Control device for lighting device, and lighting system

Abstract

Provided are an illumination device control device with which it is possible to intuitively set the diffusibility of light in two directions, and an illumination system. The illumination device control device is capable of controlling the diffusibility of light in a first direction and a second direction. An optical diffusibility setting screen for performing an optical diffusibility setting process for the illumination device is displayed in a display region (DA). The display region (DA) overlaps a touch sensor detection region (FA). In the optical diffusibility setting screen, an XY plane is defined in which the X-direction corresponds to the first direction and the Y-direction corresponds to the second direction, with a predetermined position in the optical diffusibility setting screen being located at the origin (O). The optical diffusibility setting screen is provided with: an optical-distribution shape object (OBJ) that has a central point at the origin (O) of the XY plane; a first slider (first optical diffusibility setting object S1) that has a central point at the position (x0) of an intersection point of the X-axis of the XY plane and the outline of the optical-distribution shape object (OBJ); and a second slider (second optical diffusibility setting object S2) that has a central point at the position (y0) of an intersection point of the Y-axis of the XY plane and the outline of the optical-distribution shape object (OBJ).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a lighting device and a lighting system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a lighting fixture that combines a light source such as an LED with a thin lens engraved with a prism pattern and changes the light distribution angle by changing the distance between the light source and the thin lens. For example, a lighting fixture is disclosed in which the front surface of a transparent bulb is covered with a liquid crystal dimming element and direct light and scattered light are switched by changing the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in a lighting device using a liquid crystal cell for p-wave polarization and a liquid crystal cell for s-wave polarization, the diffusion degree of light in two directions can be controlled by driving both liquid crystal cells respectively. Thus, in a lighting device capable of controlling the diffusion degree of light in two directions, a control device capable of intuitively setting the diffusion degree of light in two directions is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a lighting device and a lighting system that can intuitively set the diffusion degree of light in two directions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control device for an illumination device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for an illumination device capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from a light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The control device includes a touch sensor having a detection area provided with a plurality of detection elements, and a display panel provided with a display area overlapping the detection area of the touch sensor in a plan view. A light diffusion degree setting screen for executing the light diffusion degree setting process of the illumination device is displayed in the display area of the display panel. The light diffusion degree setting screen defines an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane having a predetermined position on the light diffusion degree setting screen as the origin. A light distribution shape object having the origin of the XY plane as a center point, a first light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point between the X axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point, and a second light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point between the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point are provided.

[0007] An illumination system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a light source, an illumination device provided on the optical axis of the light source and capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from the light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a control device for controlling the illumination device to change the light distribution state. The control device includes a touch sensor having a detection area provided with a plurality of detection elements, and a display panel provided with a display area overlapping the detection area of the touch sensor in a plan view. A light diffusion degree setting screen for executing the light diffusion degree setting process of the illumination device is displayed in the display area of the display panel. The light diffusion degree setting screen defines an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and an XY plane having a predetermined position on the light diffusion degree setting screen as the origin. A light distribution shape object having the origin of the XY plane as a center point, a first light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point between the X axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point, and a second light diffusion degree setting object having an intersection point between the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object as a center point are provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The mode for carrying out the invention (embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the content described in the following embodiments. Further, the constituent elements described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and substantially identical ones. Furthermore, the constituent elements described below can be combined as appropriate. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art with appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. Also, for the purpose of making the description clearer, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual aspect, but this is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. Also, in this specification and each drawing, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same elements as those described above with respect to the previously shown drawings, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] FIG. 1A is a side view showing an example of the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an example of the optical element 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the lighting device 1 includes a light source 4, a reflector 4a, and an optical element 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the optical element 100 includes a first liquid crystal cell 2_1, a second liquid crystal cell 2_2, a third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and a fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4. The light source 4 is composed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). The reflector 4a is a component that condenses the light of the light source 4 onto the optical element 100.

[0011] In FIG. 1B, the Dz direction indicates the light emission direction from the light source 4 and the reflector 4a. The optical element 100 is configured by stacking a first liquid crystal cell 2_1, a second liquid crystal cell 2_2, a third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and a fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 in the Dz direction. In the present disclosure, the optical element 100 is configured by stacking the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 in this order from the light source 4 side (the lower side in FIG. 1B). In FIG. 1B, one direction in the plane parallel to the stacking plane of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 that is orthogonal to the Dz direction is defined as the Dx direction (the first direction), and the direction orthogonal to both the Dx direction and the Dz direction is defined as the Dy direction (the second direction).

[0012] The first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 have the same configuration. In the present disclosure, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are liquid crystal cells for p-wave polarization. Also, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 and the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 are liquid crystal cells for s-wave polarization. Hereinafter, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are also collectively referred to as the "liquid crystal cell 2".

[0013] The liquid crystal cell 2 includes a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 6. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the first substrate 5 as viewed from the Dz direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the second substrate 6 as viewed from the Dz direction. In FIG. 3, although the drive electrodes are visible through the substrate, the drive electrodes and wirings are shown by solid lines for the sake of clarity. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal cell with the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 overlapped in the Dz direction. Also in FIG. 4, for the sake of clarity, the drive electrodes and wirings on the second substrate side are shown by solid lines, and the drive electrodes and wirings on the first substrate side are shown by dotted lines. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' shown in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 in which the drive electrodes 10a, 10b of the first substrate 5 extend in the Dx direction and the drive electrodes 13a, 13b of the second substrate 6 extend in the Dy direction are illustrated.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal cell 2 includes a liquid crystal layer 8 sealed with a sealing material 7 around it between a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 6.

[0015] The liquid crystal layer 8 modulates the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 8 according to the state of the electric field. As the liquid crystal molecules, positive nematic liquid crystals are used, but other liquid crystals having the same action may be used.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, on the liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 9 of the first substrate 5, there are provided a plurality of drive electrodes 10a, 10b, a plurality of metal wirings 11a, 11b for supplying drive voltages applied to these drive electrodes 10a, 10b, and a plurality of metal wirings 11c, 11d for supplying drive voltages applied to a plurality of drive electrodes 13a, 13b (see FIG. 3) provided on the second substrate 6 described later. The metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided in the wiring layer of the first substrate 5. The metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided at intervals in the wiring layer on the first substrate 5. Hereinafter, the plurality of drive electrodes 10a, 10b may be simply referred to as "drive electrodes 10". Also, the plurality of metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d may be referred to as "first metal wirings 11". As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4, the drive electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 extend in the Dx direction. In the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the drive electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 extend in the Dy direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, on the liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 12 of the second substrate 6 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of drive electrodes 13a and 13b and a plurality of metal wirings 14a and 14b for supplying drive voltages applied to these drive electrodes 13 are provided. The metal wirings 14a and 14b are provided in the wiring layer of the second substrate 6. The metal wirings 14a and 14b are provided at intervals in the wiring layer on the second substrate 6. Hereinafter, the plurality of drive electrodes 13a and 13b may be simply referred to as "drive electrodes 13". Also, the plurality of metal wirings 14a and 14b may be referred to as "second metal wirings 14". As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4, the drive electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6 extend in the Dy direction. In the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the drive electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6 extend in the Dx direction.

[0018] The drive electrode 10 and the drive electrode 13 are transparent electrodes formed of a transparent conductive material (transparent conductive oxide) such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 are transparent substrates such as glass and resin. The first metal wiring 11 and the second metal wiring 14 are formed of at least one metal material of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), or an alloy thereof. Also, the first metal wiring 11 and the second metal wiring 14 may be a laminate in which a plurality of these metal materials are laminated using one or more of them. At least one metal material of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), or an alloy thereof has a lower resistance than a transparent conductive oxide such as ITO.

[0019] The metal wiring 11c of the first substrate 5 and the metal wiring 14a of the second substrate 6 are connected by a conduction portion 15a such as a conductive paste. Also, the metal wiring 11d of the first substrate 5 and the metal wiring 14b of the second substrate 6 are connected by a conduction portion 15b such as a conductive paste.

[0020] In addition, in a region on the first substrate 5 that does not overlap with the second substrate 6 in the Dz direction, connection (Flex-on-Board) terminal portions 16a and 16b that are connected to a flexible printed circuit (FPC: Flexible Printed Circuits) (not shown) are provided. The connection terminal portions 16a and 16b each include four connection terminals corresponding to the metal wirings 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.

[0021] The connection terminal portions 16a and 16b are provided in the wiring layer of the first substrate 5. The liquid crystal cell 2 is supplied with a driving voltage to be applied to the driving electrodes 10a and 10b on the first substrate 5 and the driving electrodes 13a and 13b on the second substrate 6 from an FPC connected to the connection terminal portion 16a or the connection terminal portion 16b. Hereinafter, the connection terminal portions 16a and 16b may be simply referred to as "connection terminal portion 16".

