Controller, lighting system and control method

Abstract

To provide a controller, a lighting system, and a control method capable of controlling only a lighting device to be controlled among a plurality of lighting devices.SOLUTION: A controller 101 includes: an acquisition unit 111 that acquires unique ID information possessed by each of a plurality of lighting devices 201-204 each connected to any one of a plurality of power lines 501 and 502; a notification unit 112 that notifies each of the lighting devices 201-204 of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs based on the acquired multiple pieces of ID information; and a control unit 130 that controls the plurality of lighting devices 201-204 for each logical network by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines 501 and 502.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A system using power line communication for communication between a master station device and a slave station device has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). Also, in a lighting system including a plurality of lighting devices, which is an example of a communication device, and a controller that controls the plurality of lighting devices, power line communication may be used for communication between the plurality of lighting devices and the controller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-313595 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described lighting system, multiple lighting devices may be connected to multiple power lines in a distributed manner, and the multiple power lines may be installed adjacent to each other. In this case, when a controller targets a lighting device connected to one power line as a control target and transmits a control signal to the target lighting device via one power line, the control signal may be transmitted to other power lines. As a result, there is a problem that the control signal is transmitted to other lighting devices connected to other power lines, i.e., lighting devices other than the target lighting devices, and the lighting devices other than the target lighting devices are controlled.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a controller, a lighting system, and a control method that are capable of controlling only lighting devices that are to be controlled among a plurality of lighting devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a controller in one embodiment of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires unique ID information held by each of a plurality of lighting devices, each connected to one of a plurality of power lines; a notification unit that notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs based on the acquired ID information; and a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting devices for each of the logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the controller described above and the plurality of lighting devices.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of controllers and a plurality of lighting devices, each connected to one of a plurality of power lines, one of the plurality of controllers having an acquisition unit that acquires unique ID information possessed by each of the plurality of lighting devices, and a notification unit that notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs based on the acquired ID information, and each of the plurality of controllers has a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting devices that belong to the respective plurality of logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an acquisition step of acquiring unique ID information of each of a plurality of lighting devices, each connected to one of a plurality of power lines; a notification step of notifying each of the plurality of lighting devices of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired ID information; and a control step of controlling the plurality of lighting devices for each of the logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a controller, a lighting system, and a control method are realized that are capable of controlling only lighting devices that are to be controlled among a plurality of lighting devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation example of a first operation of the lighting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation example of the second operation of the lighting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) [composition] First, a lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The lighting system 1 is a system that controls a plurality of lighting devices 201 to 204 via power line communication.

[0017] The lighting system 1 includes a controller 101, lighting devices 201 to 204 as a plurality of lighting devices, AC power supplies 301 and 302, breakers 401 and 402, and power lines 501 and 502.

[0018] Although four lighting devices 201 to 204 are shown in the present embodiment for the sake of convenience, the number of lighting devices included in the lighting system 1 may be two or more. This also applies to the modified examples of the present embodiment.

[0019] The lighting devices 201 to 204 are lighting devices used in the lighting system 1 and emit illumination light. Each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 is connected to either a power line 501 or a power line 502. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the lighting devices 201 and 202 are connected to the power line 501, and the lighting devices 203 and 204 are connected to the power line 502.

[0020] The controller 101 is a control device that controls the plurality of lighting devices 201 to 204. The controller 101 is connected to power lines 501 and 502. The controller 101 controls the lighting devices 201 to 204 by performing power line communication via the power lines 501 and 502. The controller 101 is a dedicated device for the lighting system 1, but may also be a general-purpose device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

[0021] The power lines 501 and 502 are connected to the AC power supplies 301 and 302, respectively. The power lines 501 and 502 are installed adjacent to each other. The AC power supplies 301 and 302 supply AC power to the power lines 501 and 502, respectively. In other words, the controller 101 and the lighting devices 201 to 204 receive AC power from the AC power supplies 301 and 302, respectively, via the power lines 501 and 502, respectively.

[0022] Furthermore, breakers 401 and 402 are provided between the power lines 501 and 502 and the AC power supplies 301 and 302, respectively. The breakers 401 and 402 are switched between an on state and an off state, for example, by being operated by a user of the lighting system 1. Note that a signal for switching between an on state and an off state may be transmitted from the controller 101 to the breakers 401 and 402 via wireless or wired communication. The breakers 401 and 402 control connection and disconnection between the power lines 501 and 502 and the AC power supplies 301 and 302, respectively, by being switched between an on state and an off state.

