JP2013258066A - Illumination controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a color temperature of illumination light and a dimming level to be independently operated, further to improve durability and to make an illumination controller suitable for use under environments where waterproofness is required in the illumination controller.SOLUTION: An illumination controller 3 comprises a toning range-finding sensor 4 and a light control range-finding sensor 5 for individually measuring distances to an indicator such as a hand H1 of a user. The illumination controller 3 controls a dimming level of illumination light in response to a measured distance L by the light control range-finding sensor 5 and controls a color temperature of the illumination light in response to a difference Δl between the measured distance L and a measured distance (L+Δl) of the toning range-finding sensor 4. The color temperature and an amount of the illumination light can be independently operated by changing the distances among the hand H1 and the toning range-finding sensor 4 and the light control range-finding sensor 5 and, in addition, can be operated in a non-contact manner. Accordingly, mechanical deterioration due to operation can be prevented, and the illumination controller 3 is free of wet even when being operated with wet hands.

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination control device that controls the color temperature and the amount of light of illumination light by a lighting fixture based on a user operation.

  Conventionally, in a display device that irradiates light from a light source on the back of a transmissive screen and displays an image, a display device that can switch between an image display mode and an illumination mode in which the color temperature and the amount of light emitted from the light source are different from each other. Are known. In this display device, in the image display mode, the irradiation light is white and an image is displayed on the transmission screen. In the illumination mode, the irradiation light is a light bulb color or daylight color, and the amount of irradiation light is higher than that in the image display mode. Is controlled to increase. Then, when the distance from the display device to the person is detected by the human sensor, and the detected distance is shorter than the threshold value, the operation mode is switched from the image display mode to the illumination mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the above display device, it is possible to change the color temperature and the light amount of the irradiation light only by a person approaching the display device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanical operation button or the like for the change, and durability is improved. improves. However, when the configuration of the display device is applied to an illumination control device, the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light are independently changed even if an attempt is made to obtain illumination light having a desired color temperature and light amount according to the illumination environment. Therefore, the desired illumination light may not be obtained.

  On the other hand, an illumination control device is known that includes a button for changing the color temperature of illumination light emitted from a lighting fixture and a button for changing the light amount of illumination light (for example, see Patent Document 2). . In this illumination control device, each button is a mechanical button, and it is possible to individually change the color temperature and the amount of light of the illumination light by operating each button.

JP 2011-249976 A JP 2009-259497 A

  However, in the lighting control device as described in Patent Document 2, each button is mechanical, and therefore, when the operation is repeated, each button is mechanically deteriorated due to fatigue, friction, or the like. Durability may be reduced. Further, when installed outdoors or in restaurants, etc., each button may be operated with wet hands, and the probability of failure due to water intrusion increases. For this reason, the illumination control device is not suitable for use in an environment where waterproofness is required.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and can independently operate the color temperature and the light amount of illumination light, can improve durability, and is required to be waterproof. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device suitable for use in the field.

  In order to achieve the above object, an illumination control device according to the present invention is an illumination control device that controls the color temperature and light amount of illumination light emitted from a lighting fixture, and is an instruction that instructs operation of the color temperature and light amount of the illumination light. A first distance sensor and a second distance sensor for measuring the distance to the body, respectively, and measuring one of the distances measured by each of the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor. One of the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light is controlled according to the distance, and the other of the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light is controlled according to the difference between the one measurement distance and the other measurement distance. It is characterized by that.

  A heat sensing sensor, wherein the first sensing sensor and the second ranging sensor are in an operating state when the heat sensing sensor senses an indicator that generates heat; It is preferable that the first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor are in an operation stop state when the signal is not detected.

  It is preferable to further include a lamp that is turned on when the first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor are in an operating state, and is turned off when the distance measuring sensor is in an operation stopped state.

  According to the present invention, the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light are independently operated by changing the distances between the first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor and the indicator (for example, the user's hand). it can. In addition, it can be operated in a non-contact manner, thus improving durability and being suitable for use in an environment where waterproofness is required.

(A) is the one-point perspective view which shows the enforcement example of the illumination system provided with the illumination control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is an electrical block diagram which shows the structure of the said illumination system. The electric block diagram which shows the structure of the said lighting control apparatus and the lighting fixture controlled by it. (A) is a side view of the said illumination control apparatus, (b) is the front view. (A) (b) is a side view for demonstrating the process at the time of use of the said lighting control apparatus. The electric block diagram which shows the structure of the illumination system provided with the illumination control apparatus which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. The front view of the said illumination control apparatus. The side view for demonstrating the process at the time of the start of use of the said illumination control apparatus. The electric block diagram which shows the structure of the status display lamp of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on the modification different from the above.

