JP2007173051A - Lighting controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting controller enabling a resident to operate to control light as one's intention even when a light control signal generator stops output of a first light control signal because a sleep mode is set. <P>SOLUTION: The light controller 1 is provided with a converter 4 for converting a first light control signal output from a light control signal generater 3 into a second light control signal to control light of a first lighting load B by the first light control signal, and control light of a second lighting load A by a second light control signal. When a light control operation signal from a remote control part 2 is not generated for a certain period of time, the sleep mode is set, and because the converter 4 is provided with a storage part 46 for storing the first light control signal, the converter 4 continues output of the second light control signal corresponding to the first light control signal stored in the storage part 46. Therefore, the lighting load A of which light is controlled by the second light control signal is not turned off, and the sleep mode is canceled when the light control operation signal is transmitted from the remote control part 2, and the resident can control light as the one's intention. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination control device that performs dimming control of a plurality of types of illumination loads such as incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps in the same system.

  In general, light emitted from incandescent lamps gives warmth to the space and gives residents a sense of calm and relaxation. On the other hand, the light emitted from the fluorescent light illuminates the entire space uniformly and brightly, giving the residents a cool and refreshing image. In recent years, taking advantage of the characteristics of both incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, residents can enjoy space production and have a more comfortable life by arranging multiple lighting fixtures for incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps in the same living space. There have been proposals for lighting systems that can create spaces.

A plurality of methods are known for dimming control for changing the brightness of the lighting fixture. For example, for dimming control of incandescent lamps, a method of directly controlling lamp power by phase control using a semiconductor is used, and for dimming control of fluorescent lamps, in addition to the phase control method described above, electronic stability A method is generally used in which a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal is given to the light source and the lamp current is changed in accordance with the on-duty width of the PWM signal to adjust the light. The illumination control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2 below can handle a plurality of illumination loads with different methods in a single operation system. As shown in FIG. 12, the illumination control device includes a dimming signal generator (PWM dimming device 101) that generates a PWM signal that is a first dimming signal in response to an operation from the operation unit (fader 102). ) And a converter 103 that converts the PWM signal into a phase control voltage that is a second dimming signal and outputs the phase control voltage, and a fluorescent lamp 105 that is a first illumination load that is dimmed and controlled by the PWM signal; The incandescent lamp 104 that is the second illumination load that is dimmed and controlled by the phase control voltage is controlled by the same system. However, in this lighting control device, when the dimming operation signal is not transmitted within a certain period, the so-called sleep mode is set in which the dimming signal generator stops outputting the first dimming signal. Therefore, it is usual to realize power saving.
JP 2001-126879 A JP-A-9-282915

