Dimming device and dimming method

Abstract

To provide a dimming device and a dimming method capable of realizing an illumination state suitable to location conditions by controlling dimming of lighting fixtures installed in outdoor common corridors of an apartment house, creating a light environment that may become conditions for a comfortable living space, achieving power saving and preventing light pollution.SOLUTION: A dimming device includes: a lighting fixture L that is applied to an outdoor common corridor (open corridor) F1 provided on a predetermined floor F of an apartment house M and is installed on a ceiling of the common corridor F1; a control unit U that is installed on the floor F or a location other than that to control dimming of the lighting fixture L; and a provision instrument 40 that provides sunlight information relating to sunrise and sunset. The control unit U includes a storage section 10 that stores dimming information, a computation section 20 that performs a dimming process on the basis of the dimming information, and an operation section 30 that instructs addition, updating, or modification of the dimming information. The dimming information includes two or more different light quantities of the lighting fixture and transition times for transitioning to the different light quantities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dimming device and a dimming method for a lighting fixture installed, for example, in a common corridor of an apartment building. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, lighting fixtures installed in the outdoor common corridors of apartment buildings would start to light up at a set brightness at dusk and would continue to light up at that brightness all night until the next morning. In such cases, not only wasting electricity but also light pollution to the neighborhood could occur. Therefore, various efforts have been made to dim these lighting fixtures in order to save energy and prevent light pollution.

[0003] For example, if lighting fixtures are thinned out and turned on, the difference in light intensity between the lit and unlit areas will be large, which could make it difficult for passersby to see clearly. Also, if a motion sensor detects the presence or absence of passersby and then increases or decreases the light intensity of lighting fixtures, the movements of passersby can be indirectly tracked, which could lead to malicious third parties committing crimes.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a lighting fixture equipped with two light sources is installed on the ceiling of a common corridor in front of the entrance to each dwelling unit, and both light sources are turned on from evening until late at night, and only one light source is turned on from late at night until dawn, or only the bright light source (main light source) is turned on from evening until late at night, and only the dimmer light source (auxiliary light source) is turned on from late at night until dawn (see abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-235634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, a simple two-stage dimming system such as that described in Patent Document 1 may not be suitable for the location conditions of an apartment building, and may be too bright or too dark depending on, for example, the amount, type, height, and lighting conditions of surrounding facilities and houses, the distance to adjacent facilities and houses, and natural phenomena such as clouds, rain, snow, wind, fog, and yellow sand.

[0007] Optimizing the living space in an apartment complex requires consideration of not only the quality of the rooms, which are the exclusive areas, but also the quality of the common areas, both indoors and outdoors. In particular, outdoor common corridors can easily affect the aesthetics of an apartment complex, and can therefore be considered one of the elements that form the living space. Therefore, in order to create a comfortable living space that takes environmental protection and safety into consideration, the inventors have come to the conclusion that the lighting fixtures in outdoor common corridors should be dimmed to suit the location conditions of the apartment complex.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a dimming device and dimming method that can control the dimming of lighting fixtures installed in the common corridors of apartment buildings, thereby realizing lighting conditions that are appropriate for the location conditions, creating a lighting environment that can also provide the conditions for a comfortable living space, and is expected to have the effects of saving energy and preventing light pollution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] That is, the dimming device of the present invention comprises a lighting fixture installed in a common corridor of an apartment building and a control unit that controls the dimming of the lighting fixture, the control unit having a memory unit that stores dimming information and a calculation unit that executes dimming processing based on the dimming information, and the dimming information includes two or more different light intensities (luminous flux) of the lighting fixture and the transition times for transitioning to the different light intensities.

[0010] The "control unit" refers to, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or a system that combines a PLC with a predetermined electronic information input device. The "dimming information" refers to, for example, dimming-related variables (hereinafter also referred to as "dimming variables") and a control program (hereinafter also referred to as "dimming program"), and the variables include at least the light intensity and the transition time.

[0011] With this configuration, a control unit can be attached to an existing light panel or control panel in the common areas of an apartment building, and dimming information can be easily stored in the control unit's memory via a specified terminal device.In addition, the calculation unit performs dimming processing based on two or more different light levels that the lighting fixture can emit and the time to transition to the different light levels, making it easy to automatically achieve ideal lighting conditions such as the desired brightness and turning the lights on and off.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the control unit further has an operation unit that instructs adding, updating, or changing the dimming information, and that the calculation unit executes dimming processing based on the dimming information after adding, updating, or changing in accordance with the instruction of the operation unit.

