JP5312266B2 - LIGHTING DEVICE, LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND LIGHTING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting apparatus, a lighting system, and a method for controlling the lighting apparatus, which roughly uniform a light control time between a plurality of the lighting apparatuses having different characteristics of optical output control. <P>SOLUTION: This lighting system includes: a plurality of the lighting apparatuses composed of master and slave lighting fixtures 1 and a unit lighting fixture 2 having different characteristics of optical output control of light sources; and a structure to change each optical output of the master and slave lighting fixtures 1 and the unit lighting fixture 2 based on the common target brightness. A light control time between changing the optical output of the unit lighting fixture 2, selected out of the master and slave lighting fixtures 1 and the unit lighting fixture 2, and reaching to the target brightness is controlled to be the light control time of the master and slave lighting fixtures 1. Thereby, the light control time of the master and slave lighting fixtures 1 and the unit lighting fixture 2 can be adjusted to almost the same, which removes uncomfortability or unpleasantness. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device, an illuminating system, and an illuminating device control method including a light source and a control unit that performs light control by changing the light output of the light source based on a target brightness.

  2. Description of the Related Art As lighting devices used for indoor lighting in houses, offices, and the like, lighting devices including light sources such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are used. In general, the illumination device is configured so that the light output of the light source can be changed in order to change the brightness according to time, a user's input operation, and the like.

  If the light output of this light source is changed abruptly to change the brightness, it will be perceived by the user as flicker (flicker), giving the user a sense of discomfort or discomfort. For this reason, in order to reduce flicker, a method of controlling an illumination device that changes the light output in stages has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the control method of the lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light output is changed stepwise so that the amount of change in the intensity (light output) of the light source per certain time interval gradually decreases. is there. As a result, the user perceives that the flicker is reduced with the passage of time.

JP 2008-117773 A

  By the way, in a large room such as an office or a store, a plurality of lighting devices are used. As the plurality of lighting devices, lighting devices having different relations (light output control characteristics) between the control value for controlling the light output of the light source and the light output may be used. When the same control is performed in the plurality of lighting devices, the current supplied to the light source is different, and the brightness is different among the plurality of lighting devices. In the PWM method in which dimming is performed by changing the on-time of the on / off operation of the switching element to change the average current value supplied to the LED, this control value is the PWM output value (duty ratio). Value to be entered in the register to be set).

  Further, in these lighting devices, when the control value is determined in order to obtain the same target brightness, the light output control characteristics are different, so that the control value for changing from the same brightness to the same target brightness. The amount of change is different. Therefore, when the control value is changed at the same rate of change, the time to reach the target brightness (dimming time) will be different.

  As described above, when lighting devices having different light output control characteristics are used in the same room, brightness and / or dimming time are different, which may cause the user to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. In the illuminating device described in Patent Document 1, the control method in the case of using the illuminating device having different light output control characteristics is not particularly described and is not taken into consideration, so that the user feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable. There was a risk of giving pleasure.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in the case of using lighting devices having different light output control characteristics, a lighting device and a lighting system capable of making the dimming times between a plurality of lighting devices substantially the same. And it aims at providing the control method of an illuminating device.

The illumination system according to the present invention is a lighting system including a plurality of illumination devices with different amounts of illuminance change by dimming control. When the plurality of illumination devices are simultaneously dimmed and controlled to have a common target brightness . It is characterized by comprising dimming control time adjusting means for adjusting the dimming control times of the plurality of lighting devices to the same.

  In the present invention, in a lighting system including a plurality of lighting devices having different illuminance change amounts by light control, the light control time of the plurality of lighting devices is simultaneously dimmed and controlled by the light control time adjusting means. Since the illumination is changed to the same illuminance, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

In the illumination system according to the present invention, the dimming control time adjusting unit is configured to specify a dimming time from the start of changing the light output of one of the plurality of lighting devices to reaching the target brightness. It is characterized by being adapted to the dimming time of the lighting device.

  In the present invention, in the illumination system configured to change the light output of each of the plurality of illumination devices having different light output control characteristics of the light source based on the common target brightness, one of the plurality of illumination devices. Since the dimming time of the lighting device is matched with the dimming time of the specific lighting device, the dimming times of the plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same, giving the user a sense of discomfort or discomfort. This can be suppressed.

  In the illumination system according to the present invention, the one illumination device uses the correspondence relationship between the brightness of the specific illumination device and a control value corresponding to the brightness to obtain the target brightness of the specific illumination device. The difference between the target value of the corresponding control value and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, the dimming time of the specific lighting device is obtained according to the calculated difference, and the one lighting device is obtained at the obtained dimming time. It is characterized in that the light control time is adjusted.

  In the present invention, the one lighting device uses the correspondence relationship between the brightness of the specific lighting device and the control value to determine the dimming time of the specific lighting device based on the target brightness, and the obtained identification Since the dimming time of one illuminating device is adjusted to the dimming time of the other illuminating device, a plurality of illuminations can be achieved with a simple control configuration using only one illuminating device without transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a specific illuminating device. It becomes possible to make the light control time of the apparatus substantially the same.

  In the illumination system according to the present invention, the one illumination device is configured to change the light output of the light source stepwise, and the brightness of the one illumination device and a control value corresponding to the brightness, Using the correspondence relationship, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of change is calculated, and the calculated difference is adjusted to match the dimming time of the specific lighting device. The number of steps for changing the light output of the light source and the time at each step are obtained based on the number of steps, and the dimming time of the one lighting device is set.

  In the present invention, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of change is calculated, and based on the calculated difference in order to match the dimming time of a specific lighting device. Thus, the number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time at each stage are obtained to set the dimming time of one lighting device. By appropriately setting the time at each stage of dimming of one lighting device according to the dimming time of a specific lighting device, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same with a simple control configuration. Can do.

  In the illumination system according to the present invention, the one illumination device that is a target for adjusting the dimming time is more control of the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the change start time point than the specific illumination device. The difference from the value is small.

  In the present invention, one lighting device having a small difference between the target value of the control value and the control value at the start of the change is targeted for adjusting the dimming time. Since the difference is smaller, that is, the control change amount is smaller, the larger one is adjusted to the larger one. Therefore, the change amount of the light output per time can be suppressed to an appropriate amount and the flicker can be suppressed. Can do.

  In the illumination system according to the present invention, the one illumination device includes a correspondence relationship between the brightness of each of the one illumination device and the specific illumination device and a control value corresponding to the brightness, and a calculation method of the dimming time. The difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the set target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is determined using the storage means for storing information on the information and the information on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage means. Using the difference calculation means for calculating each of the one lighting device and the specific lighting device, and information relating to the calculation method of the dimming time stored in the storage means, the calculated difference of the specific lighting device is calculated. Dimming time calculating means for calculating the dimming time of the specific lighting device based on the number of steps for changing the light output of the light source based on the calculated difference of the one lighting device and the time in each step Seeking Characterized in that it comprises a setting means for setting in accordance with the dimming time of the specific lighting apparatus dimming time of the lighting device by multiplying a coefficient of the one time in each stage was.

  In the present invention, the target value of the control value corresponding to the set target brightness, using the information on the correspondence relationship between the brightness and the control value stored in one lighting device and the calculation direction of the dimming time. And the control value at the start of the change are calculated for each of the lighting device and the specific lighting device, and based on the calculated difference, the dimming time of the specific lighting device is obtained. The number of dimming steps and the time in each step are obtained, and the dimming time of one lighting device is set in accordance with the dimming time of a specific lighting device by multiplying the obtained time in each step by a coefficient. In a dimming control of one lighting device, the dimming times of a plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same by simple adjustment of multiplying the time at each stage by a coefficient.

The illuminating device according to the present invention is an illuminating device comprising: a light source; and a control unit that performs dimming control by changing a light output of the light source based on a target brightness common to other illuminating devices. Is characterized in that the dimming time from the start of change of the light output of the light source until the target brightness is reached is matched with a reference time determined based on the target brightness.

  In the present invention, since the dimming time from the start of change of the light output of the light source until the target brightness is reached is set to match the reference time, the light output can be obtained by appropriately setting the reference time. When used as one of a plurality of lighting devices having different characteristics, it is possible to make the dimming time between the plurality of lighting devices substantially the same by adjusting to a specific lighting device, which makes the user feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. Giving can be suppressed.

  In the illumination device according to the present invention, the control unit includes a calculation unit that calculates the reference time based on the target brightness, and a setting unit that sets the dimming time so as to match the calculated reference time. It is characterized by providing.

  In the present invention, since the reference time is calculated based on the target brightness and the dimming time is set to be substantially the same as the calculated reference time, transmission / reception of signals with other illumination devices Without performing the above, it is possible to make the dimming times of the plurality of lighting devices substantially the same with a simple control configuration.

  The illumination device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information on a plurality of correspondence relationships between the brightness of the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness, and a calculation method of the dimming time, and the calculation unit Is configured to calculate the reference time based on the target brightness using information on one of the plurality of correspondences and a method for calculating the dimming time. To do.

  In the present invention, information on a plurality of correspondence relationships between brightness and control value and a method for calculating the dimming time is provided, and the target brightness is obtained using the information on one correspondence relationship and the method for calculating the dimming time. Since the reference time is calculated based on the above, the dimming times of the plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same with a simple control configuration without transmitting / receiving signals to / from other lighting devices. .

  The illumination device according to the present invention is configured to change the light output of the light source in a stepwise manner, and the setting means uses a target value of a control value corresponding to the target brightness using another correspondence relationship. And the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the dimming time is determined by obtaining the number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time at each stage based on the calculated difference to match the reference time. It is configured to be set.

