Control device, lighting system and mobile object

Abstract

Control or regulating device (21) for individually controlling or regulating operating processes of two or more lighting devices (10), wherein each of the two or more lighting devices (10) includes: at least one light source (1a), a sensor (2) designed to output a measured value determined by measuring a light intensity of the at least one light source (1a); and a control circuit (3) designed to control a lighting state of the at least one light source (1a) according to a command from the control device (21), the control device (21) comprises a replacement detector circuit (21a), the replacement detector circuit (21a) is designed to determine whether one of the two or more lighting devices (10) has been replaced by a replacement lighting device (10E) and to determine a determination result that distinguishes the replacement lighting device (10E) from one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) of the two or more lighting devices (10), and the control or regulating device (21) is designed to control or regulate at least one of the two or more lighting devices (10) on the basis of the measured value output by the sensor (2) of the replacement lighting device (10E) and the one or more measured values ​​output by the one or more sensors (2) of the one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) when the replacement detector circuit (21a) has determined the determination result, such that a difference between a light intensity of the replacement lighting device (10E) and a light intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) falls within a predetermined range.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to control devices, lighting systems incorporating the control devices, and mobile objects incorporating the lighting systems, and more particularly relates to a control device for controlling light outputs of two or more individual lighting devices, a lighting system incorporating the control device, and a mobile object incorporating the lighting system. background

[0002] Currently, lighting systems are used to control or regulate light outputs from two or more lighting devices.

[0003] As such lighting systems, a lighting system is known which has two or more lighting devices and a control or regulating circuit (see, for example, JP 2003-17278 A).

[0004] In the lighting system disclosed in JP 2003-17278 A, the control circuit adjusts the light outputs of lamps of the lighting devices to desired values ​​by providing dimming signals with dimming ratios adjusted according to the lengths of the total lighting time of the lamps to the lighting devices. The lighting device includes an adjuster and an adjustment eliminator. Upon notification of lamp replacement, the adjuster controls the power supplied to the lamp by adjusting the dimming ratio specified by the dimming signal, thereby adjusting the light output of the replacement lamp to approximately the desired value. Upon notification of a reset of the total lighting time from the control circuit, the adjustment eliminator stops the adjustment of the dimming ratio by the adjuster.

[0005] The document JP 2003-17278 A discloses that when a lamp of one of the lighting devices is replaced by a spare lamp, the lighting system can counteract the replacement lamp becoming brighter than the other lamps.

[0006] It should be noted that such lighting systems are required to reduce differences between light intensities of two or more lighting devices, but the above-described embodiment of JP 2003-17278 A does not meet these requirements, so that there is a strong need for further improvements.

[0007] JP 2013-3401 A describes a projection video display device comprising a plurality of lamps, including a luminance detection part for detecting the actual luminance of each of the plurality of lamps, and a control part for controlling each of the lamps based on the luminance detected by the luminance detection part. Furthermore, the control part adjusts the luminance of the synthesized light output from the plurality of lamps to a luminance within a given range and automatically detects whether at least one of the plurality of lamps has been replaced.

[0008] US 7,570,315 B2 describes a display device comprising a display that displays individual images in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, a main body having a housing different from that of the display, a display fan that cools the interior of the display, and a main body fan that cools the interior of the main body.

[0009] DE 697 33 390 T2 describes a light source / lamp unit comprising a detachably mounted light source / lamp unit and a CPU that provides a drive and control for the light source / lamp unit. The CPU acquires lamp information obtained from a lamp information storage block in the light source / lamp unit and related to lamp wattage, lamp life, and whether a lamp is new or not, and starts counting the operating time when the lamp is lit. The CPU compares the acquired lamp life with the operating time count and forces the lamp to extinguish when the light source lamp's service life has expired.

[0010] US 2015 / 0158421A1 describes a lighting system for a vehicle having a plurality of LED-based lighting fixtures for interior lighting. A control network includes a plurality of slave nodes for controlling the LED-based lighting fixtures and a master node for controlling the slave nodes. The master node may be connected to the slave nodes via a combined power / communication bus in a daisy-chain fashion. The slave node may include a power regulator and a controller for providing a target current command to the power regulator and may adjust the target current based on temperature measurements or a recorded age of the LEDs.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can reduce differences between light intensities of two or more lighting devices, a lighting system that includes the control device, and a mobile object that includes the lighting system.

[0012] This object of the present invention is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Summary of the invention

[0013] The control device of one aspect according to the present invention is a control device for individually controlling operations of two or more lighting devices. Each of the two or more lighting devices includes at least one light source, a sensor, and a control circuit. The sensor is configured to output a measured value obtained by measuring the light intensity of the at least one light source. The control circuit is configured to control a lighting state of the at least one light source according to a command from the control device. The control device includes a replacement detection circuit. The replacement detection circuit is configured to determine whether one of the two or more lighting devices has been replaced with a replacement lighting device.The replacement detector circuit is designed to determine a determination result that differentiates the replacement lighting device from one or more other lighting devices of the two or more lighting devices. The control or regulation device is designed to, when the replacement detector circuit has determined the determination result, control or regulate at least one of the two or more lighting devices based on the measured value output by the sensor of the replacement lighting device and the one or more measured values output by the one or more sensors of the one or more other lighting devices, such that a difference between a light intensity of the replacement lighting device and a light intensity originating from the one or more other lighting devices falls within a predetermined range.

[0014] A lighting system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the control or regulation device and the two or more lighting devices.

[0015] A mobile object according to an aspect of the present invention includes the lighting system and a main body on which the lighting system is mounted. Brief description of the drawing Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of the lighting system of an embodiment. Fig. 2A to Fig. 2C are schematic diagrams of operation processes of the aforementioned lighting system. Fig. 3 is a graph for depicting operation processes of the control or regulation circuit of the aforementioned lighting system. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of determination results. Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the lighting device included in the aforementioned lighting system. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lighting device included in the aforementioned lighting system. Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-section along X-X of Fig. Figure 6. Fig. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile object of one embodiment. Description of Embodiments

[0016] The lighting system 20 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. Figures 1 to Fig. Figure 7. The lighting devices 10 in the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. Figures 3 to Fig. 7. In the figures, the same or similar elements may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation. The sizes of the elements and the positional relationships between the elements may be exaggerated as shown in the figures for the purpose of clearer explanation. In the following explanation, with regard to the components constituting the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, two or more components may be realized as a single part, a single part may serve as two or more components, and multiple parts may cooperate to perform a function of a single part.

[0017] The lighting system 20 of the present embodiment includes, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, two or more lighting devices 10 and a control device 21. The control device 21 is designed to individually control or regulate operations of the two or more lighting devices 10. As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the two or more lighting devices 10 include four lighting devices 10. In Fig. 1, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the four lighting devices 10 are a first lighting device 10A, a fifth lighting device 10E, a third lighting device 10C and a fourth lighting device 10D. In Fig. 2A, the four lighting devices 10 are the first lighting device 10A, a second lighting device 10B, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D. The first lighting device 10A, the second lighting device 10B, the third lighting device 10C, the fourth lighting device 10D, and the fifth lighting device 10E have the same configuration.