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, in the liquid crystal cell 2, the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 overlap in the Dz direction (the light irradiation direction), and when viewed from the Dz direction, a plurality of driving electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 and a plurality of driving electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6 intersect. In the liquid crystal cell 2 configured in this way, by supplying driving voltages to the plurality of driving electrodes 10 on the first substrate 5 and the plurality of driving electrodes 13 on the second substrate 6, respectively, it becomes possible to control the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 in the liquid crystal layer 8. A region in which the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 in the liquid crystal layer 8 can be controlled is referred to as an "active region AA". In this active region AA, by changing the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8, it becomes possible to control the diffusivity of light transmitted through the active region AA of the liquid crystal cell 2. In a region outside this active region AA, a region in which the liquid crystal layer 8 is sealed with the sealing material 7 is referred to as a "peripheral region GA" (see FIG. 5).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, in the active region AA of the first substrate 5, the driving electrode 10 (the driving electrode 10a in FIG. 5) is covered with the alignment film 18. In addition, in the active region AA of the second substrate 6, the driving electrodes 13 (the driving electrodes 13a and 13b in FIG. 5) are covered with the alignment film 19. The alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules are different between the alignment film 18 and the alignment film 19.

[0024] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film on the first substrate 5. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the alignment direction of the alignment film on the second substrate 6.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the alignment direction of the alignment film 18 on the first substrate 5 and the alignment direction of the alignment film 19 on the second substrate 6 intersect each other in a plan view. Specifically, as indicated by the solid-line arrow in FIG. 6A, the alignment direction of the alignment film 18 on the first substrate 5 is orthogonal to the extending direction of the driving electrodes 10a and 10b indicated by the dashed-line arrow in FIG. 6A. Further, as indicated by the solid-line arrow in FIG. 6B, the alignment direction of the alignment film 19 on the second substrate 6 is orthogonal to the extending direction of the driving electrodes 13a and 13b indicated by the dashed-line arrow in FIG. 6B. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the extending direction of each of these driving electrodes 10 and 13 and the alignment direction of the alignment films 18 and 19 covering them are orthogonal to each other, but they may intersect at an angle other than 90°, for example, in an angular range of 85° to 90°. Also, the driving electrode 10 on the first substrate 5 side and the driving electrode 13 on the second substrate 6 side are preferably orthogonal to each other, but they may intersect in an angular range of 85° to 90°, for example. Note that the alignment directions of the alignment films 18 and 19 are formed by a rubbing process or an optical alignment process.

[0026] Here, a mechanism for changing the shape of light by each liquid crystal cell 2 (the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4) will be described. FIG. 7 is a stacked structure diagram of the optical element 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are conceptual diagrams for explaining the change in the shape of light by the optical element 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D show an example in which a potential difference is generated between the driving electrodes of each shaded substrate of each liquid crystal cell 2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, the optical element 100 is provided on the optical axis of the light source 4 indicated by the dashed-dotted line, and as described above, from the light source 4 side (the lower side in FIG. 7), the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are stacked in this order. The third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are stacked in a state rotated 90° with respect to the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2.

[0028] In each liquid crystal cell 2, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the alignment directions of the alignment films intersect on the side of the first substrate 5 and the side of the second substrate 6. As a result, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 8 gradually changes from the Dx direction to the Dy direction (or from the Dy direction to the Dx direction) as going from the first substrate 5 side to the second substrate 6 side, and the polarization component of the transmitted light rotates along with the change. That is, in the liquid crystal cell 2, the polarization component that was the p-polarization component on the first substrate 5 side changes to the s-polarization component as going toward the second substrate 6 side, and the polarization component that was the s-polarization component on the first substrate 5 side changes to the p-polarization component as going toward the second substrate 6 side. Such rotation of the polarization component may be referred to as optical rotation.

[0029] FIG. 8A shows a state where no potential is generated between adjacent electrodes of each liquid crystal cell 2. In this case, only optical rotation occurs in each liquid crystal cell 2, and neither polarization component is diffused.

[0030] Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, for example, by generating a potential difference between the drive electrodes 10a and 10b on the first substrate 5 side of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in an arc shape between the electrodes, and thereby a refractive index distribution is formed in the liquid crystal layer 8 along the Dx direction. When the light from the light source 4 passes through in this state, the refractive index distribution acts on the polarization component parallel to the Dx direction (the p-polarization component in FIG. 8B), and thereby the p-polarization component diffuses in the Dx direction.

[0031] Furthermore, when there is also a potential difference between the drive electrodes 13a and 13b on the second substrate 6 side of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, a refractive index distribution is formed in the Dy direction on the second substrate 6 side, and thereby the s-polarization component diffuses in the Dy direction on the second substrate 6 side. That is, the polarization component that has changed from the p-polarization component to the s-polarization component while passing through the liquid crystal layer 8 of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 also diffuses in the Dy direction this time. On the other hand, what is the s-polarization component at the time of incidence on the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 only undergoes optical rotation while passing through the liquid crystal layer 8, but becomes a polarization component that intersects any refractive index distribution, so it passes through the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 only with optical rotation without diffusion.

[0032] When the light incident on the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 is an s-polarized component, it changes to a p-polarized component after passing through the first liquid crystal cell 2_1, and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 acts on the p-polarized component. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, among the light incident on the optical element 100, the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 acts on the p-polarized component, and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2 acts on the s-polarized component. Since the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 are provided by rotating 90° with respect to the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, the acting polarization components are also interchanged by 90°. That is, the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 acts on what is an s-polarized component when the light is incident on the optical element 100, and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4 acts on what is a p-polarized component when the light is incident on the optical element 100.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8C, in the optical element, for each liquid crystal cell 2, by applying a potential difference between drive electrodes extending in the Dy direction (between drive electrodes 10a and 10b of the first substrate 5 in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, between drive electrodes 13a and 13b of the second substrate 6 in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4), it acts on the p-polarized component, and the shape of the light can be mainly enlarged in the Dx direction. Such an action may be referred to as lateral diffusion.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIG. 8D, for each liquid crystal cell 2, by applying a potential difference between drive electrodes extending in the Dx direction (between drive electrodes 13a and 13b of the second substrate 6 in the first liquid crystal cell 2_1 and the second liquid crystal cell 2_2, between drive electrodes 10a and 10b of the first substrate 5 in the third liquid crystal cell 2_3 and the fourth liquid crystal cell 2_4), it acts on the s-polarized component, and the shape of the light can be mainly enlarged in the Dy direction. Such an action may be referred to as longitudinal diffusion.

[0035] The degree of light diffusion in each direction depends on the potential difference between adjacent drive electrodes 10a and 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a and 13b). If the potential difference between drive electrodes 10a and 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a and 13b) is set to a predefined maximum potential difference (for example, 30 [V]), the spread of light in that direction will be maximum (100 [%]). If no potential difference is generated, the spread of light in that direction will not occur (0 [%]). Alternatively, if the potential difference between drive electrodes 10a and 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a and 13b) is set to 50 [%] of the maximum potential difference (for example, 15 [V]), the spread of light in that direction will be 50 [%].

[0036] In addition, each liquid crystal cell 2 has a wide interval (also referred to as cell gap) between its substrates (between the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6), which is provided in the range of about 30 μm to 50 μm. Thereby, the influence of the electric field formed on one substrate is suppressed as much as possible from reaching the other substrate side. Further, the drive voltage that generates a potential difference between adjacent drive electrodes 10a and 10b (or between drive electrodes 13a and 13b) is a so-called alternating current rectangular wave. Needless to say, this prevents the liquid crystal molecules from being burned in.

[0037] Also, the alignment direction of each alignment film, the extending direction of the drive electrodes of each substrate, and the angle formed between them can be appropriately changed for the entire optical element 100 or for each liquid crystal cell 2 according to the characteristics of the liquid crystal adopted and the optical specification to be achieved.

[0038] In this embodiment, the optical element 100 is described with a configuration in which four first liquid crystal cells 2_1, second liquid crystal cells 2_2, third liquid crystal cells 2_3, and fourth liquid crystal cells 2_4 are stacked. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, configurations in which two or three liquid crystal cells 2 are stacked, or configurations in which five or more liquid crystal cells 2 are stacked can also be adopted.

[0039] In the present disclosure, in the lighting device 1 having the above-described configuration, the light incident from the light source 4 onto the optical element is controlled in two directions, the Dx direction and the Dy direction, by controlling the driving voltage of each liquid crystal cell 2. Note that the above-described longitudinal diffusion and lateral diffusion may be collectively referred to as light diffusion. Then, the shape of the light emitted from the optical element is changed thereby. The shape of the light herein refers to the shape of the light that appears on a plane parallel to the emission surface of the optical element, and this may also be referred to as the light distribution shape. Hereinafter, the control of the light diffusion degree in the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram conceptually explaining the control of the light diffusion degree by the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 9, the irradiation range of light on the virtual plane xy perpendicular to the Dz direction is shown. Note that the contour of the actual irradiation range becomes somewhat unclear due to the distance from the light source 4, the diffraction phenomenon of light, and the like.

