lighting equipment

Abstract

To provide an illuminating device having a high degree of freedom of control.SOLUTION: An illuminating device comprises: a light source part that comprises a light-emitting element; and a control part that comprises a storage part for storing lighting condition information in which a fade time indicating time characteristics at dimming of the light source part depending on an input value is associated with a first control channel, and that determines the fade time in reference to the lighting condition information stored in the storage part depending on an input value to the first control channel to control lighting of the light source part so as to satisfy the fade time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting systems that control lighting devices through remote control from a console have been introduced in studios, stages, etc. Furthermore, as lighting devices increasingly use LED light sources, the control of such lighting devices has become more multifunctional (for example, Prior Art Document 1). However, as the functionality of lighting devices as described in Prior Art Document 1 is insufficient for users, simply controlling the output of the light source and the focal position of the lens, and lighting devices with a high degree of control flexibility have been required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-204432 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting device with a high degree of freedom in control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The lighting device of the embodiment includes a light source unit including a light emitting element, and a storage unit that stores lighting condition information in which a fade time indicating a time characteristic when dimming the light source unit according to an input value is associated with a first control channel, and a control unit that determines the fade time by referring to the lighting condition information stored in the storage unit according to the input value to the first control channel, and controls the lighting of the light source unit so as to follow a curved transition line and satisfy the fade time. The lighting condition information stores the output of the first function according to the input value in association with the second control channel, and when the first function is controlled in a predetermined state according to the input value to the second control channel, the control unit does not reflect the fade time determined according to the input value to the first control channel in the control. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the embodiment, it is expected that a lighting device with a high degree of freedom in control can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an illumination device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 10 is a table illustrating lighting condition information according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a table illustrating lighting condition information according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a table showing a modified example of the lighting condition information of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 10 is a table illustrating lighting condition information according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a table showing lighting condition information that is a modification of the lighting condition information of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a table illustrating lighting condition information according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing a process from input of a dimming signal to a change in dimming rate. [Figure 10] 9 is a table showing lighting condition information that is a modification of the lighting condition information of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 10 is a table illustrating lighting condition information according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a table showing allocation information between fader identification information and control channels of an operation unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a control flow of the lighting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a lighting system 1 of this embodiment. The lighting system of this embodiment includes a control console 10 and lighting devices 20. The control console 10 is connected to a DMX node 30 by an Ethernet cable, for example, via a hub 40 or directly. Then, two-way communication is performed between the control console 10 and the DMX node 30 using a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or LAN (Local Area Network). Also, the lighting devices 20 are connected to the DMX node 30 by a DMX cable. Then, communication is performed between the lighting devices 20 and the DMX node 30 using a standard that allows two-way communication, for example, RDM (Remote Device Management), which is an extension of DMX512. In this way, the control console 10 and the lighting devices 20 are connected and perform two-way communication. For example, control information and setting information are transmitted from the control console 10 to the lighting devices 20. For example, lighting device information and status information indicating a current control status are transmitted from the lighting devices 20 to the control console 10.

[0010] The control console 10 transmits control information including control signals for controlling the lighting devices 20 and setting information for setting parameters of the lighting devices 20 in accordance with operations by an operator. The control console 10 is disposed, for example, in a lighting control room different from the space in which the lighting devices 20 are disposed. The control console 10 may be configured to be portable using a tablet terminal or the like, in which case the control console 10 may be disposed in the same space as the space in which the lighting devices 20 are disposed. The control console 10 includes an operation unit 11, a control console storage unit 12, and a control console setting unit 13. The control console 10 may include a control console communication unit not shown in FIG. 1 and may communicate with the lighting devices 20 via the control console communication unit.

[0011] The operation unit 11 is, for example, a fader, and one or more operation units are provided for one operation console 10. The operation unit 11 may be a real (actual) fader, or may be a virtual fader provided on a touch panel or the like. When a user operates the operation unit 11, control information including a control value based on the operation is transmitted from the operation console 10.

[0012] The console storage unit 12 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The console storage unit 12 stores allocation information, the details of which will be described later.

