Control method, second controller, and wireless system

Abstract

To provide control methods and other tools for more appropriate control. [Solution] The control method is a control method for a wireless system comprising a first controller (management device 50), a second controller (lighting control device 30), and controlled equipment that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, and includes the steps of: the first controller transmitting a periodic synchronization signal to the second controller and the controlled equipment (S1); the second controller detecting an area to be detected (S11); and the second controller transmitting a second control signal according to the detection result (S2), wherein the second controller waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives a synchronization signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method, a second controller, and a wireless system.

Background Art

[0002] As a wireless system using radio waves that can surely control not only one space but also other spaces, Patent Document 1 discloses an illumination system. When there are a plurality of devices to be controlled (controlled devices), synchronization of control between devices is often an issue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a control method and the like for performing more appropriate control from the viewpoint of synchronization of control between devices in a control method of a wireless system involving device control using a detector (sensor).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method of a wireless system including a first controller, a second controller, and a controlled device that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, the first controller transmitting a periodic synchronization signal to the second controller and the controlled device, the second controller detecting a detection target area, and the second controller transmitting a second control signal according to a detection result, wherein the second controller waits for the steps of detecting and transmitting until the synchronization signal is received.

[0006] A second controller according to one aspect of the present invention is included in a wireless system comprising a first controller and a controlled device, and is a second controller that constructs a wireless network together with the first controller and the controlled device that can communicate with each other, and the second controller has a receiving unit that receives a synchronization signal that the first controller periodically transmits to the second controller and the controlled device, a detection unit that performs detection on a target area, and a second transmitting unit that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result, and the detection unit and the second transmitting unit are kept in standby until the synchronization signal is received.

[0007] A wireless system according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless system comprising a first controller, a second controller, and controlled equipment that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, wherein the first controller has a first transmitting unit that transmits periodic synchronization signals to the second controller and the controlled equipment, the second controller has a detection unit that detects an area to be detected and a second transmitting unit that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result, and the second controller makes the detection unit and the second transmitting unit stand by until it receives the synchronization signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The control method and other aspects of the present invention enable more appropriate control. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an indoor space to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless mesh network. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a communication sequence diagram relating to the control of a lighting fixture using the detection results according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a communication sequence diagram relating to another example of controlling a lighting fixture using the detection results according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a communication sequence diagram illustrating the relationship between control by the first control signal and control by the second control signal according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0011] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the wireless system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system, which is an example of a wireless system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lighting control system 10 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a plurality of lighting control devices 30, a relay device 40, and a management device 50. The number of plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the number of plurality of lighting control devices 30 provided in the lighting control system 10 are not particularly limited.

[0013] The lighting fixture 20 is an example of a controlled device, and is a base light installed on the ceiling of the indoor space 60 to illuminate the indoor space 60. The form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, downlight, or spotlight, etc. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 comprises a wireless communication unit 21, a light source 22, a control unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0014] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit for the lighting fixture 20 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with the lighting control device 30. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 communicates wirelessly according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) or Bluetooth® mesh, but is not particularly limited to the communication standard.

[0015] The light source 22 emits white light into the indoor space 60 so that the lighting fixture 20 can illuminate the indoor space 60. The light source 22 is implemented by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be implemented by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0016] The control unit 23 controls the light emission of the lighting fixture 20 (light source 22). Light emission control includes turning on the light, turning off the light, dimming, color temperature control, and light distribution control. The control unit 23 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 23 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 24 by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the control unit 23.

[0017] The memory unit 24 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the control unit 23 to perform light emission control, such as computer programs executed by the control unit 23. The memory unit 24 is implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory.

