Lighting control system

Abstract

To maintain continuous control over the entire system. [Solution] The lighting control system according to this embodiment comprises each device connected to a lighting network, a first device that controls each device in a first mode, and a second device that controls each device in a second mode. Furthermore, each device operates by switching between the first mode controlled by the first device and the second mode controlled by the second device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a lighting control system including a plurality of lighting devices, sensors, and the like. For example, in a lighting control system, a wireless mesh network is formed by a plurality of lighting devices and sensors, and signals transmitted from the outside are mutually transferred on the wireless mesh network (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, for example, when a master device that controls a lighting control system fails, there is a risk that the control of the entire system will stop, and it is required to continue the control of the entire lighting control system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a lighting control system capable of continuously controlling the entire system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a lighting control system according to the present invention includes each device connected to a lighting network, a first device that controls each device in a first mode, and a second device that controls each device in a second mode. Further, each device operates by switching between the first mode by the first device and the second mode by the second device.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the entire system can be continuously controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a distributed control system configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure performed by the lighting fixture according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a switching screen according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The lighting control system S according to the embodiment described below comprises various devices (lighting fixtures 10, switches 20, scheduler 30, sensors 40, and terminal devices 50, etc.) connected to a lighting network (mesh network N), an area controller 1 (an example of a first device), and a terminal device 50 (an example of a second device). Each device operates by switching between a first mode controlled by the first device and a second mode controlled by the second device.

[0010] Furthermore, each device according to the embodiment described below operates by exclusively switching between the first mode and the second mode.

[0011] Furthermore, the first device according to the embodiment described below controls the entire lighting network, while the second device controls each device individually.

[0012] In addition, each device according to the embodiments described below operates by switching from the first mode to the second mode when a periodic signal periodically transmitted from the first device is not received for a certain period of time.

[0013] In addition, each device according to the embodiments described below operates by switching from the second mode to the first mode when reception of the periodic signal is resumed.

[0014] In addition, each device according to the embodiments described below operates by switching between the first mode and the second mode according to a user operation.

[0015] (Embodiment) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments shown below does not limit the technology disclosed by the present invention. Also, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts in each embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0016] First, the outline of the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control system S includes an area controller 1 and a plurality of distributed control systems 100.

[0017] The area controller 1 is the master device of the plurality of distributed control systems 100 and is a control device that controls each distributed control system 100. Note that the area controller 1 corresponds to an example of the first device that controls each device connected to the lighting network in the first mode.

[0018] For example, the area controller 1 individually controls each distributed control system 100 by transmitting control information to each distributed control system 100. Also, the area controller 1 acquires the status information transmitted from each distributed control system 100 at a predetermined period and can grasp the current status of each distributed control system 100.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the state in which the area controller 1 controls each distributed control system 100 is described as centralized control, and the state in which each distributed control system 100 controls independently is described as distributed control.

[0020] The lighting control system S according to the embodiment is a system capable of operating by switching between centralized control and distributed control.

[0021] Each distributed control system 100 is a system including lighting fixtures. Here, a specific example of the distributed control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the distributed control system 100.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the distributed control system 100 is composed of a lighting fixture 10, a switch 20, a scheduler 30, a sensor 40, a terminal device 50, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience of explanation, each device is shown one by one, but each device may include any number of units.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, each device constituting the distributed control system 100 forms a mesh network N. The mesh network N is a network formed by a wireless format conforming to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0024] Each device connected to the mesh network N can receive various instructions etc. transmitted from an external device such as the area controller 1 by transferring the various instructions etc. transmitted from an external device to the mesh network N through the mesh network N.

[0025] The lighting fixture 10 is a predetermined lighting device such as a base light, a ceiling light, a downlight, or a spotlight. Further, the lighting fixture 10 has a wireless communication function and communicates with other devices located within the wireless communication range through the mesh network N.

[0026] Sensor 40 detects various types of information. Sensor 40 also has a wireless communication function and communicates with other devices located within wireless communication range via the mesh network N. For example, sensor 40 may include an imaging unit that includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and may function as a human presence sensor or an illuminance sensor. When sensor 40 functions as a human presence sensor, it detects whether or not a person is present in the detection range from the image captured by the imaging unit, and transmits the detection result to the lighting fixture 10 via the mesh network N. When sensor 40 is an illuminance sensor, it detects whether or not a person is present in the detection range from the image captured by the imaging unit, and transmits the detection result to the lighting fixture 10 via a predetermined network.

[0027] The scheduler 30 controls other devices such as the lighting fixture 10 and the sensor 40. The scheduler 30 outputs predetermined control signals to control the other devices such as the lighting fixture 10 and the sensor 40 at timings set by the user of the terminal device 50 (for example, a system administrator). The scheduler 30 also has a wireless communication function and may communicate with other devices located within the wireless communication range via the mesh network N.

