JP2016152127A - Lighting system, controller, converter and lighting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system that can reduce dispersion in fade among luminaires which are faded in the same manner.SOLUTION: In a lighting system including plural luminaires 200 and a controller 100 for controlling the plural luminaires, each of the plural luminaires 200 gradually varies the luminance thereof according to a fade command transmitted from the controller. Upon reception of a fade instruction for instructing fading over a fade time equal to a predetermined time or more, the controller 100 divides the fade time to generate plural fade commands corresponding to the fade instruction, successively transmits the generated fade commands to the plural luminaires. Upon reception of a fade instruction for instructing fading over a fade time which is less than the predetermined time, the controller 100 transmits one fade command corresponding to the fade instruction to the plural luminaires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination system having a fade function, a controller, a converter, and an illumination method.

  For example, Patent Document 1 divides the fade time required to change the dimming ratio of a fluorescent lamp from one dimming level to the other dimming level into a plurality of periods, and the temporal change characteristic of the dimming ratio is It discloses that the time width of each period is corrected so as to obtain a desired change characteristic.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses lighting of a lighting fixture so that the slope of the brightness change of fade-in or fade-out is increased or decreased according to a human body detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a human body in the illumination area and the current lighting state. It is disclosed to control.

JP 2001-250697 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-162658

  However, in general, when performing dimming, toning control, etc., there are variations in brightness, color, etc. between multiple lighting fixtures. If there is no occurrence, the variation can be reduced. However, since the digital signal transmits control values at regular intervals, there is a problem that when the fade is performed, the control is stepwise and does not change smoothly.

  A lighting system according to an aspect of the present invention is a lighting system including a plurality of lighting fixtures and a controller that controls the plurality of lighting fixtures, and each of the plurality of lighting fixtures is transmitted from the controller. The brightness is gradually changed in accordance with a fade command, and when the controller receives a fade instruction for instructing a fade over a predetermined time, a plurality of fades corresponding to the fade instruction are divided by dividing the fade time. A command is generated, and the generated fade command is sequentially transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures. The lighting fixture side smoothly performs a fade to a target dimming level in the received fade time. When receiving a fade instruction for instructing a fade over a fade time not longer than the predetermined time, one fade command corresponding to the fade instruction is transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures.

  A controller according to an aspect of the present invention is a controller that controls a plurality of lighting fixtures, and when receiving a fade instruction that instructs a fade over a predetermined fade time or more, a plurality of fades that realize the fade instruction. One fade command corresponding to the fade instruction when it is divided into commands, and the divided fade commands are sequentially transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures, and when a fade instruction is given to indicate a fade over a predetermined fade time. To the plurality of lighting fixtures.

  The converter which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is a converter with which a lighting system which has several lighting fixtures and the controller which controls these lighting fixtures is equipped, Comprising: From the said controller, the said brightness target value is obtained. As an instruction, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal having a pulse having a pulse width indicating a dimming ratio and indicating a fade by gradually changing the pulse width of successive pulses is received every predetermined time, Each time a PWM signal is received, the brightness target value is determined from a change in the pulse width of the PWM signal, and the brightness target value corresponding to the predetermined transmission interval every time the predetermined transmission interval elapses. Is transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures.

  A lighting method according to an aspect of the present invention is a lighting method for a plurality of lighting fixtures, receives a fade target designating a brightness target value indicating a target value of brightness to be reached and a fade time, and the fade instruction It is determined whether or not the fade time specified by is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. When it is determined that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the fade time is set to N equal to or shorter than the predetermined time (N is equal to or larger than 2). The fade range is divided into N intervals corresponding to the N times divided by the first dividing unit, and the divided N times and N times are divided into N times). N fade commands are generated for designating a corresponding pair of times and intervals as fade times and fade ranges, and the N fade commands are assigned to the start times of the N times. When the fade time is determined not to be longer than the predetermined time, the brightness target value and the fade time corresponding to the fade range specified by the user operation are indicated. A fade command to be transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures.

  As described above, if the fade is longer than the predetermined time, the controller divides the fade time, and the instrument side smoothly and continuously performs the fade at the divided time. If the fade time is equal to or less than the predetermined time, the instrument side performs a continuous fade with a single command.

