Lighting system and remote controller

Abstract

To provide a lighting system performing pairing processing between external equipment and a lighting unit by operating a remote controller.SOLUTION: A lighting system 1 includes: a lighting unit 2 comprising a lighting device 5 and electrical equipment 6; a remote controller 3 operating the lighting unit 2 by transmitting a wireless signal of a first method as an operation signal; and external equipment 4 capable of operating the lighting unit 2 by pairing processing. A lighting operation acceptor 16 provided in the remote controller 3 accepts a pairing command from a user, and transmits a pairing command signal from a first method transmitter 10 to the lighting device 5. Then, a first method acceptor 8 provided in the lighting device 5 accepts the pairing command signal, and a pairing processing execution section 7 of the lighting device 5 executes pairing processing between the lighting unit 2 and the external equipment 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system and a remote controller.

Background Art

[0002] Some mobile phones and the like may be provided with a communication function (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)). By using the communication function, data can be transmitted and received between a mobile phone or the like and an electrical product or the like, improving convenience.

[0003] Related technologies are disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that an audio device and a mobile phone are connected via wireless communication means such as Bluetooth, that the audio of an audio source from the mobile phone is reproduced by the audio device, and that the hands-free function of the mobile phone can be controlled via operation means provided on the audio device so as to enable a hands-free call.

[0004] On the other hand, various functions have come to be incorporated into electrical products. In this regard, Patent Document 2 discloses a speaker-integrated furniture in which a speaker is incorporated into a lighting device installed on the ceiling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The inventor of the present application considered equipping the lighting unit with a communication function with an external device outside the lighting unit, such as a mobile phone. By doing so, the lighting unit can be operated using the external device, and the convenience can be improved.

[0007] However, in order to utilize the communication function between the lighting unit and the external device, an initial setting process (connection establishment process) called pairing processing may be required. Through the pairing process, a wireless communication device (master unit) included in the lighting unit searches for slave units (external devices) existing in the surroundings by radio waves. If a slave unit exists, the master unit recognizes the slave unit. Thereafter, communication becomes possible between the master unit and the slave unit. That is, communication becomes possible between the lighting unit and the external device.

[0008] In order to execute the pairing process, the lighting unit must be operated. However, when the lighting unit is installed in a place where it is difficult for the user to reach, such as on the ceiling, operating the lighting unit places a great burden on the user. There may be cases where pairing is desired without directly operating the lighting unit, including such cases.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily execute pairing between an external device and a lighting unit without directly operating the lighting unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A lighting system including a lighting unit attached to the ceiling and composed of a lighting device and an electrical device, A remote controller that operates the lighting unit by transmitting a first type of wireless signal as an operation signal, A lighting system provided with an external device capable of operating the lighting unit through pairing processing, The lighting unit includes a lighting section having a light-emitting function by an LED, a first-method receiving section that receives the operation signal, and a second-method communication section and a pairing processing execution section for performing wireless communication by a second method between an external device located outside the lighting unit. The external device has a transmitting and receiving section that performs wireless communication by a second method. The lighting unit includes a microcomputer, is communicably connected, and is controlled via the microcomputer. The remote controller includes a pairing instruction receiving section that receives from a user a pairing instruction for instructing execution of pairing processing that enables wireless communication by the second method via the second-method communication section between the lighting unit and the external device, and a first-method transmitting section that, when receiving the pairing instruction, generates a pairing instruction signal as the operation signal and transmits it to the lighting unit. The lighting unit is characterized in that, when the first-method receiving section receives the pairing instruction signal, pairing processing is executed by the pairing processing execution section between the lighting unit and the external device.

[0011] The lighting system according to the second aspect of the present invention is The pairing instruction receiving section in the remote controller is characterized by being constituted by a button dedicated to pairing instructions or a lighting operation receiving section.

[0012] The remote controller according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized by being used in the lighting system.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, pairing between an external device and a lighting unit can be easily executed without directly operating the lighting unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illumination system 1 according to the present embodiment. The illumination system 1 includes an illumination unit 2 and a remote controller 3.

