Wireless sensor device and indirect lighting system using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless sensor device capable of accurately detecting the presence or approach of an object without compromising the aesthetic appeal or dramatic effect of the indirect lighting system, and an indirect lighting system using the same. [Solution] A wireless sensor device 1 integrated with or adjacent to an indirect lighting device LU, comprising: a transmitting unit 11 having a transmission directional angle toward an object LO to be illuminated by the indirect lighting device LU and transmitting radio waves toward an object M to be detected via surface reflection of the object LO; a receiving unit 12 having a reception directional angle toward the object LO and receiving radio waves which are the reflected component of the transmitted radio waves from the object M to be detected via surface reflection of the object LO; a detection unit 13 that detects received information based on an output signal from the receiving unit 12; and a determination unit 14 that outputs determination information based on the received information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless sensor device for accurately detecting the approach of a moving object such as a person by detecting a reflected wave from the moving object without impairing the aesthetic appearance and presentation effect of a space provided by an indirect lighting device, and controlling the indirect lighting device, as well as an indirect lighting system using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] So-called sensor lights are used, which detect the presence or approach of a moving object such as a person, and perform control such as turning on or off a lighting device based on the detection result. For detecting a moving object, a method is used in which invisible light such as infrared rays or radio waves are transmitted toward the moving object, and components reflected by the moving object are detected. Infrared rays and millimeter waves have the properties of large attenuation in air and high straight-line travel performance, and are therefore suitable for accurately detecting a person or the like within a specific range. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting device using a human sensor that employs millimeter waves.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] Indirect lighting systems are widely used to create a sophisticated atmosphere in a space, as the main unit and light source of the indirect lighting system are not directly visible to people. However, when wireless sensors are incorporated into indirect lighting systems, the wireless sensors cannot be installed in a position where they can directly see the object to be detected. In this case, the infrared and radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless sensors are blocked and attenuated by structures such as walls and ceilings, resulting in insufficient sensitivity and potentially making it impossible to accurately control the indirect lighting system. Furthermore, if the indirect lighting system and wireless sensors are separated, and only the wireless sensors are installed in a position where they can directly see the object to be detected, i.e., in a position visible to people, the aesthetic appeal of the space is compromised, and the advantages of the indirect lighting system are lost.

[0005] The present invention provides a wireless sensor device that can accurately detect the presence or approach of an object without impairing the aesthetic appearance or staging effect of an indirect lighting device, and an indirect lighting system using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A wireless sensor device according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless sensor device that is integrated with or adjacent to an indirect lighting device and includes: a transmitting unit which has a transmission directional angle toward an object to be illuminated by the indirect lighting device and transmits radio waves toward a detection object via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated; a receiving unit which has a reception directional angle toward the object to be illuminated and receives radio waves which are the reflected component of the transmitted radio waves by the detection object via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated; a detection unit which detects received information based on an output signal from the receiving unit; and a determination unit which outputs determination information based on the received information.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an indirect lighting system including the wireless sensor device, wherein the system turns on, turns off, and / or dims the illumination light of the indirect lighting device based on the determination information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The wireless sensor device and indirect lighting system using the same of the present invention make it possible to accurately detect the presence or approach of an object to be detected and generate a control signal for appropriately controlling the indirect lighting device without impairing the aesthetic appearance of the space created by the indirect lighting device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1A] This is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment (Embodiment 1) of a wireless sensor device according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment (Embodiment 2) of a wireless sensor device, which is another aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the wireless sensor device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 3A] This is an explanatory diagram of an indirect lighting system using a wireless sensor device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3B] This is an explanatory diagram of an indirect lighting system using a wireless sensor device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4A] This is an explanatory diagram of the radiation directionality angle of the wireless sensor device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4B] This is an explanatory diagram of the radiation directionality angle of the wireless sensor device of Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A wireless sensor device and an indirect lighting system using the same according to the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the wireless sensor device and indirect lighting system shown in the drawings are merely examples of the wireless sensor device and indirect lighting system according to the embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the spirit of the invention. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate equivalent or identical components, and descriptions of equivalent or identical components may be omitted. Furthermore, the reference drawings are drawn to facilitate understanding of the features of the present invention, and the size, proportions, and positional relationships of each component may not be accurate.

[0011] <Configuration of the wireless sensor device> An embodiment of a wireless sensor device according to one aspect of the present invention will now be described. Figure 1A shows a configuration diagram of the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1A, the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1 includes a transmitting unit 11, a transmitting antenna 11A, a receiving unit 12, a receiving antenna 12A, a detection unit 13, and a determination unit 14.

[0012] The transmitting unit 11 generates and outputs a transmission signal St, which is an electrical signal of a predetermined signal format, through signal processing such as modulation. The transmission signal St is, for example, a microwave radio signal in the 24 GHz or 60 GHz band. The transmitting antenna 11A converts the transmission signal St output from the transmitting unit 11 into a transmission radio wave Rt and radiates it into free space. The transmitting antenna 11A is composed of, for example, a patch antenna, a patch array antenna, a horn antenna, etc. Although the transmitting unit 11 and the transmitting antenna 11A are shown as separate components in Figure 1A, the transmitting antenna 11A may be integrated with the transmitting unit 11, for example, by being built into the transmitting unit 11.

