Lighting system and lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting system capable of controlling in an interlocked manner a plurality of lighting devices that belongs to mutually different mesh networks.SOLUTION: A lighting system 10 includes: a plurality of first lighting devices 20a and 20b that belongs to a first mesh network; and a plurality of second lighting devices 30a and 30b that belongs to a second mesh network. When receiving a first control signal from a lighting remote controller 50, the first lighting device 20a performs lighting control of the first lighting device 20a based on the received first control signal; and communicates with the other first lighting device 20b through the first mesh network, to perform lighting control of the other first lighting device 20b based on the received first control signal; and communicates with the second lighting device 30a through a wide area communication network, to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices 30a and 30b based on the first control signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system including a lighting device that can be controlled by a remote controller. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system that can reduce the time required for installation and setting at the time of introduction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-013758 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a lighting system and the like capable of controlling a plurality of lighting devices belonging to different mesh networks in a linked manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of first lighting devices belonging to a first mesh network and a plurality of second lighting devices belonging to a second mesh network, wherein upon receiving a first control signal from a remote controller, one of the plurality of first lighting devices performs lighting control of the lighting device based on the received first control signal, communicates with other first lighting devices among the plurality of first lighting devices through the first mesh network, performs lighting control of the other first lighting devices based on the received first control signal, and communicates with one of the plurality of second lighting devices through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network, performs lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices based on the received first control signal.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device, which is one of a plurality of first lighting devices belonging to a first mesh network, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first control signal from a remote controller; a first communication unit that communicates with other first lighting devices among the plurality of first lighting devices through the first mesh network; a second communication unit that communicates with one of a plurality of second lighting devices belonging to a second mesh network through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network; and an information processing unit, wherein, upon receipt of the first control signal by the receiving unit, the information processing unit performs lighting control of the lighting device based on the received first control signal, communicates with the other first lighting devices using the first communication unit to perform lighting control of the other first lighting devices based on the received first control signal, and communicates with one of the plurality of second lighting devices using the second communication unit to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices based on the received first control signal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The lighting system etc. of the present invention can control a plurality of lighting devices belonging to different mesh networks in a linked manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing devices included in a lighting system according to an embodiment and communication paths between the devices. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the first illumination device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 1 of the interlocking control. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information in the first operational example of the interlocking control. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of a second example of the interlocking control operation. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information in the second operation example of the interlocking control. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 3 of the interlocking control. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information in the third operational example of the interlocking control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0010] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing devices included in the lighting system according to the embodiment and communication paths between the devices. As shown in Fig. 1, a lighting system 10 includes a plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b, a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, wireless routers 41, 42, a lighting remote controller 50, an information terminal 60, a server 70, a device 80, and a device remote controller 90. The components other than the server 70 are located, for example, in the same house.

[0012] In the lighting system 10, the first lighting devices 20a, 20b constitute a first mesh network, and the second lighting devices 30a, 30b constitute a second mesh network. In other words, the first lighting devices 20a, 20b belong to the first mesh network, and the second lighting devices 30a, 30b belong to the second mesh network. Both the first mesh network and the second mesh network are wireless mesh networks based on short-range wireless communication, and one of the first lighting devices 20a, 20b can communicate with the other first lighting devices 20a, 20b by short-range wireless communication, but cannot communicate with the second lighting devices 30a, 30b by short-range wireless communication.

[0013] Here, the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b includes a first lighting device 20a communicatively connectable to the wireless router 41 and a first lighting device 20b communicatively connectable to the wireless router 41, and the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b includes a second lighting device 30a communicatively connectable to the wireless router 42 and a second lighting device 30b communicatively connectable to the wireless router 42. The first lighting device 20a can communicate with the second lighting device 30a via the server 70 by communicatively connecting to the wireless router 41. That is, the first lighting device 20a can communicate with the second lighting device 30a through a wide area communication network such as the Internet.

[0014] Incidentally, when a user operates the lighting remote controller 50 dedicated to the first lighting device 20a and a control signal is transmitted from the lighting remote controller 50 to the first lighting device 20a, normally only the first lighting device 20a is controlled.

[0015] In contrast, in the lighting system 10, a user can control the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b in conjunction with each other by operating the information terminal 60 to previously configure the first lighting device 20a (FIG. 1(a)).

[0016] For example, the lighting remote controller 50 transmits a control signal to the first lighting device 20a to instruct it to turn on in response to a user's operation on the lighting remote controller 50 ((b) of FIG. 1). The first lighting device 20a receives the control signal to turn on and turns on the first lighting device 20a, and also communicates with another first lighting device 20b through the first mesh network ((c) of FIG. 1) to turn on the other first lighting device 20b.

