Lighting control device and lighting control system

Abstract

To obtain a lighting control device and a lighting control system that can easily link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures.SOLUTION: A lighting control device includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a plurality of lighting fixtures, a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting fixtures via the wireless communication, a display unit, and an operation unit provided with a sorting button, and the control unit is configured to display a list of identification information of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures on the display unit in order of fastest response time in the wireless communication or strongest communication strength, and to update the list display on the basis of the current position of the lighting control device when the sorting button is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting control device and a lighting control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system that generates illumination light of a predetermined color by adjusting the brightness of multiple colors of light emitted from a light source unit based on multiple brightness levels. In this control system, a user sets the lighting settings using a dimming console. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-130143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a lighting control system such as that described in Patent Document 1, lighting fixtures, sensors, switches, and the like may be configured on a World Wide Web (WEB) screen using a network-connected personal computer (PC). Such configuration screens are often designed for engineers. Lighting fixtures and the like may also be configured using a tablet device or the like. When configuring lighting fixtures and the like using a tablet device, it is expected that general users will also use the configuration screen to configure the settings. Therefore, there is a demand for an environment with a screen layout that allows intuitive configuration.

[0005] For example, in a lighting control system, the address information and location information of a large number of lighting fixtures belonging to a Bluetooth Mesh network or the like may be linked using a tablet device or the like. In this case, it may be difficult to link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures located far from the operator of the tablet device. Furthermore, the address information of a large number of lighting fixtures may be displayed in a list on a screen, for example. In this case, depending on the operator's location, it is expected that the addresses of lighting fixtures near the operator will be displayed scattered in the list display. In this case, too, it may be difficult to link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting control device and a lighting control system that can easily link address information and location information of lighting fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The lighting control device according to the present disclosure comprises a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a plurality of lighting fixtures, a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting fixtures via the wireless communication, a display unit, and an operation unit provided with a sorting button, wherein the control unit is configured to display a list of identification information of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures on the display unit in order of fastest response time in the wireless communication or strongest communication strength, and to update the list display based on the current position of the lighting control device when the sorting button is operated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to a lighting control device according to the present disclosure, when the sort button is operated, the list display is updated based on the current location of the lighting control device, making it easy to link the address information and location information of the lighting fixtures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]1 is a functional block diagram of a lighting control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout of lighting fixtures. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the user's position and the list display according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the user's position and the list display according to a comparative example. [Figure 7A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a user's position and a list display according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a user's position and a list display according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a user's position and a list display according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating filtering based on the number of relays according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating filtering based on the number of relays according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating filtering based on the number of relays according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hopping operation. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the first communication. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the second communication. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the third communication. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating filtering based on the number of relays according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12A] 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying a list according to response time or communication strength according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12B] 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying a list according to response time or communication strength according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication flow of the lighting control system according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A lighting control device and a lighting control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description may be omitted.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a lighting control system 100 according to a first embodiment. The lighting control system 100 includes a lighting control device 10 and multiple lighting fixtures 30. The lighting control device 10 is, for example, a tablet device or a smartphone. The lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 30 communicate via wireless communication 60. The lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 30 may communicate via other devices such as a server or a lighting controller. The lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 30 may also communicate via a wired connection. The lighting control system 100 may include any number of lighting fixtures 30, and may include, for example, 10 or more or 100 or more.

[0012] Lighting control systems are typically designed specifically for each company. Therefore, communication between lighting control devices, lighting controllers, lighting fixtures, etc. is typically performed via a wired local area network (LAN), a dedicated communication line, or a 920 MHz specific low-power radio. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use, for example, a general-purpose tablet device as the lighting control device 10 so that the lighting controller, lighting fixtures 30, etc. can be configured. In this case, the lighting control system 100 may be configured by installing a unit capable of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication in the lighting fixtures 30, etc., and communicating between the lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 30, etc., via BLE communication. Operation from the lighting control device 10 may include, for example, individual control, group control, and scene control of the lighting fixtures 30.

[0013] Next, the settings and control of lighting control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. First, a user launches a lighting control application on lighting control device 10. When the application is launched for the first time, there is no information about devices such as lighting fixtures 30. Lighting control device 10 communicates with devices such as lighting fixtures 30 via wireless communication 60, acquires information about each device, and connects lighting control device 10 to each device. The device information is stored in memory unit 10f, which will be described later.

