JP7501285B2 - Lighting system, lighting fixture and operating device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting system, a lighting fixture, and an operating device.

In recent years, some lighting systems control multiple lighting fixtures based on dimming signals transmitted from multiple control devices over a network. In such lighting systems, when a lighting fixture receives multiple dimming signals from multiple control devices, it selects one dimming signal from the multiple dimming signals and controls the illumination light based on the selected dimming signal.

JP 2008-117566 A

However, in a conventional lighting system, since each operation device only transmits a dimming signal that designates a lighting fixture, it is difficult for the lighting fixture to identify which operation device the dimming signal comes from among the dimming signals from multiple operation devices. Also, in a conventional lighting system, each operation device cannot confirm which operation device the lighting fixture is using to control the illumination light.
An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting system, a lighting fixture, and an operating device that enable confirmation of which operating device's signal is controlling the illumination light of the lighting fixture.

According to an embodiment, the lighting system includes a lighting fixture and a plurality of operation devices. The lighting fixture includes a lighting unit, a first communication unit, and a first control unit. The lighting unit emits illumination light. The first communication unit communicates with the plurality of operation devices. The first control unit controls the lighting unit based on one operation command selected from the operation commands received from each operation device by the first communication unit, and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the selected operation command to each operation device. The operation device includes a second communication unit and a first control unit. The second communication unit communicates with the lighting fixture. The first control unit transmits an operation command to the lighting fixture by the second communication unit and receives a control status signal from the lighting fixture, and causes the display device to display information indicating the operation device that is the source of the operation command used by the lighting fixture to control the lighting unit based on the control status signal.

The present invention provides a lighting system, lighting fixture, and operating device that allows users to check which operating device's signal is controlling the lighting fixture's illumination.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting fixture in the lighting system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an operation device of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the lighting fixtures of the lighting system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the operation device of the lighting system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a status screen showing the operating status of a lighting device that is displayed on a display unit by an operating device of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

The lighting system (100) of the embodiment has lighting fixtures (101-106) and a plurality of operating devices (111-114). The lighting fixtures (101-106) include a lighting unit (202), a first communication unit (203), and a first control unit (201). The lighting unit (202) emits illumination light. The first communication unit (203) communicates with the plurality of operating devices (111-114). The first control unit (201) controls the lighting unit (202) based on one operation command selected from the operation commands received from each operating device (101-106) by the first communication unit (203), and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operating device that is the source of the selected operation command to each operating device (111-114). The operating device (111-114) includes a second communication unit (302) and a first control unit (301). The second communication unit (302) communicates with the lighting fixtures (101-106). The first control unit (301) transmits operation commands to the lighting fixtures (101-106) via the second communication unit (302), receives control status signals from the lighting fixtures (101-106), and displays information indicating the operating device that is the source of the operation command used by the lighting fixtures (101-106) to control the lighting unit (202) on the display device (305) based on the control status signal. This allows information indicating which operating device's signal is used by the lighting fixture to control the illumination light to be displayed on the display device, allowing the operator to easily check the operating status of the lighting fixture.

In the lighting system (100) of the embodiment, the second control unit (301) of the operating device (111-114) transmits an operation command including a dimming signal for the lighting fixtures (101-106) and information indicating the operating device that is the source of the dimming signal to the lighting fixtures (101-106) via the second communication unit (302). The first control unit (201) of the lighting fixtures (101-106) controls the lighting unit (202) based on the dimming signal included in one operation command selected from the operation commands received from each operating device (111-114) via the first communication unit (203), identifies the operating device that is the source of the operation command based on the information included in the selected operation command, and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operating device that is the source of the selected operation command to each operating device (111-114). This allows the operating device that sent the operation command from the operating device to each lighting fixture to be clearly indicated, and the lighting fixture can identify which operating device sent the selected operation command. As a result, the lighting fixture can clearly indicate the operating device that sent the selected operation command in the control status signal, and the operator can check on the operating device which operating device each lighting fixture is using to control the illumination light.

In the lighting system (100) of the embodiment, the first control unit (201) of the lighting fixtures (101-106) selects one operation command to be used for controlling the lighting unit (202) from among the operation commands received from each operating device (111-114) by the second communication unit (202) in accordance with the set operation mode. This allows the lighting fixture to select the operation command to be used for controlling the lighting unit in accordance with the set operation mode.

In the lighting system (100) of the embodiment, the first control unit (201) of the lighting fixtures (101-106) selects an operation command with the highest dimming signal level from among the operation commands received from each operation device (111-114) by the first communication unit (203) when the operation mode is the HTP mode, and selects, by priority from among the dimming signals received from each operation device (111-114) by the first communication unit (203), the dimming signal from the operation device set as the priority operation device when the operation mode is the priority operation device mode. This allows the lighting fixtures in the lighting system to be appropriately set to either the HTP mode or the priority operation device mode as necessary.

