Lighting control system and master device

Abstract

To provide a lighting control system with a simple configuration that can reliably reproduce the lighting control state before a power failure when power is restored.SOLUTION: A lighting control system 1 includes a master device 2 and a lighting control terminal 3. The master device 2 includes a command unit 22 that transmits a command value of the first lighting control state to the lighting control terminal 3, and a re-commanding unit 24 that transmits a command value of the second lighting control state to the lighting control terminal 3 when detecting that the current lighting control state is the second lighting control state. A control unit 4 of the lighting control terminal 3 includes a non-volatile memory 44, and a command processing unit 42 that stores the last received command value in the nonvolatile memory 44 and outputs the command value to the driving unit 5. A driving unit 5 of the lighting control terminal 3 includes a drive output unit 51 that drives a lighting load 7 on the basis of the command value from the control unit 4, a manual operation unit 52 that receives a user's manual operation regarding the lighting control state, and a state notification unit 53 that notifies the master device 2 of a control state value indicating the current lighting control state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control system and a master device used therein. [Background technology]

[0002] In a lighting control system in which a master device controls lighting loads via a slave device, it is desirable that, even if a power outage occurs in the slave device, the lighting loads be able to restore the lighting control state before the power outage after power is restored. For example, in the lighting control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a control unit sends a control start request to a lighting fixture, and when the lighting fixture starts dimming control based on the control start request, it sends a control start completion notice to the control unit. The control unit also sends a control stop request to the lighting fixture, and when the lighting fixture stops dimming control based on the control stop request, it sends a control stop completion notice to the control unit. The control unit records the state of the control stop completion notice as the final control state of the lighting fixture, and when power is restored, it sends a restoration signal based on this final control state to the lighting fixture. With this configuration, the lighting fixture's dimming state before the power outage can be restored when power is restored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-4499 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a lighting control system, if a power outage occurs in a lighting control terminal, such as a slave control unit, there may be a time lag between the operation stoppages of various components within the lighting control terminal. Furthermore, a user may manually operate the lighting control terminal regardless of the power outage. As described in detail below, conventional lighting control systems have had the problem of inconsistent on / off statuses before and after power outage restoration due to the time lag between the operation stoppages of various components within the lighting control terminal during a power outage and whether or not a user manually operates the lighting control terminal. Furthermore, adding a power outage detection feature to the lighting control terminal to solve this problem would complicate the circuit and control configurations of the lighting control terminal or the lighting control system including it, increasing costs. Therefore, an inexpensive configuration that eliminates the inconsistency in on / off statuses before and after power outage restoration is desired.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control system with a simple configuration that can reliably reproduce the lighting control state before a power outage when power is restored, despite the time lag between operation stoppages among various parts of the lighting control terminal during a power outage and the possibility of manual operation of the lighting control terminal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a master device to be used for the lighting control terminal in such a lighting control system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a lighting control system including a master device and a lighting control terminal. In the lighting control system, the master device includes a command unit that transmits a command value for a first lighting control state to the lighting control terminal, and a re-command unit that transmits a command value for a second lighting control state to the lighting control terminal when it is detected that the current lighting control state of the lighting control terminal is a second lighting control state different from the first lighting control state. The lighting control terminal includes a control unit and a drive unit that are each powered by an external power source and operate. The control unit includes a non-volatile memory and a command processing unit that stores the command value last received from the master device in the non-volatile memory and outputs the command value stored in the non-volatile memory to the drive unit. The drive unit includes a drive output unit that drives a lighting load based on the command value input from the control unit, a manual operation unit that accepts user manual operation related to the lighting control state, and a state notification unit that notifies the master device of a control state value indicating the current lighting control state.

[0007] In the lighting control system described above, the lighting control state of a lighting load that can be manually operated is transmitted as a command value from the driver to the controller via the master device, and the command value is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the controller. The driver then controls the lighting load based on the command value stored in the nonvolatile memory. That is, whether the lighting control state based on the command value from the master device is the final control state or the lighting control state caused by manual operation of the lighting control terminal is the final control state, the lighting control state before the power outage is always stored in the nonvolatile memory, and that lighting control state is restored after power is restored. This realizes a lighting control system that can reliably restore the lighting control state before the power outage when power is restored, regardless of the time lag between the operation stoppages of various components within the lighting control terminal during a power outage and the possibility of manual operation of the lighting control terminal. Moreover, because a configuration for detecting a power outage in an external power source is not required, a lighting control system with a simple configuration is provided without complicating the system configuration.