[0018] The lighting control device 30 is an example of a second controller and is a lighting control device integrated with a brightness sensor 31. The lighting control device 30 is installed on the ceiling or wall of the indoor space 60 and controls the lighting fixture 20 when the brightness is detected. The lighting control device 30 includes a brightness sensor 31, a wireless communication unit 32, a control unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

[0019] The brightness sensor 31 is an example of a detection unit and detects the brightness in the indoor space 60 (in the detection target area). "Detecting the detection target area" means detecting the state of the indoor space 60 regarding some parameters in light emission control, such as the brightness and color temperature of the indoor space 60, with the indoor space 60 as the detection target area as described above. The brightness sensor 31 is realized, for example, by a photodiode that converts the brightness of the indoor space 60 into a potential for detection. The brightness sensor 31 may be realized by an image sensor (camera) that captures an image of the indoor space 60 and detects the brightness of the indoor space 60 by image analysis.

[0020] The wireless communication unit 32 is an example of a reception unit and a second transmission unit, and is a wireless communication circuit for the lighting control device 30 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with a plurality of lighting fixtures 20. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 32 performs wireless communication according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh, but the communication standard is not particularly limited.

[0021] The control unit 33 performs information processing for generating and transmitting a control signal (second control signal) for controlling the lighting fixture 20 when the brightness is detected by the brightness sensor 31. The control unit 33 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The function of the control unit 33 is realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting the control unit 33 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 34.

[0022] The memory unit 34 is a storage device that stores various types of information used by the control unit 33, such as computer programs executed by the control unit 33. The memory unit 34 is implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory.

[0023] The relay device 40 unicasts a second notification signal, obtained from a first notification signal received from each of the multiple lighting control devices 30, to each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 at predetermined time intervals. The first notification signal is a notification signal used by each of the multiple lighting control devices 30 to notify the lighting fixtures belonging to its controlled group of devices of the target dimming state to which they should transition at this time. The second notification signal is a notification signal used by the multiple lighting fixtures 20 to notify the target dimming state to which they should transition at this time. It is not essential to convert the first notification signal to the second notification signal to obtain the second notification signal. The relay device 40 may unicast the first notification signal as is without conversion. Furthermore, the transmission of the first and second notification signals from the relay device 40 may be performed by multicast transmission or broadcast transmission. Moreover, the function of the relay device 40 itself does not need to be included in the lighting control system 10. In other words, the "relaying" itself, which involves signal conversion via the relay device 40 as described above, does not need to be performed. In this case, signals that are not relayed may also be transmitted via unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

[0024] The relay device 40 can be any communication node belonging to the wireless mesh network, and may be a lighting fixture, a lighting control device, or other device such as a scheduler. The relay device 40 may also be a communication device dedicated to relaying notification signals. Although not shown in Figure 1, the relay device 40 comprises at least a wireless communication unit, a control unit, and a storage unit.

[0025] The management device 50 is an example of a first controller and periodically transmits synchronization signals to the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, and relay device 40 at predetermined time intervals to synchronize the time of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, and relay device 40. The management device 50 is, for example, a scheduler for generating and transmitting control signals (first control signals) to control the multiple lighting fixtures 20 according to a pre-set schedule, but it may be any other device. Although not shown in Figure 1, the management device 50 includes at least a wireless communication unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, which are examples of a first transmission unit. In the above configuration example, the management device 50 and relay device 40 are described separately, but instead of the management device 50 and relay device 40, the lighting control system 10 may include a single device that combines the functions of the management device 50 and relay device 40.

[0026] Multiple lighting fixtures 20, lighting control devices 30, relay devices 40, and management devices 50 constitute a wireless mesh network as an example of a wireless network. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of a wireless mesh network. In Figure 3, each circle corresponds to a single communication node (one lighting fixture 20, one lighting control device 30, one relay device 40, or one management device 50), and the dashed lines connecting the circles indicate the communication path. In a wireless mesh network, various types of information, such as control signals, are transmitted, for example, using a routing method. Specifically, when information is transmitted from the first communication node to the second communication node, the information is relayed by one or more other communication nodes as needed along the path shown by the dashed lines in Figure 3. Note that in a wireless mesh network, information may also be transmitted using other methods such as flooding.

