JP7426690B2 - Lighting devices and lighting systems using lighting devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device used for product inspection and the like, and a lighting system using the lighting device.

Generally, a lighting device mainly includes a light source, a first lens (rod lens), and a diffusing lens. The first lens focuses the light emitted from the light source. The diffusing lens diffuses the light collected by the first lens. The diffused light is linearly irradiated to a position separated by a predetermined distance via the second lens. The irradiated light is then imaged by a line sensor camera, and the presence or absence of defects (for example, surface defects such as scratches) in various devices is detected by the line sensor camera.

JP2010-203923A

However, in the manufacturing process of conventional lighting devices, all correspondences between brightness levels, control values, and illuminance were detected and registered for each light source group, which took a long time to manufacture.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a lighting device and a lighting system using the lighting device, which can make the difference in illuminance between light source groups relatively small and improve manufacturing efficiency. The purpose is to

The features of the lighting device according to the present invention are:
A lighting device having a plurality of light source control boards,
Each of the plurality of light source control boards includes:
a plurality of light emitting parts each having at least one light source that emits light;
a storage unit in which a correspondence relationship between an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of light emitted from the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness is readably stored as a predetermined numerical value ;
a control unit that reads a control value corresponding to the adjustment value and supplies the read control value to the light source as a drive signal;
Equipped with
The adjustment value is a value common to the plurality of light source control boards,
The control value is a value that can be determined separately for each light emitting unit ,
the control so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source, which corresponds to one adjustment value common to the plurality of light source control boards, is the same in all of the plurality of light emitting units ; the value is determinable,
The control value can be determined based on a result of measuring the brightness of light emitted from the light source,
The correspondence relationship is
the adjustment value;
the control value determined for each light emitting unit ;
is a relationship in which
The correspondence relationship is
For each of the multiple adjustment values that are different from each other,
The control value determined such that the brightness corresponding to each of the plurality of adjustment values is the same in all of the plurality of light emitting units is associated with each other.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily connect a lighting device and a cable in accordance with the layout (arrangement) of inspection devices at an inspection site.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an illumination system of the inspection device according to the present embodiment. It is an external view of the lighting device in this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a lighting device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the progress of light in the longitudinal direction of the lighting device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall circuit configuration of the lighting system according to the present embodiment. It is a timing chart of illumination by the LED group according to this embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of power supply control processing according to the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of lighting control processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical configuration used in address allocation processing according to the present embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of address allocation processing according to the present embodiment. They are a block diagram (a) of an illuminance detection system according to this embodiment, and an external perspective view (b) of an illumination device and an illumination detection section according to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the setting process for 100% by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the setting process for 50% by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the setting process for 1% by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of PC side control processing according to this embodiment. These are a flowchart (a) of the 100% setting process according to the present embodiment, a flowchart (b) of the 50% setting process according to the present embodiment, and a flowchart (c) of the 1% setting process according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of power supply side dimming adjustment processing by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of lighting side dimming adjustment processing by this embodiment. It is an example of the registration image diagram at the time of completion of dimming adjustment according to this embodiment. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the full illuminance mode according to the present embodiment, and FIG. It is a flowchart of error check processing according to this embodiment.

<<<Lighting System Overview>>>
The illumination system is a system mainly used to inspect whether or not a defect exists in an object to be inspected, and is a system that illuminates the object to be inspected with inspection light. An inspector sets light irradiation by operating a power supply device or the like, and the illumination device irradiates light according to the irradiation settings, thereby performing an inspection according to the type of defect in the object to be inspected.

<<<<Overview of this embodiment>>>>
The lighting device of this embodiment has a plurality of LED boards, one LED board has a plurality of LEDs (LED group), and identification information for identifying each of the LED groups is assigned when the power is turned on. This makes it possible to separately control each of the plurality of LED groups, if necessary. The lighting device of this embodiment uses three points (brightness degree of 1%, 50% brightness, %, 100%), making it possible to make the brightness of the light of the LED group uniform, and to irradiate uniform light as a whole.

<First embodiment>
The lighting device of the first embodiment includes:
a light emitting unit having at least one light source that emits light;
a storage unit that stores a control value corresponding to a predetermined brightness (for example, 1% brightness, 50% brightness, 100% brightness) emitted from the light emitting unit;
Generating a drive signal from the control value read from the storage unit and supplying it to the light emitting unit based on a correspondence relationship that associates the control value with an adjustment value (for example, an input value) for adjusting the brightness of the light. a control unit to
The storage unit includes:
a first control value (e.g., 1% DAC value) corresponding to a first brightness (e.g., 1% brightness);
a second control value (e.g., 50% DAC value) corresponding to a second brightness (e.g., 50% brightness);
a third control value (e.g., 100% DAC value) corresponding to a third brightness (e.g., 100% brightness);
remember,
The control unit includes:
The adjustment value is greater than or equal to a first adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 1% brightness) and smaller than a second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 50% brightness), which is larger than the first adjustment value. Sometimes, generating a drive signal from a first correspondence relationship obtained from the first adjustment value and the first control value, and the second adjustment value and the second control value,
The adjustment value is greater than or equal to a second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 50% brightness) and less than or equal to a third adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 100% brightness) that is larger than the second adjustment value. sometimes,
The lighting device generates a drive signal from a second correspondence relationship obtained from the second adjustment value and the second control value, and the third adjustment value and the third control value.

The lighting device of the first embodiment includes a light source, a storage section, and a control section. The light source emits light of a predetermined brightness. Note that the brightness may be anything that directly or indirectly indicates the brightness of the light emitted from the light source, and can be, for example, illuminance or brightness. Illuminance is the brightness of light that illuminates the surface of an object and depends on the distance from the light source. Furthermore, brightness is the brightness of a light source and is not affected by the distance from the light source. If illuminance is used as brightness, the brightness of the light source can be indicated by setting the distance from the light source to a constant distance. The light emitted from the light source illuminates the object to be inspected. Defects to be inspected include convex defects, streak defects, concave defects, dents, and dust, and these defects exist on the surface of the object to be inspected. These defects can be detected by illuminating the object to be inspected.

The storage unit stores a control value (DAC value) when the brightness is 1%, a control value when the brightness is 50%, and a control value when the brightness is 100%, and stores the correspondence relationship (DAC value) between these Control value and input value when intensity is 1%, control value and input value when intensity is 50%, control value and input value when intensity is 50%, and control when intensity is 100% (input value and input value) to generate a drive signal for other input values.

With this configuration, when manufacturing a lighting device, the control value and brightness corresponding to the brightness that can be set by the inspector are detected in advance by the detection device and are all stored in the storage unit. There is no need for this, and product manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

<Second embodiment>
The lighting device of the second embodiment further includes:
comprising a plurality of the light emitting parts (for example, LED-a356a-1, LED-b356b-1),
The storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of light emitting units, a control value corresponding to the brightness of light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting units,
The control section is a lighting device that generates drive signals for each of the plurality of light emitting sections.

In the lighting device of the second embodiment, even when a plurality of light emitting sections are provided, one control section is configured to control the plurality of light emitting sections.

With this configuration, it is possible to downsize the lighting device.

<Third embodiment>
The lighting device of the third embodiment is
A plurality of light emitting units having at least one light source that emits light (for example, LED-a356a-1, LED-b356b-1, LED-a356a-2, LED-b356b-2, LED-a356a-3, LED-b356b- 3, LED-a356a-4, LED-b356b-4),
a plurality of storage units (for example, EEPROM (registered trademark) 354-1, EEPROM 354-2, EEPROM 354-3, EEPROM 354-4) that store control values corresponding to the brightness of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting units;
Generates a drive signal from the control values read from multiple storage units and supplies it to the light emitting unit based on the correspondence between the control value and the adjustment value (for example, input value) for adjusting the brightness of the light. a plurality of control units (for example, CPU351-1, CPU351-2, CPU351-3, CPU351-4),
Each of the multiple storage units is
The control value is associated with at least one of the plurality of light emitting units and corresponds to the brightness of the light emitted from the associated light emitting unit.
a first control value (e.g., 1% DAC value) corresponding to a first brightness (e.g., 1% brightness);
a second control value (e.g., 50% DAC value) corresponding to a second brightness (e.g., 50% brightness);
a third control value (e.g., 100% DAC value) corresponding to a third brightness (e.g., 100% brightness);
remember,
Each of the plurality of control units is associated with one of the plurality of light emitting units,
Each of the plurality of control units is associated with one of the plurality of storage units,
Each of the plurality of control units reads out a control value from an associated storage unit based on a correspondence relationship that associates a control value with an adjustment value (for example, an input value) for adjusting the brightness of light. Generates a drive signal from and supplies it to the associated light emitting unit,
When the adjustment value is greater than or equal to the first adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 1% brightness) and smaller than a second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 50% brightness) that is larger than the first adjustment value, , generating a drive signal from a first correspondence relationship obtained from a first adjustment value and the first control value, and a second adjustment value and the second control value;
When the adjustment value is greater than or equal to the second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 50% brightness) and less than or equal to a third adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 100% brightness) that is larger than the second adjustment value, ,
The lighting device generates a drive signal from a second correspondence relationship obtained from a second adjustment value and the second control value, and a third adjustment value and the third control value.

The lighting device of the third embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting sections, a plurality of storage sections, and a plurality of control sections, and one light emitting section, one storage section, and one control section are associated with each other.

With this configuration, when adjusting the degree of brightness between multiple light emitting parts, the control value and illuminance corresponding to the degree of brightness that can be set by the inspector are detected in advance by the detection device, and all There is no need to store information in the storage unit, and product manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

<Fourth embodiment>
The lighting device of the fourth embodiment further includes:
The adjustment value can be set all at once by an operator's operation (for example, the adjustment value can be set by the volume 207A),
The plurality of control units include:
The lighting device according to the third embodiment, wherein a drive signal is generated from the first correspondence relationship or the second correspondence relationship according to an adjustment value set by an operation of an operator.

With this configuration, each control section generates a drive signal from the first correspondence relationship or the second correspondence relationship in each light emitting section, and controls the light emitting section so as to correspond to the brightness level set by the inspector. By doing so, the degree of brightness and darkness of the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting parts is made uniform.

<<<<This embodiment>>>>
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components labeled with the same reference numerals have substantially the same structure or function.

<<<Lighting system configuration>>>
A lighting system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The lighting system according to this embodiment includes an external device 100 including a personal computer, a power supply device 200, and a lighting device 300. The external device 100 and the power supply device 200 are connected by a cable or the like (command line CL, control signal line PL), and commands and signals can be sent and received between the external device 100 and the power supply device 200. The power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300 are connected by a cable or the like (command line CL, control signal line PL, power line EL), and commands and signals can be sent and received between the power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300. I can do it. With this configuration, the lighting device 300 can emit light according to the brightness setting.

<<External device 100>>
External device 100 forms part of an inspection device (not shown) for inspecting an object to be inspected. The external device 100 can be operated by an operator. External device 100 outputs a pulse signal. The pulse signal is supplied from an external device 100 (described later) to the power supply device 200 via the control signal line PL, and from the power supply device 200 to the lighting device 300. The pulse signal is used to control the lighting and turning off of the LEDs of the lighting device 300. The operator can set the period of the pulse signal and the like by operating the external device 100.

<<Power supply device 200>>
The power supply device 200 mainly includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an EEPROM 204, a communication interface 205, a display 206, an operation unit 207 (volume 270A, switch 270B), and an I/O port 208. A power supply voltage ( For example, 35V to 45V) is supplied. Power supply device 200 transmits a control command to lighting device 300 via command line CL, and also outputs a pulse signal output from external device 100 to lighting device 300 via control signal line PL. The power supply device 200 may output the external pulse signal output from the external device 100 as is, or may perform signal processing such as waveform shaping before outputting it. Note that the power supply device 200 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) and is supplied with power supply voltage.

