JP2024048774A - Lighting control device and lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a lighting control device and lighting control system that can mutually grasp the contents of operations performed on the lighting control device and the support device when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures together with a support device. [Solution] A lighting control device is provided that includes an operation unit, a control unit that stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of multiple lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the multiple lighting fixtures, and controls the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures in response to operation of the operation unit by editing the contents of the control information based on the operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit, and a communication unit that communicates with a support device that supports control of the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures, and the control unit communicates with the support device and shares the edited control information with the support device. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control device and a lighting control system.

Lighting control devices are known that control the lighting status of multiple lighting fixtures installed in television studios, stages, etc. Lighting control devices are sometimes called dimmer consoles, for example.

The lighting control device may control the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures together with an assistance device. For example, another lighting control device may be used as an assistance device, and the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures may be controlled by two lighting control devices. For example, control signals output from the two lighting control devices may be combined by a signal combining device, and the combined control signal may be transmitted to multiple lighting fixtures. This allows the two lighting control devices to share the control of the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures.

However, in a configuration in which the control signals output from two lighting control devices are combined using a signal combining device as described above, the content of the operations performed by one lighting control device cannot be grasped by the other lighting control device.

For example, when one lighting control device turns on a specific lighting fixture, the other lighting control device may not be able to know that the lighting fixture is on. Also, a lighting control device may create control information to be used in a specific scene in advance and control the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures by playing back the created control information. In this case, the other lighting control device cannot know the control information created by one lighting control device. For this reason, in order to play back the control information created by one lighting control device on the other lighting control device, it is necessary to transfer the created control information to the other lighting control device via a storage medium such as a USB memory, for example.

In addition, the lighting control device may use, for example, a personal computer equipped with software for controlling each lighting fixture as the support device. In this case, as in the above case, the lighting control device cannot grasp the content of the operations performed on the support device. Furthermore, the support device cannot grasp the content of the operations performed on the lighting control device.

For this reason, in a lighting control device and a lighting control system using the same, when controlling the lighting status of multiple lighting fixtures together with an assistance device, it is desirable to be able to mutually understand the contents of the operations performed by the lighting control device and the assistance device.

JP 2008-117566 A

An embodiment of the present invention provides a lighting control device and a lighting control system that can mutually understand the contents of operations performed by the lighting control device and the support device when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures together with a support device.

According to an embodiment, a lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures includes an operation unit for inputting operation instructions, a control unit that stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures and transmits a control signal corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting fixtures, thereby causing each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to be in a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and controls the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures in response to the operation of the operation unit by editing the content of the control information based on the operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit, and a communication unit that communicates with a support device that supports the control of the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures, the support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information, the control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit, and shares the edited control information with the support device, thereby enabling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to be controlled in response to the operation performed on the support device, and enabling the support device and the support device to mutually understand the operation performed on the operation unit and the operation performed on the support device.

A lighting control device and a lighting control system are provided that, when controlling the lighting status of multiple lighting fixtures together with an assistance device, can mutually understand the contents of the operations performed by the lighting control device and the assistance device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of a lighting control system according to an embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In addition, the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between parts, etc. are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Even when the same part is shown, the dimensions and ratios of each part may be different depending on the drawing.
In this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting control system according to an embodiment.
1 , a lighting control system 10 includes a lighting control device 11 and an assistance device 12. The lighting control system 10 is used, for example, in a television studio, a stage, or the like. The lighting control device 11 controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures 2 installed in the television studio, the stage, or the like. The assistance device 12 assists the lighting control device 11 in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2.

The multiple lighting fixtures 2 have, for example, a dimming function that changes the brightness of the light they emit, a color adjustment function that changes the color of the light they emit to any color, and a color temperature variable function that changes the color temperature of the light they emit. The lighting control device 11 controls, for example, the turning on and off of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, the brightness of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, the color of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, and the color temperature of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The lighting control device 11 performs lighting productions for studios, stages, etc., by changing the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 according to scenes such as studios and stages.

