JP6769126B2 - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting control system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system capable of specifying an arbitrary lighting device from a plurality of lighting devices and setting address information and the like by transmitting a wireless signal for setting from the setting device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-093098

The lighting control device may control the lighting device by sending a signal from the lighting control terminal to the communication device and the communication device sending the signal to the lighting control device. In such a system, if communication between the lighting control terminal and the communication device is performed by wireless LAN, it cannot be used in an environment with radio interference. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide both wireless and wired, but since wireless and wired are not operated at the same time, power is wasted if both wireless and wired are in a communicable state.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control system capable of suppressing wasteful power consumption.

The lighting control system according to the present invention includes a lighting control terminal, a wired communication unit that performs wired communication with the lighting control terminal, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the lighting control terminal, the wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit. A communication device having a control unit connected to the communication device, a lighting control device that receives a signal from the communication device, and a lighting device controlled by the lighting control device, the control unit comprises a signal from a user. depending on, at least one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit have a selection unit to turn off, the communication device specifies whether to use the organic line communication unit and the wireless communication unit It is characterized by including an infrared communication unit that receives a signal from the lighting control terminal by infrared communication and transmits it to the selection unit .

According to the present invention, since the communication device is provided with a communication selection function to enable switching between wireless and wired, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram of the lighting control system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of a communication device and the like. It is a figure which shows the appearance of the lighting control system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen which is displayed on the display of a lighting control terminal. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of a communication device. It is a block diagram of the communication equipment and the like which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

The lighting control system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components may be designated by the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
(Explanation of configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This lighting control system includes a lighting control terminal 10. The lighting control terminal 10 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. The lighting control terminal 10 can communicate with the communication device 12 by using the wired 14, the wireless 16, and the infrared 18.

The communication device 12 is connected to the lighting control device 22 by the RS485 communication line 20. The communication device 12 may be connected to a plurality of lighting control devices 22. In that case, the communication device 12 establishes communication with the associated lighting control device 22 by associating the lighting control device 22 with an address. A plurality of lighting fixtures 30 and 32 are connected to the lighting control device 22 by a lighting control communication line 24. The number of lighting fixtures connected to the lighting control communication line 24 is not particularly limited. The lighting fixtures 30 and 32 are illuminated by the lighting control device 22. For example, the lighting control device 22 outputs a PWM signal to the lighting to change the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32, and turns the power on / off.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication device 12 and the like. The communication device 12 includes a wired communication unit 12A, a wireless communication unit 12B, an infrared communication unit 12C, a control unit 12D, a lighting control side communication unit 12E, and a power supply unit 12F. The wired communication unit 12A is a portion where the communication device 12 communicates with the lighting control terminal 10 by wire. The wireless communication unit 12B is a portion in which the communication device 12 wirelessly communicates with the lighting control terminal 10. Any well-known wireless system can be used. The infrared communication unit 12C is a portion where the communication device 12 communicates infraredly with the lighting control terminal 10. In this way, the communication device 12 and the lighting control terminal 10 can communicate with each other in three ways.

The wired communication unit 12A, the wireless communication unit 12B, and the infrared communication unit 12C are connected to the control unit 12D. The control unit 12D is, for example, a microcomputer. A selection unit 12a is provided in the control unit 12D. The selection unit 12a is a portion that turns off at least one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B based on the signal received from the infrared communication unit 12C.

The lighting control side communication unit 12E is connected to the control unit 12D. The lighting control side communication unit 12E is connected to the lighting control device 22. The lighting control side communication unit 12E transmits a signal output from the control unit 12D to the lighting control device 22. The communication device 12 has a power supply unit 12F. The power supply unit 12F is connected to a commercial power source, receives power from the commercial power source, and provides an operating voltage of the communication device 12.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An infrared transmitter 10A is attached to the lighting control terminal 10. The infrared transmitter 10A is connected to the lighting control terminal 10 by, for example, USB. The communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 are similar in appearance. A printed circuit board is housed inside the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22. The communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 are embedded in the ceiling, and only the lower circular portion is exposed indoors. It is preferable to provide an LED in a portion exposed in the room and display the operating state of the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 by turning on or off the LED. The lighting fixtures 30 and 32 are not particularly limited, but are LED lighting.

The explanation moves to FIG. Software used for switching between wired and wireless communication between the lighting control terminal 10 and the communication device 12 is installed in the lighting control terminal 10. FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed on the display of the lighting control terminal 10 when the software is started. A pull-down menu is displayed at the position indicated as "access point", and the user can select either of them to turn off either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B.

