Lamp switching device, its controller and lighting system

Abstract

Lamp switching device (100) with multiple functions, wherein the lamp switching device comprises the following: one light source unit (110); a circuit (111) that controls the current supply to the light source unit (110); a control circuit (112) that controls operations of several functions by controlling the circuit; a receiver (113R) that receives an initial signal indicating the activation or deactivation of each of the several functions; a storage unit (114) that holds initial information indicating, according to the initial signal received from the receiver (113R), whether each of the multiple functions is enabled or disabled; and a determination unit (116) configured to determine a specific period, wherein at a time other than the specific period the control circuit (112) activates a function which is indicated as activated by the first piece of information held in the storage (114) among the several functions, and deactivates a function, which is displayed as disabled by the first piece of information among the several functions, and During the specific period, the control circuit (112) activates each of the multiple functions regardless of whether the first information held in the storage (114) indicates activation or deactivation.

Description

[Invention area]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp switching device with multiple functions including a dimming function and a tinting function, a controller of the lamp switching device and a lighting system. [General state of the art]

[0002] In recent years, the functions of lamp switching devices have been further developed, and lamp switching devices now possess a variety of functions, including a dimming function and a tinting function.

[0003] JP 2012-038593 A has proposed a lamp switching device with adjustment parts for multiple functions to allow checking of current adjustment parts for each of the functions.

[0004] US 2011 / 0221348 A1 describes a lighting control system and method. In this system, one or more lighting fixtures are installed in a separate area within a building. A remote control generates schedules by setting lighting scenes and controls the illumination of the corresponding lighting fixture via short-range wireless communication. The remote control transmits the schedules to a remote server via a gateway. When the remote control is not in use, the remote server controls the lighting fixture according to the schedules via the gateway.

[0005] US 2013 / 0200811 A1 discloses a rechargeable lighting device.

[0006] US 2003 / 0057880 A1 discloses a device and a method for controlling multiple lighting fixtures. [Brief description of the invention][Technical problem]

[0007] Nowadays, the appropriate lighting mode depends on the location and its environment. For example, different lighting modes are needed for a bookstore, a restaurant, a sports hall, an office, a house, and a factory. Therefore, it is common practice to select a lighting control device according to the intended use of the installation when installing the lighting control device.

[0008] Furthermore, the use of a rented shop or similar premises is frequently changed, and the lighting equipment is often modified according to the altered use. Currently, the rental price for a leased lamp switching device depends on the device's functionality. However, it is difficult for a tenant of a leased shop to test various lamp switching devices with different functions in the shop to select a suitable one. To offer such a trial, a manufacturer, rental company, or similar entity must still prepare a large variety of lamp switching devices. The present disclosure provides a highly functional lamp switching device capable of restricting and removing the restrictions on the lamp switching device's functions.This allows the user to easily test the lamp switch to select functions and also enables a manufacturer, rental company, or similar entity to reduce their inventory of various types of lamp switches. Furthermore, a lighting system is provided that can automatically restrict the functions of a lamp switch and lift the restriction according to contract details or a rental period. The lighting system can prevent unauthorized use of the functions. [Problem solving]

[0009] To solve the above problems, a lamp switching device with multiple functions is provided, wherein the lamp switching device comprises: a light source unit; a circuit that controls the current supply to the light source unit; a control circuit that controls operations of the multiple functions by controlling the circuit; a receiver that receives an initial signal indicating the activation or deactivation of each of the multiple functions; a storage unit containing initial information that, according to the initial signal received by the receiver, indicates whether each of the multiple functions is activated or deactivated;and a unit of determination that determines a specific period, wherein at a time other than the specific period the control circuit activates a function that is indicated as activated by the first piece of information held in the storage among the several functions, and deactivates a function that is indicated as deactivated by the first piece of information held in the storage, and in the specific period the control circuit activates each of the several functions regardless of the activation or deactivation indicated by the first piece of information held in the storage.