[0013] The receiving antenna 12A receives a received radio wave Rr propagating in free space, converts it into an electrical signal, a received signal Sr, and outputs it. Specifically, the received radio wave Rr is generated when the transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected by the surface of a detection target object, such as a moving object, that exists in free space. The receiving antenna 12A is composed of, for example, a patch antenna, a patch array antenna, a horn antenna, etc., and may be of the same type and shape as the transmitting antenna 11A. The receiving unit 12 performs signal processing such as demodulation on the received signal Sr output from the receiving antenna 12A and outputs it. In Figure 1A, the receiving unit 12 and the receiving antenna 12A are shown as separate components, but the receiving antenna 12A may be integrated with the receiving unit 12, for example, by being built into the receiving unit 12.

[0014] Further, in FIG. 1A, the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 are shown as separate constituent elements, but they may be integrated as a transceiver (transmitting / receiving unit) in a form such as being incorporated in the same housing or mounted on the same circuit board. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 11, the transmitting antenna 11A, the receiving unit 12, and the receiving antenna 12A may be integrated as a transceiver TR1 in a form such as being incorporated in the same housing.

[0015] The detecting unit 13 detects and outputs predetermined reception information from the signal output from the receiving unit 12. The predetermined reception information is at least any one of intensity information of the reception signal Sr, frequency information, or a temporal change amount of the intensity information or the frequency information, or a combination thereof. Note that for the detection of the predetermined reception information in the detecting unit 13, the transmission signal St output from the transmitting unit 11 or a signal equivalent to the transmission signal St may be input and used as reference information for the intensity information and / or the frequency information.

[0016] The determining unit 14 receives the predetermined reception information output from the detecting unit 13, and outputs a determination signal. As will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, the determination signal is a result of determining the presence or absence or the position (distance) of a detection target object.

[0017] The predetermined signal format of the transmission signal St may be, for example, a pulse signal or a continuous signal. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, the detecting unit 13 can detect the presence or absence of the detection target object based on the intensity information of the reception signal Sr. Further, when a discrete pulse signal is used as the transmission signal St, the detecting unit 13 can detect the position of the detection target object (or the distance from the wireless sensor device 1) based on the reception timing of the discrete pulse. When a continuous wave is used as the transmission signal St, the detecting unit 13 can detect the position of the detection target object and the moving speed of the detection target object from the frequency information (such as a frequency shift amount) of the reception signal Sr. The frequency information of the reception signal Sr can be detected by, for example, heterodyne detection processing using the transmission signal St output from the transmitting unit 11 as a reference signal.

[0018] Further, when a frequency modulation signal is used as the transmission signal St, the frequency information of the reception signal Sr can be detected with a simple configuration. For example, when an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) signal is used as the transmission signal St, the detection unit 13 can detect the frequency information only from the reception signal Sr through delay detection processing or the like without using the transmission signal St as a reference signal, and can detect the position or the like of the detection target object based on the frequency information.

[0019] In this way, the wireless sensor device 1 transmits radio waves toward the free space, receives the reflection component from the detection target object that may exist in the free space, and detects the intensity information and / or frequency information of the reception signal, thereby being able to detect the presence, position, and the like of the detection target object.

[0020] <Another Configuration of Wireless Sensor Device> An embodiment of a wireless sensor device according to another aspect of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1B shows a configuration diagram of another embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the wireless sensor device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1B, the wireless sensor device 1α of Embodiment 2 is provided with a transceiving antenna 10A and a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 15 in place of the transmission antenna 11A and the reception antenna 12A with respect to the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1, and the rest of the configuration is the same as that of the wireless sensor device 1, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0021] The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 15 receives the transmission signal St output from the transmission unit 11, outputs the same to the transceiving antenna 10A, and also receives the reception signal Sr output from the transceiving antenna 10A and outputs the same to the reception unit 12. The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 15 can be, for example, a directional coupler or a circulator constituted by a microstrip line, a waveguide or the like, or a switch circuit or the like.

[0022] The transmitting and receiving antenna 10A converts the transmission signal St output from the transmitting unit 11 via the multiplexing and demultiplexing unit 15 into a transmitted radio wave Rt and radiates it into free space. At the same time, it receives a received radio wave Rr propagating in free space, converts it into a received signal Sr, and outputs it to the receiving unit 12 via the multiplexing and demultiplexing unit 15. The transmitting and receiving antenna 10A is composed of a patch antenna, a patch array antenna, a horn antenna, etc.

[0023] In Figure 1B, the transmitter 11, receiver 12, multiplexer / demultiplexer 15, and transmit / receive antenna 10A are shown as separate components, but they may be integrated as a transceiver TR2, for example, by being built into the same housing.

[0024] <Operation of wireless sensor device> The operation of the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless sensor device 1 is installed in a space that includes an indirect lighting device LU, an object to be illuminated LO, and an object to be detected M. The indirect lighting device LU and the object to be illuminated LO are stationary objects, while the object to be detected M is a moving object. The configuration and operation of the wireless sensor device 1 are the same as those shown in Figure 1A, so redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0025] The indirect lighting device LU illuminates the object LO with illumination light. The object LO may be, for example, the walls or ceilings of a building, or decorative objects or exhibits installed on walls, etc.