  In the present invention, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the light output of the light source is changed based on the calculated difference to match the reference time. The dimming time is set by obtaining the number of stages to be performed and the time in each stage. By appropriately setting the time at each stage according to the reference time, the dimming time between the plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same by matching the specific lighting device with a simple control configuration.

  The illumination device according to the present invention is configured to reset the dimming time according to the new reference time after the change when the target brightness is changed during the change of the light output of the light source. It is characterized by being.

  In the present invention, when the target brightness is changed during the change of the light output of the light source, it is configured to reset the dimming time according to the new reference time after the change, Even during dimming, the light output can be changed according to the change of the target brightness, which contributes to the convenience of the user and does not cause the user to feel uncomfortable.

The lighting device control method according to the present invention is a lighting device control method configured to change a light output of a light source based on a target brightness common to other lighting devices. Using the information on the calculation method of the dimming time from the start of change of the light output of the light source until reaching the target brightness, among the plurality of corresponding relationships with the control value corresponding to the brightness, A reference time is calculated based on the target brightness, and the dimming time is set using another correspondence relationship so as to match the calculated reference time.

  In the present invention, since the dimming time from the start of change of the light output of the light source until the target brightness is reached is set to match the reference time, the light output can be obtained by appropriately setting the reference time. When used as one of a plurality of lighting devices with different characteristics, the dimming time between the plurality of lighting devices can be made substantially the same by adjusting to the dimming time of a specific lighting device. Or giving an unpleasant feeling can be suppressed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when using the illuminating device from which a light output control characteristic differs, the light control time between several illuminating devices can be made substantially the same.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a parent-child lamp according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a single lamp according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the control value which concerns on this invention, and illumination intensity. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the dimming control of the single lamp which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the dimming control of the single lamp which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the parent-child dimming time calculation which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time change setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control time change setting which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control interruption which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the light control interruption which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an illumination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices (hereinafter referred to as parent-child lamps) 1 each having one power supply circuit and two light sources that are driven by power supplied from the power supply circuit. In addition, the lighting system includes a lighting device (hereinafter referred to as a single lamp) 2 having one power supply circuit and one light source driven by power supplied from the power supply circuit. An input device 3 having an operation switch 31 (hereinafter referred to as operation SW) 31 that accepts a user's input operation is connected to the parent lamp 1, 1... And the single lamp 2.

  The operation SW 31 includes a power switch for accepting an operation for turning on / off the light source, and a dimming volume for accepting an operation for selecting and changing the brightness of the light source in a range from 0% to 100%. It becomes. In addition, a rotary switch, a slide switch, etc. can be used as a light control volume. The selectable brightness range is not limited to a range from 0% to 100%, and may be another range.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the parent-child lamp 1 according to the present invention. The parent-child lamp 1 is provided with a power supply circuit 4 that is supplied with electric power from an external power source and converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage. A control unit 5 is connected to the output terminal of the power supply circuit 4, and DC power is supplied to the control unit 5 from the power supply circuit 4.

  The control unit 5 includes a control power supply circuit 51 that steps down the DC voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 4 and supplies the reduced DC voltage to a control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a control microcomputer) 52. An operation switch input unit (hereinafter referred to as an operation SW input unit) 53 is connected to the control microcomputer 52. The operation SW input unit 53 gives a signal given by the operation SW 31 of the input device 3 to the control microcomputer 52.

  The control microcomputer 52 is connected to a drive circuit 54 that drives the light source. The control microcomputer 52 gives a control signal for controlling the dimming of the light source to the drive circuit 54 in accordance with the signal given by the operation SW input unit 53. The drive circuit 54 has a switching element such as a field effect transistor that supplies / shuts off the light source in accordance with a control signal from the control microcomputer 52. Connected to the drive circuit 54 are two LED modules 6A and 6B serving as light sources driven by a DC voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 4. The LED modules 6A and 6B include, for example, a plurality of surface mount LEDs. The control signal is a current signal in accordance with the current-luminance characteristics of the LEDs constituting the LED modules 6A and 6B, and is a PWM signal in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the single lamp 2 according to the present invention. The single lamp 2 includes only one LED module 6 as a light source. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the parent-child lamp 1 shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 are assigned to the corresponding structural members, and detailed description of the configuration is omitted. In this embodiment, the parent and child lamps 1, 1... And the single lamp 2 use the same output power circuit 4 and the same load light source (LED module 6, LED module 6A, LED module 6B). The load is the same). This is for making the production efficient and reducing the cost by sharing the parts of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2.

  The light output control characteristics of the parent-lamp lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 configured as described above, in other words, the amount of change in illuminance due to dimming control are different. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the control value and the illuminance according to the present invention. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 indicates the PWM output value that is the control value, and the vertical axis indicates the illuminance (Lx). In the drawing, the light output control characteristics of the parent lamp 1 are indicated by broken lines, and the light output control characteristics of the single lamp 2 are indicated by solid lines. Note that the illuminance shown in FIG. 4 is measured illuminance at a predetermined position directly below the parent-child lamp 1 (single lamp 2), is a value that varies depending on various conditions, and is merely a reference value.

  As described above, in the single lamp 2, the light source as a load is half that of the parent lamp 1, but as shown in the figure, the PWM output value is not halved. For example, the PWM output value necessary to obtain the illuminance Ea (all lighting state, light output 100%) is 167 for the parent-lamp lamp 1 and 92 for the single lamp 2. The PWM output value necessary for obtaining the illuminance Eb is 75 for the parent-child lamp 1 and 59 for the single lamp 2. Thus, since the PWM output value of the single lamp 2 is not half that of the parent and child lamp 1 for the same illuminance, the same illuminance can be obtained even if a PWM output value that is half that of the parent and child lamp 1 is simply used. Don't be. In particular, in the parent-child lamp 1, even when the illuminance change amount is the same, for example, when the illuminance is changed from 0.1 × Ea to 0.2 × Ea and the illuminance is changed from 0.8 × Ea to 0.9 It can be seen that the amount of change in the PWM output value differs when it is changed to xEa. That is, when the PWM output value is changed at the same rate of change, the dimming time, which is the time from the start of the change until the target brightness is reached, is different.

  By the way, when the light output of the light source is suddenly changed and the illuminance is suddenly changed, it is perceived as flicker (flicker) to the user's eyes, and the user feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable. In particular, flicker is easily perceived when the change is started from a state where there is no change in illuminance (a state where the light output is constant). Therefore, in order to prevent the user from perceiving flicker, it is necessary to reduce the change rate of illuminance (light output) at the start of the change. However, if the illuminance is changed while the rate of change is low, the time from the start of change to the target illuminance (dimming time, dimming control time) becomes too long. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the dimming time to an appropriate length by increasing the change rate. In particular, when the user adjusts the illuminance by himself, unless the illuminance is changed following the user's operation, it is difficult to adjust to the desired illuminance, which may be frustrating.

  Therefore, when the parent / child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 having different light output control characteristics are dimmed at the same time, it is natural that the illuminance is the same in order to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable. However, it is necessary to make the light control time substantially the same and to suppress flicker. Hereinafter, dimming control in which the dimming time can be made substantially the same without feeling flicker between lighting apparatuses having different light output control characteristics, in other words, different PWM variation amounts for obtaining the same target brightness. A method will be described.

  In the present invention, the dimming time is set to be substantially the same by setting the dimming time of the single lamp 2 in accordance with the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1. Although the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 can be set in accordance with the dimming time of the single lamp 2, the parent-child lamp 1 has a larger PWM change amount as described above. Therefore, when the PWM change amount is larger, the change amount of the light output per time can be suppressed to an appropriate amount without excessively increasing, and the flicker that is likely to occur especially at the start of the change of the light output is suppressed. It is more desirable because it can.

  First, a method for setting the light control time of the parent-child lamp 1 will be described. A plurality of time tables having different times are prepared in advance, and the number of time tables to be used is determined according to the amount of PWM change. At the start of the change, the time per unit PWM change amount is long, in other words, the time per unit PWM change amount is gradually short using a time table in which the change amount of light output per time is small (change rate is small). In other words, the time table is changed to a time table having a large change amount of light output per time (a large change rate). When the PWM change amount is small, only the time table with a small change rate is used, and when the PWM change amount is large, the PWM control unit shifts from the time table with a small change rate to the time table with a large change rate in steps. The dimming time is adjusted to the target brightness while reducing the dimming time difference due to the difference in change.

  In this embodiment, as this time table, time table 1 (T1) = 160 (msec), time table 2 (T2) = 40 (msec), time table 3 (T3) = 10 (msec), time table Four time tables of 4 (T4) = 2.5 (msec) are used. Then, dimming is performed with a change of 1 in the PWM output value as one stage, using T1 in the first stage, T2 in the second stage, T3 in the third stage, and T4 in the fourth and subsequent stages. When the amount of change is 5 or more, T4 is used a plurality of times. The dimming time of the parent and child lamp 1 is calculated from the time table described above by obtaining the PWM change amount based on the target brightness.

  In this embodiment, four time tables, T1, T2, T3, and T4, are used as the time table. However, the number of time tables is not limited to this, and depends on the light output control characteristics of the lighting device. Appropriately selected. Needless to say, the time of each time table is merely an example, and is not limited thereto. However, it is desirable that the time in each stage is determined so as to be in descending order from the change start time to the time when the target brightness is reached, and T1 used at the start of change is set to 150 (msec) or more. It is desirable.