  Since there is a limit to the time during which the luminaire can perform continuous fading, the controller divides the fade time and transmits it to the luminaire in the case of fading longer than a certain time. By doing so, even if it is a long time fade transmitted as a digital signal, it becomes possible to perform a continuous change, not an unnatural change of light in steps.

  According to the lighting system, the controller, and the lighting method according to one aspect of the present invention, when the same fade is applied to a plurality of lighting fixtures using a digital signal, variation between the lighting fixtures can be reduced, and a long time Even if it is a fade, since it becomes possible to perform a continuous change, not a stepwise unnatural change in light, a smooth fade can be performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the illumination system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the operation panel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a generation unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of division of a fade command according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a format example of a command according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the illumination system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the converter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the converter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of conversion processing in the converter according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional constituent elements that constitute a more preferable embodiment.

  Each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily shown strictly. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same structure, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[Configuration of lighting system]
First, the illumination system in Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the illumination system according to Embodiment 1.

  The lighting system in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 and a controller 100. The plurality of lighting fixtures 200 and the controller 100 are connected by digital signal lines.

  Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 has a so-called fade function in which the brightness is gradually changed in accordance with a fade command transmitted from the controller 100 via the digital signal line. In addition to the fade function, the lighting fixture 200 has, for example, a dimming function for adjusting brightness, a toning function for adjusting color temperature, a schedule function for executing any function at a specified time or specified time, and the like. You may have.

  The controller 100 controls the lighting fixture 200 by transmitting various commands to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 via digital signal lines. In addition, the controller 100 has an operation panel as shown in FIG. 2, for example, in order to accept a user operation, and generates various commands according to the user operation.

  2 includes a display unit 100s, two pairs of an upper button 100u and a lower button 100d. The user performs a user operation corresponding to a desired command by pressing two pairs of the upper button 100u and the lower button 100d while viewing the display unit 100s. For example, when the user instructs a fade to change the brightness in a repetitive manner over a certain time, a fade time that is a time to be faded and a target value of the brightness to be reached are input to the operation panel 100P. . Such a fade instruction may be input not only by a user operation but also by a schedule function.

  In particular, when receiving a fade instruction, the controller 100 operates as follows. That is, when the controller 100 receives a fade instruction that instructs a fade over a predetermined fade time or more, the controller 100 generates a plurality of fade commands corresponding to the fade instruction by dividing the fade time, and generates the generated fade. The command is sequentially transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 (that is, in the order of the fade time). When the controller 100 receives a fade instruction for instructing a fade over a fade time not longer than a predetermined time, the controller 100 transmits one fade command corresponding to the fade instruction to the plurality of lighting fixtures. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 1 second, and may be 1 second or more.

  The lighting apparatus 200 has a function of continuously changing light until the predetermined time, and smooth fade can be performed even with one fade command within the predetermined time. Although each lighting fixture 200 performs a fade, if each lighting fixture 200 performs a fading for a long time, the dispersion | variation between each lighting fixture 200 will become large. If it is a short time, it is effective to fade the brightness target value in each lighting fixture 200, but if it is a long time fade, it is desirable to give a unified instruction from the controller 100.

  In addition, if an instruction is given from the controller 100 even for a short time, the target value can be instructed only at every transmission interval, so that the light does not change smoothly. For this reason, each lighting apparatus 200 performs a fade shorter than the predetermined time by itself, and a fade longer than the predetermined time is instructed by being divided from the controller 100.

  As a result, when the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 are faded in the same manner, it is possible to reduce the variation in fade variation between the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, and to achieve a smooth fade while transmitting digital signals.

[Controller configuration]
Next, the controller 100 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The controller 100 shown in the figure includes a reception unit 110, a generation unit 120, and a transmission unit 130.

  The accepting unit 110 is, for example, the operation panel 100P in FIG. 2 and accepts various user operations. The case where the user operation instructs a fade is as described above.

  The generation unit 120 generates various commands according to the user operation received by the reception unit 110. When the reception unit 110 receives a fade instruction, the generation unit 120 generates a fade command based on the brightness target value and the fade time. The generation method differs depending on whether or not the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, as described above, accepting the target brightness value and the fade time indicating the time to be faded.

  The transmission part 130 transmits the command produced | generated by the production | generation part 120 to the some lighting fixture 200 via a digital signal line.

  FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the generation unit 120 according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, components relating to a fade command among various commands are illustrated. The generation unit 120 includes a determination unit 121, a first division unit 122, a second division unit 123, a transmission control unit 124, and a command generation unit 125.

  The determination unit 121 determines whether the fade time in the fade instruction received by the reception unit 110 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

  When the determination unit 121 determines that the fade time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the first division unit 122 divides the fade time into N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times less than the predetermined time. .

  The second dividing unit 123 divides the fade range from the brightness at the start of the fade to the brightness target value into N sections corresponding to the N times divided by the first dividing unit 122.

  When the determination unit 121 determines that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the command generation unit 125 sets a corresponding pair of times and intervals among the N times and the N intervals as a fade time and brightness. N fade commands that are designated as target values are generated. Further, when the determination unit 121 determines that the fade time is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the command generation unit 125 generates one fade command that indicates the brightness target value and the fade time specified by the user operation.

  The transmission control unit 124 commands the N fade commands to be transmitted from the transmission unit 130 to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 in the order in which the N sections monotonously change in accordance with the start timings of the N times. The generation unit 125 is controlled.

  Here, the division of the fade instruction when the fade time in the fade instruction is a predetermined time or more will be described.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of division of a fade instruction according to Embodiment 1. Now, assume that a fade time T equal to or longer than a predetermined time and a brightness target value B6 are input in the state of brightness B0. In the figure, the original fade time T is equally divided into six times T1 to T6, and the fade range from the brightness B0 at the start of the fade to the final brightness target value B6 is the brightness target value B1. It is equally divided into six sections from ~ B6. The command generation unit 125 generates six fade commands that indicate a pair of corresponding times and sections among the six times and the six sections as a new fade time and a new brightness target value. The first fade command corresponds to the section C1 in the figure, and indicates the fade time T1 and the target location B1 of brightness. The second to sixth fade commands correspond to the sections C2 to C6 in the figure, and designate a corresponding pair of times and sections as new fade time and brightness target values.

  The transmission control unit 124 transmits the six fade commands from the transmission unit 130 to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 in the order in which the six sections (that is, the fade range) change monotonously in accordance with the transmission timing (transmission interval) of each command. As described above, the output timings of the six fade commands from the command generator 125 to the transmitter 130 are controlled. Then, the lighting fixture 200 that has received one command has a dimming level specified by the target value of brightness while fading at the time specified in the command.

  For example, if the command transmission interval is 1 second, the predetermined time is 1 second, and the original fade time is 6 seconds, the original fade time 6 seconds is a command transmission interval that is a time equal to or shorter than the predetermined time (here, Is divided every 1 second) which is the same as the predetermined time. In the figure, each of the times T1 to T6 is 1 second. In this example, the 1st division part 122 divides into time T1-T6 for every second.

  As a result, in the first section C1, the transmission unit 130 transmits a first fade command that indicates the brightness target value B1 and the fade time T1. In the next section C2, the transmission unit 130 transmits a second fade command instructing the brightness target value B2 and the fade time T2. Similarly, in the sections C3 to C5, the transmission unit 130 transmits the third to fifth fade commands. In the last section C6, the transmission unit 130 transmits a fade command instructing the brightness target value B6 and the fade time T6.

  The first to sixth fade commands are transmitted at command transmission start timings at times T1 to T6, for example. The lighting fixture 200 that has received each command continuously performs light control over the fade time specified in the command, so that a change in light can be seen continuously even with a digital light control signal that changes stepwise.

  In this way, a fade instruction that indicates a fade time that is equal to or greater than a predetermined time is divided into a plurality of fade commands that are equal to or less than the predetermined time. In addition, by realizing a fade time corresponding to the command transmission interval on the lighting fixture side, when fading the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 in the same manner, variation in fade between the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 is reduced, and digital Even if a signal is transmitted stepwise, even if it is a long-time fade or a short-time fade, the fade becomes smooth and can be produced without a sense of incongruity. It looks the same and makes it difficult to perceive a sense of incongruity due to variations.

  Further, a specific example of the fade command will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a format example of a command including a fade command according to the first embodiment. The command shown in the figure includes an address field, a dimming field, a toning field and a fade field.

