JP6431735B2 - LIGHTING DEVICE, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE LIGHTING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device, a control circuit and an integrated circuit for controlling the lighting device, a lighting system, and a method for operating the lighting device, and more particularly to a lighting system capable of operating using wireless communication.

  In recent years, there is an increasing demand for lighting control such as dimming, toning, and grouping control in a space where a plurality of lighting devices are installed, such as a large facility such as a store or a hall. In order to perform such complicated control other than lighting and blinking, it may be necessary to lay control wiring in addition to power supply wiring.

  In order to reduce such wiring installation work, a technique for controlling a lighting device using radio has been proposed.

  In JP2003-16831A (Patent Document 1), a communication function module is installed in a hook embedded closet provided on a ceiling for mounting an illumination device, or an illumination device body, the communication function module and a monitoring camera, A configuration for operating these devices wirelessly by connecting to other devices such as a microphone and a projector is disclosed. Since power is always supplied to the ceiling lighting, it is possible to supply power to each device from the lighting power source, so that wiring installation from a wall outlet or the like becomes unnecessary. Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, each device can be used without impairing the atmosphere of the ceiling or the wall surface.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which a repeater of an optical wireless unit is used as a device connected to a communication function module. By adopting such a configuration, optical communication with a distant place is performed. Can be possible.

JP 2003-16831 A

  When operating a lighting device wirelessly in a large facility, there is a limit to the wireless reachable distance (communication distance) from an operating device such as a controller, and there is a possibility that interference from other radio waves may occur. It may be difficult to operate all of the lighting devices far from the operating location. In such a case, it is necessary for the operator to move within the space to sequentially operate the lighting device, or to install a wireless communication repeater (hereinafter also referred to as “repeater”) to increase the communication distance. It becomes. For this reason, there is a possibility that the operator may feel annoyance and the cost may increase due to the installation of the repeater.

  Also, in such a wide space, when a plurality of lighting devices are grouped for each area and are collectively operated for each group, generally, a method of laying power wiring etc. for each group is adopted. The However, when grouping is performed by physical wiring in this way, if it becomes necessary to change the grouping afterwards, it is necessary to perform construction for wiring replacement each time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an illumination system that efficiently controls a plurality of illumination devices using radio.

  An illumination device according to the present invention includes an illumination unit, a drive unit that drives the illumination unit, a communication unit that can transmit and receive signals by wireless communication, and an illumination that controls the drive unit based on a reception signal received by the communication unit. A control unit that adjusts the lighting state of the unit. The control unit has a repeater function of relaying the received signal and transmitting it to another lighting device.

  Preferably, the control unit receives another received signal having the same content as the received signal by the time when the reception strength of the received signal is less than the first received strength and a randomly set time elapses after receiving the received signal. Is not received at the second reception intensity or higher, a received signal is transmitted to another illumination device.

  Preferably, the control unit transmits the reception signal to another illumination device when the control unit does not transmit a signal having the same content as the reception signal within a predetermined time before the reception signal is received.

  The control circuit according to the present invention is a control circuit for controlling a lighting device configured to be able to transmit and receive signals by wireless communication. The control circuit is configured to output a drive signal for driving the lighting device based on a received signal received by wireless communication, and to have a repeater function that relays the received signal and transmits it to another lighting device. The

An integrated circuit according to the present invention is one in which the above control circuit is integrated.
An illumination system according to the present invention includes a plurality of illumination devices and a controller for operating the plurality of illumination devices using wireless communication by a user operation. Each of the plurality of lighting devices includes a communication unit that can transmit and receive signals by wireless communication, and a control unit that adjusts a lighting state of the lighting device based on a reception signal received by the communication unit. One lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices has a repeater function of relaying a reception signal received by the communication unit and transmitting the relayed signal to another lighting device in the plurality of lighting devices.

  Preferably, unique identification information is assigned to each of the plurality of lighting devices. The lighting system further includes a setting device configured to be capable of wireless communication with a plurality of lighting devices. The setting device transmits a request signal for transmitting the identification information to the plurality of lighting devices. Each control unit in the plurality of lighting devices transmits identification information to the setting device in response to the request signal.

  Preferably, the control unit sets the lighting device in a lighting state determined according to the reception intensity of the reception signal, and transmits the identification information after the standby time determined according to the reception intensity has elapsed.