  An illumination control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B show a configuration of an illumination system 100 including the illumination control device of the present embodiment. The lighting system 100 includes lighting fixtures 1A to 1D (hereinafter collectively referred to as lighting fixtures 1) and illumination light (hereinafter simply referred to as illumination light) that is connected to the lighting fixture 1 via a signal line 2 and is emitted from the lighting fixture 1. And the lighting control device 3 of the present embodiment that performs the toning light control. Although not shown, the lighting system 100 further includes a power switch for turning on / off the lighting fixture 1 by turning on / off the power supply from the power source to the lighting fixture 1. The lighting fixture 1 is a structure which can adjust the color temperature and light control level of illumination light, and is not limited to the number shown in figure. The illumination control device 3 controls the color temperature and dimming level of illumination light based on a user operation. The light control level is a ratio of the light quantity to the rated maximum light quantity of the lighting fixture 1, and the ratio is expressed as a percentage in the following description. The illumination control device 3 is installed on the wall surface W1, for example. The power switch is provided separately from the illumination control device 3 and is disposed on the wall surface W1 as in the illumination control device 3, for example.

  FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the lighting fixture 1 </ b> A and the lighting control device 3. Here, since the structure of each lighting fixture 1 is mutually equivalent, only the structure of 1 A of lighting fixtures is demonstrated on behalf of them. 1 A of lighting fixtures turn on the light source 11, the lighting circuit 12 which adjusts the color temperature and light quantity of the emitted light by the light source 11, and the toning light control signal transmitted from the transmission circuit 8 of the illumination control apparatus 3. Includes a receiving circuit 13 and a control circuit 14. The control circuit 14 performs toning / dimming control of the light source 11 using the lighting circuit 12 based on the toning / dimming signal received by the receiving circuit 13.

  The configuration of the illumination control device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B in addition to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, the illumination control device 3 measures the distance to the indicator that instructs the operation of the color temperature and the dimming level of the illumination light, respectively. (First distance sensor) and a light control distance sensor 5 (second distance sensor). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a user's hand H1 is used as the indicator. Hereinafter, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 are collectively referred to as the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like.

  In addition, the illumination control device 3 is configured to display illumination light based on a state display lamp 6 that displays whether or not the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is in an operating state and a measurement distance by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like. A control circuit 7 for controlling the color temperature and the light control level and a transmission circuit 8 are provided. The transmission circuit 8 transmits the toning light control signal generated for the above control by the control circuit 7 to the lighting fixture 1. The housing 9 shown in FIG. 3A will be described later.

  The toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like are active type distance measuring sensors that transmit infrared rays (shown by broken lines), receive the infrared rays reflected by the hand H1, and perform toning distance measurement by trigonometry. The distance from the sensor 4 etc. to the hand H1 is measured. The toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like output a distance measuring signal indicating the measured distance to the control circuit 7. The output method may be analog or digital.

  The status display lamp 6 is turned on when the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is in an operating state, and is turned off when the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is in an operation stopped state. The status display lamp 6 is constituted by an LED or the like.

  The control circuit 7 obtains the measurement distance by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like based on the ranging signal from the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like. When the measurement distance L by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is within the preset dimming level setting range, the control circuit 7 controls the dimming level of the illumination light according to the measurement distance L, and the measurement distance L The color temperature of the illumination light is controlled according to the difference Δl from the measurement distance (L + Δl) measured by the toning distance measuring sensor 4.

  The lower limit value (shortest value) of the light control level setting range is associated with a light control level of 0 [%], and the upper limit value (longest value) of the light control level setting range is a light control level of 100 [%]. It is associated. The control circuit 7 increases the dimming level within the range of 0 (off) to 100 [%] as the measurement distance L becomes longer within the dimming level setting range.

  When the difference Δl is substantially 0, the control circuit 7 sets the color temperature of the illumination light to a center value (eg, 5000 [K]) within a settable range. When the difference Δl is a positive value within a preset color temperature setting range, the control circuit 7 increases the color temperature of the illumination light above the center value, and the difference Δl is negative within the color temperature setting range. If it is a value, the color temperature of the illumination light is lowered below the center value. The control circuit 7 may change the dimming level and the color temperature of the illumination light continuously or in steps according to the measurement distance L and the difference Δl.