  The format of the command that the controller 100 transmits to the lighting apparatus 200 includes an address, a dimming level, a toning level, and a fade time. For example, when the command transmits a fade command for instructing a target brightness value and a fade time to a fixture at a specific address, the lighting fixture 200 adjusts the target brightness value from the current dimming level. Change to light level with specified fade time. In this embodiment, the broadcast address transmitted with respect to all the lighting fixtures 200 connected to the controller 100 is set as the address instead of the specific lighting fixture 200.

[Configuration of lighting equipment]
Next, the configuration of the lighting apparatus 200 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the lighting fixture 200 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated, the lighting apparatus 200 includes a light source 210, a lighting circuit 220, a receiving unit 230, and a fade control unit 240.

  The light source 210 includes one or more light emitting elements. The one or more light emitting elements are, for example, a plurality of LED elements. Note that the one or more light emitting elements are not limited to LED elements. The light source 210 may include, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser, and a solid light emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or an inorganic EL.

  The lighting circuit 220 supplies the light source 210 with a voltage or current corresponding to lighting, blinking, extinguishing, etc. of the light source 210. When the light source 210 is a plurality of LED elements, this voltage or current varies depending on the illumination mode such as the dimming ratio and the toning ratio.

  The receiving unit 230 receives various commands from the controller 100 via a digital signal line. Various commands include a fade command.

  The fade control unit 240 controls the lighting circuit 220 according to the fade command received by the receiving unit 230. In other words, the fade control unit 240 controls the lighting circuit 220 to satisfy the fade time and brightness target values specified in the fade command. In the lighting circuit 220, since the control value is continuously changed based on the fade time and brightness target values transmitted from the host, a smooth light change can be realized.

[Operation]
The operation of the illumination system according to Embodiment 1 configured as described above will be described.

  The receiving unit 110 of the controller 100 receives a fade instruction that specifies a brightness target value indicating the brightness to be reached and a fade time.

  The determination unit 121 in the controller 100 determines whether or not the fade time specified by the fade instruction is a predetermined time or more.

  Next, when the determination unit 121 determines that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the first division unit 122 sets the fade time to N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times less than the predetermined time. To divide. At this time, the second dividing unit 123 corresponds to the N times divided by the first dividing unit 122, and fades from the brightness at the start of the fade (for example, the current brightness) to the brightness target value. Divide the range into N sections.

  Further, the command generation unit 125 generates N fade commands that designate a corresponding pair of times and sections as the fade time and brightness target values among the divided N times and N sections.

  The transmission control unit 124 transmits the N fade commands generated in this way from the command generation unit 125 to the transmission unit 130 so that the N fade commands are sequentially transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with the start timings of N times. Controls the output of N fade commands to.

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 121 determines that the fade time is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the command generation unit 125 generates one fade command that indicates the brightness target value and the fade time specified by the user operation, The data is transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 via the transmission unit 130.

  As described above, according to the lighting system according to the first embodiment, when the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 are faded in exactly the same way, the controller 100 transmits the lighting fixtures 200 to each of the lighting fixtures 200. The variation in fade between 200 can be reduced. For example, there are variations (for example, errors) in the response speed to changes in brightness, dimming ratio, etc. between the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, and when the fade time is long, the error becomes large and the fade variation is visually recognized by the user. May be. On the other hand, in the lighting system according to the present embodiment, a fade instruction for instructing a fade time of a predetermined time or more is divided into a plurality of fade commands having a fade time of a predetermined time or less.

  On the other hand, if a command with a constant interval is transmitted as a digital signal, the light changes step by step, resulting in an unnatural fade. The command transmission interval is defined as a fade time, and during the fade time, a smooth fade is performed on the lighting fixture side. Thereby, it is possible to make it difficult for the user to visually recognize the fade variation. At the same time, a smooth fade can be achieved even with long fades.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the illumination system in Embodiment 2 will be described.

[Configuration of lighting system]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the illumination system according to Embodiment 1.

  1 is substantially the same as that in FIG. 1, but differs from that in FIG. 3 in that a controller 100a is provided instead of the controller 100, and a converter 150 is provided. Hereinafter, different points will be mainly described.

  The controller 100a includes an operation panel 100P, a generation unit 120a, and a transmission unit 130a. This is different in that a target dimming level is output by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal.

  The target dimming level output from the controller 100a is a PWM signal having a pulse having a pulse width indicating the dimming ratio, and indicates a fade by gradually changing the pulse width of successive pulses. It is. Each of DUTY1 and DUTY2 in the figure indicates a PWM signal. For example, the content of DUTY1 corresponds to the color temperature, and the content of DUTY2 corresponds to the dimming rate.