[0028] Switch 20 is a device that outputs a predetermined control signal to a pre-assigned lighting fixture 10. Switch 20 also has a wireless communication function and may communicate with other devices located within wireless communication range via a mesh network N.

[0029] The terminal device 50 is an information processing terminal that has various functions such as communication, display, and web browsing functions, and performs information processing according to the embodiment. The terminal device 50 is also equipped with a dedicated application program that provides various functions for realizing the information processing according to the embodiment. For example, a user of the terminal device 50 can perform setting operations on other devices such as lighting fixtures 10 through functions provided by the dedicated application. The terminal device 50 can be implemented using a smart device (smartphone or tablet), a PDA, or a desktop or laptop personal computer.

[0030] Incidentally, as mentioned above, the distributed control system 100 operates under centralized control by the area controller 1. For example, if the area controller 1 fails during the period of centralized control, there is a risk that control of all distributed control systems 100 will stop.

[0031] Therefore, this disclosure provides a system in which each distributed control system 100 can be controlled independently in the event of a failure of the area controller 1. Specifically, in the event of a failure of the area controller 1, each distributed control system 100 switches from centralized control by the area controller 1 to distributed control operated by the terminal devices 50.

[0032] As a result, even if the area controller 1 fails, control by the terminal device 50 continues for each distributed control system 100, thus enabling continuous control of the entire system.

[0033] Next, an example of the configuration of the lighting fixture 10 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the lighting fixture 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the lighting fixture 10 has a communication unit 11, a light-emitting unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0034] The communication unit 11 is implemented using, for example, a predetermined communication circuit such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and performs data communication with the area controller 1 and other devices that constitute the distributed control system 100 via a communication network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or LAN.

[0035] The light-emitting unit 12 illuminates a predetermined area. For example, the light-emitting unit 12's state (on, off, and intensity when lit) is controlled by the control unit 14.

[0036] The memory unit 13 is implemented using, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. In the example shown in Figure 3, the memory unit 13 stores mode information 131.

[0037] Mode information 131 is information relating to the control mode of the lighting fixture 10. In this disclosure, mode information 131 is classified into a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode operated by control by the first device, the area controller 1, and the second mode is a mode operated by control by the second device, the terminal device 50. That is, the first mode corresponds to centralized control, and the second mode corresponds to distributed control. Specific examples of the first mode and the second mode will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0038] The control unit 14 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the storage device inside the lighting fixture 10 using RAM as the working area. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 14 has a receiving unit 141, a transmitting unit 142, and a switching unit 143, and realizes or executes the information processing functions and operations described below.

[0039] The receiving unit 141 receives various types of information through the mesh network N. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives control instructions from the area controller 1 and control instructions from the terminal device 50 through the mesh network N.

[0040] Furthermore, the receiving unit 141 receives periodic signals from the area controller 1 at predetermined intervals via the mesh network N. In the lighting control system S, periodic signals are periodically transmitted from the area controller 1 to each device constituting the distributed control system 100 via the mesh network N.

[0041] Furthermore, in the lighting control system S, each device constituting the distributed control system 100 periodically transmits a status signal indicating its own status to the area controller 1 via the mesh network N.

[0042] In the lighting control system S, the area controller 1 can recognize the operating status of each device by periodically transmitting and receiving information from each other to the area controller 1 and each device constituting the distributed control system 100.

[0043] The transmitting unit 142 transmits various types of information through the mesh network N. For example, the transmitting unit 142 transmits status information indicating the status of its own device to the area controller 1 through the mesh network N at predetermined intervals.

[0044] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 142 transmits information received by the receiving unit 141 for other devices to those devices via the mesh network N.

[0045] The switching unit 143 switches between the first mode operated by the first device and the second mode operated by the second device. The switching unit 143 switches from the first mode to the second mode when it does not receive the periodic signal periodically transmitted from the area controller 1, which is the first device.

[0046] Specifically, the switching unit 143 switches between the first mode and the second mode using a timer. The timer is reset each time the receiving unit 141 receives a periodic signal transmitted from the area controller 1.

[0047] The switching unit 143 switches from the first mode to the second mode when the timer value exceeds a threshold, that is, when a periodic signal is not received for a certain period of time. In other words, each device constituting the distributed control system 100 can understand that the area controller 1 is not operating normally if it stops transmitting a periodic signal from the area controller 1.

[0048] Thus, the switching unit 143 switches from the first mode to the second mode in response to an abnormality in the area controller 1. As will be described later, the switching unit 143 may also switch from the first mode to the second mode in response to control by the terminal device 50.