When "Wired LAN" is selected from the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 4 and the "Send" button is clicked, a signal is output from the infrared transmitter 10A. The signal transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 10A is received by the infrared communication unit 12C. When the signal received by the infrared communication unit 12C is sent to the selection unit 12a, the selection unit 12a turns off the wireless communication unit 12B while energizing the wired communication unit 12A. The communication device 12 acquires an IP address when transmitting a signal from the infrared transmission unit 10A.

When one of the two "infrastructure" in the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 4 is selected and the "transmit" button is clicked, a signal is output from the infrared transmitter 10A. The signal transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 10A is received by the infrared communication unit 12C. When the signal received by the infrared communication unit 12C is sent to the selection unit 12a, the selection unit 12a turns off the wired communication unit 12A while energizing the wireless communication unit 12B. When the infrastructure (fixed IP) is selected, the communication device 12 acquires an IP address when transmitting a signal from the infrared transmitter 10A. Further, when the infrastructure (DHCP) is selected, the communication device 12 acquires an IP address from a router (not shown). When the "access point" is selected from the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 4 and the "send button" is clicked, a signal is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 10A. The signal transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 10A is received by the infrared communication unit 12C. When the signal received by the infrared communication unit 12C is sent to the selection unit 12a, the selection unit 12a turns off the wired communication unit 12A while energizing the wireless communication unit 12B. At this time, the communication device 12 serves as an access point and is connected to the lighting control device 22 via the communication line 20.

(Explanation of operation)
Next, a method of using the lighting control system according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the user activates the software installed in the lighting control terminal 10 and causes the lighting control terminal 10 to display the screen shown in FIG. Then, either wired or wireless is selected as the communication method between the lighting control terminal 10 and the communication device 12. Then, a signal is output from the infrared transmission unit 10A to the infrared communication unit 12C. The infrared communication unit 12C sends the signal to the selection unit 12a of the control unit 12D. Then, the selection unit 12a turns off either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B. In this way, one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B is turned on and the other is turned off according to the selection signal from the user.

The lighting control device 22 changes the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 based on the schedule set in the lighting control device 22. The schedule is, for example, lighting the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 at a low dimming rate in the daytime, lighting the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 at a high dimming rate at night, and lighting the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 after the fixed time such as the end of business. Is to turn off. The user sets such a schedule in advance in the lighting control device 22 via the communication device 12 using the lighting control terminal 10. As a result, the lighting control device 22 automatically adjusts the lighting fixtures 30 and 32. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to operate the lighting control terminal 10 each time when it is desired to adjust the light according to the schedule.

However, when the schedule is to be changed, or when the brightness of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 is to be changed manually, the user uses the lighting control terminal 10 each time. The user starts the work after setting one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B to be on and the other to be off by the above operation. For example, assume that the wired communication unit 12A is in the off state and the wireless communication unit 12B is in the on state. In this case, the user transmits a signal including the changed content from the lighting control terminal 10 to the wireless communication unit 12B using a well-known wireless communication method. The signal is acquired by the lighting control device 22 via the control unit 12D and the lighting control side communication unit 12E. The lighting control device 22 that receives the signal from the communication device 12 changes the schedule to what the user desires, or realizes the dimming specified by the user.

For example, in an exhibition hall where a large number of radio waves for controlling lighting equipment fly around, the radio wave condition is poor, and the wireless communication from the lighting control terminal 10 to the wireless communication unit 12B may become unstable. In such a case, the user selects "wired LAN" on the screen of FIG. 4 and clicks "send" to turn off the wireless communication unit 12B and turn on the wired communication unit 12A. As a result, stable communication using the wired 14 becomes possible.

In this way, by turning one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B on and the other off at the request of the user, both the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B are always energized. You can save power compared to when you do. Moreover, when using the wireless communication unit 12B, the wired 14 can be disconnected from the lighting control terminal 10. Then, when the communication stability of the wireless communication is low, the wireless communication unit 12B can be turned off and the wired communication unit 12A can be used to improve the reliability of the communication.

(Modification example)
In the lighting control system according to the first embodiment, either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B is always energized. However, in order to further reduce power consumption, when there is no signal from the user for a predetermined period, the selection unit 12a may turn off both the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B. If the schedule is changed or the dimming rate is changed manually, the power saving effect can be enhanced by doing so. Therefore, the control unit 12D may have a selection unit 12a that turns off at least one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B in response to a signal from the user. It should be noted that the lighting control device 22 frequently provides information such as power consumption or dimming rate to the lighting control terminal 10 via the control unit 12D and either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B. In this case, it is necessary to energize either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B.

In order to promote power saving, the infrared communication unit 12C and the selection unit 12a may be turned off by a command from the user. In that case, when the user operates the lighting control terminal 10, a signal for turning off the infrared communication unit 12C and the selection unit 12a is transmitted by infrared rays 18.

