Lighting Control Device

Abstract

To provide a lighting control device that enables faster installation of a lighting facility.SOLUTION: A lighting control device 3 according to the present invention is capable of communicating with one or more input devices 5, and includes a control unit, and one or more connection units capable of being connected to cables that supply power to a lighting fixture 2, and is capable of receiving setting information indicating association between the input devices 5 and the connection units from an external terminal device 4, and has a lighting control memory unit that stores a setting table indicating the setting information. The control unit is capable of updating the setting information, and in response to a user operating any of the one or more input devices 5, supplies power to the lighting fixture 2 via the cable connected to the connection unit associated with the operated input device 5 on the basis of the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control system, a lighting control method, lighting control devices, The present invention relates to a terminal device, a terminal control method, and a terminal control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting control systems have been known for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures installed in facilities such as offices, factories, shopping centers, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system in which lighting fixtures corresponding to each of a plurality of sections in the facility are controlled based on information from a human detection sensor that detects people in each section or an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance in each section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-207315 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the lighting control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the installer of the lighting equipment had to understand the specifications and standards of the lighting fixtures, input devices (various sensor devices and switches), and lighting control device before installing each device. However, in order for each lighting fixture to be controlled (such as flashing) by each input device, the installer had to manually associate each lighting fixture with each input device in the lighting control device, which created a problem of not speeding up the installation process.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides a lighting control system, a lighting control method, and a lighting control method that enable the speedy installation of lighting equipment. lighting control devices, An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device, a terminal control method, and a terminal control program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting control system according to the present invention has a lighting control device capable of communicating with one or more input devices, and a terminal device. The lighting control device has a control unit and one or more connection units connectable to a cable that supplies power to a lighting fixture. The terminal device has a display unit, a display processing unit, an association unit, and a transmission unit. The display processing unit displays one or more first objects on the display unit, each representing one or more connection units selectable by a user. When a first object is selected by the user from the one or more first objects displayed on the display unit, the display processing unit displays one or more second objects representing one or more input devices. In response to a user selecting a second object from the one or more second objects displayed on the display unit, the association unit generates setting information indicating an association between the connection unit represented by the selected first object and the input device represented by the selected second object. The transmission unit transmits the setting information to the lighting control device. In response to a user operating any of the one or more input devices, the control unit supplies power to the lighting fixture via a cable connected to the connection unit associated with the operated input device based on the setting information.

[0007] In addition, in the lighting control system according to the present invention, when displaying one or more input devices, the display processing unit, when receiving, from the control unit, identification information transmitted from the input device in response to an operation of the input device by a user, displays a second object indicating the input device corresponding to the received identification information. It is preferable to display the project on the display unit.

[0008] Furthermore, in the lighting control system according to the present invention, the input devices are classified into one of a plurality of types, and in displaying one or more input devices, when the display processing unit receives from the control unit identification information transmitted from the input device in response to the user's operation of the input device after the user has selected one of the plurality of types, if the type selected by the user matches the type of input device corresponding to the received identification information, it is preferable that the display processing unit displays a second object indicating the input device corresponding to the received identification information.

[0009] In the lighting control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the operation of the input device by the user for transmitting the identification information differs depending on the type of input device.

[0010] The lighting control method of the present invention is a lighting control method for a lighting control system having a lighting control device equipped with one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to a lighting fixture and capable of communicating with one or more input devices, and a terminal device equipped with a display part, wherein the terminal device displays one or more first objects on the display part, each representing one or more connection parts selectable by a user, and when a first object is selected by the user from the one or more first objects displayed on the display part, displays one or more second objects on the display part, each representing one or more input devices, and in response to a second object being selected by the user from the one or more second objects displayed on the display part, generates setting information indicating an association between the connection part indicated by the selected first object and the input device indicated by the selected second object, and transmits the setting information to the lighting control device, and the lighting control device supplies power to the lighting fixture via a cable connected to the connection part associated with the operated input device based on the setting information in response to a user operating any of the one or more input devices.

