JP2024053359A - Lighting control system and lighting control device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] It is an object to provide a lighting control system and lighting control device capable of transmitting various information to lighting fixtures. [Solution] The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes lighting fixtures connected to a signal line, and a lighting control device that controls the lighting fixtures by transmitting a control signal via the signal line, the control signal including first data represented by a first modulation method and second data represented by a second modulation method different from the first modulation method, and the second data represents a type of the first data. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to a lighting control system and a lighting control device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a dimming control system including a lighting device and a dimming signal transmission device. The lighting device is connected to one signal line and has a first lighting circuit for turning on a first light source of one lighting fixture, and a second lighting circuit for turning on a second light source of the same lighting fixture as the first light source but with a color temperature different from that of the first light source. The dimming signal transmission device generates a dimming signal for dimming control of the first light source and the second light source, and transmits the generated dimming signal to the signal line. The dimming signal is a signal that indicates the dimming level of the first light source by the magnitude of the duty by performing modulation using a pulse width modulation method, and is a signal that indicates the dimming level of the second light source by the height of the frequency by performing modulation using a frequency modulation method.

The lighting device receives a dimming signal sent from the dimming signal sending device via a signal line, demodulates the received dimming signal using a pulse width modulation method to read the duty, and causes the first lighting circuit to dim the first light source at a dimming level corresponding to the magnitude of the read duty. The lighting device also demodulates the received dimming signal using a frequency modulation method to read the frequency, and causes the second lighting circuit to dim the second light source at a dimming level corresponding to the magnitude of the read frequency. In this way, the lighting device simultaneously controls the brightness and color temperature of one lighting fixture by mixing the light of the first light source and the light of the second light source.

Patent No. 5744261

The system in Patent Document 1 can only transmit two types of information to the lighting fixture to control the dimming rate and color temperature.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a lighting control system and lighting control device that can transmit various information to lighting fixtures.

The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes a lighting device connected to a signal line and a lighting control device that transmits a control signal via the signal line to control the lighting device, the control signal including first data represented by a first modulation method and second data represented by a second modulation method different from the first modulation method, and the second data indicates a type of the first data.

The lighting control device according to the present disclosure includes a processing unit that generates a control signal and a communication unit that transmits the control signal to a lighting device via a signal line, the control signal including first data represented by a first modulation method and second data represented by a second modulation method different from the first modulation method, and the second data indicates a type of the first data.

In the lighting control system and lighting control device disclosed herein, the control signal transmitted by the lighting control device includes first data represented by a first modulation method and second data represented by a second modulation method different from the first modulation method, and the second data indicates the type of the first data. Therefore, various information can be transmitted to the lighting fixture.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment; 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting fixture according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting control device according to a first embodiment; 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit according to the first embodiment; 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating waveforms of control signals according to the first embodiment. 4 is a diagram for explaining the specifications of a control signal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the specifications of a UART signal according to the first embodiment; 4 is a diagram for explaining a waveform of a trailer area of a UART signal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the specifications of an address area of a UART signal according to the first embodiment; 4 is a diagram for explaining the command types of a UART signal and the specifications of a DATA area according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control in the lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting fixture according to a second embodiment.

The lighting control system and lighting control device according to each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions may be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 100 pertaining to embodiment 1. Lighting control system 100 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 3 connected to one signal line 4, and a lighting control device 2 connected to signal line 4 and transmitting a control signal 18 via signal line 4 to control the plurality of lighting fixtures 3. The plurality of lighting fixtures 3 include, for example, lighting fixtures 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 having different functions. The plurality of lighting fixtures 3 and lighting control device 2 are connected to a commercial power source 1 via a power line 5.

Lighting fixture 3-1 is a dimming type that allows dimming. Lighting fixture 3-2 is a dimming and color-adjusting type that allows dimming and color adjustment. Lighting fixture 3-3 is a blue sky type. Lighting fixture 3-3 has a display area 3a that can control the color temperature from incandescent white to neutral white and further control the brightness, and a display area 3b that can display the blue sky in the morning, evening, daytime, and night when lit. Lighting fixture 3-4 is an individual control dimming and color-adjusting type that allows individual dimming and color adjustment control by address.

