Control device for lighting device and lighting system

Abstract

The invention provides a control device of an illumination device and an illumination system, which can intuitively set the diffusivity of light in two directions. A control device for a lighting device is capable of controlling the degree of diffusion of light in a first direction and a second direction, and displays, in a display region (DA), a light diffusion setting screen for executing a light diffusion setting process of the lighting device. The display region (DA) overlaps a detection region (FA) of the touch sensor. The light diffusivity setting screen defines an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane having a predetermined position on the light diffusivity setting screen as an origin (O). The present invention is provided with: a light distribution shape object (OBJ) having the origin (O) of an XY plane as the center point; a first slider (first light diffusion setting object S1) having the position (x0) of the intersection point between the X-axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object (OBJ) as the center point; and a second slider (y0) having the position (y0) of the intersection point between the Y-axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object (OBJ) as the center point. And a second light diffusivity setting object S2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for a lighting device and a lighting system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are lighting fixtures that change the light distribution angle by combining a thin lens with a prism pattern on a light source such as an LED to change the distance between the light source and the thin lens. For example, a lighting fixture is disclosed that covers the front surface of a transparent bulb with a liquid crystal dimming element and switches between direct light and scattered light by changing the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-65001 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] For example, in an illumination device using a liquid crystal cell for p-wave polarized light and a liquid crystal cell for s-wave polarized light, the diffusion of light in two directions can be controlled by driving the liquid crystal cells of both parties separately. It is desirable to have a control device that can intuitively set the diffusion of light in two directions in an illumination device that can control the diffusion of light in two directions in this way.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a lighting device and a lighting system capable of intuitively setting the degree of diffusion of light in two directions.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] A control device for a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from a light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The control device for the lighting device comprises: a touch sensor having a detection area provided with a plurality of detection elements; and a display panel having a display area overlapping the detection area of ​​the touch sensor when viewed from above, wherein a light diffusion setting screen for executing light diffusion setting processing of the lighting device is displayed in the display area of ​​the display panel, wherein the light diffusion setting screen is defined by an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane with a specified position on the light diffusion setting screen as an origin, and wherein the light diffusion setting screen is provided with: a light distribution shape object with the origin of the XY plane as a center point; a first light diffusion setting object with the intersection of the X-axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point; and a second light diffusion setting object with the intersection of the Y-axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point.

[0011] A lighting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a lighting device comprising a light source and an optical element, wherein the optical element is arranged on the optical axis of the light source and is capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from the light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control device for controlling the lighting device to change the light distribution state, wherein the control device comprises: a touch sensor having a detection area having a plurality of detection elements; and a display panel having a display area overlapping the detection area of ​​the touch sensor when viewed from above, wherein the display area of ​​the display panel displays a display for executing the lighting device The light diffusion setting screen is defined as an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane with a specified position on the light diffusion setting screen as an origin, and the light diffusion setting screen is provided with: a light distribution shape object with the origin of the XY plane as a center point; a first light diffusion setting object with an intersection of an X-axis of the XY plane and a contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point; and a second light diffusion setting object with an intersection of a Y-axis of the XY plane and a contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1A It is a side view showing an example of the lighting device involved in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 1B It is a perspective view showing an example of an optical element according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2This is a schematic plan view of the first substrate as viewed from the Dz direction.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic plan view of the second substrate as viewed from the Dz direction.

[0016] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal cell in which a first substrate and a second substrate are overlapped in the Dz direction.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The AA' line cross-sectional view is shown.

[0018] Fig. 6A It is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film of the first substrate.

[0019] Figure 6B It is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film of the second substrate.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a diagram of a stacked structure of an optical element according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 8A This is a conceptual diagram for explaining the change in shape of light caused by the optical element involved in the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8B This is a conceptual diagram for explaining the change in shape of light caused by the optical element involved in the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8C This is a conceptual diagram for explaining the change in shape of light caused by the optical element involved in the embodiment.

[0024] Fig.8D This is a conceptual diagram for explaining the change in shape of light caused by the optical element involved in the embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a conceptual diagram for conceptually illustrating control of light diffusion by the lighting device according to the embodiment.

[0026] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0027] Fig.11 It is an external view showing an example of a control device according to the embodiment.

[0028] Fig.12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a touch detection area in a touch sensor.

[0029] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of a control block configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of a control block configuration of the lighting device according to Embodiment 1.

[0031] Fig.15A This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 15B This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 15C This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Fig.15D This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Fig.16 This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the first embodiment and the light diffusion degree.

[0036] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing an example of initial setting of the light diffusion degree setting screen in the control device of the lighting device according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree setting processing in the control device of the lighting device according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Fig.19 This is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree setting processing in a control device for a lighting device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0039] Fig. 20 This is a diagram showing an example of a control block configuration of a control device according to the second embodiment.

[0040] Fig.21A This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 21B This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 22 This is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree fine adjustment processing in the control device of the lighting device involved in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The method (implementation method) for implementing the invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following implementation methods. In addition, the structural elements described below include elements that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art, and substantially the same elements. Furthermore, the structural elements described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, the disclosure is only an example, and appropriate changes that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art to maintain the gist of the invention are of course included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to make the description clearer, the accompanying drawings sometimes schematically indicate the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual method, but this is only an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, in this specification and each figure, the same figure mark is sometimes used for the same element as the element described previously with respect to the figure that has already appeared, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted.

[0044] Figure 1A It is a side view showing an example of the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 1B 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an optical element 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1A As shown, the lighting device 1 includes a light source 4, a reflector 4a and an optical element 100. Figure 1B As shown, the optical element 100 includes a first liquid crystal cell 2_1 , a second liquid crystal cell 2_2 , a third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and a fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 . The light source 4 is composed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). The reflector 4 a is a component that focuses light from the light source 4 on the optical element 100 .

[0045] exist Figure 1B , the Dz direction indicates the emission direction of light from the light source 4 and the reflector 4a. The optical element 100 is formed by stacking the first liquid crystal unit 2_1, the second liquid crystal unit 2_2, the third liquid crystal unit 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal unit 2_4 in the Dz direction. In the present disclosure, the optical element 100 is formed by stacking the first liquid crystal unit 2_1, the second liquid crystal unit 2_2, the third liquid crystal unit 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal unit 2_4 from the light source 4 side ( Figure 1B The first liquid crystal unit 2_1, the second liquid crystal unit 2_2, the third liquid crystal unit 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal unit 2_4 are sequentially stacked from the bottom side of the liquid crystal unit 2_1. Figure 1B In the figure, a direction perpendicular to the Dz direction and parallel to the plane of the stacking surface of the first liquid crystal unit 2_1, the second liquid crystal unit 2_2, the third liquid crystal unit 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal unit 2_4 is set as the Dx direction (first direction), and the direction perpendicular to both the Dx direction and the Dz direction is set as the Dy direction (second direction).

[0046] The first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 have the same structure. In the present disclosure, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are set as liquid crystal cells for p-wave polarized light. In addition, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 and the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 are set as liquid crystal cells for s-wave polarized light. Hereinafter, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are also collectively referred to as "liquid crystal cell 2".

[0047] The liquid crystal cell 2 includes a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 6 . Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of the first substrate 5 as viewed from the Dz direction. Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of the second substrate 6 viewed from the Dz direction. Figure 3 In the figure, the driving electrodes are electrodes that are visible beyond the substrate, but for ease of understanding, the driving electrodes and wiring are shown with solid lines. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal cell in which a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 6 are overlapped in the Dz direction. Figure 4 In the figure, for easy understanding, the driving electrodes and wirings on the second substrate side are indicated by solid lines, and the driving electrodes and wirings on the first substrate side are indicated by dotted lines. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The A-A' line cross-sectional view shown in FIG. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 In the embodiment, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are illustrated in which the driving electrodes 10a and 10b of the first substrate 5 extend in the Dx direction and the driving electrodes 13a and 13b of the second substrate 6 extend in the Dy direction.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the liquid crystal cell 2 includes a liquid crystal layer 8 between a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 6 , the periphery of which is sealed by a sealing material 7 .

[0049] The liquid crystal layer 8 modulates light passing through the liquid crystal layer 8 according to the state of the electric field. As liquid crystal molecules, positive nematic liquid crystals are used, but other liquid crystals having the same function may be used.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the first substrate 5 includes, on the liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 9, a plurality of drive electrodes 10a, 10b, a plurality of metal wirings 11a, 11b for supplying drive voltages to the drive electrodes 10a, 10b, and a plurality of drive electrodes 13a, 13b (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the second substrate 6 described later. Figure 3) is applied to the plurality of metal wirings 11c, 11d. The metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided in the wiring layer of the first substrate 5. The metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided at intervals in the wiring layer on the first substrate 5. Hereinafter, the plurality of drive electrodes 10a, 10b are sometimes referred to as "drive electrodes 10". In addition, the plurality of metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are sometimes referred to as "first metal wirings 11". Figure 2 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4, the driving electrode 10 on the first substrate 5 extends along the Dx direction. In addition, in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the driving electrode 10 on the first substrate 5 extends along the Dy direction.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, in Figure 5 The liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 12 of the second substrate 6 shown in the figure is provided with a plurality of driving electrodes 13a, 13b and a plurality of metal wirings 14a, 14b for supplying driving voltages to be applied to these driving electrodes 13. The metal wirings 14a, 14b are provided in the wiring layer of the second substrate 6. The metal wirings 14a, 14b are provided at intervals in the wiring layer on the second substrate 6. Hereinafter, the plurality of driving electrodes 13a, 13b are sometimes referred to as "driving electrodes 13". In addition, the plurality of metal wirings 14a, 14b are sometimes referred to as "second metal wirings 14". Figure 3 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4, the driving electrode 13 on the second substrate 6 extends along the Dy direction. In addition, in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the driving electrode 13 on the second substrate 6 extends along the Dx direction.

