WO2015076339A1 - Led brightness control device - Google Patents

Led brightness control device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015076339A1
WO2015076339A1 PCT/JP2014/080787 JP2014080787W WO2015076339A1 WO 2015076339 A1 WO2015076339 A1 WO 2015076339A1 JP 2014080787 W JP2014080787 W JP 2014080787W WO 2015076339 A1 WO2015076339 A1 WO 2015076339A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
led
control
luminance
brightness
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2014/080787
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
洋治 椋田
Original Assignee
株式会社ステラージアＬｅｄ
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社ステラージアＬｅｄ filed Critical 株式会社ステラージアＬｅｄ
Priority to JP2015549190A priority Critical patent/JPWO2015076339A1/en
Publication of WO2015076339A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015076339A1/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/20—Controlling the colour of the light

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an LED brightness control apparatus for driving and adjusting and controlling the brightness of an LED array.
  • LED lighting using light-emitting diodes is characterized by relatively long life and low power consumption compared to conventional lighting fixtures such as fluorescent lamps and incandescent bulbs, and is excellent in consideration for the environment. It is expected as a next-generation lighting device.
  • problems related to reduction of noise of a radiated radio wave hereinafter referred to as “noise”
  • harmonics flowing in an AC input hereinafter referred to as “harmonic”
  • LED lighting devices currently convert alternating current to direct current and are internally driven by direct current, so that a complicated LED peripheral circuit is required.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an LED driving circuit that drives an LED unit having a plurality of LEDs connected in series, and includes a rectifier that rectifies an AC input, an operational amplifier, and a voltage dividing resistor connected to the output stage of the operational amplifier.
  • a constant current circuit having a plurality of driving transistors connected to each other, one end on the output side of the rectifier connected to the input side of the LED unit, and one end on the output side of the plurality of transistors, respectively, in the LED unit
  • an LED drive circuit characterized in that a plurality of transistors are selectively driven according to an AC input voltage by connecting to connection points having different numbers of LED stages.
  • Patent Document 2 a technique for preventing uneven luminance between display units is disclosed.
  • Patent Document 2 discloses a display panel in which a plurality of display units in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in a matrix are arranged to perform desired display, and display control including lighting control data for each display unit.
  • an information display device characterized by having a function.
  • Patent Document 3 a method of adjusting a back light source for a display device that expands the color reproduction range and realizes a back light source with uniform brightness has been proposed.
  • Patent Document 3 discloses a method of adjusting a back light source including a red current injection semiconductor light emitting device, a green current injection semiconductor light emitting device, and a blue current injection semiconductor light emitting device, wherein the red current The current flowing through each of the injection semiconductor light emitting device, the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for green, and the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for blue is individually adjusted, and then the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for red, A method for adjusting the back light source is disclosed, wherein the current flowing through each of the green current injection type semiconductor light emitting device and the blue current injection type semiconductor light emitting device is adjusted at the same rate.
  • Basic adjustment points of this method and the like are as follows: (1) Monochromatic light emitted from each semiconductor light emitting element by individually controlling the current flowing through each semiconductor light emitting element belonging to the semiconductor light emitting element block of the back light source. The color temperature of the white light obtained by mixing is adjusted so as to be equal to a predetermined standard value, and (2) while maintaining the adjusted color temperature, that is, a single color emitted from each semiconductor light emitting element By controlling the increase or decrease of the current flowing in all the semiconductor light emitting elements in the block at the same rate while maintaining the light intensity ratio, the brightness (brightness) of white light becomes equal to a predetermined desired value. It is in the point to adjust like.
  • the present invention provides an LED brightness control device that can suppress flicker and harmonic generation, achieve low power consumption, and can easily and quickly realize brightness adjustment with smooth brightness change over time.
  • the purpose is to do.
  • the object is to provide a control means, a luminance control information register, a D / A converter unit, and an LED driver connected to each LED row or each LED drive unit in order to control one or a plurality of LED rows.
  • the brightness control information register stores information bits for brightness control and information bits for color tone or LED current value control (hereinafter referred to as “color tone control”), Based on the signal from the control means, the selected information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control are sent to the D / A converter, and the D / A converter unit controls the information bit for luminance control and the color tone control.
  • the LED brightness control apparatus characterized by being configured to turn off or zero output to the LED driver, is achieved.
  • the control means includes a serial communication control unit and a command decoder, and the serial communication control unit converts serial information input in synchronization with a clock signal into data information,
  • the command decoder controls the luminance control information register based on data information from the serial communication control unit.
  • the LED brightness control apparatus is preferably a control circuit in which the control means generates a control signal and sends it to the brightness control information register.
  • the LED brightness control apparatus is preferably characterized in that the control means is a switch circuit.
  • the D / A converter unit determines that at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, A determination unit that outputs a signal is provided, and the output is turned off or zero by a determination signal from the determination unit.
  • the determination unit detects that the information bit for luminance control is data indicating “0” and outputs a detection signal;
  • a second detection unit that detects that the information bit for the data is “0” and outputs a detection signal, a detection signal from the first detection unit, and a detection signal from the second detection unit
  • An OR circuit that outputs a determination signal when any one of them is input.
  • the D / A converter unit performs D / A conversion when at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is “0” data. The processing is stopped or the output is turned off.
  • the LED brightness control device preferably turns off the output of the D / A converter when at least one of the brightness control information bit and the color tone control information bit is “0” data. It is characterized by that.
  • the LED brightness control device is preferably configured such that when at least one of the information bit for brightness control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, the D / A converter unit by the second switch circuit The output of is turned off.
  • the D / A converter unit operates the switch circuit. And the output is turned off.
  • an LED brightness control device that can suppress the occurrence of flicker and harmonics, achieve low power consumption, and can easily and quickly realize brightness adjustment with a smooth brightness change over time. Etc. can be provided.
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the hardware configuration of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 4 to 6, FIGS. 7 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 12, and FIGS. FIG. 15 explains the processing flow of the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner in comparison with a conventional control device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the LED brightness control device 100 includes a serial communication control unit 101, a command decoder 102, a brightness control information register 103, a D / A converter unit 105, a 1-bit switch circuit 106, an LED driver. 107 and an internal voltage generator 108.
  • the brightness control information register 103, the D / A converter unit 105, the 1-bit switch circuit 106, and the LED driver 107 each control the LED row for each RGB.
  • the D / A converter is also referred to as “DAC”.
  • the luminance control information is the uppermost (first stage) circuit in the row of the luminance control information register, D / A converter unit, 1-bit switch circuit, and LED driver in 12 stages in total.
  • the information register 103a1 (and 1-bit register 103a2), the D / A converter unit 105a, the 1-bit switch circuit 106a, and the LED driver 107a are connected to a red (R) series LED string (for example, when full-wave rectification is 24V AC, 9) is controlled.
  • R red series LED string
  • the second-stage circuit controls a green (G) series LED string (for example, nine when full-wave rectification is 24V AC), and the third-stage circuit is blue ( B) Control the series LED string (for example, 9 when full-wave rectification is 24V AC).
  • G green
  • B blue
  • the RGB 1 set LED row control circuit (hereinafter also referred to as “bank”) is composed of three stages of circuits, so in FIG. 1, the RGB 1 set LED row is divided into 4 banks BK0 to BK3. It is configured to be able to control for 12 stages (the number of stages of circuits in color units).
  • circuit configuration example shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the present invention, and the number and stage of the LED rows or the color of the LED to be used can be appropriately changed in design.
  • the number of LEDs that can be connected in series is 13, AC32V is required for full-wave rectification.
  • the serial communication control unit 101 receives serial information Data sent in synchronization with the clock signal Clock, converts it into 8-bit or 16-bit data using a shift register, a counter, etc., and sends it to the command decoding unit 102. .
  • the command decoding unit 102 analyzes the information sent from the serial communication control unit 101. If the command decoding unit 102 matches a device address (4 bits as an example) designated by a host (not shown), an instruction (for example, The entire 12-stage LED element array shown in FIG. 1 is operated according to the information sent.
  • the luminance control information register 103 is an 8-bit register including 3 bits for luminance control and 5 bits for color tone control, and ON / OFF for each color LED, as shown in FIG. And a 1-bit switch circuit register.
  • the D / A converter unit 105 is composed of an 8-bit D / A converter.
  • the 3-bit value for luminance control in the luminance control information register 103 is input and converted into an analog value.
  • the signal converted into an analog value by the D / A converter unit 105 is transmitted to the LED driver 107 via the 1-bit switch circuit 106.
  • the 1-bit switch circuit 106 is a switch circuit that can turn on or off the output of luminance (color) for each color of the LED array, and is configured by a MOSFET as one embodiment as will be described later.
  • the LED driver 107 is a driver circuit that drives an LED row for each RGB color.
  • the internal voltage generation unit 108 uses, as a full-wave rectified AC24V voltage applied by a power supply (not shown), communication, luminance information holding, LED driving, and control internal voltages for control. Is generated and supplied to each control unit / circuit unit.
  • FIG. 2 shows a detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the DAC / LED drive circuit 200 represents a “one stage” detailed circuit of the D / A converter unit 105, the 1-bit switch circuit 106, and the LED driver 107 in the LED brightness control apparatus 100 of FIG. ing.
  • the DAC / LED drive circuit 200 is roughly divided into an 8-bit 3-channel DAC 201, a determination unit 202, a 1-bit switch circuit 204, and an LED drive driver circuit 205, and is grounded by a virtual ground 206. .
  • the signal output from the 8-bit 3-channel DAC 201 is output to the LED drive driver circuit 205 via the 1-bit switch circuit 204 formed of a MOSFET, and only the on / off operation of the 1-bit switch circuit 204 is performed.
  • on / off control of each color of the LED is performed without rewriting the luminance information and color tone information written in the luminance control register (details will be described later based on FIGS. 13 to 15).
  • the determination unit 202 detects two data indicating “0” for the luminance control 3-bit signal and the color tone control 5-bit signal input to the DAC 201 and outputs two detection signals.
  • a detection signal is input from 202a and 202b and one of these two detectors 202a and 202b, and when an LED turn-off instruction signal (BK (i) DAOFF-P) is input, the determination signal is OR circuit 202c for output.
  • the detectors 202a and 202b normally output a signal “0”, but output a signal “1” as a detection signal during detection.
  • the OR circuit 20c outputs a signal “1” as a determination signal when a signal “1” as a detection signal is input from one or both of the detector 202a and the detector 202b.
  • the determination signal output from the OR circuit 202 c is input to the switch circuit 204.
  • the switch circuit 204 sets the output signal of the DAC 201 to zero. Therefore, the switch circuit 204 performs on / off control of the output of the D / A converter unit with respect to the LED driver.
  • the LED drive driver circuit 205 is an LED drive driver for controlling an LED array of one color (for example, R, G, B), and as shown in FIG. 2, an operational amplifier 205-1 and three transistors Each of the resistors 205-2, 205-3, and 205-4 is driven by switching one LED array corresponding to one color in three stages according to the voltage value of the pulsating flow. Therefore, a constant current driving circuit is configured.
  • the output peak value (maximum value) is 35 mA / 40 V (the current value is a value set for each switching stage).
  • the virtual ground 206 is grounded via a capacitor of about 1000 pF to 0.01 ⁇ F, and is used as a common ground for each circuit block and each chip in the LED luminance control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Is done.
  • FIG. 3 shows a detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the LED string 300 shown in FIG. 3 is an LED string connected to the LED drive driver circuit 205 shown in FIG. 2, and nine LEDs are assumed to be supplied with full-wave rectification of 24V AC to the LED brightness control device. LEDs 301 to 309 are connected in series.
  • the LED brightness control apparatus can control brightness of multiple gradations while maintaining a constant color tone by a 3-bit brightness control register as will be described later. This will be described later with reference to FIG.
  • the LED array 300 includes LED element modules 301 to 309 of RGB1 in the direction in which the current I 0 flows in FIG. 3, but the LED array 300 has the following three features. Yes.
  • the order of currents flowing through the LED element modules is different from the order of arrangement.
  • the order of the currents flowing through the LED element modules is different from the arrangement order, and as shown in FIG. 3, the LED element modules 302 ⁇ 304 ⁇ 306 ⁇ 308 ⁇ 309 ⁇ 307 ⁇ 305 ⁇ 303 ⁇ 301 are arranged in this order. Yes.
  • even-numbered (or odd-numbered) LED element modules in the LED array are connected in series from the top, and then connected in series from the rear of the odd-numbered (or even-numbered) LED element modules. This is for suppressing variation in luminance.
  • the arrangement order of the LED corresponding to each color of each LED element module is different for each module.
  • the LED array order of the odd-numbered LED element modules 301, 303, 305, and 307 in the LED array 300 is R ⁇ G ⁇ B from the top in the figure. Yes.
  • the LED arrangement order of the even-numbered LED element modules 302, 304, 306, and 308 is B ⁇ G ⁇ R from the top in the figure.
  • a resistor R is connected to the LED element corresponding to red (R). As shown in FIG. 3, in the LED array 300, a resistor R31 is connected between the LED element 304R (red) and the LED element 306R (red), and the LED element 307R (red) and the LED element 305R (red). A resistor R32 is connected between the two.
  • the mounted RGB element module 310 is a chip having a size of about 2.8 mm ⁇ 3.5 mm, but a larger element is used depending on the application, or a multicolor LED is not incorporated in the element.
  • Monochromatic LEDs that is, red, blue, green, and the like can be used in appropriate combination.
  • the LED brightness control device is logically configured to execute the following command system including each circuit such as a DAC. Therefore, the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized not only by the configuration on the hardware but also by the cooperative operation of the hardware and the software (this command format) that controls the hardware. .
  • the command format is a “control command” including a “start command” starting with E7 (hexadecimal number), a device operation instruction (1 byte), and a brightness setting instruction (2 bytes) as shown in the following table. And “end command” which ends with CC (hexadecimal notation).
  • the control command is a set of device operation instructions (1 byte) (+ luminance setting instruction (2 bytes)), but in the case of continuous operation, the device operation instruction (1 byte).
  • the brightness setting instruction can be continuously transmitted in units of 2 bytes.
  • the start command can define E3 (hexadecimal number display) in addition to E7 (hexadecimal number display). When the start command is E3, only the brightness setting value of 2 bytes fixed length is instructed. be able to.
  • the device operation instruction command has a fixed length of 1 byte and is a command for specifying a device and specifying its operation.
  • the device operation instruction command can be further specified in the upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits as follows.
  • a device address is specified in order to specify an element.
  • the device address is a value from 0 to F (hexadecimal notation) expressed by the upper 4 bits of the specified command, and the control command is executed only when the sent device address matches its own device address.
  • Banks 0 to 3 in the above table correspond to BK0 to BK3 in FIG. 1, respectively.
  • the determination unit 202 described above outputs a determination signal, and the DAC 201 sets the output signal to zero.
  • the brightness setting instruction command has a fixed length of 2 bytes, specifies a bank address with the upper 4 bits of the upper byte, and specifies a color with the lower 4 bits. Then, data is written to the DAC specified by the operation instruction command for the block specified by the lower 4 bits in the bank specified by the upper 4 bits.
  • the detailed specification example of the upper byte is as shown in the table below.
  • the detailed specification example of the lower byte is to set luminance information to be set in the DAC in this lower 1 byte.
  • the DAC of this element can be handled as a DAC divided into upper 3 bits and lower 5 bits or as an 8-bit DAC.
  • the DAC of each block is divided into upper 3 bits and lower 5 bits.
  • the lower 5 bits set the current value to be sent to the LED, and the upper 3 bits set the current value for controlling the luminance common to the block. Is intended to be.
  • the high-order DAC is composed of 3 bits, and can be specified in 8 gradations from 0 to 7.
  • the low-order DAC is composed of 5 bits, and has a feature that it can designate a linear gradation of 32 steps from 00h to 1Fh.
  • the determination unit 202 described above outputs a determination signal, and the DAC 201 sets the output signal to zero.
  • each DAC instantaneously sends a corresponding current value to each LED row.
  • the determination unit 202 sends a determination signal to the DAC 201, whereby the DAC 201 Since the analog signal generation process is not executed, the processing load on the DAC 201 is reduced.
  • FIGS. 10 to 12 show examples of processing flows when the LED of the conventional LED brightness control device is turned off / on using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • 15 shows an example of a processing flow when the LED of the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is turned off / on using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention. Yes.
  • FIG. 4 shows an initial value setting phase of the operation of gradually increasing and decreasing the luminance in the conventional LED luminance control apparatus.
  • the process proceeds to step S402, and the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown).
  • step S403 a variable LED_ROW on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized.
  • the variable LED_ROW is a counter (pointer) for managing a plurality of LED strings.
  • nine LED element modules are connected to the LED array, and 12 sets (four banks) of LED arrays are connected.
  • the maximum value of LED_ROW is 11.
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits in the device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE)
  • the sending of the third byte In the first order, 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
  • 0x12 is an address that specifies green (G) of the first bank (BK0)
  • 0x14 is an address that specifies blue (B) of the first bank (BK0).
  • 0x21 is an address that specifies red (R) of the second bank (BK1)
  • 0x22 is an address that specifies green (G) of the second bank (BK1)
  • 0x24 is the second bank. This is an address for designating blue (B) of (BK1).
  • 0x41 is an address that specifies red (R) of the third bank (BK2)
  • 0x42 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK2)
  • 0x44 is the third bank.
  • 0x81 is an address that specifies red (R) of the fourth bank (BK3)
  • 0x82 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK3)
  • 0x84 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
  • step S409 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S409, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S411, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S404.
  • FIG. 5 is a phase in which the luminance is gradually decreased, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is lowered from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance.
  • the variable LED_LUMI is set to 7 (maximum luminance).
  • LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE)
  • sending data of the third byte In the first order, 0x11 + (LED_LUMI ⁇ red luminance / 8) + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
  • step S430 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S430, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S432, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S425.
  • FIG. 6 is a phase in which the luminance is gradually increased, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is increased from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance.
  • the variable LED_LUMI is set to 0 (minimum luminance).
  • LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE)
  • sending data of the third byte In the first order, 0x11 + (LED_LUMI ⁇ red luminance / 8) + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
  • step S460 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S460, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S462, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S455.
  • FIG. 7 shows an initial value setting phase of the operation of gradually increasing and decreasing the luminance in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the initial setting is possible for each LED row corresponding to each color of the LED, not the setting of each stage of the LED, due to the characteristics of the circuit shown in FIG. That is, in one processing loop, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3
  • the brightness setting for the LED rows corresponding to red (R) can be performed simultaneously.
  • step S501 when the operation is started (step S501), the process proceeds to step S502, and the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown).
  • step S503 a variable LED_COLOR on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized.
  • the variable LED_COLOR takes a value from 0 to 2, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED array corresponding to each color.
  • LED_COLOR 0
  • the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1 the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3
  • LED row corresponding to green (G) of BK1, and green of BK2 are designated.
  • LED_COLOR 2
  • the LED array corresponding to blue (B) of BK0 in FIG. Assume that the LED column corresponding to B), the LED column corresponding to blue (B) of BK2, and the LED column corresponding to blue (B) of BK3 are designated.
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xF)
  • sending data of the third byte In the first order, 0xF1 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0xF1 is an address that designates red (R) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time in accordance with the command format described above. By this designation, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG.
  • red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information.
  • 0xF2 is an address for designating green (G) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time.
  • 0xF3 is an address for designating blue (B) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time.
  • step S509 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S509, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S511, LED_COLOR is incremented, and it returns to step S504.
  • FIG. 8 is a luminance gradually decreasing operation phase in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is decreased from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance.
  • the variable LED_LUMI is set to 7 (maximum luminance).
  • LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
  • step S527 the upper 3 bits (for brightness control) of all DACs can be executed by the following command at one time.
  • the first byte of the command is a start command
  • the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address
  • the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0xC are instructions for writing the upper DAC in a single operation
  • 0xE7 in the third byte is an instruction for designating red, green, and blue LEDs in all banks 0 to 3
  • the subsequent 4th byte of 0xE0 is an information bit to be written to the DAC (high-order for luminance control) 3 bits are binary numbers with a maximum luminance of “111”
  • the lower 5 bits for color tone control are binary numbers “00000” in the sense of “nothing written”, and these are combined to become E0 in hexadecimal numbers)
  • the fifth byte of 0xCC is an end command.
  • step S530 When the luminance data set is completed, the process proceeds to step S530, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. And after measuring a fixed time (step S533), LED_LUMI is decremented (step S534) and it returns to step S523.
  • FIG. 9 is a luminance gradually increasing operation phase in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is increased from the lowest luminance to the highest luminance.
  • the variable LED_LUMI is set to 0 (minimum luminance).
  • LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
  • a determination signal is input from the determination unit 202, red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information.
  • step S557 the upper 3 bits (for brightness control) of all DACs can be executed at once by the following command.
  • the first byte of the command is a start command
  • the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address
  • the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0xC are instructions for writing the upper DAC in a single operation 0xE7 in the third byte is an instruction for designating each of red, green, and blue LEDs of all banks 0 to 3
  • the subsequent byte 0x00 is an information bit to be written to the DAC (upper level for luminance control) 3 bits are binary numbers with the lowest luminance of “000”, and the lower 5 bits for color tone control are binary numbers “00000” in the sense that “nothing is written”, and these are combined to become 00 in hexadecimal number)
  • the fifth byte of 0xCC is an end command.
  • step S560 When the luminance data set is completed, the process proceeds to step S560, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. And after measuring a fixed time (step S563), LED_LUMI is decremented (step S564) and it returns to step S553.
  • the conventional LED brightness control apparatus when operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one multiplication / division calculation is performed for each LED column (12 in total in 12 stages).
  • the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, all DACs are required.
  • FIG. 10 shows an initial value setting phase of the luminance blinking operation in the conventional LED luminance control apparatus.
  • the process proceeds to step S602, where the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown).
  • step S603 a variable LED_ROW on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized.
  • the variable LED_ROW is a counter (pointer) for managing a plurality of LED strings.
  • nine LED element modules are connected to the LED array, and 12 stages (four banks) of LED arrays are connected. Therefore, in step S603, As an example, the maximum value of LED_ROW is 11.
  • the sending data in the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), and the sending data in the second byte is 4 bits for the device address + 4 bits (0xF) for the operation instruction, and 3 bytes.
  • 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC end command
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
  • 0x12 is an address that specifies green (G) of the first bank (BK0)
  • 0x14 is an address that specifies blue (B) of the first bank (BK0).
  • 0x21 is an address that specifies red (R) of the second bank (BK1)
  • 0x22 is an address that specifies green (G) of the second bank (BK1)
  • 0x24 is the second bank. This is an address for designating blue (B) of (BK1).
  • 0x41 is an address that specifies red (R) of the third bank (BK2)
  • 0x42 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK2)
  • 0x44 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
  • 0x81 is an address that specifies red (R) of the fourth bank (BK3)
  • 0x82 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK3)
  • 0x84 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
  • step S609 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S609, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S611, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S604.
  • FIG. 11 shows a luminance extinguishing operation phase in which the LED luminance is set to the minimum luminance.
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xF)
  • sending data of the third byte In the first order, 0x11 + 0x00 + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. Can be set (hereinafter, the same applies to the LED rows in each stage).
  • step S629 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S629, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S631, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S624.
  • FIG. 12 shows a luminance lighting operation phase in which the LED luminance is set to the maximum luminance.
  • the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display)
  • the sending data of the second byte is a device address 4 bits + an operation instruction 4 bits (0xF)
  • the sending of the third and subsequent bytes In the first order, 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
  • 0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
  • step S659 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S659, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S661, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S654.
  • FIG. 13 is an initial value setting phase of the brightness blinking operation in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the initial setting is possible for each LED row corresponding to each color of the LED, not the setting of each stage of the LED, due to the characteristics of the circuit shown in FIG. That is, in one processing loop, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3
  • the brightness setting for the LED rows corresponding to red (R) can be performed simultaneously.
  • steps S701 to S712 in FIG. 13 correspond to steps S501 to S512 in FIG.
  • FIG. 14 shows a turn-off operation phase in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the variable LED_BK takes a value from 0 to 3, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED string corresponding to each bank.
  • LED_BK 0
  • step S726 an on / off instruction for each bank is set as follows.
  • the first byte of the command is a start command
  • the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for specifying a device address
  • the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0x0 are the first bank in a single operation.
  • the (BK0) LED is instructed to be turned off, and 0xCC in the third byte is an end command.
  • step S729 When the on / off instruction for each bank is completed, the process proceeds to step S729, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Then, LED_BK is incremented (step S731), and the process returns to step S724.
  • the conventional LED brightness control apparatus when operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one setting is made for each LED row (12 times in total for all 12 stages).
  • the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention when operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, the on / off control is performed for each bank. This is sufficient, and in the luminance information, if either one or both of the luminance control 3-bit signal and the color tone control 5-bit signal are “0”, the DAC performs arithmetic processing. Note that processing is reduced by setting the output off without doing so.
  • FIG. 15 is a lighting operation phase in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the process proceeds to step S753, and LED brightness control (not shown) is performed.
  • the variable LED_BK takes a value from 0 to 3, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED string corresponding to each bank.
  • LED_BK 0
  • An LED string corresponding to BK2 3 an LED string corresponding to BK3 in FIG. 1 is specified.
  • step S756 on / off for each bank is instructed at a time as follows.
  • the first 1 byte of the above command is the start command
  • the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address
  • the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0x1 are the first bank in a single operation (BK0) LED lighting is instructed
  • 0xCC in the third byte is an end command.
  • step S759 When the on / off command set for each bank is completed, the process proceeds to step S759, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Then, LED_BK is incremented (step S761), and the process returns to step S754.
  • the LED brightness control apparatus when the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the conventional LED brightness control apparatus
  • the red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information, so gradation processing or blinking is performed.
  • Processing and the like can be operated lightly, and as a result, further improved LED brightness control for enhancing the expressive power of the LED units and LED arrays is possible.
  • the determination unit 202 is configured to output the determination signal to the switch circuit 204 and set the output of the DAC 201 to zero, as shown in FIG.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations, for example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be used.
  • the LED brightness control device 100 is configured so that the determination signal of the determination unit 202 is sent to a second switch unit (or second switch circuit) 203 provided on the output line of the DAC 201. Yes.
  • the second switch unit 203 is provided between the output of the DAC 201 and the input of the switch circuit 204.
  • the switch circuit 204 is also referred to as a “first switch circuit 204” for distinction from the second switch circuit 203.
  • the second switch unit 203 turns off the output of the DAC 201 when the determination signal from the determination unit 202 is input.
  • the determination signal from the determination unit 202 is also sent to the DAC 201 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.
  • the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the LED luminance control device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and when the determination signal is output from the determination unit 202, The switch unit 203 turns off the output of the DAC 201, thereby turning off the LED string. Further, the DAC 201 stops the processing in response to the input of the determination signal. Accordingly, as in the LED luminance control apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, data in which at least one of the luminance control information bits and the color tone control information bits from the luminance control information register 103 is “0”. , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off by the second switch unit 203 regardless of the processing of the DAC 201. As a result, the processing of the DAC 201 is reduced.
  • the LED brightness control device is configured such that the determination signal of the determination unit 202 is sent to the DAC 201 together with the switch unit 204.
  • the switch brightness is similar to that of the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and when the determination signal is output from the determination unit 202, the switch unit 204 is , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off, and thereby the LED row is extinguished. At the same time, the DAC 201 stops the processing in response to the input of the determination signal. Accordingly, as in the LED luminance control apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, data in which at least one of the luminance control information bits and the color tone control information bits from the luminance control information register 103 is “0”. , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off by the switch unit 204 without depending on the processing of the DAC 201. As a result, the processing of the DAC 201 is reduced.
  • the determination signal of the determination unit 202 may be transmitted only to the DAC 201 without being transmitted to the switch unit 204.
  • the DAC 201 can stop processing and turn off the output of the DAC 201 based on the determination signal from the determination unit 202 by using the function.
  • FIG. 18 shows a block configuration of an LED brightness control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the LED brightness control device 800 is different from the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 only in that a control circuit 801 is provided instead of the serial communication control unit 101 and the command decoder 102. Since it is a structure, the same code
  • the control circuit 801 sends a lighting control signal to the luminance control information register 103 when a lighting instruction signal is input or when a lighting instruction operation button (not shown) is operated. Also, the control circuit 801 sends out the turn-off control signal to the luminance control information register 103 when a turn-off instruction signal is input or when a turn-off instruction operation button (not shown) is operated.
  • the luminance control information register 103 converts the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone that are set in advance based on the lighting control signal or the lighting extinction control signal from the control circuit 801 into the D / A converter unit 105. To send. Accordingly, the D / A converter unit 105 drives and controls each LED driver 107 and controls the LED row for each RGB in the same manner as the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIG.
  • the lighting control signal sent from the control circuit 801 may include information for luminance control and color tone control.
  • the luminance control information register 103 converts the designated information bit for luminance control and information bit for color tone control into the D / A converter unit 105 based on the lighting control signal including information for luminance control and color tone control.
  • the control circuit 801 includes a brightness adjustment operation unit and a color tone control operation unit, so that desired brightness adjustment and color tone adjustment can be performed.
  • the control circuit 801 may simply be a switch circuit that switches on or off.
  • the control circuit 801 may be a switch that can be turned on / off in order to control lighting and extinguishing of the LED row.
  • the luminance control information register 103 causes the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control set in advance to the D / A converter unit 105 by turning on or off by a switch circuit (or simply a switch). Send it out.
  • the present invention can be directly driven by an AC input, suppresses the generation of flicker and harmonics, realizes low power consumption, and sets the brightness of the LED (that is, the current value passed through the LED). Irrespective of this, it is possible to realize an LED lighting device that enables adjustment of luminance as a lighting device.
  • LED brightness control apparatus 101 Serial communication control part 102 Command decoding part 103 Brightness control information register 105 D / A converter part 106 1 bit switch circuit (MOSFET) 107 LED driver 108 Internal voltage generator (for communication, brightness information retention, LED drive, control, etc.) 200 DAC / LED drive circuit 201 8-bit 3-channel DAC (CMOS) 202 Determination Unit 203 Second Switch Circuit 204 1-bit Switch Circuit (MOSFET) 205 LED driver circuit 206 Virtual ground 300 LED array 301 to 309 LED element module 800 LED brightness control device 801 control circuit

