Lighting equipment and control devices

Abstract

To provide lighting devices and control equipment that can suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simple configuration. [Solution] A lighting device is provided comprising: a lighting fixture that emits light and can change the lighting state; an antenna unit that receives a wireless signal and converts the received wireless signal into an electrical signal; an attenuator that receives the input of the received signal from the antenna unit and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and can adjust the amount of attenuation of the received signal; and a control unit that receives the input of the attenuated received signal from the attenuator and, if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, causes the lighting fixture to perform an action according to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, prevents the lighting fixture from performing an action according to the received signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0004] , , , , ,

[0003]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting device and a control device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a lighting device that receives a wireless signal and changes the lighting state of a light source unit according to the received wireless signal. Also, for example, when lighting a relatively large indoor space such as an office or a commercial facility, a plurality of lighting devices are installed.

[0003] The lighting device receives a wireless signal transmitted from an operating device (e.g., a remote control) and changes the lighting state of the light source unit according to the received wireless signal. Thereby, even when a plurality of lighting devices are installed, the lighting states of the plurality of lighting devices can be individually changed by one operating device.

[0004] Also, the operating device can transmit a wireless signal for individually changing the lighting states of a plurality of lighting devices and a wireless signal for collectively changing the lighting states of a plurality of lighting devices based on a user's operation. When the lighting device receives a wireless signal for collective change from the operating device, it changes the lighting state of its own light source unit according to the received wireless signal and transmits the received wireless signal to other lighting devices. The other lighting device receives the wireless signal transmitted from the lighting device and changes the lighting state of the light source unit according to the received wireless signal. Thereby, by simply changing the lighting state of one lighting device using one operating device, the lighting states of other lighting devices can be changed as well, improving the convenience for the user.

[0005] However, with the lighting devices described above, wireless signals transmitted from the control unit or the lighting device itself may unintentionally change the lighting status of the lighting device. For example, if a wireless signal is transmitted from the control unit to change the lighting status of a lighting device installed on the first floor, the wireless signal may reach the second floor, unintentionally changing the lighting status of a lighting device installed on the second floor. Also, for example, if a wireless signal is transmitted from a lighting device to change the lighting status of multiple lighting devices installed in a designated room all at once, the wireless signal may reach the adjacent room, unintentionally changing the lighting status of a lighting device installed in that adjacent room.

[0006] For example, it is conceivable to suppress unintended changes in the lighting state due to unintended reception of wireless signals by adjusting the strength and reception sensitivity of wireless signals according to the installation environment of multiple lighting devices, and by individually adjusting the communication distance. However, in this case, the configuration of the control unit and lighting device (parameters of components, etc.) must be adjusted according to the installation environment, which raises concerns about increased manufacturing costs.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable that lighting devices be designed to suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simple configuration.

[0008] Furthermore, there are control devices that control the lighting status of lighting devices by transmitting wireless signals to them. These control devices perform changes to settings, etc., by receiving wireless signals transmitted from operators or other control devices. In these control devices as well, it is desirable to be able to suppress unintended operations caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simple configuration, just like with lighting devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-319718 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-26792 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting device and control device that can suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to the embodiment, a lighting device is provided that includes: a lighting fixture that emits light and can change the lighting state; an antenna unit that receives a wireless signal and converts the received wireless signal into an electrical signal; an attenuator that receives the input of the received signal from the antenna unit and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and can adjust the amount of attenuation of the received signal; and a control unit that receives the input of the attenuated received signal from the attenuator and, if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, causes the lighting fixture to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, prevents the lighting fixture from performing an operation corresponding to the received signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Lighting devices and control equipment are provided that can suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing a lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing a wireless communication unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of the operation of a lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of another operation of the lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram schematically showing a modified example of the wireless communication unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram schematically showing the lighting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram schematically showing the lighting device and the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram schematically showing the area control device according to the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of the sizes between parts, etc. are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Also, even when representing the same part, the dimensions and ratios may be represented differently in the drawings. In the present specification and each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the already shown drawings, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the lighting device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 10 includes a lighting fixture 12 and a wireless communication unit 14.

[0016] The lighting device 10 is, for example, installed and used in a relatively large indoor space such as an office or a commercial facility as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of lighting devices 10 perform wireless communication with the operation device 2 and change the lighting state according to the wireless signal received from the operation device 2. A plurality of lighting devices 10, for example, constitute a lighting system together with the operation device 2. The lighting system can provide high convenience to the user by enabling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 to be changed by one operation device 2.

[0017] The lighting fixture 12 has a light source 20 and a lighting circuit 22. The light source 20 emits light. The lighting circuit 22 lights the light source 20 and enables the lighting state of the light source 20 to be changed. The lighting circuit 22 can change the lighting (light emission) and extinguishing (stopping of light emission) of the light source 20, and can also change at least one of the brightness and color of the light emitted from the light source 20 as the lighting state. In other words, the lighting circuit 22 can perform at least one of dimming control and color adjustment control as a change in the lighting state of the light source 20. Note that the change in the color of the emitted light may be a change in color temperature or an arbitrary color change such as from red light to blue light.

[0018] For the light source 20, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used. However, the light source 20 is not limited to a light emitting diode, and may be, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), an inorganic electroluminescence light emitting element, an organic electroluminescence light emitting element, or other field emission type light emitting elements. The light source 20 may be, for example, an incandescent lamp.

[0019] The lighting circuit 22 switches the lighting and extinguishing of the light source 20 by switching the supply of power (current) to the light source 20 and the stop of power supply. The lighting circuit 22 can change the brightness of the light emitted from the light source 20, for example, by peak value control for adjusting the magnitude of the current supplied to the light source 20 or PWM control for adjusting the supply interval of the current to the light source 20. Further, the lighting fixture 12 has, for example, a plurality of light sources 20. The lighting circuit 22 can change the color of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 12 by individually changing the brightness of the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 20. Thereby, the lighting state of the light source 20 (lighting fixture 12) can be changed.

[0020] Lighting fixture 12 may be, for example, a base light, a downlight, or a high-ceiling fixture. However, lighting fixture 12 is not limited to these. Lighting fixture 12 may be any lighting fixture that emits light and has a changeable lighting state.

[0021] The wireless communication unit 14 includes an antenna section 30 for the control unit, an attenuator 32 for the control unit, an antenna section 34 for use between lighting devices, an attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices, and a control unit 38.

[0022] The antenna unit 30 for the control unit is an antenna unit for wireless communication with the control unit 2. The control unit 2 has an operating unit for receiving operation instructions from the user. The control unit 2 transmits a wireless signal to change the lighting state of the lighting device 10 in response to the operation instructions input to the operating unit.

[0023] Furthermore, the lighting system allows, for example, multiple lighting devices 10 to be divided into multiple groups, or to be illuminated in a predetermined lighting state. The operator 2 transmits wireless signals to change the lighting state of the lighting devices 10, and also transmits wireless signals to change the settings of the lighting devices 10, such as setting groups or lighting states, in response to operation instructions.

[0024] The operator 2 is, for example, a dedicated remote control. The operator 2 may also be, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the user. The operator 2 may be any device that can appropriately transmit wireless signals to the lighting device 10 to change the lighting state or to change settings in response to operation instructions from the user.

[0025] The antenna unit 30 for the control unit communicates wirelessly with the control unit 2 and receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit 2. The antenna unit 30 then converts the received wireless signals into electrical signals.

[0026] For wireless communication between the operator 2 and the operator antenna unit 30, for example, a relatively directional wireless communication method is used. For example, infrared communication is used for wireless communication between the operator 2 and the operator antenna unit 30. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, a wireless signal intended for a specific lighting device 10 from being received by the operator antenna unit 30 of an unintended lighting device 10.

[0027] The wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2 to the lighting device 10 (control unit antenna unit 30) is, in other words, a wireless signal to be transmitted to a desired single lighting device 10 among multiple lighting devices 10, even when multiple lighting devices 10 are installed. However, the wireless communication between the control unit 2 and the control unit antenna unit 30 is not limited to the above, and may be any wireless communication that can appropriately receive the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2 at the control unit antenna unit 30.

[0028] The attenuator 32 is connected to the antenna unit 30 for the operator and also to the control unit 38. In other words, the attenuator 32 is installed between the antenna unit 30 for the operator and the control unit 38.

[0029] The antenna unit 30 for the control unit inputs the received signal to the attenuator 32 for the control unit. The attenuator 32 receives the received signal from the antenna unit 30, attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and inputs the attenuated received signal to the control unit 38.

[0030] The control unit 38 receives the attenuated received signal from the attenuator 32 and determines whether the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is equal to or greater than a preset threshold. If the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 38 causes the lighting fixture 12 to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal.

[0031] For example, if the magnitude of the received signal is above a threshold, the control unit 38 processes the content of the received signal and inputs a control signal corresponding to the content of the received signal to the lighting circuit 22 of the lighting fixture 12, thereby causing the lighting fixture 12 to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal. In other words, if the magnitude of the received signal is above a threshold, the control unit 38 controls the operation of the lighting circuit 22 (lighting fixture 12) by inputting a control signal corresponding to the content of the received signal to the lighting circuit 22, thereby causing the lighting circuit 22 to perform an operation corresponding to the content of the received signal.

[0032] When the lighting circuit 22 receives a control signal corresponding to a wireless signal for changing the lighting state, it changes the lighting state of the light source 20 according to the content of the input control signal. When the lighting circuit 22 receives a control signal corresponding to a wireless signal for changing settings, it changes settings such as group settings and lighting state settings according to the content of the input control signal. This allows the lighting fixture 12 to perform operations in response to the user's operation of the control device 2.