[0023] Further, the lighting device 201 will be described in detail.

[0024] The lighting device 201 includes a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, a light source unit 230, and a storage unit 240. Although the diagram shows only the configuration of the lighting device 201 out of the four lighting devices 201 to 204, the lighting devices 202 to 204 also have the same configuration as the lighting device 201, and therefore will not be shown or described here.

[0025] The light source unit 230 is a light source that is turned on by power supplied to the lighting device 201 (that is, a light source that emits illumination light), and is, for example, an LED light source.

[0026] The control unit 210 is a processing unit that controls the light source unit 230 etc. The control unit 210 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0027] The storage unit 240 is a storage device that stores programs executed by the control unit 210, etc. The storage unit 240 stores ID information unique to its own device (here, lighting device 201). The unique ID information is information for identifying the lighting device 201 from other lighting devices. Here, the unique ID information is a MAC address, but is not limited to this. The storage unit 240 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. For simplicity, the unique ID information may be simply referred to as ID information hereinafter.

[0028] The communication unit 220 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the lighting device 201 to perform power line communication with the controller 101.

[0029] The controller 101 will also be described in detail.

[0030] The controller 101 includes a communication unit 110, a reception unit 120, a control unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

[0031] The communication unit 110 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the controller 101 to perform power line communication with the lighting devices 201-204. The communication unit 110 includes an acquisition unit 111 and a notification unit 112. The acquisition unit 111 acquires unique ID information (MAC address) that each of the lighting devices 201-204 has. The notification unit 112 notifies each of the lighting devices 201-204 of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired ID information. For example, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the MAC address of the lighting device 201, and the notification unit 112 notifies the lighting device (lighting device 201) having the acquired MAC address of the logical network to which the lighting device itself (lighting device 201) belongs, using the acquired MAC address as the destination.

[0032] The logical network is, for example, a virtual local area network (VLAN). In this embodiment, a plurality of VLANs are provided, and the plurality of VLANs include a first VLAN and a second VLAN.

[0033] The reception unit 120 is a device that receives input operations from the user of the controller 101. The reception unit 120 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, for example.

[0034] The control unit 130 controls the lighting devices 201-204 by performing power line communication via the power lines 501 and 502. More specifically, the control unit 130 controls the communication unit 110 to notify the lighting devices 201-204 of control signals, thereby controlling the lighting devices 201-204. The control unit 130 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0035] The control signals are signals for controlling the lighting devices 201 to 204. The control signals are at least one of dimming signals for changing the state of illumination light (light intensity, color temperature, etc.) of the lighting devices 201 to 204 and response signals for causing the lighting devices 201 to 204 to respond with information that they have.

[0036] The information possessed by the lighting devices 201 to 204 includes the cumulative lighting time of each of the lighting devices 201 to 204, and unique ID information possessed by each of the lighting devices 201 to 204.

[0037] Here, the information processing performed by the control unit 130 will be described.

[0038] The control unit 130 performs a process of determining that each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs to one of a plurality of VLANs, which are examples of logical networks. Here, the user uses the reception unit 120 to perform an input operation indicating which of the plurality of VLANs each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs to, and the control unit 130 performs the above process based on the input operation received by the reception unit 120 from the user.

[0039] Examples of VLANs to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs are shown below. Table 1 shows a first example of VLANs to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs. Table 2 shows a second example of VLANs to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs.

[0040] [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0041] In the first example, a first VLAN is constructed with lighting devices 201 to 203, and a second VLAN is constructed with lighting device 204. In the second example, a first VLAN is constructed with lighting devices 201 and 202, and a second VLAN is constructed with lighting devices 203 and 204.

[0042] In the second example, the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs differs depending on the power line to which the device is connected. That is, all of the lighting devices (here, lighting devices 201 and 202) connected to one power line (for example, power line 501) belong to the same logical network (here, first VLAN). Furthermore, all of the lighting devices (here, lighting devices 203 and 204) connected to another power line (for example, power line 502) belong to the same logical network (here, second VLAN). In other words, multiple logical networks are constructed so that one power line corresponds to one logical network, and the number of logical networks constructed is the same as the number of the multiple power lines 501 and 502.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, one lighting device belongs to one logical network. In other words, one lighting device does not belong to multiple logical networks.