[0041] As described above, the driving voltages are respectively supplied to the driving electrodes 10 and 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 provided on the optical axis of the light source 4, so that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 17 of the liquid crystal layer 8 is controlled. Thereby, the light distribution shape of the light emitted from the optical element 100 is controlled.

[0042] Specifically, for example, the light distribution shape in the Dx direction changes according to the driving voltage applied to the driving electrode 10 or the driving electrode 13 extending in the Dy direction in each liquid crystal cell 2 as described above. The diffusion of light in the Dx direction may be referred to as lateral diffusion. Further, the light distribution shape in the Dy direction changes according to the driving voltage applied to the driving electrode 10 or the driving electrode 13 extending in the Dx direction in the first to fourth liquid crystal cells. The diffusion of light in the Dy direction may be referred to as longitudinal diffusion.

[0043] In the present disclosure, the minimum diffusion degree of horizontal diffusion and vertical diffusion is set to 0 [%], and the maximum diffusion degree is set to 100 [%]. More specifically, when the horizontal diffusion degree is 0 [%], a driving electrode (for example, the driving electrode 10 extending in the Dy direction on the first substrate 5 of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1) that functions to expand the light distribution state in the Dx direction does not act on the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8. In this case, there is no potential difference between adjacent driving electrodes 10a and 10b, or no potential is supplied to the electrodes. On the other hand, when the horizontal diffusion degree is 100 [%], a driving electrode (for example, the driving electrode 10 extending in the Dy direction on the first substrate 5 of the first liquid crystal cell 2_1) that functions to expand the light distribution state in the Dx direction acts maximally on the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 8. In this case, the potential difference between adjacent driving electrodes 10a and 10b is set to the maximum potential difference (for example, 30 [V]) in the optical element 100. Also, when the horizontal diffusion degree is greater than 0 [%] and less than 100 [%], a potential adjusted so that the potential difference between adjacent driving electrodes 10a and 10b is greater than 0 [V] and less than the maximum potential difference (for example, 30 [V]) is applied to the electrodes. The same applies to vertical diffusion.

[0044] The contour a shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the irradiation range when both the horizontal diffusion degree and the vertical diffusion degree are 100 [%]. Also, the contour b shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the irradiation range when the horizontal diffusion degree is 100 [%] and the vertical diffusion degree is 0 [%]. The contour c shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the irradiation range when the horizontal diffusion degree is 0 [%] and the vertical diffusion degree is 100 [%]. Also, the contour d shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the irradiation range when both the horizontal diffusion degree and the vertical diffusion degree are 0 [%]. That is, the contour d shows the light distribution state when the light from the light source 4 is emitted without being controlled by the optical element 100 (i.e., passing through the optical element 100 as it is).

[0045] As described above, in the lighting device 1 having the above-described configuration, by controlling the driving voltage of each liquid crystal cell 2, the horizontal diffusion degree and the vertical diffusion degree of the light emitted from the optical element 100 can be controlled. Thereby, the light distribution shape of the light emitted from the lighting device 1 can be changed.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment. The lighting system according to the embodiment includes a lighting device 1 and a control device 200. The control device 200 is exemplified by a portable communication terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0047] Data and various command signals are transmitted and received between the lighting device 1 and the control device 200 by the communication means 300. In the present disclosure, the communication means 300 is, for example, a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark). The lighting device 1 and the control device 200 may be in a mode of performing wireless communication via a predetermined network such as a mobile communication network. Alternatively, the lighting device 1 and the control device 200 may be in a mode of performing wired communication with a wired connection. In FIG. 10, a mode in which the control device 200 controls the lighting devices 1_1, 1_2, ···, 1-n is exemplified, but the present disclosure is not limited by the number of lighting devices 1 to be controlled by the control device 200.

[0048] FIG. 11 is an external view showing an example of the control device 200 according to the embodiment. The control device 200 is a display device with a touch detection function (touch screen) in which the display panel 20 and the touch sensor 30 are integrated. As internal components, the control device 200 is equipped with various ICs such as a detection IC and a display IC, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. of a smartphone or a tablet that constitutes the control device 200.

[0049] The display panel 20 is a so-called in-cell type or hybrid type device that incorporates and integrates the touch sensor 30. Incorporating and integrating the touch sensor 30 into the display panel 20 includes, for example, using some members such as the substrate and electrodes used as the display panel 20 and some members such as the substrate and electrodes used as the touch sensor 30 in common. Note that the display panel 20 may be a so-called on-cell type device in which the touch sensor 30 is mounted on the display device.

[0050] Examples of the display panel 20 include a liquid crystal display panel using a liquid crystal display element. Not limited to this, the display panel 20 may be, for example, an organic EL display panel (OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode) or an inorganic EL display panel (micro LED, mini LED).

[0051] Examples of the touch sensor 30 include a capacitance type touch sensor. Not limited to this, the touch sensor 30 may be, for example, a resistive film type touch sensor, an ultrasonic type, or an optical type touch sensor.

[0052] FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a touch detection area in the touch sensor 30. A plurality of detection elements 31 are provided in the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30. The plurality of detection elements 31 are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction within the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 and are provided in a matrix. In other words, the touch sensor 30 has a detection area FA that overlaps a plurality of detection elements 31 arranged in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0053] Hereinafter, in the configuration of the lighting system according to the above-described embodiment, a specific configuration and operation for controlling the light diffusivity of the lighting device 1 will be described.

[0054] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the control block configuration of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, a control block configuration for executing the light diffusivity setting process described later will be described.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1 includes a display panel 20, a touch sensor 30, a detection circuit 211, a position extraction circuit 212, a movement amount calculation circuit 221, a light diffusivity calculation circuit 222, a storage circuit 223, a position conversion circuit 224, a transmission / reception circuit 225, and a display control circuit 231. The detection circuit 211 and the position extraction circuit 212 are composed of, for example, detection ICs. Alternatively, the detection circuit 211, the position extraction circuit 212, and the display control circuit 231 may be mounted on the display panel 20 as one display IC, or may be mounted on an FPC connected to the display panel 20. The movement amount calculation circuit 221, the light diffusivity calculation circuit 222, the storage circuit 223, and the position conversion circuit 224 are composed of, for example, a CPU, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet, etc. that constitute the control device 200. Further, the display control circuit 231 may be a display IC mounted on the display panel 20 as described above, and furthermore, may have a configuration including, for example, a GPU, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet, etc. that constitute the control device 200. The transmission / reception circuit 225 is composed of, for example, a wireless communication module of a smartphone, a tablet, etc. that constitute the control device 200.

[0056] The detection circuit 211 is a circuit that detects the presence or absence of a touch on the touch sensor 30 based on the detection signals output from the respective detection elements 31 of the touch sensor 30.

[0057] The position extraction circuit 212 is a logic circuit that, when a touch is detected by the detection circuit 211, obtains the touch detection position, and thus the position of the touched object (image).

[0058] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 calculates the movement amount of the touch detection position extracted by the position extraction circuit 212 or an object (image) that moves while touching on the light diffusivity setting screen described later. The movement amount calculation circuit 221 is a component realized by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, a tablet, or the like that constitutes the control device 200.

[0059] The light diffusivity calculation circuit 222 calculates the diffusivity of the light emitted from the illumination device 1 to be controlled based on the touch detection position calculated by the movement amount calculation circuit 221 or the movement amount of the touched object. The light diffusivity calculation circuit 222 is a component realized by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, a tablet, or the like that constitutes the control device 200.

[0060] The storage circuit 223 is composed of, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone, a tablet, or the like that constitutes the control device 200. In the present disclosure, the storage circuit 223 stores, for example, the touch detection position extracted by the position extraction circuit 212 or the position of the touched object, and the light diffusivity of the illumination device 1 to be controlled. Further, in the present embodiment, the storage circuit 223 stores a reference movement amount Px in the X direction and a reference movement amount Py in the Y direction used in the light diffusivity setting process described later. Also, the storage circuit 223 temporarily stores, for example, intermediate data in the light diffusivity setting process described later. The reference movement amounts Px and Py will be described later.

[0061] The position conversion circuit 224 is a component realized by, for example, a CPU of a smartphone, a tablet, or the like that constitutes the control device 200. In the present disclosure, the position conversion circuit 224 converts the light diffusivity information transmitted from the illumination device 1 to be controlled into position information on the display area of the display panel 20 of the control device 200.

[0062] The transmission / reception circuit 225 transmits and receives light diffusivity information to and from the lighting device 1. Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 225 transmits the Dx-direction light diffusivity S1x and the Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusivity information. Further, the transmission / reception circuit 225 receives the second light diffusivity information (Dx-direction light diffusivity S2x and Dy-direction light diffusivity S2y) transmitted from the lighting device 1.