  Preferably, each of the plurality of lighting devices is assigned to at least one group of the plurality of groups. A control part controls the said illuminating device to the lighting state according to a received signal, when the information of the group contained in a received signal corresponds with the group allocated to the said illuminating device.

  The method of operating the lighting device according to the present invention is a method of operating a plurality of lighting devices each configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication. The method uses a setting device capable of wireless communication with a plurality of lighting devices to acquire unique identification information assigned to each of the plurality of lighting devices by wireless communication, and adds each acquired identification information. A step of transmitting the lighting command from the setting device by wireless communication, a step of associating the lighting device whose lighting state has changed in response to the lighting command and the identification information in the setting device, and among the plurality of lighting devices, in wireless communication A step of selecting a lighting device that adds a repeater function for relaying a received signal and transmitting it to another lighting device from among lighting devices arranged in a region where the reception intensity falls within a predetermined range, and a repeater function are added. The lighting device arranged outside the communication range of the controller for operating the plurality of lighting devices by wireless communication is connected to the controller. And a step of operation have.

  According to the present invention, in a lighting system that controls a plurality of lighting devices using radio, each lighting device has a communication function, and the lighting device that operates as a repeater is appropriately set, so that individual repeaters are provided. It is possible to increase the wireless communication distance without installing a cable and to reduce wiring work.

It is a schematic diagram of the illumination system according to this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller and a lighting device in the lighting system of FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating expansion of the communication range by the repeater function of an illuminating device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the setting method of an illumination system. It is a figure for demonstrating the acquisition method of ID of an illuminating device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in a setting apparatus and an illuminating device at the time of ID acquisition of the illuminating device by a setting apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the acquisition method of ID of an illuminating device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in an illuminating device at the time of ID acquisition of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting method of the illuminating device of repeater object. It is the 1st figure for demonstrating the automatic setting function of the repeater by an illuminating device. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the automatic setting function of the repeater by an illuminating device. It is a 3rd figure for demonstrating the automatic setting function of the repeater by an illuminating device. It is the 4th figure for demonstrating the automatic setting function of the repeater by an illuminating device. It is a 5th figure for demonstrating the automatic setting function of the repeater by an illuminating device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the automatic setting process of the repeater by an illuminating device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Description of basic configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, lighting system 10 controls a plurality of lighting devices 200-1 to 200-n (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “lighting device 200”) and lighting device 200 wirelessly. A controller 100 and a setting device 300.

  Illumination device 200 is, for example, a fluorescent lamp, LED, or incandescent illumination having a wireless communication function, and can be turned on / off according to a control signal from controller 100. The lighting device 200 may be capable of dimming control and / or toning control in addition to simple lighting / extinguishing.

  As the wireless communication function used in the lighting device 200, many known methods can be employed. The lighting device 200 is configured not only to communicate with the controller 100 but also to enable communication between the lighting devices. The illumination device 200 is further configured to be able to communicate with a setting device 300 described later.

  The controller 100 is an operation device that is operated by a user to transmit a control signal to the lighting device 200, and although not shown, the controller 100 includes devices for operation by the user such as operation switches and a touch panel. . In the controller 100, it is possible to set the lighting device 200 on / off, brightness, and color tone. In addition, when the lighting device 200 is divided into several groups and can be controlled, a control signal for a specific group can be transmitted.

  Furthermore, the controller 100 may be configured to be able to receive information from the lighting device 200 by bidirectional communication. For example, the controller 100 receives information such as power consumption in each lighting device 200 and displays the information provided in the controller 100. You may make it display on a part (not shown).

  The setting device 300 is, for example, a terminal device such as a general-purpose personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone having a wireless communication function. The setting device 300 is configured to be able to acquire unique information of the lighting device 200 and make various settings for the lighting device 200 by communicating with the lighting device 200 wirelessly.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the controller 100 and the lighting device 200 in the lighting system 10 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, controller 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and an input display unit 130.

  The input display unit 130 performs an interface with the user, and includes, for example, an operation switch, a touch panel, a lamp, a display screen, and the like. The input display unit 130 outputs an operation signal from the user to the control unit 120, and turns on / off the lamp or displays information on the display screen based on the signal from the control unit 120.