  The operation panel 100P corresponds to the reception unit 110 in FIG.

  The operation panel 100P of FIG. 7 includes a display unit 100s, two pairs of an upper button 100u and a lower button 100d, as in FIG. The user performs a user operation corresponding to desired illumination control by pressing two pairs of the upper button 100u and the lower button 100d while viewing the display unit 100s. When 100u is pressed for a short time, the PWM signal changes in a bright direction only by one step, and when 100d is pressed, the PWM signal changes in a direction that becomes darker by one step. Further, when 100u is pressed for a long time, it changes in the direction of continuous brightening.

  The generation unit 120a generates the PWM signal in response to a user operation received by the operation panel 100P.

  The transmission unit 130a transmits the PWM signal generated by the generation unit 120a to the conversion unit 150.

  The converter 150 reads the target value of the brightness from the PWM signal at a constant reception interval for the pulse width of the PWM signal from the controller 100a, and outputs a fade command corresponding to the change in the pulse width of the reception time for each reception interval. It transmits to the some lighting fixture 200. On the other hand, the reception interval for receiving the PWM signal is set to a time shorter than a predetermined time. The converter 150 transmits a fade command corresponding to a time shorter than the predetermined time to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200. The fade command transmission interval may be different from the reception interval. In this case, the brightness target value is adjusted according to the transmission interval and the reception interval.

[Construction of converter]
Next, the configuration of the converter 150 will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the converter according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the converter 150 includes a reception unit 151, a command generation unit 125, and a transmission control unit 155.

  The reception unit 151 includes a PWM determination unit 152, a timer 153, and a memory 154.

  The PWM determination unit 152 reads the target values of the light adjustment and toning levels indicated by DUTY1 and DUTY2 at the reception intervals counted by the timer 153. In this embodiment, the description mainly focuses on the conversion of DUTY1, but in the conversion of DUTY2, the “brightness target value” in this embodiment may be read as “the target value of color temperature”. .

  The timer 153 repeatedly counts a certain reception interval.

Each time the timer 153 counts the reception interval, the command generation unit 125 generates one fade command that indicates the target value read by the PWM determination unit 152 and the reception interval as a fade time. In addition, the command generation unit 125
The transmission control unit 155 controls the transmission timing of the fade command generated by the command generation unit 125. Also, the transmission control unit 155 transmits the fade time of the generated fade command as a transmission interval. The target dimming level and toning level are read from DUTY1 and DUTY2, and are divided into predetermined fade times for transmission.

  Note that the number of PWM signals input to the converter 150 may be one as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, DUTY is a PWM signal indicating a dimming level.

  Further, it is desirable that the predetermined time in the second embodiment is shorter than that in the first embodiment. This is because a delay corresponding to at least the reception interval occurs in transmission of the fade command. The reception interval may be, for example, 1 second or less, or 100 mS.

[Operation]
The operation of converter 150 will be described for the illumination system according to Embodiment 2 configured as described above. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of conversion processing in the converter according to the second embodiment. First, an operation in which step S4 is omitted will be described. In the figure, a timer 153 is activated and counts a predetermined time (S3). When a predetermined time counted by the timer 153 has elapsed by the PWM determination unit 152 (Yes in S5), the PWM determination unit 152 stores the pulse width at that time in the memory 154, and the brightness target value is calculated from the pulse width. Is read (S6). That is, the PWM determination unit 152 determines the target brightness value from the pulse width. Further, the command generation unit 125 sets a predetermined transmission interval as a fade time (S7), and generates a fade command according to the read target value. The generated fade command is transmitted to each luminaire 200 every time a predetermined transmission interval elapses (S8).

  Each lighting apparatus 200 that has received the fade command fades to the target level in a fade time corresponding to the transmission interval in accordance with the fade command that is transmitted each time the transmission sensation elapses. Next, when the next fade command is received after the reception time has elapsed, the fade is performed at the fade time specified in the command toward the target value at that time. By repeating this, the light continuously changes and a smooth fade is realized. In the above description, the reception interval and the transmission interval are set to the same time.