In the lighting system (100) of the embodiment, the first control unit (201) of the lighting fixtures (101-106) transmits control status information further including information indicating the set operation mode to each operation device (111-114). The second control unit (203) of the operation device (111-114) causes the display device (305) to display information indicating the operation mode set in the lighting fixtures (101-106) together with information indicating the operation device that is the sender of the operation command used by the lighting fixtures (101-106) to control the lighting unit (202) based on the control status signal. This allows the operator to easily check the operation status of each lighting fixture in the lighting system on each operation device.

The lighting fixture (101-104) of the embodiment includes a lighting unit (202), a communication unit (203), and a control unit (201). The lighting unit (202) emits illumination light. The communication unit (203) communicates with a plurality of operation devices (111-114). The control unit (201) controls the lighting unit (202) based on one operation command selected from the operation commands received from the plurality of operation devices (111-114) by the communication unit (203), and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the selected dimming signal to each operation device (111-114). This allows the lighting fixture to provide each operation device with information indicating which operation device has issued an operation command to operate the lighting fixture, and enables the operator to check the operating status of the lighting fixture on any operation device.

The operating device (111-114) of the embodiment includes a communication unit (302) and a control unit (301). The communication unit (302) communicates with the lighting fixtures (101-104). The control unit (301) uses the communication unit (302) to transmit operation commands to the lighting fixtures (101-104) and receives control status signals from the lighting fixtures (101-104), and causes the display device (305) to display information indicating the operating device that is the source of the operation command used by the lighting fixtures (101-104) to control the illumination light based on the control status signal received by the communication unit (302). This allows the operator to easily check, on each operating device, which operating device is operating the lighting fixture in response to the operation command.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting system 100 according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system 100 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 101 to 106, a plurality of operation devices 111 to 115, an intermediate device 121, and an intermediate device (DMX node) 122.
The lighting fixtures 101-106 are, for example, moving lights, spotlights, floodlights, downlights, etc. installed in a studio, a theater, a stage, etc. The lighting fixtures 101-104 have a function of receiving operation commands including dimming signals and information indicating the sender from the operation devices 111-114. When the lighting fixtures 101-104 receive multiple operation commands from the operation devices 111-114, they select one operation command from the multiple operation commands in accordance with a set operation mode, and control the illumination light in accordance with the dimming signal or the like included in the selected operation command.

The lighting fixtures 101-104 also transmit control status signals indicating their own control status to the multiple operation devices 111-114. The lighting fixtures 101-104 receive operation commands from each of the operation devices 111-114, including a dimming signal and information indicating the operation device that sent the operation command, and transmit to each of the operation devices 111-114 a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that sent the operation command selected from the received operation commands.

The lighting fixtures 105 and 106 receive the dimming signal from the intermediate device 122 and control the illumination light based on the received dimming signal. The lighting fixtures 105 and 106 transmit a control signal indicating the control state based on the received dimming signal to the intermediate device 122.

Intermediate device 122 receives operation commands including dimming signals from multiple operating devices 111-114 for lighting fixtures 105, 106 and dimming signals from simple operating device 115. When intermediate device 122 receives multiple dimming signals for lighting fixtures 105, 106 from multiple operating devices 111-114 and simple operating device 115, it selects one dimming signal from the multiple dimming signals according to the set operation mode and transmits the selected dimming signal to lighting fixtures 105, 106. Intermediate device 122 transmits to operating devices 111-114 a control status signal for lighting fixtures 105, 106 including the control signal received from lighting fixtures 105, 106 and information indicating the operating device that transmitted the dimming signal to lighting fixtures 105, 106.

Operation devices 111-114 include, for example, permanent dimming operation consoles installed in studios, theaters, etc. Operation devices 111-114 may also include, for example, carry-in operation terminals brought into studios, theaters, etc., and backup terminals installed in studios, theaters, etc. Furthermore, operation devices 111-114 may also include devices configured with operation terminals such as mobile terminals (for example, mobile terminals or PCs) that are connected via a network such as the Internet from outside (remote location) the location where the lighting equipment is installed in the studio, theater, etc.

The operating devices 111-114 transmit to each of the lighting fixtures 101-106 an operation command including a dimming signal for controlling the illumination light emitted by each of the lighting fixtures 101-106 and information indicating the transmission source. The operating devices 111-115 also receive control status signals from each of the lighting fixtures 101-106 indicating the control status of each of the lighting fixtures 101-106. The operating devices 111-114 display information (status screen) indicating the control status of each of the lighting fixtures 111-114 on a display device (display unit) based on the control status signals of each of the lighting fixtures 101-106.

