Lighting control system

Abstract

To provide an illumination control system capable of lighting a required area.SOLUTION: An illumination control system comprises: an entry-exit management device that when a person enters the inside of a room, acquires individual identification information on the person; a plurality of illumination apparatuses provided in the room; and a switch unit including a plurality of buttons, each of which has a button display unit and changes a lighting state of its corresponding illumination apparatus of the plurality of illumination apparatuses when it is depressed. When the entry-exit management device acquires the individual identification information, the switch unit changes a display state of a button display unit of a corresponding button for changing a lighting state of an illumination apparatus of the plurality of illumination apparatuses that corresponds to the acquired individual identification information, from a first state to a second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting control system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system that controls a plurality of lighting fixtures for illuminating a room. This lighting control system includes a storage device, an input device, and a control device. The storage device stores personal identification information that uniquely identifies each individual and personal lighting information. The input device receives an input of personal identification information. The control device includes an entrance / exit management unit, a lighting identification unit, and a lighting control unit. The entrance / exit management unit identifies an individual by comparing the personal identification information input by the input device with the personal identification information stored in the storage device, and determines that the individual has entered or exited the room. The lighting identification unit identifies the lighting fixture corresponding to the individual determined by the entrance / exit management unit to have entered or exited the room by referring to the personal lighting information stored in the storage device. The lighting control unit performs predetermined control on the lighting fixture identified by the lighting identification unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to identify an individual who has entered the room in conjunction with an entrance / exit management system and turn on the lighting fixture near the seat. However, an individual who has entered the room does not necessarily sit on the seat. Therefore, there is a possibility that the lighting may be unnecessarily turned on even when the individual does not sit on the seat. Accordingly, there is a risk of generating wasted power consumption.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to obtain an illumination control system capable of lighting a necessary area.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The illumination control system according to the present disclosure includes an entrance / exit management device that acquires personal identification information of a person when the person enters the room, a plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, and a button display unit. When a button is pressed, the lighting state of the corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures changes. The switch unit, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, With the plurality of buttons arranged, A corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons only for, Changes the display state of the button display unit from a first state to a second state. The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes an entrance / exit management device that acquires personal identification information of a person when the person enters the room, a plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, a button display unit, and a switch unit having a plurality of buttons that change the lighting state of a corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures when pressed, and a storage device that holds a correspondence relationship between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures. When the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit changes the display state of the button display unit of the corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons from a first state to a second state. The lighting control system has an operation mode of a lighting candidate display mode and a learning mode. In the learning mode, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the storage device stores information on the lighting fixture corresponding to the button pressed within a predetermined time after the personal identification information is acquired in association with the acquired personal identification information. In the lighting candidate display mode, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state based on the information stored in the storage device. The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes an entrance / exit management device that acquires personal identification information of a person when the person enters the room, a plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, a switch unit having a button display unit and a plurality of buttons that change the lighting state of a corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures when pressed, and a storage device that holds a correspondence relationship between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures. When the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit changes the display state of the button display unit of a corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons from a first state to a second state. The lighting control system has an operation mode of a composite mode. In the composite mode, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state, and the storage device stores information on the lighting fixture corresponding to the button pressed within a predetermined time after the personal identification information is acquired in association with the acquired personal identification information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the illumination control system according to the present disclosure, when personal identification information is acquired, among the plurality of buttons of the switch unit, the display state of the button display unit of the corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information changes to the second state. When a person who has entered the room presses a button in the second state, a necessary area can be lit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The lighting control systems according to the respective embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations may be omitted.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The lighting control system 100 includes a controller 1, and lighting fixtures 2 and a switch unit 3 connected to the lower communication side of the controller.

[0011] The lighting fixture 2 has its lighting state controlled by a control command from the controller 1 by a wireless signal or a wired signal. The controller 1 can individually control the lighting fixture 2, for example, by using the communication function of the lighting fixture 2. Also, the controller 1 may control the lighting fixture 2 via a relay to which the power lines of one or more lighting fixtures 2 are connected. Further, the lighting fixture 2 may have a function of being dimmed by input of a dimming control signal such as a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal. In this case, the controller 1 may control the lighting state of one or more lighting fixtures 2 according to the change in the dimming control signal.

[0012] In the present embodiment, an example in which each lighting fixture 2 has a communication function and the controller 1 individually controls the lighting fixture 2 will be described. The control of the lighting state includes, for example, control of lighting, extinguishing, dimming, or color temperature. Each lighting fixture 2 may have an individual address and be individually controlled by the controller 1. Also, the lighting fixtures 2 may be controlled in units of groups or zones.

