JP2024050233A - Lighting control system and transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the scalability of a system including lighting fixtures and terminal devices. [Solution] A lighting control system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of control devices that control lighting fixtures, and a transmission device connected to the plurality of control devices. The transmission device includes a transmission unit that transmits to the plurality of control devices a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of the plurality of control devices. Each of the plurality of control devices includes a determination unit that determines whether a received pulse signal satisfies a condition associated with the control device, and an execution unit that executes an operation in accordance with the pulse signal when the determination unit determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting control system and a transmission device.

Conventionally, a transmission device is known that controls and monitors multiple terminal devices that control lighting fixtures (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The transmission device transmits and receives transmission frames between the multiple terminal devices using a two-wire random transmission DC pulse method (non-polarized). The transmission device may also be called a transmission unit or a transmission controller.

JP 2013-258077 A

However, conventional transmission devices may not provide sufficient scalability for systems that include lighting fixtures and terminal devices.

For example, each device included in a conventional system operates according to the transmission frame specifications defined for each system. This makes it difficult to expand the system by connecting devices with different transmission frame specifications.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to improve the scalability of a system that includes lighting fixtures and terminal devices.

The lighting control system according to the embodiment has a plurality of control devices that control lighting fixtures, and a transmission device connected to the plurality of control devices. The transmission device has a transmission unit that transmits a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of the plurality of control devices to the plurality of control devices. Each of the plurality of control devices has a determination unit that determines whether a received pulse signal satisfies a condition associated with the control device, and an execution unit that executes an operation according to the pulse signal when the determination unit determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition.

The transmission device according to the embodiment includes a transmitter that transmits a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of a plurality of control devices that control lighting fixtures to the plurality of control devices, and a transmitter that transmits a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of the plurality of control devices to the plurality of control devices.

The present invention can improve the scalability of a system that includes lighting fixtures and terminal devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of transmitting a pulse signal. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a definition of a transmission frame. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a definition of a transmission frame. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a definition of a transmission frame. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a transmission device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of definition information. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of schedule information. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a lighting device control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the transmission device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the lighting fixture control device.

The lighting control system and transmission device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions in the embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Note that the lighting control system and transmission device described in the following embodiment are merely examples, and do not limit the embodiment. Note that the following embodiments may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradictions.

In the embodiment described below, the execution unit 332 discards the pulse signal if the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal does not satisfy the conditions.

The transmission control unit 132 according to the embodiment described below transmits a pulse signal as a transmission frame using a two-wire random DC pulse transmission method.

The transmission control unit 132 according to the embodiment described below transmits a pulse signal so that the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the pulse signal is a value associated with one of multiple lighting fixture control devices. The determination unit 331 determines whether the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the received pulse signal is a value associated with the device itself.

The transmission control unit 132 according to the embodiment described below transmits a pulse signal of a voltage associated with one of the lighting device control devices to the lighting device control devices. The determination unit 331 determines whether the voltage of the received pulse signal is the voltage associated with the lighting device itself.

The generator 131 in the embodiment described below generates a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of a number of lighting fixture control devices that control lighting fixtures.

The configuration of the lighting control system will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control system 1 has a transmission device 10, an external control device 20, and multiple lighting fixture control devices.

The lighting fixture control device is a device for controlling lighting fixtures. In the example of FIG. 1, the lighting fixture control device is an ON/OFF terminal device 30a, a dimming unit 30b, an ON/OFF terminal device 30c, an ON/OFF terminal device 30d, and a human presence sensor 30e.

The transmission device 10 is connected to the lighting fixture control device by an electric wire. A pulse signal is transmitted to the lighting fixture control device as a transmission frame using a two-wire random DC pulse transmission method.

The transmission device 10 may transmit the transmission frame based on an operation performed via the external control device 20, or may transmit the transmission frame automatically. The external control device 20 is, for example, a switch or an operation panel mounted on a wall.