[0016] The illumination unit 2 is installed on the ceiling of a room, for example, by being attached to a hanging ceiling or the like. The illumination unit 2 includes an illumination device 5 and an acoustic device 6.

[0017] The illumination device 5 has an illumination unit 9, an IR reception unit 8 (first method reception unit), and an illumination side microcomputer 7.

[0018] The illumination unit 9 has a function of emitting light, and is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0019] The IR reception unit 8 has a function of receiving an infrared signal (IR signal; first method wireless signal).

[0020] The illumination side microcomputer 7 has a function of controlling the operation of the illumination unit 9 according to the IR signal received by the IR reception unit 8. Further, the illumination side microcomputer 7 has a function of communicating with the acoustic device 6.

[0021] The acoustic device 6 has a speaker 13, a BT transmission / reception unit 14 (second method communication unit), and a speaker side microcomputer 12 (pairing processing execution unit).

[0022] The BT transceiver unit 14 has a function for short-range wireless communication between the speaker-side microcomputer 12 and an external device 4 (an external device having a BT transceiver unit 15) that supports the Bluetooth method (second method) via a wireless signal (BT radio wave) of the Bluetooth method. The external device 4 may be any device outside the lighting unit 2 that is separate from the lighting unit 2. Here, it is a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

[0023] The speaker-side microcomputer 12 has a function of controlling the speaker 13. Also, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 has a function of communicating with the lighting device 5. In addition, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 has a function of communicating with the external device 4 via the BT transceiver unit 14. In particular, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 performs pairing processing (initial setting processing that enables wireless communication of the Bluetooth method between the external device 4 and the lighting unit 2 (here, the audio device 6 (speaker-side microcomputer 12))) with the external device 4 that is the connection partner as an initial setting via the BT transceiver unit 14, and then becomes communicable with the external device 4.

[0024] The remote controller 3 is used to remotely operate the lighting unit 2. The remote controller 3 includes a transmission unit 10 (first method transmission unit), a pairing instruction reception unit 11, and a lighting operation reception unit 16.

[0025] The lighting operation reception unit 16 is used to receive a lighting operation instruction. The user can input a lighting operation instruction by operating the lighting operation reception unit 16. The pairing instruction reception unit 11 is used to receive a pairing instruction. The user can input a pairing instruction to the remote controller 3 by operating the pairing instruction reception unit 11. The pairing instruction is an instruction to execute pairing processing between the external device 4 and the lighting unit 2 (here, the audio device 6 (speaker-side microcomputer 12)).

[0026] The transmission unit 10 has a function of generating an operation signal according to an instruction received by the lighting operation reception unit 16 or the pairing instruction reception unit 11, and transmitting it as an IR signal to the lighting device 5.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the remote controller 3. As shown in FIG. 2, this remote controller 3 is provided with buttons marked "brighter" and "darker" as the lighting operation reception unit 16. Further, the remote controller 3 is provided with a "pairing button" as the pairing instruction reception unit 11. When the user presses these buttons, the transmission unit 10 generates an operation signal indicating the operation corresponding to the pressed button as an IR signal and transmits it to the lighting device 5.

[0028] Next, the operation method of the lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0029] The user can control the lighting function of the lighting unit 2 using the remote controller 3. That is, the user inputs a lighting instruction to the remote controller 3 by operating the lighting operation reception unit 16. Then, in the remote controller 3, the transmission unit 10 generates a signal indicating the input lighting instruction as a lighting operation signal and transmits it to the lighting device 5 by an IR signal (see FIG. 1). In the lighting device 5, the IR reception unit 8 receives the lighting operation signal. The received lighting operation signal is sent to the lighting-side microcomputer 7. The lighting-side microcomputer 7 controls the operation of the lighting unit 9 according to the acquired lighting operation signal. Thereby, the user can adjust the illuminance of the lighting unit 9.