[0011] The terminal device of the present invention is a terminal device for setting up a lighting control device that is a lighting control device having one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to a lighting fixture and is capable of communicating with one or more input devices, and includes: a display unit; a display processing unit that displays one or more first objects on the display unit that represent each of the one or more connection parts selectable by a user, and when a first object is selected by the user from the one or more first objects displayed on the display unit, displays one or more second objects on the display unit that represent each of the one or more input devices; an association unit that generates setting information that represents an association between the connection part represented by the selected first object and the input device represented by the selected second object in response to the user selecting a second object from the one or more second objects displayed on the display unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the setting information to the lighting control device in response to a user operation of one of the one or more input devices, based on the setting information, so as to cause the lighting control device to supply power to the lighting fixture via a cable connected to the connection part associated with the operated input device.

[0012] The terminal control method according to the present invention is a terminal control method for a terminal device for configuring a lighting control device that is a lighting control device having one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to a lighting fixture and that is capable of communicating with one or more input devices, wherein the terminal device has a display part that displays one or more first objects on the display part that indicate one or more connection parts that can be selected by a user, and when one first object is selected by the user from the one or more first objects displayed on the display part, displays one or more second objects on the display part that indicate one or more input devices, and in response to the user selecting one second object from the one or more second objects displayed on the display part, generating setting information indicating an association with the input device indicated by the object, and transmitting the setting information to the lighting control device so that the lighting control device, based on the setting information, supplies power to the lighting fixture via a cable connected to a connection associated with the operated input device in response to a user operating any of the one or more input devices.

[0013] The terminal control program of the present invention is a terminal control program for a terminal device for configuring a lighting control device that is a lighting control device having one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to a lighting fixture and that is capable of communicating with one or more input devices, and causes the terminal device to display on the display part one or more first objects representing one or more connection parts selectable by a user, and when a first object is selected by the user from the one or more first objects displayed on the display part, display one or more second objects representing one or more input devices, and in response to a user selection of a second object from the one or more second objects displayed on the display part, generate setting information indicating an association between the connection part represented by the selected first object and the input device represented by the selected second object, and, based on the setting information, transmit the setting information to the lighting control device in response to a user operation of one of the one or more input devices, so as to cause the lighting control device to supply power to the lighting fixture via a cable connected to the connection part associated with the operated input device. Furthermore, the lighting control device according to the present invention comprises: capable of communicating with one or more input devices; A control unit; one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to the lighting fixture; The input device is capable of receiving setting information indicating an association between the input device and the connection unit from an external terminal device; a lighting control storage unit that stores a setting table indicating the setting information; The control unit The setting information can be updated, a lighting control device that supplies power to the lighting device through the cable connected to the connection part associated with the operated input device based on the setting information in response to an operation of any of the one or more input devices by a user, In the terminal device, The maintenance screen is displayed In this situation, the input device In this case, the user may perform a predetermined operation different from the operation for controlling the lighting device. When the input device is operated, information indicating the type and the distinction of the input device is displayed. Operation signals including When the information is received from the input device, the information indicating the type of the input device is transmitted to the terminal device. and receiving the setting information created by the terminal device and updating the setting information. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The lighting control system and lighting control method according to the present invention, lighting control devices, The terminal device, the terminal control method, and the terminal control program enable the speedy installation of lighting equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a lighting control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of various screens displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of various screens displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of various screens displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 8] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of various screens displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of an association table. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence of the lighting control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0017] (Lighting Control System 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting control system 1. The lighting control system 1 is , lighting fixtures 2, lighting control devices 3, terminal devices 4, input devices 5, and antennas 6. Hereinafter, the installers of the lighting fixtures 2, lighting control devices 3, input devices 5, and antennas 6, as well as the operator of the terminal devices 4, may be collectively referred to as "users."

[0018] A plurality of lighting fixtures 2 are installed on the ceiling or the like of a facility such as an office, factory, or shopping center. The lighting fixtures 2 may also be installed on the wall or floor of the facility. The lighting fixtures 2 may also be installed in common areas of an apartment building, a private home, a civil engineering facility, or the like. While FIG. 1 shows that the lighting control system 1 has eight lighting fixtures 2, the number of lighting fixtures 2 that the lighting control system 1 has is not limited to eight.