  The control unit 120 receives an operation signal from the input display unit 130 and generates a control signal for the lighting apparatus 200 corresponding to the operation signal. In addition, the control unit 120 generates a control signal to the display device based on the information received from the lighting device 200.

  The communication unit 110 is configured to perform wireless communication with the lighting device 200 to exchange signals. The communication unit 110 receives a control signal for the illumination device 200 from the control unit 120, converts it into a radio signal, and transmits it from the antenna. In addition, the communication unit 110 receives a radio signal from the lighting device 200 from the antenna, and outputs the received signal to the control unit 120.

  The power source in the controller 100 may be supplied from a battery such as a dry battery built in the controller, or the electric power generated according to the user's operation using electromagnetic induction or a piezoelectric element. You may make it use.

  The illumination device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a drive unit 230, and an illumination unit 240.

  The communication unit 210 is configured to perform wireless communication with the controller 100, the setting device 300, and other lighting devices. Communication unit 210 receives a radio signal from controller 100 and the like, and outputs the received signal to control unit 220. Further, the communication unit 210 receives a signal from the control unit 220, converts it into a radio signal, and transmits it to the controller 100 or the like.

  The control unit 220 receives the control signal from the controller 100 received by the communication unit 210, and outputs a drive signal (for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal) to the drive unit 230 according to the control signal to output the illumination unit 240. Control the state of In addition, the control unit 220 transmits identification information (ID information) such as a MAC address assigned to the lighting device 200 and usage information such as power consumption and accumulated usage time during lighting of the lighting device 200 via the communication unit 210. To the controller 100 and / or the setting device 300.

  Further, the control unit 220 sets various parameters based on a control signal from the setting device 300. For example, when a plurality of lighting devices are grouped for each area, a group to which the lighting device 200 is assigned is set. Further, when the setting device 300 sets the lighting device 200 as a repeater (wireless repeater), the repeater function of the lighting device 200 is validated.

  The drive unit 230 outputs a drive signal to the illumination unit 240 based on a command from the control unit 220. Specifically, the voltage, current, frequency, and the like applied to the illumination unit 240 are adjusted.

  The illumination unit 240 is an illumination device such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED, and emits light by voltage, current, or the like adjusted by the drive unit 230.

  Each control block in FIG. 2 may be formed of a circuit using discrete elements, or may be formed as an integrated circuit (IC chip) in which such circuits are integrated. Also, several control blocks may be integrated into one circuit.

[Explanation of repeater function]
Such a lighting system that controls a plurality of lighting devices wirelessly by a controller is used in, for example, large-scale stores, conference rooms, halls, and the like. However, the reach distance (communication distance) of the radio signal output from the controller is limited. To increase the communication distance, it may be possible to increase the output of the radio signal, but for that purpose, it is necessary to increase the power output of the controller, which is not realistic from the viewpoint of cost, controller dimensions, etc. .

  Instead of this, it is also conceivable that some radio repeaters are arranged in a space and radio signals are transmitted farther away by relaying radio signals from the controller. However, separately arranging a dedicated wireless repeater requires an increase in equipment and additional wiring work, which requires additional costs.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the lighting device having the wireless communication function as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, and some of the lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices function as repeaters (repeaters). By doing so, the control signal from the controller is transmitted farther without installing a separate wireless repeater.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining expansion of the communication range by the repeater function of the lighting device. Referring to FIG. 3, consider a case where controller 100 is installed on one wall surface (left end in FIG. 3) in a room where a plurality of lighting devices 200 are arranged.

  Each circle in FIG. 3 indicates a communication range of the controller 100 and each lighting device 200. For example, the communication range of the controller 100 is indicated by a circle C1, and a control signal from the controller 100 can be transmitted only to the lighting device 200 in the circle C1.

  In the example of FIG. 3, for example, the lighting devices 200a and 200b arranged near the outer edge of the communication range in the circle C1 are first set as repeaters.

  The communication ranges of the illumination devices 200a and 200b are represented by circles C2a and C2b, respectively, and the illumination device 200c having the communication range of the circle C3 is set as the next repeater.

  In this way, the lighting devices arranged near the outer edge of the communication range are sequentially set as repeaters, and the entire target lighting device is covered with the communication range of the controller 100 and the lighting devices 200a to 200g functioning as each repeater. By doing so, the control signal from the controller 100 can be transmitted to all the lighting devices.

