Lighting control system

Abstract

This lighting control system reduces the workload during setup and prevents setup errors by allowing users to pre-enter settings, processing the registration and configuration of each lighting device through a single screen and communication flow, and displaying the progress of the flow on the screen in real time. [Solution] The lighting control system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures, switches for controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with the operation, and an operating device capable of communicating with the plurality of lighting fixtures and the switches, wherein the operating device receives control parameters relating to the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches, stores the control parameters, and sets the pre-stored control parameters for the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches in accordance with the operation from the user.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lighting control system using wireless communication requires registration of lighting fixtures and setting of parameters according to required operations as initial settings. Here, there is a method in which a wireless mesh network is formed by a plurality of lighting fixtures, and a terminal device wirelessly communicates with a first lighting fixture that is at least one of the plurality of lighting fixtures, and transfers the signal from the first lighting fixture to other lighting fixtures to be operated. However, this has caused discomfort to users who want to perform lighting operations quickly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the initial setting of a lighting control system using wireless communication, for the registration of lighting fixtures and the setting of parameters according to required operations, there are problems such as a large number of specialized operations such as individual identification at the time of registration and setting items, and customers cannot perform the setting. Also, in a distributed control system, since each lighting fixture individually owns parameters, it is necessary to set parameters for all lighting fixtures.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting control system that can avoid a reduction in the number of man-hours during setting work and setting omissions by configuring to input setting contents in advance, processing the registration and setting of each lighting device in one screen / communication flow, and displaying the progress of the flow on the screen in real time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lighting control system according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures, switches that control the plurality of lighting fixtures according to operation, and an operating device capable of communicating with the plurality of lighting fixtures and switches. The operating device receives control parameters related to the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches, stores the control parameters, and sets the pre-stored control parameters for the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches in response to operation from the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one example of the embodiment, the lighting control system allows for easy initial setup during installation by integrating the registration and initial setup communication of lighting fixtures, and also facilitates the management of the registration process by providing real-time updates on the registration progress. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless distributed lighting system to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a pre-parameter setting screen in a lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a simple setting screen in the lighting control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the screen displayed after equipment search in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen during registration in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of an image during the registration process in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of an operating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the registration and setting operation flow in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, the embodiments for implementing the lighting control system according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). Note that these embodiments do not limit the lighting control system according to the present application. Furthermore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [1. Wireless distributed lighting system] First, an overview of the wireless distributed lighting system 1 to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied will be described using Figure 1. The wireless distributed lighting system 1 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 and an operating device 20. Although not shown, the wireless distributed lighting system 1 may also include sensors such as motion sensors, a scheduler that controls the dimming of each lighting fixture, and equipment such as wall controls (switches). In the wireless distributed lighting system 1, the plurality of lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 and the operating device 20 can communicate with each other, for example, by a predetermined wireless mesh communication. The wireless communication method is, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 920MHz, etc. Note that the plurality of lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 in the wireless distributed lighting system 1 are not limited to the eight units shown in the figure, but may be one or more lighting fixtures. The plurality of lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 may be referred to as lighting fixture 10 below.

[0011] The multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 are, for example, LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting fixtures. Each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 has its own individual control address information and communicates with each other via wireless mesh communication. Alternatively, the multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 may also communicate with the operating device 20 via wireless mesh communication.

[0012] The operating device 20 is operated by the user when registering and initializing multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8. The operating device 20 communicates with the multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8 via wireless communication. In Figure 1, one operating device 20 performs registration and initial setup for multiple lighting fixtures 10-1 to 10-8.

[0013] The operating device 20 is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet used by the user, and is a portable terminal device that can communicate with any information processing device via a predetermined wireless communication network. The operating device 20 also has a screen such as a liquid crystal display, which has touch panel functionality, and accepts various operations on displayed data such as content from the user, such as tap operations, slide operations, and scroll operations using a finger or stylus. The operating device 20 may be a control terminal dedicated to the wireless distributed lighting system according to the embodiment, or it may be a general-purpose control terminal capable of controlling various devices. Furthermore, the operating device 20 may be a portable terminal device carried by the user, or it may be a terminal device fixed to a wall or the like.

[0014] [2. Pre-parameter setting] Next, an example of preparameter setting in the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described using FIG. 2. The preparameter setting screen in the operating device 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes sliders 201 to 204 for pattern setting and the pattern arrangement of wall operation devices (switches) 205. The operating device 20 receives pre-set parameters (control parameters) from the user for the lighting fixture 10 or the switch via the preparameter setting screen. The operating device 20 stores the received pre-set parameters in its own storage device. In the preparameter setting screen shown in FIG. 2, by prompting the user to input parameters in advance, the initial setting at the time of introducing the lighting control system can be simplified. In the preparameter setting shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that switches are registered on the same network and the on / off of lighting and four scenes (patterns 1 to 4) are reproduced. The brightness set by the user on this screen becomes available for the wall operation device 205. In decentralized control, since each unit has settings for each scene, setting work is required for all units. And these settings are registered in the lighting control system collectively.

