Control devices and lighting equipment

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of providing information necessary for management to an external device.SOLUTION: A control device 11 includes a lighting circuit 110, a processing circuit 112, and a power supply circuit 111. The lighting circuit 110 lights a lighting load 10 with power from a power supply 3. The processing circuit 112 controls the lighting circuit 110 and measures a time in which the lighting load 10 is lit. The processing circuit 112 transmits status information indicating identification information I and a cumulative lighting time T to an external device 2 via the Internet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for controlling a lighting load and a lighting fixture. [Background technology]

[0002] A lighting control system is described in Patent Document 1. The system described in Patent Document 1 includes a lighting control device. The lighting control device is connected to a control device that controls a wired lighting device with a dimming function and a control device that controls a wireless lighting device with a dimming function. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6691755 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, information is exchanged between control devices. However, this communication is within a closed network. Patent Document 1 does not describe a technology for providing information necessary for management to an external device that manages the control devices, for example.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device that can provide information necessary for management to an external device, and a lighting fixture that can realize such a function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to the present disclosure includes a lighting circuit that lights a lighting load using power from a power source, a processing circuit that controls the lighting circuit and measures the time the lighting load is on, and a power supply circuit that receives power from the power source and supplies power to the processing circuit. Identification information and an accumulated lighting time of the lighting load are stored in the processing circuit. The processing circuit transmits status information including the identification information and the accumulated lighting time via the Internet to an external device that manages the accumulated lighting time. When the processing circuit detects that the power supply from the power source has been cut off, it transmits status information using the charge remaining in the power supply circuit. A control device according to the present disclosure includes a lighting circuit that lights a lighting load using power from a power source, a processing circuit that controls the lighting circuit and measures the time the lighting load is on, and a power supply circuit that receives power from the power source and supplies power to the processing circuit. The processing circuit stores identification information and an accumulated lighting time of the lighting load. The processing circuit transmits status information including the identification information and the accumulated lighting time via the Internet to an external device that manages the accumulated lighting time. The processing circuit does not accept a management command from the external device to reduce or stop the power supply to the lighting load unless the accumulated lighting time exceeds a specific reference time, and accepts a management command from the external device when the accumulated lighting time exceeds the reference time.

[0007] A lighting fixture according to the present disclosure includes the control device described above and a lighting load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide information necessary for managing a control device from a control device to an external device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including a lighting fixture according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the control device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the external device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including a lighting device 1 according to Embodiment 1. The system illustrated in FIG.

[0012] The lighting fixture 1 includes a lighting load 10 and a control device 11. The lighting load 10 preferably includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The lighting load 10 and the control device 11 are connected in series to an external power supply 3. The power supply 3 is an AC power supply or a DC power supply. As an example, the power supply 3 is a commercial power supply provided to a building in which the lighting fixture 1 is installed. The control device 11 receives power from the power supply 3 and supplies the lighting load 10 with the power required to light it.

[0013] The external device 2 is a device for managing the control device 11. The external device 2 is installed in a building remote from the building in which the lighting fixture 1 is installed. As an example, the external device 2 is provided in a manufacturer or maintenance company of the control device 11. The external device 2 can perform bidirectional communication with the control device 11 via a network 4. The network 4 is, for example, the Internet. The external device 2 is connected via the Internet to a LAN (Local Area Network) in the building in which the lighting fixture 1 is installed.

[0014] The control device 11 is a DC power supply device for LED lighting that includes semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, etc., or an in-fixture control device for LED lighting. The control device 11 includes a lighting circuit 110, a power supply circuit 111, a processing circuit 112, and a communication interface unit 113. In the control device 11, the lighting circuit 110 is controlled by the processing circuit 112, thereby supplying the power required for lighting to the lighting load 10. In addition, since the control device 11 includes the communication interface unit 113, the control device 11 can exchange information via the network 4.

[0015] The lighting circuit 110 is a circuit for lighting the lighting load 10 with power supplied from the power source 3.

[0016] The power supply circuit 111 is a circuit for driving an IC (Integrated Circuit) including semiconductors, capacitors, etc. Power is supplied to the power supply circuit 111 from a power supply 3. The power required for the operation of the processing circuit 112 is supplied from the power supply circuit 111. The power required for the operation of the communication interface unit 113 is supplied from the power supply circuit 111.

[0017] The processing circuit 112 includes an information processing IC 112a and a storage medium 112b. The information processing IC 112a and the storage medium 112b are, for example, a microcomputer.

[0018] The storage medium 112b stores the identification information I, the driving software S, version information V of the driving software S, and the accumulated lighting time T. The identification information I, the driving software S, and the version information V are already written in the storage medium 112b when the control device 11 is shipped. The accumulated lighting time T is updated as appropriate after the control device 11 is shipped.