[0052] The driving electrode 10 and the driving electrode 13 are translucent electrodes formed of a translucent conductive material (translucent conductive oxide) such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 are translucent substrates such as glass and resin. The first metal wiring 11 and the second metal wiring 14 are formed of at least one metal material selected from aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo) or alloys thereof. In addition, the first metal wiring 11 and the second metal wiring 14 may also be a laminated body formed by stacking multiple layers using more than one of these metal materials. The electrical resistance of at least one metal material selected from aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo) or alloys thereof is lower than that of translucent conductive oxides such as ITO.

[0053] Metal wiring 11c of first substrate 5 and metal wiring 14a of second substrate 6 are connected by via 15a formed of, for example, conductive paste. Metal wiring 11d of first substrate 5 and metal wiring 14b of second substrate 6 are connected by via 15b formed of, for example, conductive paste.

[0054] In addition, connection (Flex-on-Board) terminal portions 16a, 16b connected to flexible printed circuits (FPC) (not shown) are provided in the region on the first substrate 5 that does not overlap with the second substrate 6 in the Dz direction. The connection terminal portions 16a, 16b have four connection terminals corresponding to the metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, respectively.

[0055] The connection terminal portions 16a and 16b are provided in the wiring layer of the first substrate 5. The liquid crystal cell 2 is supplied with a driving voltage applied from the FPC connected to the connection terminal portion 16a or the connection terminal portion 16b to the driving electrodes 10a and 10b on the first substrate 5 and the driving electrodes 13a and 13b on the second substrate 6. Hereinafter, the connection terminal portions 16a and 16b may be simply referred to as "connection terminal portions 16".

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, in the liquid crystal unit 2, the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 overlap in the Dz direction (the direction of light irradiation), and when viewed from the Dz direction, the multiple driving electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 and the multiple driving electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6 intersect. By supplying driving voltages to the multiple driving electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 and the multiple driving electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6, respectively, the liquid crystal unit 2 constructed as described above can control the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 of the liquid crystal layer 8. The area in which the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 of the liquid crystal layer 8 can be controlled is referred to as the "effective area AA". In the effective area AA, by changing the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8, the diffusion degree of light passing through the effective area AA of the liquid crystal unit 2 can be controlled. In the area outside the effective area AA, the area in which the liquid crystal layer 8 is sealed by the sealing material 7 is referred to as the "peripheral area GA" (refer to Figure 5 ).

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, in the effective area AA of the first substrate 5, the driving electrode 10 (in Figure 5 In addition, in the effective area AA of the second substrate 6, the driving electrode 13 is covered with an alignment film 19 (in Figure 5 In the alignment film 18 and the alignment film 19, the alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules are different.

[0058] Fig. 6A It is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film of the first substrate 5 . Figure 6B It is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film of the second substrate 6 .

[0059] like Fig. 6A as well as Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 1 , the orientation direction of the orientation film 18 of the first substrate 5 and the orientation direction of the orientation film 19 of the second substrate 6 are directions that intersect each other when viewed from above. Specifically, Fig. 6A As shown by the solid arrow, the orientation direction of the orientation film 18 of the first substrate 5 is Fig. 6A The extending directions of the driving electrodes 10a and 10b indicated by the dashed arrows are orthogonal to each other. Figure 6B As shown by the solid arrow, the orientation direction of the orientation film 19 of the second substrate 6 is Figure 6B The extension directions of the driving electrodes 13a, 13b indicated by the dotted arrows are orthogonal. In the following, the case where the extension directions of the above-mentioned driving electrodes 10, 13 are orthogonal to the orientation directions of the orientation films 18, 19 covering them is described, but they can also intersect at angles other than orthogonal, for example, in the angle range of 85° to 90°. In addition, the driving electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 side and the driving electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6 side are also preferably orthogonal to each other, but they can also intersect at an angle range of 85° to 90°, for example. In addition, the orientation directions of the orientation films 18, 19 are formed by rubbing treatment or photo-orientation treatment.

[0060] Here, a structure in which the shape of light is changed by each liquid crystal cell 2 (the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 , the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 , the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 , and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 ) will be described. Figure 7 It is a diagram of a stacked structure of the optical element 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C , Fig.8D 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the change in shape of light due to the optical element 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C , Fig.8D , an example is shown in which a potential difference is generated between the driving electrodes of the shaded substrates of each liquid crystal cell 2.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, the optical element 100 is arranged on the optical axis of the light source 4 shown by the single-point chain line. As described above, from the light source 4 side ( Figure 7The first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are stacked in this order from the lower side of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1. The third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are stacked in a state rotated 90° relative to the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2.

[0062] In each liquid crystal unit 2, as Fig. 6A as well as Figure 6B As shown, the orientation direction of the orientation film crosses the first substrate 5 side and the second substrate 6 side. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 gradually changes from the Dx direction to the Dy direction (or from the Dy direction to the Dx direction) as it moves from the first substrate 5 side to the second substrate 6 side, and the polarization component of the transmitted light rotates along this change. That is, in the liquid crystal cell 2, the polarization component that is the p-polarization component on the first substrate 5 side changes to the s-polarization component as it moves toward the second substrate 6 side, and the polarization component that is the s-polarization component on the first substrate 5 side changes to the p-polarization component as it moves toward the second substrate 6 side. The rotation of the polarization component can be called optical rotation.

[0063] Fig. 8A The figure shows a state where no potential is generated between adjacent electrodes of each liquid crystal cell 2. In this case, only optical rotation occurs in each liquid crystal element 2, and any polarized light component is not diffused.

[0064] Here, if Figure 8B As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, by generating a potential difference between the driving electrodes 10a and 10b on the first substrate 5 side of the first liquid crystal unit 2_1, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in an arc shape between the electrodes, thereby forming a refractive index distribution in the liquid crystal layer 8 along the Dx direction. If light from the light source 4 passes through in this state, the refractive index distribution for the polarized light component parallel to the Dx direction (in Figure 8B The p-polarized light component in the center plays a role, so that the p-polarized light component diffuses in the Dx direction.

[0065] Furthermore, when a potential difference is generated between the drive electrodes 13a and 13b on the second substrate 6 side of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, a refractive index distribution is formed along the Dy direction on the second substrate 6 side, so that the s-polarized light component is diffused in the Dy direction on the second substrate 6 side. That is, the polarized light component that changes from the p-polarized light component to the s-polarized light component in the process of passing through the liquid crystal layer 8 of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 also diffuses in the Dy direction this time. On the other hand, the polarized light component that is the s-polarized light component when incident on the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 undergoes optical rotation in the process of passing through the liquid crystal layer 8, but since it becomes a polarized light component that crosses any refractive index distribution, it does not diffuse, but only passes through the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 in an optically rotated manner.

[0066] The polarized light component that is the s-polarized light component when incident on the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 changes to the p-polarized light component after passing through the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 acts on the p-polarized light component. Fig. 8A as well as Figure 8B As shown, in the light incident on the optical element 100, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 acts on the p-polarized light component, and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 acts on the s-polarized light component. Since the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are arranged 90° rotated relative to the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the polarized light components acted on are also transposed by 90°. That is, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 acts on the polarized light component that is the s-polarized light component when incident on the optical element 100, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 acts on the polarized light component that is the p-polarized light component when incident on the optical element 100.

[0067] like Figure 8C As shown, in the optical element, for each liquid crystal cell 2, a potential difference is applied between the driving electrodes extending in the Dy direction (between the driving electrodes 10a and 10b of the first substrate 5 in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, and between the driving electrodes 13a and 13b of the second substrate 6 in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4) to act on the p-polarized light component, and the shape of the light can be expanded mainly in the Dx direction. This effect can be called lateral diffusion.

[0068] In addition, if Fig.8D As shown, for each liquid crystal cell 2, by applying a potential difference between the driving electrodes extending along the Dx direction (between the driving electrodes 13a and 13b of the second substrate 6 in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, and between the driving electrodes 10a and 10b of the first substrate 5 in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4), the s-polarized light component can be acted on, and the shape of the light can be mainly expanded in the Dy direction. This effect can be called longitudinal diffusion.

[0069] The degree of diffusion of light in each direction depends on the potential difference between adjacent drive electrodes 10a, 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a, 13b). If the potential difference between drive electrodes 10a, 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a, 13b) is set to a predetermined maximum potential difference (e.g., 30 [V]), the diffusion of light in that direction becomes maximum (100 [%]), and if no potential difference is generated at all, no expansion of light in that direction occurs (0 [%]). Alternatively, if the potential difference between drive electrodes 10a, 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a, 13b) is set to 50 [%] of the above maximum potential difference (e.g., 15V), the diffusion of light in that direction is 50 [%].