[0015] [3. Simple Setting] Next, an example of simple setting in the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described using FIG. 3. In the simple setting shown in FIG. 3, only lighting fixtures and switches can be registered. In the simple setting screen shown in FIG. 3, the total number of detected lighting fixtures and switches 301, the number of registered lighting fixtures and switches 302, the registration status 303 of each lighting fixture, and the registration status 304 of each switch are displayed. The user taps the "Detection Start" button 505 to start detecting lighting fixtures and switches around the user. Then, the user taps the "Registration Start" button 406 to start registering the detected lighting fixtures and switches.

[0016] [4. Device Detection] Next, using FIG. 4, an example of a screen after device detection in the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described. In the screen after device detection shown in FIG. 4, the total number of detected devices 401 indicates that there are 48 devices. In device detection, as in the image during registration work shown in FIG. 6, the user performs device detection while moving, and when a device is detected, the total number of detected devices 401 is updated.

[0017] In this way, by detecting registerable devices, saving the results as a list of registration candidates, and displaying the number of devices, it becomes easy to manage the appliances to be registered.

[0018] [5. Registration Work] Next, using FIG. 5, an example of a screen during registration work in the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described. In the screen during registration work shown in FIG. 5, the total number of detected devices 501 is 48, and the number of registered devices 502 is 37. On this screen, the user taps the "Registration Start" button 506 to start parameter setting for the detected lighting fixtures. Then, by updating the number of registered devices 502 and the registration list 503 in real time, the user can confirm the progress of registration. As in the image during registration work shown in FIG. 6, when the user performs device detection while moving, there may be devices where wireless communication does not reach, so it is desirable to perform parameter setting at the location where device search was performed while checking the registration list 503.

[0019] Regarding the registration work, specifically, there are a registration sequence and an initial setting sequence. First, the operation device 20 executes the registration sequence. In the registration sequence, the operation device 20, for example, transmits a registration request to the lighting fixture 10-n. The lighting fixture 10-n that has received the registration request performs a write process in its own storage unit and transmits a completion response to the operation device 20. The operation device 20 repeats the registration sequence for the necessary setting items. In each registration sequence, if the lighting fixture 10-n does not respond within a predetermined time, the operation device 20 continues to transmit the registration request a predetermined number of times.

[0020] Once the registration sequence is complete, the operating device 20 executes the initial setup sequence using the same communication flow as the registration sequence. The operating device 20 sends a setup request to the lighting fixture 10-n. Upon receiving the setup request, the lighting fixture 10-n writes to its own memory and sends a completion response to the operating device 20. The operating device 20 repeats the initial setup sequence for the required number of setup items. If the lighting fixture 10-n does not respond within a predetermined time in each initial setup sequence, the operating device 20 continues to send the setup request a predetermined number of times.

[0021] The operating device 20 executes the above registration sequence and initial setup sequence for each detected unit.

[0022] The operating device 20 may, for example, display icons associated with the individual information of each device during the search in the registration list 503 for a predetermined number of devices to be registered, change the display of icons according to the success or failure of the registration, and accept individual registration for devices whose registration failed by selecting the corresponding icon.

[0023] Figure 6 shows an example of the registration process. In Figure 6, there are 50 devices to be registered. In search range 1, 26 lighting fixtures were detected, and in search range 2, 14 lighting fixtures were detected. Additionally, 4 lighting fixtures have been registered.

[0024] Thus, in the lighting control system according to this embodiment, initial setup during installation can be easily performed by integrating the communication for registering lighting fixtures and setting parameters. Furthermore, by displaying the number of fixtures detected by the device search and the number of fixtures whose registration has been completed in real time during the registration process, it becomes easier to manage the registration process by comparing the number of fixtures to be registered with the number of detected fixtures.

[0025] [6. Examples of lighting fixture configurations] Next, the configuration of the lighting fixture according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the lighting fixture according to the embodiment.

[0026] The lighting fixture 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a lighting unit 12, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 14. The control unit 13 comprises an acquisition unit 131, a transmission unit 132, and an instruction unit 133.

[0027] The communication unit 11, lighting unit 12, control unit 13, and storage unit 14 are each configured as separate hardware components. However, the communication unit 11, control unit 13, and storage unit 14 may be configured as a single hardware component. In other words, it is sufficient if the control unit 13 and the lighting unit 12 are configured as separate hardware components.