Landscapes

  • Control Of El Displays (AREA)
  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

An LED brightness control device (100) is provided with: control means (101, 102); and a brightness control information register (103), D/A converter unit (105), and LED driver (107) that are connected for each LED row to control multiple LED rows. The LED brightness control device (100) is configured so that the brightness control information register stores information bits for brightness control and information bits for color tone control, and the D/A converter unit performs D/A conversion on the basis of the information bits for brightness control and the information bits for color tone control and turns the output to the LED driver (107) off or sets the output to zero when the information bits for brightness control and/or the information bits for color tone control are data indicating "0".

Description

ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置LED brightness control device
　本発明は、ＬＥＤ列を駆動し、その輝度を調整制御するためのＬＥＤ輝度制御装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an LED brightness control apparatus for driving and adjusting and controlling the brightness of an LED array.
　発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）を使用したＬＥＤ照明は、蛍光灯や白熱電球といった従来の照明器具に比べ、相対的に長寿命かつ低消費電力であるという特徴を有しており、環境への配慮に優れた次世代の照明機器として期待されている。しかしながら、ＬＥＤ照明の短期的な課題として、放射電波の雑音（以下、「雑音」という。）や交流入力に流れる高調波（以下、「高調波」という。）の低減に関する問題等が指摘されている。また、現在多くのＬＥＤ照明装置が交流を直流に一旦変換し、内部的には直流にて駆動させるため、複雑なＬＥＤ周辺回路が必要となる点も指摘されている。 LED lighting using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is characterized by relatively long life and low power consumption compared to conventional lighting fixtures such as fluorescent lamps and incandescent bulbs, and is excellent in consideration for the environment. It is expected as a next-generation lighting device. However, as a short-term problem of LED lighting, problems related to reduction of noise of a radiated radio wave (hereinafter referred to as “noise”) and harmonics flowing in an AC input (hereinafter referred to as “harmonic”) are pointed out. Yes. It has also been pointed out that many LED lighting devices currently convert alternating current to direct current and are internally driven by direct current, so that a complicated LED peripheral circuit is required.
　そこで、本願の発明者は、ＡＣ入力で直接駆動できるような構成でありながらもフリッカの発生が抑制されるよう構成されたＬＥＤ駆動回路提案した（特許文献１）。 Therefore, the inventor of the present application has proposed an LED drive circuit that is configured to be able to be directly driven by an AC input but is configured to suppress the occurrence of flicker (Patent Document 1).
　すなわち、特許文献１には、直列接続された複数のＬＥＤを有するＬＥＤユニットを駆動するＬＥＤ駆動回路であって、交流入力を整流する整流器と、オペアンプと該オペアンプの出力段に分圧抵抗を介して接続された複数の駆動用トランジスタとを有する定電流回路と、を備え、整流器の出力側の一端をＬＥＤユニットの入力側に接続し、複数のトランジスタの出力側の一端をそれぞれ、ＬＥＤユニットにおける異なるＬＥＤ段数の接続ポイントに接続することにより、交流入力の電圧に応じて複数のトランジスタが選択的にＬＥＤユニットを駆動するように構成したこと、を特徴とするＬＥＤ駆動回路が開示されている。 That is, Patent Document 1 discloses an LED driving circuit that drives an LED unit having a plurality of LEDs connected in series, and includes a rectifier that rectifies an AC input, an operational amplifier, and a voltage dividing resistor connected to the output stage of the operational amplifier. A constant current circuit having a plurality of driving transistors connected to each other, one end on the output side of the rectifier connected to the input side of the LED unit, and one end on the output side of the plurality of transistors, respectively, in the LED unit There is disclosed an LED drive circuit characterized in that a plurality of transistors are selectively driven according to an AC input voltage by connecting to connection points having different numbers of LED stages.
　一方で、ＬＥＤユニットやＬＥＤ列における輝度の調整も継続して取り組むべき課題であり、例えば、表示ユニット間の輝度が不揃いになることを防ぐ技術が開示されている（特許文献２）。 On the other hand, the adjustment of the luminance in the LED units and LED rows is also a problem to be continuously addressed. For example, a technique for preventing uneven luminance between display units is disclosed (Patent Document 2).
　すなわち、特許文献２には、多数のＬＥＤをマトリックス状に配列してなる表示ユニットを複数個整列して所望の表示を行えるようにした表示盤と、各表示ユニットに対する点灯制御データを含む表示制御信号を送出する制御部と、表示ユニットごとに配設され表示制御信号を受信して点灯制御データに応じてＬＥＤを点灯する表示ユニット駆動手段と、表示ユニットごとに輝度を調整する表示ユニット輝度調整機能と、を具備したことを特徴とする情報表示装置が開示されている。 That is, Patent Document 2 discloses a display panel in which a plurality of display units in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in a matrix are arranged to perform desired display, and display control including lighting control data for each display unit. A control unit for transmitting a signal; a display unit driving unit that is arranged for each display unit, receives a display control signal, and lights an LED in accordance with lighting control data; and a display unit brightness adjustment that adjusts the brightness for each display unit And an information display device characterized by having a function.
　また、色再現の範囲を拡大化し、均一な明るさの背面光源を実現するディスプレイ装置用背面光源の調整方法等が提案されている（特許文献３）。 In addition, a method of adjusting a back light source for a display device that expands the color reproduction range and realizes a back light source with uniform brightness has been proposed (Patent Document 3).
　すなわち、特許文献３には、赤色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、緑色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、及び青色用電流注入型半導体発光素子を備える背面光源の調整方法であって、前記赤色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、前記緑色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、及び前記青色用電流注入型半導体発光素子の各々に流れる電流を個々に調整し、その後、前記赤色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、前記緑色用電流注入型半導体発光素子、及び前記青色用電流注入型半導体発光素子の各々に流れる電流を同一割合で調整することを特徴とする、背面光源の調整方法が開示されている。 That is, Patent Document 3 discloses a method of adjusting a back light source including a red current injection semiconductor light emitting device, a green current injection semiconductor light emitting device, and a blue current injection semiconductor light emitting device, wherein the red current The current flowing through each of the injection semiconductor light emitting device, the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for green, and the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for blue is individually adjusted, and then the current injection semiconductor light emitting device for red, A method for adjusting the back light source is disclosed, wherein the current flowing through each of the green current injection type semiconductor light emitting device and the blue current injection type semiconductor light emitting device is adjusted at the same rate.
　そして、この方法等の基本的な調整ポイントは、（１）背面光源の半導体発光素子ブロックに属する個々の半導体発光素子に流れる電流を個別に制御することで、各半導体発光素子が出射する単色光の混合により得られる白色光の色温度を所定の規格値に等しくなる様に調整し、（２）その上で、調整後の色温度を維持しながら、つまり、各半導体発光素子が出射する単色光の強度比を維持しながら、ブロック内の全ての半導体発光素子に流れる電流の増大あるいは減少を同一の割合で制御することにより、白色光の輝度（ 明るさ） を所定の希望値に等しくなる様に調整する点にある。 Basic adjustment points of this method and the like are as follows: (1) Monochromatic light emitted from each semiconductor light emitting element by individually controlling the current flowing through each semiconductor light emitting element belonging to the semiconductor light emitting element block of the back light source. The color temperature of the white light obtained by mixing is adjusted so as to be equal to a predetermined standard value, and (2) while maintaining the adjusted color temperature, that is, a single color emitted from each semiconductor light emitting element By controlling the increase or decrease of the current flowing in all the semiconductor light emitting elements in the block at the same rate while maintaining the light intensity ratio, the brightness (brightness) of white light becomes equal to a predetermined desired value. It is in the point to adjust like.
特願２０１１－１３１６０１号明細書Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-131601 特開平１０－１７１４０６号公報JP 10-171406 A 特開２００４－２９１４１号公報JP 2004-29141 A
　しかしながら、上述した従来の輝度調整技術では、例えば、時間の経過とともに滑らかな輝度変化を伴う輝度調整（いわゆるグラデーション処理）を行おうとすると、膨大な演算処理を必要とし、調整回路に多くの負荷をかけてしまうために、迅速に処理できないという課題と共に、前記動作を行う為に制御用ソフトウエアの規模が大きくなると言う課題もあった。
　特に、個々のＬＥＤは明暗を繰り返すように駆動される。そのため、輝度制御を行なうにあたって、個々のＬＥＤの電流値を明暗に応じて制御することになる。従って、輝度制御のために、制御データを明暗に応じて書き換える必要があり、輝度制御の処理がより一層複雑になってしまう。
　かかる観点から、ＬＥＤユニットやＬＥＤ列の表現力を高めるための一層改善されたＬＥＤ輝度制御技術が望まれる。 However, with the above-described conventional brightness adjustment technology, for example, when performing brightness adjustment (so-called gradation processing) with a smooth brightness change with time, enormous calculation processing is required, and a large load is imposed on the adjustment circuit. Therefore, there is a problem that the scale of the control software is increased in order to perform the above-described operation, along with the problem that the processing cannot be performed quickly.
In particular, the individual LEDs are driven to repeat light and dark. Therefore, when performing luminance control, the current value of each LED is controlled according to light and dark. Therefore, it is necessary to rewrite the control data in accordance with the brightness for brightness control, and the brightness control process becomes even more complicated.
From this point of view, a further improved LED brightness control technique for enhancing the expressive power of LED units and LED arrays is desired.
　本発明は、フリッカや高調波の発生を抑制し、かつ、低消費電力を実現するとともに、時間の経過とともに滑らかな輝度変化を伴う輝度調整をも簡便かつ高速に実現できるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention provides an LED brightness control device that can suppress flicker and harmonic generation, achieve low power consumption, and can easily and quickly realize brightness adjustment with smooth brightness change over time. The purpose is to do.
　上記目的は、本発明によれば、制御手段と、単数または複数のＬＥＤ列を制御するためにＬＥＤ列毎あるいはＬＥＤ駆動単位毎に接続された輝度制御情報レジスタ，Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部及びＬＥＤドライバと、を備えたＬＥＤ輝度制御装置であって、輝度制御情報レジスタは輝度制御用の情報ビットと色調あるいはＬＥＤ電流値制御用（以下、「色調制御用」という）の情報ビットとを格納し、制御手段からの信号に基づいて、Ｄ／Ａコンバータに選択した前記輝度制御要の情報ビットと前記色調制御要の情報ビットを送出し、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は輝度制御用の情報ビットと色調制御用の情報ビットに基づいてＤ／Ａ変換を行なうと共に、輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、ＬＥＤドライバへの出力をオフまたはゼロにするよう構成されたことを特徴とするＬＥＤ輝度制御装置により、達成される。 According to the present invention, the object is to provide a control means, a luminance control information register, a D / A converter unit, and an LED driver connected to each LED row or each LED drive unit in order to control one or a plurality of LED rows. The brightness control information register stores information bits for brightness control and information bits for color tone or LED current value control (hereinafter referred to as “color tone control”), Based on the signal from the control means, the selected information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control are sent to the D / A converter, and the D / A converter unit controls the information bit for luminance control and the color tone control. D / A conversion is performed based on the information bits for use, and at least one of the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone control is data indicating “0”. Time, the LED brightness control apparatus characterized by being configured to turn off or zero output to the LED driver, is achieved.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、制御手段がシリアル通信制御部とコマンドデコーダとから成り、シリアル通信制御部が、クロック信号に同期して入力されるシリアル情報をデータ情報に変換し、コマンドデコーダが、シリアル通信制御部からのデータ情報に基づいて、輝度制御情報レジスタを制御することを特徴とする。 In the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the control means includes a serial communication control unit and a command decoder, and the serial communication control unit converts serial information input in synchronization with a clock signal into data information, The command decoder controls the luminance control information register based on data information from the serial communication control unit.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、制御手段が、制御信号を生成して、輝度制御情報レジスタに送出する制御回路であることを特徴とする。 The LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention is preferably a control circuit in which the control means generates a control signal and sends it to the brightness control information register.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、制御手段がスイッチ回路であることを特徴とする。 The LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the control means is a switch circuit.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであることを判定して、判定信号を出力する判定部を備えており、該判定部からの判定信号により、出力をオフまたはゼロにすることを特徴とする。 In the LED luminance control apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the D / A converter unit determines that at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, A determination unit that outputs a signal is provided, and the output is turned off or zero by a determination signal from the determination unit.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、判定部は、輝度制御用の情報ビットが「０」を示すデータであることを検出して検出信号を出力する第一の検出部と、色調制御用の情報ビットが「０」を示すデータであることを検出して検出信号を出力する第二の検出部と、第一の検出部からの検出信号及び第二の検出部からの検出信号のいずれか一方が入力されたとき、判定信号を出力するオア回路と、で構成されたことを特徴とする。 In the LED luminance control apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the determination unit detects that the information bit for luminance control is data indicating “0” and outputs a detection signal; A second detection unit that detects that the information bit for the data is “0” and outputs a detection signal, a detection signal from the first detection unit, and a detection signal from the second detection unit An OR circuit that outputs a determination signal when any one of them is input.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、Ｄ／Ａ変換の処理を停止する、または出力をオフにすることを特徴とする。 In the LED luminance control apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the D / A converter unit performs D / A conversion when at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is “0” data. The processing is stopped or the output is turned off.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部の出力をオフにすることを特徴とする。 The LED brightness control device according to the present invention preferably turns off the output of the D / A converter when at least one of the brightness control information bit and the color tone control information bit is “0” data. It is characterized by that.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、第二のスイッチ回路によりＤ／Ａコンバータ部の出力をオフにすることを特徴とする。 The LED brightness control device according to the present invention is preferably configured such that when at least one of the information bit for brightness control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, the D / A converter unit by the second switch circuit The output of is turned off.
　本発明によるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、好ましくは、輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、スイッチ回路を動作させて、出力をオフにすることを特徴とする。 In the LED luminance control device according to the present invention, preferably, when at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, the D / A converter unit operates the switch circuit. And the output is turned off.
　本発明によれば、フリッカや高調波の発生を抑制し、かつ、低消費電力を実現するとともに、時間の経過とともに滑らかな輝度変化を伴う輝度調整をも簡便かつ高速に実現できるＬＥＤ輝度制御装置等を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, an LED brightness control device that can suppress the occurrence of flicker and harmonics, achieve low power consumption, and can easily and quickly realize brightness adjustment with a smooth brightness change over time. Etc. can be provided.
本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のブロック構成を説明する説明図である。It is explanatory drawing explaining the block configuration of the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の詳細回路を説明する説明図である。It is explanatory drawing explaining the detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の詳細回路を説明する説明図である。It is explanatory drawing explaining the detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the conventional LED brightness control apparatus using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローを説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow at the time of operating the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the command format which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 図１に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の変形例における要部の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part in the modification of the LED brightness control apparatus shown in FIG. 図１に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の他の変形例における要部の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part in the other modification of the LED brightness control apparatus shown in FIG. 本発明の他の実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の図１と同様のブロック構成を説明する説明図である。It is explanatory drawing explaining the block configuration similar to FIG. 1 of the LED brightness control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.
　本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を実施するための形態について、図面を参照しながら詳述する。特に、図１～図３は、本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のハードウェア構成を説明するものであり、図４～図６、図７～図９、図１０～図１２、及び図１３～図１５は、本発明の一実施形態に係る本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の処理フローを従来の制御装置と対比しながら分かり易く説明するものである。 DETAILED DESCRIPTION An embodiment for implementing an LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In particular, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the hardware configuration of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention. FIGS. 4 to 6, FIGS. 7 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 12, and FIGS. FIG. 15 explains the processing flow of the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner in comparison with a conventional control device.
　図１は、本発明の第一の実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のブロック構成を示している。
　図１に示すように、ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００は、シリアル通信制御部１０１と、コマンドデコーダ１０２と、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３と、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５と、１ビットスイッチ回路１０６と、ＬＥＤドライバ１０７と、内部電圧生成部１０８とからなる。輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３，Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５，１ビットスイッチ回路１０６及びＬＥＤドライバ１０７は、それぞれＲＧＢごとのＬＥＤ列を制御する。（以下、Ｄ／Ａコンバータを「ＤＡＣ」とも言う。） FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the LED brightness control device 100 includes a serial communication control unit 101, a command decoder 102, a brightness control information register 103, a D / A converter unit 105, a 1-bit switch circuit 106, an LED driver. 107 and an internal voltage generator 108. The brightness control information register 103, the D / A converter unit 105, the 1-bit switch circuit 106, and the LED driver 107 each control the LED row for each RGB. (Hereinafter, the D / A converter is also referred to as “DAC”.)
　すなわち、図１に示すように、全部で１２段ある輝度制御情報レジスタ－Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部－１ビットスイッチ回路－ＬＥＤドライバの列のうち、最上段（１段目）の回路である輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３ａ１（及び１ビットレジスタ１０３ａ２），Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５ａ，１ビットスイッチ回路１０６ａ及びＬＥＤドライバ１０７ａは、赤（Ｒ）の直列ＬＥＤ列（例えば全波整流がＡＣ２４Ｖである場合には、９個）を制御する。
　同様に、図１において２段目の回路は、緑（Ｇ）の直列ＬＥＤ列（例えば全波整流がＡＣ２４Ｖである場合には、９個）を制御し、３段目の回路は、青（Ｂ）直列ＬＥＤ列（例えば全波整流がＡＣ２４Ｖである場合には、９個）を制御する。
　このように、ＲＧＢ１組のＬＥＤ列制御回路（以下、「バンク」ともいう。）は３段の回路で構成されるので、図１においては、ＲＧＢ１組のＬＥＤ列をＢＫ０～ＢＫ３までの４バンク（色単位の回路の段数としては１２段）分の制御が可能な構成になっている。 In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the luminance control information is the uppermost (first stage) circuit in the row of the luminance control information register, D / A converter unit, 1-bit switch circuit, and LED driver in 12 stages in total. The information register 103a1 (and 1-bit register 103a2), the D / A converter unit 105a, the 1-bit switch circuit 106a, and the LED driver 107a are connected to a red (R) series LED string (for example, when full-wave rectification is 24V AC, 9) is controlled.
Similarly, in FIG. 1, the second-stage circuit controls a green (G) series LED string (for example, nine when full-wave rectification is 24V AC), and the third-stage circuit is blue ( B) Control the series LED string (for example, 9 when full-wave rectification is 24V AC).
In this way, the RGB 1 set LED row control circuit (hereinafter also referred to as “bank”) is composed of three stages of circuits, so in FIG. 1, the RGB 1 set LED row is divided into 4 banks BK0 to BK3. It is configured to be able to control for 12 stages (the number of stages of circuits in color units).
　もちろん、図１に示した回路構成例は、本発明の一実施形態であり、ＬＥＤ列の個数及び段数、あるいは使用するＬＥＤの色を適宜設計上変更することができる。例えば、直列に接続可能なＬＥＤの個数は、１３個の場合、全波整流としてＡＣ３２Ｖが必要になる。 Of course, the circuit configuration example shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the present invention, and the number and stage of the LED rows or the color of the LED to be used can be appropriately changed in design. For example, when the number of LEDs that can be connected in series is 13, AC32V is required for full-wave rectification.
　シリアル通信制御部１０１は、クロック信号Ｃｌｏｃｋに同期して送られてくるシリアル情報Ｄａｔａを受け取り、シフトレジスタやカウンタ等を用いて８ビットや１６ビットのデータに変換し、コマンド解読部１０２へ送付する。
　コマンド解読部１０２は、シリアル通信制御部１０１から送付された情報を解析し、図示しないホストから指示されたデバイスアドレス（一例として、４ビット）と合致した場合には自身宛の指示（一例として、図１に示された１２段のＬＥＤ素子列全体）として、送られて来た情報に従った動作を行う。 The serial communication control unit 101 receives serial information Data sent in synchronization with the clock signal Clock, converts it into 8-bit or 16-bit data using a shift register, a counter, etc., and sends it to the command decoding unit 102. .
The command decoding unit 102 analyzes the information sent from the serial communication control unit 101. If the command decoding unit 102 matches a device address (4 bits as an example) designated by a host (not shown), an instruction (for example, The entire 12-stage LED element array shown in FIG. 1 is operated according to the information sent.
　輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３は、一実施形態として、図１に示されるように、各段の各色について、輝度制御用３ビット＋色調制御用５ビットからなる８ビットレジスタと、各色ＬＥＤに対するＯＮ／ＯＦＦ用の１ビットスイッチ回路レジスタとで構成される。 As shown in FIG. 1, the luminance control information register 103 is an 8-bit register including 3 bits for luminance control and 5 bits for color tone control, and ON / OFF for each color LED, as shown in FIG. And a 1-bit switch circuit register.
　Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５は、一実施形態として、図１に示されるように、８ビットのＤ／Ａコンバータから成り、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の色調制御用５ビットの値を入力としてアナログ値に変換出力すると共に、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の輝度制御用３ビットの値を入力としてアナログ値に変換出力するものである。 As shown in FIG. 1, the D / A converter unit 105, as shown in FIG. 1, is composed of an 8-bit D / A converter. In addition to the conversion output, the 3-bit value for luminance control in the luminance control information register 103 is input and converted into an analog value.
　Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５でアナログ値へ変換出力された信号は、１ビットスイッチ回路１０６を経由して、ＬＥＤドライバ１０７へ送信される。 The signal converted into an analog value by the D / A converter unit 105 is transmitted to the LED driver 107 via the 1-bit switch circuit 106.
　１ビットスイッチ回路１０６は、ＬＥＤ列の各色について、輝度（色）の出力をオン又はオフできるスイッチ回路であり、後述するように、一実施形態としてＭＯＳＦＥＴで構成される。 The 1-bit switch circuit 106 is a switch circuit that can turn on or off the output of luminance (color) for each color of the LED array, and is configured by a MOSFET as one embodiment as will be described later.
　ＬＥＤドライバ１０７は、ＲＧＢの色ごとのＬＥＤ列を駆動するドライバ回路である。 The LED driver 107 is a driver circuit that drives an LED row for each RGB color.
　内部電圧生成部１０８には、一実施形態として、図示しない電源により印加された全波整流としてのＡＣ２４Ｖの電圧から、通信用、輝度情報保持用、ＬＥＤ駆動用、制御用の各制御用内部電圧を生成し、各制御部／回路部へ供給する。 As one embodiment, the internal voltage generation unit 108 uses, as a full-wave rectified AC24V voltage applied by a power supply (not shown), communication, luminance information holding, LED driving, and control internal voltages for control. Is generated and supplied to each control unit / circuit unit.
　続いて、図２に、本発明の第一の実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の詳細回路を示す。
　図２において、ＤＡＣ／ＬＥＤドライブ回路２００は、図１のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００のうち、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５，１ビットスイッチ回路１０６及びＬＥＤドライバ１０７の「１段分の」詳細回路を表している。そして、ＤＡＣ／ＬＥＤドライブ回路２００は、大別すると、８ビット３チャンネルＤＡＣ２０１と、判定部２０２と、１ビットスイッチ回路２０４と、ＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路２０５とからなり、仮想グランド２０６で接地されている。 Next, FIG. 2 shows a detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
2, the DAC / LED drive circuit 200 represents a “one stage” detailed circuit of the D / A converter unit 105, the 1-bit switch circuit 106, and the LED driver 107 in the LED brightness control apparatus 100 of FIG. ing. The DAC / LED drive circuit 200 is roughly divided into an 8-bit 3-channel DAC 201, a determination unit 202, a 1-bit switch circuit 204, and an LED drive driver circuit 205, and is grounded by a virtual ground 206. .
　また、８ビット３チャンネルＤＡＣ２０１から出力される信号は、ＭＯＳＦＥＴで構成される１ビットスイッチ回路２０４を経由してＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路２０５へ出力されており、１ビットスイッチ回路２０４のオン／オフ操作のみで、輝度制御レジスタに書き込まれた輝度情報や色調情報を書き換えることなく、ＬＥＤの各色のオン／オフ制御が行なわれる（詳細は、図１３～図１５に基づいて後述）。 The signal output from the 8-bit 3-channel DAC 201 is output to the LED drive driver circuit 205 via the 1-bit switch circuit 204 formed of a MOSFET, and only the on / off operation of the 1-bit switch circuit 204 is performed. Thus, on / off control of each color of the LED is performed without rewriting the luminance information and color tone information written in the luminance control register (details will be described later based on FIGS. 13 to 15).
　判定部２０２は、ＤＡＣ２０１に入力される輝度制御用３ビットの信号及び色調制御用５ビットの信号について、それぞれ「０」を示すデータであることを検出して検出信号を出力する二つの検出器２０２ａ及び２０２ｂと、これら二つの検出器２０２ａ及び２０２ｂのいずれか一方から検出信号が入力されたとき、およびＬＥＤの消灯指示信号（ＢＫ（ｉ）ＤＡＯＦＦ－Ｐ）が入力されたとき、判定信号を出力するオア回路２０２ｃと、を備えている。
　なお、検出器２０２ａ及び２０２ｂは、それぞれ通常は信号「０」を出力しているが、検出時には検出信号として信号「１」を出力する。
　また、オア回路２０ｃは、検出器２０２ａ及び検出器２０２ｂのいずれか一方または双方から検出信号としての信号「１」が入力されたとき、判定信号として信号「１」を出力する。 The determination unit 202 detects two data indicating “0” for the luminance control 3-bit signal and the color tone control 5-bit signal input to the DAC 201 and outputs two detection signals. When a detection signal is input from 202a and 202b and one of these two detectors 202a and 202b, and when an LED turn-off instruction signal (BK (i) DAOFF-P) is input, the determination signal is OR circuit 202c for output.
The detectors 202a and 202b normally output a signal “0”, but output a signal “1” as a detection signal during detection.
The OR circuit 20c outputs a signal “1” as a determination signal when a signal “1” as a detection signal is input from one or both of the detector 202a and the detector 202b.
　オア回路２０２ｃから出力される判定信号は、スイッチ回路２０４に入力される。これにより、スイッチ回路２０４は、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力信号をゼロにする。したがって、スイッチ回路２０４は、ＬＥＤドライバに対するＤ／Ａコンバータ部の出力のオン／オフ制御を行なう。 The determination signal output from the OR circuit 202 c is input to the switch circuit 204. As a result, the switch circuit 204 sets the output signal of the DAC 201 to zero. Therefore, the switch circuit 204 performs on / off control of the output of the D / A converter unit with respect to the LED driver.
　ＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路２０５は、１色（一例として、Ｒ・Ｇ・Ｂ）のＬＥＤ列を制御するためのＬＥＤ駆動ドライバであり、図２に示されるように、オペアンプ２０５－１と、３つのトランジスタ２０５－２、２０５－３、２０５－４と、各抵抗とを有しており、これらは１つの色に対応する１つのＬＥＤ列を脈流の電圧値に応じて３段階に切替えて駆動するための定電流駆動回路を構成している。
　一実施形態として、出力尖頭値（最大値）は３５ｍＡ／４０Ｖである（電流値は、各切換段階ごとに設定された値としてある）。 The LED drive driver circuit 205 is an LED drive driver for controlling an LED array of one color (for example, R, G, B), and as shown in FIG. 2, an operational amplifier 205-1 and three transistors Each of the resistors 205-2, 205-3, and 205-4 is driven by switching one LED array corresponding to one color in three stages according to the voltage value of the pulsating flow. Therefore, a constant current driving circuit is configured.
As one embodiment, the output peak value (maximum value) is 35 mA / 40 V (the current value is a value set for each switching stage).
　仮想グランド２０６は、一実施形態として、１０００ｐＦ～０．０１μＦ程度のコンデンサを介して接地され、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置内の各回路ブロック、各チップに共通のグランドとして利用される。 In one embodiment, the virtual ground 206 is grounded via a capacitor of about 1000 pF to 0.01 μF, and is used as a common ground for each circuit block and each chip in the LED luminance control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Is done.
　図３に、本発明の第一の実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の詳細回路を示す。図３に示されたＬＥＤ列３００は、図２に示されたＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路２０５に接続されるＬＥＤ列であり、ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置にＡＣ２４Ｖの全波整流が供給されるものとして、９個のＬＥＤ３０１～３０９が直列に接続されている。 FIG. 3 shows a detailed circuit of the LED brightness control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The LED string 300 shown in FIG. 3 is an LED string connected to the LED drive driver circuit 205 shown in FIG. 2, and nine LEDs are assumed to be supplied with full-wave rectification of 24V AC to the LED brightness control device. LEDs 301 to 309 are connected in series.
　ＬＥＤ列３００には、Ｉ０から電流が流れ込み（電圧が印加され）、ＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路２０５の制御によって、Ｉ１，Ｉ２，Ｉ３へ電流が分岐するが、この動作はＬＥＤを脈流で駆動する為のものである。（尚、本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、後述するように３ビット輝度制御用レジスタによって、色調を一定に維持したまま、多階調の輝度制御が可能である。詳細は、図７～図９に基づいて後述）。 A current flows into the LED string 300 from I 0 (a voltage is applied), and the current branches to I 1 , I 2 , and I 3 under the control of the LED drive driver circuit 205, but this operation pulsates the LED. It is for driving with. (Note that the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention can control brightness of multiple gradations while maintaining a constant color tone by a 3-bit brightness control register as will be described later. This will be described later with reference to FIG.
　また、ＬＥＤ列３００には、図３において、電流Ｉ０が流れる方向から、ＲＧＢ１組のＬＥＤ素子モジュール３０１～３０９が配置されているが、ＬＥＤ列３００には、次の３つの特徴が備わっている。 In addition, the LED array 300 includes LED element modules 301 to 309 of RGB1 in the direction in which the current I 0 flows in FIG. 3, but the LED array 300 has the following three features. Yes.
（１）ＬＥＤ素子モジュールに流れる電流の順序が配置の順序と異なる。
　まず、ＬＥＤ素子モジュールに流れる電流の順序が配置の順序と異なり、図３に示されるように、ＬＥＤ素子モジュール３０２→３０４→３０６→３０８→３０９→３０７→３０５→３０３→３０１の順となっている。換言すれば、ＬＥＤ列のうち偶数番目（又は奇数番目）のＬＥＤ素子モジュールを先頭から直列に接続し、続いて、奇数番目（又は偶数番目）のＬＥＤ素子モジュールの後方から直列に接続する。
　輝度のばらつきを抑制するためである。 (1) The order of currents flowing through the LED element modules is different from the order of arrangement.
First, the order of the currents flowing through the LED element modules is different from the arrangement order, and as shown in FIG. 3, the LED element modules 302 → 304 → 306 → 308 → 309 → 307 → 305 → 303 → 301 are arranged in this order. Yes. In other words, even-numbered (or odd-numbered) LED element modules in the LED array are connected in series from the top, and then connected in series from the rear of the odd-numbered (or even-numbered) LED element modules.
This is for suppressing variation in luminance.
（２）各ＬＥＤ素子モジュールの各色に対応したＬＥＤの配置順序がモジュールごとに異なる。
　図３に示されるように、ＬＥＤ列３００のうち奇数番目のＬＥＤ素子モジュール３０１、３０３、３０５、３０７の各ＬＥＤ素子モジュールのＬＥＤの配列順序は、図中上からＲ→Ｇ→Ｂとなっている。一方で、偶数番目のＬＥＤ素子モジュール３０２、３０４、３０６、３０８の各ＬＥＤ素子モジュールのＬＥＤの配列順序は、図中上からＢ→Ｇ→Ｒとなっている。このように各色ＬＥＤの配列を異ならしめることで、輝度のばらつきを一層抑制することができる。 (2) The arrangement order of the LED corresponding to each color of each LED element module is different for each module.
As shown in FIG. 3, the LED array order of the odd-numbered LED element modules 301, 303, 305, and 307 in the LED array 300 is R → G → B from the top in the figure. Yes. On the other hand, the LED arrangement order of the even-numbered LED element modules 302, 304, 306, and 308 is B → G → R from the top in the figure. Thus, by varying the arrangement of the LEDs of each color, it is possible to further suppress variations in luminance.
（３）赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ素子には抵抗Ｒが接続される。
　図３に示されるように、ＬＥＤ列３００には、ＬＥＤ素子３０４Ｒ（赤）とＬＥＤ素子３０６Ｒ（赤）との間に抵抗Ｒ３１が接続され、ＬＥＤ素子３０７Ｒ（赤）とＬＥＤ素子３０５Ｒ（赤）との間に抵抗Ｒ３２が接続されている。 (3) A resistor R is connected to the LED element corresponding to red (R).
As shown in FIG. 3, in the LED array 300, a resistor R31 is connected between the LED element 304R (red) and the LED element 306R (red), and the LED element 307R (red) and the LED element 305R (red). A resistor R32 is connected between the two.
　このように、赤のＬＥＤ素子に抵抗を接続することで、緑、青との間のばらつきを抑えて色調を安定化させることができる。 Thus, by connecting a resistor to the red LED element, it is possible to suppress variations between green and blue and stabilize the color tone.
　また、実装上のＲＧＢ素子モジュール３１０は、２．８ｍｍ×３．５ｍｍほどの大きさのチップであるが、用途によりこれより大きな素子を用いたり、素子内に多色のＬＥＤを内蔵せず、単色のＬＥＤ、即ち赤・青・緑等を適宜組み合わせて用いたりする事も可能である。 The mounted RGB element module 310 is a chip having a size of about 2.8 mm × 3.5 mm, but a larger element is used depending on the application, or a multicolor LED is not incorporated in the element. Monochromatic LEDs, that is, red, blue, green, and the like can be used in appropriate combination.
　次に、図１～３に示したハードウェアを制御するためのコマンドフォーマット（コマンド体系）について、詳述する。本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、ＤＡＣ等の各回路を含め、以下のコマンド体系を実行可能なように論理構成される。したがって、本発明に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、単にハードウェア上の構成によって特定されるとともに、かかるハードウェアと、ハードウェアを制御するソフトウェア（本コマンドフォーマット）との協調動作によっても特徴付けることができる。 Next, the command format (command system) for controlling the hardware shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail. The LED brightness control device according to the present invention is logically configured to execute the following command system including each circuit such as a DAC. Therefore, the LED brightness control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized not only by the configuration on the hardware but also by the cooperative operation of the hardware and the software (this command format) that controls the hardware. .
（シリアル通信制御部におけるコマンドフォーマット）
　コマンドフォーマットは、一実施形態として、次表に示すように、Ｅ７（１６進数表示）で始まる「開始コマンド」と、デバイス動作指示（１Ｂｙｔｅ）と輝度設定指示（２Ｂｙｔｅ）とを含む「制御コマンド」と、ＣＣ（１６進数表示）で終了する「終了コマンド」とで構成される。
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000001
 (Command format in the serial communication controller)
As shown in the following table, the command format is a “control command” including a “start command” starting with E7 (hexadecimal number), a device operation instruction (1 byte), and a brightness setting instruction (2 bytes) as shown in the following table. And “end command” which ends with CC (hexadecimal notation).
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000001
　後述する通り、制御コマンドは、単一動作の場合、１組のデバイス動作指示（１Ｂｙｔｅ）（＋輝度設定指示（２Ｂｙｔｅ））の送信となるが、連続動作の場合は、デバイス動作指示（１Ｂｙｔｅ）の送信の後、輝度設定指示を２Ｂｙｔｅ単位で連続して送信することができる。
　なお、開始コマンドは、Ｅ７（１６進数表示）以外にも、Ｅ３（１６進数表示）を定義することができ、開始コマンドがＥ３であった場合には、２Ｂｙｔｅ固定長の輝度設定値のみ指示することができる。 As will be described later, in the case of a single operation, the control command is a set of device operation instructions (1 byte) (+ luminance setting instruction (2 bytes)), but in the case of continuous operation, the device operation instruction (1 byte). After the transmission, the brightness setting instruction can be continuously transmitted in units of 2 bytes.
The start command can define E3 (hexadecimal number display) in addition to E7 (hexadecimal number display). When the start command is E3, only the brightness setting value of 2 bytes fixed length is instructed. be able to.
（デバイス動作指示コマンド）
　デバイス動作指示コマンドは、１Ｂｙｔｅ固定長で、デバイスの特定とその動作の指定を行うコマンドである。デバイス動作指示コマンドは、さらに上位４ｂｉｔと下位４ｂｉｔとで次のような指定が可能である。 (Device operation command)
The device operation instruction command has a fixed length of 1 byte and is a command for specifying a device and specifying its operation. The device operation instruction command can be further specified in the upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits as follows.
（１）上位４ｂｉｔ
　素子の特定を行なう為にデバイスアドレスの指定を行なう。デバイスアドレスは指定コマンドの上位４ｂｉｔで表現される０～Ｆ（１６進数表示）までの値とし、送付されたデバイスアドレスと自身のデバイスアドレスが合致した場合のみ制御コマンドを実行する。 (1) Upper 4 bits
A device address is specified in order to specify an element. The device address is a value from 0 to F (hexadecimal notation) expressed by the upper 4 bits of the specified command, and the control command is executed only when the sent device address matches its own device address.
（２）下位４ｂｉｔ
　動作モードを指示する。この下位ビット値（０～Ｆ）に対応する動作指示詳細は、下表の通りである。
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000002
 (2) Lower 4 bits
Indicates the operation mode. The details of the operation instructions corresponding to the lower bit values (0 to F) are as shown in the table below.
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000002
　なお、上表でのバンク０～３は、図１のＢＫ０～３にそれぞれ対応する。
　ここで、指示詳細が「ＬＥＤ消灯」である場合、前述した判定部２０２は、判定信号を出力し、ＤＡＣ２０１は、その出力信号をゼロにする。 Banks 0 to 3 in the above table correspond to BK0 to BK3 in FIG. 1, respectively.
Here, when the instruction details are “LED off”, the determination unit 202 described above outputs a determination signal, and the DAC 201 sets the output signal to zero.
（輝度設定指示コマンド）
　輝度設定指示コマンドは、２Ｂｙｔｅ固定長で、上位バイトの上位４ｂｉｔでバンクアドレスを指定し、下位４ｂｉｔで色を指定する。そして、上位４ｂｉｔで指定されたバンクの、下位４ｂｉｔで指定されたブロックに対し、動作指示コマンドで指定されたＤＡＣにデータを書込む。
　まず、上位バイトの詳細仕様例は、下表の通りである。 (Brightness setting command)
The brightness setting instruction command has a fixed length of 2 bytes, specifies a bank address with the upper 4 bits of the upper byte, and specifies a color with the lower 4 bits. Then, data is written to the DAC specified by the operation instruction command for the block specified by the lower 4 bits in the bank specified by the upper 4 bits.
First, the detailed specification example of the upper byte is as shown in the table below.
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000003
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-T000003
　なお、上表でのバンク０～３は、図１のＢＫ０～３にそれぞれ対応する。また、複数ｂｉｔが”１”の場合は、”１”となったバンク／ブロックがすべて選択される。 Note that banks 0 to 3 in the above table correspond to BK0 to 3 in FIG. When the plurality of bits is “1”, all the banks / blocks having “1” are selected.
　また、下位バイトの詳細仕様例は、この下位１Ｂｙｔｅで、ＤＡＣに設定する輝度情報を設定するというものである。このとき、１）開始コマンドで指定されたＤＡＣの情報のみが有効となり、他は無視される。２）本素子のＤＡＣは、上位３ｂｉｔと下位５ｂｉｔに分割されたＤＡＣとしても、８ｂｉｔＤＡＣとしても扱うことが出来る。３）本素子では、各ブロックのＤＡＣは上位３ｂｉｔと下位５ｂｉｔに分割されており、下位５ｂｉｔでＬＥＤに流す電流値を設定し、上位３ｂｉｔでブロック共通の輝度制御を行うための電流値を設定することを意図している。４）上位ＤＡＣは３ｂｉｔで構成されており、０～７の８諧調の指定が可能である。５）下位ＤＡＣは５ｂｉｔで構成されており、００ｈ～１Ｆｈの３２段の直線階調を指定できる、という特徴を有する。
　ここで、下位５ビットが最下段の階調を指定する場合に、前述した判定部２０２が判定信号を出力し、ＤＡＣ２０１は、その出力信号をゼロにする。 The detailed specification example of the lower byte is to set luminance information to be set in the DAC in this lower 1 byte. At this time, 1) Only the DAC information specified by the start command is valid, and the others are ignored. 2) The DAC of this element can be handled as a DAC divided into upper 3 bits and lower 5 bits or as an 8-bit DAC. 3) In this device, the DAC of each block is divided into upper 3 bits and lower 5 bits. The lower 5 bits set the current value to be sent to the LED, and the upper 3 bits set the current value for controlling the luminance common to the block. Is intended to be. 4) The high-order DAC is composed of 3 bits, and can be specified in 8 gradations from 0 to 7. 5) The low-order DAC is composed of 5 bits, and has a feature that it can designate a linear gradation of 32 steps from 00h to 1Fh.
Here, when the lower 5 bits specify the lowest gradation, the determination unit 202 described above outputs a determination signal, and the DAC 201 sets the output signal to zero.
　このように各ＤＡＣ（上位ＤＡＣ及び下位ＤＡＣ）に値が設定されると各ＤＡＣは対応する電流値を瞬時に各ＬＥＤ列に流すことになる。その際、輝度制御用３ビットの信号及び色調制御用５ビットの信号について、それぞれ「０」を示すデータである場合には、判定部２０２が判定信号をＤＡＣ２０１に対して送出することにより、ＤＡＣ２０１は、アナログ信号の生成処理を実行しないので、ＤＡＣ２０１の処理負担が軽減されることになる。 Thus, when a value is set in each DAC (upper DAC and lower DAC), each DAC instantaneously sends a corresponding current value to each LED row. At this time, if the 3-bit signal for luminance control and the 5-bit signal for color tone control are data indicating “0”, the determination unit 202 sends a determination signal to the DAC 201, whereby the DAC 201 Since the analog signal generation process is not executed, the processing load on the DAC 201 is reduced.
（コマンドフォーマットを用いた処理フロー例）
　以下、図４～図１５を参照しながら、上述したコマンドフォーマットに従って、従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローと本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合の処理フローとを対比しながら、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置の利点を説明する。 (Example of processing flow using command format)
Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 4 to 15, according to the command format described above, the processing flow when the conventional LED brightness control device is operated and the LED brightness control device according to one embodiment of the present invention are operated. The advantages of the LED brightness control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in comparison with the process flow of FIG.
　なお、図４～図６は、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のＬＥＤ輝度を漸減漸増動作させた場合の処理フロー例を示し、図７～図９は、これに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のＬＥＤ輝度を漸減漸増動作させた場合の処理フロー例を示している。
　また、図１０～図１２は、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のＬＥＤを消灯・点灯動作させた場合の処理フロー例を示し、図１３～図１５は、これに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のＬＥＤを消灯・点灯動作させた場合の処理フロー例を示している。 4 to 6 show processing flow examples when the LED brightness of the conventional LED brightness control apparatus is gradually decreased and increased using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention. 9 shows an example of a processing flow when the LED brightness of the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is gradually decreased and increased using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention. Yes.
FIGS. 10 to 12 show examples of processing flows when the LED of the conventional LED brightness control device is turned off / on using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention. 15 shows an example of a processing flow when the LED of the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is turned off / on using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention. Yes.
　図４は、従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度漸減漸増動作の初期値設定フェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ４０１）と、ステップＳ４０２に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリに輝度情報をセットする。そして、ステップＳ４０３に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリ上の変数ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷを初期化する。変数ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷは、複数のＬＥＤ列を管理するためのカウンタ（ポインタ）である。本実施形態では、これまで説明してきたように、ＬＥＤ列には９つのＬＥＤ素子モジュールが接続されており、１２組（４バンク）のＬＥＤ列が接続される構成であるので、ステップＳ４０３では、一例として、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷの最大値は１１となる。 FIG. 4 shows an initial value setting phase of the operation of gradually increasing and decreasing the luminance in the conventional LED luminance control apparatus. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S401), the process proceeds to step S402, and the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown). In step S403, a variable LED_ROW on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized. The variable LED_ROW is a counter (pointer) for managing a plurality of LED strings. In the present embodiment, as described above, nine LED element modules are connected to the LED array, and 12 sets (four banks) of LED arrays are connected. As an example, the maximum value of LED_ROW is 11.
　次に、ステップＳ４０４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は初期値設定フェーズが終了したので、ステップＳ４１２へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ４０４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ４０６～ステップＳ４０８において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Next, the process proceeds to step S404, where it is determined whether or not LED_ROW is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 11). If Yes, the initial value setting phase is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S412. (No in step S404), in steps S406 to S408, the first byte of sending data, the second byte of sending data, and the third byte of sending data are set.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレスに４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＥ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋赤輝度＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列全ての輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits in the device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE), and the sending of the third byte. In the first order, 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