[0018] The lighting devices 10 are described below using the Fig. 1 shown first lighting device 10A.

[0019] Each of the two or more lighting devices 10 includes at least one light source 1a, a sensor 2, and a control circuit 3. The sensor 2 is configured to output a measured value determined by measuring a light intensity of the at least one light source 1a. The control circuit 3 is configured to control a lighting state of the at least one light source 1a according to a command from the control device 21.

[0020] The control device 21 includes a replacement detection circuit 21a. The replacement detection circuit 21a is configured to determine whether one of the two or more lighting devices 10 has been replaced by a replacement lighting device 10. The replacement detection circuit 21a is configured to obtain a determination result that distinguishes the replacement lighting device 10 from one or more remaining lighting devices 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10. Fig. 1, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C relate to situations in which the second lighting device 10B, as in Fig. 2A, has been replaced by the fifth lighting device 10E. In other words, with regard to Fig. 1, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the fifth lighting device 10E is a spare lighting device 10, and the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D are one or more remaining lighting devices 10.

[0021] The control or regulating device 21 is designed to control or regulate at least one lighting device 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 based on measurement results determined according to the determination result, such that a difference between a light intensity of the replacement lighting device 10 and a light intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 falls within a predetermined range. The measurement result indicates a value corresponding to a measured value. In other words, the control or regulating device 21 is designed to control or regulate at least one lighting device 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 when the replacement detection circuit 21a has determined the determination result.Controlling at least one lighting device 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 based on the measured value output by the sensor 2 of the backup lighting device 10 and the one or more measured values ​​output by the one or more sensors 2 of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 such that a difference between a light intensity of the backup lighting device 10 and an intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 falls within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is set, for example, to a range such that a human cannot distinguish between the light intensity of the backup lighting device 10 and the light intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10. The predetermined range is, for example, a range from -10% to 10% of a desired light intensity.The desired light intensity can be selected from the light intensity of the replacement lighting device 10 and the light intensity coming from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10.

[0022] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the control device 21 controls the lighting device(s) 10 such that the difference between the light intensity of the backup lighting device 10 and the light intensity from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 falls within the predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0023] The lighting system 20 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0024] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the four lighting devices 10 are electrically connected to an external power supply 22 by wiring such that the four lighting devices 10 mutually transfer power. The external power supply 22 may be configured to supply a DC voltage of, for example, 28 V. Each lighting device 10 is electrically connected to the external power supply 22 to supply power to its light sources 1a.

[0025] The lighting device 10 includes at least a first light source 1f and a second light source 1s as light sources 1a. In the lighting device 10 of the present embodiment, the light sources 1a include two or more types of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) with different emission colors. As shown in Fig. 1, the two or more types of light sources 1a having different emission colors include a red LED 1a1 configured to emit red light, a green LED 1a2 configured to emit green light, a blue LED 1a3 configured to emit blue light, and a white LED 1a4 configured to emit white light.

[0026] In the following, a relationship between the illumination of the light sources 1a and the measurement of the light intensities by the sensor 2 in the lighting device 10 is first described.

[0027] The control circuit 3 is designed to repeat a cycle multiple times. The cycle is defined as a set of a first time period and a second time period. The control circuit 3 is designed to control a lighting state of the at least one light source 1a such that mixed light from the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s has the same light intensity for each cycle. In this context, "mixed light" refers to a mixture of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s such that it essentially has a single color to the human eye. Examples of mixed light may include white light without intensity non-uniformity in the case of mixing different white lights.Examples of mixed light may include white light without color non-uniformity in the case of mixing red light, green light, and blue light.

[0028] In the first period, the control circuit 3 controls only one light source 1a, which is either the first light source 1f or the second light source 1s and whose light intensity is to be measured by the sensor 2, to emit light. In other words, in the first period, the control circuit 3 controls one light source, which is either the first light source 1f or the second light source 1s, to emit light so as to allow the sensor 2 to measure the light intensity of the light. The first period is defined as a single-color period in which only one type of light source 1a selected from among the two or more types of light sources 1a can emit light. In the second period, the control circuit 3 controls the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s to emit light.The second time period is defined as the mixed color time period in which two or more types of light sources 1a can emit light.

[0029] In Fig. 3, as with the lighting device 10, a period from time t1 to time t4 corresponds to one of several cycles, including: a period from time t1 to time t2 corresponding to the single-color period that allows only the red LED 1a1 to emit light, and a remaining period from time t2 to time t4 corresponding to the mixed-color period. Hereinafter, the single-color period that allows only the red LED 1a1 to emit light may also be referred to as the first single-color period T1. Fig. 3, for example, to measure red light, the red LED 1a1 is selected as the type of light source 1a, and the two or more types of light sources 1a are the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4. A period from time t5 to time t8 also corresponds to another cycle of the plurality of cycles, including: a period from time t5 to time t6 corresponding to the single-color period that allows only the green LED 1a2 to emit light, and a remaining period from time t6 to time t8 corresponding to the mixed-color period. Hereinafter, the single-color period that allows only the green LED 1a2 to emit light may also be referred to as the second single-color period T2.A period from time t9 to time t12 corresponds to another cycle of the plurality of cycles, including: a period from time t9 to time t10 corresponding to the single-color period that allows only the blue LED 1a3 to emit light, and a remaining period from time t10 to time t12 corresponding to the mixed-color period. Hereinafter, the single-color period that allows only the blue LED 1a1 to emit light may also be referred to as the third single-color period T3. A period from time t13 to time t16 corresponds to another cycle of the plurality of cycles, including: a period from time t13 to time t14 corresponding to the single-color period that allows only the white LED 1a4 to emit light, and a remaining period from time t14 to time t16 corresponding to the mixed-color period.Hereinafter, the single-color period that allows only the white LED 1a4 to emit light may also be referred to as the fourth single-color period T4. Mixed light, which is a mixture of light from the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4, of the cycles can be perceived as light having the same emission colors to the human eye. In this regard, with regard to mixed light emitted from the lighting device 10 in the multiple cycles, the term "the same emission color" may refer to emission colors that are strictly identical to each other or emission colors that cannot be substantially distinguished from each other by the human eye.

[0030] The control circuit 3 selects timings for the start of illumination of the light sources 1a, each of which has a different emission type and is not selected as a measurement object, later than the timing after the single-color period at which the light intensity of the light source 1a selected as the measurement object is measured. The control circuit 3 controls the illumination states of the two or more types of light sources 1a such that mixed light generated by two or more types of light in the multiple cycles has the same emission color.

[0031] In the case where all light sources 1a having different light emission types emit light, to measure the light intensity of a desired light source 1a, the lighting system 20 causes the lighting time of the light source 1a selected as the measurement object to be different from the lighting times of the light sources 1a not selected as the measurement object.