[0013] The controller 1 has a communication function by wireless or wired signals on the upper side and communicates with the gateway device 8. The gateway device 8 converts communication data for communicating with other facility systems. Thereby, for example, it is possible to cooperate the lighting control system 100 with systems of other manufacturers or other industries such as air conditioning facilities or security systems.

[0014] Specifically, the controller 1 can notify the upper system of the current state such as the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2. Also, when a control command is sent from the upper system to an individual device, group or zone in the lighting control system 100, the gateway device 8 converts the communication data and sends the control command to the controller 1. Thereby, the controller 1 can send a control command to the lighting fixture 2.

[0015] The central management device 9 collects information on each facility system by open standard BACnet communication using, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark). The central management device 9 sends a control command to each system based on a pre-stored control algorithm or set value and the collected data.

[0016] Not limited to the case of communicating with the central management device 9, the controller 1 and the gateway device 8 may be independent of the central management device 9. Also, the controller 1 and the gateway device 8 may be the same device. That is, only the controller 1 may control terminal devices such as the lighting fixture 2 and the switch unit 3.

[0017] The setter 7 is used for allocating functions to the switch unit 3, various settings for the controller 1, monitoring the states of each device, etc. The setter 7 and each device are connected by wireless communication or wired communication. The setter 7 is, for example, a portable type remote control using infrared rays, a personal computer, or an application for a mobile terminal.

[0018] The setter 7 may communicate directly with the controller 1 via wireless communication. Also, the setter 7 may perform direct communication and data transmission / reception with a terminal device such as the lighting fixture 2 or the switch unit 3 equipped with a wireless communication function. Further, in the case of wired communication, the setter 7 may be connected to a wired communication line for the controller 1, the lighting fixture 2, and the switch unit 3 to communicate. Thereby, the setter 7 can communicate with the controller 1 or the terminal device.

[0019] Also, the setter 7 may communicate with each device via communication between the controller 1 and the gateway device 8 or communication on the upper side of the gateway device 8. The communication on the upper side of the gateway device 8 is, for example, BACnet communication.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the switch unit 3 according to Embodiment 1. The switch unit 3 communicates with the controller 1 by a wireless signal or a wired signal. The switch unit 3 is, for example, a wall switch. The switch unit 3 has a plurality of buttons 13. The switch unit 3 is equipped with, for example, 1 to 8 buttons 13. Each button 13 has, for example, a switch that performs a momentary operation built therein. When a plurality of channels are mounted on one switch unit 3, for example, the same number of buttons 13 as the number of channels are provided.

[0021] Various functions can be assigned to each button 13. For example, the button 13 has a function of individually controlling the lighting state of a specific lighting fixture 2. Also, the button 13 may have a function of controlling the lighting state of a group of a plurality of lighting fixtures 2. Further, the button 13 may have a function of controlling the lighting state of a zone. Here, a range obtained by further grouping groups is called a zone. Also, the button 13 may be provided with a function of increasing or decreasing the dimming rate for each operation. Also, a function of setting the validity / invalidity of various functions may be assigned to the button 13.

[0022] In the storage unit 3c of the switch unit 3, the circuit number, group number, and zone number assigned to each button 13 are stored. When each button 13 is pressed, the pressing information of the button 13 is notified to the control unit 3b. The control unit 3b refers to the information in the storage unit 3c and transmits, via the communication unit 3a to the controller 1, the function assigned to the pressed button 13 and the pressing information regarding the state of the button 13. The information on the function assigned to the button 13 is, for example, the information of the lighting fixture 2 controlled by the operation of the button 13. The information regarding the state of the button 13 includes, for example, the information on whether the button 13 is in the on state or the off state.

[0023] The controller 1 stores, in advance in the storage unit 1c, the circuit number for individually identifying the lighting fixture 2, the circuit numbers belonging to each group, or the group numbers belonging to each zone. When the control unit 1b of the controller 1 receives the pressing information from the switch unit 3, it controls the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the pressing information via the communication unit 1a. Thus, when the button 13 is pressed, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the pressed button 13 changes among the plurality of lighting fixtures 2.

[0024] The switch unit 3 does not have to hold address information. In this case, as described above, the switch unit 3 only has to notify the pressing information to the controller 1. Also, address information may be assigned to each button 13 of the switch unit 3. In this case, when the button 13 is pressed, for example, the address information assigned to the button 13 and the button number are transmitted to the controller 1. At this time, the storage unit 1c of the controller 1 stores the function assigned to each address of the button 13 of the switch unit 3. Also, in the storage unit 1c of the controller 1, the control unit of the lighting fixture 2 is preset. The control unit 1b of the controller 1 determines the control content according to the address information transmitted from the switch unit 3 and controls the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the pressed button 13.