[0019] The identification information I is unique information for identifying the control device 11. The identification information I may be a number with a specific number of digits or a combination of numbers and letters. A manufacturer or maintenance company of the control device 11 can identify one control device from the identification information I. The driving software S is software for controlling the lighting circuit 110. The processing circuit 112 drives and controls the lighting circuit 110 by executing a program included in the driving software S stored in the storage medium 112b using the information processing IC 112a. The accumulated lighting time T is the accumulated value of the time that the lighting load 10 is lit. A method for updating the accumulated lighting time T of the lighting load 10 will be described later.

[0020] The communication interface unit 113 has a function of transmitting signals from the network 4 to the processing circuit 112 and a function of issuing signals from the processing circuit 112 to the network 4. That is, the processing circuit 112 is connected to the network 4 via the communication interface unit 113. The processing circuit 112 and the communication interface unit 113 are connected in series to the power supply circuit 111. The communication interface unit 113 preferably includes a means for wireless communication.

[0021] Furthermore, a label 114 is provided on the outer surface of the housing of the control device 11. The identification information I stored in the storage medium 112b is written on the label 114. A two-dimensional barcode or the like representing the identification information I may be written on the label 114.

[0022] Next, the functions of the system shown in Fig. 1 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 11. Fig. 2 shows the process of measuring and recording the lighting time.

[0023] The control device 11 determines whether or not power is being supplied from the power source 3 (S101). If power from the power source 3 is not being supplied to the control device 11, the determination in S101 is No. If power from the power source 3 is being supplied to the control device 11, the determination in S101 is Yes. If the determination in S101 is Yes, the processing circuit 112 determines whether or not the lighting circuit 110 is being controlled (S102).

[0024] If the lighting circuit 110 is not controlled by the processing circuit 112, the determination in S102 is No. If the lighting circuit 110 is not controlled by the processing circuit 112, the lighting load 10 is turned off.

[0025] If the lighting circuit 110 is controlled by the processing circuit 112, a Yes determination is made in S102. The processing circuit 112 controls the lighting circuit 110, thereby energizing and lighting the lighting load 10. If a Yes determination is made in S102, the processing circuit 112 measures the time during which the lighting circuit 110 is controlled as the time during which the lighting load 10 is lit (S103).

[0026] As described above, the storage medium 112b stores the accumulated lighting time T of the lighting load 10. The processing circuit 112 adds the lighting time measured in S103 to the accumulated lighting time T stored in the storage medium 112b, thereby updating the accumulated lighting time T (S104). By the process shown in S104, the latest accumulated lighting time T is stored in the storage medium 112b.

[0027] The control device 11 also has a function for detecting that the power supply from the power source 3 has been cut off. If the determination in S101 is Yes, the control device 11 uses this function to determine whether the power supply from the power source 3 has been cut off (S105). If the determination in S105 is No, the processes shown in S102 to S104 are repeated. If the determination in S105 is Yes, the control device 11 ends the process shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the control device 11. Fig. 3 shows the process relating to the transmission of status information.

[0029] The control device 11 determines whether a transmission condition is met (S201). The transmission condition is a condition for transmitting status information indicating the current status of the control device 11 to the external device 2 that manages the control device 11. The transmission condition is set in advance.

[0030] As one example, the transmission condition is met when the processing circuit 112 detects that the power supply from the power source 3 has been cut off. In other words, if the determination in S105 is Yes, the transmission condition is met. As another example, the transmission condition may be met at a specific date and time. The timing at which the transmission condition is met is not limited to these examples.

[0031] When the transmission condition is met (Yes in S201), the processing circuit 112 transmits status information to the external device 2 (S202). The status information includes the identification information I and the accumulated lighting time T stored in the storage medium 112b. The processing circuit 112 transmits the status information to the external device 2 from the communication interface unit 113 via the network 4.

[0032] When the transmission condition is met by detecting an interruption of power from the power source 3, the processing circuit 112 transmits the status information using the charge remaining in the power supply circuit 111. The power supply circuit 111 is provided with a storage element, such as a capacitor, that can store charge. Therefore, the processing circuit 112, to which power is supplied from the power supply circuit 111, can continue to operate for a short time even after the power supply from the power source 3 to the control device 11 is interrupted. It is desirable that the processing circuit 112 transmit the status information to the external device 2 before an extremely short fixed time has elapsed after the interruption of the power supply is detected in S105. For example, the processing circuit 112 transmits the status information before one second has elapsed after detecting that the power supply from the power source 3 has been interrupted.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the external device 2. Fig. 4 shows a process related to management of the accumulated lighting time.