  In the operation in which step S4 is omitted, the converter 150, for example, at a constant transmission interval (this transmission interval is the same as the reception interval) even when there is no change in the continuous pulse width for a time longer than the reception interval, A fade command having the same brightness target value as the current dimming level is transmitted. The fade command in this case is a dummy command. This operation can simplify the conversion process. This is suitable when the reception interval is so short that the user cannot perceive it, for example, shorter than 100 mS.

  Next, an operation that does not omit step S4 will be described. In step S4, the PWM determination unit 152 constantly monitors whether there is a change in the width of successive pulses of the PWM signal. When the PWM determination unit 152 determines that the continuous pulse width of the PWM signal has changed when the timer is started, but has finished changing to a continuous pulse width within a time shorter than the reception interval (yes in S4) ), The command generation unit 125 stores the pulse width at that time, and reads the target value from the pulse width (S6). The command generation unit 125 sets the count time of the timer 153 (the count time is shorter than the reception interval) as a fade time (S7), and generates and transmits a fade command according to the read target value (S8). This is suitable when the reception interval is a time that can be perceived by the user, for example, a time of 100 ms or more.

  As described above, the lighting system according to the present embodiment is a lighting system including a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 and a controller 100a that controls the plurality of lighting fixtures 200. As an indication of the target value, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal that indicates the brightness target value by changing the pulse width of successive pulses that have pulses with the pulse width indicating the dimming ratio is constant. Each time the reception interval elapses, and every time the PWM signal is received, the brightness target value is determined from the change in the pulse width of the PWM signal, and each time a predetermined transmission interval elapses, the It has a converter which transmits the fade command which instruct | indicates the target value of the brightness | luminance corresponding to a predetermined transmission interval to these lighting fixtures.

  As described above, according to the lighting system according to the present embodiment, a fade instruction is given in the form of a PWM signal, and the PWM signal is converted into a digital signal, whereby a target value is set for each lighting fixture 200 as a digital value. In order to transmit, since an error becomes smaller than the case where the conventional analog PWM signal is directly read with each lighting fixture, the brightness and color temperature dispersion | variation between the lighting fixtures 200 become small. In addition, in the case of a long fade, since a signal is transmitted from the controller, there is no fade variation due to the time error of each instrument. Further, when transmitting with a digital signal, since the fade changes stepwise in order to transmit a command periodically, the fade does not become smooth. However, according to the present embodiment, the controller 100a receives a predetermined time interval. Since the light is continuously changed on the side of the lighting fixture 200 with the same fade time as the command to be sent to, a natural fade can be realized even with a long fade time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since a widely spread PWM signal is used as an input signal, the conventional controller 100a can be used as a parent device, and various lighting systems are controlled by digital signals with little variation. A lighting fixture 200 can be connected.

  In addition, the 1 or more light emitting element as a light source in the lighting fixture 200 demonstrated in the said embodiment is not limited to an LED element. The light source may include, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser, and a solid light emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or an inorganic EL.

  In the above-described embodiment and each modification, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  Moreover, in each said Embodiment 1, another process part may perform the process which a specific process part performs.

  The comprehensive or specific aspect of the present invention may be realized by a recording medium such as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. The comprehensive or specific aspect of the present invention may be realized by any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as a lighting device control method or a business model (rental method and billing method).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment or its modification. Unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art are applied to the present embodiment or the modification thereof, or a form constructed by combining different embodiments or components in the modification. It is included within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Controller 110 Reception part 120 Generation part 121 Determination part 122 1st division part 123 2nd division part 124 Transmission control part 125 Command generation part 130 Transmission part 150 Converter 152 PWM determination part 153 Timer 154 Memory 200 Lighting fixture

Claims (10)