[0070] In addition, the interval (also called the cell gap) between the substrates (between the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6) of each liquid crystal unit 2 is relatively wide and is set to about 30 μm to 50 μm, thereby suppressing the influence of the electric field formed on one substrate from spreading to the other substrate side as much as possible. In addition, the driving voltage that generates a potential difference between adjacent driving electrodes 10a, 10b (or between driving electrodes 13a, 13b) is a so-called AC rectangular wave, which can naturally prevent the burning of liquid crystal molecules.

[0071] Furthermore, the orientation direction of each orientation film, the extension direction of the drive electrodes of each substrate, and the angle formed therebetween can be appropriately changed for the entire optical element 100 or each liquid crystal unit 2 according to the characteristics of the liquid crystal used and the optical properties to be exerted.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, with respect to the optical element 100, a structure in which four first liquid crystal units 2_1, second liquid crystal units 2_2, third liquid crystal units 2_3 and fourth liquid crystal units 2_4 are stacked is described, but it is not limited to this structure. For example, a structure in which two or three liquid crystal units 2 are stacked, or a structure in which more than five liquid crystal units 2 are stacked may also be adopted.

[0073] In the present disclosure, in the lighting device 1 of the above structure, the light incident from the light source 4 to the optical element is controlled in two directions, the Dx direction and the Dy direction, by controlling the driving voltage of each liquid crystal unit 2. In addition, the longitudinal diffusion and the lateral diffusion mentioned above can also be collectively referred to as light diffusion. Moreover, the shape of the light emitted from the optical element is changed thereby. The shape of the light refers to the shape of the light appearing on the surface parallel to the emission surface of the optical element, which can also be referred to as the light distribution shape. Fig. 9 The control of light diffusion degree in the present invention will be described.

[0074] Fig. 9 1 is a conceptual diagram for conceptually explaining the control of light diffusion by the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 , the irradiation range of light on the imaginary plane xy perpendicular to the Dz direction is shown. In addition, due to the distance from the light source 4, the diffraction phenomenon of light, etc., the outline of the actual irradiation range is slightly unclear.

[0075] As described above, by supplying driving voltages to the driving electrodes 10 and 13 of the liquid crystal cells 2 of the optical element 100 disposed on the optical axis of the light source 4, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 of the liquid crystal layer 8 is controlled. Thus, the light distribution shape of the light emitted from the optical element 100 is controlled.

[0076] Specifically, for example, as described above, the light distribution shape in the Dx direction changes according to the driving voltage applied to the driving electrode 10 or the driving electrode 13 extending in the Dy direction in each liquid crystal unit 2. The diffusion of light toward the Dx direction can be called lateral diffusion. In addition, the light distribution shape in the Dy direction changes according to the driving voltage applied to the driving electrode 10 or the driving electrode 13 extending in the Dx direction in the first liquid crystal unit to the fourth liquid crystal unit. The diffusion of light toward the Dy direction can be called longitudinal diffusion.

[0077] In the present disclosure, the minimum diffusion degree of the lateral diffusion and the longitudinal diffusion is set to 0[%], and the maximum diffusion degree is set to 100[%]. More specifically, when the lateral diffusion degree is 0[%], the driving electrode that functions to expand the light distribution state in the Dx direction (for example, the driving electrode 10 extending in the Dy direction in the first substrate 5 of the first liquid crystal unit 2_1) does not act on the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8. In this case, there is no potential difference between the adjacent driving electrodes 10a, 10b, or the potential is not supplied to the electrodes. On the other hand, when the lateral diffusion degree is 100[%], the driving electrode that functions to expand the light distribution state in the Dx direction (for example, the driving electrode 10 extending in the Dy direction in the first substrate 5 of the first liquid crystal unit 2_1) acts on the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8 to the greatest extent. In this case, the potential difference between the adjacent driving electrodes 10a, 10b is set to the maximum potential difference in the optical element 100 (for example, 30V). When the lateral diffusion is greater than 0% and less than 100%, a potential adjusted so that the potential difference between adjacent drive electrodes 10a and 10b is greater than 0V and less than the maximum potential difference (eg, 30V) is applied to the electrode.

[0078] Fig. 9 The outline a shown is an example of the irradiation range when both the lateral diffusion and the longitudinal diffusion are 100[%]. Fig. 9 The outline b shown exemplifies the irradiation range when the lateral diffusivity is 100[%] and the longitudinal diffusivity is 0[%]. Fig. 9 The outline c shown is an example of the irradiation range when the lateral diffusion is 0[%] and the longitudinal diffusion is 100[%]. Fig. 9 The outline d shown illustrates the irradiation range when both the lateral and longitudinal diffusivities are 0 [%]. That is, the outline d shows the light distribution state when the light from the light source 4 is emitted without any control by the optical element 100 (so-called directly passing through the optical element 100).

[0079] Thus, in the lighting device 1 having the above configuration, the lateral and longitudinal diffusivities of the light emitted from the optical element 100 can be controlled by controlling the driving voltage of each liquid crystal cell 2. Thus, the light distribution shape of the light emitted from the lighting device 1 can be changed.

[0080] Fig.10 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting system according to the embodiment. The lighting system according to the embodiment includes a lighting device 1 and a control device 200. The control device 200 is exemplified by a portable communication terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer.

[0081] The lighting device 1 and the control device 200 transmit and receive data and various command signals via the communication unit 300. In the present disclosure, the communication unit 300 is, for example, a wireless communication unit such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark). The lighting device 1 and the control device 200 may also wirelessly communicate via a specified network such as a mobile communication network. Alternatively, the lighting device 1 and the control device 200 may be connected by wire to communicate by wire. Fig.10 In the embodiment, a method in which the control device 200 controls the lighting devices 1_1, 1_2, ..., 1-n is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to the number of lighting devices 1 that are controlled by the control device 200.

[0082] Fig.11 : is an appearance diagram of an example of a control device 200 involved in the embodiment. The control device 200 is a display device (touch screen) with a touch detection function in which a display panel 20 and a touch sensor 30 are integrated. As internal structural elements, the control device 200 is equipped with various ICs such as a detection IC and a display IC, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory: Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory: Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory: Read Only Memory), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit: Graphics Processing Unit), etc. of a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200.

[0083] The display panel 20 is a so-called embedded type or hybrid type device that has a built-in touch sensor 30. The display panel 20 has a built-in touch sensor 30 that is integrated, which means that, for example, a substrate, an electrode, or some other components used as the display panel 20 and a substrate, an electrode, or some other components used as the touch sensor 30 are used in combination. In addition, the display panel 20 may be a so-called embedded type device that has a touch sensor 30 mounted on a display device.

[0084] The display panel 20 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel using a liquid crystal display element, but is not limited thereto and may be, for example, an organic EL display panel (OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode) or an inorganic EL display panel (micro LED, mini LED).

[0085] An example of the touch sensor 30 is an electrostatic capacitance touch sensor, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the touch sensor 30 may be a resistive film touch sensor, an ultrasonic touch sensor, or an optical touch sensor.

[0086] Fig.12 : is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a touch detection area in the touch sensor 30. A plurality of detection elements 31 are provided in the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30. The plurality of detection elements 31 are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction in the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30, and are arranged in a matrix. In other words, the touch sensor 30 has a detection area FA overlapping with the plurality of detection elements 31 arranged in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0087] Hereinafter, a specific structure and operation for controlling the light diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 in the structure of the lighting system according to the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

[0088] (Implementation Method 1)

[0089] Fig.13 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control block configuration of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, a control block configuration for executing a light diffusion degree setting process described later will be described.

[0090] like Fig.13As shown, the control device 200 involved in Embodiment 1 includes a display panel 20, a touch sensor 30, a detection circuit 211, a position extraction circuit 212, a movement amount calculation circuit 221, a light diffusion calculation circuit 222, a storage circuit 223, a position conversion circuit 224, a transceiver circuit 225, and a display control circuit 231. The detection circuit 211 and the position extraction circuit 212 are, for example, composed of a detection IC. Alternatively, the detection circuit 211, the position extraction circuit 212, and the display control circuit 231 may be mounted on the display panel 20 as a display IC, or mounted on an FPC connected to the display panel 20. The movement amount calculation circuit 221, the light diffusion calculation circuit 222, the storage circuit 223, and the position conversion circuit 224 are, for example, composed of a CPU, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200. In addition, the display control circuit 231 may also be a display IC mounted on the display panel 20 as described above, and further, for example, may also be a structure including a GPU, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200. The transceiver circuit 225 is constituted by, for example, a wireless communication module of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like constituting the control device 200 .

[0091] The detection circuit 211 is a circuit that detects the presence or absence of a touch on the touch sensor 30 based on the detection signal output from each detection element 31 of the touch sensor 30 .

[0092] The position extraction circuit 212 is a logic circuit that obtains the touch detection position when a touch is detected in the detection circuit 211 , and further obtains the position of the touched object (image).

[0093] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 calculates the movement amount of an object (image) that moves while touching the touch detection position extracted by the position extraction circuit 212 or the light diffusion setting screen described later. The movement amount calculation circuit 221 is a component implemented by a CPU of a smartphone, tablet computer, or the like constituting the control device 200, for example.

