Load control system, control device, setting device, load control method and program

Abstract

This disclosure aims to reduce power consumption. [Solution] The load control system S1 comprises one or more lighting devices A1 having a load, a control device (handheld remote control C2), and a setting device (tablet C1). The control device communicates wirelessly with the controlled device in accordance with a first communication protocol and controls the load via the controlled device. The setting device communicates wirelessly with the control device in accordance with a second communication protocol and makes settings to the control device. The control device selectively executes a first mode and a second mode. While executing the second mode, the control device disables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. While executing the second mode, the control device enables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a load control system, a control device, a setting device, a load control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a load control system, a control device, a setting device, a load control method, and a program for controlling a load by wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional example, the lighting system (load control system) described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. The lighting system (hereinafter referred to as the conventional example) described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures (controlled devices) and a lighting control remote controller (control device). The plurality of lighting fixtures and the lighting control remote controller form a mesh network and can communicate with each other directly or indirectly through the mesh network.

[0003] The lighting control remote controller has a housing and an input unit provided on the front surface of the housing. The input unit is composed of a plurality of buttons and receives user input entered by the user operating the buttons. Then, when the input unit receives the user input, parameters corresponding to the received user input are transmitted from the lighting control remote controller to the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture performs processing (such as blinking, dimming, color adjustment, etc.) based on the parameters received from the lighting control remote controller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the above conventional example, reduction of power consumption of each device included in the system (particularly, a control device such as a lighting control remote controller) is desired.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a load control system, control device, setting device, load control method, and program that can reduce power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A load control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises one or more controlled devices having a load, a control device, and a setting device. The control device communicates wirelessly with the controlled device in accordance with a first communication protocol and controls the load via the controlled device. The setting device communicates wirelessly with the control device in accordance with a second communication protocol and makes settings to the control device. The control device selectively executes a first mode and a second mode. While executing the first mode, the control device enables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. While executing the first mode, the control device disables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. While executing the second mode, the control device disables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device.

[0008] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for the load control system. The control device comprises a wireless communication unit, a storage unit, an input receiving unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit. The wireless communication unit performs wireless communication with the controlled device in accordance with the first communication protocol and performs wireless communication with the setting device in accordance with the second communication protocol. The storage unit stores one or more control contents for controlling the load via the controlled device. The input receiving unit receives operation input. The control unit reads the control contents corresponding to the operation input received by the input receiving unit from the storage unit and creates a control command based on the read control contents. The power supply unit supplies power to at least the wireless communication unit and the control unit by power supplied from a battery. The control unit selectively executes the first mode and the second mode. When the control unit is executing the first mode, it enables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. When the control unit is executing the first mode, it disables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. While the control unit is executing the second mode, it disables the wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol. While the control unit is executing the second mode, it enables the wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device.

[0009] A setting device according to one aspect of this disclosure is a setting device for a load control system. The setting device comprises a wireless communication unit, an input receiving unit, and a control unit. The wireless communication unit communicates wirelessly with the control device in accordance with the second communication protocol. The input receiving unit receives operation input. The control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit control content corresponding to the operation input received by the input receiving unit to the control device.

[0010] A load control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a load control method in a load control system. The load control method causes the control device to selectively execute the first mode and the second mode. The load control method causes the control device, while executing the first mode, to enable wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and to disable wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. The load control method causes the control device, while executing the second mode, to disable wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and to enable wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device.

[0011] A program according to one aspect of this disclosure causes a computer system to execute the load control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The load control system, control device, setting device, load control method, and program disclosed herein have the effect of reducing power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of a load control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the lighting device in the load control system described above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the sensor device in the load control system described above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the scheduling device in the load control system described above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram of the setting device in the load control system described above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram of the control device in the load control system described above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the mesh network used in the load control system described above. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a layout diagram of areas and zones in the same load control system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a control device in the same load control system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a controlled device in Modification 2 of the same load control system.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0015] (1) Overview The load control system S1 according to the embodiment includes one or more controlled devices (lighting device A1) having a load, a control device 5 (handy remote control C2), and a setting device 3 (tablet C1) (see FIGS. 1, 5, and 6). The load control system S1 according to the embodiment is installed in, for example, commercial facilities such as office buildings and shopping centers, factories, warehouses, and public facilities such as libraries. However, these facilities are merely examples, and do not limit the places where the load control system S1 according to the embodiment is installed.

[0016] The controlled device is, for example, a lighting device A1 having a lighting load. Alternatively, the controlled device may be a load other than the lighting load, such as a speaker device or an electrostatic atomization device. The electrostatic atomization device is configured to generate charged particulate water by applying a high voltage to a discharge electrode holding water to cause an electrostatic atomization phenomenon in this water. When this charged particulate water is released into the air, it is possible to capture harmful substances such as pollen, viruses, and allergens floating in the air and purify the air.

[0017] The control device 5 performs wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol with the controlled device and controls the load via the controlled device. The first communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol for mesh communication using radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band as a communication medium. Note that the control device 5 in the embodiment is realized by the handy remote control C2.

[0018] The setting device 3 performs wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol with the control device 5 and makes settings for the control device 5. The second communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol for BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) low energy) communication. BLE communication can perform one-to-one or one-to-many wireless communication using radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band as a communication medium. Note that the setting device 3 in the embodiment is realized by the tablet C1.

[0019] The control device 5 alternatively executes the first mode (normal operation mode) and the second mode (setting mode). The control device 5 during execution of the first mode enables wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol. That is, the control device 5 during execution of the first mode can control the load via the controlled device by performing wireless communication with the controlled device. For example, the control device 5 during execution of the first mode can perform operations such as blinking, dimming, and color adjustment of the lighting load. Also, the control device 5 during execution of the first mode disables wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol. That is, the control device 5 during execution of the first mode cannot perform wireless communication (BLE communication) with the setting device 3.

[0020] On the other hand, when the control device 5 is running the second mode, it is disabled from performing wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol. In other words, when the control device 5 is running the second mode, it cannot perform wireless communication with the controlled device. Furthermore, when the control device 5 is running the second mode, it enables wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device 3. In other words, when the control device 5 starts running the second mode, it prepares for connection (advertisement in BLE communication) to communicate wirelessly with the setting device 3. Then, when the control device 5 is running the second mode, it performs wireless communication (BLE communication) with the setting device 3 once the connection is established.