[0033] The method for causing the lighting fixture 12 to perform an action in response to the received signal is not limited to the above. For example, the control unit 38 may cause the lighting circuit 22 to perform an action in response to the received signal by inputting the received signal directly to the lighting circuit 22. The method for causing the lighting fixture 12 to perform an action in response to the received signal can be any method that allows the lighting fixture 12 to perform an appropriate action in response to the received signal.

[0034] On the other hand, if the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is less than a threshold, the control unit 38 will not accept the received signal and will not perform any operation corresponding to the received signal. In other words, if the magnitude of the received signal is less than a threshold, the control unit 38 will prevent the lighting fixture 12 from performing any operation corresponding to the received signal.

[0035] The control unit 38, for example, does not input control signals or received signals to the lighting fixture 12 (lighting circuit 22) if the magnitude of the received signal is below a threshold. As a result, if the magnitude of the received signal is below a threshold, even if the attenuator 32 for the control unit receives a wireless signal, the lighting fixture 12 will not operate in response to the user's operation of the control unit 2.

[0036] The operator 2 is capable of transmitting wireless signals to individually change the operation of multiple lighting devices 10 based on user input, and wireless signals to collectively change the operation of multiple lighting devices 10.

[0037] If the magnitude of the received signal is above a threshold and, as a result of processing the content of the received signal, the control unit 38 determines that the content of the received signal is such that the operation of multiple lighting devices 10 is changed collectively, it causes its own lighting fixture 12 to perform the operation corresponding to the received signal and transmits the received signal to the other lighting devices 10, as described above.

[0038] This allows the operation of lighting fixtures 12 in other lighting devices 10 to be changed in the same way by changing the operation of one lighting device 10 using one control unit 2. For example, multiple lighting devices 10 can be turned on at once, the brightness of multiple lighting devices 10 can be changed at once, or the settings of multiple lighting devices 10 can be changed at once. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved.

[0039] Furthermore, if multiple lighting devices 10 are configured as groups, the operation of all multiple lighting devices 10 can be changed collectively for each group. Also, if multiple lighting devices 10 have configured lighting states, each of the multiple lighting devices 10 can be changed collectively to a pre-configured lighting state. This further improves user convenience.

[0040] The inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 is an antenna unit for wireless communication with other lighting devices 10. The inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 is connected to the control unit 38. When the control unit 38 transmits a received signal to another lighting device 10, it inputs a transmission signal corresponding to the received signal to the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34. The inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 converts the electrical signal input from the control unit 38 into a wireless signal and transmits the converted wireless signal toward the other lighting device 10. The transmission signal is, for example, a received signal or a control signal. However, the transmission signal is not limited to these and may be any electrical signal corresponding to the received signal.

[0041] Furthermore, the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 receives wireless signals transmitted from other lighting devices 10 (lighting devices 10 that have received wireless signals transmitted from the control unit 2). The inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 then converts the received wireless signals into electrical signals.

[0042] The inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is connected to the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 and also to the control unit 38. In other words, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is installed between the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 and the control unit 38.

[0043] The antenna unit 34 for use between lighting devices inputs the received signal to the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices. The attenuator 36 receives the received signal from the antenna unit 34, attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and inputs the attenuated received signal to the control unit 38.

[0044] When the control unit 38 receives an attenuated received signal input from the inter-lighting device attenuator 36, it determines whether the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, similar to when it receives an attenuated received signal input from the operator attenuator 32.

[0045] The control unit 38, if the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to a threshold, causes the lighting fixture 12 to perform an action corresponding to the received signal. This allows the lighting fixture 12 to perform an action corresponding to a wireless signal transmitted from another lighting device 10. In other words, the lighting fixture 12 can perform the same action as another lighting device 10 that has received a wireless signal transmitted from the operator 2.

[0046] Furthermore, if the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is less than a threshold, the control unit 38 does not accept the received signal and does not perform any operation corresponding to the received signal.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 38 may transmit the received signal to other lighting devices 10 if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal input from the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is greater than or equal to a threshold. This allows for the relaying of the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting device 10 (the lighting device 10 that received the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 2). For example, the wireless signal can be transmitted to other lighting devices 10 located outside the communication range of the first lighting device 10, or to other lighting devices 10 located in places where the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting device 10 cannot reach due to the influence of a building or other factors. The control unit 38 may also allow, for example, the operator 2 to change whether or not to transmit the received signal input from the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 (relay the wireless signal).

[0048] For wireless communication between multiple lighting devices 10 (between the antenna units 34 for each lighting device), for example, low-directivity wireless communication is used. Wireless communication between multiple lighting devices 10 is, for example, communication using electromagnetic waves with frequencies of several hundred MHz to several GHz. The directivity of the wireless signal transmitted from the antenna unit 34 for each lighting device is lower than the directivity of the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 2. The antenna unit 34 for each lighting device transmits wireless signals in all directions, for example. This allows wireless signals transmitted from one lighting device 10 to be received by multiple other lighting devices 10.

[0049] The wireless signal transmitted from the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 is, in other words, a wireless signal intended for transmission to multiple other lighting devices 10. However, wireless communication between multiple lighting devices 10 is not limited to the above; any wireless communication that can appropriately receive the wireless signal transmitted from the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 by the inter-lighting device antenna units 34 of the other multiple lighting devices 10 is acceptable.

[0050] The antenna unit 34 for use between lighting devices has the function of transmitting a wireless signal to another lighting device 10 and the function of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from another lighting device 10. In this case, the antenna unit 34 for use between lighting devices may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a single antenna unit, or it may be configured to have two antenna units: one for transmitting wireless signals and one for receiving them.

[0051] More specifically, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is located on the path between the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 and the control unit 38, on which the received signal is input to the control unit 38. The path between the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 and the control unit 38, on which the transmitted signal is input to the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34, is directly connected without going through the inter-lighting device attenuator 36. This prevents the transmitted signal input from the control unit 38 to the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 from being attenuated by the inter-lighting device attenuator 36.

[0052] Furthermore, the antenna unit 34 for use between lighting devices does not necessarily have to have the function of transmitting wireless signals. For example, a predetermined number of lighting devices 10 among the multiple lighting devices 10 may not have the function of transmitting wireless signals, but only have the function of receiving wireless signals transmitted from other lighting devices 10.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, when it is necessary to transmit a response signal or the like to the operator 2, the operator antenna unit 30 may have a function to transmit a wireless signal to the operator 2 in addition to the function to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the operator 2. In this case, it is preferable that the operator attenuator 32 is provided on the path between the operator antenna unit 30 and the control unit 38 for inputting a received signal to the control unit 38, similar to the attenuator 36 for inter-lighting devices. It is preferable that the path between the operator antenna unit 30 and the control unit 38 for inputting a transmitted signal to the operator antenna unit 30 is directly connected without going through the operator attenuator 32.

[0054] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a wireless communication unit according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication unit 14 further includes a circuit board 40. The operator antenna section 30, the operator attenuator 32, the inter-lighting device antenna section 34, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36, and the control unit 38 are provided on the circuit board 40. The circuit board 40 supports the operator antenna section 30, the operator attenuator 32, the inter-lighting device antenna section 34, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36, and the control unit 38, and also provides electrical connections for each of these sections. The circuit board 40 is, for example, a printed circuit board.

[0055] The wireless communication unit 14 is provided, for example, within the housing (main body of the fixture) of the lighting fixture 12 together with the light source 20 and the lighting circuit 22. However, the wireless communication unit 14 may be provided separately from the lighting fixture 12 and electrically connected to the lighting fixture 12 (lighting circuit 22) via wiring or the like. The wireless communication unit 14 may also be provided integrally with the lighting circuit 22, for example.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the attenuator 32 for the control device has an operating unit 32a that receives operation input from the user. The attenuator 32 for the control device changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal in accordance with the operation of the operating unit 32a. The attenuator 32 for the control device is configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal.

[0057] The attenuator 32 for the control unit includes, for example, a plurality of resistors and a path switching circuit that changes the connection state of the plurality of resistors, and changes the attenuation amount of the received signal in a step-like manner by changing the connection state (combination) of the plurality of resistors in response to the operation of the control unit 32a. However, the configuration of the attenuator 32 for the control unit is not limited to the above, and may also be a configuration in which the attenuation amount of the received signal is continuously changed by continuously changing the resistance value, for example. The configuration of the attenuator 32 for the control unit may be any configuration that is capable of appropriately changing the attenuation amount of the received signal in response to the operation of the control unit 32a.

[0058] Similarly, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 has an operating unit 36a that receives operational input from the user, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 36a. The inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is also configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal, similar to the attenuator 32 for the control unit. The configuration of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 can be any configuration that allows the amount of attenuation of the received signal to be appropriately changed according to the operation of the operating unit 36a.

[0059] The attenuator 32 for the control unit and the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices may also be called, for example, an attenuator or a resistive attenuator.

[0060] The shape of the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 differs from the shape of the operating section 32a of the actuator attenuator 32. The operating section 32a of the actuator attenuator 32 is, for example, a sliding type. The operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is, for example, a rotary type.

[0061] In this way, by making the shape of the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 different from the shape of the operating section 32a of the control device attenuator 32, it is possible to make it easier for an operator adjusting the attenuation amount to recognize the operating section 32a of the control device attenuator 32 and the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36. For example, it is possible to prevent accidentally operating the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 when intending to operate the operating section 32a of the control device attenuator 32.