[0025] Each button 13 of the switch unit 3 has a button display unit 3d. The button display unit 3d is composed of, for example, an LED display unit. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the button display unit 3d has, for example, a green LED display unit 14 and a red LED display unit 15. The green LED display unit 14 and the red LED display unit 15 are installed, for example, near the button 13. When the lighting fixture 2 assigned to each button 13 is in the lit state, for example, only the red LED display unit 15 lights up. When the lighting fixture 2 assigned to each button 13 is in the unlit state, for example, only the green LED display unit 14 lights up. Thereby, the user can be notified of the lit state. The green LED display unit 14 and the red LED display unit 15 may notify the user of the state by a blinking operation.

[0026] The control unit 1b of the controller 1 may instruct the display state of each button display unit 3d to the switch unit 3 via the communication units 1a and 3a. Also, the control unit 3b of the switch unit 3 may manage the display state of the button display unit 3d. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the controller 1 can instruct the display state of each button display unit 3d by communication.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an installation example of each device according to Embodiment 1. The switch unit 3 may be installed one by one, for example, depending on the scale or nature of the room to be installed, or a plurality of switch units 3 may be installed together near the entrance of the room. The switch unit 3 of the present embodiment is installed, for example, on the wall near the entrance to the room. In the present embodiment, the effect can be obtained particularly when the switch unit 3 is installed near the entrance of the room. The switch unit 3 may be an aggregated switch in which a plurality of switch units are aggregated. That is, a plurality of switch units 3 may be installed side by side.

[0028] The entry / exit management device 10 acquires the personal identification information of a person when the person enters a room in which a plurality of lighting fixtures 2 are provided. The room is, for example, an office in which desks and chairs used by the user are arranged. The entry / exit management device 10 is connected to one or a plurality of entry / exit detection devices 11 by a wireless signal or a wired signal.

[0029] The entry / exit detection device 11 detects the presence of the personal identification terminal 12 in which personal identification information has been recorded in advance, and reads the personal identification information. The entry / exit detection device 11 is, for example, a contact type or non-contact type card reader. As shown in FIG. 3, the entry / exit detection device 11 is installed, for example, outside near the entrance of a room. Not limited to this, the entry / exit detection device 11 may be provided at the entrance of a building having a room provided with a plurality of lighting fixtures 2 or at the entrance to the site where the building is located.

[0030] The user who holds the personal identification terminal 12 brings the personal identification terminal 12 into contact with or close to the entry / exit detection device 11 when entering or exiting the room. Thereby, the entry / exit detection device 11 reads the personal identification information. The entry / exit detection device 11 transmits the read data to the entry / exit management device 10.

[0031] The personal identification information is an ID number or personal name that identifies each individual. These are stored in the personal identification terminal 12 as, for example, a contact type or non-contact type IC card or magnetic card. The personal identification terminal 12 may be a general employee ID card or entrance permit. The personal identification terminal 12 may be a personal computer, mobile phone, or mobile terminal carried by the user.

[0032] Further, the entry / exit detection device 11 may be a camera. The entry / exit detection device 11 may read the personal identification information by face authentication or fingerprint authentication using the image recognition function of the camera. Further, the entry / exit detection device 11 may have a number input function by key operation. In this case, the information input by the key operation corresponds to the personal identification information. The entry / exit management device 10 or the entry / exit detection device 11 may be linked with the locking interlocking system as part of the security system. The entry / exit management device 10 and the entry / exit detection device 11 may be the same device.

[0033] When the entry / exit management device 10 acquires personal identification information when a person enters the room, it transmits the acquired information to the central management device 9. In the central management device 9, it is possible to register in advance the lighting area corresponding to the personal identification information. That is, the storage unit 9c of the central management device 9 corresponds to a storage device that holds the correspondence between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2. The lighting area can be set with a number such as, for example, a circuit number, a group number, or a zone number. One or more numbers are registered for each personal identification information. Specifically, for each personal identification information, the lighting area where the user corresponding to the personal identification information stays after entering the room is registered.

