Detection unit, and control system

Abstract

To provide a detection unit capable of correcting the brightness detected by the detector by communicating with an information terminal.SOLUTION: A detection unit 30 includes: an illuminance sensor 31 that detects brightness in an indoor space; a first communication unit 32 that communicates with a control unit 40 that controls one or more loads based on the detection result by the illuminance sensor 31; a second communication unit 33 that communicates with an information terminal 60; and a first processing unit 36 that corrects the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 based on first information according to the illuminance at a predetermined height of the indoor space received by the second communication unit 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to sensing equipment and control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known technology that uses a sensor to control lighting fixtures so that the brightness (illuminance) in a space is constant. In relation to this technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a brightness sensor unit that outputs a signal indicating the brightness difference between the ambient brightness and a reference brightness value to a master controller that controls the lighting fixtures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-64383 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a detection device or the like that can correct the brightness detected by a detection unit by communicating with an information terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects the brightness of a space, a first communication unit that communicates with a control device that controls one or more loads, a second communication unit that communicates with an information terminal, and a first processing unit that corrects the brightness detected by the detection unit based on first information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the space received by the second communication unit.

[0006] A control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the detection device and the control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The detection device of the present invention can correct the brightness detected by the detection unit by communicating with an information terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to which the control system according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the first example of the setting method. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the second example of the setting method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a control system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to which the control system according to an embodiment is applied.

[0012] Control system 10 is a system that controls the dimming of lighting fixtures 20 in an indoor space 70 so that the illuminance on the desk surface of desk 80 located below detection device 30 remains constant. Control system 10 includes multiple lighting fixtures 20, detection device 30, control device 40, repeater 50, and information terminal 60. There are no particular limitations on the number of multiple lighting fixtures 20 included in control system 10, and control system 10 only needs to include at least one lighting fixture 20.

[0013] The lighting fixture 20 is a base light or the like that is installed on the ceiling of the interior space 70 and illuminates the interior space 70. The form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited, and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like.

[0014] Detection device 30 is a lighting control device integrated with illuminance sensor 31. Detection device 30 is installed on the ceiling or wall of indoor space 70, corrects the ceiling surface illuminance detected by illuminance sensor 31 to an (estimated) desk surface illuminance of desk 80, and controls the dimming of multiple lighting fixtures 20 so that the desk surface illuminance remains constant. Detection device 30 includes illuminance sensor 31, a first communication unit 32, a second communication unit 33, an information processing unit 34, and a memory unit 35.

[0015] The illuminance sensor 31 detects the illuminance in the indoor space 70. The illuminance sensor 31 is an example of a detection unit that detects the brightness of the indoor space 70. The illuminance sensor 31 is realized by a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like.

[0016] First communication unit 32 communicates with multiple lighting devices 20 and control device 40. First communication unit 32 is realized by, for example, a wired communication circuit, but may also be realized by a wireless communication circuit.

[0017] The second communication unit 33 includes an infrared communication unit 33a and a radio wave communication unit 33b. The infrared communication unit 33a communicates with the repeater 50 using a first wireless communication method that uses infrared rays. It can also be said that the infrared communication unit 33a communicates with the information terminal 60 via the repeater 50 using the first wireless communication method. The infrared communication unit 33a is realized, for example, by an infrared communication module (infrared communication circuit).

[0018] The radio wave communication unit 33b communicates with the information terminal 60 using a second wireless communication method that is different from the first wireless communication method. More specifically, the radio wave communication unit 33b communicates directly with the information terminal 60 using the second wireless communication method without going through the repeater 50. The second wireless communication method is a communication method that uses radio waves, and the radio wave communication unit 33b is realized by, for example, a radio wave communication module (radio wave communication circuit). Note that the communication standard for radio wave communication is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), but is not particularly limited to this.

[0019] The information processing unit 34 performs various information processing operations, such as calculating a correction ratio (described below) and controlling the dimming of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20. The information processing unit 34 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The information processing unit 34 includes, as functional components, a first processing unit 36 ​​and a second processing unit 37. The functions of the first processing unit 36 ​​and the second processing unit 37 are realized by hardware, such as a microcomputer or processor, that constitutes the information processing unit 34 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 35.

[0020] The storage unit 35 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the information processing. The information stored in the storage unit 35 includes a computer program executed by the information processing unit 34. The storage unit 35 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0021] Control device 40 is a higher-level control device than detection device 30 and controls multiple lighting devices 20. Control device 40 controls multiple lighting devices 20 based on, for example, a user's operation of a light switch (not shown). In setting method example 1 described below, control device 40 calculates a correction ratio.