[0013] The operator console setting unit 13 includes, for example, a display and buttons, and is used to set up the operator console 10. For example, a user sets up the operator console 10 by using the operator console setting unit 13 to create assignment information (patch information) that assigns identification information associated with the operation units 11 and control channels (DMX channels). The identification information here refers to, for example, an identification number assigned to each operation unit 11 to identify (distinguish) each of the operation units 11. The control channel here refers to a channel on the DMX data link and is an integer value between "1" and "512." For example, if the operator console 10 has four faders as the operation units 11, and each of the four faders is previously associated with a different identification information, F1, F2, F3, and F4, the user uses the operator console setting unit 13 to set which control channel to assign to each fader. For example, the user assigns control channel "1" to the F1 fader, control channel "5" to the F2 fader, control channel "9" to the F3 fader, and control channel "13" to the F4 fader. In this way, information that assigns identification information associated with the operation unit 11 and control channels (DMX channels) is the assignment information. Note that the operation console storage unit 12 may store default assignment information in advance, and in this case, a user who uses the default assignment information as is does not need to perform the above-mentioned work of creating assignment information.

[0014] The operator console 10 operates based on the allocation information, and when a certain operation unit 11 is operated, it transmits control information including a control value based on the operation amount of that operation unit 11 to the control channel assigned to that operation unit 11.

[0015] Next, the lighting device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting device 20. The lighting device 20 receives control information conforming to a predetermined standard, such as DMX512, from the console 10 and controls the illuminance, color, lighting range, etc. of the light emitted from the lighting device 20 according to the received control information, thereby performing lighting effects for a studio, a stage, etc. The lighting device 20 is connected to the DMX node 30 via a DMX cable and is arranged in a form in which it is suspended from a predetermined position by a baton or the like, or is placed stationary in a predetermined position. The lighting device 20 is, for example, a spotlight, a horizon light, or a floodlight. The lighting device 20 includes a light source unit 21, a lighting memory unit 22, a control unit 23, a lighting setting unit 24, a display unit 25, and a power supply unit 26. The lighting device 20 may also include a lighting communication unit (not shown in FIG. 2) and communicate with the console 10 via the lighting communication unit.

[0016] The light source unit 21 is a light source of the lighting device 20 and emits light upon receiving power output from the power supply unit 26. The light source unit 21 includes, for example, semiconductor light-emitting elements. The light source unit 21 may include a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits red light, a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits green light, and a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits blue light. The light source unit 21 may further include one or more of the following semiconductor light-emitting elements: a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits white light, a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits cyan light, a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits amber light, and a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits mint light. These semiconductor light-emitting elements may emit their respective colors by themselves, or may emit their respective colors in combination with a phosphor. In the following description, the light source unit 21 will be described as including LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as the semiconductor light-emitting elements.

[0017] The lighting storage unit 22 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. The lighting storage unit 22 stores DMX addresses (DMX start addresses) and lighting condition information (details will be described later). The DMX addresses may be set by physical operation using dip switches, etc. In this case, the lighting storage unit 22 does not need to store DMX addresses, and processing that uses DMX addresses is performed by referring to the setting state of the dip switches.

[0018] The control unit 23 is configured, for example, by a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. The control unit 23 is a computing device that executes various types of information processing, and includes, for example, electronic circuits such as a CPU and an MPU, and integrated circuits such as an ASIC and an FPGA. The control unit 23 has an internal memory for storing programs and control data that anticipate various processing procedures, and executes various processes using these. For example, the control unit 23 receives control information including DMX values ​​transmitted from the operation console 10, and converts the control information into a dimming signal such as PWM that can be received by the power supply unit 26 (described later) by referring to lighting condition information (described in detail later) stored in the lighting storage unit 22, and transmits the signal to the power supply unit 26. Note that the lighting storage unit 22 and the control unit 23 may be integrated into one unit, for example, in the form of a control unit.

[0019] The lighting setting unit 24 has at least one of a button, a dial, and a wheel, and by operating these, it is possible to switch the mode of the lighting device 20 and set lighting condition information (described in detail later). Note that the lighting control of the lighting device 20 may be performed by setting the lighting conditions by the lighting setting unit 24, in which case a user located near the lighting device 20 can manually control the lighting of the lighting device 20 without using the operation console 10.