The lighting control device 11 may be called, for example, a dimming console. The support device 12 is, for example, another dimming console installed in another studio. The lighting control device 11 is, in other words, a first lighting control device, and the support device 12 is, in other words, a second lighting control device. In the lighting control system 10, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 share the control of the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. For example, it is possible to control the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 2 on the right side of the stage with the lighting control device 11, while controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 2 on the left side of the stage with the support device 12. This makes it possible to reduce the load (effort required for operation) on a single operator, for example, even when there are a large number of multiple lighting fixtures 2.

The lighting control device 11 has an interface unit 20, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 24. The interface unit 20 has an operation unit 26 and a display unit 28. The operation unit 26 is a component for inputting operation instructions.

The operation unit 26 is connected to the control unit 22. The operation unit 26 accepts input of operation instructions from an operator or the like, and inputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation instruction to the control unit 22. The operation unit 26 can be, for example, a well-known input device such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel.

The display unit 28 is connected to the control unit 22. The display unit 28 displays an image on a screen corresponding to a video signal input from the control unit 22. A well-known display device such as a liquid crystal display can be used as the display unit 28. The control unit 22 displays, for example, various operation screens on the display unit 28.

The control unit 22 controls the operation of each part of the lighting control device 11. The control unit 22 stores, for example, programs and various data necessary for control. The control unit 22 controls the operation of each part of the lighting control device 11, for example, by reading out the stored programs and sequentially processing the programs.

The communication unit 24 communicates with the support device 12. The communication unit 24 is connected to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 communicates with the support device 12 via the communication unit 24. The communication between the communication unit 24 and the support device 12 may be wired, or may be partially wireless.

Communication between the lighting control device 11 and the multiple lighting fixtures 2 may be performed via the communication unit 24, or may be performed using a separate communication unit. The lighting control device 11 may further have a separate communication unit for communicating with the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The communication between the lighting control device 11 and the multiple lighting fixtures 2 may be wired, or may be partially wireless.

The control unit 22 stores control information 30 for controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, and transmits control signals corresponding to the control information 30 to the multiple lighting fixtures 2 to turn each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 on in accordance with the control information 30, and controls the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 26 by editing the content of the control information 30 based on operation information 32 corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 26.

The control unit 22 has, for example, an information calculation unit 40, an information storage unit 42, a dimming calculation unit 44, and a signal output unit 46. The information calculation unit 40 has, for example, a conversion unit 50, a buffer unit 52, an editing unit 54, and a display control unit 56.

The conversion unit 50 converts the operation signal input from the operation unit 26 into operation information 32. For example, the conversion unit 50 converts the operation signal input from the operation unit 26 into information recognizable within the control unit 22, thereby generating operation information 32 from the operation signal according to the operation of the operation unit 26. The operation information 32 is, for example, a command code that has been set in advance. The conversion unit 50 inputs the generated operation information 32 to the buffer unit 52 and also to the communication unit 24.

The buffer unit 52 temporarily stores the input operation information 32 in series and outputs the stored operation information 32 to the editing unit 54 in the order in which it was stored. The buffer unit 52 is, for example, a command queue buffer.

The information storage unit 42 stores the control information 30. The editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52. This causes the contents of the control information 30 to be edited in response to the operation of the operation unit 26.

The display control unit 56 controls the display of the display unit 28. The display control unit 56 displays, for example, the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 on the display unit 28. This allows an operator or the like to check the contents of the control information 30 by referring to the display unit 28. In other words, an operator or the like can check the current lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 by referring to the display unit 28.

The communication unit 24 transmits the operation information 32 input from the conversion unit 50 to the support device 12. This allows the content of the operation performed on the operation unit 26 of the lighting control device 11 to be transmitted to the support device 12 as well.

The dimming calculation unit 44 generates dimming control information based on the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42, and inputs the generated dimming control information to the signal output unit 46. The dimming calculation unit 44 generates dimming control information representing the current lighting state of the multiple lighting devices 2, for example, by performing calculations based on various information included in the control information 30.