[0013] Among the "dimming information," dimming variables include, for example, a first dimming variable for initial setting stored before operation, a second dimming variable that includes a variable added after operation as "added dimming information" in the first dimming variable, and a third dimming variable that is the first dimming variable or second dimming variable updated after operation as "updated dimming information." Dimming programs include, for example, a first dimming program for initial setting written before operation, and a second dimming program different from the first dimming program as "changed dimming information."

[0014] According to this configuration, dimming information can be added, updated, or changed via the operation unit, making it easier to more flexibly achieve ideal lighting conditions by, for example, executing the first dimming program based on the second dimming variable or the third dimming variable, or by executing the second dimming program.

[0015] It is also preferable that the lighting device further includes a providing device that provides sunlight information, and that the calculation unit executes the dimming process taking the sunlight information into consideration.

[0016] "Sunshine information" refers to variables related to sunlight, such as the times of sunrise and sunset in the area and the brightness of the surrounding area (amount of sunlight or solar radiation intensity). "Providing equipment" refers to equipment that stores the above variables in advance and detects them as needed, such as equipment with a timer function that notifies the above time or a sensor function that measures the amount of sunlight.

[0017] According to this configuration, sunlight information can be obtained from a lighting fixture that is separate from the control unit, and therefore, by taking into account not only dimming information but also sunlight information when performing dimming processing, it becomes easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly.

[0018] It is preferable that the light adjustment information further includes a light adjustment pattern based on the light amount and the transition time, and that the calculation unit executes the light adjustment process taking into account each of the light adjustment patterns.

[0019] The "dimming pattern" refers to, for example, a first dimming pattern as a two-stage control consisting of light intensity A%-B% and a transition time from A% to B%, or a second dimming pattern as a three-stage control consisting of light intensity C%, D%, and E% and a transition time from C% to D% and from D% to E%, with no restrictions on the number of stages or sets.

[0020] According to this configuration, for example, the first dimming pattern and the second dimming pattern can be combined, or one of them can be selected or changed to another, and the light intensity and transition time that constitute the dimming pattern can also be added or updated. Therefore, by performing dimming processing taking the dimming pattern into consideration, it becomes easier to achieve an ideal lighting state more flexibly.

[0021] It is desirable that the lighting fixture is an LED lighting fixture, and that the calculation unit executes the dimming process by an inverse phase control method.

[0022] According to this configuration, when dimmable LED lighting is used, it is possible to use an inverse phase control method that changes brightness in multiple stages, which is different from the on / off control method, so that changes in brightness are less likely to cause discomfort and it is easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly. In particular, the "reverse phase control method" is preferable because it results in a gradual rise in output when the light is turned on, thereby suppressing noise and flickering. However, if noise and flickering are not an issue, the "phase control method" is also acceptable.

[0023] The lighting fixtures are in a horizontal wiring system parallel to the floors of the apartment building or in a vertical wiring system perpendicular to the floors, and it is desirable that the control unit controls the horizontal wiring system for each floor and the vertical wiring system for each column.

[0024] With this configuration, it is easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly by controlling the dimming of the wiring system of the lighting fixtures according to not only the ambient brightness that differs for each floor or row, but also the circumstances of the human living environment.

[0025] When the calculation unit executes the dimming process based on the dimming information after it has been added, updated, or changed, it is desirable that the calculation unit re-executes the dimming process at a predetermined timing based on the dimming information for the initial setting or the dimming information immediately before it was added, updated, or changed.

[0026] The "predetermined timing" refers to, for example, the timing when the calculation unit performs dimming processing based on dimming information stored in the memory unit, the timing when the calculation unit receives instructions from the operation unit, or the timing when sunshine information or time information is received from the providing device.

[0027] For example, there may be cases where dimming processing is performed, such as temporarily increasing the light intensity at an earlier timing, due to changes in the amount of sunlight or solar radiation caused by weather such as clouds, fog, or thunderstorms. In this case, when the amount of sunlight or solar radiation returns to a normal level after a predetermined time (for example, one hour later or the next day), it may be difficult to achieve the desired lighting state with the added, updated, or changed dimming information. According to the above configuration, even in such a case, the calculation unit can re-execute the dimming information immediately before the addition, update, or change at a predetermined timing, thereby responding to temporary changes in weather and making it easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly.