[0044] The storage unit 140 is a storage device that stores programs executed by the control unit 130 and various information used to perform the information processing. The storage unit 140 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0045] Next, two operations relating to the control method of the lighting system 1 in this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0046] [Example of operation] The first operation is an operation (hereinafter referred to as the first operation) for constructing a logical network when the lighting system 1 is installed. This first operation is what is called an operation when a logical network is set up.

[0047] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of an example of a first operation of the lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 2 mainly illustrates the operation of the controller 101.

[0048] The notification unit 112 notifies all lighting devices (that is, lighting devices 201 to 204) connected to the power lines 501 and 502 of an ID information response signal, which is an example of a response signal, as a control signal (step S10).

[0049] The ID information response signal is a signal that causes the lighting device that has received this ID information response signal to notify (respond) a signal indicating its own unique ID information to the controller 101. Therefore, the communication unit 220 that each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 that has received the ID information response signal responds by notifying the controller 101 of a signal indicating the MAC address that is the own unique ID information of the lighting device.

[0050] Next, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the unique ID information of each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 (step S12). More specifically, the acquisition unit 111 acquires a signal indicating the MAC address notified by each of the lighting devices 201 to 204.

[0051] When the notification unit 112 notifies the ID information response signal in step S10, one of the breaker 401 and the breaker 402 may be in the on state and the other may be in the off state.

[0052] For example, in the second example shown in Table 2, when breaker 401 is in the on state and breaker 402 is in the off state, signals indicating unique ID information are transmitted only from the lighting devices (i.e., lighting devices 201 and 202) connected to power line 501. At this time, controller 101 can identify that the lighting devices (here, lighting devices 201 and 202) having the unique ID information acquired in step S12 are connected to power line 501.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, in the second example shown in Table 2, when breaker 401 is in the off state and breaker 402 is in the on state, signals indicating unique ID information are transmitted only from the lighting devices (i.e., lighting devices 203 and 204) connected to power line 502. At this time, controller 101 can identify that the lighting devices (here, lighting devices 203 and 204) having the unique ID information acquired in step S12 are connected to power line 502.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 130 determines the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs (step S14).

[0055] The control unit 130 may determine the logical networks to which each of the lighting devices 201-204 belongs, for example, by having the reception unit 120 receive an input operation from the user. At this time, the reception unit 120 receives an input operation indicating that each of the lighting devices 201-204 has been associated with the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201-204 belongs. In the first example, this input operation indicates that the lighting devices 201-203 belong to a first VLAN and the lighting device 204 belongs to a second VLAN. In the second example, this input operation indicates that the lighting devices 201 and 202 belong to the first VLAN and the lighting devices 203 and 204 belong to the second VLAN.

[0056] Furthermore, the notification unit 112 notifies each of the lighting devices 201-204 of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information (step S16). That is, the notification unit 112 notifies the lighting device having the acquired MAC address (each of the lighting devices 201-204) of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, using the acquired MAC address as the destination.

[0057] Here, a lighting device (for example, lighting device 201) that has been notified of the logical network to which it belongs performs the following process. In the lighting device 201, information indicating the notified logical network is stored in the storage unit 240. In other words, the lighting devices 201 to 204 can identify the logical network to which it belongs based on the logical network stored in the storage unit 240.

[0058] The second operation is an operation (second operation) in which the lighting devices 201 to 204 are controlled by the controller 101 after the logical network is constructed. Here, the control unit 130 controls the lighting devices 201 to 204 for each logical network by performing power line communication via the power lines 501 and 502.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of the second operation of the lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0060] Here, the second operation will be described assuming that the lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN, which is an example of a logical network, are lighting devices to be controlled. In other words, the lighting devices belonging to the first VLAN are lighting devices other than the lighting devices to be controlled. Note that the lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN are lighting device 204 in the first example shown in Table 1, and lighting devices 203 and 204 in the second example shown in Table 2.

