JP2009238530A - Wireless type light control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless type light control system of an illumination device provided with a light control device and a remote control device in which extension of a battery life by power-saving of the remote control device and use of a specification of a specific small-power wireless communication type (STD-T67 etc.) for transmission and reception of a light control signal are made possible. <P>SOLUTION: A signal generation part of the remote control device generates a first light control signal S1 for starting light control when a user carries out a first operation M1 of an operating part, and a transmission part modulates and transmits the first light control signal S1 for a first prescribed time T1, and a light control part of the light control device, when a receiving part receives the first light control signal S1, starts lighting control so that the light control level of the illumination device may be continuously high or low. When the operating part is carried out a second operation M2, the signal generation part generates a second light control signal S2 for stopping lighting control, and the transmission part modulates and transmits a second light control signal S2 for the first prescribed time T1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless dimming control system for a lighting device using infrared rays or a specific low power wireless communication system.

  Conventionally, a wireless dimming control system that operates a remote control device to control the brightness of a lighting device has been put into practical use (see Patent Document 1). A conventional wireless dimming control system will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that dimming levels of the lighting device can be dimmed in six levels from level 1 to level 6. When the dimming level is set to level 1 and the user wants to increase the dimming level, the user operates a dimming up button (for example, a Δ button) provided in the remote control device. The remote control device outputs a predetermined dimming signal (dimming up signal) at regular intervals while the user continues to press the dimming up button. Alternatively, when the time during which the user presses the dimming up button is shorter than the predetermined time, a predetermined dimming signal is output one by one each time the user operates the dimming up button.

  In the illumination device, the control unit increases the dimming level by one step each time the receiving unit receives the dimming up signal from the remote control device. The user stops the operation of the dimming up button when the user's favorite dimming level (brightness) is reached. The control unit of the lighting device stores and maintains the light control level at that time until a new light control signal is received from the remote control device. In order to lower the dimming level, a dimming down button (for example, the ▽ button) provided in the remote operation device may be operated, and the operations in the remote operation device and the lighting device are the same.

  In a conventional wireless dimming control system, a predetermined dimming signal is generally transmitted using infrared rays, and when one dimming signal is transmitted, the infrared LED is kept on for a certain period of time. Since the number of dimming signals transmitted during the dimming operation on the first floor is large, there is a problem that power consumption by the LEDs is large and the battery life of the remote control device is short.

In addition, the wireless dimming control system using infrared rays has a problem that the dimming signal is not transmitted and received correctly if an obstacle exists between the LED light emitting unit of the remote control device and the receiving unit of the lighting device. It was. Therefore, in recent years, a wireless dimming control system using radio waves using a standard (STD-T67 or the like) of a specific low power wireless communication system has been proposed. However, according to STD-T67, for example, there is a regulation that the signal transmission time is within 5 seconds, and then the signal transmission must not be performed for 2 seconds. Therefore, it is necessary to end the dimming operation within 5 seconds. . However, the operation of the dimming up button or dimming down button of the remote control device varies depending on the user, and the dimming operation may not be completed within 5 seconds.
JP-A-5-76064

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example. The standard (STD-) of a specific low-power wireless communication system is used for extending battery life and transmitting / receiving dimming signals by reducing power consumption of a remote control device. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless dimming control system that enables use of T67 and the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1
A remote control device comprising: an operation unit operated by a user; a signal generation unit that generates a predetermined dimming signal when the operation unit is operated; and a transmission unit that transmits the predetermined dimming signal; ,
Wireless lighting device including a dimming control device including a receiving unit that receives a predetermined dimming signal transmitted from the transmission unit and a dimming control unit that performs dimming control according to the received dimming signal Type dimming control system,
The signal generation unit generates a first dimming signal for starting dimming control when the operation unit is first operated by a user;
When the first dimming signal is generated by the signal generating unit, the transmitting unit modulates and transmits the first dimming signal for a first predetermined time,
The dimming control unit starts dimming control to continuously increase or decrease the dimming level of the lighting device when the receiving unit receives the first dimming signal,
The signal generation unit generates a second dimming signal to end the dimming control when the operation unit is subjected to the second operation by the user,
When the second dimming signal is generated by the signal generating unit, the transmitting unit modulates and transmits the second dimming signal for the first predetermined time,
When the receiving unit receives the second dimming signal, the dimming control unit stops the dimming control and maintains the dimming level at that time.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wireless dimming control system according to the first aspect, the signal generation unit is a time point when a continuation time of the first operation after the first operation has passed a second predetermined time. It is determined that the first operation has been performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wireless dimming control system according to the second aspect of the invention, the signal generation unit is responsive to a time until the first operation is performed again after the second operation is performed. The second predetermined time is variable.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless dimming control system according to the second aspect, when the duration of the first operation after the first operation is shorter than a second predetermined time, the signal generator is A signal other than the first dimming signal is generated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless dimming control system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first operation is an operation of turning on a single predetermined switch, and the second The operation is characterized in that the switch is turned off.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless dimming control system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first operation is an operation of a first operation member, and the second operation is the The second operation member is different from the first operation member.