[0028] The dimming method of the present invention performs dimming processing based on dimming information including two or more different light intensities of lighting fixtures installed in a common corridor of an apartment building and the transition times for transitioning to the different light intensities, and when the dimming information is added, updated, or changed, the dimming processing is performed based on the dimming information after addition, update, or change.

[0029] With this configuration, not only can dimming processing be performed automatically or manually based on initially set dimming information, but dimming processing can also be performed automatically or manually based on added, updated, or changed dimming information, making it easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the present invention, by controlling the dimming of lighting fixtures installed in the outdoor common corridors of apartment buildings, it is possible to achieve lighting conditions that are appropriate for the location conditions, create a lighting environment that can also provide the conditions for a comfortable living space, and expect to have the effects of saving energy and preventing light pollution. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic diagram of an apartment building equipped with a light control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the interior thereof. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the light control device. [Figure 3A] 10 is a table showing an example of dimming information required for dimming processing of the dimming device. [Figure 3B] 10 is a table showing an example of dimming information required for dimming processing of the dimming device. [Figure 4A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the light adjustment process. [Figure 4B]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the light adjustment process. [Figure 5A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the light adjustment process. [Figure 5B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the light adjustment process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The configuration of a light control device according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "this light control device") will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3B. In these figures, when there are multiple identical parts, only one part is numbered. For the sake of convenience, certain parts and their leading lines are sometimes shown with hidden lines (dashed lines). In the description, terms indicating directions such as up, down, side, horizontal, and vertical are basically based on a normal living space.

[0033] <Outline of this dimming device> As shown in Figure 1, this dimming device is used in an outdoor common corridor (open corridor) F1 located on a specific floor F of an apartment building M, and is equipped with a lighting fixture L installed on the ceiling of the common corridor F1, a control unit U installed on floor F or elsewhere to control the dimming of the lighting fixture L, and a providing device 40 that provides sunlight information regarding sunrise and sunset.

[0034] The apartment complex M only needs to have an outdoor common corridor, and there are no restrictions on the site area or number of floors, the number, size, or layout of rooms, the structure (reinforced concrete (RC), steel-framed reinforced concrete (SRC), steel-framed (S), or wood), and there are no restrictions on the specifications or construction method, including structural parts such as columns, beams, walls, floors, and ceilings, or non-structural parts such as fixtures, wiring, piping, and equipment.In addition to apartment complexes, this dimming device may also be used in various buildings with outdoor common corridors, such as schools, hospitals, facilities for the elderly, facilities for the disabled, and various commercial facilities.

[0035] The common corridor F1 has a ceiling, walls, and handrails. Its length and width are not limited, and it can be straight, arc-shaped, or curved. It can have corners or be directly connected to an exterior staircase. While it is generally entirely exposed to the outdoors, it may have sections with walls made of transparent materials such as slits, glass, or resin. It may also include areas that are relatively dimly lit compared to the open areas or sections not exposed to the outdoors, such as an elevator landing or an interior staircase landing, or alcoves or entrance porches. The handrails, as long as they are of a specified height, may be made of an aluminum frame and latticework, or the frame and a flat glass or resin material, or concrete of a specified thickness.

[0036] Lighting fixture L is not limited in terms of size, shape, power consumption, or lifespan. It can be rod-shaped, round, or rectangular, and can be a single unit or multiple units. For example, it can be an incandescent bulb or an LED light. It can be removable or not. It can be a ceiling-embedded downlight, a wall-mounted bracket light, or a floor-mounted upright type. In the case of a downlight, it can be a replaceable type using an incandescent bulb or an integrated or replaceable type using an LED. It can be installed on the ceiling, wall, handrail, or floor, or any combination of two or more. Lighting fixture L's daily start and end (off) times are not limited, and it can remain on continuously without an end time. Lighting fixture L can be connected to a control unit U via wiring in the ceiling or behind the wall, either parallel to floor F of the apartment building M or perpendicular to it. Neither its horizontal length nor its vertical height is limited.

[0037] The control unit U according to this embodiment is composed of a memory unit 10 and a calculation unit 20 provided in an electric light panel B in an apartment building M, and an operation unit 30 provided outside the electric light panel B. The calculation unit 20 and the operation unit 30 are both installed in a room such as a management room (not shown). However, the operating unit 30 may be provided integrally with the light panel B or may be provided outside the room. The light panel B supplies electricity to the lighting and outlets in the common areas of the apartment building M, and may be located inside or outside the apartment building M, and may be located on the floor F where the lighting fixtures L are installed or on another floor. There may be provided a plurality of light panels B and / or operation units 30. Such a configuration is applicable to large-scale apartment buildings.