[0010] To avoid the above problems, a controller is further provided that controls a lamp switching device with multiple functions, wherein the controller includes: a user interface that receives a user operation for the multiple functions; and a transmitter that (i) transmits to the lamp switching device a first signal indicating the activation or deactivation of each of the multiple functions based on the user operation, and (ii) further transmits at least one of a second signal and a pair consisting of a start signal and an end signal based on the user operation, wherein the second signal indicates a time expiry until which the multiple functions are temporarily activated, the start signal indicates the start of a specific period during which the multiple functions are temporarily activated, and the end signal indicates the end of the specific period.

[0011] To prevent the above problems, a lighting system is provided that includes the lamp switching device and controller described above. [Advantageous effects of the invention]

[0012] According to the aspects of the present invention, the lamp switching device, the controller of the lamp switching device and the lighting system are able to switch easily, either manually or by means of a timer, between the state in which functions of the lamp switching device as a highly functional lamp switching device are restricted and the state in which the functional restriction is lifted. [Brief description of the drawings] [ Fig. 1] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lighting system according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 2] Fig. Figure 2 is an external view illustrating an example of a lamp switching device according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 3A] Fig. 3A is a table of an example of first information according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 3B] Fig. 3B is a table of an example of second information according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 3C] Fig. 3C is a table of an example of demo information according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 4] Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a controller according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. [5A] Fig. is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the controller according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 5B] Fig. Figure 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of the controller's display screen according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 6] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by a lamp switching device upon receiving a first signal, a second signal, and the like, according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 7] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by a counter to count a specific period according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 8] Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by the lamp switching device when receiving operations on multiple functions according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 9] Fig. Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a lamp switching device according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. 10] Fig. Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a controller according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. 11] Fig. Figure 11 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by the controller according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. 12] Fig. Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a lamp switching device according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. 13] Fig. Figure 13 is a flowchart of a transmission processing example carried out by the lamp switching device according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. 14] Fig. Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the lamp switching device according to embodiment 3. [Description of embodiments]

[0013] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the embodiments described below illustrates a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, structural elements, arrangement and connection of the structural elements, etc., shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and therefore do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, in the following embodiments, structural elements not included in any of the independent claims directed to a generic concept of the present invention are described as arbitrary structural elements included in a more preferred mode. Furthermore, the figures in the drawings are schematic diagrams and do not necessarily show precise dimensions. [Version 1][Configuration of the lighting system]

[0014] A lighting system according to embodiment 1 enables a user to easily use a highly functional lamp switching device with unrestricted functions for testing.

[0015] First, the lighting system according to embodiment 1 is described. Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the lighting system according to embodiment 1.

[0016] The lighting system made of Fig. 1 contains several lamp switching devices 100 and the controller 200. Each of the lamp switching devices 100 has an external view such as in Fig. 2 illustrated.

[0017] Each of the lamp switching devices 100 contains the light source unit 110, a circuit 111, a control circuit 112, a receiver 113R, a storage unit 114, a current source circuit 115, a determination unit 116, a sensor 117, a timer 118 and a loudspeaker 119.

[0018] The light source unit 110 contains one or more light-emitting elements. These elements could be, for example, multiple light-emitting diode (LED) elements. However, the light source unit 110 is not limited to LED elements. For example, it could contain a light-emitting semiconductor element such as a semiconductor laser, or a light-emitting solid-state element such as an organic electroluminescent (EL) element or an inorganic EL.

[0019] Circuit 111 supplies a voltage or current to the light source unit 110 to switch it, for example, ON, OFF, or to blink. If the light source unit 110 consists of multiple LED elements, this voltage or current varies depending on a lighting mode such as a dimming ratio or a tint ratio.

[0020] The control circuit 112 controls the circuit 111 for several lighting modes. Furthermore, the control circuit 112 performs a control function to provide each of the functions of the lamp switching device 100. These functions include, for example, a dimming function for adjusting the brightness, a tinting function for adjusting the color temperature, a fade function for gradually changing the brightness over time, a timer function for performing a specific function at a designated time, and the like. Each of these functions can be set to be enabled or disabled. The control circuit 112 is also capable of temporarily disabling the functions. This temporary setting, which allows the functions to be enabled, is called the demonstration function (demo function).The demo function is a feature that allows the user to try out several functions as a demonstration. In this context, "temporal" means a desired setting of a time period, such as three days or one week. This time period is referred to as the "specific period".