[0008] In one embodiment, the master device further includes a query unit configured to send a query command to the lighting control terminal to inquire about a current lighting control state, the state notification unit is configured to send a control state value to the master device in response to the query command, and the re-command unit is configured to send a command value to the lighting control terminal to command the second lighting control state when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value is the second lighting control state. This makes it possible to realize a lighting control system with a simple control configuration in a configuration that allows two-way communication between the master device and the lighting control terminal, thereby making it easy to introduce the system.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a master device connected to a lighting control terminal configured to store command values ​​in a non-volatile memory and execute lighting control based on the command values ​​stored in the non-volatile memory. The master device comprises a command unit that transmits a command value for a first lighting control state to the lighting control terminal, a query unit that transmits a query command to the lighting control terminal to inquire about the current lighting control state of the lighting control terminal, and a re-command unit that, when the current lighting control state indicated by a control state value received from the lighting control terminal in response to the query command is a second lighting control state different from the first lighting control state, transmits a command value to the lighting control terminal to instruct the second lighting control state. This makes it possible to realize a lighting control system that achieves the above-mentioned functions and effects.

[0010] In one embodiment of the lighting control system or the master device, the query unit is configured to periodically send a query command to the lighting control terminal, thereby ensuring the above-mentioned functions and effects in the event of an accidental power outage at the lighting control terminal.

[0011] In one embodiment of the lighting control system or the master device, the re-command unit is configured not to send a command value to the lighting control terminal when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value is the first lighting control state or when a control state value is not received in response to a query command. This makes it possible to reduce communication traffic in the event of a power outage at the lighting control terminal, thereby avoiding communication congestion and reducing power consumption of the master device.

[0012] In one embodiment of the lighting control system or master device, the command value, query command, and control state value constitute signals that comply with the DALI (registered trademark) standard, thereby realizing a highly versatile control configuration for the lighting control system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a master device in a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the master device of the lighting control system according to the modified example of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to a first and second reference example. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting control system according to the first reference example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting control system according to the second reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a lighting control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting control system 1 includes a master device 2 and a lighting control terminal 3. The master device 2 is connected to a higher-level device (not shown) and generates command values ​​(described below) based on commands input from the higher-level device. The slave lighting control terminal 3 includes a controller 4 and a driver 5 and performs lighting control of a lighting load 7 based on command values ​​from the master device 2. Note that multiple lighting control terminals 3 can be connected to one master device 2. The controller 4 and driver 5 are powered by an external power source 6, such as a commercial power source. The lighting load 7 includes a relay 8 and a lighting fixture 9. The relay 8 is connected between an AC power source (AC), such as a commercial power source, and the lighting fixture 9. The relay 8 is turned on / off by a control signal from the lighting control terminal 3, thereby turning the lighting fixture 9 on / off. In this embodiment, the master device 2 and the lighting control terminal 3 are configured to mutually communicate signals compliant with the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) standard.

[0015] In this embodiment, the master device 2 transmits a command value indicating the lighting control state (a command value indicating whether to turn the relay 8 on or off) to the lighting control terminal 3, and the control unit 4 of the lighting control terminal 3 stores the command value in non-volatile memory. The driver 5 of the lighting control terminal 3 can accept manual on / off operations of the relay 8 by a user. The master device 2 transmits a query command to the lighting control terminal 3 to inquire about the current lighting control state, and in response, the lighting control terminal 3 replies to the master device 2 with a control state value indicating the current lighting control state. If the control state value differs from the command value, the master device 2 transmits a command value corresponding to the control state value to the lighting control terminal 3, and the control unit 4 stores the command value in non-volatile memory in the same manner as above. The driver 5 always controls the relay 8 according to the command value stored in the non-volatile memory. In this disclosure, the lighting control state is synonymous with the on state and the off state, respectively.

[0016] The master device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a command unit 22, a query unit 23, a re-command unit 24, and a memory unit 25, and these units are connected via a bus to enable the exchange of signals, data, values, etc. with each other. The communication unit 21 functions as a communication interface and is configured to communicate DALI signals with the lighting control terminal 3. The command unit 22, the query unit 23, and the re-command unit 24 constitute part of a CPU, processor, etc. Note that the CPU, etc., can appropriately perform various general functions (such as a timing function, a communication control function, and an arithmetic processing function) in addition to the functions of the above units. The memory unit 25 includes memories such as a ROM for storing programs, etc., and a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc. Note that the master device 2 is assumed to be powered by a power supply system different from the external power supply 6.

[0017] The command unit 22 transmits a DALI signal (command value) that commands a lighting control state designated by the master device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "master-designated control state") to the lighting control terminal 3. Note that "the command unit 22 transmits a command value" means that the command unit 22 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the command value. The master-designated control state is a lighting control state based on lighting control data provided from a higher-level device of the master device 2 or lighting control data stored in the memory unit 25 of the master device 2. In this embodiment, the lighting control state is either on or off, and the command value is a value that indicates whether the relay 8 is on or off.