The signal output unit 46 generates a control signal based on the dimming control information input from the dimming calculation unit 44, and transmits the generated control signal to the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The control signal is, for example, a DMX signal or an ArtNet signal, which corresponds to the specifications of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. This allows each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 to be turned on in accordance with the control information 30.

The signal output unit 46 may transmit the control signal directly to the multiple lighting fixtures 2, or may transmit the control signal to the multiple lighting fixtures 2 via another controller, dimmer panel, or the like. The configuration between the lighting control device 11 and the multiple lighting fixtures 2 may be any configuration that can turn each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 on according to the control information 30 based on the transmission of the control signal from the signal output unit 46.

Like the lighting control device 11, the support device 12 is capable of storing control information 30 and editing the stored control information 30. The configuration of the support device 12 is substantially the same as the configuration of the lighting control device 11, so a detailed description will be omitted. However, the configuration of the support device 12 does not necessarily have to be the same as the configuration of the lighting control device 11.

The control unit 22 of the support device 12 edits the control information 30 stored in its own information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 corresponding to the operation performed on its own operation unit 26, and transmits the operation information 32 corresponding to the operation performed on its own operation unit 26 to the lighting control device 11. This allows the content of the operation performed on the operation unit 26 of the support device 12 to be transmitted to the lighting control device 11 as well.

When the control unit 22 of the support device 12 receives operation information 32 from the lighting control device 11, the control unit 22 stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, the support device 12 edits the control information 30 in response to the operation performed on its own operation unit 26, and also edits the control information 30 in response to the operation performed on the lighting control device 11.

For example, if the support device 12 is another lighting control device installed in another studio, there is a possibility that a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46 of the support device 12, and another plurality of lighting fixtures 2 installed in the other studio may be unintentionally turned on. For this reason, when another lighting control device is used as the support device 12, for example, a control signal is not output from the signal output unit 46. For example, the support device 12 (another lighting control device) may have an operation mode in which it supports the lighting control device 11, and an operation mode in which it controls the lighting state of another plurality of lighting fixtures 2 installed in another studio, etc.

For example, by disconnecting the communication path between the support device 12 and the other lighting fixtures 2, the other lighting fixtures 2 may be prevented from unintentionally turning on even if a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46. Alternatively, by including identification information for identifying the lighting fixture 2 in the control signal so that the lighting fixture 2 can determine that the control signal is not intended for itself, the other lighting fixtures 2 may be prevented from unintentionally turning on even if a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46.

When the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 receives operation information 32 from the support device 12, it stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 edits the control information 30 in response to the operation performed on its own operation unit 26, and also edits the control information 30 in response to the operation performed on the support device 12.

As described above, the buffer unit 52 temporarily stores the input operation information 32 in series and outputs the stored operation information 32 to the editing unit 54 in the order in which it was stored, and the editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52. Therefore, as described above, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 transmit and receive operation information 32 to each other, and the received operation information 32 is stored in the buffer unit 52, so that the operation information 32 based on the operation performed in the lighting control device 11 and the operation information 32 based on the operation performed in the support device 12 can be stored in the same order in the buffer units 52 of the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12, respectively. This makes it possible to make the contents of the control information 30 stored in the support device 12 substantially the same as the contents of the control information 30 stored in the lighting control device 11. The editing of the control information 30 can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12.

In this way, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 communicates with the support device 12 via the communication unit 24, and shares the edited control information 30 with the support device 12. As described above, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 sends and receives operation information 32 in response to the operation of the operation unit 26 with the support device 12, and edits the control information 30 based on each other's operation information 32, thereby sharing the edited control information 30 with the support device 12.

This allows the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 to control the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting devices 2 in response to operations performed on the support device 12, and allows the control unit 22 and the support device 12 to mutually understand the operations performed on the operation unit 26 and the operations performed on the support device 12.

In addition, when starting communication with the support device 12, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 transmits control information 30 to the support device 12, thereby sharing the contents of the control information 30 at the start of communication with the support device 12.