　なお、０ｘ１２は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ１４は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘ２１は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ２２は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ２４は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘ４１は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ４２は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ４４は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘ８１は、４バンク目（ＢＫ３）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ８２は、３バンク目（ＢＫ３）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ８４は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。 Note that 0x12 is an address that specifies green (G) of the first bank (BK0), and 0x14 is an address that specifies blue (B) of the first bank (BK0).
Also, 0x21 is an address that specifies red (R) of the second bank (BK1), 0x22 is an address that specifies green (G) of the second bank (BK1), and 0x24 is the second bank. This is an address for designating blue (B) of (BK1).
In addition, 0x41 is an address that specifies red (R) of the third bank (BK2), 0x42 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK2), and 0x44 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
Also, 0x81 is an address that specifies red (R) of the fourth bank (BK3), 0x82 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK3), and 0x84 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
　１～３バイト目のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ４０９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ４１１に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントし、ステップＳ４０４に復帰する。 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S409, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S411, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S404.
　なお、ステップＳ４０８においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋赤輝度）、２順目（０ｘ１２＋緑輝度）、３順目（０ｘ１４＋青輝度）、４順目（０ｘ２１＋赤輝度）、５順目（０ｘ２２＋緑輝度）、６順目（０ｘ２４＋青輝度）、７順目（０ｘ４１＋赤輝度）、８順目（０ｘ４２＋緑輝度）、９順目（０ｘ４４＋青輝度）、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋赤輝度）、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋緑輝度）、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋青輝度）がセットされる。 The luminance information set in step S408 is in order from the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11), in the first order (0x11 + red luminance), second order (0x12 + green luminance), 3rd order (0x14 + blue brightness), 4th order (0x21 + red brightness), 5th order (0x22 + green brightness), 6th order (0x24 + blue brightness), 7th order (0x41 + red brightness), 8th order (0x42 +) Green brightness), 9th order (0x44 + blue brightness), 10th order (0x81 + red brightness), 11th order (0x82 + green brightness), 12th order (0x84 + blue brightness) are set.
　図５は、輝度の漸減動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最高輝度から最低輝度まで下げるフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ４２１）と、ステップＳ４２２に進み、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩを７（最高輝度）にセットする。ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩは、ＬＥＤの輝度を０～７まで８段階で表す変数である。輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の８ビットのうち、輝度制御用３ビットに対応する。従って、輝度制御用ビット長が長くなれば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩも大きくなる（例えば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩビット長８ビットに対して、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩの最大値２５５など）。 FIG. 5 is a phase in which the luminance is gradually decreased, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is lowered from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S421), the process proceeds to step S422, and the variable LED_LUMI is set to 7 (maximum luminance). LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
　次に、ステップＳ４２３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩが所定の値（ＭＩＮ＝０）以下となったかどうかが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は漸減動作が終了したので、一定時間の消灯時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ４３５）、ステップＳ４３６へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ４２３において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ４２４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０に初期化する。 Next, the process proceeds to step S423, where it is determined whether or not LED_LUMI is equal to or less than a predetermined value (MIN = 0). If Yes, the gradual decrease operation is completed, and thus the extinguishing time for a certain time is measured (step S435). ), The process proceeds to step S436, but if not (No in step S423), the process proceeds to step S424, and LED_ROW = 0 is initialized.
　そして、ステップＳ４２５に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は１段階の漸減処理が終了したので、ステップＳ４３３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、次の段階の漸減処理を行うべく、ステップＳ４３４においてＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩをデクリメントしてステップＳ４２３へ復帰するが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ４２５において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ４２７～ステップＳ４２９において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目以降の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Then, the process proceeds to step S425, and it is determined whether or not LED_ROW is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 11). If Yes, the one-step gradual reduction process is completed, so the process proceeds to step S433 and waits for a fixed time. After performing, the LED_LUMI is decremented in step S434 to return to step S423 in order to perform the gradual reduction process in the next stage. If not (No in step S425), the first byte in steps S427 to S429 is performed. Send data, send data for the second byte, and send data for the third and subsequent bytes are set.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレス４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＥ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８）＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列全ての輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE), and sending data of the third byte. In the first order, 0x11 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8) + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
　１～３バイト目以降のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ４３０に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ４３２に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントしてステップＳ４２５に復帰する。 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S430, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S432, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S425.
　なお、ステップＳ４３０においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、２順目（０ｘ１２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、３順目（０ｘ１４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、４順目（０ｘ２１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、５順目（０ｘ２２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、６順目（０ｘ２４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、７順目（０ｘ４１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、８順目（０ｘ４２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、９順目（０ｘ４４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））がセットされる。 Note that the luminance information set in step S430 is the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11) in the first order (0x11 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), the second order. (0x12 + (LED_LUMI × green luminance / 8)), third order (0x14 + (LED_LUMI × blue luminance / 8)), fourth order (0x21 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), fifth order (0x22 + (LED_LUMI × Green brightness / 8)), 6th order (0x24 + (LED_LUMI × blue brightness / 8)), 7th order (0x41 + (LED_LUMI × red brightness / 8)), 8th order (0x42 + (LED_LUMI × green brightness / 8)) ), 9th order (0x44 + (LED_LUMI × blue luminance / 8)), 10th order (0x81 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), 1 Order eyes (0x82 + (LED_LUMI × green brightness / 8)), 12 order eyes (0x84 + (LED_LUMI × blue brightness / 8)) is set.
　このように、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回の乗除演算（全１２段で合わせて１２回の乗除演算）が必要となることに留意されたい。 As mentioned above, it should be noted that one multiplication / division calculation (12 multiplications / division calculations in total for 12 stages) is required for each LED array.
　図６は、輝度の漸増動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最高輝度から最低輝度まで上げるフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ４５１）と、ステップＳ４５２に進み、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩを０（最低輝度）にセットする。ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩは、ＬＥＤの輝度を０～７まで８段階で表す変数である。輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の８ビットのうち、輝度制御用３ビットに対応する。従って、輝度制御用ビット長が長くなれば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩも大きくなる（例えば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩビット長８ビットに対して、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩの最大値２５５など）。 FIG. 6 is a phase in which the luminance is gradually increased, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is increased from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S451), the process proceeds to step S452, and the variable LED_LUMI is set to 0 (minimum luminance). LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
　次に、ステップＳ４５３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝７）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は漸増動作が終了したので、一定時間の点灯時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ４６５）、ステップＳ４６６へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ４５３において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ４５４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０に初期化する。 Next, the process proceeds to step S453, where it is determined whether or not LED_LUMI is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 7). If yes, the gradual increase operation is completed, and thus after a certain lighting time has been measured (step In step S465, the process proceeds to step S466. If not (No in step S453), the process proceeds to step S454, and LED_ROW = 0 is initialized.
　そして、ステップＳ４５５に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は１段階の漸増処理が終了したので、ステップＳ４６３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、次の段階の漸増処理を行うべく、ステップＳ４６４においてＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩをインクリメントしてステップＳ４５３へ復帰するが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ４５５において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ４５７～ステップＳ４５９において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目以降の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Then, the process proceeds to step S455, and it is determined whether or not LED_ROW is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 11). If Yes, the one-step gradual increase process is completed, so the process proceeds to step S463 and waits for a predetermined time. After that, the LED_LUMI is incremented in step S464 to return to step S453 in order to perform the incremental process in the next stage. If not (No in step S455), the first byte in steps S457 to S459 is performed. Send data, send data for the second byte, and send data for the third and subsequent bytes are set.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレス４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＥ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８）＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列全ての輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xE), and sending data of the third byte. In the first order, 0x11 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8) + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
　１～３バイト目以降のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ４６０に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ４６２に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントしてステップＳ４５５に復帰する。 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S460, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S462, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S455.
　なお、ステップＳ４５９においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、２順目（０ｘ１２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、３順目（０ｘ１４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、４順目（０ｘ２１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、５順目（０ｘ２２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、６順目（０ｘ２４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、７順目（０ｘ４１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、８順目（０ｘ４２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、９順目（０ｘ４４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×赤輝度／８））、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×緑輝度／８））、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ×青輝度／８））がセットされる。 Note that the luminance information set in step S459 is from the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11) in the first order (0x11 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), the second order. (0x12 + (LED_LUMI × green luminance / 8)), third order (0x14 + (LED_LUMI × blue luminance / 8)), fourth order (0x21 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), fifth order (0x22 + (LED_LUMI × Green brightness / 8)), 6th order (0x24 + (LED_LUMI × blue brightness / 8)), 7th order (0x41 + (LED_LUMI × red brightness / 8)), 8th order (0x42 + (LED_LUMI × green brightness / 8)) ), 9th order (0x44 + (LED_LUMI × blue luminance / 8)), 10th order (0x81 + (LED_LUMI × red luminance / 8)), 1 Order eyes (0x82 + (LED_LUMI × green brightness / 8)), 12 order eyes (0x84 + (LED_LUMI × blue brightness / 8)) is set.
　このように、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回の乗除演算（全１２段で合わせて１２回の乗除演算）が必要となることに留意されたい。 As mentioned above, it should be noted that one multiplication / division calculation (12 multiplications / division calculations in total for 12 stages) is required for each LED array.
　図７は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度漸減漸増動作の初期値設定フェーズである。本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置では、図１に示される回路の特性上、ＬＥＤの各段の設定ではなく、ＬＥＤの各色に対応したＬＥＤ列ごとに初期設定が可能である。
　すなわち、１回の処理ループで、図１におけるＢＫ０の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列に対する輝度設定を同時に実施できる。 FIG. 7 shows an initial value setting phase of the operation of gradually increasing and decreasing the luminance in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the LED brightness control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the initial setting is possible for each LED row corresponding to each color of the LED, not the setting of each stage of the LED, due to the characteristics of the circuit shown in FIG.
That is, in one processing loop, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3 The brightness setting for the LED rows corresponding to red (R) can be performed simultaneously.
　図７において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ５０１）と、ステップＳ５０２に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリに輝度情報をセットする。そして、ステップＳ５０３に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリ上の変数ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲを初期化する。変数ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲは、０～２までの値をとり、各色に対応したＬＥＤ列の管理するためのカウンタ（ポインタ）である。
　一例として、ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲ＝０のとき、図１におけるＢＫ０の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲ＝１のとき、図１におけるＢＫ０の緑（Ｇ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の緑（Ｇ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の緑（Ｇ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の緑（Ｇ）に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲ＝２のとき、図１におけるＢＫ０の青（Ｂ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の青（Ｂ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の青（Ｂ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の青（Ｂ）に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定するものとする。 In FIG. 7, when the operation is started (step S501), the process proceeds to step S502, and the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown). In step S503, a variable LED_COLOR on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized. The variable LED_COLOR takes a value from 0 to 2, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED array corresponding to each color.
As an example, when LED_COLOR = 0, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3 When LED_COLOR = 1, LED row corresponding to green (G) of BK0 in FIG. 1, LED row corresponding to green (G) of BK1, and green of BK2 are designated. When the LED array corresponding to (G) and the LED array corresponding to green (G) of BK3 are specified and LED_COLOR = 2, the LED array corresponding to blue (B) of BK0 in FIG. Assume that the LED column corresponding to B), the LED column corresponding to blue (B) of BK2, and the LED column corresponding to blue (B) of BK3 are designated.
　次に、ステップＳ５０４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝２）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は初期値設定フェーズが終了したので、ステップＳ５１２へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ５０４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ５０６～ステップＳ５０８において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Next, the process proceeds to step S504, where it is determined whether or not LED_COLOR has become equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 2). If Yes, the initial value setting phase is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S512. (No in step S504), in steps S506 to S508, the first byte of sending data, the second byte of sending data, and the third byte of sending data are set.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレス４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＦ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘＦ１＋赤輝度＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘＦ１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）、及び４バンク目（ＢＫ３）の赤（Ｒ）を一度に指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１におけるＢＫ０の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列の輝度をセットできる（以下、各色に対応したＬＥＤ列について同様）。
　ここで、判定部２０２から判定信号が入力されている場合には、輝度情報によらずに、赤輝度，緑輝度または青輝度をゼロに設定する。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xF), and sending data of the third byte. In the first order, 0xF1 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0xF1 is an address that designates red (R) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time in accordance with the command format described above. By this designation, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and the red (R of BK3) ) Can be set (the same applies to the LED columns corresponding to the respective colors).
Here, when a determination signal is input from the determination unit 202, red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information.
　なお、０ｘＦ２は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）、及び４バンク目（ＢＫ３）の緑（Ｇ）を一度に指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘＦ３は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）、及び４バンク目（ＢＫ３）の青（Ｂ）を一度に指定するアドレスである。 Note that 0xF2 is an address for designating green (G) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time.
Further, 0xF3 is an address for designating blue (B) of the first bank (BK0), the second bank (BK1), the third bank (BK2), and the fourth bank (BK3) at a time.
　１～３バイト目のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ５０９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ５１１に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲをインクリメントし、ステップＳ５０４に復帰する。 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S509, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S511, LED_COLOR is incremented, and it returns to step S504.
　なお、ステップＳ５０８においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲ＝０）～３順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＣＯＬＯＲ＝２）まで順に、１順目（０ｘＦ１＋赤輝度）、２順目（０ｘＦ２＋緑輝度）、３順目（０ｘＦ４＋青輝度）がセットされる。 Note that the luminance information set in step S508 is from the first order (LED_COLOR = 0) to the third order (LED_COLOR = 2) in order, first order (0xF1 + red luminance), second order (0xF2 + green luminance), The third order (0xF4 + blue luminance) is set.
　図８は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度漸減動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最高輝度から最低輝度まで下げるフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ５２１）と、ステップＳ５２２に進み、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩを７（最高輝度）にセットする。ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩは、ＬＥＤの輝度を０～７まで８段階で表す変数である。輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の８ビットのうち、輝度制御用３ビットに対応する。従って、輝度制御用ビット長が長くなれば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩも大きくなる（例えば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩビット長８ビットに対して、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩの最大値２５５など）。 FIG. 8 is a luminance gradually decreasing operation phase in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is decreased from the highest luminance to the lowest luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S521), the process proceeds to step S522, and the variable LED_LUMI is set to 7 (maximum luminance). LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
　次に、ステップＳ５２３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩが所定の値（ＭＩＮ＝０）以下となったかどうかが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は漸減動作が終了したので、一定時間の消灯時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ５３５）、ステップＳ５３６へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ５２３において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ５２７に進み、輝度データをセットする。
　このときも、判定部２０２から判定信号が入力されている場合には、輝度情報によらずに、赤輝度，緑輝度または青輝度をゼロに設定する。 Next, the process proceeds to step S523, where it is determined whether or not LED_LUMI is equal to or less than a predetermined value (MIN = 0). If Yes, the gradual decrease operation is completed. ), The process proceeds to step S536. If not (No in step S523), the process proceeds to step S527, and the luminance data is set.
Also at this time, when the determination signal is input from the determination unit 202, the red luminance, the green luminance, or the blue luminance is set to zero regardless of the luminance information.
　ステップＳ５２７では、１回で全ＤＡＣの上位３ビット（輝度制御用）を次のコマンドで実行できる。 In step S527, the upper 3 bits (for brightness control) of all DACs can be executed by the following command at one time.
　０ｘＥ７＋（デバイスアドレス４ビット＋０ｘＣ）＋０ｘＥ７＋０ｘＥ０＋０ｘＣＣ 0xE7 + (Device address 4 bits + 0xC) + 0xE7 + 0xE0 + 0xCC