The transmission device 10 transmits a bit string expressed by changing the voltage of the pulse signal as a transmission frame. The method of transmitting a pulse signal by the transmission device 10 will be explained using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the method of transmitting a pulse signal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission device 10 changes the voltage of the pulse signal to either +24V or -24V. After changing the voltage of the pulse signal, the transmission device 10 changes the voltage again 300 μS (microseconds) later to represent a "1." On the other hand, after changing the voltage of the pulse signal, the transmission device 10 changes the voltage again 100 μS later to represent a "0."

Note that if the voltage of the pulse signal does not change even after 300 μS, this means that the transmission of the transmission frame has ended.

The definition of a transmission frame may vary for each lighting fixture control device or for each predefined group of lighting fixture control devices. For example, a transmission frame that causes one lighting fixture control device to perform a particular operation may cause other lighting fixture control devices to perform a different operation.

The definition of a transmission frame will be explained using Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figures 3, 4, and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a definition of a transmission frame.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, even transmission frames represented by 32-bit bit strings may have different definitions.

In the example of Figure 3, the 4 bits from bit 1 to bit 4 are defined as "mode". Additionally, the 12 bits from bit 5 to bit 16 are defined as "address". Additionally, the 4 bits from bit 17 to bit 20 are defined as "select". Additionally, the 8 bits from bit 21 to bit 28 are defined as "data". Additionally, the 4 bits from bit 29 to bit 32 are defined as "checksum".

"Mode" is information that indicates the control mode, such as control, monitor, or release. "Address" is information that indicates the address of the lighting fixture control device. "Select" is information that indicates the type of operation, etc. "Data" is information that indicates the content of the operation. "Checksum" is information used to check whether the bit string up to the "Data" has been sent correctly.

In the example of Figure 4, the 4 bits from bit 1 to bit 4 are defined as "mode". Additionally, the 16 bits from bit 5 to bit 20 are defined as "address". Additionally, the 8 bits from bit 21 to bit 28 are defined as "data". Additionally, the 4 bits from bit 29 to bit 32 are defined as "checksum".

In the example of Figure 4, the 12 bits from bit 1 to bit 12 are defined as "address". The 12 bits from bit 13 to bit 24 are defined as "data". The 8 bits from bit 25 to bit 32 are defined as "checksum".

For example, ON/OFF terminal 30a interprets the transmission frame according to the definition in FIG. 3. On the other hand, ON/OFF terminal 30c interprets the transmission frame according to the definition in FIG. 4. In this case, ON/OFF terminal 30a and ON/OFF terminal 30c perform different operations according to the same transmission frame.

In the lighting control system 1, the transmission device 10 transmits a transmission frame for operating the target lighting fixture control device to multiple lighting fixture devices connected to the transmission device 10.

The transmission device 10 transmits a transmission frame to multiple lighting fixture devices connected by electrical wires at once, regardless of the definition of the transmission frame in each lighting fixture device.

At this time, the transmission device 10 transmits a transmission frame that satisfies the conditions associated with the target lighting fixture control device.

The conditions include the voltage of the pulse signal, the length of the bit string representing the transmission frame, and the value of a specific position in the bit string representing the transmission frame.

The lighting fixture control devices that receive the transmission frame sent by the transmission device 10 determine whether the transmission frame satisfies the conditions associated with the device. If the lighting fixture control device determines that the transmission frame satisfies the conditions associated with the device, it executes an operation according to the transmission frame.

The operations specified by the transmission frame differ depending on the type of lighting fixture control device.

For example, ON/OFF terminal device 30a, ON/OFF terminal device 30c, and ON/OFF terminal device 30d switch the lights on or off according to the transmission frame.

For example, dimming unit 30b adjusts the lighting intensity (dimming level) according to the pattern shown in the transmission frame.

For example, the human presence sensor 30e switches the sensor ON or OFF according to the transmission frame.

Some lighting control devices also interpret transmitted frames by inverting the bit string. Inverting a bit string means swapping "1" for "0".

For example, ON/OFF terminal 30a interprets the transmission frame without inverting the bit string. On the other hand, ON/OFF terminal 30d interprets the transmission frame by inverting the bit string.

Consider the case where the transmission device 10 transmits a pulse signal representing the bit string "01010010". In this case, the ON/OFF terminal device 30a interprets the bit string "01010010" as a transmission frame. On the other hand, the ON/OFF terminal device 30a interprets the bit string "10101101", which is the inverse of the bit string "01010010", as a transmission frame.