[0063] The display control circuit 231 executes display control processing for displaying a light diffusivity setting screen, which will be described later, on the display panel 20. In the present disclosure, the display control circuit 231 performs display control of the display panel 20 based on the light diffusivity information stored in the storage circuit 223 and the position information of various image images.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a control block configuration of the lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment includes a transmission / reception circuit 111, an electrode drive circuit 112, and a storage circuit 113 as control blocks for controlling the above-described optical element 100.

[0065] The transmission / reception circuit 111 transmits and receives light diffusivity information to and from the control device 200. Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 111 receives the first light diffusivity information (Dx-direction light diffusivity S1x and Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y) transmitted from the control device 200. Further, the transmission / reception circuit 111 transmits the Dx-direction light diffusivity S2x and the Dy-direction light diffusivity S2y stored in the storage circuit 113 to the control device 200 as the second light diffusivity information.

[0066] In the present disclosure, when the lighting device 1 is activated, the transmission / reception circuit 111 transmits the light diffusivity S2x in the Dx direction and the light diffusivity S2y in the Dy direction stored in the memory circuit 113 to the control device 200 as the second light diffusivity information, and stores the first light diffusivity information (the light diffusivity S1x in the Dx direction and the light diffusivity S1y in the Dy direction) transmitted from the control device 200 by the light diffusivity setting process of the control device 200 to be described later in the memory circuit 113 as the new light diffusivity S2x in the Dx direction and the light diffusivity S2y in the Dy direction. That is, when the first light diffusivity information is transmitted from the control device 200 to the lighting device 1, the second light diffusivity information is updated to the first light diffusivity information. Note that initially, the lighting device 1 does not store the second light diffusivity information (both the vertical diffusivity and the horizontal diffusivity are 0 [%]). In this case, when the first light diffusivity information is transmitted from the control device 200, the second light diffusivity information is stored.

[0067] The electrode drive circuit 112 supplies drive voltages corresponding to the light diffusivity S2x in the Dx direction and the light diffusivity S2y in the Dy direction stored in the memory circuit 113 to the respective drive electrodes 10 and 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100.

[0068] Specifically, when the lighting device 1 is activated, the electrode drive circuit 112 supplies drive voltages corresponding to the second light diffusivity information stored in the memory circuit 113 to the respective drive electrodes 10 and 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100.

[0069] Further, the electrode drive circuit 112 supplies drive voltages corresponding to the second light diffusivity information updated based on the first light diffusivity information transmitted from the control device 200 to the respective drive electrodes 10 and 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100.

[0070] The memory circuit 113 is composed of, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, or the like. In the present disclosure, the memory circuit 113 stores the final value of the second light diffusivity information at the time of the previous operation of the lighting device 1.

[0071] FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, and FIG. 15D are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1. On the light diffusion degree setting screen shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, the X direction is defined corresponding to the Dx direction (first direction) in the light diffusion degree control of the lighting device 1, and the Y direction is defined corresponding to the Dy direction (second direction) in the light diffusion degree control of the lighting device 1. Further, an XY plane with a predetermined position on the light diffusion degree setting screen as the origin O(0,0) is defined.

[0072] The display panel 20 is provided with a display area DA that overlaps with the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 in a plan view. In the example shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, it is a mode of displaying a light distribution shape object OBJ centered on the origin O(0,0) of the XY plane on the light diffusion degree setting screen, and on the contour line of this light distribution shape object OBJ, a first slider S1 (a first light diffusion degree setting object) and a second slider S2 (a second light diffusion degree setting object) for operating the light distribution state of the lighting device 1 are arranged.

[0073] The light distribution shape object OBJ is an image corresponding to the light distribution state of the light emitted from the lighting device 1.

[0074] The first slider S1 and the second slider S2 are, for example, image images displayed on the display area DA and can be touched and moved (dragged) by the user with a finger.

[0075] By moving the first slider S1 in the X direction, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ can be changed. At the same time, the light diffusion degree in the Dx direction of the lighting device 1 is controlled. Also, by moving the second slider S2 in the Y direction, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ can be changed. At the same time, the light diffusion degree in the Dy direction of the lighting device 1 is controlled.

[0076] In Fig. 15A, an example is shown in which the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction of the lighting device 1 is 50 [%] and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction is 50 [%]. As shown in Fig. 15A, the numerical values of the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction are also displayed on the display screen. Hereinafter, the light diffusion degree Sx in the Dx direction will be referred to as the horizontal diffusion degree Sx, and the light diffusion degree Sy in the Dy direction will be referred to as the vertical diffusion degree Sy. Fig. 15B shows an example in which the horizontal diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 is 100 [%] and the vertical diffusion degree Sy is 100 [%]. Fig. 15C shows an example in which the horizontal diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 is 0 [%] and the vertical diffusion degree Sy is 0 [%]. Fig. 15D shows an example in which the horizontal diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 is 100 [%] and the vertical diffusion degree Sy is 50 [%].

[0077] In the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ on the light diffusion degree setting screen changes to a circular or elliptical shape as the first slider S1 and the second slider S2 move.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 9, in the lighting device 1 to be controlled in the present disclosure, even when both the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the vertical diffusion degree Sy of the lighting device 1 are 0 [%], light is irradiated in a predetermined substantially circular range (outline d). In the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 15C, when both the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the vertical diffusion degree Sy are 0 [%], a small circular light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0079] And even when both the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the vertical diffusion degree Sy are 0 [%], since there is an actual light irradiation range by the lighting device 1, the actual light irradiation range can be intuitively grasped.

[0080] In the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, a first area TA1 is provided as an area where the first slider S1 can be operated.

[0081] The first slider S1 is movable in the X direction within the first region TA1 between the position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is 0 [%] and the position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is 100 [%]. Therefore, the first slider S1 does not move when the user's finger leaves the screen, and also does not move when it goes out of the first region TA1 even if the finger does not leave the screen.

[0082] Also, in the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, a second region TA2 is provided as an area where the second slider S2 can be operated.

[0083] The second slider S2 is movable in the Y direction within the second region TA2 between the position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the vertical diffusion degree Sy is 0 [%] and the position on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the vertical diffusion degree Sy is 100 [%]. Therefore, the second slider S2 does not move when the user's finger leaves the screen, and also does not move when it goes out of the second region TA2 even if the finger does not leave the screen.

[0084] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1 and the light diffusion degree. In the present disclosure, for ease of explanation, it is described assuming that the position (coordinates) on the display area DA of the display panel 20 is equivalent to the position (coordinates) on the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30.

[0085] On the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1, the horizontal diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 can be set by the amount of movement of the position x of the intersection of the X axis in the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0086] In the present disclosure, the position x of the intersection of the X-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ is taken as the center point of the first slider S1. In other words, the position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 overlaps with the position x of the intersection of the X-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ. Thereby, by touching the first slider S1 and moving it in the X-axis direction, the horizontal diffusion degree Sx of the lighting device 1 can be set. "Sx" in FIG. 16 indicates the horizontal diffusion degree (for example, "50" [%]) of the lighting device 1.

[0087] When the reference movement amount Px in the X direction on the XY plane when the change amount ΔSx of the horizontal diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 is 1 [%] is the intersection of the X-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is 100 [%], let it be X 100 and the intersection of the X-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is 0 [%] be X0, it is shown by the following formula (1).

[0088] Px=(X 100 -X0) / 100 ···(1)

[0089] The relationship between the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 on the XY plane is shown by the following formulas (2) and (3) using the above formula (1).

[0090] Sx=(x0-X0) / Px ···(2)

[0091] x0=Sx×Px+X0 ···(3)

[0092] Also, on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 according to Embodiment 1, the vertical diffusion degree Sy of the lighting device 1 can be set by the movement amount of the position y of the intersection of the Y-axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0093] In the present disclosure, the position y of the intersection point between the Y-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ is taken as the center point of the second slider S2. In other words, the position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 overlaps with the position y of the intersection point between the Y-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ. Thereby, by touching the second slider S2 and moving it in the Y-axis direction, the vertical diffusivity Sy of the lighting device 1 can be set. "Sy" in FIG. 16 indicates the vertical diffusivity of the lighting device 1 (for example, "

[50] " [%]).

[0094] When the change amount ΔSy of the vertical diffusivity of the lighting device 1 is 1 [%], the reference movement amount Py in the Y direction on the XY plane is the intersection point between the Y-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the vertical diffusivity Sy is 100 [%] 100 Taking the intersection point between the Y-axis and the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ when the vertical diffusivity Sy is 0 [%] as Y0, it is shown by the following formula (4).

[0095] Py = (Y 100 - Y0) / 100 ··· (4)

[0096] The relationship between the vertical diffusivity Sy and the position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 on the XY plane is shown by the following formulas (5) and (6) using the above formula (4).