　上記コマンドの最初の１バイトは開始コマンドであり、２バイト目の上位４ビットはデバイスアドレスを指定するためのものであり、２バイト目の下位４ビット０ｘＣは、単一動作で上位ＤＡＣを書き込む指示であり、３バイト目の０ｘＥ７は０～３の全バンクの赤・緑・青の各ＬＥＤを指定する指示であり、続く４バイト目の０ｘＥ０は、ＤＡＣに書き込む情報ビット（輝度制御用の上位３ビットが２進数で最高輝度の"１１１"、色調制御用の下位５ビットは「何も書き込まない」という意味で２進数の"０００００"、これらを合わせて１６進数でＥ０となる）であり、５バイト目の０ｘＣＣは終了コマンドである。 The first byte of the command is a start command, the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address, and the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0xC are instructions for writing the upper DAC in a single operation 0xE7 in the third byte is an instruction for designating red, green, and blue LEDs in all banks 0 to 3, and the subsequent 4th byte of 0xE0 is an information bit to be written to the DAC (high-order for luminance control) 3 bits are binary numbers with a maximum luminance of “111”, and the lower 5 bits for color tone control are binary numbers “00000” in the sense of “nothing written”, and these are combined to become E0 in hexadecimal numbers) The fifth byte of 0xCC is an end command.
　輝度データセットが完了すると、ステップＳ５３０に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。そして、一定時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ５３３）、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩをデクリメントして（ステップＳ５３４）、ステップＳ５２３へ復帰する。 When the luminance data set is completed, the process proceeds to step S530, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. And after measuring a fixed time (step S533), LED_LUMI is decremented (step S534) and it returns to step S523.
　なお、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝６）以降、ステップＳ５２７においてＤＡＣに書き込まれる情報ビットは、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝６）０ｘＣ０、３順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝５）０ｘＡ０、４順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝４）０ｘ８０、５順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝３）０ｘ６０、６順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝２）０ｘ４０、７順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝１）０ｘ２０、８順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝０）０ｘ００、となる。 From the second order (LED_LUMI = 6), the information bits written in the DAC in step S527 are the second order (LED_LUMI = 6) 0xC0, the third order (LED_LUMI = 5) 0xA0, the fourth order (LED_LUMI = 4). ) 0x80, 5th order (LED_LUMI = 3) 0x60, 6th order (LED_LUMI = 2) 0x40, 7th order (LED_LUMI = 1) 0x20, 8th order (LED_LUMI = 0) 0x00.
　このように、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回の乗除演算（全１２段で合わせて１２回の乗除演算）が必要となるのに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、全ＤＡＣに対して同時に輝度制御用の上位３ビットをセットするだけで足りる点に留意されたい。 As described above, when the conventional LED brightness control apparatus is operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one multiplication / division calculation is performed for each LED column (12 in total in 12 stages). In the case where the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, all DACs are required. It should be noted that it is only necessary to set the upper 3 bits for luminance control at the same time.
　図９は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度漸増動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最低輝度から最高輝度まで上げるフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ５５１）と、ステップＳ５５２に進み、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩを０（最低輝度）にセットする。ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩは、ＬＥＤの輝度を０～７まで８段階で表す変数である。輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３の８ビットのうち、輝度制御用３ビットに対応する。従って、輝度制御用ビット長が長くなれば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩも大きくなる（例えば、変数ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩビット長８ビットに対して、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩの最大値２５５など）。 FIG. 9 is a luminance gradually increasing operation phase in the LED luminance control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a phase in which the luminance of the LED is increased from the lowest luminance to the highest luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S551), the process proceeds to step S552, and the variable LED_LUMI is set to 0 (minimum luminance). LED_LUMI is a variable that represents the brightness of the LED in 8 levels from 0 to 7. Of the 8 bits of the brightness control information register 103, this corresponds to 3 bits for brightness control. Accordingly, as the brightness control bit length increases, the variable LED_LUMI also increases (for example, the maximum value 255 of LED_LUMI for the variable LED_LUMI bit length of 8 bits).
　次に、ステップＳ５５３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩが所定の値（ＭＩＮ＝７）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は漸増動作が終了したので、一定時間の点灯時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ５６５）、ステップＳ５６６へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ５５３において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ５５７に進み、輝度データをセットする。
　ここで、判定部２０２から判定信号が入力されている場合には、輝度情報によらずに、赤輝度，緑輝度または青輝度をゼロに設定する。 Next, the process proceeds to step S553, where it is determined whether or not LED_LUMI is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MIN = 7). If yes, since the gradual increase operation is completed, a lighting time of a certain time is measured (step In step S565), the process proceeds to step S566. If not (No in step S553), the process proceeds to step S557, and the luminance data is set.
Here, when a determination signal is input from the determination unit 202, red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information.
　ステップＳ５５７では、１回で全ＤＡＣの上位３ビット（輝度制御用）を次のコマンドで実行できる。 In step S557, the upper 3 bits (for brightness control) of all DACs can be executed at once by the following command.
　０ｘＥ７＋（デバイスアドレス４ビット＋０ｘＣ）＋０ｘＥ７＋０ｘ００＋０ｘＣＣ 0xE7 + (Device address 4 bits + 0xC) + 0xE7 + 0x00 + 0xCC
　上記コマンドの最初の１バイトは開始コマンドであり、２バイト目の上位４ビットはデバイスアドレスを指定するためのものであり、２バイト目の下位４ビット０ｘＣは、単一動作で上位ＤＡＣを書き込む指示であり、３バイト目の０ｘＥ７は０～３の全バンクの赤・緑・青の各ＬＥＤを指定する指示であり、続く４バイト目の０ｘ００は、ＤＡＣに書き込む情報ビット（輝度制御用の上位３ビットが２進数で最低輝度の"０００"、色調制御用の下位５ビットは「何も書き込まない」という意味で２進数の"０００００"、これらを合わせて１６進数で００となる）であり、５バイト目の０ｘＣＣは終了コマンドである。 The first byte of the command is a start command, the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address, and the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0xC are instructions for writing the upper DAC in a single operation 0xE7 in the third byte is an instruction for designating each of red, green, and blue LEDs of all banks 0 to 3, and the subsequent byte 0x00 is an information bit to be written to the DAC (upper level for luminance control) 3 bits are binary numbers with the lowest luminance of “000”, and the lower 5 bits for color tone control are binary numbers “00000” in the sense that “nothing is written”, and these are combined to become 00 in hexadecimal number) The fifth byte of 0xCC is an end command.
　輝度データセットが完了すると、ステップＳ５６０に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。そして、一定時間を計測したあと（ステップＳ５６３）、ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩをデクリメントして（ステップＳ５６４）、ステップＳ５５３へ復帰する。 When the luminance data set is completed, the process proceeds to step S560, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. And after measuring a fixed time (step S563), LED_LUMI is decremented (step S564) and it returns to step S553.
　なお、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝１）以降、ステップＳ５５７においてＤＡＣに書き込まれる情報ビットは、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝１）０ｘ２０、３順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝２）０ｘ４０、４順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝３）０ｘ６０、５順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝４）０ｘ８０、６順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝５）０ｘＡ０、７順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝６）０ｘＣ０、８順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＬＵＭＩ＝７）０ｘＥ０、となる。 From the second order (LED_LUMI = 1), the information bits written in the DAC in step S557 are the second order (LED_LUMI = 1) 0x20, the third order (LED_LUMI = 2) 0x40, and the fourth order (LED_LUMI = 3). ) 0x60, 5th order (LED_LUMI = 4) 0x80, 6th order (LED_LUMI = 5) 0xA0, 7th order (LED_LUMI = 6) 0xC0, 8th order (LED_LUMI = 7) 0xE0.
　このように、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回の乗除演算（全１２段で合わせて１２回の乗除演算）が必要となるのに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、全ＤＡＣに対して同時に輝度制御用の上位３ビットをセットするだけで足りると共に、輝度情報のうち、輝度制御用３ビットの信号または色調制御用５ビットの信号のいずれか一方または双方が「０」を表す信号である場合には、ＤＡＣは、演算処理を行なわずに、出力オフに設定することにより、処理が軽減される点に留意されたい。 As described above, when the conventional LED brightness control apparatus is operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one multiplication / division calculation is performed for each LED column (12 in total in 12 stages). In the case where the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, all DACs are required. On the other hand, it is only necessary to set the upper 3 bits for luminance control at the same time, and among the luminance information, either one or both of the luminance control 3-bit signal and the tone control 5-bit signal represent “0”. Note that in the case of a signal, the DAC is reduced in processing by setting the output off without performing arithmetic processing.
　図１０は、従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度点滅動作の初期値設定フェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ６０１）と、ステップＳ６０２に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリに輝度情報をセットする。そして、ステップＳ６０３に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリ上の変数ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷを初期化する。変数ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷは、複数のＬＥＤ列を管理するためのカウンタ（ポインタ）である。本実施形態では、これまで説明してきたように、ＬＥＤ列には９つのＬＥＤ素子モジュールが接続されており、１２段（４バンク）のＬＥＤ列が接続される構成であるので、ステップＳ６０３では、一例として、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷの最大値は１１となる。 FIG. 10 shows an initial value setting phase of the luminance blinking operation in the conventional LED luminance control apparatus. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S601), the process proceeds to step S602, where the luminance information is set in the memory of the LED luminance control device (not shown). In step S603, a variable LED_ROW on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized. The variable LED_ROW is a counter (pointer) for managing a plurality of LED strings. In the present embodiment, as described so far, nine LED element modules are connected to the LED array, and 12 stages (four banks) of LED arrays are connected. Therefore, in step S603, As an example, the maximum value of LED_ROW is 11.
　次に、ステップＳ６０４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが最大値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）に達したかどうかが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は初期値設定フェーズが終了したので、ステップＳ６１２へ進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ６０４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ６０６～ステップＳ６０８において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Next, the process proceeds to step S604, and it is determined whether or not LED_ROW has reached the maximum value (MAX = 11). If Yes, the initial value setting phase is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S612. In step S604, No), in steps S606 to S608, the first byte of sending data, the second byte of sending data, and the third byte of sending data are set.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレスについての４ビット＋動作指示についての４ビット（０ｘＦ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋赤輝度＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列全ての輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data in the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), and the sending data in the second byte is 4 bits for the device address + 4 bits (0xF) for the operation instruction, and 3 bytes. In the first transmission data, 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set in the first order.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
　なお、０ｘ１２は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ１４は、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。 Note that 0x12 is an address that specifies green (G) of the first bank (BK0), and 0x14 is an address that specifies blue (B) of the first bank (BK0).
　また、０ｘ２１は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ２２は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ２４は、２バンク目（ＢＫ１）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘ４１は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ４２は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ４４は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。
　また、０ｘ８１は、４バンク目（ＢＫ３）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ８２は、３バンク目（ＢＫ３）の緑（Ｇ）を指定するアドレスであり、０ｘ８４は、３バンク目（ＢＫ２）の青（Ｂ）を指定するアドレスである。 Also, 0x21 is an address that specifies red (R) of the second bank (BK1), 0x22 is an address that specifies green (G) of the second bank (BK1), and 0x24 is the second bank. This is an address for designating blue (B) of (BK1).
In addition, 0x41 is an address that specifies red (R) of the third bank (BK2), 0x42 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK2), and 0x44 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
Also, 0x81 is an address that specifies red (R) of the fourth bank (BK3), 0x82 is an address that specifies green (G) of the third bank (BK3), and 0x84 is the third bank. This is an address designating blue (B) of (BK2).
　１～３バイト目のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ６０９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ６１１に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントし、ステップＳ６０４に復帰する。 When the data set of the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S609, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S611, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S604.
　なお、ステップＳ６０８においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋赤輝度）、２順目（０ｘ１２＋緑輝度）、３順目（０ｘ１４＋青輝度）、４順目（０ｘ２１＋赤輝度）、５順目（０ｘ２２＋緑輝度）、６順目（０ｘ２４＋青輝度）、７順目（０ｘ４１＋赤輝度）、８順目（０ｘ４２＋緑輝度）、９順目（０ｘ４４＋青輝度）、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋赤輝度）、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋緑輝度）、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋青輝度）がセットされる。 Note that the luminance information set in step S608 is from the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11) in order, first order (0x11 + red luminance), second order (0x12 + green luminance), 3rd order (0x14 + blue brightness), 4th order (0x21 + red brightness), 5th order (0x22 + green brightness), 6th order (0x24 + blue brightness), 7th order (0x41 + red brightness), 8th order (0x42 +) Green brightness), 9th order (0x44 + blue brightness), 10th order (0x81 + red brightness), 11th order (0x82 + green brightness), 12th order (0x84 + blue brightness) are set.
　図１１は、輝度の消灯動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最低輝度に設定するフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ６２１）と、次に、ステップＳ６２３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０に初期化する。 FIG. 11 shows a luminance extinguishing operation phase in which the LED luminance is set to the minimum luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S621), next, the process proceeds to step S623 and is initialized to LED_ROW = 0.
　そして、ステップＳ６２４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は消灯処理が終了したので、ステップＳ６３３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、次の段階の点灯処理を行うべく、ステップＳ６３４に進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ６２４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ６２６～ステップＳ６２８において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目以降の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Then, the process proceeds to step S624, and it is determined whether or not LED_ROW is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 11). If yes, the extinguishing process is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S633 and after waiting for a predetermined time. In order to perform the next stage lighting process, the process proceeds to step S634, but if not (No in step S624), the first byte of transmission data, the second byte of transmission data, 3 bytes of data in steps S626 to S628. Set the sending data after the first.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレス４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＦ）であり、３バイト目の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋０ｘ００＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列の輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is 4 bits of device address + 4 bits of operation instruction (0xF), and sending data of the third byte. In the first order, 0x11 + 0x00 + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. Can be set (hereinafter, the same applies to the LED rows in each stage).
　１～３バイト目以降のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ６２９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ６３１に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントしてステップＳ６２４に復帰する。 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S629, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S631, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S624.
　なお、ステップＳ６２８においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋０ｘ００）、２順目（０ｘ１２＋０ｘ００）、３順目（０ｘ１４＋０ｘ００）、４順目（０ｘ２１＋０ｘ００）、５順目（０ｘ２２＋０ｘ００）、６順目（０ｘ２４＋０ｘ００）、７順目（０ｘ４１＋０ｘ００）、８順目（０ｘ４２＋０ｘ００）、９順目（０ｘ４４＋０ｘ００）、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋０ｘ００）、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋０ｘ００）、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋０ｘ００）がセットされる。 Note that the luminance information set in step S628 is in order from the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11), the first order (0x11 + 0x00), the second order (0x12 + 0x00), the third order ( 0x14 + 0x00), 4th order (0x21 + 0x00), 5th order (0x22 + 0x00), 6th order (0x24 + 0x00), 7th order (0x41 + 0x00), 8th order (0x42 + 0x00), 9th order (0x44 + 0x00), 10th order (0x81 + 0x00) ), 11th order (0x82 + 0x00) and 12th order (0x84 + 0x00) are set.
　このように、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回のセッティング（全１２段で合わせて１２回のセッティング）が必要となることに留意されたい。 [Note] In this way, it should be noted that one setting is required for each LED row (12 settings in total for 12 stages).
　図１２は、輝度の点灯動作フェーズであり、ＬＥＤの輝度を最高輝度に設定するフェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ６５１）と、次に、ステップＳ６５３に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０に初期化する。 FIG. 12 shows a luminance lighting operation phase in which the LED luminance is set to the maximum luminance. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S651), the process proceeds to step S653 and is initialized to LED_ROW = 0.
　そして、ステップＳ６５４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝１１）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は点灯処理が終了したので、ステップＳ６３３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、ステップＳ６６４に進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ６５４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ６５６～ステップＳ６５８において１バイト目の送付データ、２バイト目の送付データ、３バイト目以降の送付データをそれぞれセットする。 Then, the process proceeds to step S654, where it is determined whether or not the LED_ROW is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 11). If yes, the lighting process is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S633 and after waiting for a certain period of time. The process proceeds to step S664. If not (No in step S654), the first byte of transmission data, the second byte of transmission data, and the third and subsequent bytes of transmission data are set in steps S656 to S658, respectively.
　このとき、１バイト目の送付データは開始コマンドＥ７（１６進表示）であり、２バイト目の送付データは、デバイスアドレス４ビット＋動作指示４ビット（０ｘＦ）であり、３バイト目以降の送付データは、１順目には、０ｘ１１＋赤輝度＋０ｘＣＣ（終了コマンド）がセットされる。
　０ｘ１１は、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、１バンク目（ＢＫ０）の赤（Ｒ）を指定するアドレスであり、この指定により、図１における１段目のＬＥＤドライバに接続されている９個のＬＥＤ列全ての輝度をセットできる（以下、各段のＬＥＤ列について同様）。 At this time, the sending data of the first byte is a start command E7 (hexadecimal display), the sending data of the second byte is a device address 4 bits + an operation instruction 4 bits (0xF), and the sending of the third and subsequent bytes. In the first order, 0x11 + red luminance + 0xCC (end command) is set.
0x11 is an address that specifies red (R) of the first bank (BK0) in accordance with the command format described above, and by this specification, nine LED strings connected to the first-stage LED driver in FIG. All luminances can be set (hereinafter, the same is true for each LED row).
　１～３バイト目以降のデータセットが完了すると、ステップＳ６５９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。次に、ステップＳ６６１に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷをインクリメントしてステップＳ６５４に復帰する。 When the data set after the first to third bytes is completed, the process proceeds to step S659, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Next, it progresses to step S661, LED_ROW is incremented, and it returns to step S654.
　なお、ステップＳ６５８においてセットされる輝度情報は、１順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝０）～１２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＲＯＷ＝１１）まで順に、１順目（０ｘ１１＋赤輝度）、２順目（０ｘ１２＋緑輝度）、３順目（０ｘ１４＋青輝度）、４順目（０ｘ２１＋赤輝度）、５順目（０ｘ２２＋緑輝度）、６順目（０ｘ２４＋青輝度）、７順目（０ｘ４１＋赤輝度）、８順目（０ｘ４２＋緑輝度）、９順目（０ｘ４４＋緑輝度）、１０順目（０ｘ８１＋赤輝度）、１１順目（０ｘ８２＋緑輝度）、１２順目（０ｘ８４＋青輝度）がセットされる。 The luminance information set in step S658 is in order from the first order (LED_ROW = 0) to the twelfth order (LED_ROW = 11), the first order (0x11 + red luminance), the second order (0x12 + green luminance), 3rd order (0x14 + blue brightness), 4th order (0x21 + red brightness), 5th order (0x22 + green brightness), 6th order (0x24 + blue brightness), 7th order (0x41 + red brightness), 8th order (0x42 +) Green brightness), 9th order (0x44 + green brightness), 10th order (0x81 + red brightness), 11th order (0x82 + green brightness), 12th order (0x84 + blue brightness) are set.
　このように、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回のセッティング（全１２段で合わせて１２回のセッティング）が必要となることに留意されたい。 [Note] In this way, it should be noted that one setting is required for each LED row (12 settings in total for 12 stages).
　図１３は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における輝度点滅動作の初期値設定フェーズである。本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置では、図１に示される回路の特性上、ＬＥＤの各段の設定ではなく、ＬＥＤの各色に対応したＬＥＤ列ごとに初期設定が可能である。
　すなわち、１回の処理ループで、図１におけるＢＫ０の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ１の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、ＢＫ２の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列、及びＢＫ３の赤（Ｒ）に対応するＬＥＤ列に対する輝度設定を同時に実施できる。 FIG. 13 is an initial value setting phase of the brightness blinking operation in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the LED brightness control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the initial setting is possible for each LED row corresponding to each color of the LED, not the setting of each stage of the LED, due to the characteristics of the circuit shown in FIG.