[0018] The query unit 23 transmits a DALI signal (query command) to the lighting control terminal 3 to inquire about the lighting control state currently being executed by the drive unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "current control state"). Note that "the query unit 23 transmits a query command" means causing the communication unit 21 to transmit the query command. For example, the query command is a command defined as "QUERY ACTUAL LEVEL" in the DALI standard. The query unit 23 transmits the query command at a predetermined cycle. This predetermined cycle is, for example, one second for each lighting control terminal 3. In other words, each lighting control terminal 3 receives the query command at each predetermined cycle.

[0019] When the re-command unit 24 detects that the current control state is a lighting control state different from the master-designated control state (hereinafter referred to as the "changed control state"), it transmits a DALI signal (command value) commanding the changed control state to the lighting control terminal 3. Note that when the re-command unit 24 transmits a command value, it means that it causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the command value. A response (Backward frame) from the lighting control terminal 3 to the query command transmitted by the query unit 23 includes a control state value. When the current control state indicated by the control state value is not the master-designated control state but the changed control state, the re-command unit 24 transmits a command value commanding the changed control state to the lighting control terminal 3. In other words, when the current control state indicated by the control state value is the same as the master-designated control state, the re-command unit 24 does not transmit a command value to the lighting control terminal 3. Note that when the re-command unit 24 does not receive a response to the query command, it considers the lighting control terminal 3 to be abnormal, and in this case too, it does not transmit a command value to the lighting control terminal 3.

[0020] The control unit 4 of the lighting control terminal 3 includes a control power supply unit 40, a communication unit 41, a command processing unit 42, and a memory unit 43, and these units are connected via a bus so as to be able to exchange signals, data, values, etc. with each other. The drive unit 5 of the lighting control terminal 3 includes a drive power supply unit 50, a drive output unit 51, a manual operation unit 52, a status notification unit 53, and a memory unit 54, and these units are connected via a bus so as to be able to exchange signals, data, values, etc. with each other.

[0021] The control power supply unit 40 and the drive power supply unit 50 receive power from the external power supply 6 and generate operating voltages for the control unit 4 and the drive unit 5, respectively. That is, the control power supply unit 40 supplies operating voltages to the communication unit 41, the command processing unit 42, and the memory unit 43, while the drive power supply unit 50 supplies operating voltages to the drive output unit 51, the manual operation unit 52, the status notification unit 53, and the memory unit 54. If the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage, the drive unit 5 may become inactive before the control unit 4 due to differences in the capacitance of the capacitors between the control power supply unit 40 and the drive power supply unit 50 and differences in their remaining charges.

[0022] The communication unit 41 functions as a communication interface and is configured to communicate DALI signals with the master device 2 (communication unit 21). The communication unit 41 and command processing unit 42 constitute part of a CPU, processor, etc. In addition to the functions of the above-mentioned units, the CPU, etc. can also appropriately perform various general functions (such as a timing function, a communication control function, and an arithmetic processing function). The storage unit 43 includes memories such as a ROM for storing programs and the like and a RAM for temporarily storing data and the like. The storage unit 43 includes a nonvolatile memory 44, which stores a command value (LAST LEVEL) included in the last (i.e., latest) command value received from the master device 2.

[0023] The command processing unit 42 stores the command value (LAST LEVEL) included in the command value last received from the master device 2 in the nonvolatile memory 44. The command processing unit 42 outputs the command value (LAST LEVEL) stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 to the drive unit 5.

[0024] The drive output unit 51, the manual operation unit 52, and the status notification unit 53 constitute a part of a CPU, a processor, etc. The CPU, etc., can appropriately execute various general functions (such as a timing function, a communication control function, and an arithmetic processing function) in addition to the functions of the above-mentioned units. The storage unit 54 includes memories such as a ROM for storing programs, etc., and a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc.

[0025] The drive output unit 51 generates a control signal based on a command value input from the control unit 4, and turns on / off the relay 8 of the lighting load 7 according to this control signal. The manual operation unit 52 accepts a user's manual operation regarding the lighting control state. For example, a user can operate the switch lever of the relay 8 via the manual operation unit 52. The state notification unit 53 stores the current control state, i.e., a control state value indicating whether the relay 8 is on or off, in the memory unit 54. Then, in response to a query command from the master device 2, the state notification unit 53 returns the control state value stored in the memory unit 54 to the master device 2 as a DALI signal. Note that a drive unit communication unit separate from the communication unit 41 may be provided in the drive unit 5, and the query command and the control state value may be transmitted to and received from the master device 2 via the drive unit communication unit.