[0014] The devices in the lighting control system 100 may include, for example, lighting fixtures 30, relay devices, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) devices, sensor devices, gateway devices, etc. Device information acquired by the lighting control device 10 includes, for example, identification information for identifying the device, the device's MAC address, and product specifications. Product specifications include, for example, whether the device has a dimming control function, whether the device has a color temperature control function, and the range of dimming rate or color temperature change.

[0015] The lighting control device 10 displays a list on the list display unit 20 (described later) based on information obtained from each device. When the application is launched for the second time or later, the list display is performed based on information previously acquired. In the following description, it is assumed that the lighting control device 10 has been connected to the devices and that a list display of the devices has been performed in advance.

[0016] The order of the list display is, for example, the order in which the connection between the lighting control device 10 and each device was completed. That is, devices with stronger radio wave strength are displayed first. It is also assumed that the radio wave strength decreases as the distance between the lighting control device 10 and the device increases.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of lighting control device 10 according to embodiment 1. Lighting control device 10 includes operation unit 10a, which allows a user to select a lighting fixture 30 to be controlled and to input an instruction to control the lighting state of the selected lighting fixture 30. In response to the input operation on operation unit 10a, control unit 10b transmits a control signal to lighting fixture 30 via communication unit 10d via wireless communication 60 to control the lighting state, etc. of lighting fixture 30. Display unit 10c displays device icons for multiple lighting fixtures 30 and a map of the floor on which the multiple lighting fixtures 30 are installed. Display unit 10c also displays a list view. Communication unit 10d communicates with the multiple lighting fixtures 30 via wireless communication 60. Memory unit 10e stores information about each device, programs executed by control unit 10b, etc.

[0018] The operation unit 10a and the display unit 10c can be configured as a screen 12 such as a touch panel provided in the lighting control device 10. The control unit 10b can be configured as one or more processing devices such as a microcomputer or a processor. The communication unit 10d can be configured as a communication device for BLE communication, for example. The storage unit 10e can be configured as one or more memories.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example of an operation screen of lighting control device 10. Screen 12 of lighting control device 10 is configured to accept user input operations. The operation screen is provided with, for example, a floor selection section for selecting a floor to be controlled and a group selection section for selecting a group of lighting fixtures 30 to be controlled. The operation screen also has an input section for inputting control details for lighting fixtures 30 to be controlled. The input section allows settings such as turning on / off, dimming rate, color temperature, and scene. Although FIG. 1 shows an example of group control, individual control of lighting fixtures 30 is also possible.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of screen 12 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen for lighting control device 10. Screen 12 includes map display area 16, which displays, for example, a map of a floor on which multiple lighting fixtures 30 are installed. Screen 12 also includes list display unit 20 for displaying a list of at least some of the identification information for multiple lighting fixtures 30. Controller 10b displays a list of at least some of the identification information for multiple lighting fixtures 30 on screen 12, for example, in descending order of response time in wireless communication 60 or in descending order of communication strength. The identification information is, for example, device address information. In the example of FIG. 3, for convenience, the address information in the list display is numbered consecutively starting from 1, but the device address information may be any value. Screen 12 also includes sort button 22, which will be described later.

[0021] The screen 12 is further provided with a location confirmation button 14. When the location confirmation button 14 is set to "off," the device selected in the list display or the like is turned off, and the device that is not selected is turned on. When the location confirmation button 14 is set to "on," the device selected in the list display or the like is turned on, and the device that is not selected is turned off.

[0022] When linking the address information and location information of lighting fixture 30, the user first sets the operation of the device to be selected using location confirmation button 14, and then selects the device from the list display. This allows the user to compare the actual location of lighting fixture 30 with the address information and link the address information and location information.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of lighting devices 30. In FIG. 4, the numbers assigned to each lighting device 30 represent address information. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the relationship between the user's position and the list display in a comparative example. Using FIGS. 4 to 6, the issues with the comparative example in which the list display is fixed will be explained. In the comparative example, the lighting devices 30 are listed in descending order of radio wave strength, based on the radio wave strength when, for example, the user and lighting control device 10 are located at position 50a in the lower left corner of FIG. 4.

[0024] In this case, when the user is at location 50a as shown in Fig. 5, lighting fixtures 30 with addresses 1 to 4 around the user are grouped together at the top of the list display. However, when there are a large number of lighting fixtures 30, as shown in Fig. 4 in particular, it is difficult to link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures 30 that are far from the user.