[0026] The transmitting antenna 11A of the wireless sensor device 1 has a transmission directivity angle in at least a predetermined direction Dt. The predetermined direction Dt is the direction from the transmitting antenna 11A toward the illuminated object LO. As a result, the transmitting antenna 11A transmits radio waves Rt at least toward the illuminated object LO. The transmitted radio waves Rt are reflected by the surface of the illuminated object LO and then reach the detected object M. The reflection mode of the radio waves at the illuminated object LO may be, for example, specular reflection, Fresnel reflection, or diffuse reflection.

[0027] The transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected from the surface of the object to be detected M, and at least a portion of it is radiated as a received radio wave Rr toward the object to be illuminated LO. The received radio wave Rr is reflected from the surface of the object to be illuminated LO and then reaches the receiving antenna 12A.

[0028] The receiving antenna 12A has a receiving directivity angle in at least a predetermined direction Dr. The predetermined direction Dr is the direction from the receiving antenna 12A toward the object to be illuminated LO. As a result, the receiving antenna 12A can receive the received radio waves Rr reflected from the surface of the object to be illuminated LO. As described above, when the transmitting antenna 11A and the receiving antenna 12A are arranged in the same housing, the transmitting directivity angle defined by the predetermined direction Dt and the receiving directivity angle defined by the predetermined direction Dr are the same or substantially the same.

[0029] As described above, the receiving antenna 12A and the receiving unit 12 receive the received signal Sr only when the object to be detected M is present, and cannot receive the received signal Sr if the object to be detected M is not present. The detection unit 13 detects the presence or absence of the received signal Sr, or its strength information, and the determination unit 14 identifies the detection result output from the detection unit 13 based on a predetermined strength level. This allows the presence or absence of the object to be detected M to be determined. The predetermined strength level can be appropriately set to be greater than or equal to the total power of the noise level contained in the transmitted radio wave Rt, the noise level generated by the receiving antenna 12A and the receiving unit 12, etc., and the ambient noise level in the space where the wireless sensor device 1 is installed.

[0030] Furthermore, as described above, when a discrete pulse signal or an FMCW signal is used as the transmitted signal St, the distance between the wireless sensor device 1 and the object to be detected M via the illuminated object LO can be detected from the reception timing and frequency information of the received signal Sr. Since the wireless sensor device 1 and the illuminated object LO are stationary objects, and the distance d0 between the wireless sensor device 1 and the illuminated object LO is constant, the distance between the wireless sensor device 1 and the object to be detected M via the illuminated object LO uniquely corresponds to the distance d between the illuminated object LO and the object to be detected M. Therefore, by associating the distance between the wireless sensor device 1 and the object to be detected M via the illuminated object LO with the distance d between the illuminated object LO and the object to be detected M, the distance d between the illuminated object LO and the object to be detected can be detected from the reception timing and frequency information of the received signal Sr.

[0031] The determination unit 14 sets a threshold dth for the distance d between the illuminated object LO and the detected object M, and determines that the detected object M has approached the illuminated object LO when the distance d becomes less than or equal to the threshold dth, and outputs determination information. As described above, since the wireless sensor device 1 and the illuminated object LO are stationary objects, the threshold dth can be set as a fixed value after the wireless sensor device 1 and the illuminated object LO are installed and before the wireless sensor device 1 is operated.

[0032] The illumination state of the indirect lighting device LU can be controlled based on determination information output from the determination unit 14. For example, when a detected object M approaches an illuminated object LO, and the distance d between the illuminated object LO and the detected object M becomes less than or equal to a threshold dth, the illumination light is turned on. If the distance d is greater than the threshold dth, the illumination light is turned off. Furthermore, by providing multiple thresholds dth, the brightness and color tone of the illumination light can be controlled discretely or continuously according to the distance d.

[0033] In this way, the wireless sensor device 1 can detect the presence or absence of a detection target object M, such as a person, or the distance between the detection target object M and the illumination target object LO, and can control the illumination state of the indirect lighting device LU according to the presence and location of the person or object.

[0034] <Aspects of an indirect lighting system using a wireless sensor device> Referring to Figure 3A, the configuration and operation of the indirect lighting system 10, including the wireless sensor device 1 and the indirect lighting device LU of Embodiment 1, will be described. Note that components having the same configuration and function as those in Figures 1A and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in those figures, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0035] In the indirect lighting system 10 shown in Figure 3A, the indirect lighting device LU is installed in a recess CPo of the ceiling surface CP of the building. By being installed in a recess CPo, the housing and light-emitting surface of the indirect lighting device LU become difficult to see for a person, which is the object to be detected. The indirect lighting device LU may be directly attached to the ceiling surface CP, or it may be attached in close proximity to the ceiling surface CP, as long as it is inside the recess CPo. Furthermore, to make the indirect lighting device LU even less visible, the recess CPo may be partially covered to the extent that it does not obstruct the illumination light.

[0036] The indirect lighting device LU illuminates a wall surface WP that forms an arbitrary angle with the ceiling surface CP, designating it as the object to be illuminated LO. The angle between the ceiling surface CP and the wall surface WP is preferably a right angle or nearly a right angle, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, about 45 to 135 degrees. In Figure 3A, the wall surface WP that is nearly perpendicular to the ceiling surface CP is designated as the object to be illuminated LO. Furthermore, the object to be illuminated LO is not limited to the wall surface WP, and may include decorative objects or exhibits (not shown) installed on the wall surface WP. It is desirable that the object to be illuminated LO includes at least a partially planar object.

