JP3150252B2 - Light control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a dimming device which can carry out turning on and off and dimming a light by simple operation of one operation switch. CONSTITUTION:Based of the operation timing of an operation switch 4d and the data regarding the standard quantity of light, a sequence decoder 8 instructs a counter 72 composing a lighting modulation controlling part 7A to count up or down. The counted value of the counter 72 is D/A-converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 73, supplied to a light dimming unit 2, and the quantity of the illuminating lamp 3 is controlled so as to be proportional to the counted value. When a first operation is done through an operational switch 4d, the operational switch 4d starts to increase or decrease the quantity of light of the lamp 3 at a prescribed changing speed and when the next operational is done through the switch 4d or when the quantity of the light reached previously set maximum or minimum value, the operational switch 4d stops the alteration of the quantity of the light. In the case the operational switch 4d is operated twice continuously within a prescribed time, the switch carries out previously set control or decreasing control of the quantity of light and on the contrary, when the switch is operated only one time, the switch carries out reverse control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light control device capable of turning on and off a lighting device and adjusting the amount of light with a single operation switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional light control device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a dimming volume for performing a dimming operation, and 2 denotes a dimming unit whose output is controlled in accordance with the value of the dimming volume 1. 3 is controlled. In the example of FIG. 19, the light amount of the illumination lamp 3 changes almost in proportion to the value of the light control volume 1, so it is intuitive and easy to understand. Therefore, the operation is not as simple as the operation of the push button switch.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing another example of a conventional light control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 148599/1990, which is operated by a remote control method. In the figure, reference numeral 4a denotes an on / off switch for operating on / off of a light, 4b denotes a light switch for operating in a direction to make the light brighter, and 4c denotes a dark switch for operating in a direction to darken the light. These switches 4a to 4c are connected to a transmitter 5 for transmitting a remote control signal such as an infrared signal.

[0006] Reference numeral 6 denotes a receiver for receiving a remote control signal from the transmitter 5, and reference numeral 7 denotes a dimming control unit for generating a dimming signal in accordance with the received signal from the receiver 6. The output of the light control unit 2 is controlled according to the output of the light control unit 7,
On / off and the amount of light of the illumination lamp 3 are controlled in accordance with the output of the light control unit 2.

Next, the operation will be described. The transmitter 5 transmits a code signal corresponding to the pressed switches 4a to 4c as a remote control signal such as infrared rays. The receiver 6 converts the remote control signal received from the transmitter 5 into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the dimming control unit 7. The dimming control unit 7 generates a dimming signal from the length of time the switch is pressed according to the type of the pressed switch as shown in FIG. Thus, ON / OFF of the illumination lamp 3 and control of the light amount are performed.

Here, the dimming signal generated by the dimming control section 7 will be further described. (1) When the on / off switch 4a is pressed while the light is off, a 100% lighting signal is generated. (2) When the on / off switch 4a is pressed during lighting, a light-off signal is generated. (3) When the lighting is not 100%, while the light switch 4b is being pressed, the dimming signal is changed in a direction to become brighter slowly. (4) When the light is not turned off, while the dark switch 4c is pressed, the dimming signal is slowly changed in a darkening direction.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing still another example of the conventional light control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-36820. In the figure, 4d is the lighting on /
The switch 4d is connected to a dimming control unit 7 that generates a dimming control signal. The output of the light control unit 2 is controlled in accordance with the output of the light control unit 7, and the on / off and the light amount of the illumination lamp 3 are controlled in accordance with the output of the light control unit 2.

When the switch 4d is operated for a short period of time not more than a certain time, the dimming control unit 7 generates a 100% light-on signal or a light-off signal. This is equivalent to the function of the on / off switch 4a in the example of FIG. When the switch 4d is continuously operated for a certain period of time or longer, the dimming control unit 7 generates a dimming signal having a brightness corresponding to the length of the operation time. This is equivalent to the functions of both the bright switch 4b and the dark switch 4c in the example of FIG.

