JP2012209214A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of reasonably making a lighting holding time to an appropriate length.SOLUTION: A lighting system includes: a human detection unit 1 that generates output with higher signal level as closer a distance with a human during time in which the human in motion exists within a predetermined detection range; a light source drive unit 2 that allows an electric light source 20 to light on; and a control unit 3 that controls the light source drive unit 2 during on-time in such a manner that light output from the light source 20 becomes higher than that in off-time, which is other than on-time, the on-time is a time period after the signal level Vpp of output from the human detection unit 1 becomes equal to a predetermined existence threshold value or higher, and until a duration time, in which a signal level Vpp of output from the human detection unit 1 is less than the existence threshold value, reaches a predetermined light holding time. The control unit 3 changes the light holding time as necessary depending on change in the signal level of output from the human detection unit 1. Compared to the case where the light holding time is constant, the light holding time is made to an appropriate length reasonably.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an illumination system that includes a human body detection unit that detects a human body within a predetermined detection range and controls an electrical light source in accordance with the output of the human body detection unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . In general, the detection range is designed to match the range illuminated by the light source as much as possible.

  In the above illumination system, the light source is turned on in the first lighting state during a period in which it is estimated that a human body is present in the detection range, and is first in a period in which it is estimated that no human body is present in the detection range. Lights up in the second lighting state, which consumes less power than the lighting state. Specifically, for example, the first lighting state is lighting at rated power, and the second lighting state is lighting off or lighting with less power than the rated power (so-called dimming lighting). In the illumination system as described above, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the light source is always lit at the rated power.

  In this type of lighting system, in particular, when a human body detection unit that detects a human body operating within the detection range is used, the transition to the second lighting state is prevented even when the human body is stationary within the detection range. Even if the operating human body is not detected, the first lighting state is continued until a predetermined lighting holding time elapses.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-263151

  When the lighting holding time is fixed, if the lighting holding time is short, there is a high possibility that a transition to the second lighting state is made even though there is a person who is stationary within the detection range, If the lighting holding time is long, useless power consumption is increased due to the first lighting state being continued after a person leaves the detection range.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said reason, The objective is to provide the illumination system which can make lighting lighting holding time comparatively suitable length.

  The illumination system of the present invention includes a human body detection unit that generates an output with a higher signal level as the distance from the human body is shorter during a period in which a human body is operating within a predetermined detection range, and an electrical light source. After the signal level of the light source driving unit to be turned on and the output of the human body detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined presence threshold, the duration of the state where the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit is less than the presence threshold is predetermined. The on period, which is a period until the lighting holding time is reached, includes a control unit that controls the light source driving unit so as to make the light output of the light source higher than an off period that is a period other than the on period, The control unit may change the lighting holding time as needed according to a change in the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit.

  In this illumination system, the control unit is in a state where the duration of the state where the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit is less than the presence threshold does not reach a predetermined continuous threshold shorter than the shortest value of the lighting holding time. The detection duration, which is the duration, is compared with a predetermined movement threshold, and if the detection duration is equal to or greater than the movement threshold, it is determined that the operation is movement, and the detection duration is less than the movement threshold. If it is determined that the operation is not a movement, and it is determined that the operation is a movement, it is desirable to shorten the lighting holding time compared to a case where the operation is determined not to be a movement. .

  Furthermore, in this lighting system, the control unit determines whether the movement is an exit from the detection range based on a transition of a signal level of an output of the human body detection unit when the operation is determined to be a movement. When it is determined that the movement is an exit, it is desirable to shorten the lighting holding time compared to a case where the movement is determined not to be an exit.

  According to the present invention, since the lighting holding time is changed as needed according to the transition of the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit, the lighting holding time is relatively appropriate as compared with the case where the lighting holding time is constant. It can be a length.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the waveform of output Va of an amplification part, output Vpp of a human body detection part, and output Vd of a determination part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the average values V1-V3 of the signal level of the output of a human body detection part, respectively about each retroactive period P1-P3 of the example of FIG.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes a human body detection unit 1 that generates an output with a higher signal level as the distance from a human body is closer during a period in which a human body is operating within a predetermined detection range. The light source drive unit 2 that turns on the electrical light source 20 and the control unit 3 that controls the light source drive unit 2 to switch the output power to the light source 20 according to the output of the human body detection unit 1 are provided. Normally, the detection range is designed to match the range illuminated by the light source 20 as much as possible.