[0021] However, the load control system S1 according to this embodiment causes the control device 5 to selectively execute a first mode and a second mode, and enables wireless communication between the control device 5 and the setting device 3 when the second mode is being executed. Therefore, compared to the case where wireless communication between the control device 5 and the setting device 3 is always enabled in accordance with the second communication protocol, the power consumption of the control device 5 can be reduced. Here, if the control device 5 is implemented by a handheld remote control C2, considering that a battery is used as the power source for the handheld remote control C2, the battery life can be extended by reducing power consumption.

[0022] (2)Details Next, the load control system S1 according to the embodiment (hereinafter referred to as load control system S1) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (2-1) System Configuration As shown in Figure 1, the load control system S1 includes multiple lighting devices A1, a sensor device B1, a scheduling device D1, a tablet C1, a handheld remote control C2, and the like. In this embodiment, each of the multiple lighting devices A1 corresponds to a controlled device having a lighting load. In this embodiment, the control device 5 is implemented by the handheld remote control C2, and the setting device 3 is implemented by the tablet C1. However, the load control system S1 may also include controlled devices that control loads other than lighting loads, such as speaker devices and electrostatic atomizers, in addition to the lighting devices A1.

[0024] Multiple lighting devices A1, sensor devices B1, and scheduling devices D1 are supplied with AC power from an external power source P1 via a two-wire power supply circuit P11. However, a switch device J1 is inserted into the power supply circuit P11. The switch device J1 is equipped with an operating handle J11 and is configured to switch the connection state between the external power source P1 and the power supply circuit P11 on / off each time the operating handle J11 is operated. In other words, when the switch device J1 is turned on, AC power is supplied from the external power source P1 via the power supply circuit P11, and the load control system S1 becomes operational. On the other hand, when the switch device J1 is turned off, AC power is not supplied from the external power source P1 via the power supply circuit P11, and the load control system S1 becomes inoperable.

[0025] (2-1-1) Lighting device The lighting device A1 includes a light source unit 10, a power supply unit 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14 (see Figure 2).

[0026] The light source unit 10 has, for example, an LED module formed by mounting multiple LEDs on a substrate. The LED module may be composed of multiple types of LEDs with different light colors. However, the light source units 10 in multiple lighting devices A1 may be of different types. For example, the light source unit 10 includes a light source unit 10 that emits monochromatic illumination light, a light source unit 10 with a variable color temperature of illumination light, a light source unit 10 with a variable light color of illumination light, and a light source unit 10 in which the direction of illumination light can be switched. The light source unit 10 with a variable color temperature of illumination light has LED modules that emit illumination light with different color temperatures (for example, incandescent and daylight). The light source unit 10 with a variable light color of illumination light has LED modules that emit illumination light of different colors such as red light, green light, and blue light. Furthermore, the light source unit 10 in which the direction of illumination light can be switched has, for example, an LED module that emits illumination light toward the floor and an LED module that emits illumination light toward the ceiling or wall.

[0027] The power supply unit 11 includes a power conversion circuit that converts AC power supplied from an external power supply P1 via a power supply line P11 into DC power, and a constant current circuit that operates to match the DC current supplied to the light source unit 10 to a target value. The power supply unit 11 is configured to dim (or adjust the color) of the light source unit 10 by increasing or decreasing the power (DC current) supplied to the light source unit 10 from the power conversion circuit. However, the power supply unit 11 may have multiple constant current circuits depending on the type of light source unit 10. That is, a power supply unit 11 paired with a light source unit 10 whose illumination light color temperature is variable has multiple constant current circuits that supply DC current individually to multiple LED modules with different color temperatures. Also, a power supply unit 11 paired with a light source unit 10 whose illumination light color is variable has multiple constant current circuits that supply individual DC current to multiple LED modules with multiple light colors. Furthermore, the power supply unit 11, which is paired with the light source unit 10 whose irradiation direction can be switched, includes, for example, a constant current circuit that supplies a DC current to an LED module that emits illumination light toward the floor, and a constant current circuit that supplies a DC current to an LED module that emits illumination light toward the ceiling or wall.

[0028] The wireless communication unit 12 includes a wireless communication circuit, an antenna, and the like. The wireless communication circuit is an integrated circuit configured to perform wireless communication compliant with wireless communication standards, such as BLE (wireless communication compliant with a second communication protocol) and mesh communication using radio waves as a medium (wireless communication compliant with a first communication protocol). However, the wireless communication circuit may also be configured to perform wireless communication compliant with wireless communication standards other than BLE, such as Wi-Fi®, ZigBee®, and 920MHz band low-power radio stations (for telecontrol). The wireless communication circuit is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals through the antenna.

[0029] The memory unit 13 has, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory unit 13 stores, for example, multiple scene information. Each of the multiple scene information includes illumination-related information that specifies at least one of the following: illumination light intensity, light color, and irradiation direction, and mode specification information that specifies one control mode from among multiple control modes. Here, the illumination light intensity is represented by the dimming level of the light source unit 10. The dimming level is defined by the current ratio when the light amount when the rated current is passed through the light source unit 10 is set to 100%. For example, a dimming level of 50% indicates the light amount of the light source unit 10 when half the rated current is passed through it. The light color is defined by the color temperature when the color temperature of the illumination light from the light source unit 10 is variable. However, the illumination-related information that specifies the light color is indicated by the ratio of currents for each of the multiple types of LED modules with different color temperatures. Similarly, when the light color of the light source unit 10 is variable, the illumination-related information that specifies the light color is indicated by the ratio of currents passed through each color LED module. Furthermore, the illumination-related information specifying the irradiation direction of the light source unit 10 is indicated, for example, by a numerical value corresponding to the irradiation direction (0: downward, 1: upward, etc.).

[0030] The control unit 14 mainly consists of a microcontroller. The control unit 14 is configured to perform various processes related to lighting control by having the microcontroller's processor execute a program for lighting control. Based on the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 12, the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 to blink, dim, and adjust the color of the light source unit 10. The control unit 14 also selects one scene from a plurality of scene information stored in the memory unit 13 based on the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 12, and controls the power supply unit 11 based on the selected scene information.

[0031] (2-1-2) Sensor device The sensor device B1 includes a brightness detection unit 20, a human detection unit 21, a sensor control unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, and the like (see Figure 3).

[0032] The brightness detection unit 20 includes, for example, a photoelectric conversion element and a signal processing circuit that processes the output signal of the photoelectric conversion element. The brightness detection unit 20 detects reflected light from the floor or desk surface within the detection range as the amount of incident light, converts the detected amount of incident light into a voltage signal (brightness signal), and outputs it to the sensor control unit 22.