  According to the invention of claim 1, even if the user performs the first operation continuously or repeatedly, the first dimming signal for starting the dimming control is transmitted only once for the first predetermined time. In addition, the second dimming signal for terminating the dimming control is transmitted only once for the first predetermined time. That is, the total signal transmission time in one dimming control is only twice the first predetermined time, and a predetermined signal is output continuously or at regular intervals while the operation button is pressed. Compared with the conventional wireless dimming control system that continues, the signal transmission time is short, the power consumption of the remote control device can be reduced, and the battery life can be extended.

  For example, when radio communication according to the standard low power wireless communication system standard (STD-T67) is used for transmission / reception of the dimming signal, the remote control device of this wireless dimming control system completes transmission of the second dimming signal After that, a new signal cannot be transmitted for a certain transmission prohibition time (for example, 2 seconds). Alternatively, when another remote control device is transmitting / receiving a signal, the remote control device of this wireless dimming control system transmits a dimming signal until a predetermined transmittable time (for example, 5 seconds) ends. I can't. Therefore, even if the operation unit is operated by the user in the meantime and the signal generation unit generates the first dimming signal, it cannot be transmitted by the transmission unit, and the first dimming signal is reported. However, according to the invention of claim 2, since the signal generator determines that the first operation has been performed when the duration of the first operation after the first operation has passed the second predetermined time, After the other remote control device finishes transmitting / receiving the signal, the first dimming signal can be transmitted.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the time until the first operation is performed again after the second operation is shorter than the transmission prohibition time, the second predetermined time can be shortened accordingly. it can.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the duration of the first operation after the first operation is shorter than the second predetermined time, the signal generator transmits the first dimming signal and the second dimming signal simultaneously. In effect, dimming control is not performed. Therefore, the switch on which the first operation of the operation unit is performed can be assigned to an operation other than the dimming control, and the signal generation unit can generate a signal corresponding to the operation other than the dimming control.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, when the dimming level is increased, a dimming up button (for example, a Δ button) is used as the operation unit, and the dimming up button is continuously pressed with a finger as the first operation. The operation can be an operation, and the second operation can be an operation of releasing the dimming up button finger. For example, when the light control level is lowered, the same operation can be performed by using a light control down button (for example, the ▽ button) as the operation unit. Accordingly, the above-described wireless dimming control system can be realized without increasing the number of buttons while maintaining the same button arrangement as the operation unit of the conventional remote control device.

  According to the invention of claim 6, a dimming up button (for example, a △ button) or a dimming down button (for example, a ▽ button) is used as the first operation member, and a dimming down button or dimming is used as the second operation member. By using either the UP button, the ON button (for example, the ◎ button), or the OFF button (for example, the □ button), the button arrangement is the same as that of the operation unit of the conventional remote control device without increasing the number of buttons. The wireless dimming control system can be realized. In this case, it is not always necessary to continue operating the first operating member as the first operation, and the first operation may be terminated after the first dimming signal is transmitted. In this case, the user may perform the first operation again before performing the second operation, that is, the user may press the dimming up button or the like many times, but the signal generation unit performs the second operation before the second operation is performed. What is necessary is just to ignore subsequent 1st operation.

  A wireless dimming control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless dimming control system 1 according to the present embodiment receives a remote operation device 10 operated by a user and a signal transmitted from the remote operation device 10, and receives the received signal. The light control device 20 includes a light control device 20 that controls light control (including lighting on / off) according to the contents to be shown. The dimming control device 20 may be configured integrally with a control circuit (for example, an inverter circuit) of the lighting device 30 or may be configured independently of the lighting device 30 and simultaneously control the plurality of lighting devices 30. It may be controlled. The remote control device 10 may be one that uses conventionally used infrared rays for signal transmission or reception, or one that uses radio wave communication according to the standard (STD-T67) of a specific low power wireless communication system. Also good.