[0061] First, controller 101 notifies a control signal (step S20). More specifically, control unit 130 controls notifying unit 112 to notify the control signal to lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN, for example, by broadcast. Note that in both the first and second examples shown in Tables 1 and 2, the lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN are connected to power line 502, and therefore notifying unit 112 notifies the control signal via power line 502.

[0062] Here, the control signal is a signal for controlling the light emission mode of the lighting device that has acquired the control signal.

[0063] The control signal also includes information indicating the logical network to which the lighting device controlled by the control signal (i.e., the lighting device to be controlled) belongs. In this case, this logical network is the second VLAN.

[0064] As described above, between power line 501 and power line 502, a control signal transmitted over one power line may propagate to the other power line. That is, a control signal transmitted over power line 502 may propagate to power line 501. In this case, the control signal is transmitted to lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN, which are lighting devices to be controlled, and to lighting devices belonging to the first VLAN, which are lighting devices other than the lighting devices to be controlled. That is, the control signal is transmitted to all lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0065] Therefore, the lighting devices 201 to 204 acquire the notified control signal (step S22).

[0066] As described above, the control signal is propagated, so that both the lighting device to be controlled and lighting devices other than the lighting device to be controlled receive the control signal.

[0067] Each of the lighting devices 201-204 then determines whether the logical network indicated by the acquired control signal is the logical network to which the lighting device belongs (step S24). More specifically, each of the lighting devices 201-204 determines whether the logical network stored in the storage unit 240 of the lighting device matches the logical network indicated by the acquired control signal (here, the second VLAN).

[0068] For example, in the first example shown in Table 1, the lighting device 204 belonging to the second VLAN determines that the logical network (second VLAN) indicated by the control signal is the logical network (second VLAN) to which the lighting device itself belongs.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first example shown in Table 1, for example, the lighting devices 201 to 203 belonging to the first VLAN determine that the logical network (second VLAN) indicated by the control signal is not the logical network (first VLAN) to which the lighting devices themselves belong.

[0070] That is, in step S24, each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 determines whether or not it is a control target that is to be controlled by the control signal.

[0071] Furthermore, a case where the logical network indicated by the acquired control signal is the logical network to which the own device belongs (Yes in step S24), that is, a case where the own device is the control target, will be described.

[0072] In this case, the lighting device is controlled in accordance with the acquired control signal (step S26). Note that the lighting device controlled in accordance with the acquired control signal is lighting device 204 in the first example, and lighting devices 203 and 204 in the second example.

[0073] Furthermore, a case where the logical network indicated by the acquired control signal is not the logical network to which the own device belongs (No in step S24), that is, a case where the own device is not a control target, will be described.

[0074] In this case, the lighting device discards the acquired control signal (step S28). That is, the lighting device will not be controlled according to the acquired control signal. The lighting devices that discard the acquired control signal are lighting devices 201 to 203 in the first example, and lighting devices 201 and 202 in the second example.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, only lighting devices that belong to the second VLAN, which are the control targets, are controlled by the control signal. On the other hand, lighting devices that belong to the first VLAN are not controlled because they discard the control signal even if they receive it due to the propagation of the control signal between power line 501 and power line 502. In this way, in this embodiment, control unit 130 controls lighting devices 201-204 for each logical network (here, VLAN).

[0076] Even if a control signal is propagated between power line 501 and power line 502, controller 101 according to this embodiment can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0077] In the second example, the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs varies depending on the power line to which the device is connected. That is, the same number of logical networks as the number of power lines 501 and 502 are constructed. Therefore, the lighting devices (here, the lighting devices 201 to 204) are controlled by the controller 101 for each logical network, that is, for each of the lighting devices connected to one power line.

[0078] Even in this case, controller 101 according to this embodiment can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0079] Furthermore, in step S20, the following first to fourth processes may be performed when the controller 101 notifies the control signal. The first to fourth processes will be described for the second example shown in Table 2 above. The controller 101 (more specifically, the control unit 130) controls both the lighting devices belonging to the first VLAN (lighting devices 201 and 202 in the second example) and the lighting devices belonging to the second VLAN (lighting devices 203 and 204 in the second example).

[0080] First, the first process will be described. In the first process, the control unit 130 may control the lighting devices 201 to 204 by performing power line communication at different timings for each logical network.