[0033] The human detection unit 21 has a passive sensor that detects heat rays (infrared rays) emitted from the human body, generally called a heat ray sensor or PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor. However, the human detection unit 21 may also have an active sensor that detects a person (moving object) by emitting radio waves (microwaves) and receiving the radio waves reflected by an antenna after they hit an object in space, thereby determining whether or not the object is moving. When the human detection unit 21 detects the presence of a person in the detection area, it outputs a human detection signal to the sensor control unit 22.

[0034] Alternatively, the brightness detection unit 20 and the person detection unit 21 may be configured to have a single image sensor, detect a person from the difference between the background image acquired by the image sensor and the current image, and also detect brightness from the acquired image.

[0035] The sensor control unit 22 primarily consists of a microcontroller. The sensor control unit 22 is configured to perform various processes related to sensor control by having the microcontroller's processor execute a program for sensor control.

[0036] The sensor control unit 22 compares the brightness (illuminance within the detection range) indicated by the brightness signal input from the brightness detection unit 20 with the brightness target value, and creates a control command necessary to keep the difference between the illuminance within the detection range and the brightness target value within a predetermined range. For example, if the difference between the illuminance within the detection range and the brightness target value is greater than the upper limit of the predetermined range, the sensor control unit 22 creates a control command to lower the dimming level in order to reduce the difference between the illuminance within the detection range and the brightness target value. Conversely, if the difference between the illuminance within the detection range and the brightness target value is smaller than the lower limit of the predetermined range, the sensor control unit 22 creates a control command to raise the dimming level in order to reduce the difference between the illuminance within the detection range and the brightness target value. The sensor control unit 22 passes the created control command to the wireless communication unit 23.

[0037] The wireless communication unit 23, like the wireless communication unit 12 of the lighting device A1, includes a wireless communication circuit, antenna, etc. The wireless communication circuit is an integrated circuit configured to perform wireless communication and mesh communication in accordance with the same wireless communication standards as the wireless communication circuit of the wireless communication unit 12. The wireless communication circuit can send and receive wireless signals through the antenna. The wireless communication unit 23 transmits messages, including control commands received from the sensor control unit 22, as wireless signals.

[0038] The memory unit 24 has, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory unit 24 stores multiple scene information. However, each scene information stored by the memory unit 24 will have content that matches the scene information stored by the memory unit 13 of the lighting device A1. More specifically, each scene information stored by the memory unit 24 includes the same mode specification information as the mode specification information stored by the memory unit 13 of the lighting device A1, and information regarding the operation of the sensor device B1.

[0039] (2-1-3) Scheduling device The scheduling device D1 includes a clock unit 40, a schedule storage unit 41, a schedule control unit 42, a wireless communication unit 43, and the like (see Figure 4).

[0040] The clock unit 40 includes, for example, a real-time clock module. The real-time clock module is an integrated circuit configured to generate and output digital data including the time and date from a clock source. The clock unit 40 outputs the digital data of the time and date (hereinafter referred to as clock data) generated by the real-time clock module to the schedule control unit 42.

[0041] The schedule storage unit 41 has an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The schedule storage unit 41 stores a schedule for lighting control. The schedule includes, for example, a combination of time zones and specification information that specifies scene information.

[0042] The schedule control unit 42 primarily consists of a microcontroller. The schedule control unit 42 is configured to perform various processes related to schedule control by having the microcontroller's processor execute a program for schedule control. The schedule control unit 42 refers to the clock data obtained from the clock unit 40 and the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 41, and when the current time in the clock data matches the start time of the schedule, it creates a control command from the schedule specification information and passes it to the wireless communication unit 43.

[0043] The wireless communication unit 43, like the wireless communication unit 12 of the lighting device A1, includes a wireless communication circuit, an antenna, and the like. The wireless communication circuit is an integrated circuit configured to perform wireless communication and mesh communication in accordance with the same wireless communication standards as the wireless communication circuit of the wireless communication unit 12. The wireless communication circuit can send and receive wireless signals through the antenna. The wireless communication unit 43 transmits messages, including control commands received from the schedule control unit 42, via wireless signals.

[0044] Furthermore, if the microcontroller of the schedule control unit 42 is equipped with a real-time clock module, the clock function may be implemented using the real-time clock module of the microcontroller.

[0045] (2-1-4) Tablet The tablet C1 is a portable computer system consisting of a System on a Chip (SoC), a touch panel display device C10, and other components housed in a rectangular, flat enclosure C11 (see Figure 1).

[0046] An SoC is a single-chip semiconductor device that incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), modem, and other components. A touch panel display device C10 is, for example, a touch panel liquid crystal display or a touch panel organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0047] In the load control system S1, the tablet C1 is made to perform the role of the setting device 3 by having the SoC (CPU) execute a program (application program) for scheduling.

[0048] The setting device 3 includes an input receiving unit 30, a wireless communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a display unit 33, and an external output unit 34 (see Figure 5). The input receiving unit 30 is implemented by the touch panel of the tablet C1. The control unit 32 is implemented by the CPU of the tablet C1. The wireless communication unit 31 is implemented by the modem of the tablet C1. The wireless communication unit 31 is configured to perform wireless communication compliant with standards such as BLE and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The display unit 33 is implemented by the display of the tablet C1. The external output unit 34 is implemented by an external output terminal of the tablet C1 (for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal), a memory card slot of the tablet C1, or the modem of the tablet C1.

[0049] In this embodiment, the setting device 3 is implemented using tablet C1, but the setting device 3 may also be configured with dedicated hardware and software.

[0050] (2-1-5) Handheld remote control The handheld remote control C2 has a main body C20 made of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped synthetic resin molded body (see Figure 1). The main body C20 is small enough for a person to hold in one hand. Multiple (six in the illustrated example) operation buttons C21 to C26 are provided on the front of the main body C20.

[0051] In the load control system S1, the handheld remote control C2 is assigned the role of the control device 5. Specifically, the handheld remote control C2 incorporates the input receiving unit 50, control unit 51, wireless communication unit 52, memory unit 53, and power supply unit 54 that constitute the control device 5 into the main unit C20 (see Figure 6).

[0052] The input receiving unit 50 has six tact switches that correspond one-to-one with six operation buttons C21 to C26. These six tact switches are configured to turn on when the corresponding operation buttons C21 to C26 are pressed. In other words, the input receiving unit 50 is configured to receive operation inputs corresponding to each operation button C21 to C26 when the tact switches are turned on.