[0034] The external device 2 centrally manages a large number of control devices for lighting fixtures. The control device 11 is one of the control devices managed by the external device 2. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the external device 2 manages the accumulated lighting time of each control device.

[0035] The external device 2 determines whether it has received status information from any of the control devices it manages (S301). For example, if the external device 2 receives the status information transmitted from the control device 11 in S202, it determines Yes in S301.

[0036] When the external device 2 receives the status information in S301, it identifies the control device that has transmitted the status information based on the identification information included in the status information (S302). If the identification information I is included in the status information received in S301, the external device 2 identifies that the control device that has transmitted the status information is the control device 11.

[0037] External device 2 stores identification information and accumulated lighting time for each control device it manages, linked to each other. When external device 2 identifies a control device in S302, it rewrites the accumulated lighting time of that control device to the accumulated lighting time included in the status information received in S301. For example, if the status information received in S301 includes identification information I, the accumulated lighting time T of control device 11 managed by external device 2 is updated to the latest value (S303). If the transmission condition is met by detecting a power outage from power source 3, the accumulated lighting time T of control device 11 managed by external device 2 is updated to the latest value every time the user turns off the power switch of lighting device 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the external device 2 determines whether or not the accumulated lighting time of each control device it manages has exceeded a first reference time (S304). The first reference time is set in advance.

[0039] In the example shown in Fig. 4, when a Yes determination is made in S301, the determination in S304 is made for the control device identified in S302. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the accumulated lighting time updated in S303 is compared with the first reference time. As another example, the determination in S304 may be made at any timing. For example, the determination in S304 may be made for each control device under management at a specific date and time.

[0040] If the accumulated lighting time exceeds the first reference time, a Yes is determined in S304. If a Yes is determined in S304, the external device 2 transmits a specific management command to the control device 11 whose accumulated lighting time exceeds the first reference time (S305). For example, if the accumulated lighting time T exceeds the first reference time, a management command is transmitted to the control device 11.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the control device 11. Fig. 5 shows processing relating to a reception restriction of a management command.

[0042] The control device 11 determines whether the accumulated lighting time T stored in the storage medium 112b has exceeded a second reference time (S401). The second reference time is set in advance. The second reference time is shorter than the first reference time. The second reference time may be the same as the first reference time. As an example, the second reference time is set to 60,000 hours.

[0043] If the accumulated lighting time T does not exceed the second reference time, the determination in S401 is No. If the determination in S401 is No, the processing circuit 112 imposes a reception restriction on management commands from the external device 2 (S402). For example, while the determination in S401 is No, the processing circuit 112 does not accept management commands from the external device 2. Therefore, even if a management command is transmitted from the external device 2 to the control device 11, the control device 11 does not perform processing in accordance with the management command.

[0044] In S402, the processing circuit 112 may not receive all information from the external device 2. This information may include management commands. In this case, even if the external device 2 sends a command to the control device 11, the control device 11 will not perform any processing in accordance with the command.

[0045] Note that even if the determination in S401 is No, the processing circuit 112 may accept information from a device other than the external device 2. For example, the processing circuit 112 can communicate with a mobile terminal on which specific settings such as authentication settings have been made. The mobile terminal is, for example, a user's smartphone. In such a case, even if the determination in S401 is No, the processing circuit 112 accepts a command from the mobile terminal via the network 4, i.e., the Internet. That is, when a command is sent from the mobile terminal to the control device 11, the processing circuit 112 performs processing according to the command.

[0046] On the other hand, if the accumulated lighting time T exceeds the second reference time, the determination in S401 is Yes. If the determination in S401 is Yes, the processing circuit 112 cancels the reception restriction imposed in S402 (S403). This allows the control device 11 to accept management commands from the external device 2.

[0047] When the reception restriction is lifted in S403, the control device 11 determines whether or not a management command has been received from the external device 2 (S404). For example, if the control device 11 receives a management command transmitted from the external device 2 in S305 after the reception restriction is lifted in S403, the determination in S404 is Yes. That is, the management command is accepted by the processing circuit 112.

[0048] The management command is a command to make the processing circuit 112 perform processing to prompt the user to replace the control device 11. If the determination in S404 is Yes, the processing circuit 112 performs processing according to the received management command (S405).

[0049] As an example, the management command is a command to reduce the power supply to the lighting load 10. In such a case, the processing circuit 112 reduces the power supplied to the lighting load 10 in S405. The processing circuit 112 may temporarily reduce the power supplied to the lighting load 10 in S405. The processing circuit 112 may intermittently reduce the power supplied to the lighting load 10 in S405. Such processing may be performed only immediately after the start of power supply from the power source 3. As another example, the management command may be a command to stop the power supply to the lighting load 10. In such a case, the processing circuit 112 sets the power supplied to the lighting load 10 to zero in S405.