That is, in one processing loop, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK0 in FIG. 1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK1, the LED row corresponding to red (R) of BK2, and BK3 The brightness setting for the LED rows corresponding to red (R) can be performed simultaneously.
　すなわち、図１３のステップＳ７０１～ステップＳ７１２は、図７のステップＳ５０１～ステップＳ５１２に対応するので説明を割愛する。 That is, steps S701 to S712 in FIG. 13 correspond to steps S501 to S512 in FIG.
　図１４は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における消灯動作フェーズである。同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ７２１）と、次に、ステップＳ７２３に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリ上の変数ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫを初期化する（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝０）。変数ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫは、０～３までの値をとり、各バンクに対応したＬＥＤ列を管理するためのカウンタ（ポインタ）である。
　一例として、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝０のとき、図１におけるＢＫ０に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１のとき、図１におけるＢＫ１に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝２のとき、図１におけるＢＫ２に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝３のとき、図１におけるＢＫ３に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定するものとする。 FIG. 14 shows a turn-off operation phase in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, when the operation is started (step S721), the process proceeds to step S723, and a variable LED_BK on the memory of the LED brightness control device (not shown) is initialized (LED_BK = 0). The variable LED_BK takes a value from 0 to 3, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED string corresponding to each bank.
As an example, when LED_BK = 0, the LED string corresponding to BK0 in FIG. 1 is specified, when LED_BK = 1, the LED string corresponding to BK1 in FIG. 1 is specified, and when LED_BK = 2, in FIG. An LED string corresponding to BK2 is specified, and when LED_BK = 3, an LED string corresponding to BK3 in FIG. 1 is specified.
　そして、ステップＳ７２４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝３）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は消灯処理が終了したので、ステップＳ７３３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、次の段階の点灯処理を行うべく、ステップＳ７３４に進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ７２４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ７２６において、バンクごとのオン／オフ指示を行う。 Then, the process proceeds to step S724, where it is determined whether LED_BK has become equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 3). If yes, the extinguishing process is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S733, after waiting for a predetermined time. In order to perform the next stage lighting process, the process proceeds to step S734. If not (No in step S724), an on / off instruction is given for each bank in step S726.
　ステップＳ７２６では、１回でバンクごとのオン／オフ指示を次の通りセットする。 In step S726, an on / off instruction for each bank is set as follows.
　０ｘＥ７＋（デバイスアドレス４ビット＋０ｘ０）＋０ｘＣＣ 0xE7 + (Device address 4 bits + 0x0) + 0xCC
　上記コマンドの最初の１バイトは開始コマンドであり、２バイト目の上位４ビットはデバイスアドレスを指定するためのものであり、２バイト目の下位４ビット０ｘ０は、単一動作で１つ目のバンク（ＢＫ０）のＬＥＤ消灯を指示するものであり、３バイト目の０ｘＣＣは終了コマンドである。 The first byte of the command is a start command, the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for specifying a device address, and the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0x0 are the first bank in a single operation. The (BK0) LED is instructed to be turned off, and 0xCC in the third byte is an end command.
　バンクごとのオン／オフ指示が完了すると、ステップＳ７２９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。そして、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫをインクリメントして（ステップＳ７３１）、ステップＳ７２４へ復帰する。 When the on / off instruction for each bank is completed, the process proceeds to step S729, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Then, LED_BK is incremented (step S731), and the process returns to step S724.
　なお、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１）以降、ステップＳ７２６において２バイト目の下位４ビットに書き込まれる情報ビットは、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１）０ｘ２、３順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝２）０ｘ４、４順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝３）０ｘ６、となる。 After the second order (LED_BK = 1), the information bits written in the lower 4 bits of the second byte in step S726 are in the second order (LED_BK = 1) 0x2 and the third order (LED_BK =) according to the command format described above. 2) 0x4, 4th order (LED_BK = 3) 0x6.
　このように、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回のセッティング（全１２段で合わせて１２回のセッティング）が必要となるのに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、バンクごとにオンオフ制御すれば足りると共に、輝度情報のうち、輝度制御用３ビットの信号または色調制御用５ビットの信号のいずれか一方または双方が「０」を表す信号である場合には、ＤＡＣは、演算処理を行なわずに、出力オフに設定することにより、処理が軽減される点に留意されたい。 As described above, when the conventional LED brightness control apparatus is operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one setting is made for each LED row (12 times in total for all 12 stages). On the other hand, when the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, the on / off control is performed for each bank. This is sufficient, and in the luminance information, if either one or both of the luminance control 3-bit signal and the color tone control 5-bit signal are “0”, the DAC performs arithmetic processing. Note that processing is reduced by setting the output off without doing so.
　図１５は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における点灯動作フェーズであり、同図において、動作を開始する（ステップＳ７５１）と、次に、ステップＳ７５３に進み、図示しないＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のメモリ上の変数ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫを初期化する（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝０）。変数ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫは、０～３までの値をとり、各バンクに対応したＬＥＤ列を管理するためのカウンタ（ポインタ）である。
　一例として、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝０のとき、図１におけるＢＫ０に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１のとき、図１におけるＢＫ１に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝２のとき、図１におけるＢＫ２に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定し、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝３のとき、図１におけるＢＫ３に対応するＬＥＤ列を指定するものとする。 FIG. 15 is a lighting operation phase in the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, when the operation is started (step S751), the process proceeds to step S753, and LED brightness control (not shown) is performed. A variable LED_BK in the device memory is initialized (LED_BK = 0). The variable LED_BK takes a value from 0 to 3, and is a counter (pointer) for managing the LED string corresponding to each bank.
As an example, when LED_BK = 0, the LED string corresponding to BK0 in FIG. 1 is specified, when LED_BK = 1, the LED string corresponding to BK1 in FIG. 1 is specified, and when LED_BK = 2, in FIG. An LED string corresponding to BK2 is specified, and when LED_BK = 3, an LED string corresponding to BK3 in FIG. 1 is specified.
　そして、ステップＳ７５４に進み、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫが所定の値（ＭＡＸ＝３）以上になったか否かが判断され、Ｙｅｓの場合は点灯処理が終了したので、ステップＳ７６３へ進み一定時間の待機を行ったあと、ステップＳ７６４に進むが、そうでない場合（ステップＳ７５４において、Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ７５６において、バンクごとのオン／オフを指示する。 Then, the process proceeds to step S754, where it is determined whether or not LED_BK has become equal to or greater than a predetermined value (MAX = 3). If yes, the lighting process is completed, and thus the process proceeds to step S763 and waits for a predetermined time. The process proceeds to step S764. If not (No in step S754), in step S756, ON / OFF for each bank is instructed.
　ステップＳ７５６では、１回でバンクごとのオン／オフを次の通り指示する。 In step S756, on / off for each bank is instructed at a time as follows.
　０ｘＥ７＋（デバイスアドレス４ビット＋０ｘ１）＋０ｘＣＣ 0xE7 + (Device address 4 bits + 0x1) + 0xCC
　上記コマンドの最初の１バイトは開始コマンドであり、２バイト目の上位４ビットはデバイスアドレスを指定するためのものであり、２バイト目の下位４ビット０ｘ１は、単一動作で１つ目のバンク（ＢＫ０）のＬＥＤ点灯を指示するものであり、３バイト目の０ｘＣＣは終了コマンドである。 The first 1 byte of the above command is the start command, the upper 4 bits of the second byte are for designating the device address, and the lower 4 bits of the second byte 0x1 are the first bank in a single operation (BK0) LED lighting is instructed, and 0xCC in the third byte is an end command.
　バンクごとのオン／オフコマンドセットが完了すると、ステップＳ７５９に進み、ＬＥＤ各素子に生成コマンドを送出する。そして、ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫをインクリメントして（ステップＳ７６１）、ステップＳ７５４へ復帰する。 When the on / off command set for each bank is completed, the process proceeds to step S759, and a generation command is sent to each LED element. Then, LED_BK is incremented (step S761), and the process returns to step S754.
　なお、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１）以降、ステップＳ７５６において２バイト目の下位４ビットに書き込まれる情報ビットは、上述のコマンドフォーマットに従い、２順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝１）０ｘ３、３順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝２）０ｘ５、４順目（ＬＥＤ＿ＢＫ＝３）０ｘ７、となる。 After the second order (LED_BK = 1), the information bits written in the lower 4 bits of the second byte in step S756 are in the second order (LED_BK = 1) 0x3, the third order (LED_BK = 2) 0x5, 4th order (LED_BK = 3) 0x7.
　このように、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドを使用して従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、各ＬＥＤ列に対して１回のセッティング（全１２段で合わせて１２回のセッティング）が必要となるのに対し、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、バンクごとにオンオフ制御すれば足りる点に留意されたい。 As described above, when the conventional LED brightness control apparatus is operated using the command according to the embodiment of the present invention, one setting is made for each LED row (12 times in total for all 12 stages). On the other hand, when the LED brightness control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, the on / off control is performed for each bank. Please note that this is sufficient.
　以上説明した通り、本発明の一実施形態に係るコマンドフォーマットを使用して本発明の一実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置を稼働させた場合には、従来のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置における動作のような乗除演算等を必要とせず、また判定部２０２から判定信号が入力されている場合には、輝度情報によらずに、赤輝度，緑輝度または青輝度をゼロに設定するので、グラデーション処理や点滅処理等を軽快に作動させることができ、その結果、ＬＥＤユニットやＬＥＤ列の表現力を高めるための一層改善されたＬＥＤ輝度制御が可能となる。 As described above, when the LED brightness control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated using the command format according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the conventional LED brightness control apparatus When multiplication / division calculation is not required and a determination signal is input from the determination unit 202, the red luminance, green luminance, or blue luminance is set to zero regardless of luminance information, so gradation processing or blinking is performed. Processing and the like can be operated lightly, and as a result, further improved LED brightness control for enhancing the expressive power of the LED units and LED arrays is possible.
　前述したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００においては、判定部２０２は、図２に示すように、その判定信号をスイッチ回路２０４に出力して、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力をゼロにするように構成されているが、これに限らず、他の構成、例えば図１６及び図１７に示すように構成されていてもよい。 In the LED brightness control apparatus 100 described above, the determination unit 202 is configured to output the determination signal to the switch circuit 204 and set the output of the DAC 201 to zero, as shown in FIG. The present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations, for example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be used.
　図１６において、ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００は、判定部２０２の判定信号が、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力ラインに設けられた第二のスイッチ部（または第二のスイッチ回路）２０３に送出されるように構成されている。第二のスイッチ部２０３は、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力と、スイッチ回路２０４の入力との間に設けられている。なお、第二のスイッチ回路２０３との区別のため、スイッチ回路２０４を「第一のスイッチ回路２０４」ともいう。
　ここで、第二のスイッチ部２０３は、判定部２０２からの判定信号が入力されたとき、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力をオフにする。
　さらに、好ましくは、判定部２０２からの判定信号は、図１６において点線で示すように、ＤＡＣ２０１にも送出される。 In FIG. 16, the LED brightness control device 100 is configured so that the determination signal of the determination unit 202 is sent to a second switch unit (or second switch circuit) 203 provided on the output line of the DAC 201. Yes. The second switch unit 203 is provided between the output of the DAC 201 and the input of the switch circuit 204. Note that the switch circuit 204 is also referred to as a “first switch circuit 204” for distinction from the second switch circuit 203.
Here, the second switch unit 203 turns off the output of the DAC 201 when the determination signal from the determination unit 202 is input.
Further, preferably, the determination signal from the determination unit 202 is also sent to the DAC 201 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.
　このように構成されたＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００によれば、図１～図３に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と同様に作用すると共に、判定部２０２から判定信号が出力されるときには、第二のスイッチ部２０３は、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力をオフにし、これによりＬＥＤ列が消灯する。また、ＤＡＣ２０１は、判定信号の入力により、その処理を中止する。
　従って、図１～図３に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と同様に、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３からの輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるときには、ＤＡＣ２０１の処理によらずに、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力が第二のスイッチ部２０３によりオフにされる。これにより、ＤＡＣ２０１の処理が軽減されることになる。 According to the LED luminance control device 100 configured as described above, the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the LED luminance control device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and when the determination signal is output from the determination unit 202, The switch unit 203 turns off the output of the DAC 201, thereby turning off the LED string. Further, the DAC 201 stops the processing in response to the input of the determination signal.
Accordingly, as in the LED luminance control apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, data in which at least one of the luminance control information bits and the color tone control information bits from the luminance control information register 103 is “0”. , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off by the second switch unit 203 regardless of the processing of the DAC 201. As a result, the processing of the DAC 201 is reduced.
　図１７において、ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置は、判定部２０２の判定信号が、スイッチ部２０４と共にＤＡＣ２０１にも送出されるように構成されている。 17, the LED brightness control device is configured such that the determination signal of the determination unit 202 is sent to the DAC 201 together with the switch unit 204.
　このように構成されたＬＥＤ輝度制御装置によれば、図１～図３に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と同様に作用すると共に、判定部２０２から判定信号が出力されるときには、スイッチ部２０４は、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力をオフにし、これによりＬＥＤ列が消灯し、同時に、ＤＡＣ２０１は、判定信号の入力により、その処理を中止する。
　従って、図１～図３に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と同様に、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３からの輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるときには、ＤＡＣ２０１の処理によらずに、ＤＡＣ２０１の出力がスイッチ部２０４によりオフにされる。これにより、ＤＡＣ２０１の処理が軽減されることになる。 According to the LED brightness control device configured in this way, the switch brightness is similar to that of the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and when the determination signal is output from the determination unit 202, the switch unit 204 is , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off, and thereby the LED row is extinguished. At the same time, the DAC 201 stops the processing in response to the input of the determination signal.
Accordingly, as in the LED luminance control apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, data in which at least one of the luminance control information bits and the color tone control information bits from the luminance control information register 103 is “0”. , The output of the DAC 201 is turned off by the switch unit 204 without depending on the processing of the DAC 201. As a result, the processing of the DAC 201 is reduced.
 尚、ＤＡＣ２０１が出力をオフまたはゼロにする機能を有している場合には、判定部２０２の判定信号がスイッチ部２０４に送出されず、ＤＡＣ２０１のみに送出されるようにしてもよい。
　これにより、ＤＡＣ２０１は、判定部２０２からの判定信号に基づいて、その機能により、処理を中止すると共に、その出力をオフまたはゼロにすることができる。 If the DAC 201 has a function of turning the output off or zero, the determination signal of the determination unit 202 may be transmitted only to the DAC 201 without being transmitted to the switch unit 204.
As a result, the DAC 201 can stop processing and turn off the output of the DAC 201 based on the determination signal from the determination unit 202 by using the function.
　図１８は、本発明の他の実施形態に係るＬＥＤ輝度制御装置のブロック構成を示している。
　図１８において、ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置８００は、図１に示したＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と比較して、シリアル通信制御部１０１及びコマンドデコーダ１０２の代わりに、制御回路８０１を備えている点でのみ異なる構成であるので、同じ構成要素には同じ符号を付して、その説明を省略する。 FIG. 18 shows a block configuration of an LED brightness control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 18, the LED brightness control device 800 is different from the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 only in that a control circuit 801 is provided instead of the serial communication control unit 101 and the command decoder 102. Since it is a structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
　制御回路８０１は、点灯指示信号が入力されたとき、または点灯指示の操作ボタン（図示せず）が操作されたとき、点灯制御信号を輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３に送出する。
　また、制御回路８０１は、消灯指示信号が入力されたとき、または消灯指示の操作ボタン（図示せず）が操作されたとき、消灯制御信号を輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３に送出する。
　これにより、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３は、制御回路８０１からの点灯制御信号または消灯制御信号に基づいて、前もって設定された輝度制御用の情報ビットと色調制御用の情報ビットをＤ／Ａコンバータ部１０５に送出する。
　従って、Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部１０５は、前述した図１に示すＬＥＤ輝度制御装置１００と同様にして、各ＬＥＤドライバ１０７を駆動制御し、ＲＧＢごとのＬＥＤ列を制御して、点灯または消灯する。 The control circuit 801 sends a lighting control signal to the luminance control information register 103 when a lighting instruction signal is input or when a lighting instruction operation button (not shown) is operated.
Also, the control circuit 801 sends out the turn-off control signal to the luminance control information register 103 when a turn-off instruction signal is input or when a turn-off instruction operation button (not shown) is operated.
Thus, the luminance control information register 103 converts the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone that are set in advance based on the lighting control signal or the lighting extinction control signal from the control circuit 801 into the D / A converter unit 105. To send.
Accordingly, the D / A converter unit 105 drives and controls each LED driver 107 and controls the LED row for each RGB in the same manner as the LED brightness control device 100 shown in FIG.
　この場合、制御回路８０１から送出される点灯制御信号は、輝度制御及び色調制御用の情報を含んでいてもよい。これにより、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３は、輝度制御及び色調制御用の情報を含む点灯制御信号に基づいて、指定された輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットをＤ／Ａコンバータ部１０５に送出し、所望の輝度及び色調で各ＬＥＤ列を点灯させる。
　この場合、制御回路８０１は、輝度調整用の操作部及び色調制御用の操作部を備えていることにより、所望の輝度調整及び色調調整を行なうことが可能である。 In this case, the lighting control signal sent from the control circuit 801 may include information for luminance control and color tone control. Thus, the luminance control information register 103 converts the designated information bit for luminance control and information bit for color tone control into the D / A converter unit 105 based on the lighting control signal including information for luminance control and color tone control. To turn on each LED row with a desired luminance and color tone.
In this case, the control circuit 801 includes a brightness adjustment operation unit and a color tone control operation unit, so that desired brightness adjustment and color tone adjustment can be performed.
　なお、ＬＥＤ列の点灯及び消灯のみを行なう場合には、制御回路８０１は、単にオンまたはオフを切り換えるスイッチ回路であってもよい。換言すれば、制御回路８０１は、ＬＥＤ列の点灯及び消灯を制御するために、オン／オフの操作が可能なスイッチであってもよい。
　この場合、スイッチ回路（または単にスイッチ）によるオンまたはオフの操作により、輝度制御情報レジスタ１０３は、前もって設定された輝度制御用の情報ビット及び色調制御用の情報ビットをＤ／Ａコンバータ部１０５に送出する。 When only turning on and off the LED row, the control circuit 801 may simply be a switch circuit that switches on or off. In other words, the control circuit 801 may be a switch that can be turned on / off in order to control lighting and extinguishing of the LED row.
In this case, the luminance control information register 103 causes the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control set in advance to the D / A converter unit 105 by turning on or off by a switch circuit (or simply a switch). Send it out.
　本発明によれば、ＡＣ入力で直接駆動することができ、フリッカや高調波の発生を抑制し、かつ、低消費電力を実現するとともに、ＬＥＤの輝度設定（すなわち、ＬＥＤに流す電流値）とは無関係に、照明機器としての輝度の調整を可能とするＬＥＤ照明機器を実現することができる。 According to the present invention, it can be directly driven by an AC input, suppresses the generation of flicker and harmonics, realizes low power consumption, and sets the brightness of the LED (that is, the current value passed through the LED). Irrespective of this, it is possible to realize an LED lighting device that enables adjustment of luminance as a lighting device.
　１００　ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置
　１０１　シリアル通信制御部
　１０２　コマンド解読部
　１０３　輝度制御情報レジスタ
　１０５　Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部
　１０６　１ビットスイッチ回路（ＭＯＳＦＥＴ）
　１０７　ＬＥＤドライバ
　１０８　内部電圧生成部（通信・輝度情報保持・ＬＥＤ駆動・制御等用）
　２００　ＤＡＣ／ＬＥＤドライブ回路
　２０１　８ビット３チャンネルＤＡＣ（ＣＭＯＳ）
　２０２　判定部
　２０３　第二のスイッチ回路
　２０４　１ビットスイッチ回路（ＭＯＳＦＥＴ）
　２０５　ＬＥＤ駆動ドライバ回路
　２０６　仮想グランド
　３００　ＬＥＤ列
　３０１～３０９　ＬＥＤ素子モジュール
　８００　ＬＥＤ輝度制御装置
　８０１　制御回路 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 LED brightness control apparatus 101 Serial communication control part 102 Command decoding part 103 Brightness control information register 105 D / A converter part 106 1 bit switch circuit (MOSFET)
107 LED driver 108 Internal voltage generator (for communication, brightness information retention, LED drive, control, etc.)
200 DAC / LED drive circuit 201 8-bit 3-channel DAC (CMOS)
202 Determination Unit 203 Second Switch Circuit 204 1-bit Switch Circuit (MOSFET)
205 LED driver circuit 206 Virtual ground 300 LED array 301 to 309 LED element module 800 LED brightness control device 801 control circuit