[0053] The control unit 51 mainly consists of a microcontroller. The control unit 51 is configured to perform various processes related to load control (lighting control), such as scene selection and switching the lighting device A1 on and off, by having the microcontroller's processor execute a control program.

[0054] The wireless communication unit 52, like the wireless communication unit 12 of the lighting device A1, includes a wireless communication circuit, antenna, etc. The wireless communication circuit is an integrated circuit configured to perform wireless communication (BLE communication) and mesh communication compliant with the same wireless communication standards as the wireless communication circuit of the wireless communication unit 12. The wireless communication circuit can send and receive wireless signals through the antenna. The wireless communication unit 52 transmits messages, including control commands received from the control unit 51, via wireless signals.

[0055] The memory unit 53 has an electrically rewritable, non-volatile semiconductor memory.

[0056] The power supply unit 54 is configured to supply power to the input receiving unit 50, the control unit 51, and the wireless communication unit 52, respectively, using a battery (primary or secondary battery) as its power source. The battery is housed in a battery compartment located on the rear surface of the main unit C20. The battery compartment is covered by a detachable cover attached to the main unit C20.

[0057] (2-2) Mesh Networks in Load Control Systems The load control system S1 constructs a mesh network with each of the following as a communication terminal (node): lighting device A1, sensor device B1, scheduling device D1, and handheld remote control C2. Each node in the mesh network (lighting device A1, sensor device B1, scheduling device D1, and handheld remote control C2) is assigned a unique network address. However, unlike the other nodes (lighting device A1, sensor device B1, and scheduling device D1), the handheld remote control C2 (control device 5) does not relay wireless signals.

[0058] In this embodiment, the mesh network NW1 forms a partially connected mesh network, as shown in Figure 7. The mesh network NW1 has multiple (four in the illustrated example) subnetworks SN1, SN2, SN3, and SN4. Each of these subnetworks SNi (i=1, 2, 3, 4) has one or more nodes Nij (j=1, 2, ...). Each of the multiple nodes Nij can communicate directly with other nodes Nij within its own subnetwork SNi, but cannot communicate directly with nodes Nij belonging to a different subnetwork SNi.

[0059] In each subnetwork SNi, one of several nodes Nij acts as the management node MNi. Each management node MNi can communicate directly with other nodes Nij within its own subnetwork SNi, and also with other management nodes MNi belonging to other subnetwork SNi. In other words, all nodes Nij belonging to each subnetwork SNi can communicate via the management node MNi of its own subnetwork SNi with all nodes Nij belonging to other subnetwork SNi.

[0060] Furthermore, one of the multiple management nodes MNi acts as the master unit. The master unit performs processes such as synchronizing all nodes Nij (including the management node MNi) belonging to the mesh network NW1, and broadcasting messages to the entire mesh network NW1.

[0061] (2-3) Grouping in load control systems As shown in Figure 8, a single load control system S1 has one or more areas ARi (i=1, 2, ..., n). Each area ARi has one or more zones ZNij (j=1, 2, ...). Each zone ZNij contains multiple lighting devices A1 and, if necessary, one sensor device B1. However, a zone ZNij may contain only one lighting device A1, and may not contain a sensor device B1. Furthermore, the zoning of zones ZNij and areas ARi is independent of the topology of the mesh network NW1. For example, a single subnetwork SNi may contain multiple zones ZNij and areas ARi. Alternatively, multiple nodes Nij belonging to different subnetworks SNi may reside in a single zone ZNij. Note that a single load control system S1 has at most one scheduling device D1, but the scheduling device D1 does not belong to any area ARi or any zone ZNij.

[0062] The load control system S1 assigns the scheduling device D1 the role of the master unit in the mesh network NW1. However, if the load control system S1 does not have the scheduling device D1, it may assign the role of the master unit to either the lighting device A1 or the sensor device B1.

[0063] When the load control system S1 is in operation, tablet C1 can communicate with the management node MNi in the mesh network NW1 via BLE communication. The load control system S1 assigns the role of management node MNi to the scheduling device D1, sensor device B1, or lighting device A1. Furthermore, the setting device 3 implemented on tablet C1 can communicate with all nodes (scheduling device D1, sensor device B1, lighting device A1) and the handheld remote control C2 (control device 5) via BLE communication.

[0064] The control device 5, implemented by the handheld remote control C2, can perform mesh communication with the nodes of the mesh network NW1 (scheduling device D1, lighting device A1, and sensor device B1) only when transmitting control commands. Furthermore, the control device 5, implemented by the handheld remote control C2, can perform BLE communication with the setting device 3, implemented by the tablet C1.

[0065] (2-4) Scene control in load control systems Each lighting device A1 in the load control system S1 stores multiple scene information in the storage unit 13. Each of the multiple scene information includes lighting-related information that specifies at least one of the following: illumination intensity (dimming level), light color (color temperature, etc.), and irradiation direction, and mode specification information that specifies one control mode from among multiple control modes.

[0066] The multiple control modes include a sensor control mode in which the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 of the lighting device A1 based on control commands (control commands based on detection results) transmitted wirelessly by the sensor device B1 and scene information, and a normal control mode in which the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 based on scene information. In the normal control mode, the sensor device B1 does not need to perform detection operations.

[0067] Furthermore, the sensor control modes include a constant brightness mode, a human detection mode, and a brightness and human detection mode. The constant brightness mode is a mode in which the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 to match the brightness detected by the sensor device B1 to a predetermined target value. The human detection mode is a mode in which the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 in accordance with a control command based on the determination result of the presence or absence of a person by the sensor device B1. The brightness and human detection mode is a mode in which the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 in accordance with the brightness detected by the sensor device B1 and a control command based on the determination result of the presence or absence of a person. Note that multiple scene information is assigned a unique scene number, and each scene information is identified by its scene number.

[0068] [Table 1]

[0069] Table 1 shows examples of scene information. For example, in zone ZNn1 of area ARn, the scene information for scene number 1 includes lighting-related information that sets the dimming level of the two lighting devices A1 to 80% and the light color to daylight, as well as mode specification information that sets sensor device B1 and the two lighting devices A1 to normal control mode. The scene information for scene number 2 does not include the dimming level of the two lighting devices A1 in the scene information, but includes lighting-related information that sets the light color to neutral white, and mode specification information that sets sensor device B1 and the two lighting devices A1 to sensor control mode (constant brightness mode). Similarly, the scene information for scene numbers 3 to 7 includes the lighting-related information and mode specification information shown in Table 1, respectively. However, the examples shown in Table 1 are just examples of scene information, and depending on the type of lighting device A1 belonging to each area ARi and each zone ZNij, there may be no light color (color tuning) item, or there may be an item for illumination direction (upward, downward).