[0097] Sy = (y0 - Y0) / Py ··· (5)

[0098] y0 = Sy × Py + Y0 ··· (6)

[0099] Here, although the mode of displaying the circular light distribution shape object OBJ when both the horizontal diffusivity Sx and the vertical diffusivity Sy are 0 [%] has been described, it is not limited thereto. For example, the origin O(0, 0) of the XY plane on the light diffusivity setting screen may be set as the position when both the horizontal diffusivity Sx and the vertical diffusivity Sy are 0 [%].

[0100] Hereinafter, the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to the above-described Embodiment 1 and the light diffusivity setting process of the lighting device 1 in the lighting system will be described.

[0101] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial setting of the light diffusivity setting screen in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the light diffusivity setting process in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0102] The control device 200 first executes the initial setting of the light diffusivity setting screen shown in FIG. 17.

[0103] The control device 200 transmits a request command for the second light diffusivity information to the already activated lighting device 1. The transmission / reception circuit 111 of the lighting device 1 reads out the second light diffusivity information stored in the storage circuit 113 and transmits it to the control device 200. Further, the electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 supplies a drive voltage corresponding to the second light diffusivity information stored in the storage circuit 113 to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100.

[0104] The control device 200 determines whether or not the second light diffusivity information has been received from the lighting device 1 (step S101). If not received (step S101; No), the process of step S101 is repeatedly executed.

[0105] When the second light diffusivity information is received from the lighting device 1 (step S101; Yes), the transmission / reception circuit 225 of the control device 200 stores the Dx-direction light diffusivity S2x in the second light diffusivity information as the horizontal diffusivity Sx and the Dy-direction light diffusivity S2y as the vertical diffusivity Sy in the storage circuit 223 (step S102).

[0106] The position conversion circuit 224 of the control device 200 reads the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S103), and uses the above formulas (3) and (6) to convert the horizontal diffusion degree Sx into the X-direction position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion degree setting screen, and converts the vertical diffusion degree Sy into the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 on the light diffusion degree setting screen (step S104), and stores them in the storage circuit 223 (step S105).

[0107] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads the horizontal diffusion degree Sx, the X-direction position x0, the vertical diffusion degree Sy, and the Y-direction position y0 obtained by the processing from step S101 to step S105 described above from the storage circuit 223, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to be reflected in the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the display of the horizontal diffusion degree Sx, the position of the first slider S1, the display of the vertical diffusion degree Sy, and the position of the second slider S2 (step S106), and shifts to the standby state of the light diffusion degree setting process shown in FIG. 18 (step S107).

[0108] In Embodiment 1, an example of executing the light diffusion degree setting process shown in FIG. 18 after shifting to the standby state of the light diffusion degree setting process in the initial setting of the light diffusion degree setting screen shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

[0109] In the standby state of the light diffusion degree setting process, the control device 200 executes the touch detection process of the first slider S1 (step S111) and the touch detection process of the second slider S2 (step S131). Specifically, when the first slider S1 is touched (step S111; Yes), the process proceeds to step S112, and when the first slider S1 is not touched (step S111; No), the process proceeds to step S131. When the second slider S2 is touched (step S131; Yes), the process proceeds to step S132, and when the second slider S2 is not touched (step S131; No), the process returns to step S111.

[0110] When the first slider S1 is touched and moves within the first region TA (step S111; Yes), the position extraction circuit 212 extracts the X-direction position x1 after the movement of the first slider S1 (step S112).

[0111] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 reads out the position x0 stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S113), and calculates the X-direction movement amount Δx (=x1 - x0) of the first slider S1 (step S114). Also, the position extraction circuit 212 updates the extracted X-direction position x1 on the detection region FA as the new X-direction position x0, and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S115).

[0112] The light diffusivity calculation circuit 222 divides the X-direction movement amount Δx calculated by the movement amount calculation circuit 221 by the reference movement amount Px to calculate the lateral diffusivity change amount ΔSx (step S116). Also, the light diffusivity calculation circuit 222 reads out the lateral diffusivity Sx before the movement of the first slider S1 stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S117), calculates the lateral diffusivity Sx after the movement of the first slider (=Sx + ΔSx) (step S118), and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S119).

[0113] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the lateral diffusivity Sx and the X-direction position x0 calculated by the processing from step S112 to step S119 described above from the storage circuit 223, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to reflect the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the lateral diffusivity Sx in the display (step S120).

[0114] The detection circuit 211 detects whether the touch state on the first slider S1 has been released (step S121). When the touch state on the first slider S1 continues (step S121; No), the processes from step S112 to step S121 are repeatedly executed. Thereby, during the period when the touch state on the first slider S1 continues, following the movement of the first slider S1, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the horizontal diffusion degree Sx change in real time. That is, the operations from step S112 to step S121 are performed in an extremely short time, for example, at a cycle of 30 Hz to 120 Hz synchronized with the touch detection cycle. Therefore, although the user himself moves the first slider S1 in step S112, such an action is immediately reflected on the display screen via step S120, and the user can recognize that his action and the change in the screen display are carried out integrally. Such an effect is the same in the case of the following vertical diffusion control.

[0115] When the touch state on the first slider S1 is released (step S121; Yes), the transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the horizontal diffusion degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S122), and transmits the read horizontal diffusion degree Sx as the Dx direction light diffusion degree S1x to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusion degree information (step S123), and returns to the process of step S111.

[0116] In the present disclosure, when the touch state on the first slider S1 is released (step S121; Yes) includes a state where the user's finger leaves the first slider S1, a state where the touch detection position is outside the first region TA1, etc., and the drag operation on the first slider S1 is released.

[0117] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dx-direction light diffusion degree S1x) received from the control device 200 in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information. Thereby, the horizontal diffusion degree Sx set on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 is reflected in the light diffusion degree control (horizontal diffusion) of the lighting device 1.

[0118] When the second slider S2 is touched (step S131; Yes), the position extraction circuit 212 extracts the Y-direction position y1 on the detection area FA of the second slider S2 (step S132).

[0119] The movement amount calculation circuit 221 reads out the position y0 stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S133), and calculates the Y-direction movement amount Δy (=y1 - y0) of the second slider S2 (step S134). Then, the position extraction circuit 212 stores the extracted Y-direction position y1 on the detection area FA in the storage circuit 223 as the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA (step S135).

[0120] The light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222 divides the Y-direction movement amount Δy calculated by the movement amount calculation circuit 221 by the reference movement amount Py to calculate the vertical diffusion degree change amount ΔSy (step S136). Further, the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222 reads out the vertical diffusion degree Sy before the movement of the second slider stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S137), calculates the vertical diffusion degree Sy (=Sy + ΔSy) after the movement of the second slider (step S138), and stores it in the storage circuit 223 (step S139).

[0121] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the vertical diffusion degree Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processing from step S132 to step S139 described above from the storage circuit 223, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to be reflected in the display of the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the vertical diffusion degree Sy (step S140).

[0122] The detection circuit 211 detects whether or not the touch state on the second slider S2 has been released (step S141). When the touch state on the second slider S2 continues (step S141; No), the processes from step S132 to step S141 are repeatedly executed. Thereby, during the period in which the touch state on the second slider S2 continues, following the movement of the second slider S2, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the vertical diffusion degree Sy change in real time.

[0123] When the touch state on the second slider S2 is released (step S141; Yes), the transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S142), and transmits the read vertical diffusion degree Sy as the Dy-direction light diffusion degree S1y to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusion degree information (step S143), and returns to the process of step S111.

[0124] In the present disclosure, when the touch state on the second slider S2 is released (step S141; Yes), it includes a state in which the drag operation of the second slider S2 is released, such as when the user's finger leaves the second slider S2 or when the touch detection position is outside the second region TA2.

[0125] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dy-direction light diffusion degree S1y) received from the control device 200 in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information. Thereby, the vertical diffusion degree Sy set on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200 is reflected in the light diffusion degree control (vertical diffusion) of the lighting device 1.

[0126] In the light diffusion degree setting process according to the above-described Embodiment 1, while the touch on the first slider S1 continues, following the movement of the first slider S1, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the horizontal diffusion degree Sx change in real time. On the other hand, the actual light distribution control of the lighting device 1 is executed after the touch on the first slider S1 or the second slider S2 is released. That is, in a state where the first slider S1 is touched and moved left and right on the screen, although the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ on the screen changes, the actual light distribution state of the lighting device 1 does not change. The actual light distribution state of the lighting device 1 changes after the touch on each slider is released, or when the touch position deviates from the first area TA1 or the second area TA2. Thereby, on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200, after setting the light diffusion degree in the Dx direction or the Dy direction of the lighting device 1 on the screen, the set light diffusion degree is reflected in the light distribution control of the lighting device.