[0017] Furthermore, the first lighting device 20a communicates with the second lighting device 30a through the wide area communication network (FIG. 1(d)), thereby turning on the second lighting device 30a, and the second lighting device 30a communicates with the other second lighting devices 30b through the second mesh network (FIG. 1(e)), thereby turning on the other second lighting devices 30b.

[0018] In this way, according to the lighting system 10, a user can control the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b by operating the lighting remote controller 50 of the first lighting device 20a.

[0019] In addition, a user of the lighting system 10 can control the first lighting device 20a in conjunction with a device 80 other than a lighting device by operating the information terminal 60 to make settings in advance for the first lighting device 20a (FIG. 1(a)).

[0020] For example, the lighting remote controller 50 transmits a control signal to the first lighting device 20a to instruct it to turn on in response to a user's operation on the lighting remote controller 50 ((b) of FIG. 1). The first lighting device 20a receives the control signal to turn on the first lighting device 20a and turns on the device 80 by communicating with the device 80 through the wide area communication network ((f) of FIG. 1).

[0021] In this way, according to the lighting system 10, the user can control the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 by operating the lighting remote controller 50 dedicated to the first lighting device 20a.

[0022] Furthermore, the user of the lighting system 10 can control the device 80 and the first lighting device 20a in conjunction with each other by operating the information terminal 60 to perform settings in advance for the device 80 (FIG. 1(g)).

[0023] For example, the device remote controller 90 dedicated to the device 80 transmits a control signal instructing the device 80 to be turned on in response to a user's operation on the device remote controller 90 ((h) of FIG. 1). The device 80 receives the control signal instructing the device 80 to be turned on, and also communicates with the first lighting device 20a through the wide area communication network ((f) of FIG. 1), thereby turning on the first lighting device 20a.

[0024] In this way, the user of the lighting system 10 can control the device 80 and the first lighting device 20a by operating the device remote controller 90 dedicated to the device 80.

[0025] The configuration of the devices included in the lighting system 10 will be described below. Each of the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b is a so-called ceiling light that is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and illuminates the indoor space. The multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b include, for example, a first lighting device 20a that has a function of connecting to a wireless router 41 and a first lighting device 20b that does not have a function of connecting to a wireless router 41, but it is sufficient that one or more first lighting devices 20a are included. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first lighting device 20a.

[0026] The first lighting device 20a includes a first wireless communication unit 21, a second wireless communication unit 22, a light-emitting unit 23, an information processing unit 24, a storage unit 25, a speaker 26, and a light-receiving unit 27. The first lighting device 20b, which does not have a function for connecting to the wireless router 41, is similar to the first lighting device 20a except that it does not include the second wireless communication unit 22 and the speaker 26, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] The first wireless communication unit 21 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the first lighting device 20a to perform wireless communication with the first lighting device 20b through the first mesh network. The first wireless communication unit 21 is a communication circuit for performing radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0028] The second wireless communication unit 22 is a communication circuit (communication module) for connecting the first lighting device 20a to a wide area communication network via the wireless router 41. The second wireless communication unit 22 is a communication circuit that performs radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) in accordance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0029] The light-emitting unit 23 emits white light into the indoor space. The light-emitting unit 23 is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0030] The information processing unit 24 controls the illumination state of the first illumination device 20a (light-emitting unit 23) based on the control signal received by the light-receiving unit 27 from the illumination remote controller 50. The illumination state means the brightness and color temperature at which the first illumination device 20a emits light, or whether the first illumination device 20a is turned off. Hereinafter, the control of the illumination state is also referred to as illumination control.

[0031] Furthermore, the information processing unit 24 reproduces a plurality of sound contents stored in the storage unit 25 using the speaker 26 based on a control signal received by the light receiving unit 27 from the lighting remote controller 50. Hereinafter, the reproduction control of sound contents is also referred to as the reproduction control of sound.

[0032] The information processing unit 24 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 24 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 24 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 25.

[0033] The storage unit 25 is a storage device that stores a plurality of sound contents and a computer program executed by the information processing unit 24. The storage unit 25 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0034] The speaker 26 is used to reproduce sound content and is, for example, a bass reflex type speaker.

[0035] The light receiving unit 27 receives a control signal transmitted by the lighting remote controller 50 through infrared communication. The light receiving unit 27 is an example of a receiving unit. The light receiving unit 27 is realized by a light receiving circuit for an infrared communication signal, or the like.