[0019] The lighting control device 3 has a function of controlling the power supplied from a power source (not shown) to the lighting fixtures 2. For example, the lighting control device 3 controls the turning on and off of the lighting fixtures 2 and the dimming of the lighting fixtures 2 when they are on, in response to a control signal received from the input device 5 via the antenna 6. While FIG. 1 shows that the lighting control system 1 has one lighting control device 3, the lighting control system 1 may have two or more lighting control devices 3.

[0020] The terminal device 4 is an information processing device such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer). The terminal device 4 may also be a multi-function mobile phone (smartphone, etc.), a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, an e-book reader, a wearable computer, etc. The terminal device 4 may also be a portable game machine, a game console, a server device, etc. Although FIG. 1 shows that the lighting control system 1 has one terminal device 4, the lighting control system 1 may have two or more terminal devices 4.

[0021] The input device 5 is a flasher (such as a switch, a motion sensor, or an illuminance sensor) that transmits a control signal related to turning on and off the lighting fixture 2 to the lighting control device 3. The input device 5 may also transmit a control signal related to dimming the lighting fixture 2 when it is turned on. The input device 5 has a communication interface circuit including an antenna sensitive to the 928 MHz band, and establishes short-range wireless communication with the antenna 6 (described below) using the EnOcean (registered trademark) wireless communication standard. Note that the communication method between the input device 5 and the antenna 6 may also be short-range wireless communication using other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or LoRa (registered trademark). The frequency band of the communication interface circuit of the input device 5 is not limited to the above-mentioned frequency band.

[0022] If the input device 5 is a single switch, when a person operates a predetermined operating member (such as a rocker or a push button), the input device 5 transmits a control signal corresponding to the operation to the lighting control device 3 via the communication interface circuit. If the input device 5 is a human presence sensor, when the input device 5 detects that a person has entered the sensing range of the input device 5, it transmits a predetermined control signal to the lighting control device 3 via the communication interface circuit. If the input device 5 is an illuminance sensor, the input device 5 detects illuminance at predetermined time intervals and transmits a control signal indicating the detected illuminance to the lighting control device 3 via the communication interface circuit. The control signal transmitted by the input device 5 includes identification information unique to the input device 5 (for example, an input device ID (identification)).

[0023] Antenna 6 is an antenna with a sensitivity band of 928 MHz. Antenna 6 is connected to lighting control device 3 via a predetermined cable, and supplies control signals from input device 5 to lighting control device 3. Note that the sensitivity band of antenna 6 is not limited to the above-mentioned frequency band.

[0024] (Lighting control device 3) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of lighting control device 3, and Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of lighting control device 3. Lighting control device 3 includes a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, a lighting control storage unit 33, connection units 34a to 34h, and a control unit 35. Note that hereinafter, connection units 34a to 34h may be collectively referred to as connection unit 34.

[0025] The first communication unit 31 has a communication interface circuit for establishing short-range wireless communication using the EnOcean (registered trademark) wireless communication method with the input device 5 via the antenna 6. The communication method between the lighting control device 3 and the input device 5 may be short-range wireless communication using another communication method such as the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication method. The first communication unit 31 demodulates the control signal received by the antenna 6 into a received packet and supplies the received packet to the control unit 35. Hereinafter, information indicated by the received packet obtained by demodulating the control signal may be referred to as control information.

[0026] The second communication unit 32 has a communication interface circuit for connecting to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The second communication unit 32 may be a communication interface for a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The second communication unit 32 is connected to the terminal device 4 via a predetermined cable, and the lighting control device 3 and the terminal device 4 communicate using a communication protocol such as LonTalk. The communication protocol between the lighting control device 3 and the terminal device 4 may be BACnet, BACnet-MSTP, Modbus, or the like.

[0027] The lighting control storage unit 33 includes a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The lighting control storage unit 33 stores a control program used for processing in the control unit 35, information about the input device 5, a setting table T1, and the like. The information about the input device 5 is, for example, type information indicating the type of the input device 5. Details of the setting table T1 will be described later.