The operating devices 111-114 receive a control status signal that includes information indicating the operating device that sent the operation command applied to each lighting fixture 111-114. As a result, the operating devices 111-114 display on the display device information indicating the operating device that sent the dimming signal (operation command) used to control the illumination light of each lighting fixture 111-114, as information indicating the control status of each lighting fixture 111-114.

The intermediate device 121 is a connection device for connecting a communication path between the lighting fixtures 101-104 and the control devices 111-114. The intermediate device 121 is, for example, a switching hub or a router. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate device 121 also functions as a connection device for connecting a communication path between the control devices 111-114 and the intermediate devices 122 to which the lighting fixtures 105-106 are connected.

In the example configuration shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixtures 101-104 communicate with the control devices 111-114 connected via the intermediate device 121 by network communication according to a first communication standard. The lighting fixtures 101-104 have a communication function that receives operation commands from the control devices 111-114 by communication according to the first communication standard, and transmits control signals (control status signals) indicating the operating status to the control devices 111-114.

The first communication standard may be one that can transmit operation commands from the control devices 111-114 to the lighting fixtures 101-106, and control status signals from the lighting fixtures 101-104 and the intermediate device 122 to the control devices 111-114, as described below. The first communication standard is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).

The lighting fixtures 105-106 communicate with the intermediate device 122 using a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard. The second communication standard is a communication standard specific to lighting-related devices, such as DMX (Digital MultipleX) or RDM (Remote Device Management). The lighting fixtures 105 and 106 have the function of receiving a dimming signal from the intermediate device 122 that communicates using the second communication standard and returning a control signal to the intermediate device 122.

The intermediate device 122 communicates with the operating devices 111-114 connected via the intermediate device 121 using a first communication standard. The intermediate device 122 has a function of converting an operation command including a dimming signal transmitted from the operating devices 111-114 using communication according to the first communication standard into a dimming signal in accordance with a communication standard specific to the lighting fixtures 105 and 106. The intermediate device 122 is, for example, a DMX node. In this case, the intermediate device 122 converts an operation command including a dimming signal received from the operating devices 111-114 using the first communication standard into a DMX signal. The intermediate device 122 is also connected to the simple operating device 115, and also receives a dimming signal for the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 from the simple operating device 115.

The intermediate device 122 transmits to the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 one dimming signal selected from the multiple dimming signals from the operating devices 111 to 114 and the simple operating device 115 based on the processing method (operation mode) set in the intermediate device 122. Examples of the processing method set in the intermediate device 122 include Highest Takes Precedence (HTP) and Latest Takes Precedence (LTP).

In addition, intermediate device 122 transmits a control status signal to operation devices 111-114 including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the dimming signal sent to lighting fixtures 105 and 106. For example, intermediate device 122 transmits a control status signal for lighting fixture 105 to operation devices 111-114 including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the dimming signal sent to lighting fixture 105. In addition, intermediate device 122 transmits a control status signal for lighting fixture 106 to operation devices 111-114 including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the dimming signal sent to lighting fixture 106.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, communication paths for communication according to the first communication standard are indicated by solid arrows, and communication paths for communication according to the second communication standard are indicated by dashed arrows.
In this embodiment, a DMX address is set for each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106. The DMX address is a number that sets which data number to use among the DMX data. A fixture ID is also assigned to each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106. The fixture ID is an ID unique to each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106.

Next, the configuration of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106 according to the embodiment will be described.
Lighting fixtures 101-106 each include a control unit 201, a lighting unit 202, a communication unit 203, and a storage unit 204. Lighting fixtures 101-104 and lighting fixtures 105-106 have the same configuration as shown in Fig. 2. However, lighting fixtures 101-104 and lighting fixtures 105-106 have different communication standards supported by communication units 203.

The control unit 201 controls the entire lighting fixtures 101-106. The control unit 201 is composed of a processor, memory, various interfaces, etc. The control unit 201 is composed of, for example, one or more computers. In the control unit 201, the processor realizes various processes by executing programs stored in the memory, etc.

The processor of the control unit 201 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal processor). The memory is composed of storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and semiconductor memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor, setting data, and the like.

The illumination unit 202 emits light. For example, the illumination unit 202 includes a light-emitting element such as an LED, and emits light emitted by the light-emitting element as illumination light. The illumination unit 202 is controlled according to the control of the control unit 201. For example, the illumination unit 202 emits illumination light adjusted to a dimming level specified by the control unit 201.

The lighting unit 202 may also be configured to control the color of the illumination light in response to a control command from the control unit 201. In this case, the dimming signal included in the operation command for the lighting devices 101-106 includes information specifying the color of the illumination light. The lighting unit 202 may also be configured to control the direction of illumination light in response to a control command from the control unit 201. In this case, the dimming signal included in the operation command for the lighting devices 101-106 includes information specifying the direction of illumination light.