[0127] (Modification example) FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the light diffusion degree setting process in the control device 200 of the lighting device 1 according to a modification example of Embodiment 1. Here, differences from the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 will be described in detail, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0128] In the light diffusion degree setting process in the control device of the lighting device according to the modification example of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 19, immediately after executing the display control of the display panel 20 in step S120, the transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the horizontal diffusion degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S122), and transmits the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device 1 with the read horizontal diffusion degree Sx as the Dx direction light diffusion degree S1x (step S123).

[0129] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dx direction light diffusion degree S1x) received from the control device 200 in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information.

[0130] Then, the detection circuit 211 detects whether or not the touch state on the first slider S1 has been released (step S121). When the touch state on the first slider S1 is released (step S121; Yes), the process returns to the process of step S111.

[0131] When the touch state on the first slider S1 continues (step S121; No), the processes from step S112 to step S123 are repeatedly executed. As a result, during the period when the touch state on the first slider S1 continues, following the movement of the first slider S1, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the display of the horizontal diffusion degree Sx change in real time. Furthermore, following the movement of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200, the light distribution state of the lighting device 1 changes in real time.

[0132] Also, in the light diffusion degree setting process in the control device of the lighting device according to the modified example of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 19, immediately after executing the display control of the display panel 20 in step S140, the transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223 (step S142), and transmits the read vertical diffusion degree Sy as the Dy direction light diffusion degree S1y to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusion degree information (step S143).

[0133] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dy direction light diffusion degree S1y) received from the control device 200 in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information.

[0134] Then, the detection circuit 211 detects whether or not the touch state on the second slider S2 has been released (step S141). When the touch state on the second slider S2 is released (step S141; Yes), the process returns to the process of step S111.

[0135] When the touch state on the second slider S2 continues (step S141; No), the processes from step S132 to step S143 are repeatedly executed. As a result, during the period when the touch state on the second slider S2 continues, following the movement of the second slider S2, the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the vertical diffusion degree Sy change in real time. Furthermore, following the movement of the second slider S2 on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200, the vertical diffusion degree Sy is reflected in real time in the light diffusion degree control of the lighting device 1.

[0136] In the light diffusion degree setting process according to the modification example of the above-described Embodiment 1, not only the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ but also the orientation control by the lighting device change in real time following the movement of the first slider S1 on the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200. Thereby, the light diffusion degrees in the Dx direction and the Dy direction of the lighting device 1 can be set more intuitively than in the light diffusion degree setting process according to Embodiment 1.

[0137] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the control block configuration of the control device 200a according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, a control block configuration for executing a light diffusion degree fine adjustment process described later will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in Embodiment 1, and redundant descriptions with Embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 20, the control device 200a according to Embodiment 2 includes a display panel 20, a touch sensor 30, a detection circuit 211, a position extraction circuit 212, a light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a, a storage circuit 223a, a transmission / reception circuit 225, a position calculation circuit 226, and a display control circuit 231.

[0139] The light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a adds the fine adjustment amount defined for the object extracted by the position extraction circuit 212, and calculates the light diffusion degree for the lighting device 1 to be controlled. The light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a is, for example, a component realized by a CPU such as a smartphone or a tablet that constitutes the control device 200a. Note that the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a may be a component substantially the same as the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222 of the control device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0140] The storage circuit 223a is composed of, for example, a RAM, an EEPROM, a ROM, etc. of a smartphone or a tablet that constitutes the control device 200a. In the present embodiment, in addition to the reference movement amount Px in the X direction and the reference movement amount Py in the Y direction, the storage circuit 223a stores fine adjustment amounts ΔSxf(+), ΔSxf(-), fine adjustment amounts ΔSyf(+), ΔSyf(-) used in the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process described later. Further, in the storage circuit 223a, for example, intermediate data in the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process described later is temporarily stored. Note that the storage circuit 223a may be a component substantially the same as the storage circuit 223 of the control device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0141] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the X-direction position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 and the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 on the light diffusion degree setting screen corresponding to the light diffusion degree calculated by the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a. The position calculation circuit 226 is, for example, a component realized by a CPU such as a smartphone or a tablet that constitutes the control device 200a.

[0142] FIGS. 21A and 21B are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200a according to the second embodiment.

[0143] The display panel 20 is provided with a display area DA that overlaps with the detection area FA of the touch sensor 30 in a plan view. In the example shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, similar to the first embodiment, a light distribution shape object OBJ centered on the origin O(0,0) of the XY plane on the light diffusion degree setting screen is displayed, and a first slider S1 and a second slider S2 for setting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 are arranged on the contour line of the light distribution shape object OBJ.

[0144] In the display mode of the light diffusion degree setting screen of the control device 200a according to the second embodiment, in addition to the display mode of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, a toggle switch (fine adjustment switching object) TSW for selecting whether the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is effective (ON) or ineffective (OFF), a first fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment object) B1 for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 in the Dx direction (first direction), and a second fine adjustment button (second fine adjustment object) B2 for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device 1 in the Dy direction (second direction) are provided.

[0145] As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the first fine adjustment button B1 includes a first fine adjustment button (positive side first fine adjustment object) B1(+) for fine adjustment on the positive side in the Dx direction and a first fine adjustment button (negative side first fine adjustment object) B1(-) for fine adjustment on the negative side.

[0146] Also, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the second fine adjustment button B2 includes a second fine adjustment button (positive side second fine adjustment object) B2(+) for fine adjustment on the positive side in the Dy direction and a second fine adjustment button (negative side second fine adjustment object) B2(-) for fine adjustment on the negative side.

[0147] The toggle switch TSW is, for example, a button (image icon) displayed as an icon that can select whether the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is effective (ON) or ineffective (OFF) by touching the toggle switch TSW displayed on the display area DA and moving it left and right.

[0148] In the example shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the toggle switch TSW is displayed in the upper right corner of the light diffusion degree setting screen.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 21A, the first fine adjustment button B1(+), the first fine adjustment button B1(-), the second fine adjustment button B2(+), and the second fine adjustment button B2(-) are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is disabled (OFF).

[0150] Also, as shown in FIG. 21B, the first fine adjustment button B1(+), the first fine adjustment button B1(-), the second fine adjustment button B2(+), and the second fine adjustment button B2(-) are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is enabled (ON).

[0151] For the first fine adjustment button B1(+), a fine adjustment amount (first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount) ΔSxf(+) that increases in the Dx direction (first direction) with respect to the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is defined. The fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) is, for example, the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, +1 [%]). The first fine adjustment button B1(+) is a button (image icon) displayed as an icon that can select the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) to be added to the horizontal diffusion degree Sx by touching the first fine adjustment button B1(+) displayed on the display area DA.

[0152] Also, for the first fine adjustment button B1(-), a fine adjustment amount (first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount) ΔSxf(-) that decreases in the Dx direction (first direction) with respect to the horizontal diffusion degree Sx is defined. The horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) is, for example, the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, -1 [%]). The first fine adjustment button B1(-) is a button (image icon) displayed as an icon that can select the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) to be added to the horizontal diffusion degree Sx by touching the first fine adjustment button B1(-) displayed on the display area DA.

[0153] In the example shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the first fine adjustment buttons B1(+) and B1(-) are arranged side by side in the X direction, for example, below the XY plane on which the light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0154] For the second fine adjustment button B2(+), a fine adjustment amount (second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount) ΔSyf(+) that increases in the Dy direction (second direction) with respect to the vertical diffusion degree Sy is defined. The fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) is, for example, the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, +1 [%]). The second fine adjustment button B2(+) is a button (image image) displayed as an icon that can select the fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) added to the vertical diffusion degree Sy by touching the second fine adjustment button B2(+) displayed on the display area DA.

[0155] Also, for the second fine adjustment button B2(-), a vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount (second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount) ΔSyf(-) that decreases in the Dy direction (second direction) with respect to the vertical diffusion degree Sy is defined. The vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) is, for example, the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, -1 [%]). The second fine adjustment button B2(-) is a button (image image) displayed as an icon that can select the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) added to the vertical diffusion degree Sy by touching the second fine adjustment button B2(-) displayed on the display area DA.

[0156] In the example shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the second fine adjustment buttons B2(+) and B2(-) are arranged side by side in the Y direction, for example, on the right side of the XY plane on which the light distribution shape object OBJ is displayed.

[0157] The display positions of the first fine adjustment button B1 and the second fine adjustment button B2 on the light diffusion degree setting screen are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The first fine adjustment button B1(+) and the first fine adjustment button B1(-) may be arranged and displayed side by side in the X direction on the light diffusion degree setting screen. The second fine adjustment button B2(+) and the second fine adjustment button B2(-) may be arranged and displayed side by side in the Y direction on the light diffusion degree setting screen.

[0158] Hereinafter, the control device 200a of the lighting device 1 according to the above-described Embodiment 2 and the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process of the lighting device 1 in the lighting system will be described.