[0022] The repeater 50 communicates with the detection device 30 using a first wireless communication method (infrared) and communicates with the information terminal 60 using a second wireless communication method (radio waves). In other words, the repeater 50 converts radio wave communication signals into infrared communication signals and infrared communication signals into radio wave communication signals. The repeater 50 has an appearance similar to a dedicated remote controller for a home appliance and has only one button 51 (shown in FIG. 1). When the repeater 50 receives a predetermined radio wave communication signal from the information terminal 60 after the button 51 is pressed, the repeater 50 converts the radio wave communication signal into an infrared communication signal and transmits it to the detection device 30.

[0023] The information terminal 60 is a portable information terminal carried by a user who performs the setting (hereinafter also referred to as a setting person). Specifically, the information terminal 60 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Specifically, the information terminal 60 includes an operation receiving unit 61, a display unit 62, a communication unit 63, an information processing unit 64, and a storage unit 65.

[0024] The operation reception unit 61 receives operations from a setting person. Specifically, the operation reception unit 61 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0025] The display unit 62 is a display that displays images and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0026] The communication unit 63 communicates with the detection device 30 and the repeater 50 using a second wireless communication method. The second wireless communication method is a communication method using radio waves, and the communication unit 63 is realized by, for example, a radio wave communication module (radio wave communication circuit). Note that the communication standard for radio wave communication is, for example, BLE, but is not particularly limited.

[0027] The information processing unit 64 performs various settings of the detection device 30 by transmitting a setting request to the detection device 30 or the repeater 50 using the communication unit 63. The information processing unit 64 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 64 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 64 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 65.

[0028] The storage unit 65 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the various settings. The information stored in the storage unit 65 includes computer programs executed by the information processing unit 64. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 65 include predetermined application programs (hereinafter also referred to as predetermined apps) for setting the detection device 30 that are installed in advance in the storage unit 65 by the user. Various display screens described below are displayed on the display unit 62 by the information processing unit 64 executing the predetermined apps. The storage unit 65 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0029] [Setting example 1] As described above, control system 10 controls the light emission of lighting fixture 20 so that the desk illuminance of desk 80 located below detection device 30 in indoor space 70 is constant. Since detection device 30 cannot directly detect the desk illuminance, it converts the ceiling illuminance detected by illuminance sensor 31 into desk illuminance. Here, the settings for converting ceiling illuminance to desk illuminance will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining example 1 of the setting method.

[0030] First, the setter measures the desk surface illuminance of desk 80 using an illuminance meter (not shown) (S11). Next, the setter operates control device 40 to specify the measurement range of illuminance of detection device 30, and control device 40 notifies detection device 30 of the specified measurement range (S12). The setter specifies one of three measurement ranges (multiplication factors for the measurement value of illuminance), for example, 11.5, 7.5, and 3.2. The setter specifies the measurement range so that the value obtained by multiplying the measurement value of illuminance of illuminance sensor 31 (ceiling surface illuminance) by the measurement range is as close as possible to the desk surface illuminance measured in step S11.

[0031] Upon receiving the notification of the measurement range, the second processing unit 37 of the detection device 30 sets the measurement range of the detection device 30 to the specified range. In response to the notification, the second processing unit 37 transmits a tentative desk surface illuminance obtained by multiplying the magnification corresponding to the measurement range by the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor 31 to the control device 40 using the first communication unit 32, and the control device 40 receives the tentative desk surface illuminance (S13).

[0032] Next, the setter inputs the desk surface illuminance measured in step S11 to the control device 40 (S14). The control device 40 calculates a correction ratio by dividing the input desk surface illuminance by the tentative desk surface illuminance received in step S13 (S15). The control device 40 also transmits correction ratio information indicating the calculated correction ratio to the detection device 30. The correction ratio information is an example of second information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height. The correction ratio information includes a correction ratio (in other words, a numerical value related to the correction).

[0033] First communication unit 32 of detection device 30 receives the correction ratio information. Second processing unit 37 then dims lighting devices 20 so that the corrected measurement value, obtained by multiplying the measurement value of illuminance sensor 31 by the magnification corresponding to the measurement range set in step S13 and the correction ratio indicated by the correction ratio information, falls within a predetermined range. In other words, control system 10 can control the light emission of lighting devices 20 in indoor space 70 so that the illuminance on the desk surface is constant (within a predetermined range).

[0034] [Setting example 2] Next, a description will be given of setting method example 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining setting method example 2.

[0035] First, the person setting the setting measures the desk surface illuminance on desk 80 using an illuminance meter (not shown) (S21). Next, the person setting the setting performs a predetermined setting operation for setting on information terminal 60 running a predetermined application, and operation receiving unit 61 receives the setting operation. The setting operation includes an operation for inputting the desk surface illuminance measured in step S21.