<<Lighting device 300>>
The lighting device 300 mainly includes an end substrate 310, an end substrate 320, and a plurality of, for example, four LED substrates 350 (350-1, 350-2, 350-3, 350-4). In FIG. 1, the LED board 350-2 and the LED board 350-3 are omitted. Four LED boards (350-1, 350-2, 350-3, 350-4) are connected in parallel between end board 310 and end board 320. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the four LED boards (350-1, 350-2, 350-3, 350-4), they will simply be referred to as LED boards 350. Control commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 are input to the LED board 350-1, the LED board 350-2, the LED board 350-3, and the LED board 350-4 via the command line CL. As will be described later, each of the plurality of LED boards 350 has a similar configuration and is equipped with 26 LEDs. The overall configuration of the lighting device 300 will be described later using FIGS. 2 and 3.

<End board 310>
The end board 310 serves as a relay board for transmitting control commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 to the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300, and serves as a relay board for transmitting control commands transmitted from the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 to the power supply device. It functions as a relay board when transmitting data to the CPU 201 of the CPU 200. The end board 310 is provided with a connector (not shown) for relaying cables such as a command line CL and a control signal line PL. Further, the end substrate 310 may be provided with a passive element such as a capacitor. For example, a noise filter or the like can be configured using passive elements or the like.

<LED board 350 (350-1, 350-2, 350-3, 350-4)>
The LED board 350 mainly includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, a DAC-a, a DAC-b, an LED-a, an LED-b, and an I/O port. When there is no need to distinguish the CPUs (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are simply referred to as CPUs 351. When there is no need to distinguish between the ROMs (352-1, 352-2, 352-3, 352-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are simply referred to as ROM 352. When there is no need to distinguish the RAMs (353-1, 353-2, 353-3, 353-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as RAMs 353. When there is no need to distinguish the EEPROMs (354-1, 354-2, 354-3, 354-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as EEPROMs 354. When there is no need to distinguish the DAC-a (355a-1, 355a-2, 355a-3, 355a-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as DAC-a 355a. When there is no need to distinguish the DAC-b (355b-1, 355b-2, 355b-3, 355b-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as DAC-b 355b. When there is no need to distinguish the LED-a (356a-1, 356a-2, 356a-3, 356a-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as LED-a 356a. When there is no need to distinguish the LED-b 356b (356b-1, 356b-2, 356b-3, 356b-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as LED-b 356b. When there is no need to distinguish the I/O ports (359-1, 359-2, 359-3, 359-4) of the four LED boards 350, they are referred to as I/O ports 359.

The LED board 350 is equipped with 26 LEDs. In this embodiment, the LED board 350 controls 26 LEDs by dividing them into halves. That is, the LED board 350 includes a first group of 13 LEDs (referred to as LED-a 356a) out of 26 LEDs, and a second group of 13 LEDs (referred to as LED-b 356b) of the remaining 26 LEDs. and control each of them. The 26 LEDs are arranged in a straight line on the LED board 350. Among the 26 LEDs, the first to thirteenth LEDs belong to LED-a 356a, and the fourteenth to 26th LEDs belong to LED-b 356b.

The DAC-a 355a (DAC-b 355b) is a D/A converter, is used to control the LED-a 356a (LED-b 356b), and includes a circuit that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. This DAC-a 355a (DAC-b 355b) can convert a digital signal output from the CPU 351 into an analog signal, as described later. The digital signal output from the CPU 351 indicates a DAC value (0 to 4095), and the DAC value is converted into an analog signal voltage value by the DAC-a 355a (DAC-b 355b).

The number of LED boards 350 provided in the lighting device 300 can be changed as appropriate depending on the width (length, etc.) of the object to be inspected and the length of the lighting device 300 required by the operator.

<End board 320>
The end board 320 serves as a relay board for transmitting control commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 to the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300, and serves as a relay board for transmitting control commands transmitted from the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 to the power supply device. It functions as a relay board when transmitting data to the CPU 201 of the CPU 200. The end board 320 is provided with a connector (not shown) for relaying cables such as a command line CL and a control signal line PL. Further, the end substrate 320 may be provided with a passive element such as a capacitor. For example, a noise filter or the like can be configured using passive elements or the like.

<Command line CL, control signal line PL, power line EL>
External device 100 and power supply device 200 are connected by a cable or the like. The power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300 are connected by a cable or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, in the lighting device 300, the end substrate 310 and the LED substrate 350-1, the LED substrate 350-1 and the LED substrate 350-2, the LED substrate 350-2 and the LED substrate 350-3, and the LED substrate 350- 3 and the LED board 350-4, and the LED board 350-4 and the end board 320 are connected by a cable or the like. By being connected in this way, a command line CL is configured that allows control commands to be sent and received between the external device 100, the power supply device 200, and the lighting device 300, and the control signal (pulse A control signal line PL for inputting signals) to the power supply device 200 and the LED board 350 is configured, and a power line EL to which the power supply device 200 and the LED board 350 are electrically connected is configured.

<<<Overall configuration of lighting device 300>>>
Next, FIG. 2 is an external view of the lighting device 300. A connector 20 (receptacle) and a connector 21 (receptacle) are provided on the side surface of the lighting device 300. The connector 20 or 21 is connected to the connector of the power supply device 200 by a cable or the like. By connecting in this way, power is supplied from the power supply device 200 to the lighting device 300, and control commands can be transmitted and received between the power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300.

Connector 20 is electrically connected to end board 310 and connector 21 is electrically connected to end board 320.

In this specification, for convenience of explanation, it may be stated that the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 transmits a command to the lighting device 300, or that the lighting device 300 transmits a command to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. Specifically, a command sent by the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 means that it is sent to the CPU 351 of the LED board 350, and a command sent by the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 means that it is sent to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. means.

The illumination device 300 has an irradiation section 10 that is an opening, and the light emitted from the LED is emitted from the irradiation section 10.

Next, the overall configuration of the lighting device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The lighting device 300 mainly includes a housing 30, a plurality of LED boards 350, a plurality of LEDs, a rod lens 40, and a diffuser lens 50. Specifically, the lighting device 300 includes four LED boards, and each LED board has 26 LEDs mounted thereon.
<Housing 30>
The casing 30 houses the components of the lighting device 300 and defines an approximate outer shape. The housing 30 is made of aluminum and is formed by extrusion molding.

The housing 30 has a groove-like shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The housing 30 has a bottom part 31 and two side parts (32, 33) facing each other with the bottom part 31 in between. The bottom part 31 and the two side parts have a longitudinally elongated and flat shape. The two side parts have the same size and shape, stand upright along the height direction with respect to the bottom part 31, and are arranged parallel to each other.

Each of the two side parts has a top part (34, 35) formed in parallel with the bottom part 31 at the top most distant from the bottom part 31.

<LED board 350>
Each of the LED boards 350 is equipped with a plurality of LEDs, and the LED board 350 supplies power (power) to the plurality of LEDs to cause them to emit light, and the CPU 351 controls the lighting and extinguishing of the plurality of LEDs. It will be done.

The LED board 350 is made of an aluminum substrate and has a thin rectangular shape. Each of the LED boards 350 is equipped with 26 LEDs. The 26 LEDs are arranged linearly along the longitudinal direction of the LED board 350.

The LED board 350 is attached so that the LEDs face upward (in the Z direction). A plurality of LED boards 350 are mounted on the housing 30. The plurality of LED boards 350 are arranged along a virtual arrangement line L1 along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the housing 30 so that adjacent LED boards 350 are in close contact with each other.

<LED>
The LED is a light source for emitting light from the lighting device 300. As mentioned above, 26 LEDs are mounted on the LED board 350. The 26 LEDs on the LED board 350 emit light in the Z direction (upward).

<Rod lens 40>
The rod lens 40 collects the light emitted from the LED. The rod lens 40 is made of acrylic and has an elongated cylindrical shape.

The rod lens 40 is arranged above and away from the LED so that the virtual straight line L1 of the LED arrangement and the central axis L2 of the rod lens 40 are parallel to each other.

The rod lens 40 is held between left and right sides by lens stays (not shown), and is fixed to the housing 30 via four lens stays.

<Diffuser lens 50>
The diffuser lens 50 is a diffuser plate for diffusing the light that passes through the rod lens 40.

The diffuser lens 50 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rod lens 40. Specifically, the diffuser lens 50 is arranged above and away from the rod lens 40 so that the central axis L3 of the diffuser lens 50 is parallel to the central axis L2 of the rod lens 40.

A fine lens array is formed on the surface of the diffuser lens 50. On the surface of the diffuser lens 50, elongated groove-like regions and elongated ridge-like regions are alternately formed adjacent to each other. The longitudinal direction of the groove-like region and the longitudinal direction of the ridge-like region are approximately the width direction. The groove-like regions and the ridge-like regions repeat minute and random irregularities, and the minute irregularities function as a minute lens array.

The diffuser lens 50 refracts and shapes the incident light at a desired diffusion angle (light distribution angle) using the diffusion function of the lens array. The diffuser lens 50 performs elliptical diffusion in which diffusion in a certain direction is stronger than in other directions. Specifically, the diffuser lens 50 diffuses more strongly in the length direction (longitudinal direction) than in the width direction (short direction).

<<<Progress state of light>>>
The light emitted from the LED passes through the rod lens 40, is diffused by the diffuser lens 50, and is emitted from the illumination device 300. In the following, the propagation of light will be explained with respect to the width direction (short side direction) component light and the length direction (longitudinal direction) component light.

<Progression of light in the width direction (short direction) component>
The light emitted from the LED enters the rod lens 40 while spreading. The light incident on the rod lens 40 is refracted according to the refractive index of the rod lens 40 and travels inside the rod lens 40. The light that has traveled inside the rod lens 40 is refracted according to the refractive index of the rod lens 40 and exits from the rod lens 40. The traveling direction of the light is determined by the incident angle at the point where it enters the rod lens 40, and the rod lens 40 functions as a convex lens for the width direction (short side direction) component, condensing the light that entered the rod lens 40. do. The light emitted from the LED is condensed by the rod lens 40 and exits from the rod lens 40.

The light focused by the rod lens 40 enters the diffuser lens 50. The diffuser lens 50 diffuses more strongly in the length direction (longitudinal direction) than in the width direction (short direction). Therefore, in the width direction (lateral direction), the light is emitted from the diffuser lens 50 without being diffused much. That is, regarding the width direction (lateral direction) component, the light collected by the rod lens 40 is emitted from the illumination device 300.

<Progression of light in the length direction (longitudinal direction) component>
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the progression of light regarding the longitudinal component. The light emitted from the LED enters the rod lens 40 while spreading. The light incident on the rod lens 40 is refracted according to the refractive index of the rod lens 40, travels inside the rod lens 40, is refracted according to the refractive index of the rod lens 40, and exits from the rod lens 40. Regarding the length direction (longitudinal direction) component, the rod lens 40 does not have a light condensing function, and the light emitted from the LED goes through a refraction process similar to that of parallel plate glass, and then exits from the rod lens 40. .

The light focused by the rod lens 40 enters the diffuser lens 50. The diffuser lens 50 diffuses more strongly in the length direction (longitudinal direction) than in the width direction (short direction). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the length direction (longitudinal direction) component light is diffused according to the shape and size of the lens array formed on the surface of the diffuser lens 50, and is emitted from the diffuser lens 50. . That is, regarding the width direction (lateral direction) component, the light collected by the rod lens 40 is emitted from the illumination device 300.

In this way, the width direction (short side direction) component becomes light focused by the rod lens 40, and the length direction (longitudinal direction) component becomes light diffused by the diffuser lens 50, which is emitted from the illumination device 300. be done.

<<<Circuit diagram>>>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall circuit configuration of the lighting system. For simplicity, in FIG. 5, the LED board 350-1 and the LED board 350-2 are typically shown in the lighting device 300, and the external device 100 is omitted. As mentioned above, the LED board 350-1 and the LED board 350-2 have the same configuration, but in FIG. 5, only the I/O port 359-2 is shown for the LED board 350-2, and the other The configuration has been omitted. The LED board 350 includes a CPU 351, DAC-a 355a, DAC-b 355b, LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b, I/O port 359, photodiode (PD), and thermistor (TH1, TH2, TH3). , an A/D converter, a constant current circuit, and a current amplification circuit. The current amplification circuit has a range switching section.