[0021] The receiver 113R receives an initial signal indicating the activation or deactivation of the functions. Furthermore, the receiver 113R receives a second signal indicating the expiration of a period during which these functions are temporarily activated.

[0022] Storage unit 114 holds initial information indicating, based on the first signal received by receiver 113R, whether each function should be activated or deactivated. Storage unit 114 also holds a second piece of information indicating a deadline expiry, based on the second signal. Furthermore, storage unit 114 holds demo information, which is set to 1 during a specific period and resets to 0 at the end of that period. This demo information indicates whether the demo function is activated or deactivated.

[0023] The power source circuit 115 supplies power to each of the structural elements in the lamp switching device 100.

[0024] The determination unit 116 determines a specific period according to the second signal received by the receiver 113R. In particular, the determination unit 116 determines the time for receiving the second signal by the receiver 113R as the start of the specific period. Furthermore, the determination unit 116 contains the counter 116a and causes the counter 116a to count the time until the expiry date indicated in the second piece of information held by the memory 114, and determines the end of the counting as the end of the specific period. The control circuit 112 performs the control according to a determination result of the determination unit 116. In particular, during a time period other than the specific period, the control circuit 112 activates functions, each of which is indicated as activated by the first piece of information held in the memory 114, and deactivates functions, each of which is indicated as deactivated by the first piece of information.During the specific period, on the other hand, the control circuit 112 activates these functions independently of the activation and deactivation indicated by the information held in the storage 114.

[0025] Sensor 117 is what is called a motion detector and detects the presence of a person near the lamp switch 100. The expression "near the lamp switch 100" means, for example, essentially directly under the lamp switch 100 or within a few meters of the position directly under the lamp switch 100. Sensor 117 is used for a sensor function of the lamp switch 100 under the control of the control circuit 112.

[0026] Timer 118 contains a real-time clock and thus measures the desired time. Timer 118 is used for a scheduling function or the like, controlled by the control circuit 112 for the lamp switching device 100.

[0027] Speaker 119 emits sounds such as a humming noise and a voice output. Speaker 119 is used for the speaker function described later, under the control of the control circuit 112.

[0028] Next, specific examples of the first information, the second information, and the demo information held in file 114 will be described.

[0029] Fig. 3A is a table of an example of the information according to embodiment 1. The first piece of information in Fig. 3A displays a flag for a corresponding function. A flag that is set, in other words a flag with a value of 1, indicates that the corresponding function is enabled. A flag that is cleared, in other words a flag with a value of 0, indicates that the corresponding function is disabled. Furthermore, in Fig. 3A displays a switching function, a tinting function, a dimming function, a timer function, a remote control function, a notification function and a speaker function as examples of the functions.

[0030] The switching function, for example, is a function that allows the controller 200 to switch the lamp switching device 100 on and off.

[0031] The tinting function and the dimming function have been described previously.

[0032] The timer function is a function for performing a specific function after a predetermined time period has elapsed.

[0033] The remote control function is a function for receiving remote control from the Controller 200 or a remote control.

[0034] The reporting function is a function for reporting status information from the lamp switching device 100 to the controller 200. The status information includes, for example, the first information, the second information, the demo information, information that displays the current lighting mode, the duration of illumination since activation, power consumption, and the like.

[0035] The speaker function is a function that causes the speaker to emit 119 different types of sounds.

[0036] Fig. 3B is a table for an example of the second piece of information according to embodiment 1. The second piece of information in Fig. 3B is the deadline expiry, indicated by the second signal and received by receiver 113R. The deadline expiry in Fig. 3B displays the year, month, date and time, but can also display the minute and second.

[0037] Fig. 3C is a table for an example of the demo information according to embodiment 1. The demo information in Fig. 3C is a flag corresponding to the demo function. A flag that is set, in other words a flag with the value 1, indicates that the demo function is enabled. A flag that is removed, in other words a flag with the value 0, indicates that the demo function is disabled. This flag is set (to 1) by control circuit 112 at the beginning of the specific period and cleared (reset to 0) at the end of the specific period. [Controller structure]

[0038] Next, the structure of the Controller 200 will be described.

