WO2009072740A1

WO2009072740A1 - Mood lighting device having switching function and method for controlling thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009072740A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005579
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gwan Yeon Kim; Yong Kim; Se Hyun Park
Original assignee: Aurora Design Lab Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-12-07
Filing date: 2008-09-19
Publication date: 2009-06-11

Abstract

A mood lighting device and a method for controlling thereof. The mood lighting device has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance. The mood lighting device includes a touch sensor section for sensing a touch by an object; a lighting section capable of surface emission to at least two colors; and a control section for controlling the lighting section using object touch information sensed by the touch sensor section and generating a signal for controlling the electronic appliance.

Description

MOOD LIGHTING DEVICE HAVING SWITCHING FUNCTION AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mood lighting device and a method for controlling thereof, and more particularly, to a mood lighting device in which a side-view type lighting section is controlled based on the information secured using a motion sensor, a touch sensor and an illumination sensor and which has a switching function, and a method for controlling thereof. Background Art

[2] In the conventional art, switches are divided into a mechanical switch and an electronic switch. A typical example of the mechanical switch is the mechanical on and off control switch of a lighting lamp which is generally used at a home. A typical example of the electronic switch is a switch having a remote control function by an infrared remote controller along with an additional function such as the function of a watch.

[3] Meanwhile, recently, switches, which are provided to be connected with home network service and controlled through power line communication (PLC) or Zigbee, have been disclosed in the art. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mood lighting device for visibly notifying driving statuses through various colors and a method for controlling thereof.

[5] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mood lighting device for automatically guiding the position thereof as an object approaches it and a method for controlling thereof.

[6] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mood lighting device which is slim and controlled in consideration of illumination information, touch information, object approach information, and so forth and a method for controlling thereof.

[7] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mood lighting device which can render a sense of touch to a user and a method for controlling thereof. Technical Solution

[8] In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mood lighting device having a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, comprising a touch sensor section for sensing a touch by an object; a lighting section capable of surface emission to at least two colors; and a control section for controlling the lighting section using object touch information sensed by the touch sensor section and generating a signal for controlling the electronic appliance.

[9] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises a motion sensor section for sensing approach of the object, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using object approach information sensed by the motion sensor section.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises an illumination sensor section for sensing an illumination of a surrounding area, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using illumination information sensed by the illumination sensor section.

[11] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises a motion sensor section for sensing approach of the object; and an illumination sensor section for sensing an illumination of a surrounding area, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using object approach information sensed by the motion sensor section and illumination information sensed by the illumination sensor section.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the approach of the object is sensed by the motion sensor section and to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[13] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the illumination information is lower than a preset reference illumination and to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, when the illumination information is lower than a preset reference illumination, the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color if the approach of the object is sensed by the motion sensor section and to emit light of a second color if the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[15] According to another aspect of the present invention, the motion sensor section comprises any one of an RF sensor, an infrared sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

[16] According to another aspect of the present invention, the lighting section comprises a light source capable of emitting light of at least two colors; a light guide plate for dispersing the light emitted from the light source in an upward direction; a light dif fusion plate brought into contact with an upper surface of the light guide plate to diffuse light introduced therein from the light guide plate; and a reflection plate brought into contact with a lower surface of the light guide plate to reflect light introduced therein toward the light diffusion plate, wherein the light source is located at one end or both ends of the light guide plate.

[17] According to another aspect of the present invention, the lighting section can emit light from a portion of a front surface thereof or an entire front surface thereof.

[18] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises a vibrator, wherein the control section drives the vibrator when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[19] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises a network device for performing a networking function.

[20] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further comprises a power supply section for supplying driving power.

[21] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second color is a color which indicates a controlled status of the electronic appliance.

[22] In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of sensing a touch by an object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a predetermined color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[23] In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses a motion sensor, a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of sensing approach of an object using the motion sensor; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the approach of the object is sensed; sensing a touch by the object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[24] In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses an illumination sensor, a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of sensing an illumination of a surrounding area; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the sensed illumination is lower than a preset reference illumination; sensing a touch by an object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[25] In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses an illumination sensor, a motion sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of sensing an illumination of a surrounding area; sensing approach of an object using the motion sensor; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the sensed illumination is lower than a preset reference illumination and the approach of the object is sensed; sensing a touch by the object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[26] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the mood lighting device further possesses a vibrator, and the method further comprises the step of driving the vibrator when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor.