[0028] The communication unit 11 is an interface that wirelessly communicates with other lighting fixtures 10, etc., and the operating device 20. By wirelessly communicating with other lighting fixtures 10, etc., and the operating device 20, the communication unit 11 transmits and receives information between the other lighting fixtures 10, etc., and the operating device 20.

[0029] The lighting unit 12 emits illumination light according to instructions from the indicator unit 133.

[0030] The control unit 13 is a controller, and is a control circuit composed of circuit elements such as resistors and capacitors. The control unit 13 includes electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and performs lighting control of the lighting fixture 10.

[0031] The acquisition unit 131 acquires registration and initial setting information from the operating device 20 via the communication unit 11. The registration and initial setting information acquired from the operating device 20 is, for example, information related to predetermined registration and parameter settings for itself. The acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired registration and initial setting information, etc., in the storage unit 14.

[0032] The acquisition unit 131 may receive schedule data and lighting patterns from a scheduler on the same network via the communication unit 11, and store the received schedule data and lighting patterns in the storage unit 14.

[0033] The transmitting unit 132 transmits its own information to the operating device 20 via the communication unit 11 at predetermined time intervals.

[0034] The instruction unit 133 controls the lighting unit 12. Based on the lighting information (setting information, etc.) stored in the memory unit 14, the instruction unit 133 instructs the lighting unit 12 on the lighting mode.

[0035] The memory unit 14 is, for example, an internal memory for storing control data, etc., and is implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, and stores schedule data, lighting patterns, lighting information (registration and initial setting information, etc.), control address information, etc.

[0036] [7. Example of Operating Device Configuration] Next, the configuration of the operating device according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the operating device according to the embodiment.

[0037] The operating device 20 is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal operated by a user, and is a portable terminal device that can communicate with any information processing device via a predetermined wireless communication network. The operating device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a control unit 25. The control unit 25 comprises a reception unit 251 and a setting unit 252.

[0038] The communication unit 21 is an interface for wireless communication with the lighting fixture 10, etc. The communication unit 21 transmits and receives information between the lighting fixture 10, etc., and the lighting fixture 10, etc., by communicating wirelessly with the lighting fixture 10, etc.

[0039] The memory unit 22 is implemented by a memory device such as a semiconductor memory element like RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, and stores information entered by the user. Specifically, the memory unit 22 stores parameters for pre-setting the lighting fixture 10, etc., which are entered by the user via the display unit 24.

[0040] The operation unit 23 accepts input and transmission operations from the user. For example, on a screen such as an LCD display that has touch panel functionality, the operation unit 23 accepts various operations on displayed data such as content, such as tap operations, slide operations, and scroll operations from the user using their finger or stylus.

[0041] The display unit 24 is, for example, a liquid crystal display with touch panel functionality, and displays information entered by the user. Specifically, the display unit 24 displays parameter setting screens and registration screens as shown in Figures 2-5. The display unit 24 displays the number of registered lighting fixtures or switches detected during the search and the number of registered lighting fixtures or switches in real time. The display unit 24 also displays icons associated with the individual information of the lighting fixtures or switches during the search, for a predetermined number of units to be registered, and changes the display of these icons depending on the success or failure of the registration. Furthermore, the display unit 24 allows for individual registration by selecting the icon corresponding to the previously registered lighting fixture or switch that failed to register.

[0042] The control unit 25 controls the entire operating device 20. The control unit 25 includes, for example, electronic circuits such as a CPU and MPU, and integrated circuits such as an ASIC and FPGA. The control unit 25 also has internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and control data, and executes each process using the internal memory. Furthermore, the control unit 25 functions as various processing units as various programs are run.

[0043] The reception unit 251 receives pre-set parameters (control parameters) for the lighting fixture 10 or switch from the user via the display unit 24.

[0044] The setting unit 252 executes a registration sequence and an initial setup sequence for lighting fixtures 10, etc., detected via the communication unit 21, based on the parameters for pre-setting lighting fixtures 10, etc., stored in the storage unit 22. In the registration sequence, the setting unit 252 sends a registration request to lighting fixtures 10-n, for example, via the communication unit 21. Upon receiving the registration request via the communication unit 11, lighting fixtures 10-n perform a write operation to their storage unit 14 and send a completion response to the setting unit 252 via the communication unit 11. The setting unit 252 repeats the registration sequence for the required number of setting items. In each registration sequence, if lighting fixtures 10-n do not respond within a predetermined time, the setting unit 252 continues to send registration requests via the communication unit 21 a predetermined number of times.

[0045] Once the registration sequence is complete, the setting unit 252 executes the initial setup sequence using the same communication flow as the registration sequence. The setting unit 252 sends a setting request to the lighting fixture 10-n via the communication unit 21. Upon receiving the setting request via the communication unit 11, the lighting fixture 10-n writes to its storage unit 14 and sends a completion response to the setting unit 252 via the communication unit 11. The setting unit 252 repeats the initial setup sequence for the required number of setting items. If the lighting fixture 10-n does not respond within a predetermined time in each initial setup sequence, the setting unit 252 continues to send the setting request via the communication unit 21 a predetermined number of times.

