Lighting system and lighting control method

Abstract

To provide a lighting system capable of easily pairing desired lighting fixtures.SOLUTION: A lighting system 100 includes: a lighting fixture; a gateway apparatus 20 that generates setting information for performing wireless communication with the lighting fixture; and an information terminal 30 that acquires the generated setting information and outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture has a storage unit that stores the output setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system and a lighting control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system including a plurality of lighting fixtures and a plurality of gateway devices (access devices) paired with the lighting fixtures. In this lighting system, when there is only one gateway device with which the lighting fixtures can communicate, the lighting fixtures are paired with the gateway device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-12678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the lighting system disclosed in Patent Document 1, if each of a plurality of lighting fixtures can communicate with a single gateway device, the plurality of lighting fixtures may be paired with a single gateway device at the same time. In this case, if a lighting fixture that the user does not want to pair (i.e., a lighting fixture other than the desired lighting fixture) can communicate with a single gateway device, a problem may occur in which the lighting fixtures are erroneously paired. As such, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to easily perform pairing.

[0005] The present invention provides a lighting system and a lighting control method that allow easy pairing of desired lighting fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a lighting fixture, a gateway device that generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixture, and an information terminal that acquires the generated setting information and outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting fixture, wherein the lighting fixture has a memory unit that stores the output setting information.

[0007] A lighting control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a lighting control method using a lighting system, the lighting system including lighting fixtures, a gateway device that generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixtures, and an information terminal, and the lighting control method includes an acquisition step in which the information terminal acquires the setting information generated by the gateway device, an output step in which the information terminal outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting fixtures, and a storage step in which the lighting fixtures store the output setting information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The lighting system and lighting control method of the present invention make it easy to pair desired lighting fixtures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of an operation example of the lighting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the pairing operation example according to the embodiment is processed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the pairing operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the pairing operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the pairing operation according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting system 100 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lighting system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the lighting system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , lighting system 100 includes one or more lighting fixtures (here, a plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n), gateway device 20, and information terminal 30. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n is paired with gateway device 20. During the process of pairing each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n with gateway device 20, information terminal 30 may also be paired with each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n and / or gateway device 20. Note that, for example, pairing lighting fixture 10a with gateway device 20 means that lighting fixture 10a and gateway device 20 share common setting information and exchange identification information with each other. Once pairing between lighting fixture 10a and gateway device 20 is complete, they become able to communicate with each other.

[0015] First, the lighting fixtures 10a to 10n will be described.

[0016] Each of the lighting fixtures 10a-10n is an outdoor lighting device installed outdoors, and is, for example, a street lamp or road light. The lighting fixtures 10a-10n, which are street lamps or road lights, are arranged at intervals of, for example, several meters to several tens of meters. Each of the lighting fixtures 10a-10n may also be a base light, ceiling light, downlight, spotlight, or the like installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space.

[0017] 2, each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a to 10n includes a lighting communication unit 11, a lighting control unit 12, a lighting storage unit 13, a light-emitting unit 14, and a sensor 15. Here, only lighting fixture 10a will be described, and since each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10b to 10n has the same configuration as lighting fixture 10a, their description will be omitted.

[0018] The lighting communication unit 11 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the lighting fixture 10a to communicate with the gateway device 20, the information terminal 30, and the like. The communication between the lighting communication unit 11 and the gateway device 20 and the information terminal 30 is wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication). There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for this communication. After the pairing between the lighting fixture 10a and another device (for example, the gateway device 20 or the information terminal 30) is completed, the lighting communication unit 11 communicates with the other device via a wireless communication network, using the identification information of the communication partner as the destination.

[0019] When the lighting communication unit 11 receives a control signal output from the gateway device 20, the lighting control unit 12 controls the light emission of the light-emitting unit 14 based on the received control signal. The light emission control here includes on control, off control, dimming control, and color adjustment control. The lighting control unit 12 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0020] The lighting storage unit 13 is an example of a storage unit that stores the setting information, and is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the lighting control unit 12. The lighting storage unit 13 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0021] Light-emitting unit 14 is a light source that emits illumination light. There are no limitations on the specific configuration of light-emitting unit 14, and light-emitting unit 14 may be, for example, a fluorescent lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a halogen lamp, etc. In the present embodiment, lighting fixture 10a is a street lamp or road lamp, and therefore light-emitting unit 14 is located several meters to several tens of meters above the ground.