[0039] Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the controller 200 according to embodiment 1. The controller 200 in Fig. 4 contains a user interface unit (UI) 210, a central processing unit (CPU) 213, a memory 214 and a communication unit 215. The hardware structure of the controller 200 can be the same as the structure of what is called a smartphone or tablet terminal device.

[0040] The UI unit 210 contains a display panel 211 and a touch panel 212. The display panel 211 shows an operating menu and the like. The touch panel 212 receives user operations.

[0041] The CPU 213 executes a program stored in memory 214 and thereby generates data elements which are to be transmitted as the first signal and the second signal according to the user operations.

[0042] Memory 214 holds the program described above and similar data.

[0043] The communication unit 215 transmits the first signal and the second signal to the lamp switching device 100. [Display screen example of the Controller 200]

[0044] Examples of a display screen from display panel 211 of controller 200 are described here.

[0045] Fig. Figure 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a controller display screen according to embodiment 1. This display screen is an example of a selection menu from which a part number of a lamp switching device other than lamp switching device 100 is selected. Because lamp switching device 100 is highly functional, if a lamp switching device with a different part number than lamp switching device 100 is replaced by lamp switching device 100, lamp switching device 100 can be used in the same lighting mode as the lamp switching device with the other part number.For example, if one of several lamp switches installed in a store fails, the failed lamp switch can be replaced by lamp switch 100, which is intended to be used in the same lighting mode as the other lamp switches in the store. It is also possible to replace all other lamp switches in the store with lamp switches 100.

[0046] After replacement, the controller 200 is used to activate the same functions of the lamp switch 100 as the functions of the lamp switch that was replaced. This allows the user to use the same lighting mode as before the replacement. In other words, even if a lamp switch of the same type as the defective lamp switch is not in stock, it is possible to use the lamp switch 100 instead of the defective lamp switch.

[0047] Even if all other lamp switching devices installed in the store are replaced by lamp switching devices 100, the user still uses the demo function to find a new lighting mode suitable for the store.

[0048] If a lamp switching device with a different article number than lamp switching device 100 is replaced by the other article number, the selection menu in Fig. 5A displays a list of other lamp switching devices that can replace the lamp switching device used before the replacement. For example, if the part number CCCC is selected, a function selection menu is displayed that corresponds to the lamp switching device with the part number CCCC.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of the display screen of the controller 200 according to embodiment 1. In particular, the display screen example in Fig. 5B offers a function selection menu for functions of the lamp switching device 100 and a setting element for the demo function.

[0050] First, the function selection menu is described. Fig. 5B illustrates an example of the display screen that appears when item number XXXX is selected from the selection menu in Fig. 5A is selected. This display screen example also serves as a function selection menu to choose whether each of the several functions of the lamp switching device 100 is enabled or disabled. If item number XXXX in Fig. When 5A is selected, the function selection menu is displayed. Fig. 5B is displayed. In the function selection menu from Fig. B, when the function selection is displayed, the activation or deactivation of each of the functions is selected, so that the lamp switching device 100 has the same functions as the functions of the lamp switching device with article number XXXX.

[0051] If the controller transmits details from the function selection menu settings to the lamp switch 100 as an initial signal, the lamp switch 100 is configured to have the same functions as the lamp switch with part number XXXX. In other words, the lamp switch 100 replaces the lamp switch with part number XXXX. Therefore, the user can operate the lamp switch 100 as if it were the lamp switch with part number XXXX.

[0052] Furthermore, if all lamp switching devices in the store are replaced by lamp switching devices 100, the user can use a desired function by selecting it in the function selection menu in Fig. 5B selects the functions, switches the function to ON as requested by the user or installation personnel, and then instructs the transmission of the setting details. In this case, if the user rents the lamp switching device 100, they can save on the rental fee by limiting the functions that are switched on.

[0053] Next, the settings element of the demo function will be described.

[0054] At the bottom line of the display screen example from Fig. 5B is a setting element for configuring a timeout for the demo function. When the timeout is entered into the setting element and its transmission is instructed, the controller 200 transmits a second signal, indicating the timeout, to the lamp switching device 100. As a result, the demo function starts.