[0026] The lighting load 7 includes a relay 8 and a lighting fixture 9. The relay 8 is a remote relay that turns on / off wiring from an alternating current power source AC (e.g., a commercial power source) to the lighting fixture 9 in response to a control signal from the lighting control terminal 3 (drive output unit 51), thereby switching the lighting fixture 9 on / off. The lighting fixture 9 includes a lighting circuit 91 and a light source 92. The lighting circuit 91 generates an output current from an alternating current voltage input from the alternating current power source AC via the relay 8 and supplies the output current to the light source 92. The light source 92 is, for example, an LED array. The lighting circuit 91 converts the input alternating current voltage into a direct current and supplies the direct current to the light source 92. Note that although FIG. 1 shows one relay 8, multiple relays 8 may be connected to the lighting control terminal 3. Also, although FIG. 1 shows one lighting fixture 9, multiple lighting fixtures may be connected to each relay 8. Also, the alternating current power source AC connected to the relay 8 may be a power source of the same system as the external power source 6.

[0027] Before describing the operation of the lighting control system 1 in this embodiment, the operation of the lighting control systems according to the first and second reference examples will be described. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a lighting control system 101 common to the first and second reference examples. The same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals in FIG. 6, and redundant description will be omitted. The lighting control system 101 of the reference examples includes a master device 102 and a lighting control terminal 103. The lighting control terminal 103 includes a control unit 104 and a driving unit 105. The master device 102 corresponds to the master device 2 of the embodiment and includes a command unit 22 and the like, but does not include a query unit 23 or a re-command unit 24. The driving unit 105 corresponds to the driving unit 5 of the embodiment and includes a drive output unit 51, a manual operation unit 52, and the like, but does not include a state notification unit 53. The control unit 104 corresponds to the control unit 4 of the embodiment and includes a non-volatile memory 44 and the like, but the operation of the command processing unit 142 of the control unit 104 differs from the operation of the command processing unit 42 of the embodiment.

[0028] In the first reference example, the command processing unit 142 stores the lighting control state based on the command value from the master device 2 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL) in the nonvolatile memory 44. Then, unless a new command value is received from the master device 102, the command processing unit 142 outputs the final control state (LAST LEVEL) stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 to the driving unit 105 as the command value.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows the operation of the lighting control system 101 of the first reference example. From the top, Fig. 7 shows the command value (on / off) of the master device 102, the state of the external power supply 6 (normal / power outage), the state of the control unit 104 (operating / non-operating), the state of the drive unit 105 (operating / non-operating), the last level (on / off) stored in the non-volatile memory 44, and the state of the lighting load 7 (on / off). The horizontal axis represents time, and it is assumed that the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage at time t1 and is restored to power at time t4.

[0030] 7, it is assumed that the command value of the master device 102 is ON before time t0, and that the lighting load 7 is turned off manually at time t0. Therefore, since the lighting load 7 is in the off state until just before the power outage, the lighting load 7 should also be in the off state after the power is restored.

[0031] At time t0, the lighting load 7 is turned off by manual operation using the manual operation unit 52, the external power supply 6 is powered off at time t1, and the drive unit 105 and the control unit 104 are each in an inoperative state at time t2 and time t3. Note that time t1 and time t2 may occur substantially simultaneously. At time t2, the nonvolatile memory 44 stores the lighting state (ON state), which is the command value from the master device 2, as the final control state (LAST LEVEL).

[0032] When the external power supply 6 is restored at time t4, the drive unit 105 is restarted at time t5, and the control unit 104 is restarted at time t6. Here, since the ON state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL), the command processing unit 142 outputs a command value for the ON state to the drive unit 105, and the drive output unit 51 turns on the lighting load 7. Therefore, even though the lighting load 7 was manually turned off before the power outage, it is restarted in the on state after the power is restored.

[0033] In order to avoid discrepancies in the lighting control state when power is restored due to manual operation before the power outage as described above, in the second reference example, the command processing unit 142 is configured to monitor the drive output state of the drive unit 105 and store the drive output state as a final control state in the nonvolatile memory 44. Then, the command processing unit 142 outputs the final control state (LAST LEVEL) stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 to the drive unit 105 as a command value unless a new final control state (LAST LEVEL) is updated in response to manual operation of the drive unit 105.

[0034] Fig. 8 shows the operation of the lighting control system 101 of the second reference example. Fig. 8 also shows, from the top, the command value (on / off) of the master device 102, the state of the external power supply 6 (normal / power outage), the state of the control unit 104 (operating / non-operating), the state of the drive unit 105 (operating / non-operating), the last level (on / off) stored in the non-volatile memory 44, and the state of the lighting load 7 (on / off). In this example, the horizontal axis also indicates time, and it is assumed that the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage at time t1 and is restored to power at time t4.