[0022] Sensor 15 is a device that detects the environment around lighting fixture 10a, such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, noise, etc. The sensor information detected by sensor 15 is stored in lighting storage unit 13.

[0023] Next, the gateway device 20 will be described.

[0024] Gateway device 20 is an information processing device that generates setting information for gateway device 20 to communicate wirelessly with each of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n. Gateway device 20 also controls the light emission of at least some of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n by outputting control signals to at least some of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n based on an operation by user U. That is, in this embodiment, gateway device 20 is a controller that controls each of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n. For example, gateway device 20 is a device installed in the vicinity of a location where multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n are installed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the gateway device 20 includes a device communication unit 21, a device control unit 22, and a device storage unit 23.

[0026] Device communication unit 21 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables gateway device 20 to communicate with each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n, information terminal 30, and the like. Communication between device communication unit 21 and information terminal 30 is wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication). There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for this communication. After pairing between gateway device 20 and information terminal 30 is complete, device communication unit 21 communicates with information terminal 30 via a wireless communication network, using the identification information of information terminal 30 as the destination.

[0027] The device control unit 22 performs the above-mentioned information processing. For example, when the device communication unit 21 acquires instruction information for generating setting information, the device control unit 22 generates the setting information in accordance with the instruction information and controls the device communication unit 21 to output the generated setting information to the information terminal 30. The device control unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0028] The device storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the above information processing, computer programs executed by the device control unit 22, etc. The device storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the information terminal 30 will be described.

[0030] Information terminal 30 is a device that acquires the setting information output by gateway device 20 and outputs the acquired setting information to multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n. More specifically, information terminal 30 outputs the acquired setting information to only one of the multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n that is the target of pairing, that is, only one lighting fixture desired by user U. Information terminal 30 is, for example, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, but may also be a terminal dedicated to lighting system 100.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the information terminal 30 includes an operation receiving unit 31, a terminal communication unit 32, a terminal control unit 33, and a terminal storage unit .

[0032] The operation reception unit 31 receives operations from the user U. Specifically, the operation reception unit 31 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0033] Terminal communication unit 32 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables information terminal 30 to communicate with each of lighting fixtures 10a-10n and gateway device 20. Terminal communication unit 32, for example, acquires setting information output by gateway device 20 (device communication unit 21) and outputs the acquired setting information to, for example, lighting fixture 10a.

[0034] In the present embodiment, it is possible to control the wireless output intensity at which setting information or other information is output from the terminal communication unit 32. For example, the operation receiving unit 31 receives an operation for controlling the wireless output intensity from the user U, whereby the wireless output intensity is controlled.

[0035] Terminal control unit 33 controls terminal communication unit 32 to output setting information to multiple lighting devices 10a-10n in response to an operation by user U accepted by operation acceptance unit 31. Terminal control unit 33 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0036] The terminal storage unit 34 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the terminal control unit 33. The terminal storage unit 34 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0037] The above background technology and problems will now be described in more detail.

[0038] Patent Document 1 discloses that, during the process of pairing a lighting fixture with a gateway device (access device), the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit of the lighting fixture changes so that the user can check the progress of the pairing. However, as shown in the present embodiment, when the lighting fixtures 10a-10n are outdoor lighting devices, the pairing process is often performed during bright daylight hours to facilitate the work of an installer, an example of a user U. In such a daytime environment, the lighting fixtures 10a-10n are surrounded by light, making it difficult for the user U to recognize a change in the state of the light-emitting unit 14, even if the state of the light-emitting unit 14 has changed. Furthermore, particularly when the lighting fixtures 10a-10n are street or road lights, the light-emitting unit 14 is located several meters to several tens of meters above the ground, making it even more difficult for the user U to recognize a change in the state of the light-emitting unit 14. In other words, the lighting system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is even more difficult to pair the lighting fixtures with a gateway device (access device), especially when the lighting fixtures are street or road lights.