The multiple lighting fixtures 3 may include multiple lighting fixtures 3 with the same function. The types and number of lighting fixtures 3 connected to the signal line 4 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. The lighting control system 100 may have one or more lighting fixtures 3.

The lighting control device 2 can output a control signal 18 to the signal line 4 using a mixture of pulse width modulation, frequency modulation, and one-way UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) communication. The pulse width modulation method is a modulation method that modulates the magnitude of the duty. The frequency modulation method is a modulation method that modulates the height of the frequency. The control signal 18 sent by the lighting control device 2 includes first data indicated by the pulse width modulation method or the modulation method of UART communication, and second data indicated by the frequency modulation method. The second data indicates the type of the first data. As described below, such control signals 18 can transmit various information to the lighting fixtures 3. Furthermore, lighting fixtures 3 with various functions can be connected to one signal line 4.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting fixture 3 according to embodiment 1. Here, the configuration of lighting fixture 3 will be described using lighting fixture 3-2, which is a dimmable and color-adjustable type, as an example. Lighting fixture 3 includes an LED driver 37 and LEDs 35 and 36, which are light sources. In LED driver 37, commercial power supply 1 is connected to terminal block 30. One signal line 4 is connected to terminal block 31, and control signal 18 is input. Commercial power supply 1 is connected to lighting circuits 32 and 33 via terminal block 30. Lighting circuits 32 and 33 are supplied with power from commercial power supply 1 and light LEDs 35 and 36, respectively.

The control signal 18 is input to the control circuit 34 via the terminal block 31. The control circuit 34 analyzes the frequency modulated signal and the pulse width modulated signal or UART signal contained in the control signal 18, and controls the lighting circuits 32 and 33 based on the analysis results.

LED 35 is a light source with a color temperature of 3000K, which is equivalent to incandescent light. LED 36 is a light source with a color temperature of 5000K, which is white. Lighting device 3 has the function of mixing the light emitted from the two colors of LEDs 35 and 36.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control device 2 according to the first embodiment. The commercial power source 1 is connected to the terminal block 28. The power supply circuit 20 receives power from the commercial power source 1 via the terminal block 28 and generates a DC 5V power supply and a DC 12V for the control signal 18. Peripheral circuits such as an RTC (Real-Time Clock) 26, a non-volatile memory 22, an IR (Infrared) communication circuit 23, and an illuminance sensor circuit 25 are connected to the control circuit 21. The RTC 26 counts the time for schedule control. The non-volatile memory 22 stores various setting values. The IR communication circuit 23 transmits and receives setting signals and operation signals to and from an infrared remote control 27. The illuminance sensor circuit 25 is composed of a photodiode and measures illuminance from the luminance of the desk surface.

The control circuit 21 generates a control signal 18 in response to a signal from a peripheral circuit. The control signal 18 is transmitted to a plurality of lighting fixtures 3 connected to the terminal block 29 via the amplifier circuit 24. This allows the lighting control device 2 to control a plurality of lighting fixtures 3. The control circuit 21 corresponds to a processing unit that generates the control signal 18. The amplifier circuit 24 and the terminal block 29 correspond to a communication unit that transmits the control signal 18 to the lighting fixtures 3 via the signal line 4.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit 21 according to the first embodiment. First, the schedule function will be described. Daily or weekly schedule information consisting of time information and control content is transmitted from the infrared remote control 27 via the IR communication circuit 23. The schedule information is analyzed by the IR communication processing unit 21f and stored in the non-volatile memory 22 via the main processing unit 21a. Based on the schedule information, the main processing unit 21a registers the time at which control is to be performed in the RTC 26 via the schedule processing unit 21e. When the time registered by the clock function arrives, the RTC 26 notifies the main processing unit 21a of a schedule execution signal via the schedule processing unit 21e.