[0070] Incidentally, the scene information described above is created by the setting device 3 implemented on tablet C1 and set on each lighting device A1. However, for sensor device B1, instead of lighting-related information, information regarding the operation of sensor device B1 is set as scene information. Furthermore, for multiple lighting devices A1 and sensor devices B1 belonging to a single zone ZNij, the same scene information with the same scene number is set with the same mode specification information.

[0071] The setting device 3 receives operation inputs related to lighting information and mode specification information, specifically operation inputs indicating dimming level, light color, irradiation direction, etc., and operation inputs to select a control mode, via the input reception unit 30 (touch panel of tablet C1). In response to the operation inputs received by the input reception unit 30, the setting device 3 creates scene information including lighting information and mode specification information using the control unit 32 (CPU of tablet C1). The setting device 3 transmits a wireless signal containing the scene information created by the control unit 32 to any management node MNi (sensor device B1 and lighting device A1). The management node MNi that receives the wireless signal transmits the message (scene information) contained in the wireless signal to the destination node Nij (sensor device B1 and lighting device A1) via mesh communication. Then, by repeating the transmission of wireless signals containing scene information via BLE communication and mesh communication, the scene information created by the setting device 3 is set to all necessary nodes Nij (lighting device A1, sensor device B1) in the load control system S1. The setting device 3 accepts scene information settings on a zone-by-zone basis at the input reception unit 30, and automatically transmits a wireless signal containing the scene information via BLE communication to the management node MNi, but only for the nodes Nij where scene information settings are required. Therefore, operation input for setting scene information to the setting device 3 can be performed on a zone-by-zone or area-by-area basis.

[0072] Furthermore, the setting device 3 can set different control contents for each of the multiple (6) operation buttons C21 to C26 on the handheld remote control C2. For example, the setting device 3 can set control contents to select four different scene information (scene information with scene numbers 1 to 4) for the four operation buttons C21 to C24 of the handheld remote control C2, and set control contents to turn off one operation button C25 and turn on the remaining operation button C26.

[0073] The handheld remote control C2 (control device 5) stores the control contents set by the setting device 3 for multiple operation buttons C21 to C26 in the storage unit 53.

[0074] The handheld remote control C2 (control device 5) receives operation inputs corresponding to operation buttons C21 to C26 when operation buttons C21 to C26 are pressed, and these inputs are received by the input receiving unit 50. For example, when the input receiving unit 50 receives an operation input corresponding to operation button C21, the control unit 51 reads the control content for selecting scene information for scene number 1 from the storage unit 53 and transmits the read control content (control command for selecting scene information for scene number 1) to a nearby node (for example, sensor device B1 in area AR1) via mesh communication (wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol).

[0075] Upon receiving a control command transmitted from the handheld remote control C2 (control device 5), sensor device B1 confirms the destination of the received control command and performs mesh communication to transmit the wireless signal (a wireless signal including the control command) to all nodes Nij belonging to the destination. For example, if the destination is all nodes belonging to area AR1, the wireless signal is transmitted to all nodes Nij belonging to area AR1 (a total of 16 lighting devices A1 and 2 sensor devices B1) (see Figure 8). In this case, the destination of the wireless signal is set to mean all nodes Nij belonging to area AR1.

[0076] In each lighting device A1 that receives a wireless signal, if the destination of the wireless signal is either to its own group or to itself, the control unit 14 reads scene information for scene number 1 from the storage unit 13 based on the control command received from the wireless communication unit 12. Then, the control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 11 based on the scene information for scene number 1 that it has read, thereby dimming the light source unit 10 to a dimming level of 80% and adjusting the color of the light source unit 10 to daylight color.

[0077] When controlling a scene using tablet C1, the input receiving unit 50 receives the scene selection operation input and transmits a control command including the scene number corresponding to the received operation input to an arbitrary management node MNi (for example, sensor device B1 in area AR1) via BLE communication. The management node MNi, upon receiving the wireless signal transmitted from tablet C1, checks the destination of the received wireless signal and performs mesh communication so that the wireless signal (wireless signal including control command) is transmitted to all nodes Nij belonging to the destination. For example, if the destination is all nodes belonging to area AR1, the wireless signal is transmitted to all nodes Nij belonging to area AR1 (a total of 16 lighting devices A1 and 2 sensor devices B1) (see Figure 8). In this case, the destination of the wireless signal is set to mean all nodes Nij belonging to area AR1.

[0078] (2-5) Operation of the control device The control unit 51 of the control device 5 (handheld remote control C2) selectively executes one of three modes: a first mode (normal operation mode), a second mode (setting mode), and a third mode (standby mode).

[0079] Standby mode is the state in which the microcontroller of the control unit 51 enters sleep mode or software standby mode. In other words, when the control unit 51 is in standby mode, the power consumption of the control device 5 is lower than in normal conditions.

[0080] The control unit 51 in standby mode transitions from standby mode to normal operation mode (X1 in Figure 9) when any operation input is received by the input receiving unit 50.

[0081] When the control unit 51 is running in normal operation mode, it creates a control command (for example, a control command to turn on lighting device A1) in response to the operation input received by the input receiving unit 50, and passes the created control command to the wireless communication unit 52. The wireless communication unit 52 transmits the wireless signal containing the control command received from the control unit 51 to a specific lighting device A1, or to multiple lighting devices A1 belonging to the same zone ZNj, or to multiple lighting devices A1 belonging to the same area ARi, using mesh communication (wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol). Note that when the control unit 51 is running in normal operation mode, it does not allow the wireless communication unit 52 to perform BLE communication (wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol).

[0082] When the control unit 51 is in normal operation mode, if the input receiving unit 50 does not accept an operation input for a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 seconds), it will switch from normal operation mode to standby mode (X2 in Figure 9). In other words, since the power consumption of the control unit 51 when it is in normal operation mode is greater than the power consumption when it is in standby mode, the control unit 51 will automatically return to standby mode if the operation buttons C21 to C26 remain unoperated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 seconds), thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 51, while in normal operation mode, switches to setting mode when the operation input received by the input receiving unit 50 satisfies predetermined conditions (X3 in Figure 9). Here, the predetermined conditions that the operation input satisfies are, for example, that multiple operation buttons (two operation buttons C25, C26, etc.) are pressed simultaneously for a certain period of time (3 seconds) or more, or that multiple operation buttons (three operation buttons C21 to C23, etc.) are pressed in a predetermined order. Alternatively, if the tact switch of the input receiving unit 50 is located inside the battery compartment of the main unit C20, the predetermined condition may be that the tact switch is pressed for a certain period of time (for example, 3 seconds) or more with the cover removed from the main unit C20. Thus, the load control system S1 causes the control unit 51 to execute setting mode when the operation input received by the input receiving unit 50 satisfies predetermined conditions, preventing the control device 5 (control unit 51) from unintentionally executing setting mode.