[27] According to a still further aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of turning off the lighting section when the illumination sensed by the illumination sensor is higher than the preset reference illumination.

Advantageous Effects

[28] Thanks to the above features, the mood lighting device and the method for controlling thereof according to the present invention provide advantages in that driving statuses can be visibly represented through various colors.

[29] Also, in the present invention, the position of the mood lighting device can be automatically guided to a user.

[30] Further, in the present invention, a sense of touch can be rendered to the user who uses the mood lighting device.

[31] In addition, in the present invention, the mood lighting device can be utilized for an indirect lighting mode and as a switch by the switching function thereof. Brief Description of the Drawings

[32] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[33] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mood lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[34] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the inside arrangement of a lighting section of the mood lighting device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

[35] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the inside arrangement of the mood lighting device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and

[36] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a mood lighting device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[37] It is to be understood that the terms or words used in this description and the following claims must not be construed to have meanings which are general or may be found in a dictionary. Therefore, considering the notion that an inventor can most properly define the concepts of the terms or words to best explain his or her invention, the terms or words must be understood as having meanings or concepts that conform to the technical spirit of the present invention.

[38] Accordingly, since the present description and the drawings are nothing but the illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not completely represent the technical concepts of the present invention, it is to be noted that various equivalents and modifications can be made at the time of the present application.

[39] Hereafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[40] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mood lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the mood lighting device according to the present invention includes a motion sensor section 110 for sensing the approach of an object, a touch sensor section 130 for sensing the touch by the object, an illumination sensor section 120 for sensing the illumination of a surrounding area, a lighting section 160 for representing driving statuses, a vibration section 150 for rendering the sense of touch upon the touch by the object, and a control section 140 for controlling the lighting section 160 and the vibration section 150 based on the information secured through the respective sensor sections 110, 120 and 130. Also, the mood lighting device according to the present invention further includes a power supply section 170 for supplying driving power.

[41] The motion sensor section 110 includes a motion sensor for sensing the object that approaches an area separated by a predetermined distance from the mood lighting device. The object approach information secured by the motion sensor is transmitted to the control section 140 and is utilized as basic information for the control of the mood lighting device.

[42] That is to say, the control section 140 controls the lighting section 160 using the transmitted object approach information.

[43] The motion sensor may comprise any one an RF (radio frequency) sensor, an infrared sensor and an ultrasonic sensor, preferably, the RF sensor. Since the RF sensor has a sensor structure which does not project and is therefore installed in the mood lighting device, the mood lighting device can be made slim. Also, by adjusting the Doppler range of the RF sensor, it is possible to sense the object (a user) even when the object laterally approaches the mood lighting device from a side. As a consequence, because the sensor is installed in the mood lighting device, the outer appearance of the mood lighting device may be changed in a variety of ways, and the location of a portion to be touched by the user is not restricted to a specific portion of the mood lighting device and can be freely changed.

[44] The touch sensor section 130 includes a touch sensor for sensing that the object touches the mood lighting device. For example, a pressure touch sensor or an electrostatic touch sensor may be used as the touch sensor. The object touch information secured by the touch sensor is transmitted to the control section 140 and is utilized as basic information for the control of the mood lighting device.

[45] That is to say, the control section 140 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of an electronic appliance connected to the mood lighting device, using the transmitted object touch information, so that the mood lighting device can perform various switching functions. In an example, when the mood lighting device is op- eratively linked with a lighting lamp, the control section 140 can be used as a lighting switch for controlling the lighting lamp. At this time, when predetermined object touch information is set as emergency alarming information, if the predetermined object touch information is sensed, the control section 140 can make the lighting lamp connected to the mood lighting device to perform an emergency alarming function. For example, if the user presses the touch sensor long, the control section 140 can recognize this as an emergency situation and generate a control signal for allowing the lighting lamp to flicker or to emit light having a preset color. This function may be especially appropriate for a hearing-impaired user.

[46] In order to render the sense of touch to the object that touches the mood lighting device, the control section 140 can drive a vibrator which is disposed in the mood lighting device, through the vibration section 150. Further, the control section 140 generates a control signal for controlling the lighting section 160.

[47] In addition, the control section 140 may further include a networking function. To this end, a network device for performing the networking function, such as an RS485 connector, can be provided. At this time, the network device may be included in the control section 140 or be separately built in the mood lighting device.