[0034] So that the lighting area for each individual can be easily set, it is desirable to register in advance the individual circuits, groups, or zones within the lighting control system 100 according to the layout of the room or the usage of the user. The administrator or the setting operator associates, for example, the circuit number, group number, or zone number of the lighting fixture 2 near the individual's work desk or seat as the lighting area to be used when each user enters the room with the personal identification information in advance. The room may be used by a plurality of users. Therefore, it is desirable to register the lighting area for each user.

[0035] The setting of the lighting area corresponding to the personal identification information can be performed on the controller 1 using, for example, the setter 7. Thereby, the setting information is transferred from the controller 1 to the central management device 9. Or it may be set directly in the central management device 9 by the setter 7.

[0036] Note that the storage unit 1c of the controller 1 may be the storage device that holds the correspondence between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 instead of the central management device 9. In the following description, an example in which the central management device 9 holds the correspondence between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 will be described.

[0037] The controller 1 of the present embodiment operates, for example, in a lighting candidate display mode, an automatic lighting mode, a learning mode, a composite mode, and a normal mode. The operation mode of the controller 1 can be changed by operating the setting device 7. Further, a function for switching the operation mode may be assigned to the button 13 of the switch unit 3 in advance.

[0038] First, the operation when the controller 1 is operating in the lighting candidate display mode will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation in the lighting candidate display mode of the lighting control system 100 according to Embodiment 1. As an initial state, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the personal identification information of the user is in the off state before the user enters the room. For this reason, the corresponding button display unit 13d is in the first state where the green LED display unit 14 is lit.

[0039] Next, a person enters the room, and the entry / exit management device 10 acquires personal identification information (step 1). When the control unit 9b of the central management device 9 receives the personal identification information via the communication unit 9a, it refers to the information in the storage unit 9c and reads the lighting area corresponding to the received personal identification information. Further, the control unit 9b transmits a control command for controlling the corresponding lighting fixture 2 to the controller 1 via the communication unit 9a and the gateway device 8 (step 2). The control command includes the circuit number, group number, or zone number of the corresponding lighting fixture 2 and information for turning on the corresponding lighting fixture 2. That is, the central management device 9 converts the personal identification information into a lighting control command.

[0040] When the control unit 1b of the controller 1 receives the control command transmitted by the central management device 9 via the communication unit 1a, it does not transmit a lighting command to the lighting fixture 2 specified by the control command. Further, the control unit 1b of the controller 1 transmits a control command to the switch unit 3 via the communication unit 1a so as to change the button display unit 3d of the corresponding button (step 3). Here, the corresponding button is the button 13 among the plurality of buttons 13 of the switch unit 3 that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the acquired personal identification information.

[0041] In addition, when the controller 1 holds the correspondence relationship between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2, only the received personal identification information and the entry information are transmitted from the central management device 9 to the controller 1, for example. In this case, the controller 1 reads the lighting area corresponding to the received personal identification information by referring to the information in the storage unit 1c, and transmits a control command to the switch unit 3 so as to change the button display unit 3d of the corresponding button.

[0042] The control unit 1b of the present embodiment corresponds to a control device that changes the display state of the corresponding button from the first state to the second state when the entry / exit management device 10 acquires the personal identification information. Note that the control unit 9b of the central management device 9 may function as the control device. In this case, the central management device 9 transmits a control command to the switch unit 3 so as to change the button display unit 3d of the corresponding button via the gateway device 8 and the controller 1.

[0043] The control unit 3b of the switch unit 3 receives a control command from the controller 1 via the communication unit 3a. The control unit 3b changes the display state of the button display unit 3d of the corresponding button to the second state according to the control command (step 4). In this way, when the entry / exit management device 10 acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit 3 changes the display state of the button display unit 13d of the corresponding button from the first state to the second state.

[0044] From the above, it is possible to notify the user of the button 13 for lighting the lighting fixture 2 that irradiates the place where the person who has entered the room may stay. Therefore, by pressing the button 13 in the second state according to the future stay plan at the seat and the like of the person who has entered the room, the necessary area can be lit. The lighting area corresponding to the personal identification information may be one or more. For this reason, one or more corresponding buttons that change from the first state to the second state may be provided. When there are a plurality of corresponding buttons, the person who has entered the room may select and press the button 13 of the necessary lighting area from the plurality of buttons 13 in the second state.

[0045] The second state is, for example, a state in which the green LED display unit 14 repeatedly blinks. The second state may also be a state in which the red LED display unit 15 repeatedly blinks. Further, the second state may be a state in which the green LED display unit 14 and the red LED display unit 15 blink simultaneously or alternately. It is desirable that the second state is a state not used for state display during normal on / off operation of the lighting fixture 2 by the switch unit 3.