The communication unit 203 is a communication interface that communicates with other lighting-related devices. The communication unit 203 of the lighting fixtures 101-104 communicates with other lighting-related devices using communication according to a first communication standard. For example, the lighting fixtures 101-104 communicate with the operation devices 111-114 via the intermediate device 121 using communication according to the first communication standard. The first communication standard may be communication using a communication protocol that can send and receive operation commands and control status information.

The communication units 203 of the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 transmit and receive signals according to a second communication standard. The communication units 203 of the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 communicate with other lighting-related devices using a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard, such as DMX or RDM.

The operation unit 204 and the display unit 205 are user interfaces. The operation unit 204 receives various operations and the like input by an operator. The display unit 205 displays information and the like to be notified to the operator. For example, the operation unit 204 and the display unit 205 are configured as user interfaces including a display, a touch panel, and the like.

Note that in some of the lighting fixtures 101-106, the operation unit 204 and the display unit 205 may be omitted, or the functions of the operation unit 204 and the display unit 205 may be realized by a user interface that is provided as a device separate from the lighting fixtures 101-106 to which it is connected via an interface.

Next, the configuration of the operation devices 111 to 114 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the operation devices 111 to 114 according to the embodiment.
The operation devices 111 to 114 each include a control unit 301 , a communication unit 302 , a storage unit 303 , an operation unit 304 , a display unit 305 , and a terminal communication unit 306 .

The control unit 301 controls the entire operation devices 111 to 114. The control unit 301 is composed of a processor, memory, and various interfaces. The control unit 301 is composed of, for example, one or more computers. In the control unit 301, the processor realizes various processes by executing programs stored in the memory, etc.

The processor of the control unit 301 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal processor). The memory is composed of storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and semiconductor memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor, setting data, and the like.

However, the program executed by the processor of the control unit 301 may be stored in a computer (server) connected via a network such as the Internet, or in a server in a cloud environment. In this case, the processor of the control unit 301 downloads the program via the network. Examples of networks include a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, a mobile communication network, and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The communication unit 302 is a communication interface that communicates with other lighting-related devices. The communication units 302 of the operation devices 111-114 communicate with other lighting-related devices using communication according to a first communication standard. The communication units 302 of the operation devices 111-114 communicate with the lighting fixtures 101-104 via the intermediate device 121 by communication according to the first communication standard. The communication units 302 send operation commands to the lighting fixtures 101-104 via the intermediate device 121 by communication according to the first communication standard, and receive control status information from the lighting fixtures 101-104 via the intermediate device 121.

The communication unit 302 also transmits operation commands to the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 via the intermediate device 121 and the intermediate device 122. The communication unit 302 communicates with the intermediate device 122 via the intermediate device 121 by communication according to a first communication standard. The intermediate device 122 communicates with the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 by communication according to a second communication standard.

That is, communication unit 302 transmits operation commands for lighting fixtures 105, 106 to intermediate device 122 via intermediate device 121 using the first communication standard, and intermediate device 122 transmits dimming signals to lighting fixtures 105, 106 using the second communication standard. Intermediate device 122 also receives control signals from lighting fixtures 105, 106 using the second communication standard, generates control status information for lighting fixtures 105, 106 based on the received control signals, and transmits the generated control status information for lighting fixtures 105, 106 to each of operation devices 111-114 using the first communication standard.

The memory unit 303 is configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). For example, the memory unit 303 stores control status information received from each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106.

The operation unit 304 and the display unit 305 are user interfaces. The operation unit 304 is used by an operator to input various operations such as dimming instructions for each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106. The display unit 305 is a display device that displays information to be notified to the operator. For example, the operation unit 304 and the display unit 305 are configured as user interfaces including a display, a touch panel, etc.

Note that the operation unit 304 and the display unit 305 may be realized by a device separate from the operation devices 111 to 114 connected via an interface. For example, a communication interface that communicates with a mobile terminal such as a tablet PC or a smartphone that is connected via wireless communication or the like may be provided, and the operation unit and the display unit of the mobile terminal that communicates via the communication interface may be configured to operate as the operation unit 304 and the display unit 305.

The simple operating device 115 also has a similar configuration to the operating devices 111 to 114. However, the simple operating device 115 outputs a dimming signal to the lighting fixtures 105, 106 connected to the intermediate device 122 using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. That is, the simple operating device 115 transmits a dimming signal to the lighting fixtures 105, 106 to the intermediate device 122 using the second communication standard such as DMX or RDM.