  However, when the sleep mode of the lighting control device is set and the output of the first dimming signal from the dimming signal generator is stopped, the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 100% (the output voltage of the PWM signal is Therefore, the second illumination load is turned off regardless of the dimming operation signal immediately before the output of the PWM signal is stopped. In such a case, the resident is practically unable to perform dimming control of the lighting load and cannot obtain a stable lighting environment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background art, even when the sleep mode for power saving is set and the dimming signal generator stops outputting the first dimming signal. The lighting control device that allows the resident to perform the dimming operation of the lighting load as intended by releasing the sleep mode through the dimming operation of the resident without causing the lighting load to turn off. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a remote control unit that transmits a dimming operation signal, and a dimming signal that generates a first dimming signal in response to the dimming operation signal from the remote control unit. And a converter that converts the first dimming signal output from the dimming signal generator into a second dimming signal and outputs the second dimming signal, and the dimming control is performed by the first dimming signal. The first lighting load to be controlled and the second lighting load to be dimmed and controlled by the second dimming signal are controlled by the same system, and when there is no dimming operation signal from the remote control unit for a certain period of time, A lighting control device in which the dimming signal generator stops outputting the first dimming signal, and the resident transmits a dimming operation signal by a remote control unit, and the stop state is canceled, and the conversion is performed The device includes a storage unit that stores the first dimming signal, and the first unit stored in the storage unit Until the dimming signal different from the dimming signal is output from the dimming signal generator, the output of the second dimming signal obtained by converting the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit is continued. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the illumination control device according to the first aspect, a repeater is provided between the dimming signal generator and the first lighting load, and the repeater transmits the first dimming signal. A first dimming signal stored in the storage unit until a dimming signal different from the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit is output from the dimming signal generator. Output is continued.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the dimming signal generator stops the output of the first dimming signal by setting the sleep mode, so that the power consumption between the dimming signal generator and the converter is reduced. Although the converter continuously outputs the second dimming signal while suppressing the second lighting load, the second lighting load is not turned off, and the resident is not affected by the lighting environment. Further, the resident can easily cancel the sleep mode by operating the remote control unit, and can perform the dimming operation of the second illumination load as intended by the resident.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the sleep mode is also applied to the first illumination load connected directly to the dimming signal generator without passing through the converter, as in the second illumination passing through the converter. With this setting, the dimming signal generator stops the output of the first dimming signal, thereby suppressing power consumption between the dimming signal generator and the repeater, while the repeater continues. Since the first dimming signal is output to the first lighting load, the first lighting load is not extinguished, and the resident is not subject to a change in the lighting environment. Further, the resident can easily cancel the sleep mode by operating the remote control unit, and can perform the dimming operation of the first lighting load as intended by the resident.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a lighting control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The illumination control device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a remote control unit 2 that transmits a dimming operation signal, and a dimming signal generator 3 that generates a first dimming signal according to the dimming operation signal from the remote control unit 2. And a converter 4 that converts the first dimming signal output from the dimming signal generator 3 into a second dimming signal and outputs the second dimming signal, and the converter 4 includes a second illumination load A. Are connected, and the dimming signal generator 3 is directly connected to the first lighting load B.

  The dimming signal generator 3 receives the dimming operation signal from the remote control unit 2, the power source unit 6 that converts commercial power into an internal control power source, and receives power from the power source unit 6 for dimming. It comprises a control unit 7 that controls an optical signal and a plurality of dimming signal drivers 8 that output dimming signals. The controller 7 is connected to an EEPROM 9 in which data used for controlling the dimming signal generator 3 is stored. The plurality of dimming signal drivers 8 and the converter 4 or the illumination load B are connected by a signal line 10, and the converter 4 and the illumination load A are connected by a signal line 11. The lighting load B is controlled by the first dimming signal output from the dimming signal generator 3, and the lighting load A is a second signal obtained by converting the PWM signal, which is the first dimming signal, into a phase control signal. It is controlled by the dimming signal. As described above, the illumination control apparatus according to the present embodiment controls a plurality of illumination loads having different methods by using the same operation system.

  The remote control receiving unit 5 receives a signal such as an optical signal or a radio wave signal from the remote control unit 2, converts this signal into an electric signal, and outputs it to the control unit 7. The signal transmitted from the remote control unit 2 is, for example, a signal having a format as shown in FIG. 2 and includes a command data bit to the dimming signal generator 3. An operation request to the generator 3 is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the command data bits mainly manipulate the lighting fixture system and the output ratio of the lighting fixture.

  The control unit 7 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, analyzes the electrical signal output from the remote control receiving unit 5, and outputs a dimming signal corresponding to the output ratio of the luminaire indicated by the command data bit. An electrical signal is output to the dimming signal driver 8 of the system corresponding to the data bit. The control unit 7 stops the output of the PWM signal when there is no dimming operation signal from the remote control unit 5 for a certain period, and when there is a dimming operation signal from the remote control receiving unit 5 The electric signal is transmitted to the dimming signal driver 8 so as to cancel the stop state and output a predetermined dimming signal again. As described above, when the dimming operation signal is not transmitted within a certain period, the dimming signal generator 3 sets the so-called sleep mode in which the output of the first dimming signal is stopped. Power consumption between the optical signal generator 3 and the converter 4 is suppressed.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows an example of a waveform diagram of a PWM signal output from the dimming signal driver 8 and input to the converter 4 or the first illumination load B in the present embodiment. In this example, the PWM signal is a voltage signal having a constant frequency, and the ratio of the on period t1 to the pulse having the constant period T is referred to as an on-duty width of the PWM signal.