[0030] In addition, in the lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment, the acoustic device 6 is provided with a BT transceiver unit 14. Therefore, the user can operate the lighting unit 2 using the external device 4. For example, the user can send music data stored in the external device 4 to the acoustic device 6 via the Bluetooth method (BT radio wave). In the acoustic device 6, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 acquires the music data via the BT transceiver unit 14. The speaker-side microcomputer 12 reproduces the acquired music data using the speaker 13. In addition to using the remote controller 3, the user can also operate the lighting function of the lighting device 5 by operating the external device 4. That is, the user can send an instruction for operating the lighting function to the acoustic device 6 via BT radio wave by operating the external device 4. In the acoustic device 6, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 receives the operation instruction via the BT transceiver unit 14 and transmits the received operation instruction to the lighting-side microcomputer 7. The lighting-side microcomputer 7 controls the operation of the lighting unit 9 based on the received operation instruction.

[0031] Here, as described above, in order for the speaker-side microcomputer 12 to communicate with the external device 4 via the BT transceiver unit 14, pairing processing is required. The operation method of the lighting system 1 during pairing will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an execution method of the pairing process.

[0032] Step S1: Pairing instruction reception When the user wants to perform the pairing process, the user operates the pairing instruction reception unit 11 of the remote controller 3 to input a pairing instruction.

[0033] Step S2: Pairing instruction signal transmission When the pairing instruction is input, the transmission unit 10 generates a pairing instruction signal and transmits it to the lighting device 5 as an IR signal.

[0034] Step S3: Pairing instruction signal reception In the lighting device 5, the IR receiving unit 8 receives the pairing instruction signal. The received pairing instruction signal is sent from the lighting device 5 side to the speaker-side microcomputer 12 of the acoustic device 6. Note that the pairing instruction signal received by the IR receiving unit 8 may be supplied to the speaker-side microcomputer 12 without passing through the lighting-side microcomputer 7 (see Fig. 1), or may be supplied to the speaker-side microcomputer 12 via the lighting-side microcomputer 7.

[0035] Step S4; Execute pairing process When the speaker-side microcomputer 12 acquires the pairing instruction signal, it executes a pairing process (the content of the pairing process can use known ones) via the BT transceiver 14. That is, the speaker-side microcomputer 12 performs a pairing process via the BT transceiver 14 to establish a connection with an external device 4 existing around (assuming that the external device 4 is also in a mode capable of executing pairing). Thereafter, the BT transceiver 14 becomes capable of communicating with the external device 4.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the pairing instruction receiving unit 11 is provided in the remote controller 3, the user can execute the pairing process of the acoustic device 6 (BT transceiver 14) attached to the ceiling that is difficult to reach by hand by operating the remote controller 3. The pairing process can be executed without touching the acoustic device 6, and the work burden required by the user can be reduced. Further, since the pairing instruction receiving unit 11 is a dedicated button for pairing, according to this embodiment, pairing can be easily started.

[0037] In this embodiment, the case where infrared communication is used as the communication method (first method) between the remote controller 3 and the lighting device 5 has been described. Also, the case where the Bluetooth method is used as the communication method (second method) between the audio device 6 and the external device 4 has been described. However, the first method and the second method are not limited to these communication methods, and other communication methods can also be used. The external device 4 may be a remote controller for a device other than the lighting device 5, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, or the like.

[0038] Also, in this embodiment, the case where the lighting unit 2 includes the audio device 6 and the lighting device 5 and the BT transceiver unit 14 is provided in the audio device 6 has been described. However, the BT transceiver unit 14 does not necessarily have to be mounted on the audio device 6 side and may be mounted on the lighting device 5 side. In this case, the lighting-side microcomputer 7 may operate as a pairing process execution unit that executes the pairing process. Also, this lighting unit 2 does not necessarily have to include the audio device 6. It is also possible that the lighting device 5 can be operated by the external device 4 through the pairing process. Furthermore, the audio device 6 may be another electrical device such as a video playback device or an air conditioner. The second method communication unit and the pairing process execution unit may be mounted on other electrical devices. The lighting unit 2 may be installed other than on the ceiling. Even in this case, the pairing process can be executed without touching the audio device 6.

[0039] Also, in this embodiment, the pairing instruction reception unit 11 is a dedicated button for pairing, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible that a pairing instruction is received by long-pressing an existing button (for example, the lighting operation reception unit 16), or a pairing instruction is received by pressing an existing button a predetermined number of times and / or in a predetermined order.