  The setting of the dimming level setting range will be described. In the above setting, the user holds the hand H1 over the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like, the finger H2 faces the toning distance measuring sensor 4, and the palm H3 faces the dimming distance measuring sensor 5, It is assumed that the color temperature and the dimming level of light are manipulated. Here, it is assumed that the distance measuring ranges of the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like are the same (for example, 4 to 30 [cm]).

  Suppose that the lower limit value of the light control level setting range is set to be equal to the lower limit value of the range that can be measured by the light control distance measuring sensor 5, and the palm H3 is at a position corresponding to the lower limit value. . In this case, even if the finger H2 is moved so that the finger H2 is closer to the toning distance measuring sensor 4 than the palm H3, the finger H2 is positioned outside the range that can be measured by the toning distance measuring sensor 4. become. Therefore, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 cannot measure the distance to the finger H2, and cannot further decrease the color temperature. Therefore, the settable range of the color temperature is practically limited and narrowed. Therefore, the lower limit value (for example, 4 [cm]) of the range that can be measured by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is half the length (for example, 5 [cm]) of the color temperature setting range (for example, 10 [cm]). Is set to the lower limit value of the dimming level setting range.

  Also, suppose that the upper limit value of the light control level setting range is set to be equal to the upper limit value of the range that can be measured by the light control distance measuring sensor 5, and the palm H3 is at a position corresponding to the upper limit value. And In this case, even if the finger H2 is moved so that the finger H2 is moved away from the toning distance measuring sensor 4 rather than the palm H3, the finger H2 is positioned outside the range that can be measured by the toning distance measuring sensor 4. become. Therefore, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 cannot measure the distance to the finger H2, and cannot increase the color temperature any more. Therefore, the settable range of the color temperature is practically limited and narrowed. Therefore, the half length (for example, 5 [cm]) of the color temperature setting range (for example, 10 [cm]) from the upper limit value (for example, 30 [cm]) of the range that can be measured by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5. Is set to the upper limit value of the light control level setting range (for example, 25 [cm]).

  The control circuit 7 includes a memory 71 in which a control table in which the measurement distance L and the light control level are associated with each other and the difference Δl and the color temperature are associated in advance is stored. When the distance is measured by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like, the control circuit 7 obtains the measurement distance L and the difference Δl from these results, refers to the control table, and controls the light control corresponding to the measurement distance L. The level and the color temperature corresponding to the difference Δl are set as target values. And the control circuit 7 produces | generates the toning light control signal for instruct | indicating the lighting fixture 1 so that the color temperature and light control level of illumination light may correspond with the set color temperature and light control level.

  By the way, since each of the toning distance measuring sensors 4 and the like is an active type, if both of them are always operating, power consumption increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when only the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is always in an operating state and the measurement distance L by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is within the dimming level setting range, the control circuit 7 It is assumed that the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is switched to the operating state. When the toning distance measuring sensor 4 does not detect the presence of the user's hand H1 for a predetermined period, the control circuit 7 switches the toning distance measuring sensor 4 to the operation stop state.

  The transmission circuit 8 converts the toning light control signal generated by the control circuit 7 into, for example, a PWM signal or a digital signal conforming to the DALI standard or DMX standard in serial communication according to the communication method with the lighting fixture 1. Then, it is transmitted to the luminaire 1. The control circuit 7 and the transmission circuit 8 are preferably configured by a common microprocessor, but may be configured by independent microprocessors.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the illumination control device 3 includes a housing 9 that houses the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like and the state display lamp 6. The toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like and the status display lamp 6 are arranged so as to be exposed on the front surface of the housing 9. The toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like are arranged in a vertical row so that the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is positioned above the dimming distance measuring sensor 5. The distance between the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like is set to a dimension that allows the user to cover the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like with one hand.

  Next, an operation when the illumination control device 3 is used will be described. 4A and 4B show a state where the user holds the hand H1 over the illumination control device 3 and changes the inclination of the hand H1 in that state. Here, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 1 is turned on, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is in an operation stop state, and the state display lamp 6 is turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in this state, the user holds the hand H1 over the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like, and the measuring distance L to the hand H1 by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is the dimming level. Assume that it is within the set range. In this case, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is in an operating state, the status display lamp 6 is turned on, and the control circuit 7 starts the illumination light control process.