[0032] The sensor 2 is configured to output measurement values that are determined by individually measuring the light intensity of the first light source 1f in the first time period and the light intensity of the second light source 1s in the first time period. In other words, the sensor 2 is configured to output a measurement value that is determined by measuring the light intensity of a type of light source 1a in the single-color time period. As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the control circuit 3 controls individual lighting states of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s based on the measurement results corresponding to values ​​each obtained by performing measurement a predetermined number of times, such that light intensities of the light sources 1a fall within a desired range. In short, the control circuit 3 controls individual lighting states of the two or more types of light sources 1a based on the measurement results such that the light intensities of the light sources 1a fall within a desired range.

[0033] In Fig. 4, with regard to the first single-color time period T1, which only allows the red LED 1a1 to emit light in one cycle, the sensor 2 measures a light intensity of the red light ten times to determine ten measured values, which is why the measurement result indicates the sum of the ten measured values. In Fig. 4, the mixed color time period in each cycle is not shown. Similarly, with regard to the second single-color time period T2, which allows only the green LED 1a2 to emit light in one cycle, the sensor 2 measures the light intensity of the green light ten times to obtain ten measured values, and the measurement result is the sum of the ten measured values. With regard to the third single-color time period T3, which allows only the blue LED 1a3 to emit light in one cycle, the sensor 2 measures the light intensity of the blue light ten times to obtain ten measured values, and the measurement result is the sum of the ten measured values. With regard to the fourth single-color time period T4, which allows only the white LED 1a4 to emit light in one cycle, the sensor 2 measures the light intensity of the white light ten times to obtain ten measured values, and the measurement result is the sum of the ten measured values.In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the measurement result corresponding to the measured value refers to a measurement result corresponding to the sum of the measured values ​​calculated by integration. Examples of a measurement result corresponding to the measured value may include the average of the measured values ​​obtained by measuring ten times in addition to the sum of the measured values.

[0034] In the lighting system 20, the control circuit 3 controls individual lighting states of the plurality of light sources 1a based on the measurement result corresponding to values ​​calculated from the measurement values ​​obtained by performing measurement a predetermined number of times (such as the measurement value of the sensor 2 of the spare lighting device 10 and the one or more measurement values ​​of the one or more sensors 2 of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10), thereby reducing differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0035] In other words, in the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the light sources 1a include the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s. The control circuit 3 repeats the cycles a plurality of times, where the cycle is defined as a set of the first time period and the second time period. In the first time period, the control circuit 3 controls one light source, which is either the first light source 1f or the second light source 1s, to emit light and allow the sensor 2 to measure the light intensity of this light. In the second time period, the control circuit 3 controls both the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s to emit light. The control circuit 3 controlsregulates the luminous state of the at least one light source 1a such that mixed light from the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s has the same light intensity for each cycle. The sensor 2 outputs measured values ​​determined by individually measuring the light intensity of the first light source 1f in the first time period and the light intensity of the second light source 1s in the first time period. The control or regulation circuit 3 can preferably be designed to individually control or regulate the luminous states of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s.

[0036] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the control circuit 3 individually controls the lighting states of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s, making it possible to further reduce differences in luminance between the two or more lighting devices 10. In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the control circuit 3 individually controls the lighting states of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s, making it possible to further reduce differences in luminance and color between the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0037] Components included in the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0038] As in Fig. 1, the control circuit 3 of the lighting device 10 includes an operation control circuit 3a, a lighting circuit 3b, a communication circuit 3c, and an operation power supply 3d.

[0039] The operation control circuit 3 is configured to output a control signal for controlling the lighting circuit 3b. Examples of the control signal may include a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal corresponding to a duty cycle. The operation control circuit 3a turns a switching device in the lighting circuit 3b on and off by the PWM signal to allow a predetermined current to flow through the light source 1a. The operation control circuit 3a is configured to individually control outputs of two types of light sources 1a with different emission colors. In other words, the operation control circuit 3a is configured to individually change light outputs of the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4.Control circuit 3a is electrically connected to sensor 2. The operation control or control circuit 3a determines the light intensity of the red light, the light intensity of the green light, and the light intensity of the blue light individually based on the measurement results output by sensor 2.

[0040] The operation control circuit 3a can be designed to control a phase difference that defines a difference between a time at which only the light source 1a1, whose light intensity is to be measured by the sensor 2, is allowed to start emitting light, and a time at which the remaining light sources 1a are allowed to emit light in one cycle. The control circuit 3 can gradually increase the phase difference with an increase in the frequency of the two or more cycles. In contrast to the configuration with control for keeping the phase difference constant, the control circuit 3 performs control for gradually increasing the phase difference and can therefore counteract flickering of the light emitted by the lighting device 10.

[0041] In a case where the operation control circuit 3a controls the phase difference in a cycle, the sensor 2 can preferably measure the light intensity of the light source 1a as the measurement target in the first period of the cycle according to the maximum phase difference. If the sensor 2 measures the light intensity of the light source 1a in the first period of the cycle according to the maximum phase difference, the measurement sensitivity can be easily increased.

[0042] It is preferable that the sensor 2 does not measure the light intensity of the light source 1a as the measurement target in a case where a lighting period of the light source 1a as the measurement target in the first period is shorter than a predetermined measurement period for measuring the measured value. In the lighting system 20, if the sensor 2 does not measure the light intensity of the light source 1a as the measurement target in a case where the lighting period of the light source 1a as the measurement target in the first period is shorter than the predetermined measurement period for measuring the measured value, the measurement sensitivity can be further easily increased.

[0043] The lighting system 20 can measure the light intensity of a type of light source 1a, for example, once in the single-color time period in one cycle and control or regulate the luminous state of the light source 1a based on a representative measured value which is the sum of the measured values ​​determined in the single-color time periods in successive cycles.

[0044] The operation control circuit 3a is implemented as a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (central processing unit). The microcomputer can perform predetermined control operations by executing appropriate programs stored in a built-in memory 3a1. The memory 3a1 may include an electrically rewritable, non-volatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the non-volatile semiconductor memory may include a flash memory and an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). The memory 3a1 may store a correction coefficient for correcting the light output of the light source 1a. Examples of the correction coefficient may include a correction value for modifying the pulse width (ON period).on period) of a PWM signal such that the light intensity of the light source 1a measured by the sensor 2 is equal to the desired light intensity. In the lighting device 10, controls of the lighting states of the light source 1a and the light intensity measurement of the sensor 2 can be appropriately modified by appropriately modifying programs stored in the memory 3a1 of the operation control circuit 3a.