  In order to adjust the dimming time of the single lamp 2 to the dimming time of the parent-and-lamp lamp 1 to be dimmed as described above, first, the PWM change amount of the parent-lamp lamp 1 and the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 are respectively calculated. . The amount of change in PWM is obtained by | PWM output value before dimming−PWM output value after dimming |. The PWM output value before dimming is, in other words, the PWM output value at the start of the change, and the PWM output value after dimming is, in other words, the PWM output value corresponding to the target brightness. In the present embodiment, information (for example, a table) indicating a correspondence relationship between the brightness of the parent-child lamp 1 and the PWM output value (control value), and information (for example, a control program) relating to a dimming time calculation method are included. The light is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 5 of the single lamp 2 so that the control unit 5 of the single lamp 2 can calculate the dimming time of the parent lamp 1.

  For example, when the brightness is changed from 20% to 90%, the PWM change amount is 109 for the parent-child lamp 1 and 65 for the single lamp 2. The concept of setting the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is the same as that of the parent-child lamp 1. In other words, the number of time tables to be used is four, and even when the PWM change amount is updated during dimming, it is possible to cope with the change by updating the time table used at any time. The change setting of the dimming time when the target brightness is changed during dimming will be described later.

  Further, since the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 is smaller (or the same) than the PWM change amount of the parent lamp 1, the time table used in the single lamp 2 is set so that the dimming time is substantially the same. The time needs to be longer than that of the parent-child lamp 1. Therefore, the single lamp 2 multiplies the time table of the parent and child lamp 1 by a time coefficient, and in the present embodiment, a simple time table that is an integral multiple of the time table of the parent and child lamp 1 is created, thereby making a complicated calculation. Set the time table without having to

Here, a specific example will be described. First, the setting of the time table of the single lamp 2 will be described by taking as an example a case where the target brightness is changed from 20% to 90%. In the case of this example, the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 109. The time table uses all four from T1 to T4. In this case, the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 is calculated by the following equation. T1 to T3 are used once and T4 is used a plurality of times.
Number of stages using T1 * T1 + number of stages using T2 * T2 + number of stages using T3 * T3 + number of stages using T4 * T4 = 160 * 1 + 40 * 1 + 10 * 1 + 2.5 * (109-3) = 475 (msec)

On the other hand, the number of stages of change of the single lamp 2 is 65, and it is considered how many times T4 needs to be adjusted in order to adjust the dimming time by the time coefficient multiplied by T4.
Q = (109-3) / (65-3) = 1 remainder 44 (1)
In the present embodiment, a microcomputer of about 8 bits that does not have a multiplication and subtraction function is used as the control microcomputer 52. Therefore, this division is actually performed by subtraction. Specifically, subtraction is performed until the number of stages using T4 of the single lamp 2 cannot be subtracted from the number of stages using T4 of the parent and child lamp 1, and the number of subtractions is defined as a quotient Q.

Assuming that the time coefficients for multiplying each time table T1, T2, T3, T4 are T1UP, T2UP, T3UP, T4UP (all initial values are 1),
T4UP = 1
Is obtained.

  Since the ratio of the time table is T1: T2: T3: T4 = 64: 16: 4: 1, when T4UP is 5 or more, the fourth and subsequent stages (the fourth stage is assumed for convenience). Is longer than the time of the third stage. As described above, the time in each stage is preferably set to be in descending order from the light output change start time to the time when the target brightness is reached. Therefore, depending on the size of T4UP, T1UP, T2UP, T3UP also needs to be larger than 1. In this example, since T4UP is 1, all time coefficients remain at 1.

Next, attention is paid to the remainder A in the equation (1). When the amount of change in PWM, in other words, the number of change stages is large, the number of remainders A is also large, so it is necessary to consider in order to substantially match the dimming time. Therefore, T1UP ′, T2UP ′, and T3UP ′ (all initial values are 0) are calculated as correction coefficients.
Since T1: T2: T3: T4 = 64: 16: 4: 1, the remainder A is divided by the same number as the ratio to obtain the quotient as a correction coefficient.
T1UP '= 44/64 = 0
T2UP '= 44/16 = 2 remainder 12
T3UP '= 12/4 = 3 remainder 0
A correction coefficient is added to the previously obtained time coefficient, and a new number is set as the time coefficient as shown below.
T1UP = 1 + 0 = 1
T2UP = 1 + 2 = 3
T3UP = 1 + 3 = 4
T4UP = 1

Therefore, the light control time of the single lamp 2 is calculated by the following equation.
Number of stages using T1 * T1UP * T1 + number of stages using T2 * T2UP * T2 + number of stages using T3 * T3UP * T3 + number of stages using T4 * T4UP * T4 = 160 * 1 * 1 + 40 * 3 * 1 + 10 * 4 * 1 + 2 .5 × 1 × (65-3) = 475 (msec)
Thus, by setting the time in each stage of the single lamp 2 (time table obtained by multiplying the time table of the parent and child lamp 1 such as T1 × T1UP by an integer), in this example, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is the parent and child. It becomes the same as the light control time of the lamp 1.

As another example, a case where the above-described target brightness is changed from 100% to 95% will be described. In this example, the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 28, and the time table uses all four from T1 to T4. The dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 in this case is as follows.
160 × 1 + 40 × 1 + 10 × 1 + 2.5 × (28-2) = 275 (msec)

On the other hand, the number of change stages of the single lamp 2 is five. First, the time coefficient T4UP multiplied by T4 is obtained.
Q = (28-3) / (5-3) = 12 remainder 1 (2)
It becomes. Since T4UP becomes 4 or more, as described above, it is desirable that the time in each stage is set to be descending from the start point of the light output change to the point where the target brightness is reached. In addition to T4UP, The dimming time is adjusted using other time factors. Therefore, to obtain the third stage time coefficient T3UP, the quotient of equation (2) is divided by 4,
12/4 = 3 remainder 0
And the remainder becomes zero. As described above, since the number of tables used by the parent lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 is the same, T4UP cannot be set to 0 even if the remainder is 0. Therefore, this expression is changed to 12/4 = 2 remainder 4 (3)
age,
T4UP = 4
And In order to calculate T3UP using the quotient of Expression (3), the number of stages in the fourth stage is multiplied.
2 × (5-3) = 4
Since T3UP becomes 4 or more, when dividing by 4 to obtain T2UP, 4/4 = 1 remainder 0
Therefore,
T3UP = 1 + 0 = 1, T2UP = 1 + 1 = 2, T1UP = 1
It becomes. Since the remainder of equation (2) is 1,
T1UP '= T2UP' = T3UP '= 0
It becomes. Therefore, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is
160 × 1 × 1 + 40 × 2 × 1 + 10 × 1 × 1 + 2.5 × 4 × (5-3) = 270 (msec)
Thus, although it is 5 (msec) shorter than the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1, they have substantially the same length.

As another example, a case where the above-described target brightness is changed from 35% to 40% will be described. In this case, since the change stage number of the parent-child lamp 1 is 20, three time tables from T1 to T3 are used.
160 × 1 + 40 × 1 + 10 × (20−2) = 380 (msec)

On the other hand, the number of stages of change of the single lamp 2 is 18, and it is considered that adjustment is made by the time coefficient T3UP multiplied by T3, and how many times T3 needs to be increased is considered.
Q = (20-2) / (18-2) = 1 remainder 2 (4)
According to equation (4), T3UP = 1, T2UP = 1, T1UP = 1
Since the remainder is only 2, T1UP '= T2UP' = T3UP '= 0
When a correction coefficient is added to the previously obtained time coefficient, T1UP = 1 + 0 = 1
T2UP = 1 + 0 = 1
T3UP = 1 + 0 = 1
Therefore, the light control time of the single lamp 2 is 160 × 1 × 1 + 40 × 1 × 1 + 10 × 1 × (18-2) = 360 (msec)
Thus, although it is 20 (msec) shorter than the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1, they have substantially the same length.

  When the amount of PWM change (the number of change steps) is the same for the parent and child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2, the dimming time is also the same, so there is no need to match the dimming time (no need to consider the time factor). ), The single lamp 2 may be dimmed using the same time table as the parent and child lamp 1. On the other hand, when the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 is 0 while the PWM change amount of the parent lamp 1 is 1 or more, since the PWM output value of the single lamp 2 does not change, the dimming time cannot be adjusted. It becomes impossible.

  When the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 is 1, it is necessary to perform dimming of the single lamp 2 using only the time table of T1 over the same time as the dimming time of the parent / child lamp 1. Therefore, the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 is calculated and divided by the time of T1 (for example, 160 (msec)), and the quotient is adopted as the time coefficient T1UP for dimming.

Further, when the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 is 2, the same time as the dimming time of the parent lamp 1 is taken, and the single lamp 2 is dimmed using the time tables of T1 and T2. For example, when the target brightness is changed from 91% to 94%, since the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 8, the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 is 160 + 40 × (8-1) = 440 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, when the target brightness is changed from 91% to 94% in the single lamp 2, the change stage number is 2,
T1UP = 440/160 = 2 remainder 120
T2UP = 120/40 = 3
It becomes. Therefore, the light control time of the single lamp 2 is calculated by the following equation.
160 × 2 + 40 × 3 = 440 (msec)
Thus, the length is the same as the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1.