Claims (10)

  1. 　制御手段と、単数または複数のＬＥＤ列を制御するためにＬＥＤ列毎あるいはＬＥＤ駆動単位毎に接続された輝度制御情報レジスタ，Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部及びＬＥＤドライバと、
    を備えたＬＥＤ輝度制御装置であって、
    　前記輝度制御情報レジスタは、輝度制御用の情報ビットと色調あるいはＬＥＤ電流値制御用（以下、「色調制御用」という）の情報ビットとを格納し、前記制御手段からの信号に基づいて、前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部に選択した前記輝度制御用の情報ビットと前記色調制御用の情報ビットを送出し、
    　前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、前記輝度制御用の情報ビットと前記色調制御用の情報ビットに基づいてＤ／Ａ変換を行なうと共に、前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、前記ＬＥＤドライバへの出力をオフまたはゼロにするよう構成されたことを特徴とするＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。     A control means; a brightness control information register, a D / A converter unit and an LED driver connected to each LED row or each LED drive unit to control one or a plurality of LED rows;
    An LED brightness control device comprising:
    The brightness control information register stores information bits for brightness control and information bits for color tone or LED current value control (hereinafter referred to as “color tone control”), and based on a signal from the control means, Sending the selected information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control to the D / A converter unit,
    The D / A converter unit performs D / A conversion based on the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone control, and also includes the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone control. An LED brightness control apparatus configured to turn off or zero an output to the LED driver when at least one of the data is “0”.
  2. 　前記制御手段が、シリアル通信制御部と、コマンドデコーダと、から成り、
    　前記シリアル通信制御部が、クロック信号に同期して入力されるシリアル情報をデータ情報に変換し、
    　前記コマンドデコーダが、前記シリアル通信制御部からのデータ情報に基づいて、前記輝度制御情報レジスタを制御する
    ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。     The control means comprises a serial communication control unit and a command decoder,
    The serial communication control unit converts serial information input in synchronization with a clock signal into data information,
    The LED brightness control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command decoder controls the brightness control information register based on data information from the serial communication control unit.
  3. 　前記制御手段が、制御信号を生成して、前記輝度制御情報レジスタに送出する制御回路であることを特徴とする、請求項１に記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 2. The LED brightness control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is a control circuit that generates a control signal and sends the control signal to the brightness control information register.
  4. 　前記制御手段が、スイッチ回路であることを特徴とする、請求項３に記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 The LED brightness control device according to claim 3, wherein the control means is a switch circuit.
  5. 　前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであることを判定して、判定信号を出力する判定部を備えており、該判定部からの判定信号により、出力をオフまたはゼロにすることを特徴とする請求項１から４のいずれかに記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 The D / A converter unit includes a determination unit that determines that at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0” and outputs a determination signal. The LED brightness control device according to claim 1, wherein the output is turned off or zero according to a determination signal from the determination unit.
  6. 　前記判定部は、前記輝度制御用の情報ビットが「０」を示すデータであることを検出して検出信号を出力する第一の検出部と、前記色調制御用の情報ビットが「０」を示すデータであることを検出して検出信号を出力する第二の検出部と、前記第一の検出部からの検出信号及び第二の検出部からの検出信号のいずれか一方が入力されたとき、判定信号を出力するオア回路と、で構成されることを特徴とする請求項５に記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 The determination unit detects that the information bit for luminance control is data indicating “0” and outputs a detection signal; and the information bit for color tone control sets “0”. A second detection unit that detects that the data is output and outputs a detection signal, and a detection signal from the first detection unit or a detection signal from the second detection unit is input The LED brightness control device according to claim 5, further comprising: an OR circuit that outputs a determination signal.
  7. 　前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、Ｄ／Ａ変換の処理を停止する、または、出力をオフにすることを特徴とする請求項１から６のいずれかに記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 The D / A converter stops or outputs the D / A conversion process when at least one of the information bits for luminance control and the information bits for color tone control is “0”. The LED brightness control device according to claim 1, wherein the LED brightness control device is turned off.
  8. 　前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部の出力がオフにされることを特徴とする請求項１から７のいずれかに記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 2. The output of the D / A converter unit is turned off when at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”. LED brightness control apparatus in any one of 7 from.
  9. 　前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、第二のスイッチ回路により、前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部の出力をオフにすることを特徴とする請求項８のいずれかに記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 When at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, the second switch circuit turns off the output of the D / A converter unit. 9. The LED brightness control device according to claim 8, wherein
  10. 　前記輝度制御用の情報ビット及び前記色調制御用の情報ビットの少なくとも一方が「０」を示すデータであるとき、前記Ｄ／Ａコンバータ部は、スイッチ回路を動作させて、出力をオフにすることを特徴とする、請求項１から７のいずれかに記載のＬＥＤ輝度制御装置。 When at least one of the information bit for luminance control and the information bit for color tone control is data indicating “0”, the D / A converter unit operates the switch circuit to turn off the output. The LED brightness control device according to claim 1, wherein:
PCT/JP2014/080787 2013-11-22 2014-11-20 Led brightness control device WO2015076339A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2015549190A JPWO2015076339A1 (en) 2013-11-22 2014-11-20 LED brightness control device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2013-241563 2013-11-22
JP2013241563 2013-11-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015076339A1 true WO2015076339A1 (en) 2015-05-28