[0062] The shapes of the control unit 32a and the control unit 36a are not limited to those described above and may be any configuration that can appropriately receive user input and change the attenuation amount. Furthermore, the shape of the control unit 36a does not necessarily have to be different from that of the control unit 32a. The shape of the control unit 36a may be the same as that of the control unit 32a.

[0063] Furthermore, the configuration of the attenuator 32 for adjusting the attenuation of the received signal is not limited to a configuration in which the attenuation is changed by the operation of the operation unit 32a, but may be any configuration that allows for appropriate adjustment of the attenuation. For example, the control unit 38 may change the settings of the attenuator 32 based on the radio signal transmitted from the operator 2, thereby allowing the attenuation of the operator attenuator 32 to be adjusted based on the operation of the operator 2. Similarly, the configuration of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 for adjusting the attenuation of the received signal is not limited to a configuration in which the attenuation is changed by the operation of the operation unit 36a, but may be any configuration that allows for appropriate adjustment of the attenuation.

[0064] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the operation of a lighting device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, when attempting to change the lighting status of the lighting device 10 installed on the first floor by transmitting a wireless signal from the control unit 2, the wireless signal may reach the second floor, and the control unit antenna 30 of the lighting device 10 installed on the second floor may receive the wireless signal. Note that, for convenience, only a part of the configuration of the lighting device 10 is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0065] In a reference lighting device that does not have an attenuator 32 for the control unit, the control unit antenna 30 of the second-floor lighting device unintentionally receives a wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2 to the first-floor lighting device, and if the magnitude of the received signal RS exceeds the threshold Sth set in the control unit 38, the second-floor lighting device will perform an unintended operation. For example, when the control unit 2 transmits a wireless signal to the first-floor lighting device to set the dimming level to 50%, the second-floor lighting device will also be unintentionally set to a dimming level of 50%.

[0066] In contrast, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment has an attenuator 32 for the control unit, and the control unit 38 determines whether the magnitude of the attenuated received signal RS input from the control unit attenuator 32 is greater than or equal to a threshold Sth. As a result, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment can suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals by adjusting the magnitude of the received signal RS with the control unit attenuator 32.

[0067] For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the attenuation amount of the attenuator 32 for the control unit 10 installed on the second floor is adjusted so that the magnitude of the received signal RS when the control unit 2 is operated on the first floor is less than the threshold Sth, and the magnitude of the received signal RS when the control unit 2 is operated on the second floor is greater than or equal to the threshold Sth. This prevents the lighting device 10 on the second floor from performing unintended operations due to the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2 to the lighting device 10 on the first floor.

[0068] For example, suppose the operator 2 and the operator antenna unit 30 (wireless communication unit 14) are designed so that the wireless signal reaches up to 20m vertically, based on a high-ceiling lighting fixture 12. If this operator 2 and operator antenna unit 30 are applied to a lighting fixture 12 such as a base light installed at 3m vertically, where the radio wave strength required is not as high as that of a high-ceiling fixture, there is a possibility that the wireless signal will reach areas where other lighting devices are installed (for example, areas on upper floors). For this reason, in the reference lighting device that does not have an operator attenuator 32, it becomes necessary to design a separate operator 2 and operator antenna unit 30 that corresponds to lighting fixtures 12 such as base lights.

[0069] In the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, by having an attenuator 32 for the control device, the magnitude of the received signal (strength of the radio signal) can be adjusted simply by changing the resistance constant of the attenuator 32 and adjusting the amount of attenuation of the attenuator 32.

[0070] This allows the design of the operator 2 and the operator antenna unit 30 to be adapted for applications requiring high wireless signal strength, such as high-ceiling fixtures, and then the amount of attenuation of the received signal is adjusted with the operator attenuator 32. As a result, the operator 2 and the operator antenna unit 30 (wireless communication unit 14), which can transmit wireless signals up to 20m vertically, can be used in common with lighting fixtures 12 such as base lights. This makes it possible to suppress increases in manufacturing costs when manufacturing multiple types of lighting fixtures 12, such as high-ceiling fixtures and base lights, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0071] Furthermore, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, by adjusting the attenuation amount of the attenuator 32 for the control unit, it is possible to divide the multiple lighting devices 10 into, for example, lighting devices 10 that receive the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2 and lighting devices 10 that do not receive the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2. This makes it possible, for example, to have only a specific lighting device 10 among the multiple lighting devices 10 receive the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2, while the remaining lighting devices 10 operate based on the wireless signal transmitted from the specific lighting device 10 that received the wireless signal from the control unit 2.

[0072] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of operation of the lighting device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, when attempting to change the lighting status of multiple lighting devices 10 installed in Area 1 simultaneously by transmitting a wireless signal from a predetermined lighting device 10 installed in Area 1 to other lighting devices 10 installed in the same Area 1, the wireless signal may reach another Area 2, and the inter-lighting device antenna 34 of a lighting device 10 installed in another Area 2 may receive the wireless signal. Note that, as with Figure 3, only a portion of the lighting device 10's configuration is shown in Figure 4 for convenience.

[0073] In a reference lighting system that does not have an inter-lighting device attenuator 36, the inter-lighting device antenna 34 of the lighting device in Area 2 unintentionally receives a wireless signal transmitted from the lighting device in Area 1, and if the magnitude of the received signal RS exceeds the threshold Sth set in the control unit 38, the lighting device in Area 2 will perform an unintended operation. For example, when the lighting device in Area 1 transmits a wireless signal to set the dimming level to 50%, the lighting device in Area 2 will also be unintentionally set to a dimming level of 50%.

[0074] In contrast, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment has an inter-lighting device attenuator 36, and the control unit 38 determines whether the magnitude of the attenuated received signal RS input from the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 is greater than or equal to a threshold Sth. As a result, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment can suppress unintended operation caused by the reception of unintended wireless signals by adjusting the magnitude of the received signal RS with the inter-lighting device attenuator 36.

[0075] For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the attenuation amount of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 of the lighting device 10 installed in Area 2 is adjusted so that the magnitude of the received signal RS when a wireless signal is transmitted from the lighting device 10 in Area 1 is less than the threshold Sth, and the magnitude of the received signal RS when a wireless signal is transmitted from another lighting device 10 in Area 2 is greater than or equal to the threshold Sth. This prevents the lighting device 10 in Area 2 from performing unintended operations due to a wireless signal transmitted from the lighting device 10 in Area 1.

[0076] For example, suppose we design an antenna unit 34 (wireless communication unit 14) for use between lighting devices 10, based on a specification that the wireless signal strength between the lighting devices 10 can reach up to 100m. In the reference lighting device, because the communication distance between lighting devices is up to 100m, the wireless signal may reach other areas, potentially causing unintended activation of lighting devices in other areas.

[0077] Even if a communication distance of 10m is sufficient between lighting devices, the wireless signal strength between the lighting devices is designed to reach up to 100m, resulting in the signal reaching 100m. If the communication distance between lighting devices is to be 10m, it becomes necessary to prepare a separate antenna unit 34 (wireless communication unit 14) for use between lighting devices, based on the specification that the wireless signal strength between lighting devices can reach up to 10m.

[0078] In the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, by having an inter-lighting device attenuator 36, the communication distance between the lighting devices 10 can be arbitrarily adjusted by adjusting the attenuation amount of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36. For example, by adjusting the attenuation amount of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 in the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 (wireless communication unit 14), which is based on a specification that the strength of the wireless signal between the lighting devices 10 can reach up to 100m, the communication distance between the lighting devices 10 can be adjusted to any communication distance such as 10m or 5m. For example, the inter-lighting device antenna unit 34 (wireless communication unit 14) can be standardized. As a result, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs, for example, when installing multiple lighting devices 10 in multiple areas. In addition, it is possible to easily respond to user requests, for example.

[0079] As described above, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment does not require individual adjustment of wireless signal strength or wireless signal reception sensitivity depending on the installation environment, for example, and can suppress unintended operation due to unintended reception of wireless signals with a simple configuration.

[0080] For example, it is conceivable to adjust the communication distance by changing the program of the control unit 38 (e.g., threshold Sth). However, even in this case, the program would have to be changed appropriately depending on the installation environment of the lighting device, which would make adjusting the communication distance time-consuming, and would require configurations for changing the program, raising concerns that the configuration of the lighting device would become complicated.

[0081] In the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, it is only necessary to provide an attenuator 32 for the operator and an attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices. Compared to adjusting the communication distance by changing the program, this configuration allows for suppression of unintended operation due to the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simpler setup.

[0082] Furthermore, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, the attenuator 32 for the control unit has an operating unit 32a, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 32a, and the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices has an operating unit 36a, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 36a. This makes it possible to suppress unintended operation due to the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simpler configuration compared to, for example, adjusting the amount of attenuation based on a wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 2.

[0083] Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a modified example of the wireless communication unit according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the wireless communication unit 14a further has a case 42. The case 42 houses the operator antenna section 30, the operator attenuator 32, the antenna section 34 for use between lighting devices, the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices, the control unit 38, and the circuit board 40, thereby concealing the operation section 32a of the operator attenuator 32 and the operation section 36a of the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices.

[0084] Furthermore, the case 42 can be configured to allow switching between a state in which the operating section 32a of the actuator attenuator 32 and the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 are concealed, and a state in which the operating section 32a of the actuator attenuator 32 and the operating section 36a of the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 are exposed and operable, for example, by providing a removable cover.

[0085] Thus, the operating section 32a of the attenuator 32 and the operating section 36a of the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices may be concealed by the case 42. This prevents, for example, a general user from unintentionally operating the operating sections 32a and 36a, which could unintentionally change the communication distance.