[0084] Once in setting mode, the control unit 51 becomes a peripheral device in BLE communication and performs processing (advertising) to establish a connection with the central device, the setting device 3 (tablet C1). Specifically, the control unit 51 of the setting device 3 controls the wireless communication unit 52 to periodically (intermittently) broadcast wireless signals (advertisement signals).

[0085] The setting device 3 scans for wireless signals in the wireless communication unit 31. When the control unit 32 of the setting device 3 receives an advertised signal in the wireless communication unit 31, it controls the wireless communication unit 31 to send a connection request wireless signal to the control device 5 (handheld remote control C2), which is the source of the advertised signal.

[0086] The wireless communication unit 52 of the control device 5 transmits an advertisement signal and then enters a waiting state for reception. When the wireless communication unit 52 receives a connection request wireless signal transmitted from the setting device 3, it stops transmitting the advertisement signal. The control unit 51 of the control device 5 establishes a connection with the setting device 3 based on the connection request received by the wireless communication unit 52 and performs bidirectional BLE communication with the setting device 3 via the wireless communication unit 52. The wireless communication unit 52 does not perform mesh communication while it has established a connection with the setting device 3.

[0087] The control unit 32 of the setting device 3 determines the scene numbers to be assigned to the operation buttons C21 to C24 of the control device 5 (handheld remote control C2) in response to the operation input received by the input receiving unit 30. Here, the control unit 32 displays the operation input received by the input receiving unit 30, the candidate scene numbers to be assigned to the operation buttons C21 to C24, and the scene information corresponding to each scene number on the display unit 33 (display device C10). Therefore, the load control system S1 can visually inform the operator performing the setting work using the setting device 3 by displaying information such as the setting content on the display unit 33, thereby improving the work efficiency of the setting work. The control unit 32 then transmits a wireless signal including the correspondence between the determined scene numbers and the operation buttons C21 to C24 to the control device 5 via BLE communication.

[0088] When the control unit 51 of the control device 5 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the setting device 3 with the wireless communication unit 52, it writes the correspondence contained in the received wireless signal to the storage unit 53 for storage. Note that when BLE communication with the setting device 3 is possible (setting mode), the wireless communication unit 52 continues to wait for a wireless signal transmitted from the setting device 3. Therefore, the power consumption of the control device 5 when BLE communication is possible (setting mode) is higher than the power consumption in normal operation mode. Thus, the control device 5 (control unit 51) can suppress power consumption by disabling BLE communication while in normal operation mode.

[0089] Here, the control unit 51 terminates the setting mode and transitions to standby mode when predetermined conditions are met (X4 in Figure 9). This allows the load control system S1 to further reduce the power consumption of the control device 5. The condition for the control unit 51 to terminate the setting mode is, for example, when the time the control unit 51 of the control device 5 has been running the setting mode reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, 5 minutes). In other words, after 5 minutes have elapsed since the control unit 51 started running the setting mode, it terminates the setting mode and transitions to standby mode. Alternatively, the control unit 51 terminates the setting mode and transitions to standby mode when the number of times it communicates with the setting device 3 reaches a predetermined upper limit. However, the load control system S1 may also use conditions other than the execution time of the setting mode and the number of communications in the setting mode as conditions for the control unit 51 to terminate the setting mode.

[0090] (3) Modified examples of load control systems Next, several modifications of the load control system S1 according to the embodiment will be described. However, the basic configuration of the load control system S1 of each modification described below is the same as the basic configuration of the load control system S1 according to the embodiment. Therefore, components that are common to the basic configuration of the load control system S1 according to the embodiment and components that are substantially common will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their illustrations and descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "substantially common components" means components that differ slightly in shape, size, etc., but have the same function.

[0091] (3-1) Variation 1 The load control system S1 of the modified example 1 is characterized in that, only when the control device 5 (control unit 51) is executing the setting mode, it causes the control device 5 to send data different from the control content of the load (light source unit 10) to the setting device 3 (tablet C1) via BLE communication.

[0092] In Modification 1, the control device 5 stores the remaining battery charge (the amount of charge predicted from the battery voltage) of the power supply unit 54 and the microcontroller log of the control unit 51 in the storage unit 53. The log stored in the storage unit 53 is used for analyzing the cause of any malfunctions in the control device 5. In other words, the remaining battery charge and the microcontroller log correspond to the "data that differs from the load control content" in Modification 1, but other data may also be included.

[0093] When the control unit 51 is in setting mode, it transmits a wireless signal containing data read from the storage unit 53 (such as data related to load control, data related to battery level, and microcontroller log data) to the setting device 3 via BLE communication in response to a request from the setting device 3.

[0094] The setting device 3 receives the wireless signal transmitted from the control device 5 using the wireless communication unit 31. The wireless communication unit 31 passes the data contained in the received wireless signal to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 displays the data received from the wireless communication unit 31 (data related to load control content, data related to battery level, microcontroller log data, etc.) on the display unit 33 (display device C10).

[0095] However, in the modified example 1, the load control system S1 transmits data different from the control content from the control device 5 to the setting device 3, allowing the setting device 3 to confirm and save the data different from the control content, thereby improving usability. Furthermore, in the modified example 1, the load control system S1 displays data different from the control content on the display unit 33, allowing for easy confirmation of the data, thus improving usability.

[0096] Furthermore, the setting device 3 can output the data received from the control device 5 to an external device via the external output unit 34. In Modification 1, the external device is, for example, an external memory (USB memory) electrically connected to the USB terminal (external output unit 34) of the tablet C1. Alternatively, the external device in Modification 1 may be a memory card inserted into the memory slot of the tablet C1. Alternatively, the external device in Modification 1 may be a computer system capable of wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 31, such as a laptop computer or a cloud server.

[0097] However, in the modified example 1, the load control system S1 outputs the data received from the control device 5 to an external device via the setting device 3, thereby making the data received from the control device 5 available to devices other than the setting device 3, thus improving usability.

