JP2010003578A - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lower-cost lighting control system for quasi-recreating light illuminated by the flames of a candle without giving an unpleasant feel to a user. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting control system 1 includes a light source 2, a lighting circuit 3, a control part 4, a light control signal generating part 5 for generating a fluctuation waveform which changes the light output of the light source 2, and a storage part 6 for storing a first fluctuation waveform and a second fluctuation waveform. The first fluctuation waveform has a long light output cycle and a wide variation range. The second fluctuation waveform has a relatively short cycle and a relatively small variation range. When an absolute value for the light output of the first fluctuation waveform is greater, the light control signal generating part 5 shortens the cycle of the second fluctuation waveform in linkage therewith and superposes the two waveforms to generate the fluctuation waveform. The absolute value for the light output of the first fluctuation waveform is linked with the cycle of the second fluctuation waveform, and so light illuminated by the flames of the candle can be quasi-recreated without giving an unpleasant feel to a user. Besides, there is no need for a plurality of light sources, resulting in lower cost. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination control system that changes light output with time.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an illumination control system that performs illumination resembling a candle flame by changing light output over time. An example of such a lighting control system is shown in FIG. The illumination control system 101 includes two light sources 102a and 102b, a milky white acrylic cover 103 that covers the light sources 102a and 102b, a lighting circuit (not shown) that lights the light source, a control unit (not shown), and the like. A base unit 104 is provided.

  The controller turns on both the light sources 102a and 102b when the candle flame indicates a large state, and turns off the light source 102a and turns on the light source 102b when the candle flame indicates a small state. In this way, the control unit controls the lighting of the light sources 102a and 102b to reproduce the candle flame. However, since such a lighting control system requires two light sources, the cost is high, and lighting by a candle flame cannot be sufficiently reproduced simply by turning on / off the two light sources.

  An illumination device that changes the light output of a light source based on an output pattern in which an output pattern that simply increases and decreases light output over time and an output pattern that changes light output based on random data are superimposed. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the lighting device as shown in Patent Document 1, since the light output changes in the same way as when the light output is small, the lighting makes the user uncomfortable, and the lighting by the flame of the candle is performed. It cannot be reproduced sufficiently.
JP 2007-194176 A

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a low-cost lighting control system that can simulate the lighting of a candle flame without causing discomfort to the user, and that is low-cost. And

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illumination control system that changes the light output of a light source over time, a control unit that controls lighting of the light source, and a dimming signal that changes the light output of the light source. And a dimming signal generation unit that outputs the dimming signal to the control unit, and the dimming signal generation unit has a long period of change in which the light output increases and decreases as the dimming signal, and the change width of the light output A first fluctuation waveform having a large amplitude and a second fluctuation waveform having a relatively short period of change in which the light output increases or decreases and a relatively small change width of the light output are generated, and these two waveforms are superimposed. When the absolute value of the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform is large, the cycle of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is shortened in conjunction with the generated waveform.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the illumination control system that changes the light output of the light source over time, a control unit that controls lighting of the light source, a dimming signal that changes the light output of the light source, and the control unit A dimming signal generation unit for outputting to the first dimming waveform, wherein the dimming signal generation unit has a first fluctuation waveform having a long period of change in which the light output increases and decreases and a large change width of the light output as the dimming signal. And a second fluctuation waveform having a relatively short change period in which the light output increases and decreases and a change width of the light output is relatively small, and generates a waveform in which these two waveforms are superimposed, When the absolute value of the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform is large, the change width of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is increased in conjunction.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the period of the second fluctuation waveform changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform, the fluctuation of the optical output is natural without causing discomfort to the user. It is possible to reproduce the lighting by the flame of the candle in a pseudo manner. Moreover, since a plurality of light sources are not required, the cost can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the change width of the second fluctuation waveform changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform, the fluctuation of the optical output does not give the user unpleasant feeling. It becomes a natural change, and the lighting by the flame of the candle can be simulated. Moreover, since a plurality of light sources are not required, the cost can be reduced.