Next, the operation of the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of the lighting devices 101 to 104 in the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the lighting devices 101 to 104 according to the embodiment.
Each of the lighting fixtures 101-104 can receive operation commands from a plurality of operation devices 111-114 using the first communication standard. Each of the operation devices 111-114 transmits an operation command to the lighting fixtures 101-104 in response to an operation instruction from an operator via communication unit 302. The operation command transmitted from the operation device 111-114 is received by communication unit 203 of the lighting fixture 101-104 specified by the DMX address via intermediate device 121.

When the control unit 201 of the lighting devices 101-104 receives an operation command via the communication unit 203 (ST11, YES), it stores the operation command received by the communication unit 203 in memory. As a result, the control unit 201 stores operation commands from the multiple operating devices 111-114 in memory. When the control unit 201 receives an operation command received by the communication unit 203, it selects one operation command to be used for controlling the lighting unit 202 from the operation commands stored in memory (ST12).

The control unit 201 selects an operation command according to a preset operation mode. For example, the control unit 201 sets an operation mode specified by an operator using the operation unit 204. The control unit 201 may also set an operation mode specified by an external device connected to the lighting fixtures 101-104, or may set an operation mode specified by any of the operation devices 111-114.

The operating modes that can be set for the lighting fixtures 101-104 include HTP mode and priority operation device mode. The HTP mode is an operating mode in which the lighting fixtures 101-104 select the dimming signal with the highest dimming signal level among the dimming signals contained in the operation commands they receive. The priority operation device mode is an operating mode in which the lighting fixtures 101-104 select operation commands from a pre-specified operation device with priority.

When the control unit 201 selects one operation command to be used for controlling the lighting unit 202, it generates a control signal to be used for controlling the lighting unit 202 based on the selected operation command. The control signal is generated based on the command content in the selected operation command. However, the control unit 201 may change (adjust) the control signal by the operation command depending on the function of the lighting device itself. For example, in a lighting device having a function for adjusting the signal level of the lighting light, such as a manual dimming function and an automatic lighting function, the control signal may be one that irradiates lighting light with a signal level different from the dimming signal level instructed by the dimming signal included in the operation command. Here, the signal level instructed by the dimming signal of the operation command is referred to as the dimming signal level, and the signal level specified by the control signal actually supplied to the lighting unit 202 is referred to as the device control signal level.

When the control signal for controlling the lighting unit 202 is generated, the control unit 201 controls the lighting unit 202 based on the generated control signal. The control unit 201 maintains the control state of the lighting unit 202 based on the generated control signal until it becomes necessary to change the control content, such as when the control unit 201 receives the next operation command.

The control unit 201 also transmits a control status signal indicating the control status of the lighting unit 202 to each of the operation devices 111-114 at a predetermined timing. For example, the control unit 201 transmits a control status signal indicating the control status of the lighting unit 202 at a predetermined cycle (for example, a cycle that allows the operation devices 111-114 to monitor changes in the control status of the lighting unit 202 in real time). The control unit 201 can notify each of the operation devices 111-114 of the control status in real time by transmitting the control status signal to each of the operation devices 111-114 at a predetermined cycle. The control unit 201 may also transmit the control status signal in response to a request from the operation devices 111-114.

When the control unit 201 transmits a control status signal (ST14, YES), it generates the control status signal based on the contents of the selected operation command and the control signal being supplied to the lighting unit 202 (ST15). For example, the control unit 201 identifies the operating device that is the source of the selected operation command, the dimming signal level specified by the dimming signal included in the selected operation command, the appliance control signal level by the control signal that actually controls the lighting unit 202, the operation mode, etc., and generates control status information including this information.

When the control state information is generated, the control unit 201 transmits the generated control state signal to each of the operation devices 111 to 114 via the communication unit 203 (ST16). Note that the control unit 201 may generate control state information each time the control state of the lighting unit 202 changes and store the information in a memory or the like. In this case, the control unit 201 may transmit the control state information stored in the memory to each of the operation devices 111 to 114 at a predetermined timing.

In the above operation example, an operation example of lighting fixtures 101-104 capable of communication under the first communication standard was described, but lighting fixtures 105 and 106 cannot directly receive operation commands. For this reason, with regard to lighting fixtures 105 and 106, intermediate device 122 receives operation commands for lighting fixtures 105 and 106 from each of control devices 111-114 under the first communication standard, and transmits control status signals of lighting fixtures 105 and 106 to each of control devices 111-114.

For example, the operation commands for the lighting fixtures 105 and 106 from the operating devices 111-115 are received by the intermediate device 122. The intermediate device 122 selects one operation command from the multiple operation commands for the lighting fixture 105 (106) using a predetermined operating mode (e.g., HTP mode), and supplies the selected operation command to the lighting fixture 105 (106) as a dimming signal for the second communication standard.