[0038] <Details of control unit U> The control unit U is a computer or a computer system consisting of two or more computers that controls the dimming of the lighting device L, and may be formed by appropriately combining hardware such as a microprocessor (MPU) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations based on electronic information including dimming information (for example, software such as an OS (Operating System), middleware, firmware, and applications, programs that execute these, and other characters, numbers, still images, moving images, and sound); volatile storage devices such as cache memory and RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily store the above electronic information required for calculations by the CPU or MPU; non-volatile storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs that permanently store the above electronic information; communication devices such as RF chips, baseband chips, and other communication modules; input devices such as touch panels, keyboards, mice, microphones, cameras, sensors, and switches; output devices such as displays and lighting; power supply devices such as units that receive power and batteries; and operating devices such as motors. Each piece of hardware may be connected to each other via input / output interfaces such as buses, USBs, and input units that receive ON / OFF signals from input devices, and output units that send ON / OFF signals to output devices.

[0039] Examples of computers include PLCs and personal computers equipped with a CPU. The type, number, and size of the computer's hardware and software may be determined appropriately depending on the application and specifications. Computers and input / output devices, or two or more computers, may be connected to each other via specified wiring via input / output interfaces, or wirelessly via a communication network from a communication device, or may be connected by other methods. Communication networks include, for example, the Internet, intranets, extranets, LANs, CATV communication networks, VPNs, telephone lines, mobile communication networks, and satellite communication networks. Transmission media constituting a communication network may be wired, such as IEEE 1394, power line carriers, or telephone lines, or wireless, such as IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi, etc.), mobile phone networks, satellite circuits, and terrestrial digital networks. Each computer may send and receive electronic information to and from each other via a communication network from a communication device.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, the control unit U may be a PLC or may function like a PLC, and may include a memory unit 10, a calculation unit 20, and an operation unit 30. Alternatively, the control unit U may not include the operation unit 30 and may perform fully automatic dimming control of the lighting fixture L. A system combining a PLC and a personal computer or two or more personal computers may also be used.

[0041] <Details of the storage unit 10> The memory unit 10 is a volatile memory device that temporarily stores the dimming information required for the calculation processing of the calculation unit 20, and may function like a volatile memory device, or may include a non-volatile memory device that permanently stores the information.

[0042] The dimming information stored in memory unit 10 includes any dimming variable, but may also include at least two or more different light levels of lighting device L and the transition times for transitioning to the different light levels. It may also include one or more dimming patterns based on the light levels and the transition times, a turn-on start time, a turn-off end time, and a duration for which the light level is set to a predetermined level. The light level may be any value between an upper limit of 100% and a lower limit of 0% of lighting device L, stored regularly or irregularly. The time may be stored regularly or irregularly, and may be converted to a 48-hour system or the time of the next day when the date changes.

[0043] FIG. 3A shows a table listing the dimming variables, including light intensity, transition time, and dimming pattern. For example, in the case of light intensity number 80a and two-level control, storage unit 10 stores the light intensity of lighting fixture L at 80% and 20%, with a transition time of 24:00. For light intensity condition 80a and three-level control, storage unit 10 stores the light intensity of lighting fixture L at 80%, 50%, and 20%, with a transition time of 21:00 (80% to 50%) and 24:00 (50% to 20%). For each level of control, the leftmost level represents the light intensity at the start of lighting. However, if the level is less than 100%, a higher level may be stored as the light intensity at the start of lighting. The rightmost level represents the light intensity immediately before lighting ends, with 0% being stored as the light intensity at the end of lighting.

[0044] The dimming variables stored in the memory unit 10 may be defined as a first dimming variable for initial setting stored before the operation of the dimming device, a second dimming variable that includes a dimming variable added after operation in the immediately preceding dimming variable, or a third dimming variable that is the first dimming variable or the second dimming variable updated after operation. The memory unit 10 may continue to store the dimming variable immediately preceding the first dimming variable, the second dimming variable, or the third dimming variable separately from the second dimming variable and the third dimming variable. In other words, the memory unit 10 may back up the first dimming variable or the immediately preceding dimming variable at the same time as the second dimming variable and the third dimming variable are generated, and the backed up dimming variables may be called up or erased at a predetermined timing.