[0159] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process in the control device 200a of the lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 2.

[0160] In Embodiment 2, an example will be described in which, in the initial setting of the light diffusion degree setting process screen shown in FIG. 17, the process shifts to the standby state of the light diffusion degree setting process, and after executing the light diffusion degree setting process shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process shown in FIG. 22 is executed. The light diffusion degree setting process (step S100) shown in FIG. 22 corresponds to the light diffusion degree setting process (FIG. 18 or FIG. 19) according to Embodiment 1 or a modification of Embodiment 1.

[0161] In the following description, it is assumed that the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is valid (ON) in advance. However, after executing the light diffusion degree setting process shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the user touches the toggle switch TSW, and the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process may be switched from invalid (OFF) to valid (ON).

[0162] In the standby state of the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process after the light diffusion degree setting process (step S100), the control device 200a executes the touch detection process (step S201) of the first fine adjustment button B1(+), the touch detection process (step S211) of the first fine adjustment button B1(-), the touch detection process (step S221) of the second fine adjustment button B2(+), and the touch detection process (step S231) of the second fine adjustment button B2(-).

[0163] Specifically, when the first fine adjustment button B1(+) is touched (step S201; Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. If the first fine adjustment button B1(+) is not touched (step S201; No), the process proceeds to step S211.

[0164] When the first fine adjustment button B1(-) is touched (step S211; Yes), the process proceeds to step S212. If the first fine adjustment button B1(-) is not touched (step S211; No), the process proceeds to step S221.

[0165] When the second fine adjustment button B2(+) is touched (step S221; Yes), the process proceeds to step S222. If the second fine adjustment button B2(+) is not touched (step S221; No), the process proceeds to step S231.

[0166] When the second fine adjustment button B2(-) is touched (step S231; Yes), the process proceeds to step S232. If the second fine adjustment button B2(-) is not touched (step S231; No), the process returns to step S201.

[0167] When the first fine adjustment button B1(+) is touched (step S201; Yes), the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a reads the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) defined for the first fine adjustment button B1(+) from the storage circuit 223a (step S202), and reads the horizontal diffusion degree Sx before the touch stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S203). From these, the horizontal diffusion degree Sx after the touch (=Sx + ΔSxf(+)) is calculated to update the horizontal diffusion degree (step S204). Then, the calculated horizontal diffusion degree Sx is stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S205).

[0168] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates and updates the X-direction position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 after the touch of the first fine adjustment button B1(+) using the above equation (3) (step S206), and stores the updated X-direction position x0 in the storage circuit 223a (step S207).

[0169] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the horizontally expanded degree Sx and the X-direction position x0 updated by the processing from step S202 to step S207 described above from the storage circuit 223a, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to reflect them in the display of the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the horizontally expanded degree Sx (step S208).

[0170] Also, the transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the horizontally expanded degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S209), and transmits the first light diffusion degree information to the lighting device 1 with the read horizontally expanded degree Sx as the Dx-direction light diffusion degree S1x (step S210).

[0171] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dx-direction light diffusion degree S1x) received from the control device 200a in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information.

[0172] When the first fine adjustment button B1(-) is touched (step S211; Yes), the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a reads out the horizontally expanded degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) defined for the first fine adjustment button B1(-) from the storage circuit 223a (step S212), further reads out the horizontally expanded degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S213), calculates the horizontally expanded degree Sx (=Sx + ΔSxf(-)) (step S214), and stores the calculated horizontally expanded degree Sx in the storage circuit 223a (step S215).

[0173] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the X-direction position x0 on the display area DA of the first slider S1 using the above equation (3) (step S216), and stores the calculated X-direction position x0 in the storage circuit 223a (step S217).

[0174] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the horizontal diffusion degree Sx and the X-direction position x0 calculated by the processes from step S212 to step S217 described above from the storage circuit 223a, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to reflect them in the display of the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the first slider S1, and the horizontal diffusion degree Sx (step S218).

[0175] The transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the horizontal diffusion degree Sx stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S219), and transmits the read horizontal diffusion degree Sx as the Dx-direction light diffusion degree S1x to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusion degree information (step S220).

[0176] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dx-direction light diffusion degree S1x) received from the control device 200a in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information.

[0177] When the second fine adjustment button B2(+) is touched (step S221; Yes), the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a reads out the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) defined for the second fine adjustment button B2(+) from the storage circuit 223a (step S222), further reads out the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S223), calculates the vertical diffusion degree Sy (=Sy + ΔSyf(+)) (step S224), and stores the calculated vertical diffusion degree Sy in the storage circuit 223a (step S225).

[0178] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 using the above equation (6) (step S226), and stores the calculated Y-direction position y0 in the storage circuit 223a (step S227).

[0179] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads the vertical diffusion degree Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processes from step S222 to step S227 described above from the storage circuit 223a, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to reflect the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the display of the vertical diffusion degree Sy (step S228).

[0180] The transmission / reception circuit 225 reads the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S229), and transmits the read vertical diffusion degree Sy as the Dy-direction light diffusion degree S1y to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusion degree information (step S230).

[0181] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusion degree information (Dy-direction light diffusion degree S1y) received from the control device 200a in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusion degree information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusion degree information.

[0182] When the second fine adjustment button B2(-) is touched (step S231; Yes), the light diffusion degree calculation circuit 222a reads the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) defined for the second fine adjustment button B2(-) from the storage circuit 223a (step S232), further reads the vertical diffusion degree Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S233), calculates the vertical diffusion degree Sy (=Sy + ΔSyf(-)) (step S234), and stores the calculated vertical diffusion degree Sy in the storage circuit 223a (step S235).

[0183] The position calculation circuit 226 calculates the Y-direction position y0 on the display area DA of the second slider S2 using the above formula (6) (step S236), and stores the calculated Y-direction position y0 in the storage circuit 223a (step S237).

[0184] Then, the display control circuit 231 reads out the vertical diffusivity Sy and the Y-direction position y0 calculated by the processes from step S232 to step S237 described above from the storage circuit 223a, and executes display control of the display panel 20 so as to reflect them in the display of the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ, the position of the second slider S2, and the vertical diffusivity Sy (step S238).

[0185] The transmission / reception circuit 225 reads out the vertical diffusivity Sy stored in the storage circuit 223a (step S239), and transmits the read vertical diffusivity Sy as the Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y to the lighting device 1 as the first light diffusivity information (step S240).

[0186] The electrode drive circuit 112 of the lighting device 1 stores the first light diffusivity information (Dy-direction light diffusivity S1y) received from the control device 200a in the storage circuit 113 as the second light diffusivity information, and supplies a drive voltage to each drive electrode 10, 13 of each liquid crystal cell 2 of the optical element 100 based on the second light diffusivity information.

[0187] In the light diffusivity fine adjustment process according to the above-described Embodiment 2, the horizontal diffusivity Sx and the vertical diffusivity Sy can be finely adjusted with respect to the light diffusivity setting result by the light diffusivity setting process shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19. Thereby, it becomes possible to finely adjust the light diffusivity, which is difficult with the movement (drag operation) of the first slider S1 or the second slider S2 on the light diffusivity setting screen.

[0188] In the above-described Embodiment 2, the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) and the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) are set as the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, +1 [%]), and the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) and the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) are set as the minimum value of the change amount in the - direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, -1 [%]). That is, for example, each time the first fine adjustment button B1(+) is pressed once, the first slider S1 on the display screen moves 1% to the right, and the lighting device 1a has its light distribution state spread 1% in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when it is desired to finely adjust by +3% in the x direction, the first fine adjustment button B1(+) may be pressed three times. Needless to say, by pressing the fine adjustment button multiple times, adjustments of not only a few percent but also ten-odd percent to several tens of percent are possible.

[0189] Also, the values of the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+), the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+), the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-), and the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) are not limited to ±1%.

[0190] Specifically, the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) and the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+) may be set as values smaller than the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, +0.1 [%]), and the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) and the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-) may be set as values smaller than the minimum value of the change amount in the - direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, -0.1 [%]).

[0191] In this case, when the cumulative value of the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(+) (or the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(+)) becomes the minimum value of the change amount in the + direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, +1 [%]), the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ and the display of the position of the first slider S1 (or the second slider S2) may be reflected on the light diffusion degree setting screen.

[0192] Also, when the cumulative value of the horizontal diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSxf(-) (or the vertical diffusion degree fine adjustment amount ΔSyf(-)) becomes the minimum value of the change amount in the - direction in the light diffusion degree setting process (for example, -1 [%]), the shape of the light distribution shape object OBJ and the display of the position of the first slider S1 (or the second slider S2) may be reflected on the light diffusion degree setting screen.