[0086] Furthermore, the case 42 is not limited to a configuration that houses the operator antenna section 30, the operator attenuator 32, the inter-lighting device antenna section 34, the inter-lighting device attenuator 36, the control unit 38, and the circuit board 40 inside. It may also be configured to house at least the operator attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 inside in order to suppress unintended operation of the operator sections 32a and 36a.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the lighting device 10 has an antenna section 30 for the control unit and an antenna section 34 for inter-lighting devices. The lighting device 10 may also be configured to have only one of the antenna section 30 for the control unit and the antenna section 34 for inter-lighting devices. The lighting device 10 may, for example, have an antenna section 30 for the control unit and an attenuator 32 for the control unit, and be configured to receive only radio signals transmitted from the control unit 2. The lighting device 10 may, for example, have an antenna section 34 for inter-lighting devices and an attenuator 36 for inter-lighting devices, and be configured to receive only radio signals transmitted from other lighting devices 10. In other words, the lighting device 10 may be configured to have at least one of the antenna section 30 for the control unit and the antenna section 34 for inter-lighting devices. The attenuator 32 for the control unit and the attenuator 36 for inter-lighting devices may be provided according to the configuration of the antenna section 30 for the control unit and the antenna section 34 for inter-lighting devices.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lighting device 10 includes a lighting fixture 12 and a wireless communication unit 14. The antenna unit 30 for the operator, the attenuator 32 for the operator, the antenna unit 34 for use between lighting devices, the attenuator 36 for use between lighting devices, and the control unit 38 may be configured to be directly attached to the lighting fixture 12, for example. The control unit 38 may be, for example, a control unit (e.g., a microcontroller) that controls the lighting state of the light source 20 in the lighting circuit 22.

[0089] The lighting device 10 may have any configuration comprising a lighting fixture 12, at least one antenna section (at least one of the operator antenna section 30 and the inter-lighting device antenna section 34), at least one attenuator (at least one of the operator attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36), and a control unit 38. The case 42 may be configured to house at least one of the operator attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 internally in order to suppress unintended operation of the operator sections 32a and 36a.

[0090] Figure 6 is a block diagram schematically representing the lighting system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the lighting system 100 comprises a lighting device 102, a control device 104, and an operating device 106.

[0091] The lighting device 102 is configured to allow the lighting state to be changed. For example, the lighting device 102 can change between an on state and an off state, and can also change at least one of the brightness and color of the light emitted as the on state.

[0092] The control device 104 controls the lighting state of the lighting device 102 by communicating wirelessly with the lighting device 102. The control device 104 is, for example, a motion sensor. In this case, the control device 104 detects a human body and switches the lighting device 102 from the off state to the on state in response to a switch from a state where no human body is detected to a state where a human body is detected, and switches the lighting device 102 from the on state to the off state in response to a switch from a state where a human body is detected to a state where no human body is detected.

[0093] The control device 104 may be, for example, a brightness sensor. In this case, the control device 104 detects the ambient brightness and switches the lighting device 102 from the off state to the on state in response to a change in ambient brightness from above a threshold state to below a threshold state, and switches the lighting device 102 from the on state to the off state in response to a change in ambient brightness from below a threshold state to above a threshold state.

[0094] The control device 104 may be, for example, a scheduler. In this case, the control device 104 detects the current time and switches the lighting device 102 from the off state to the on state when the current time reaches a preset first time, and switches the lighting device 102 from the on state to the off state when the current time reaches a preset second time.

[0095] However, the control device 104 is not limited to the above and may be any device capable of changing the lighting state of the lighting device 102 in response to the detection of any physical quantity or a change in the control state. For example, if the lighting device 102 is a disaster prevention light such as an emergency light or exit sign, the control device 104 may be a device that turns on the lighting device 102 in response to the detection of heat (fire) or smoke.

[0096] The lighting system 100 is used, for example, in relatively large buildings such as offices and commercial facilities. For this reason, the lighting system 100 comprises, for example, multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104.

[0097] Multiple lighting devices 102 are associated with one of multiple control devices 104, and their lighting state is changed by wireless communication with the corresponding control device 104. One control device 104 may be associated with multiple lighting devices 102. This allows one control device 104 to control the lighting state of multiple lighting devices 102. Alternatively, for example, a lighting device 102 that receives a wireless signal from a control device 104 may transmit a wireless signal to another lighting device 102, thereby allowing one control device 104 to control the lighting state of multiple lighting devices 102. In this case, the lighting device 102 whose lighting state is changed by a wireless signal from another lighting device 102 does not necessarily have to be associated with a control device 104.

[0098] The lighting device 102 communicates wirelessly with the control device 104 and changes its lighting state based on the wireless signal transmitted from the control device 104. It also communicates wirelessly with the operator 106 and changes its lighting state based on the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 106. The lighting system 100 allows, for example, one operator 106 to change the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting devices 102. This provides, for example, a high level of convenience to the user.

[0099] Furthermore, the lighting device 102 communicates wirelessly with the operator 106 and changes its settings based on wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106. For example, the lighting device 102 changes the settings of its association with the control device 104 based on the wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106. In other words, the association between the lighting device 102 and the control device 104 is performed by the operator 106. The lighting device 102 may, for example, change the brightness and color of the light it emits based on the wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106. However, the settings of the lighting device 102 that can be changed based on the wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106 are not limited to those described above and may be any settings.

[0100] The control device 104 communicates wirelessly with the lighting device 102 to control the change in the lighting state of the lighting device 102, and also communicates wirelessly with the operator 106 to change settings based on wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106. For example, the control device 104 changes the setting of its association with the lighting device 102 based on wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106. However, the setting of the control device 104 that can be changed based on wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106 is not limited to the above and may be any setting.

[0101] In this way, the operator 106 communicates wirelessly with the lighting device 102 and the control device 104 to change the lighting status of the lighting device 102, change the settings of the lighting device 102, and change the settings of the control device 104. The operator 106 is similar to the operator 2 in the above embodiment, for example, a dedicated remote control or a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the user.

[0102] The lighting system 100 further includes, for example, another control device 108. The control device 108 is, for example, a device that functions as a slave unit of the master control device 104. The control device 108 communicates wirelessly with the control device 104 and transmits wireless signals to the control device 104 to change the lighting state of the lighting device 102. The control device 108 is, for example, a motion sensor or a brightness sensor. The control device 108 transmits wireless signals representing, for example, the results of detecting a human body or brightness to the control device 104 as wireless signals to change the lighting state of the lighting device 102. The control device 104 changes the lighting state of the lighting device 102 based on its own detection results, and also changes the lighting state of the lighting device 102 based on the wireless signals transmitted from the control device 108. This makes it possible to change the lighting state of the lighting device 102 based on a wider range of detection results, for example. In other words, the control device 108 is a sensor device.

[0103] Thus, if there is another control device 108, the control device 104 does not need to have a sensor function, for example. The control device 104 may be configured to change the lighting state of the lighting device 102 by transmitting a wireless signal to the lighting device 102 based on a wireless signal transmitted from the control device 108.

[0104] Furthermore, the lighting system 100 further includes, for example, an area control device 110 and a higher-level control device 112.

[0105] The area control device 110 communicates wirelessly with each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed within the target area. The area control device 110 also communicates wirelessly with the operator 106 and with the higher-level control device 112. Communication between the area control device 110 and the higher-level control device 112 is, for example, wired communication. However, communication between the area control device 110 and the higher-level control device 112 may also be wireless.

[0106] The area control device 110 transmits wireless signals to each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed within the target area, based on wireless signals transmitted from the operator 106 or control signals transmitted from the higher-level control device 112, thereby enabling the settings of each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed within the target area to be changed all at once.

[0107] The area control device 110, for example, changes each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed within the target area to their initial settings based on a wireless signal transmitted from the operator 106 or a control signal transmitted from the higher-level control device 112. This reduces the effort required to change each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 to their initial settings by operating the operator 106 and transmitting wireless signals to each of them. The user only needs to input a signal to change to the initial settings only to the area control device 110 by operating the operator 106 or the higher-level control device 112, thus reducing the effort required to change each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 to their initial settings. This, for example, can further enhance the convenience of the lighting system 100.

[0108] The area control device 110 may further have, for example, a function to change the settings of only a plurality of lighting devices 102 installed within the target area all at once, and a function to change the settings of only a plurality of control devices 104 installed within the target area all at once. The area control device 110 may also be able to change the brightness and color settings of the light emitted from each of the plurality of lighting devices 102 installed within the target area all at once.

[0109] The lighting system 100 includes, for example, multiple area control devices 110, each provided for a different area. The higher-level control device 112 communicates with each of the multiple area control devices 110. This allows the settings of the multiple lighting devices 102 and the multiple control devices 104 to be changed collectively for each of the multiple areas.

[0110] The higher-level control device 112 has, for example, an operating unit (not shown) that receives user operation instructions. Based on the operation instructions input to the operating unit, the higher-level control device 112 transmits a control signal to the area control device 110 specified by the operation instructions. This makes it possible to change the settings of multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed in a desired area all at once.

[0111] Furthermore, the higher-level control device 112 transmits control signals to each of the multiple area control devices 110 in response to operation instructions input to the operation unit, for example. This makes it possible to change the settings of each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed in each of the multiple areas all at once. This reduces the effort required for the user to operate the operator 106 to transmit wireless signals to each of the multiple area control devices 110, for example, and further enhances the convenience of the lighting system 100.

[0112] The multiple areas where multiple area control devices 110 are installed are, for example, multiple rooms adjacent to each other horizontally. The multiple areas may also be, for example, adjacent spaces within a single room. The multiple areas may also be, for example, multiple rooms adjacent to each other vertically. In other words, another area adjacent to one area may be another room on an upper or lower floor.