For example, when starting collaboration with the support device 12, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 transmits control information 30 to the support device 12. The control unit 22 of the support device 12 stores the received control information 30 in the information storage unit 42. This allows the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 to each store the same control information 30, and the contents of the control information 30 at the start of communication can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12.

In addition, for example, if a communication failure occurs in the communication unit 24 after starting cooperation with the support device 12 and operation information 32 cannot be sent or received, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 transmits the control information 30 to the support device 12 even when communication with the support device 12 is resumed due to recovery from the communication failure. As a result, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 restores the identity of the control information 30 stored in its own information storage unit 42 and the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 of the support device 12. As a result, even when a communication failure occurs, the contents of the control information 30 can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 in response to recovery from the communication failure.

The lighting control device 11 may create control data such as scene data and sub-master data to be used in a specific scene in advance, store the control data as part of the control information 30, and control the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 by playing back the created control data. The lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 may create control data based on the operation of the operation unit 26, for example, and store the created control data in the information storage unit 42 as part of the control information 30.

For this reason, for example, even if a communication failure occurs in the communication unit 24, it is possible that the support device 12 creates the control data separately. Alternatively, it is possible that the support device 12 creates the control data before starting cooperation with the lighting control device 11.

For this reason, the support device 12 may be able to set in advance for each content of the control information 30 (for each of a plurality of pieces of information such as control data included in the control information 30) whether to adopt the content of the control information 30 stored in itself or the content of the control information 30 received from the lighting control device 11 when, for example, communication is started (restarted) and control information 30 is received from the lighting control device 11. Alternatively, the support device 12 may be able to make an arbitrary selection by inquiring of an operator or the like as to whether to adopt the content of the control information 30 stored in itself or the content of the control information 30 received from the lighting control device 11 when, for example, communication is started (restarted) and control information 30 is received from the lighting control device 11.

In addition, for example, when the support device 12 edits the control information 30, such as by creating control data, while communication with the lighting control device 11 is not being performed, the support device 12 may store the operation information 32 used to edit the control information 30, and when adopting the contents of the control information 30 stored in itself, the support device 12 may transmit the operation information 32 corresponding to the contents to the lighting control device 11, thereby making it possible to share with the lighting control device 11 the editing of the control information 30 performed by the support device 12 during the communication outage. In other words, the support device 12 may be able to share with the lighting control device 11 the control data created while communication with the lighting control device 11 is not being performed.

As described above, according to the lighting control system 10 and lighting control device 11 of this embodiment, when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 together with the support device 12, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 can mutually grasp the contents of the operations performed by each of them.

For example, when a specific lighting fixture 2 is turned on by the support device 12, the operator of the lighting control device 11 can immediately know that the lighting fixture 2 is turned on. Conversely, when a specific lighting fixture 2 is turned on by the lighting control device 11, the operator of the support device 12 can immediately know that the lighting fixture 2 is turned on.

In addition, in the lighting control system 10, when control data is created by the support device 12, operation information 32 corresponding to the creation of the control data is sent to the lighting control device 11, so that the lighting control device 11 can grasp the control data created by the support device 12. The control data created by the support device 12 can be easily played back by the lighting control device 11, and the control data created by the support device 12 can be easily corrected by the lighting control device 11. Similarly, the control data created by the lighting control device 11 can be easily played back by the support device 12, and the control data created by the lighting control device 11 can be easily corrected by the support device 12.

In the lighting control system 10, for example, if the lighting control device 11 is installed in studio A and the support device 12 is installed in studio B as a separate lighting control device, the support device 12 can also control the lighting states of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A while sharing the control information 30. Conversely, the lighting control device 11 can also control the lighting states of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio B while sharing the control information 30.

In the lighting control system 10, for example, when the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 share control information 30 while controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A, if the lighting control device 11 breaks down, the support device 12 can easily take over control of the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A by switching the communication path so that the control signal from the support device 12 is sent to the multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A, since the support device 12 has substantially the same control information 30 as the lighting control device 11.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 transmits and receives operation information 32 corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 26 to and from the support device 12, and edits the control information 30 based on each other's operation information 32, thereby sharing the edited control information 30 with the support device 12. The method of sharing the edited control information 30 is not limited to the above.