When the PWM change amount of the single lamp 2 is 3, the single lamp 2 is dimmed using the three time tables from T1 to T3 over the same time as the dimming time of the parent / child lamp 1. For example, when the target brightness is changed from 75% to 79%, since the number of change stages is 8, the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 is
160 + 40 × (8-1) = 440 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, when the target brightness is changed from 75% to 79% in the single lamp 2, the number of change stages is 3,
T1UP = 440/160 = 2 remainder 120
T2UP = 120/40 = 3
120 is divisible by 40, and the remainder becomes 0. Therefore, this equation is expressed as T2UP = 120/40 = 2 remainder 4
age,
T3UP = 4
And Therefore, the light control time of the single lamp 2 is calculated by the following equation.
160 × 2 + 40 × 2 + 10 × 4 = 440 (msec)
Thus, the length is the same as the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1.

  Next, a dimming time change setting process when the target brightness is changed during dimming will be described. In the parent-child lamp 1, when the target brightness is changed during dimming, the following measures are taken.

  Since the first stage uses the T1 time table unconditionally, when the target brightness change time is during the dimming process using the T1 time table, the dimming time is adjusted according to the time after the second stage. I do. When the target brightness is changed from the time when the dimming process using the time table of T1 is completed to the time of the dimming process using the time table of T2, the remaining PWM change amount is larger than 21. If it is larger than 8 and smaller than 21, it is decided to use the time table of T3. If smaller than 8, dimming is completed until dimming ends. Continue to use the time table. Therefore, if the target brightness change timing is during the dimming process using the time table of T2, it is possible to re-determine which time table to use depending on the change result.

  When the target brightness is changed from the time when the dimming process using the time table of T2 is completed to the time of the dimming process using the time table of T3, the remaining PWM change amount is larger than 21. In this case, it is decided to use up to the time table of T4, and when it is smaller than 21, the use of the time table of T3 is continued. Therefore, if the timing of changing the target brightness is during the dimming process using the time table of T3, it is possible to redetermine whether to proceed to the time table of T4 according to the change result. When the target brightness change timing is during the dimming process using the time table of T4, the dimming process is performed using the time table of T4 as it is for the remaining PWM change amount.

  In the dimming time change setting process of the single lamp 2, it is necessary to perform the dimming time change setting process so as to match the dimming time change setting process of the parent-child lamp 1.

Hereinafter, processing when the target brightness is changed during dimming will be described with a specific example. For example, consider a case where the target brightness is further changed to 90% while the target brightness is being changed from 100% to 95%. When the initial target brightness is changed from 100% to 95%, the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 28, and the dimming time is
160 + 40 + 10 + 2.5 × (28−3) = 272.5 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, the number of change steps of the single lamp 2 is 5, and the dimming time is 160 × 1 × 1 + 40 × 2 × 1 + 10 × 1 × 1 + 2.5 × 4 × (5-3) = 270 (msec)
It has become. When the target brightness is changed to 90% when 150 (msec) has elapsed in the single lamp 2 using the time table of T1, the remaining number of stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 28, from 95% to 90%. When 13 is added, which is the number of change stages (increase), the new number of change stages is 41. On the other hand, when 4 which is the change stage number (increase) from 95% to 90% is added to 5 which is the remaining stage number of the single lamp 2, the new change stage number becomes 9. In the case of this example, the time coefficient is calculated on the assumption that the time table up to T4 is used at the time of dimming start, and the time coefficient is the same because there is no change in the number of time tables used after the change during dimming. The stage increased by the change is dealt with by using the time table of T4.

Therefore, for the parent and child lamp 1, the dimming time from the start of the first change is 272.5 + 2.5 × 13 = 305 (msec)
It becomes. In contrast, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is
270 + 2.5 × 4 × 4 = 310 (msec)
It becomes.

Another example of processing when the target brightness is changed during dimming is shown. For example, consider a case where the target brightness is further changed to 80% while the target brightness is being changed from 45% to 50%. When the initial target brightness is changed from 45% to 50%, the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 6, and the dimming time is
160 + 40 × (6-1) = 360 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, the number of change stages of the single lamp 2 is 3, and the dimming time is 160 × 1 + 40 × 2 × (3-1) = 320 (msec)
It has become. When the target brightness is changed to 80% at the time of 190 (msec) using the time table of T2 in the single lamp 2, the remaining number of stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is changed from 50% to 80%. If 52, which is the number of change stages (increase), is added, the new number of change stages is 57. On the other hand, when 29 which is the number of change stages (increase) from 50% to 80% is added to 2 which is the remaining stage number of the single lamp 2, the number of new change stages is 31. In the case of this example, the time coefficient is calculated on the assumption that the time table up to T2 is used at the time of dimming start, but the time table is changed to use up to T4 due to the change during the dimming.

Therefore, for the parent and child lamp 1, the dimming time from the start of the first change is
160 + 40 + 10 + 2.5 × (57-2) = 347.5 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, the single lamp 2 also needs to be changed so as to use the time table up to T4, but 1 is set as the time coefficient of T3 and T4 to be newly set. Therefore, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is
160 + 40 × 2 + 10 + 2.5 × (31-2) = 322.5 (msec)
It becomes.

Another example of processing when the target brightness is changed during dimming is shown. For example, consider a case where the target brightness is changed from 85% to 85% while the target brightness is changed from 90% to 70%. When the initial target brightness is changed from 90% to 70%, the number of change stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is 42, and the dimming time is
160 + 40 + 10 + 2.5 × (42-3) = 307.5 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, the number of change stages of the single lamp 2 is 19, and the dimming time is
160 × 1 + 40 × 1 + 10 × 2 + 2.5 × 2 × (19−3) = 300 (msec)
It has become. When the target brightness is changed to 85% when 190 (msec) has elapsed in the single lamp 2 using the time table of T2, the remaining number of stages of the parent-child lamp 1 is changed from 41 to 70% to 85%. Subtracting 29, which is the number of change stages (decrease) for the change, the new number of change stages is 12. On the other hand, subtracting 14 which is the number of change stages (decrease) from 70% to 85% from 18 which is the remaining stage number of the single lamp 2, the new change stage number is 4. In the case of this example, the time coefficient is calculated on the assumption that the time table up to T4 is used at the time of dimming start, but the time table is changed to use up to T3 due to the change during the dimming.

Therefore, for the parent and child lamp 1, the dimming time from the start of the first change is
160 + 40 + 10 × (12−1) = 310 (msec)
It becomes. On the other hand, since it is necessary to change the single lamp 2 so as to use the time table up to T3, the time coefficient T4UP is set to 0. The dimming time of the single lamp 2 is
160 + 40 + 10 × 2 × (4-1) = 260 (msec)
It becomes.

  In the illuminating device according to the present invention, the dimming time is set according to the dimming time of the illuminating device having different light output control characteristics as described above, and the dimming is performed to the target brightness at the set dimming time. It is constituted as follows. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the dimming control of the single lamp 2 according to the present invention.

  First, the control microcomputer 52 determines whether or not there is a switch (SW) input change according to the presence or absence of an input from the operation SW input unit 53 (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that there is a change in SW input (step S1: YES), the process proceeds to SW input processing (step S2). If it is determined that there is no change in SW input (step S1: NO), dimming is performed. The control processing operation is terminated. The SW input process is a process for obtaining a PWM output value corresponding to the required light output of the LED module based on the input signal given by the operation SW input unit 53. For example, a table representing the relationship between the PWM output value corresponding to the duty ratio of the current supplied to the LED module and the brightness is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the control microcomputer 52 and input. The target brightness obtained based on the signal is applied to the table to obtain the PWM output value. Since this SW input process has a different processing method depending on the type and input form of the input signal, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the PWM output value obtained by processing in step S2 is determined as a target PWM output value (step S3). The target PWM output value is obtained for each of the parent lamp 1 and the single lamp 2.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the light is being adjusted (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that light control is not being performed (step S4: NO), the amount of PWM change, which is the difference between the target PWM output value determined in step S3 and the PWM output value at the start of change (current). (ΔP, ΔS) is calculated for each of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 (step S5). The determination of whether or not the light is being adjusted is made based on the presence or absence of a light adjustment flag which will be described later.

  It is determined whether or not the PWM change amount (ΔS) of the single lamp 2 calculated in step S5 is 0 (step S6). If it is determined in step S6 that ΔS is 0 (step S6: YES), the dimming control processing operation is terminated. This is because when the PWM change amount ΔS that is the change amount of the control value is 0, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is not changed, and therefore the dimming time cannot be adjusted to the parent-child lamp 1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that ΔS is not 0, in other words, 1 or more (step S6: NO), the time coefficients (T1UP, T2UP, T3UP, T4UP) at each stage are initialized to 1. (Step S7).

  Next, dimming time setting processing is performed (step S8). In step S8, as will be described later, a time coefficient at each stage is obtained. The value of the first-stage dimming time T1 is entered in the dimming time T, the first-stage time coefficient T1UP obtained in step S8 is entered in the time coefficient TU (step S9), and the dimming flag is set. (Step S10), the process operation of the light control is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that dimming is being performed (step S4: YES), this is the difference between the target PWM output value determined in step S3 and the PWM output value at the change start time (current). A new PWM change amount (ΔP_NEW, ΔS_NEW) is calculated for each of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 (step S11).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the new PWM change amount (ΔS_NEW) of the single lamp 2 calculated in step S11 is 0 (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that ΔS_NEW is 0 (step S12: YES), since there is no dimming change of the single lamp 2, the dimming flag is cleared (step S13), and the dimming control is performed. The processing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that ΔS_NEW is not 0, in other words, 1 or more (step S12: NO), a dimming time change setting process is performed (step S14), and the dimming control process is performed. End the operation.

  In the dimming time setting process in step S8, the time coefficient at each stage is obtained. 7 to 12 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the dimming time setting according to the present invention. Note that this processing is basically performed using division processing, but in this embodiment, an 8-bit microcomputer having no multiplication and subtraction function is used as the control microcomputer 52. Therefore, the calculation is performed using only the addition / subtraction process.