[0036] Each of the second lighting devices 30a, 30b is a so-called ceiling light that is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. The second lighting devices 30a, 30b include, for example, a second lighting device 30a that has a function of connecting to a wireless router 42 and a second lighting device 30b that does not have a function of connecting to a wireless router 42, but it is sufficient that the second lighting devices 30a include one or more second lighting devices 30a.

[0037] The functional configuration of the second illumination device 30a is similar to that of the first illumination device 20a shown in Fig. 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The functional configuration of the second illumination device 30b is similar to that of the first illumination device 20b, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] The wireless router 41 is a wireless communication device used for connecting the first lighting device 20a to a wide area communication network. The wireless router 41 performs radio communication (short-distance wireless communication) with the first lighting device 20a in accordance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0039] The wireless router 42 is a wireless communication device used for connecting the second lighting device 30a to a wide area communication network. The wireless router 42 performs radio communication (short-distance wireless communication) with the second lighting device 30a in accordance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0040] The lighting remote controller 50 is a dedicated remote controller for the first lighting device 20a. The lighting remote controller 50 can control the first lighting device 20a by receiving a user's operation and transmitting a control signal to the first lighting device 20a in response to the received operation. The lighting remote controller 50 transmits the control signal to the first lighting device 20a by, for example, infrared communication, but may transmit the control signal to the first lighting device 20a by radio communication. When the lighting remote controller 50 transmits the control signal by radio communication, the first wireless communication unit 21 includes a function of receiving the control signal of the first lighting device 20a. In other words, when the lighting remote controller 50 transmits the control signal by radio communication, the first wireless communication unit 21 or the second wireless communication unit 22 functions as a receiving unit, so that the first lighting device 20a does not need to include the light receiving unit 27.

[0041] It should be noted that the remote controller of the first lighting device 20b, the remote controller of the second lighting device 30a, and the remote controller of the second lighting device 30b are not shown in FIG.

[0042] The information terminal 60 is a user interface device for a user to perform advance settings for interlocking control. The information terminal 60 is realized, for example, by installing a predetermined application program on a general-purpose information terminal. The general-purpose information terminal is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may also be a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer.

[0043] The server 70 relays information transmitted by communication when the first lighting device 20a communicates with the second lighting device 30a or the device 80. The server 70 also relays information transmitted by communication when the information terminal 60 communicates with the first lighting device 20a or the device 80 in order to perform presetting of the interlocking control on the first lighting device 20a or the device 80. The server 70 is a so-called cloud server, and is located outside the indoor space in which the first lighting device 20a, etc. are installed.

[0044] The device 80 is a home appliance that is controlled in conjunction with the first lighting device 20a by a pre-setting for the conjunction control. The device 80 is, for example, an air conditioner, a ventilation device, a blower (ceiling fan or electric fan), an electric shutter, a television, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder, or an audio device. The device 80 includes a wireless communication unit 81.

[0045] The wireless communication unit 81 is a communication circuit (communication module) for connecting the device 80 to a wide area communication network via the wireless router 41. The wireless communication unit 81 is a communication circuit that performs radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) according to a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0046] The device remote controller 90 is a dedicated remote controller for the device 80. The device remote controller 90 can control the device 80 by receiving a user's operation and transmitting a control signal to the device 80 in accordance with the received operation. The device remote controller 90 transmits the control signal to the device 80 by, for example, infrared communication, but may transmit the control signal to the device 80 by radio communication. Note that the device 80 does not necessarily have to include a dedicated device remote controller 90.

[0047] [Example 1] As described above, the lighting system 10 can perform interlocking control between the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b. Hereinafter, an operation example 1 of the interlocking control will be described. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of the operation example 1 of the interlocking control. Note that in the sequence diagram of Fig. 3, the wireless router 41, the wireless router 42, and the server 70 are omitted from the illustration.

[0048] The user performs a setting operation for setting the interlocking control on the information terminal 60 that is executing the above-mentioned predetermined application program. The information terminal 60 accepts the setting operation (S11) and transmits setting information indicating the settings determined by the setting operation to the first lighting device 20a through the wide area communication network including the server 70 shown in Fig. 1(a) (S12).

[0049] The second wireless communication unit 22 of the first lighting device 20a receives the setting information, and the information processing unit 24 stores the received setting information in the storage unit 25 (S13). Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information.