A control signal (pulse signal) output from power supply device 200 is input to LED board 350-1. The LED board 350-1 is provided with an on/off switch 360-1 (analog switch). In this embodiment, the control signal (pulse signal) output from the power supply device 200 is input to the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1, and is also supplied to the on/off switch 360-1 of the LED board 350-1. Ru. When the control signal (pulse signal) is at a high level, the on/off switch 360-1 becomes conductive, and the voltage signal converted by the DAC (DAC-a355a-1, DAC-b355b-1) is input to the constant current circuit. Ru. When the control signal (pulse signal) is at a low level, the on/off switch 360-1 is in a non-conducting state (blocking state), and the voltage signal converted by the DAC (DAC-a355a-1, DAC-b355b-1) is a constant current. No input to the circuit.

A control command sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 is input to the LED board 350-1 via the end board 310 or 320. The control command is input to the CPU 351-1 via the I/O port 359-1 of the LED board 350-1. The control commands include various values and commands such as input values for controlling the brightness of light emitted by the LEDs of the lighting device 300 and lighting commands for lighting the LEDs. The operator can adjust the brightness of the light emitted from the LED by operating the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200. The value used to adjust the brightness of light emitted from the LED is called an input value. An operator can input an input value to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 by operating the operation unit 207 . The input value is included in the control command and is input from the power supply device 200 to the CPU 351 (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4).

The CPU 350-1 of the LED board 350-1 converts the received input value into a DAC value (digital value) (details will be described later). A digital signal indicating the DAC value is output to the DAC (DAC-a355a-1, DAC-b355b-1). The DAC (DAC-a355a-1, DAC-b355b-1) converts a digital signal representing a DAC value into an analog signal representing a DAC value.

The DAC-a355a-1 is a DAC value (digital signal) for controlling the LED-a356a-1 of the first 13 LED groups among the 26 LEDs mounted on the LED board 350-1. is converted into a voltage value (an analog signal indicating the DAC value), and the DAC-b355b-1 converts the LEDs of the second 13 LED group of the 26 LEDs mounted on the LED board 350-1. Converts the DAC value (digital signal) for controlling -b356b-1 into a voltage value (analog signal indicating the DAC value).

In this way, a single input value is transmitted from the power supply device 200 to the CPU 359 of each LED board 350. As will be described later, the LED groups mounted on each LED board 350 have variations in the brightness of light emission due to individual differences, so the CPU 359 of each LED board 350 uses a linear function as described below to reduce this variation. The DAC value is calculated based on (see Equations 1 and 2). In other words, although the input value is a single value, the DAC value calculated for each LED board 350 is a value according to the electrical characteristics and optical characteristics of the LED group mounted on each LED board 350. . By causing the LEDs to emit light using a DAC value that corresponds to the electrical characteristics and optical characteristics, the brightness of the light emitted from the LEDs on each LED board 350 can be made uniform. Then, the CPU 359 of each LED board 350 outputs a digital signal indicating the DAC value to the DAC (DAC-a 355a, DAC-b 355b), and in order to cause the LED group to emit light, the DAC outputs the digital signal indicating the DAC value. It is converted into an analog signal representing the DAC value. Specifically, it is converted into an analog voltage signal indicating a DAC value (hereinafter referred to as a voltage signal indicating a DAC value).

A voltage signal indicating a DAC value output from the DAC (DAC-a355a-1, DAC-b355b-1) is input to a constant current circuit and converted into a current. The constant current circuit includes elements such as an operational amplifier (operational amplifier) and a resistor, and converts a voltage signal into a current signal with an amplification factor determined by the resistance value. That is, the constant current circuit converts a voltage signal indicating a DAC value into a current corresponding to the DAC value. The current output from the constant current circuit is input to the current amplification circuit and amplified. The current amplification circuit is made up of amplification elements such as transistors and FETs, and amplifies the current output from the constant current circuit at a desired amplification factor. The current amplified by the current amplification circuit is input to the LED group (LED-a 356a-1, LED-b 356b-1) as a drive current for driving the LED. The LED group (LED-a356a-1, LED-b356b-1) emits light with a brightness depending on the drive current.

A first end FT of the LED group is connected to a power supply device 200. The second end ST of the LED group is connected to the current amplification circuit, and as described above, the drive current is supplied from the current amplification circuit to the LED group. A first end FT of the LED group is connected to a power supply voltage monitoring circuit.

The LED board 350-1 is provided with an A/D converter. A/D converters convert analog signals into digital signals. The A/D converter is connected to the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1. The digital signal converted by the A/D converter is input to the CPU 351-1. The A/D converter includes a power supply voltage monitoring circuit, a photodiode PD (detects the illuminance of light emitted from the LED group), and a thermistor TH1 (detects the first 13 LED groups (LED-a356a-1). ) and a thermistor TH2 (which detects the temperature of the second 13 LED group (LED-b356b-1)) are connected. The power supply voltage monitoring circuit is composed of a resistor with a large resistance value, and converts the current value of the drive current supplied to the LED group into a voltage value within a predetermined voltage range, and outputs it to the A/D converter. do. Thereby, it can be determined whether the power supply voltage output from the power supply device 200 is appropriate. The photodiode PD can determine whether the illuminance of the light emitted from the LED group is appropriate. Thermistor TH1 and thermistor TH2 can determine whether the temperature of the LED group is appropriate.

The voltage/current exchange circuit is connected to the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 via the I/O port 359-1, and is capable of detecting open errors and the like.

Thermistor TH3 (which detects the temperature of the LED board) is connected to the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 via the I/O port 359-1.

The range switching circuit has a plurality of selectable resistors, and by switching the resistance value and changing the current range of the drive current according to the combination of resistors selected, the range of illuminance of the LED group (illuminance range) is changed. is configured so that it can be changed. For example, by connecting multiple resistors in series or parallel and changing the combination of resistors selected, it is possible to switch the current range of the drive current and change the illuminance range (illuminance range) of the LED group. . The illuminance range can be switched by the operator operating the operation unit 207 (eg, volume 270A, switch 270B) of the power supply device 200.

The I/O port 359-1 is connected to the I/O port 359-2 of the next LED board 350-2, and is used when transmitting an address allocation command to be described later.

<<<Lighting mode>>>
FIG. 6 is a timing chart of illumination by a group of LEDs in the illumination device 300. The horizontal axis of the time chart shown in FIG. 6 is time (time) T, and the vertical axis is the illuminance of light emitted from the LED. The lighting device 300 is configured to always turn on the LED group during the inspection, and the example shown in FIG. 6 shows that the LEDs are turned on continuously at a constant illuminance between 0 and the maximum value. . The operator can set the desired brightness of light emission by operating the operation unit 207 (for example, the volume 270A) of the power supply device 200, and the lighting device 300 can set the desired brightness of the light emission by operating the operation unit 207 (for example, the volume 270A) of the power supply device 200. The LED group is always lit at a brightness according to the value. The brightness (illuminance) when the LED is turned on is controlled by a control command sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

The lighting mode is a mode in which a DAC value is calculated according to an input value set by the operator in the power supply device 200, and the LED group of the lighting device 300 always outputs light with a brightness (illuminance) corresponding to the DAC value. be. In the lighting mode, the LED group of the lighting device 300 is controlled only by control commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. The control command used in the lighting mode includes an input value (0 to 3000 in full illumination mode, 0 to 1000 in other illumination modes) corresponding to the brightness (illuminance) of the light emitted from the LED group, and is included in the command. The input value is stored in EEPROM 354.

Specifically, when the operator sets an input value by operating the operation unit 207 (for example, volume 207A) of the power supply 200, a command including the set input value is sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply 200 to the lighting device 300. is transmitted to the CPU 351 of the LED board 350. The CPU 351 of the LED board 350 stores the input value included in the received command in the EEPROM 354. The CPU 351 calculates a DAC value that matches the optical characteristics of the LED based on the input value, and drives the LED with a drive current that corresponds to the DAC value, so that a uniform brightness corresponding to the input value is obtained from the LED group. Light is emitted.

Commands transmitted from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 are inputted to the plurality of LED boards 350 (350-1, 350-2, 350-3, 350-4) of the lighting device 300 in parallel, in other words, simultaneously. Therefore, the CPUs 351 of the plurality of LED boards 350 can control the output of the LED groups at the same timing.

<<<Control processing of power supply device 200>>>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of power supply control processing in the power supply 200. First, in step 702, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether or not to initialize.

When the operator decides to initialize by operating the operation unit 207, the initialization is executed. For example, it may be determined that a menu setting process, which will be described later, is called to perform initialization.

If YES in step 702, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs initialization processing in step 704. If No in step 702, the process moves to step 706.

In the initialization process (step 704), the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 initializes the information stored in the RAM 203. Specifically, information indicating that a command to end address allocation processing, which will be described later, has been received (for example, a reception flag) is initialized (returned to default), and an initialization command is sent to the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300. Send.

Next, in step 706, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether or not it remembers that the address allocation process of the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has been completed.

If No in step 706, that is, if the address allocation process of the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has not been completed, in step 708, the CPU 201 of the power supply 200 assigns an address for the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 to store the address number. A number allocation command is sent to the lighting device 300.

If Yes in step 706, that is, if the address allocation process of the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has been completed, the process moves to step 710.

Next, in step 710, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines that it has received an end command for address allocation processing from the CPU of the last LED board among the LED boards 350 (for example, the CPU 351-4 of the LED board 350-4). Determine whether it exists or not.

If No in step 710, that is, if the address allocation process of the CPU 351 of all LED boards 350 has not been completed, the process of step 710 is repeated until the address allocation process of the CPU 351 of all LED boards 350 is completed. stand by.

If Yes in step 710, that is, if the address allocation processing of the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 is completed, the process moves to step 712.

Next, in step 712, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether the operator has performed a menu operation.

If YES in step 712, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs menu setting processing in step 714. If No in step 712, the process moves to step 716.

In the menu setting process, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 stores the result of the operator's operation of the power supply device 200 in the EEPROM 204 . Specifically, operations by the operator include changing input values, switching illuminance ranges, starting dimming adjustment, etc., and the results of these operations are stored in the EEPROM 204. By storing information regarding menu settings on the power supply side (EEPROM 204), it is possible to restore the lighting device 300 to the previous setting status when the power is turned on.

When the operator performs a menu operation such as stopping an inspection or pausing an inspection, a command (an inspection stop command, an inspection pause command, etc.) indicating this effect is transmitted to the lighting device 300 in the menu setting process.

When the operator performs an operation to stop the inspection using the external device 100, the external device 100 sends an inspection stop command to the power supply 200, and the CPU 201 of the power supply 200 transmits the inspection stop command to the lighting device in the menu setting process. Send to 300.

Next, in step 716, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether a menu operation has been performed and an operation to start dimming adjustment has been performed.

If Yes in step 716, in step 1800, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 executes power-side dimming adjustment processing to be described later.

If No in step 716, the process moves to step 720.

Next, in step 720, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether or not a menu operation has been performed to change the illuminance (change the input value).

If Yes in step 720, in step 722, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 transmits an illuminance command, which will be described later, to the lighting device 300.

If No in step 720, the process moves to step 724. The illuminance command indicates the input value, brightness, and intensity, but may also include the illuminance range.

Next, in step 724, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether a menu operation has been performed and the illuminance range has been switched.

If Yes in step 724, in step 726, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 transmits an illuminance range indicating a changed illuminance range (full illuminance mode, low illuminance mode, medium illuminance mode, high illuminance mode) to the illumination device 300. Send commands.

If No in step 724, the process moves to step 728.

By switching the illuminance range, the operator can set the LED group of the lighting device 300 to emit light within a desired illuminance range.

Next, in step 728, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs command reception processing, and proceeds to processing in step 730.

In the command reception process, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 receives a command transmitted from the external device 100 or the lighting device 300, and stores information in the RAM 203 or EEPROM 204 based on the received command.