  By the way, the number of steps to change the light output of the parent-child lamp 1 is determined according to the size of ΔP. Then, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is adjusted to the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1, and the change can be handled even when there is a change during dimming, as described above, the single lamp 1 and the single lamp 1 The number of steps used in the lamp 2 needs to be the same. Therefore, ΔP is used as a determination value, and the time coefficient at each stage is obtained separately for each stage number.

  First, variables are initialized (step S20). Next, it is determined whether or not the PWM change amount ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1 is greater than 21 (step S21). This is because when ΔP is greater than 21, the time table used in the parent and child lamp 1 is up to T4 (T4 is also used in the fourth and subsequent stages), so when adjusting the dimming time of the single lamp 2, T4 This is to determine whether or not it is possible to use. This is because T4 is the shortest of the four time tables, and therefore it is easier to adjust T4 when adjusting the dimming time of the single lamp 2.

  If it is determined in step S21 that ΔP is greater than 21 (step S21: YES), it is determined whether the PWM change amount ΔS of the single lamp 2 is 4 or more (step S22). This is because when ΔS is 3 or less, the time table to be used is up to T3, and T4 cannot be used, so it is necessary to obtain the time coefficient by another method.

  When it is determined in step S22 that ΔS is 4 or more (step S22: YES), the number of stages A and ΔS ′ using T4 among ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1 and ΔS of the single lamp 2 are respectively set. Obtained (step S23). The stage number ΔS ′ using T4 in the single lamp 2 is subtracted from the stage number A using T4 in the parent-child lamp 1 obtained in step S23, and 1 is added to Q (step S24). It is determined whether or not A obtained in step S24 is larger than ΔS ′ (step S25).

  If it is determined in step S25 that A is greater than ΔS ′ (step S25: YES), the process returns to step S24 and the series of operations is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S25 that A is smaller than ΔS ′ (step S25: NO), the process proceeds to step S26. The processes in steps S24 and S25 are processes in which ΔP-3 is divided by ΔS-3, the quotient is Q, and the remainder is A, and this division is performed by subtraction in the present embodiment. Therefore, the number of steps using T4 of the parent lamp 1 is subtracted until the number of steps using T4 of the single lamp 2 cannot be subtracted, the number of subtraction is taken as the quotient Q, and the remaining value is taken as the remainder A.

  In step S26, it is determined whether or not Q is larger than 4 (step S26). If it is determined in step S26 that Q is greater than 4 (step S26: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q, ΔS ′ is added to Q1 (step S27), and the sequence returns to step S26. repeat. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S26 that Q is smaller than 4 (step S26: NO), T4UP = Q is set (step S28).

  In the processing of these steps S26 to S28, it is desirable that the time in each stage is set to be in descending order from the light output change start time to the time when the target brightness is reached. This is because when it is doubled, if it becomes longer than T3, it is adjusted by T3UP. Therefore, Q is divided by 4 (see steps S26 and S27), and the remainder is set to T4UP (see step S28). However, when Q is divisible by 4, T4UP becomes 0 and becomes inappropriate as a time coefficient. In this case, T4UP = 4 and the quotient is reduced by 1 (see steps S26 and S28). Further, a value obtained by multiplying the quotient by the number of used stages (ΔS ′) of T4 is defined as T3UP (see step S27).

  Next, it is determined whether or not Q1 obtained in step S27 is larger than 4 (step S29). If it is determined in step S29 that Q1 is larger than 4 (step S29: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q1, 1 is added to Q2 (step S30), and the sequence returns to step S29 to repeat a series of operations. . If it is determined in step S29 that Q1 is smaller than 4 (step S29: NO), Q1 is added to T3UP (step S31).

  This is because the processes in steps S29 to S31 are preferably adjusted by T2UP when Q1 is larger than 4. Therefore, Q1 is divided by 4, the remainder is T3UP, and the quotient is T2UP.

  Next, it is determined whether or not Q2 obtained in step S30 is larger than 4 (step S32). If it is determined in step S32 that Q2 is greater than 4 (step S32: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q2, 1 is added to Q3 (step S33), and the sequence returns to step S32 to repeat the series of operations. . If it is determined in step S32 that Q2 is smaller than 4 (step S32: NO), Q2 is added to T2UP, and Q3 is added to T1UP (step S34).

  This is because the processes in steps S32 to S34 are preferably adjusted by T1UP when Q2 is larger than 4. Therefore, Q2 is divided by 4, the remainder is T2UP, and the quotient is T1UP.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remainder A obtained in the series of processes in steps S24 and S25 is larger than 64 (step S35). If it is determined in step S35 that A is greater than 64 (step S35: YES), 64 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T1UP ′ (step S36), and the sequence returns to step S35 to perform a series of operations. repeat. When it is determined that A is smaller than 64 (step S35: NO), it is determined whether A is larger than 16 (step S37). If it is determined in step S37 that A is greater than 16 (step S37: YES), 16 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T2UP ′ (step S38), and the process returns to step S37 to perform a series of operations. repeat. If it is determined in step S37 that A is smaller than 16 (step S37: NO), it is determined whether A is larger than 4 (step S39). If it is determined in step S39 that A is greater than 4 (step S39: YES), 4 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T3UP ′ (step S40), and the process returns to step S39 to perform a series of operations. repeat. If it is determined in step S39 that A is smaller than 4 (step S39: NO), T1UP obtained in step S36, step S38 and step S40 is replaced with T1UP obtained in step S36, step S38 and step S40. ', T2UP', T3UP 'are added to obtain time coefficients T1UP, T2UP, T3UP, respectively (step S41), and the process returns to end the dimming time setting process in step S8.

  This is because the process of steps S35 to S41 is such that when ΔS is large, A is also a large value, and the time factor using only Q may increase the difference in light control time. Therefore, the time coefficients T1UP, T2UP, and T3UP are corrected using the remainder A obtained in steps S24 and S25.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that ΔP is smaller than 21 (step S21: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is larger than 8 (step S42).

  If it is determined in step S42 that ΔP is greater than 8 (step S42: YES), it is determined whether or not the PWM change amount ΔS of the single lamp 2 is 3 or more (step S43). This is because, when ΔP is greater than 8, the time table used in the parent-and-child lamp 1 is up to T3, so whether or not T3 can be used when adjusting the dimming time of the single lamp 2. This is for determining. This is because, since the time is the shortest among the three time tables in which T3 is used, it is easier to adjust using T3 when adjusting the dimming time of the single lamp 2. When ΔS is 2 or less, the time table to be used is up to T2, and T3 cannot be used, so it is necessary to obtain a time coefficient by another method.

  If it is determined in step S43 that ΔS is 3 or more (step S43: YES), the number of stages A and ΔS ′ using T3 among ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1 and ΔS of the single lamp 2 are respectively set. Obtained (step S44). The stage number ΔS ′ using T3 in the single lamp 2 is subtracted from the stage number A using T3 in the parent-child lamp 1 obtained in step S44, and 1 is added to Q (step S45). It is determined whether or not A obtained in step S45 is larger than ΔS ′ (step S46).

  If it is determined in step S46 that A is larger than ΔS ′ (step S46: YES), the process returns to step S45 and the series of operations is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S46 that A is smaller than ΔS ′ (step S46: NO), the process proceeds to step S47. The processes in steps S45 and S46 are processes in which ΔP-2 is divided by ΔS-2, and the quotient is Q and the remainder is A.

  In step S47, it is determined whether or not Q is larger than 4 (step S47). If it is determined in step S47 that Q is greater than 4 (step S47: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q, ΔS ′ is added to Q1 (step S48), and the sequence returns to step S47. repeat. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that Q is smaller than 4 (step S47: NO), T3UP = Q is set (step S49).

  In the processing of these steps S47 to S49, it is desirable that the time in each stage is set in descending order from the light output change start time to the time when the target brightness is reached. This is because when it is doubled, if it becomes longer than T2, it is desirable to adjust by T2UP. Therefore, Q is divided by 4 (see steps S47 and S48), and the remainder is set to T3UP (see step S49). However, when Q is divisible by 4, T3UP becomes 0 and becomes inappropriate as a time coefficient. In this case, T3UP = 4 and the quotient is reduced by 1 (see steps S47 and S49). Further, a value obtained by multiplying the quotient by the number of used stages of T3 (ΔS ′) is defined as T2UP (see step S48).

  Next, it is determined whether or not Q1 obtained in step S48 is larger than 4 (step S50). If it is determined in step S50 that Q1 is greater than 4 (step S50: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q1, 1 is added to Q2 (step S51), and the sequence returns to step S50 to repeat a series of operations. . If it is determined in step S50 that Q1 is smaller than 4 (step S50: NO), Q1 is added to T2UP, Q2 is added to T1UP, and T4UP is set to 0 (step S52).

  This is because the processes in steps S50 to S52 are preferably adjusted by T1UP when Q1 is larger than 4. Therefore, Q1 is divided by 4, the remainder is T2UP, and the quotient is T1UP. Since T4UP is not used, it is set to 0.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remainder A obtained in the series of processing in steps S45 and S46 is greater than 16 (step S53). If it is determined in step S53 that A is greater than 16 (step S53: YES), 16 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T1UP ′ (step S54), and the sequence returns to step S53 to perform a series of operations. repeat. If it is determined in step S53 that A is smaller than 16 (step S53: NO), it is determined whether A is larger than 4 (step S55). If it is determined in step S55 that A is greater than 4 (step S55: YES), 4 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T2UP ′ (step S56), and the sequence returns to step S55 to perform a series of operations. repeat. When it is determined in step S55 that A is smaller than 4 (step S55: NO), T1UP ′ and T2UP ′ obtained in step S54 and step S56 are added to T1UP and T2UP obtained in step S52. Time coefficients T1UP and T2UP are obtained respectively (step S57), and the process returns to end the dimming time setting process in step S8.