[0035] As a premise for the operation in Figure 8, it is assumed that before time t1, the command value of the master device 102 is lighting (ON) and that the lighting load 7 is not manually operated. Therefore, since the lighting load 7 is in the lighting state until just before the power outage, the lighting load 7 should remain in the lighting state even after the power is restored. Also, as described above, when the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage, it is assumed that the driving unit 105 becomes inactive before the control unit 104 due to the difference in the capacitance of the capacitors between the control power supply unit 40 and the driving power supply unit 50 and the difference in their remaining charges.

[0036] When the external power supply 6 fails at time t1, the driving unit 105 enters a non-operating state at time t2 (substantially simultaneously with time t1), the lighting load 7 is turned off, and then at time t3, the control unit 104 enters a non-operating state. During the period from time t2 to t3, the driving unit 105 is in a non-operating state, but the control unit 104 is still in an operating state. Therefore, the control unit 104 determines that the non-operating state of the driving unit 105 is the OFF state of the lighting control state, and the non-volatile memory 44 stores the turned-off state (OFF state) of the lighting load 7 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL).

[0037] When the external power supply 6 is restored at time t4, the driving unit 105 is restarted at time t5, and the control unit 104 is restarted at time t6. Here, since the OFF state is stored as the final control state (LAST LEVEL) in the non-volatile memory 44, the command processing unit 142 outputs a command value for the OFF state to the driving unit 105, and the driving output unit 51 turns off the lighting load 7. Therefore, even though the command value of the master device 102 is ON and the lighting load 7 has not been turned off by manual operation, the lighting load 7 is turned off after power is restored. Note that the inconsistency in the lighting control state at the time of power restoration as in this example would also occur if the control unit 104 were restarted before the driving unit 105 after power restoration from the external power supply 6.

[0038] That is, in any of the lighting control systems 101 of the reference examples, a problem can arise in which the lighting control state before a power outage and the lighting control state after power is restored do not match. The lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention avoids such a mismatch and reliably reproduces the lighting control state before the power outage when power is restored.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows an example of the operation of the lighting control system 1. From the top, Fig. 1 shows the command value (on / off) of the master device 2, the state of the external power supply 6 (normal / power outage), the state of the control unit 4 (operating / not operating), the state of the drive unit 5 (operating / not operating), the last level (on / off) stored in the non-volatile memory 44, and the state of the lighting load 7 (on / off). The horizontal axis represents time, and it is assumed that the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage at time t1 and is restored at time t4.

[0040] 2, it is assumed that the command value of the master device 2 is ON before time t0, and that the lighting load 7 is manually turned off at time t0. Therefore, since the lighting load 7 is in the off state until just before the power outage, the lighting load 7 should also be in the off state after the power is restored.

[0041] At time t0, the lighting load 7 is turned off by manual operation using the manual operation unit 52. At time t0' based on the subsequent query cycle, the query unit 23 sends a query command to the lighting control terminal 3, and the state notification unit 53 replies to the master device 2 with a control state value indicating the OFF state. Since the master-specified control state (ON state) based on the initial command value differs from the changed control state (OFF state) indicated by the control state value, the re-command unit 24 sends a command value for the OFF state to the lighting control terminal 3. As a result, the command processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 stores the OFF state in the non-volatile memory 44 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL).

[0042] At time t1, the external power supply 6 is powered out, the drive unit 5 is deactivated at time t2 (substantially simultaneously with time t1), and then at time t3, the control unit 4 is deactivated. Note that during the period from time t2 to t3, the control unit 4 is still in an activated state, but the drive unit 5 is in an inactivated state. Even if a query command is sent to the control unit 4 during this period, the control unit 4 is turned OFF at time t3 during communication, so it does not receive a control signal, and the final control state (LAST LEVEL) stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 is maintained in the state before the power outage. This is also true during the period from time t3 to t4 when both the control unit 4 and the drive unit 5 are deactivated. That is, the OFF state is maintained as the final control state (LAST LEVEL) in the nonvolatile memory 44.

[0043] When the external power supply 6 is restored at time t4, the drive unit 5 is restarted at time t5, and the control unit 4 is restarted at time t6. Here, since the OFF state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL), the command processing unit 42 outputs a command value for the OFF state to the drive unit 5, and the drive output unit 51 turns off the lighting load 7. Therefore, the lighting load 7 can maintain the off state before the power outage even after power is restored, and there is no inconsistency in the lighting control state before and after power outage, as may occur in the first reference example (see FIG. 7). This also applies when the control unit 104 is restarted before the drive unit 105 after power is restored to the external power supply 6.

[0044] Figure 3 shows an example of the operation of the lighting control system 1. Figure 3 also shows, from the top, the command value (on / off) of the master device 2, the state of the external power supply 6 (normal / power outage), the state of the control unit 4 (operating / not operating), the state of the drive unit 5 (operating / not operating), the last level (on / off) stored in the non-volatile memory 44, and the state of the lighting load 7 (on / off). In this example, the horizontal axis also indicates time, and it is assumed that the external power supply 6 experiences a power outage at time t1 and is restored to power at time t4.