Next, in step 730, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs an error check process.

In the error check process (step 730), the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs a communication check with each CPU of the lighting device 300, a communication abnormality within the power supply device 200 (power supply abnormality), and the like.

Next, in step 732, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs a display display process, and when the process of step 732 is completed, the process returns to step 702.

In the display display processing, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 performs processing for displaying various information on the display 206. Specifically, based on the operation results of the menu setting process, the lighting mode, input value, brightness, etc. are displayed, as well as LED board temperature, errors (LED temperature abnormality, open error, communication abnormality, etc.) are displayed, etc. .

<<<Control processing of lighting device 300>>>
<<Lighting control processing>>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of lighting control processing in the lighting device 300. First, in step 902, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether address allocation processing, which will be described later, has been completed.

If Yes in step 902, that is, if address allocation processing has not been performed yet, then in step 1100, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs address allocation processing.

If No in step 902, that is, if address allocation processing has already been performed, the process moves to step 904.

Next, in step 904, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the dimming adjustment has been completed, that is, whether the illumination-side dimming adjustment process described below has been completed.

If Yes in step 904, in step 1900, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs lighting side dimming adjustment processing.

When the process of step 1900 is completed, the process moves to step 906.

If No in step 904, that is, if the illumination-side dimming adjustment process has already been performed, the process moves to step 906.

Next, in step 906, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 performs command reception processing.

In the command reception process, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 receives a command sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. For example, the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 and the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2 receive commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. When the operator performs an operation to stop or pause the test using the external device 100 or the power supply device 200, the CPU 201 of the external device 100 or the power supply device 200 sends a test stop command or a test pause command to the LED board 350. When the CPU 351 receives the test stop command, it performs processing to stop or temporarily stop the test. For example, the LED is turned off.

Next, in step 908, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether or not to initialize, in other words, whether or not an initialization command has been received through command reception processing.

If Yes in step 908, in step 910, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs initialization processing to be described later. If No in step 908, the process moves to step 914.

In the initialization process (step 910), the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 initializes the information stored in the RAM 353. Specifically, address numbers and the like in address allocation processing are initialized.

Next, in step 914, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether or not an illuminance command has been received, in other words, whether or not the illuminance has been changed (brightness setting).

If Yes in step 914, in step 916, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 stores the input value in the illuminance storage table of the EEPROM 354 based on the illuminance command. More specifically, input values are stored according to the illuminance range.

If No in step 914, the process moves to step 918.

Next, in step 918, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether an illuminance range command has been received, in other words, whether the illuminance range has been changed.

If Yes in step 918, in step 920, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs an illuminance range switching process, which will be described later, and proceeds to the process in step 922. If No in step 918, the process moves to step 922.

In the illuminance range switching process, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 changes the illuminance range to the full illuminance mode if the illuminance range command received in the command receiving process indicates the full illuminance mode, and changes the illuminance range received in the command receiving process to the full illuminance mode. If the range command indicates low illuminance mode, the illuminance range is changed to low illuminance mode, and if the illuminance range command received in command reception processing is a command indicating medium illuminance mode, the illuminance range is changed to medium illuminance mode. If the illuminance range command received in the command reception process is a command indicating high illuminance mode, the illuminance range is changed to high illuminance mode.

Next, in step 921, a DAC value calculation process, which will be described later, is executed. In the DAC value calculation process, a DAC value is calculated using an input value corresponding to the set illuminance range. As mentioned above, what is the input value range (0 to 3000) in full illumination mode and the input value range (0 to 1000) in other illumination modes (low illumination mode, medium illumination mode, high illumination mode)? It's different. Therefore, the default input value when changing from the full illuminance mode to another illumination mode is set to 1/3 of the input value set in the full illuminance mode. On the other hand, when changing from another illumination mode to full illumination mode, the default input value is three times the input value set in the other illumination mode.

By doing so, even if the input value range is different between the full illumination mode and other illumination modes, the rotatable range of the volume 207A can be kept constant.

Next, in step 922, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 reads the stored information from the EPPROM 354 and performs LED output processing (irradiation control).

Next, in step 2400, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs an error check process to be described later.

Next, in step 924, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 executes a command transmission process for transmitting a command to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200. For example, LED temperature error information etc. are transmitted.

Next, in step 926, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether or not to end the test, that is, whether the operator has performed an operation to end the test by operating the external device 100 or the power supply device 200, or whether all It is determined whether the inspection of the inspection object has been completed.

If Yes in step 926, in step 928, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 executes an inspection end process (for example, turning off the LED, etc.) and ends the inspection.

If No in step 926, the process moves to step 906.

<<Overview of address allocation processing>>
Next, an outline of address allocation processing will be explained using FIG. 9. In the address allocation process, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 on which each LED group is mounted registers the number of each LED group in order to identify the LED group mounted on the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 ( This is a process for storing data. The address allocation process starts every time the power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300 are activated. When powered on, the power supply device 200 transmits an address number allocation command to the lighting device 300 for the lighting device 300 to start address allocation processing. Upon receiving the address number allocation command, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 executes address allocation processing. The CPUs of the plurality of LED boards of the lighting device 300 are configured to receive address allocation commands in a predetermined order and execute address allocation processing in a predetermined order.

The lighting device 300 is provided with a command line CL, and although not shown, commands sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 are sent to the LED board 350 via the end boards (310, 320) by the command line CL. It can be input to the CPU 351. The CPU 351 of the LED board 350 can send commands via the command line CL. As shown in FIG. 5, a control signal (pulse signal) line PL is provided, and the control signal output from the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 is transmitted via the end substrates (310, 320) by the control signal line PL. and is input to the CPU 351 of the LED board 350. The control signal line PL may be provided with a waveform shaping circuit (for example, a Schmitt buffer) to stabilize the waveform of the control signal.

Port 1 and port 2 of the I/O ports 359 of adjacent LED boards 350 are connected. For example, port 2 of I/O port 359-1 of LED board 350-1 is connected to port 1 of I/O port 359-2 of LED board 350-2.

Port 2 of the I/O port 359 of the LED board 350 functions as an input port at startup. Port 2 of the I/O port 359 of the LED board 350 functions as an output port after receiving the address number allocation command.

The command line CL is connected in parallel to the LED boards 350-1 to 350-4, and the commands sent from the power supply device 200 are processed by the CPUs 351 of the LED boards 350-1 to 350-4. Although it is possible to receive the address allocation command at the same time, only the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 whose port 1 of the I/O port 359 of the LED board 350 is at the LOW level receives the address allocation command.

After receiving the address allocation command, the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 updates the address allocation command and outputs it to the command line CL. The output address allocation command is received by the CPU of the other LED board (the CPU of the LED board different from the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1) that has determined that port 1 is at the LOW level. For example, when the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2 determines that port 1 is at the LOW level, the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2 receives an address allocation command. After receiving the address allocation command, the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2 updates the address allocation command and outputs it to the command line CL. The same applies to the CPU of the subsequent LED board.

In other words, the address allocation command sent from the power supply device 200 is received by the CPU of the one LED board that has not received it, and the CPU of the LED board that has received the address allocation command stores and updates the address allocation command, and then An address allocation command is output to the command line so that the CPU of another unreceived LED board 1 can receive it.

Specifically, at startup, port 1 of the I/O port 359-1 of the LED board 350-1 is connected to the end board 310, and port 1 is at the LOW level, so the address allocation command is not sent. It is possible to receive.

Port 1 of the I/O port (359-2, 359-3, 359-4) of the other LED boards (350-2, 350-3, 350-4) is the I/O port of the previous LED board. Although it is connected to port 2 of ports (359-1, 359-2, 359-3), it is at HIGH level due to the control voltage (e.g. 5V), so it is unable to receive address allocation commands. There is.

In this way, at startup, the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 connected to the end board 310 is always the first to receive the address number allocation command sent from the CPU 201 of the power supply 200 via the command line CL. It is composed of

Upon receiving the address number allocation command, the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 calculates the number of LED groups (for example, The initial value of the address is updated by registering the address (for example, registering 0, 1) according to the number of LED groups (2), and adding the initial value of the address (for example, +2) according to the number of LED groups. For example, an address number allocation command (with an initial value of 2) is sent.

When the address is registered, the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 changes port 2 of the I/O port 359-1 from HIGH level to LOW level, adds the address (for example, +2), and sets the address number. The allocation command is sent to the CPU 351-2 of the next LED board 350-2.

When the CPU 351-1 of the LED board 350-1 changes the port 2 of the I/O port 359-1 from the HIGH level to the LOW level, the port 1 of the I/O port 359-2 of the LED board 350-2 becomes LOW. level, the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2 can then receive an address number allocation command.

Similarly, the CPU 351-2 of the LED board 350-2, the CPU 351-3 of the LED board 350-3, and the CPU 351-4 of the LED board 350-4 register address numbers. When the CPU 351-4 of the LED board 350-4, which is the CPU of the last LED board, completes the registration of the address number, the port 2 of the I/O port 359-4 of the LED board 350-4 is connected to the end board 320. Since it is connected, it is at LOW level from the beginning and cannot be changed from HIGH level to LOW level.

In other words, the CPU 351-4 of the LED board 350-4 connected to the end board 320 can recognize that the LED board 350 is no longer connected, and sends a command to end the address allocation process to the power supply 200. Send to.

In this way, regardless of the direction in which the power supply device 200 and the lighting device 300 are connected, that is, whether the connector 20 of the lighting device 300 and the power supply device 200 are connected, or the connector 21 of the lighting device 300 and the power supply device 200 are connected. Regardless of whether they are connected, it is possible to control the LED group by using the LED board 350-1 as the first LED board 350 and the LED board 350-4 as the last LED board 350. This allows the number of wires to be reduced and the cable to be made thinner. Furthermore, wiring within the lighting device 300 can be easily routed.

The numerical value to be added may be changed depending on the number of LED groups mounted on the LED board 350. For example, if three LED groups are mounted on the LED board 350, the numerical value to be added may be set to 3. It's okay.

<<Address allocation processing>>
Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of address allocation processing. First, in step 1102, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 receives an address number allocation command.

Next, in step 1104, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether port 1 of the I/O port 359 is at the LOW level. If No in step 1104, the process returns to step 1102 again.

If Yes in step 1104, in step 1106, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 stores the initial value of the address number indicated by the address number allocation command in the RAM 353 as the address number of the LED group of the LED board 350.

Since the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 stores the address number in the RAM 353, the stored address number is cleared when the power is turned off. That is, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 stores the address number in the RAM 353 every time it is started.

Therefore, even if one of the LED boards 350 fails and the failed LED board 350 is replaced, the address number is stored at startup, so only the failed LED board 350 can be easily replaced. Furthermore, since the DAC value is also configured to be stored on the lighting device 300 side, even if the power supply device 200 is replaced, the data (address number, DAC value, etc.) on the lighting device 300 side will not be changed, and the power supply device 200 will not be changed. Even in the case of replacement, the replacement work can be performed easily and quickly.

Next, in step 1108, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether port 2 of the I/O port 359 is at the HIGH level.

If Yes in step 1108, in step 1110, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 changes port 2 of the I/O port 359 to LOW level.

Next, in step 1112, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 adds the initial value of the address number of the address number allocation command and transmits the address number allocation command.

As previously discussed, the number added in step 1112 can be configured to be based on the number of LED groups. For example, when one LED board 350 is provided with two LED groups (for example, LED-a, LED-b), the value is +2, and one LED board 350 is provided with three LED groups (for example, LED-a). , LED-b, LED-c), the value is +3.

If No in step 1108, in step 1114, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits an end command to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 indicating that the address allocation process has ended.

When the processing in steps 1112 and 1114 is completed, the process returns to the calling source.

Note that, as described above, in the address allocation processing in step 1100, the CPU of each LED board is configured to receive an address allocation command when it is determined that port 1 is at the LOW level, but this configuration is not limited to this configuration. do not have. For example, the CPU of each LED board may be configured to receive the output address allocation command and update the address number using the received address allocation command only when port 1 is at the LOW level.