[0055] The demo function shows users who are unaware of details or limitations of certain functions new lighting modes, applications, and the like, suitable for a variety of environments. The demo function thus reveals the user's needs. [Operations]

[0056] The following describes operations performed by the lighting system with the configuration described above according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by a lamp switching device when the lamp switching device receives a first signal, a second signal and the like according to embodiment 1.

[0057] As in Fig. As seen in 6, if the receiver 113R receives a first signal indicating activation or deactivation of several of the functions (YES at S61), the control circuit 112 causes the storage 114 to hold first information indicating, according to the first signal received by the receiver, whether each of the functions is activated or deactivated (S62).

[0058] If the receiver 113R in the lamp switching device 100 receives a second signal indicating a deadline until which the functions are temporarily activated (YES at S63), the control circuit 112 causes the storage device 114 to hold the second information indicating the deadline and sets the demo information held in storage device 114; in other words, it changes a flag of the demo information from 0 to 1 (S64). Furthermore, the control circuit 112 starts the counter 116a to count the time until the deadline expires (S65). This starts the specific period; in other words, the demo function is activated.

[0059] If the receiver 113R in the lamp switching device 100 receives a different signal (YES at S66), then the control circuit 112 performs the processing for the other signal (S67). The other signal is, for example, a signal containing an instruction that affects any of the other functions.

[0060] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by the counter to measure the specific period according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. As shown in S71, control circuit 112 determines whether the counting of counter 116a has finished or not. If the counting has finished (YES at S71), control circuit 112 resets the demo information held in memory 114; in other words, it changes the demo information flag from 1 to 0 (S72). This ends the specific period; in other words, the demo function is deactivated.

[0061] Next, the processing example for the case where function operations are received for multiple functions is described.

[0062] Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by the lamp switching device 100 when receiving function operations for multiple functions according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, receiver 113R receives a function operation, which is an instruction for a certain function, from controller 200 or a remote control (S81). At this point, control circuit 112 determines whether the demo information held in memory 114 is activated or not. If the demo information is activated (YES for S82), control circuit 112 then processes the function operation according to the instructions; in other words, it executes the function operation (S83). If the demo information is activated, the operation function is performed regardless of whether the first piece of information indicates activation or deactivation.

[0063] If, on the other hand, it is determined that the demo information is deactivated (NO at S82), the control circuit 112 then determines, based on the first piece of information, whether the function corresponding to the function operation is activated or not. If it is determined that the function corresponding to the function operation is activated (YES at S84), the processing then proceeds to step S83; in other words, the processing is carried out according to the function operation. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the function corresponding to the function operation is deactivated (NO at S84), a signal requesting the deactivation of the function is then transmitted to the controller 200 (S85).

[0064] As described above, the lamp switching device 100 according to the present embodiment allows the user to easily and temporarily use a highly functional lamp switching device with unrestricted functions for testing purposes. [Version 2]

[0065] Next, a lighting system according to embodiment 2 will be described. [Configuration]

[0066] A schematic configuration of the lighting system according to the present embodiment is almost the same as in Fig. 1 illustrates, but differs from the one in Fig. 1. This is because a specific period is measured by the controller 200 and not by the lamp switching device 100. Therefore, the structures of the lamp switching device 100 and the controller 200 differ partially from the structures in Fig. 1. The following mainly describes the differences.

[0067] Fig. Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the lamp switching device 100 according to embodiment 2. The lamp switching device 100 in Fig. 9 differs from the lamp switching device 100 in Fig. 1 by removing the counter 116a in the determination unit 116, by transmitting a start signal indicating the start of a specific period and an end signal indicating the end of the specific period instead of the second signal, and by not using the counter 116a when determining a specific period.

[0068] The receiver 113R receives the start signal, which indicates the start of the specific period, and the end signal, which indicates the end of the specific period.

[0069] The determining unit 116 determines a time of receipt of the start signal by the receiver 113R as the start of the specific period and determines a time of receipt of the end signal by the receiver 113R as the end of the specific period.