Family

ID=53179599

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2014/080787 WO2015076339A1 (en) 2013-11-22 2014-11-20 Led brightness control device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JPWO2015076339A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2015076339A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005184020A (en) * 2005-01-12 2005-07-07 Hunet Inc Led drive device and led-driving method
JP2006054362A (en) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-23 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Led control circuit
JP2006147171A (en) * 2004-11-16 2006-06-08 Yokogawa Electric Corp Light source device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006054362A (en) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-23 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Led control circuit
JP2006147171A (en) * 2004-11-16 2006-06-08 Yokogawa Electric Corp Light source device
JP2005184020A (en) * 2005-01-12 2005-07-07 Hunet Inc Led drive device and led-driving method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPWO2015076339A1 (en) 2017-03-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP5038982B2 (en) LED drive device
JP2008010852A (en) Lcd backlight driving system having light emitting diodes
JP2015072779A (en) Lighting device
JP4607056B2 (en) Load drive device
CN103152932A (en) LED (Light Emitting Diode) drive circuit capable of adjusting light and color temperature
US11259377B2 (en) Color temperature and intensity configurable lighting fixture using de-saturated color LEDs
JP5626840B2 (en) Lighting device
JP2009054928A (en) Light emitting element control circuit
JP2013191522A (en) Illuminating device
JP5491663B1 (en) LED brightness control device
CN102011945A (en) A light emitting device capable of dynamically regulating output voltage and related control method
KR20130130321A (en) Apparatus for controlling of led illumination lampd using smart phone
WO2015076339A1 (en) Led brightness control device
CN103687164A (en) LED driving device and operating method thereof
GB2499684A (en) PFM-based LED illuminator and light network
CN1758821A (en) Lighting decoration lamp capable of controlling brightness and color temp.
CN203190291U (en) LED intelligent lamp bulb kit allowing independent adjustment of white light and color modulation
KR20130016897A (en) Driving integrated circuit for backlight driver and liquid crystal display device including the same
JP2008171983A (en) Light source device, image display device, projector, and method of controlling light source
KR102120123B1 (en) Led sensitive illumination device
TWI439180B (en) Lighting system, dimming control apparatus and dimming control method
KR20110091292A (en) Control circuit for led lighting
CN2737110Y (en) Illuminating decorative lamp capable of controlling brightness and color temperature
CN113163542B (en) Induction splicing lamp
JP7489395B2 (en) Lighting device having limited light output mode - Patents.com

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 14864232

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

DPE1 Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2015549190

Country of ref document: JP

Kind code of ref document: A

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 14864232

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1