<<Summary of address allocation processing>>
<Parallel connection of command line CL>
The command line CL of the lighting device 300 is connected to each LED board 350 in parallel. Therefore, all of the LED boards 350 can simultaneously receive commands issued from the power supply device 200 via the command line CL.

<Series connection by connecting ports>
In addition, in the lighting device 300, by connecting port 1 of one LED board 350 of two adjacent LED boards 350 of the plurality of LED boards 350 to port 2 of the other LED board 350, the plurality of LED boards 350 can be connected. connected in series.

<Assignment of address number>
Upon receiving the address allocation command, the CPU of the first LED board 350 whose port 1 is at the LOW level (the LED board in which allocation is permitted) allocates an address number to the first LED board 350 (itself). Next, the CPU of the first LED board 350 changes port 2 to LOW level, updates the address number according to the number of LED groups, and sends an address allocation command indicating the updated address number to the command line CL. Output. By changing the port 2 of the first LED board 350 to the LOW level, the ports 1 of the adjacent second LED board 350 whose ports are connected to each other are changed to the LOW level. That is, the second LED board 350 is changed from the allocation prohibited state to the allocation permitted state. Therefore, upon receiving the address allocation command output from the first LED board 350 to the command line CL, the second LED board 350 allocates an address to the second LED board 350.

Similarly, the second LED board 350 changes port 2 to LOW level, updates the address number according to the number of LED groups, and outputs an address allocation command indicating the updated address number to the command line CL. do. By doing so, an updated address number can be assigned to the third LED boards 350 whose ports are connected to each other and which are adjacent to each other.

In this way, the LED board 350 in the allocation enabled state changes the LED board 350 in the allocation disabled state whose ports are connected to each other to the allocation enabled state, and also updates the address number and outputs it to the command line CL. When the LED board 350 in the allocation permission state receives the address number, it allocates the address number to itself. In this way, address numbers can be sequentially assigned to the plurality of LED boards 350.

Next, similarly, the CPU of the LED board whose port 1 is at the LOW level receives the address allocation command. Note that the LED board whose port 1 is at LOW level is an LED board which has port 1 connected to port 2 of the LED board that outputs the address allocation command as described above. Therefore, port 1 of each LED board is changed to LOW level in turn, and an address number is assigned to each LED group.

<<<Illuminance detection system>>>
Next, an outline of the illuminance detection system will be explained using FIG. 11(a). In FIG. 11(a), the broken line portion shows a partially cutaway side view of the illumination device 300 viewed from the side surface portion 33 side, and the entire illuminance detection system is shown as a block diagram. First, the illuminance detection system is a system installed at a shipping inspection site of the manufacturer of the lighting device 300, etc., and is a system that makes the error in illuminance between the LED groups of the lighting device 300 as uniform as possible. This is a system used to ship 300.

The illuminance detection system includes a PC 500 (for example, a personal computer), an illuminance detection device 600, a power supply device 200, and a lighting device 300.

The illuminance detection device 600 includes an illuminance detection section 700. The illuminance detection unit 700 can detect the illuminance of the LED group of the illumination device 300, and includes a light receiving element (for example, a photodiode) for receiving light emitted from the LEDs. The illuminance detection section 700 is arranged above the illumination device 300 and is configured to be movable along the irradiation section 10 of the illumination device 300. The illuminance detection unit 700 is configured to be movable at a constant height above the lighting device 300.

The light receiving element of the illuminance detection section 700 is arranged toward the irradiation section 10 of the illumination device 300. The light receiving element outputs a signal indicating the intensity of the received light to the PC 500. The PC 500 can specify the position of the illuminance detection section 700 by receiving a signal indicating the intensity of light received by the light receiving element.

The PC 500 can be operated by an operator (for example, a lighting equipment manufacturer), and can receive instructions to start and stop testing, receive detection information from the illuminance detection unit 700, control the illuminance detection device 600, and connect the power supply device 200. Sends and receives commands, etc.

The power supply device 200 transmits to the lighting device 300 a command corresponding to a command related to an inspection received from the PC 500, transmits a command corresponding to a command received from the lighting device 300 to the PC 500, etc.

The CPU 351 of the LED board 350 of the lighting device 300 controls the light emission of the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) according to the command received from the power supply device 200, registers a DAC value corresponding to a predetermined brightness of light emission, etc. I do.

Illuminance detection device 600 is controlled based on instructions from PC 500.

<<Illuminance detection system perspective view>>
Next, the relationship between the illumination device 300 and the illuminance detection section 700 in the illuminance detection system will be explained using FIG. 11(b).

The illuminance detection section 700 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the illumination device 300.

The illumination device 300 irradiates light emitted from the LED from the irradiation unit 10 in the vertical direction.

As described above, the illuminance detection section 700 is movable in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the illumination device 300. By moving in parallel, the light emitted from the LED of the lighting device 300 is received. The illuminance detection unit 700 is arranged in the illuminance detection device 600 at a position where it can easily receive the light emitted from the LED of the illumination device 300 (at a predetermined distance away from the illumination device 300).

<<<Overview of uniform illuminance>>>
When the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 simply instructs the LED group to emit light at a predetermined DAC value (for example, 4095), the illuminance will vary due to individual differences among the LEDs. Therefore, in order to absorb individual differences and make the illuminance as uniform as possible, in this embodiment, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 sets the brightness to 100% (for example, the value of illuminance or brightness used as a setting standard (hereinafter referred to as , reference illuminance value) is 30,000), brightness is 50% (for example, the standard illuminance value is 15,000), brightness is 1% (for example, the standard illuminance value is 300), and the other DAC values are stored in the EEPROM 354. The DAC value corresponding to brightness is calculated using a function based on these values. Note that here, the intensity of the brightness of the light emitted from the LED is expressed as a percentage of 0 to 100%.

The unit of the reference illuminance value may be appropriately determined, such as lx (lux) or cd (candela). The DAC value is a digital value, for example, a value of 0 to 4095. The DAC value corresponding to 100% brightness may differ depending on the optical characteristics of the LEDs in the LED group, and in one LED group, the DAC value corresponding to 100% brightness is 4095, and in another LED group In this case, the DAC value corresponding to 100% brightness may be 4094. When the input value (0 to 1000) is set to 1000, all LED groups are configured to output at 100% brightness. As mentioned above, the input value range may be different depending on the illuminance range, and in this embodiment, the input value range is 0 to 3000 in full illuminance mode, low illuminance mode, medium illuminance mode, high illuminance mode. In the mode, the input value range is 0 to 1000.

<<Specific example of 100% setting process>>
Next, FIG. 12 shows that for the case where the lighting device 300 emits light at 100% brightness (reference illuminance value is 30000), the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 controls the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED- This is a specific example of the process of storing in the EEPROM 354 the DAC value that makes the brightness of the image b356b 100% (reference illuminance value 30000).

FIG. 12A shows the LED group (LED-a356a , LED-b356b) illuminance (detected value).

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 30030 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 30010 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 30000 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 30050, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 30040, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 30030. In this way, when the LED is simply caused to emit light by instructing it to emit light with a DAC value of 4095, the illuminance will vary due to individual differences among the LEDs. The illustration of LED-a 356a-4 and LED-b 356b-4 of the LED board 350-4 is omitted. In the following, illustrations of the LED-a 356a-4 and the LED-b 356b-4 of the LED board 350-4 are similarly omitted.

The PC 500 compares the illuminance of the LED group of the LED board 350 (detected value of the illuminance detection unit 700), and stores the lowest value (here, 30000) as a reference illuminance value of 100% illuminance. Then, as a DAC value for the CPU (CPU 351-2) of the LED board that controls the LED group (in this case, LED-a 356a-2 of the LED board 350-2) that had the lowest value to emit light with a brightness of 100%, A registration command is sent to register the current DAC value (4095), and the CPU (CPU 351-2) that receives the registration command registers 4095 as the DAC value corresponding to 100% brightness.

Next, in order to register the DAC value of 100% brightness for the LED group that had the lowest value (in this case, LED-a356a-2 of LED board 350-2), the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the DAC value and registers the LED Send a DAC value command to cause the group to emit light.

FIG. 12B shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 4094. ) indicates the illuminance (detected value).

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 30000 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 29980 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 29970 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 30020, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 30010, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 30000.

The PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance value is equal to or lower than 30,000 stored as the reference illuminance value. Here, LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and LED-b 356b-3 of LED board 350-3 are the same as the reference illuminance value or the reference illuminance Since the value is below the current value, the current DAC value is sent to the CPU 351-1 as a DAC value with 100% brightness of LED-a356a-3 and LED-b356b-3, and is sent to the CPU 351-3 as a DAC value with 100% brightness of LED-b356b-3. The CPU transmits a registration command for registering the DAC value of , and upon receiving the registration command, registers 4094 as the 100% DAC value.

FIG. 12C shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light with a DAC value of 4093. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection values of the illuminance detection unit 700 are 29950 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 29960 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 29950 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 29990, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 29980, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 29970.

The PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance value is equal to or lower than 30,000 stored as the reference illuminance value. Here, since two of the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 and LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 are below the standard illuminance value, the brightness of the LED-b 356b-2 is set to 100 to the CPU 351-2. A registration command is sent to the CPU 351-3 to register the current DAC value as a DAC value of 100% brightness of the LED-a356a-3 as a DAC value of 100%. Register 4093 as the DAC value.

In this way, the DAC value is subtracted by 1, and when the DAC value of 100% brightness is registered in the EEPROM 354 for all the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350, the DAC value is 100%. The setting process is completed.

<<Specific example of 50% setting process>>
Next, FIG. 13 shows that for the case where the lighting device 300 emits light at 50% brightness (reference illuminance value is 15000), the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 controls the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED- This is a specific example of the process of storing in the EEPROM 354 a DAC value that gives a brightness of 50% (reference illuminance value is 15000) of the image b356b).

In the 50% setting process, the reference illuminance value is set to 15,000, which is half the reference value 30,000 in the 100% setting process. In the 50% setting process, detection of illuminance is started from a DAC value slightly above half of the maximum DAC value of 4095 (in this case, DAC value 2050). By doing so, even if there is an error in illuminance due to individual differences in LEDs, the illuminance can be appropriately detected and the DAC value can be registered.

FIG. 13A shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 2050. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 15120 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 15070 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 15090 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 15140, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15120, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15130.

The PC 500 determines whether there is a group of LEDs that are equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value of 50% brightness (here, 15000). Here, since none of the illuminance values is equal to or less than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 of none of the LED boards 350 registers the DAC value.

Next, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the DAC value and transmits a DAC value command to emit light.

FIG. 13B shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light with a DAC value of 2049. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 15090 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 15030 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 15060 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 15110, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15100, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15110.

The PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance value is equal to or lower than 15,000 stored as the reference illuminance value. Here, since none of the illuminance values is still equal to or less than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 of none of the LED boards 350 registers the DAC value.

FIG. 13(c) shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light with a DAC value of 2048. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 15060 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 15000 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 15030 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 15080, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15070, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15080.

The PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance value is equal to or lower than 15,000 stored as the reference illuminance value. Here, since the LED-b356b-1 of the LED board 350-1 is the same as the reference illuminance value, the current DAC value is registered in the CPU 351-1 as the DAC value of 50% brightness of the LED-b356b-1. The CPU that has received the registration command registers 2048 as the DAC value of 50%.

FIG. 13D shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the illumination device 300 to emit light with a DAC value of 2047. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 15030 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 14970 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 15000 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 15050, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15040, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 15050.

The PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance value is equal to or lower than 15,000 stored as the reference illuminance value. Here, since the LED-a356a-2 of the LED board 350-2 is the same as the reference illuminance value, the current DAC value is registered in the CPU 351-2 as the DAC value of 50% brightness of the LED-a356a-2. The CPU that has received the registration command registers 2047 as the DAC value of 50%.

In this way, the DAC value is subtracted by 1, and when the 50% DAC value is registered in the EEPROM 354 for the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of all the LED boards 350, the 50% setting process is performed. is completed.