Here, it is assumed that the user faces the toning distance measuring sensor 4 with the finger H <b> 2 and the palm H <b> 3 faces the toning distance measuring sensor 5. Then, the measured distance from the finger H2 by the ranging sensor 4 for toning (L + .DELTA.l), difference .DELTA.l the measured distance L to the palm H3 by the ranging sensor 5 dimming and was .DELTA.l _1. In this case, the control circuit 7 controls the dimming level of the illumination light according to the measurement distance L, and controls the color temperature of the illumination light according to the difference Δl ₁ .

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the user keeps the position of the palm H3 and brings the finger H2 close to the toning distance measuring sensor 4, and the difference Δl is Δl ₂ (Δl ₂ It is assumed that <Δl ₁ ). In that case, the control circuit 7 reduces the color temperature of the illumination light according to the difference Δl ₂ . Although not shown, when the hand H1 is at a position corresponding to the lower limit value of the dimming level setting range, the measurement distance L becomes 0. Therefore, the control circuit 7 sets the dimming level of the illumination light to 0 [ %].

  It is assumed that the hand H1 is removed from the front of the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like, and the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 cannot detect the presence of the hand H1, and the predetermined period has passed in this state. In this case, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is stopped, the status display lamp 6 is turned off, and the control circuit 7 ends the illumination light control process. When the control process is ended in this manner, the hand H1 is slid substantially parallel to the front surface of the housing 9 so that the distance between the hand H1 and the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is not changed. The color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light do not vary according to the movement of H1. Therefore, the control process can be terminated while the color temperature and the light control level are set to desired values.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user holds the hand H1 over the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like, the finger H2 faces the toning distance measuring sensor 4, and the palm H3 faces the dimming distance measuring sensor 5. . In that case, the measurement distance L to the palm H3 by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is changed by moving the palm H3 close to the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 or away from the dimming distance measuring sensor 5. The dimming level of the illumination light can be manipulated. Further, the measurement distance (L + Δl) to the finger H2 by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 is changed by moving the finger H2 closer to the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or away from the toning distance measuring sensor 4. Thus, the color temperature can be manipulated. Therefore, the color temperature and the light control level can be operated independently.

  In addition, the color temperature and the light control level can be operated without contact. Therefore, even if the operation is repeated, the durability is improved without being mechanically deteriorated due to fatigue, friction or the like as in the case of a mechanical operation button. Further, even when used in an environment requiring waterproofness, for example, outdoors or in a restaurant and operated with wet hands, it is not necessary to touch the illumination control device 3 for operation, and the illumination control device 3 is wet. You do n’t have to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a failure due to intrusion of water or the like and improve reliability.

  Further, since the color temperature is controlled based on the difference Δl between the measurement distance (L + Δl) and the measurement distance L, the color temperature can be manipulated by simply bending the wrist and changing Δl. Further, when the status display lamp 6 is turned on or off, the user can visually check whether the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is in an operating state. Therefore, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is used. Easy to operate and easy to use.

  Next, an illumination control device according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows an electrical configuration of the illumination system 100 including the illumination control device 3 of the present modification, and FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the illumination control device 3 of the present modification. The illumination control device 3 further includes a heat detection sensor 10. The heat detection sensor 10 is disposed so as to be exposed on the front surface of the housing 9 (see FIG. 6), is constituted by a heat detection element such as a thermopile, and the driving method is a passive type.

  FIG. 7 shows a state when the user holds the hand H1 over the front surface of the housing 9. At this time, the heat detection sensor 10 detects the presence of the hand H1. The control circuit 7 activates the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like when the presence of the user's hand H1 (heated indicator) is detected by the heat detection sensor 10, and the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like. The color temperature and the dimming level of the illumination light are controlled based on the measurement distance by. When the presence of the hand H1 is not detected by the heat detection sensor 10 for a predetermined period, the control circuit 7 stops the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like, and stops the control of the color temperature and the dimming level of the illumination light. .