[0045] As a premise for the operation in Figure 3, it is assumed that before time t1, the command value of the master device 2 is lighting (ON) and the lighting load 7 is not manually operated. Therefore, since the lighting load 7 is in the lighting state until just before the power outage, the lighting load 7 should remain in the lighting state even after the power is restored. Also, as described above, when the external power supply 6 fails, the drive unit 5 is set to the inactive state before the control unit 4 due to the difference in the capacitance of the capacitors between the control power supply unit 40 and the drive power supply unit 50 and the difference in their remaining charges.

[0046] Prior to time t1, the lighting state (ON state) is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL) through the operations of the master device 2, the control unit 4, and the drive unit 5 (transmission, reception, and storage of query commands and control state values). The external power supply 6 fails at time t1, and the drive unit 5 enters a non-operating state at time t2 (substantially simultaneously with time t1). Note that, during the period from time t2 to t3, the control unit 4 is still in an operating state, but the drive unit 5 is in a non-operating state. Even if a query command is sent to the control unit 4 during this period, the control unit 4 turns OFF at time t3 during communication, so it does not receive a control signal, and the final control state (LAST LEVEL) stored in the non-volatile memory 44 remains the state it was in before the power outage. This also applies to the period from time t3 to t4 when both the control unit 4 and the drive unit 5 are in a non-operating state. Therefore, the ON state is maintained as the final control state (LAST LEVEL) in the non-volatile memory 44.

[0047] When the external power supply 6 is restored at time t4, the drive unit 5 is restarted at time t5, and the control unit 4 is restarted at time t6. Here, since the ON state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the final control state (LAST LEVEL), the command processing unit 42 outputs a command value for the ON state to the drive unit 5, and the drive output unit 51 turns on the lighting load 7. Therefore, the lighting load 7 can restore the lighting state before the power outage even after power is restored, and there is no inconsistency in the lighting control state before and after power outage, as may occur in the second reference example (see FIG. 8). This also applies when the control unit 104 is restarted before the drive unit 105 after power is restored to the external power supply 6.

[0048] 4 shows a flowchart of the operation of the master device 2 in the lighting control system 1 of this embodiment. In step S10, the command unit 22 determines whether there is a new command to be sent (a command for a master designated control state). If there is a new command (step S10, YES), the process proceeds to step S11. If there is no new command (step S10, NO), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0049] In step S11, the command unit 22 transmits a command value corresponding to the new command to the lighting control terminal 3. In response to this, the command processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 stores this command value in the non-volatile memory 44, and the drive output unit 51 of the drive unit 5 drives the relay 8 of the lighting load 7 based on this command value.

[0050] In step S12, the query unit 23 determines whether or not an inquiry period (for example, a one-second period) for transmitting a query command has arrived. If the inquiry period has not arrived (step S12, NO), the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if the inquiry period has arrived (step S12, YES), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0051] In step S13, query unit 23 transmits a query command to lighting control terminal 3. In response to this, state notification unit 53 of drive unit 5 returns a control state value indicating the current control state to master device 2, and the process proceeds to step S14.

[0052] In step S14, the re-command unit 24 determines whether or not a control state value in response to the query command has been received. If a control state value has not been received (step S14, NO), the process returns to step S10. Note that a case in which a control state value has not been received means that the drive unit 5 is in a non-operating state due to a power outage of the external power supply 6, etc. On the other hand, if a control state value has been received (step S14, YES), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0053] In step S15, the re-command unit 24 detects whether there is a change in the lighting control state. Detecting a change in the lighting control state means detecting that the lighting control state indicated by the received control state value (i.e., the current control state) is different from the lighting control state indicated by the command value last transmitted by the command unit 22 (i.e., the master-designated control state). If no change in the lighting control state is detected (step S15, NO), the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if a change in the lighting control state is detected (step S15, YES), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0054] In step S16, the re-command unit 24 transmits a command value for the control state indicated by the control state value to the lighting control terminal 3. In response to this, the command processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 stores this command value as LAST LEVEL in the non-volatile memory 44, and the drive output unit 51 of the drive unit 5 drives the relay 8 of the lighting load 7 based on this command value.