[48] The lighting section 160 can output various colors in response to control signals from the control section 140. Due to the fact that the lighting section 160 is composed of a side-view type LED, the mood lighting device can be made slim. Also, since a three- colored LED is provided, various colors including natural colors may be presented.

[49] The lighting section 160 is generally composed of a light diffusion plate 220, a light guide plate 230 and a reflection plate 240. A light source 210 is provided on one ends or both ends of the three plates 220, 230 and 240. It is preferred that the light source 210 comprise a three-colored LED. The light emitted by the light source 210 is radiated while being dispersed over the front surface of the mood lighting device through the three plates 220, 230 and 240, so that the mood lighting device is capable of surface emission. According to this, light may be emitted from the entire front surface of the mood lighting device or from a portion of the front surface of the mood lighting device.

[50] Describing in detail with reference to FIG. 2 which illustrates the inside arrangement of the lighting section 160, the light emitted from the light source 210 is introduced into the light guide plate 230, and the light guide plate 230 disperses the light introduced therein toward the light diffusion plate 220. Since the light emitted from the light source 210 is initially introduced into the light guide plate 230, it is preferred that the light source 210 be positioned on one end or both ends of the light guide plate 230.

[51] The light diffusion plate 220 is brought into contact with one surface of the light guide plate 230 and is made of a material having optical transparency to diffuse the light introduced therein from the light guide plate 230.

[52] The reflection plate 240 is brought into contact with the other surface of the light guide plate 230. The reflection plate 240 reflects the light which is not outputted to the outside through the light diffusion plate 220 and is diffused in an opposite direction, toward the light diffusion plate 220 again so that light output efficiency can be increased.

[53] The illumination sensor section 120 includes an illumination sensor for sensing the illumination around the mood lighting device. The illumination information secured by the illumination sensor is transmitted to the control section 140 and is utilized as basic information for the control of the mood lighting device. Here, the illumination information is utilized together with the object approach information or the touch information.

[54] When the illumination information transmitted to the control section 140 means that the illumination around the mood lighting device is lower than a preset reference illumination, if the secured object approach information means the sensing of the motion of the object or the secured touch information means the touch to the mood lighting device by the object, the control section 140 generates a control signal for controlling the lighting section 160 and, through this, controls the lighting section 160.

[55] The lighting section 160 may be converted from an off state to an on state in response to the control signal from the control section 140 and may output a specified color for representing the sensing of the motion.

[56] In an example, as the motion of the object is sensed, the control section 140 can convert the lighting section 160 from the off state to the on state, and then, as the touch to the mood lighting device by the object is sensed, the control section 140 can convert the lighting section 160 from a red-colored on state to a blue-colored on state.

[57] Next, in the case that the lighting section 160 of the mood lighting device is in the blue-colored on state and the illumination around the mood lighting device is lower than the preset reference illumination, if the object as the user touches the mood lighting device to turn off the mood lighting device, the lighting section 160 in the blue-colored on state is converted again to the red-colored on state, and then, as the object moves out of the predetermined distance from the mood lighting device within which the motion sensor can sense the motion of the object, the lighting section 160 in the red-colored on state is converted to the off state.

[58] Meanwhile, the mood lighting device according to the present invention may further include a lighting conversion section (not shown).

[59] The lighting conversion section is provided to allow the user to optionally change the color of the light outputted by the lighting section 160. The lighting conversion section may have a button (not shown) for changing the color of the light, which is installed to be exposed to the outside from the mood lighting device.

[60] In an example, when the lighting section 160 is in the blue-colored on state as described above, the user can change the blue color to the red color by pressing the button at least one time in conformity with his or her taste, and then, can convert the blue-colored on state to the red-colored on state through pressing the button once long. Of course, these illustrate exemplary operations for changing the setting of the lighting section 160. It is to be understood that any configuration for converting a specific state such as a lighting state using selection means such as a button may be adopted, and this may be possible through the use of the touch sensor disposed in the mood lighting device.

[61] The power source section 170 is to supply power necessary for driving the mood lighting device. When the power source section 170 is applied to a mood lighting device which is generally installed in a home, the power source section 170 can include a transformer of a switching mode power supply (SMPS) type capable of converting 22Ov alternate current to power for operating the mood lighting device. Of course, the transformer can control other electric home appliances to 220V again.