[0009]

FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG.
Since the dimming device of the second example is configured as described above,
There were the following problems. In the example of FIG. 19 using the dimming volume 1, it is difficult to operate the wireless remote controller, which is increasing in recent years, and an A / D conversion circuit or the like is required for analog processing, which complicates the circuit. There is a problem. Further, in the example of FIG. 20 using a plurality of switches 4a to 4c, the operation is simple and easy to understand, but there is a problem that as the number of lighting fixtures increases, the number of switches becomes many times as large. In addition, a single operation switch 4
In the example of FIG. 22 using d, there is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively realize the user's intention to make the current brightness brighter or darker.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light control device capable of turning on / off and adjusting the amount of light with a simple operation of a single operation switch. I do.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light control device comprising: a single operation switch ;
Illuminator based on operation timing and reference light data
A sequence decoder for instructing an increase / decrease of the light amount of the tool,
A light quantity control means for controlling the light quantity of the lighting equipment based on the output of the sequence decoder , wherein the light quantity control means starts increasing or decreasing the light quantity of the lighting equipment at a predetermined change speed when the operation switch is operated for the first time. When the next operation of the operation switch is performed, or when the light amount reaches a preset maximum value or minimum value, the increase / decrease change of the light amount is stopped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the light control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light amount control means controls the operation switch continuously twice within a predetermined time while the luminaire is turned on at an intermediate light amount. When the operation is performed, a predetermined increase or decrease control of the light amount is performed, and when the operation is performed only once, the control is performed opposite to the control when the operation is performed twice consecutively. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the light control device according to the first or second aspect, when the operation switch is operated twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the operation switch is operated for the second time. A signal indicating the second time is added to the operation signal at that time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the light control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the light amount control means reduces and increases the change speed of the light amount when the light amount is small. It is equipped with a data conversion means for increasing the speed sometimes.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a single operation switch is operated first, the light amount increase / decrease control is started, and when the operation switch is operated again or the light amount is set to a preset maximum value or minimum value. Since the increase or decrease of the light amount is stopped when the value reaches the value, the lighting device can be easily turned on / off and the light amount can be adjusted with a single operation switch.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, while the light is being turned on at an intermediate light amount, the light amount is controlled to increase or decrease by operating the operation switch twice in succession. Since the control opposite to the control performed in the above operation is performed, the light amount can be easily adjusted from an intermediate light amount by a combination of simple operations.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a signal indicating the second operation is added to the operation signal when the operation switch is operated for the second time, the operation switch can be distinguished from others and erroneous recognition due to noise or the like can be prevented. Thus, the dimming control section can definitely control the light.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the light amount changing speed in the light amount control is slow when the light amount is small and fast when the light amount is large, the light amount control speed is proportional to the human perception of brightness. Can be performed.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the light control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, FIG.
20 and 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a sequence decoder, which supplies an operation signal of an operation switch 4d to the sequence decoder 8. The sequence decoder 8 further receives the reference light amount data Po from the reference light amount setting device 9.
Supply.

The sequence decoder 8 includes an operation switch 4
It instructs the up / down counter 72 to count up or count down based on the timing of operating d and the reference light amount data. A clock signal is supplied from the clock generator 71 to the up / down counter 72 as a count clock. The count value of the up / down counter 72 is converted into an analog signal (light control signal) by the D / A converter 73 and supplied to the light control unit 2.

The dimming unit 2 supplies an output substantially proportional to an analog signal from the D / A converter 73 to the illumination lamp 3 to control the amount of light. Therefore, the light quantity of the illumination lamp 3 and the count value of the up / down counter 72 become substantially proportional. The clock generator 71, the up / down counter 72, and the D / A converter 73 constitute a dimmer.

Here, the relationship between the switch operation and the counter control, that is, the light amount control will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4 and the timing charts of FIGS. First, the sequence decoder 8 performs step S10.
After recognizing that the operation switch 4d has returned and returned to the initial state in step 1, if the light is off, the reference light amount Po is input from the reference light amount setting device 9 until the operation switch 4d is pressed, and the reference light amount is reached. The control time Tw3 up to is calculated (steps S102 to S105). If it is on,
After calculating the control time Tw6 until turning off, the operation switch 4
Until d is pressed, the reference light amount Po is input and the control time Tw7 until the reference light amount is reached is calculated (Step S).
140-S143).

If the operation switch 4d is pressed while the light is off,
Wait until the time Td1 has elapsed and wait for the up / down counter 7
Start counting up 2. That is, the light amount increase control is started (steps S105 to S107). When the switch operation time t1 is equal to or less than the time Tw1 and the stop wait time of the up-count is Td3, when there is no next switch operation within Tw3-Td3 (see FIG. 5), when Tw3 has elapsed from the switch operation Stop counting up. That is, the light amount increase control is stopped (steps S108 to S108).
S113).