  In this modification, the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like are in an operating state only when a heat-generating indicator such as the user's hand H1 is detected by the heat sensor 10. Therefore, compared to the case where the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 is always operated as in the above embodiment, the power consumption by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5 can be reduced, and the power consumption of the entire apparatus can be reduced. it can.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of said embodiment and modification, Various deformation | transformation are possible according to a use purpose. For example, the lighting control device 3 may be applied to an embedded lighting controller embedded in a wall. The illumination control device 3 may be applied to a remote controller that transmits a radio signal such as radio waves or infrared rays to the luminaire 1 and controls the luminaire 1 using the radio signal. It may be provided integrally with the instrument 1. The illumination control device 3 may include a mechanical operation switch for manually switching between the operation state and the operation stop state of the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and the like. Moreover, the illumination control device 3 may be formed integrally with a power switch for turning on and off the lighting fixture 1. In that case, since the power switch is waterproof, it is desirable that its operation part is embedded in the housing 9 and is covered with an elastic resin cover so that it can be operated from above the resin cover.

  Further, the control circuit 7 controls the color temperature of the illumination light according to the measurement distance by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 and illuminates according to the difference between the measurement distance and the measurement distance by the dimming distance measuring sensor 5. The amount of light may be controlled.

  In addition, during the adjustment of the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light using the finger H2 and the palm H3, the finger H2 and the palm H3 are hardly moved for a predetermined holding period, and each change in the measurement distance L and the difference Δl. Assume that the amount or rate of change is within a preset range. In this case, the control circuit 7 may store information on the color temperature and the light control level corresponding to the measurement distance L and the difference Δl in the memory 71, respectively. The control circuit 7 is configured to be able to detect an operation to the luminaire 1 using a power switch by the user, and refers to the memory 71 when a lighting operation to the luminaire 1 is detected after the luminaire 1 is turned off. Then, the luminaire 1 may be turned on at the stored color temperature and dimming level. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to set the color temperature and amount of illumination light each time the lighting fixture 1 is turned on, and convenience is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the status display lamp 6 is composed of a red LED 61, a green LED 62, and a blue LED 63, and the color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light set by the user operation are combined. It may be reproduced by light. In this case, the control circuit 7 performs PWM control on the supply current to each color LED, and the on-duty ratio of the supply current is set to a ratio that allows the above reproduction. According to this configuration, when setting the color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light, the current color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light are determined from the light of the state display lamp 6 while facing the direction of the illumination control device 3. I can confirm. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light by turning to the luminaire 1 and the setting operation is simplified.

  The status display lamp 6 is composed of two types of LEDs having different emission colors, and the control circuit 7 depends on whether the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like is in an operating state or in an operation stopped state. May switch the LED to light up for every kind. In that case, as shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to provide an LED that reproduces the color temperature and dimming level of the illumination light separately from the state display lamp 6.

  In the above modification, the control circuit 7 sets the dimming level of the illumination light to 0 [%], and finishes the illumination light control process as it is. In that case, when the thermal sensor 10 senses the presence of the hand H1 after the end, the control circuit 7 does not change the distance measured by the toning distance measuring sensor 4 or the like, for example, 100 [ %] May be turned on at a dimming level. According to this configuration, after setting the dimming level of the illumination light to 0 [%], when it is desired to light the lighting fixture 1 for the time being, the lighting device 1 is simply detected by causing the heat detection sensor 10 to sense the hand H1. It can be turned on quickly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illumination control apparatus 2 Lighting fixture 4 Toning distance sensor (1st distance sensor)
5. Dimming distance sensor (second distance sensor)
6 Status display lamp 10 Heat detection sensor H1 User's hand (indicator)

Claims (3)

In an illumination control device that controls the color temperature and light amount of illumination light emitted from a lighting fixture,
A first distance measuring sensor and a second distance measuring sensor that respectively measure the distance to the indicator that instructs the operation of the color temperature and the light amount of the illumination light;
One of the distance measured by each of the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor controls one of the color temperature and the amount of light of the illumination light according to one of the distance measured, and the one distance measured And controlling the other of the color temperature and the amount of light of the illumination light according to the difference between the measurement distance and the other measurement distance. Further comprising a thermal sensor,
The first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor are activated when the heat sensing sensor senses a heat generating indicator, and when the indicator is not sensed by the heat sensing sensor, the first sensing sensor is activated. The illumination control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor are in an operation stop state.   The apparatus further comprises a lamp that is turned on when the first distance measuring sensor and the second distance measuring sensor are in an operating state and is turned off when the distance measuring sensors are in an operation stopped state. Item 3. The lighting control device according to Item 2.

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