[0049] Next, the first and second modes will be described using Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first mode according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second mode according to the embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the first mode is a mode in which the lighting fixture 10 operates according to control instructions from the area controller 1. Also in the first mode, as shown in Figure 4, the lighting fixture 10 receives a periodic signal from the area controller 1.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in the first mode, the lighting fixture 10 is in a mode where it does not accept control instructions from the terminal device 50. In other words, in the first mode, the lighting fixture 10 is in a mode where it accepts control from the area controller 1 but rejects control from the terminal device 50.

[0052] Next, the second mode will be explained using Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, in the second mode, the lighting fixture 10 receives control instructions from the terminal device 50. As described above, the lighting fixture 10 switches from the first mode to the second mode when the periodic signal from the area controller 1 stops being transmitted. For example, in such a case, some kind of error has occurred in the area controller 1.

[0053] Therefore, the lighting fixture 10 switches its control mode from the first mode to the second mode to accept control from the terminal device 50. As a result, even if a problem occurs with the area controller 1, the lighting fixture 10 can operate properly under the monitoring of the terminal device 50.

[0054] The lighting fixture 10 may, for example, switch exclusively between the first mode and the second mode. That is, in the first mode, the lighting fixture 10 may accept only control instructions from the area controller 1 and not from the terminal device 50. In the second mode, the lighting fixture 10 may not accept control instructions from the area controller 1 but may accept control instructions from the terminal device 50. In the second mode, the lighting fixture 10 may accept control instructions from both the area controller 1 and the terminal device 50.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, if the transmission of a periodic signal by the area controller 1 is resumed during the period of the second mode, the lighting fixture 10 switches its control mode from the second mode to the first mode. This allows the lighting fixture 10 to operate appropriately under the monitoring of the area controller 1.

[0056] Next, the processing procedure performed by the lighting fixture 10 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure performed by the lighting fixture 10 according to the embodiment. Note that the processing procedure shown below is repeatedly executed by the control unit 14.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, first, the lighting fixture 10 determines whether or not it has received a periodic signal transmitted from the area controller 1 (step S101). If the lighting fixture 10 determines that it has received a periodic signal (step S101; Yes), it terminates the process.

[0058] Furthermore, if the lighting fixture 10 determines in step S101 that it has not received a periodic signal (step S101; No), it determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the last time it received a periodic signal (step S102).

[0059] If the lighting fixture 10 determines that a predetermined period has elapsed (step S102; Yes), it switches the control mode from the first mode to the second mode (step S103) and terminates the process. If, in the determination in step S102, the lighting fixture 10 determines that the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S102; No), it returns to the process in step S101.

[0060] By the way, in the embodiment described above, we explained the case in which each device constituting the distributed control system 100 switches from the first mode to the second mode using a periodic signal as a key, but it is not limited to this. For example, the system may switch from the first mode to the second mode in response to user operation.

[0061] For example, in such a case, the terminal device 50 may accept a user operation to switch from the first mode to the second mode through a switching screen displayed on the terminal device 50. Figure 7 shows an example of a switching screen according to the embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal device 50 displays a switching screen G. The switching screen G displays folder icons A1 corresponding to each device (units 1 to 10 in the figure). For example, a switching button A2 is displayed inside each folder icon A1.

[0063] For example, by selecting the switch button A2, the user can switch the control mode of the device corresponding to folder icon A1 between the first mode and the second mode. In other words, the lighting control system S according to this embodiment can improve usability by allowing manual switching of the control mode of each device.

[0064] 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]

[0065] 1 Area Controller 10 Lighting fixtures 11 Communications Department 12 Light-emitting part 13 Storage section 14 Control Unit 20 switches 30 Scheduler 40 sensors 50 Terminal devices 100 Distributed Control Systems 131 Mode Information 141 Receiving Unit 142 Transmitter 143 Switching section S Lighting Control System

Claims

1. Each device connected to the lighting network; A first device that controls each of the aforementioned devices in a first mode; A second device that controls each of the aforementioned devices in a second mode; It is equipped with, Each of the aforementioned devices is: The system operates by switching between the first mode provided by the first device and the second mode provided by the second device. Lighting control system.

2. Each of the aforementioned devices is: The system operates by exclusively switching between the first mode and the second mode. The lighting control system according to claim 1.

3. The first apparatus is Controlling multiple lighting networks, The second device is The aforementioned lighting network is controlled individually. The lighting control system according to claim 1.

4. Each of the aforementioned devices is: If the transmission period signal is not received periodically from the first device for a certain period of time, the device switches from the first mode to the second mode and operates accordingly. The lighting control system according to claim 1.

5. Each of the aforementioned devices is: When reception of the periodic signal is resumed, the system switches from the second mode to the first mode and operates accordingly. The lighting control system according to claim 4.

6. Each of the aforementioned devices is: The system operates by switching between the first mode and the second mode in response to user input. The lighting control system according to claim 1.

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