[0050] In the setting information shown in FIG. 4, when the first lighting device 20a receives a control signal instructing to turn on (when the lighting button of the lighting remote controller 50 is pressed), it is specified at what dimming rate the two first lighting devices 20b are turned on and at what dimming rate the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b are turned on. In the following description, it is assumed that all the lighting devices shown in FIG. 1 are linked, but it is possible to arbitrarily set which lighting devices are linked (or not linked) to the first lighting device 20a. In other words, the lighting system 10 allows for highly flexible linkage control. The lighting devices and the devices 80 that may be linked are preregistered in the information terminal 60 or the server 70 during initial setup of a specific application program in the information terminal 60, for example.

[0051] Thereafter, the user operates the light button of the lighting remote controller 50, and the lighting remote controller 50 accepts the operation on the light button (S14) and transmits a control signal to the first lighting device 20a instructing it to turn on in response to the operation (S15). The control signal is transmitted via the communication path shown in (b) of FIG.

[0052] The light receiving unit 27 of the first illumination device 20a receives the control signal instructing the illumination device 20a to turn on the light emitting unit 23 based on the received control signal (S16).

[0053] Furthermore, the information processing unit 24 transmits a first lighting command to the other first lighting device 20b to be linked using the first wireless communication unit 21 (in other words, through the first mesh network) based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 25 in step S12 (S17). The first lighting command is transmitted through the communication path shown in (c) of Fig. 1. The first lighting command is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by a flooding method.

[0054] In the first lighting command, the ID and the dimming ratio of the first lighting device 20b to be linked are specified. Therefore, as a result of the process in step S15, the other first lighting device 20b is turned on at the dimming ratio specified in the first lighting command (= the dimming ratio specified in the setting information).

[0055] Furthermore, the information processing unit 24 transmits a second lighting command to the second lighting device 30a using the second wireless communication unit 22 (in other words, through the wide area communication network) based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 25 in step S12 (S18). The second lighting command is transmitted through the communication path shown in (d) of Fig. 1 (the communication path passing through the wireless router 41, the server 70, and the wireless router 42) and is received by the second lighting device 30a.

[0056] The second lighting command specifies the IDs and dimming rates of the second lighting devices 30a, 30b to be linked. The second wireless communication unit of the second lighting device 30a receives the second lighting command, and the information processing unit of the second lighting device 30a turns on the light-emitting unit of the second lighting device 30a at the dimming rate specified in the second lighting command (= the dimming rate specified in the setting information) based on the received second lighting command (S19).

[0057] The information processing unit of the second lighting device 30a transmits a lighting command to the other second lighting device 30b to be linked using the first wireless communication unit (in other words, through the second mesh network) (S20). The lighting command is transmitted through the communication path shown in (e) of FIG. 1. The lighting command is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by a flooding method. As a result, the other second lighting device 30b is turned on at the dimming ratio specified by the second lighting command (= the dimming ratio specified by the setting information).

[0058] In this way, according to the lighting system 10, a user can control the lighting of the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b by operating the light button of the lighting remote controller 50 of the first lighting device 20a.

[0059] For example, a plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b and a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b are installed in the same house, but there is an area in the house where radio waves are blocked, making it difficult to make the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b belong to the same mesh network. In such a case, the interlocking control based on the sequence of Fig. 3 makes it possible to collectively control the lighting devices that do not belong to the same mesh network. In addition, the freedom of grouping the lighting devices is improved by dividing the mesh network.

[0060] The lighting remote controller 50 includes a plurality of buttons, including a turn-on button, that are pressed by a user, and is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of control signals corresponding to the plurality of buttons to the first lighting device 20a. The information terminal 60 (user) can set, for each of the plurality of types of control signals, how to perform lighting control of the first lighting device 20b and how to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, in the first lighting device 20a upon receipt of the corresponding control signal (corresponding to the process of step S13).

[0061] For example, the lighting system 10 can also perform control to turn off the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b, increase the dimming rate, and decrease the dimming rate, etc., based on a sequence similar to that of Fig. 3. The control to turn off the lighting is performed based on an operation of a light-off button of the lighting remote controller 50, and the control to increase the dimming rate and decrease the dimming rate are performed based on an operation of a light-dimmer button of the lighting remote controller 50.

[0062] As described above, the first lighting device 20a and the second lighting device 30a have a sound (sound content) playback function. Therefore, the lighting system 10 can also perform sound playback control (starting sound playback or stopping sound playback) of the first lighting device 20a and the second lighting device 30a based on the same sequence as in FIG. 3. If the first lighting device 20b or the second lighting device 30b has a sound playback function, the first lighting device 20b or the second lighting device 30b can also be included in the target of sound playback control. The sound playback control is performed based on the operation of the play button or the play stop button of the lighting remote controller 50.

[0063] In addition, the first lighting device 20a and the second lighting device 30a have a schedule operation function that executes lighting control or sound playback control according to a predetermined schedule. Therefore, the lighting system 10 can also turn on or off the scheduled operation of the first lighting device 20a and the second lighting device 30a based on a sequence similar to that of FIG. 3. If the first lighting device 20b or the second lighting device 30b has a schedule operation function, the first lighting device 20b or the second lighting device 30b can also be included in the targets of the on or off of the scheduled operation. The on or off of the scheduled operation is executed based on the operation of the on / off switch button of the scheduled operation of the lighting remote controller 50.

[0064] [Example 2] The lighting system 10 can perform interlocking control of the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 when an operation is performed on the lighting remote controller 50. An operation example 2 of such interlocking control will be described below. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation example 2 of the interlocking control. Note that in the sequence diagram of Fig. 5, the wireless router 41 and the server 70 are omitted from the illustration.

[0065] The user performs a setting operation for setting the interlocking control on the information terminal 60 that is executing the above-mentioned predetermined application program. The information terminal 60 accepts the setting operation (S21) and transmits setting information indicating the settings determined by the setting operation to the first lighting device 20a through the wide area communication network including the server 70 shown in Fig. 1(a) (S22).

[0066] The second wireless communication unit 22 of the first lighting device 20a receives the setting information, and the information processing unit 24 stores the received setting information in the storage unit 25 (S23). Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information.

[0067] The setting information shown in Fig. 6 specifies how to control the device 80 when the first lighting device 20a receives a control signal instructing the device to turn on (when the turn-on button of the lighting remote controller 50 is pressed). In the example of Fig. 6, it is specified that the device 80 is turned on, but more detailed control may be specified. For example, if the device 80 is an air conditioner, it may be specified that the device 80 is turned on in cooling mode with a set temperature of 26°C.

[0068] Thereafter, the user operates the light button of the lighting remote controller 50, and the lighting remote controller 50 accepts the operation on the light button (S24), and transmits a control signal to the first lighting device 20a instructing it to turn on in response to the operation (S25). The control signal is transmitted via the communication path shown in (b) of FIG.

[0069] The light receiving unit 27 of the first illumination device 20a receives the control signal instructing lighting. The information processing unit 24 lights up the light emitting unit 23 based on the received control signal (S26).

[0070] Furthermore, the information processing unit 24 transmits a device control command to the device 80 to be linked using the second wireless communication unit 22 (in other words, through the wide area communication network) based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 25 in step S22 (S27). The device control command is transmitted through the communication path shown in (f) of Fig. 1 (a communication path passing through the wireless router 41, the server 70, and the wireless router 41 in this order) and is received by the device 80. Note that the device control command may be transmitted to the device 80 via the wireless router 41 without passing through the server 70.

[0071] The device control command specifies the control content (operation on in the example of FIG. 6) of the device 80. The device 80 receives the device control command and operates based on the received device control command (S28).

[0072] In this way, according to the lighting system 10, the user can control the device 80 by operating the light button of the lighting remote controller 50 of the first lighting device 20a.

[0073] For example, the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 may be installed in the same house, but there may be an area in the house where radio waves are blocked, making it difficult to make the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 belong to the same mesh network. In such a case, the interlocking control based on the sequence of Fig. 5 makes it possible to collectively control the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 that do not belong to the same mesh network.

[0074] Meanwhile, the lighting remote controller 50 includes a plurality of buttons to be pressed by a user in addition to the turn-on button, and is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of control signals corresponding to the plurality of buttons to the first lighting device 20a. The information terminal 60 (user) can set, for each of the plurality of types of control signals, in the first lighting device 20a how to control the device 80 when the control signal is received (corresponding to the process of step S23).

[0075] This allows the user to cause the device 80 to perform the user's desired operation by pressing any button on the lighting remote controller 50, such as the off button, dimming button, play button, play stop button, or schedule operation on / off switch button.

[0076] [Example 3] When the device 80 includes the device remote controller 90, the lighting system 10 can control the device 80 and the first lighting device 20a in a linked manner in response to an operation on the device remote controller 90. An operation example 3 of such linked control will be described below. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of the operation example 3 of linked control. Note that in the sequence diagram of Fig. 7, the wireless router 41 and the server 70 are omitted from the illustration.

[0077] The user performs a setting operation for setting interlocking control on the information terminal 60 that is executing the above-mentioned predetermined application program. The information terminal 60 accepts the setting operation (S31) and transmits setting information indicating the settings determined by the setting operation to the device 80 through the wide area communication network including the server 70 shown in (g) of Fig. 1 (S32).

[0078] When the wireless communication unit 81 of the device 80 receives the setting information, the wireless communication unit 81 stores the received setting information in a storage unit (not shown) (S33). Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information.

[0079] The setting information shown in FIG. 8 specifies how to control the first lighting device 20a when the device 80 receives a control signal instructing it to turn on (when the operation on button of the device remote controller 90 is pressed).

[0080] Thereafter, the user operates the operation-on button of the device remote controller 90, and the device remote controller 90 accepts the operation of the operation-on button (S34) and transmits a control signal to the device 80 in response to the operation to turn the device 80 on (S35). The control signal is transmitted via the communication path shown in (h) of FIG.

[0081] The device 80 receives the control signal instructing it to turn on its operation, and turns on its operation based on the received control signal (S36).

[0082] Furthermore, the device 80 transmits a lighting command to the first lighting device 20a based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 25 in step S32 (S37). The lighting command is transmitted via the communication path shown in (f) of Fig. 1 (the communication path passing through the wireless router 41, the server 70, and the wireless router 41 in this order) and is received by the first lighting device 20a. Note that the lighting command may be transmitted to the first lighting device 20a via the wireless router 41 without passing through the server 70.

[0083] The lighting command specifies the control content of the first lighting device 20a (turning on in the example of FIG. 8). The first lighting device 20a receives the lighting command and turns on based on the received lighting command (S38).

[0084] In this way, according to the lighting system 10, the user can control the first lighting device 20a by operating the buttons on the device remote controller 90 of the device 80.

[0085] For example, the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 may be installed in the same house, but there may be an area in the house where radio waves are blocked, making it difficult to make the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 belong to the same mesh network. In such a case, the interlocking control based on the sequence of Fig. 7 makes it possible to collectively control the first lighting device 20a and the device 80 that do not belong to the same mesh network.

[0086] Meanwhile, the device remote controller 90 includes a plurality of buttons to be pressed by a user in addition to the operation-on button, and is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of control signals corresponding to the plurality of buttons to the device 80. The information terminal 60 (user) can set in the device 80 how to control the first lighting device 20a when each of the plurality of types of control signals is received (corresponding to the process of step S33).

[0087] For example, when the device 80 is an air conditioner, the multiple buttons include an operation button (corresponding to an operation-on button), a stop button, an operation mode switching button, and a set temperature change button. In this case, the user can cause the first lighting device 20a to perform an operation desired by the user by pressing any of the buttons, such as the operation button (corresponding to an operation-on button), the stop button, the operation mode switching button, and the set temperature change button.

[0088] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the interlocking control is realized based on a normal operation to the lighting remote controller 50 . However, the interlocking control may be performed based on a special operation to the lighting remote controller 50 .

[0089] For example, in the operation example 1, when a normal operation is performed on the light button of the lighting remote controller 50, only the first lighting device 20a is turned on, and when a special operation is performed on the light button of the lighting remote controller 50, the interlocking control is executed to turn on the multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b. The special operation may be a long press operation, a continuous press operation n times or more (n≧2), etc. What type of special operation triggers the interlocking control is specified, for example, as a part of the setting information.

[0090] This allows the user to easily switch between the independent control and the linked control of the first lighting device 20a by the type of operation on the same button. This is also true in the operation example 3, where the independent control of the device 80 may be performed based on a normal operation on the device remote controller 90, and the linked control may be performed based on a special operation.

[0091] Furthermore, the operation examples 1 and 2 described in the above embodiment may be combined, and the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b, the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, and the device 80 may be controlled by operating the lighting remote controller 50. Furthermore, the operation example 3 may be modified, and the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b, the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, and the device 80 may be controlled by operating the device remote controller 90.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the directionality of control of the lighting devices (or equipment) in the interlocking control is unified, such that the first lighting devices 20a, 20b and the second lighting devices 30a, 30b are turned on in response to an operation of the light button of the lighting remote controller 50. However, the directionality does not have to be unified. For example, interlocking control is also possible in which the first lighting devices 20a, 20b are turned on and the second lighting devices 30a, 30b are turned off in response to an operation of the light button of the lighting remote controller 50.