[0039] Next, the operation of the lighting system 100 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0040] [Example of operation] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of an example of operation of lighting system 100 according to this embodiment. Also, Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing how processing of an example of pairing operation according to this embodiment is performed.

[0041] Before this process starts, communication between gateway device 20 and each of lighting devices 10a-10n is not possible.

[0042] Gateway device 20 acquires instruction information (first instruction information) for generating setting information for gateway device 20 to perform wireless communication with each of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n (step S10).

[0043] For example, the device communication unit 21 of the gateway device 20 is communicably connected to a personal computer installed near the gateway device 20. This personal computer receives operations from the user U via a reception unit such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard provided in the personal computer. Here, the reception unit receives an operation for generating setting information from the user U, and first instruction information is output from the personal computer based on the received operation, and the device communication unit 21 acquires the output first instruction information.

[0044] The gateway device 20 generates setting information based on the first instruction information acquired by the device communication unit 21 (step S20).

[0045] Here, the setting information used by gateway device 20 to wirelessly communicate with each of lighting fixtures 10a-10n will be described.

[0046] When each of lighting fixtures 10a-10n and two of gateway device 20 store common setting information, wireless communication between the two devices becomes possible. That is, for example, common setting information is stored in lighting storage unit 13 of lighting fixture 10a and device storage unit 23 of gateway device 20, enabling communication between lighting fixture 10a and gateway device 20. Note that common setting information is stored in lighting storage unit 13 of lighting fixture 10a and device storage unit 34 of information terminal 30, enabling communication between lighting fixture 10a and information terminal 30.

[0047] The setting information will be further explained.

[0048] The setting information includes first information for identifying wireless communication between gateway device 20 and each of lighting fixtures 10a-10n.

[0049] More specifically, the first information is information that identifies wireless communication conducted between gateway device 20, each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10a-10n, and information terminal 30. The first information includes an ID (identification) that indicates a personal area network (PAN) that is the network for the wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as PANID). As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the PANID is indicated as "0x0001."

[0050] The first information also includes a channel (CH) indicating the radio frequency used in the wireless communication. When generating setting information, gateway device 20 according to the present embodiment scans the status of wireless communication used by other gateway devices 20 different from gateway device 20. As a result, gateway device 20 determines, as the radio frequency to be used by itself, a radio frequency different from the radio frequency used in the wireless communication used by the other gateway devices 20.

[0051] The first information also includes a key for participating in the wireless communication. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the key is indicated as "12456789".

[0052] The setting information further includes second information for identifying the gateway device 20.

[0053] The second information is a short address (Short addr), but may be a MAC address, etc. Here, the short address (Short addr) that is the second information for identifying gateway device 20 is "0x0000".

[0054] In this way, in step S20, the gateway device 20 (device control unit 22) generates setting information including the first information and the second information based on the first instruction information.

[0055] Next, gateway device 20 outputs the generated setting information to information terminal 30 (step S30).

[0056] Prior to step S30, the operation accepting unit 31 of the information terminal 30 may have accepted an operation from the user U to place the information terminal 30 in a setting mode for pairing. For example, the user U may also operate the operation accepting unit 31 when operating the accepting unit of the personal computer in step S10. When the operation accepting unit 31 accepts the operation to enter the setting mode, the information terminal 30 enters the setting mode.

[0057] In step S30, first, the gateway device 20 performs a scan to determine whether or not an information terminal 30 in the setting mode is present. More specifically, the device communication unit 21 of the gateway device 20 broadcasts the second instruction information. At this stage, pairing between the gateway device 20 and the information terminal 30 has not been completed, so the device communication unit 21 cannot communicate with the identification information of the information terminal 30 as the destination and must instead broadcast the second instruction information. The second instruction information is information that requests the information terminal 30 that has acquired the second instruction information to respond to the gateway device 20 with terminal identification information (e.g., a short address or a MAC address) that identifies the information terminal 30. Furthermore, the second instruction information is information that requests only the information terminal 30 that has acquired the second instruction information and is in the setting mode to respond. When the information terminal 30 in the setting mode acquires the second instruction information, it responds with its own terminal identification information to the device communication unit 21. As a result, the device communication unit 21 acquires the terminal identification information of the information terminal 30 that is in the setting mode, and the device storage unit 23 stores the terminal identification information of the information terminal 30 .