[0113] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the lighting device and control equipment according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the lighting device 102 includes a lighting fixture 120 and a wireless communication unit 122. The lighting fixture 120 includes a light source 124 and a lighting circuit 126. Since the lighting fixture 120 is substantially the same as the lighting fixture 12 described in the above embodiment, a detailed description is omitted.

[0114] The wireless communication unit 122 includes an antenna section 130 for the control unit, an attenuator 132 for the control unit, an antenna section 134 for inter-device communication, an attenuator 136 for inter-device communication, and a control unit 138.

[0115] The antenna unit 130 for the control unit is an antenna unit for wireless communication with the control unit 106. The control unit 106 has an operating unit for receiving operation instructions from the user. In response to the operation instructions input to the operating unit, the control unit 106 transmits wireless signals to change the lighting state of the lighting device 102 or to change the settings of the lighting device 102.

[0116] The antenna unit 130 for the control unit communicates wirelessly with the control unit 106 and receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit 106. The antenna unit 130 then converts the received wireless signals into electrical signals.

[0117] For wireless communication between the operator 106 and the operator antenna unit 130, for example, a relatively directional wireless communication method is used. For example, infrared communication is used for wireless communication between the operator 106 and the operator antenna unit 130. This makes it possible to suppress the reception of a wireless signal intended for a specific lighting device 102 by an unintended lighting device 102 or control device 104. However, the wireless communication between the operator 106 and the operator antenna unit 130 is not limited to the above, and any wireless communication method that can appropriately receive the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 106 at the operator antenna unit 130 may be used.

[0118] The attenuator 132 is connected to the antenna unit 130 for the operator and also to the control unit 138. In other words, the attenuator 132 is located between the antenna unit 130 for the operator and the control unit 138.

[0119] The antenna unit 130 for the control unit inputs the received signal to the attenuator 132 for the control unit. The attenuator 132 receives the received signal from the antenna unit 130, attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and inputs the attenuated received signal to the control unit 138.

[0120] The control unit 138 receives the attenuated received signal input from the attenuator 132 and determines whether the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold. If the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, the control unit 138 performs an operation corresponding to the received signal.

[0121] If the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 106 is a wireless signal for changing the lighting state of the lighting device 102, the control unit 138 determines that the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is above a threshold and causes the lighting fixture 120 to perform an action corresponding to the received signal. The control unit 138 controls the operation of the lighting fixture 120 (lighting circuit 126) according to the received signal, for example, by changing the lighting state of the lighting fixture 120 to on or off, or by changing the brightness or color of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 120.

[0122] If the wireless signal transmitted from the operator 106 is a wireless signal for changing the settings of the lighting device 102, the control unit 138 determines that the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is above a threshold and changes the settings according to the received signal. For example, the control unit 138 changes the settings of the corresponding control device 104 according to the received signal.

[0123] On the other hand, if the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is less than a threshold, the control unit 138 will not accept the received signal and will not perform any operation corresponding to the received signal. In other words, if the magnitude of the received signal is less than a threshold, the control unit 138 will not change the lighting state or settings of the lighting fixture 120.

[0124] The antenna unit 130 for the control unit may have the function of transmitting a wireless signal to the control unit 106, in addition to the function of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 106. In this case, the attenuator 132 for the control unit is provided on the path between the antenna unit 130 for the control unit 138 and the control unit 138 for inputting a received signal to the control unit 138. The path between the antenna unit 130 for the control unit 130 and the control unit 138 for inputting a transmitted signal to the antenna unit 130 is directly connected without going through the attenuator 132. This makes it possible to suppress the attenuation of the transmitted signal input from the control unit 138 to the antenna unit 130 by the attenuator 132.

[0125] The antenna unit 130 for the control unit may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a single antenna unit, or it may be configured to have two antenna units: one for transmitting wireless signals and one for receiving them.

[0126] The inter-device antenna unit 134 is an antenna unit for wireless communication with other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, and area control devices 110. The inter-device antenna unit 134 is connected to the control unit 138. The inter-device antenna unit 134 receives wireless signals transmitted from any of the other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, and area control devices 110, and converts the received wireless signals into received electrical signals.

[0127] The inter-device attenuator 136 is connected to the inter-device antenna unit 134 and also to the control unit 138. In other words, the inter-device attenuator 136 is installed between the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the control unit 138.

[0128] The inter-device antenna unit 134 inputs the received signal to the inter-device attenuator 136. The inter-device attenuator 136 receives the received signal from the inter-device antenna unit 134, attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and inputs the attenuated received signal to the control unit 138.

[0129] When the control unit 138 receives an attenuated received signal input from the inter-device attenuator 136, it determines whether the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, similar to when it receives an attenuated received signal input from the operator attenuator 132.

[0130] The control unit 138 performs an action according to the received signal if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal is above a threshold. This allows the lighting state or settings of the lighting fixture 120 to be changed in response to a wireless signal transmitted from any of the other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, or area control devices 110. For example, the lighting state of the lighting device 102 (lighting fixture 120) can be changed in response to human body detection or brightness detection by the control device 104.

[0131] On the other hand, if the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation is less than a threshold, the control unit 138 does not accept the received signal and does not perform any operation corresponding to the received signal.

[0132] The inter-device antenna unit 134 has the function of receiving wireless signals transmitted from any of the other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, and area control devices 110, as well as the function of transmitting wireless signals to any of the other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, and area control devices 110. The control unit 138 transmits wireless signals to other lighting devices 102, for example, when the content of the received signal changes the operation of multiple lighting devices 102 at once, or when it is set to transmit the received signal received from the control device 104 to other lighting devices 102.

[0133] When the control unit 138 transmits a wireless signal to, for example, another lighting device 102, a control device 104, or an area control device 110, it inputs the transmission signal to the inter-device antenna unit 134. The inter-device antenna unit 134 converts the electrical signal input from the control unit 138 into a wireless signal and transmits the converted wireless signal.

[0134] In this case, the control unit 138 includes, for example, information about the receiving device in the transmission signal. This allows the wireless signal transmitted from the inter-device antenna unit 134 to be received only by the desired device among the other lighting devices 102, control devices 104, and area control devices 110. For example, the wireless signal transmitted from the inter-device antenna unit 134 can be received only by the other lighting devices 102, while the control devices 104 and area control devices 110 can be prevented from receiving the received signal based on the wireless signal.

[0135] The wireless communication unit 122 (lighting device 102) may be configured to have, for example, an antenna section for wireless communication with other lighting devices 102, an antenna section for wireless communication with control equipment 104, and an antenna section for wireless communication with area control equipment 110.

[0136] For wireless communication between multiple lighting devices 102, wireless communication between lighting devices 102 and control equipment 104, and wireless communication between lighting devices 102 and area control equipment 110 (wireless communication using the inter-device antenna unit 134), for example, low-directivity wireless communication is used. The directivity of wireless communication using the inter-device antenna unit 134 is lower than that of wireless communication using the operator antenna unit 130. The control equipment 104 (inter-device antenna unit 134) transmits wireless signals in all directions, for example. This allows, for example, a wireless signal transmitted from one control equipment 104 to be received by multiple lighting devices 102. However, wireless communication using the inter-device antenna unit 134 is not limited to the above, and any wireless communication that can appropriately send and receive wireless signals between the inter-device antenna unit 134 and any of the other lighting devices 102, control equipment 104, and area control equipment 110 is acceptable.

[0137] The inter-device antenna section 134 may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a single antenna section, or it may be configured to have two antenna sections: one for transmitting wireless signals and one for receiving them.

[0138] More specifically, the inter-device attenuator 136 is located on the path between the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the control unit 138, where the received signal is input to the control unit 138. The path between the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the control unit 138, where the transmitted signal is input to the inter-device antenna unit 134, is directly connected without going through the inter-device attenuator 136. This prevents the transmitted signal input from the control unit 138 to the inter-device antenna unit 134 from being attenuated by the inter-device attenuator 136.

[0139] The attenuator 132 for the control device has an operating unit 132a that receives operation input from the user. The attenuator 132 for the control device changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal in accordance with the operation of the operating unit 132a. The attenuator 132 for the control device is configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal.

[0140] The inter-device attenuator 136 has an operating unit 136a that receives operational input from the user, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 136a. The inter-device attenuator 136 is also configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal, similar to the operating unit attenuator 132.

[0141] The shape of the operating section 136a of the inter-device attenuator 136 is different from the shape of the operating section 132a of the actuator attenuator 132. This prevents, for example, accidentally operating the operating section 136a of the inter-device attenuator 136 when intending to operate the operating section 132a of the actuator attenuator 132.

[0142] The attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 can be the same as the attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 described with respect to Figure 2.

[0143] The control device 104 includes an antenna unit 140 for the operator, an attenuator 142 for the operator, an antenna unit 144 for inter-device use, an attenuator 146 for inter-device use, and a control unit 148. The antenna unit 140 for the operator, the attenuator 142 for the operator, the antenna unit 144 for inter-device use, the attenuator 146 for inter-device use, and the control unit 148 can be the same as those of the antenna unit 130 for the operator, the attenuator 132 for the operator, the antenna unit 134 for inter-device use, the attenuator 136 for inter-device use, and the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0144] If the control device 104 is a motion sensor or a brightness sensor, the control device 104 further includes, for example, a sensor unit 150. The sensor unit 150 performs predetermined detections such as human bodies or brightness, and inputs the detection results to the control unit 148. Based on the detection results from the sensor unit 150, the control unit 148 transmits a wireless signal from the inter-device antenna unit 144 to the corresponding lighting device 102. This allows the lighting state of the lighting device 102 (lighting fixture 120) to be changed in response to the detection of human bodies or brightness by the control device 104.