[0094] The light diffusion calculation circuit 222 calculates the diffusion of light emitted from the lighting device 1 to be controlled based on the touch detection position or the movement amount of the touched object calculated by the movement amount calculation circuit 221. The light diffusion calculation circuit 222 is a component realized by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, tablet computer, or the like constituting the control device 200.

[0095] The storage circuit 223 is composed of, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200. In the present disclosure, in the storage circuit 223, for example, the touch detection position extracted by the position extraction circuit 212 or the position of the touched object, and the light diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 of the control object are stored. In addition, in the present embodiment, the reference movement amount Px in the X direction and the reference movement amount Py in the Y direction used in the light diffusion degree setting process described later are stored in the storage circuit 223. In addition, in the storage circuit 223, for example, intermediate data in the light diffusion degree setting process described later is temporarily stored. The reference movement amounts Px and Py are described later.

[0096] The position conversion circuit 224 is a component implemented by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, tablet, or the like constituting the control device 200. In the present disclosure, the position conversion circuit 224 converts light diffusion information sent from the lighting device 1 to be controlled into position information on the display area of ​​the display panel 20 of the control device 200.

[0097] The transceiver circuit 225 transmits and receives light diffusion information to and from the lighting device 1. Specifically, the transceiver circuit 225 transmits the light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction and the light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction as first light diffusion information to the lighting device 1. In addition, the transceiver circuit 225 receives the second light diffusion information (the light diffusion S2x in the Dx direction and the light diffusion S2y in the Dy direction) transmitted from the lighting device 1.

[0098] The display control circuit 231 performs a display control process for displaying a light diffusion setting screen described later on the display panel 20. In the present disclosure, the display control circuit 231 performs display control on the display panel 20 based on light diffusion information stored in the storage circuit 223 and position information of various image images.

[0099] Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control block structure of the lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 1. Fig.14 As shown, the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment includes a transceiver circuit 111 , an electrode drive circuit 112 , and a storage circuit 113 as control blocks for controlling the optical element 100 .

[0100] The transceiver circuit 111 transmits and receives light diffusion information to and from the control device 200. Specifically, the transceiver circuit 111 receives the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction and light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction) transmitted from the control device 200. In addition, the transceiver circuit 111 transmits the light diffusion S2x in the Dx direction and the light diffusion S2y in the Dy direction stored in the storage circuit 113 to the control device 200 as the second light diffusion information.

[0101] In the present invention, when the lighting device 1 is started, the transceiver circuit 111 sends the Dx direction light diffusion S2x and the Dy direction light diffusion S2y stored in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion information to the control device 200, and stores the first light diffusion information (Dx direction light diffusion S1x and Dy direction light diffusion S1y) sent from the control device 200 through the light diffusion setting process of the control device 200 described later as new Dx direction light diffusion S2x and Dy direction light diffusion S2y in the storage circuit 113. That is, by sending the first light diffusion information from the control device 200 to the lighting device 1, the second light diffusion information is updated to the first light diffusion information. In addition, the lighting device 1 does not store the second light diffusion information for the first time (the longitudinal diffusion and the lateral diffusion are both 0 [%]). In this case, the second light diffusion information is stored by sending the first light diffusion information from the control device 200.

[0102] The electrode driving circuit 112 supplies a driving voltage corresponding to the light diffusion degree S2 x in the Dx direction and the light diffusion degree S2 y in the Dy direction stored in the storage circuit 113 to each driving electrode 10 , 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 .

[0103] Specifically, when the lighting device 1 is activated, the electrode driving circuit 112 supplies a driving voltage corresponding to the second light diffusion degree information stored in the storage circuit 113 to each driving electrode 10 , 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 .

[0104] Furthermore, the electrode driving circuit 112 supplies a driving voltage corresponding to the second light diffusion degree information updated based on the first light diffusion degree information sent from the control device 200 to each driving electrode 10 , 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 .

[0105] The storage circuit 113 is constituted by, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. In the present disclosure, the final value of the second light diffusion degree information at the last operation of the lighting device 1 is stored in the storage circuit 113 .

[0106] Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display method of the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 according to the first embodiment. Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15DOn the light diffusion setting screen shown, the X direction is defined to correspond to the Dx direction (first direction) in the light diffusion control of the lighting device 1, and the Y direction is defined to correspond to the Dy direction (second direction) in the light diffusion control of the lighting device 1. In addition, an XY plane is defined with a predetermined position on the light diffusion setting screen as the origin O (0, 0).

[0107] The display panel 20 is provided with a display area DA that overlaps with the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 in a plan view. Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D In the example shown, a light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed with the origin O (0, 0) of the XY plane on the light diffusion setting screen as the center point, and a first slider S1 (first light diffusion setting object) and a second slider S2 (second light diffusion setting object) for operating the light distribution state of the lighting device 1 are arranged on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0108] The light distribution shape object OBJ is an image corresponding to the light distribution state of light emitted from the lighting device 1 .

[0109] The first slider S1 and the second slider S2 are, for example, image images displayed on the display area DA, and the user can move them by touching them with a finger (drag operation).

[0110] By moving the first slider S1 in the X direction, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ can be changed. In addition, the light diffusion degree in the Dx direction of the lighting device 1 can be controlled. In addition, by moving the second slider S2 in the Y direction, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ can be changed. In addition, the light diffusion degree in the Dy direction of the lighting device 1 can be controlled.

[0111] exist Fig.15A , an example is shown in which the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction of the lighting device 1 is set to 50[%] and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction is set to 50[%]. Fig.15A As shown, the values ​​of the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction are also displayed on the display screen. In addition, hereinafter, the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction is referred to as the lateral diffusion degree Sx, and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction is referred to as the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy. Fig. 15B In FIG. 1 , an example is shown in which the lateral diffusion Sx of the lighting device 1 is set to 100[%] and the longitudinal diffusion Sy is set to 100[%]. Fig. 15C In FIG. 1 , an example is shown in which the lateral diffusion Sx of the lighting device 1 is set to 0[%] and the longitudinal diffusion Sy is set to 0[%]. Fig.15D, an example is shown in which the lateral diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 is set to 100[%] and the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy is set to 50[%].

[0112] In this disclosure, Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D As shown, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ on the light diffusion degree setting screen changes to a circle or an ellipse as the first slider S1 and the second slider S2 are moved.

[0113] like Fig. 9 As shown, in the lighting device 1 as the control object in the present disclosure, even when both the lateral diffusion Sx and the longitudinal diffusion Sy of the lighting device 1 are set to 0 [%], light (contour d) is irradiated to a predetermined substantially circular range. Fig. 15C As shown in FIG. 1 , when both the lateral diffusion degree Sx and the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy are set to 0[%], a small circular light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0114] Furthermore, even if both the lateral diffusion degree Sx and the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy are set to 0[%], there is an actual light irradiation range by the lighting device 1, and therefore the actual light irradiation range can be intuitively understood.

[0115] In this disclosure, Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D As shown in FIG. 1 , a first area TA1 is provided as an area where the first slider S1 can be operated.

[0116] The first slider S1 is set to be movable in the first area TA1 in the X direction between a position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the lateral diffusion degree Sx is 0[%] and a position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the lateral diffusion degree Sx is 100[%]. Therefore, it goes without saying that even if the user's finger leaves the screen, the first slider S1 will not move even if the user does not leave the screen but deviates from the first area TA1.

[0117] In addition, in the present disclosure, Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D As shown in FIG. 1 , a second area TA2 is provided as an area where the second slider S2 can be operated.

[0118] The second slider S2 is set to be movable in the Y direction within the second area TA2 from a position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy is 0[%] to a position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy is 100[%]. Therefore, it goes without saying that the user's finger leaves the screen. Even if the user does not leave the screen but deviates from the second area TA2, the second slider S2 will not move.

[0119] Fig.16 This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the position on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1 and the light diffusion. In the present disclosure, for ease of explanation, the position (coordinates) on the display area DA of the display panel 20 and the position (coordinates) on the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 are assumed to be equivalent and explained.

[0120] On the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 according to the first embodiment, the lateral diffusion Sx of the lighting device 1 can be set by the amount of movement of the position x of the intersection of the X axis of the XY plane and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0121] In the present disclosure, the position x of the intersection of the X-axis and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ is set as the center point of the first slider S1. In other words, the position x0 of the first slider S1 on the display area DA overlaps with the position x of the intersection of the X-axis and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ. Thus, by touching the first slider S1 and moving it in the X-axis direction, the lateral diffusion Sx of the lighting device 1 can be set. Fig.16 “Sx” in denoted by ref represents the lateral diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 (eg, “50” [%]).

[0122] When the intersection of the X axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the lateral diffusion degree Sx is 100[%] is defined as X 100 When the intersection point of the X axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the lateral diffusion Sx is 0[%] is set to X0, the reference movement amount Px in the X direction on the XY plane when the lateral diffusion change ΔSx of the lighting device 1 is 1[%] is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0123] Px=(X 100 -X0) / 100···(1)

[0124] The relationship between the lateral spread Sx and the position x0 of the first slider S1 on the display area DA on the XY plane is expressed by the following equations (2) and (3) using the above equation (1).