  As the light source 20, for example, a known light source such as a light emitting diode or a hot cathode type discharge lamp can be used. As the light source driving unit 2, a known DC power supply circuit can be used when a light emitting diode is used as the light source 20, and a known electronic ballast is used when a hot cathode type discharge lamp is used as the light source 20. Since it can be realized by a well-known technique such as being usable, detailed illustration and description are omitted.

  The human body detection unit 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 11 that transmits and receives radio waves within a predetermined detection range, a filter unit 12 that extracts a Doppler signal from the output of the transmission / reception unit 11, an amplification unit 13 that amplifies the output of the filter unit 12, and an amplification And an amplitude detection unit 14 for A / D converting the output of the unit 13 and generating an output having a signal level proportional to the amplitude of the A / D converted output.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 includes an oscillator 111 that generates a transmission signal having a predetermined frequency (for example, 24 GHz), a transmission antenna 112 that transmits a transmission wave, which is a radio wave converted from the transmission signal, to a detection range, and a transmission antenna 112. A reception antenna 113 that receives a reflected wave, which is a radio wave reflected from a detection range of the transmitted transmission wave, and converts it to a reception signal, and a transmission signal output from the oscillator 111 and a reception signal output from the reception antenna 113 are mixed. And a mixer 114 that outputs the mixed signal to the subsequent filter unit 12. Instead of providing the transmission antenna 112 and the reception antenna 113 separately as described above, for example, a single circulator may be used for both transmission and reception using a known circulator.

  The filter unit 12 includes a known bandpass filter, and selectively attenuates components other than the frequency band estimated to correspond to the moving speed of the human body in the output of the transmission / reception unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the amplitude detection unit 14 performs A / D conversion and stores the output Va of the amplification unit 13 every 1 msec, and stores the output of 100 outputs every 100 msec (0.1 sec). The difference between the highest value and the lowest value is calculated, and the output of the signal level Vpp proportional to the obtained difference is output to the control unit 2. That is, the signal level Vpp of the output from the human body detection unit 1 (amplitude detection unit 14) to the control unit 2 increases as the distance between the human body within the detection range and the human body detection unit 1 (transmission / reception unit 11) decreases. Here, in the present embodiment, the output of the amplitude detector 14 is a voltage signal, and the signal level Vpp is a voltage value. However, it is possible to change the output of the amplitude detector 14 as a current signal. is there.

  The control unit 3 compares the signal level Vpp of the output of the human body detection unit 1 with a predetermined presence threshold value Vth1 to generate an output Vd according to the comparison result, and according to the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31 An output generation unit 32 that controls the light source driving unit 3 by generating the generated output and inputting the generated output to the light source driving unit 3. The electric signal input from the output generation unit 32 to the light source driving unit 3 may be a voltage signal having a voltage value corresponding to the control content, or may be an on-duty PWM signal corresponding to the control content.

  Specifically, the presence determination unit 31 sets the output Vd to L level during a period in which the signal level Vpp of the output of the human body detection unit 1 is below the presence threshold Vth1 (hereinafter referred to as “absence period”). During a period in which the signal level Vpp of the output Vd of the human body detection unit 1 exceeds the existence threshold Vth1 (hereinafter referred to as “existence period”), the output Vd is set to the H level.