[62] Namely, the power source section 170 can directly supply power to the lighting section 160, the respective sensor sections 110, 120 and 130, the vibration section 150, and the control section 140 of the mood lighting device to operate them.

[63] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the inside arrangement of the mood lighting device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[64] Referring to FIG. 3, in the mood lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting section 160 is located outermost so that the user s visual awareness can be improved. That is to say, when the mood lighting device is used in the state embedded in a wall, it is preferred that the lighting section 160 be located on a portion of the mood lighting device which is exposed to the outside out of the wall.

[65] The respective sensor sections 110, 120 and 130 are located on one of both surfaces of the lighting section which faces the inside of the wall and from which the light is not outputted. In particular, in the case of the motion sensor, by using the RF sensor, the structural change of the lighting section 160 for disposing the motion sensor becomes unnecessary so that the sensibility can be ensured, the manufacturing convenience can be improved, and the aesthetic effect created by the outer appearance of the mood lighting device can be elevated.

[66] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a mood lighting device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[67] Referring to FIG. 4, in the method for controlling a mood lighting device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, first, the control section 140 secures the illumination information from the illumination sensor section 120 which senses the illumination around the mood lighting device (S410).

[68] Then, the control section 140 secures the object approach information from the motion sensor section 110 which senses the motion of the object (the user) approaching the area separated by the predetermined distance from the mood lighting device (S420).

[69] Meanwhile, the securement of the illumination information may be implemented after the object approach information is secured.

[70] In the case that the secured illumination information is lower than the reference illumination preset in the mood lighting device, if the object approach information means the sensing of the motion of the object, the control section 140 generates a first lighting control signal, and the LED of the lighting section 160 is turned on to a first color in response to the generated first lighting control signal (S430). Here, the first color may be a color which indicates the standby state of the mood lighting device.

[71] If the object having approached the mood lighting device moves out of the predetermined distance from the mood lighting device within which the motion sensor can sense the motion of the object or the illumination information becomes higher than the reference illumination, the control section turns off the lighting section 160.

[72] In the state in which the object has approached the mood lighting device and the lighting section 160 is turned on to the first color, if the mood lighting device is touched by the object (the user), the control section 140 secures the object touch in- formation through the touch sensor section 130 (S440).

[73] According to this, the control section 140 generates a second lighting control signal, and the LED of the lighting section 160 is turned on to a second color in response to the generated second lighting control signal (S450).

[74] At this time, in the state in which the lighting section 160 is turned on to the second color, if a predetermined time is lapsed, the lighting section 160 may be turned off or the light emitting color of the lighting section 160 may be changed to the first color. The turn-off or the color change of the lighting section 160 may be controlled depending upon the approach of the object or the illumination.

[75] The control section 140 controls the lighting section 160 as well as the vibration section 150 to drive the vibrator so that the sense of touch can be rendered to the object having touched the mood lighting device.

[76] Here, the first color and the second color may be determined depending upon the lighting information which is set by the user through the lighting conversion section.

[77] On the other hand, the control section 140 can generate a control signal for controlling the electronic appliance connected to the mood lighting device according to the object touch information. Through this, the on and off control of the electronic appliance connected to the mood lighting device is enabled. The above-described second color may be a color that indicates the control status of the electronic appliance. In other words, colors indicating the on and off states of the electronic appliance may be designated by the user. As the user touches the mood lighting device, the lighting s ection 160 can emit light indicative of the current control status of the electronic appliance.

[78] When the electronic appliance connected to the mood lighting device is a lighting lamp, if the lighting lamp is turned on under the control of the mood lighting device, the control section 140 turns off the LED of the lighting section 160 after a preselected time is lapsed. Also, in this case, the control section 140 can secure the illumination information around the mood lighting device through the illumination sensor section 120 and can turn off the LED of the lighting section 160 when the secured illumination information is higher than the preset reference illumination.

[79] The mood lighting device according to the present invention may be applied to various fields that require the function of the mood lighting device, including electric home appliances such as the door handle of a refrigerator.

[80] In an example, the mood lighting device according to the present invention can be applied to the door handle of a refrigerator. In this case, if a user approaches the refrigerator in a dark condition such as night, LED lighting of a specified color can be emitted from the door handle of the refrigerator so that the user can perceive the position of the door handle of the refrigerator. Then, as the user touches the door handle of the refrigerator, the mood lighting device applied to the door handle of the refrigerator renders the sense of touch to the user through vibration and, as control operation responding to the touch, allows the user to confirm information of the refrigerator through the monitor provided to the refrigerator.