[0145] For example, if the control device 104 is a scheduler, the sensor unit 150 can be omitted. In this case, the control unit 148, for example, detects the current time through internal processing, and when a predetermined time is detected, transmits a wireless signal from the inter-device antenna unit 144 to the associated lighting device 102, thereby changing the lighting state of the associated lighting device 102 according to the time.

[0146] The attenuator 142 for the control device has an operating unit 142a that receives operation input from the user. The attenuator 142 for the control device changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal in accordance with the operation of the operating unit 142a. The attenuator 142 for the control device is configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal.

[0147] The inter-device attenuator 146 has an operating unit 146a that receives operational input from the user, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 146a. The inter-device attenuator 146 is also configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal, similar to the operating unit attenuator 142.

[0148] The shape of the operating section 146a of the inter-device attenuator 146 is different from the shape of the operating section 142a of the actuator attenuator 142. This prevents, for example, accidentally operating the operating section 146a of the inter-device attenuator 146 when intending to operate the operating section 142a of the actuator attenuator 142.

[0149] The attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 can be the same as the attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 described with respect to Figure 2.

[0150] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram showing an area control device according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the area control device 110 includes an antenna unit 160 for the operator, an attenuator 162 for the operator, an inter-device antenna unit 164, an inter-device attenuator 166, and a control unit 168. The antenna unit 160, the attenuator 162, the inter-device antenna unit 164, the inter-device attenuator 166, and the control unit 168 can be the same as the antenna unit 130, the attenuator 132, the inter-device antenna unit 134, the inter-device attenuator 136, and the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0151] The area control device 110 further includes, for example, a communication unit 170 for communicating with a higher-level control device 112. The area control device 110 communicates wirelessly with the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 160, communicates wirelessly with each of the multiple lighting devices 102 and multiple control devices 104 installed within the target area via the inter-device antenna unit 164, and communicates with the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170.

[0152] The attenuator 162 for the control device has an operating unit 162a that receives operating input from the user. The attenuator 162 for the control device changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal in accordance with the operation of the operating unit 162a. The attenuator 162 for the control device is configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal.

[0153] The inter-device attenuator 166 has an operating unit 166a that receives operational input from the user, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit 166a. The inter-device attenuator 166 is also configured to allow adjustment of the amount of attenuation of the received signal, similar to the operating unit attenuator 162.

[0154] The shape of the operating section 166a of the inter-device attenuator 166 is different from the shape of the operating section 162a of the actuator attenuator 162. This prevents, for example, accidentally operating the operating section 166a of the inter-device attenuator 166 when intending to operate the operating section 162a of the actuator attenuator 162.

[0155] The attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 can be the same as the attenuator 32 and the inter-lighting device attenuator 36 described with respect to Figure 2. Thus, the control device that provides the attenuator is not limited to the control device 104, but may also be the area control device 110. The control device that provides the attenuator may also be, for example, the control device 108 that functions as a slave unit of the control device 104.

[0156] Furthermore, similar to the above embodiment, the lighting device 102 may further include a case housing the attenuator 132 for the operator and the inter-device attenuator 136, and may be able to switch between a state in which the operating units 132a and 136a are covered by the case and a state in which the operating units 132a and 136a are exposed in an operable manner. The control device 104 may further include a case housing the attenuator 142 for the operator and the inter-device attenuator 146, and may be able to switch between a state in which the operating units 142a and 146a are covered by the case and a state in which the operating units 142a and 146a are exposed in an operable manner. The area control device 110 may further include a case housing the attenuator 162 for the operator and the inter-device attenuator 166, and may be able to switch between a state in which the operating units 162a and 166a are covered by the case and a state in which the operating units 162a and 166a are exposed in an operable manner.

[0157] The attenuation amounts of the actuator attenuators 132, 142, and 162, and the attenuation amounts of the inter-device attenuators 136, 146, and 166 may be adjusted, for example, based on signals from the actuator 106 or the higher-level control device 112.

[0158] For example, when the control unit 168 of the area control device 110 receives a signal from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 160 and the operator attenuator 162 to adjust the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 162, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 162 according to the received signal.

[0159] For example, when the control unit 168 receives a signal from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 160 and the operator attenuator 162 to adjust the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166 according to the received signal.

[0160] For example, if the control unit 168 receives a signal from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 to adjust the attenuation amount of the actuator attenuator 162, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the actuator attenuator 162 according to the received signal.

[0161] For example, if the control unit 168 receives a signal from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 to adjust the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166 according to the received signal.

[0162] In this way, the control unit 168 adjusts the attenuation amount of the actuator attenuator 162 and the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166 based on signals input from an external source. This makes it possible to further improve the convenience of the lighting system 100, for example.

[0163] The attenuation of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 may be adjusted mechanically, for example, by driving the actuators 162a and 166a using a drive unit (not shown), or electrically by inputting a signal to change the attenuation to the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166. The method by which the control unit 168 adjusts the attenuation of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 is not limited to the above, and any method that allows for appropriate adjustment of the attenuation may be used. The method by which the control unit 168 adjusts the attenuation of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 may be set appropriately according to the configuration of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166.

[0164] For example, when the control unit 168 receives a signal from the operator 106 or the higher-level control device 112 to adjust the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 of the lighting device 102, it transmits the received signal to the lighting device 102 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0165] Furthermore, if the control unit 168 receives a signal from, for example, the operator 106 or the higher-level control device 112 to adjust the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 of the control device 104, it transmits the received signal to the control device 104 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0166] When the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102 receives a signal to adjust the attenuation amount from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 130 and the operator attenuator 132, or when it receives a signal to adjust the attenuation amount from the area control device 110 via the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the inter-device attenuator 136, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 according to the received signal. When adjusting the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 based on a signal from the area control device 110, for example, the attenuation amounts of the operator attenuators 132 and inter-device attenuators 136 of multiple lighting devices 102 installed in the target area can be adjusted all at once.

[0167] When the control unit 148 of the control device 104 receives a signal to adjust the attenuation amount from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 140 and the operator attenuator 142, or when it receives a signal to adjust the attenuation amount from the area control device 110 via the inter-device antenna unit 144 and the inter-device attenuator 146, it adjusts the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 according to the received signal. When adjusting the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 based on a signal from the area control device 110, for example, the attenuation amounts of the operator attenuators 142 and inter-device attenuators 146 of multiple control devices 104 installed in the target area can be adjusted all at once.

[0168] The control units 138, 148, and 168 may, for example, have a function to transmit information about the current attenuation levels of the actuator attenuators 132, 142, and 162 and the inter-device attenuators 136, 146, and 166 to an external source.

[0169] The control unit 168 of the area control device 110 transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 to the requesting operator 106 or higher-level control device 112, for example, in response to receiving a request for attenuation information from the operator 106 or higher-level control device 112. The control unit 168 may store the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 in advance, or it may obtain the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 by reading the current attenuation information from the operator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 in response to receiving a request for attenuation information.

[0170] In this way, by transmitting information on the current attenuation levels of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 to the actuator 106 or the higher-level control device 112, for example, when adjusting the attenuation levels of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 in the actuator 106 or the higher-level control device 112, the current attenuation levels of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 can be grasped, making it easier to adjust the attenuation levels of the actuator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166.

[0171] For example, if the control unit 168 receives a request from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 for information on the attenuation amounts of the attenuator 132 for the control device and the inter-device attenuator 136 for the lighting device 102, it transmits the received request to the lighting device 102 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0172] Furthermore, if the control unit 168 receives a request from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 for information regarding the attenuation amounts of the control device 104's attenuator 142 and inter-device attenuator 146, it transmits the received request to the control device 104 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0173] When the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102 receives a request for attenuation information from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 130 and the operator attenuator 132, it transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 to the requesting operator 106. Then, when the control unit 138 receives a request for attenuation information from the area control device 110 via the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the inter-device attenuator 136, it transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 to the area control device 110. In other words, the control unit 138 transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 to the higher-level control device 112 via the area control device 110. This makes it easier to adjust the attenuation of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136, for example.

[0174] Thus, the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102 can transmit information on the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 to the outside via the operator antenna unit 130 or the inter-device antenna unit 134. The control unit 138 causes the lighting fixture 120 to perform an action corresponding to the received signal if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a threshold and the content of the received signal indicates an operation of the lighting fixture 120. If the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a threshold and the content of the received signal indicates a request for information on the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136, the control unit 138 transmits information on the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 132 and the inter-device attenuator 136 to the outside via the operator antenna unit 130 or the inter-device antenna unit 134 according to the received signal.

[0175] When the control unit 148 of the control device 104 receives a request for attenuation information from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 140 and the operator attenuator 142, it transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 to the requesting operator 106. Then, when the control unit 148 receives a request for attenuation information from the area control device 110 via the inter-device antenna unit 144 and the inter-device attenuator 146, it transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 to the area control device 110. In other words, the control unit 148 transmits the current attenuation information of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 to the higher-level control device 112 via the area control device 110. This makes it easier to adjust the attenuation of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146, for example.

[0176] Thus, the control unit 148 of the control device 104 can transmit information about the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 to the outside via the operator antenna unit 140 or the inter-device antenna unit 144. When the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a threshold, and the content of the received signal is a request for information about the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146, the control unit 148 transmits information about the current attenuation levels of the operator attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 to the outside via the operator antenna unit 140 or the inter-device antenna unit 144, according to the received signal.