  The output generation unit 32 performs a period other than the on period (hereinafter referred to as “on period”) until the duration of the absence period reaches a predetermined lighting holding time after the existence period starts (hereinafter referred to as “on period”). The light source driving unit 2 is controlled so that the light output of the light source 20 is higher than that of the light source 20 (that is, the output power to the light source 20 is increased). During the ON period, the light source driving unit 2 continuously supplies the rated power to the light source 20, for example. Further, as the operation of the light source driving unit 2 during the off period, the light source 20 may be turned off, or the light source 20 may be turned on (so-called dimming lighting) with a light output lower than that during the on period. As described above, the light source 20 can be turned on with a low light output by reducing the output current to the light source 20 or by intermittently turning on the light source 20 at a frequency sufficiently high that it is not recognized as blinking by human eyes. There is a method of making it.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that the lighting holding time is changed as needed in accordance with the transition of the signal level Vpp of the output of the human body detection unit 1.

  Specifically, the control unit 3 includes a time instruction unit 33 that changes the lighting holding time as needed based on the transition of the signal level Vpp of the output of the human body detection unit 1. That is, the output generation unit 32 controls the light source driving unit 2 using the lighting holding time instructed from the time instruction unit 33.

  As the operation of the time instruction unit 33, first, it is determined whether or not the movement of the human body within the detection range is movement based on the pattern of the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31, and it is determined that the movement is not movement. In such a case, the lighting holding time is made longer than when it is determined that the operation is movement.

  The operation of the time instruction unit 33 will be specifically described. The time instruction unit 33 is present from the time when the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31 becomes H level after the state where the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31 is at L level continues for a predetermined continuous threshold (for example, 1 second) or more. The time (hereinafter referred to as “detection duration”) until the length of the absence period in which the output Vd of the determination unit 31 is at the L level reaches the continuous threshold is compared with a predetermined movement threshold. That is, even when the existence period in which the output Vd of the existence determination unit 31 is at the H level and the absence period in which the output Vd of the existence determination unit 31 is at the L level alternately occur as shown in FIG. If the duration of the period is less than the continuous threshold, the whole is treated as one detection duration. In the case of FIG. 2, if the continuous threshold is 1 second, the detection duration is 4.4 seconds. The continuous threshold value is shorter than the minimum lighting holding time. Then, when the detection duration time is less than the movement threshold value (for example, 4 seconds), the time instruction unit 33 lengthens the lighting holding time compared to the case where the detection duration time is equal to or more than the movement threshold value. For example, when the detection duration is equal to or longer than the movement threshold, the lighting holding time is set to 60 seconds or less, and when the detection duration is less than the movement threshold, the lighting holding time is set to 120 seconds.

  That is, when the detection duration time is long, it is determined that the movement of the human body is moving, and there is a high possibility that the human body goes out of the detection range, so that the lighting holding time is relatively shortened. On the other hand, when the detection duration time is short, it is determined that the movement of the human body is not a movement but a small movement such as a movement of only the upper body, and the human body is likely to stay within the detection range. To be long.

  Further, the control unit 3 includes an exit determination unit 34 that determines whether or not the movement is out of the detection range when it is determined in the above operation that the movement of the human body is a movement. The time instruction unit 33 refers to the determination result of the exit determination unit 34 when the movement of the human body is determined to move, and when the exit determination unit 34 determines that the exit is not determined to be exit Further shorten the lighting holding time. Specifically, for example, when the above movement is not determined to leave, the lighting holding time is set to 60 seconds, and when the above movement is determined to leave, the lighting holding time is set to 10 seconds.

