at the site, the visible light communication range can be adjusted on site according to the layout after the change, and the surroundings of the exhibit changed due to the layout change. The amount of visible light can be adjusted in the field according to the light environment (illuminance, brightness, etc. at various points in the exhibition space).

  Further, according to the present invention, the amount of visible light is set and the amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting means is changed to the set amount of light, so that the value of the amount of light can be changed to a desired value. There is an effect.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting means is changed at a predetermined time or at a predetermined time interval. Therefore, when the timing for changing the amount of light is predetermined, the work for changing the amount of light is performed. There is an effect that the burden can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, the light emitting means is an LED and converts an alternating current supplied from an external power source into a direct current. Specifically, the visible light communication lighting device according to the present invention is placed in a predetermined place. When mounted on the cable, there is an effect that a standardized AC compatible lighting rail (wiring duct) can be used. Here, in order to frequently change the layout of exhibits in the exhibition space, the display lighting device is normally supplied with power from a lighting rail for mounting the display lighting device. However, the lighting rail is usually AC compatible, while the LED used as the light source is DC lit. Therefore, when a visible light communication lighting device according to the present invention is attached to a predetermined place by providing a function of converting alternating current supplied via the lighting rail into direct current, a standardized alternating current lighting rail is provided. Can be used.

  Below, the example of the visible light communication lighting device concerning the present invention is described in detail based on a drawing. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  A configuration of a visible light communication illumination system including the visible light communication illumination device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a visible light communication illumination system including a visible light communication illumination device 100 according to the present embodiment. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing another example of the configuration of the visible light communication illumination system including the visible light communication illumination device 100 of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the visible light communication system is used in an exhibition space (for example, a museum) where exhibits are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the visible light communication illumination system illuminates an exhibit with visible light emitted from a light source, and modulates the light source to transmit information through visible light communication. The lighting rail (wiring duct) 120 installed in a predetermined place (specifically, the ceiling) of the room where the exhibits are displayed, and a mounting portion for mounting the visible light communication lighting device 100 to the lighting rail 120 ( (Lighting rail connecting portion) 140, visible light communication illumination device 100 and mounting portion 140 are connected, and connection portion 160 that can change the orientation of visible light communication illumination device 100 (having a swing function) as shown in the figure, Consists of. Here, the lighting rail 120 is for attaching the visible light communication illumination device 100 and mediates power supply to the visible light communication illumination device 100.

  The visible light communication illumination device 100 includes a light emitting unit 102, an irradiating unit 104, a diffusing unit 106, a light amount changing unit 108, a modulating unit 110, an AC / DC converting unit (current converting unit) 112, and a light amount setting unit. 114. The light emitting unit 102 is specifically an LED composed of one or a plurality (three in FIG. 1), and emits visible light for illumination. The irradiation unit 104 is specifically a lens, a light distribution angle conversion material, or the like, and transmits visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 to irradiate a predetermined irradiation range. In other words, the irradiation unit 104 changes the irradiation range of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 to a predetermined irradiation range. That is, the irradiation unit 104 is a filter for adjusting the light distribution of visible light. The diffusion unit 106 is a light diffusion filter (specifically, processed glass or a diffusion sheet) for suppressing glare when the visible light is directly viewed, and diffuses the visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102. In particular, when the light source is an LED, the brightness is high, and it is dazzling when viewed directly. The light amount changing unit 108 changes the amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102. The modulation unit 110 modulates the light emitting unit 102 and transmits information through visible light communication. The AC / DC conversion unit 112 converts the alternating current supplied from the power supply unit (external power source) through the lighting rail 120 (through) into a direct current. Here, in order to frequently change the layout of exhibits in the exhibition space, the display lighting device normally uses a type that supplies power from the lighting rail, and it is necessary to cope with this. However, the writing rail is usually alternating current, while the LED is lit in direct current. Therefore, an AC / DC conversion unit 112 is provided to convert current from alternating current to direct current. Specifically, the light amount setting unit 114 is a wireless controller, an operation knob, or the like, and sets the light amount of visible light.

  Here, several functions of the visible light communication lighting device 100 may be combined with one material. Specifically, a material combining the irradiation unit 104 and the diffusion unit 106 may be used. Moreover, you may replace the installation position of some parts with which the visible light communication illumination apparatus 100 is provided. Specifically, in FIG. 1, the installation positions of the AC / DC conversion unit 112 and the light amount change unit 108 may be switched. Further, the installation position of the modulation unit 110 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in the figure, the modulator 110 may be incorporated in the visible light communication illumination device 100. In addition, when the visible light communication illumination system includes a plurality of visible light communication illumination devices 100 and each light emitting unit 102 is collectively modulated by one modulation unit 110, the modulation unit 110 is added to the visible light communication illumination device 100. It may be installed outside without being built in. Further, when the modulation unit 110 is installed outside the visible light communication illumination device 100, the power modulated by the modulation unit 110 may be supplied to the visible light communication illumination device 100 via the lighting rail 140 by power line conveyance. . Moreover, the installation position of the light quantity setting unit 114 is not particularly limited. Specifically, as shown in the figure, a light amount setting unit 114 (an operation knob for setting the light amount in FIG. 1) may be installed in the visible light communication illumination device 100. In addition, remote control of the light amount may be realized by installing a wireless controller for setting the light amount as the light amount setting unit 114 outside the visible light communication illumination device 100. The light quantity may be managed by installing a remote server as a light quantity setting unit 114 for controlling (switching) the light quantity of visible light with time outside the visible light communication illumination device 100. Further, the light amount changing unit 108 may change the light amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 to the light amount set by the light amount setting unit 114 at a predetermined time or a predetermined time interval.