In response to a notification from the schedule processing unit 21e, the main processing unit 21a generates a control signal 18 including first data and second data based on the schedule information to be executed. The first data indicates, for example, a dimming ratio, a color temperature, a fade time, a fade rate, a scene, etc. The second data indicates the type of the first data, that is, whether the first data is a dimming ratio, a color temperature, a fade time, a fade rate, a scene, etc. The main processing unit 21a converts the schedule information into a control signal 18, for example, so that the first data is represented as a pulse width modulation signal and the second data is represented as a frequency modulation signal. The generated control signal 18 is output to a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) processing unit 21d. The PWM processing unit 21d creates a PWM signal consisting of a frequency and a duty specified by the control signal 18 and transmits it to the amplifier circuit 24.

The main processing unit 21a may convert the schedule information into the control signal 18 so that the first data is represented as a UART signal and the second data is represented as a frequency modulated signal. In this case, the second data indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal. The main processing unit 21a assembles a UART signal from the schedule information to be executed and sets it in the DMA (Direct Memory Access) 21b. The DMA 21b outputs the set data to the UART processing unit 21c byte by byte. The UART processing unit 21c outputs the output data to the lighting fixture 3 bit by bit via the amplifier circuit 24. The PWM signal or UART signal output to the amplifier circuit 24 is repeatedly transmitted while being switched at a constant period T1 by the main processing unit 21a.

Next, the function of controlling the dimming ratio from the infrared remote control 27 will be described. The dimming ratio control information transmitted from the infrared remote control 27 is received by the IR communication processing unit 21f via the IR communication circuit 23 and analyzed. The main processing unit 21a generates a control signal 18 including first data and second data based on the dimming ratio value obtained by the analysis. The main processing unit 21a converts the dimming ratio value into first data represented as a pulse width modulation signal. The main processing unit 21a also converts information indicating that the type of the first data is the dimming ratio into second data represented as a frequency modulation signal. The generated control signal 18 is output to the PWM processing unit 21d. The PWM processing unit 21d creates a PWM signal consisting of the frequency and duty specified by the control signal 18 and transmits it to the amplifier circuit 24.

The main processing unit 21a may generate the control signal 18 so that the first data indicating the dimming ratio is represented as a UART signal and the second data is represented as a frequency modulated signal. In this case, the dimming ratio is represented by the UART signal, and the second data indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal. The main processing unit 21a assembles a UART signal from the value of the dimming ratio and sets it in the DMA 21b. The DMA 21b outputs the set data to the UART processing unit 21c byte by byte. The UART processing unit 21c outputs the output data to the lighting fixture 3 bit by bit via the amplifier circuit 24.

Next, the function of controlling the brightness of the lighting fixture 3 to a constant value by the illuminance sensor circuit 25 will be described. The illuminance value measured by the illuminance sensor circuit 25 is input to the main processing unit 21a. A target illuminance value is stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 22 by the infrared remote control 27 or the like. Furthermore, information on the illuminance value relative to the amount of change in the dimming rate is stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 22 by the infrared remote control 27 or the like. The main processing unit 21a calculates the dimming rate to be set in the lighting fixture 3 from the information on the illuminance value relative to the amount of change in the dimming rate and the difference between the target illuminance value and the measured illuminance value.

The main processing unit 21a generates a control signal 18 including first data and second data based on the calculated dimming ratio value. The main processing unit 21a converts the dimming ratio value into first data represented as a pulse width modulation signal. The main processing unit 21a also converts information indicating that the type of the first data is the dimming ratio into second data represented as a frequency modulation signal. The generated control signal 18 is output to the PWM processing unit 21d. The PWM processing unit 21d creates a PWM signal consisting of the frequency and duty specified by the control signal 18, and transmits it to the amplifier circuit 24.

The main processing unit 21a may generate the control signal 18 so that the first data indicating the dimming ratio is represented as a UART signal and the second data is represented as a frequency modulated signal. In this case, the value of the dimming ratio is represented by the UART signal, and the second data indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal. The main processing unit 21a assembles a UART signal from the value of the dimming ratio and sets it in the DMA 21b. The DMA 21b outputs the set data to the UART processing unit 21c byte by byte. The UART processing unit 21c outputs the output data to the lighting fixture 3 bit by bit via the amplifier circuit 24.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the waveform of the control signal 18 according to the first embodiment. The control signal 18 is transmitted at a predetermined fixed period T1, regardless of the type of the first data. The period T1 is, for example, 50 ms. The control signal 18 is repeatedly output at the period T1. Next, a waveform in the case where the first data is represented by a pulse width modulation method and the second data is represented by a frequency modulation method will be described. In this case, the control signal 18 is a PWM signal. In one period T1, the duty and frequency of the control signal 18 are fixed.