[0070] Therefore, the lamp switching device 100 does not need to have a counter 116a. The storage unit 114 does not need to hold a deadline as the second piece of information.

[0071] Fig. Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the controller 200 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 10 differs from Fig. 4 by adding the counter 216.

[0072] The counter 216 counts the time from the start of the transmission of the start signal until the expiry of the specific period under the control of the CPU 213. At the end of the counting, the CPU 213 causes the transmission unit 215 to transmit the end signal to the lamp switching device 100. [Operations]

[0073] The following describes operations performed by the lighting system with the configuration described above according to embodiment 2.

[0074] Fig. Figure 11 is a flowchart of a processing example performed by the controller 200 according to embodiment 2. Fig. At S111, the UI unit 210 in the controller 200 receives an operation from the demo function to indicate a deadline expiry. The CPU 213 causes the communication unit 215 to transmit a start signal (S112). One of the destination addresses of this start signal can be a broadcast address. At this point, the CPU 213 starts the counter 216 to count the time until the deadline expiry (S113). Afterwards, when the counting by the counter 216 is complete (YES at S114), the CPU 213 causes the communication unit 215 to transmit an end signal.

[0075] The control circuit 112 in the lamp switching device 100 sets a flag of the demo information when the start signal is received and clears the flag of the demo information when the end signal is received.

[0076] This makes it possible to generate the same effects as those from embodiment 1. Furthermore, after transmitting the second signal, which indicates the expiration of the demo function's time limit, the controller 200 according to embodiment 1 can also be used for a different lighting system. In contrast, the lamp switching device 100 according to embodiment 2 is only suitable for use in a specific lighting system. [Version 3]

[0077] Next, a lighting system according to embodiment 3 will be described. [Configuration]

[0078] Fig. Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lighting system according to embodiment 3. A schematic configuration of the lighting system according to the present embodiment differs from that shown in Fig. 1. This is mainly due to the addition of the transmitter 113T to the lamp switching device 100. The following mainly describes the difference.

[0079] The transmitter 113T transmits a predetermined signal received by the receiver 113R to another lamp switching device 100; in other words, the lamp switching device 100 transmits the predetermined signal to another lamp switching device 100. At this point, the predetermined signal is at least one of (i) a second signal according to embodiment 1 and (ii) a pair consisting of a start signal and an end signal according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 3, the predetermined signal can be (i). [Operations]

[0080] Fig. Figure 13 is a flowchart of a transmission example carried out by a lamp switching device according to embodiment 3. If in Fig. If a newly received predetermined signal is identical to a predetermined signal received immediately before the newly received predetermined signal (YES for S131), the receiver 113R discards the newly received predetermined signal (S132). If, on the other hand, a newly received predetermined signal is not identical to a predetermined signal received immediately before the newly received predetermined signal (NO for S131), the transmitter 113T transmits the newly received predetermined signal to another lamp switching device 100. A destination address in the transmission can be a broadcast address.

[0081] With the above structure, even if the lamp switching device 100 is far away from the controller 200, or if it is a lamp switching device 100 that cannot directly receive signals from the controller 200, even such a lamp switching device 100 can safely switch the demo function on and off. [Version 4]

[0082] Next, a lighting system according to embodiment 4 will be described.

[0083] Fig. Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lighting system according to embodiment 4. A schematic configuration of the lighting system according to the present embodiment differs from that shown in Fig. 9. This is mainly due to the addition of the transmitter 113T to the lamp switching device 100. The following mainly describes the difference.

[0084] The transmitter 113T transmits a predetermined signal received by the receiver 113R to another lamp switching device 100; in other words, the lamp switching device 100 transmits the predetermined signal to the other lamp switching device 100. At this point, the predetermined signal is at least one of (i) a second signal according to embodiment 1 and (ii) a pair consisting of a start signal and an end signal according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 4, the predetermined signal can be (ii).

[0085] Furthermore, the flowchart is in Fig. 13 performed by the controller 200 according to the present embodiment.

[0086] With the above configuration, even if the lamp switching device 100 is far away from the controller 200, or if it is a lamp switching device 100 that cannot receive signals directly from the controller 200, such a lamp switching device 100 can still safely switch the demo function on and off.