[0081] For example, control unit 130 causes notification unit 112 to notify control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 belonging to a first VLAN at a first timing. Furthermore, control unit 130 causes notification unit 112 to notify control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 belonging to a second VLAN at a second timing different from the first timing. Note that the control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 include information indicating the first VLAN, which is the logical network to which lighting devices 201 and 202, which are the control targets, belong. Similarly, the control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 include information indicating the second VLAN, which is the logical network to which lighting devices 203 and 204, which are the control targets, belong.

[0082] This prevents the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 203 and 204 from colliding with each other and disappearing in the power line communication, thereby improving the communication stability of the power line communication by the controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0083] Next, the second process will be described. In the second process, the control unit 130 may determine a different communication priority for each logical network, and control the lighting devices 201 to 204 based on the determined communication priority.

[0084] The control unit 130 may determine a different communication priority for each logical network, for example, by receiving an input operation from the user via the reception unit 120. At this time, the reception unit 120 receives an input operation indicating that each of the plurality of logical networks has been associated with its respective communication priority.

[0085] Here, as an example, it is assumed that the communication priority of the first VLAN is higher than the communication priority of the second VLAN. When all of the lighting devices 201 to 204 are controlled, the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 201 and 202 belonging to the first VLAN are notified at a first timing, which is earlier than the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 203 and 204 belonging to the second VLAN. Thereafter, the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 203 and 204 belonging to the second VLAN are notified at a second timing, which is later than the first timing.

[0086] This further reduces the possibility of the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling the lighting devices 203 and 204 colliding with each other and disappearing in the power line communication, thereby further improving the communication stability of the power line communication by the controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0087] Next, the third process will be described. In the third process, for example, the control unit 130 may determine a different communication frequency for each logical network, and control the lighting devices 201 to 204 based on the determined communication frequency.

[0088] The control unit 130 may determine a different communication frequency for each logical network, for example, by receiving an input operation from the user via the reception unit 120. At this time, the reception unit 120 receives an input operation indicating that each of the plurality of logical networks and each of the communication frequencies of the plurality of logical networks have been associated with each other.

[0089] The communication frequency will be described below when the lighting system 1 according to this embodiment is used in a tunnel or the like. In this case, the closer the installation positions of the lighting devices 201-204 are to the tunnel entrance, the more frequently the lighting states may be controlled in response to changes in external light such as sunlight. In other words, the closer the installation positions of the lighting devices 201-204 are to the tunnel entrance, the more likely the communication frequency will be high.

[0090] Here, as an example, it is assumed that the communication frequency of the first VLAN is higher than the communication frequency of the second VLAN. In this case, the control unit 130 performs the following process. The control unit 130 causes the notification unit 112 to notify, at a first timing, a control signal for controlling a lighting device belonging to a VLAN with a higher communication frequency, and at a second timing that is later than the first timing, a control signal for controlling a lighting device belonging to a VLAN with a lower communication frequency. In other words, the communication priority of the VLAN with a higher communication frequency is higher than the communication priority of the VLAN with a lower communication frequency.

[0091] This further reduces the possibility that the control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 collide and disappear during power line communication in the second example shown in Table 2. This further improves the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0092] Next, the fourth process will be described. In the fourth process, when a response signal is notified as a control signal, the control unit 130 may determine the number of times that power line communication failures are allowed for each logical network.

[0093] For example, the control unit 130 may determine the number of times that power line communication failures are permitted for each logical network by, for example, receiving an input operation from the user via the receiving unit 120. At this time, the receiving unit 120 receives an input operation indicating that each of the multiple logical networks is associated with the number of times that power line communication failures are permitted for each of the multiple logical networks.

[0094] When the response signal is notified from the notification unit 112, each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 responds by notifying the controller 101 of the information that each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 has based on the response signal. If there is a lighting device that does not respond to the controller 101, a response signal is notified to that lighting device again. However, if there is no response to the response signal that has been notified again, the notification of the response signal by the controller 101 will be repeated endlessly, increasing the amount of control signals (response signals), and the control signals may collide with each other and be lost.

[0095] Therefore, here, control unit 130 causes notification unit 112 to notify a response signal, but if there is a lighting device that does not respond within a predetermined period, control unit 130 determines that a power line communication failure has occurred for that lighting device. Then, if the number of power line communication failures exceeds the allowable number of power line communication failures, control unit 130 does not notify notification unit 112 of a control signal (response signal) again.