[0046] Also, it is assumed that another person has entered the room before the entry of a person is detected, or that the target lighting area is already lit by means other than the above. In this case, it is not necessary to notify the person who entered the room of the corresponding button. For this reason, the control unit 1b of the controller 1 may change the corresponding button to the second state only when the target lighting area is in the off state. Further, the controller 1 may change the button display unit 3d to a state different from the first state and the second state in order to notify that the target lighting area is already lit.

[0047] The display state of the corresponding button may be maintained in the second state for a predetermined specified time. The control unit 1b of the controller 1 determines whether the corresponding button has been pressed within the specified time (step 5). If the corresponding button is not pressed during the specified time, the control unit 1b returns the display state of the corresponding button to the first state (step 6). In this case, the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the personal identification information remains in the off state.

[0048] If the corresponding button is pressed during the specified time, the control unit 1b of the controller 1 changes the display state of the corresponding button from the second state to the third state (step 7). The third state is a state in which the red LED display unit 15 is lit. In response to the pressing of the corresponding button, the control unit 1b of the controller 1 transmits a lighting command to the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the personal identification information. As a result, the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the personal identification information lights up. In this way, when the corresponding button is pressed within the specified period after the display state of the corresponding button changes to the second state, the display state changes from the second state to the third state, and if the corresponding button is not pressed during the specified time, it returns to the first state.

[0049] As an operation parameter in the lighting candidate display mode, the period during which the display state of the corresponding button is maintained in the second state may be changeable. When the second state is the blinking state of the button display unit 3d, the blinking hold time, which is the period during which the button display unit 3d blinks after detecting entry, may be arbitrarily set. This setting is performed, for example, from the setter 7 to the controller 1. The blinking hold time may be a common value for all lighting areas. Also, the blinking hold time may be different for each lighting area or each button 13 of the switch unit 3. The blinking hold time can be set, for example, in the range of 1 second to 300 seconds.

[0050] Also, the blinking interval of the button display unit 3d in the second state may be settable. The blinking interval can be set, for example, in the range of 0.1 second to 5.0 seconds. For example, when the blinking hold time is set to 30 seconds and the blinking interval is set to 1 second, the green LED display unit 14 repeats the operation of lighting for 1 second and turning off for 1 second for 30 seconds. Thus, various setting values for determining the second state can be arbitrarily set.

[0051] After this, in the same manner as a normal wall switch operation, the lighting area can be lit by pressing the button 13.

[0052] In this embodiment, it is possible to predict the lighting area where the user intends to stay and prompt the user to perform a lighting operation by changing the display state of the corresponding button. The user can grasp the position of the button 13 corresponding to the lighting area where the user stays based on the display state of the button display unit 3d. Generally, each button of a wall switch may be provided with a nameplate indicating the corresponding lighting area. Also, drawings or the like for explaining the lighting area corresponding to each button may be installed adjacent to the wall switch. However, especially at night when the room is dark, such a nameplate or drawing may not be visible. In this embodiment, even when the room is dark, the user can easily turn on the desired lighting area by pressing the button 13 according to the change in the LED display.

[0053] In addition, when the lighting fixture 2 already installed near the switch unit 3 is lit and the vicinity of the switch unit 3 is bright enough for the nameplate or explanatory drawings to be visible, a function may be added to prevent the display state of the corresponding button from changing.

[0054] Also, when the corresponding lighting area automatically turns on and off in conjunction with the entry and exit of the user, there is a possibility that the unnecessary lighting state will continue as long as the user is in the room even if the user does not sit in their seat. In contrast, in the present embodiment, after the display state of the corresponding button changes to the second state, until the corresponding button is pressed, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the acquired personal identification information is maintained in the state before the personal identification information was acquired. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corresponding lighting fixture 2 from being lit unnecessarily when the user enters the room but does not sit in their seat. Thus, power consumption can be reduced.

[0055] Next, the operation of the controller 1 in the automatic lighting mode will be described. In the automatic lighting mode, when the entry / exit management device 10 acquires personal identification information, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the acquired personal identification information changes. The operation in the automatic lighting mode is the same as that in the lighting candidate display mode up to step 2. The control unit 1b of the controller 1 that has received the control command transmits a control command for controlling the corresponding lighting fixture 2 via the communication unit 1a. Note that only the personal identification information and the entry information may be transmitted from the central management device 9 to the controller 1. In this case, the controller 1 converts the personal identification information into a control command.

[0056] In response to the control command, the corresponding lighting fixture 2 is turned on. At the same time, the controller 1 sets the display state of the corresponding button of the switch unit 3 to the third state. That is, in the automatic lighting mode, the lighting area of the user lights up immediately according to the control command from above.