[0045] The lighting circuit 3b is designed to adjust the light outputs of the light sources 1a. The lighting circuit 3b includes a first lighting circuit 3b1, a second lighting circuit 3b2, a third lighting circuit 3b3, and a fourth lighting circuit 3b4. The first lighting circuit 3b1 is designed to control the lighting state of the red LED 1a1. The second lighting circuit 3b2 is designed to control the lighting state of the green LED 1a2. The third lighting circuit 3b3 is designed to control the lighting state of the blue LED 1a3. The fourth lighting circuit 3b4 is designed to control the lighting state of the white LED 1a4. The first lighting circuit 3b1, the second lighting circuit 3b2, the third lighting circuit 3b3, and the fourth lighting circuit 3b4 basically have the same or a similar configuration.The lighting device 10 is configured to generate mixed light of a desired color by supplying power to the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4 from the lighting circuit 3b. The lighting device 10 can emit white color by adjusting the ratio of the light outputs of the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, and the blue LED 1a3. The configuration of the first lighting circuit 3b1 will be mainly described below.

[0046] The first light-emitting circuit 3b1 includes a step-down chopper circuit and a driving circuit. The step-down chopper circuit includes a switching device. The driving circuit is configured to turn the switching device on and off. In the first light-emitting circuit 3b1, the step-down chopper circuit and the driving circuit form a switching power supply. The first light-emitting circuit 3b1 reduces the DC voltage from the external power supply 22 to an operating voltage suitable for a series connection of a plurality of red LEDs 1a1 constituting the light source 1a. The first light-emitting circuit 3b1 can change the light outputs of the red LEDs 1a1 according to the duty cycle, which is defined as the ratio of an ON period to a switching cycle of the switching device. The first light-emitting circuit 3b1 collectively controls the plurality of red LEDs 1a1 connected in series.

[0047] The communication circuit 3c is configured for bidirectional communication with the control device 21 provided outside the lighting device 10. The communication circuit 3c is electrically connected to the control device 21 via an electrical cable serving as a communication medium. The communication circuit 3c may also be unconnected to the control device 21 via an electrical cable serving as a communication medium. The communication circuit 3c may be configured for wireless communication with the control device 21. The communication circuit 3c is configured to send a corresponding one of unique identifiers (e.g., a unique address) individually assigned to the two or more lighting devices 10 and an indication signal for the control device.Control device 21 at the time of the first communication with the control device 21. The indication signal is a signal for providing information that distinguishes the spare lighting device 10 from the two or more lighting devices 10 to the control device 21. The communication circuit 3c is also designed to send the measured value determined by the sensor 2 together with the unique address to the control device 21 in response to a request from the control device 21. The communication circuit 3c is designed to receive information for generating the correction coefficient from the control device 21. The communication circuit 3c can include, for example, an RS-485 transceiver. The RS-485 transceiver sends and receives RS-485 signals according to the telecommunications standard of the Electronic Industries Association.Note that the correction coefficient can be used to correct the color of the light emitted from the lighting device 10 and reduce differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10. .

[0048] The operating power supply 3d is configured to supply operating power to the operation control circuit 3a, the lighting circuit 3b, and the communication circuit 3c. The operating power supply 3d is configured to supply a predetermined operating power by dividing a voltage of the power supplied from the external power supply 22 using a series connection of two resistors.

[0049] The control or regulating device 21 performs the function of calculating a sum of measured values ​​sent by each of the two or more lighting devices 10. The control or regulating device 21 is designed to send the measurement result corresponding to the sum of the measured values ​​determined by the sensor 2 of each of the two or more lighting devices 10 to a corresponding one of the two or more lighting devices 10 as information for generating the correction coefficient. The control or regulating device 21 can be implemented as a computer that includes suitable software and hardware operating in accordance with the software. By executing the software, such as programs, by the hardware, such as processors, the control or regulating device 21 can, for example, carry out predetermined operations, such as individual control orControl the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0050] The control device 21 includes an elapsed detection circuit 21b in addition to the replacement detection circuit 21a. The elapsed detection circuit 21b includes a timer for measuring the total lighting time of each of the two or more lighting devices 10. The timer is implemented as a time counter built into the computer. The elapsed detection circuit 21b measures, as the total lighting time of the lighting device 10, the elapsed time from the time the control circuit 3 provides a command to the lighting device 10 such that the light source 1a is lit first in the lighting system 20. The replacement detection circuit 21a distinguishes the replacement lighting device 10 from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 based on the lengths of the total lighting time of the two or more lighting devices 10.The replacement detection circuit 21a may determine a replacement sequence indicating when each of the two or more lighting devices 10 has been replaced by setting the total lighting time for each predetermined area.

[0051] The lighting device 10 includes the light sources 1a, the sensor 2 and the control circuit 3, as shown in Fig. 1, and further includes a housing 4 and an optical element 5, as shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. The light sources 1a, the sensor 2, and the control circuit 3 are fixed to a mounting substrate 1b and form part of the light source unit 10a. Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 do not show the control or regulation circuit 3.

[0052] In the lighting device 10, as shown in Fig. 5, there are a plurality of LED groups 1g mounted on the elongated mounting substrate 1b. Each of the plurality of LED groups 1g is a group of four types of light sources 1a having mutually different colors. The LED group 1g includes, as four types of light sources 1a having mutually different colors, one each of the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4. The four types of LEDs are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the mounting substrate 1b at the center of the width direction of the mounting substrate 1b. In each LED group 1g, the four types of LEDs are arranged at almost equal intervals. The plurality of LED groups 1g are arranged at predetermined intervals. The plurality of LEDs may not be arranged in a line. In each LED group 1g, the plurality of LEDs may be arranged in a specific pattern other than a rectilinear pattern.The four LEDs can, for example, be arranged in a 2×2 matrix.

[0053] The two or more types of mutually different colors of light sources 1a are not limited to the four types of LEDs, namely the red LED 1a1, the green LED 1a2, the blue LED 1a3, and the white LED 1a4. The two or more types of mutually different colors of light sources 1a may also be three types of LEDs, which are a cyan LED for emitting cyan light, a magenta LED for emitting magenta light, and a yellow LED for emitting yellow light.

[0054] Such an LED may include, for example, an LED chip, a package including a recess for receiving the LED chip, and a light-transmitting sealant filling the recess. Such an LED may be a surface-mounted light-emitting diode including an LED chip, a package, and a sealant, or may be, for example, a bare LED chip. In the lighting device 10 according to the present embodiment, LEDs categorized primarily by the same color rank are used so that LEDs having the same emission color can emit light of almost the same colors when supplied with the same current. In the lighting device 10, LEDs categorized by the same rank are used for each emission color. In one lighting device 10, the colors are made uniform for each emission color of the LEDs.The light sources 1a are not limited to two or more types of light sources with mutually different colors. The light sources 1a can be multiple LEDs with the same emission color. Regarding the light source 1a, light sources with the same emission color form each of the groups, and the light sources can be operated for each group. For example, the lighting system 20 can be designed such that it includes all the light sources 1a with the same emission color. Examples of the light source 1a can include an LED for emitting light with daylight color, an LED for emitting light with white color, an LED for emitting light with neutral color, an LED for emitting light with warmer white color, and an LED for emitting light with incandescent or white-hot color, where these colors are specified according to JIS Z 9112.However, the examples of light source 1a are not limited to the LEDs specified by JIS Z 9112. The examples of light source 1a may also include LEDs having light colors specified by ANSI C 78.377.