[0025] Next, suppose the user moves to location 50b as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, lighting fixtures 30 at addresses 33, 40, 43, and 48 around the user may be scattered in the list display. If the list display is fixed in this way, it may be difficult for the user to determine the location of a lighting fixture 30 of interest when the user's location changes. In this case, the user needs to check the locations of lighting fixtures 30 over a wide area.

[0026] In contrast, in this embodiment, controller 10b is configured to update the list display based on the current location of lighting control device 10 when sort button 22 is operated. That is, when controller 10b detects operation of sort button 22, it transmits wireless signals to multiple lighting devices 30 and re-acquires the response times or communication strengths of wireless communication 60. As a result, controller 10b rearranges the list display in descending order of response time or communication strength at the user's current location. That is, it is possible to display the list of address information in approximate order of proximity to the location of lighting control device 10.

[0027] As a result, even after the user moves, lighting fixtures 30 around the user are displayed at the top of the list without being scattered widely. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the locations of lighting fixtures 30. This makes it easy to link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures 30.

[0028] 7A to 7C are diagrams showing the relationship between the user's position and the list display according to the first embodiment. The control of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7A shows an example of the list display when the user is at position 50. Assume that the user moves from this state as shown in FIG. 7B. After moving, the user operates the sort button 22. As a result, the list display is updated based on the user's current position, as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0029] In this way, the order of the list display changes depending on the user's location, making it easier to grasp the locations of lighting devices 30. Furthermore, by repeating the steps in Figures 7A to 7C, the list display can be updated each time the user moves, even if the user moves multiple times.

[0030] Each of the multiple lighting fixtures 30 may be configured to relay the received wireless signal to the other lighting fixtures 30. In this case, when the sort button 22 is operated, the controller 10b may transmit a wireless signal from the communication unit 10d and obtain the number of relays until the wireless signal is received by each of the multiple lighting fixtures 30. The controller 10b may display, on the display unit 10c, a list of the identification information of lighting fixtures 30 for which the number of relays is less than a predetermined number. In other words, the identification information of only some of the multiple lighting fixtures 30 included in the lighting control system 100 may be displayed in a list. In FIG. 7, only the address information of lighting fixtures 30 for which the average number of relays is less than a predetermined number is displayed in a list.

[0031] Filtering based on the number of relays will now be described in detail. FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating filtering based on the number of relays according to embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, assume that a user operates sort button 22 at position 50. This causes lighting control device 10 to transmit a wireless signal, and lighting control device 10 acquires the number of relays until multiple lighting devices 30 receive the wireless signal. The number of relays is also called the number of hops.

[0032] 9 is a diagram illustrating the hopping operation. Lighting control device 10 transmits a wireless signal to multiple lighting fixtures 30 to check the number of relays. Each lighting fixture 30 relays the received wireless signal to other lighting fixtures 30. When each lighting fixture 30 receives the wireless signal, it transmits a response signal indicating the number of relays the wireless signal made before reaching that lighting fixture.

[0033] When lighting control device 10 receives the relay counts from multiple lighting fixtures 30, it performs filtering to narrow the list display to nearby lighting fixtures 30. That is, lighting control device 10 extracts lighting fixtures 30 with relay counts less than a predetermined number from the multiple lighting fixtures 30. In FIG. 8B , the extracted lighting fixtures 30 and other lighting fixtures 30 are depicted in different colors.

[0034] Next, controller 10b transmits a wireless signal to each lighting fixture 30 for which the number of relays is less than a predetermined number, and acquires the response time or communication strength. Based on the results, controller 10b updates the list display as shown in FIG. 8C. That is, controller 10b communicates with each filtered lighting fixture 30 one by one and sorts the order of the list display. Note that the numbers assigned to each lighting fixture 30 in FIG. 8C indicate the order of display in the list display, not address information.

[0035] In this way, in this embodiment, the range of the list display can be limited depending on the location of lighting control device 10. This makes it even easier to link the address information and location information of lighting fixtures 30.

[0036] Furthermore, control unit 10b may display a list of the identification information of lighting devices 30 whose average number of relays is less than a predetermined number, among multiple lighting devices 30. That is, control unit 10b may obtain the number of relays multiple times. As an example, the following describes an example in which the number of relays is obtained three times. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the first communication. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the second communication. FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating an example of the number of relays for the third communication. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating filtering by the number of relays according to the first embodiment. Note that the numbers assigned to lighting devices 30 in FIGS. 10A to 10C and 11 represent the number of relays, not address information.