[0058] Then, the gateway device 20 (device communication unit 21) outputs the generated setting information to the information terminal 30 in the setting mode, with the acquired terminal identification information as the destination.

[0059] Information terminal 30 acquires and stores the setting information output by gateway device 20 (step S40). More specifically, terminal communication unit 32 acquires the setting information output by gateway device 20, and the setting information is thereby stored in terminal storage unit 34. In other words, second information for identifying gateway device 20 is stored in terminal storage unit 34. Note that step S40 corresponds to the acquisition step. When step S40 is completed, as shown in FIG. 5, gateway device 20 and information terminal 30 hold common setting information and exchange each other's identification information. This enables wireless communication between gateway device 20 and information terminal 30 using the above-mentioned PAN.

[0060] In the following, the plurality of lighting devices 10a-10n are paired in sequence. First, among the plurality of lighting devices 10a-10n, lighting device 10a, which is an example of a target for pairing, is paired with gateway device 20. Note that the lighting device that is an example of a target for pairing is a lighting device that user U wishes to pair with (i.e., a desired lighting device).

[0061] Information terminal 30 outputs the acquired setting information to a lighting device (here, lighting device 10a) (step S50). More specifically, information terminal 30 outputs the setting information to only one lighting device 10a that is the target of pairing. Note that step S50 corresponds to the output step. The processing of step S50 will be described below.

[0062] In step S50, the wireless output intensity at which information such as setting information is output from the terminal communication unit 32 may be controlled. First, the procedure for controlling this wireless output intensity will be described. As an example, third instruction information is output to control the wireless output intensity, then fourth instruction information is output to put the target lighting fixture 10a into the setting mode, and then the above setting information is output.

[0063] First, as shown in Fig. 6, user U carrying information terminal 30 moves to a position near lighting device 10a, which is the target. More specifically, a position near lighting device 10a is a position where the distance between lighting device 10a and user U is shorter than the distance between lighting device 10a and each of lighting devices 10b-10n. In other words, the lighting device that is closest to user U carrying information terminal 30 is lighting device 10a among lighting devices 10a-10n.

[0064] After user U moves to a position near lighting device 10a, operation receiving unit 31 of information terminal 30 receives an operation from user U to output third instruction information, and device communication unit 32 of information terminal 30 broadcasts the third instruction information. At this stage, pairing between information terminal 30 and lighting device 10a has not been completed, so device communication unit 32 cannot communicate with lighting device 10a using the identification information of lighting device 10a as the destination and must instead broadcast the third instruction information. The third instruction information requests the lighting device that has received the third instruction information to respond to information terminal 30 that it has received the third instruction information.

[0065] If more than one lighting device has responded to information terminal 30 that it has received the third instruction information, that is, if zero or more lighting devices have received the third instruction information, operation reception unit 31 receives an operation from user U to control the wireless output intensity. If zero lighting devices have received the third instruction information, operation reception unit 31 receives an operation to increase the wireless output intensity. If multiple lighting devices have received the third instruction information, operation reception unit 31 receives an operation to decrease the wireless output intensity. After receiving the operation to control the wireless output intensity, operation reception unit 31 again receives an operation to output the third instruction information, and terminal communication unit 32 broadcasts the third instruction information. This procedure is repeated until one lighting device has responded to information terminal 30 that it has received the third instruction information. The one lighting device that has responded to information terminal 30 that it has received the third instruction information is the lighting device closest to user U (information terminal 30), which is lighting fixture 10a in this embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, in step S50, this wireless output intensity is maintained, and therefore the fourth instruction information and setting information also reach only lighting device 10a out of multiple lighting devices 10a to 10n.