Furthermore, a transmission frame representing the bit string "01010010" is assumed to satisfy the conditions associated with the ON/OFF terminal device 30a. Furthermore, a transmission frame representing the bit string "10101101" is assumed to satisfy the conditions associated with the ON/OFF terminal device 30d.

In this case, the transmission device 10 can operate both the ON/OFF terminal device 30a and the ON/OFF terminal device 30d with one pulse signal.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the transmission device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transmission device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission device 10 has an input/output unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

The input/output unit 11 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between other devices. The input/output unit 11 transmits and receives transmission frames using a two-wire random transmission DC pulse method. The input/output unit 11 may also have a function for connecting to networks such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and LAN.

The storage unit 12 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 12 according to the embodiment stores definition information 121 and schedule information 122.

Definition information 121 is information indicating the conditions of the transmission frame for each target lighting fixture control device. As shown in FIG. 7, definition information 121 includes information identifying the lighting fixture control device to be controlled (item "Control target") and the conditions associated with the lighting fixture control device (item "Condition"). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of definition information.

Figure 7 shows that the condition "the first bit of the mode is '0'" is associated with a lighting device control device called "ON/OFF terminal 30a."

The schedule information 122 is information used when the transmission device 10 transmits a transmission frame according to a time condition. As shown in FIG. 8, the schedule information 122 includes the time condition (item "Timer"), information identifying the lighting fixture control device to be controlled (item "Control target"), and the content of the control to be instructed by the transmission frame (item "Control content").

Figure 8 shows that a transmission frame is sent to the "ON/OFF terminal device 30a" at "18:00 every day" to indicate an operation to turn the lights "ON."

The control unit 13 is a computing device that executes various types of information processing, and can employ, for example, electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 13 has an internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and control data, and executes various types of processing using these. The control unit 13 functions as various processing units by running various programs.

The control unit 13 has a generation unit 131, a transmission control unit 132, and an update unit 133.

The generating unit 131 generates a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of a plurality of lighting fixture control devices that control lighting fixtures. The generating unit 131 can generate a pulse signal in response to an operation from the external control device 20.

The transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal. The transmission control unit 132 can transmit a pulse signal via the input/output unit 11. The transmission control unit 132 transmits the pulse signal as a transmission frame using a two-wire random transmission DC pulse method.

The transmission control unit 132 may transmit the pulse signal generated by the generation unit 131, or may transmit the pulse signal input from the external control device 20 as is.

The transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal to the connected electric wire. Therefore, the pulse signal transmitted by the transmission control unit 132 can be received by all lighting fixture control devices connected to the transmission device 10.

On the other hand, the transmission device 10 transmits a pulse signal as a transmission frame to operate some of the lighting fixture control devices connected to the transmission device 10.

For this reason, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal that satisfies the conditions associated with the target lighting fixture control device. Note that the pulse signal that satisfies the conditions may be generated by the generation unit 131.

The transmission control unit 132 may also refer to the schedule information 122 and transmit a pulse signal when a time condition is satisfied.

For example, the transmission control unit 132 refers to the schedule information 122 shown in FIG. 8 and transmits a transmission frame to the "ON/OFF terminal device 30a" at "18:00 every day" instructing the operation of turning the lights "ON."

Here, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal so that the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the pulse signal is a value associated with one of multiple lighting fixture control devices. In this case, the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the pulse signal corresponds to the condition.

Furthermore, the ON/OFF terminal 30a is assumed to follow the definition of the transmission frame shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the ON/OFF terminal 30c is assumed to follow the definition of the transmission frame shown in Figure 4. Note that the definitions in Figures 3 and 4 have in common that the first 4 bits indicate the mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ON/OFF terminal device 30a is associated with the condition that the first bit of the mode is "0." Therefore, to operate the ON/OFF terminal device 30a, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal representing a bit string in which the first bit of the part corresponding to the "mode" is "0" as a transmission frame.

In addition, if the first bit of the first four bits corresponding to the "mode" in the bit string represented by the received pulse signal is "0", the ON/OFF terminal device 30a regards the pulse signal as a transmission frame intended for its own device and executes an operation.