[0045] If Fig. 3A is the first dimming variable for initial setting, Fig. 3B is an example of the second dimming variable and the third dimming variable. Fig. 3B(a) is the second dimming variable obtained by adding the four-level control light intensity and transition time for light intensity numbers 80a and 80b to the first dimming variable, and Fig. 3B(b) is the third dimming variable obtained by updating the transition time for three-level control for light intensity number 80b to the first dimming variable.

[0046] The dimming information stored in the memory unit 10 includes, as a dimming program, at least a ladder program suitable for an on / off control method, and may also include an ST (Structured Text) program, an FBD (Function Block Diagram) program, or a program written in other specified languages, and may also include a program written using an inverse phase control method.

[0047] The program stored in the storage unit 10 may be defined as a first dimming program for initial setting that is written before the light control device is put into operation, or a second dimming program that is different from the first dimming program.

[0048] The dimming program may be, for example, a first dimming program executed by the calculation unit 20 as a dimming process based on the dimming information (first dimming variables) shown in FIG. 3A. The first dimming program may be based on all or part of the first dimming variables. If based on all of the first dimming variables, a dimming pattern at a predetermined light amount number and step control may be executed at a predetermined cycle. If based on only part of the first dimming variables, only one or more dimming patterns at a predetermined light amount number and control step may be executed at a predetermined cycle. The second dimming program may be executed by changing the order of two or more dimming patterns executed by the first dimming program, or may add a dimming pattern that has not been executed. If the dimming variables of a predetermined dimming pattern executed by the first dimming program are updated, the first dimming program may be executed as is.

[0049] <Details of the calculation unit 20> The calculation unit 20 may be a CPU or may function like a CPU, and may have at least the functions of executing dimming processing for the lighting fixture L based on the dimming information stored in the memory unit 10, determining whether or not an instruction has been given by the operation unit 30, determining the type of instruction given by the operation unit 30, adding, updating, or changing the dimming information according to an instruction from the operation unit 30, executing dimming processing taking into account the sunlight information provided by the providing fixture 40, determining the sunlight information, and, if the dimming processing has been executed based on the added, updated, or changed dimming information, executing the dimming processing again based on the dimming information used for the initial setting or immediately before the addition, update, or change, determining a predetermined time, and recognizing the arrival of a predetermined time.

[0050] <Details of the operation unit 30> The operation unit 30 is an input device such as a touch panel, and may function like the above-mentioned input devices, and may have a function to instruct the memory unit 10 or the calculation unit 20 to add, update, or change dimming information, and may have a function to instruct the execution of dimming processing based on dimming information for initial setting, or just before addition, update, or change. 1(b), the operation unit 30 is connected to the storage unit 10 and the calculation unit 20 by wire, but may be connected wirelessly, and may be attached to a room such as a control room, or may be attached to a light panel B. The operation unit 30 may function as a display unit that displays predetermined information as an output device such as a display.

[0051] <Details of the 40 provided instruments> The providing device 40 is a solar time switch and / or a sunshine sensor, and may function as a solar time switch and / or a sunshine sensor, or may further function as a sunshine sensor; in other words, it may be equipped with a solar time switch, a sunshine sensor, and a sunshine sensor. The providing device 40 has a function to provide the sunset / sunrise times and / or the amount of sunshine to the calculation unit 20 (e.g., via the operation unit 30), and may further have a function to provide the sunshine intensity to the calculation unit 20. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the solar time switch of the providing device 40 may be attached inside the light panel B, or may be attached to the input device provided with the operation unit 30. The sunshine sensor and sunshine sensor of the providing device 40 are attached outside the apartment building M in a location that is easily exposed to sunlight.

[0052] A solar time switch stores the times of sunrise and sunset over a period such as a year, half a year, quarter or month for a specific area subdivided into a country such as Japan or a region smaller than a country. A sunlight sensor measures the amount of sunlight with a reference solar radiation intensity that shines on a point such as the ground within a specified period of time. A solar radiation sensor measures the solar radiation intensity (unit: kw / m) that a unit area receives from sunlight within a unit of time. 2 , also called the amount of radiant energy.) Solar radiation sensors are also called illuminance sensors, and examples include automatic flashers.

[0053] Next, an example of a light control method using the light control device will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 5B. It is assumed that the initial setting of the light control information has been completed.