[0028] The connection unit 34 is connected to a power cable (for example, a VVF (Vinyl insulated Vinyl sheathed Flat-type) cable) connected to the lighting fixture 2, and supplies power from a power source (not shown) to the lighting fixture 2. The connection unit 34 may also be connected to a dimming control cable connected to the lighting fixture 2. While FIG. 3 shows the lighting control device 3 as having eight connection units 34a to 34h, the number of connection units 34 that the lighting control device 3 has is not limited to eight. Furthermore, multiple lighting fixtures 2 may be connected to one connection unit 34.

[0029] The control unit 35 includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The control unit 35 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and comprehensively controls the overall operation of the lighting control device 3. The control unit 35 controls the first communication unit 31, the second communication unit 32, the connection unit 34, etc., so that various processes of the lighting control device 3 are executed in an appropriate order based on the control program stored in the lighting control storage unit 33.

[0030] The control unit 35 has a receiving unit 351, a transmitting unit 352, and a registering unit 353. Each of these units in the control unit 35 is a functional module implemented by a control program executed on a processor in the receiving unit 351. The functions of the receiving unit 351, the transmitting unit 352, and the registering unit 353 will be described in detail later.

[0031] (Terminal device 4) 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the terminal device 4. The terminal device 4 is capable of executing various processes, including a process for generating setting information indicating an association between a connection unit 34, which connects to one or more lighting fixtures 2, and an input device 5. To this end, the terminal device 4 includes a terminal communication unit 41, a terminal storage unit 42, a terminal operation unit 43, a terminal display unit 44, and a terminal processing unit 45. Prepare.

[0032] The terminal communication unit 41 has a communication interface circuit for connecting to a USB or the like. The terminal communication unit 41 may also be a communication interface for a wired or wireless LAN. The terminal communication unit 41 is connected to the lighting control device 3 via a predetermined cable, and the lighting control device 3 and the terminal device 4 communicate using a communication protocol such as LonTalk.

[0033] The terminal storage unit 42 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM, a RAM, etc. The terminal storage unit 42 stores application programs such as a terminal control program used for processing in the device processing unit 45, and various information such as information related to the input device 5. The various programs such as the terminal control program stored in the terminal storage unit 42 may be installed in the terminal storage unit 42 using a known setup program transmitted from, for example, an external server device.

[0034] The terminal operation unit 43 is, for example, a keyboard and / or a keypad. The terminal operation unit 43 may be any device capable of operating the terminal device 4, and may be, for example, a pointing device such as a touch panel. A user can use the terminal operation unit 43 to input letters, numbers, and symbols, or positions on the display screen of the terminal display unit 44. When operated by a user, the terminal operation unit 43 generates a signal corresponding to the operation, and the generated signal is supplied to the device processing unit 45 as an instruction from the user.

[0035] The terminal display unit 44 is a liquid crystal display. The terminal display unit 44 may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. The terminal display unit 44 displays a video corresponding to the video data supplied from the device processing unit 45, a moving image corresponding to the moving image data, a still image corresponding to the still image data, and the like.

[0036] The device processing unit 45 includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The device processing unit 45 is, for example, a CPU, and comprehensively controls the overall operation of the terminal device 4. The device processing unit 45 controls the terminal communication unit 41, the terminal display unit 44, etc. so that various processes of the terminal device 4 are executed in an appropriate order based on the terminal control program stored in the terminal storage unit 42, the operation of the terminal operation unit 43, etc.

[0037] The device processing unit 45 has a display processing unit 451, an associating unit 452, a device transmitting unit 453, and a device receiving unit 454. Each of these units in the device processing unit 45 is a functional module implemented by a terminal control program executed on a processor in the device processing unit 45. Alternatively, each of these units in the device processing unit 45 may be implemented in the terminal device 4 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware. The functions of the display processing unit 451, the associating unit 452, the device transmitting unit 453, and the terminal receiving unit 454 will be described in detail below.

[0038] Below, with reference to Figures 5 to 8, we will explain an example of an operation sequence for the lighting control system 1 shown in Figure 10, an example of the functions of the receiving unit 351, the transmitting unit 352, and the registering unit 353, and an example of the functions of the display processing unit 451, the associating unit 452, the terminal transmitting unit 453, and the terminal receiving unit 454.