[0067] When one lighting device has responded to information terminal 30 that it has received the third instruction information, operation receiving unit 31 receives an operation from user U to place that lighting device (here, for example, lighting device 10a) in a setting mode for pairing. Based on the operation, terminal communication unit 32 outputs fourth instruction information to place lighting device 10a in the setting mode, and when lighting communication unit 11 of lighting device 10a receives the fourth instruction information, lighting device 10a enters the setting mode. As described above, because the wireless output intensity at which the fourth instruction information is output from terminal communication unit 32 is also controlled as described above, the fourth instruction information reaches only lighting device 10a and does not reach the other lighting devices (plurality of lighting devices 10b to 10n).

[0068] Furthermore, the information terminal 30 outputs the setting information.

[0069] More specifically, operation receiving unit 31 receives an operation from user U to output the setting information, and device communication unit 32 outputs the setting information based on the operation. As described above, the wireless output intensity at which the setting information is output from device communication unit 32 is also controlled as described above, so the setting information reaches only lighting fixture 10a and does not reach the other lighting fixtures (plurality of lighting fixtures 10b to 10n).

[0070] That is, in this embodiment, the wireless output strength when information terminal 30 outputs setting information to lighting device 10a is controlled so that the setting information reaches only lighting device 10a. More specifically, the wireless output strength when information terminal 30 outputs setting information to one lighting device 10a that is to be paired is controlled so that the setting information reaches only one lighting device 10a that is to be paired.

[0071] Controlling the wireless output intensity in this way makes it easier for information terminal 30 to output setting information to only one lighting fixture 10a that is the target of pairing.

[0072] Furthermore, when outputting the setting information, the information terminal 30 outputs terminal identification information of the information terminal 30 and appliance identification information that identifies the lighting appliance from which the setting information is to be obtained. For example, in this example, the information terminal 30 determines a short address as the appliance identification information that identifies the lighting appliance from which the setting information is to be obtained, and outputs the setting information and the determined short address. The appliance identification information is stored in the terminal storage unit 34.

[0073] Next, lighting fixture 10a acquires and stores the setting information output from terminal communication unit 32 (step S60). More specifically, lighting communication unit 11 acquires the setting information, terminal identification information, and fixture identification information output by information terminal 30, and lighting storage unit 13 stores the setting information, terminal identification information, and fixture identification information. That is, lighting storage unit 13 stores second information identifying gateway device 20, terminal identification information of information terminal 30, and fixture identification information identifying the lighting fixture. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the fixture identification information (here, a short address) is "0x1234." Note that the setting information may be acquired and stored only when lighting fixture 10a is in the setting mode, as shown in step S50. Step S60 corresponds to a storage step.

[0074] Furthermore, lighting fixture 10a notifies gateway device 20 and information terminal 30 that lighting fixture 10a has acquired and stored the setting information, and lighting fixture 10a also notifies gateway device 20 of fixture identification information that identifies lighting fixture 10a.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7, gateway device 20, information terminal 30, and lighting fixture 10a share common setting information and exchange identification information with each other, enabling wireless communication between gateway device 20, information terminal 30, and lighting fixture 10a using the above-mentioned PAN.

[0076] Lighting fixture 10a according to this embodiment has sensor 15 and may output sensor information detected by sensor 15 to gateway device 20. When lighting fixture 10a outputs the sensor information and second identification information as a set to gateway device 20, the sensor information and second identification information are stored as a set in device storage unit 23 of gateway device 20. In other words, it is easy to recognize that the stored sensor information is information output by lighting fixture 10a among multiple lighting fixtures 10a to 10n.

[0077] Lighting device 10a may output the sensor information to gateway device 20 using second information for identifying gateway device 20, which is information included in the setting information. That is, lighting device 10a outputs the sensor information to gateway device 20 using the short address “0x0000” of the second information as the destination.

[0078] In this way, the processing of steps S50 and S60 is performed, and the lighting device 10a that is the target of pairing is paired.