[0037] The filtering is not limited to lighting fixtures 30 whose average number of relays is less than a predetermined number. Lighting fixtures 30 whose average number of relays is greater than a predetermined number and less than a predetermined number after multiple communications may also be filtered. In the example of FIG. 11, lighting fixtures 30 whose average number of relays is greater than or equal to two out of three communications, that is, whose relay count is 1, are filtered. Control unit 10b stores the filtered lighting fixtures 30 in memory unit 10e, and displays only the stored lighting fixtures 30 on list display unit 20. The number of times the relay count is obtained, the number of relays for filtering, the predetermined number, etc. can be changed as desired.

[0038] 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a method for displaying a list based on response time or communication strength according to embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 12A, control unit 10b transmits a wireless signal to each lighting fixture 30 extracted by filtering to check the response time or communication strength. The lighting fixtures 30 respond to the received wireless signal. As shown in FIG. 12B, control unit 10b rearranges the order of the list display based on the response time or communication strength information. Note that the numbers assigned to each lighting fixture 30 in FIG. 12B do not represent address information but indicate the display order in the list display.

[0039] The response time is, for example, the time from when lighting control device 10 transmits a wireless signal to when lighting fixture 30 responds to lighting control device 10. The response time can be calculated based on the time when lighting control device 10 transmits a wireless signal to lighting fixture 30 and the time when lighting fixture 30 responds to lighting control device 10. Communication strength can be confirmed using the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value, which is the communication strength of Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0040] 13 is a diagram showing a communication flow of lighting control system 100 according to embodiment 1. First, a user presses a receive button (not shown) on lighting control device 10, which sends a device information request to each lighting fixture 30 (step 1). Each lighting fixture 30 responds with device information such as its address. Controller 10b generates a list of lighting fixtures 30 based on the acquired device information and displays the list (step 2).

[0041] Next, assume that sort button 22 is operated (step 3). Control unit 10b requests each lighting fixture 30 to respond with the number of relays. Because the number of relays varies depending on the radio wave strength, the route, etc., control unit 10b acquires the number of relays multiple times. FIG. 13 shows an example in which lighting fixture 30_1 has had 0 relays, lighting fixture 30_2 has had 0 relays, lighting fixture 30_3 has had 1 relay, lighting fixture 30_4 has had 2 relays, and lighting fixture 30_x has had 2 relays.

[0042] Control unit 10b calculates the average value of the number of relays for each lighting fixture 30, etc. (Step 4). Control unit 10b then filters lighting fixtures 30 based on the calculated average value, etc., and displays a list (Step 5). Here, it is assumed that lighting fixtures 30_1 and 30_2 have been extracted. Control unit 10b inquires of each of lighting fixtures 30_1 and 30_2 about the signal strength or response speed at the time of reception. Based on the signal strength or response speed, control unit 10b updates the order of the list display (Step 6).

[0043] The technical features described in this embodiment may be used in appropriate combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 lighting control device, 10a operation unit, 10b control unit, 10c display unit, 10d communication unit, 10e memory unit, 10f memory unit, 12 screen, 14 position confirmation button, 16 map display area, 20 list display unit, 22 sort button, 30 lighting fixture, 60 wireless communication, 100 lighting control system

Claims

1. a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of lighting fixtures; a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting devices via the wireless communication; A display unit; an operation unit provided with a sorting button; Equipped with The control unit displaying a list of identification information of at least some of the plurality of lighting devices on the display unit in descending order of response time in the wireless communication or descending order of communication strength; A lighting control device configured to update the list display based on the current position of the lighting control device when the sorting button is operated.

2. each of the plurality of lighting fixtures is configured to relay the received wireless signal to the other lighting fixtures; When the sorting button is operated, the control unit The wireless signal is transmitted from the communication unit, and the number of relays until the wireless signal is received by the plurality of lighting devices is acquired.

2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a list of the identification information of lighting fixtures among the plurality of lighting fixtures for which the number of relays is less than a predetermined number.

3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit updates the list display by transmitting a wireless signal to each lighting fixture for which the number of relays is less than a predetermined number and acquiring the response time or the communication strength.

4. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; the plurality of lighting fixtures; A lighting control system comprising:

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