The lighting fixtures 105 and 106 also receive a dimming signal from the intermediate device 122 using the second communication standard, and control the lighting unit 202 using a control signal based on the dimming signal received from the intermediate device 122. The lighting fixtures 105 and 106 transmit the control signal used to control the lighting unit 202 to the intermediate device 122 using the second communication standard.

Intermediate device 122 receives control signals from lighting fixtures 105, 106 using the second communication standard. Intermediate device 122 generates a control status signal by adding information indicating the operating device that is the sender of the operation command selected for lighting fixtures 105, 106 to the control signal received from lighting fixtures 105, 106. Intermediate device 122 transmits the generated control status signal for lighting fixture 105 and the control status signal for lighting fixture 105 to each of operating devices 111-114.

Next, the operation of the operation devices 111 to 114 in the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation devices 111 to 114 according to the embodiment.
In each of operation devices 111-114, an operator inputs an operation command for each of lighting fixtures 101-106 using operation unit 304. Control unit 301 of operation devices 111-114 accepts input of operation commands related to operation of lighting fixtures 101-106, such as dimming commands, to operation unit 304. When the operator inputs an operation command related to operation of lighting fixtures 101-106 using operation unit 304 (ST31, YES), control unit 301 generates an operation command in accordance with the content of the operation command to operation unit 304, and transmits the generated operation command via communication unit 302.

For example, the operation command includes the DMX address of the target lighting fixture, a dimming signal specifying the brightness of the lighting light, information indicating the operation device that is the sender, and further information such as the universe. The control unit 301 generates an operation command in a format conforming to the protocol of the first communication standard (e.g., Art-Net, sACN, etc.) from the above-mentioned information. The control unit 301 may also generate an operation command including a dimming signal specifying the light color of the lighting light,
An operation command may be generated that includes information specifying the direction in which illumination light is emitted.

The control unit 301 also receives control status information transmitted from the lighting fixtures 101-104 or the intermediate device 122 at a predetermined timing via the communication unit 302. When the communication unit 302 receives the control status information (ST33, YES), the control unit 301 stores the received control status information in the storage unit 303 (ST34). The control unit 301 stores the latest control status information for each lighting fixture in the storage unit 303. For example, the control unit 301 stores the latest control status information in the storage unit 303 by overwriting the control status information of each lighting fixture each time the control status information of that lighting fixture is received.

The control unit 301 of the operation devices 111-114 also receives an instruction from the operator requesting the operation unit 304 to display a status screen. Upon receiving a request to display a status screen, the control unit 301 generates display data for a status screen indicating the operating status of each lighting fixture 101-106 based on the control status information of each lighting fixture (ST36), and displays the status screen on the display unit 305 based on the generated display data (ST37).

Next, a status screen showing the operating status of each of the lighting devices 101-106 that is displayed on the display unit 305 by the operating devices 111-114 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a status screen showing the operating status of each of the lighting devices 101 to 106, which is displayed on the display unit 305 by the operation devices 111 to 114 according to the embodiment.
6 displays a list of information for identifying each of the lighting fixtures 101 to 106 in the lighting system 100. Examples of information for identifying the lighting fixtures 101 to 106 include the fixture name, model, and fixture ID.

The lighting system 100 also controls the lighting fixtures 101-106 using a second communication standard that is a communication standard specific to lighting-related devices. Therefore, the status screen displays information related to the second communication standard in association with information identifying each of the lighting fixtures 101-106.

For example, information related to the second communication standard includes a DMX address and a universe. Here, the DMX address is information for identifying (designating) each of the lighting fixtures 101-106 on the network. The universe is information that indicates the group of devices to be controlled. For example, if it is desired to separate the group of lighting fixtures to be controlled, the universe is set to a different value. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the universe of "lighting fixture 4" ("2") is set to a value different from the universes of the other lighting fixtures ("1"), so that "lighting fixture 4" is recognized as not responding by the operating device corresponding to universe "1".

The status screen also displays, for each lighting fixture 101-106, the command content specified by the operation command from the operating devices 111-114 and the control content being executed by the lighting fixtures 101-106. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the dimming signal level is displayed as the command content specified by the operation command, and the fixture control signal level is displayed as the actual control content.

The dimming signal level corresponds to the brightness of the illumination light specified by the dimming signal included in the selected operation command. The fixture control signal level corresponds to the brightness of the illumination light specified by the control signal that the control unit 201 of the lighting fixtures 101-106 actually supplies to the lighting unit 202. According to the status screen shown in FIG. 6, the operator can visually check at a glance whether the command content and control content match for each lighting fixture.

As a specific example, in the example shown in Figure 6, for "Lighting Fixture 1," the dimming signal level is 30% and the fixture control signal level is 30%. This display allows the operator to visually confirm that the dimming signal level and the control signal level match. Similarly, for "Lighting Fixture 2," "Lighting Fixture 5," and "Lighting Fixture 6," the operator can visually confirm that the dimming signal level and the control signal level match.