[0046] The setting unit 252 executes the above registration sequence and initial setup sequence for each detected unit.

[0047] As described above, the lighting control system according to the embodiment simplifies the initial setup during installation by performing the registration and initial setup communication of lighting fixtures together, and also facilitates the management of the registration process by providing the registration progress in real time.

[0048] [8. Processing flow of the lighting control system] Next, the processing flow of the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be explained using Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the lighting control system according to the embodiment.

[0049] As shown in Figure 9, the operating device 20 first performs a device search via the communication unit 21 (step S101).

[0050] Next, the operating device 20 starts registering the detected equipment (step S102).

[0051] Next, the operating device 20 executes a predetermined registration sequence (step S103).

[0052] Next, the operating device 20 sends a registration request to the detected device via the communication unit 21 (step S104). If no response is received from device n for X seconds, the process is repeated a times.

[0053] Next, device n receives a registration request via the acquisition unit 131 and performs a write operation to the storage unit 14 (step S105).

[0054] Next, device n sends a completion response to the operating device 20 via the communication unit 11 (step S106). Steps S104 to S106 are repeated for each necessary setting item.

[0055] Next, when the operating device 20 receives a completion response via the communication unit 21, it executes a predetermined initial setup sequence (step S107).

[0056] Next, the operating device 20 sends a setting request to the registered device via the communication unit 21. (Step S108). If there is no response from device n for X seconds, repeat a times.

[0057] Next, device n receives a setting request via the acquisition unit 131 and performs a write operation to the storage unit 14 (step S109).

[0058] Next, device n sends a completion response to the operating device 20 via the communication unit 11 (step S110). Steps S108 to S110 are repeated for each necessary setting item.

[0059] Next, when the operating device 20 receives a completion response via the communication unit 21, it updates the registration completion count (step S111).

[0060] [9. Effects] As described above, the lighting control system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures, switches that control the plurality of lighting fixtures according to operation, and an operating device that can communicate with the plurality of lighting fixtures and switches. The operating device receives control parameters related to the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches, stores the control parameters, and sets the pre-stored control parameters for the plurality of lighting fixtures or switches in response to operation from the user.

[0061] The operating device includes a display unit that shows in real time the number of lighting fixtures or switches detected during a search for registrable lighting fixtures or switches, and the number of lighting fixtures or switches that have been successfully registered.

[0062] On the display unit, icons linked to the individual information of the lighting fixture or switch being searched are displayed for a predetermined number of units to be registered, and the display of these icons changes depending on whether the registration is successful or not.

[0063] The configuration unit performs registration and initial setup for each detected lighting fixture or switch using the same communication flow.

[0064] On the display unit, individual registration is possible by selecting the icon corresponding to the lighting fixture or switch for which registration failed.

[0065] By using one or a combination of the above processes, the registration and initial setup communication for lighting fixtures can be performed together, simplifying the initial setup process during installation. Furthermore, providing real-time updates on the registration progress makes it easier to manage the registration process.

[0066] While 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 embodiments can be carried out in various 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 and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1. Wireless distributed lighting system 10 Lighting fixtures 11 Communications Department 12 Lighting Section 13 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Transmitter 133 Instruction section 14 Storage section 20 Operating device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control section 24 Display section 25 Control Unit 251 Reception Department 252 Settings Section

Claims

1. Multiple lighting fixtures, A switch for controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures according to operation; The plurality of lighting fixtures and the operating device capable of communicating with the switches; A lighting control system comprising, The aforementioned operating device is A receiving unit that receives control parameters related to the plurality of lighting fixtures or the switches, A storage unit that stores the control parameters, A setting unit sets control parameters, which are pre-stored in the memory unit, to the plurality of lighting fixtures or the switches in response to user operations. A lighting control system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The aforementioned operating device is It includes a display unit that shows in real time the number of lighting fixtures or switches detected during a search for registrable fixtures or switches, and the number of lighting fixtures or switches that have been successfully registered. The lighting control system according to feature 1.

3. In the aforementioned display unit, When searching for the aforementioned lighting fixture or switch, icons linked to the individual information are displayed for a predetermined number of units to be registered, and the display of these icons changes depending on whether the registration is successful or not. The lighting control system according to claim 2.

4. The setting unit is, For each of the detected earlier lighting fixtures or switches, registration and initial setup are performed using the same communication flow. The lighting control system according to claim 3.

5. In the aforementioned display unit, Individual registration is possible by selecting the icon corresponding to the previously registered lighting fixture or switch that failed to register. The lighting control system according to feature 4.

Images