[0057] Next, the operation of the controller 1 in the learning mode will be described. In the learning mode, when the entrance / exit management device 10 acquires personal identification information, the storage unit 9c of the central management device 9 associates and stores the information of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the button 13 pressed within a predetermined learning time after the personal identification information is acquired, with the acquired personal identification information.

[0058] The operation in the learning mode is the same as the lighting candidate display mode until step 2. In the learning mode, even if the controller 1 receives a control command from the central management device 9, it does not change the display state of the switch unit 3 and does not turn on the lighting fixture 2. In the learning mode, when the button 13 of the switch unit 3 is pressed, the controller 1 turns on the lighting area assigned to the button 13. That is, the lighting control in the learning mode is the same as the normal mode described later.

[0059] In the learning mode, the information of the circuit number, group number, or zone number assigned to the pressed button 13 of the switch unit 3 is transmitted from the controller 1 to the central management device 9 via the gateway device 8. The central management device 9 associates and stores the personal identification information received from the entrance / exit management device 10 immediately before and the information received from the controller 1 on the database.

[0060] The stored data becomes the display of the switch unit 3 in the lighting candidate display mode next time, or the set value for the lighting control in the automatic lighting mode. That is, the learning data in the storage unit 9c becomes the base data for creating a control command to be transmitted to the controller 1 when the entrance / exit management device 10 receives personal identification information in the lighting candidate display mode or the automatic lighting mode. For example, in the lighting candidate display mode, based on the learning data stored in the storage unit 9c of the central management device 9, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state.

[0061] By continuing the learning mode, it is assumed that data for the same personal identification information may be acquired multiple times. In this case, the stored information may be overwritten so that only the latest data remains in the database. Also, the control unit 9b of the central management device 9 may add, for example, data obtained multiple times using its own calculation method. Further, the control unit 9b may retain only the data with a high operation frequency among the data obtained multiple times.

[0062] Also, in the learning mode, the learning time, which is the period during which the central management device 9 acquires the information of the button 13 pressed after receiving the personal identification information, can be arbitrarily set. The learning time is set, for example, from 1 second to 300 seconds. The learning time is set in the central management device 9 by, for example, the setting device 7. When the central management device 9 receives information that the button 13 has been pressed from the controller 1 after the learning time has elapsed, it does not perform data association. When not performing the association, the central management device 9 may continue to operate the already associated data. Also, the central management device 9 may delete the data associated with the acquired personal identification information because there has been no recent operation.

[0063] Also, the learning time may be set in the controller 1. In this case, when the button 13 is pressed before the elapse of the learning time, the controller 1 transmits the information that the button 13 has been pressed to the central management device 9 as setting data. When the button 13 is pressed after the elapse of the learning time, the controller 1 does not transmit the information that the button 13 has been pressed to the central management device 9.

[0064] By these controls, the learning time can be arbitrarily set assuming the time elapsed until the user who has entered the room presses the switch unit 3. Specifically, the learning time can be arbitrarily set according to the distance from the installation location of the entry / exit detection device 11 to the installation location of the switch unit 3 or the walking speed of the user, etc.

[0065] Next, the operation of the controller 1 in the composite mode will be described. In the composite mode, when the entrance / exit management device 10 acquires personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state. Further, in the composite mode, the storage unit 9c of the central management device 9 stores the information of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the button 13 pressed within the learning time after the personal identification information is acquired, in association with the acquired personal identification information. That is, in the composite mode, the operations of the lighting candidate display mode and the learning mode are performed simultaneously.

[0066] The operation of the composite mode is the same as that of the lighting candidate display mode up to step 2. In the composite mode, the controller 1 changes the display state of the corresponding button according to the control command received from the central management device 9. After that, when the user presses the button 13, the controller 1 turns on the corresponding lighting fixture 2. At this time, the controller 1 transmits the information of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the pressed button 13 to the central management device 9. Thereby, the central management device 9 stores the personal identification information received from the entrance / exit management device 10 immediately before and the information received from the controller 1 in association with each other on the database.

[0067] In the composite mode, the blinking hold time, the blinking interval, which are the setting parameters of the lighting candidate display mode, and the learning time, which is the setting parameter in the learning mode, may be set arbitrarily.