[0020] The display unit 25 is, for example, a display, and is configured to be able to display the mode of the lighting device 20, lighting condition information, information required when the lighting setting unit 24 sets the control state of the lighting device 20, and the like.

[0021] The power supply unit 26 is configured, for example, by a substrate on which electronic components are mounted, etc. The power supply unit 26 receives a PWM signal or the like, which is a dimming signal controlled by the control unit 23, and outputs the output of the light-emitting unit 21 to the light-emitting unit 21 as a dimmable direct current.

[0022] It should be noted that a configuration may be adopted in which the functions of the illumination setting unit 24 and the display unit 25 are both realized by using a touch panel display.

[0023] Next, the lighting condition information will be described. The lighting condition information may be stored in advance in the lighting storage unit 22 when the lighting device 20 is shipped, or may be set (registered or updated) in the lighting device 20 using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20, and then stored in the lighting storage unit 22. Alternatively, the lighting condition information may be stored in advance outside the lighting device 20 (for example, the console storage unit 12 of the console 10, a cloud server, a storage medium, etc.), and the lighting device 20 may receive the lighting condition information from outside the lighting device 20 and store the lighting condition information in the lighting storage unit 22. Note that if the console storage unit 12 of the console 10 does not store the lighting condition information, or if the lighting condition information stored in the console storage unit 12 differs from the lighting condition information stored in the lighting device 20, the lighting condition information may be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the console 10, and the console 10 may store the received lighting condition information in the console storage unit 12.

[0024] An example of lighting condition information is shown in Figure 3. The lighting condition information is registered (stored in the lighting storage unit 22) for one control channel, with the DMX value or ratio, which is the input value to that control channel, associated with the function controlled by that control channel. Note that the lighting condition information may include both the DMX value and the ratio, or only one of them.

[0025] The DMX value here is, for example, a value output from the operator console 10 in response to operation of the operation unit 11 of the operator console 10, and is, for example, a numerical value in the range of 0 to 255. The DMX value is a value that corresponds to the operation ratio of the operation unit 11 and is transmitted from the operator console 10. For example, if the operation unit 11 is a fader, when the fader is moved to its maximum value, the operator console 10 transmits control information including a DMX value of 255 to the control channel associated with that fader. When the fader is moved to its minimum value, the operator console 10 transmits control information including a DMX value of 0 to the control channel associated with that fader. When the fader is moved to the midpoint between its maximum and minimum values, the operator console 10 transmits control information including a DMX value of 128 (or 127) to the control channel associated with that fader.

[0026] The percentage is a value set using the lighting setting unit 24 when controlling the light output from the light source unit 21 using only the lighting device 20 without using the operation console 10, and is, for example, a numerical value in the range of 0 to 100 (%).

[0027] The DMX value and the ratio are configured to have a correlation with each other. Specifically, the ratio corresponds to a value normalized by the maximum DMX value and the maximum ratio for any DMX value. In other words, the ratio corresponds to a value obtained by normalizing the maximum DMX value and the maximum ratio for a DMX value "X" x (maximum ratio / maximum DMX value). Conversely, the DMX value corresponds to a value normalized by the maximum DMX value and the maximum ratio for any ratio. In other words, the DMX value corresponds to a value obtained by normalizing the maximum DMX value and the maximum ratio for a ratio "Y" x (maximum DMX value / maximum ratio).

[0028] Furthermore, a function refers to an item to be controlled. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, control channel 1 is the intensity, i.e., the master dimming rate of the light source unit 21; in other words, it is a control channel that controls multiple light sources provided in the light source unit 21 collectively and sets the dimming rates of the multiple light sources collectively. Control channel 2 controls the red LED, i.e., the red LED, and sets the dimming rate of the red LED. Control channel 3 controls the green LED, i.e., the green LED, and sets the dimming rate of the green LED. Control channel 4 controls the blue LED, i.e., the blue LED, and sets the dimming rate of the blue LED.

[0029] 3 includes control channels that set the dimming rate of all light sources included in the light source unit 21 and each individual light source, and each control channel is assigned one function with a DMX value in the range of 0 to 255 and a rate in the range of 0 to 100%, and the input DMX value or rate is directly set as the dimming rate of the light source unit 21. Therefore, when each control channel is controlled by control information that is a DMX signal transmitted from the operation console 10, the dimming rate of the light source assigned to the function of that control channel is set based on the DMX value, and when each control channel is controlled by a value input in the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20, the dimming rate of the light source assigned to the function of that control channel is set based on the DMX value.