[0125] Sx=(x0-X0) / Px···(2)

[0126] x0=Sx×Px+X0···(3)

[0127] In addition, on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 according to the first embodiment, the longitudinal diffusion Sy of the lighting device 1 can be set by the amount of movement of the position y of the intersection of the Y axis of the XY plane and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0128] In the present disclosure, the position y of the intersection of the Y axis and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ is set as the center point of the second slider S2. In other words, the position y0 of the second slider S2 on the display area DA overlaps with the position y of the intersection of the Y axis and the outline of the light distribution shape object OBJ. Thus, by touching the second slider S2 and moving it in the Y axis direction, the longitudinal diffusion Sy of the lighting device 1 can be set. Fig.16 “Sy” in denoted by ref represents the longitudinal diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 (eg, “50” [%]).

[0129] When the intersection of the Y axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy is 100[%] is defined as Y 100 When the intersection of the Y axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the longitudinal diffusion Sy is 0[%] is set to Y0, the reference movement amount Py in the Y direction on the XY plane when the longitudinal diffusion change ΔSy of the lighting device 1 is 1[%] is expressed by the following formula (4).

[0130] Py=(Y 100 -Y0) / 100···(4)

[0131] The relationship between the vertical spread Sy and the position y0 of the second slider S2 on the display area DA on the XY plane is expressed by the following equations (5) and (6) using the above equation (4).

[0132] Sy=(y0-Y0) / Py···(5)

[0133] y0=Sy×Py+Y0···(6)

[0134] In addition, here, the method of displaying the circular light distribution shape object OBJ when both the lateral diffusion degree Sx and the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy are set to 0[%] is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the origin O(0, 0) of the XY plane on the light diffusion degree setting screen may be set to the position when both the lateral diffusion degree Sx and the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy are set to 0[%].

[0135] Hereinafter, the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment and the light diffusion degree setting process of the lighting device 1 in the lighting system will be described.

[0136] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing an example of initial setting of the light diffusion degree setting screen in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree setting processing in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0137] The control device 200 first executes Fig.17 The initial settings of the light diffusion setting screen are shown.

[0138] The control device 200 sends a request command for the second light diffusion information to the activated lighting device 1. The transceiver circuit 111 of the lighting device 1 reads the second light diffusion information stored in the storage circuit 113 and sends it to the control device 200. In addition, the electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 supplies a drive voltage corresponding to the second light diffusion information stored in the storage circuit 113 to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100.

[0139] The control device 200 determines whether the second light diffusion degree information is received from the lighting device 1 (step S101). If the second light diffusion degree information is not received (step S101; No), the process of step S101 is repeatedly executed.

[0140] When the second light diffusion information is received from the lighting device 1 (step S101; yes), the transceiver circuit 225 of the control device 200 uses the light diffusion S2x in the Dx direction in the second light diffusion information as the lateral diffusion Sx, and the light diffusion S2y in the Dy direction as the longitudinal diffusion Sy and saves them in the storage circuit 223 (step S102).

[0141] The position conversion circuit 224 of the control device 200 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx and the longitudinal diffusion Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S103), and uses the above-mentioned formulas (3) and (6) to convert the lateral diffusion Sx into the X-direction position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion setting screen, and converts the longitudinal diffusion Sy into the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 on the light diffusion setting screen (step S104), and stores them in the storage circuit 223 (step S105).

[0142] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx, the X-direction position x0, the longitudinal diffusion Sy, and the Y-direction position y0 obtained by the processing of the above steps S101 to S105 from the storage circuit 223, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the display of the lateral diffusion Sx, the position of the first slider S1, the display of the longitudinal diffusion Sy, and the position of the second slider S2 (step S106), and transfers to Fig.18 The light diffusion degree setting process is in the standby state (step S107) shown.

[0143] In the first embodiment, it is described Fig.17 After the initial setting of the light diffusion setting screen shown in the figure is transferred to the standby state of the light diffusion setting process, the light diffusion setting screen is executed. Fig.18 An example of light diffusion degree setting processing is shown.

[0144] The control device 200 performs touch detection processing of the first slider S1 (step S111) and touch detection processing of the second slider S2 (step S131) ​​in the standby state of the light diffusion setting processing. Specifically, if the first slider S1 is touched (step S111; yes), the process proceeds to step S112, and if the first slider S1 is not touched (step S111; no), the process proceeds to step S131. If the second slider S2 is touched (step S131; yes), the process proceeds to step S132, and if the second slider S2 is not touched (step S131; no), the process returns to step S111.

[0145] If the first slider S1 is touched and moves within the first area TA (step S111 ; Yes), the position extraction circuit 212 extracts the X-direction position x1 of the first slider S1 after the movement (step S112 ).

[0146] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 reads the position x0 stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S113), and calculates the X-direction movement amount Δx (= x1-x0) of the first slider S1 (step S114). In addition, the position extraction circuit 212 updates the extracted X-direction position x1 on the detection area FA to a new X-direction position x0, and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S115).

[0147] The light diffusion calculation circuit 222 divides the X-direction movement Δx calculated by the movement calculation circuit 221 by the reference movement Px to calculate the lateral diffusion change ΔSx (step S116). In addition, the light diffusion calculation circuit 222 reads the lateral diffusion Sx before the first slider S1 moves stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S117), calculates the lateral diffusion Sx (=Sx+ΔSx) after the first slider moves (step S118), and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S119).

[0148] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx and the X-direction position x0 calculated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S112 to S119 from the storage circuit 223, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in such a way that the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1 and the lateral diffusion Sx are reflected in the display (step S120).

[0149] The detection circuit 211 detects whether the touch state of the first slider S1 is released (step S121). When the touch state of the first slider S1 continues (step S121; no), the processing from step S112 to step S121 is repeatedly performed. Thus, while the touch state of the first slider S1 continues, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the lateral diffusion degree Sx change in real time following the movement of the first slider S1. That is, the actions of steps S112 to S121 are performed in a very short time, for example, in synchronization with the cycle of touch detection at a cycle of 30Hz to 120Hz. Therefore, the user himself moves the first slider S1 in step S112, but the action is directly reflected on the display screen via step S120, and the user can recognize that his own action and the change in the display of the screen are performed in an integrated manner. This effect is also the same in the following control of longitudinal diffusion.

[0150] When the touch state of the first slider S1 is released (step S121; yes), the transceiver circuit 225 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S122), uses the read lateral diffusion Sx as the light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction, sends the first light diffusion information to the lighting device 1 (step S123), and returns to the processing of step S111.

[0151] In addition, in the present invention, the situation where the touch state of the first slider S1 is released (step S121; yes) includes the situation where the drag operation of the first slider S1 is released, such as the situation where the user's finger leaves the first slider S1 and the situation where the touch detection position becomes outside the first area TA1.

[0152] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 receives the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction) received from the control device 200 as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and based on the second light diffusion information, supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100. Thus, the lateral diffusion Sx set on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 is reflected in the light diffusion control (lateral diffusion) of the lighting device 1.

[0153] If the second slider S2 is touched (step S131 ; Yes), the position extraction circuit 212 extracts the Y-direction position y1 of the second slider S2 on the detection area FA (step S132 ).

[0154] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 reads the position y0 stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S133), and calculates the Y-direction movement amount Δy (= y1-y0) of the second slider S2 (step S134). Then, the position extraction circuit 212 extracts the Y-direction position y1 on the detection area FA as the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S135).

[0155] The light diffusion calculation circuit 222 divides the Y-direction movement Δy calculated by the movement calculation circuit 221 by the reference movement Py to calculate the longitudinal diffusion change ΔSy (step S136). In addition, the light diffusion calculation circuit 222 reads the longitudinal diffusion Sy before the second slider moves stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S137), calculates the longitudinal diffusion Sy (=Sy+ΔSy) after the second slider moves (step S138), and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S139).

[0156] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the longitudinal diffusion Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S132 to S139 from the storage circuit 223, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the longitudinal diffusion Sy (step S140).

[0157] The detection circuit 211 detects whether the touch state of the second slider S2 is released (step S141). If the touch state of the second slider S2 continues (step S141; No), the processing from step S132 to step S141 is repeatedly performed. Thus, while the touch state of the second slider S2 continues, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the longitudinal diffusion degree Sy change in real time in accordance with the movement of the second slider S2.

[0158] When the touch state of the second slider S2 is released (step S141; yes), the transceiver circuit 225 reads the longitudinal diffusion Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S142), uses the read longitudinal diffusion Sy as the light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction, sends the first light diffusion information to the lighting device 1 (step S143), and returns to the processing of step S111.

[0159] In addition, in the present invention, the situation where the touch state of the second slider S2 is released (step S141; yes) includes the situation where the drag operation of the second slider S2 is released, such as the situation where the user's finger leaves the second slider S2 and the situation where the touch detection position becomes outside the second area TA2.

[0160] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 receives the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction) received from the control device 200 as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and based on the second light diffusion information, supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100. Thus, the longitudinal diffusion Sy set on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200 is reflected in the light diffusion control (longitudinal diffusion) of the lighting device 1.

[0161] In the light diffusion setting process involved in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, while the touch on the first slider S1 continues, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the lateral diffusion Sx change in real time following the movement of the first slider S1. On the other hand, the actual light distribution control of the lighting device 1 is executed after the touch on the first slider S1 and the second slider S2 are released. That is, when the first slider S1 is touched and moved left and right on the screen, although the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ on the screen changes, the actual light distribution state of the lighting device 1 does not change. The actual light distribution state of the lighting device 1 changes when the touch on each slider is released or the touch position deviates from the first area TA1 and the second area TA2. Therefore, on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200, after the light diffusion of the lighting device 1 in the Dx direction or the Dy direction is set on the screen, the set light diffusion is reflected in the light distribution control of the lighting device.