  By setting each lighting device to the same specification, the installation work of the lighting device can be simplified. Furthermore, since the repeater can be set after the lighting device is installed, the repeater is appropriately used even when the communication state is partially deteriorated due to equipment or partitions arranged indoors or when the interior is redesigned. By adding or changing, it is possible to easily realize a good communication state.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the setting method of the illumination system in the present embodiment. Each step of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is basically an operation performed by a human hand, but is partially implemented using the controller 100, the lighting device 200, and / or the setting device 300.

  Referring to FIG. 4, in step (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S) 100, the lighting device is installed in the target space. Each of the lighting devices has individual ID information for wireless communication. However, in the installation work, the lighting device may be installed at an arbitrary position without considering the ID information.

  When the installation work is completed, ID information is acquired from each illumination device 200 by communication using the setting device 300 in S110. In S120, the lighting device at each position and the ID information are mapped from the layout drawing of the lighting device 200.

  Thereafter, if necessary, the lighting apparatus 200 is grouped into a plurality of groups, and which group belongs to each lighting apparatus 200 is set (S130). In this setting, information can be individually set for the lighting device 200 at a specific position by attaching ID information to predetermined group information and wirelessly transmitting the information.

  When the grouping is completed, next, in S140, the communication range of the controller 100 is confirmed, and an illumination device that functions as a repeater is selected from the illumination devices within the communication range. Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 3, repeaters are sequentially set so that all the lighting devices are within the communication range.

  When the setting according to such a procedure is completed, various controls of the lighting device 200 can be performed using the controller 100 thereafter.

  Note that when the grouping change or the communication state needs to be improved, the above steps S130 and S140 are appropriately executed.

[Acquire ID information and mapping]
Next, an example of obtaining ID information in S110 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, consider a state in which the installation of a plurality of lighting devices 200 is completed indoors. In the initial state, the arrangement of the lighting devices 200 is known, but the ID information of each lighting device 200 is not known.

  In this state, using the setting device 300, an ID information request command is simultaneously transmitted to the illumination device 200 in an area that can be covered by the communication range of the setting apparatus 300 (for example, area 1 in FIG. 5). The lighting device 200 that has received the ID information request command from the setting device 300 transmits its ID information to the setting device 300 in response thereto. As a result, in the setting device 300, the ID information of the lighting device included in the region 1 is acquired. Thereafter, the user changes the position and similarly acquires ID information in another area (for example, area 2 or area 3). This operation is repeated until ID information for all the lighting devices is acquired.

  In the state where the ID information is acquired, the association between the individual lighting devices and the ID information has not yet been made. Therefore, next, the setting device 300 transmits a lighting (flashing) command specifying the ID information. As a result, the lighting device having the specified ID information is turned on (flashes), so that the actual position of the lighting device can be specified. By performing this for each ID information, association (mapping) between the lighting device and the ID information is performed.

  In addition, although the confirmation of the lighting state by the lighting command specifying the ID information has been described on the assumption that it is performed by the operator's visual observation, for example, when the position of the lighting device can be automatically specified from an image captured by a camera, When the illumination position can be automatically specified depending on the energized state, the mapping work can be automatically performed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a control process in setting device 300 and each lighting device 200 when ID information acquisition and mapping described in FIG. 5 are performed.

  First, the processing of the setting device 300 will be described. Each step in setting device 300 may be executed based on a user operation, or may be executed automatically if possible.

  Referring to FIG. 6, setting device 300 wirelessly transmits an ID request command to lighting device 200 in S200. Then, in S210, setting device 300 receives the ID information returned from each lighting device 200 in response to the ID request command.

  Thereafter, in S220, setting device 300 transmits a lighting command specifying ID information for each ID information. This lighting command may be a continuous lighting command or a command indicating blinking or color change.

  After transmitting the lighting command, in step S230, the setting device 300 confirms the lighting device that is turned on in response to the lighting command and compares the ID information with the position of the lighting device identified with the layout diagram of the lighting device 200. Register (mapping) the association with.

  When the mapping operation is completed, the setting device 300 transmits a turn-off command in S240. In response to this, the lighting device that has been turned on is turned off. In step S250, the setting apparatus 300 determines whether mapping has been completed for all acquired ID information.

