Lighting system, lighting fixture, and control method

Abstract

To provide a lighting system that can improve the safety of a location where a lighting fixture is installed.SOLUTION: A lighting system 10 includes a lighting fixture 20 and a control terminal that controls the lighting fixture 20 by communicating with the lighting fixture 20. The lighting fixture 20 has a fail-safe function that controls the lighting fixture 20 to bring it into a second dimming state that is brighter than a first dimming state if it is determined that, after being controlled to bring it into the first dimming state by the control terminal, the first dimming state has brightness equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in a communication state with the control terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system, a lighting fixture, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system in which a plurality of lighting devices are linked together via a communication means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-303510 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a lighting system and the like that can improve the safety of a location where a lighting fixture is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a lighting fixture and a control terminal that controls the lighting fixture by communicating with the lighting fixture, and the lighting fixture has a function of controlling the lighting fixture to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state when, after being controlled to a first dimming state by the control terminal, it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness level equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

[0006] A lighting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a lighting device that has a function of controlling the lighting device to a first dimming state by a control terminal that controls the lighting device by communicating with the lighting device, and then controlling the lighting device to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state when it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness level below a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

[0007] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method executed by a lighting device, in which after the lighting device has been controlled to a first dimming state by a control terminal which controls the lighting device by communicating with the lighting device, if it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness level below a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal, the lighting device is controlled to a second dimming state which is brighter than the first dimming state. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The lighting system etc. of the present invention can improve the safety of the location where the lighting fixtures are installed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an indoor space to which the lighting system according to the embodiment is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of the fail-safe operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an indoor space to which a lighting system according to an embodiment is applied. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a scheduler 30, a controller with a brightness sensor 40, a controller with a human presence sensor 50, a remote controller 60, a relay terminal 61, a local controller 70, and a setting terminal 80. Note that it is sufficient for lighting system 10 to include at least one lighting fixture 20.

[0013] In the lighting system 10, the lighting fixtures 20, the scheduler 30, the controller with brightness sensor 40, the controller with motion sensor 50, the relay terminal 61, and the local controller 70 constitute a wireless mesh network and perform wireless communication based on a first communication protocol. The remote controller 60 does not belong to the wireless mesh network, but can communicate with the lighting fixtures 20 included in the wireless mesh network by connecting to the relay terminal 61 via a wide area communication network. The setting terminal 80 does not belong to the wireless mesh network, but can communicate with any of the devices constituting the wireless mesh network by connecting to any of the devices constituting the wireless mesh network via wireless communication based on a second communication protocol, and can perform setting processing related to the device.

[0014] In addition, the setting terminal 80 may belong to the above-mentioned wireless mesh network. In this case, the setting terminal 80 can perform wireless communication based on the first communication protocol with multiple lighting fixtures 20, the scheduler 30, the controller with brightness sensor 40, the controller with human presence sensor 50, the relay terminal 61, and the local controller 70, and perform setting processes related to these devices.

[0015] A user of lighting system 10 can control multiple lighting fixtures 20 in accordance with a schedule by enabling scheduler 30 through a predetermined operation on setting terminal 80. Furthermore, the user can control multiple lighting fixtures 20 so that the brightness of indoor space 90 remains constant by enabling controller 40 with brightness sensor through a predetermined operation on setting terminal 80. The user can control multiple lighting fixtures 20 so that indoor space 90 is brighter when someone is present than when no one is present by enabling controller 50 with motion sensor through a predetermined operation on setting terminal 80.

[0016] In addition, to supplement the controller 40 with a brightness sensor, when the indoor space 90 is large, a plurality of controllers 40 with a brightness sensor may be installed in the indoor space 90. Also, in order to keep the brightness of an area of ​​the indoor space 90 where external light enters constant, the controller 40 with a brightness sensor may be installed only in that area.

[0017] Furthermore, the user can manually operate remote controller 60 or local controller 70 to control multiple lighting fixtures 20 to a desired state.

[0018] Each of scheduler 30, controller with brightness sensor 40, controller with motion sensor 50, relay terminal 61, and local controller 70 is an example of a control terminal that controls lighting fixture 20 by communicating with lighting fixture 20. Lighting system 10 may include at least one (one type) control terminal. Devices included in lighting system 10 will be described below.

[0019] The lighting fixture 20 is a base light that illuminates the indoor space 90. The lighting fixture 20 may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. The lighting fixture 20 may be a display-type device that emits visible light. The lighting fixture 20 is installed on the ceiling or a wall of the indoor space 90, for example, but may be installed in a location other than the ceiling or the wall, such as a wiring duct suspended from the ceiling (i.e., at a position lower than the ceiling). The lighting fixture 20 here means a lighting fixture in a broad sense, and may be a device that emits at least visible light, and the mode of the light source 22 and the mode of the fixture shape are not particularly limited. The lighting fixture 20 includes a communication unit 21, a light source 22, an information processing unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0020] The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the lighting fixture 20 to perform wireless communication with the scheduler 30, the controller with brightness sensor 40, the controller with human presence sensor 50, the relay terminal 61, the local controller 70, and the setting terminal 80.