A lighting system having a plurality of lighting fixtures and a controller for controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures,
Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures gradually changes the brightness according to a fade command transmitted from the controller,
When the controller receives a fade instruction instructing a fade over a predetermined fade time or more, the controller generates a plurality of fade commands corresponding to the fade instruction by dividing the fade time, and generates the generated fade command. Illumination that sequentially transmits to the plurality of lighting fixtures, and receives a fade instruction that indicates a fade over a fade time not longer than the predetermined time, and transmits one fade command corresponding to the fade instruction to the plurality of lighting fixtures. system. The controller is
A reception unit for receiving a target value of brightness to be reached and a fade time;
A generator for generating a fade command based on the target value of brightness and the fade time;
A transmission unit that transmits the fade command to the plurality of lighting fixtures,
The generator is
A determination unit for determining whether or not the fade time received by the reception unit is a predetermined time or more;
A first dividing unit that divides the fade time into N (N is an integer of 2 or more) times equal to or less than the predetermined time when it is determined that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time;
A second dividing unit that divides the fade range from the brightness at the start of the fade to the target value of the brightness into N sections in correspondence with the N times divided by the first dividing unit;
When it is determined that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, a fade that indicates a corresponding pair of times and intervals among the N times and the N intervals as a target value of the fade time and brightness A command generation unit that generates N commands and generates one fade command that indicates the target value of brightness and the fade time specified by the user operation when it is determined that the fade time is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time. When,
A control unit that transmits the N fade commands from the transmission unit to the plurality of lighting fixtures in an order in which the N sections change monotonously in accordance with the start timings of the N times. The lighting system described in. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the first division unit equally divides the fade time. The illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is 1 second or more. A lighting system having a plurality of lighting fixtures and a controller for controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures,
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) indicating a brightness target value by gradually changing the pulse width of a continuous pulse having a pulse having a pulse width indicating a dimming ratio as an instruction of the brightness target value from the controller ) Receive a signal every time a certain reception interval elapses,
Each time the PWM signal is received, the brightness target value is determined from the change in the pulse width of the PWM signal,
A lighting system including a converter that transmits a fade command that indicates a target value of brightness corresponding to the predetermined transmission interval to the plurality of lighting fixtures each time the predetermined transmission interval elapses. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the fade command includes a broadcast address common to the plurality of lighting fixtures. A controller for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures,
When receiving a fade instruction that instructs a fade over a predetermined fade time or more, the fade instruction is divided into a plurality of fade commands that realize the fade instruction, and the divided fade commands are sequentially transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures. The controller which transmits one fade command corresponding to the said fade instruction | indication to these lighting fixtures, when the fade instruction | indication which directs the fade over the fade time which is not more than time is received. The controller is
A reception unit for receiving a brightness target value and a fade time indicating a brightness or color target value and time to be faded;
A generator for generating a fade command based on the target value of brightness and a fade time;
A transmission unit that transmits the fade command to the plurality of lighting fixtures,
The generator is
A determination unit for determining whether or not the fade time received by the reception unit is a predetermined time or more;
A first dividing unit that divides the fade time into N (N is an integer of 2 or more) times equal to or less than the predetermined time when it is determined that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time;
A second dividing unit that divides the fade range from the brightness at the start of the fade to the target value of the brightness into N sections in correspondence with the N times divided by the first dividing unit;
When it is determined that the fade time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, a fade command that indicates a corresponding pair of times and intervals among the N times and the N intervals as a fade time and a fade range is N A command generation unit that generates one fade command that indicates a fade range and a fade time designated by the user operation when the fade time is determined not to be equal to or longer than the predetermined time;
The control part which transmits the said N fade commands to the said several lighting fixture from the said transmission part in order that the said N section changes monotonously according to each start timing of the said N time. Controller described in. A converter provided in a lighting system having a plurality of lighting fixtures and a controller for controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures,
A PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal that has a pulse having a pulse width indicating a dimming ratio as an instruction of the brightness target value from the controller and indicates a fade by gradually changing the pulse width of successive pulses Is received every predetermined time,
Each time the PWM signal is received, the brightness target value is determined from the change in the pulse width of the PWM signal,
A converter that transmits a fade command that indicates a target value of brightness corresponding to the predetermined transmission interval to the plurality of lighting fixtures each time the predetermined transmission interval elapses. A lighting method for a plurality of lighting fixtures,
Accepts a brightness instruction value indicating the target brightness value to be reached and a fade instruction that specifies the fade time,
Determining whether the fade time specified by the fade instruction is a predetermined time or more;
When it is determined that the fade time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the fade time is divided into N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times equal to or less than the predetermined time;
In accordance with the N times divided by the first division unit, the fade range from the brightness at the start of the fade to the brightness target value is divided into N sections,
Generating N fade commands for designating a corresponding pair of times and intervals among the divided N times and N intervals as the fade time and brightness target values;
Sequentially transmitting the N fade commands to the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with the start timings of the N times,
When it is determined that the fade time is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the lighting method transmits one fade command indicating the brightness target value and the fade time specified by the user operation to the plurality of lighting fixtures.

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