[0030] The lighting condition information is provided for each operation mode of the lighting device 20. For example, by selecting an operation mode of the lighting device 20 using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20, the lighting device 20 operates in that mode, and the lighting device 20 performs control based on the lighting condition information for that mode. Note that the lighting device 20 may be configured so that an arbitrary one of the operation modes is selected in advance when the lighting device 20 is powered on, or may be configured so that no operation mode is selected when the lighting device 20 is powered on, and the lighting device 20 is not controlled by a DMX value or a ratio.

[0031] The lighting condition information will be explained in detail below. The lighting condition information shown in Fig. 3 is lighting condition information when the operating mode is IRGB mode. IRGB mode is a mode in which I (Intensity: master dimming rate), R (Red: red LED dimming rate), G (Green: green LED dimming rate), and B (Blue: blue LED dimming rate) are each controlled by a different channel, and control is performed over four control channels.

[0032] 3, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value of 0 output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or when the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20 sets the ratio of control channel 2 to 0%, the red LED is controlled to a dimming rate of 0%, i.e., turned off, by referring to the lighting condition information for the currently operating IRGB mode stored in the lighting memory unit 22. Similarly, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value of 255 output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or when the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20 sets the ratio of control channel 2 to 100%, the lighting device 20 controls the red LED to a dimming rate of 255 (100%) by referring to the lighting condition information for the currently operating IRGB mode stored in the lighting memory unit 22. In other words, in this case, the red LED is turned on at the maximum dimming rate of the red LED specified by the lighting device 20 (for example, the absolute maximum rated current value of the red LED).

[0033] In this way, in the lighting device 20 operating in the IRGB mode associated with the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 3, when the DMX value "X" (X is a number in the range of 0 to 255) output from the operation console 10 is received, the red LED is controlled to have a dimming rate of X x (100 / 255)% of the maximum dimming rate defined by the lighting device 20. Also, when the ratio of control channel 2 is set to "Y"% (Y is a number in the range of 0 to 100) using the lighting setting unit 24, the red LED is controlled to have a dimming rate of Y% of the maximum dimming rate defined by the lighting device 20. Note that the lighting device 20 may be configured to calculate the dimming rate using a value obtained by multiplying the DMX value or ratio by a correction coefficient, or may be configured to calculate the final dimming rate by calculating the dimming rate from the DMX value or ratio and then multiplying it by the correction coefficient.

[0034] Control channel 3 for the green function and control channel 4 for the blue function operate in the same manner as control channel 2 for the red function. However, control channel 3 for the green function functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 3, or the ratio of control channel 3 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Control channel 4 for the blue function functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 4, or the ratio of control channel 4 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Furthermore, different conditions can be set for red, green, and blue as the conditions for achieving the maximum dimming rate specified by the lighting device 20. Then, the light color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 (a mixed light of each emitted color) is determined by setting the output of each emitted color (LED) using the functions of control channels 2, 3, and 4.

[0035] Thereafter, the function of control channel 1 controls the output (brightness) without significantly changing the light color (chromaticity) of the mixed color light emitted from the lighting device 20. Specifically, when a DMX value output from the operation console 10 is received by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 1, or when the ratio of control channel 1 is set using the lighting setting unit 24, the lighting device 20 references the lighting condition information of the currently operating IRGB mode stored in the lighting memory unit 22 and controls the light source unit 21 to change the output (brightness) of Red, Green, and Blue according to the received DMX value or the set ratio, while maintaining the current output ratio of Red, Green, and Blue set by the functions of control channels 2, 3, and 4.

[0036] In addition to the functions shown in Fig. 3, other functions that control single-color LEDs may include W (White) that controls white LEDs and sets the dimming rate of the white LEDs, C (Cyan) that controls cyan LEDs and sets the dimming rate of the cyan LEDs, A (Amber) that controls amber LEDs and sets the dimming rate of the amber LEDs, and M (Mint: dimming rate of the mint LEDs) that controls mint LEDs and sets the dimming rate of the mint LEDs. These functions may be assigned to different control channels from the functions shown in Fig. 3, or may be assigned to the same control channel and configured so that the functions that operate change depending on the DMX value or rate.