[0021] The light source 22 emits light into the interior space 90 so that the lighting device 20 illuminates the interior space 90. The light source 22 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.

[0022] Information processing unit 23 performs light emission control of lighting device 20 (light source 22). Light emission control includes on / off control, dimming control, color adjustment control, and light distribution control. Information processing unit 23 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of information processing unit 23 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting information processing unit 23 executing a computer program (software) stored in storage unit 24.

[0023] The storage unit 24 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the information processing unit 23 to execute light emission control, such as a computer program executed by the information processing unit 23. The storage unit 24 also stores setting information indicating whether a fail-safe function, which will be described later, is set to be enabled or disabled. The storage unit 24 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0024] Scheduler 30 is installed in indoor space 90 in which lighting fixtures 20 are installed, and controls lighting fixtures 20 according to a schedule set in scheduler 30. Scheduler 30 can control lighting fixtures 20 by communicating with lighting fixtures 20. This communication is, for example, communication using a local communication network in indoor space 90.

[0025] It should be noted that scheduler 30 can also control any device other than lighting fixture 20 having multiple operation modes according to a schedule. For example, for a multi-controller equipped with both a brightness sensor and a human presence sensor, scheduler 30 can switch, according to a schedule, between a mode in which only the brightness sensor is enabled, a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are enabled, a mode in which only the human presence sensor is enabled, and a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are disabled (disabled).

[0026] Controller 40 with brightness sensor is a device equipped with a brightness sensor. In other words, the brightness sensor is an illuminance sensor. Controller 40 with brightness sensor is installed on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 90 in which lighting fixture 20 is installed, senses the brightness, and controls lighting fixture 20 based on the sensing result.

[0027] For example, in order to keep the brightness of indoor space 90 constant, controller 40 with brightness sensor causes lighting device 20 to emit light relatively dimly when indoor space 90 is bright because external light is taken in and when indoor space 90 is dark because no external light is taken in, controller 40 with brightness sensor causes lighting device 20 to emit light relatively brightly. Controller 40 with brightness sensor can control lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20.

[0028] Controller 50 with a human presence sensor is a device equipped with a human presence sensor. Controller 50 with a human presence sensor is installed on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 90 in which lighting fixture 20 is installed to sense the presence or absence of a person and control lighting fixture 20 based on the sensing result.

[0029] For example, when controller 50 with motion sensor detects the presence of a person in indoor space 90, controller 50 causes lighting device 20 to emit light more brightly for a certain period of time than when no person is in indoor space 90. Controller 50 with motion sensor can control lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20. Controller 50 with motion sensor can control lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20.

[0030] The remote controller 60 is a device that is manually operated by a user located outside the indoor space 90 to control the lighting fixture 20. The remote controller 60 is, for example, a stationary controller such as a dimmer switch or an operation panel installed in an indoor space other than the indoor space 90 (such as a central control room) of a building including the indoor space 90, or in an indoor space (such as a central control room) in a building other than the indoor space 90, but may also be a portable controller. The portable remote controller 60 may be realized by installing a predetermined application program on a general-purpose portable terminal, or may be a dedicated portable controller used in the lighting system 10. The general-purpose portable terminal may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

[0031] Relay terminal 61 is a gateway device that communicates with remote controller 60 via the wide area communication network and also functions as a communication node of the wireless mesh network. Relay terminal 61 can control lighting fixture 20 by communicating with lighting fixture 20 based on commands from remote controller 60. If remote controller 60 is located in the same building as lighting fixture 20, remote controller 60 can also communicate with lighting fixture 20 without going through relay terminal 61.

[0032] The local controller 70 is a device operated by a user located in the indoor space 90 to control the lighting fixture 20. The operation here is in a broad sense, and includes manual operation, voice operation, gesture, and the like. The method of operating the local controller 70 is not particularly limited. The local controller 70 is, for example, a portable controller. The local controller 70 is realized by installing a predetermined application program on a general-purpose mobile terminal, but may be a dedicated portable controller used in the lighting system 10. The local controller 70 may also be a stationary controller such as a dimmer switch or an operation panel installed on a wall of the indoor space 90. The local controller 70 can control the lighting fixture 20 by communicating with the lighting fixture 20.

[0033] Setting terminal 80 is a device manually operated by a user to perform initial settings for lighting fixtures 20, scheduler 30, controller with brightness sensor 40, and controller with motion sensor 50, as well as to enable or disable a fail-safe function (described below) for lighting fixtures 20. Setting terminal 80 is realized, for example, by installing a predetermined application program on a general-purpose mobile terminal. Setting terminal 80 may be a dedicated device used in lighting system 10.