(First embodiment)
An illumination control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a lighting control system. The lighting control system 1 includes a light source 2, a lighting circuit 3 that turns on the light source 2, a control unit 4 that controls the lighting circuit 3, and a light output of the light source 2 so that the illumination by the flame of the candle can be simulated. A dimming signal generation unit 5 that generates a fluctuation waveform as a dimming signal to be changed, a storage unit 6 that stores a first fluctuation waveform and a second fluctuation waveform that are sources of the fluctuation waveform, and a dimming signal generation unit And a power supply unit 8 that generates power to be supplied from the commercial power supply 7. Details of the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform will be described later.

  The light source 2 is, for example, an LED, an incandescent lamp, or a discharge lamp, but an LED with a fast response speed is desirable. The dimming signal generation unit 5 generates a fluctuation waveform (hereinafter referred to as a superimposed fluctuation waveform) by superimposing the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform. The storage unit 6 is a nonvolatile RAM that can rewrite data, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, and the like. The output pattern of the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform, and the red color of the LED of the light source 2 , Green, blue dimming data is stored. The dimming data of red, green and blue are adjusted so that the illumination light of the light source 2 reproduces the color of the flame of the candle. The dimming signal generation unit 5 and the storage unit 6 are configured in, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 4 controls the lighting circuit 3 based on the superimposed fluctuation waveform and the dimming data of the LED of the light source 2 to turn on the light source 2.

  Next, the fluctuation of the flame of the candle will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the candle flame is swaying in the lateral direction, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the candle flame is swaying in the vertical direction. When the candle flame swings in the lateral direction, it moves slowly, and the change in the light output at this time is large. Moreover, when it fluctuates in the vertical direction, it moves quickly, and the change width of the light output at this time is small. The horizontal fluctuation of the candle flame is reproduced by the first fluctuation waveform, and the vertical fluctuation of the candle flame is reproduced by the second fluctuation waveform. The dimming signal generation unit 5 changes the optical output period of the second fluctuation waveform in conjunction with the absolute value of the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform.

  Next, the fluctuation waveform generation operation by the dimming signal generation unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A and 3B show temporal changes in the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform. The optical outputs of the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform are held at the same output for a fixed time, and change at fixed time intervals. In this fluctuation waveform, the period from the local maximum value to the local maximum value during the change of the optical output is set as the period, and the difference between the local maximum value and the local minimum value is defined as the change width. Since the first fluctuation waveform imitates the horizontal movement of the candle flame, the period is long and the change width is large. The light output periodically changes between the dimming upper limit value and the dimming lower limit value. The period is desirably in the range of 10 to 20 s. Further, the range of change is preferably in the range of 50 to 100 where the light control upper limit is 100.

  Since the second fluctuation waveform imitates the vertical movement of the candle flame, the cycle is short and the change width is small. The light output periodically changes between the dimming upper limit value and the dimming lower limit value. The period is desirably in the range of 10 to 500 ms. Further, the change width is preferably in the range of 0.25 to 1 when the light control upper limit value of the first fluctuation waveform is 100.

  FIG. 3C shows a time change of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform whose period changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform. The dashed-dotted arrow in the figure indicates the direction of increase or decrease of the light output. Where the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform is large, the period of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is shortened, and the frequency at which the increase / decrease direction of the optical output is reversed is increased. On the other hand, where the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform is small, the period of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is lengthened, and the frequency at which the increase / decrease direction of the optical output is reversed is reduced. Accordingly, the optical output period of the second fluctuation waveform is wider than the above-described range of 10 to 500 ms. The second fluctuation waveform in which the optical output period is changed is superimposed on the first fluctuation waveform. As a result, when the light output is small, the light output cycle becomes long, so that the user is not uncomfortable.