[0177] The control units 138, 148, and 168 may, for example, have a function to change the threshold for determining the received signal.

[0178] The control unit 168 of the area control device 110 changes the threshold value according to the received signal, for example, when it receives a signal to change the threshold value from the operator 106 or the higher-level control device 112. In this way, by making the attenuation amount of the operator attenuator 162 and the inter-device attenuator 166 adjustable, and by making the threshold value of the control unit 168 adjustable, it becomes easier to adjust, for example, the reception sensitivity of wireless signals.

[0179] For example, if the control unit 168 receives a signal from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 to change the threshold of the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102, it transmits the received signal to the lighting device 102 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0180] Furthermore, if the control unit 168 receives a signal from the higher-level control device 112 via the communication unit 170 to change the threshold of the control unit 148 of the control device 104, it transmits the received request to the control device 104 via the inter-device antenna unit 164.

[0181] When the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102 receives a signal to change the threshold from the operator 106 via the operator antenna unit 130 and the operator attenuator 132, it changes the threshold according to the received signal. Furthermore, when the control unit 138 receives a signal to change the threshold from the area control device 110 via the inter-device antenna unit 134 and the inter-device attenuator 136, it changes the threshold according to the received signal. This makes it easier to adjust, for example, the reception sensitivity of wireless signals. When changing the threshold based on a signal from the area control device 110, for example, the thresholds of multiple lighting devices 102 installed in a target area can be changed all at once.

[0182] Thus, the control unit 138 of the lighting device 102 can change the threshold. The control unit 138 causes the lighting device 120 to perform an action corresponding to the received signal if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is the operation of the lighting device 120. If the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold, the control unit 138 changes the threshold according to the received signal.

[0183] When the control unit 148 of the control device 104 receives a signal from the operator 106 to change the threshold via the operator antenna unit 140 and the operator attenuator 142, it changes the threshold according to the received signal. Furthermore, when the control unit 148 receives a signal from the area control device 110 to change the threshold via the inter-device antenna unit 144 and the inter-device attenuator 146, it changes the threshold according to the received signal. This makes it easier to adjust, for example, the reception sensitivity of wireless signals. When changing the threshold based on a signal from the area control device 110, for example, the thresholds of multiple control devices 104 installed in the target area can be changed all at once.

[0184] Thus, the control unit 148 of the control device 104 can change the threshold. The control unit 148 changes the threshold according to the received signal when the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold.

[0185] When the operator 106 changes the threshold value of the signal received by the operator antenna units 130, 140, and 160, it transmits a signal to change the threshold value multiple times at predetermined intervals. The control units 138, 148, and 168 change the threshold value in response to receiving the first threshold change signal from the operator 106, and then check whether the subsequently transmitted signals can be received at the changed threshold value. The control units 138, 148, and 168 confirm the threshold change if they have received the subsequently transmitted signals at the changed threshold value a predetermined number of times or more. On the other hand, if the number of times the subsequently transmitted signals have been received at the changed threshold value is less than the predetermined number of times, the control units 138, 148, and 168 invalidate the threshold change and revert to the threshold value before the change. This prevents situations where, for example, wireless communication with the operator 106 becomes impossible due to an incorrect threshold setting.

[0186] In the control device 104, when the antenna unit 140 for the operator receives a wireless signal, a received signal corresponding to the wireless signal is input to the control unit 148. The control unit 148 performs a threshold check on the input received signal, and if it is above the threshold, it performs an operation corresponding to the input received signal.

[0187] For example, suppose we design an antenna unit 140 for an operator 106 that can transmit radio waves up to 20m vertically, based on the radio wave strength of a control device 104 for high-ceiling fixtures. If a motion sensor control device installed at 5m vertically does not require the same radio wave strength as a control device for high-ceiling fixtures, using this antenna unit 140 for a motion sensor control device that only needs to be transmitted at 5m vertically may result in radio waves reaching areas where other control devices 104 are installed. This could lead to mismatching of control devices 104 located in unintended areas with lighting devices 102 due to radio wave strength issues, potentially making the matching process more complicated. This would necessitate the design of a separate antenna unit 140 for operators 104 that can transmit radio waves at 5m vertically.

[0188] In contrast, the control device 104 according to this embodiment uses an attenuator 142 for the operator, which allows the strength of the received radio waves to be attenuated simply by changing the resistance constant, for example. This makes it possible to standardize the operator antenna section 140, which can reach up to 20m vertically, by adjusting the amount of attenuation of the received signal with the operator attenuator 142, for example, to match devices that require high radio wave strength, such as control devices for high-ceiling fixtures.

[0189] The control unit 106 transmits a wireless signal, and the control unit antenna 140 receives the wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 106. The control unit attenuator 142 can attenuate the received signal to a set amount. This allows the distance between the control unit 106 and the control unit antenna 140 to be arbitrarily limited. The attenuated received signal reaches the control unit 148, which performs threshold determination, and an operation corresponding to the received signal is performed depending on whether the threshold determination is passed.

[0190] Here, let's assume that the antenna section 140 for the operator 106 is designed with the radio wave strength of the antenna section 140 for the operator 106 as the reference for a control device for a high-ceiling fixture located 20m vertically. In a configuration without an attenuator 142, if the antenna section 140 for the operator 106 control device is used for a motion sensor control device installed 5m vertically, it cannot be used because the distance between the operator 106 and the antenna section 140 changes, and a separate antenna section 140 for the motion sensor control device installed 5m vertically would be required. However, with the attenuator 142, the amount of signal attenuation can be adjusted, for example, by changing the resistance constant. This makes it possible to use the antenna section 140 based on the control device for the high-ceiling fixture.

[0191] By associating multiple control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 within an area using the operator 106, simultaneous control is possible through wireless transmission and reception functions between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control devices 104 and lighting devices 102. When using slave units of control device 104, only the master control device 104 can transmit and receive wireless signals between control devices 104.

[0192] The control device 104 transmits a wireless signal to the lighting device 102. The control device 104 and the lighting device 102 can be attenuated to a set amount by their respective inter-device attenuators 136 and 146. This allows the communication distance between the control device 104 and the lighting device 102 to be arbitrarily limited.

[0193] Here, let's assume that the inter-device antenna section 134 is designed based on a specification that allows the radio wave strength between lighting devices 102 to reach up to 100m. In a configuration without inter-device attenuators 136 and 146, the communication distance between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 is up to 100m, which means that the radio waves may reach other areas, potentially causing unintentional association between control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 in other areas.

[0194] Even if a communication distance of 10m is sufficient between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control devices 104 and lighting devices 102, the radio wave strength between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 is specified to reach up to 100m, resulting in a range of 100m. This raises concerns that, due to radio wave strength issues, control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 located in unintended different areas may be associated, making the matching process cumbersome.

[0195] If the communication distance between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control device 104 and lighting device 102 is to be 10m, then it will be necessary to separately prepare inter-device antenna units 134 and 144 based on specifications that allow the radio wave strength between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control device 104 and lighting device 102 to reach up to 10m.

[0196] In contrast, in the lighting device 102 and control device 104 according to this embodiment, the inter-device attenuators 136 and 146 allow the communication distance between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control device 104 and lighting device 102 to be attenuated to a set amount. As a result, the inter-device antenna sections 134 and 144, which are based on specifications that allow the radio wave strength between control devices 104, between lighting devices 102, and between control device 104 and lighting device 102 to reach up to 100m, can be arbitrarily limited to 10m or 5m, etc., by the inter-device attenuators 136 and 146, and the inter-device antenna sections 134 and 144 can be made common. Furthermore, this makes it easier to meet customer requests, for example.

[0197] The area control device 110 can simultaneously transmit command signals to the control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 within the target area, but it also needs to simultaneously receive the received signals from the control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 within the target area. Furthermore, because it is connected to the higher-level control device 112, it acts as a relay for the control devices 104 and lighting devices 102 within the target area. For this reason, the placement of the area control device 110 is more difficult than that of the control devices 104 and lighting devices 102.

[0198] Here, the area control device 110 has a function that allows adjustment of the threshold determination for determining whether a received signal has been received, in addition to the means for changing the attenuation amount using the inter-device attenuator 166, via the operator 106. For example, the communication distance can be roughly limited by changing the attenuation amount of the inter-device attenuator 166, and fine adjustments can be made by determining whether a received signal has been received via the threshold determination. This makes it easier to flexibly arrange the area control device 110.

[0199] In this case, as described above, a confirmation function is provided to confirm the change in the threshold if, for example, a wireless signal is received a predetermined number of times or more with the changed threshold. This prevents situations where wireless communication becomes impossible due to, for example, an incorrect setting change of the threshold.

[0200] The control device 108 of the slave unit can also have its communication distance limited. When using the control device 108 of the slave unit, only the control device 104 of the master unit can wirelessly transmit and receive signals from other control devices 104. The control device 104 of the master unit can communicate with the area control device 110 and the lighting device 102. The control device 104 of the master unit acts as a relay between the control device 108 of the slave unit and the area control device 110 and the lighting device 102. Therefore, in addition to the means for changing the amount of attenuation by the inter-device attenuator 146, it is preferable to have a function that allows the operator 106 to adjust the threshold determination that determines whether a received signal has been received.

[0201] As described above, in the lighting system 100 according to this embodiment, it is only necessary to provide attenuators 132, 142, 162 for the control unit and attenuators 136, 146, 166 for use between devices. Compared to, for example, adjusting the communication distance by changing the program, this configuration allows for the suppression of unintended operation due to the reception of unintended wireless signals with a simpler configuration.