[0055] The light source 1a is not limited to the configuration including an LED. The light source 1a may also have a configuration including an organic EL element or a discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, instead of an LED.

[0056] The mounting substrate 1b has the outer shape of a rectangular flat plate. The mounting substrate 1b is a glass epoxy resin substrate. Examples of the mounting substrate 1b are not limited to the glass epoxy resin substrate. Examples of the mounting substrate 1b may also include a metal substrate on which a wiring conductor of a predetermined shape is provided with an insulation therebetween. LEDs with mutually different emission colors are mounted on the mounting substrate 1b. Of these, LEDs with the same emission color are electrically connected to each other through a wiring conductor of a predetermined shape such that the LEDs for each emission color can be turned on. The mounting substrate 1b is provided with a connector 1c for supplying power to the LEDs for each emission color. One or more LEDs may have the same emission color.

[0057] The sensor 2 is designed to measure a light intensity of two or more LEDs for each of mutually different emission colors. The sensor 2 is provided on the mounting substrate 1b. The sensor 2 includes, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, a detection element 2a, a first cover 2d, a light guide 2c and a second cover 2b.

[0058] The detection element 2a is mounted on the mounting substrate 1b. The detection element 2a includes one or more photodiodes, each associated with an optical filter. The detection element 2a includes at least three photodiodes. The three photodiodes are mutually associated with different optical filters. The optical filters transmit light of mutually different colors. The mutually different optical filters transmit red light, green light, and blue light, respectively.

[0059] The sensing element 2a can measure light intensities of light sources 1a with mutually different emission colors using the three photodiodes associated with the optical filters for mutually different colors. The sensing element 2a converts light emitted from a light source 1a into an electrical signal and outputs the converted electrical signal. The sensing element 2a is designed to be sensitive to red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, and outputs a measured value represented by a 16-bit digital value for each color. The sensing element 2a can output measured values ​​of the light intensity of red light, the light intensity of green light, and the light intensity of blue light through serial data. Examples of the sensing element 2a may include a color sensor corresponding to a 12C (Inter-Integrated Circuit 12C) interface.

[0060] The first cover 2d is attached to the mounting substrate 1b. The first cover 2d is configured to hold the light guide 2c. The first cover 2d is placed in the vicinity of the light source 1a and the detection element 2a. The first cover 2d is made of, for example, a resin material such as epoxy resin. The first cover 2d may preferably be made of black resin. In a case where the first cover 2d is made of black resin, light from a light source 1a passing through the light guide 2c can be counteracted from being influenced by external light and reflected light reflected by the mounting substrate 1b.

[0061] The light guide 2c is configured to be received in a recess of the first cover 2d. The light guide 2c is configured to guide light from the light sources 1a with mutually different emission colors, which are mounted on the mounting substrate 1b, to the detection element 2a.

[0062] The light guide 2c contains, as in Fig. 5, a first light receiver 2c1, a second light receiver 2c2, a third light receiver 2c3, and a fourth light receiver 2c4. The first light receiver 2c1 is provided such that it is oriented toward the red LED 1a1. The second light receiver 2c2 is provided such that it is oriented toward the green LED 1a2. The third light receiver 2c3 is provided such that it is oriented toward the blue LED 1a3. The fourth light receiver 2c4 is provided such that it is oriented toward the white LED 1a4. The light guide 2c is configured to guide red light entering it via the first light receiver 2c1 to a light receiving surface of the detection element 2a. The light guide 2c is configured to guide green light entering it via the second light receiver 2c2 to the light receiving surface of the detection element 2a.The light guide 2c is designed to guide blue light entering it via the third light receiver 2c3 to the light-receiving surface of the sensing element 2a. The light guide 2c is designed to guide white light entering it via the fourth light guide 2c4 to the light-receiving surface of the sensing element 2a. The light guide 2c is made of acrylic resin. The light guide 2c may not be made of acrylic resin. The light guide 2c may be made of a translucent resin, such as a polycarbonate resin. However, the light guide 2c may be made of glass in addition to a translucent resin. The light guide 2c is formed to have a suitable shape. The second cover 2b is provided to cover the light guide 2c. The second cover 2b may be made of, for example, a structural material, such as epoxy resin.The second cover 2b may be made of a black resin. In a case where the second cover 2b is made of black resin, the light from a light source 1a passing through the light guide 2c can be prevented from being influenced by external light.

[0063] The housing 4 contains, as in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, a body 4a, end surface plates 4b, and fixing screws 4c. The housing 4 has an elongated outer shape. The housing 4 is designed to hold the light source unit 10a and the optical element 5.

[0064] The body 4a includes a bottom plate 4a1 and side plates 4a2. The bottom plate 4a1 has a rectangular outer shape in plan view. The bottom plate 4a1 includes cutouts 4k. The cutouts 4k are individually provided at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 4a1. The side plates 4a2 extend along the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 4a1 and protrude in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 4a1 from individual opposite ends in the width direction of the bottom plate 4a1. The pair of side plates 4a2 are positioned oriented toward each other. A pair of ribs 4d are provided at a front end of each side plate 4a2 opposite to the bottom plate 4a1.The ribs 4d are provided to protrude toward the inside of the housing 4 along the thickness direction of the corresponding side plate 4a2 from the front end of the corresponding side plate 4a2. The ribs 4d are provided to extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 4. Each pair of ribs 4d forms a groove 4da therebetween. When opposite ends in the width direction of the optical element 5 are inserted into the grooves 4da, the optical element 5 is held by each pair of ribs 4d. In a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body 4a, as shown in FIG. Fig. 5 and in Fig. 7, the bottom plate 4a1 and the pair of side plates 4a2 have an outer shape resembling a C shape. The opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the body 4a include individual openings, and the end surface plates 4b having the shapes of flat plates are provided for covering the openings.

[0065] The housing 4 includes an opening 4aa. The opening 4aa is provided so that it is surrounded by the bottom plate 4a1, the pair of side plates 4a2, and the pair of end surface plates 4b. The housing 4a is configured so that the opening 4aa is covered with the optical element 5. The housing 4 is configured to accommodate the light source unit 10a inside it. The housing 4 is configured so that the light source unit 10a is fixed to the bottom plate 4a1, for example, by screwing.

[0066] Body 4a contains, as in Fig. 7, screw holders 4e. The screw holder 4e has an outer shape resembling a C shape in section. The screw holders 4e are provided on a rear side of the bottom plate 4a1 opposite to a front side where the side plates 4a2 protrude. The screw holder 4e is configured to receive the fixing screws 4c inserted through the end surface plates 4b. In other words, the end surface plates 4b are fixed to the screw holders 4e of the body 4a with the fixing screws 4c. The body 4a includes a pair of legs 4f. The pair of legs 4f are provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body 4a. Each leg 4f has an outer shape resembling an L shape in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each leg 4f projects in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 4a1 of the body 4a such that it is away from the bottom plate 4a1.The front ends of the pair of legs 4f are configured to protrude away from each other. Each leg 4f may include one or more through holes for fixing the lighting device 10 to a holder by one or more screws.