In addition, for "lighting fixture 3," the dimming signal level is 50% and the control signal level is 100%. In this case, the operator can visually confirm that the dimming signal level and the control signal level do not match. The illumination light actually emitted by the lighting unit of the lighting fixture may be a brightness (fixture control signal level) different from the brightness (dimming signal level) specified by the dimming signal due to the lighting fixture's manual dimming function and automatic lighting function, etc.

In other words, the lighting fixtures 101-104 may not have a one-to-one correspondence between the command content (dimming signal level) of an operation command selected from multiple operation commands received from multiple operation devices and the control content (apparatus control signal level) of the control signal with which the control unit 201 actually controls the lighting unit 202. Even in such a case, the status screen shown in FIG. 6 allows the operator to not only see which operation device is controlling the lighting fixture, but also at a glance the dimming signal level indicating the brightness of the illumination light specified by the operation device and the appliance control signal level indicating the actual brightness of the illumination light.

Note that for "Lighting fixture 4," the dimming signal level and fixture control signal level are not displayed because a response (control status signal) cannot be received. This is because the universe set for "Lighting fixture 4" is different from "Lighting fixtures 1-3, 5, 6," so communication is not possible with an operation device that can communicate with "Lighting fixtures 1-3, 5, 6." In such a case, the operation device can recognize that "Lighting fixture 4" is on the network, but communication is not possible, so "No response" is displayed. This allows the operator to visually recognize that "Lighting fixture 4" is a lighting fixture that cannot be controlled by the operation device.

In addition, the command and control content items displayed on the status screen are not limited to the signal level (brightness of the illumination light) that controls the illumination light in the lighting fixtures 101-106, but items corresponding to the command and control content may be displayed. For example, items that are displayed include the light color of the illumination light of the lighting fixtures 101-106, the attitude of the lighting fixtures 101-106 (the direction of illumination light), the focus position of the lighting fixtures 101-106, the focus direction of the lighting fixtures 101-106, etc.

In addition, the status screen displays information indicating the operating device that is the source of the operation command selected by each of the lighting fixtures 101-106, along with information indicating the operation mode. In the example shown in FIG. 6, each lighting fixture is set to either an HTP mode in which an operation command (dimming signal) with the highest dimming signal level is selected, or a priority operating device mode in which an operation command from a preset operating device is preferentially selected.

6 , it is displayed that the operating mode of "lighting fixture 1" is the "HTP" mode, and that the selected operation command is from "operation device 1." This display allows the operator to visually confirm that "lighting fixture 1" is operating (controlling the illumination light) in the HTP mode based on the operation command from the operation device 1.
The operating mode of "lighting fixture 2" is the "priority operation device" mode, and it is displayed that the selected operation command is from "operation device 2." This display allows the operator to visually confirm that "lighting fixture 2" is in the priority operation device mode and is operating (controlling the illumination light) based on the operation command from "operation device 2."

The operation mode of "lighting fixture 3" is the "HTP" mode, and it is displayed that the selected operation command is from "operation device 3." This display allows the operator to visually confirm that "lighting fixture 3" is in the HTP mode and is operating (controlling the illumination light) based on the operation command from "operation device 3."
Because "lighting fixture 4" is not responding (cannot communicate), its operating mode and the operating device that is the source of the selected operation command are not displayed. This display allows the operator to visually recognize that "lighting fixture 4" is a lighting fixture that cannot be controlled by the operating device and whose operating status cannot be confirmed.

The operation mode of "lighting fixture 5" according to intermediate device (node) 122 is "HTP" mode, and the operation command selected by intermediate device (node) 122 in HTP mode is displayed as a dimming signal from "operation device 5 (simple operation device)." This display allows the operator to visually confirm that "lighting fixture 5" is operating (controlling the illumination light) based on the operation command from "operation device 5 (simple operation device)" selected by intermediate device 122 in HTP mode.

The operation mode of "lighting fixture 6" according to intermediate device (node) 122 is "HTP" mode, and it is displayed that the operation command selected by intermediate device (node) 122 in HTP mode is a dimming signal included in the operation command from "operation device 1". This display allows the operator to visually confirm that "lighting fixture 6" is operating (controlling the illumination light) based on the dimming signal from "operation device 1" selected by intermediate device 122 in HTP mode.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the lighting system includes a lighting fixture and a plurality of operation devices. The lighting fixture communicates with the plurality of operation devices using a first communication standard such as Ethernet, selects one operation command from among the operation commands from the plurality of operation devices to control the lighting light, and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the selected operation command to each operation device. The operation device identifies the operation device that is the source of the operation command selected by the lighting fixture based on the control status signal received from the lighting fixture, and displays information indicating the operation device that is the source of the operation command selected by the lighting fixture on the display unit. This allows the operator to easily check, on each operation device, which operation device's dimming signal the lighting fixture is controlling the lighting light with.