[0034] [Fail-safe behavior when controlled by scheduler] If a malfunction or the like occurs in scheduler 30 after lighting device 20 has been dimmed to a relatively dark state by scheduler 30, indoor space 90 will remain dark. If a user located in indoor space 90 at this time does not have the means to dim lighting device 20 to make it brighter, the user will find himself or herself in a dangerous situation in which it is difficult to see obstacles in the vicinity.

[0035] Therefore, lighting device 20 has a fail-safe function, and lighting device 20 with the fail-safe function enabled automatically emits bright light in the event of a malfunction or the like in scheduler 30. Such fail-safe operation of lighting device 20 will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the fail-safe operation. Note that while scheduler 30 actually controls multiple lighting devices 20, the following description will focus on scheduler 30 controlling one lighting device 20.

[0036] For example, schedule information is stored (set) in scheduler 30 indicating a schedule in which lighting device 20 is caused to emit light with a dimming rate of 80% from 7:00 to 20:00, and with a dimming rate of 10% from 20:00 to 7:00 the following morning. Scheduler 30 transmits a control signal instructing the dimming rate to lighting device 20 based on this schedule information.

[0037] Communication unit 21 of lighting fixture 20 receives the control signal (S11), and information processing unit 23 causes light source 22 to emit light at a dimming rate instructed by the received control signal (S12).

[0038] Scheduler 30 normally transmits a control signal at a predetermined time interval (e.g., one minute) regardless of whether or not the dimming ratio of lighting fixture 20 is changed. In other words, the processes of steps S11 and S12 are repeated at a predetermined time interval.

[0039] Thereafter, if, for some reason, the communication unit 21 is unable to receive the control signal transmitted by the scheduler 30 for a certain period of time (e.g., 5 minutes) or a certain number of times (e.g., 5 times), the information processing unit 23 determines that there is an abnormality in the communication status with the scheduler 30 (S13). If a control signal cannot be received for a certain period of time, this can be rephrased as a case in which control has not been received from the scheduler 30 for a certain period of time.

[0040] In order to make the judgment in step S13, the information processing unit 23 counts the period during which communication with the scheduler 30 is not possible or the number of times communication with the scheduler 30 is not possible, and resets the count value when reception of control signals from the scheduler 30 is resumed.

[0041] If information processing unit 23 determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30, it determines whether the current dimming rate of light source 22 is equal to or lower than a threshold (S14). The threshold is, for example, 30%, but may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally. The threshold can be considered as a value for activating a fail-safe function, and if the threshold is set to 0%, the fail-safe function is activated on the condition that lighting device 20 is turned off.

[0042] As described above, the schedule indicated by the schedule information is a schedule in which lighting device 20 is caused to emit light with a dimming rate of 80% from 7:00 to 20:00, and is caused to emit light with a dimming rate of 20% from 20:00 to 7:00 the following day. In this case, if there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30 from 7:00 to 20:00, the current dimming rate is determined to be greater than the threshold. On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30 from 20:00 to 7:00 the following day, the current dimming rate is determined to be equal to or less than the threshold.

[0043] When the information processing unit 23 determines that the current dimming rate of the light source 22 is equal to or lower than the threshold value (Yes in S14), the information processing unit 23 causes the light source 22 to emit light at a predetermined dimming rate (e.g., 80%) that is higher than the threshold value. In other words, the information processing unit 23 causes the light source 22 to emit light brighter than the current dimming rate (S15). Note that the predetermined dimming rate may be 100% (maximum brightness) or may be the dimming rate when the lighting device 20 is started up (the default dimming rate when the lighting device 20 is powered on). On the other hand, when the information processing unit 23 determines that the current dimming rate of the light source 22 is higher than the threshold value (No in S14), the information processing unit 23 does not change the dimming rate of the light source 22 and maintains the current dimming rate (S16).

[0044] Thereafter, when communication unit 21 resumes receiving the control signal from scheduler 30, information processing unit 23 determines that communication with scheduler 30 is normal (S17), receives the control signal (S11), and performs dimming control based on the received control signal (S12). In other words, lighting device 20 returns from the fail-safe mode in which a fail-safe operation is performed to the normal mode controlled by scheduler 30.

[0045] As described above, in lighting system 10, scheduler 30 controls lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20, and lighting device 20 has a fail-safe function that controls lighting device 20 to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state if, after lighting device 20 has been controlled to a first dimming state by scheduler 30, the first dimming state is a brightness level (including an off state) equal to or lower than a threshold value and it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30. Furthermore, when lighting device 20 is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the fail-safe function, if it is determined that the communication state with scheduler 30 is normal, lighting device 20 returns to a state controlled by scheduler 30 (a state in which dimming is controlled based on a control signal transmitted by scheduler 30).

[0046] In such lighting fixture 20, even if a failure or the like occurs in scheduler 30 while the lighting fixture 20 is being automatically controlled to a relatively dark dimmed state by scheduler 30, the fail-safe function switches the lighting fixture 20 to a bright dimmed state. In other words, the occurrence of a situation in which indoor space 90 becomes dark regardless of the intention of a person in indoor space 90 and indoor space 90 cannot be brightened is suppressed, thereby improving the safety of indoor space 90.

[0047] In step S13, the information processing unit 23 may determine that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the scheduler 30 when the index related to the received radio wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state. The index related to the received radio wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state, for example, when the received signal strength of the control signal is equal to or lower than a threshold. In addition, in step S13, the information processing unit 23 may determine that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the scheduler 30 when the index related to the interference wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state. The index related to the interference wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state, for example, when the index calculated based on the interference wave strength is greater than a threshold.

[0048] Furthermore, in step S13, information processing unit 23 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30 based on the control signal transmitted by scheduler 30. However, information processing unit 23 may determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30 based on a signal for checking the aliveness of communication. The signal for checking the aliveness of communication may be transmitted from scheduler 30 to lighting device 20, or may be transmitted from lighting device 20 to scheduler 30. For example, there may be a case where scheduler 30 transmits a control signal to lighting device 20 only when the dimming rate of lighting device 20 is changed. A configuration in which the determination is made using the signal for checking the aliveness of communication is useful in cases where control signals are not transmitted continuously in this manner.

[0049] 3 is merely an example. For example, after step S17 (when the communication state is determined to be normal), the process of step S11 may be omitted and the process of step S12 may be executed according to the control signal already received from the scheduler.

[0050] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S17 that the communication state is normal, lighting device 20 may transition to a specific light-emitting state. The specific light-emitting state may be, for example, a temporary blinking state, where "temporarily" refers to, for example, the period until the next control signal is received.

[0051] [Fail-safe operation when controlled by a controller with a brightness sensor] In the above fail-safe operation, lighting device 20 was controlled by scheduler 30. However, lighting device 20 may perform the fail-safe operation when it is controlled by controller 40 with a brightness sensor. In the description of the above fail-safe operation, scheduler 30 may be read as controller 40 with a brightness sensor.

[0052] While scheduler 30 periodically transmits a control signal based on schedule information, controller 40 with brightness sensor periodically transmits a control signal based on the result of sensing the brightness. Controller 40 with brightness sensor transmits a control signal to lighting fixture 20 at a predetermined time interval regardless of whether the dimming ratio of lighting fixture 20 is changed or not, for example, but may transmit a control signal to lighting fixture 20 only when the dimming ratio of lighting fixture 20 is changed.

[0053] As described above, even if a failure or the like occurs in controller 40 with a brightness sensor while lighting device 20 is being automatically controlled to a relatively dark dimmed state by controller 40 with a brightness sensor, lighting device 20 will switch to a bright dimmed state due to the fail-safe function. In other words, the occurrence of a situation in which indoor space 90 becomes dark regardless of the intention of a person located in indoor space 90 and indoor space 90 cannot be brightened is suppressed, thereby improving the safety of indoor space 90.

[0054] [Fail-safe operation when controlled by a controller with a human sensor] Furthermore, lighting device 20 may perform a fail-safe operation when being controlled by controller 50 with a motion sensor. In the above description of the fail-safe operation, scheduler 30 may be read as controller 50 with a motion sensor.

[0055] While scheduler 30 periodically transmits a control signal based on schedule information, controller with motion sensor 50 periodically transmits a control signal based on the result of sensing a person. Controller with motion sensor 50 transmits a control signal to lighting fixture 20 at a predetermined time interval regardless of whether the dimming ratio of lighting fixture 20 is changed or not, for example, but may transmit a control signal to lighting fixture 20 only when the dimming ratio of lighting fixture 20 is changed.

[0056] As described above, even if a failure or the like occurs in the controller 50 with the motion sensor while the lighting device 20 is being automatically controlled to a comparatively dark dimmed state by the controller 50 with the motion sensor, the fail-safe function switches the lighting device 20 to a bright dimmed state. In other words, the occurrence of a situation in which the indoor space 90 becomes dark regardless of the will of a person located in the indoor space 90 and the indoor space 90 cannot be brightened is suppressed, thereby improving the safety of the indoor space 90.

[0057] [Fail-safe operation when controlled by a remote controller] Furthermore, lighting fixture 20 may perform a fail-safe operation when it is remotely controlled from outside indoor space 90 by remote controller 60. In the above description of the fail-safe operation, scheduler 30 may be replaced with relay terminal 61 that receives a command from remote controller 60.

[0058] While scheduler 30 periodically transmits control signals based on schedule information, relay terminal 61 transmits control signals to lighting fixture 20 every time it receives a command from remote controller 60. In other words, relay terminal 61 does not continuously transmit control signals to lighting fixture 20. Therefore, whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state between lighting fixture 20 and relay terminal 61 is determined based on, for example, a signal used for checking whether or not the communication is alive.

[0059] As described above, even if a failure or the like occurs in relay terminal 61 while lighting device 20 is being remotely controlled by relay terminal 61 to a relatively dark dimmed state, lighting device 20 will switch to a bright dimmed state due to the fail-safe function. In other words, the occurrence of a situation in which indoor space 90 becomes dark regardless of the intention of a person in indoor space 90 and indoor space 90 cannot be brightened is suppressed, thereby improving the safety of indoor space 90.

[0060] [Fail-safe operation when controlled by a local controller] Furthermore, lighting device 20 may perform a fail-safe operation when being controlled by local controller 70. In the above description of the fail-safe operation, scheduler 30 may be replaced with local controller 70. While scheduler 30 periodically transmits a control signal based on schedule information, local controller 70 transmits a control signal to lighting device 20 every time it receives a manual operation from the user. In other words, local controller 70 does not continuously transmit a control signal to lighting device 20. Therefore, whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state between lighting device 20 and local controller 70 is determined based on, for example, a signal for confirming whether or not the communication is alive.

[0061] As described above, even if a malfunction or the like occurs in local controller 70 while lighting device 20 is being controlled to a relatively dark dimmed state by local controller 70 and it becomes impossible to manually adjust the dimming to brighten indoor space 90, lighting device 20 will enter a bright dimmed state due to the fail-safe function. In other words, the occurrence of a situation in which it is impossible to brighten indoor space 90 is suppressed, thereby improving the safety of indoor space 90.

[0062] [Control during fail-safe function activation] In lighting system 10, when the fail-safe function of lighting device 20 is activated (the period from step S15 to step S17 in FIG. 3), control other than turning off lighting device 20 is permitted. For example, if there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30 and the fail-safe function of lighting device 20 is activated, control of lighting device 20 by controller 40 with brightness sensor, controller 50 with motion sensor, remote controller 60 (relay terminal 61), and local controller 70 are permitted as long as they are not controls that turn off lighting device 20.

[0063] On the other hand, when the fail-safe function of lighting fixture 20 is activated, only local controller 70 is permitted to control lighting fixture 20 to turn off. In other words, only a control terminal located in indoor space 90 (where the lighting fixture is installed) is permitted to control lighting fixture 20 to turn off. In other words, lighting fixture 20 does not permit a turn-off instruction from a control terminal such as remote controller 60 that is located in a location other than indoor space 90 (where the lighting fixture is installed).

[0064] As a result, light-off control is not permitted unless intentionally performed by a user located in the indoor space 90 (a user who can manually operate the local controller 70), thereby preventing the lighting fixture 20 from being unintentionally controlled to be turned off when the fail-safe function is activated, thereby preventing a decrease in safety in the indoor space 90.

[0065] In a normal state where the fail-safe function is not activated, lighting device 20 prioritizes control by local controller 70 over control from other control terminals. For example, when lighting device 20 is controlled by scheduler 30 and receives a control signal from local controller 70, lighting device 20 emits light at the dimming ratio instructed by local controller 70, rather than the dimming ratio instructed by scheduler 30.

[0066] While the control while the fail-safe function is activated has been described above, control other than control to lower the dimming rate from the current dimming rate is permitted while the fail-safe function is activated, and control to lower the dimming rate may be permitted only by the local controller 70. That is, in the description of control while the fail-safe function is activated (the description in this section), the light-off control may be read as control to lower the dimming rate.

[0067] In addition, some or all of the controls described as being permitted while the fail-safe function is activated may not be permitted, and some or all of the controls described as being not permitted while the fail-safe function is activated may be permitted. For example, a light-off command from the remote controller 60 may be permitted while the fail-safe function is activated.

[0068] [Variations of requirements for fail-safe function activation] Lighting system 10 includes multiple control terminals, such as scheduler 30, controller with brightness sensor 40, controller with motion sensor 50, relay terminal 61, and local controller 70. In this case, even if there is an abnormality in the communication state with one control terminal, lighting device 20 does not need to activate the fail-safe function as long as the communication state with other control terminals is normal.

[0069] For example, when a lighting device 20 controlled by both the scheduler 30 and the controller with brightness sensor 40 has an abnormality in communication with the controller with brightness sensor 40 after being controlled to a first dimming state (a relatively dimming state including an off state) by the controller with brightness sensor 40, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in communication with the scheduler 30 as well, the fail-safe function is activated to control the lighting device 20 to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state. On the other hand, when a lighting device 20 has an abnormality in communication with the controller with brightness sensor 40 after being controlled to the first dimming state by the controller with brightness sensor 40, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in communication with the scheduler 30, the fail-safe function is not activated and the lighting device 20 remains in the first dimming state.

[0070] In this way, even if lighting device 20 has an abnormality in communication with one control terminal, if lighting device 20 is in normal communication with other control terminals and can be controlled to a bright dimmed state by the other control terminal, it does not have to activate the fail-safe function. This prevents the fail-safe function from being activated more frequently than necessary.

