Lighting control system

Abstract

To provide a lighting control system capable of notifying the outside of incorrect address settings.SOLUTION: A lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes: a first lighting fixture to which a first address is set; and a first controller to which the first address is set, and which broadcasts a control signal to the first address and controls the first lighting fixture. When receiving a signal broadcasted by another controller, the first controller notifies the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting fixture including a light source, a lighting circuit that controls the lighting of the light source, and a wireless communication module that is connected to the lighting circuit and that wirelessly communicates with other lighting fixtures or lighting control devices. The wireless communication module has a wireless communication control circuit that transmits a received signal to the lighting circuit, and command receiving means that receives commands from outside. The address of the wireless communication module is set based on the command input by the command receiving means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6500559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, each lighting fixture or lighting control device with wireless communication capabilities is provided with a DIP switch or light-receiving element for setting an address. This requires an operator to set an address for each device in the lighting control system. In this case, there is a possibility that an operator may mistakenly set the same address number for multiple lighting controllers. This could result in unintended behavior, such as lighting fixtures flickering, during system operation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a lighting control system that can notify the outside of an incorrect address setting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes a first lighting fixture with a first address set therein, and a first controller with the first address set therein, which broadcasts a control signal to the first address to control the first lighting fixture. When the first controller receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it notifies the outside. The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes a first lighting fixture with a first address set therein, and a first controller with the first address set therein, which broadcasts a control signal to the first address to control the first lighting fixture. The first controller has an LED, and when it receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it gives a notification according to the lighting state of the LED. The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes a first lighting fixture with a first address set therein, and a first controller with the first address set therein, which broadcasts a control signal to the first address to control the first lighting fixture. The first controller has a buzzer, and when it receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it gives a notification by the buzzer. The lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes a first lighting fixture with a first address set therein, and a first controller with the first address set therein, which broadcasts a control signal to the first address to control the first lighting fixture. When the first controller receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it gives a notification according to the lighting state of the first lighting fixture.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the lighting control system according to the present disclosure, when the first controller receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it notifies the outside. Therefore, an incorrect address setting can be notified to the outside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The lighting control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description may be omitted.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The lighting control system 1 includes a controller 2, a plurality of lighting fixtures 3, a sensor 4, a wall switch 5, and a setter 6. The number of each device included in the lighting control system 1 is not limited. For example, a plurality of controllers 2 may be provided, and one or more lighting fixtures 3 may be provided.

[0011] The setter 6 is used by an operator for various settings. The setter 6 communicates with the controller 2 via infrared wireless communication 10. An address may be set in the controller 2 by the setter 6. The controller 2 communicates with a plurality of lighting fixtures 3, sensors 4, and wall switches 5 via wireless communication 11. The plurality of lighting fixtures 3, sensors 4, and wall switches 5 are a plurality of individual devices equipped with a wireless communication function. The wireless communication between the controller 2 and the individual devices may be in the 920 MHz band or the 2.4 GHz band.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 2 according to Embodiment 1. The controller 2 includes a control unit 21, an address storage unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, an infrared communication unit 24, a human detection sensor unit 25, a brightness sensor unit 26, an LED status display unit 27, a power supply unit 28, and a buzzer 29. The control unit 21 performs operations for realizing the functions of the controller 2 and operations necessary for controlling the lighting fixture 3. The control unit 21 is, for example, a microcomputer. The address storage unit 22 stores the frequency channel used in the wireless communication 11. The address storage unit 22 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0013] The wireless communication unit 23 performs the wireless communication 11. The infrared communication unit 24 performs infrared wireless communication 10 with the setter 6. The human detection sensor unit 25 detects the presence or absence of a person and transmits the detected information to the control unit 21. The brightness sensor unit 26 detects the brightness and transmits the detected information to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls the lighting fixture 3 via the wireless communication unit 23 based on the information received from the wireless communication unit 23, the infrared communication unit 24, the human detection sensor unit 25, and the brightness sensor unit 26.