[0039] 10, first, when a user inputs an instruction to display the maintenance screen 500 via the terminal operation unit 43 of the terminal device 4, the display processing unit 451 of the terminal device 4 displays the maintenance screen 500 on the terminal display unit 44 (step S101). The instruction to display the maintenance screen 500 is, for example, input by the user through the terminal operation unit 43 of the terminal device 4 via a display instruction button or a control program start icon on a home screen (not shown) displayed on the terminal display unit 44. The input is made when instructed by operating the unit 43.

[0040] 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance screen 500 displayed on the terminal device 4. The maintenance screen 500 includes, for example, connection unit instruction buttons 501a to 501h, type buttons 502a to 502c, a connection candidate display area 503, an association display area 504, associated connection unit buttons 505a to 505h, and an association button 506.

[0041] The connection unit instruction buttons 501a to 501h are button objects that allow the user to select a connection unit 34 that is a candidate for association with the input device 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5(a), each of the connection unit instruction buttons 501a to 501h is associated with connection unit identification information (connection unit ID) for identifying each of the connection units 34a to 43h shown in FIG. 3. For example, the connection unit instruction button 501a is associated with the connection unit ID for identifying the connection unit 34a, the connection unit instruction button 501b is associated with the connection unit ID for identifying the connection unit 34b, and the connection unit instruction button 501h is associated with the connection unit ID for identifying the connection unit 34h. When the user designates one of the connection unit instruction buttons 501a to 501h, the terminal operation unit 43 supplies the device processing unit 45 with the connection unit ID associated with the connection unit instruction button 501 designated by the user.

[0042] The type buttons 502a to 502c are button objects that allow the user to select the type of input device 5 that is a candidate for association with the connection unit 34. In the example shown in FIG. 5(a), the type button 502a is associated with type information indicating a "single switch," the type button 502b is associated with type information indicating a "human presence sensor," and the type button 502c is associated with type information indicating an "illuminance sensor." When the user designates one of the type buttons 502a to 502c, the terminal operation unit 43 supplies the type information associated with the type button 502 designated by the user to the device processing unit 45.

[0043] The connection candidate display area 503 is a display area for displaying image objects 507a, 507b (FIGS. 7 and 8) corresponding to input device identification information (input device ID) for identifying the input device 5 acquired on a search screen 600 described later. The association display area 504 is a display area for displaying association connection section buttons 505a to 505h and an association input device button 508 described later.

[0044] The association connection section buttons 505a to 505h are selection objects for selecting the connection section 34 to be associated with the input device 5. The association button 506 is a button object for instructing association between the input device 5 corresponding to the image object 507 selected by the user and the connection section 34 corresponding to the association connection section button 505 selected by the user.

[0045] 10, when the user designates one of the connection unit instruction buttons 501a to 501h, the associating unit 452 acquires the connection unit ID associated with the connection unit instruction button 501 designated by the user from the terminal operation unit 43 (step S102). Next, when the user designates one of the type buttons 502a to 502c, the associating unit 452 acquires type information associated with the type button 502 designated by the user from the terminal operation unit 43 (step S103).

[0046] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing another example of the maintenance screen 500 displayed on the terminal device 4. In the example of the maintenance screen 500 shown in FIG. 5(b), the user has designated the connection unit instruction button 501a, and also designated the type button 502a. Each button designated by the user is displayed in a different display mode from buttons not designated by the user. In response to the instruction of the connection unit instruction button 501, The association connection button 505 may be displayed in a display mode designated by the user.

[0047] When the user designates the connection unit instruction button 501a and also designates the type button 502a, the display processing unit 451 displays the search screen 600 on the terminal display unit 44. Note that the display processing unit 451 may display a search screen display button when the user designates the connection unit instruction button 501a and also designates the type button 502a, and may display the search screen 600 on the terminal display unit 44 when the user designates the search screen display button.

[0048] 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a search screen 600 displayed on the terminal device 4. The search screen 600 includes an acquire button 601, an ID display area 602, a store button 603, and a return button 604.