[0093] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified inventions will be described.

[0094] Invention 1 is a lighting system 10 including a plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b belonging to a first mesh network and a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b belonging to a second mesh network, in which, upon receiving a first control signal from a lighting remote controller 50, a first lighting device 20a of the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b performs lighting control of the first lighting device 20a based on the received first control signal, communicates with another first lighting device 20b among the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b through the first mesh network, and performs lighting control of the other first lighting device 20b based on the received first control signal, and communicates with one of the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network, thereby performing lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b based on the received first control signal.

[0095] Such a lighting system 10 can, in response to an operation on the lighting remote controller 50, control a plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b and a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, which belong to different mesh networks, in a linked manner.

[0096] Invention 2 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 1, in which how to perform lighting control of another first lighting device 20b upon receipt of a first control signal, and how to perform lighting control of a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b upon receipt of a first control signal are set in the first lighting device 20a by communication between an information terminal 60, in which a predetermined application program is installed, and the first lighting device 20a via a communications network.

[0097] According to such a lighting system 10, the user can use the information terminal 60 to configure settings for interlocking control.

[0098] Invention 3 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 2, in which the lighting remote controller 50 has a plurality of buttons pressed by a user and is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of first control signals corresponding to the plurality of buttons to the first lighting device 20a, and the information terminal 60 is capable of setting, in the first lighting device 20a, how to perform lighting control of the other first lighting device 20b and how to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b, for each of the plurality of types of first control signals, upon reception of the corresponding first control signal.

[0099] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the degree of freedom in setting interlocking control.

[0100] Invention 4 is the lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 3, in which at least some of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b have a sound playback function, and the first lighting device 20a has a sound playback function, and upon receiving a second control signal from a lighting remote controller 50, performs sound playback control of the first lighting device 20a based on the received second control signal, and communicates with one of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b via a communication network, thereby performing sound playback control of at least some of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b based on the received second control signal.

[0101] Such a lighting system 10 can, in response to an operation on the lighting remote controller 50, link the sound playback control of the first lighting device 20a with the sound playback control of at least some of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b, which belong to different mesh networks.

[0102] Invention 5 is the lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which at least some of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b have a scheduled operation function, the first lighting device 20a has a scheduled operation function, and upon receiving a third control signal from the lighting remote controller 50, turns on or off the scheduled operation function of the first lighting device 20a based on the received third control signal, and communicates with one of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b via a communication network, thereby turning on or off the scheduled operation function of at least some of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b based on the received third control signal.

[0103] Such a lighting system 10 can, in response to an operation on the lighting remote controller 50, link the on / off of a scheduled operation function of the first lighting device 20a with the on / off of at least some of the scheduled operation functions of multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b, which belong to different mesh networks.

[0104] Invention 6 is the lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which, upon receiving a fourth control signal from the lighting remote controller 50, the first lighting device 20a performs lighting control of the first lighting device 20a based on the received fourth control signal, and controls the device 80 based on the received fourth control signal by communicating with the device 80 other than the lighting device through a communication network.

[0105] In the lighting system 10, the lighting control of the first lighting device 20a and the control of the device 80 can be linked together when the lighting remote controller 50 is operated.

[0106] Invention 7 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 6, in which, upon receiving a control signal from the device remote controller 90 of the device 80, the device 80 controls the device 80 based on the received control signal, and communicates with the first lighting device 20a via a communication network to control the lighting of the first lighting device 20a based on the received control signal.

[0107] In the lighting system 10, when an operation on the device remote controller 90 is performed, the control of the device 80 and the lighting control of the first lighting device 20a can be linked together.

[0108] Invention 8 relates to a first lighting device 20a among a plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b belonging to a first mesh network, the first lighting device 20a including a receiving unit that receives a first control signal from a lighting remote controller 50, a first wireless communication unit 21 that communicates with another first lighting device 20b among the plurality of first lighting devices 20a, 20b through the first mesh network, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates with one of a plurality of second lighting devices 30a, 30b belonging to a second mesh network through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network. The first lighting device 20a includes a receiving unit 22 and an information processing unit 24, and the information processing unit 24, when the receiving unit receives a first control signal, performs lighting control of the first lighting device 20a based on the received first control signal, performs lighting control of the other first lighting device 20b based on the received first control signal by communicating with the other first lighting device 20b using the first wireless communication unit 21, and performs lighting control of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b based on the received first control signal by communicating with one of the multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b using the second wireless communication unit 22. The receiving unit is the light receiving unit 27, the first wireless communication unit 21, or the second wireless communication unit 22.