[0014] The LED status display unit 27 displays the status of the controller 2 on an LED, for example. The power supply unit 28 generates power for each part of the controller 2. The buzzer 29 notifies the outside of an error or the like generated in the controller 2. The control unit 21 controls the LED status display unit 27, the power supply unit 28, and the buzzer 29.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting fixture 3 according to the first embodiment. The lighting fixture 3 includes a control unit 31, an address storage unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an LED light source unit 34, an LED control unit 35, and a power supply unit 38. The control unit 31 performs operations for realizing the functions of the lighting fixture 3 and operations necessary for controlling the LED light source unit 34. The control unit 31 is, for example, a microcomputer. The address storage unit 32 stores the frequency channels used in the wireless communication 11. The address storage unit 32 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0016] The wireless communication unit 33 performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 33 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the controller 2. The control unit 31 controls each part of the lighting fixture 3 according to the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 33. The LED control unit 35 controls the LED light source unit 34. The LED control unit 35 controls the power supplied to the LED light source unit 34 according to, for example, a control signal from the control unit 31. The LED light source unit 34 has a light source. The light source is a light-emitting element such as an LED, for example. The power supply unit 38 generates power for each part of the lighting fixture 3.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sensor 4 according to the first embodiment. The sensor 4 includes a control unit 41, an address storage unit 42, a wireless communication unit 43, an infrared communication unit 44, a human detection sensor unit 45, a brightness sensor unit 46, an LED status display unit 47, and a power supply unit 48. The control unit 41 performs operations for realizing the functions of the sensor 4. The control unit 41 is, for example, a microcomputer. The address storage unit 42 stores the frequency channels used in the wireless communication 11. The address storage unit 42 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0018] The wireless communication unit 43 performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 43 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the controller 2. The infrared communication unit 44 performs infrared wireless communication with, for example, the setter 6. The human detection sensor unit 45 detects the presence or absence of a person and transmits the detected information to the control unit 41. The brightness sensor unit 46 detects brightness and transmits the detected information to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 transmits the information received from the human detection sensor unit 45 and the brightness sensor unit 46 to the controller 2 via the wireless communication unit 43. The LED status display unit 47 displays the status of, for example, the sensor 4 on an LED. The power supply unit 48 generates power for each part of the sensor 4. The control unit 41 controls the LED status display unit 47 and the power supply unit 48.

[0019] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wall switch 5 according to Embodiment 1. The wall switch 5 includes a control unit 51, an address storage unit 52, a wireless communication unit 53, a switch input unit 54, an LED status display unit 57, and a power supply unit 58. The control unit 51 performs operations for realizing the functions of the wall switch 5. The control unit 51 is, for example, a microcomputer. The address storage unit 52 stores the frequency channel used in the wireless communication 11. The address storage unit 52 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The wireless communication unit 53 performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 53 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the controller 2.

[0020] A signal for controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixture 3 is input to the switch input unit 54 according to the on / off state of the switch. The signals for controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixture 3 are, for example, a lighting signal and a turning-off signal of the lighting fixture 3. The control unit 51 transmits the signal input from the switch input unit 54 to the controller 2 via the wireless communication unit 53. The controller 2 controls the lighting state of the lighting fixture 3 according to the signal received from the wall switch 5. The LED status display unit 57 displays the states such as lighting and turning off of the lighting fixture 3 on an LED. The power supply unit 58 generates power for each part of the wall switch 5. The control unit 51 controls the LED status display unit 57 and the power supply unit 58.

[0021] In this way, all individual devices are configured to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0022] 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between addresses and frequency channels according to the first embodiment. In order for the controller 2 to wirelessly communicate with individual devices, it is necessary to use the same frequency channel. When addresses are not set, the addresses of the controller 2 and individual devices are all set to 0.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 1 according to the first embodiment, which includes two controllers 2. The operation of the lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below using an example in which there are two controllers 2. Note that the sensor 4 and wall switch 5 are omitted from FIG. 7. The lighting control system 1 includes a controller 2-1 and a controller 2-2 as controllers 2. The controller 2-1 controls a plurality of lighting fixtures 3-1, and the controller 2-2 controls a plurality of lighting fixtures 3-2. The setting device 6 is shared by the controllers 2-1 and 2-2.

[0024] In this lighting control system 1, different addresses must be assigned to the controllers 2-1 and 2-2 so that they do not affect each other's communications. For example, address 1 is assigned to the controller 2-1 and lighting fixture 3-1. Controller 2-1 broadcasts a control signal to address 1 to control lighting fixture 3-1. For example, address 2 is assigned to the controller 2-2 and lighting fixture 3-2. Controller 2-2 broadcasts a control signal to address 2 to control lighting fixture 3-2. When different addresses are assigned to multiple controllers 2, control is performed using different wireless channels. This allows each controller 2 to perform independent control without being affected by the communications of the other controllers 2.