[0049] The acquire button 601 is a button object for instructing the device processing unit 45 to acquire an operation signal transmitted from the input device 5. The ID display area 602 is a display area for displaying the input device ID included in the operation signal when the operation signal transmitted from the input device 5 is acquired. The store button 603 is a button object for instructing the device processing unit 45 to perform a storage process for storing the input device ID displayed in the ID display area 602 in the device storage unit 42, and a display process for displaying the image object 507 corresponding to the input device ID. The back button 604 is a button object for ending the display of the search screen 600 and re-displaying the maintenance screen 500.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 10, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input device 5, the input device 5 transmits an operation signal to the lighting control device 3 (step S104). The operation signal includes the input device ID and type information of the input device 5 that transmitted the operation signal. The predetermined operation on the input device 5 is different for each type of input device 5. Furthermore, the predetermined operation on the input device 5 is different from the operation when the input device 5 transmits a control signal. For example, if the input device 5 is a single switch, the input device 5 transmits an operation signal when a predetermined operating member (such as a rocker or push button) is operated a predetermined number of times (e.g., three times) within a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds). Furthermore, if the input device 5 is a motion sensor and illuminance sensor, the input device 5 transmits an operation signal when a button member other than the sensor unit is operated.

[0051] When the receiving unit 351 of the lighting control device 3 receives an operation signal from the input device 5 via the first communication unit 31, the transmitting unit 352 of the lighting control device 3 transmits the input device ID and type information contained in the operation signal to the terminal device 4 via the second communication unit 32 (step S105).

[0052] Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing another example of the search screen 600 displayed on the terminal device 4. The search screen 600 shown in Fig. 6(b) includes an image 605 indicating that an operation signal is currently being acquired. When the acquire button 601 is instructed by the user, the display processing unit 451 displays the image 605 indicating that an operation signal is currently being acquired on the terminal display unit 44.

[0053] When the image 605 is displayed, if the terminal receiving unit 454 receives the input device ID and type information from the lighting control device 3 via the terminal communication unit 41, the association unit 452 determines whether the received type information matches the type information acquired in step S103 (step S106).

[0054] If the associating unit 452 determines that the received type information does not match the acquired type information (step S106-No), the associating unit 452 waits until the next input device ID and type information are received from the lighting control device 3. If it is determined that the received type information matches the type information (step S106-Yes), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for storage processing (step S107). For example, if the associating unit 452 determines that the received type information matches the acquired type information, it instructs the display processing unit 451 to perform display processing of the received input device ID. When instructed to perform display processing of the input device ID, the display processing unit 451 displays the received input device ID in the ID display area 602. FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing another example of a search screen 600 displayed on the terminal device 4. The search screen 600 shown in FIG. 6(c) shows an example in which the received input device ID is displayed in the ID display area 602. 6(c), when the user presses the store button 603, the terminal operation unit 43 instructs the device processing unit 45 to store the input device ID and display the image object 507. As a result, the association unit 452 determines that there is an instruction to store the input device ID, and stores the received input device ID in the device storage unit 42. Furthermore, when the user presses the back button 604 on the search screen 600, the association unit 452 determines that there is no instruction to store the input device ID. When the association unit 452 determines that there is no instruction to store the input device ID (step S107-No), it waits until the next input device ID and type information is received from the lighting control device 3.

[0055] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing another example of the maintenance screen 500 displayed on the terminal device 4. The maintenance screen 500 shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed by the display processing unit 451 in response to an instruction to display an image object 507. The connection candidate display area 503 of the maintenance screen 500 shown in FIG. 7(a) includes an image object 507a. The image object 507a is an icon image corresponding to the input device ID transmitted from the lighting control device 3 in step S105, and indicates an input device 5 that is an association candidate for the connection unit 34a indicated by the association connection unit button 505a. In the example shown in FIG. 7(a), the image object 507a includes a character string indicating the input device ID.

[0056] Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing another example of the maintenance screen 500 displayed on the terminal device 4. The maintenance screen 500 shown in Fig. 7(b) includes two types of image objects 507a and 507b indicating input devices 5 that are candidates for association with the connection unit 34b indicated by the association connection unit button 505b. The maintenance screen 500 shown in Fig. 7(b) displays the two types of image objects 507a and 507b as a result of the series of processes from steps S104 to S107 shown in Fig. 10 being performed twice.

[0057] Each of the association connection section buttons 505a to 505h can be selected by the user, and each time the user selects an association connection section button 505, an image object 507 is displayed indicating the input device 5 that is a candidate for association with the connection section 34b indicated by the selected association connection section button 505.