[0068] Next, the operation of the controller 1 in the normal mode will be described. In the normal mode, the display state of the corresponding button does not change according to the personal identification information acquired by the entrance / exit management device 10. Also, according to the acquired personal identification information, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the acquired personal identification information does not change. That is, even when the controller 1 receives a control command corresponding to the personal identification information from the central management device 9, it does not control the lighting fixture 2 or the switch unit 3. Also, the controller 1 does not reflect the information of the pressed button in the setting data as in the learning mode. That is, in the normal mode, the controller 1 only controls the lighting state of the corresponding lighting fixture 2 in response to the pressing of the button 13.

[0069] The controller 1 may have a clock function or a calendar function and may manage the year, month, day, day of the week, or time zone. The operation mode of the controller 1 may be switched according to the time zone, day of the week, specific date, etc. Also, the setting parameters such as the flashing hold time, flashing interval, and learning time may be changed according to the time zone, day of the week, specific date, etc. These settings can be performed on the controller 1 by the setter 7. For example, the date or time zone for operating in the learning mode can be set, and the date or time zone for operating in the lighting candidate display mode can be arbitrarily set using the learning data obtained as a result.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the control units 1b, 3b, and 9b are configured by, for example, a microcomputer. Also, the storage units 1c, 3c, and 9c are configured by a memory such as a non-volatile memory.

[0071] As the operation mode of the controller 1, at least the lighting candidate display mode may be provided, and some of the above operation modes may not be provided. Also, the numbers of the lighting fixtures 2 and the switch unit 3 are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Also, the configuration of the switch unit 3 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2. For example, the button 13 and the button display unit 3d may be displayed on a liquid crystal panel. In this case, the button 13 may be pressed by operating the liquid crystal panel.

[0072] These modifications can be appropriately applied to the lighting control system according to the following embodiment. Note that since the lighting control system according to the following embodiment has many common points with Embodiment 1, the description will focus on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0073] Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 200 according to Embodiment 2. The lighting control system 200 is different from the lighting control system 100 in that it further includes an illuminance sensor 4, a human sensor 5, and an image sensor 6. Other configurations are the same as those of the lighting control system 100.

[0074] The illuminance sensor 4 has a communication function and is connected to the controller 1. The illuminance sensor 4 is installed, for example, on the ceiling, etc., and detects the brightness of the underlying floor surface or tabletop. The controller 1 manages the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 4 as an illuminance value. The controller 1 controls the lighting fixture 2 according to whether the current illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 4 is higher or lower than a preset target illuminance. The controller 1 adjusts the output of the lighting fixture 2 in the area corresponding to the illuminance sensor 4 so that the detected illuminance value approaches the target illuminance. Information on the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the illuminance sensor 4 is preset in the controller 1. Also, the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the illuminance sensor 4 may be set in units of individual circuits, groups, or zones.

[0075] The human presence sensor 5 is installed on the ceiling or the like. The human presence sensor 5 is equipped with a pyroelectric sensor or the like and detects the movement of a human body within the underlying detection area. The human presence sensor 5 notifies the controller 1 of information on the presence or absence of people in the room. The controller 1, for example, turns on the lighting fixture 2 in the area where people are present and turns off or dims the lighting fixture 2 in the area where people are absent.

[0076] The image sensor 6 is installed on the ceiling or the like. The image sensor 6 is equipped with a camera. The image sensor 6 acquires image data of the underlying detection area and determines whether a person is present in the detection area. The image sensor 6 compares the acquired image data with a base background image by its own detection algorithm. Thereby, the image sensor 6 can detect not only the movement of a heat source body like a pyroelectric sensor but also the entry, movement, stay, and passage of a human body into the detection area of the human body.

[0077] The image sensor 6 transmits detection information to the controller 1. The controller 1 controls the lighting fixture 2 according to the received detection information. For example, when there is no person, the controller 1 may turn off the lighting fixture 2. Further, when the controller 1 detects the movement of a person from the detection area, it may turn on the lighting fixture 2 in the detection area at a low dimming rate. Also, when the controller 1 detects the presence of a person in the detection area, it may turn on the lighting fixture 2 in the detection area at a high dimming rate.

[0078] In the lighting control system 200, the functions described in the first embodiment can be combined with the functions of the illuminance sensor 4, the human presence sensor 5, and the image sensor 6 to operate. For example, in the lighting candidate display mode, when performing lighting control by operating the button 13, the control by the illuminance sensor 4 may be combined. For example, the controller 1 controls the brightness of the lighting fixture 2 based on the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 4 so that the illuminance of the lighting area corresponding to the pressed button 13 matches the target illuminance. Similar control may be performed when the lighting fixture 2 is turned on in the automatic lighting mode, the learning mode, and the composite mode. Also, after the lighting fixture 2 is turned on, if the human presence sensor 5 or the image sensor 6 detects the absence of a person in the detection area, the controller 1 may turn off the lighting fixture 2 in the detection area.