  If all the mappings have not been completed (NO in S250), the process returns to S220, and setting device 300 executes the processes of S220 to S240 for the remaining ID information.

  On the other hand, when all the mappings are completed (YES in S250), setting device 300 ends the process.

  Next, processing on the lighting device 200 side will be described. In addition, the process demonstrated below is mainly performed by the control part 220 (FIG. 2) in the illuminating device 200. FIG.

  Lighting device 200 determines whether or not an ID request command from setting device 300 has been received in S300. If an ID request command has not been received (NO in S300), the process returns to S300.

  If an ID request command is received (YES in S300), the process proceeds to S310, and lighting device 200 returns its ID information to setting device 300.

  Thereafter, when the lighting command is transmitted from the setting device 300, the lighting device 200 determines whether or not the ID information attached to the received lighting command matches the own ID information (S320). If the ID information does not match (NO in S320), the process returns to S320, and lighting device 200 waits for a lighting command having the matched ID information to be received.

  If the ID information matches (YSE in S320), the process proceeds to S330, and lighting device 200 outputs a control command to driving unit 230 to turn on (blink) lighting unit (LED) 240. . Thereafter, when receiving a turn-off command from the setting device 300, the lighting device 200 turns off the lighting unit 240 in S340 and ends the process.

By performing such processing, acquisition of ID information and mapping are executed.
(Modification)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the ID information acquisition method of the lighting device 200. In FIG. 7, the lighting device 200 has a function of actively adjusting the lighting state and the return timing of the ID information according to the reception strength (RSSI: Receive Signal Strength Indication) of the ID request command from the setting device 300. doing.

  More specifically, the lighting device 200 is preset with a lighting / extinguishing operation state and a waiting time until the ID information is returned according to the RSSI classification of the ID request command. For example, as described in the table in FIG. 7, when the RSSI has a strong intensity up to −50 dBm, the light is off and the standby time is set within 0.5 seconds, and the RSSI is −50 to − In the case of 60 dBm, the lighting state and the standby time are set to be within 0.5 to 1.0 seconds.

  Then, when the setting device 300 is installed at the corner of the room as shown in FIG. 7 and an ID request command is transmitted, the RSSI basically depends on the distance. It is divided into concentric circular regions such as region A to region E, and the lighting state alternately appears as off / lighting. This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the RSSI state. The lighting state is not limited to lighting / extinguishing, but may be a blinking state or a color tone state.

  Furthermore, since the reply of the ID information from each lighting device 200 is transmitted in the order of strong RSSI, the setting device 300 makes a list in the reception order of the reply information, so that the lighting device of which ID information is in each area. It is possible to roughly recognize whether it exists. As a result, the mapping operation can be further simplified.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing on the side of the lighting device 200 in the ID information acquisition described in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, lighting device 200 determines whether or not an ID request command from setting device 300 has been received in S400. If an ID request command has not been received (NO in S400), the following processing is skipped.

  When the ID request command is received (YES in S400), the process proceeds to S410, and lighting device 200 determines reception strength RSSI of the ID request command. Then, in S420, lighting device 200 acquires information on the lighting state and reply waiting time according to RSSI according to a predetermined standard as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the lighting device 200 controls the lighting unit 240 to a lighting state according to the acquired lighting state information (S430), and transmits its own ID information to the setting device 300 after the acquired standby time has elapsed ( S440).

  By controlling according to such processing, the function described with reference to FIG. 7 can be realized.

[Repeater settings]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for setting an illumination device that functions as a repeater among the plurality of illumination devices 200. In FIG. 9, a case where a plurality of lighting devices 200 are arranged in an L-shaped room and the controller 100 is installed on a certain wall surface is considered.

  With reference to FIG. 9, first, the controller 100 transmits a lighting command to the lighting device 200 so that only the lighting device whose RSSI is −85 dBm or more is turned on. Note that such a lighting command with limited reception intensity is also referred to as an “RSSI filter-equipped lighting command”.

  In response to the lighting command with RSSI, the lighting device with RSSI of −85 dBm or more is lit (FIG. 9A in the upper stage). From this lighting state, the user selects the lighting device 200X that is close to the outer edge of the communication range (circle CL1 in the figure) that is −85 dBm or more and that is close to the unlighted area as a repeater, and uses the setting device 300 The repeater function of the illumination device 200X is activated (FIG. 9B in the middle stage).