  The remote operation device 10 is operated by a user, and a lighting button (for example, ◎ button) and a light-off button (for example, □ button) for controlling lighting and extinguishing of the lighting device, and a dimming up button for increasing the dimming level (For example, a Δ button) and a light control down button (for example, a ▽ button) for lowering the light control level, and an operation unit 11 configured with a plurality of switches, and a predetermined time when the operation unit 11 is operated. A signal generator 12 composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. that generates a dimming signal, and a light emitting element such as an infrared LED that modulates and transmits a predetermined dimming signal or an oscillation that oscillates a radio wave of a predetermined frequency A transmission unit 13 composed of a circuit or the like is provided. The remote operation device 10 is not necessarily limited to a device that can be operated by a user, such as a remote control device, and may be an operation panel provided on a wall surface.

  The dimming control device 20 includes a light receiving element or an antenna that receives a predetermined dimming signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 13, an antenna, a demodulator, and the like, and dimming control according to the received dimming signal. A light control unit 22 composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and an operation unit 23 that is operated by a user and directly controls light without using the remote operation device 10. The lighting device 30 is not necessarily included in the wireless dimming control system.

  FIG. 2 shows an example in which the wireless dimming control system 1 includes a plurality of remote control devices 10 and a plurality of dimming control devices 20. A plurality of lighting devices 30 can be connected to each light control device 20. By setting an identification number for each dimming control device 20 and the lighting device 30 and assigning an identification number to the dimming signal transmitted from the remote operation device 10, an arbitrary dimming control device is provided from each remote operation device 10. It is possible to specify all the lighting devices 30 connected to 20 or any lighting device 30 and perform dimming control.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a first example of the dimming control operation in the wireless dimming control system 1 according to the present embodiment. Basically, in this wireless dimming control system 1, when the dimming control device 20 receives the first dimming signal S1 from the remote control device 10, the dimming level of the lighting device 30 is continuously increased or decreased. The dimming control is started so that the dimming control is terminated when the second dimming signal S2 is received.

  The signal generation unit 12 of the remote operation device 10 determines that dimming control is performed so as to increase the dimming level when the user operates, for example, the dimming up button of the operation unit 11 (first operation M1). When a first dimming signal S1 for starting dimming control including an instruction to make the dimming level higher than the current level is generated and the dimming down button of the operation unit 11 is operated, the dimming level The first dimming signal S1 for starting the dimming control including the instruction to lower the dimming level from the current level is generated. When the signal generator 12 generates the first dimming signal S1, the transmitter 13 modulates and transmits the first dimming signal S1 for a first predetermined time T1 (for example, about several to several tens of milliseconds). . In this case, the dimming up button or the dimming down button does not need to be continuously pressed. After the first dimming signal S1 is generated, the dimming control can be performed even if the user lifts the finger from the button. There is no effect. On the contrary, even if the user repeatedly operates the dimming up button or the dimming down button after the first dimming signal S1 is generated and until the second dimming signal S2 is generated, the operation is It will be ignored.

  When the first dimming signal S1 is transmitted from the transmission unit 13 of the remote operation device 10 and the receiving unit 21 of the dimming control device 20 receives the first dimming signal S1, the dimming control unit 22 Dimming control is started so as to continuously increase or decrease the dimming level. When the dimming level of the lighting device 30 is reached, the user operates another button different from the previously operated button (dimming up button), for example, a dimming down button, a lit button, or an unlit button (second). The dimming control can be stopped by the operation M2). The signal generation unit 12 of the remote operation device 10 generates a second dimming signal S2 that terminates the dimming control when the operation unit 11 performs the second operation M2 by the user, and the transmission unit 13 The second dimming signal S2 is modulated and transmitted for a predetermined time. When the receiving unit 21 receives the second dimming signal S2, the dimming control unit 22 of the dimming control device 20 stops the dimming control and maintains the dimming level at that time. Needless to say, when the dimming level of the lighting device 30 reaches the maximum level or the minimum level before receiving the second dimming signal S2, the dimming control is stopped at that time.

  According to such a configuration, even when the user continuously or repeatedly operates the dimming up button or the dimming down button (first operation M1) in the dimming control, the first dimming control for starting the dimming control is performed. The first dimming signal S1 is transmitted only once for the first predetermined time T1, and the second dimming signal S2 for ending the dimming control is transmitted only once for the first predetermined time T1. That is, the total signal transmission time in one dimming control is only twice the first predetermined time T1 (2T1), and is continuously or at a predetermined interval while the operation button is pressed. Compared to the conventional wireless dimming control system that continues to output signals, the signal transmission time is short, the power consumption of the remote control device 10 can be reduced, and the battery life can be extended.