  The relationship between the on-duty width of the PWM signal and the output ratio of the illumination load will be described by taking the illumination loads I to III shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as examples. The illustrated illumination loads I to III are all lighting fixtures that are dimmed by controlling the on-duty width of the PWM signal. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the larger the on-duty width of the PWM signal, the smaller the output ratio of the illumination loads I to III, and the illumination loads I to III are dimmed darkly. However, the relationship between the output ratio of each lighting load and the on-duty width may vary depending on the type of lighting load. For example, in the illumination load III, the output ratio decreases as the on-duty width of the PWM signal increases. That is, the lighting load III is dimmed corresponding to the dimming signal linearly. On the other hand, in the illumination load I, when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 0 to 5%, the output ratio is 100%, and the output ratio increases as the on-duty width of the PWM signal increases to 5 to 95%. Decreases to 100 to 0%, and when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 95% or more, the output ratio is maintained at 0%. In other words, the illumination load I performs dimming corresponding to the dimming signal linearly when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 5 to 95%, but is dimmed when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 0 to 5%. Regardless of the optical signal, all lights are turned on, and the lights are turned off at 95 to 100%. In the illumination load II, when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 0 to 84%, it is the same as that of the illumination load I. However, when the on-duty width of the PWM signal is 85% or more, the output ratio becomes 10%. Maintained. That is, the illumination load II is not turned off regardless of the dimming signal when the on-duty width of the PWM signal becomes 85% or more. Thus, the pattern of the output ratio and the on-duty width of each lighting load is uniquely determined according to the type of lighting load. Similarly, the pattern of the output ratio of the illumination load dimmed by the phase control signal and the on-duty width of the PWM signal is also uniquely determined according to the type of illumination load.

  On-duty width patterns for the output ratios of various illumination loads are stored in the control unit 7 in advance. The dimming signal driver 8 receives an electrical signal from the control unit 7 and outputs a PWM signal having a predetermined on-duty width to the converter 4 installed outside the dimming signal generator 3. The second lighting load A in the present embodiment is a lighting fixture that can be dimmed by controlling the phase of the supplied commercial power supply, and the first lighting load B is the on-duty width of the PWM signal. It is a lighting fixture that can be dimmed by controlling. Further, the lighting load A or B is not necessarily the same as the lighting loads I to III in the above example.

  Next, the configuration of the converter 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The converter 4 includes a control unit 40 that controls the dimming signal, a dimming signal input unit 41 that receives the PWM signal from the dimming signal generator 3, and a power source unit that converts commercial power into an internal control power source. 43, a phase control unit 45 that outputs a phase control signal, and a storage unit 46 that stores the received PWM signal.

  The control unit 40 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, and when the PWM signal is output from the dimming signal generator 3, reading the on-duty width of the dimming signal from the dimming signal input unit 41 and corresponding to it. An electric signal is output toward the phase control unit 45 so that the phase control unit 45 outputs a phase control signal having a phase control width. Note that the relationship between the phase control width of the phase control signal and the on-duty width of the PWM signal is also different depending on the type of the corresponding second illumination load A, as in the examples shown in FIGS. These specific patterns are stored in the control unit 40 in advance. The storage unit 46 stores the on-duty width of the dimming signal read by the control unit 40. When the so-called sleep mode in which the dimming signal generator 3 stops the output of the first dimming signal because there is no dimming operation signal within a certain period of time is stored in the storage unit 46. An electric signal is sent to the phase control unit 45 so as to continue the output of the second dimming signal obtained by converting the first dimming signal. Thus, even if the dimming signal generator 3 stops the output of the first dimming signal due to the setting of the sleep mode, the second illumination load is not turned off, and power saving is achieved. Even residents are not subject to changes in the lighting environment.