The period T2 of the control signal 18-1 is 4 ms, and the frequency is 250 Hz. At this time, the second data indicates, for example, that the type of the first data is fade rate. The first data defined by the duty is, for example, data of 15 stages of fade rate from 1 to 15. The fade rate is indicated, for example, by fade rate (step/S)=506/√(2 ⁿ ), where n=1 to 15. This allows the fade rate to be set in the range of 358 step/1s to 2.8 step/1s. Note that if n>15, n=15 is set, and if n=0, n=1 is set.

The period T2 of the control signal 18-2 is 2 ms, and the frequency is 500 Hz. At this time, the second data indicates, for example, that the type of the first data is a color temperature ratio. The first data defined by the duty is, for example, color temperature ratio data in 256 steps from 0 to 255. The first data represents the color temperature ratio of the LEDs 35, 36 stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 22 by, for example, the infrared remote control 27, as a ratio from 0% to 100%. The color temperature ratio can be set, for example, in increments of 0.5%.

The period T2 of the control signal 18-3 is 1 ms, and the frequency is 1000 Hz. At this time, the second data indicates, for example, that the type of the first data is dimming ratio. The first data defined by the duty is, for example, dimming ratio data in 256 steps from 0 to 255. The first data represents, for example, the dimming ratio of one of the LEDs 35, 36 with the higher dimming ratio as a ratio from 0% to 100%, assuming that the dimming ratio of the other is 100%. The dimming ratio can be set, for example, in increments of 0.5%.

Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the specifications of the control signal 18 according to the first embodiment. As the type of the first data, it is possible to set, for example, at least one of the dimming ratio, color temperature, fade time, fade rate, scene, and UART signal, without being limited to that shown in Figure 5.

The period T2 of the fade time control signal 18 is, for example, 3 ms and the frequency is 333 Hz. At this time, the first data defined by the duty becomes fade time data with 15 stages from 0 to 15.

The period T2 of the scene control signal 18 is, for example, 5 ms, and the frequency is 200 Hz. At this time, the first data defined by the duty indicates one of 16 types of scenes, from 1 to 16. Note that the settings of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 3 are registered in each scene.

The period T2 of the reset control signal 18 is, for example, 9 ms, and the frequency is 111 Hz. At this time, the duty is set to, for example, 50%. When the second data indicated by the frequency modulation signal indicates a reset, the lighting device 3 sets one or more of the dimming ratio, color temperature ratio, fade time, and fade rate to the default state.

The waveform of the control signal 18 is rounded due to the resistance, inductance, and capacitance components of the signal line 4. For this reason, the duty of the control signal 18 is effective in a range of 5% to 95%. The duty of the control signal 18 of 5% to 95% is converted to a value of 0 to 100 before use. When the duty of the control signal 18 is 0%, that is, when there is no first data, the lighting device 3 is turned on at a predetermined dimming rate by the fail-safe function. The predetermined dimming rate is, for example, a dimming rate of 100%. The lighting device 3 may be turned on at a predetermined dimming rate when the state in which there is no first data continues for a predetermined period longer than the period T1. The predetermined period is, for example, 10 periods of the period T1, that is, 500 ms. Furthermore, when the duty of the control signal 18 is 100%, the lighting device 3 is turned off.

Figure 7 is a diagram explaining the specifications of a UART signal according to the first embodiment. The period T2 of the control signal 18-4, which is a UART signal, is, for example, 500 μs, and the frequency is 2000 Hz. At this time, the second data indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal. The control signal 18-4 includes first data represented by the modulation method of UART communication, and second data represented by the frequency modulation method. The modulation method of UART communication is a method of transmitting data one bit at a time, with two values, 1 and 0. At this time, the duty of the control signal 18-4 is set to, for example, 50%.