The operation schedule of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 is set in the lighting control device 22, and the lighting control device 22 controls the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 according to the schedule, which is an example of the control method of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32. For example, in the lighting control device 22, the timing for changing the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 or the timing for turning on or off the lighting fixtures 30 and 32 is set by a timer, and the lighting control device 22 lights based on the timer. The appliances 30 and 32 may be controlled.

By making the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 separate parts, for example, the communication device 12 is provided near the lighting control terminal 10 to ensure the reliability of infrared communication, and the lighting control device 22 is mounted on the ceiling. It is convenient because it can be done. However, the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 may be configured as one unit. By combining the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 into one unit, the lighting control system can be easily attached.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the infrared communication unit receives a signal specifying which of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B is used from the lighting control terminal 10 by infrared communication and transmits the signal to the selection unit 12a. 12C was provided. However, since the range in which communication using infrared rays is possible is as narrow as, for example, about 5 m, the distance between the lighting control terminal 10 and the communication device 12 must be shortened. In order to avoid such an adverse effect, either the wired communication unit 12A or the wireless communication unit 12B may be turned off by a method other than infrared rays that enables long-distance communication.

Each function of the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcontroller, processor, DSP) that executes programs stored in memory even if it is dedicated hardware. You may.

When the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 are dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. The thing is applicable. The functions of each circuit of the circuit other than the control unit 12D may be realized by the processing circuit, or the functions of each part may be collectively realized by the processing circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the communication device 12.

When the communication device 12 and the lighting control device 22 are CPUs, these functions are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software or firmware is written as a program and stored in memory. The control unit 12D realizes each function by reading and executing the program stored in the memory. Examples of the memory include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, and DVDs. The control unit 12D can realize each function by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

In addition to the above, the lighting control system according to the first embodiment can be variously modified without losing its characteristics. These modifications can be appropriately applied to the lighting control system according to the following embodiments. Since the lighting control system according to the following embodiment has many similarities to the first embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the communication device 12 and the like according to the second embodiment. The communication device 12 is provided with a switch 12G connected to the selection unit 12a. The infrared communication unit described in the first embodiment is not provided.

The selection unit 12a according to the second embodiment turns on one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B while turning off the other, depending on the state of the switch 12G. That is, the wired radio is switched by turning the switch 12G on and off. The switch 12G needs to be provided at a position lower than the ceiling so that the user can operate it. By energizing one of the wired communication unit 12A and the wireless communication unit 12B and turning the other off by the switch 12G in this way, the infrared communication unit 12C described in the first embodiment becomes unnecessary, and the infrared communication unit 12C is not required. There is no need to install software for communication on the lighting control terminal 10. When the switch is turned on, the wireless communication unit 12B may be turned off while the wired communication unit 12A is on, and vice versa. Further, when the switch is turned off, the wireless communication unit 12B may be turned off while the wired communication unit 12A is on, and vice versa.

The features of the lighting control system according to the first and second embodiments may be combined and used as appropriate.

10 Lighting control terminal, 10A infrared transmitter, 12 communication equipment, 12A wired communication unit, 12B wireless communication unit, 12C infrared communication unit, 12D control unit, 12G switch, 12a selection unit

Claims (6)

Lighting control terminal and
A communication device having a wired communication unit that performs wired communication with the lighting control terminal, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the lighting control terminal, and a control unit connected to the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit.
Lighting control equipment that receives signals from the communication equipment and
A lighting fixture controlled by the lighting control device,
Wherein, in response to a signal from the user, have a selection unit to turn off at least one of the said wired communication unit wireless communication unit,
The communication device includes an infrared communication unit that receives a signal specifying whether to use the wired communication unit or the wireless communication unit by infrared communication from the lighting control terminal and transmits the signal to the selection unit. A lighting control system featuring. An infrared transmitter is attached to the lighting control terminal.
The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein a signal transmitted from the infrared transmission unit is received by the infrared communication unit. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the selection unit turns off both the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit when there is no signal from the user for a predetermined period of time. .. Lighting control terminal and
A communication device having a wired communication unit that performs wired communication with the lighting control terminal, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the lighting control terminal, and a control unit connected to the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit.
Lighting control equipment that receives signals from the communication equipment and
A lighting fixture controlled by the lighting control device,
The control unit has a selection unit that turns off at least one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit in response to a signal from the user.
The lighting control system is characterized in that the selection unit turns off both the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit when there is no signal from the user for a predetermined period of time. The communication device is provided with a switch connected to the selection unit.
The lighting control system according to claim 4, wherein the selection unit energizes one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit and turns off the other according to the state of the switch. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication device and the lighting control device are configured as one unit.

Images