[0025] In the lighting control system 1 shown in FIG. 7, when the same address is erroneously set for both of the controllers 2-1 and 2-2, control signals are transmitted to one lighting fixture 3 from both of the controllers 2-1 and 2-2. For this reason, the lighting fixture 3 set with the same address as the controllers 2-1 and 2-2 may perform an unintended operation such as blinking by receiving the control signals from both of them.

[0026] In the present embodiment, when the same address is erroneously set for both of the controllers 2-1 and 2-2, one of the controllers 2-1 and 2-2 can receive the control signal from the other. For this reason, each controller 2 can detect the presence of another controller 2 set with the same address as itself. That is, it is possible to detect the duplication of addresses. In the present embodiment, when each controller 2 receives a signal transmitted by another controller 2 by broadcast, it notifies the outside. That is, when the controller 2-1 receives the control signal transmitted by the controller 2-2 by broadcast, it notifies the outside. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the incorrect address setting.

[0027] When the controller 2 receives a signal transmitted by another controller 2 by broadcast, it notifies, for example, by the lighting state of the LED of the LED state display unit 27. Further, the controller 2 may notify by the buzzer 29. Further, the controller 2 may notify by the lighting state of the lighting fixture 3. The control signal for the controller 2 to control the lighting fixture 3 includes, for example, information on dimming, color adjustment, or blinking. The controller 2 can notify by changing the dimming, color adjustment, or blinking of the lighting fixture 3 by changing this information.

[0028] Each controller 2 may periodically broadcast a control signal to the address set for itself. This allows a controller 2 to periodically receive control signals from other controllers 2 during the period when the addresses overlap. This allows users to continue receiving notifications until the address overlap is resolved. In addition, users can easily detect incorrect address settings before the system goes into operation.

[0029] Here, an example has been described in which each controller 2 issues a notification to the outside when it receives a control signal transmitted by another controller 2 to control a lighting fixture 3. However, this is not limiting, and each controller 2 may also issue a notification to the outside when it receives a control signal transmitted by another controller 2 to control an individual device other than a lighting fixture 3.

[0030] The technical features described in this embodiment may be used in appropriate combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 lighting control system, 2, 2-1, 2-2 controller, 3, 3-1, 3-2 lighting fixture, 4 sensor, 5 wall switch, 6 setting device, 10 infrared wireless communication, 11 wireless communication, 21 control unit, 22 address storage unit, 23 wireless communication unit, 24 infrared communication unit, 25 human detection sensor unit, 26 brightness sensor unit, 27 LED status display unit, 28 power supply unit, 29 buzzer, 31 control unit, 32 address storage unit, 33 wireless communication unit, 34 LED light source unit, 35 LED control unit, 38 power supply unit, 41 control unit, 42 address storage unit, 43 wireless communication unit, 44 infrared communication unit, 45 human detection sensor unit, 46 brightness sensor unit, 47 LED status display unit, 48 power supply unit, 51 control unit, 52 address storage unit, 53 wireless communication unit, 54 switch input unit, 57 LED status display unit, 58 power supply unit

Claims

1. a first lighting fixture to which a first address is set; a first controller to which the first address is set and which controls the first lighting device by broadcasting a control signal to the first address; Equipped with A lighting control system characterized in that the first controller notifies a user of an incorrect address setting when it receives a signal broadcast by another controller.

2. The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein the first controller periodically transmits the control signal.

3. A first lighting fixture having a first address set thereto; a first controller to which the first address is set and which controls the first lighting device by broadcasting a control signal to the first address; Equipped with A lighting control system characterized in that the first controller has an LED, and when it receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it notifies the other controller by turning on or off the LED.

4. A first lighting fixture having a first address set thereto; a first controller to which the first address is set and which controls the first lighting device by broadcasting a control signal to the first address; Equipped with A lighting control system characterized in that the first controller has a buzzer, and when it receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it issues a notification using the buzzer.

5. A first lighting fixture having a first address set thereto; a first controller to which the first address is set and which controls the first lighting device by broadcasting a control signal to the first address; Equipped with A lighting control system characterized in that, when the first controller receives a signal broadcast by another controller, it notifies the other controller by indicating the lighting state of the first lighting fixture.

6. a second lighting fixture to which a second address is set; a second controller to which the second address is set and which controls the second lighting device by broadcasting a control signal to the second address; Equipped with 6. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the first controller notifies an external device when the first controller receives a control signal broadcast by the second controller.

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