[0036] In response to the received setting operation, the information processing unit 64 transmits a setting request to the detection device 30 using the communication unit 63 (S22). The setting request includes the value of the desk surface illuminance measured in step S21. The setting request may be transmitted directly from the communication unit 63 to the detection device 30, or may be transmitted from the communication unit 63 to the detection device 30 via the repeater 50. The setting request is an example of first information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the indoor space 70, and includes the value of the desk surface illuminance input to the information terminal 60 by the setting operation.

[0037] The second communication unit 33 of the detection device 30 receives a setting request from the information terminal 60 or the repeater 50. The first processing unit 36 ​​sets a measurement range based on the received setting request, and calculates a provisional desk surface illuminance by multiplying the measurement value of the illuminance sensor 31 by a magnification corresponding to the set measurement range (S23). In step S23, the first processing unit 36 ​​multiplies the measurement value of the illuminance sensor 31 by three measurement ranges (magnifications), for example, 11.5, 7.5, and 3.2, and calculates the value closest to 1 as the provisional desk surface illuminance. The first processing unit 36 ​​also sets the measurement range that obtained the value closest to 1 as the measurement range to be used thereafter.

[0038] First processing unit 36 ​​calculates a correction ratio by dividing the desk surface illuminance included in the setting request by the provisional desk surface illuminance calculated in step S23 (S24). First processing unit 36 ​​then dims lighting devices 20 so that the corrected measurement value, obtained by multiplying the measurement value of illuminance sensor 31 by the magnification corresponding to the measurement range set in step S23 and the correction ratio calculated in step S24, falls within a predetermined range. In other words, control system 10 can control the light emission of lighting devices 20 in indoor space 70 so that the desk surface illuminance is constant (within a predetermined range).

[0039] Thus, according to the second example of the setting method, the person setting the device can omit operations on the control device 40 and perform settings similar to those of the first example of the setting method by performing setting operations on the information terminal 60 on which a specified application is installed.

[0040] In the setting method example 2, if the information terminal 60 is equipped with an illuminance detection unit (specifically, an illuminance sensor or the like) that detects the illuminance on the desk surface, the illuminance on the desk surface may be detected by the illuminance detection unit of the information terminal 60 instead of by an illuminance meter. This allows the setting person to omit the operation of inputting the illuminance on the desk surface. In this case, the setting request includes the value of the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit.

[0041] Furthermore, it is not essential that the detection device 30 supports both setting method example 1 and setting method example 2, and it is sufficient that the detection device 30 supports at least one of setting method example 1 and setting method example 2. Furthermore, in setting method example 1 and setting method example 2, the correction ratio may be calculated by dividing the desk surface illuminance by the illuminance measurement value (ceiling surface illuminance) of the illuminance sensor 31, and the process of setting the measurement range and calculating a tentative desk surface illuminance may be omitted.

[0042] It should be noted that, according to the process of setting the measurement range and calculating the provisional desk surface illuminance, it is possible to obtain the effect of realizing Example Setting Method 2, which follows Example Setting Method 1.

[0043] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the ceiling surface illuminance is converted to the desk surface illuminance, but the ceiling surface illuminance may be converted to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the indoor space 70, for example, to the floor surface illuminance of the indoor space 70.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the load controlled by control system 10 is lighting fixture 20, but the load is not limited to lighting fixture 20. For example, the load may be an AC (Alternating Current) relay.

[0045] AC relays include the following three types: first AC relay, second AC relay, and third AC relay. The first AC relay is a device attached to a wiring duct that can turn on and off one piece of equipment attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the AC power to that device. The second AC relay is a device attached to the base of the wiring duct that can turn on and off all the equipment attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the supply of AC power to that wiring duct. The third AC relay is a wirelessly controlled switch that does not use a wiring duct.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, detection device 30 includes illuminance sensor 31, but may include sensors other than illuminance sensor 31. For example, detection device 30 may include a heat sensor that detects infrared rays emitted from a person's body. With such detection device 30, control system 10 can control the light emission of lighting device 20 so that the illuminance on the desk surface remains constant (within a predetermined range) for a certain period of time after the heat sensor detects a person.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the information terminal 60 includes the communication unit 63 that communicates using the second wireless communication method (radio waves) and does not include a communication unit that communicates using the first wireless communication method (infrared rays). However, the information terminal 60 may include a communication unit that communicates using the first wireless communication method (infrared rays). In this case, the information terminal 60 can communicate with the detection device 30 using the first wireless communication method without using the repeater 50.

[0048] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified inventions will be explained.