[81] It was described in the embodiment that the sensors included in the mood lighting device comprise the illumination sensor, the motion sensor and the touch sensor. However, in another embodiment, the mood lighting device may be configured only using the illumination sensor and the touch sensor or only using the motion sensor and the touch sensor.

[82] When the mood lighting device includes only the illumination sensor and the touch sensor, the illumination around the mood lighting device is sensed. If the illumination is lower than the reference illumination, the lighting section can be turned on to the first color, and then, as the user touches the mood lighting device, the lighting section can be turned on to the second color.

[83] When the mood lighting device includes only the motion sensor and the touch sensor, if the approach of the user is sensed, the lighting section can be turned on to the first color, and then, as the user touches the mood lighting device, the lighting section can be turned on to the second color.

[84] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the mood lighting device may be configured not to include the illumination sensor and the motion sensor and to include only the touch sensor. In this case, only when object touch is sensed by the touch sensor, the lighting section is turned on. At this time, the lighting section may emit light for a predefined time or until a next touch is made.

[85] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A mood lighting device having a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, comprising: a touch sensor section for sensing a touch by an object; a lighting section capable of surface emission to at least two colors; and a control section for controlling the lighting section using object touch information sensed by the touch sensor section and generating a signal for controlling the electronic appliance.

[2] The mood lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a motion sensor section for sensing approach of the object, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using object approach information sensed by the motion sensor section.

[3] The mood lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: an illumination sensor section for sensing an illumination of a surrounding area, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using illumination information sensed by the illumination sensor section.

[4] The mood lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a motion sensor section for sensing approach of the object; and an illumination sensor section for sensing an illumination of a surrounding area, wherein the control section controls the lighting section using object approach information sensed by the motion sensor section and illumination information sensed by the illumination sensor section.

[5] The mood lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the approach of the object is sensed by the motion sensor section and to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[6] The mood lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the illumination info rmation is lower than a preset reference illumination and to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[7] The mood lighting device according to claim 4, wherein, when the illumination information is lower than a preset reference illumination, the control section causes the lighting section to emit light of a first color if the approach of the object is sensed by the motion sensor section and to emit light of a second color if the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[8] The mood lighting device according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the motion sensor section comprises any one of an RF sensor, an infrared sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

[9] The mood lighting device according to any one claims 1 to 4, wherein the lighting section comprises: a light source capable of emitting light of at least two colors; a light guide plate for dispersing the light emitted from the light source in an upward direction; a light diffusion plate brought into contact with an upper surface of the light guide plate to diffuse light introduced therein from the light guide plate; and a reflection plate brought into contact with a lower surface of the light guide plate to reflect light introduced therein toward the light diffusion plate, wherein the light source is located at one end or both ends of the light guide plate.

[10] The mood lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lighting section can emit light from a portion of a front surface thereof or an entire front surface thereof.

[11] The mood lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a vibrator, wherein the control section drives the vibrator when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor section.

[12] The mood lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a network device for performing a networking function.

[13] The mood lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a power supply section for supplying driving power.

[14] The mood lighting device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second color is a color which indicates a controlled status of the electronic appliance.

[15] A method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of: sensing a touch by an object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a predetermined color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[16] A method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses a motion sensor, a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of: sensing approach of an object using the motion sensor; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the approach of the object is sensed; sensing a touch by the object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[17] A method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses an illumination sensor, a touch sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of: sensing an illumination of a surrounding area; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the sensed illumination is lower than a preset reference illumination; sensing a touch by an object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[18] A method for controlling a mood lighting device which possesses an illumination sensor, a motion sensor and a lighting section capable of surface emission in at least two colors and has a switching function for generating a signal for controlling an electronic appliance, the method comprising the steps of: sensing an illumination of a surrounding area; sensing approach of an object using the motion sensor; causing the lighting section to emit light of a first color when the sensed illumination is lower than a preset reference illumination and the approach of the object is sensed; sensing a touch by the object using the touch sensor; and causing the lighting section to emit light of a second color when the touch by the object is sensed.

[19] The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the mood lighting device further possesses a vibrator, and the method further comprises the step of: driving the vibrator when the touch by the object is sensed by the touch sensor.

[20] The method according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising the steps of: turning off the lighting section when the illumination sensed by the illumination sensor is higher than the preset reference illumination.