<<Specific example of setting process for 1%>>
Next, in FIG. 14, for the case where the illumination device 300 emits light at a brightness of 1% (reference illuminance value is 300), the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 controls the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED- This is a specific example of the process of storing in the EEPROM 354 a DAC value that gives a brightness of 1% (reference illuminance value is 300) of the image b356b).

In the setting process for 1%, 300, which is a value of 1% of the reference illuminance value 30000 set to 100%, is set as the reference illuminance value. In the 1% setting, detection of illuminance is started from a DAC value (in this case, DAC value 44) slightly above 1% of the maximum DAC value 4095. By doing so, even if there is an error in illuminance due to individual differences in LEDs, the illuminance can be appropriately detected and the DAC value can be registered.

FIG. 14A shows a group of LEDs (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) on the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 44. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 410 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 380 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 390 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 430, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 440, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 380.

The PC 500 determines whether there is an LED group whose brightness is equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value (here, 300) of 1% brightness. Here, since none of the illuminance values is equal to or less than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 of none of the LED boards 350 registers the DAC value.

Next, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the DAC value and transmits a DAC value command to emit light.

FIG. 14B shows a group of LEDs (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) on the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 43. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 380 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 350 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 360 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 400, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 410, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 350.

The PC 500 determines whether there is an LED group whose brightness is equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value (here, 300) of 1% brightness. Here, since none of the illuminance values is still equal to or less than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 of none of the LED boards 350 registers the DAC value.

Next, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the DAC value and transmits a DAC value command to emit light.

FIG. 14C shows a group of LEDs (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) on the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 42. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 350 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 320 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 330 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 370, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 380, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 320.

The PC 500 determines whether there is an LED group whose brightness is equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value (here, 300) of 1% brightness. Here, since none of the illuminance values is still equal to or less than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 of none of the LED boards 350 registers the DAC value.

Next, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the DAC value and transmits a DAC value command to emit light.

FIG. 14(d) shows the LED group (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350 detected by the illuminance detection unit 700 when the PC 500 instructs the lighting device 300 to emit light at a DAC value of 41. ) indicates the illuminance.

The detection value of the illuminance detection unit 700 is 320 for LED-a 356a-1 of LED board 350-1, 290 for LED-b 356b-1 of LED board 350-1, and 300 for LED-a 356a-2 of LED board 350-2. , the LED-b 356b-2 of the LED board 350-2 is 340, the LED-a 356a-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 350, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 is 290.

The PC 500 determines whether there is an LED group whose brightness is equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value (here, 300) of 1% brightness. Here, since the LED-b 356b-1 of the LED board 350-1, the LED-a 356a-2 of the LED board 350-2, and the LED-b 356b-3 of the LED board 350-3 are equal to or lower than the reference illuminance value, the CPU 351 -1 as a DAC value of 1% brightness of LED-b356b-1, to CPU351-2 as a DAC value of 1% brightness of LED-a356a-2, to CPU351-3 as a DAC value of 1% brightness of LED-b356b-3 A registration command is sent to register the current DAC value as a DAC value of %, and the CPU that receives the registration command registers 41 as a DAC value of 1% brightness.

In this way, the DAC value is subtracted by 1, and when the 1% DAC value is registered in the EEPROM 354 for all the LED groups (LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b) of the LED board 350, the 1% setting process is performed. is completed.

<<<PC side control processing (PC500 control processing)>>>
Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of PC-side control processing performed by the PC 500. First, in step 1602, when an operation to start illuminance detection is performed, the PC 500 executes a start process regarding illuminance detection. Specifically, processing is performed such as initializing the RAM of the PC 500 and sending a command to the power supply device 200 to cause the LED to emit light at the maximum DAC value (4095 in this example).

Next, in step 1604, the PC 500 executes illuminance detection unit movement control processing to move the illuminance detection unit 700. That is, the illuminance detection section 700 is moved to detect the illuminance of all the LED groups at a predetermined DAC value of 1. The moving distance of the illuminance detection unit 700 is a predetermined distance, and may be the length of one LED group. The moving speed may be such that the illuminance of one LED group can be detected. The illumination intensity of all the LED groups may be detected in one movement control, and the illuminance may be detected on the outward path of one movement, and only return to the initial position on the return path.

Next, in step 1606, the PC 500 executes command reception processing.

In the command reception process, a detection value command indicating the illuminance of each LED group is received from the illuminance detection unit 700, a 100% adjustment complete command, a 50% adjustment complete command, a 1% adjustment complete command, etc., which will be described later, are received from the power supply device 200, etc. I do. The 100% adjustment complete command, 50% adjustment complete command, and 1% adjustment complete command indicate that the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has completed registration of the DAC values at each adjustment stage (in this example, 100%, 50%, and 1%). This is a command to be sent at the same time.

Next, in step 1608, the PC 500 stores the illuminance indicated by the received detection value command in the RAM.

Next, in step 1610, the PC 500 determines whether the storage of the illuminance at a DAC value of 1 is completed. More specifically, it is determined whether the illuminance of all the LED groups at a predetermined DAC value of 1 has been stored in the RAM. If No in step 1610, the process returns to step 1604. That is, through the processing from step 1604 to step 1610, the illuminance of all the LED groups mounted on the LED board included in the lighting device 300 at a DAC value of 1 can be detected.

If Yes in step 1610, in step 1612, the PC 500 determines whether the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has registered the 100% DAC value of each LED group. In other words, the PC 500 determines whether a 100% adjustment completion command corresponding to each LED group has been received from the CPU (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4) of each LED board.

If No in step 1612, in step 1710, the PC 500 executes a 100% setting process to be described later.

When the process in step 1710 is completed, in step 1624, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the current DAC value to obtain a new DAC value.

Next, in step 1626, the PC 500 transmits a DAC value command indicating the new DAC value to the power supply 200. Although details will be described later, the power supply device 200 transmits a DAC value command to the lighting device 300.

When the process of step 1626 is completed, the process returns to step 1604.

In this way, in order to detect the illuminance based on a new DAC value, steps 1604 to 1610 are repeated, and the detection of the illuminance of all LED groups is completed for the DAC value of 1, and the PC 500 reaches the DAC value of 1. On the other hand, once the illuminance of all the LED groups is stored, the process moves to step 1612. If the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 has not finished registering the 100% DAC value of each LED group, the DAC value is decreased by 1. By repeating these processes, the CPUs 351 of all the LED boards 350 can register the 100% DAC value of each LED group.

Next, in the case of Yes in step 1612, in step 1614, the PC 500 determines whether the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has registered the 50% DAC value of each LED group. In other words, the PC 500 determines whether or not the 50% adjustment completion command corresponding to each LED group has been received from the CPU (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4) of each LED board.

If No in step 1614, in step 1720, the PC 500 executes a 50% setting process to be described later.

When the process of step 1720 is completed, in step 1624, the PC 500 subtracts the current DAC value by 1 to set it as a new DAC value, and in step 1626, the PC 500 sets the new DAC value. A DAC value command indicating the value is sent to the power supply device 200, and the process returns to step 1604.

In this way, in order to detect the illuminance based on a new DAC value, steps 1604 to 1610 are repeated, and the detection of the illuminance of all LED groups is completed for the DAC value of 1, and the PC 500 reaches the DAC value of 1. On the other hand, once the illuminance of all the LED groups is stored, the process moves to step 1612. If the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 has registered the 100% DAC value of each LED group, the process moves to step 1614, and the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 must have finished registering the 50% DAC value of each LED group. For example, the 50% setting process of step 1720 is performed, the DAC value is decreased by 1, and the process returns to step 1604. By repeating these processes, the CPUs 351 of all the LED boards 350 can register the 50% DAC value of each LED group.

Next, in the case of Yes in step 1614, in step 1616, the PC 500 determines whether the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 has registered the 1% DAC value of each LED group. In other words, the PC 500 determines whether the 1% adjustment completion command corresponding to each LED group has been received from the CPU (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4) of each LED board.

If No in step 1616, in step 1730, the PC 500 executes a 1% setting process to be described later.

When the process of step 1730 is completed, the PC 500 subtracts 1 from the current DAC value and creates a new In step 1626, the PC 500 transmits a DAC value command indicating the new DAC value to the power supply device 200, and returns to the process in step 1604.

In this way, in order to detect the illuminance based on a new DAC value, steps 1604 to 1610 are repeated, and the detection of the illuminance of all LED groups is completed for the DAC value of 1, and the PC 500 reaches the DAC value of 1. On the other hand, once the illuminance of all the LED groups is stored, the process moves to step 1612. If the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 has registered the 100% DAC value and 50% DAC value of each LED group, the process moves to step 1616, and the CPU 351 of all the LED boards 350 registers the 1% DAC value of each LED group. If the registration has not been completed, the 1% setting process of step 1730 is performed and the DAC value is decremented by -1. By repeating these processes, the CPUs 351 of all the LED boards 350 can register the 1% DAC value of each LED group.

Next, if Yes in step 1616, in step 1618, the PC 500 executes an illuminance range confirmation process to be described later.

In the illuminance range confirmation process, the PC 500 checks the illuminance range in which the DAC value has been registered, and then switches the illuminance range in which the DAC value is registered in the order of full illumination mode → high illumination mode → medium illumination mode → low illumination mode. It is processing. In other words, when the 100% DAC value, 50% DAC value, and 1% DAC value are registered in each illuminance range, the 100% DAC value, 50% DAC value, and 1% DAC value in the next illuminance range are registered. Switch the illuminance range for registering the DAC value.

When switching the illuminance range, the PC 500 transmits a corresponding illuminance range change command to the power supply 200, so the power supply 200 (and lighting device 300) must understand that the illuminance range will be changed by the illuminance range change command. is possible.

Next, in step 1620, the PC 500 determines whether adjustment completion commands for all LED groups have been received.

If No in step 1620, the process moves to step 1604.

If Yes in step 1620, end processing is executed in step 1622, and the PC side control processing ends. Specifically, in the termination process, processes such as returning the illuminance detection unit 700 to the initial position and turning off the LED are performed.

Note that although this example shows a configuration in which the illuminance of all the LED groups at a DAC value of 1 is detected by one movement control of the illuminance detection section 700, the detection method is not limited to this. For example, in order to avoid detecting light from adjacent LED groups, the illuminance may be detected for each LED group. In other words, when detecting the illuminance of one LED group, only the one LED group whose illuminance is to be detected is turned on, and the other LED groups are turned off, so that the illuminance can be detected without stray light. It's okay.

Next, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the 100% setting process, the 50% setting process, and the 1% setting process.

<Setting process for 100%>
FIG. 16A shows a subroutine of the 100% setting process (step 1710) in FIG. First, in step 1712, the PC 500 determines whether output of the 100% LED has started or not, in other words, it has already sent the DAC value command for the 100% setting process (here, the maximum DAC value of 4095). Determine whether or not.

If No in step 1712, in step 1714, the PC 500 sets a DAC value (here, the DAC value is 4096 because the DAC value is decremented by 1 in step 1624) to be the maximum DAC value (4095).

If YES in step 1712, the process moves to step 1716.

Next, in step 1716, the PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance has reached the reference value. Specifically, it is determined whether the detected value of the illuminance of each LED group stored in the RAM has reached the reference value based on the detected value command received from the illuminance detection unit 700.

If Yes in step 1716, in step 1718, the PC 500 transmits a registration instruction command for the CPU of the LED group that has reached the reference value to register the current DAC value.

After step 1718 ends, or if No in step 1716, the process returns to the calling source.

<Setting process for 50%>
FIG. 16(b) is a subroutine of the 50% setting process (step 1720) in FIG. First, in step 1722, the PC 500 determines whether output of the 50% LED has started, in other words, whether the DAC value command for the 50% setting process has been transmitted.

If No in step 1722, in step 1724, the PC 500 sets a DAC value (here, the DAC value is 2051 because the DAC value is -1 in step 1624) slightly above half of the maximum DAC value (here, 4095). do.

If YES in step 1722, the process moves to step 1726.

Next, in step 1726, the PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance has reached the reference value.