[0193] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The content disclosed in the embodiments is merely an example, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Appropriate changes made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0194] 1 Lighting device 2 Liquid crystal cell 2_1 First liquid crystal cell 2_2 Second liquid crystal cell 2_3 Third liquid crystal cell 2_4 Fourth liquid crystal cell 4 Light source 5 First substrate 6 Second substrate 7 Sealing material 8 Liquid crystal layer 9 Base material 10, 10a, 10b Drive electrode 11 First metal wiring 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Metal wiring 12 Base material 13, 13a, 13b Drive electrode 14 Second metal wiring 14a, 14b Metal wiring 15a, 15b Conductive part 16a, 16b Connection terminal part 17 Liquid crystal molecules 18 Alignment film 19 Alignment film 20 Display panel 30 Touch sensor 31 Detection element 100 Optical element 111 Transmission / reception circuit 112 Electrode drive circuit 113 Memory circuit 200, 200a Control device 211 Detection circuit 212 Position extraction circuit 221 Movement amount calculation circuit 222, 222a Light diffusion degree calculation circuit 223, 223a Memory circuit 224 Position conversion circuit 225 Transmission / reception circuit 226 Position calculation circuit 231 Display control circuit 300 Communication means AA Effective area B1 First fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment object) B1(+) First fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment object) B1(-) First fine adjustment button (first fine adjustment object) B2 Second fine adjustment button (second fine adjustment object) B2(+) Second fine adjustment button (second fine adjustment object) B2(-) Second fine adjustment button (second fine adjustment object) DA Display area FA Detection area GA Peripheral area OBJ Light distribution shape object Px Reference movement amount (X direction) Py Reference movement amount (Y direction) S1 First slider (first light diffusion degree setting object) S2 Second slider (second light diffusion degree setting object) Sx Lateral diffusion degree S1x, S2x Dx direction light diffusion degree Sy Longitudinal diffusion degree S1y, S2y Dy direction light diffusion degree TA1 First area TA2 Second area TSW Toggle switch (fine adjustment switching object) ΔSxf(+), ΔSxf(-), ΔSyf(+), ΔSyf(-) fine adjustment amounts

Claims

1. A control device for an illumination device capable of controlling the light distribution state of light emitted from a light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, a touch sensor having a detection area provided with a plurality of detection elements, a display panel provided with a display area overlapping the detection area of the touch sensor in a plan view, comprising: a light diffusion degree setting screen for executing a light diffusion degree setting process of the illumination device is displayed in the display area of the display panel, the light diffusion degree setting screen, an XY plane is defined with an X direction corresponding to the first direction, a Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and a predetermined position on the light diffusion degree setting screen as the origin, a light distribution shape object centered on the origin of the XY plane, a first light diffusion degree setting object centered on an intersection point between the X axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object, a second light diffusion degree setting object centered on an intersection point between the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object, is provided, a control device for an illumination device.

2. the light diffusion degree setting screen, when the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the X-axis direction changes following the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction, when the touch state to the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the Y-axis direction changes following the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction, The control device for an illumination device according to claim 1.

3. transmitting the light diffusion degree set in the light diffusion degree setting process to the illumination device as light diffusion degree information, The control device for an illumination device according to claim 2.

4. when the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is released, transmitting light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction to the illumination device, when the touch state to the second light diffusion degree setting object is released, transmitting light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction to the illumination device, The control device for an illumination device according to claim 3.

5. when the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, transmitting light diffusion degree information to the illumination device following the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction, When the touch state on the object for setting the second light diffusion degree is maintained, light diffusion degree information is transmitted to the lighting device following the movement of the object for setting the second light diffusion degree in the Y direction. The control device of the lighting device according to claim 3.

6. The light diffusion degree setting screen has a fine adjustment switching object for selecting whether the fine adjustment process of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device is effective or not, a first fine adjustment object for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction, and a second fine adjustment object for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction, and is provided with The first fine adjustment object and the second fine adjustment object are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is made effective, and are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is made ineffective. The control device of the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The first fine adjustment object defines the fine adjustment amount of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction, The second fine adjustment object defines the fine adjustment amount of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction, When a touch on the first fine adjustment object is detected, light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount to the light diffusion degree in the first direction is transmitted to the lighting device. When a touch on the second fine adjustment object is detected, light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the second direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount to the light diffusion degree in the second direction is transmitted to the lighting device. The control device of the lighting device according to claim 6.

8. The first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process, The second direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The control device of the lighting device according to claim 7.

9. The first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is a value smaller than the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process, The second direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is a value smaller than the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The control device of the lighting device according to claim 7.

10. The first fine adjustment object is a positive-side first fine adjustment object in which the first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount increasing in the first direction is defined. A negative-side first fine adjustment object having a first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount that decreases in the first direction, including, The second fine adjustment object is, A positive-side second fine adjustment object having a second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount that increases in the second direction, A negative-side second fine adjustment object having a second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount that decreases in the second direction, including, The control device of the lighting device according to claim 7.

11. The light diffusion degree setting screen is, The positive-side first fine adjustment object and the negative-side first fine adjustment object are arranged side by side in the first direction, The positive-side second fine adjustment object and the negative-side second fine adjustment object are arranged side by side in the second direction, The control device of the lighting device according to claim 10.

12. A lighting device including a light source and an optical element provided on the optical axis of the light source and capable of controlling the light distribution state of the light emitted from the light source in two directions, a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, A control device that controls the lighting device to change the light distribution state, including, The control device is, A touch sensor having a detection area provided with a plurality of detection elements, A display panel provided with a display area overlapping the detection area of the touch sensor in a plan view, including, On the display area of the display panel, a light diffusion degree setting screen for executing the light diffusion degree setting process of the lighting device is displayed, The light diffusion degree setting screen is, An XY plane is defined with the X direction corresponding to the first direction, the Y direction corresponding to the second direction, and a predetermined position on the light diffusion degree setting screen as the origin, A light distribution shape object centered on the origin of the XY plane, A first light diffusion degree setting object centered on the intersection of the X axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object, A second light diffusion degree setting object centered on the intersection of the Y axis of the XY plane and the contour line of the light distribution shape object, is provided, A lighting system.

13. The light diffusion degree setting screen is, When the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the X-axis direction changes following the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction, When the touch state to the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, the width of the light distribution shape object in the Y-axis direction changes following the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction, The lighting system according to claim 12.

14. The control device transmits the light diffusion degree set in the light diffusion degree setting process to the lighting device as first light diffusion degree information. The lighting device transmits, at startup, the final value of the light diffusion degree at the previous power-on to the control device as second light diffusion degree information. The lighting system according to claim 13.

15. The control device when the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is released, transmits first light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction to the lighting device, when the touch state to the second light diffusion degree setting object is released, transmits first light diffusion degree information corresponding to the position of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction to the lighting device. The lighting system according to claim 14.

16. The control device when the touch state to the first light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, transmits first light diffusion degree information following the movement of the first light diffusion degree setting object in the X direction to the lighting device, when the touch state to the second light diffusion degree setting object is maintained, transmits first light diffusion degree information following the movement of the second light diffusion degree setting object in the Y direction to the lighting device. The lighting system according to claim 14.

17. The light diffusion degree setting screen has a fine adjustment switching object for selecting whether the fine adjustment process of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device is effective or ineffective, a first fine adjustment object for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction, a second fine adjustment object for finely adjusting the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction, and is provided with the first fine adjustment object and the second fine adjustment object are displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is effective, and are not displayed when the light diffusion degree fine adjustment process is ineffective. The lighting system according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

18. The first fine adjustment object defines the fine adjustment amount of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the first direction, The second fine adjustment object defines the fine adjustment amount of the light diffusion degree of the lighting device in the second direction, The control device when a touch to the first fine adjustment object is detected, transmits first light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the first direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount to the light diffusion degree in the first direction to the lighting device. When touch on the second fine adjustment object is detected, transmit first light diffusion degree information obtained by adding the second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount to the light diffusion degree in the second direction to the lighting device. The lighting system according to claim 17.

19. The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The lighting system according to claim 18.

20. The first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the first direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount is set to a value smaller than the minimum value of the change amount of the light diffusion degree in the second direction in the light diffusion degree setting process. The lighting system according to claim 18.

21. The first fine adjustment object includes a positive-side first fine adjustment object in which a first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount increasing in the first direction is defined, and a negative-side first fine adjustment object in which a first-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount decreasing in the first direction is defined. The second fine adjustment object includes a positive-side second fine adjustment object in which a second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount increasing in the second direction is defined, and a negative-side second fine adjustment object in which a second-direction light diffusion degree fine adjustment amount decreasing in the second direction is defined. The lighting system according to claim 18.

22. The light diffusion degree setting screen has the positive-side first fine adjustment object and the negative-side first fine adjustment object arranged side by side in the first direction, and has the positive-side second fine adjustment object and the negative-side second fine adjustment object arranged side by side in the second direction. The lighting system according to claim 21.

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