For example, when the transmission control unit 132 is targeted at the ON/OFF terminal device 30a, it transmits a pulse signal representing a bit string whose first four bits are "0000", "0001", or "0010".

For example, when the transmission control unit 132 is targeted at the ON/OFF terminal device 30c, it transmits a pulse signal representing a bit string whose first four bits are "1000", "1001", or "1010".

In this case, the lighting fixture control device can be identified by the "mode" and "address." Therefore, the number of lighting fixture control devices that can be connected to the transmission device 10 can be increased compared to when the lighting fixture control device is identified by the "address" alone.

The conditions are not limited to those described here. Below, we will explain conditions other than the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the pulse signal.

(Condition: length of bit string)
The condition may be the length of a bit string represented by the pulse signal. In this case, when the length of the bit string represented by the received pulse signal is the length associated with the lighting device control device itself, the lighting device control device regards the pulse signal as a transmission frame intended for the lighting device itself and executes an operation.

For example, assume that a length of 32 bits is associated with ON/OFF terminal 30a, and a length of 28 bits is associated with ON/OFF terminal 30c. In this case, to operate ON/OFF terminal 30a, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal representing a 32-bit bit string as a transmission frame.

(Condition: voltage of pulse signal)
The condition may also be the voltage of the pulse signal. In this case, when the voltage of the received pulse signal is a voltage associated with the lighting device itself, the lighting device control device regards the pulse signal as a transmission frame targeted for the lighting device itself and executes an operation. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example of a pulse signal with a voltage ranging from 24V to -24V.

For example, assume that ON/OFF terminal 30a is associated with voltages from 24V to -24V, and ON/OFF terminal 30c is associated with voltages from 12V to -12V. In this case, to operate ON/OFF terminal 30a, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a pulse signal with a voltage from 24V to -24V as a transmission frame.

In this way, the transmission control unit 132 transmits a voltage pulse signal associated with one of the multiple lighting fixture control devices to the multiple lighting fixture control devices.

The update unit 133 updates the definition information 121 and the schedule information 122. The update unit 133 updates each piece of information in response to operations via the external control device 20, etc.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the lighting fixture control device 30 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the lighting fixture control device according to the embodiment. Note that, here, the lighting fixture control devices shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as lighting fixture control devices 30 without distinction. As shown in FIG. 9, the lighting fixture control device 30 has an input/output unit 31, a memory unit 32, and a control unit 33.

The input/output unit 31 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between other devices. The input/output unit 31 transmits and receives transmission frames using a two-wire random transmission DC pulse method.

The memory unit 32 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

The control unit 33 is a computing device that executes various types of information processing, and can employ, for example, electronic circuits such as a CPU or MPU, or integrated circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA. The control unit 33 has an internal memory for storing programs and control data that define various processing procedures, and executes various types of processing using these. The control unit 33 functions as various processing units by running various programs.

The control unit 33 has a determination unit 331, an execution unit 332, and a transmission control unit 333.

The determination unit 331 determines whether the pulse signal received by the lighting fixture control device 30 is intended for the device itself. If the pulse signal satisfies the conditions associated with the device itself, the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal is intended for the device itself.

Let us consider a case where the condition is a value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the pulse signal. In this case, the determination unit 331 determines whether or not the value at a specific position in the bit string represented by the received pulse signal is a value associated with the device itself.

For example, if the lighting fixture control device 30 is an ON/OFF terminal device 30a, the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition if the first bit of the first four bits corresponding to the "mode" of the bit string represented by the pulse signal is "0".

When the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition, the execution unit 332 executes an operation according to the pulse signal.

For example, if the lighting device control device 30 is an ON/OFF terminal device 30a and the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal satisfies the conditions, the execution unit 332 switches the lighting device ON or OFF in accordance with the pulse signal.

On the other hand, if the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal does not satisfy the condition, the execution unit 332 does not execute an operation according to the pulse signal. For example, if the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal does not satisfy the condition, the execution unit 332 discards the pulse signal.