  FIG. 3D shows a temporal change in the optical output of the superimposed fluctuation waveform. The optical output of the superimposed fluctuation waveform changes with a large change width in a long cycle while changing with a small change width in a short cycle. Further, when the absolute value of the optical output is large, the period due to the second fluctuation waveform is short, and when the absolute value of the optical output is small, the period due to the second fluctuation waveform is long. In this way, a superimposed fluctuation waveform is generated by superimposing the first fluctuation waveform that reproduces the horizontal fluctuation of the candle flame and the second fluctuation waveform that reproduces the vertical fluctuation of the candle flame, and Since the period of the second fluctuation waveform changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the light output of the first fluctuation waveform, the fluctuation of the light output of the light source 2 becomes a natural change without causing discomfort to the user. The lighting of the candle flame can be simulated. Further, since a plurality of light sources 2 are not required, the cost is reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an illumination control system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the illumination control system is the same as that of the illumination control system according to the first embodiment, and the generation of the fluctuation waveform by the dimming signal generation unit 5 is different. In the first embodiment, the period of the second fluctuation waveform is changed in conjunction with the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform. However, in the second embodiment, the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform is changed. In conjunction with this, the change width of the light output of the second fluctuation waveform is changed. FIGS. 4A and 4B show temporal changes in the optical output of the first fluctuation waveform and the second fluctuation waveform, which are the same as the waveforms of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4C shows a time change of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform in which the change width of the optical output changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform. The change width of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is increased when the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform is large, and is decreased when the absolute value of the first fluctuation waveform is small. Therefore, the range of the change width of the optical output of the second fluctuation waveform is wider than 0.25 to 1 described above. The second fluctuation waveform in which the change width of the optical output is changed is superimposed on the first fluctuation waveform. Thereby, when the light output is small, the change width of the light output is small, so that the user is not uncomfortable.

  FIG. 4D shows a temporal change in the optical output of the superimposed fluctuation waveform. The optical output of the superimposed fluctuation waveform changes with a large change width in a long cycle while changing with a small change width in a short cycle. Further, when the absolute value of the light output is large, the change width of the light output due to the second fluctuation waveform is large, and when the absolute value of the light output is small, the change width of the light output due to the second fluctuation waveform is small.

  As described above, since the change width of the light output of the second fluctuation waveform changes in conjunction with the absolute value of the light output of the first fluctuation waveform, the fluctuation of the light output of the light source 2 does not give the user unpleasant feeling. It becomes a natural change, and the lighting by the actual candle flame can be simulated.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said various embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, the light output of the light source 2 may not be changed stepwise but may be changed continuously.

The block diagram of the illumination control system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure explaining the horizontal fluctuation of the candle flame simulated by this system, (b) is a figure explaining the vertical fluctuation of the candle flame. (A) is a figure which shows the 1st fluctuation waveform of a lighting control system same as the above, (b) is a figure which shows a 2nd fluctuation waveform, (c) is a figure which shows the 2nd fluctuation waveform where the period of light output changed. (D) is a figure which shows a superimposed fluctuation waveform. (A) is a figure which shows the 1st fluctuation waveform of the illumination control system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows a 2nd fluctuation waveform, (c) is the change width of an optical output. The figure which shows the changed 2nd fluctuation waveform, (d) is a figure which shows a superimposition fluctuation waveform. The front fragmentary sectional view of the conventional illumination control system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illumination control system 2 Light source 4 Control part 5 Dimming signal generation part

Claims (2)

In the lighting control system that changes the light output of the light source over time,
A controller for controlling lighting of the light source;
A dimming signal generating unit that generates a dimming signal for changing the light output of the light source and outputs the dimming signal to the control unit;
The dimming signal generation unit is configured so that the dimming signal has a relatively long period of change in which the optical output increases and decreases and a large fluctuation range of the optical output and a period of change in which the optical output increases and decreases. And a second fluctuation waveform having a relatively small light output change width and a waveform in which these two waveforms are superimposed are generated, and the absolute value of the light output of the first fluctuation waveform is large. In some cases, the illumination control system is characterized in that the period of the light output of the second fluctuation waveform is shortened in conjunction with the second fluctuation waveform. In the lighting control system that changes the light output of the light source over time,
A controller for controlling lighting of the light source;
A dimming signal generating unit that generates a dimming signal for changing the light output of the light source and outputs the dimming signal to the control unit;
The dimming signal generation unit is configured so that the dimming signal has a relatively long period of change in which the optical output increases and decreases and a large fluctuation range of the optical output and a period of change in which the optical output increases and decreases. And a second fluctuation waveform having a relatively small light output change width and a waveform in which these two waveforms are superimposed are generated, and the absolute value of the light output of the first fluctuation waveform is large. In some cases, the illumination control system is characterized in that the change width of the light output of the second fluctuation waveform is increased in conjunction with the second fluctuation waveform.

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