  Further, the dimming signal generator 3 releases the sleep mode and outputs a first dimming signal corresponding to the dimming operation signal when the dimming operation signal from the remote control unit 2 is input. When this dimming signal is a new dimming signal that is different from the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit 46 before the sleep mode is set, the control unit 40 stores the dimming signal before the sleep mode is set as a trigger. The phase control unit 45 is controlled to stop the output of the second dimming signal corresponding to the first dimming signal stored in the unit 46, and the second dimming of the phase control width corresponding to the new dimming signal is performed. An electric signal is sent to the phase control unit 45 so that an optical signal is output. In addition, when the newly input first dimming signal is the same as the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit 46 before the sleep mode is set, the first dimming signal is included in the first dimming signal. The corresponding second dimming signal is continuously output. Thereby, even if it is a case where the sleep mode of this illumination control apparatus 1 is set, sleep mode is cancelled | released by a resident's light control operation, and a resident | resident has 2nd illumination load A as his intention. The dimming operation can be performed.

  According to the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, the resident is in the system to which the converter 4 is connected among the plurality of dimming systems connected to the dimming signal generator 3 when the sleep mode is set. Although the dimming operation of the lighting load can be performed, the dimming operation of the lighting load of the system to which the converter 4 is not connected cannot be performed. Therefore, the lighting control device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the repeater 14 is arranged in a system to which the converter 4 is not connected, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the repeater 14 includes a storage unit 146 that stores the first dimming signal, and most of the configuration is the same as that of the converter 4 of the first embodiment. A dimming signal output unit 145 is disposed instead of the phase control unit 45. The repeater 14 functions in the same manner as the converter 4 of the first embodiment, so that the resident also has the lighting load B that is dimmed and controlled by the first dimming signal. The dimming operation can be performed in the same manner as the illumination load A of the embodiment.

  FIGS. 9A to 9E relate to the first embodiment described above when the resident performs a remote control dimming operation for reducing the output of the lighting load before the sleep mode is set. The example of the signal flow of each structure part in the illumination control apparatus 1 is shown. As shown in FIG. 9A, first, a predetermined remote control dimming operation signal is issued from the remote control unit 2 by a resident's remote control operation. In response to the dimming operation signal, as shown in FIG. 9B, the control unit 7 outputs an electric signal corresponding to the data bit of the dimming operation signal to the dimming signal generator 8. As shown in FIG. 9C, the dimming signal driver 8 outputs a PWM signal having a predetermined on-duty width, which is a first dimming signal corresponding to the electrical signal. As shown in FIG. 9D, the converter 4 converts and outputs the PWM signal to a phase control signal having a predetermined phase control width. FIG. 9E shows the output ratio of the illumination load that is dimmed by the phase control signal. When the resident's remote control operation is performed before the sleep mode is set, a signal different from the previous remote control dimming operation signal as shown on the right side of FIG. 9A is transmitted. As a trigger, as shown on the right side of FIGS. 9B to 9D, signals of the respective components corresponding to the data bits of the transmitted dimming operation signal are output. Then, as shown in FIG. 9E, the lighting load A is dimmed and controlled according to the dimming signal corresponding to the on-duty width of each PWM signal or the phase control width of the phase control signal.

  10A to 10F show a case where there is no dimming operation signal from the remote controller 2 for a certain period, and the sleep mode of the illumination control device 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above is set. 2 shows an example of the signal flow of each component. If there is no dimming operation signal from the remote control unit 2 for a certain period, the dimming signal generator 3 sleeps in order to save energy by minimizing power supply, as shown in FIGS. The mode shifts to the mode, and the output of the electrical signal from the controller 7 and the dimming signal from the dimming signal driver 8 is stopped. However, even in such a case, the converter 4 or the repeater 14 includes the storage unit 46 or 146 that stores the dimming signal before the sleep mode is set. As shown on the right side of e), the output of the predetermined dimming signal stored in the storage unit 46 or 146 is continued, and the lighting load A or B is turned off as shown on the right side of FIG. It keeps on without lighting.