[0067] The optical element 5 is configured to transmit light from at least one light source 1a. The optical element 5 is made of a light-transmitting material. Examples of the light-transmitting material may include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, and glass. The optical element 5 includes a lens 5a on a surface toward which at least one light source 1a is oriented. The lens 5a is configured to transmit light from the at least one light source 1a to the outside of the housing 4 such that predetermined light distribution characteristics are present. Examples of the lens 5a may include a Fresnel lens. The optical element 5 is a flat plate with an elongated outer shape. The optical element 5 includes a pair of flanges 5b at opposite ends in the width direction of the optical element 5, the pair of flanges 5b extending along the length direction of the optical element 5.The pair of flanges 5b are provided to individually protrude outward from the opposite ends in the width direction of the optical element 5. By sliding the optical element 5, the flanges 5b can be inserted into the grooves 4da formed by the pairs of ribs 4d extending along the longitudinal direction of the body 4a. The optical element 5 is configured to be detachably attached to the body 4a.

[0068] Hereinafter, operations of the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment will be explained with reference to Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C.

[0069] In the lighting system, in a case where the same amount of power is supplied, the light intensity of at least one light-emitting device of the two or more light-emitting devices may decrease significantly compared to the remaining one or more light-emitting devices of the two or more light-emitting devices due to a defect in the at least one light-emitting device, deterioration of the at least one light-emitting device, or the like. In the lighting system, a light-emitting device that is one of the two or more light-emitting devices but may not be working may be replaced with a spare light-emitting device. The spare light-emitting device tends to have a higher light intensity than the remaining one or more light-emitting devices because the spare light-emitting device has deteriorated less than the remaining one or more light-emitting devices.

[0070] Fig. 2A shows the lighting system 20 in a state where the total lighting time from the time the lighting devices 10 are first turned on is greater than or equal to 10,000 hours. In the lighting system 20, the first lighting device 10A may have a light intensity of 82%, the second lighting device 10B may have a light intensity of 0%, the third lighting device 10C may have a light intensity of 78%, and the fourth lighting device 10D may have a light intensity of 80%. Each light intensity of the lighting device 10 is represented by the ratio of the light intensity after 10,000 hours have passed from the time the lighting of the lighting device 10 started to the initial light intensity of the lighting device 10, which is considered to be 100%. Fig. 2A, the mark “X” is placed on the second lighting device 10B, which must be replaced due to a defect.

[0071] Fig. Figure 2B shows a situation in which the second lighting device 10B, which is shown in Fig. 2A, has been replaced by the fifth lighting device 10E. In the lighting system 20, for example, when the fifth lighting device 10E is activated for the first time after replacement, the fifth lighting device 10E sends its unique address and the indication signal to the control device 21a via the communication circuit 3c. In the lighting system 20, the control device 21 receives the indication signals along with the unique addresses whenever the system is activated. Based on the indication signals, the elapsed time detection circuit 21b records the total lighting time of the fifth lighting device 10E instead of that of the second lighting device 10B. The replacement detection circuit 21a distinguishes the replacement lighting device 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 based on the indication signals.In other words, in the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the backup lighting device 10 is distinguished from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 both before and after the system is activated. Upon detecting the backup lighting device 10, the lighting system 20 measures the light intensities of all of the two or more lighting devices 10. The control device 21 outputs command signals for measuring the light intensities of the light sources 1a to all of the lighting devices 10 to measure the light intensities of all of the first lighting device 10A, the fifth lighting device 10E, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D.The lighting system 20 measures the light intensities of the light sources 1a of all of the replaced fifth lighting device 10E, the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D that are not replaced with the sensors 2 of the lighting devices 10. Specifically, in the lighting system 20, in each of the first lighting device 10A, the fifth lighting device 10E, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D, the sensor 2 measures the light intensity for each of two or more types of light sources 1a having different emission colors in response to the command signal from the control device 21. The control device 21 is configured to obtain the measured value indicative of the light intensity of the light source 1a measured by the sensor 2 of the lighting device 10. In . Fig. 2B, outline arrows indicate the transmission of data about measured values ​​determined by the two or more lighting devices 10 to the control or regulating device 21.

[0072] The control device 21 obtains measurement results indicating that the light intensity of the first lighting device 10A is 82%, the light intensity of the fifth lighting device 10E is 100%, the light intensity of the third lighting device 10C is 78%, and the light intensity of the fourth lighting device 10D is 80%. In the lighting system 20, the total lighting time of the replaced fifth lighting device 10E is 0 hours, while a light intensity of 100% is obtained from the fifth lighting device 10E.

[0073] Fig. 2C shows that the lighting system 20 performs control to adjust the light intensity of the fifth lighting device 10E to the average of the light intensities of the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D that are not replaced. The control device 21 calculates, for example, an average light intensity of 80% of the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D that have not been replaced. The control device 21 calculates the correction coefficients for correcting the lighting states of the light source 1a of the fifth lighting device 10E such that differences between the light intensities of the light sources 1a in the first lighting device 10A, the fifth lighting device 10E, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D are reduced.Control device 21 sends the measurement result determined using the calculated correction coefficients to the fifth lighting device 10E. The calculation of the correction coefficients may not be performed by the control device 21 alone. The operation control circuits 3a of the individual lighting devices 10 may also calculate the correction coefficients. The control device 21 sends the correction data, which includes correction coefficients for correcting the dimming signals such that the light intensity of the fifth lighting device 10E is equal to 80%, to the fifth lighting device 10E.

[0074] The fifth lighting device 10E controls the lighting states of the light sources 1a based on the measurement result. To emit light of a color based on the dimming signal output from the control device 21, the fifth lighting device 10E corrects the current dimming signals using the correction coefficient. In the fifth lighting device 10E, the control circuit 3 multiplies values ​​of the current dimming signals by the correction coefficients, thereby controlling the lighting state of the light source 1a with the PWM signal according to the corrected duty cycle for each of the different emission color types of the light sources 1a.

[0075] The lighting system 20 corrects the light intensities of the light sources 1a of the fifth lighting device 10E such that they are equal to the average of the light intensities of the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D, thereby reducing the differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0076] The lighting system 20 controls or regulates the replaced fifth lighting device 10E such that it has a light intensity equal to the average of the light intensities of the one or more other lighting devices 10. Therefore, the differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10 can be reduced. In Fig. 2C points a black arrow to the correction data that are sent from the control or regulating device 21 to the lighting device 10.

[0077] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, each of the two or more lighting devices 10 further includes the communication circuit 3c configured to communicate with the control circuit 21. The communication circuit 3c may preferably be configured to transmit the indication signal indicating information for identifying the spare lighting device 10 to the control device 21.