[0162] (Variation Example)

[0163] Fig.19 FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree setting processing in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to the modification of the first embodiment. Fig.18 Different points in the flowcharts shown are described in detail, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0164] exist Fig.19 In the light diffusion setting process of the control device of the lighting device involved in the variant example of the embodiment 1 shown, after the display control of the display panel 20 is executed in step S120, the transceiver circuit 225 immediately reads the lateral diffusion Sx stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S122), uses the read lateral diffusion Sx as the light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction, and sends the first light diffusion information to the lighting device 1 (step S123).

[0165] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 takes the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction) received from the control device 200 as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and based on the second light diffusion information, supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100.

[0166] Then, the detection circuit 211 detects whether the touch state on the first slider S1 is released (step S121 ). If the touch state on the first slider S1 is released (step S121 ; Yes), the process returns to step S111 .

[0167] When the touch state of the first slider S1 continues (step S121; No), the processing from step S112 to step S123 is repeatedly performed. Thus, while the touch state of the first slider S1 continues, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the lateral diffusion Sx change in real time in accordance with the movement of the first slider S1. Furthermore, in accordance with the movement of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200, the light distribution state of the lighting device 1 changes in real time.

[0168] In addition, Fig.19 In the light diffusion setting process of the control device of the lighting device involved in the variant example of the embodiment 1 shown, after the display control of the display panel 20 is executed in step S140, the transceiver circuit 225 immediately reads the longitudinal diffusion Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S142), uses the read longitudinal diffusion Sy as the light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction, and sends the first light diffusion information to the lighting device 1 (step S143).

[0169] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 takes the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction) received from the control device 200 as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion information.

[0170] Then, the detection circuit 211 detects whether the touch state on the second slider S2 is released (step S141 ). If the touch state on the second slider S2 is released (step S141 ; Yes), the process returns to step S111 .

[0171] When the touch state of the second slider S2 continues (step S141; No), the processing from step S132 to step S143 is repeatedly performed. Thus, while the touch state of the second slider S2 continues, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the longitudinal diffusion Sy change in real time in accordance with the movement of the second slider S2. Furthermore, in accordance with the movement of the second slider S2 on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200, the longitudinal diffusion Sy is reflected in real time in the light diffusion control of the lighting device 1.

[0172] In the light diffusion setting process according to the modification of the first embodiment, not only the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ but also the orientation control of the lighting device changes in real time by following the movement of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion setting screen of the control device 200. Thus, the light diffusion of the lighting device 1 in the Dx direction and the Dy direction can be set more intuitively than in the light diffusion setting process according to the first embodiment.

[0173] (Implementation Method 2)

[0174] Fig. 20 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control block structure of a control device 200a according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, a control block structure for performing a light diffusion degree fine adjustment process described later is described. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in Embodiment 1, and the description repeated in Embodiment 1 is omitted.

[0175] like Fig. 20 As shown, the control device 200a involved in embodiment 2 includes a display panel 20, a touch sensor 30, a detection circuit 211, a position extraction circuit 212, a light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a, a storage circuit 223a, a transceiver circuit 225, a position calculation circuit 226 and a display control circuit 231.

[0176] The light diffusion calculation circuit 222a adds the defined fine adjustment amount to the object extracted by the position extraction circuit 212, and calculates the light diffusion of the lighting device 1 of the control object. The light diffusion calculation circuit 222a is, for example, a component implemented by a CPU of a smartphone, tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200a. In addition, the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a may be a component substantially the same as the light diffusion calculation circuit 222 of the control device 200 involved in Embodiment 1.

[0177] The storage circuit 223a is composed of, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. constituting the control device 200a. In the present embodiment, in addition to the reference movement amount Px in the X direction and the reference movement amount Py in the Y direction, the storage circuit 223a also stores the fine adjustment amounts ΔSxf(+), ΔSxf(-), and the fine adjustment amounts ΔSyf(+), ΔSyf(-) used in the light diffusion fine adjustment process described later. In addition, the storage circuit 223a temporarily stores, for example, intermediate data in the light diffusion fine adjustment process described later. In addition, the storage circuit 223a may be a structural unit substantially the same as the storage circuit 223 of the control device 200 involved in Embodiment 1.

[0178] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the X-direction position x0 of the first slider S1 on the display area DA and the Y-direction position y0 of the second slider S2 on the display area DA on the light diffusion setting screen corresponding to the light diffusion calculated by the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a. The position calculation circuit 226 is a component realized by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, tablet computer, or the like constituting the control device 200a.

[0179] Fig.21A , Fig. 21B This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display form of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200a according to the second embodiment.

[0180] The display panel 20 is provided with a display area DA that overlaps with the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 in a plan view. Fig.21A , Fig. 21B In the example shown, similarly to the first embodiment, a light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed with the origin O(0, 0) of the XY plane on the light diffusion setting screen as the center point, and a first slider S1 and a second slider S2 for setting the light diffusion of the lighting device 1 are arranged on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0181] In the display mode of the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200a according to the second embodiment, in addition to Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D In addition to the display method of embodiment 1 shown, there is also a toggle switch (fine-tuning switching object) TSW for selecting the effectiveness (ON) or ineffectiveness (OFF) of the light diffusion fine-tuning processing, a first fine-tuning button (first fine-tuning object) B1 for fine-tuning the light diffusion in the Dx direction (first direction) of the lighting device 1, and a second fine-tuning button (second fine-tuning object) B2 for fine-tuning the light diffusion in the Dy direction (second direction) of the lighting device 1.

[0182] like Fig.21A , Fig. 21B As shown, the first fine adjustment buttons B1 include a first fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment target on the positive side) B1(+) for fine adjustment on the positive side of the Dx direction and a first fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment target on the negative side) B1(-) for fine adjustment on the negative side.

[0183] In addition, if Fig.21A , Fig. 21B As shown, the second fine adjustment button B2 includes a second fine adjustment button (a second fine adjustment target on the positive side) B2(+) for fine adjustment on the positive side of the Dy direction and a second fine adjustment button (a second fine adjustment target on the negative side) B2(-) for fine adjustment on the negative side.

[0184] The slide switch TSW is, for example, a button (image image) displayed as an icon that allows selection of whether the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF) by touching the slide switch TSW displayed on the display area DA and moving it left or right.

[0185] exist Fig.21A , Fig. 21B In the example shown, the slide switch TSW is displayed in the upper right corner of the light diffusion setting screen.

[0186] like Fig.21A As shown, the first fine adjustment button B1(+), the first fine adjustment button B1(-), the second fine adjustment button B2(+), and the second fine adjustment button B2(-) are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is invalidated (OFF).

[0187] In addition, if Fig. 21B As shown, the first fine adjustment button B1(+), the first fine adjustment button B1(−), the second fine adjustment button B2(+), and the second fine adjustment button B2(−) are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled (ON).

[0188] Regarding the first fine-tuning button B1(+), a fine-tuning amount (first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount) ΔSxf(+) added in the Dx direction (first direction) relative to the lateral diffusion Sx is defined. The fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(+) is set, for example, to the minimum value of the change in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, +1[%]). The first fine-tuning button B1(+) is, for example, a button (image image) displayed as an icon that allows the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(+) added to the lateral diffusion Sx to be selected by touching the first fine-tuning button B1(+) displayed on the display area DA.

[0189] In addition, regarding the first fine-tuning button B1(-), a fine-tuning amount (first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount) ΔSxf(-) that is reduced in the Dx direction (first direction) relative to the lateral diffusion Sx is defined. The lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(-) is set to, for example, the minimum value of the amount of change in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, -1[%]). The first fine-tuning button B1(-) is, for example, a button (image image) displayed as an icon that allows the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(-) to be added to the lateral diffusion Sx to be selected by touching the first fine-tuning button B1(-) displayed on the display area DA.

[0190] exist Fig.21A , Fig. 21B In the example shown, the first fine adjustment button B1 (+) and the first fine adjustment button B1 (−) are displayed side by side in the X direction, for example, below the XY plane on which the light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0191] Regarding the second fine-tuning button B2(+), a fine-tuning amount (second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount) ΔSyf(+) added in the Dy direction (second direction) relative to the longitudinal diffusion Sy is defined. The fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(+) is set, for example, to the minimum value of the change in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, +1[%]). The second fine-tuning button B2(+) is, for example, a button (image image) displayed as an icon that allows the fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(+) added to the longitudinal diffusion Sy to be selected by touching the second fine-tuning button B2(+) displayed on the display area DA.

[0192] In addition, in the second fine-tuning button B2(-), a longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount (second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount) ΔSyf(-) that is reduced in the Dy direction (second direction) relative to the longitudinal diffusion Sy is defined. The longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(-) is set to, for example, the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, -1[%]). The second fine-tuning button B2(-) is, for example, a button (image image) displayed as an icon that allows the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(-) to be added to the longitudinal diffusion Sy to be selected by touching the second fine-tuning button B2(-) displayed on the display area DA.