[0096] This further reduces the possibility of control signals colliding with each other and disappearing in power line communication, thereby further improving the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0097] [Effects, etc.] The controller 101 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 111, a notification unit 112, and a control unit 130. The acquisition unit 111 acquires unique ID information possessed by each of a plurality of lighting devices 201-204, each of which is connected to one of a plurality of power lines 501 and 502. The notification unit 112 notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices 201-204 of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information. The control unit 130 controls the plurality of lighting devices 201-204 for each logical network by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines 501 and 502.

[0098] As a result, in this embodiment, by performing the process of step S16, the lighting devices 201 to 204 can identify the logical network to which they belong.

[0099] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 130 controls a plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201-204) for each logical network. In this embodiment, the control unit 130 controls the lighting devices 201-204 by controlling the communication unit 110 to notify the lighting devices 201-204 of control signals. The control signal includes information indicating the logical network to which the lighting device to be controlled by the control signal belongs. As an example, in the first example shown in Table 1, if the lighting device 204 belonging to the second VLAN is the lighting device to be controlled, the control signal includes information indicating the logical network (second VLAN) to which the lighting device 204 belongs. Furthermore, in this case, the lighting device belonging to the second VLAN is connected to the power line 502, so the notification unit 112 notifies the control signal via the power line 502.

[0100] Furthermore, a control signal may propagate between power line 501 and power line 502. Even when this propagation occurs, the lighting device to be controlled (lighting device 204 in the first example) is controlled according to the control signal because the logical network indicated by the control signal is the logical network to which the lighting device itself belongs. Even when this propagation occurs, lighting devices other than the lighting device to be controlled (lighting devices 201 to 203 in the first example) discard the control signal because the logical network indicated by the acquired control signal is not the logical network to which the lighting device itself belongs. In other words, lighting devices other than the lighting device to be controlled are not controlled according to the acquired control signal.

[0101] In this way, even if a control signal is propagated between power line 501 and power line 502, controller 101 according to this embodiment can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs varies depending on the power line to which the lighting device is connected.

[0103] Even in this case, controller 101 according to this embodiment can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 130 controls the lighting devices 201 to 204 by performing power line communication at different timings for each logical network.

[0105] This prevents the control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 from colliding and disappearing in power line communication in the second example shown in Table 2, for example, thereby improving the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 130 determines a different communication priority for each logical network, and controls the plurality of lighting devices 201 to 204 based on the determined communication priority.

[0107] This further reduces the possibility that the control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 collide and disappear during power line communication in the second example shown in Table 2. This further improves the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 130 determines a different communication frequency for each logical network, and controls the plurality of lighting devices 201 to 204 based on the determined communication frequencies.

[0109] This further reduces the possibility that the control signals for controlling lighting devices 201 and 202 and the control signals for controlling lighting devices 203 and 204 collide and disappear during power line communication in the second example shown in Table 2. This further improves the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 130 determines the number of times that power line communication failures are permitted for each logical network.

[0111] This further reduces the possibility of control signals colliding with each other and disappearing in power line communication, thereby further improving the communication stability of power line communication by controller 101 according to this embodiment.

[0112] In this embodiment, the lighting system 1 includes a controller 101 and a plurality of lighting devices 201-204.

[0113] Even if a control signal is propagated between power line 501 and power line 502, lighting system 1 including controller 101 can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0114] In this embodiment, the control method by the controller 101 includes an acquisition step, a notification step, and a control step. The acquisition step acquires unique ID information possessed by each of the plurality of lighting devices 201-204, each connected to one of the plurality of power lines 501 and 502. The notification step notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices 201-204 of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information. The control step controls the plurality of lighting devices 201-204 for each logical network by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines 501 and 502.

[0115] Even if a control signal is propagated between power line 501 and power line 502, this control method can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0116] (Variation) The configuration of a lighting system 1a according to a modified example will be described below.

[0117] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system 1a according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

[0118] The lighting system 1a has the same configuration as the lighting system 1, except that it includes two controllers 101a and 102a. That is, the lighting system 1a includes the controllers 101a and 102a, lighting devices 201 to 204 as a plurality of lighting devices, AC power supplies 301 and 302, breakers 401 and 402, and power lines 501 and 502.