[0050] In the example shown in the present embodiment, status information including identification information I and accumulated lighting time T is transmitted from the control device 11 to the external device 2. The status information is transmitted via the network 4, i.e., the Internet. Therefore, in the example shown in the present embodiment, the external device 2 that manages the control device 11 can be provided with information necessary for management. The external device 2 can easily obtain information on accumulated lighting time for each of the control devices that it manages.

[0051] When the accumulated lighting time T of the control device 11 exceeds the first reference time, the external device 2 transmits a management command to the control device 11. The control device 11 that receives the management command performs a process to prompt the user to replace the control device 11. This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the control device 11 that has exceeded its product lifespan or is about to exceed its product lifespan.

[0052] Furthermore, in the example shown in this embodiment, communication between the control device 11 and the external device 2 is performed via the Internet, so that it is easy to support IoT (Internet of Things).

[0053] In the example shown in the present embodiment, the lighting time of the lighting load 10 is measured by the processing circuit 112, and the accumulated lighting time T is stored in the storage medium 112b. The processing circuit 112 measures the time during which the lighting circuit 110 is controlled, i.e., the time during which the lighting circuit 110 supplies power to the lighting load 10, as the lighting time. Because the lighting circuit 110 is controlled by the processing circuit 112, the measurement of the lighting time by the processing circuit 112 can be easily performed. Furthermore, in the example shown in the present embodiment, the accumulated lighting time T can be continuously updated even if the installation location of the lighting fixture 1 or the user changes it midway. This makes it easy to reuse the lighting fixture 1.

[0054] In the example shown in the present embodiment, if the accumulated lighting time T stored in the storage medium 112b does not exceed the second reference time, reception restrictions are imposed on the management command. This makes it possible to prevent the lighting load 10 from unintentionally turning off or performing unnecessary operations due to receiving unnecessary management commands from the external device 2. Furthermore, if the accumulated lighting time T stored in the storage medium 112b exceeds the second reference time, the reception restrictions on the management command are lifted. This makes it possible to prevent the control device 11 from being used far beyond its product lifespan, and to prevent unexpected failures due to deterioration of the control device 11.

[0055] In the example shown in this embodiment, label 114 is attached to the housing of control device 11. If a two-dimensional barcode representing identification information I is displayed on label 114, a person working on-site at lighting fixture 1 can read the two-dimensional barcode using a specific device to access the database of external device 2 and obtain information about control device 11. By comparing the acquired cumulative lighting time T of control device 11 with the product lifespan, the person on-site can easily determine whether control device 11 needs to be replaced. This also makes it easier to plan maintenance for lighting fixture 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Lighting equipment 2 External device 3 Power supply 4 Network 10 Lighting Load 11 Control device 110 Lighting circuit 111 Power supply circuit 112 Processing circuit 112a Information Processing IC 112b Storage medium 113 Communication interface section 114 Label

Claims

1. a lighting circuit that lights up a lighting load using power from a power source; a processing circuit that controls the lighting circuit and measures the time that the lighting load is turned on; a power supply circuit that receives power from the power supply and supplies power to the processing circuit; Equipped with The processing circuit stores identification information and an integrated lighting time of the lighting load, the processing circuit transmits the identification information and status information including the accumulated lighting time to an external device for managing the accumulated lighting time via the Internet; The control device wherein, when the processing circuit detects that the power supply from the power source has been cut off, the processing circuit transmits the status information using the charge remaining in the power supply circuit.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit transmits the status information before one second has elapsed since detecting that the power supply from the power source has been cut off.

3. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit does not accept a management command from the external device to reduce or stop the power supply to the lighting load unless the accumulated lighting time exceeds a specific reference time, and accepts the management command from the external device when the accumulated lighting time exceeds the reference time.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the processing circuit is capable of communicating with a mobile terminal configured with specific settings, and accepts commands from the mobile terminal via the Internet even if the accumulated lighting time does not exceed the reference time.

5. a lighting circuit that lights up a lighting load using power from a power source; a processing circuit that controls the lighting circuit and measures the time that the lighting load is turned on; a power supply circuit that receives power from the power supply and supplies power to the processing circuit; Equipped with The processing circuit stores identification information and an integrated lighting time of the lighting load, the processing circuit transmits the identification information and status information including the accumulated lighting time to an external device for managing the accumulated lighting time via the Internet; The processing circuit does not accept a management command from the external device to reduce or stop the power supply to the lighting load unless the accumulated lighting time exceeds a specific reference time, and accepts the management command from the external device when the accumulated lighting time exceeds the reference time.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; the lighting load; A lighting fixture equipped with

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