  Thereafter, the controller 100 transmits a lighting command with an RSSI filter whose threshold value is −85 dBm again. At this time, when the lighting device 200X set as a repeater receives the lighting command from the controller 100, the lighting device 200X relays and transmits the received lighting command (lower FIG. 9C).

  In the example of FIG. 9, since all the lighting devices in the unlit area can be covered by the communication range from the lighting device 200X (circle CL2 in the figure), further repeater settings are unnecessary, but the non-lighted state When the area is farther away, the lighting device arranged near the outer edge of the communication range of the lighting device 200X is further set as a repeater. In this way, the lighting devices that function as repeaters are sequentially set so that the lighting command reaches all the lighting devices.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the case where the controller 100 is fixed to the wall surface has been described as an example. However, when the controller 100 can be moved, the vicinity of the installation position of the controller 100 illustrated in FIG. By setting the lighting device as a repeater, even if the position of the controller 100 is changed, the lighting command can reach all the lighting devices.

(Automatic repeater setting)
In the above FIG. 9, the example of the method in which the lighting device that functions as a repeater is fixedly set by the user while checking the actual lighting state has been described.

  However, when setting repeaters for a large number of lighting devices arranged in a very wide area, a lot of time is required for the work of setting repeaters in advance. In addition, when the indoor partition is changed or when the communication distance changes (shortens) due to deterioration of the communication unit or the like, it is necessary to perform the above setting operation every time the communication state changes. .

  Therefore, in the embodiment described below, a method will be described in which the lighting device itself autonomously determines whether or not to enable the repeater function based on the reception intensity and reception timing of the lighting command. By adopting such an automatic setting function, it is possible to simplify the user's setting work and improve the robustness against changes in the communication state.

  FIGS. 10A to 10E are diagrams for explaining the automatic setting function of the repeater. From FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E, how the lighting device functioning as a repeater is set as time passes is described. doing.

  First, with reference to FIG. 10A, a case where the controller 100 is installed at a position slightly deviated from the center of the room will be described as an example in a room where a plurality of lighting devices 200 are arranged. Due to the reception sensitivity of the illumination device 200, the maximum distance that can be communicated from the controller 100 is indicated by a broken circle CLE11. For example, the reception intensity in the circle CLE11 is −90 dBm. A solid circle CLE10 indicates a communication distance where the reception intensity RSSI is a predetermined value α (for example, −85 dBm).

  The lighting device 200 that has received the lighting command from the controller 100 determines whether the RSSI of the received signal is equal to or less than the predetermined value α. That is, is lighting device 200 arranged in candidate area AR1 surrounded by solid circle CLE10 and broken circle CLE11 in FIG. 10A corresponding to the outer edge of the communication range of controller 100? Determine whether or not.

  If it is within the candidate area AR1, the lighting device is recognized as a candidate for the next repeater. At this time, the area A1 also includes a plurality of lighting devices. In order to suppress the collision, the transmission timing is delayed by a standby time determined from a random number whose maximum time is limited in each lighting device as a repeater candidate. That is, a repeater is selected in order from the set lighting device with a short standby time, and the received signal is relayed and transmitted.

  Here, for lighting devices that have received the same lighting instruction during the standby time at an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined RSSI (for example, −90 dBm), other lighting devices in the vicinity of the lighting device have already received the received signal as a repeater. It is determined that transmission is being performed, the recognition of being the next repeater candidate is canceled, and the repeater function is invalidated.

  By doing in this way, finally, among the plurality of lighting devices included in the candidate area AR1, lighting devices that are separated from each other by a certain distance function as a repeater.

  In FIG. 10A, for example, the four lighting devices 200-1A to 200-1D are set to function as repeaters, and the respective communication ranges are shown as circles CLE20A to 20D and circles CLE21A to 21D in FIG. 10B. Has been.

  In the case of FIG. 10B, among the illumination devices in the candidate areas AR2A to AR2D determined from the communication ranges of the illumination devices 200-1A to 200-1D, the circle CLE10 that is the communication range of the controller 100 and the repeater function. A lighting device that is not included in any of the circles CLE20A to 20D that are communication ranges of the lighting devices 200-1A to 200-1D is selected as the next repeater candidate.