  This is because the processes of steps S53 to S57 are such that when ΔS is large, A is also a large value, and the time coefficient using only Q may increase the difference in light control time. Therefore, the time coefficients T1UP and T2UP are corrected using the remainder A obtained in steps S45 and S46.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that ΔP is smaller than 8 (step S42: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is 1 (step S58).

  If it is determined in step S58 that ΔP is not 1, in other words, ΔP is 2 or more and 8 or less (step S58: NO), whether or not the PWM change amount ΔS of the single lamp 2 is 2 or more. Is determined (step S59). This is because, when ΔP is 2 or more and 8 or less, the time table used in the parent-child lamp 1 is up to T2, and therefore T2 can be used when adjusting the dimming time of the single lamp 2. This is to determine whether or not. This is because when T2 is used, it is easier to adjust the dimming time of the single lamp 2 because the time is shorter of the two time tables in which T2 is used. When ΔS is 1 or less, the time table to be used is only T1, and T2 cannot be used. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the time coefficient by another method. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S58 that ΔP is 1 (step S58: YES), the process returns without performing the dimming time setting process.

  If it is determined in step S59 that ΔS is 2 or more (step S59: YES), the number of stages A and ΔS ′ using T2 among ΔP of the parent-lamp lamp 1 and ΔS of the single lamp 2 are respectively set. Obtained (step S60). The stage number ΔS ′ using T2 in the single lamp 2 is subtracted from the stage number A using T2 in the parent-child lamp 1 obtained in step S60, and 1 is added to Q (step S61). It is determined whether or not A obtained in step S61 is larger than ΔS ′ (step S62).

  If it is determined in step S62 that A is larger than ΔS ′ (step S62: YES), the process returns to step S61 and the series of operations is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S62 that A is smaller than ΔS ′ (step S62: NO), the process proceeds to step S63. The processes in steps S61 and S62 are processes in which ΔP-1 is divided by ΔS-1, and the quotient is Q and the remainder is A.

  In step S63, it is determined whether or not Q is larger than 4 (step S63). If it is determined in step S63 that Q is greater than 4 (step S63: YES), 4 is subtracted from Q, ΔS ′ is added to Q1 (step S64), and the sequence returns to step S63. repeat. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S63 that Q is smaller than 4 (step S63: NO), T2UP = Q, T1UP = T1UP + Q1, and T4UP = T3UP = 0 (step S65).

  In the processing of these steps S63 to S65, it is desirable that the time in each stage be set in descending order from the light output change start time to the time when the target brightness is reached. This is because if it becomes longer than T1 when doubled, it is desirable to adjust by T1UP. Therefore, Q is divided by 4 (see steps S63 and S64), and the remainder is set to T2UP (see step S65). However, when Q is divisible by 4, T2UP becomes 0 and becomes inappropriate as a time coefficient. In this case, T2UP = 4 and the quotient is reduced by 1 (see steps S63 and S65). Further, a value obtained by multiplying the quotient by the number of used stages (ΔS ′) of T2 is defined as T1UP (see step S64). Also, T3UP and T4UP are not used and are set to 0.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remainder A obtained in the series of steps S61 and S62 is greater than 4 (step S66). If it is determined in step S66 that A is greater than 4 (step S66: YES), 4 is subtracted from A, 1 is added to T1UP '(step S67), and the process returns to step S66 to perform a series of operations. repeat. If it is determined in step S66 that A is smaller than 4 (step S66: NO), T1UP ′ obtained in step S67 is added to T1UP obtained in step S65 to obtain a time coefficient T1UP (step S66). In step S68, the process returns to end the dimming time setting process in step S8.

  This is because the processes of steps S66 to S68 are such that when ΔS is large, A is also a large value, and the coefficient using only Q may increase the difference in the light control time. Therefore, the time coefficient T1UP is corrected using the remainder A obtained in steps S61 and S62.

  If it is determined in step S22 that ΔS is 3 or less (step S22: NO), if it is determined in step S43 that ΔS is 2 or less (step S43: NO), in step S59, When it is determined that ΔS is 1 (step S59: NO), in other words, when the number of time tables used by the single lamp 2 is smaller than that of the parent-lamp lamp 1, a parent-child dimming time calculation process is performed (step S69). ). In this parent-child dimming time calculation process, the dimming time (TP) of the parent-child lamp 1 is calculated. Details will be described later.

  The dimming time (TP) of the parent-child lamp 1 calculated in step S69 is stored in Q (step S70). Next, it is determined whether or not Q is larger than T1 (step S71). If it is determined in step S71 that Q is greater than T1 (step S71: YES), T1 is subtracted from Q, 1 is added to Q1 (step S72), and the process returns to step S71 to repeat a series of processes. . If it is determined in step S71 that Q is smaller than T1 (step S71: NO), Q1 is added to T1UP (step S73). These are processes of dividing Q by T1 and adding the quotient Q1 to T1UP.

  Next, it is determined whether or not ΔS is 1 (step S74). In step S74, if ΔS is 1 (step S74: YES), T2UP, T3UP, and T4UP are set to 0 (step S75), the process returns, and the dimming time setting process in step S8 ends.

  On the other hand, if ΔS is 2 or more in step S74 (step S74: NO), it is determined whether Q is larger than T2 (step S76). If it is determined in step S76 that Q is greater than T2 (step S76: YES), T2 is subtracted from Q, 1 is added to Q2 (step S77), and the process returns to step S76 to repeat a series of processes. . If it is determined in step S76 that Q is smaller than T2 (step S76: NO), Q2 is added to T2UP (step S78). This is a process of dividing Q by T2 and adding the quotient Q2 to T1UP.

  Next, it is determined whether or not ΔS is 2 (step S79). In step S79, if ΔS is 2 (step S79: YES), T3UP and T4UP are set to 0 (step S80), the process returns, and the dimming time setting process in step S8 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if ΔS is 3 or more in step S79 (step S79: NO), it is determined whether Q is larger than T3 (step S81). If it is determined in step S81 that Q is greater than T3 (step S81: YES), T3 is subtracted from Q, 1 is added to Q3 (step S82), and the process returns to step S81 to repeat a series of processes. . If it is determined in step S81 that Q is smaller than T3 (step S81: NO), Q3 is added to T3UP (step S83). This is a process of dividing Q by T3 and adding the quotient Q3 to T1UP. Then, T4UP is set to 0 (step S84), and the process returns to end the dimming time setting process in step S8.

  The parent-child dimming time calculation process in step S69 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for calculating the parent-child dimming time according to the present invention. Since the number of steps is determined by the PWM change amount ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1, the dimming time is calculated according to the following procedure.

  First, it is determined whether or not the PWM change amount ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1 is greater than 21 (step S100). If it is determined in step S100 that ΔP is greater than 21 (step S100: YES), a value obtained by subtracting 3 from ΔP is set as the stage number I, and 210 is stored in TP (step S101). Here, when ΔP is greater than 21, the time table to be used is up to T4. Therefore, the number of steps obtained by subtracting the number of steps from ΔP, which is the total number of steps, to time table T3 (time table T4 is used. And the dimming time 210 (msec) up to the time table T3 is stored in the TP.

  2.5 is added to TP obtained in step S101 (step S102), and 1 is subtracted from the stage number I (step S103). It is determined whether I obtained in step S103 is greater than 0 (step S104). If it is determined in step S104 that I is greater than 0 (step S104: YES), the process returns to step S102 and the series of processes is repeated. If it is determined in step S104 that I is 0 (step S104: NO), the process returns to end the parent-child dimming time calculation process in step S69. These series of processes are processes for calculating the total dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 by adding the time (= I × 2.5 (msec)) using the time table T4 to TP.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S100 that ΔP is smaller than 21 (step S100: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is larger than 8 (step S105). When it is determined in step S105 that ΔP is larger than 8 (step S105: YES), a value obtained by subtracting 2 from ΔP is set as the stage number I, and 200 is stored in TP (step S106). Here, when ΔP is 21 or less and larger than 8, the time table to be used is up to T3. Therefore, the number of steps (time table) obtained by subtracting the number of steps from ΔP, which is the total number of steps, to time table T2. The number of stages using T3) is obtained, and the dimming time 200 (msec) up to the time table T2 is stored in the TP.

  10 is added to TP obtained in step S106 (step S107), and 1 is subtracted from the stage number I (step S108). It is determined whether or not I obtained in step S108 is greater than 0 (step S109). If it is determined in step S109 that I is greater than 0 (step S109: YES), the process returns to step S107 and the series of processes is repeated. If it is determined in step S109 that I is 0 (step S109: NO), the process returns to end the parent-child dimming time calculation process in step S69. These series of processes are processes for calculating the total dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 by adding the time (= I × 10 (msec)) using the time table T3 to TP.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S105 that ΔP is smaller than 8 (step S105: NO), it is determined whether ΔP is larger than 1 (step S110). If it is determined in step S110 that ΔP is greater than 1 (step S110: YES), a value obtained by subtracting 1 from ΔP is set to the number of stages I, and 160 is stored in TP (step S111). Here, when ΔP is 8 or less and greater than 1, the time table to be used is up to T2, and therefore the number of steps (1) which is the number of steps of time table T1 is subtracted from ΔP which is the total number of steps. The number of stages using the time table T2) is obtained, and the dimming time 160 (msec) in the time table T1 is stored in the TP.