[0027] [Synchronized sensor-based equipment control] In the lighting control system 10, the control of lighting fixtures 20 using the brightness detection result by the lighting control device 30 requires the reception of a synchronization signal. Figure 4 is a communication sequence diagram relating to the control of lighting fixtures using the detection result according to the embodiment. In the figure, a lighting control device 30 and several lighting fixtures 20 are shown as one set, and two sets are shown, one set and one set. A set here is a so-called control unit, and one lighting fixture 20 controlled by one lighting control device 30 is included in one set. In other words, the lighting fixtures 20 that the lighting control device 30 of set "A" controls using the detection result are only those lighting fixtures 20 included in set "A", and the lighting fixtures 20 included in set "B" are not subject to control.

[0028] However, even if the control units are separated in this way, depending on the arrangement of the lighting fixtures 20 and the lighting control device 30, the light emission control of the light source 22 of the lighting fixtures 20 may affect the brightness detection result of the lighting control device 30. If the control of the lighting fixtures 20 in each set is not synchronized, changing the brightness by the light emission control of the lighting fixtures 20 in one set may affect the brightness detection of the lighting control device 30 in another set. Therefore, it is necessary for detection to start when all sets are synchronized. In this embodiment, the detection start command is accepted when synchronization between sets is guaranteed by the reception of a synchronization signal.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a synchronization signal is periodically transmitted from the control device 50 (S1). In the figure, there are cases where a detection start command is transmitted along with the synchronization signal, and cases where it is not. For example, the synchronization signal transmitted first in the figure does not include a detection start command. Therefore, the lighting control device 30 does not start detecting the target area (detection and the subsequent transmission of the second control signal are put on hold). Also, even if a detection start command is received separately, if the synchronization signal is not received, the detection of the target area will not be started.

[0030] In the diagram, the second synchronization signal transmitted is accompanied by a detection start command. Therefore, the lighting control devices 30 included in both the set indicated as "A" and the set indicated as "B" begin detecting the target area (S11). Then, a second control signal corresponding to the detection result is generated and transmitted to each of the lighting fixtures 20 (S2).

[0031] Incidentally, an example of a situation where synchronization cannot be easily guaranteed is when a control signal (third control signal) is sent using a control terminal such as a remote control. The control terminal can receive user operations and transmit a third control signal in response to the received operations. In other words, the control terminal can transmit control signals at any time the user desires. Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the lighting fixtures 20 is configured not to accept control by the second control signal during the period of control by the third control signal, as it is difficult to guarantee synchronization during this time. Furthermore, the system is configured and / or set up so that detection start commands cannot be transmitted from such control terminals. For example, the control terminal is not equipped with a function to transmit detection start commands, or the lighting control device 30 is configured not to accept detection start commands from the control terminal. In other words, detection start commands can only be transmitted from the management device 50.

[0032] [Another example of equipment control using sensors with guaranteed synchronization] On the other hand, the lighting control device 30 can also be configured to accept detection start commands from the control terminal. Figure 5 is a communication sequence diagram relating to another example of controlling a lighting fixture using the detection results according to the embodiment. In Figure 5, the lighting control device 30 receives a detection start command from the control terminal (S10). Although a synchronization signal has been received prior to this, it can be said that a period has entered in which synchronization is not guaranteed between the last time a synchronization signal is received and the time the detection start command is received. Therefore, detection and the subsequent transmission of the second control signal are put on hold until a new synchronization signal is received (the second synchronization signal is received in the figure (S1)).

[0033] If a new synchronization signal is received after receiving a detection start command, the lighting control device 30 (set indicated as "A") that received the detection start command starts detecting the target area (S11). Then, it generates a second control signal according to the detection result and transmits it to each of the lighting fixtures 20 (S2). In this way, brightness detection is performed and the equipment is controlled using the detection result, provided that the requirement of ensuring synchronization between devices is met. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform more appropriate control from the standpoint of synchronization of control between devices.