[0058] Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing another example of the maintenance screen 500 displayed on the terminal device 4. On the maintenance screen 500 shown in Fig. 8(a), the user has designated an association connection section button 505a and an image object 507a.

[0059] 10, when the user selects the association button 506 on the maintenance screen 500 shown in FIG. 8(a), an association process is executed (step S108). In the association process of step S108, the association unit 452 first extracts the connection unit ID indicated by the association connection unit button 505a selected by the user, and extracts the input device ID indicated by the image object 507a selected by the user. The association unit 452 then creates setting information that associates the extracted connection unit ID and input device ID with each other.

[0060] When the setting information is generated by the association unit 452, the display processing unit 451 displays an associated connection button 505a indicating the connection ID included in the setting information and an associated input device button 508a indicating the input device ID included in the setting information in the association display area 504 of the maintenance screen 500, as shown in Figure 8 (b), so that the association between the two can be visually confirmed.

[0061] Next, the terminal transmitter 453 of the terminal device 4 transmits the setting information generated by the associating unit 452 to the lighting control device 3 via the terminal communication unit 41 (step S109). When the receiver 351 of the lighting control device 3 receives the setting information from the terminal device 4, the register 353 executes a registration process to update the setting table T1 based on the received setting information (step S110).

[0062] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of setting table T1. Setting table T1 is table information stored in lighting control storage unit 33, and stores input device IDs of input devices 5 associated with connection unit IDs indicating all of the connection units 34 included in lighting control device 3. Note that the same input device ID may be associated with multiple connection unit IDs, or there may be a connection unit ID that is not associated with an input device ID.

[0063] When the control unit 35 of the lighting control device 3 receives a control signal from the input device 5, it reads out the setting table T1 stored in the lighting control storage unit 33 and identifies the connection unit ID associated with the input device ID included in the control signal. If power is not being supplied to the lighting fixture 2 connected to the power cable of the connection unit 34 associated with the connection unit ID, the control unit 35 turns on the lighting fixture 2 by supplying power to the lighting fixture 2 connected to the power cable of the connection unit 34 associated with the connection unit ID. If power is being supplied to the lighting fixture 2 connected to the power cable of the connection unit 34 associated with the connection unit ID, the control unit 35 turns off the lighting fixture 2 by stopping the supply of power to the lighting fixture 2 connected to the power cable of the connection unit 34 associated with the connection unit ID.

[0064] As described above, the lighting control system 1 allows the user to quickly and intuitively associate the connection unit 34 for supplying power to the lighting fixtures 2 with the input device 5. Such a lighting control system 1 enables faster installation of lighting equipment.

[0065] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes, substitutions, and alterations thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Lighting control system 2. Lighting fixtures 3 Lighting control device 31 First Communications Department 32 Second Communications Department 33 Lighting control memory unit 34(34a, 34b, ...) Connection part 35 Control Unit 351 Receiving unit 352 Transmitter 353 Registration Department 4 Terminal Devices 41 Terminal communication unit 42 Terminal memory section 43 Terminal operation unit 44 Terminal display 45 Terminal processing section 461 Display Processing Unit 462 Association section 463 Terminal Transmitter 464 Terminal Receiver 5 Input Devices 6 Antennas

Claims

[Claim 1] capable of communicating with one or more input devices; A control unit; one or more connection parts connectable to a cable that supplies power to the lighting fixture; The input device is capable of receiving setting information indicating an association between the input device and the connection unit from an external terminal device; a lighting control storage unit that stores a setting table indicating the setting information; The control unit The setting information can be updated, a lighting control device that supplies power to the lighting device through the cable connected to the connection part associated with the operated input device based on the setting information in response to an operation of any of the one or more input devices by a user, When a predetermined operation different from the operation for controlling the lighting fixture is performed by the user on the input device while the maintenance screen is displayed on the terminal device, and an operation signal including information indicating the distinction and type of the input device is received from the input device, the information indicating the distinction and type of the input device is transmitted to the terminal device, and the setting information created by the terminal device is received and the setting information is updated. A lighting control device characterized by:

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