If Yes in step 1726, in step 1728, the PC 500 transmits a registration instruction command for the CPU of the LED group that has reached the reference value to register the current DAC value.

After step 1728 ends, or if No in step 1726, the process returns to the calling source.

<Setting process for 1%>
FIG. 16(c) is a subroutine of the 1% setting process (step 1730) in FIG. 15. First, in step 1732, the PC 500 determines whether output of the 1% LED has started, in other words, whether the DAC value command for the 1% setting process has been transmitted.

If No in step 1732, in step 1734, the PC 500 sets a DAC value slightly above 1% of the maximum DAC value (here, the DAC value is 44 because the DAC value is decremented by 1 in step 1624).

If YES in step 1732, the process moves to step 1736.

Next, in step 1736, the PC 500 determines whether there is any LED group whose illuminance has reached the reference value.

If Yes in step 1736, in step 1738, the PC 500 transmits a registration instruction command for the CPU of the LED group that has reached the reference value to register the current DAC value.

After step 1738 ends, or if No in step 1736, the process returns to the calling source.

<<<Power side dimming adjustment processing>>>
Next, FIG. 17 shows a subroutine of the power supply side dimming adjustment process (step 1800) of FIG. First, in step 1802, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 executes command reception processing.

In the command reception process, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 receives a DAC value command, a registration instruction command, a 100% adjustment completion command, a 50% adjustment completion command, a 1% adjustment completion command, an adjustment completion command, an illuminance range change command, etc. .

Next, in step 1804, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 executes command transmission processing. Specifically, it is as follows.

<Commands received from the PC and sent to the lighting device>
If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the DAC value command from the PC 500, it transmits the DAC value command to the lighting device 300.

When the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 receives the registration instruction command (for 100%, 50%, 1%) from the PC 500, the CPU 201 sends the registration instruction command (for 100%, 50%, 1%) to the lighting device 300. ). In other words, if there is a group of LEDs whose illuminance has reached the reference value and a registration instruction command for registering the current DAC value is received from the PC 500, a registration instruction is sent to the CPU of the LED board corresponding to the registration instruction command. Send a command.

The registration instruction command sent at this time is
(1) Which LED board's CPU registers the DAC value? (2) Which brightness should the DAC value be registered as? (3) Which LED group's DAC value should be registered as the DAC value? There is.

For example, which brightness to register as a DAC value can be recognized as a 100% registration instruction command, a 50% registration instruction command, or a 1% registration instruction command.

If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the illumination range change command from the PC 500, it transmits the illuminance range change command to the lighting device 300.

<Commands received from the lighting device and sent to the PC>
If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the 100% adjustment completion command from the CPU 351 of the LED board 350, it transmits the 100% adjustment completion command to the PC 500. The 100% adjustment completion command can be recognized for which LED group of the LED board 350 the 100% adjustment completion command is for.

If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the 50% adjustment completion command from the CPU 351 of the LED board 350, it transmits the 50% adjustment completion command to the PC 500. It is possible to recognize which LED group of which LED board 350 the 50% adjustment completion command is for.

If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the 1% adjustment completion command from the CPU 351 of the LED board 350, it transmits the 1% adjustment completion command to the PC 500. It is possible to recognize which LED group of the LED board 350 the 1% adjustment completion command is for.

If the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 has received the adjustment completion command from the CPU 351 of the LED board 350, it transmits the adjustment completion command to the PC 500. It is possible to recognize which LED board 350's CPU 351 is receiving the adjustment completion command.

Returning to the flowchart, after the process in step 1804 is completed, in step 1806, the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 determines whether or not adjustment completion commands for all LED groups have been received.

If No in step 1806, that is, if registration of DAC values at each illuminance has not been completed for all LED groups, the process returns to step 1802.

If YES in step 1806, the process returns to the calling source.

<<<Lighting side dimming adjustment process>>>
Next, FIG. 18 shows a subroutine of the illumination side dimming adjustment process (step 1900) of FIG. First, in step 1902, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 (the CPUs (351-1, 351-2, 351-3, 351-4) of each LED board) executes a command reception process.

In the command reception process, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 receives a DAC value command, a 100% registration instruction command, a 50% registration instruction command, a 1% registration instruction command, an illuminance range change command, etc., and stores them in the RAM 353.

When the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 receives the illuminance range change command, it changes the storage area of the RAM 353 in order to register the DAC value in the corresponding illuminance range.

Next, in step 1904, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 executes output processing for each LED group according to the DAC value stored in the RAM 353 (the DAC value command received from the power supply device 200).

Next, in step 1906, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the 100% registration instruction command has been received.

If Yes in step 1906, in step 1908, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 registers the current DAC value in the EEPROM 354 for the LED group indicated by the 100% registration instruction command, and completes the 100% adjustment for the registered LED group. The command is sent to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

If No in step 1906, the process moves to step 1910.

Next, in step 1910, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the 50% registration instruction command has been received.

If Yes in step 1910, in step 1912, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 registers the current DAC value in the EEPROM 354 for the LED group indicated by the 50% registration instruction command, and completes the 50% adjustment for the registered LED group. The command is sent to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

If No in step 1910, the process moves to step 1914.

Next, in step 1914, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the 1% registration instruction command has been received.

If Yes in step 1914, in step 1916, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 registers the current DAC value in the EEPROM 354 for the LED group indicated by the 1% registration instruction command, and completes the 1% adjustment for the registered LED group. The command is sent to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

If No in step 1914, the process moves to step 1918.

Next, in step 1918, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether registration of DAC values for all brightnesses (100%, 50%, 1%) in the current illuminance range has been completed in the EEPROM 354. .

If No in step 1918, the process returns to step 1902.

If Yes in step 1918, in step 1920, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the registration of DAC values for all brightnesses (100%, 50%, 1%) in all illuminance ranges has been completed in the EEPROM 354. Determine whether

If No in step 1920, the process returns to step 1902.

If Yes in step 1920, in step 1922, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits an adjustment completion command to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200, and returns to the calling source.

<<Image of registration after completion of dimming adjustment>>
Next, FIG. 19 is an image diagram when the dimming adjustment is completed. The DAC values registered in the LED board 350-2 and the LED board 350-3 are omitted.

<Full illuminance mode>
The DAC values of LED-a 356a-1 and LED-b 356b-1 of the LED board 350-1 in the full illuminance mode are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:4094
(2) LED-b356b-1:4094
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:2046
(2) LED-b356b-1:2048
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:40
(2) LED-b356b-1:40
It becomes.

The DAC values of LED-a356a-4 and LED-b356b-4 on the LED board 350-4 are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:4094
(2) LED-b356b-4:4094
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:2047
(2) LED-b356b-4:2047
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:39
(2) LED-b356b-4:39
It becomes.

<High illumination mode>
The DAC values of LED-a 356a-1 and LED-b 356b-1 of the LED board 350-1 in high illuminance mode are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:4094
(2) LED-b356b-1:4094
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:2046
(2) LED-b356b-1:2048
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:40
(2) LED-b356b-1:40
It becomes.

The DAC values of LED-a356a-4 and LED-b356b-4 on the LED board 350-4 are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:4094
(2) LED-b356b-4:4094
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:2047
(2) LED-b356b-4:2047
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:39
(2) LED-b356b-4:39
It becomes.

<Medium illumination mode>
The DAC values of LED-a 356a-1 and LED-b 356b-1 of the LED board 350-1 in medium illuminance mode are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:2730
(2) LED-b356b-1:2730
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:1365
(2) LED-b356b-1:1364
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:26
(2) LED-b356b-1:27
It becomes.

The DAC values of LED-a356a-4 and LED-b356b-4 on the LED board 350-4 are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:2730
(2) LED-b356b-4:2730
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:1364
(2) LED-b356b-4:1364
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:27
(2) LED-b356b-4:26
It becomes.

<Low light mode>
The DAC values of LED-a 356a-1 and LED-b 356b-1 of the LED board 350-1 in low-light mode are as follows:
[When it is 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:1365
(2) LED-b356b-1:1365
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:682
(2) LED-b356b-1:681
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-1:13
(2) LED-b356b-1:14
It becomes.

The DAC values of LED-a356a-4 and LED-b356b-4 on the LED board 350-4 are as follows:
[When 100%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:1364
(2) LED-b356b-4:1365
[When it is 50%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:681
(2) LED-b356b-4:681
[When it is 1%]
(1) LED-a356a-4:14
(2) LED-b356b-4:14
It becomes.

By doing so, the illuminance of each LED group that outputs 100%, 50%, and 1% can be made to emit light with the same illuminance.

<<Illuminance range>>
As described above, the LED board 350 has a range switching circuit (see FIG. 5), and can appropriately switch the range of illuminance (range of brightness and darkness). By switching the illuminance range (range of illuminance), the range of illuminance can be adjusted according to the surface condition of the material to be inspected (such as roughness, presence or absence of coating, type, etc.), the type, size, and shape of defects, etc. The object to be inspected can be illuminated by switching and determining the appropriate illuminance.

<Full illuminance mode>
FIG. 20(a) is a schematic diagram showing the full illuminance mode. By operating the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200, the operator can change the input value and adjust the illuminance. Here, when the input value is 3000, the brightness is 100% and the illuminance is high.

<Low light mode>
FIG. 20(b) is a schematic diagram showing a low illumination mode, a medium illumination mode, and a high illumination mode. In the low illuminance mode, the operator can adjust the illuminance by changing input values by operating the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200. Here, when the input value is 1000, the brightness is 100%, which is low illuminance. 100% brightness in the low illuminance mode is about 1/3 of the maximum illuminance in the full illuminance mode and/or the high illuminance mode.

<Medium illumination mode>
In the medium illuminance mode, the operator can adjust the illuminance by changing the input value by operating the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200. Here, when the input value is 1000, the brightness is 100% medium illuminance. 100% brightness in the medium illuminance mode is about two-thirds of the maximum illuminance in the full illumination mode and/or the high illuminance mode.

<High illumination mode>
In the high illuminance mode, the operator can adjust the illuminance by changing the input value by operating the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200. Here, when the input value is 1000, the brightness is 100%, which is high illuminance. The brightness of 100% in the high illuminance mode is the same as the maximum illuminance in the full illuminance mode, but compared to the full illumination mode, detailed adjustment is not possible, but rough adjustment of the illuminance is possible.

<<Summary of illuminance range>>
Although the maximum illuminance is different in the three modes of low illuminance mode, medium illuminance mode, and high illuminance mode, the input value range (0 to 1000) corresponding to the illuminance is the same. On the other hand, in the full illumination mode, the maximum illumination is the same as the maximum illumination in the high illumination mode, but the input value range is wider (0-3000) than the input value range of the other three modes.

With this configuration, the range of illuminance can be switched depending on the object to be inspected or the defect, and the object to be inspected can be easily illuminated with light of an appropriate illuminance.

As described above, the illuminance range is switched by switching the combination of resistors (sense resistors) included in the constant current circuit in FIG. With this configuration, the maximum current value that can be supplied to the LED can be changed depending on the resistance value of the sense resistor combined. That is, by switching the range of current values that can be supplied to the LED according to the required illuminance, the illuminance range can be switched and used, and the current in the required illuminance range can be stabilized. Illuminance can also be stabilized. In particular, the resolution of the low illuminance range can be higher than that of the high illuminance range, and the low illuminance can be stabilized. Furthermore, by switching the illuminance range, it is sufficient to use only the necessary illuminance range, making the work easier and simpler.

<<DAC value calculation process>>
Next, the DAC value generation process in step 921 will be explained. The CPU 351 of each LED board 350 uses the 100% DAC value, 50% DAC value, and 1% DAC value of each LED group stored in the lighting side dimming adjustment process to determine the DAC value of each LED group corresponding to the input value. Calculate.

For example, referring to FIGS. 12 to 14 and FIG. 19, the LED-a 356a-1 of the LED board 350-1 has a DAC value of 4094 when the input value is 1000 (brightness 100%) in the high illuminance mode, and the input Assume that when the input value is 500 (brightness 50%), the DAC value is 2046, and when the input value is 10 (brightness 1%), the DAC value is 40.