The UART signal has a 5-byte trailer area, 1 byte address area, 1 byte data length, 1 byte command type, 1 byte each of DATA1 to DATA3, and 1 byte FCC. In other words, the UART signal is a total of 12 bytes, making it a 24 ms signal.

Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the waveform of the trailer field of the UART signal according to the first embodiment. The control signal 18-4, which is a UART signal, has a trailer field that indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal by frequency modulation. In other words, the frequency of the trailer field is set to 2000 Hz, which corresponds to a UART signal. At this time, the period T2 of the control signal 18-4 is 500 μs, the pulse width T3 is 250 μs, and the transmission speed of the UART signal is 4000 bps. For example, the data in the trailer field is 55H. It is advisable to set the trailer field to be sufficiently longer than the number of times that the control signal 18, which will be described later, is judged to match three times.

Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the specifications of the address field of the UART signal according to the first embodiment. The upper two bits of the address field identify individual addresses, groups, and scenes. The lower six bits identify, for example, the address to be controlled among multiple individual addresses. The upper four bits of the data length field indicate the command version, and the lower four bits indicate the data length. The command version is used as information to check compatibility when the UART signal is expanded and the specifications are changed.

Figure 10 is a diagram explaining the command types and DATA field specifications of the UART signal according to embodiment 1. For example, command types are 01H for operation command, 02H for blue sky operation command, 11H for limit setting command, 12H for scene setting command, and 13H for fade setting command. The data fields DATA1 to DATA3 are defined for each command type.

For example, if the command type is an operation command, DATA1 to DATA3 are set with the dimming rate, color temperature, and fade time data, respectively. If the command type is a blue sky operation command, DATA1 to DATA3 are set with the scene number, dimming rate, and fade time data, respectively. If the command type is a limit setting command, MAX and MIN values are set in DATA1 and DATA2, respectively. If the command type is a scene setting command, DATA1 to DATA3 are set with the scene number, dimming rate, and color temperature data, respectively. If the command type is a fade setting command, DATA1 and DATA2 are set with the fade time and fade rate data, respectively. Unused DATA is set to FFH.

If a command type that does not correspond to the lighting fixture 3 is set in the control signal 18-4, the lighting fixture 3 discards the control signal 18-4 and maintains the current state. For example, lighting fixtures 3 other than the blue sky type lighting fixture 3-3 discard the control signal 18-4 in which the blue sky operation command is set. For command types that correspond to the lighting fixture 3, the lighting fixture 3 performs processing according to the contents of DATA1 to DATA3.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the control of the lighting fixture 3 according to the first embodiment. The control circuit 34 of the LED driver 37 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The control circuit 34 automatically measures the period T2, which is from the rising edge to the next rising edge of the control signal 18, using the input pulse interval measurement function of the microcomputer. At the same time, the control circuit 34 automatically measures the pulse width T3, which is from the rising edge to the falling edge, using the high/low level width measurement function of the input signal of the microcomputer. This makes it possible to measure the frequency and duty (S100).

When the pulse width T3 and frequency of the control signal 18 match a predetermined number of consecutive times, the control circuit 34 performs control according to the first data and second data of the control signal 18. The number of times of determination is, for example, three times. If the pulse width T3 and frequency do not match three consecutive times, the control circuit 34 discards the control signal 18. The threshold value for determining whether or not there is a match is set taking into consideration the error in the microcontroller clock and the signal distortion caused by the wiring length of the signal line 4.

Next, error processing is performed. First, if the control signal 18 is "L", that is, the duty is 0% (S101), the fail-safe function is activated. If the duty is 0% for 500 ms, the control circuit 34 determines that there is no signal, and turns on the LEDs 35 and 36 with a dimming rate of 100% (S104). Next, if the control signal 18 is "H", that is, the duty is 100% (S102), the control circuit 34 turns off the LEDs 35 and 36 (S105).