[0079] Further, the controller 1 is equipped with a clock function and manages the year, month, day, day of the week, or time zone. The controller 1 may switch whether to perform combined control with the illuminance sensor 4, the human presence sensor 5, and the image sensor 6 according to the time zone, day of the week, specific date, etc. Also, the controller 1 may change various setting parameters of the control by the illuminance sensor 4, the human presence sensor 5, and the image sensor 6 according to the time zone, day of the week, specific date, etc.

[0080] Note that the technical features described in each embodiment may be used in appropriate combinations.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0081] 1 Controller, 1a Communication unit, 1b Control unit, 1c Memory unit, 2 Lighting fixture, 3 Switch unit, 3a Communication unit, 3b Control unit, 3c Memory unit, 3d Button display unit, 4 Illuminance sensor, 5 Human sensor, 6 Image sensor, 7 Setter, 8 Gateway device, 9 Central management device, 9a Communication unit, 9b Control unit, 9c Memory unit, 10 Entrance / exit management device, 11 Entrance / exit detection device, 12 Personal identification terminal, 13 Button, 13d Button display unit, 14 Green LED display unit, 15 Red LED display unit, 100 Lighting control system, 200 Lighting control system

Claims

1. An entrance / exit management device that acquires personal identification information of a person when the person enters the room, A plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, A switch unit having a button display unit and a plurality of buttons that, when pressed, change the lighting state of the corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures, Comprising: When the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit changes the display state of the button display unit from a first state to a second state only for the corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons in the state where the plurality of buttons are arranged. A lighting control system characterized by this.

2. When the corresponding button is pressed within a predetermined specified time after the display state of the corresponding button changes to the second state, the display state changes from the second state to a third state, and if the corresponding button is not pressed within the specified time after changing to the second state, it returns to the first state. The lighting control system according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. After the display state of the corresponding button changes to the second state and until the corresponding button is pressed, the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information is maintained in the state before the personal identification information was acquired. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

4. If the corresponding button is not pressed within a predetermined specified time after the display state of the corresponding button changes to the second state, it returns to the first state, and the specified time is changeable. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this.

5. A storage device that holds the correspondence relationship between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures, A control device that changes the display state of the corresponding button from the first state to the second state when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising this.

6. The lighting control system has an operation mode of a lighting candidate display mode and an automatic lighting mode, In the lighting candidate display mode, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state, In the automatic lighting mode, when the access control device acquires the personal identification information, the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information changes. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The lighting control system has an operation mode of a lighting candidate display mode and a normal mode. In the lighting candidate display mode, when the access control device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state. In the normal mode, the display state of the corresponding button does not change according to the acquired personal identification information, and the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information does not change according to the acquired personal identification information. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. When a person enters the room, an access control device that acquires the personal identification information of the person, A plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, A switch unit having a button display unit and a plurality of buttons that change the lighting state of the corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures when pressed, A storage device that holds the correspondence relationship between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures, Comprising, When the access control device acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit changes the display state of the button display unit of the corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons from the first state to the second state. A lighting control system, The lighting control system has an operation mode of a lighting candidate display mode and a learning mode. In the learning mode, when the access control device acquires the personal identification information, the storage device stores the information of the lighting fixture corresponding to the button pressed within a predetermined time after the personal identification information is acquired, in association with the acquired personal identification information. In the lighting candidate display mode, when the access control device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state based on the information stored in the storage device. A lighting control system, characterized in that.

9. When a person enters the room, an access control device that acquires the personal identification information of the person, A plurality of lighting fixtures provided in the room, A switch unit having a button display unit and a plurality of buttons that, when pressed, change the lighting state of a corresponding lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures; A storage device that holds the correspondence between the personal identification information and the plurality of lighting fixtures; Comprising: When the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the switch unit changes the display state of the button display unit of the corresponding button that changes the lighting state of the lighting fixture corresponding to the acquired personal identification information among the plurality of buttons from a first state to a second state. The lighting control system is such that, The lighting control system has an operation mode of a composite mode; In the composite mode, when the entrance / exit management device acquires the personal identification information, the display state of the corresponding button changes from the first state to the second state, and the storage device stores information on the lighting fixture corresponding to the button pressed within a predetermined time after the personal identification information is acquired in association with the acquired personal identification information. A lighting control system characterized by this.

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