[0119] In this modification, the VLANs to which the lighting devices 201 to 204 belong are the same as those shown in the second example.

[0120] Of the two controllers 101a and 102a, only the configuration of the controller 101a is shown in FIG. 4, but the controller 102a also has the same configuration as the controller 101a, so illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

[0121] The controllers 101 a and 102 a are connected to power lines 501 and 502 .

[0122] Each of the controllers 101a and 102a according to this modification has a control unit 130a that controls lighting devices that belong to multiple logical networks. The control unit 130 according to the above embodiment controls multiple lighting devices for each logical network, in other words, controls lighting devices that belong to multiple logical networks, but the control unit 130a according to this modification controls lighting devices that belong to one logical network.

[0123] That is, in this embodiment, the controllers 101a and 102a are provided so that one logical network corresponds to one controller on a one-to-one basis. Each of the controllers 101a and 102a controls lighting devices that belong to the corresponding logical network.

[0124] For example, the control unit 130a included in the controller 101a controls the lighting devices 201 and 202 that belong to the first VLAN, and the control unit 130a included in the controller 102a controls the lighting devices 203 and 204 that belong to the second VLAN.

[0125] The controller 101a controls the lighting devices 201 and 202 that belong to the first VLAN among the lighting devices 201 to 204. The controller 102a controls the lighting devices 203 and 204 that belong to the second VLAN among the lighting devices 201 to 204.

[0126] In addition, it is preferable that one of the controllers 101a and 102a is a main unit and the other is a secondary unit. Here, the controller 101a is the main unit.

[0127] The lighting system 1a according to this modification differs from the lighting system 1 in the following points in the first and second operations.

[0128] First, the first operation is as follows.

[0129] In step S10, the notification unit 112 of the controller 101a, which is the master, notifies the lighting devices 201 to 204 of an ID information response signal. In step S12, the acquisition unit 111 of the controller 101a, which is the master, acquires unique ID information.

[0130] In step S14, the control unit 130a of the master controller 101a determines the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs. Also in step S14, the control unit 130a of the master controller 101a determines one logical network to which each of the controllers 101a and 102a corresponds.

[0131] It is preferable that the control unit 130a of the controller 101a determines the logical network to which each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 belongs, for example, when the reception unit 120 receives an input operation from the user.

[0132] Similarly, the control unit 130a of the controller 101a may determine one logical network to which each of the controllers 101a and 102a corresponds when the reception unit 120 receives the input operation from the user. This input operation indicates each of the controllers 101a and 102a and one logical network to which each of the controllers 101a and 102a corresponds. For example, this input operation indicates that the controller 101a corresponds to the first VLAN and the controller 102a corresponds to the second VLAN.

[0133] In step S16, the notification unit 112 of the controller 101a notifies each of the lighting devices 201 to 204 of the logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information.

[0134] At this time, the notification unit 112 of the controller 101a, which is the main unit, notifies the acquisition unit 111 of the controller 102a, which is the secondary unit, of one logical network (here, the second VLAN) that the controller 102a supports.

[0135] Furthermore, in the controller 102a, which is the secondary machine, information indicating the notified logical network is stored in the storage unit 140. Similarly, in the controller 101a, which is the primary machine, information indicating the logical network (here, the first VLAN) to which the determined controller 101a corresponds is stored in the storage unit 140.

[0136] Further, in the second operation, the following occurs.

[0137] In this modification, each of the controllers 101a and 102a performs the second operation process shown in Fig. 3. The control signal notified from the notifying unit 112 of the controller 101a includes information indicating a first VLAN, which is a logical network to which the lighting devices 201 and 202 to be controlled belong. The lighting devices 201 and 202 that have received this control signal are controlled in accordance with this control signal. The control signal notified from the notifying unit 112 of the controller 102a also includes information indicating a second VLAN, which is a logical network to which the lighting devices 203 and 204 to be controlled belong. The lighting devices 203 and 204 that have received this control signal are controlled in accordance with this control signal.

[0138] As described above, in this embodiment, the lighting system 1a includes a plurality of controllers 101a and 102a, each connected to one of the power lines 501 and 502, and a plurality of lighting devices 201-204. Of the plurality of controllers 101a and 102a, the controller 101a includes an acquisition unit 111 and a notification unit 112. Each of the plurality of controllers 101a and 102a also includes a control unit 130a that controls a plurality of lighting devices 201-204 belonging to a respective one of a plurality of logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines 501 and 502.