Next, the control circuit 34 checks the length of the measured period T2 (S103). In determining the period T2, a threshold value is used that takes into account the time caused by the error in the microcomputer clock and the signal distortion caused by the wiring length of the signal line 4. The threshold value is, for example, ±20 μs. If the period T2 is 1 ms or 10 ms, the control circuit 34 performs dimming rate control (S106). If the period T2 is 2 ms, the control circuit 34 performs color temperature control (S107). If the period T2 is 3 ms, the control circuit 34 sets the fade time (S108). If the period T2 is 4 ms, the control circuit 34 sets the fade rate (S109). If the period T2 is 5 ms, the control circuit 34 executes scene control (S110). If the period T2 is 9 ms and the duty is 50% (S111), the control circuit 34 performs a reset (S112). If the period T2 is 500 μs and the pulse width T3 is 250 μs, i.e., the duty is 50% (S113), the control circuit 34 performs control by UART communication (S115). If the period T2 does not correspond to any of the previously set periods (S114), the control circuit 34 does not perform control as a reservation process.

If the second data of the received control signal 18, i.e., the type indicated by cycle T2, is a type that does not correspond to the lighting fixture 3, the lighting fixture 3 does not perform control according to the first data. For example, a dimming type lighting fixture 3-1 performs error processing (S101 to S105), dimming ratio control processing (S106), fade time set processing (S108), and fade rate set processing (S109). For example, the lighting fixture 3-1 discards the control signal 18 with cycle T2 indicating color temperature control processing as a reservation process. When changing the dimming ratio, the lighting fixture 3-1 performs fade control according to the set fade time or fade rate.

The blue sky type lighting fixture 3-3 also performs error processing (S101-S105), color temperature control of the display area 3a from incandescent white to neutral white (S107), and further performs processing to dim the brightness (S106). The blue sky type lighting fixture 3-3 also performs processing to control the display area 3b to a lighting state that represents a blue sky in the morning, evening, daytime, or night (S110), fade time setting processing (S108), and fade rate setting processing (S109). The lighting fixture 3-3 discards the control signal 18 with cycle T2 that indicates processing other than the above as a reservation processing. When the dimming rate, color temperature, or scene changes, the lighting fixture 3-3 performs fade control according to the set fade time or fade rate.

Next, a method of controlling multiple lighting fixtures 3 with a UART signal using the illuminance value E1 measured by the illuminance sensor circuit 25 will be described. The lighting control device 2 measures the illuminance of external light using the illuminance sensor circuit 25 installed near a window. The measured illuminance is processed by a microcomputer included in the control circuit 21. The multiple lighting fixtures 3 are grouped according to their distance from the window. For example, of the multiple lighting fixtures 3, a row near the window that is most susceptible to external light is set to group 1, the lighting fixtures 3 in a row least affected by external light are set to group 2, and the lighting fixtures 3 that are not affected by external light are set to group 3.

The illuminance E3 of the external light entering through the window is calculated by the difference E3=E1-E2 between the illuminance value E1 measured by the illuminance sensor circuit 25 and the illuminance E2 obtained by the dimming rate control of the lighting fixture 3. The effect of external light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the window of the lighting fixture 3 and varies proportionally to the cosine cos θ of the incidence angle θ. The microcomputer calculates the illuminance E3' of the external light for each group to which a correction value according to the position is applied. The microcomputer calculates the dimming rate to achieve the target illuminance based on the external light illuminance E3' of each group obtained by the calculation, and transmits a UART signal including a control command for the dimming rate as the control signal 18-4. In this way, the lighting control device 2 transmits the control signal 18-4 according to the illuminance information from the illuminance sensor.

The second data of the control signal 18-4 indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal. The first data of the control signal 18-4 includes information on the group of lighting fixtures 3 to be controlled among the multiple lighting fixtures 3, and information on the dimming rate to be set for the lighting fixtures 3 to be controlled. This makes it possible to set an appropriate dimming rate according to the position of the lighting fixture 3, and to achieve the target illuminance.

In this embodiment, the control signal 18 transmitted by the lighting control device 2 includes first data indicated by a first modulation method, which is a pulse width modulation method or a modulation method for UART communication, and second data indicated by a second modulation method, which is a frequency modulation method. The second data indicates the type of the first data. This makes it possible to transmit various information to the lighting fixture 3. Also, in this embodiment, multiple lighting fixtures 3 with various functions can be controlled on the same signal line 4.