[0054] FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating an example of dimming processing using light intensity number 80a shown in FIG. 3A and three-level control. As shown in the figure, as condition 1, the calculation unit 20 determines the lighting start time of lighting fixture L (e.g., 18:00) (step S110). If the calculation unit 20 does not recognize the lighting start time, lighting fixture L remains lit at 0% light intensity (step S120). On the other hand, if the calculation unit 20 recognizes the lighting start time, then as condition 2, the calculation unit 20 determines the first lighting transition time (21:00) (step S130). If the calculation unit 20 does not recognize the first lighting transition time, lighting fixture L continues to be lit at 80% light intensity (step S140). On the other hand, if the calculation unit 20 recognizes the first lighting transition time, then as condition 3, the calculation unit 20 determines the final lighting transition time (24:00) (step S150). If the calculation unit 20 does not recognize the final lighting transition time, lighting fixture L continues to be lit at 50% light intensity (step S160). On the other hand, if calculation unit 20 recognizes the final lighting transition time, it then determines the lighting end time (7:00 the following morning) as condition 4 (step S170). If calculation unit 20 does not recognize the lighting end time, lighting device L continues to be lit at 20% light intensity (step S180). On the other hand, if calculation unit 20 recognizes the lighting end time, it returns to the step of determining the lighting start time again, and lighting device L is turned off.

[0055] 4B is a flowchart when sunshine information is provided from the providing device 40, and only the parts that differ from FIG. 4A will be explained. As shown in the figure, the calculation unit 20 determines sunshine information 1 under condition 1.5 (step S115). Sunshine information 1 is information about the arrival of sunset and / or the amount of sunshine at sunset. Note that sunshine information 1 may also be information about the amount of sunshine or the intensity of sunshine provided by a sunshine sensor or a solar radiation sensor. If the calculation unit 20 does not recognize that, for example, sunset (e.g., 17:00) has occurred earlier than the lighting start time of 18:00, that the amount of sunlight at sunset is less than that during the day, and / or that information on the amount of sunlight or solar radiation intensity equivalent to that at sunset has been detected, the lighting device L will not start lighting up and will remain at 0% light output. On the other hand, if the calculation unit 20 recognizes any of these, it proceeds to condition 2. Furthermore, as condition 4.5, the calculation unit determines insunrise information 2 (step S175). Insunrise information 2 is information on the arrival of sunrise time and / or the amount of insunrise. Note that insunrise information 2 may also be information on the amount of insunrise or the intensity of insunrise provided by an insunrise sensor or solar radiation sensor. If the calculation unit 20 does not recognize that, for example, sunrise (e.g., 6:00) has arrived earlier than the lighting end time of 7:00 the next day, that the amount of sunlight at sunrise is greater than at night, and / or that information on the amount of sunlight or sunlight intensity equivalent to that of sunrise has been detected, the lighting device L will continue to be lit at 20% light output. On the other hand, if the calculation unit 20 recognizes either of these, the process returns to the step of determining the lighting start time again, and the lighting device L is turned off.

[0056] 5A is a flowchart showing the relationship between instructions from the operation unit 30 and dimming processing. As shown in the figure, the calculation unit 20 first determines whether or not an instruction has been issued by the operation unit 30 (step S210). If no instruction has been issued by the operation unit 30, the calculation unit 20 executes dimming processing for the lighting fixture L based on the dimming information (e.g., the first dimming variable and the first dimming program) at the initial setting stored in the storage unit 10 (step S220). If an instruction has been issued by the operation unit 30, the calculation unit 20 determines the type of the instruction (step S230). If the instruction is to add or update dimming information, the calculation unit 20 adds a new dimming variable to the storage unit 10, setting it as a second dimming variable, and updates the new dimming variable to the third dimming variable (step S240-1). If the instruction is to change the dimming information, the calculation unit 20 changes to the second dimming program, which is another dimming program stored in the storage unit 10 (step S240-2). Thereafter, calculation unit 20 determines whether to continue the instruction from operation unit 30 (step 250). If the instruction from operation unit 30 is not to be continued, calculation unit 20 executes dimming processing for lighting fixture L based on the added dimming information (e.g., the second dimming variable and the first dimming program) or the updated dimming information (e.g., the third dimming variable and the first dimming program), and also executes dimming processing for lighting fixture L based on the changed dimming information (e.g., the first dimming variable and the second dimming program) (step 220).