[0078] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the communication circuit 3c sends the indication signal to the control circuit 21, thereby making it possible to detect the replacement of the lighting device 10 relatively easily.

[0079] In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the control device 21 includes the elapsed detection circuit 21b. The elapsed detection circuit 21b includes a timer for measuring the total lighting time of each of the two or more lighting devices 10. The replacement detection circuit 21a may be configured to distinguish the replacement lighting device 10 from the one or more remaining devices 10 of the two or more lighting devices 10 based on lengths of the total lighting time measured by the elapsed detection circuit 21b.

[0080] The lighting system 20 of the present embodiment distinguishes the spare lighting device 10 from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 based on the length of the total lighting time measured by the elapsed detection circuit 21b. Therefore, differences between the light intensities of the lighting devices 10 can be reduced relatively easily.

[0081] The lighting system 20 may also not be configured to adjust the light intensity of the replaced fifth lighting device 10E to the average of the light intensities of the first lighting device 10A, the third lighting device 10C, and the fourth lighting device 10D that have not been replaced. The lighting system 20 may control or regulate all lighting devices 10 such that the light intensities of the lighting devices 10 are equal to the average of the light intensities of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 (in this example, equal to the desired light intensity).

[0082] According to Fig. 2C, if the first lighting device 10A has, for example, a light intensity of 82% before the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to reduce the light intensity such that the first lighting device 10A has a light intensity of 80% after the correction. If the fifth lighting device 10E has, for example, a light intensity of 100% before the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to reduce the light intensity such that the fifth lighting device 10E has a light intensity of 80% after the correction. If the third lighting device 10C has, for example, a light intensity of 78% before the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to increase the light intensity such that the third lighting device 10C has a light intensity of 80% after the correction.For example, if the fourth lighting device 10D has a light intensity of 80% before correction, the lighting system 20 performs no correction, allowing the light intensity of the fourth lighting device 10D to remain at 80%. The lighting system 20 controls or regulates the light intensities of all lighting devices 10 such that the light intensities of all lighting devices 10 are equal to 80%, which is the average of the light intensities of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10. Therefore, differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10 can be reduced to a greater extent.

[0083] The lighting system 20 may not be configured to control or regulate all lighting devices 10 such that the light intensities of all lighting devices 10 are equal to the average of the light intensities of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10. The lighting system 20 may control or regulate all lighting devices 10 such that the light intensity of the replaced fifth lighting device 10E is equal to the light intensity of the third lighting device 10C, which is the lowest of the light intensities of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 (in this example, the desired light intensity).

[0084] According to Fig. 2C, the first lighting device 10A has a light intensity of 82% before the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to reduce the light intensity such that the first lighting device 10A has a light intensity of 78% after the correction. If the fifth lighting device 10E has a light intensity of 100% after the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to reduce the light intensity such that the fifth lighting device 10E has a light intensity of 78% after the correction. If the third lighting device 10C has a light intensity of 78% before the correction, the lighting system 20 does not perform a correction, thus allowing the light intensity of the third lighting device 10C to remain at 78%.For example, if the fourth lighting device 10D has a light intensity of 80% before the correction, the lighting system 20 performs a correction to reduce the light intensity such that the fourth lighting device 10D has a light intensity of 78%. The lighting system 20 controls or regulates all lighting devices 10 such that the light intensities of all lighting devices 10 are equal to the 78% light intensity of the lighting device 10, which is the lowest of the one or more remaining light intensities 10. Therefore, differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10 can be reduced to a greater extent.

[0085] The lighting system 20 can control or regulate the light intensity of at least one lighting device 10 such that it is equal to the average of the light intensities of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10 or to the light intensity of the lighting device 10 that is the lowest of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10. As a result, it is possible to counteract an increase in the power consumption of the lighting device 10 that occurs over time.

[0086] The lighting system 20 may also not adjust the light intensities of all lighting devices 10 to the light intensity of the lighting device 10 that is the lowest of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10. The lighting system 20 can control or regulate the light intensities of the remaining first lighting device 10A, third lighting device 10C, and fourth lighting device 10D such that it is equal to the highest of the two or more lighting devices 10 (in this example, equal to the desired light intensity), that is, in any case, equal to the light intensity of the replaced fifth lighting device 10E.

[0087] In the lighting system 20, each of the two or more lighting devices 10 may further include a temperature sensor. If the lighting system 20 controls or regulates the light intensities of all the lighting devices 10 such that the light intensities are equal to the highest of the two or more lighting devices 10, the lighting system 20 can perform a function of turning off the lighting device 10 based on a command from a temperature sensor before the temperature of an LED reaches a predetermined value. If the lighting system 20 performs the function of turning off a lighting device 10 in response to a command from the temperature sensor, it is possible to counteract damage caused by an increase in power consumption of the lighting device 10.If the lighting system 20 controls the light intensities of all the lighting devices 10 such that they are equal to the highest of the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10, the lighting system 20 can perform a function of announcing a necessary replacement of a lighting device 10 before the temperature of an LED reaches a predetermined value in response to a command from the temperature sensor. For example, with regard to the announcing function, the lighting device 10 requiring replacement can be controlled such that light from the at least one light source 1a thereof flashes. With regard to the announcing function, the lighting device 10 requiring replacement can, for example, be controlled such that the at least one light source 1a thereof is dimmed. The announcing function can, for example, be implemented using a computer acting as a control device.Control device 21 acts, can be realized.

[0088] A mobile object 30 of the present embodiment includes the lighting system 20, which is Fig. 1 is shown.

[0089] The mobile object 30 includes the lighting system 20 and a main body on which the lighting system 20 is mounted.

[0090] In other words, the mobile object 30 may include the lighting system 20 that reduces the differences between the light intensities of the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0091] Below is an aircraft 30a, which is in Fig. 8 and illustrating the mobile object 30 by way of example.

[0092] In the aircraft 30A, two or more lighting devices 10 are installed in a cabin 30aa. In the aircraft 30a, the control or regulating device 21 is installed, for example, in a cockpit. The control or regulating device 21 is designed to control or regulate the two or more lighting devices 10 installed in the cabin 30aa.

[0093] In the aircraft 30A, an overhead compartment 32 is provided on an upper side in the vertical direction and close to windows 30e. The overhead compartment 32 extends in the front-and-rear direction of the aircraft 30a and provides an elongated space for accommodating baggage. The overhead compartment 32 is placed in contact with a ceiling material 30c on the upper side. The two or more lighting devices 10 are provided on the upper side in the cabin 30aa of the aircraft 30a. The two or more lighting devices 10 are provided in a line along the longitudinal directions of the lighting devices 10. The two or more lighting devices 10 are arranged side by side in a line.

[0094] The two or more lighting devices 10 are arranged along the front-to-back direction of the aircraft 30a and illuminate the ceiling material 30c within the cabin 30aa. The lighting device 10 is attached to the ceiling material 30c of the aircraft 30a, which serves as a support, by screwing the legs 4f thereto. The lighting devices 10 are positioned such that they are not visible to passengers.