  In addition, when using radio communication according to the standard (STD-T67) of the specific low-power wireless communication system, a transmission prohibition time of 2 seconds is determined after transmission for 5 seconds, so the first dimming signal S1 is transmitted. When the time (control time) T2 from when the second dimming signal S2 is transmitted to the second dimming signal S2 is 2 seconds or more, the transmission time of the first dimming signal S1 or the second dimming signal S2 is used for up to 5 seconds Can do. In that case, various information (such as the identification number) can be attached to the first dimming signal S1 and the second dimming signal S2. On the other hand, when the time (control time) T2 from the transmission of the first dimming signal S1 to the transmission of the second dimming signal S2 is less than 2 seconds, the transmission of the first dimming signal S1 is started. The total time to complete transmission of the second dimming signal S2 (T1 + T2 + T1) must be 5 seconds or less. Even in such a case, it is possible to use the transmission time of the first dimming signal S1 or the second dimming signal S2 for a maximum of 1.5 seconds.

  Next, a second example of the dimming control operation of the wireless dimming control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The signal generation unit 12 of the remote operation device 10 generates a first dimming signal S1 for starting dimming control when the user operates, for example, the dimming up button of the operation unit 11 (first operation M1). When the user releases his / her finger from the dimming up button of the operation unit 11 (second operation M2), the second dimming signal S2 for ending the dimming control may be generated (described later). FIG. 5 showing a time chart of the fifth example). To lower the dimming level, the dimming down button is operated in the same way. In the case of this second example, the user has to keep pressing the dimming up button or the dimming down button at the time of dimming control, but it is not necessary to press another button again to end the dimming control. Becomes easier.

  Alternatively, as a third example, so-called push-on / push-off in which re-clicking is switched on and off may be used as the dimming up button and the dimming down button. In this case, the on operation of the dimming up button or the dimming down button corresponds to the first operation M1, and the off operation corresponds to the second operation M2. According to the third example, compared with the first example, the user does not need to change the finger of the operation button and can quickly stop the dimming control. Further, compared to the second example, the user can be released from the troublesomeness of pressing the dimming up button or the dimming down button.

  Furthermore, when the first dimming signal S1 and / or the second dimming signal S2 is not received by the receiving unit 21 (that is, when there is a report error), the dimming control may not be started or ended as intended by the user. It can happen. This phenomenon is remarkable when infrared rays are used for transmission and reception of dimming signals. In particular, in the above, even if the dimming up button or the dimming down button is operated twice or more as the first operation M1, the second and subsequent operations are ignored, so other buttons must be operated and reset. There is annoying trouble. Therefore, as in the fourth example shown in FIG. 4, the first dimming signal S1 and the second dimming signal S2 may be transmitted a plurality of times. Thereby, the dimming control can be started and ended reliably as intended by the user.

  On the other hand, when the radio communication according to the standard (STD-T67) of the specific low power wireless communication system is used for transmission / reception of the dimming signal, for example, the remote control device 10 of the wireless dimming control system 1 receives the second dimming signal. After completing the transmission of S2, a new signal cannot be transmitted for a certain transmission prohibition time (for example, 2 seconds). Alternatively, when other remote control devices (such as 10A to 10C in FIG. 2) are transmitting and receiving signals, the wireless dimming control system 1 is used until a predetermined transmittable time (for example, 5 seconds) ends. The remote control device 10 cannot transmit a dimming signal. Therefore, even if the operation unit 11 is operated by the user in the meantime and the signal generation unit 12 generates the first dimming signal S1, it cannot be transmitted by the transmission unit 13, and the first dimming signal S1 is lost. I will inform you. Therefore, as in the fifth example shown in FIG. 5, the signal generation unit 12 performs the first operation M1 when the duration of the first operation M1 from the first operation M1 has passed the second predetermined time T3. You may comprise so that it may be judged. Thereby, after the other remote control device finishes transmitting and receiving the signal, the first dimming signal S1 can be transmitted, and the first dimming signal can be prevented from being reported. In addition, as 1st operation M1 of the operation part 11 of this 5th example, it is preferable to maintain a light control up button or a light control down button in an ON state like the 2nd example or the 3rd example.