[0079] Next, each of the plurality of lighting devices 10b to 10n that have not yet been paired becomes the target of pairing in turn. For example, if lighting device 10b is the target, the same processes as those for lighting device 10a in steps S50 and S60 are performed on lighting device 10b, thereby pairing lighting device 10b.

[0080] If there is a lighting device among the multiple lighting devices 10a-10n that does not need to be paired (i.e., a lighting device that the user U does not want to pair), the processes of steps S50 and S60 are not performed for that lighting device. Therefore, that lighting device is not paired. Note that a lighting device that does not need to be paired is a lighting device that the user U does not want to pair (i.e., a lighting device other than the desired lighting device).

[0081] Furthermore, after pairing of all lighting fixtures desired by user U is completed, the setting information may be deleted from information terminal 30. In other words, at this time, the setting information is not stored in terminal storage unit 34 of information terminal 30. As a result, information terminal 30 is unable to perform wireless communication using the PAN between gateway device 20 and each of multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n.

[0082] An example of the operation of the lighting system 100 according to this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0083] In the present embodiment, even if multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n are installed, as shown in steps S50 and S60, information terminal 30 outputs setting information to only one lighting fixture (e.g., lighting fixture 10a) that is to be paired. Therefore, only lighting fixture 10a is paired with gateway device 20 first. In other words, lighting fixtures other than the desired lighting fixture are prevented from pairing with gateway device 20, and pairing of only the desired lighting fixture 10a with gateway device 20 is easily achieved. Furthermore, by repeating steps S50 and S60, multiple lighting fixtures 10b-10n other than lighting fixture 10a are also processed in sequence as targets for pairing, and only the desired lighting fixtures are paired with gateway device 20 in sequence.

[0084] As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike Cited Document 1, lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are paired by exchanging setting information via information terminal 30, regardless of whether lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are able to communicate with each other before pairing.

[0085] In summary, lighting system 100 has been realized that allows desired lighting fixtures to be easily paired.

[0086] 3 to 7, the state of the light-emitting unit 14 of each of the lighting devices 10a to 10n does not change while pairing is being performed, and for example, the lighting devices may always be turned off. In other words, as disclosed in Cited Document 1, there is no need to change the state of the light-emitting unit 14 while pairing is being performed. Therefore, lighting system 100 is realized that can easily pair desired lighting devices even when the lighting devices 10a to 10n are street lights or road lights.

[0087] In step S50, an example has been shown in which the wireless output intensity output from the terminal communication unit 32 is controlled by the user, but this is not limiting. For example, the wireless output intensity output from the terminal communication unit 32 may be set at the time of shipping the lighting system 100 from the factory so that the setting information reaches only one lighting fixture.

[0088] [Effects, etc.] As described above, lighting system 100 includes lighting fixtures (here, multiple lighting fixtures 10a to 10n), gateway device 20, and information terminal 30. Gateway device 20 generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixtures. Information terminal 30 acquires the generated setting information and outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting fixtures. The lighting fixtures have a storage unit (lighting storage unit 13) that stores the output setting information.

[0089] According to lighting system 100, even if multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n are installed, information terminal 30 outputs setting information to only one lighting fixture (e.g., lighting fixture 10a) that is to be paired, as shown in steps S50 and S60. Therefore, only lighting fixture 10a is paired with gateway device 20 first. In other words, lighting fixtures other than the desired lighting fixture are prevented from pairing with gateway device 20, and it is easy to pair only desired lighting fixture 10a with gateway device 20. Furthermore, by repeating steps S50 and S60, multiple lighting fixtures 10b-10n other than lighting fixture 10a are also processed in sequence as targets for pairing, and only the desired lighting fixtures are paired with gateway device 20 in sequence.

[0090] As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike Cited Document 1, lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are paired by exchanging setting information via information terminal 30, regardless of whether lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are able to communicate with each other before pairing.

[0091] In summary, lighting system 100 has been realized that allows desired lighting fixtures to be easily paired.

[0092] Furthermore, for example, the setting information includes first information for identifying wireless communication.