[0037] The wireless sensor device 1 is installed in a recess CPo of the ceiling surface CP together with the indirect lighting device LU. Similar to the indirect lighting device LU, the wireless sensor device 1 may be directly attached to the ceiling surface CP, or it may be attached in close proximity to the ceiling surface CP, as long as it is within the recess CPo. For example, the wireless sensor device 1 may be installed within a range of several tens of centimeters to about one meter from the ceiling surface CP. Furthermore, the wireless sensor device 1 may be integrated with the indirect lighting device LU. The wireless sensor device 1 transmits radio waves Rt toward the wall surface WP, which is the object to be illuminated LO. As explained in Figure 2, the transmitted radio waves Rt are reflected by the wall surface WP and then reach the object to be detected M. The manner in which the radio waves are reflected by the wall surface WP depends on the surface shape and material of the wall surface WP, and may be, for example, specular reflection, Fresnel reflection, or diffuse reflection. If the surface shape of the wall surface WP is substantially flat or includes a partially substantially flat area, the transmitted radio waves Rt will be specularly or Fresnel reflected and reach the object to be detected M. Furthermore, if the surface of the wall WP contains irregular shapes, the transmitted radio waves Rt will be diffusely reflected, and some components of the transmitted radio waves Rt will reach the object M being detected.

[0038] The transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected by the surface of the object M to be detected, and at least a portion of it is radiated towards the wall surface WP as a received radio wave Rr. The received radio wave Rr travels the reverse path of the transmitted radio wave Rt, is reflected by the wall surface WP, and then reaches the wireless sensor device 1.

[0039] As explained in Figure 2, the wireless sensor device 1 converts the received radio wave Rr into an electrical signal (received signal Sr), detects the intensity information and / or frequency information of the received signal Sr, and determines the presence or absence of the object to be detected M and / or its position (d distance between the wall surface WP and the object to be detected M).

[0040] The indirect lighting device LU controls its lighting state based on determination information output from the wireless sensor device 1. For example, when a detected object M approaches a wall surface WP and the distance d between the wall surface WP and the detected object M becomes less than or equal to a threshold dth, the lighting is turned on. If the distance d is greater than the threshold dth, the lighting is turned off.

[0041] Thus, the indirect lighting system 10 using the wireless sensor device 1 can detect the distance between a target object M, such as a person, and the wall surface WP, and can adaptively change the lighting state when the target object M approaches the wall surface WP.

[0042] In the indirect lighting system 10 shown in Figure 3A, the wall surface WP, which is approximately perpendicular to the ceiling surface CP, is designated as the object to be illuminated LO. A wireless sensor device 1 installed on the ceiling surface CP transmits radio waves Rt toward the wall surface WP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, and receives radio waves Rr reflected by the wall surface WP. However, the indirect lighting system 10 may also be a configuration in which the vertical arrangement of the configuration shown in Figure 3A is reversed. That is, the indirect lighting system 10 may be a configuration in which a wireless sensor device 1 installed on the floor surface FP, which is approximately perpendicular to the wall surface WP, transmits radio waves Rt toward the wall surface WP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, or a planar object installed on the wall surface WP, and receives radio waves Rr reflected by the object to be detected M via the wall surface WP or the planar object installed on the wall surface WP.

[0043] <Another embodiment of an indirect lighting system using a wireless sensor device> Referring to Figure 3B, another embodiment of the indirect lighting system 10α, which includes the wireless sensor device 1 and indirect lighting device LU of Embodiment 1, will be described. Components having the same configuration and function as those in Figures 1A, 2, and 3A are denoted by the same reference numerals as in those figures, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0044] In the indirect lighting system 10α shown in Figure 3B, the indirect lighting device LU is installed in a recess WPo of the building's wall surface WP. By being installed in the recess WPo, the housing and light-emitting surface of the indirect lighting device LU become difficult to see for a person, which is the object to be detected. The indirect lighting device LU may be directly attached to the wall surface WP, or it may be attached in close proximity to the wall surface WP, as long as it is inside the recess WPo. Furthermore, to make the indirect lighting device LU even less visible, the recess WPo may be partially covered to the extent that it does not obstruct the illumination light.

[0045] The indirect lighting device LU illuminates the ceiling surface CP, which forms an arbitrary angle with the wall surface WP, as the object to be illuminated LO. The angle between the wall surface WP and the ceiling surface CP is preferably a right angle or nearly a right angle, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, about 45 to 135 degrees. In Figure 3B, the ceiling surface CP which is nearly perpendicular to the wall surface WP is used as the object to be illuminated LO. Furthermore, the object to be illuminated LO is not limited to the ceiling surface CP, and may include decorative objects (not shown) installed on the ceiling surface CP. It is desirable that the object to be illuminated LO includes at least a partially planar object.

[0046] The wireless sensor device 1 is installed in a recess WPo of the wall surface WP together with the indirect lighting device LU. Similar to the indirect lighting device LU, the wireless sensor device 1 may be directly attached to the wall surface WP, or it may be attached in close proximity to the wall surface WP, as long as it is within the recess WPo. For example, the wireless sensor device 1 may be installed within a range of several tens of centimeters to about one meter from the wall surface WP. Furthermore, the wireless sensor device 1 may be integrated with the indirect lighting device LU. The wireless sensor device 1 transmits radio waves Rt toward the ceiling surface CP, which is the object to be illuminated LO. As explained in Figure 2, the transmitted radio waves Rt are reflected by the ceiling surface CP before reaching the object to be detected M. The manner in which the radio waves are reflected by the ceiling surface CP depends on the surface shape and material of the ceiling surface CP, and may be, for example, specular reflection, Fresnel reflection, or diffuse reflection.

[0047] The transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected by the surface of the object M to be detected, and at least a portion of it is radiated as a received radio wave Rr toward the ceiling surface CP. The received radio wave Rr travels the reverse path of the transmitted radio wave Rt, is reflected by the ceiling surface CP, and then reaches the wireless sensor device 1.

[0048] As explained in Figure 2, the wireless sensor device 1 converts the received radio wave Rr into an electrical signal (received signal Sr), detects the intensity information and / or frequency information of the received signal Sr, and determines the presence or absence of the object to be detected M and / or its position (d distance between the wall surface WP and the object to be detected M).

[0049] The indirect lighting device LU controls its lighting state based on determination information output from the wireless sensor device 1. For example, when a detected object M approaches a wall surface WP and the distance d between the wall surface WP and the detected object M becomes less than or equal to a threshold dth, the lighting is turned on. If the distance d is greater than the threshold dth, the lighting is turned off.

[0050] Thus, the indirect lighting system 10α using the wireless sensor device 1 can detect the distance between a target object M, such as a person, and the wall surface WP, and can adaptively change the lighting state when the target object M approaches the wall surface WP.

[0051] In the indirect lighting system 10α shown in Figure 3B, the ceiling surface CP, which is approximately perpendicular to the wall surface WP, is the object to be illuminated LO. The wireless sensor device 1 installed on the wall surface WP transmits radio waves Rt toward the ceiling surface CP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, and receives radio waves Rr reflected by the ceiling surface CP. However, the indirect lighting system 10α may be the same as the configuration shown in Figure 3B, but with the top and bottom arrangement reversed. That is, the indirect lighting system 10α may be the object to be illuminated LO, which is the floor surface FP, or a planar object installed on the floor surface FP, which is approximately perpendicular to the wall surface WP. The wireless sensor device 1 installed on the wall surface WP transmits radio waves Rt toward the floor surface FP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, or a planar object installed on the floor surface FP, and receives radio waves Rr reflected by the object to be detected M via the floor surface FP, or a planar object installed on the floor surface FP.

[0052] <Radiation Directional Characteristics and Detection Range of Wireless Sensor Devices> Referring to Figure 4A, the transmission and reception directional angles that define the radiation directional characteristics of the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1, and the detection range of the object to be detected M will be described. In the following, the transmission and reception directional angles will be considered the same or substantially the same and may be collectively referred to as the radiation directional angles. As shown in Figure 4A, the wireless sensor device 1 is installed in the space containing the indirect lighting device LU, the object to be illuminated LO, and the object to be detected M, in the same arrangement as in Figure 3A. In Figure 4A, the directional axis defining the distance d from the wall surface WP to the object to be detected M is the X-axis, and the height direction axis is the Z-axis. Note that the configuration of the wireless sensor device 1 is the same as that shown in Figures 1A and 2, so redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0053] In Figure 4A, the wireless sensor device 1 is installed in a recess CPo of the ceiling surface CP. The radio wave emission port Ra of the wireless sensor device 1 is located at a height h1 from the floor surface FP and at a distance d1 from the wall surface WP, which is the object LO illuminated by the indirect lighting device LU.

[0054] The wireless sensor device 1 transmits a radio wave Rt towards the wall surface WP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, at a transmission direction (radiation direction) θ. In Figure 4A, the transmission direction θ is defined as the angle of inclination from the horizontal to the downward direction. As explained in Figure 2, after the transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected by the wall surface WP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, at least a portion reaches the object to be detected M, is reflected by the surface of the object to be detected M, and at least a portion is radiated towards the wall surface WP as a received radio wave Rr. The received radio wave Rr is reflected by the wall surface WP via the reverse path of the transmitted radio wave Rt, and at least a portion reaches the wireless sensor device 1. In Figure 4A, the reception direction (radiation direction) at which the wireless sensor device 1 receives the received radio wave Rr is approximately the same as the transmission direction θ. For simplicity, the reflection mode at the wall surface WP is assumed to be specular reflection or Fresnel reflection, and the reflection mode at the object to be detected M is assumed to be total internal reflection.

[0055] In Figure 4A, the detection range DR of the object to be detected M is defined by the height hm from the floor surface FP, the minimum distance dmin from the wall surface WP (the object to be illuminated LO), and the maximum distance dmax. dmax is greater than dmin, and dmin is a value greater than or equal to 0. In the case of Figure 4A, for example, if the object to be detected M is at position P1 at a distance dmin from the wall surface WP and a height hm from the floor surface FP, the radiation beam angle required for the wireless sensor device 1 to detect the object to be detected M is expressed by the first beam angle θ1 in Equation 1. θ1=atan{(h1-hm) / (d1+dmin)} (Equation 1)

[0056] Furthermore, when the object to be detected M is at a position P2 at a distance dmax from the wall surface WP and at a height of 0 from the floor surface FP, the radiation beam angle required for the wireless sensor device 1 to detect the object to be detected M is expressed by the second beam angle θ2 in Equation 2. θ2=atan{h1 / (d1+dmax)} (Equation 2)

[0057] The transmitting antenna 11A, receiving antenna 12A, and transmitting / receiving antenna 10A used in the wireless sensor device 1, as described in Figures 1A and 1B, may not only have a radiation directivity angle in only one direction, but may also have sensitivity within a predetermined range of radiation directivity angles. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4A, the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna used in the wireless sensor device 1 have a range in the XZ plane where the transmitted radio wave Rt is radiated and the received radio wave Rr is received that includes at least the range from the first directivity angle θ1 defined by Equation 1 to the second directivity angle θ2 defined by Equation 2, thereby enabling the detection of the presence or absence of an object M, or its position (distance), within the detection range DR.

[0058] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 4B, the radiation directivity characteristics (transmission directivity angle and reception directivity angle) of the wireless sensor device 1 of Embodiment 1 and the detection range of the object to be detected M will be described. In the following, the transmission directivity angle and the reception directivity angle will be considered the same or approximately the same and may be collectively referred to as the radiation directivity angle. As shown in Figure 4B, the wireless sensor device 1 is installed in the space containing the indirect lighting device LU, the object to be illuminated LO, and the object to be detected M, in the same arrangement as in Figure 3B. Similar to Figure 4A, in Figure 4B, the directional axis defining the distance d from the wall surface WP to the object to be detected M is the X-axis, and the height direction axis is the Z-axis. Note that the configuration of the wireless sensor device 1 is the same as that shown in Figures 1A and 2, so redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0059] In Figure 4B, the wireless sensor device 1 is installed in the recess WPo of the wall surface WP. The height of the ceiling surface CP from the floor surface FP is h2, and the radio wave emission port Ra of the wireless sensor device 1 is installed at a downward distance d2 from the ceiling surface CP and a recessed position at a distance dsh from the wall surface WP.

[0060] The wireless sensor device 1 transmits a radio wave Rt towards the ceiling surface CP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, at a transmission direction (radiation direction) θ'. In Figure 4B, the transmission direction θ' is defined as the angle in the direction tilted from the vertical toward the object to be detected M. As explained in Figure 2, after the transmitted radio wave Rt is reflected by the ceiling surface CP, which is the object to be illuminated LO, at least a portion reaches the object to be detected M, is reflected by the surface of the object to be detected M, and at least a portion is radiated toward the ceiling surface CP as a received radio wave Rr. The received radio wave Rr is reflected by the ceiling surface CP via the reverse path of the transmitted radio wave Rt, and at least a portion reaches the wireless sensor device 1. The reception direction (radiation direction) at which the wireless sensor device 1 receives the received radio wave Rr is approximately the same as the transmission direction θ'. For simplicity, the reflection mode at the ceiling surface CP is assumed to be specular reflection or Fresnel reflection, and the reflection mode at the object to be detected M is assumed to be total internal reflection.

[0061] In Figure 4B, the detection range DR of the object to be detected M is defined by the height hm from the floor surface FP, the minimum distance dmin from the wall surface WP, and the maximum distance dmax. dmax is greater than dmin, and dmin is a value greater than or equal to 0. In the case of Figure 4B, for example, if the object to be detected M is at position Q1 at a distance dmin from the wall surface WP and a height hm from the floor surface FP, the radiation directional angle θ3 required for the wireless sensor device 1 to detect the object to be detected M is expressed as the third directional angle θ3 in Equation 3. θ3=atan{(dsh+dmin) / (d2+h2-hm)} (Equation 3)

[0062] Furthermore, when the object to be detected M is at a position Q2 at a distance dmax from the wall surface WP and at a height of 0 from the floor surface FP, the radiation beam angle required for the wireless sensor device 1 to detect the object to be detected M is expressed by the fourth beam angle θ4 in Equation 4. θ4=atan{(dsh+dmax) / (d2+h2)} (Equation 4)

[0063] In the configuration shown in Figure 4B, the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna used in the wireless sensor device 1 emit transmitted radio waves Rt and receive received radio waves Rr in the XZ plane, and the range in which these waves are received includes at least the range from the third directional angle θ3 defined by Equation 3 to the fourth directional angle θ4 defined by Equation 4, thereby enabling the detection of the presence or absence of an object M, or its position (distance), within the detection range DR.

[0064] In the above explanation, the reflection mode at the wall surface WP or ceiling surface CP was assumed to be specular reflection or Fresnel reflection, and the reflection mode at the object to be detected M was assumed to be total reflection. However, the reflection mode at the wall surface WP, ceiling surface CP, and / or object to be detected M is not limited to these, and may be, for example, diffuse reflection. If the reflection mode at the wall surface WP, ceiling surface CP, and / or object to be detected M is diffuse reflection, it can be considered that at least some of the reflection components propagate through the same path as specular reflection, Fresnel reflection, or total reflection. Therefore, even if the reflection mode at the wall surface WP, ceiling surface CP, and / or object to be detected M is diffuse reflection, the relationship between the range of the radiation directionality angle and the detection range can be explained in the same way as described above.

[0065] In this way, the wireless sensor device 1 can accurately detect the presence or absence of an object M within the detection range DR, or its position (distance), by appropriately setting the radiation range of the transmitted and received radio waves, and can control the lighting state of the indirect lighting device LU based on this result.

[0066] The embodiments of the wireless sensor device and the indirect lighting system using the same of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in Figures 3A to 4B, the surface on which the wireless sensor device 1 (and indirect lighting device LU) is installed and the object to be illuminated LO are described as one being a ceiling surface and the other being a wall surface substantially perpendicular to the ceiling surface, but the surface on which the wireless sensor device 1 is installed and the object to be illuminated LO do not necessarily have to be substantially perpendicular to each other. That is, within the range in which the operation and function of the wireless sensor device 1 described above are realized, the surface on which the wireless sensor device 1 is installed and the object to be illuminated LO may be at any angle, for example, about 45 to 135 degrees. Also, the surface on which the wireless sensor device 1 is installed and the object to be illuminated LO are not limited to a combination of a ceiling surface and a wall surface, one of which may be a floor surface, or both may be walls. Furthermore, as a preferred example in which the effects of the present invention are greatly enhanced, the case of transmitting and receiving microwaves at 24 GHz or 60 GHz has been described, but the frequency may be higher or lower.

[0067] (summary) (1) One embodiment of a wireless sensor device according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless sensor device that is integrated with or adjacent to an indirect lighting device, and includes: a transmitting unit which has a transmission directional angle toward an object to be illuminated by the indirect lighting device and transmits a radio wave toward a detection object via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated; a receiving unit which has a reception directional angle toward the object to be illuminated and receives a radio wave which is the reflected component of the transmitted radio wave by the detection object via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated; a detection unit which detects received information based on an output signal from the receiving unit; and a determination unit which outputs determination information based on the received information.

[0068] According to the wireless sensor device described in (1) above, by detecting the presence or absence of a target object such as a person, or the distance between the target object and the illuminated object, it becomes possible to control the lighting state of the indirect lighting device according to the distance.

[0069] (2) According to another embodiment, in the unobstructed sensor device of (1) above, the transmission directional angle and the reception directional angle are the same or substantially the same.

[0070] According to the wireless sensor device described in (2) above, it becomes possible to detect the presence or absence of a target object such as a person, or the distance between the target object and the illuminated object, with a simpler configuration, thereby enabling control of the illumination state of the indirect lighting device according to the distance.

[0071] (3) In another embodiment, the wireless sensor devices described in (1) to (2) above are installed on the ceiling or floor of a building, or in close proximity to the ceiling or floor, and the object to be illuminated is a wall surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the ceiling or floor, or a planar object installed on the wall surface.

[0072] (4) In yet another embodiment, the wireless sensor devices described in (1) to (2) above are installed on or near the wall surface of a building, and the object to be illuminated is a ceiling surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the wall surface, a floor surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the wall surface, or a planar object installed on the ceiling surface or the floor surface.

[0073] (5) In yet another embodiment, the wireless sensor devices described in (1) to (2) above are installed on or near the first wall surface of a building, and the object to be illuminated is a second wall surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the first wall surface, or a planar object installed on the second wall surface.

[0074] According to the wireless sensor devices described in (3) to (5) above, it is possible to detect the distance between a person or other object to be detected and the wall surface, and to adaptively control the lighting state of the indirect lighting device when the object to be detected approaches the wall surface.

[0075] (6) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device described in (1) to (5) above, the transmitted radio waves and the received radio waves are microwaves.

[0076] According to the wireless sensor device described in (6) above, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of objects to be detected, such as people, or the distance between the object to be detected and the object to be illuminated. This makes it possible to appropriately control the lighting state of the indirect lighting device according to the distance.

[0077] (7) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device of (1) to (6) above, the received information includes at least the strength information of the received radio wave, the frequency information, and the amount of change over time of the strength information and / or the frequency information.

[0078] According to the wireless sensor device described in (7) above, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a target object such as a person, or the distance between the target object and the illuminated object with minimal error, thereby enabling accurate control of the illumination state of the indirect lighting device according to the distance.

[0079] (8) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device of (3) to (4) above, the determination information is the presence or absence of the object to be detected, and / or the distance between the wall surface and the object to be detected.

[0080] (9) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device of (5) above, the determination information is the presence or absence of the object to be detected, and / or the distance between the first wall surface or the second wall surface and the object to be detected.

[0081] According to the wireless sensor devices described in (8) and (9) above, it becomes possible to appropriately detect the state of objects to be detected, such as people, and thereby control the lighting state of the indirect lighting device according to the state of the detected object.

[0082] (10) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device of (3) above, when the wireless sensor device is installed on or near the ceiling surface, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are configured to transmit and receive radio waves in a range from a position at a height h1 from the floor and a distance d1 from the wall, in a downward direction from the horizontal, over a range of at least from a first directional angle θ1 defined by formula 1 to a second directional angle θ2 defined by formula 2, with respect to the detection range of the object to be detected, which is defined by the minimum distance dmin from the wall, the maximum distance dmax from the wall, and the height hm from the floor.