For example, each time the control information 30 is edited, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 may send and receive the control information 30 to each other, thereby making it possible to share the edited control information 30.

However, the control information 30 for controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 has a relatively large amount of data, which may result in long communication times and the need to use high-performance equipment for the communication unit 24. In contrast, the data amount of the operation information 32 is small compared to the data amount of the control information 30. For this reason, by sending and receiving the operation information 32 and sharing the edits of the control information 30 as described above, the amount of data sent and received between the two parties can be reduced. This makes it possible to prevent communication times from being long and the need to use high-performance equipment for the communication unit 24 from being required.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of the lighting control system according to the embodiment.
2, in the lighting control system 10a, the control unit 22 of the support device 12a does not include the signal output unit 46. In this manner, the support device 12a may be a terminal that does not have a function of outputting a control signal.

The support device 12a is, for example, a laptop computer or tablet terminal that incorporates a program for controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. In this way, the support device 12a does not necessarily have to be another lighting control device. The support device 12a may be any device that is capable of at least supporting the lighting control device 11 in controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2.

In this case, as in the above embodiment, when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 together with the support device 12a, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12a can mutually grasp the contents of the operations performed by each of them. While the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12a share control information 30, the control of the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 can be shared by two operators, for example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a modified example of a lighting control system according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, in a lighting control system 10b, the control unit 22 of a lighting control device 11b further includes an information collection unit 48.

The information collection unit 48 collects the device information 34 from the lighting fixtures 2 by communicating with the lighting fixtures 2. For example, the information collection unit 48 collects the device information 34 from the lighting fixtures 2 that support RDM (Remote Device Management) by using an RDM function. The device information 34 is, for example, the model name of the lighting fixture 2, the DMX address of the lighting fixture 2, the operation mode of the lighting fixture 2, etc. However, the information included in the device information 34 is not limited to these, and may be any information related to the lighting fixture 2. The device information 34 may be, for example, any information necessary for controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2.

The information collection unit 48, for example, collects a plurality of pieces of device information 34 corresponding to each of a plurality of lighting devices 2. However, the device information 34 is not limited to information set for each of a plurality of lighting devices 2. The device information 34 may be information set for each item of information on the lighting device 2, such as the model name of the lighting device 2 or the DMX address of the lighting device 2.

The information collection unit 48 inputs the collected appliance information 34 to the buffer unit 52 and to the communication unit 24. For example, the information collection unit 48 inputs the appliance information 34 as a command code to the buffer unit 52 and the communication unit 24. For example, the information collection unit 48 inputs multiple appliance information 34 sequentially to the buffer unit 52 and the communication unit 24.

The editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52, and also edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the device information 34 input from the buffer unit 52. As a result, the contents of the control information 30 are edited in response to the operation of the operation unit 26 and the device information 34 collected from the multiple lighting devices 2.

The communication unit 24 transmits the operation information 32 input from the conversion unit 50 to the support device 12, and transmits the device information 34 input from the information collection unit 48 to the support device 12. When the control unit 22 of the support device 12 receives operation information 32 from the lighting control device 11b, it stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52, and when it receives device information 34 from the lighting control device 11b, it stores the received device information 34 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, in the support device 12, as in the lighting control device 11b, the content of the control information 30 is edited in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 26 and the device information 34 collected from the multiple lighting devices 2.

In this way, in the lighting control system 10b, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11b can collect device information 34 related to multiple lighting fixtures 2 from the multiple lighting fixtures 2, edit the control information 30 based on the device information 34, and transmit the device information 34 to the support device 12, so that the editing of the control information 30 based on the device information 34 can also be shared with the support device 12.

As a result, for example, when retrieving device information 34, it is possible to further increase the accuracy of identity between the control information 30 stored in the lighting control device 11b and the control information 30 stored in the support device 12. For example, it is possible to reduce the effort required to separately transmit device information 34 to the support device 12, thereby further increasing the convenience of the lighting control system 10b.