  11A to 11F, when the sleep mode is set, a dimming operation signal is transmitted from the remote controller 2, and the sleep mode of the illumination control device 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above is set. The example of the signal flow of each component when it is canceled is shown. As described above, when the sleep mode is set, the dimming signal output from the dimming signal generator 3 is stopped as shown on the left side of FIGS. 11A to 11F, but the converter 4 Or the output of the light control signal from the repeater 14 is continued, and the illumination load A or B continues to light. Thereafter, when a new dimming operation signal is transmitted from the remote control unit 2 shown on the right side of FIG. 11A, the sleep mode is canceled, as shown on the right side of FIGS. 11B and 11C. In addition, the dimming signal generator 3 outputs a dimming signal corresponding to the new dimming operation signal. Then, the converter 4 or the repeater 14 outputs a dimming signal corresponding to the new dimming signal, and performs dimming control on the illumination load A or B connected thereto.

  Thus, in the lighting control apparatus 1 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, by setting the sleep mode, the dimming signal generator 3 and the converter 4 or the repeater 14 are set. While the output of the dimming signal is stopped and power saving is measured, the converter 4 or the relay 14 continuously outputs the dimming signal, so that the lighting load A or B is not turned off, and the resident Will not be subject to changes in the lighting environment. In addition, the resident can easily cancel the sleep mode by operating the remote control unit 2, and can perform a dimming operation on the lighting load as intended by the resident.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications can be made. For example, in this lighting control device, it is assumed that the lighting load that is dimmed and controlled by the PWM signal is an incandescent lamp, or the lighting load that is phase-controlled by the phase control voltage is a fluorescent lamp. Not only incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps but also light emitting diodes may be used.

The schematic block diagram of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the data content of signals, such as an optical signal from the remote control part in the same apparatus, and a radio wave signal. The figure explaining the on-duty width of a PWM signal. The figure which shows the relationship between the ON duty width of a PWM signal, and the output ratio of a lighting load. The figure which shows the relationship between the ON duty width of a PWM signal, and the output ratio of a lighting load. The internal block diagram of the converter in the apparatus. The schematic block diagram of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the repeater in the same apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the signal flow of each structure part when the light control signal is transmitted before the sleep mode setting in the lighting control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the signal flow of each structure part when the sleep mode is set in the illumination control apparatus of 1st and 2nd embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the signal flow of each structure part when the sleep mode is cancelled | released in the lighting control apparatus of 1st and 2nd embodiment. The block diagram of the conventional illumination control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting control apparatus 2 Remote control part 3 Light control signal generator 4 Converter 40 Control part 41 Light control signal input part 45 Phase control part 46 Memory | storage part 7 Control part 10 Signal line 11 Signal line 14 Repeater 140 Control part 141 Light control Signal input unit 145 Dimming signal output unit 146 Storage unit A Second illumination load B First illumination load

Claims (2)

A remote control unit that transmits a dimming operation signal, a dimming signal generator that generates a first dimming signal in response to the dimming operation signal from the remote control unit, and a first output from the dimming signal generator A converter that converts one dimming signal into a second dimming signal and outputs the second dimming signal, a first lighting load that is dimmed and controlled by the first dimming signal, and a second dimming signal The second lighting load controlled by dimming is controlled by the same system, and the dimming signal generator outputs the first dimming signal when there is no dimming operation signal from the remote control unit for a certain period. It is a lighting control device that is stopped and released by sending a dimming operation signal from the remote control unit by a resident,
The converter includes a storage unit that stores the first dimming signal, and the stored first dimming signal even when the output of the first dimming signal from the dimming signal generator is stopped. The output of the second dimming signal obtained by converting the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit is continued until a dimming signal different from the optical signal is output from the dimming signal generator. Lighting control device.   A repeater is provided between the dimming signal generator and the first illumination load, and the repeater includes a storage unit that stores the first dimming signal, and the first unit stored in the storage unit. The illumination according to claim 1, wherein the output of the first dimming signal stored in the storage unit is continued until a dimming signal different from the dimming signal is output from the dimming signal generator. Control device.

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