[0057] 5B is another flowchart showing the relationship between instructions from operation unit 30 and dimming processing; only the differences from FIG. 5A will be described. As shown in the figure, if operation unit 30 issues an instruction (step S260) to cancel or reset dimming processing based on added, updated, or changed dimming information, calculation unit 20 retrieves the backed-up dimming information for initial setup or the dimming information immediately before the addition, update, or change from storage unit 10 (step S270). Thereafter, calculation unit 20 again determines whether or not an instruction from operation unit 30 has been issued (step S210). If no instruction from operation unit 30 has been issued, calculation unit 20 executes dimming processing for lighting fixture L based on the dimming information for initial setup or the dimming information immediately before the addition, update, or change (step S220). The above-described cancellation or reset of the light adjustment process is not limited to being performed by an instruction (step S260) from the operation unit 30, but may be performed automatically by the light adjustment program. For example, the light adjustment program may cancel or reset the above-described light adjustment process every hour (for example, every hour) or every day (for example, every day).

[0058] Therefore, the effects obtained by this light control device are as follows.

[0059] With this dimming device, a control unit U is attached to a light panel B in a common area of ​​an apartment building M, and dimming information can be easily stored in memory unit 10 of control unit U via a personal computer or the like before operation, and an arithmetic unit 20 performs dimming processing based on two or more different light levels at which lighting fixture L can emit light and the times at which it transitions to those different light levels, making it easy to automatically achieve ideal lighting conditions such as the desired brightness and whether the light is on or off. In other words, it does not require dedicated signal lines or expensive lighting fixtures, and does not require construction such as major wiring changes, and is simple and relatively inexpensive, making it easy to adopt in both new and existing apartment buildings.

[0060] Furthermore, because dimming information can be added, updated, or changed via the operation unit 30, ideal lighting conditions can be more flexibly achieved by executing a first dimming program or a second dimming program based on, for example, the second or third dimming variables. That is, dimming information for the initial setup, appropriate for immediately after construction of an apartment building or when residents move in, can be added, updated, or changed in response to a decrease in light intensity due to deterioration of lighting fixture L or changes in the area surrounding the apartment building (e.g., construction of another building, changes to street lighting, etc.). For example, the initial setup could set the upper limit of light intensity for lighting fixture L to 80%, lower than 100%, and then update the upper limit to 90% if a decrease in light intensity occurs due to deterioration of lighting fixture L. Furthermore, if the illuminance around the apartment building increases due to infrastructure development at night, updating the upper limit to 70% can achieve energy savings. This specification facilitates flexible light intensity adjustments based on the wishes of apartment building management associations and dimming responses to decrease in light intensity due to lamp deterioration over time.

[0061] Furthermore, since sunlight information can be obtained from lighting fixtures 40 that are separate from control unit U, calculation unit 20 performs dimming processing taking into account not only dimming information but also sunlight information, making it easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly. That is, dimming processing suitable for when sunset is earlier than the lighting start time for other seasons, such as in winter, or when the amount of sunlight is low, or when it suddenly gets dark regardless of the season, is realized, and dimming processing suitable for when sunrise is earlier than the lighting end time for other seasons, such as in summer, or when the amount of sunlight is high.

[0062] In addition, since it is possible to combine dimming patterns such as those shown in Fig. 3A, select one of them, or change to another, and it is also possible to add or update the light intensity of the lighting fixtures that make up the dimming pattern and the time when they transition to different light intensities, it is easier to flexibly achieve ideal lighting conditions by performing dimming processing while taking dimming patterns into account.In other words, it is possible to select and fine-tune a dimming pattern that is suitable for an apartment building from the basic dimming patterns stored in the memory unit, making it easier to respond to aging deterioration of lighting fixtures and changes in the surrounding environment.

[0063] Furthermore, if dimmable LED lighting is used as the lighting fixture L, it is possible to use an inverse phase control method that changes the brightness in multiple stages, which is different from the on / off control method. With this configuration, it is less likely that the user will feel uncomfortable with changes in brightness, and it is easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly. Furthermore, if the lighting fixture L is a lamp-replacement type LED lighting fixture, it is possible to expect a reduction in the burden of management, since only the light source body (lamp) of the LED lighting can be easily replaced without replacing the lighting fixture L itself. Furthermore, it is preferable because existing fluorescent lamps can be easily replaced with lamp-replacement type LED lighting fixtures, making it possible to perform the dimming process using the reverse phase control method described above.

[0064] Furthermore, by controlling the dimming of the wiring system of the lighting fixtures L in accordance with the circumstances of the human living environment as well as the different ambient brightness levels for each floor or row of the apartment building M, it is easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions more flexibly. In other words, with a horizontal wiring system, the amount of light can be increased on higher floors where the surroundings are darker, and decreased on lower floors where the surroundings are brighter. With a vertical wiring system, the amount of light can be decreased for rows closer to bright surrounding facilities, and increased for rows further away, thereby responding to the circumstances of residents due to these differences in environment.