[0202] In the above embodiment, the control device 104 has an antenna unit 140 for the operator and an inter-device antenna unit 144. The control device 104 may also be configured to have only one of the antenna unit 140 and the inter-device antenna unit 144. The control device 104 may, for example, have an antenna unit 140 and an attenuator 142 for the operator, and be configured to receive only radio signals transmitted from the operator 106. The control device 104 may, for example, have an inter-device antenna unit 144 and an inter-device attenuator 146, and be configured to receive only radio signals transmitted from other control devices 104 or area control devices 110. In other words, the control device 104 may be configured to have at least one of the antenna unit 140 and the inter-device antenna unit 144. The attenuator 142 and the inter-device attenuator 146 may be provided according to the configuration of the antenna unit 140 and the inter-device antenna unit 144.

[0203] This embodiment includes the following aspects. (Note 1) A lighting fixture that emits light and allows the lighting state to be changed, An antenna unit that receives wireless signals and converts the received wireless signals into received electrical signals, The antenna unit receives the input of the received signal, and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and the attenuation amount of the received signal is adjustable in the attenuation device, A control unit receives the attenuated received signal from the attenuator, and if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, it causes the lighting fixture to perform an action corresponding to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, it prevents the lighting fixture from performing an action corresponding to the received signal. A lighting device equipped with this.

[0204] (Note 2) The antenna unit for the control unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit, The attenuator for the control unit attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for the control unit according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, The antenna unit for inter-lighting devices that receives wireless signals transmitted from other lighting devices, The attenuator for inter-lighting devices attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for inter-lighting devices according to a predetermined attenuation amount, A lighting device as described in Appendix 1, equipped with the following features.

[0205] (Note 3) The lighting device according to Appendix 1, wherein the attenuator has an operating unit that receives an operating input, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit.

[0206] (Note 4) The attenuator for the control device and the attenuator for use between the lighting device have an operating unit that receives an operating input, and change the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit. The lighting device described in Appendix 2, wherein the shape of the operating section of the attenuator for use between lighting devices is different from the shape of the operating section of the attenuator for the control device.

[0207] (Note 5) The case further comprises the aforementioned attenuator housed inside. The lighting device described in Appendix 3, wherein the case is capable of switching between a state in which the operating part of the attenuator is concealed and a state in which the operating part of the attenuator is exposed in an operable manner.

[0208] (Note 6) The aforementioned control unit is capable of transmitting wireless signals for individually changing the operation of multiple lighting devices and wireless signals for collectively changing the operation of multiple lighting devices. The control unit, when the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation, which has been received by the antenna unit for the operator and attenuated by the attenuator for the operator, is greater than or equal to a threshold, and the content of the attenuated received signal is such that it changes the operation of multiple lighting devices collectively, causes the lighting fixture to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and also inputs a transmission signal corresponding to the received signal to the antenna unit for use between lighting devices. The lighting device according to Appendix 2 or 4, wherein the antenna unit for use between lighting devices converts the transmission signal of the electrical signal input from the control unit into a wireless signal and transmits the converted wireless signal toward other lighting devices.

[0209] (Note 7) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the control unit is capable of transmitting information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is the operation of the lighting device, the lighting device is made to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a request for information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator, the lighting device transmits information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit in response to the received signal.

[0210] (Note 8) The control unit is capable of changing the threshold, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is the operation of the lighting fixture, the control unit causes the lighting fixture to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold, the control unit changes the threshold according to the received signal, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7.

[0211] (Note 9) An antenna unit that receives wireless signals and converts the received wireless signals into received electrical signals, The antenna unit receives the input of the received signal, and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and the attenuation amount of the received signal is adjustable in the attenuation device, A control unit that controls the change in the lighting state of a lighting device by communicating wirelessly with the lighting device whose lighting state can be changed, and receives the attenuated received signal from the attenuator, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, performs an action corresponding to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, does not perform an action corresponding to the received signal, Control equipment.

[0212] (Note 10) The antenna unit for the control unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit, The attenuator for the control unit attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for the control unit according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, The antenna unit for inter-device use to receive wireless signals transmitted from other control devices, The inter-device attenuator, which attenuates the received signal input from the inter-device antenna unit according to a predetermined attenuation amount, Control equipment as described in Appendix 9, equipped with the following features.

[0213] (Note 11) The control device according to Appendix 9 or 10, wherein the attenuator has an operating unit that receives an operating input, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit.

[0214] (Note 12) The control unit is capable of transmitting information about the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold, and the content of the received signal is a request for information about the current attenuation amount of the attenuator, the control unit transmits information about the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit in accordance with the received signal, as described in any one of appendices 9 to 11.

[0215] (Note 13) The control unit is capable of changing the threshold, and the control device according to any one of the appendices 9 to 12 changes the threshold in accordance with the received signal when the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold.

[0216] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0217] 2…Operator, 10…Lighting device, 12…Lighting fixture, 14, 14a…Wireless communication unit, 20…Light source, 22…Lighting circuit, 30…Antenna section for operator, 32…Attenuator for operator, 32a…Operating unit, 34…Antenna section for inter-lighting devices, 36…Attenuator for inter-lighting devices, 36a…Operating unit, 38…Control unit, 40…Circuit board, 42…Case, 100…Lighting system, 102…Lighting device, 104…Control equipment, 106…Operator, 108…Control equipment, 110…Area control equipment, 112…Higher-level control device, 120…Lighting fixture, 122…Wireless communication unit, 124…Light source, 126…Lighting circuit, 130…Antenna section for operator, 132…Attenuator for operator, 134…Antenna section for inter-device communication, 136...Inter-device attenuator, 138...Control unit, 140...Antenna unit for operator, 142...Attenuator for operator, 144...Antenna unit for inter-device, 146...Attenuator for inter-device, 148...Control unit, 150...Sensor unit, 160...Antenna unit for operator, 162...Attenuator for operator, 164...Antenna unit for inter-device, 166...Attenuator for inter-device, 168...Control unit, 170...Communication unit

Claims

1. A lighting fixture that emits light and allows the lighting state to be changed, An antenna unit that receives wireless signals and converts the received wireless signals into received electrical signals, The antenna unit receives the input of the received signal, and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and the attenuation amount of the received signal is adjustable in the attenuation device, A control unit receives the attenuated received signal from the attenuator, and if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, it causes the lighting fixture to perform an action corresponding to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, it prevents the lighting fixture from performing an action corresponding to the received signal. A lighting device equipped with this.

2. The antenna unit for the control unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit, The attenuator for the control unit attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for the control unit according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, The antenna unit for inter-lighting devices that receives wireless signals transmitted from other lighting devices, The attenuator for inter-lighting devices attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for inter-lighting devices according to a predetermined attenuation amount, The lighting device according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the attenuator has an operating unit that receives an operating input, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit.

4. The attenuator for the control device and the attenuator for use between the lighting device have an operating unit that receives an operating input, and change the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the operating section of the attenuator for use between lighting devices is different from the shape of the operating section of the attenuator for the control device.

5. The case further comprises the aforementioned attenuator housed inside. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the case is capable of switching between a state in which the operating part of the attenuator is concealed and a state in which the operating part of the attenuator is exposed in an operable manner.

6. The aforementioned control unit is capable of transmitting wireless signals for individually changing the operation of multiple lighting devices and wireless signals for collectively changing the operation of multiple lighting devices. The control unit, when the magnitude of the received signal after attenuation, which has been received by the antenna unit for the operator and attenuated by the attenuator for the operator, is greater than or equal to a threshold, and the content of the attenuated received signal is such that it changes the operation of multiple lighting devices collectively, causes the lighting fixture to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and also inputs a transmission signal corresponding to the received signal to the antenna unit for use between lighting devices. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna unit for use between lighting devices converts the transmission signal of the electrical signal input from the control unit into a wireless signal and transmits the converted wireless signal toward other lighting devices.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of transmitting information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is the operation of the lighting device, the control unit causes the lighting device to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a request for information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator, the control unit transmits information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit in response to the received signal.

8. The control unit is capable of changing the threshold, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is the operation of the lighting fixture, the control unit causes the lighting fixture to perform an operation corresponding to the received signal, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold, the control unit changes the threshold according to the received signal, as described in claim 1.

9. An antenna unit that receives wireless signals and converts the received wireless signals into received electrical signals, The antenna unit receives the input of the received signal, and attenuates the input received signal according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, and the attenuation amount of the received signal is adjustable in the attenuation device, A control unit that controls the change in the lighting state of a lighting device by communicating wirelessly with the lighting device whose lighting state can be changed, and receives the attenuated received signal from the attenuator, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, performs an action corresponding to the received signal, and if the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is less than the threshold, does not perform an action corresponding to the received signal. Control equipment.

10. The antenna unit for the control unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from the control unit, The attenuator for the control unit attenuates the received signal input from the antenna unit for the control unit according to a predetermined amount of attenuation, The antenna unit for inter-device use to receive wireless signals transmitted from other control devices, The inter-device attenuator, which attenuates the received signal input from the inter-device antenna unit according to a predetermined attenuation amount, The control device according to claim 9, comprising:

11. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the attenuator has an operating unit that receives an operating input, and changes the amount of attenuation of the received signal according to the operation of the operating unit.

12. The control unit is capable of transmitting information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit, and when the magnitude of the input received signal after attenuation is greater than or equal to the threshold, and the content of the received signal is a request for information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator, the control unit transmits information on the current attenuation amount of the attenuator to the outside via the antenna unit in response to the received signal, according to claim 9.

13. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the threshold, and when the magnitude of the input attenuated received signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, and the content of the received signal is a change in the threshold, the control unit changes the threshold according to the received signal.

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