  Then, for each lighting device selected as a repeater candidate, the transmission timing is delayed by a standby time determined from a random number, and the lighting device that has received the same content lighting command with a strength of a predetermined RSSI or more during the standby time, Recognition of the next repeater candidate is cancelled. Thereby, for example, the illumination device 200-2 in FIG. 10B functions as a repeater. The communication range of the illumination device 200-2 is shown in FIG. 10C as a solid circle CLE30 and a broken circle CLE31.

  At this time, the lighting device 200-1A is included in the candidate area AR3 of the lighting device 200-2, but before the lighting device 200-1A receives the lighting command from the lighting device 200-2, Since lighting device 200-1A itself transmits a lighting command having the same content as a repeater, it is excluded from the next repeater candidates.

  In this way, the lighting devices that function as repeaters next are sequentially and sequentially selected from the candidate areas where the RSSI of the received lighting command is equal to or less than the predetermined value α. In FIG. 10C, illumination devices 200-3A and 200-3B are selected as repeaters, and in FIG. 10D, illumination devices 200-4A and 200-4B are selected as repeaters. Thereby, a lighting command is transmitted to all the lighting devices 200 (FIG. 10E).

  The repeater selection as described above is performed at the time of initial setting operation, and the lighting device once selected as a repeater continues to be used as a repeater in subsequent controller operations until the setting operation is performed again. It may be configured to function, or the above setting may be performed every time when each lighting operation is performed.

  In the case of automatic repeater setting in a very large space, there may be a state where repeater selection continues to be executed even though the lighting command has arrived for all the lighting devices. For this reason, it is preferable to add information on the number of repeats in the lighting command so that no further transmission is performed when the number of repeats in the received signal reaches a predetermined upper limit value.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the repeater automatic setting process described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10E, which is executed in each lighting device 200. The process shown in FIG. 11 is mainly executed by the control unit 220 in the lighting device 200.

  Referring to FIG. 11, lighting apparatus 200 determines in S500 whether or not a control signal including a lighting command has been received.

  If the control signal has not been received (NO in S500), the subsequent processing is skipped. When the control signal is received (YES in S500), the process proceeds to S510, and lighting device 200 determines whether or not reception intensity RSSI is equal to or less than predetermined value α (RSSI ≦ α).

  When RSSI is larger than predetermined value α (NO in S510), lighting device 200 is not closer to the outer edge of the communication range of transmission source controller 100 or another lighting device, but closer to the transmission source. Since it is not a repeater candidate, the lighting apparatus 200 skips the subsequent processes and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when RSSI is equal to or smaller than predetermined value α (YES in S510), it is determined that lighting device 200 is located at the outer edge of the communication range of the transmission source and can be the next repeater candidate. Is advanced to S520, and the lighting device 200 waits for transmission of the received signal for a predetermined time determined from the random number.

  Then, in S530, lighting device 200 determines whether or not a control signal including information of the same content is received at a predetermined value β or more (RSSI ≧ β) during the standby time. .

  When the same information is received within the waiting time with RSSI ≧ β (YES in S530), lighting device 200 transmits another lighting device as a repeater prior to the lighting device 200. Recognize that In this case, since there is no need for the lighting device 200 to be a repeater again, the lighting device 200 cancels the recognition of the repeater candidate, skips the subsequent processing, and ends the processing.

  If the same information is not received within the waiting time with RSSI ≧ β (NO in S530), the process proceeds to S540, and between γ seconds before the reception of the control signal and the present time, It is determined whether or not the lighting device 200 has already transmitted the same content information. That is, it is determined whether or not the lighting device 200 has already operated as a repeater.

  If the information of the same content has already been transmitted and the device itself is operating as a repeater (YES in S540), lighting device 200 receives the received control signal from another lighting device that has been selected as a repeater thereafter. There is a high possibility that it has been transmitted, and it is determined that there is no need to operate the confidence as a repeater again, and the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing is terminated.

  If the device itself is not operating as a repeater (NO in S540), the process proceeds to S550, and lighting apparatus 200 determines whether the number of repeats included in the control signal information is less than a predetermined maximum number of repeats X or not. Determine whether or not.