[0037] Such operating mode and lighting condition information allows the user (the person who intends to control the lighting device 20; the same applies below) to adjust the output of each light source (LED) individually, and also makes it possible to adjust the output of the mixed color light without significantly changing the color of the created mixed color light, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in controlling the lighting device 20.

[0038] Another embodiment of the lighting condition information is shown in Fig. 4. The lighting condition information shown in Fig. 4 is lighting condition information in the user color mode operation mode. In the user color mode, the user sets any light color to be emitted from the light source unit 21 as UserColor (UserColor1 to 4 in Fig. 4), and the light source unit 21 emits light of the set UserColor according to the DMX value and ratio to the control channel of the UserColor function, and the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 4 is controlled by two control channels.

[0039] 4, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value of 0 output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or when the lighting setting unit 24 is used to set the ratio of control channel 2 to 0%, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information for the currently active user color mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22 and controls the light source unit 21 to turn off. Similarly, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value in the range of 1 to 64, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set to a range of 1 to 25%, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to emit light of the light color set as UserColor1. Similarly, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value in the range of 65 to 128, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set to a range of 26 to 50%, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to emit light of the light color set as UserColor2. Similarly, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 129 to 192 is received, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set within the range of 51 to 75%, the light source unit 21 of the lighting device 20 is controlled to emit light of the light color set as UserColor3. Similarly, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 193 to 255 is received, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set within the range of 76 to 100%, the light source unit 21 of the lighting device 20 is controlled to emit light of the light color set as UserColor4. In this way, the function of control channel 2 determines which UserColor is to be emitted from the light source unit 21.

[0040] Thereafter, the output (brightness) of the UserColor emitted from the light source unit 21 is controlled by the function of control channel 1. Specifically, when a DMX value output from the operation console 10 is received by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 1, or when the ratio of control channel 1 is set using the lighting setting unit 24, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information of the currently active user color mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22, and is controlled to change the output (brightness) of the UserColor emitted from the light source unit 21 according to the received DMX value or the set ratio.

[0041] A modified example of the lighting condition information for the user color mode is shown in Fig. 5. In the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 5, one UserColor is assigned to one control channel, and control is performed using four control channels, each assigned a different UserColor.

[0042] When lighting fixture 20 operating in the user color mode of the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 5 receives control information including a DMX value output from operation console 10 by operating operation unit 11 associated with control channel 1, or when the ratio of control channel 1 is set using lighting setting unit 24, lighting device 20 references the lighting condition information for the currently active user color mode stored in lighting storage unit 22 and controls light source unit 21 to emit light of the light color set as UserColor1 at an output (brightness) based on the received DMX value or the set ratio. For example, when the DMX value is 0 (the ratio is 0%), light source unit 21 is controlled to turn off. When the DMX value is 255 (the ratio is 100%), light source unit 21 is controlled to emit light of UserColor1 at the maximum dimming ratio of UserColor1 specified by lighting device 20 (dimming ratio is 100%). That is, when the DMX value is "X" (X is a number in the range of 0 to 255), the light source unit 21 is controlled to emit light of UserColor1 at a dimming rate of X × (100 / 255)% of the maximum dimming rate of UserColor1 defined by the lighting device 20. Also, when the ratio is set to "Y" % (Y is a number in the range of 0 to 100), the light source unit 21 is controlled to emit light of UserColor1 at a dimming rate of Y% of the maximum dimming rate of UserColor1 defined by the lighting device 20. Here, the maximum dimming rate of UserColor1 defined by the lighting device 20 is, for example, the dimming rate at which an LED with the lowest absolute maximum rated current value among the LEDs that light up when emitting UserColor1 is driven at the absolute maximum rated current value. The lighting device 20 may be configured to calculate the target dimming rate by multiplying the input DMX value or rate by a correction coefficient, or may be configured to calculate the final dimming rate by first calculating the dimming rate from the input DMX value or rate and then multiplying it by a correction coefficient.