[0093] This allows wireless communication between a lighting fixture (for example, lighting fixture 10a) and gateway device 20 to be easily performed.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, the setting information includes second information for identifying gateway device 20.

[0095] This allows wireless communication between a lighting fixture (for example, lighting fixture 10a) and gateway device 20 to be easily performed.

[0096] Furthermore, for example, the wireless output intensity when information terminal 30 outputs setting information to a lighting fixture (for example, lighting fixture 10a) is controlled so that the setting information reaches only lighting fixture 10a.

[0097] Controlling the wireless output intensity in this way makes it easier for information terminal 30 to output setting information to only one lighting fixture 10a that is the target of pairing.

[0098] The lighting control method according to the present embodiment is a lighting control method using lighting system 100. Lighting system 100 includes lighting fixtures (here, a plurality of lighting fixtures 10a to 10n), gateway device 20 that generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixtures, and information terminal 30. The lighting control method includes an acquisition step (step S40) in which information terminal 30 acquires the setting information generated by gateway device 20, and an output step (step S50) in which information terminal 30 outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting fixtures. The lighting control method also includes a storage step (step S60) in which the lighting fixtures store the output setting information.

[0099] According to this lighting control method, even if multiple lighting fixtures 10a-10n are installed, information terminal 30 outputs setting information to only one lighting fixture (e.g., lighting fixture 10a) that is to be paired, as shown in steps S50 and S60. Therefore, only lighting fixture 10a is paired with gateway device 20 first. In other words, lighting fixtures other than the desired lighting fixture are prevented from pairing with gateway device 20, and it is easy to pair only desired lighting fixture 10a with gateway device 20. Furthermore, by repeating steps S50 and S60, multiple lighting fixtures 10b-10n other than lighting fixture 10a are also processed in sequence as targets for pairing, and only the desired lighting fixtures are paired with gateway device 20 in sequence.

[0100] As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike Cited Document 1, lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are paired by exchanging setting information via information terminal 30, regardless of whether lighting device 10a and gateway device 20 are able to communicate with each other before pairing.

[0101] In summary, a lighting control method has been realized that allows for easy pairing of desired lighting fixtures.

[0102] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0103] 3, gateway device 20 acquires first instruction information for generating setting information from a personal computer installed nearby, but this is not limiting. For example, operation acceptance unit 31 of information terminal 30 may accept an operation from user U, and terminal communication unit 32 may output first instruction information to gateway device 20 based on the accepted operation.

[0104] In the present embodiment, gateway device 20 is a controller, but is not limited to this. Gateway device 20 may be another device (for example, a lighting fixture) as long as it can generate setting information.

[0105] Furthermore, the communication method between devices described in the above embodiment is an example. The communication method between devices is not particularly limited. The wireless communication performed between devices is, for example, wireless communication using a communication standard such as specified low-power radio, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Specifically, the wireless communication is radio wave communication, infrared communication, or the like.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0107] In the above-described embodiments, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0108] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0109] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing an information terminal to execute a setting method, or as a non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such programs include application programs for operating a general-purpose information terminal as the information terminal of the above-described embodiments.

[0110] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10a, 10b, 10n lighting fixtures 20 Gateway Devices 30 Information terminal 100 Lighting System

Claims

1. Lighting equipment and a gateway device that generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixture; an information terminal that acquires the generated setting information and outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting device; The lighting device has a storage unit that stores the output setting information. Lighting system.

2. The setting information includes first information for identifying the wireless communication.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. The setting information includes second information for identifying the gateway device.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The wireless output intensity when the information terminal outputs the setting information to the lighting fixture is controlled so that the setting information reaches only the lighting fixture.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1.

5. A lighting control method for a lighting system, comprising: The lighting system comprises: Lighting equipment and a gateway device that generates setting information for wireless communication with the lighting fixture; an information terminal; The lighting control method includes: an acquisition step in which the information terminal acquires the setting information generated by the gateway device; an output step in which the information terminal outputs the acquired setting information to the lighting device; and a storage step of storing the setting information output by the lighting device. Lighting control methods.

Images