[0193] exist Fig.21A , Fig. 21B In the example shown, the second fine adjustment button B2 (+) and the second fine adjustment button B2 (−) are displayed side by side in the Y direction, for example, on the right side of the XY plane where the light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0194] The display positions of the first fine adjustment button B1 and the second fine adjustment button B2 on the light diffusion setting screen are not limited to Fig.21A , Fig. 21BThe example shown. The first fine adjustment button B1(+) and the first fine adjustment button B1(-) can be displayed side by side along the X direction on the light diffusion setting screen. The second fine adjustment button B2(+) and the second fine adjustment button B2(-) can be displayed side by side along the Y direction on the light diffusion setting screen.

[0195] Hereinafter, the control device 200 a of the lighting device 1 according to the second embodiment and the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process of the lighting device 1 in the lighting system will be described.

[0196] Fig. 22 This is a flowchart showing an example of light diffusion degree fine adjustment processing in the control device 200a of the lighting device 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0197] In the second embodiment, it is described Fig.17 The light diffusion setting process screen shown in the figure is initially set to the light diffusion setting process standby state, and the light diffusion setting process is executed. Fig.18 or Fig.19 After the light diffusion setting process shown, execute Fig. 22 An example of light diffusion fine-tuning processing is shown. Fig. 22 The light diffusion degree setting process (step S100) shown in the figure is different from the light diffusion degree setting process (step S100) according to the first embodiment or the modified example of the first embodiment. Fig.18 or Fig.19 ) corresponding to.

[0198] In the following description, it is assumed that the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled (ON) in advance, but it may also be enabled during execution. Fig.18 or Fig.19 After the light diffusion degree setting process shown, the user touches the slide switch TSW to switch the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process from invalid (OFF) to valid (ON).

[0199] In the standby state of the light diffusion fine-tuning process after the light diffusion setting process (step S100), the control device 200a performs touch detection processing of the first fine-tuning button B1 (+) (step S201), touch detection processing of the first fine-tuning button B1 (-) (step S211), touch detection processing of the second fine-tuning button B2 (+) (step S221), and touch detection processing of the second fine-tuning button B2 (-) (step S231).

[0200] Specifically, if the first fine adjustment button B1 (+) is touched (step S201 ; Yes), the process proceeds to step S202 , and if the first fine adjustment button B1 (+) is not touched (step S201 ; No), the process proceeds to step S211 .

[0201] If the first fine adjustment button B1 (-) is touched (step S211; Yes), the process proceeds to step S212, and if the first fine adjustment button B1 (-) is not touched (step S211; No), the process proceeds to step S221.

[0202] If the second fine adjustment button B2 (+) is touched (step S221; Yes), the process proceeds to step S222, and if the second fine adjustment button B2 (+) is not touched (step S221; No), the process proceeds to step S231.

[0203] If the second fine adjustment button B2 (-) is touched (step S231; Yes), the process proceeds to step S232. If the second fine adjustment button B2 (-) is not touched (step S231; No), the process returns to step S201.

[0204] When the first fine-tuning button B1(+) is touched (step S201: Yes), the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a reads the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(+) defined by the first fine-tuning button B1(+) from the storage circuit 223a (step S202), and reads the lateral diffusion Sx before the touch stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S203), and calculates the lateral diffusion Sx after the touch (=Sx+ΔSxf(+)) based on these, and updates the lateral diffusion (step S204). Then, the calculated lateral diffusion Sx is stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S205).

[0205] The position calculation circuit 226 uses the above formula (3) to calculate and update the X-direction position x0 of the first slider S1 on the display area DA after the above-mentioned first fine-tuning button B1 (+) is touched (step S206), and stores the updated X-direction position x0 in the storage circuit 223a (step S207).

[0206] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx and the X-direction position x0 updated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S202 to S207 from the storage circuit 223a, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the lateral diffusion Sx (step S208).

[0207] Furthermore, the transceiver circuit 225 reads out the lateral diffusion degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S209), uses the read lateral diffusion degree Sx as the Dx direction light diffusion degree S1x, and transmits the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device 1 (step S210).

[0208] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 takes the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction) received from the control device 200a as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and based on the second light diffusion information, supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100.

[0209] When the first fine-tuning button B1(-) is touched (step S211; yes), the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a reads out the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(-) defined by the first fine-tuning button B1(-) from the storage circuit 223a (step S212), and then reads out the lateral diffusion Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S213), and calculates the lateral diffusion Sx (=Sx+ΔSxf(-)) (step S214), and stores the calculated lateral diffusion Sx in the storage circuit 223a (step S215).

[0210] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the X-direction position x0 of the first slider S1 in the display area DA using the above formula (3) (step S216 ), and stores the calculated X-direction position x0 in the storage circuit 223 a (step S217 ).

[0211] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the lateral diffusion Sx and the X-direction position x0 calculated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S212 to S217 from the storage circuit 223a, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the lateral diffusion Sx (step S218).

[0212] The transceiver circuit 225 reads out the lateral diffusion degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S219), uses the read lateral diffusion degree Sx as the Dx direction light diffusion degree S1x, and transmits the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device 1 (step S220).

[0213] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 takes the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1x in the Dx direction) received from the control device 200a as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and based on the second light diffusion information, supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100.

[0214] When the second fine-tuning button B2(+) is touched (step S221; yes), the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a reads out the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(+) defined by the second fine-tuning button B2(+) from the storage circuit 223a (step S222), and then reads out the longitudinal diffusion Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S223), and calculates the longitudinal diffusion Sy (=Sy+ΔSyf(+)) (step S224), and stores the calculated longitudinal diffusion Sy in the storage circuit 223a (step S225).

[0215] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the Y-direction position y0 of the second slider S2 on the display area DA using the above formula (6) (step S226 ), and stores the calculated Y-direction position y0 in the storage circuit 223 a (step S227 ).

[0216] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the longitudinal diffusion Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S222 to S227 from the storage circuit 223a, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the longitudinal diffusion Sy (step S228).

[0217] The transceiver circuit 225 reads out the longitudinal diffusivity Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S229), uses the read longitudinal diffusivity Sy as the Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y, and transmits the first light diffusivity information to the lighting device 1 (step S230).

[0218] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 receives the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction) received from the control device 200a as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion information.

[0219] When the second fine-tuning button B2(-) is touched (step S231; yes), the light diffusion calculation circuit 222a reads out the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(-) defined by the second fine-tuning button B2(-) from the storage circuit 223a (step S232), and then reads out the longitudinal diffusion Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S233), and calculates the longitudinal diffusion Sy (=Sy+ΔSyf(-)) (step S234), and stores the calculated longitudinal diffusion Sy in the storage circuit 223a (step S235).

[0220] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the Y-direction position y0 of the second slider S2 on the display area DA using the above formula (6) (step S236 ), and stores the calculated Y-direction position y0 in the storage circuit 223 a (step S237 ).

[0221] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the longitudinal diffusion Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processing of the above-mentioned steps S232 to S237 from the storage circuit 223a, and performs display control of the display panel 20 in a manner reflecting the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the longitudinal diffusion Sy (step S238).

[0222] The transceiver circuit 225 reads out the longitudinal diffusivity Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S239), uses the read longitudinal diffusivity Sy as the Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y, and transmits the first light diffusivity information to the lighting device 1 (step S240).

[0223] The electrode driving circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 receives the first light diffusion information (light diffusion S1y in the Dy direction) received from the control device 200a as the second light diffusion information and stores it in the storage circuit 113, and supplies a driving voltage to each driving electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal unit 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion information.

[0224] In the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process according to the second embodiment, Fig.18 or Fig.19 The light diffusion setting result based on the light diffusion setting process shown can finely adjust the horizontal diffusion Sx and the vertical diffusion Sy. Thus, it is possible to finely adjust the light diffusion which is difficult by moving (dragging) the first slider S1 or the second slider S2 on the light diffusion setting screen.

[0225] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the lateral diffusion fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) and the longitudinal diffusion fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) are used as the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, +1[%]), and the lateral diffusion fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) and the longitudinal diffusion fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) are used as the minimum value of the change amount in the - direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, -1[%]). That is, for example, each time the first fine adjustment button B1(+) is pressed once, the first slider S1 on the display screen moves 1% to the right, and the light distribution state of the lighting device 1a is expanded 1% in the lateral direction. Therefore, in the case of wanting to fine-tune +3% in the x direction, the first fine adjustment button B1(+) can be pressed three times. In addition, by pressing the fine adjustment button multiple times, not only a few percent adjustment can be made, but also a few to several tens of percent adjustment can be made.

[0226] In addition, each value of the lateral diffusivity fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+), the longitudinal diffusivity fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+), the lateral diffusivity fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-), and the longitudinal diffusivity fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) is not limited to ±1%.

[0227] Specifically, it can also be the following method: the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(+) and the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(+) are set to, for example, a value smaller than the minimum value of the change in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, +0.1[%]), and the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(-) and the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(-) are set to, for example, a value smaller than the minimum value of the change in the - direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, -0.1[%]).

[0228] In this case, it can also be as follows: when the accumulated value of the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(+) (or the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(+)) becomes the minimum value of the change in the + direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, +1[%]), the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ and the position of the first slider S1 (or the second slider S2) are displayed on the light diffusion setting screen.