[0043] Control channel 2 for the UserColor2 function, control channel 3 for the UserColor3 function, and control channel 4 for the UserColor4 function operate in the same manner as control channel 1 for the UserColor1 function. However, control channel 2 for the UserColor2 function functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or the ratio of control channel 2 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Control channel 3 for the UserColor3 function functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 3, or the ratio of control channel 3 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Control channel 4 for the UserColor4 function functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 4, or the ratio of control channel 4 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Furthermore, the conditions for achieving the maximum dimming rate specified by the lighting device 20 can be set differently for UserColor1 to 4. Then, the functions of control channels 1 to 4 determine the UserColor to be emitted from light source unit 21 and the output (brightness) of that UserColor.

[0044] Furthermore, in the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 5, a control channel to which the Intensity function is assigned may exist. In this case, the control channel to which the UserColor is assigned is used only to select the UserColor. For example, when the DMX value or ratio is 0 (0%), that UserColor is not emitted, and when the DMX value or ratio is not 0 (0%), the light of that UserColor is emitted. After setting which UserColor to emit, the output (brightness) of the UserColor to be emitted is set by the control channel to which the Intensity function is assigned.

[0045] In the lighting device 20 operating in the user color mode of the lighting condition information shown in Figure 5, a case where a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to two or more control channels will be described. Note that, as an example, a case where a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to control channel 1 and control channel 2 will be described here, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0046] If a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to two or more control channels, the lighting device 20 will determine that the control channel with the larger input DMX value or ratio is valid. For example, if a DMX value of 10 is input to control channel 1 of the lighting device 20 and a DMX value of 20 is input to control channel 2, the lighting device 20 will determine that control channel 2 is valid and will control the light source unit 21 to emit light of UserColor2 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 20.

[0047] In another embodiment, when a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to two or more control channels, the lighting device 20 determines the control channel to which the last DMX value or ratio is input as valid. For example, if a DMX value of 10 is input to control channel 1 of the lighting device 20 (at this time, the lighting device 20 may be emitting light of UserColor1 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 10), and a DMX value of 20 is input to control channel 2 later, the lighting device 20 determines control channel 2 as valid and controls the light source unit 21 to emit light of UserColor2 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 20 (so-called last priority). Conversely, the control channel to which the last DMX value or ratio is input may be determined to be invalid (so-called first priority).

[0048] In another embodiment, when a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to two or more control channels, the lighting device 20 stops emitting light from the light source unit 21 and determines the next control channel to which a value other than 0 is input as valid. For example, if a DMX value of 10 is input to control channel 1 of the lighting device 20 and a DMX value of 20 is input to control channel 2, the lighting device 20 will not emit either UserColor1 assigned to control channel 1 or UserColor2 assigned to control channel 2. If a DMX value other than 0 (for example, a DMX value of 30) is input to control channel 2 of the lighting device 20, the lighting device 20 will determine that control channel 2 is valid and control the light source unit 21 to emit light of UserColor2 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 30. Note that in this embodiment, the lighting device 20 may determine the next control channel to which a DMX value or ratio of 0 is input as invalid, and if there is only one control channel that is not invalid, determine that control channel as valid.

[0049] In another embodiment, when DMX values ​​or ratios greater than 0 are input to two or more control channels, the lighting device 20 will simply emit the UserColors assigned to the control channels to which the DMX values ​​greater than 0 are input. When a DMX value of 10 is input to control channel 1 of the lighting device 20 and a DMX value of 20 is input to control channel 2, the lighting device 20 will emit mixed color light that is a mixture of UserColor1 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 10 and UserColor2 with a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 20. In this case, the lighting device 20 may create mixed color light by quickly blinking the multiple UserColors so that each UserColor lights up at a different timing.

[0050] Furthermore, when emitting this mixed color light, multiple UserColors may be lit at the same time, but if there is a light-emitting element that is lit in common when emitting each of the multiple UserColors, the brightness of that UserColor will be matched to the UserColor with the highest input DMX value or percentage. For example, if a DMX value of 10 is input to control channel 1 of the lighting device 20 and a DMX value of 20 is input to control channel 2, and a blue light-emitting element is lit when emitting UserColor1 and when emitting UserColor2, the lighting device 20 will emit mixed color light that mixes UserColor1, which has a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 20, and UserColor2, which has a brightness equivalent to a DMX value of 20. Note that the brightness of the UserColor may also be matched to the UserColor with the lowest input DMX value or percentage.