  If the number of repeats is equal to or greater than the maximum number of repeats X (NO in S550), lighting device 200 skips the subsequent processes and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the number of repeats is less than maximum number of repeats X (YES in S550), the process proceeds to S560, and lighting device 200 determines that it is a lighting device that should operate as a repeater, and S520. The control signal received after the elapse of the waiting time determined in the above is relayed and transmitted. At this time, lighting device 200 increments the number of repeats included in the control signal.

  In lighting device 200, control is performed according to the above-described processing, so that whether or not to function as a repeater autonomously is determined based on the reception intensity RSSI of the control signal including the lighting command and the reception timing of the control signal. Can be determined. This makes it possible to simplify the repeater setting operation.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lighting system, 100 controller, 110,210 Communication part, 120,220 Control part, 130 Input display part, 200 Lighting apparatus, 230 Drive part, 240 Lighting part, 300 Setting apparatus.

Claims (7)

A lighting device,
An illumination unit;
A drive unit for driving the illumination unit;
A communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication; and
A control unit that controls the driving unit based on a reception signal received by the communication unit to adjust a lighting state of the illumination unit;
The control unit may have a repeater function for transmitting and relaying the received signal to other illumination devices,
The control unit is configured so that the reception intensity of the reception signal is less than the first reception intensity, and the other content having the same content as the reception signal is elapsed until a randomly set time elapses from reception of the reception signal. An illumination device that transmits a received signal to another illumination device when the received signal is not received at a second reception intensity or higher . The control unit transmits the reception signal to another lighting device when the signal does not transmit the same content as the reception signal within a predetermined time before the reception signal is received. the lighting device according to claim 1. A control circuit for controlling a lighting device configured to be able to transmit and receive signals by wireless communication,
Based on the received signal received by the wireless communication, a drive signal for driving the lighting device is output, the received intensity of the received signal is less than the first received intensity, and the received signal is received. If another received signal having the same content as the received signal is not received at a second received intensity or higher before the time set at random from the time elapses, the received signal is relayed to another lighting device. A control circuit configured to have a repeater function of transmitting to An integrated circuit in which the control circuit according to claim 3 is integrated. A plurality of lighting devices;
A controller for operating the plurality of lighting devices using wireless communication by a user operation ;
A setting device configured to be capable of wireless communication with the plurality of lighting devices ,
Each of the plurality of lighting devices includes:
A communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication; and
A control unit that adjusts a lighting state of the lighting device based on a reception signal received by the communication unit,
Wherein one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, have a repeater function for transmitting by relaying the received signal received by the communication unit to another lighting apparatus in the plurality of lighting devices,
Unique identification information is assigned to each of the plurality of lighting devices,
The setting device transmits a request signal for transmitting the identification information to the plurality of lighting devices,
When each of the control units in the plurality of lighting devices receives the request signal, the control unit sets the lighting device in a lighting state determined according to the reception intensity of the reception signal, and is determined according to the reception intensity. A lighting system that transmits the identification information to the setting device after a lapse of a waiting time . Each of the plurality of lighting devices is assigned to at least one group of a plurality of groups,
Wherein, the information of the group included in the received signal, when matching the group assigned to the lighting device, for controlling the lighting device in a lighting state in accordance with the received signal, to claim 5 The lighting system described. A method of operating a plurality of lighting devices each configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication,
Using a setting device capable of wireless communication with the plurality of lighting devices, obtaining unique identification information assigned to each of the plurality of lighting devices by wireless communication;
Transmitting a lighting command with each acquired identification information from the setting device by wireless communication;
Associating the lighting device whose lighting state has changed in response to the lighting command with the identification information in the setting device;
Illumination that adds a repeater function that relays a received signal and transmits it to another illumination device from among the illumination devices arranged in a region where the reception intensity in wireless communication is within a predetermined range among the plurality of illumination devices. Selecting a device;
The lighting device in which the repeater function is added, a lighting device arranged outside the communication range of the controller for operating the plurality of lighting devices by wireless communication, seen including the step of operating with the controller,
The step of selecting the lighting device includes:
The second received signal having the same content as the second received signal is received by a second time after the received signal strength is less than the first received signal strength and a randomly set time elapses after the received signal is received. The method includes the step of selecting a lighting device that has not been received at or above the receiving intensity as a lighting device to which the repeater function is added .

Images