[0065] For example, in response to a sudden change in the amount of sunlight or solar radiation due to weather changes such as clouds, fog, or thunderstorms, a dimming process such as temporarily increasing the amount of light at an early timing may be executed by operating the operation unit 30. In this case, when the amount of sunlight or solar radiation returns to a normal level after a predetermined time (for example, one hour later or the next day), it may be difficult to achieve the desired lighting state with the added, updated, or changed dimming information. Even in such a case, for example, the calculation unit 20 that receives an instruction from the operation unit 30 、 By executing the dimming process again based on the dimming information for the initial setting or immediately before addition, update, or change, for example, the increased light amount can be reduced to the original set light amount, making it possible to respond to temporary changes in weather and more flexibly realizing ideal lighting conditions. In other words, it will be easier to change the dimming pattern in short periods of time, such as in units of a few hours or a day, making it easier to optimize the lighting environment in apartment buildings. In the above, it has been explained that the operation unit 30 is operated to perform dimming processing in response to a sudden change in the amount of sunlight or solar radiation, but the calculation unit 20 may also automatically perform dimming processing in response to the sunlight information received from the sunlight sensor or solar radiation sensor, which is the providing device 40. Furthermore, although it has been explained that the dimming process is executed again via the operation unit 30 based on the dimming information for the initial setting or immediately before addition, update, or change, it is more preferable that the calculation unit 20 automatically executes the above dimming process according to the sunshine information or time information received from the providing device 40, which is a sunshine sensor, a solar radiation sensor, or a solar time switch.

[0066] Furthermore, a basic dimming method (hereinafter also referred to as "the present dimming method") that is a prerequisite for implementing the present dimming device will be described.

[0067] This dimming method performs dimming processing based on dimming information including two or more different light levels of lighting fixtures L installed in a common hallway F1 of an apartment building M and transition times for transitioning to the different light levels, and when the dimming information is added, updated, or changed, the dimming processing is performed based on the added, updated, or changed dimming information. This dimming method may or may not employ the dimming device.

[0068] According to this dimming method, not only can dimming processing be performed automatically or manually based on initially set dimming information, but dimming processing can also be performed automatically or manually based on added, updated, or changed dimming information, making it easier to achieve ideal lighting conditions.

[0069] The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described content, and includes all conditions, configurations, methods, software, hardware, functions, and interrelationships thereof, as long as the same effects are obtained. For example, the present dimming device and the present dimming method can be adopted in open shared walkways and courtyards on the grounds of an apartment complex. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] M apartment complex F-tier F1 Common corridor B Light panel U Control Unit 10 Storage section 20 Arithmetic section 30 Control section 40 Equipment provided

Claims

1. The lighting fixture is installed in a common corridor of an apartment building, and a control unit controls the dimming of the lighting fixture, the control unit includes a storage unit that stores dimming information and a calculation unit that executes dimming processing based on the dimming information; The dimming information includes two or more different light intensities of the lighting fixture and transition times for transitioning to the different light intensities. Dimmer.

2. the control unit further includes an operation unit for instructing addition, update, or change of the light control information; The calculation unit executes the light adjustment process based on the light adjustment information after it has been added, updated, or changed in response to an instruction from the operation unit. The light control device according to claim 1 .

3. Further provided is a providing device for providing sunshine information; The calculation unit executes a dimming process taking the sunlight information into consideration. The light control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the dimming information further includes a dimming pattern based on the light amount and the transition time, The calculation unit executes the light adjustment process taking into account each of the light adjustment patterns. The light control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The lighting fixture is an LED lighting fixture, The calculation unit performs dimming processing by an inverse phase control method. The light control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The lighting fixture is a wiring system in a horizontal direction parallel to the floors of the apartment building or a wiring system in a vertical direction perpendicular to the floors of the apartment building, The control unit controls the horizontal wiring system for each layer and the vertical wiring system for each column. The light control device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. When the calculation unit executes the light control process based on the light control information after addition, update, or change, the calculation unit executes the light control process again at a predetermined timing based on the light control information for initial setting or immediately before addition, update, or change. The light control device according to claim 2 .

8. performing dimming processing based on dimming information including two or more different light intensities of lighting fixtures installed in a common corridor of the apartment building and transition times for transitioning to the different light intensities; When the light control information is added, updated, or changed, the light control process is performed based on the added, updated, or changed light control information. Dimming method.

Images