[0071] [Fail-safe function settings] A user can enable or disable the fail-safe function of lighting fixture 20 by performing a predetermined operation on setting terminal 80. The enable or disable of the fail-safe function may be set for each device of the communication partner when determining whether there is an abnormality in the communication state. This allows a setting such that, for example, the fail-safe function is activated when there is an abnormality in the communication state with scheduler 30, but the fail-safe function is not activated even if there is an abnormality in the communication state with controller 40 with human sensor. The default setting of the fail-safe function is, for example, disabled.

[0072] Furthermore, if there is no control terminal compatible with the fail-safe function within the wireless mesh network, the fail-safe function of lighting fixture 20 cannot be set to active. Specifically, when no control terminal has joined lighting system 10, setting terminal 80 restricts the setting of the fail-safe function by hiding or graying out the icon for setting the fail-safe function to active. In other words, setting terminal 80 allows the fail-safe function to be set to active on the condition that at least one control terminal has joined lighting system 10.

[0073] This allows the setting terminal 80 to assist the user in appropriately setting the enable or disable of the fail-safe function.

[0074] The control terminals compatible with the fail-safe function include, but are not limited to, the scheduler 30, the controller with the brightness sensor 40, the controller with the human sensor 50, the relay terminal 61, and the local controller 70.

[0075] For example, other control terminals that support the fail-safe function include a scheduler with a relay function and a multi-controller.

[0076] The scheduler with relay function is a control terminal that has both the function of the scheduler 30 and the function of the relay terminal 61 .

[0077] The multi-controller is a control terminal having both the functions of the controller with brightness sensor 40 and the controller with human presence sensor 50. The multi-controller can switch between a mode in which only the brightness sensor is enabled, a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are enabled, a mode in which only the human presence sensor is enabled, and a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are disabled (disabled).

[0078] Furthermore, the sensor included in the control terminal corresponding to the fail-safe function is not limited to a brightness sensor or a human sensor. For example, the control terminal may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a sound sensor (microphone), or a carbon dioxide concentration sensor.

[0079] As described above, one control terminal having two or more types of the functions of the control terminal described in the above embodiment may support the fail-safe function.

[0080] [Modification of communication network] The communication network used in lighting system 10 described in the above embodiment is an example. Communication between devices in lighting system 10 may be wireless communication or wired communication. Furthermore, wireless communication and wired communication may be used together within lighting system 10. In lighting system 10, it is only necessary that control terminals such as scheduler 30, controller with brightness sensor 40, controller with human presence sensor 50, relay terminal 61, and local controller 70 can communicate with lighting fixtures 20.

[0081] Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the communication protocol used in the lighting system 10, and multiple types of communication protocols may be used within the lighting system 10. Note that examples of communication protocols for wired communication include PLC (Power Line Communication) and HD (High Definition)-PLC (registered trademark).

[0082] [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 inventions will be described.

[0083] Invention 1 is a lighting system 10 comprising a lighting fixture 20 and a control terminal that controls the lighting fixture 20 by communicating with the lighting fixture 20, wherein the lighting fixture 20 has a fail-safe function that, after the lighting fixture 20 has been controlled to a first dimming state by the control terminal, controls the lighting fixture 20 to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state if it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness level equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

[0084] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting fixture 20 is installed (e.g., indoor space 90) by controlling the lighting fixture 20 to a bright dimmed state when the lighting fixture 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal.

[0085] Invention 2 is lighting system 10 of Invention 1, in which the control terminal controls lighting device 20 to the first dimming state without user operation. The control terminal here includes, for example, scheduler 30, controller 40 with brightness sensor, and controller 50 with motion sensor.

[0086] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting device 20 is installed when the lighting device 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after the lighting device 20 is automatically controlled to the first dimming state.

[0087] Invention 3 is lighting system 10 of Invention 2, in which the control terminal controls lighting fixture 20 to the first dimming state based on schedule information stored in the control terminal. The control terminal here is, for example, scheduler 30.

[0088] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting device 20 is installed when the lighting device 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after the lighting device 20 has been automatically controlled to the first dimming state based on the schedule information.

[0089] Invention 4 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 2, wherein the control terminal controls the lighting device to the first dimming state based on a sensing result of a sensor included in the control terminal. The control terminal here is, for example, a controller 40 with a brightness sensor or a controller 50 with a human presence sensor.

[0090] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting fixture 20 is installed when the lighting fixture 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after the lighting fixture 20 is automatically controlled to the first dimming state based on the sensing result of the sensor.

[0091] Invention 5 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 4, in which the sensor is a human presence sensor or a brightness sensor.

[0092] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where lighting fixture 20 is installed when lighting fixture 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after lighting fixture 20 is automatically controlled to the first dimming state based on the sensing result of the motion sensor or brightness sensor.