[0040] As described above, the present invention has been explained using one embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications of the above-described embodiment are also appropriately included.

[0041] (Supplementary Note) Some or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as follows in the supplementary note, but are not limited thereto.

[0042] (Supplementary Note 1) A lighting unit, A remote controller that operates the lighting unit by transmitting a wireless signal of a first method as an operation signal, The lighting unit includes a first-method receiving unit that receives the operation signal, and a second-method communication unit for performing wireless communication by a second method with an external device outside the lighting unit. The remote controller includes a pairing instruction receiving unit that receives a pairing instruction from a user to instruct execution of pairing processing that enables wireless communication by the second method via the second-method communication unit between the lighting unit and the external device, and a first-method transmitting unit that generates a pairing instruction signal as the operation signal and transmits it to the lighting unit when the pairing instruction is received. The lighting unit further includes a pairing processing execution unit that executes the pairing processing with the external device when the first-method receiving unit receives the pairing instruction signal. A lighting system characterized by the above.

[0043] (Supplementary Note 2) The lighting unit A lighting device that emits light, An electrical device communicably connected to the lighting device, The lighting system according to Supplementary Note 1, characterized by comprising the above.

[0044] (Supplementary Note 3) The second-method communication unit and the pairing processing execution unit are mounted on the electrical device. The first method receiver is mounted on the lighting device, The lighting device receives the pairing instruction signal by the first method receiver, The pairing process execution unit receives the pairing instruction signal via the lighting device. The lighting system according to Supplementary Note 2, characterized in that.

[0045] (Supplementary Note 4) The pairing instruction reception unit is constituted by a button dedicated to pairing instructions. The lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that.

[0046] (Supplementary Note 5) The lighting unit is attached to the ceiling. The lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, characterized in that.

[0047] (Supplementary Note 6) A remote controller used in the lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0048] (Supplementary Note 7) An operation method of a lighting system in which wireless communication by a first method and wireless communication by a second method are performed, A step of receiving, from a user, a pairing instruction instructing execution of a pairing process that enables the remote controller to perform wireless communication by the second method between the lighting unit and an external device outside the lighting unit; A step of, in response to the pairing instruction, the remote controller generating a pairing instruction signal by the wireless signal of the first method and transmitting the pairing instruction signal to the lighting unit; A step of the lighting unit receiving the pairing instruction signal; A step of the lighting unit executing the pairing process when the pairing instruction signal is received; An operation method of a lighting system, characterized by including.

[0049] This invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-044276 filed on February 29, 2012. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-044276 are incorporated herein by reference.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 1 Lighting system 2 Lighting unit 3 Remote controller 4 External device 5 Lighting device 6 Audio device (electrical equipment) 7 Lighting-side microcomputer (pairing processing execution unit) 8 IR receiving unit (first method receiving unit) 9 Lighting unit 10 Transmitting unit (first method transmitting unit) 11 Pairing instruction receiving unit 12 Speaker-side microcomputer 13 Speaker 14 BT transceiver (second method communication unit) 15 BT transceiver (second method communication unit) 16 Lighting operation receiving unit

Claims

1. A lighting system including a lighting unit having a lighting device and an electric device, a remote controller, and an external device outside the lighting unit, the lighting device performs wireless communication with the remote controller using infrared signals as a first method, the electrical device is an audio device that performs wireless communication between the electrical device and the external device according to a second method different from the first method, the remote controller is capable of transmitting a lighting operation signal and a pairing instruction signal to the lighting unit through wireless communication according to the first method, When the lighting unit receives the lighting operation signal, the lighting unit controls a lighting function of the lighting device, and when the lighting unit receives the pairing instruction signal, the lighting unit executes a pairing process with the external device to enable wireless communication between the electric device and the external device according to the second method. A lighting system comprising:

2. the audio device is provided with a speaker, a second-system communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the external device, and a pairing process execution unit that executes a pairing process; After the pairing process is executed, music data stored in the external device can be sent to the audio device via the second communication unit, and the music data can be played by the speaker.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1 .

3. The lighting unit is mounted on a ceiling.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1 .

Images