As a variation of this embodiment, the second modulation method may be a pulse width modulation method. That is, the type of the first data may be indicated as the second data by the pulse width modulation method. In this case, the first modulation method indicating the first data is indicated by, for example, a frequency modulation method or a modulation method for UART communication. Also, in this embodiment, the pulse width modulation method, the frequency modulation method, and the modulation method for UART communication have been described, but other modulation methods may be used. That is, the control signal 18 includes the first data indicated by the first modulation method and the second data indicated by a second modulation method different from the first modulation method, and the second data may indicate the type of the first data.

In the example of FIG. 6, the period T2 of the control signal 18 is defined to be every 1 ms. However, the period T2 may be defined to be other than every 1 ms. In addition, the communication speed of the UART communication is set to 4000 bps, but the communication speed may be set to, for example, 1500 Hz or more, which does not interfere with the frequency of 1000 Hz used when the type of first data is the dimming rate.

The length of the trailer area of the control signal 18-4, the length of the transmission data, or the number of congestions may be determined so that the length of the control signal 18-4 for UART communication is the same as the period T1 or is less than or equal to the period T1. For example, the UART signal shown in FIG. 7 is 24 ms long, but it may be congested twice to make it a 48 ms signal. This can improve reliability.

When controlling the color temperature and dimming rate of the LEDs 35, 36 of the lighting fixture 3 using the control signal 18 representing the dimming rate and color temperature ratio, the control circuit 34 may determine the dimming rate of the LEDs 35, 36 using the luminous flux and mired value of the LED 35 and the luminous flux and mired value of the LED 36. The mired value is the reciprocal of the color temperature.

These modifications can be applied as appropriate to the lighting control systems and lighting control devices according to the following embodiments. Note that the lighting control systems and lighting control devices according to the following embodiments have many things in common with embodiment 1, so the following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1.

Embodiment 2.
12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting fixture 203 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration of lighting fixture 203 is different from that of lighting fixture 3. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Lighting fixture 203 includes an LED driver 237. Assume that control circuit 34 of LED driver 237 is subjected to dimming ratio control by control signal 18. Control circuit 34 controls constant current circuit 239 so that current value I1 corresponding to the dimming ratio specified by control signal 18 flows through LEDs 35 and 36. Constant current circuit 239 is composed of, for example, a high-side type control circuit and a current detection circuit. Constant current circuit 239 controls so that the combined current of LEDs 35 and 36 becomes current value I1.

Let us also assume that the control circuit 34 has received color temperature control from the control signal 18. The control circuit 34 PWM controls the LEDs 35 and 36 using the PWM circuit 238 so that the color temperature value C1 of the lighting device 203 becomes the color temperature specified by the control signal 18. In PWM control, the PWM signal that turns on the LED 35 is inverted to become the PWM signal that turns on the LED 36. In addition, a dead time is set for the two PWM signals so that the signal switching does not overlap. The frequency for PWM control of the LEDs 35 and 36 is set to 1 kHz or higher so that no flicker occurs in cameras, etc., and that it is outside the audible range.