[0034] [Relationship between the first control signal and the second control signal] The relationship between control by the first control signal and control by the second control signal will be explained below with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a communication sequence diagram illustrating the relationship between the first control signal and the second control signal according to the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the communication sequence of a simplified lighting control system 10, which includes only one management device 50, one lighting control device 30, and one lighting fixture 20. Figure 6 also shows the transmission S1 of the synchronization signal, as shown in Figure 4, subdivided according to the destination.

[0036] First, the control device 50 transmits a synchronization signal to the lighting control device 30 (S1a). The control device 50 also transmits a first control signal (in this case, a dimming rate of 90%) to the lighting fixture 20 along with the synchronization signal (S1b). Upon receiving the synchronization signal and the first control signal, the lighting fixture 20 switches to a state where it can be controlled by the second control signal. Conversely, if the lighting fixture 20 has not received either the synchronization signal or the first control signal, it will refuse control by the second control signal.

[0037] Next, the control of the lighting fixture 20 is switched to control based on the detection result of the lighting control device 30. Specifically, the management device 50 sends a detection start command to the lighting control device 30 along with a synchronization signal (S1a). The management device 50 also sends a first control signal (in this case, control linked to the brightness sensor 31) to the lighting fixture 20 along with a synchronization signal (S1b). During the period shown in (a) in the diagram up to this point, the light emission is controlled at a dimming rate of 90%.

[0038] Next, the lighting control device 30 transmits a second control signal (in this case, a dimming rate of 40%) according to the detection result (S2). The period shown in (b) in the diagram up to this point is the lag for detection and other processing until the second control signal arrives, and the light emission is controlled at a dimming rate of 90%, continuing from the period in (a). Then, during the period shown in (c) in the diagram from this point onward, the light emission is controlled at a dimming rate of 40% based on the second control signal.

[0039] Here, let's assume that a communication error or other issue occurs between the management device 50 and the lighting control device 30, preventing the transmission of the synchronization signal (S1a). There is no problem with communication between the management device 50 and the lighting fixture 20, and the management device 50 transmits the synchronization signal along with the first control signal (in this case, a control linked to the brightness sensor 31) (S1b). The lighting fixture 20 cannot transmit the second control signal (S2) from the lighting control device 30, so the light emission control continues at the previous dimming rate of 40%. However, if the second control signal (S2) from the lighting control device 30 cannot be transmitted even after a certain period of time, it can be inferred that the lighting control device 30 is not in a state where synchronization is guaranteed, and therefore it is no longer appropriate to continue control using the previous second control signal.

[0040] Therefore, if the second control signal (S2) is not transmitted, or in other words, if the second control signal cannot be received for a predetermined period of time, the control of the lighting fixture 20 is switched to the control performed by the first control signal that was performed before the control by the second control signal. That is, for the period shown in (d) in the figure after the predetermined period has elapsed since the second control signal could no longer be received, the light emission is controlled at a dimming rate of 90% according to the first control signal. The predetermined period here is the period required for one or more but less than several synchronization signals to be transmitted, and is set to, for example, the period of three synchronization signal transmission cycles required to receive two synchronization signals, as shown in the figure. In this way, control using the detection result, which was started with synchronization guaranteed, can be automatically canceled when synchronization is no longer guaranteed.

[0041] In the diagram, after the management device 50 sends a detection start command along with a synchronization signal to the lighting control device 30 (S1a), the management device 50 sends only the synchronization signal to the lighting control device 30 (S1a). However, for example, even after the management device 50 sends the detection start command along with the synchronization signal to the lighting control device 30 (S1a), the management device 50 may also send a command indicating the period during which detection should be performed, such as a detection continuation command, along with the synchronization signal to the lighting control device 30. This ensures that detection continues even after communication is interrupted and then restored, as long as it is within the period during which detection should be performed.

[0042] [Effects, etc.] The following describes examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosures in this specification, and explains the effects and other benefits that can be obtained from such inventions.