[0093] Invention 6 is lighting system 10 of Invention 1, in which the control terminal controls lighting fixture 20 to the first dimming state in response to a user operation by communicating with lighting fixture 20. The control terminal here is, for example, relay terminal 61 or local controller 70.

[0094] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting device 20 is installed when the lighting device 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after the lighting device 20 has been controlled to the first dimming state based on a user's operation.

[0095] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the lighting system 10 according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the brightness equal to or less than the threshold value is brightness equivalent to a light-off state.

[0096] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where the lighting device 20 is installed when the lighting device 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after the lighting device 20 has been controlled to an off state.

[0097] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the second dimming state is a state in which the brightness is maximum.

[0098] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where lighting fixture 20 is installed by dimming lighting fixture 20 to the maximum brightness state when lighting fixture 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after lighting fixture 20 has been controlled to the first dimming state.

[0099] A ninth aspect of the present invention is lighting system 10 according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the second dimming state is a predetermined dimming state when lighting device 20 is activated.

[0100] Such a lighting system 10 can improve the safety of the location where lighting fixture 20 is installed by dimming lighting fixture 20 to a predetermined brightness level at startup when lighting fixture 20 cannot be controlled by the control terminal after lighting fixture 20 has been controlled to the first dimming state.

[0101] A tenth aspect of the present invention is lighting system 10 according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein lighting device 20 determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal if lighting device 20 has not been controlled by the control terminal for a certain period of time.

[0102] Such lighting system 10 can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state between lighting fixture 20 and the control terminal based on whether or not lighting fixture 20 has not been controlled by the control terminal for a certain period of time.

[0103] Invention 11 is a lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 9, in which lighting device 20 determines that there is an abnormality in the communication status with the control terminal if it is unable to communicate with the control terminal for a certain period of time, or if it is unable to communicate with the control terminal a certain number of times.

[0104] Such a lighting system 10 can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication status between the lighting fixture 20 and the control terminal based on whether or not the lighting fixture 20 has been unable to communicate with the control terminal for a certain period of time, or whether or not the lighting fixture 20 has been unable to communicate with the control terminal a certain number of times.

[0105] Invention 12 is the lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein the lighting device 20 determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal when an index related to the received radio wave strength or the interference wave strength shows that there is an abnormality in the communication state.

[0106] Such a lighting system 10 can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state between the lighting fixture 20 and the control terminal, based on an index related to the received radio wave strength or the jamming wave strength.

[0107] Invention 13 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 12, in which lighting device 20 is capable of communicating with another control terminal, and after being controlled to a first dimming state by the control terminal, if the first dimming state is a brightness below a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal, (1) if it is determined that there is also an abnormality in the communication state with the other control terminal, lighting device 20 is controlled to a second dimming state, and (2) if it is determined that the communication state with the other control terminal is normal, lighting device 20 is maintained in the first dimming state.

[0108] Such a lighting system 10 can prevent the fail-safe function from being activated more frequently than necessary.

[0109] Invention 14 is a lighting system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 13, in which, when lighting device 20 is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the fail-safe function, if it determines that the communication state with the control terminal is normal, the lighting device 20 returns to a state controlled by the control terminal.

[0110] Such a lighting system 10 can automatically restore the lighting fixture 20 to its original state.

[0111] Invention 15 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 14, wherein lighting device 20 is controlled to an off state only by instructions from a specific control terminal while lighting device 20 is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the fail-safe function, and the specific control terminal is a control terminal located at the installation location of lighting device 20.

[0112] Such a lighting system 10 does not allow lighting device 20 to be turned off unless the lighting device 20 is intentionally turned off by a user located at the location where the lighting device 20 is installed, thereby preventing lighting device 20 from being unintentionally turned off and reducing the safety of the location where the lighting device 20 is installed.

[0113] Invention 16 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 15, wherein lighting device 20 does not accept an instruction to turn off lighting device 20 from a specific control terminal while lighting device 20 is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the fail-safe function, and the specific control terminal is a control terminal located in a location different from where the lighting device is installed.

[0114] Such a lighting system 10 does not allow a turn-off command from a control terminal located in a location other than the installation location of lighting fixture 20, thereby preventing lighting fixture 20 from being controlled to be turned off against the intention of a user located in the installation location of lighting fixture 20, thereby reducing the safety of the installation location of lighting fixture 20.

[0115] Invention 17 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 16, wherein lighting device 20 prioritizes control by a specific control terminal over control by a control terminal in a normal state in which the fail-safe function is not activated.

[0116] Such a lighting system 10 does not allow light-off control except for specific control terminals that are given priority control, thereby preventing lighting fixtures 20 from being unintentionally controlled to be turned off, thereby reducing the safety of the location where lighting fixtures 20 are installed.

[0117] Invention 18 is a lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 17, further comprising a setting terminal 80 for a user to enable or disable the fail-safe function, and the setting terminal 80 allows the function to be set to enabled, provided that a predetermined control terminal has already joined the lighting system 10.