  40 is added to TP obtained in step S111 (step S112), and 1 is subtracted from the stage number I (step S113). It is determined whether I obtained in step S113 is greater than 0 (step S114). If it is determined in step S114 that I is greater than 0 (step S114: YES), the process returns to step S112 and the series of processes is repeated. In step S114, when it is determined that I is 0 (step S114: NO), the process returns to end the parent-child dimming time calculation process in step S69. These series of processes are processes for calculating the total dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 by adding the time (= I × 40 (msec)) using the time table T2 to TP.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that ΔP is 1 (step S110: NO), 160 is stored in TP (step S115), the process returns, and the parent-child dimming time calculation process in step S69 is completed. To do. When ΔP is 1, since the time table to be used is only T1, the total dimming time is T1 time 160 (msec).

  The dimming time change setting process in step S14 will be described. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the dimming time change setting according to the present invention.

  First, it is determined whether or not the currently used time table T of the single lamp 2 is T1 or T2 (step S130). This determination requires that the dimming time change process of the single lamp 2 be performed so as to match the dimming time change process of the parent and child lamp 1, and therefore it is necessary to first obtain the current use table of the single lamp 2. Because there is. When it is determined in step S130 that T is T1 or T2 (step S130: YES), the new PWM change amount (ΔP_NEW) of the parent-child lamp 1 is greater than 21, or the parent-child lamp 1 is currently used. It is determined whether or not the current time table P_TABLE is 4 (step S131).

  In step S131, ΔP_NEW is greater than 21 (the parent and child lamp 1 is used up to T4), or the currently used time table P_TABLE of the parent and child lamp 1 is 4 (the parent and child lamp 1 is adjusted using the current T4). If it is in the light (step S131: YES), it is determined whether T3UP is 0 (step S132). In addition, since the time table in use of the parent-child lamp 1 can know which parent-child lamp 1 is used up to which time table from the PWM change amount ΔP of the parent-child lamp 1 at the start of dimming, its result and start of change It can be obtained by measuring time from the time.

  If it is determined in step S132 that T3UP is 0 (step S132: YES), 1 is set in T3UP (step S133), and the process proceeds to step S134. If it is determined in step S132 that T3UP is not 0 (step S132: NO), the process proceeds to step S134.

  In step S134, it is determined whether T4UP is 0 (step S134). If it is determined in step S134 that T4UP is 0 (step S134: YES), 1 is set in T4UP (step S135), the process returns, and the dimming time change setting process in step S14 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that T4UP is not 0 (step S134: NO), the process returns to end the dimming time change setting process in step S14. These processes are for the purpose of using the single lamp 2 as a time table until T4 because the parent-child lamp 1 is used or used until T4. If T3UP or T4UP is set when the first dimming time is set (step S132: NO, step S134: NO), the first time coefficient that has been set is used as it is, so that resetting is not performed. Absent.

  On the other hand, when ΔP_NEW is smaller than 21 or the currently used time table P_TABLE of the parent-child lamp 1 is not 4 in step S131 (step S131: NO), ΔP_NEW is larger than 8 or the parent-child lamp It is determined whether the currently used time table P_TABLE of 1 is 3 (step S136).

  In step S136, ΔP_NEW is greater than 8 (the parent-child lamp 1 is used up to T3), or the currently used time table P_TABLE of the parent-child lamp 1 is 3 (the parent-child lamp 1 is adjusted using the current T3). If it is in the light (step S136: YES), it is determined whether T3UP is 0 (step S137).

  If it is determined in step S137 that T3UP is 0 (step S137: YES), 1 is set in T3UP (step S138), and the process proceeds to step S139. If it is determined in step S137 that T3UP is not 0 (step S137: NO), the process proceeds to step S139.

  In step S139, it is determined whether T4UP is not 0 (step S139). If it is determined in step S139 that T4UP is 0 (step S139: NO), the process returns to end the dimming time change setting process in step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that T4UP is not 0 (step S139: YES), 0 is set in T4UP (step S140), and the process returns to end the dimming time change setting process in step S14. These processes are performed so that the parent / child lamp 1 is used or used until T3, so that the single lamp 2 is also used up to T3 as a time table, and T4 is not used. When T3UP is set at the time of the first dimming time setting (step S137: NO), the first time coefficient that has been set is used as it is, so that no particular resetting is performed.

  In step S136, if ΔP_NEW is smaller than 8 or the currently used time table P_TABLE of the parent-child lamp 1 is not 3 (step S136: NO), 0 is set to T3UP and T4UP (step S141), After returning, the dimming time change setting process in step S14 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S130 that T is not T1 or T2 (step S130: NO), it is determined whether T is T3 (step S142). If it is determined in step S142 that T is T3 (step S142: YES), the process proceeds to step S143. If it is determined that T is not T3 (step S142: NO), the process directly returns to step S14. The dimming time change setting process is terminated. This is because when the time table used by the single lamp 2 is T4, the process is completed without doing anything because the remaining number of steps is dimmed with the T4 table because the time table has already been used. .

  In step S143, if ΔP_NEW is greater than 21 or the time table P_TABLE currently used by the parent-child lamp 1 is 4 (step S143: YES), it is determined whether T4UP is 0 (step S143). S144).

  If it is determined in step S144 that T4UP is 0 (step S144: YES), 1 is set in T4UP (step S145), the process returns, and the dimming time change setting process in step S14 is terminated. If it is determined in step S144 that T4UP is not 0 (step S144: NO), the process directly returns and the dimming time change setting process in step S14 is terminated. These processes are for the purpose of using the single lamp 2 as a time table until T4 because the parent-child lamp 1 is used or used until T4. If T4UP is set at the time of the first dimming time setting (step S144: NO), the first time coefficient that has been set is used as it is, and thus no particular resetting is performed.

  On the other hand, if ΔP_NEW is smaller than 21 or the currently used time table P_TABLE of the parent-child lamp 1 is not 4 in step S143 (step S143: NO), 0 is set in T4UP (step S146), Returning as it is, the dimming time change setting process of step S14 is completed. This is because the parent-child lamp 1 is not used or not used until T4, and the time table used by the single lamp 2 is set up to T3 so that T4 is not used.

  In the dimming control described in the present embodiment, a timer interrupt is used as a process for actually changing the dimming output separately from the process for determining the dimming time and the time coefficient. This dimming interrupt processing is a method of increasing the rate of the next value gradually in a time-division manner by interrupting at a certain time and changing the PWM output of the LED module at that timing. 16 and 17 are flowcharts showing a dimming interrupt processing procedure according to the present invention.

  When the interruption process occurs, it is first determined whether or not the dimming flag is set (step S160). If it is determined in step S160 that the dimming flag has been set (step S160: YES), it is determined whether or not the currently used time table T is T4 (step S161). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that the dimming flag is cleared (step S160: NO), the dimming interrupt process is terminated as it is.

  If it is determined in step S161 that T is T4 (step S161: YES), the process proceeds to step S164. On the other hand, if T is determined not to be T4 (step S161: NO), the process proceeds to step S162. If it is determined in step S162 that T is T1 (step S162: YES), the process proceeds to step S165. On the other hand, if T is determined not to be T1 (step S162: NO), the process proceeds to step S163. If it is determined in step S163 that T is T2 (step S163: YES), the process proceeds to step S166. On the other hand, if T is determined not to be T2 (step S163: NO), the process proceeds to step S167. These determination processes are performed according to the time table currently used.

  In step S164, a dimming change process at T4, which is the currently used time table, is performed (step S164), and it is determined whether the dimming time (time of T4) has elapsed (step S168). If it is determined in step S168 that the dimming time has elapsed (step S168: YES), the process proceeds to step S178. On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimming time has not elapsed (step S168: NO), step Returning to S164, a series of operations are repeated.

  In step S165, a dimming change process is performed at T1, which is the currently used time table (step S165), and it is determined whether the dimming time (time of T1) has elapsed (step S169). If it is determined in step S169 that the dimming time has elapsed (step S169: YES), the process proceeds to step S172. On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimming time has not elapsed (step S169: NO), step Returning to S165, a series of operations are repeated.

  In step S172, it is determined whether T2UP is 0 (step S172). If it is determined in step S172 that T2UP is 0 (step S172: YES), the process proceeds to step S178. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S172 that T2UP is not 0 (step S172: NO), the second-stage dimming time T2 is stored in the dimming time T, and the second-stage time coefficient T2UP is stored in the time coefficient TU. Is stored (step S175), and the process proceeds to step S178.

  In step S166, a dimming change process at T2 which is the currently used time table is performed (step S166), and it is determined whether or not the dimming time (time T2) has elapsed (step S170). If it is determined in step S170 that the dimming time has elapsed (step S170: YES), the process proceeds to step S173. On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimming time has not elapsed (step S170: NO), step Returning to S166, a series of operations are repeated.

  In step S173, it is determined whether T3UP is 0 (step S173). If it is determined in step S173 that T3UP is 0 (step S173: YES), the process proceeds to step S178. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S173 that T3UP is not 0 (step S173: NO), the third-stage dimming time T3 is stored in the dimming time T, and the third-stage time coefficient T3UP is stored in the time coefficient TU. (Step S176), and the process proceeds to step S178.

  In step S167, a dimming change process at T3, which is the currently used time table, is performed (step S167), and it is determined whether or not the dimming time (time T3) has elapsed (step S171). If it is determined in step S171 that the dimming time has elapsed (step S171: YES), the process proceeds to step S174. On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimming time has not elapsed (step S171: NO), step Returning to S167, the series of operations is repeated.