When the switch operation time t1 is less than the time Tw1 and the second switch operation is performed within Tw3−Td3 (see FIG. 6), the time Td3 starts after the second switch operation.
Wait for the passage of and stop counting up. That is,
The light quantity increase control is stopped. Thereafter, during the time Tw4, the next switch operation is not accepted (steps S108 to S1).
11, S120 to S122). If the switch operation time t1 exceeds the time Tw1 (see FIG. 7), the counter continues to count up as long as the counter does not exceed the maximum value, and stops counting after the switch operation is canceled or when the counter reaches the maximum value. That is, the light amount increase control is stopped. Thereafter, during the time Tw4, the next switch operation is not accepted (steps S130 to S133).

Next, when the operation switch 4d is pressed for a time Td4 or more during the lighting, the down-counting of the up / down counter 72 is started. That is, the light amount reduction control is started, and it is checked whether or not the switch operation is released during the time Tw2 (steps S150 to S154). If the switch operation is released within the time Tw2, or if the switch operation time t1 is equal to or shorter than the time Td1, it is determined whether or not the second switch operation has been performed during the time Tw2 (steps S155 and S156). If there is no switch operation for the second time, a down count is performed (steps S157 and S15).
8).

Thereafter, if there is no switch operation until the light is turned off, the down counting is stopped when the light is turned off (see FIGS. 8 and 9; steps S160 to S163). When the stop waiting time of the down count is Td6, when the next switch operation is performed during the period Tw6-Td6 from the first switch operation (see FIG. 10), the time Td6 has elapsed since the second switch operation. Stop counting down. That is, the light amount reduction control is stopped. Thereafter, the next switch operation is not accepted during the time Tw4 (steps S160 and S16).
1. Steps S170 to S172). If the first switch operation exceeds the time Tw2 (see FIG. 11), the control time T
The countdown is continued within a range not exceeding w6, and after the switch operation is released, the countdown is stopped after a lapse of time Td5. That is, the light amount reduction control is stopped. afterwards,
During the time Tw4, the next switch operation is not accepted (steps S180 to S184).

During lighting, time T from the first switch operation
If the second switch operation is performed within w2, the time Td7
Wait for the elapsed time to start counting up. That is, the light amount increase control is started (steps S190 and S19).
1). When the second switch operation time t2 is equal to or shorter than the time Tw5 and the stop wait time of the up-count is Td9, when there is no third switch operation within Tw7-Td9 (see FIG. 12), the second switch operation When the time Td9 has elapsed from the operation, the up-count is stopped. That is, the light amount increase control is stopped (steps S192 to S19).
7).

The second switch operation time t2 is time Tw5.
In the following, when the third switch operation is performed within TW7-Td9 (see FIG. 13), the up-count is stopped after a lapse of time Td9 from the third switch operation.
That is, the light amount increase control is stopped. After that, the time Tw4
During the period, the next switch operation is not accepted (step S1).
94, S195, steps S200 to S202). When the second switch operation time t2 exceeds the time Tw5 (see FIG. 14), the up-count is continued within a range where the control time does not exceed Tw7, and the up-count is stopped after the switch operation is released. That is, the light amount increase control is stopped. afterwards,
During the time Tw4, the next switch operation is not accepted (steps S210 to S213). Note that the time constant described above may be arbitrary.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the lighting of the illumination lamp 3 can be turned on / off, and the light amount can be adjusted with a single operation switch 4d. In addition, the operation switch 4d is pressed once and twice continuously. The light amount can be easily adjusted by a combination of simple operations such as
The operation switch 4d can also be reduced in size and cost. In addition, since the brightness at which the light is turned on by one switch operation while the light is turned off can be set, the operation becomes easy, and unnecessary brightness can be prevented, so that a power saving effect can be expected.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the light control device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, operation is performed by a remote control method. In FIG. 15, portions corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 8A denotes a sequence decoder, which supplies an operation signal of the operation switch 4d to the sequence decoder 8A. The sequence decoder 8A creates transmission data according to the operation state of the operation switch 4d. The transmission data generated by the sequence decoder 8A is transmitted from the transmitter 5 as a remote control signal such as an infrared signal.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a receiver for receiving a remote control signal transmitted from the transmitter 5 and obtaining transmission data. The transmission data obtained from the receiver 6 is supplied to an up / down counter 72 included in the dimming control unit 7B as count-up or count-down instruction data. A clock signal is supplied from the clock generator 71 to the up / down counter 72 as a count clock. After the count value of the up / down counter 72 is converted into data by the exponential function data converter 10, it is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 73 and supplied to the dimming unit 2. This embodiment is configured as described above, and the rest is configured similarly to the example of FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. D / A converter 73
1 to the illumination lamp 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The exponential function data converter 10 obtains output data exponentially with respect to input data, as shown in FIG. 16, since human perception of brightness is logarithmic. That is, when the input data is small and dark data, the resolution is increased, and when the input data is large and bright, the resolution is reduced.