The technical features described in each embodiment may be used in any suitable combination. Also, one of the embodiments may be implemented partially.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.
(Appendix 1)
A lighting fixture connected to the signal line;
a lighting control device that transmits a control signal via the signal line to control the lighting device;
Equipped with
the control signal includes first data represented by a first modulation scheme and second data represented by a second modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme;
A lighting control system, characterized in that the second data indicates a type of the first data.
(Appendix 2)
the first modulation method is a pulse width modulation method or a modulation method for UART communication;
3. The lighting control system according to claim 2, wherein the second modulation method is a frequency modulation method.
(Appendix 3)
The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of a dimming ratio, a color temperature, a fade time, a fade rate, a scene, and a UART signal can be set as the type of the first data.
(Appendix 4)
A UART signal can be set as the type of the first data,
The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the UART signal has a trailer field indicating that the type of the first data is a UART signal using the second modulation method.
(Appendix 5)
5. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is transmitted at a predetermined constant period regardless of the type.
(Appendix 6)
The lighting control system described in Appendix 5, characterized in that the lighting device is turned on at a predetermined dimming rate when the absence of the first data continues for a predetermined period of time that is longer than the constant cycle.
(Appendix 7)
The lighting control system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 6, wherein the lighting device performs control according to the first data and the second data when the pulse width and frequency of the control signal match a predetermined number of times in succession.
(Appendix 8)
A lighting control system as described in any one of appendixes 1 to 7, characterized in that the lighting device does not perform control in accordance with the first data if the type indicated by the second data of the received control signal is a type that does not correspond to the lighting device itself.
(Appendix 9)
a plurality of the lighting devices connected to the signal line;
The lighting control device transmits the control signal in response to illuminance information from an illuminance sensor,
the second data of the control signal indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal;
The lighting control system described in Appendix 4, characterized in that the first data of the control signal includes information about a lighting fixture to be controlled among the plurality of lighting fixtures and information about a dimming ratio to be set for the lighting fixture to be controlled.
(Appendix 10)
a plurality of the lighting devices connected to the signal line;
The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of lighting devices include lighting devices having different functions.
(Appendix 11)
A processing unit that generates a control signal;
A communication unit that transmits the control signal to a lighting device via a signal line;
Equipped with
the control signal includes first data represented by a first modulation scheme and second data represented by a second modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme;
A lighting control device characterized in that the second data indicates a type of the first data.

1 Commercial power supply, 2 Lighting control device, 3, 3-1 to 3-4 Lighting fixture, 3a Display area section, 3b Display area section, 4 Signal line, 5 Power line, 18, 18-1 to 18-4 Control signal, 20 Power supply circuit, 21 Control circuit, 21a Main processing section, 21c UART processing section, 21d PWM processing section, 21e Schedule processing section, 21f IR communication processing section, 22 Non-volatile memory, 23 IR communication circuit, 24 Amplification circuit, 25 Illuminance sensor circuit, 26 RTC, 27 Infrared remote control, 28 to 31 Terminal block, 32, 33 Lighting circuit, 34 Control circuit, 37 LED driver, 100 Lighting control system, 203 Lighting fixture, 237 LED driver, 238 PWM circuit, 239 Constant current circuit

Claims (11)

A lighting fixture connected to the signal line;
a lighting control device that transmits a control signal via the signal line to control the lighting device;
Equipped with
the control signal includes first data represented by a first modulation scheme and second data represented by a second modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme;
A lighting control system, characterized in that the second data indicates a type of the first data. the first modulation method is a pulse width modulation method or a modulation method for UART communication;
The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the second modulation method is a frequency modulation method. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the following can be set as the type of the first data: dimming ratio, color temperature, fade time, fade rate, scene, and UART signal. A UART signal can be set as the type of the first data,
3. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the UART signal has a trailer field indicating that the type of the first data is a UART signal by the second modulation method. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control signal is transmitted at a predetermined fixed interval regardless of the type. The lighting control system according to claim 5, characterized in that the lighting device turns on at a predetermined dimming rate when the absence of the first data continues for a predetermined period longer than the fixed cycle. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lighting device performs control according to the first data and the second data when the pulse width and frequency of the control signal match a predetermined number of times in succession. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lighting device does not perform control according to the first data if the type indicated by the second data of the received control signal is a type that does not correspond to the lighting device itself. a plurality of the lighting devices connected to the signal line;
The lighting control device transmits the control signal in response to illuminance information from an illuminance sensor,
the second data of the control signal indicates that the type of the first data is a UART signal;
The lighting control system according to claim 4, characterized in that the first data of the control signal includes information on a lighting fixture to be controlled among the plurality of lighting fixtures and information on a dimming ratio to be set for the lighting fixture to be controlled. a plurality of the lighting devices connected to the signal line;
The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lighting fixtures include lighting fixtures having different functions. A processing unit that generates a control signal;
A communication unit that transmits the control signal to a lighting device via a signal line;
Equipped with
the control signal includes first data represented by a first modulation scheme and second data represented by a second modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme;
A lighting control device characterized in that the second data indicates a type of the first data.

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