[0049] Invention 1 is a detection device 30 including an illuminance sensor 31 that detects the brightness of an indoor space 70, a first communication unit 32 that communicates with a control device 40 that controls one or more loads, a second communication unit 33 that communicates with an information terminal 60, and a first processing unit 36 ​​that corrects the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 based on first information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the indoor space 70 received by the second communication unit 33. The illuminance sensor 31 is an example of a detection unit.

[0050] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 by communicating with the information terminal 60. In other words, such a detection device 30 can implement the setting method example 2 described above.

[0051] Invention 2 is the detection device 30 of Invention 1, in which the illuminance at a predetermined height in the indoor space 70 includes the illuminance on a desk surface.

[0052] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 to the illuminance on the desk surface.

[0053] Invention 3 is the detection device 30 of Invention 1 or 2, further comprising a second processing unit 37 that corrects the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 based on second information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the indoor space 70 received by the first communication unit 32. Note that the second processing unit 37 may be the same as or different from the first processing unit 36.

[0054] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 by communicating with the control device 40. In other words, such a detection device 30 can implement the setting method example 1 described above.

[0055] Invention 4 is the detection device 30 of Invention 3, wherein the second information includes a numerical value related to the correction. The numerical value related to the correction is, for example, the correction ratio in the above embodiment.

[0056] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 by receiving a numerical value related to the correction from the control device 40.

[0057] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the detection device 30 of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the second communication unit 33 communicates with the information terminal 60 by wireless communication.

[0058] Such a detection device 30 can communicate wirelessly with the information terminal 60.

[0059] Invention 6 is the detection device 30 of Invention 5, in which the second communication unit 33 communicates with the repeater 50, which communicates with the information terminal 60 using the first wireless communication method, using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method.

[0060] Such a detection device 30 can perform wireless communication with an information terminal 60 via a repeater 50 .

[0061] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the detection device 30 of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first information includes a value input to the information terminal 60.

[0062] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 based on the value input to the information terminal 60.

[0063] An eighth invention is the detecting device 30 of any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the information terminal 60 has an illuminance detecting unit, and the first information includes an illuminance value detected by the illuminance detecting unit.

[0064] Such a detection device 30 can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 based on the illuminance value detected by the illuminance detection unit.

[0065] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a control system 10 including the detection device 30 of any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention and a control device 40.

[0066] The control system 10 as described above can correct the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 31 by communicating with the information terminal 60.

[0067] Invention 10 is the control system 10 of invention 9, further comprising a load.

[0068] Such a control system 10 can be realized as a system including a load.

[0069] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the control system is realized by a plurality of devices. In this case, the components (particularly functional components) of the control system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner. Alternatively, the control system may be realized as a single device.

[0071] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a broadband router, not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0073] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0074] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0075] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0076] For example, the present invention may be realized as a control system according to the above-described embodiments. The present invention may be realized as a detection device or information terminal according to the above-described embodiments, or as a method executed by a computer such as a detection device or information terminal according to the above-described embodiments. The present invention may be realized as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute the method. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0077] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10. Control System 20 Lighting fixtures 30 Detection equipment 31 Illuminance sensor 32 First Communications Department 33 Second Communications Department 33a Infrared communication section 33b Radio Communications Department 34, 64 Information Processing Unit 35, 65 Storage section 36 First Processing Section 37 Second Processing Section 40 Control device 50 Repeater 51 Button 60 Information terminal 61 Operation reception section 62 Display section 63 Communications Department 70 Indoor space 80 desk

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects the brightness of the space; a first communication unit that communicates with a control device that controls one or more loads; a second communication unit that communicates with the information terminal; a first processing unit that corrects the brightness detected by the detection unit based on first information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the space received by the second communication unit. Detection equipment.

2. The illuminance at a predetermined height in the space includes the illuminance on the desk surface.

10. The sensing device of claim 1.

3. Further, a second processing unit corrects the brightness detected by the detection unit based on second information corresponding to the illuminance at a predetermined height in the space received by the first communication unit.

10. The sensing device of claim 1.

4. The second information includes a numerical value related to the correction.

4. The sensing device of claim 3.

5. The second communication unit communicates with the information terminal by wireless communication.

10. The sensing device of claim 1.

6. The second communication unit communicates with a repeater that communicates with the information terminal by a first wireless communication method, using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method.

6. The sensing device of claim 5.

7. The first information includes a value to be input to the information terminal.

10. The sensing device of claim 1.

8. the information terminal has an illuminance detection unit, The first information includes a value of illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit.

10. The sensing device of claim 1.

9. A detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The control device Control system.

10. Further, the load The control system of claim 9.

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