Next, the operation from the operation switch 4d to the up / down counter 72 will be described. The sequence decoder 8A generates the following three types of signals a to c based on the timing of pressing the operation switch 4d based on the flowchart of FIG. a A signal indicating that the operation switch 4d has been pressed (however, except for the second consecutive pressing) b. 2 when the operation switch 4d is continuously pressed twice
The signal indicating the time c. When the operation switch 4d is kept pressed for a certain period of time and the operation switch 4d is released, a signal indicating the period of time after the operation switch 4d is released.

Hereinafter, according to the flowchart of FIG.
Details of a signal generated by the sequence decoder 8A and transmitted from the transmitter 5 will be described. When the operation switch 4d is pressed, the above-mentioned signal a is transmitted first (step S).
300, S301). If the operation switch 4d is continuously pressed for more than the time Tw1, the timer is operated, and the operation switch 4d is operated.
The timer value when d is released is transmitted as the signal of c described above (steps S302 to S307).

If the operation switch 4d is released within the time Tw1, and there is no second switch operation within the time Tw1, no transmission is performed (steps S302, S303, S30).
8, S309). If the operation switch 4 is pressed twice within the time Tw1, the signal b is transmitted (step S3).
10) After that, if the operation switch 4d is released within the time Tw5, no transmission is performed (step S311). If the second switch operation is continued beyond the time Tw5, the timer is operated, and the timer value when the operation switch 4d is released is transmitted as the signal c described above (step S).
312 to S316).

The remote control signal transmitted from the transmitter 5 by the above operation is received by the receiver 6 on the lighting fixture side.
The signals are separated into the above three types of signals a to c and supplied to the up / down counter 72 as operation instruction signals. The up-down counter 72 has the following five states. (1) Minimum value state (hereinafter referred to as “MIN”) (2) Stop state other than minimum and maximum (hereinafter “STO”)
(3) Maximum value state (hereinafter, referred to as "MAX") (4) State during up-counting (hereinafter, referred to as "UP") (5) State during down-counting (hereinafter, "DOWN")
That)

FIG. 18 shows the operating state of the up / down counter 72 when the above-mentioned signals a to c are input to the up / down counter 72 in these five states. For example, in the MIN state, when the signal a is supplied, the state becomes UP, and when the signal b is supplied, the state becomes U.
The state becomes P, and when the signal c is supplied, the state remains MIN. In the STOP state, when the signal a is supplied, the state becomes DOWN, when the signal b is supplied, the state becomes UP, and when the signal c is supplied, the state becomes ST.
It remains in the state of OP.

In the MAX state, when the signal a is supplied, the state becomes DOWN, and when the signals b and c are supplied, the state remains MAX. In the UP state, when the signal a is supplied, the state becomes the STOP state, and b
When the signal of (c) is supplied, the state of UP is maintained, and when the signal of (c) is supplied, K × timer value is added to the count value to be in the state of STOP.

In the DOWN state, when the signal of a is supplied, the state becomes STOP, when the signal of b is supplied, the state becomes UP, and when the signal of c is supplied, the count value becomes K × timer. The value is subtracted, and the state becomes STOP. Here, K is the count value of the up / down counter 72 that operates per unit time of the timer value, and is a value corresponding to the speed of the counter 72. Note that if the state becomes MIN or MAX during the up / down counting, the counting is automatically stopped. The functions and time constants described above may be arbitrary.