From the relationship between the input value and the DAC value, if the input value is X and the DAC value is Y, the straight line passing through the two points of 1% = (10, 40) and 50% = (500, 2046) is
[Formula 1]
becomes.

Using this, for example, when the input value is 250 out of 1 to 500, the DAC value becomes 1,022.530612244898 (≈1022).

Similarly, the equation of the straight line passing through the two points 50% = (500, 2046) and 100% = (1000, 4094) is
[Formula 2]
becomes.

Using this, for example, when the input value is 700 out of 500 to 1000, the DAC value will be 2,865.2 (≈2865).

In this way, by creating Equation 1 and Equation 2 and using Equation 1 or Equation 2, it is possible to calculate the DAC value for other input values.

In this way, by calculating the DAC value corresponding to the input value for each LED group (for example, LED-a 356a, LED-b 356b, etc.), the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 can calculate the DAC value to achieve the brightness desired by the operator. The value can control the output of the LED.

Note that the illuminance at 1% is the MIN illuminance. Therefore, each LED group will not emit light at an illuminance of 1% or less. For example, the LED-a356a-1 does not emit light in the high-intensity mode even if 1 to 9 are input as input values. In other words, it will not emit light until the input value reaches 10. By determining the MIN in this way, it is possible to prevent the illuminance at low illuminance from varying among the LED groups. Note that the illuminance at 1% may not correspond to the MIN illuminance, but the illuminance at other percentages (3%, 5%, 10%, etc.) may be made to correspond to the MIN illuminance. The ratio and the MIN illuminance may be associated with each other depending on the required minimum illuminance.

<<Error checking process>>
FIG. 21 is a subroutine of the error check process (step 2400) in FIG. 8. First, in step 2402, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits an LED temperature command indicating the LED temperature detected by the thermistor to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

Next, in step 2404, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether the LED temperature is equal to or higher than a reference value.

If Yes in step 2404, in step 2406, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 performs LED illuminance reduction processing. Specifically, the LED is forcibly turned off. By performing an operation to turn on the LED through a menu operation of the power supply device 200, the LED is turned on again.

Next, in step 2408, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits LED temperature error information (command) to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

If No in step 2404, the process moves to step 2410.

Next, in step 2410, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether an open error has occurred.

Specifically, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether or not there is a malfunction in the current circuit for supplying current to the LEDs, such as a break in the circuit.

If YES in step 2410, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits open error information (command) to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200 in step 2412.

Next, in step 2414, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits the LED board temperature information (command) to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200.

Next, in step 2416, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 determines whether an LED board temperature error has occurred.

If Yes in step 2416, in step 2418, the CPU 351 of the LED board 350 transmits LED board temperature error information (command) to the CPU 201 of the power supply device 200, and returns to the calling source. If No in step 2416, the process returns to the calling source.

The error determination performed in the error check process is not limited to these.

By checking the various errors described above, it is possible to maintain a good condition and illuminate the object to be inspected in an appropriate light emitting state.

<<Example of change>>
In this embodiment, the end board 310 (end board 320) is configured to function as a relay board. In the modified example, the end board 310 (end board 320) is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and DAC (DAC-a, DAC-b), and the LED board is equipped with a constant current circuit, a current amplification circuit, and an LED. A configuration may be adopted in which light emission of the LEDs of the LED board 350 is controlled from the end substrate 310 (end substrate 320).

By consolidating the LED light emission control function on the end board 310 (end board 320) in this way, the LED board 350 can be reduced in size when the number of LED boards 350 is small (for example, two). Therefore, the lighting device 300 can be downsized.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which the DAC value is calculated from the input value using a linear function (linear approximation). Then, the DAC value may be calculated using polynomial approximation or various functions.
<<Summary of this embodiment>>
The first feature of this embodiment is that the CPU of the LED board can store the addresses of the LED groups in a predetermined order regardless of the direction of connection to the power supply device. This allows the operator to easily control the output of the lighting device by operating the power supply device. Even if a failure occurs in the LED group of any one LED board, there is no need to change the lighting device to another lighting device. Specifically, when a failed LED board is replaced, the CPU of the new LED board can store the same address as the CPU of the LED board before the change, and partial replacement is also easy. The second feature of this embodiment is that since the illuminance of the LED group is made uniform, the accuracy of inspection can be improved.

In this embodiment, when the CPU of each LED board receives a command (control command) including an input value, it calculates the DAC value corresponding to the input value. A DAC value corresponding to each input value may be calculated and stored in the EEPROM of each LED board. In this case, when the operator operates the operation unit 207 of the power supply device 200 to set an input value, when the CPU of each LED board receives a command (control command) including the input value, it refers to the EEPROM and sets the input value. The DAC value corresponding to is read out and the DAC value is output to the DAC.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the CPU when changing input values.

<<Another lighting device in this embodiment>>
The lighting device 1, which is another lighting device in this embodiment, is
a light source that emits light of a predetermined brightness;
a storage unit that stores a control value (DAC value) corresponding to the brightness of light emitted from the light source;
A communication port for sending and receiving control commands,
reads the control value, generates a drive signal based on the read control value and supplies it to the light source, and receives a control command when a first port of the communication port is at a first value (LOW level); , a control unit that does not receive the control command when the first port is at a second value (HIGH level);
Equipped with
The control unit is a lighting device configured to store identification information by receiving a control command when the first port is at a first value.

The lighting device 2, which is another lighting device in this embodiment, further includes:
The communication port includes a second port different from the first port,
In the lighting device 1, the control unit changes the second port from a second value to a first value after storing the identification information.

The lighting device 3, which is another lighting device in this embodiment, is
The control unit is configured to be able to collectively control at least a portion of a plurality of light sources, and is configured to update the identification information after storing the identification information. This is the lighting device described in Device 2.

The lighting device system in this embodiment is
Any of the lighting devices described in lighting devices 1 to 3,
a power supply device that is configured separately from the lighting device and supplies power to the lighting device;
has
The control unit of the power supply device transmits a control command to the lighting device,
The control unit of the lighting device is a lighting system configured to, after storing the identification information, transmit a command indicating that the identification information has been stored when a second port has a first value.
<Another method of expressing the lighting device of the first embodiment>

In other words, the lighting device of the first embodiment has the following characteristics:
A light source that emits light;
a first control value (e.g., 1% DAC value) corresponding to a first brightness (e.g., 1% brightness) of the light emitted from the light source; and a second brightness (e.g., a second control value (e.g., 50% DAC value) corresponding to a third brightness (e.g., 50% brightness) of the light emitted from the light source; , 100% DAC value);
A drive signal is generated from the control value read from the storage unit and supplied to the light source based on a correspondence relationship that associates the control value with an adjustment value (for example, an input value) for adjusting the brightness of the light. A control section,
The adjustment value is greater than or equal to a first adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 1% brightness) and smaller than a second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 50% brightness), which is larger than the first adjustment value. Sometimes, generating a drive signal from a first correspondence relationship obtained from the first illuminance and the first control value, and the second illuminance and the second control value,
When the adjustment value is greater than or equal to the second adjustment value and less than or equal to a third adjustment value larger than the second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 100% brightness), the second adjustment value and the second control value and a control unit that generates a drive signal from a second correspondence relationship obtained from the third adjustment value and the third control value.

Further, the lighting device of the first embodiment is
A light source that emits light;
a first control value (e.g., 1% DAC value) corresponding to a first brightness (e.g., 1% brightness) of the light emitted from the light source; and a second brightness (e.g., a second control value (e.g., 50% DAC value) corresponding to a brightness of 50%; and a third control value (e.g., a DAC value) corresponding to a third brightness of light emitted from the light source (e.g., 100% brightness). , 100% DAC value);
A drive signal is generated from the control value read from the storage unit and supplied to the light source based on a correspondence relationship that associates the control value with an adjustment value (for example, an input value) for adjusting the brightness of the light. A control section,
the first adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to a brightness of 1%), the first control value, the second adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to a brightness of 50%), and the second control value; or the second adjustment value, the second control value, the third adjustment value (for example, an input value corresponding to 100% brightness), and the third control value. It can also be said that the lighting device includes a control unit that generates a drive signal from the second correspondence relationship.

200 Power supply device 300 Lighting device 350 LED board 30 Housing 40 Rod lens 50 Diffuser lens

Claims (8)

A lighting device having a plurality of light source control boards,
Each of the plurality of light source control boards includes:
a plurality of light emitting parts each having at least one light source that emits light;
a storage unit in which a correspondence relationship between an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of light emitted from the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness is readably stored as a predetermined numerical value ;
a control unit that reads a control value corresponding to the adjustment value and supplies the read control value to the light source as a drive signal;
Equipped with
The adjustment value is a value common to the plurality of light source control boards,
The control value is a value that can be determined separately for each light emitting unit ,
the control so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source, which corresponds to one adjustment value common to the plurality of light source control boards, is the same in all of the plurality of light emitting units ; the value is determinable,
The control value can be determined based on a result of measuring the brightness of light emitted from the light source,
The correspondence relationship is
the adjustment value;
the control value determined for each light emitting unit ;
is a relationship in which
The correspondence relationship is
For each of the multiple adjustment values that are different from each other,
An illumination device in which a control value determined such that brightness corresponding to each of the plurality of adjustment values is the same in any of the plurality of light emitting units is associated with each other. A lighting device having a plurality of light source control boards,
Each of the plurality of light source control boards includes:
a plurality of light emitting parts each having at least one light source that emits light;
a storage unit in which a correspondence relationship between an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of light emitted from the light source and a control value corresponding to the brightness is readably stored in a table format;
a control unit that reads a control value corresponding to the adjustment value and supplies the read control value to the light source as a drive signal;
Equipped with
The adjustment value is a value common to the plurality of light source control boards,
The control value is a value that can be determined separately for each light emitting unit,
the control so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source, which corresponds to one adjustment value common to the plurality of light source control boards, is the same in all of the plurality of light emitting units; the value is determinable,
The control value can be determined based on a result of measuring the brightness of light emitted from the light source,
The correspondence relationship is
the adjustment value;
the control value determined for each light emitting unit;
is a relationship in which
The correspondence relationship is
For each of the multiple adjustment values that are different from each other,
An illumination device in which a control value determined such that brightness corresponding to each of the plurality of adjustment values is the same in any of the plurality of light emitting units is associated with each other. When the light corresponding to one of the plurality of mutually different adjustment values is emitted from the light source of the plurality of light source control boards, the light source of one of the plurality of light emitting parts is emitted from the light source of one of the plurality of light emitting parts. The brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting section is set as a reference brightness, and a control value determined such that the brightness of light emitted from the light source of the other light emitting section becomes the reference brightness is associated with the one adjustment value. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relationship is the correspondence relationship in the other light emitting section . The lighting device according to claim 3 , wherein the correspondence relationship in the one light emitting unit is a relationship in which a control value corresponding to the reference brightness is associated with the one adjustment value. The lighting device according to claim 4 , wherein the reference brightness is the brightness of the darkest light among the brightness of the light emitted from the light sources of the plurality of light source control boards. The control section of each of the plurality of light source control boards includes:
The lighting device according to claim 4 , wherein the drive signal is generated based on the correspondence relationship for each of the light emitting units , and is supplied to the light source to drive the light source. further comprising a main control device that controls the light source control board,
The main control device has a setting section that allows the adjustment value to be set according to an operation by an operator and to transmit the set adjustment value to the light source control board;
The control section of each of the plurality of light source control boards generates the drive signal based on the correspondence of each of the light emitting sections according to the adjustment value set by the setting section. lighting equipment. The control section of each of the plurality of light source control boards includes:
Instead of reading a control value corresponding to the adjustment value and supplying the read control value as a drive signal to the light source,
At least two sets of adjustment values and control values are read from the storage section of each of the plurality of light source control boards, and a control value corresponding to the adjustment value set in the setting section is calculated from the read control values . The lighting device according to claim 7 , wherein the control value is supplied to the light source as a drive signal .

Images