[0095] In other words, the aircraft 30a serves as the main body on which the lighting system 20 is mounted. The mobile object 30 is not limited to an aircraft 30a. Examples of the mobile object 30 may also include a vehicle, such as a train and a bus.

[0096] The embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments. Rather, the above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0097] As apparent from the above-described embodiment, the control device 21 of the first aspect is for individually controlling operations of the two or more lighting devices 10. Each of the two or more lighting devices 10 includes: at least one light source 1a; a sensor 2 configured to output a measured value obtained by measuring the light intensity of the at least one light source 1a; and a control circuit 3 configured to control the lighting state of the at least one light source 1a according to a command from the control device 21. The control device 21 includes a replacement detection circuit 21a.The replacement detector circuit 21a is designed to determine whether one of the two or more lighting devices 10 has been replaced by a replacement lighting device 10E, and to obtain a determination result that distinguishes the replacement lighting device 10E from one or more remaining lighting devices 10A, 10C, 10D of the two or more lighting devices 10. The control or regulating device 21 is designed to control or regulate the replacement detection circuit 21a when the determination result has been obtained.Controlling at least one of the two or more lighting devices 10 based on the measured value output by the sensor 2 of the backup lighting device 10E and the one or more measured values ​​output by the one or more sensors 2 of the one or more remaining lighting devices 10A, 10C, 10D such that a difference between a light intensity of the backup lighting device 10E and a light intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10A, 10C, 10D falls within a predetermined range.

[0098] The control device 21 of the second aspect is implemented in combination with the first aspect. In the second aspect, the control device 21 includes an elapsed detection circuit 21b. The elapsed detection circuit 21b includes a timer for measuring a total lighting time of each of the two or more lighting devices 10. The replacement detection circuit 21a is configured to distinguish the replacement lighting device 10E from the one or more remaining lighting devices 10E, 10C, 10D of the two or more lighting devices 10A based on the lengths of the total lighting time measured by the elapsed detection circuit 21b.

[0099] The lighting system 20 of the third aspect includes the control device 21 of the first or second aspect and the two or more lighting devices 10.

[0100] The lighting system 20 of the fourth aspect is implemented in combination with the third aspect. In the second aspect, the at least one light source 1a includes a first light source 1f and a second light source 1s. The control circuit 3 is configured to repeat a cycle multiple times. The cycle is defined as a set of a first time period T1, T2, T3, T4 in which a light source, which is either the first light source 1f or the second light source 1s, is controlled to emit light and enable the sensor 2 to measure the light intensity of the light, and a second time period in which the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s are controlled to emit light. The control circuit 3 is configuredControl circuit 3 for controlling the luminous state of the at least one light source 1a such that mixed light from the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s has the same light intensity for each cycle. The sensor 2 is designed to output measured values ​​determined by individually measuring a light intensity of the first light source 1f in the first time period T1, T2, T3, T4 and a light intensity of the second light source 1s in the first time period T1, T2, T3, T4. The control or regulation circuit 3 is designed to individually control or regulate the luminous states of the first light source 1f and the second light source 1s.

[0101] The lighting system 20 of the fifth aspect is implemented in combination with the third or fourth aspect. In the third aspect, each of the two or more lighting devices 10 further includes a communication circuit 3c configured to communicate with the control device 21. The communication circuit 3c is configured to send an indication signal indicating information for identifying the replacement lighting device 10E to the control device 21.

[0102] The mobile object 30 of the sixth aspect includes the lighting system 20 according to any one of the third to fifth aspects and a main body 30a on which the lighting system 20 is mounted. List of reference symbols 1a Light source 1f first light source 1s second light source 2 sensors 3 Control or regulation circuit 3c Communication circuit 10 lighting device 20 lighting system 21 Control or regulating device 21a Replacement detector circuit 21b Expiration detector circuit 30 mobile object

Claims

[1] Control or regulating device (21) for individually controlling or regulating operating processes of two or more lighting devices (10), wherein each of the two or more lighting devices (10) includes: at least one light source (1a), a sensor (2) designed to output a measured value determined by measuring a light intensity of the at least one light source (1a); and a control circuit (3) designed to control a lighting state of the at least one light source (1a) according to a command from the control device (21), the control device (21) comprises a replacement detector circuit (21a), the replacement detector circuit (21a) is designed to determine whether one of the two or more lighting devices (10) has been replaced by a replacement lighting device (10E), and to determine a determination result that distinguishes the replacement lighting device (10E) from one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) of the two or more lighting devices (10), and the control or regulating device (21) is designed to control or regulate at least one of the two or more lighting devices (10) on the basis of the measured value output by the sensor (2) of the replacement lighting device (10E) and the one or more measured values output by the one or more sensors (2) of the one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) when the replacement detector circuit (21a) has determined the determination result, such that a difference between a light intensity of the replacement lighting device (10E) and a light intensity originating from the one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) falls within a predetermined range. [2] A control device (21) according to claim 1, further comprising a run-down detector circuit (21b), wherein: the elapsed detection circuit (21b) includes a timer for measuring a total lighting time of each of the two or more lighting devices (10); and the replacement detector circuit (21a) is designed to distinguish the replacement lighting device (10E) from the one or more remaining lighting devices (10A, 10C, 10D) of the two or more lighting devices (10) based on lengths of the total lighting time measured by the elapsed detector circuit (21b). [3] Lighting system (20), comprising: the control or regulating device (21) according to claim 1 or 2; and the two or more lighting devices (10). [4] Lighting system (20) according to claim 3, wherein: the at least one light source (1a) includes a first light source (1f) and a second light source (1s); the control or regulation circuit (3) is designed to repeat a cycle a plurality of times, wherein the cycle is defined as a set of a first time period (T1, T2, T3, T4) in which a light source, which is either the first light source (1f) or the second light source (1s), is controlled or regulated to emit light and to enable the sensor (2) to measure a light intensity of the light, and a second time period in which the first light source (1f) and the second light source (1s) are controlled or regulated to emit light, wherein the control or regulation circuit (3) is designed to control or regulate the luminous state of the at least one light source (1a) such that mixed light from the first light source (1f) and the second light source (1s) has the same light intensity for each cycle; the sensor (2) is designed to output measured values which are determined by individually measuring a light intensity of the first light source (1f) in the first time period (T1, T2, T3, T4) and a light intensity of the second light source (1s) in the first time period (T1, T2, T3, T4); and the control or regulation circuit (3) is designed for individually controlling or regulating lighting states of the first light source (1f) and the second light source (1s). [5] Lighting system (20) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: each of the two or more lighting devices (10) further includes a communication circuit (3c) configured to communicate with the control device (21); the communication circuit (3c) is designed to send an indication signal to the control or regulating device (21) which indicates information for identifying the replacement lighting device (10E). [6] Mobile object (30), comprising: the lighting system (20) according to one of claims 3 to 5; and a main body (30a) on which the lighting system (20) is mounted.

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