[0118] Such a lighting system 10 can assist a user in appropriately setting the enable or disable of the fail-safe function.

[0119] Invention 19 is lighting device 20 having a function of controlling lighting device 20 to a first dimming state by a control terminal that controls lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20, and then controlling lighting device 20 to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state when it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

[0120] When lighting fixture 20 like this cannot be controlled by a control terminal, lighting fixture 20 can be controlled to a bright dimmed state, thereby improving the safety of the location where lighting fixture 20 is installed.

[0121] Invention 20 is a control method executed by lighting device 20, in which after lighting device 20 has been controlled to a first dimming state by a control terminal that controls lighting device 20 by communicating with lighting device 20, if it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness level equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal, lighting device 20 is controlled to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state.

[0122] This type of control method can improve the safety of the location where lighting device 20 is installed by controlling lighting device 20 to a bright dimmed state when the control terminal cannot control lighting device 20.

[0123] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0124] For example, in the above embodiment, the process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0125] In the above embodiment, components such as the control unit 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.

[0126] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be a circuit (or integrated circuit), or may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] For example, the present invention may be realized as the lighting system or lighting fixture of the above-described embodiment, or as a method (such as a control method) executed by the lighting system or lighting fixture. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0129] 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]

[0130] 10. Lighting System 20 Lighting equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Light source 23 Information Processing Section 24 Memory section 30 Scheduler 40 Controller with brightness sensor 50 Controller with motion sensor 60 Remote Controller 61 Relay terminal 70 Local Controller 80 Setting terminal 90 Indoor space

Claims

1. Lighting equipment and a control terminal that controls the lighting fixture by communicating with the lighting fixture; The lighting device has a function of controlling the lighting device to a second dimming state brighter than the first dimming state when it is determined that the brightness of the first dimming state is equal to or lower than a threshold value and an abnormality exists in a communication state with the control terminal after the lighting device has been controlled to a first dimming state by the control terminal. Lighting system.

2. The control terminal controls the lighting device to the first dimming state without a user operation.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. The control terminal controls the lighting device to the first dimming state based on schedule information stored in the control terminal.

3. The lighting system of claim 2.

4. The control terminal controls the lighting device to the first dimming state based on a sensing result of a sensor included in the control terminal.

3. The lighting system of claim 2.

5. The sensor is a human presence sensor or a brightness sensor.

5. A lighting system according to claim 4.

6. The control terminal controls the lighting device to the first dimming state in response to a user operation by communicating with the lighting device.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

7. The brightness below the threshold value is the brightness equivalent to a light-off state.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The second dimming state is a maximum brightness state.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The second dimming state is a predetermined dimming state when the lighting fixture is activated.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. When the lighting device has not been controlled by the control terminal for a certain period of time, the lighting device determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. When the lighting device is unable to communicate with the control terminal for a certain period of time, or when the lighting device is unable to communicate with the control terminal a certain number of times, the lighting device determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The lighting device determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal when an index related to the received radio wave strength or the jamming wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The lighting fixture comprises: It is possible to communicate with other control terminals, After the lighting device is controlled to a first dimming state by the control terminal, if the first dimming state is a brightness equal to or lower than a threshold value and there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal, (1) if it is determined that there is also an abnormality in the communication state with the other control terminal, it controls the lighting device to the second dimming state, and (2) if it is determined that the communication state with the other control terminal is normal, it maintains the lighting device in the first dimming state.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. When the lighting device is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the function, if it determines that a communication state with the control terminal is normal, the lighting device returns to a state controlled by the control terminal.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. While the lighting device is controlled to the second dimming state due to activation of the function, the lighting device is controlled to an off state only by an instruction from a specific control terminal, The specific control terminal is a control terminal located at the installation location of the lighting fixture.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. The lighting device does not allow a turn-off instruction from a specific control terminal while the lighting device is controlled to the second dimming state due to the activation of the function, The specific control terminal is a control terminal located at a location different from the location where the lighting fixture is installed.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. In a normal state in which the function is not activated, the lighting device prioritizes control by a specific control terminal over control by the control terminal.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. Further, a setting terminal is provided for a user to enable or disable the function, The setting terminal allows the function to be set to be valid on the condition that the predetermined control terminal has already joined the lighting system.

7. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A lighting fixture, comprising: and a function of controlling the lighting device to a first dimming state by a control terminal that controls the lighting device by communicating with the lighting device, and then controlling the lighting device to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state when it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness equal to or lower than a threshold value and that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal. Lighting fixtures.

20. A control method implemented by a lighting fixture, comprising: After the lighting device is controlled to a first dimming state by a control terminal that controls the lighting device by communicating with the lighting device, when it is determined that the first dimming state is a brightness equal to or lower than a threshold value and that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the control terminal, the lighting device is controlled to a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state. Control methods.

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