[0229] Alternatively, it may be as follows: when the accumulated value of the lateral diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSxf(-) (or the longitudinal diffusion fine-tuning amount ΔSyf(-)) becomes the minimum value of the change in the - direction in the light diffusion setting process (for example, -1[%]), the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ and the position of the first slider S1 (or the second slider S2) are displayed on the light diffusion setting screen.

[0230] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The contents disclosed in the embodiments are only examples, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Appropriate changes made within the scope of the present disclosure also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0231] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0232] 1. lighting device; 2. liquid crystal unit; 2_1. first liquid crystal unit; 2_2. second liquid crystal unit; 2_3. third liquid crystal unit; 2_4. fourth liquid crystal unit; 4. light source; 5. first substrate; 6. second substrate; 7. sealing material; 8. liquid crystal layer; 9. substrate; 10, 10a, 10b. driving electrode; 11. first metal wiring; 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. metal wiring; 12. substrate; 13, 13a, 13b. driving electrode; 14. second metal wiring; 14a, 14b. metal wiring; 15a, 15b, Conductive portion; 16a, 16b connecting terminal portion; 17, liquid crystal molecules; 18, alignment film; 19, alignment film; 20, display panel; 30, touch sensor; 31, detection element; 100, optical element; 111, transceiver circuit; 112, electrode drive circuit; 113, storage circuit; 200, 200a, control device; 211, detection circuit; 212 position extraction circuit; 221, movement amount calculation circuit; 222, 222a, light diffusion calculation circuit; 223, 223a, storage circuit; 224, position conversion circuit; 225, receiving emitting circuit; 226, position calculation circuit; 231, display control circuit; 300, communication unit; AA, effective area; B1, first fine-tuning button (first fine-tuning object); B1(+), first fine-tuning button (first fine-tuning object); B1(-), first fine-tuning button (first fine-tuning object); B2, second fine-tuning button (second fine-tuning object); B2(+), second fine-tuning button (second fine-tuning object); B2(-), second fine-tuning button (second fine-tuning object); DA, display area; FA, detection area; GA, peripheral area; OBJ, light distribution shape Object; Px, reference movement amount (X direction); Py, reference movement amount (Y direction); S1, first slider (object for setting the first light diffusion); S2, second slider (object for setting the second light diffusion); Sx, lateral diffusion; S1x, S2x, light diffusion in the Dx direction; Sy, longitudinal diffusion; S1y, S2y, light diffusion in the Dy direction; TA1, first area; TA2, second area; TSW, toggle switch (fine-tuning switching object); ΔSxf(+), ΔSxf(-), ΔSyf(+), ΔSyf(-), fine-tuning amount.

Claims

1. A control device for a lighting device, capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from a light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, The control device of the lighting device comprises: A touch sensor having a detection area having a plurality of detection elements; and The display panel has a display area that overlaps with the detection area of ​​the touch sensor when viewed from above, displaying a light diffusion degree setting screen for executing light diffusion degree setting processing of the lighting device in a display area of ​​the display panel, The light diffusion setting screen is defined by an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane with a predetermined position on the light diffusion setting screen as an origin. The light diffusion setting screen has: A light distribution shape object with the origin of the XY plane as the center point; a first light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection of an X-axis of the XY plane and a contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point; and A second light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point of the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point.

2. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: In the light diffusion setting screen, when the touch state of the first light diffusion setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the X-axis direction changes following the movement of the first light diffusion setting object in the X-direction. When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the Y-axis direction changes following the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y-direction.

3. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 2, wherein: The control device of the lighting device transmits the light diffusion degree set in the light diffusion degree setting process to the lighting device as light diffusion degree information.

4. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 3, wherein: When the touch state of the first light diffusion degree setting object is released, the control device of the lighting device transmits light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction to the lighting device, When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is released, the control device of the lighting device transmits light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction to the lighting device.

5. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 3, wherein: When the touch state of the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the control device of the lighting device follows the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction and sends the light diffusion degree information to the lighting device. When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the control device of the lighting device follows the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction and transmits the light diffusion degree information to the lighting device.

6. The control device for a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The light diffusion setting screen has: for selecting a valid or invalid fine-tuning switching object for the light diffusion fine-tuning process of the lighting device; a first fine-tuning object for fine-tuning the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction; as well as a second fine-tuning object for fine-tuning the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction; The first fine adjustment target and the second fine adjustment target are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled, and are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is disabled.

7. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 6, wherein: The first fine-tuning object is defined by a first directional light diffusion fine-tuning amount of the lighting device. The second fine-tuning object is defined by a second directional light diffusion fine-tuning amount of the lighting device. When a touch on the first fine-tuning object is detected, the control device of the lighting device sends light diffusion information obtained by adding the light diffusion in the first direction to the light diffusion fine-tuning amount in the first direction to the lighting device. When a touch on the second fine-adjustment object is detected, the control device of the lighting device sends light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the light diffusion degree in the second direction to the light diffusion degree in the second direction fine-adjustment amount to the lighting device.

8. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 7, wherein: The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a minimum value of the amount of change of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process.

9. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 7, wherein: The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process, The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process.

10. The control device for an illumination device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: The first fine-tuning object includes: A first fine-tuning object on the front side is defined by a first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount increased in the first direction; and The first fine-tuning object on the negative side is defined by a first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount reduced in the first direction. The second fine-tuning object includes: A second fine-tuning object on the positive side is defined by a second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount increased in the second direction; and The second fine-tuning object on the negative side is defined by a second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount reduced in the second direction.

11. The control device for a lighting device according to claim 10, wherein: In the light diffusion setting screen, The first fine-tuning object on the positive side and the first fine-tuning object on the negative side are arranged side by side in the first direction, The second fine adjustment target on the positive side and the second fine adjustment target on the negative side are arranged side by side in the second direction.

12. A lighting system comprising: A lighting device comprising a light source and an optical element, wherein the optical element is disposed on an optical axis of the light source and is capable of controlling a light distribution state of light emitted from the light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction; as well as a control device for controlling the lighting device to change the light distribution state; The control device comprises: A touch sensor having a detection area having a plurality of detection elements; and The display panel has a display area that overlaps with the detection area of ​​the touch sensor when viewed from above, displaying a light diffusion degree setting screen for executing light diffusion degree setting processing of the lighting device in a display area of ​​the display panel, The light diffusion setting screen is defined by an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane with a predetermined position on the light diffusion setting screen as an origin. The light diffusion setting screen has: A light distribution shape object with the origin of the XY plane as the center point; a first light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection of an X-axis of the XY plane and a contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point; as well as A second light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point of the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point.

13. The lighting system according to claim 12, wherein: In the light diffusion setting screen, When the touch state of the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the X-axis direction changes in accordance with the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X-direction. When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the Y-axis direction changes following the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y-direction.

14. The lighting system according to claim 13, wherein: The control device transmits the light diffusion degree set in the light diffusion degree setting process to the lighting device as first light diffusion degree information, When the lighting device is started, the lighting device sends a final value of light diffusion degree at the last power-on as second light diffusion degree information to the control device.

15. The lighting system according to claim 14, wherein: When the touch state of the first light diffusion degree setting object is released, the control device transmits first light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction to the lighting device. When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is released, the control device transmits first light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction to the lighting device.

16. The lighting system according to claim 14, wherein: When the touch state of the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the control device follows the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction and sends the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device. When the touch state of the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the control device follows the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction and transmits the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device.

17. The lighting system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein: The light diffusion setting screen has: for selecting a valid or invalid fine-tuning switching object for the light diffusion fine-tuning process of the lighting device; a first fine-tuning object for fine-tuning the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction; as well as a second fine-tuning object for fine-tuning the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction; The first fine adjustment target and the second fine adjustment target are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled, and are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is disabled.

18. The lighting system according to claim 17, wherein: The first fine-tuning object is defined by a first directional light diffusion fine-tuning amount of the lighting device. The second fine-tuning object is defined by a second directional light diffusion fine-tuning amount of the lighting device. When a touch on the first fine-tuning object is detected, the control device sends first light diffusion information obtained by adding the light diffusion in the first direction to the light diffusion fine-tuning amount in the first direction to the lighting device. When a touch on the second fine-adjustment object is detected, the control device sends first light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the light diffusion degree in the second direction to the light diffusion degree fine-adjustment amount in the second direction to the lighting device.

19. The lighting system according to claim 18, wherein: The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a minimum value of the amount of change of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process.

20. The lighting system according to claim 18, wherein: The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process, The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than a minimum value of the amount of change in the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process.

21. The lighting system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein: The first fine-tuning object includes: A first fine-tuning object on the front side is defined by a first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount increased in the first direction; and The first fine-tuning object on the negative side is defined by a first-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount reduced in the first direction. The second fine-tuning object includes: A second fine-tuning object on the positive side is defined by a second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount increased in the second direction; and The second fine-tuning object on the negative side is defined by a second-direction light diffusion fine-tuning amount reduced in the second direction.

22. The lighting system according to claim 21, wherein: In the light diffusion setting screen, The first fine-tuning object on the positive side and the first fine-tuning object on the negative side are arranged side by side in the first direction, The second fine adjustment target on the positive side and the second fine adjustment target on the negative side are arranged side by side in the second direction.

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