[0043] Invention 1 is a control method for a wireless system comprising a first controller (management device 50), a second controller (lighting control device 30), and controlled equipment that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, the method comprising the steps of: the first controller transmitting a periodic synchronization signal to the second controller and the controlled equipment (S1); the second controller detecting an area to be detected (S11); and the second controller transmitting a second control signal according to the detection result (S2), wherein the second controller waits to perform the detection step and the transmission step until it receives a synchronization signal.

[0044] In this control method, detection and transmission of the second control signal by the second controller are delayed until a synchronization signal is received. In other words, detection and transmission of the second control signal are not performed until the synchronization signal is received, ensuring that synchronization with other devices is guaranteed. Conversely, when the second controller transmits detection and the second control signal, it means that synchronization with other devices is achieved, so the control based on the detection result can be synchronized. Therefore, more appropriate control can be achieved because the control is synchronized.

[0045] Invention 2 is the control method described in Invention 1, wherein the second controller waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives a synchronization signal and a detection start command.

[0046] This control method prevents detection and transmission of the second control signal until a synchronization signal and a detection start command are received.

[0047] Invention 3 is a control method described in Invention 2, wherein the second controller receives a detection start command from a control terminal that accepts user operations and transmits a detection start command in response to the accepted operations, and after receiving the detection start command, the second controller waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives a synchronization signal.

[0048] In this control method, detection and transmission of the second control signal are prevented until a detection start command from the control terminal and a subsequent synchronization signal from the first controller are received.

[0049] Invention 4 is a control method described in Invention 2, wherein a detection start command is received from the first controller along with a synchronization signal.

[0050] This control method prevents detection and transmission of the second control signal until a detection start command and synchronization signal are received from the first controller.

[0051] Invention 5 is a control method described in Invention 4, wherein the controlled device receives a third control signal from a control terminal that accepts user operations and transmits a third control signal in response to the accepted operations, and does not accept control by the second control signal during the period of control by the third control signal.

[0052] In this control method, during the period when the controlled device is being controlled by receiving a third control signal from the control terminal, it may be out of synchronization. Therefore, control based on detection results in a non-synchronized state is prevented.

[0053] Invention 6 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the second controller detects the brightness of the area to be detected.

[0054] This control method allows for control using a second control signal that corresponds to the brightness detection result of the area to be detected.

[0055] Invention 7 is a control method according to Invention 5 or 6, wherein the first controller is a scheduler that controls the controlled device according to a schedule by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device.

[0056] In this control method, synchronization can be achieved by sending a synchronization signal from the first controller to enable control according to the schedule set by the first control signal.

[0057] Invention 8 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 7, wherein the first controller can control a controlled device by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device, and the control method includes the step of switching the control of the controlled device to control by the first control signal if a second control signal from the second controller is not received.

[0058] In this control method, if the transmission of the second control signal is pending, the controlled device can be operated by the first control signal from the first controller.

[0059] Invention 9 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 8, wherein the controlled device includes at least one of a lighting fixture 20 having a light source and a device for controlling the light source (such as a lighting control device 30).

[0060] This control method allows for more appropriate control of at least one of the lighting fixture 20 having a light source and the equipment for controlling the light source.

[0061] Invention 10 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein the first controller can control the controlled device by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device, and the controlled device accepts control by the second control signal when it has received at least one of the first control signal and the synchronization signal.

[0062] In this control method, the controlled device can accept control by the second control signal when it is receiving at least one of the first control signal and the synchronization signal. For example, the controlled device can accept control by the second control signal when it is receiving the synchronization signal. Also, for example, the controlled device can accept control by the second control signal when it is receiving both the first control signal and the synchronization signal.

[0063] Invention 11 is a second controller (lighting control device 30) included in a wireless system comprising a first controller and controlled equipment, which constructs a wireless network that can communicate with each other together with the first controller (management device 50) and controlled equipment, and the second controller has a receiving unit (wireless communication unit 32) that receives a synchronization signal that the first controller periodically transmits to the second controller and controlled equipment, a detection unit (brightness sensor 31) that detects the area to be detected, and a second transmitting unit (wireless communication unit 32) that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result, and the second controller makes the detection unit and the second transmitting unit stand by until it receives a synchronization signal.