[0055] As described above, lighting control system 1 of this embodiment includes master device 2 and lighting control terminal 3. Master device 2 includes a command unit 22 that transmits a command value for a master-designated control state (first lighting control state) to lighting control terminal 3, and a re-command unit 24 that transmits a command value for the changed control state to lighting control terminal 3 when it detects that the current control state of lighting control terminal 3 is a changed control state (second lighting control state) different from the master-designated control state. Lighting control terminal 3 includes a control unit 4 and a drive unit 5 that operate each powered by an external power source 6. Control unit 4 includes a non-volatile memory 44 and a command processing unit 42 that stores the command value last received from master device 2 in non-volatile memory 44 and outputs the command value stored in non-volatile memory 44 to drive unit 5. The drive unit 5 includes a drive output unit 51 that drives the lighting load 7 based on a command value input from the control unit 4, a manual operation unit 52 that accepts user manual operation regarding the lighting control state, and a state notification unit 53 that notifies the master device 2 of a control state value indicating the current control state.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the lighting control state of the lighting loads 7 that can be manually operated is transmitted as a command value from the driver 5 to the controller 4 via the master device 2, and the command value is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 of the controller 4. The driver 5 then controls the lighting loads 7 based on the command value stored in the nonvolatile memory 44. That is, whether the lighting control state based on the command value from the master device 2 (master-designated control state) is the final control state or the lighting control state (changed control state) resulting from manual operation of the lighting control terminal 3 is the final control state, the lighting control state before the power outage is always stored in the nonvolatile memory 44, and that lighting control state is restored after power is restored. Therefore, despite the time lag between the operation stoppages of various components within the lighting control terminal 3 during a power outage and the possibility of a user manually operating the lighting control terminal 3, the lighting control system 1 can reliably restore the lighting control state before the power outage upon power restoration. Furthermore, because a configuration for detecting a power outage in the external power source 6 is not required, the lighting control system 1 can be provided with a simple configuration without complicating the system configuration.

[0057] Furthermore, master device 2 further includes a query unit 23 that sends a query command to lighting control terminal 3 to inquire about the current control state, state notification unit 53 is configured to send a control state value to master device 2 in response to the query command, and re-command unit 24 is configured to send a command value to lighting control terminal 3 to command a changed control state when the current control state indicated by the control state value is a changed control state. This allows lighting control system 1 to be realized with a simple control configuration that enables two-way communication between master device 2 and lighting control terminal 3, thereby making it easy to introduce the system.

[0058] That is, the master device 2 is connected to a lighting control terminal 3 configured to store command values ​​in non-volatile memory 44 and to execute lighting control based on the command values ​​stored in non-volatile memory 44, and comprises a command unit 22 that transmits a command value for a master-designated control state to the lighting control terminal 3, a query unit 23 that transmits a query command to the lighting control terminal 3 to inquire about the current control state of the lighting control terminal 3, and a re-command unit 24 that transmits a command value to the lighting control terminal 3 to instruct a changed control state when the current control state indicated by the control state value received from the lighting control terminal 3 in response to the query command is a changed control state different from the master-designated control state. This makes it possible to realize a lighting control system 1 that exhibits the above-mentioned functions and effects.

[0059] Furthermore, the query unit 23 is configured to periodically transmit a query command to the lighting control terminal 3. This ensures that the above-described actions and effects can be obtained even in the event of an accidental power outage at the lighting control terminal 3.

[0060] Furthermore, if the current control state indicated by the control state value is a master-designated control state or if a control state value is not received in response to a query command, the re-command unit 24 is configured not to send a command value to the lighting control terminal 3. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of communication when the lighting control terminal 3 experiences a power outage, avoid communication congestion, and reduce the power consumption of the master device 2.

[0061] Furthermore, the command value, query command, and control state value form signals that comply with the DALI standard, thereby realizing a highly versatile control configuration for the lighting control system 1.

[0062] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified in various ways, for example, as shown below.

[0063] (1) Variations in communication standards In the above embodiment, the case has been described where the communication standard adopted in the lighting control system 1 is DALI, but the communication standard may be one that complies with other standards such as RDM (Remote Device Management).

[0064] (2) Modification of the status notification unit 53 In the above embodiment, the slave lighting control terminal 3 is configured to return a control status value in response to a query command from the master device 2, but the slave lighting control terminal 3 may also be configured to send a signal autonomously to the master device 2. In this case, the status notification unit 53 of the drive unit 5 may be configured to send the control status value to the master device 2 periodically or upon manual operation by the manual operation unit 52. In this case, the master device 2 does not need to be provided with a query unit 23.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation of the master device 2 in the lighting control system 1 according to this modified example. This flowchart is equivalent to the flowchart in FIG. 4 with steps S12, S13, and S15 omitted. That is, in step S10, the command unit 22 determines whether or not there is a new command. If there is a new command (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. If there is no new command (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S11, the command unit 22 transmits a command value corresponding to the new command to the lighting control terminal 3. In response, the command processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 stores this command value in the non-volatile memory 44, and the drive output unit 51 of the drive unit 5 drives the relay 8 of the lighting load 7 based on this command value.