[0098] (3-2) Modification 2 The load control system S1 of the modified example 2 is characterized by the configuration of at least one of the multiple controlled devices.

[0099] One of the controlled devices in Modification 2 is a lighting device A1, as shown in Figure 10, which includes a light fixture A10 and a terminal device A11. The light fixture A10 has a light source unit 10 and a power supply unit 11. The terminal device A11 has a wireless communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, a control unit 14, and an opening / closing unit 15.

[0100] The luminaire A10 has an outer casing made of synthetic resin or metal. The luminaire A10 houses a light source unit 10 and a power supply unit 11 within its outer casing. The terminal device A11 has a case made of synthetic resin or metal. The terminal device A11 is detachably attached, for example, to a wiring duct installed on the ceiling. The luminaire A10 is also detachably attached to the terminal device A11. The luminaire A10 may be a commercially available lighting fixture such as a spotlight or pendant light. Alternatively, the controlled device in Modification 2 may include a load for the luminaire A10, such as a speaker device or an electrostatic atomizer, and the terminal device A11.

[0101] The power supply unit 11 is electrically connected to the power supply path P11 of the external power supply P1 via the terminal device A11 and the wiring duct. The switch 15 is inserted into the power supply path P11 and configured to open and close the power supply path P11. The switch 15 includes, for example, an electromagnetic relay and a drive circuit that drives the electromagnetic relay. The control unit 14 controls the switch 15 in place of the power supply unit 11 based on control commands included in the wireless signal.

[0102] However, the load control system S1 of the modified example 2 includes a lighting device A1 which is divided into a light fixture A10 and a terminal device A11, so for example, a commercially available lighting fixture can be used as the light fixture A10, thereby improving ease of use.

[0103] (4) Lighting control method and program according to the embodiment The load control method according to the embodiment causes the control device 5 to selectively execute a first mode and a second mode. Furthermore, the load control method according to the embodiment causes the control device 5, while executing the first mode, to enable wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol and disable wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol. Moreover, the load control method according to the embodiment causes the control device 5, while executing the second mode, to disable wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol and enable wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device 3.

[0104] However, the load control method according to the embodiment can reduce power consumption in the control device 5 compared to the case where the control device 5 and the setting device 3 are always enabled to communicate wirelessly in accordance with the second communication protocol.

[0105] Furthermore, the program according to the embodiment is a computer program for causing a computer system to execute the load control method according to the embodiment. The computer system in the embodiment can be realized by a microcontroller that constitutes the control unit 51 of the control device 5 (handheld remote control C2).

[0106] Therefore, the program according to this embodiment can reduce the power consumption of the control device 5.

[0107] (5) Summary A load control system (S1) according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises one or more controlled devices (lighting devices A1) having a load, a control device (5), and a setting device (3). The control device (5) communicates wirelessly with the controlled devices in accordance with a first communication protocol and controls the load via the controlled devices. The setting device (3) communicates wirelessly with the control device (5) in accordance with a second communication protocol and makes settings to the control device (5). The control device (5) selectively executes a first mode and a second mode. When the control device (5) is executing the first mode, it enables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. When the control device (5) is executing the first mode, it disables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. When the control device (5) is executing the second mode, it disables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. When the control device (5) is executing the second mode, it enables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device (3).

[0108] The load control system (S1) according to the first embodiment disables wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol while the first mode is being executed. Therefore, compared to the case where the control device (5) and the setting device (3) are always able to communicate wirelessly compliant with the second communication protocol, the power consumption of the control device (5) can be reduced.

[0109] A load control system (S1) according to a second aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with the first aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the second aspect, it is preferable that the control device (5) is configured to store data received from the setting device (3) by wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol, but only when the second mode is being executed.

[0110] The load control system (S1) according to the second embodiment can prevent stored data from being unintentionally altered.

[0111] A load control system (S1) according to a third aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with the second aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the third aspect, the data stored by the control device (5) preferably includes data relating to the load control content.

[0112] The load control system (S1) according to the third embodiment can prevent the stored data relating to the contents of load control from being unintentionally altered.

[0113] A load control system (S1) according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with a third aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the control device (5) stores data different from the control content. It is preferable that the control device (5) transmits data different from the control content to the setting device (3) by wireless communication compliant with a second communication protocol, but only when the second mode is being executed.

[0114] The load control system (S1) according to the fourth embodiment can improve usability by having the control device (5) transmit data different from the control content to the setting device (3), allowing the setting device (3) to confirm and save data different from the control content.

[0115] A load control system (S1) according to a fifth aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with a fourth aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the fifth aspect, the setting device (3) preferably has a display unit (33) that displays data received from the control device (5).

[0116] The load control system (S1) according to the fifth embodiment can improve usability by displaying data different from the control content on the display unit (33), which allows for easy confirmation of the data.

[0117] A load control system (S1) according to a sixth aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with a fourth or fifth aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the sixth aspect, it is preferable that the setting device (3) outputs data received from the control device (5) to an external device.

[0118] The load control system (S1) according to the sixth embodiment can improve usability by allowing data received from the control device (5) to be used by devices other than the setting device (3).

[0119] A load control system (S1) according to the seventh aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with any of the first to sixth aspects. In the load control system (S1) according to the seventh aspect, it is preferable that the control device (5) executing the second mode terminates the second mode when predetermined conditions are met.

[0120] The load control system (S1) according to the seventh embodiment can further reduce the power consumption of the control device (5).

[0121] A load control system (S1) according to an eighth aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with the seventh aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the eighth aspect, it is preferable that the predetermined condition is that the time during which the control device (5) is executing the second mode reaches a predetermined upper limit time.

[0122] The load control system (S1) according to the eighth embodiment can further reduce the power consumption of the control device (5).

[0123] A load control system (S1) according to the ninth aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with the seventh aspect. In the load control system (S1) according to the ninth aspect, it is preferable that the predetermined condition is that the number of times the control device (5) communicates with the setting device (3) reaches a predetermined upper limit.

[0124] The load control system (S1) according to the ninth embodiment can further reduce the power consumption of the control device (5).

[0125] A load control system (S1) according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized in combination with any of the first to ninth aspects. In the load control system (S1) according to the tenth aspect, the control device (5) preferably has an input receiving unit (50) that receives operation inputs. The control device (5) preferably executes a second mode when the operation input received by the input receiving unit satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0126] The load control system (S1) according to the tenth embodiment can prevent the control device (5) from unintentionally executing a setting mode.