[0064] Such a second controller can achieve the same effects as the control method described above.

[0065] Invention 12 is a wireless system (lighting control system 10) comprising a first controller, a second controller, and controlled equipment that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, wherein the first controller has a first transmitting unit (wireless communication unit of the management device 50) that transmits periodic synchronization signals to the second controller and controlled equipment, and the second controller has a detection unit (brightness sensor 31) that detects a target area and a second transmitting unit (wireless communication unit 32) that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result, and the second controller is a wireless system that causes the detection unit and the second transmitting unit to stand by until it receives a synchronization signal.

[0066] Such wireless systems can achieve the same effects as the control methods described above.

[0067] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0068] For example, in the above embodiment, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0070] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0071] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0072] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a lighting control system, lighting fixture, lighting control device, or relay device as described above, or as a method executed by a computer such as a lighting control system, lighting fixture, lighting control device, or relay device. The present invention may be implemented as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0073] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10 Lighting control system 20 Lighting fixtures 21, 32 Wireless Communication Section 22 Light source 23, 33 Control Unit 24, 34 Storage section 30 Lighting control device 31 Brightness sensor 40 Relay device 50 Management device 60 Indoor space

Claims

1. A control method for a wireless system comprising a first controller, a second controller, and controlled devices that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, The first controller transmits a periodic synchronization signal to the second controller and the controlled device, The second controller performs a step of detecting the area to be detected, The second controller includes the step of transmitting a second control signal in accordance with the detection result, The second controller waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives the synchronization signal. Control method.

2. The second controller waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives the synchronization signal and the detection start command. The control method according to claim 1.

3. The control terminal receives the detection start command from the control terminal that accepts user operations and transmits the detection start command in response to the accepted operations. The second controller, after receiving the detection start command, waits for the detection step and the transmission step until it receives the synchronization signal. The control method according to claim 2.

4. The first controller receives the detection start command along with the synchronization signal. The control method according to claim 2.

5. The controlled device is The third control signal is received from a control terminal that accepts user operations and transmits a third control signal in response to the accepted operations. During the period of control by the third control signal, control by the second control signal will not be accepted. The control method according to claim 1.

6. The second controller detects the brightness of the area to be detected. The control method according to claim 1.

7. The first controller is a scheduler that controls the controlled device according to a schedule by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device. The control method according to claim 1.

8. The first controller can control the controlled device by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device. The control method includes a step of switching the control of the controlled device to control by the first control signal if the second control signal from the second controller is not received. The control method according to claim 1.

9. The controlled device includes at least one of a lighting fixture having a light source and a device for controlling the light source. The control method according to claim 1.

10. The first controller can control the controlled device by transmitting a first control signal to the controlled device. The controlled device accepts control by the second control signal when it has received at least one of the first control signal and the synchronization signal. The control method according to claim 1.

11. A second controller is included in a wireless system comprising a first controller and controlled equipment, and which constructs a wireless network that can communicate with each other together with the first controller and the controlled equipment, The first controller has a receiving unit that receives a synchronization signal that is periodically transmitted to the second controller and the controlled device, A detection unit that detects the target area, It includes a second transmitting unit that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result, The detection unit and the second transmission unit are kept in standby mode until the aforementioned synchronization signal is received. Second controller.

12. A wireless system comprising a first controller, a second controller, and controlled devices that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, The first controller has a first transmitting unit that transmits periodic synchronization signals to the second controller and the controlled device. The second controller includes a detection unit that performs detection on the target area and a second transmission unit that transmits a second control signal according to the detection result. The second controller causes the detection unit and the second transmission unit to remain in standby mode until it receives the synchronization signal. Wireless system.

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