  The operation of the exit determination unit 34 will be described. The exit determination unit 34 stores a history of the signal level Vpp of the output of the human body detection unit 1 up to a time point that is back by a predetermined storage time. The exit determination unit 34 finally changes the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31 from the H level to the L level when the duration of the state in which the output Vd of the presence determination unit 31 is at the L level reaches the continuous threshold. A period from time T1 (t = 4.4 in FIG. 2) to time T2 (t = 3.4 in FIG. 2) retroactive by 1 second (hereinafter referred to as “first retroactive period”) P1 and 1 second A period (hereinafter referred to as “second retroactive period”) P2 from the time T2 retroactive to the time T3 (t = 2.4 in FIG. 2) retroactive 2 seconds, and 3 seconds from the time T3 retroactive 2 seconds The output of the human body detection unit 1 for each of the three periods P1 to P3 including the period T4 (hereinafter referred to as “third retroactive period”) P3 until time T4 (t = 1.4 in FIG. 2). The average values V1 to V3 of the signal level Vpp are calculated. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the average value V1 in the first retroactive period P1, the average value V2 in the second retroactive period P2, the average value V3 in the third retroactive period P3, and the existence threshold Vth1 When the high predetermined exit threshold Vth2 satisfies the condition of V3 ≧ V2 ≧ Vth2 ≧ V1 and V3> V1 (that is, the average values V1 to V3 tend to decrease along the time series, and the first When the average value V1 in the retroactive period P1 is equal to or less than the exit threshold Vth2, the exit determination unit 34 determines that the above movement is the exit, and when the above condition is not satisfied, the exit determination unit 34 performs the above movement. Determine that is not an exit. Note that the length of each of the retroactive periods P1 to P3 does not necessarily have to be 1 second, but the above storage time is the sum of the lengths of all the retroactive periods P1 to P3 and the continuous threshold (in the above case) 4 seconds) or more.

  According to the above configuration, when it is determined that the human body in the detection range has not moved, the lighting holding time is sufficiently lengthened, so that the operation in the off period (light extinction is performed despite the presence of the human body in the detection range). Etc.) can be reduced. Further, when the movement of the human body is determined, the lighting holding time is shortened, so that wasteful power consumption can be suppressed as compared with a case where the lighting holding time is set to a sufficiently long constant value. Furthermore, when it is determined that the human body has left, the lighting holding time is further shortened, thereby further reducing unnecessary power consumption.

  In addition, as the human body detection part 1, you may use the Doppler sensor which transmits / receives an ultrasonic wave instead of the above Doppler sensor which transmits / receives an electromagnetic wave. Alternatively, the human body detection unit 1 detects infrared rays radiated from the human body by a known pyroelectric element or the like, and detects movement of the human body based on a change in the amount of infrared rays or incident direction (so-called PIR). Sensor) may be used. In the case of a PIR sensor that detects a change in the incident direction of infrared rays based on a change in the output relationship between a plurality of pyroelectric elements, for example, the total value of the outputs of the plurality of pyroelectric elements is used as the signal level. It is done.

  In addition, each of the above configurations does not necessarily match the configuration of the apparatus. For example, the human body detection unit 1, the light source drive unit 2, and the control unit 3 may be provided in one device. Alternatively, the human body detection unit 1 and the control are provided such that the amplification unit 13 of the human body detection unit 1 is provided in the first device, and the amplitude detection unit 14 and the control unit 3 of the human body detection unit 1 are provided in the second device. Each component of the unit 3 may be divided into a plurality of devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Human body detection part 2 Light source drive part 3 Control part 20 Light source

Claims (3)

A human body detection unit that generates an output with a higher signal level as the distance from the human body is closer during a period in which there is a human body operating within a predetermined detection range;
A light source driving unit for lighting an electrical light source;
After the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined presence threshold, the duration of the state in which the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit is less than the presence threshold reaches a predetermined lighting holding time. The on period, which is a period, includes a control unit that controls the light source driving unit so that the light output of the light source is higher than the off period that is a period other than the on period,
The said control part changes the said lighting holding time at any time according to transition of the signal level of the output of the said human body detection part, The illumination system characterized by the above-mentioned.   The control unit detects the duration of a state where the signal level of the output of the human body detection unit is less than the presence threshold and does not reach a predetermined continuous threshold shorter than the shortest value of the lighting holding time The duration is compared with a predetermined movement threshold, and if the detection duration is equal to or greater than the movement threshold, it is determined that the operation is movement, and if the detection duration is less than the movement threshold, the operation is 2. The lighting holding time is shortened when it is determined that the operation is not movement and it is determined that the operation is movement, compared to the case where the operation is determined not to be movement. The lighting system described.   When the operation is determined to be movement, the control unit determines whether the movement is an exit from the detection range based on a transition of a signal level of an output of the human body detection unit, and the movement The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the movement is not an exit, the lighting holding time is shortened compared to a case where the movement is determined not to be an exit.

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