[0087] Note that in the present embodiments and their variants, each of the structural elements can be implemented in dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for the structural element. Each of the structural elements can be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor by reading the software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory and executing the software program.

[0088] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the processing carried out by one particular processing unit can be carried out by another processing unit.

[0089] The general and specific aspects of the present invention can be implemented in a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory). Furthermore, the general and specific aspects of the present invention can also be implemented in a desired combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the present invention can be implemented in a method for controlling lamp switching devices or in a business model (such as a rental or billing system).

[0090] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or their variants described above. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications of the embodiments or variants and combinations of the structural elements of the different embodiments or variants are possible without substantially departing from the novel teaching and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such modifications and combinations are included within the scope of protection of the present invention. [List of reference symbols] 100 lamp switching device 110 light source units 111 Circuit 112 Control circuit 113R Receiver 114 Filing 116 Unit of determination 200 controllers 210 UI unit 215 Communication unit

Claims

[1] Lamp switching device (100) with multiple functions, the lamp switching device comprising: one light source unit (110); a circuit (111) that controls the current supply to the light source unit (110); a control circuit (112) that controls operations of several functions by controlling the circuit; a receiver (113R) that receives an initial signal indicating the activation or deactivation of each of the several functions; a storage unit (114) that holds initial information indicating, according to the initial signal received from the receiver (113R), whether each of the multiple functions is enabled or disabled; and a determination unit (116) configured to determine a specific period, wherein at a time other than the specific period the control circuit (112) activates a function which is indicated as activated by the first piece of information held in the storage (114) among the several functions, and deactivates a function, which is displayed as disabled by the first piece of information among the several functions, and During the specific period, the control circuit (112) activates each of the multiple functions regardless of whether the first information held in the storage (114) indicates activation or deactivation. [2] Lamp switching device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (113R) receives a second signal indicating a time limit until which the multiple functions are temporarily activated, The storage (114) holds a second piece of information indicating the expiry of the deadline according to the second signal indicating the expiry of the deadline, and the determination unit (116) is configured (i) to determine a time of receipt of the second signal by the receiver (113R) as a start of the specific period, (ii) to count the time until the expiry of the period indicated by the second information held in the storage (114) and (iii) to determine an end of the counting as an end of the specific period. [3] Lamp switching device (100) according to claim 2, wherein a lighting mode of the light source unit (110) is temporarily changed when the counting to the expiry of the time limit begins according to the second signal received by the receiver (113R). [4] Lamp switching device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (113R) receives a start signal indicating the start of the specific period, and an end signal indicating the end of the specific period, and the determination unit (116) is configured to determine a time of receipt of the start signal by the receiver (113R) as the start of the specific period and to determine a time of receipt of the end signal by the receiver (113R) as the end of the specific period. [5] Lamp switching device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a transmitter that transmits a predetermined signal received by the receiver (113R) to another lamp switching device (100), where the predetermined signal is one of the second signal and a pair consisting of the start signal and the end signal. [6] Lamp switching device (100) according to claim 5, wherein, if a newly received predetermined signal is identical to a predetermined signal received immediately before the newly received predetermined signal, the receiver (113R) discards the newly received predetermined signal. [7] Controller (200) controlling a lamp switching device (100) with multiple functions, the controller comprising: a user interface that receives user input for the multiple functions; and a transmitter which (i) transmits a first signal indicating the activation or deactivation of each of the multiple functions based on user operation to the lamp switching device (100), and (ii) further transmits at least one of a second signal and a pair of a start signal and an end signal based on user operation, where the second signal indicates a time limit until which the multiple functions are temporarily activated, the start signal indicates the start of a specific period in which the multiple functions are temporarily activated, and The final signal indicates the end of the specific period. [8] Controller (200) according to claim 7, further comprising: a counter that counts the time from the start of the specific period to the end of the specific period, wherein the transmitter sends the start signal at the start of the specific period and sends the end signal at the end of the specific period counted by the counter. [9] Lighting system comprising the following: the lamp switching device (100) according to claim 1; and the controller (200) according to claim 7.

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