As described above, in this embodiment, the remote control signal for wireless transmission is divided into a case where the operation switch 4d is pressed once, a case where the operation switch 4d is continuously pressed twice, and a case where the operation switch 4d is continuously pressed and released. Therefore, malfunction due to noise or the like can be prevented, and there is an effect that processing on the receiver side becomes easy.
In addition, by providing the exponential function data converter 10, the control speed for increasing / decreasing the amount of light is slow when dark and fast when bright, so that there is an advantage that light can be adjusted at a speed that matches the sense of human brightness.

Embodiment 3 FIG. Note that in the above embodiment.
Although only one lighting lamp 3 as a lighting device is connected to the receiver side, the present invention can of course be similarly applied to a device in which a plurality of lighting devices are connected to perform dimming. .

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a single operation switch and a timing and basis for operating the operation switch are provided.
Indicate increase or decrease in light intensity of lighting equipment based on quasi-light data
And an output of the sequence decoder
The increase / decrease of the light amount of the lighting device is started at a predetermined change speed based on the above , and when the next operation of the operation switch is performed, or when the light amount reaches a preset maximum value or minimum value, the light amount is increased. Since the increase / decrease change is stopped, there is an effect that the lighting equipment can be easily turned on / off, and the light amount can be adjusted with a single operation switch.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the light amount control means operates the operation switch twice continuously within a predetermined time while the lighting fixture is turned on at an intermediate light amount. At the time, a predetermined increase or decrease control of the light amount is performed.
Since the control is performed in reverse to the control when the operation is performed consecutively, the light amount can be easily adjusted from the intermediate light amount by a combination of simple operations in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1. There are effects such as being able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the operation switch is operated twice consecutively within a predetermined time, when the operation switch is operated for the second time, Since the signal indicating the second time is added to the signal, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the dimming control unit can easily distinguish the second operation signal from others. This has the effect of preventing erroneous recognition due to noise or the like and enabling the dimming control without fail.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the light amount control means makes the changing speed of the light amount slow when the light amount is small and fast when the light amount is large. In addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, there is an effect that the light amount can be controlled at a speed proportional to the sense of human brightness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a light control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the sequence decoder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the sequence decoder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the sequence decoder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart during lighting control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart at the time of light amount increase dimming control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart at the time of light amount increase dimming control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart at the time of light-off control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart at the time of light-off control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart during light amount dimming control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart at the time of light amount dimming control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart at the time of light amount increase dimming control from an intermediate lighting state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart at the time of light amount increase dimming control from an intermediate lighting state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart at the time of light amount increase dimming control from the intermediate lighting state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the light control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an input / output characteristic diagram of the exponential function data converter of the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sequence decoder of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of an up / down counter according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a conventional light control device.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a conventional light control device.

21 is a timing chart showing the operation of the example of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a conventional light control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 dimming unit, 3 illumination lamp, 4d operation switch, 5 transmitter, 6 receiver, 7A, 7B dimming control unit,
8, 8A sequence decoder, 9 reference light amount setting device, 10 exponential function data converter, 71 clock generator, 72 up / down counter, 73 D / A converter.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A single operation switch, timing for operating the operation switch , and reference light amount data
Sequence to increase or decrease the amount of light of lighting equipment based on data
And a light quantity control means for controlling the light quantity of the lighting fixture based on the output of the sequence decoder . The light quantity control means increases or decreases the light quantity of the lighting fixture when the operation switch is operated for the first time. Is started at a predetermined change speed, and when the next operation of the operation switch is performed, or when the light amount reaches a preset maximum value or minimum value, the change of the light amount is stopped. Characteristic light control device. 2. The light amount control unit according to claim 1, wherein the light source is lit at an intermediate light amount, and when the operation switch is operated twice consecutively within a predetermined time, a predetermined light amount increase control or When the decrease control is performed and the operation is performed only once, the above-mentioned 2 is applied.
The light control device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed in reverse of control performed when the light control device is operated continuously. 3. When the operation switch is operated twice consecutively within a predetermined time, a signal indicating the second operation is added to the operation signal when the operation switch is operated for the second time. The dimming device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming operation is performed. 4. The light amount control means according to claim 1, wherein said light amount control means includes a data conversion means for decreasing a change speed of said light amount when said light amount is small and increasing it when said light amount is large. The light control device according to any one of the above.