The processing flow of the transmission device 10 will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the transmission device.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, the transmission device 10 waits until it receives a control signal from the external control device 20 or until a timer condition is satisfied (step S101, No).

For example, a control signal is sent from the external control device 20 by operating a switch on the wall. The timer conditions include the passage of a certain amount of time and the arrival of a set time.

When the transmission device 10 receives a control signal from the external control device 20 or when the timer condition is satisfied (step S101, Yes), the transmission device 10 generates a transmission frame according to the conditions associated with the target lighting fixture control device (step S102). The transmission device 10 can obtain the conditions of the control target from the definition information 121.

Then, the transmission device 10 transmits the generated transmission frame (step S103). At this time, the transmission device 10 transmits the transmission frame not only to the target lighting fixture control device, but also to all connected lighting fixture control devices.

The processing flow of the lighting fixture control device 30 will be described using Figure 11. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the lighting fixture control device.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lighting fixture control device 30 waits until it receives a transmission frame (step S201, No).

When the lighting fixture control device 30 receives a transmission frame (step S201, Yes), it determines whether the transmission frame is targeted at the lighting fixture control device 30 itself (step S202). At this time, the lighting fixture control device 30 determines whether the transmission frame satisfies the conditions associated with the lighting fixture control device 30 itself.

If the transmission frame is directed to the lighting device itself (step S203, Yes), the lighting device control device 30 performs operations according to the transmission frame (step S204).

On the other hand, if the transmission frame is not directed to the lighting device itself (step S203, No), the lighting device control device 30 does not perform the operation according to the transmission frame. In this case, the lighting device control device 30 may discard the transmission frame.

[Effects of the embodiment]
As described above, the lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of lighting fixture control devices that control lighting fixtures, and a transmission device 10 connected to the plurality of lighting fixture control devices. The transmission device 10 includes a transmission control unit 132 that transmits a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with one of the plurality of lighting fixture control devices to the plurality of control devices. Each of the plurality of lighting fixture control devices includes a determination unit 331 that determines whether a received pulse signal satisfies a condition associated with the lighting fixture control device, and an execution unit 332 that executes an operation according to the pulse signal when the determination unit 331 determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition.

In the lighting control system 1, by associating conditions with each lighting fixture control device, the transmission device 10 can easily control multiple lighting fixture control devices with different definitions of transmission frames. Therefore, the lighting control system according to the embodiment can improve the scalability of a system including lighting fixtures and terminal devices.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment 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 within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lighting control system 10 Transmission device 20 External control device 30 Lighting fixture control device 30a, 30c, 30d ON/OFF terminal device 30b Light control unit 30e Human presence sensor 11, 31 Input/output unit 12, 32 Storage unit 13, 33 Control unit 121 Definition information 122 Schedule information 131 Generation unit 132, 333 Transmission control unit 133 Update unit 331 Determination unit 332 Execution unit

Claims (6)

A lighting control system having a plurality of control devices that control lighting fixtures, and a transmission device connected to the plurality of control devices,
The transmission device includes:
a transmission unit that transmits a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with any one of the plurality of control devices to the plurality of control devices;
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of control devices is
a determination unit that determines whether the received pulse signal satisfies a condition associated with the device itself;
an execution unit that executes an operation according to the pulse signal when the determination unit determines that the pulse signal satisfies the condition;
Equipped with a lighting control system. The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the execution unit discards the pulse signal when the determination unit determines that the pulse signal does not satisfy the condition. The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting unit transmits the pulse signal as a transmission frame by a two-wire random transmission DC pulse method. the transmitting unit transmits the pulse signal such that a value at a specific position of a bit string represented by the pulse signal becomes a value associated with one of the plurality of control devices;
The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not a value at the specific position in a bit string represented by the received pulse signal is a value associated with the lighting control system itself. The transmission unit transmits a pulse signal of a voltage associated with any one of the plurality of control devices to the plurality of control devices,
The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not a voltage of the received pulse signal is a voltage associated with the lighting control system itself. A generator that generates a pulse signal that satisfies a condition associated with any one of a plurality of control devices that control the lighting fixture;
a transmission unit that transmits the pulse signal generated by the generation unit to the plurality of control devices;
A transmission device comprising:

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