[0066] In step S14, the re-command unit 24 determines whether or not a control state value has been received from the lighting control terminal 3. If a control state value has not been received (step S14, NO), the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if a control state value has been received (step S14, YES), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the re-command unit 24 transmits a command value for the control state indicated by the control state value to the lighting control terminal 3. In response, the command processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 stores this command value in the non-volatile memory 44, and the drive output unit 51 of the drive unit 5 drives the relay 8 of the lighting load 7 based on this command value.

[0067] (3) Variations regarding lighting control states In the above embodiment, the applied lighting control state is either on (ON) or off (OFF), but the applied lighting control state may be a dimming state using step dimming or continuous dimming between 0 and 100%. In this case, lighting device 9 (lighting circuit 91) is connected to drive unit 5 (drive output unit 51) without relay 8, and drive output unit 51 is configured to output a dimming control signal (for example, a PWM signal whose duty cycle corresponds to the dimming rate) to lighting circuit 91 in accordance with a command value from control unit 4.

[0068] (4) Variations related to external power source 6 In the above embodiment, a configuration has been shown in which the control power supply unit 40 and the drive power supply unit 50 are supplied with power from a single external power supply 6, but the control power supply unit 40 and the drive power supply unit 50 may each be supplied with power from separate external power supplies. In this case, for example, even if the external power supply connected to the control power supply unit 40 continues to supply power while the external power supply connected to the drive power supply unit 50 experiences a power outage, or vice versa, the same actions and effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Also, a configuration may be employed in which the power supply from the external power supply 6 to the drive power supply unit 50 can be cut off by user operation or the like (for example, a configuration in which only the drive unit 5 can be powered off). In this case, the same actions and effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Lighting control system 2 Master device 21 Communications Department 22 Command Department 23 Query section 24 Redirection Department 25 Memory section 3 Lighting control terminal 4. Control Unit 40 Control power supply unit 41 Communications Department 42 Command processing section 43 Storage section 44 Non-volatile memory 5 Drive unit 50 Drive power supply unit 51 Drive output section 52 Manual operation section 53 Status notification section 54 Storage section 6 External power supply 7 Lighting Load 8 Relay 9. Lighting fixtures

Claims

1. A lighting control system comprising a master device and a lighting control terminal, The master device a command unit that transmits a command value of a first lighting control state to the lighting control terminal; a re-command unit that, when detecting, based on the control state value received from the lighting control terminal, that the current lighting control state of the lighting control terminal is a second lighting control state different from the first lighting control state, transmits a command value of the second lighting control state to the lighting control terminal; Including, the lighting control terminal includes a control unit and a drive unit that are each powered by an external power source, The control unit a non-volatile memory; a command processing unit that stores the command value last received from the master device before a power outage of the external power supply in the nonvolatile memory as a final control state, and outputs the command value corresponding to the final control state stored in the nonvolatile memory to the drive unit after power is restored to the external power supply; Including, The drive unit is a drive output unit configured to set a lighting load to either the first lighting control state or the second lighting control state based on a command value corresponding to the final control state input from the control unit when the drive unit is operating; a manual operation unit configured to accept a user manual operation regarding a lighting control state when the drive unit is operating, and to set the lighting load to either the first lighting control state or the second lighting control state; a state notification unit that notifies the master device of a control state value indicating a current lighting control state, which is either the first lighting control state or the second lighting control state, as the control state value when the drive unit is operating; a lighting control system,

2. the master device further includes a query unit that transmits a query command to the lighting control terminal to inquire about the current lighting control state; the state notification unit is configured to transmit the control state value to the master device in response to the query command; 2. The lighting control system of claim 1, wherein the re-command unit is configured to transmit a command value to the lighting control terminal to command the second lighting control state when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value is the second lighting control state.

3. The lighting control system according to claim 2 , wherein the query unit is configured to periodically transmit the query command to the lighting control terminal.

4. 4. The lighting control system of claim 2, wherein the re-command unit is configured not to transmit the command value to the lighting control terminal when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value is the first lighting control state or when the control state value is not received in response to the query command.

5. The master device in the lighting control system of claim 1, a query unit configured to transmit a query command to the lighting control terminal to inquire about a current lighting control state of the lighting control terminal; the re-command unit is configured to, when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value received from the lighting control terminal in response to the query command is a second lighting control state different from the first lighting control state, send to the lighting control terminal a command value instructing the second lighting control state.

6. The master device according to claim 5 , wherein the query unit is configured to periodically transmit the query command to the lighting control terminal.

7. 7. The master device according to claim 5, wherein the re-command unit is configured not to transmit the command value when the current lighting control state indicated by the control state value is the first lighting control state or when the control state value is not received in response to the query command.

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