[0139] As a result, even if a control signal is propagated between the power lines 501 and 502, the lighting system 1a including the controllers 101a and 102a can control only the lighting device to be controlled among the plurality of lighting devices (lighting devices 201 to 204).

[0140] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0141] In the present embodiment, notification unit 112 outputs an ID information response signal in step S10, causing acquisition unit 111 to acquire the unique ID information of each of lighting devices 201-204 in step S12, but this is not limiting. For example, acquisition unit 111 may acquire the unique ID information by having reception unit 120 receive an input operation from a user. At this time, reception unit 120 receives an input operation indicating that each of lighting devices 201-204 has been associated with the unique ID information of each of lighting devices 201-204.

[0142] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. When two devices communicate with each other in the above-described embodiments, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed between the two devices.

[0143] The order of the processes described in the flowcharts of the above-described embodiment and modifications is merely an example. The order of the processes may be changed, and the processes may be executed in parallel.

[0144] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0145] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0146] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0147] For example, the present invention may be realized as a control method executed by a computer, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0148] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1. Lighting system 101 Controller 111 Acquisition Department 112 Notification Department 130 Control Unit 201, 202, 203, 204 Lighting equipment 501, 502 Power lines

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires unique ID information of each of a plurality of lighting devices, each of which is connected to any of a plurality of power lines; a notification unit that notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information; a control unit that controls the plurality of lighting devices for each of the logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines; the control unit controls the plurality of lighting devices by performing power line communication at different timings for each of the logical networks; The control unit determining a different communication priority for each of the logical networks; controlling the plurality of lighting devices based on the determined communication priority; the notification unit notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices of a control signal; The control unit Based on the determined communication priority, performing power line communication to transmit the control signal at a first timing to one of the plurality of lighting devices that belongs to the logical network; The plurality of lighting devices are controlled by performing power line communication to transmit the control signal at a second timing later than the first timing to a lighting device belonging to another one of the plurality of lighting devices, the second timing being lower in communication priority than the one of the logical networks. controller.

2. The logical network to which each of the plurality of lighting devices belongs varies depending on the power line to which the lighting device is connected. The controller of claim 1 .

3. The control unit determining a different communication frequency for each of the logical networks; Controlling the plurality of lighting devices based on the determined communication frequency The controller of claim 1 .

4. The control unit determines the number of times that power line communication failures are allowed for each of the logical networks. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the plurality of lighting devices; Lighting system.

6. Multiple controllers and a plurality of lighting devices each connected to one of a plurality of power lines; One controller of the plurality of controllers an acquisition unit that acquires unique ID information of each of the plurality of lighting devices; a notification unit that notifies each of the plurality of lighting devices of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information; Each of the plurality of controllers a control unit that controls the lighting devices that belong to each of the plurality of logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines; some of the lighting devices belong to one of the logical networks; another of the plurality of lighting devices belongs to another logical network of the plurality of logical networks; the control unit included in the one controller controls only a part of the plurality of lighting devices, The control unit included in another controller among the plurality of controllers controls only another part of the plurality of lighting devices. Lighting system.

7. an acquisition step of acquiring unique ID information of each of a plurality of lighting devices, each of which is connected to any of a plurality of power lines; a notification step of notifying each of the plurality of lighting devices of a logical network to which the lighting device belongs, based on the acquired plurality of pieces of ID information; a control step of controlling the plurality of lighting devices for each of the logical networks by performing power line communication via the plurality of power lines; the control step controls the plurality of lighting devices by performing power line communication at different timings for each of the logical networks; The control step determining a different communication priority for each of the logical networks; controlling the plurality of lighting devices based on the determined communication priority; the notification step includes notifying each of the plurality of lighting devices of a control signal; The control step Based on the determined communication priority, performing power line communication to transmit the control signal at a first timing to one of the plurality of lighting devices that belongs to the logical network; The plurality of lighting devices are controlled by performing power line communication to transmit the control signal at a second timing later than the first timing to a lighting device belonging to another one of the plurality of lighting devices, the second timing being lower in communication priority than the one of the logical networks. Control method.

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