[0127] A load control system (S1) according to the eleventh aspect of this disclosure can be realized in combination with any of the first to tenth aspects. In the load control system (S1) according to the eleventh aspect, it is preferable that the controlled device has a lighting load as the load.

[0128] The load control system (S1) according to the eleventh embodiment allows for easy control of the lighting state in the illuminated space because the controlled device has a lighting load.

[0129] A control device (5) according to a twelfth aspect of this disclosure is a control device (5) that is part of a load control system (S1) according to any of the first to eleventh aspects. The control device (5) according to the twelfth aspect comprises a wireless communication unit (52), a storage unit (53), an input receiving unit (50), a control unit (51), and a power supply unit (54). The wireless communication unit (52) communicates wirelessly with a controlled device in accordance with a first communication protocol and communicates wirelessly with a setting device (3) in accordance with a second communication protocol. The storage unit (53) stores one or more control contents for controlling a load via a controlled device. The input receiving unit (50) receives operation inputs. The control unit (51) reads control contents corresponding to the operation inputs received by the input receiving unit (50) from the storage unit (53) and creates a control command based on the read control contents. The power supply unit (54) supplies power to at least the wireless communication unit (52) and the control unit (51) with power supplied from a battery. The control unit (51) selectively executes either the first mode or the second mode. When the control unit (51) is executing the first mode, it enables wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol. When the control unit (51) is executing the first mode, it disables wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol. When the control unit (51) is executing the second mode, it disables wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol. When the control unit (51) is executing the second mode, it enables wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device (3).

[0130] The control device (5) according to the twelfth embodiment can reduce power consumption compared to the case in which wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol is always possible with the setting device (3).

[0131] The setting device (3) according to the thirteenth aspect of this disclosure is a setting device (3) that is part of a load control system (S1) according to any of the first to eleventh aspects. The setting device (3) according to the thirteenth aspect comprises a wireless communication unit (31), an input receiving unit (30), and a control unit (32). The wireless communication unit (31) communicates wirelessly with the control device (5) in accordance with the second communication protocol. The input receiving unit (30) receives operation inputs. The control unit (32) causes the wireless communication unit (31) to transmit control content corresponding to the operation input received by the input receiving unit (30) to the control device (5).

[0132] The setting device (3) according to the 13th embodiment can reduce the power consumption of the control device (5) compared to the case where wireless communication with the control device (5) is always possible in accordance with the second communication protocol.

[0133] A load control method according to a 14th aspect of this disclosure is a load control method in any of the 1st to 11th load control systems. The load control method according to the 14th aspect causes a control device (5) to selectively execute a first mode and a second mode. The load control method according to the 14th aspect causes the control device (5), while executing the first mode, to enable wireless communication compliant with a first communication protocol and disable wireless communication compliant with a second communication protocol. The load control method according to the 14th aspect causes the control device (5), while executing the second mode, to disable wireless communication compliant with a first communication protocol and enable wireless communication compliant with a second communication protocol in response to a request from a setting device (3).

[0134] The load control method according to the 14th embodiment can reduce the power consumption of the control device (5) compared to the case in which the control device (5) and the setting device (3) are always enabled to communicate wirelessly in accordance with the second communication protocol.

[0135] A program relating to the 15th aspect of this disclosure causes a computer system to execute a load control method relating to the 14th aspect.

[0136] The program according to the 15th embodiment can reduce the power consumption of the control device (5) compared to the case in which the control device (5) and the setting device (3) are always enabled to communicate wirelessly in accordance with the second communication protocol. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0137] S1 Load Control System A1 Lighting device (controlled device) C1 Tablet (configuration device) C2 Handheld Remote Control (Control Unit) 3. Setting device 5 Control device 30 Input reception section 31 Wireless Communication Section 32 Control Unit 33 Display section 50 Input reception section 51 Control Unit 52 Wireless Communication Section 53 Memory section 54 Power supply section

Claims

1. One or more controlled devices having a load, A control device that communicates wirelessly with the controlled device in accordance with a first communication protocol and controls the load via the controlled device, A setting device that performs wireless communication with the control device in accordance with a second communication protocol and sets settings for the control device, It has, The control device selectively executes a first mode and a second mode. The control device, while executing the first mode, enables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and disables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. While the control device is executing the second mode, it disables the wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol and enables the wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device. Load control system.

2. The control device is configured to store data received from the setting device via wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol, but only while the second mode is being executed. The load control system according to claim 1.

3. The data stored in the control device includes data relating to the control of the load. The load control system according to claim 2.

4. The control device stores data different from the control content, and transmits the data different from the control content to the setting device via wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol, only while the second mode is being executed. The load control system according to claim 3.

5. The setting device has a display unit that displays the data received from the control device. The load control system according to claim 4.

6. The setting device outputs the data received from the control device to an external device. The load control system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The control device, while executing the second mode, terminates the second mode when predetermined conditions are met. A load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The predetermined condition is that the time during which the control device is executing the second mode reaches a predetermined upper limit time. The load control system according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the number of times the control device communicates with the setting device reaches a predetermined upper limit. The load control system according to claim 7.

10. The control device has an input receiving unit that receives operation inputs, The control device executes the second mode when the operation input received by the input receiving unit satisfies predetermined conditions. A load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The controlled device has a lighting load as the load. A load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A control device for a load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the controlled device in accordance with the first communication protocol and wireless communication with the setting device in accordance with the second communication protocol, A storage unit that stores one or more control contents for controlling the load via the control device, An input receiving unit that accepts operation inputs, A control unit which reads the control content corresponding to the operation input received by the input receiving unit from the storage unit and creates a control command based on the read control content, A power supply unit that supplies power to at least the wireless communication unit and the control unit using power supplied from a battery, Equipped with, The control unit selectively executes the first mode and the second mode. While executing the first mode, the control unit enables wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and disables wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. While executing the second mode, the control unit disables the wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol and enables the wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device. Control device.

13. A setting device comprising a load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with the control device in accordance with the second communication protocol, An input receiving unit that accepts operation inputs, A control unit that causes the control content corresponding to the operation input received by the input receiving unit to be transmitted from the wireless communication unit to the control device, Equipped with, Setting device.

14. A load control method in a load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control device is made to execute either the first mode or the second mode selectively. The control device, while executing the first mode, is made to enable wireless communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and to disable wireless communication in accordance with the second communication protocol. The control device, while executing the second mode, is made to disable the wireless communication compliant with the first communication protocol, and to enable the wireless communication compliant with the second communication protocol in response to a request from the setting device. Load control method.

15. The computer system is made to execute the load control method described in claim 14. program.

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