  Moreover, when the light emission part 102 is comprised by several LED, as shown to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, you may arrange | position each LED in a line type shape (straight shape). Here, in the case of a spot-type lighting fixture used in a conventional exhibition, for example, when a plurality of people want to receive information through visible light communication while appreciating the exhibits on the wall surface, as shown in FIG. There is a problem in that the area (range) to be made does not match the irradiation range of visible light. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when using a lighting device having a wide light distribution angle (lighting device having a large light distribution angle θ ′ shown in FIG. 5), when the exhibits are close to each other (specifically, As shown in FIG. 5, when an exhibit is displayed at an interval less than the minimum display interval M (m) between works), one communication area and the other communication area (adjacent area) interfere with each other. There is a problem that. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when using a lighting device having a wide light distribution angle (lighting device having a large light distribution angle θ ′ shown in FIG. 6), information is recorded using headphones worn by a tall person. When receiving, the apparent communication area (the range corresponding to the area where the floor is bright (the floor irradiation range shown in FIG. 6)) and the actual communication area (the reception range when the headphones are equipped with a receiving device ( There is a problem that the difference from FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these problems can be solved by arranging a plurality of LEDs in a line shape (straight line).

  As described above, according to the visible light communication lighting device 100, the visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 and the irradiation unit 104 that transmits the visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 and irradiates a predetermined irradiation range. Since at least one of the light amount changing units 108 for changing the amount of light is further provided, the visible light communication range and / or the amount of visible light can be immediately determined on site even when the layout of the exhibit is changed on site. Can be adjusted. Specifically, even if the layout of the exhibits is changed on site, the visible light communication range can be adjusted immediately on site according to the changed layout, and the exhibition changed due to the layout change. The amount of visible light can be immediately adjusted on site according to the light environment around the object (such as illuminance and brightness at various points in the exhibition space). Further, if the visible light communication lighting device 100 is used, information communication can be performed at high speed in the exhibition space, and the user can easily view the communication area. Further, if the visible light communication lighting device 100 is used, it is possible to construct an exhibition space that is excellent in aesthetics, user satisfaction, and facility cost performance. In addition, if the visible light communication lighting device 100 is used, an operator can freely adjust the communication area and the amount of light at the site at the same time as the exhibition change work in the exhibition space where the layout and the production method change work frequently occur. It becomes possible to construct a system.

  Further, according to the visible light communication illumination device 100, the light amount setting unit 114 sets the visible light amount, and the light amount changing unit 108 sets the visible light amount emitted from the light emitting unit 102 by the light amount setting unit 114. Since the light amount is changed, the light amount value can be changed to a desired value.

  Further, according to the visible light communication illumination device 100, the light amount changing unit 108 changes the light amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 at a predetermined time or a predetermined time interval. If it is determined, the work burden for changing the light amount can be reduced.

  Further, according to the visible light communication illumination device 100, the light emitting unit 102 is an LED, and the AC / DC conversion unit 112 converts an alternating current supplied from an external power source into a direct current. When the visible light communication lighting device 100 is attached to a predetermined place, a standardized AC-compatible lighting rail (wiring duct) 120 can be used.

  As described above, the visible light communication illumination device according to the present invention can adjust the communication range of visible light communication and / or the amount of visible light on-site, and in particular, an exhibition space that frequently changes the layout of exhibits. Can be suitably used.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the visible light communication illumination system containing the visible light communication illumination apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is a figure which shows another example of a structure of the visible light communication illumination system containing the visible light communication illumination apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is a figure which shows another example of a structure of the visible light communication illumination system containing the visible light communication illumination apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition from which the range to communicate and the irradiation range differ. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition where the irradiation range of one lighting fixture and the irradiation range of the other lighting fixture interfere. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition from which an apparent communication range differs from an actual communication range.

Explanation of symbols

100 Visible light communication lighting device
102 Light emitting part
104 Irradiation part
106 Diffusion part
108 Light intensity change section
110 Modulator
112 AC / DC converter (current converter)
114 Light intensity setting section 120 Lighting rail (wiring duct)
140 Mounting part (lighting rail connection part)
160 connections

Claims (4)

In a visible light communication illumination device comprising: a light emitting unit that emits visible light to illuminate; and a modulation unit that modulates the light emitting unit to transmit information by visible light communication.
At least one of irradiation means for irradiating a predetermined irradiation range with visible light emitted from the light emitting means and light quantity changing means for changing the light quantity of visible light emitted from the light emitting means is further provided. Visible light communication lighting device. A light amount setting means for setting the light amount of visible light;
The visible light communication illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light amount changing unit changes a light amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit to a light amount set by the light amount setting unit. The visible light communication illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light amount changing unit changes a light amount of visible light emitted from the light emitting unit at a predetermined time or a predetermined time interval. A current converting means for converting an alternating current supplied from an external power source into a direct current;
The visible light communication illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitting means is an LED.

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