The present embodiment includes the following aspects.
(Appendix 1)
A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures,
an operation unit for inputting operation instructions;
a control unit that stores control information for controlling a lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices, and transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting devices to cause each of the plurality of lighting devices to be in a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and controls the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices in response to operation of the operation unit by editing content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to operation of the operation unit;
a communication unit that communicates with an assistance device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices;
Equipped with
The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information,
The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the edited control information with the support device, thereby enabling the control of the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures in accordance with operations performed on the support device, and enabling the operations performed on the operation unit and the operations performed on the support device to be mutually understood by the support device and the control unit.

(Appendix 2)
The control unit of the lighting control device of claim 1 sends and receives the operation information with the support device, and edits the control information based on the operation information of each other, thereby sharing the editing of the control information with the support device.

(Appendix 3)
The lighting control device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, when starting communication with the support device, shares the content of the control information at the start of communication with the support device by transmitting the control information to the support device.

(Appendix 4)
The control unit is capable of retrieving device information relating to the plurality of lighting fixtures from the plurality of lighting fixtures, editing the control information based on the device information, and transmitting the device information to the support device, thereby enabling the editing of the control information based on the device information to be shared with the support device.

(Appendix 5)
A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures;
a support device that supports the lighting control device in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices;
Equipped with
The lighting control device includes:
an operation unit for inputting operation instructions;
a control unit that stores control information for controlling a lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices, and transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting devices to cause each of the plurality of lighting devices to be in a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and controls the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices in response to operation of the operation unit by editing content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to operation of the operation unit;
A communication unit that communicates with the support device;
having
The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information,
The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the edited control information with the support device, thereby enabling the control of the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with operations performed on the support device, and enabling the operations performed on the operation unit and the operations performed on the support device to be mutually understood by the support device and the control unit.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

2...Lighting fixture, 10, 10a, 10b...Lighting control system, 11, 11b...Lighting control device, 12, 12a...Support device, 20...Interface unit, 22...Control unit, 24...Communication unit, 26...Operation unit, 28...Display unit, 30...Control information, 32...Operation information, 34...Fitment information, 40...Information calculation unit, 42...Information storage unit, 44...Light control calculation unit, 46...Signal output unit, 48...Information recovery unit, 50...Conversion unit, 52...Buffer unit, 54...Editing unit, 56...Display control unit

Claims (5)

A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures,
an operation unit for inputting operation instructions;
a control unit that stores control information for controlling a lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices, and transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting devices to cause each of the plurality of lighting devices to be in a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and controls the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices in response to operation of the operation unit by editing content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to operation of the operation unit;
a communication unit that communicates with an assistance device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices;
Equipped with
The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information,
The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the edited control information with the support device, thereby enabling the control of the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures in accordance with operations performed on the support device, and enabling the operations performed on the operation unit and the operations performed on the support device to be mutually understood by the support device and the control unit. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits and receives the operation information to and from the support device, and edits the control information based on the mutual operation information, thereby sharing the edited control information with the support device. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits the control information to the support device when starting communication with the support device, thereby sharing the contents of the control information at the start of communication with the support device. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of retrieving device information relating to the plurality of lighting devices from the plurality of lighting devices, editing the control information based on the device information, and transmitting the device information to the support device, thereby enabling the editing of the control information based on the device information to be shared with the support device. A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures;
a support device that supports the lighting control device in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices;
Equipped with
The lighting control device includes:
an operation unit for inputting operation instructions;
a control unit that stores control information for controlling a lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices, and transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting devices to cause each of the plurality of lighting devices to be in a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and controls the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices in response to operation of the operation unit by editing content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to operation of the operation unit;
A communication unit that communicates with the support device;
having
The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information,
The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the edited control information with the support device, thereby enabling the control of the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with operations performed on the support device, and enabling the operations performed on the operation unit and the operations performed on the support device to be mutually understood by the support device and the control unit.

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