According to an embodiment, the lighting fixture selects an operation command according to the set operation mode to control the illumination light, and further transmits a control status signal to each operation device, the control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the selected operation command and information indicating the operation mode. Based on the control status signal received from the lighting fixture, each operation device displays information indicating the operation device that is the source of the operation command used by the lighting fixture and information indicating the operation mode set for the lighting fixture on the display unit. This allows the operator to check which operation device the lighting fixture is using to control the illumination light, as well as the operation mode set for the lighting fixture in each operation device.

According to an embodiment, the lighting fixture further transmits to each operation device a control status signal including the dimming signal level according to the selected operation command and the appliance control signal level in the control signal actually supplied to the lighting unit. Based on the control status signal received from the lighting fixture, the operation device displays on the display unit not only information indicating the operation device that is the sender of the operation command adopted by the lighting fixture, but also information indicating the brightness (dimming signal level) instructed by the operation command or the brightness of the illumination light actually emitted by the lighting fixture (appliance control signal level). This allows the operator to compare the dimming signal selected by the lighting fixture and the dimming signal level of the selected dimming signal with the appliance control signal level of the control signal actually controlling the illumination light in each operation device.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

100...Lighting system 10001-106...Lighting fixtures, 111-114...Operation devices, 115...Simple operation device, 121...Intermediate device (connection device), 122...Intermediate equipment, 201...Control unit (first control unit), 202...Lighting unit, 203...Communication unit (first communication unit), 301...Control unit (second control unit), 302...Communication unit (second communication unit), 304...Operation unit, 305...Display unit (display device).

Claims (7)

A lighting system having a lighting fixture and a plurality of operating devices,
The lighting fixture comprises:
An illumination unit that emits illumination light;
A first communication unit that communicates with a plurality of operation devices;
a first control unit that controls the illumination unit based on one operation command selected from operation commands received from each operation device by the first communication unit, and transmits, to each operation device, a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is a transmission source of the selected operation command;
Equipped with
The operating device is
A second communication unit that communicates with the lighting device;
a second control unit that transmits an operation command to the lighting device by the second communication unit, receives a control status signal from the lighting device, and causes a display device to display information indicating an operating device that is a transmission source of the operation command used by the lighting device to control the lighting unit based on the control status signal;
A lighting system comprising: the second control unit of the operating device transmits, via the second communication unit, an operation command to the lighting device, the operation command including a dimming signal for the lighting device and information indicating the operating device that is a source of the dimming signal;
the first control unit of the lighting device controls the lighting unit based on a dimming signal included in one operation command selected from the operation commands received from each operation device by the first communication unit, identifies the operation device that is a source of the operation command based on information included in the selected operation command, and transmits a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is the source of the selected operation command to each operation device;
10. The lighting system of claim 1. the first control unit of the lighting device selects one operation command to be used for controlling the lighting unit from among operation commands received from each operating device via the second communication unit in accordance with a set operation mode;
3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2. When the operation mode is an HTP mode, the first control unit of the lighting device selects an operation command having a highest operation command level from among the operation commands received from each operation device via the second communication unit, and when the operation mode is a priority operation device mode, selects, by priority, an operation command from an operation device set as a priority operation device from among the operation commands received from each operation device via the second communication unit.
4. The lighting system of claim 3. the first control unit of the lighting device transmits control state information to each operation device, the control state information further including information indicating a set operation mode;
and the second control unit of the operating device causes a display device to display information indicating an operating mode set in the lighting device together with information indicating an operating device that is a source of an operation command used by the lighting device to control the lighting unit based on the control status signal.
5. A lighting system according to claim 3 or 4. A lighting device capable of communicating with an operating device that displays, on a display device, information indicating an operating device that is a transmission source of an operation command,
An illumination unit that emits illumination light;
A communication unit that communicates with a plurality of operation devices;
a control unit that controls the illumination unit based on one operation command selected from operation commands received from a plurality of operation devices by the communication unit, and transmits, to each operation device, a control status signal including information indicating the operation device that is a transmission source of the selected operation command;
A lighting fixture comprising: A communication unit that communicates with a lighting device that is capable of communicating with a plurality of operating devices ;
a control unit that transmits an operation command to the lighting device using the communication unit, receives a control status signal from the lighting device, and displays, on a display device as text information , information indicating an operating device that is a transmission source of the operation command used by the lighting device to control the illumination light, based on the control status signal received by the communication unit;
An operating device comprising: