Lighting System

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of interlocking and controlling a lighting device according to the operation of a predetermined apparatus.SOLUTION: A control device 13 includes an acquisition unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires operation information according to an operation of a predetermined apparatus 16. The communication unit enables wireless communication with a plurality of lighting devices 11 that can form a wireless communication network 12 and wirelessly communicate with each other. The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit a control signal for controlling the lighting devices 11 according to the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention is , Teru Regarding the Ming system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a lighting system in which a plurality of lighting devices form a wireless communication network, and each of the lighting devices is controlled through this network.

[0003] There is a demand to incorporate other devices into this lighting system and perform linked control, but if the other devices do not have functions compatible with the lighting system network, it is not possible to incorporate the other devices and perform linked control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-68712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting device that can be controlled in conjunction with the operation of a specific device. Light The present invention aims to provide a clear system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In an embodiment Lighting System teeth, The system includes a plurality of lighting devices, a control device, and a processing device. The plurality of lighting devices form a network of a wireless communication system and are capable of wireless communication with each other. The control device has an acquisition unit that acquires operation information according to an operation of a predetermined device, a first communication unit that enables wireless communication with the lighting devices, an identification unit that identifies the lighting devices that are capable of wireless communication by the first communication unit, and a second communication unit that transmits the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit and device information of the lighting devices identified by the identification unit. The processing device acquires the operation information and device information transmitted from the second communication unit of the control device, and controls the lighting device of the device information according to the operation information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting device in conjunction with the operation of a predetermined device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a lighting system showing a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting device of the lighting system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the lighting system. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a lighting system showing a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the lighting system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0010] 1 shows a configuration diagram of a lighting system 10. The lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting devices 11. The lighting devices 11 are fixedly installed on, for example, a ceiling or a wall. Note that the lighting devices 11 may include movable lighting devices 11 that are placed on a floor, a desk, or the like.

[0011] A plurality of lighting devices 11 form a network 12 using radio wave wireless communication, and are capable of wireless communication with each other. The network 12 is, for example, a mesh network, and allows lighting devices 11 within a direct communication range to wirelessly communicate with each other, and allows lighting devices 11 at remote locations outside the direct communication range to communicate with each other by relaying communication through another lighting device 11. As the mesh network, for example, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) mesh network or the like is used.

[0012] Furthermore, the lighting system 10 includes a control device 13. The control device 13 is used to control the lighting device 11 in conjunction with the operation of a predetermined device 16. In other words, the control device 13 is incorporated into the lighting system 10 and is used to control the lighting device 11 in conjunction with the operation of the device 16.

[0013] The devices 16 include, for example, video devices such as a television 14 and a projector, and air conditioning devices such as an air conditioner 15. The control device 13 controls the lighting device 11 in conjunction with output operations such as the video output of the television 14 and the air conditioning output of the air conditioner 15. The devices 16 may also include household electrical appliances that are generally used on a daily basis (for example, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a rice cooker, a microwave oven, etc.).

[0014] It is preferable that the control device 13 is movable and placed at a position different from the lighting device 11 which is fixedly installed on the ceiling, for example, on a desk or floor in front of the television 14, or in a room in which an air conditioner 15 is installed.

[0015] 2 shows a block diagram of the lighting device 11. The lighting device 11 includes a light source unit 20, a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a power supply unit .

[0016] The light source unit 20 includes a solid-state light-emitting element such as an LED or an organic EL, a lamp, or the like, and is equipped with a light source that irradiates at least one of visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared light. The light source unit 20 has an illumination function that can change the illumination state. The illumination function may be, for example, dimming to change the brightness, color adjustment to change the light color, or light distribution control to change the light distribution. For color adjustment, red, green, and blue LEDs, for example, may be used, and in addition, amber, cyan, white, and other LEDs may be used to support color illumination.

[0017] The communication unit 21 forms a network 12 of a predetermined wireless communication method between the communication units 21 of the multiple lighting devices 11, and is capable of wireless communication with all lighting devices 11 connected to this network 12 (wireless communication is possible between lighting devices 11 located far away and outside the direct communication range by relaying communication through another lighting device 11). For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used as the wireless communication method for the communication unit 21.

[0018] The communication unit 21 operates by communication software. A version of the communication software corresponding to the controllable lighting functions of the lighting device 11 is used. For example, there are communication software versions corresponding to the lighting function of the lighting device 11 that can only adjust the dimming, and communication software versions corresponding to the lighting function of the lighting device 11 that can adjust the color in addition to the dimming. The version of the communication software is lighting function information indicating the controllable lighting functions of the lighting device 11. The communication software may be included in the control unit 22. The lighting function information of the lighting device 11 is not limited to the version of the communication software, and the control unit 22 may have the lighting function information itself.

[0019] The communication unit 21 or the control unit 22 has own device information such as an address or ID unique to each lighting device 11. The communication unit 21 communicates with other lighting devices 11 and the control device 13 using its own device information.

[0020] The control unit 22 controls the power supply unit 23, and controls the lighting state of the light source unit 20 by the power supply unit 23. The control unit 22 acquires a signal received by the communication unit 21, and controls the power supply unit 23 in response to the signal, and controls the lighting state of the light source unit 20.

[0021] The control unit 22 acquires a control signal transmitted from the control device 13 and received by the communication unit 21, and when the distance to the control device 13 is short and the radio wave strength of the acquired control signal is stronger than a predetermined radio wave strength which is a preset threshold, the control unit 22 controls the lighting state based on the control signal.

[0022] When a control signal transmitted from the control device 13 is received by multiple lighting devices 11, each lighting device 11 may individually judge the radio wave strength of the control signal and control the lighting state based on the control signal, or the multiple lighting devices 11 that have received the control signal may communicate with each other, and the lighting device 11 that receives the control signal with the strongest radio wave strength may control the lighting state based on the control signal.

[0023] Under the control of the control unit 22, the power supply unit 23 converts external power from an external power source such as a commercial AC power source into a predetermined lighting power at which the light source unit 20 lights up, and supplies the converted power to the light source unit 20, thereby lighting up the light source unit 20. Under the control of the control unit 22, the power supply unit 23 adjusts the lighting power supplied to the light source unit 20 to adjust the light intensity or adjusts the lighting power supplied to the LEDs of each light color in the light source unit 20 to adjust the color, in accordance with the controllable lighting functions. Furthermore, the power supply unit 23 converts the external power into a predetermined control power at which the communication unit 21 and the control unit 22 operate, and supplies the control power to the communication unit 21 and the control unit 22.

[0024] 3 is a block diagram of the control device 13. The control device 13 includes an acquisition unit 30, a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a power supply unit 33.

[0025] The acquisition unit 30 acquires operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16. The acquisition unit 30 is, for example, a sensor unit that detects operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16. The acquisition unit 30, which is a sensor unit, includes an imaging sensor that captures an image displayed on the television 14 and detects image information including brightness information and color information of the image scene as operation information. The acquisition unit 30, which is a sensor unit, also includes a temperature sensor that detects the room temperature adjusted when the air conditioner 15 is in operation and detects this temperature information as operation information. The acquisition unit 30, which is a sensor unit, also includes a sound sensor that detects sound emitted by the device 16.

[0026] The acquisition unit 30 may be a receiving unit that receives operation information transmitted wirelessly or by wire from the device 16. In this case, it is desirable that the operation information transmitted from the device 16 is transmitted in a manner different from that of the network 12. For example, the acquisition unit 30, which is a receiving unit, may receive a video signal from the television 14, analyze the brightness and color of a video scene from the video signal, and acquire video information including the brightness information and color information as operation information. The acquisition unit 30, which is a receiving unit, may also receive a video signal before being input to the television 14, which is the device 16. In this case, the video signal of the television 14 is input to the television 14 via the control device 13. The acquisition unit 30 may also receive temperature information detected by a temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner 15 when the air conditioner 15 is operating, as well as the set temperature, set air volume, and set air direction of the air conditioner 15, and acquire operation information based on this temperature information.

[0027] The communication unit 31 uses the same wireless communication system as the communication unit 21 of the lighting device 11 and is capable of wirelessly communicating with the communication units 21 of the lighting devices 11 that form the network 12 .

[0028] The control unit 32 determines the lighting state of the lighting device 11 in accordance with the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 30, creates a control signal based on the determination, and causes the communication unit 31 to transmit the control signal to the lighting device 11.

[0029] To operate the lighting system 10, the control device 13 is placed in a position where it can obtain operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16. For example, the control device 13 may be placed in a position where the distance to the lighting devices 11 to be controlled in a coordinated manner is shorter than the distance to the lighting devices 11 not to be controlled in a coordinated manner.

[0030] When the device 16 is a television 14, the control device 13 may be placed in the vicinity of the television 14 at a position where the screen of the television 14 can be captured by the imaging sensor of the acquisition unit 30, and may be placed at a position where the distance to the lighting device 11 closest to the television 14 is shorter than that to the other lighting devices 11. When the device 16 is an air conditioner 15, the control device 13 may be placed at a position where the room temperature is to be known and the distance to the lighting device 11 that illuminates the area of ​​that position is shorter than that to the other lighting devices 11.

[0031] When the lighting devices 11 and the control device 13 are in operation, the control device 13 communicates with the lighting devices 11 that it can communicate with via the communication unit 31, and acquires controllable lighting function information from the lighting devices 11. The lighting function information may be acquired by the control device 13 when the lighting devices 11 and the control device 13 start operating, or when the lighting devices 11 are controlled in a linked manner.

[0032] Then, when the device 16 is operating, the acquisition unit 30 of the control device 13 acquires operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16. For example, an image sensor of the acquisition unit 30 captures an image displayed on the television 14 and acquires image information including brightness information and color information of the image scene as operation information, and a temperature sensor of the acquisition unit 30 acquires room temperature information adjusted by operating the air conditioner 15 as operation information.

[0033] The control unit 32 of the control device 13 creates control signals such as a dimming signal and a color adjustment signal (dimming signal for each light color) for controlling the lighting state of the lighting device 11 according to the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 30 and lighting function information such as controllable dimming and color adjustment of the lighting device 11, and causes the communication unit 31 to transmit these control signals.

[0034] The control signal transmitted from the communication unit 31 of the control device 13 is received by the communication unit 21 of the lighting device 11. The control signal may be received by one lighting device 11 that is located the shortest distance from the control device 13, or may be received by multiple lighting devices 11.

[0035] When the lighting device 11 receives a control signal from the control device 13, if the radio wave strength of the received control signal is stronger than a predetermined radio wave strength that is a preset threshold, the lighting device 11 controls the lighting state based on the control signal.

[0036] When a control signal transmitted from the control device 13 is received by multiple lighting devices 11, each lighting device 11 may individually judge the radio wave strength of the control signal and control the lighting state based on the control signal, or the multiple lighting devices 11 that have received the control signal may communicate with each other, and the lighting device 11 that receives the control signal with the strongest radio wave strength may control the lighting state based on the control signal.

[0037] As a specific example of the interlocking control, when the acquisition unit 30 of the control device 13 is an imaging sensor, when a blue image of the sea is shown on the television 14, the control device 13 transmits a control signal for adjusting the color of the lighting device 11 to blue, and the lighting device 11 that receives this control signal and controls the lighting state adjusts the light color to blue. As a result, the ceiling, walls and floor around the television 14 are illuminated in blue in accordance with the image on the television 14, improving the dramatic effect.

[0038] In this case, only the lighting devices 11 around the television 14 are controlled in an interlocking manner, and the lighting devices 11 other than those around the television 14 are not controlled in an interlocking manner, which can prevent work away from the television 14 from being hindered and can prevent unnecessary interlocking control of the lighting devices 11 away from the television 14.

[0039] As a further specific example, when the acquisition unit 30 of the control device 13 is a temperature sensor, if the temperature in the room acquired by the control device 13 is higher than a predetermined threshold value set in advance, a control signal for adjusting the light color of the lighting device 11 to a warm color or red color with a low color temperature is transmitted, and the lighting device 11 that receives this control signal and controls the lighting state adjusts the light color to a warm color or red color with a low color temperature. This visualizes the high temperature in the room, which can prevent heat stroke, for example. On the other hand, if the temperature in the room acquired by the control device 13 is lower than a predetermined threshold value set in advance, a control signal for adjusting the light color of the lighting device 11 to a daylight color or blue color with a high color temperature is transmitted, and the lighting device 11 that receives this control signal and controls the lighting state adjusts the light color to a daylight color or blue color with a high color temperature. This visualizes the low temperature in the room. In this way, the temperature in the room can be visualized by changing the light color of the lighting device 11 according to the temperature in the room.

[0040] In addition, in the case of a large room, multiple control devices 13 may be placed at multiple positions in the room. In this case, the light color of the lighting devices 11 is controlled in a coordinated manner by the control devices 13 at each position in the room where the control devices 13 are placed, so that the temperature distribution in the room can be visualized by checking the light color of each lighting device 11.

[0041] In this way, the control device 13 obtains operation information corresponding to a specific device 16, creates a control signal corresponding to the operation information, and transmits it to the lighting device 11, thereby enabling the lighting device 11 to be controlled in conjunction with the operation of the specific device 16.

[0042] In other words, the control device 13 can incorporate the device 16 into the lighting system 10 and control the lighting device 11 in conjunction with the operation of the device 16.

[0043] Furthermore, the control device 13 obtains controllable lighting function information from the lighting device 11, and creates and transmits a control signal according to the controllable lighting functions of the lighting device 11, so that the lighting device 11 can be appropriately controlled.

[0044] Furthermore, by using the control device 13 in the lighting system 10, the lighting devices 11 of this lighting system 10 receive a control signal transmitted from the control device 13, and when the radio wave strength of the received control signal is stronger than a predetermined radio wave strength which is a preset threshold, control the lighting state based on the control signal, so that only the lighting devices 11 located within a predetermined distance from the control device 13 can be controlled in a linked manner.

[0045] Next, a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.

[0046] 4 shows a configuration diagram of the lighting system 10. The lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting devices 11, a central communication device 40, a control device 13, and a processing device 41.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 2 of the first embodiment, the lighting device 11 includes a light source unit 20, a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a power supply unit 23. When the control unit 22 receives a position detection signal transmitted from the control device 13 at the communication unit 21, it calculates the radio wave intensity of the position detection signal received by the communication unit 21, and transmits the radio wave intensity information to the control device 13 by linking it with its own appliance information. At this time, the controllable lighting function information of the lighting device 11 may be linked to the appliance information together with the radio wave intensity information and transmitted, and the following description will be given assuming that the information is transmitted in a linked manner. The control unit 22 receives a control signal linked to its own appliance information from the central communication device 40, and controls the lighting state based on the control signal.

[0048] In addition, when multiple lighting devices 11 receive a position detection signal transmitted from the control device 13, the multiple lighting devices 11 may communicate with each other to compare the radio wave strength of each lighting device 11, and the radio wave strength information of the lighting device 11 with the strongest radio wave strength may be linked to its own device information and lighting function information and transmitted to the control device 13.

[0049] The central communication device 40 forms a wireless communication network 12 together with the multiple lighting devices 11, and is capable of mutual communication with all of the lighting devices 11. The central communication device 40 is capable of mutual communication with the processing device 41 via a public network such as the Internet using a wireless communication method or a wired communication method separate from the network 12. The central communication device 40 receives control signals and appliance information transmitted from the processing device 41, and transmits the received control signals and appliance information to the lighting devices 11 via the network 12.

[0050] 5 shows a block diagram of the control device 13. The control device 13 includes an acquisition unit 30, a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a power supply unit 33, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0051] The acquisition unit 30 and the power supply unit 33 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0052] The communication unit 31 includes a first communication unit 51 that forms a network 12 of a predetermined wireless communication method between the communication units 21 of the multiple lighting devices 11 and enables mutual wireless communication with all lighting devices 11 connected to this network 12, and a second communication unit 52 that enables mutual wireless communication with the processing device 41 using a wireless communication method different from that of the network 12. The second communication unit 52 enables mutual communication with the processing device 41 via a public network such as the Internet using a wireless communication method based on a mobile data communication standard such as 4G (Generation), 5G, or LTE (Long Term Evolution), or WiFi (registered trademark).

[0053] The control unit 32 causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a signal for position detection, and receives linked radio wave intensity information, device information, and lighting function information transmitted from the lighting device 11 that has received the signal for position detection.

[0054] The control unit 32 has a function of an identification unit 53 that identifies lighting devices 11 that can communicate wirelessly via the first communication unit 51. The identification unit 53 may identify lighting devices 11 that have radio wave strength stronger than a predetermined radio wave strength among the lighting devices 11 that can communicate wirelessly via the first communication unit 51, or may identify the lighting device 11 with the strongest radio wave strength among the lighting devices 11 that can communicate wirelessly via the first communication unit 51.

[0055] The processing device 41 is, for example, a server that constitutes a cloud. The processing device 41 is capable of communicating with the control device 13 and the central communication device 40 by respective corresponding predetermined communication methods.

[0056] The processing device 41 receives the linked operation information, device information and lighting function information transmitted from the second communication unit 52 of the control device 13, creates a control signal for controlling the lighting state of the lighting device 11 based on the operation information and the lighting function information, and transmits the created control signal to the central communication device 40 by linking it to the device information.

[0057] To operate the lighting system 10, the control device 13 is placed in a position where it can obtain operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16. For example, the control device 13 may be placed in a position where the distance to the lighting devices 11 to be controlled in a coordinated manner is shorter than the distance to the lighting devices 11 not to be controlled in a coordinated manner.

[0058] When the device 16 is a television 14, the control device 13 may be placed in the vicinity of the television 14 at a position where the image sensor of the acquisition unit 30 can capture an image of the screen of the television 14, and may be placed at a position where the distance to the lighting device 11 closest to the television 14 is the shortest compared to other lighting devices 11. When the device 16 is an air conditioner 15, the control device 13 may be placed at a position where the room temperature is desired to be known and the distance to the lighting device 11 that illuminates the area of ​​that position is the shortest.

[0059] 6 shows a sequence diagram of the lighting system 10. When the lighting device 11 and the control device 13 are in operation, the control device 13 transmits a signal for position detection to the lighting device 11 via the first communication unit 51 (step S1).

[0060] Among the multiple lighting devices 11, a lighting device 11 that receives a signal for position detection from the control device 13 calculates the radio wave strength of the received signal for position detection, links the radio wave strength information to its own device information and lighting function information, and transmits it to the control device 13 (step S2).

[0061] The control device 13 receives the associated radio wave intensity information, device information, and lighting function information transmitted from the lighting device 11 by the first communication unit 51, and identifies the lighting device 11 by the identification unit 53 (step S3). At this time, the identification unit 53 may identify, among the lighting devices 11 that are capable of wireless communication by the first communication unit 51, a lighting device 11 whose radio wave intensity is stronger than a predetermined radio wave intensity, or may identify, among the lighting devices 11 that are capable of wireless communication by the first communication unit 51, a lighting device 11 whose radio wave intensity is the strongest.

[0062] Then, when the device 16 is operating, the acquisition unit 30 of the control device 13 acquires operation information corresponding to the operation of the device 16 (step S4). For example, the image sensor of the acquisition unit 30 captures an image displayed on the television 14 and acquires image information including brightness information and color information of the image scene as operation information, and the temperature sensor of the acquisition unit 30 acquires room temperature information adjusted by operating the air conditioner 15 as operation information.

[0063] The control device 13 associates the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 30 with the device information and lighting function information of the lighting device 11 identified by the identification unit 53, and transmits them to the processing device 41 via the second communication unit 52 (step S5).

[0064] The processing device 41 receives the linked operation information, device information, and lighting function information from the control device 13, and creates control signals such as dimming signals and color adjustment signals (dimming signals for each light color) for controlling the lighting state of the lighting device 11 according to the operation information and lighting function information (step S6), and transmits the control signals to the central communication device 40 by linking them to the device information (step S7). At this time, the control signals transmitted from the processing device 41 may be transmitted to the control device 13, and then transmitted from the control device 13 to the central communication device 40. When the control device 13 and the central communication device 40 are far from each other, the control signals may be transmitted via the lighting device 11.

[0065] The central communication device 40 receives the associated control signal and the appliance information from the processing device 41, and transmits the associated control signal and appliance information to the lighting device 11 via the network 12 (step S8).

[0066] The lighting device 11 receives the control signal linked to its own appliance information transmitted from the central communication device 40, and controls the lighting state based on the control signal (step S9).

[0067] A specific example of the interlocking control is as explained in the first embodiment.

[0068] In this way, in the lighting system 10, the control device 13 obtains operation information corresponding to a specific device 16, and the processing device 41 creates a control signal corresponding to the operation information and transmits it to the lighting device 11, thereby enabling the lighting device 11 to be controlled in conjunction with the operation of the specific device 16.

[0069] In other words, the lighting system 10 can incorporate the device 16 by the control device 13, and the lighting device 11 can be controlled in conjunction with the operation of the device 16.

[0070] Furthermore, the control device 13 obtains controllable lighting function information from the lighting device 11, and creates and transmits a control signal according to the controllable lighting functions of the lighting device 11, so that the lighting device 11 can be appropriately controlled.

[0071] Moreover, the control device 13 identifies the lighting devices 11 that are capable of wireless communication, and by linking the device information and operation information of the identified lighting devices 11, it is possible to control only the lighting devices 11 with the identified device information in a linked manner.

[0072] It should be noted that by making one of the lighting devices 11 a master device having a communication function with the processing device 41, the central processing device 40 may not be used.

[0073] Furthermore, the lighting system 10, in which a plurality of lighting devices 11 form the network 12, may be connected and linked to a network of another lighting system or a network of home appliances using the control device 13.

[0074] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10. Lighting System 11 Lighting equipment 12 Network 13 Control device 16 Equipment 30 obtained Department 41 Processing equipment 51 First Communications Department 52 2nd Communications Department 53 Specific part

Claims

[Claim 1] A plurality of lighting devices that form a wireless communication network and are capable of wirelessly communicating with each other; a control device including an acquisition unit that acquires operation information corresponding to an operation of a predetermined device, a first communication unit that enables wireless communication with the lighting device, an identification unit that identifies the lighting device that is enabled for wireless communication by the first communication unit, and a second communication unit that transmits the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit and device information of the lighting device identified by the identification unit; a processing device that acquires the operation information and the device information transmitted from the second communication unit of the control device and controls the lighting device of the device information in response to the operation information; A lighting system comprising:

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