[0083] (11) In yet another embodiment, in the wireless sensor device of (4) above, when the object to be illuminated is the ceiling surface or a planar object installed on the ceiling surface, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are configured to transmit and receive radio waves in a range of at least from the third directional angle θ3 defined by Equation 3 to the fourth directional angle θ4 defined by Equation 4, in a direction inclined from the vertical toward the object to be detected, from a position at a distance d2 from the ceiling surface at a height h2 from the floor surface and set back from the wall surface at a distance dsh from the wall surface, with respect to the detection range of the object to be detected defined by the minimum distance dmin from the wall surface, the maximum distance dmax from the wall surface, and the height hm from the floor surface.

[0084] According to the wireless sensor devices described in (10) to (11) above, radio waves can be appropriately emitted within the range of movement of objects to be detected, such as people, and the lighting state of the indirect lighting device can be accurately controlled according to the distance from the wall surface or other surface illuminated by the indirect lighting device.

[0085] (12) According to one embodiment of an indirect lighting system which is another aspect of the present invention, the indirect lighting system includes the wireless sensor device described in (1) to (11) above, and is configured to turn on, turn off, and / or dim the illumination light of the indirect lighting device based on the determination information.

[0086] According to the indirect lighting system described in (12) above, it is possible to detect the distance between a person or other object to be detected and a wall, etc., and to adaptively control the lighting state for the wall, etc. when the object to be detected approaches the wall. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1.1α Wireless Sensor Device 11 Transmitter 12 Receiver 13 Detection unit 14 Judgment section 15 Multiplexing / demultiplexing section 11A Transmitting Antenna 12A Receiving Antenna 10A Transceiver Antenna LU indirect lighting device LO Illumination Target M Detected object CP ceiling surface WP Wall DR detection range

Claims

1. A wireless sensor device that is integrated with or positioned adjacent to an indirect lighting device, At least the indirect lighting device has a transmission direction angle toward the object to be illuminated that is irradiated with illumination light, and a transmitting unit that transmits radio waves toward the object to be detected via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated, A receiving unit having at least a receiving directivity angle toward the object to be illuminated, and receiving received radio waves which are the reflected component of the transmitted radio waves by the object to be detected via surface reflection of the object to be illuminated, A detection unit that detects received information based on the output signal from the receiving unit, A wireless sensor device including a determination unit that outputs determination information based on the received information.

2. The transmission angle and the reception angle are the same or substantially the same. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

3. The wireless sensor device is installed on the ceiling or floor surface of the building, or in close proximity to the ceiling or floor surface. The object to be illuminated is a wall surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the ceiling surface or the floor surface, or a planar object installed on the wall surface. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

4. The wireless sensor device is installed on the wall surface of the building, or in close proximity to the wall surface. The object to be illuminated is a ceiling surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the wall surface, a floor surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the wall surface, or a planar object installed on the ceiling surface or the floor surface. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

5. The wireless sensor device is installed on the first wall surface of the building, or in close proximity to the first wall surface. The object to be illuminated is a second wall surface that forms an arbitrary angle with the first wall surface, or a planar object installed on the second wall surface. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

6. The transmitted and received radio waves are microwaves. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

7. The received information includes at least the strength information of the received radio wave, the frequency information, and the amount of change over time of the strength information and / or the frequency information. The wireless sensor device according to claim 1.

8. The determination information is the presence or absence of the object to be detected, and / or the distance between the wall surface and the object to be detected. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3.

9. The determination information is the presence or absence of the object to be detected, and / or the distance between the wall surface and the object to be detected. The wireless sensor device according to claim 4.

10. The determination information is the presence or absence of the object to be detected, and / or the distance between the first wall surface or the second wall surface and the object to be detected. The wireless sensor device according to claim 5.

11. When the wireless sensor device is installed on or near the ceiling surface, With respect to the detection range of the object to be detected, which is defined by the minimum distance dmin from the wall, the maximum distance dmax from the wall, and the height hm from the floor, The transmitting unit and the receiving unit, From a position at a height h1 from the floor and a distance d1 from the wall, The transmitting radio waves are transmitted and the receiving radio waves are received, in a range from the horizontal downward direction, at least from a first directional angle θ1 defined by Equation 1 to a second directional angle θ2 defined by Equation 2. The wireless sensor device according to claim 3. θ1=atan {(h1-hm) / (d1+dmin)} (Formula 1) θ2=atan {h1 / (d1+dmax)} (Formula 2)

12. When the object to be illuminated is the ceiling surface or a planar object installed on the ceiling surface, With respect to the detection range of the object to be detected, which is defined by the minimum distance dmin from the wall, the maximum distance dmax from the wall, and the height hm from the floor, The transmitting unit and the receiving unit, From a position set back from the wall surface at a distance dsh from the ceiling surface, which is at a height h2 from the floor surface, The transmitting radio waves are transmitted and the receiving radio waves are received in a direction tilted from the vertical toward the object to be detected, over a range of at least from the third directional angle θ3 defined by Equation 3 to the fourth directional angle θ4 defined by Equation 4. The wireless sensor device according to claim 4. θ3=atan {(dsh+dmin) / (d2+h2-hm)} (Formula 3) θ4=atan {(dsh+dmax) / (d2+h2)} (Formula 4)

13. An indirect lighting system including a wireless sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, An indirect lighting system that turns on, turns off, and / or dims the illumination light of the indirect lighting device based on the determination information.

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