[0109] According to such a first lighting device 20a, the lighting system 10 can control multiple first lighting devices 20a, 20b and multiple second lighting devices 30a, 30b, which belong to different mesh networks, in a coordinated manner in response to an operation on the lighting remote controller 50.

[0110] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0111] For example, the form of the lighting device described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the form of the lighting device is not particularly limited. The lighting device may be a ceiling light having another shape, such as a circular ceiling light in a plan view, or may be a base light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. In addition, the lighting device may not be provided with a speaker.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0113] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0114] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0115] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0116] For example, the present invention may be realized as the lighting system, lighting device, or information terminal of the above-mentioned embodiments. Also, the present invention may be realized as a lighting control method executed by a lighting device, or as a program for causing a lighting device to execute the lighting control method, or as a non-transient recording medium on which such a program is recorded. The present invention may be realized as a setting method executed by an information terminal, or as a program for causing an information terminal to execute the setting method, or as a non-transient recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such a program includes the predetermined application program of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0117] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10. Lighting System 20a, 20b 1st lighting device 21 First Radio Communication Division 22 Second Radio Communication Division 23 Light emitting part 24 Information Processing Section 25 Memory section 26 Speaker 27 Light receiving part 30a, 30b 2nd lighting device 41, 42 Wireless router 50 Lighting remote controller 60 Information terminal 70 Servers 80 equipment 81 Wireless Communication Division 90 Equipment Remote Controller

Claims

1. a plurality of first lighting devices belonging to a first mesh network; a plurality of second lighting devices belonging to a second mesh network; When the first control signal is received from the remote controller, one of the first lighting devices performing lighting control of the lighting device based on the received first control signal; communicating with other first lighting devices among the plurality of first lighting devices through the first mesh network, thereby performing lighting control of the other first lighting devices based on the received first control signal; By communicating with one of the plurality of second lighting devices through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network, lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices is performed based on the received first control signal. Lighting system.

2. How to perform lighting control of the other first lighting device upon receipt of the first control signal and how to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices upon receipt of the first control signal are set in the lighting device by communication between an information terminal in which a predetermined application program is installed and the lighting device via the communication network.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. the remote controller includes a plurality of buttons that are pressed by a user, and is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of the first control signal corresponding to the plurality of buttons to the lighting device; The information terminal can set, in the lighting device, how to perform lighting control of the other first lighting device and how to perform lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices, when the first control signal is received, for each of the plurality of types of first control signals.

3. The lighting system of claim 2.

4. At least some of the second lighting devices have a sound reproduction function; The lighting device has a sound reproducing function, and in response to receiving a second control signal from the remote controller, performing sound reproduction control of the lighting device based on the received second control signal; and controlling sound reproduction of at least some of the second lighting devices based on the received second control signal by communicating with one of the second lighting devices through the communication network.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1.

5. At least a portion of the plurality of second lighting devices has a schedule operation function; The lighting device has a schedule operation function, and when the lighting device receives a third control signal from the remote controller, Turning on or off a schedule operation function of the lighting device based on the received third control signal; and communicating with one of the plurality of second lighting devices through the communication network to turn on or off a schedule operation function of at least a portion of the plurality of second lighting devices based on the received third control signal.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1.

6. When the lighting device receives a fourth control signal from the remote controller, performing lighting control of the lighting device based on the received fourth control signal; By communicating with a device other than the lighting device through the communication network, the device is controlled based on the received fourth control signal.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1.

7. Upon receiving a control signal from a remote controller of the device, Controlling the device based on the received control signal; By communicating with the lighting device through the communication network, lighting control of the lighting device is performed based on the received control signal.

7. A lighting system according to claim 6.

8. One of a plurality of first lighting devices belonging to a first mesh network, a receiving unit that receives a first control signal from a remote controller; a first communication unit that communicates with other first lighting devices among the plurality of first lighting devices through the first mesh network; a second communication unit that communicates with one of a plurality of second lighting devices belonging to a second mesh network through a communication network different from both the first mesh network and the second mesh network; An information processing unit, When the receiving unit receives the first control signal, the information processing unit: performing lighting control of the lighting device based on the received first control signal; performing lighting control of the other first lighting device based on the received first control signal by communicating with the other first lighting device using the first communication unit; By communicating with one of the plurality of second lighting devices using the second communication unit, lighting control of the plurality of second lighting devices is performed based on the received first control signal. Lighting equipment.

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