  In step S174, it is determined whether T4UP is 0 (step S174). If it is determined in step S174 that T4UP is 0 (step S174: YES), the process proceeds to step S178. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S174 that T4UP is not 0 (step S174: NO), the dimming time T4 of the fourth stage is stored in the dimming time T (step S177), and the process proceeds to step S178.

  The processes in steps S168 to S177 are processes for setting the dimming time in the next stage when the dimming time in each stage is over.

  In step S178, 1 is subtracted from the PWM change amount ΔS of the single lamp 2 (step S178). It is determined whether or not ΔS calculated in step S178 is 0 (step S179). If it is determined in step S179 that ΔS is 0 (step S179: YES), the dimming flag is cleared (step S180), and the interrupt process is exited. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S179 that ΔS is not 0 (step S179: NO), the interrupt process is exited while the dimming flag is left as it is.

  As described above, in the present invention, a plurality of illumination devices of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 having different light output control characteristics of the LED module as the light source are provided, and the light output of each of the parent-lamp lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 is shared. In the lighting system configured to change based on the target brightness, the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is adjusted to the dimming time of the parent-lamp lamp 1, and therefore the dimming of the parent-lamp lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 is adjusted. Light time can be made substantially the same, and it can suppress giving a user discomfort or discomfort.

  Further, the single lamp 2 uses the correspondence relationship between the brightness of the parent-child lamp 1 and the control value, and the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 based on the target brightness (more specifically, the light output of the light source of the parent-child lamp 1) Since the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is adjusted to the dimming time of the obtained parent and child lamp 1, the number of stages to change the time and the time in each stage is adjusted. The dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 can be made substantially the same by a simple control configuration using only the single lamp 2.

  Then, a difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated, and the light output of the light source is calculated based on the calculated difference to match the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1. The number of stages to be changed and the time at each stage are obtained, and the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is set in accordance with the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 by multiplying the obtained time at each stage by a coefficient. The dimming time of the parent lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 can be made substantially the same by a simple adjustment of multiplying the time at each stage by a coefficient in the dimming control of the single lamp 2.

  The single lamp 2 with a small difference between the target value of the control value and the control value at the start of change is targeted for adjusting the dimming time. Since the difference is smaller, that is, the control change amount is smaller, the larger one is adjusted to the larger one. Therefore, the change amount of the light output per time can be suppressed to an appropriate amount and the flicker can be suppressed. Can do.

  Furthermore, when the target brightness is changed while the light output of the light source of the parent / child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 is changed, the number of steps of the single lamp 2 is changed to match the dimming time of the new parent / child lamp 1 after the change. Therefore, the light output is changed while adjusting the light control time between the parent / child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 to some extent according to the change of the target brightness even during light control. This contributes to the convenience of the user and does not make the user uncomfortable.

  In the above embodiment, the difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change is calculated to match the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1. The number of stages for changing the light output of the light source and the time at each stage are obtained, and the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is set by multiplying the obtained time at each stage by a coefficient. Although the light time is adjusted to the light control time of the parent-child lamp 1, it is not limited to this. For example, a method in which the dimming time of the single lamp 2 is first obtained so as to match the dimming time of the parent-child lamp 1 and then the obtained dimming time is distributed according to the number of stages is also possible. Moreover, in the above embodiment, although the coefficient by which the time in each stage is multiplied is an integer, it is not limited to an integer.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 5 of the single lamp 2 is configured to calculate the dimming time of the parent-lamp lamp 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to give the information related to the dimming time of the parent / child lamp 1 to 2 and set the dimming time of the single lamp 2 based on the given information.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although it has comprised so that light control may be performed according to the user's setting input with the input device 3, it is not limited to this, An illumination sensor or a timer is used. You may comprise so that dimming change is possible automatically.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although the parent-and-child lamp 1 and the single lamp 2 which differ in the number of the light sources which are loads were demonstrated to the example as a some illuminating device from which a light output control characteristic differs, it is not limited to this. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may match | combine with the light control time of the illuminating device used as a reference | standard with one as a reference | standard among several illuminating devices from which a light output control characteristic differs.

  In the above embodiment, when the PWM output value is obtained based on the input signal given by the operation SW input unit 53, the table indicating the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value is based on the input signal. Although an example in which the PWM output value is obtained by applying the target brightness obtained in this way has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of a table indicating the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value, a function indicating the relationship between the brightness and the PWM output value may be used. Further, the target brightness is obtained based on the input signal. As this brightness, for example, a physical property value representing brightness such as illuminance and luminance can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the control microcomputer 52 is a microcomputer of about 8 bits that does not have a multiplication and subtraction function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a microcomputer of about 32 bits is used. Also good. In this case, since the multiplication / division function is also substantial and the calculation speed is high, the illuminance can be changed more smoothly. In the present embodiment, the 1% change in illuminance with respect to full lighting (light output 100%) is defined as one step, but the dimming time is defined by defining 0.1% or 0.01% as one step. Fine time distribution becomes possible. Further, since the processing speed is fast, it is possible to add a fine change in the light control time. However, even in that case, the rate of change at the start of dimming is small, and the principle that control for gradually increasing the rate of change is not changed. Even if the dimming is changed gradually, even if the dimming is changed gradually, if the entire change time is high, the human eye will feel a flicker because it appears to be a momentary event, so about 100 (msec /%) at first. The dimming change time of about 1 (msec /%) is required after that, as in the case of using the 8-bit microcomputer described above.

  In the above embodiment, the LED module has been described as an example of the light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other light sources such as a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, and an EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in variously modified forms within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 Parent-child lamp (specific lighting device)
2 Single lamp (one lighting device)
5 Control unit (dimming control time adjusting means, control means, storage means)
52 microcomputer for control (difference calculating means, dimming time calculating means, calculating means, setting means)
6A, 6B, 6 LED module (light source)

Claims (12)

In an illumination system including a plurality of illumination devices with different illuminance changes by dimming control,
Dimming control time adjusting means for adjusting the dimming control times of the plurality of lighting devices to the same target brightness by simultaneously performing dimming control of the plurality of lighting devices is provided. And lighting system. The dimming control time adjusting means is
The dimming time from the start of changing the light output of one of the plurality of lighting devices to reaching the target brightness is adjusted to the dimming time of a specific lighting device. The lighting system according to claim 1 .   The one lighting device uses a correspondence relationship between the brightness of the specific lighting device and a control value corresponding to the brightness, and a target value of a control value corresponding to the target brightness of the specific lighting device; A difference from the control value at the start of the change is calculated, a dimming time of the specific lighting device is obtained according to the calculated difference, and the dimming time of the one lighting device is adjusted to the obtained dimming time. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein   The one illumination device is configured to change the light output of the light source in a stepwise manner, and using the correspondence relationship between the brightness of the one illumination device and a control value corresponding to the brightness, the The difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the change start time is calculated, and the light output of the light source is calculated based on the calculated difference in order to match the dimming time of the specific lighting device. The lighting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the number of stages to be changed and the time in each stage are obtained to set the dimming time of the one lighting device.   The one lighting device that is a target for adjusting the dimming time has a smaller difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of the change than the specific lighting device. The illumination system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it is characterized in that:   The one illumination device includes a storage unit that stores information on a correspondence relationship between brightness of each of the one illumination device and the specific illumination device and a control value corresponding to the brightness and a method of calculating the dimming time. The difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the set target brightness and the control value at the start of change is calculated using the information related to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage means. Based on the difference of the specific lighting device calculated using the difference calculation means for calculating each of the lighting devices, and information on the calculation method of the dimming time stored in the storage means, A dimming time calculating means for calculating the dimming time, and the number of stages for changing the light output of the light source based on the calculated difference between the one lighting device and the time in each stage, and the time in each stage obtained Coefficient 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a setting unit that multiplies and sets a dimming time of the one lighting device in accordance with a dimming time of the specific lighting device. The lighting system described. In an illuminating device comprising a light source and a control unit that performs dimming control by changing the light output of the light source based on a target brightness common to other illuminating devices,
The control means includes
A lighting device characterized in that a dimming time from the start of changing the light output of the light source to reaching the target brightness is adjusted to a reference time determined based on the target brightness.   The said control means is provided with the calculation means to calculate the said reference time based on the said target brightness, and the setting means to set the said light control time so that it may match with the calculated reference time. 8. The lighting device according to 7.   Storage means for storing a plurality of correspondence relationships between the brightness of the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness and a method for calculating the dimming time is provided, and the calculation means includes the plurality of correspondence relationships. The illumination according to claim 7, wherein the reference time is calculated based on the target brightness using information on one of the correspondences and the method of calculating the dimming time. apparatus. The light output of the light source is configured to change stepwise,
The setting means calculates a difference between the target value of the control value corresponding to the target brightness and the control value at the start of change using another correspondence relationship, and based on the calculated difference to match the reference time The lighting device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the dimming time is set by obtaining the number of steps for changing the light output of the light source and the time in each step.   The light control time is configured to be reset according to a new reference time after the change when the target brightness is changed during the change of the light output of the light source. The illumination device according to any one of 7 to 10. In the control method of the lighting device configured to change the light output of the light source based on the target brightness common to the other lighting devices ,
The present invention relates to one of a plurality of correspondence relationships between the brightness of the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness, and a method for calculating a dimming time from when the light output of the light source is changed until the target brightness is reached. Using the information, calculate a reference time based on the target brightness,
A method for controlling a lighting device, wherein the dimming time is set using another correspondence relationship so as to match the calculated reference time.

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