  Once the dimming control is performed, if the dimming level of the lighting device does not reach the level intended by the user, or if the dimming exceeds the level intended by the user, the dimming is performed again within a short time. Control may occur. For example, in the case of using radio communication according to the standard of the specific low-power wireless communication system (STD-T67), a new transmission prohibition period (for example, 2 seconds) passes after completion of the transmission of the second dimming signal S2. Signal transmission is possible. Therefore, as in the sixth example shown in FIG. 6, when the first operation M1 is performed within a predetermined time after the second operation M2 is performed, a new first operation is completed after the transmission of the second dimming signal S2 is completed. If the sum of the time ΔT to the operation M1 ′ and the second predetermined time T3 ′ is 2 seconds or more, the transmission unit 13 can transmit a new first dimming signal S1 ′. As a result, when the time until the first operation M1 ′ is performed again after the second operation M2 is performed is shorter than the transmission prohibition time, the second predetermined time T3 ′ can be shortened accordingly. . In addition, the sign with a dash in a figure shall mean the 2nd operation.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the duration time T5 of the ON state of the dimming up button or the dimming down button is shorter than the third predetermined time T4 (T4 <T3) shorter than the second predetermined time T3, Virtually no dimming control is performed. In the seventh example illustrated in FIG. 7, a switch for performing the first operation M1 of the operation unit 11 of the remote operation device 10, for example, a dimming up button and a dimming down button, respectively, an operation other than dimming control, for example, a lighting switch The signal generator 12 can generate a signal S3 corresponding to an operation (for example, extinguishing) M3 other than the dimming control. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the remote operation device 10 by reducing the number of operation buttons.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the button switch is exemplified as the operation member of the operation unit 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slide switch, a rotary switch, or the like can also be used. In addition, the slide switch and rotary switch are not only those whose origin (switch-off position) is located at one end of the slide or rotatable range, but also where the origin is located at the center of the slide or rotatable range, It may be operable in both directions.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless dimming control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the other structure of the said wireless dimming control system. The time chart which shows the 1st example of the light control operation in the said radio | wireless light control system. The time chart which shows the 4th example of the light control operation in the said radio | wireless light control system. The time chart which shows the 5th example of the light control operation in the said radio | wireless light control system. The time chart which shows the 6th example of the light control operation in the said radio | wireless light control system. The time chart which shows the 7th example of the light control operation in the said radio | wireless light control system. The time chart which shows the light control operation in the conventional radio | wireless light control system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless dimming control system 10 Remote operation apparatus 11 Operation part 12 Signal generation part 13 Transmission part 20 Dimming control apparatus 21 Receiving part 22 Dimming control part 30 Illuminating device S1 1st dimming signal S2 2nd dimming signal M1 1st operation M2 2nd operation T1 1st predetermined time T2 Control time T3 2nd predetermined time T4 3rd predetermined time

Claims (6)

A remote control device comprising: an operation unit operated by a user; a signal generation unit that generates a predetermined dimming signal when the operation unit is operated; and a transmission unit that transmits the predetermined dimming signal; ,
Wireless lighting device including a dimming control device including a receiving unit that receives a predetermined dimming signal transmitted from the transmission unit and a dimming control unit that performs dimming control according to the received dimming signal Type dimming control system,
The signal generation unit generates a first dimming signal for starting dimming control when the operation unit is first operated by a user;
When the first dimming signal is generated by the signal generating unit, the transmitting unit modulates and transmits the first dimming signal for a first predetermined time,
The dimming control unit starts dimming control to continuously increase or decrease the dimming level of the lighting device when the receiving unit receives the first dimming signal,
The signal generation unit generates a second dimming signal to end the dimming control when the operation unit is subjected to the second operation by the user,
When the second dimming signal is generated by the signal generating unit, the transmitting unit modulates and transmits the second dimming signal for the first predetermined time,
When the receiving unit receives the second dimming signal, the dimming control unit stops the dimming control and maintains the dimming level at that time.   The said signal generation part judges that 1st operation was performed when the continuation time of 1st operation after said 1st operation passed 2nd predetermined time, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Wireless dimming control system.   The said signal generation part makes the said 2nd predetermined time variable according to the time after the said 2nd operation is performed until the said 1st operation is performed again. Wireless dimming control system.   When the duration of the first operation after the first operation is shorter than a third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time, the signal generator generates a signal other than the first dimming signal The wireless dimming control system according to claim 2.   5. The first operation is an operation for turning on a single predetermined switch, and the second operation is an operation for turning off the switch. 5. Wireless dimming control system. 5. The first operation according to claim 1, wherein the first operation is an operation of a first operation member, and the second operation is an operation of a second operation member different from the first operation member. The wireless dimming control system according to one item.

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