[0051] Each User Color in the above-described User Color Mode can be arbitrarily set (registered) by the user. The User Color may be set, for example, by displaying a User Color setting screen on the display unit 25 of the lighting device 20 and operating the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20 to set the output of each light-emitting color (LED) of the lighting device 20. The User Color may also be set to the current lighting conditions of the lighting device 20. That is, the lighting device 20 is controlled to light up in a desired light-emitting color by operating the lighting setting unit 24 or external control information, and the light-emitting color currently illuminated by the lighting device 20 is set (registered) as the User Color by operating the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. The number of User Colors selectable and settable in the User Color Mode may be one to three, or five or more.

[0052] Such operation mode and lighting condition information allows the user to arbitrarily set UserColor, and the user can also arbitrarily set the order in which UserColors are registered, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in controlling the lighting device 20.

[0053] Another embodiment of the lighting condition information is shown in FIG. 6. The lighting condition information shown in FIG. 6 is lighting condition information in the filter mode. The filter here refers to a color filter used to change the light color in a lighting device equipped with a halogen bulb for stage studios. Each color filter was identified by its assigned filter number (e.g., #140, #16, etc.). If lighting device 20 is equipped with LEDs of multiple colors and is configured to emit multiple different colors, it is possible to reproduce (irradiate) the light that was emitted using a conventional filter without using a filter. The filter mode is a mode in which lighting device 20 reproduces (irradiates) the light color of light that was emitted using a lighting device equipped with a halogen bulb and a color filter. Hereinafter, light that is reproduced using an LED to match the light color emitted by a combination of a lighting device equipped with a conventional halogen bulb and a color filter is referred to as filter color. For example, light that is reproduced using an LED to match the light color emitted by a combination of a lighting device equipped with a conventional halogen bulb and a color filter #140 is referred to as filter color #140. In the filter mode, the lighting device 20 emits a set filter color according to the output value of the control channel to which the filter function is assigned, and in the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 6, control is performed by two control channels.

[0054] 6, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value of 0 output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or when the lighting setting unit 24 is used to set the ratio of control channel 2 to 0%, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information for the currently active filter mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22 and controls the light source unit 21 to turn off. Similarly, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value in the range of 1 to 64, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set to a range of 1 to 25%, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to emit filter color #140. Similarly, when the lighting device 20 receives control information including a DMX value in the range of 65 to 128, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set to a range of 26 to 50%, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to emit filter color #16. Similarly, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 129 to 192 is received, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set within the range of 51 to 75%, the light source unit 21 of the lighting device 20 is controlled to emit filter color #22. Similarly, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 193 to 255 is received, or when the ratio of control channel 2 is set within the range of 76 to 100%, the light source unit 21 of the lighting device 20 is controlled to emit filter color #31. In this way, the filter color to be emitted from the light source unit 21 is determined by the function of control channel 2.

[0055] Thereafter, the output (brightness) of the filter color emitted from the light source unit 21 is controlled by the function of the control channel 1. Specifically, when a DMX value output from the operation console 10 is received by operating the operation unit 11 associated with the control channel 1, or when the ratio of the control channel 1 is set using the lighting setting unit 24, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information of the currently operating filter mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22, and is controlled to change the output (brightness) of the filter color emitted from the light source unit 21 according to the received DMX value or the set ratio.

[0056] A modified example of the lighting condition information for the filter mode is shown in Fig. 7. In the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 7, one filter color is assigned to one control channel, and control is performed by four control channels, each assigned a different filter color.

[0057] When lighting fixture 20 operating in the filter mode of the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 7 receives control information including a DMX value output from console 10 by operating operation unit 11 associated with control channel 1, or when the ratio of control channel 1 is set using lighting setting unit 24, lighting device 20 references the lighting condition information for the currently active filter mode stored in lighting storage unit 22 and controls light source unit 21 to emit filter color #140 at an output (brightness) based on the received DMX value or the set ratio. For example, when the DMX value is 0 (the ratio is 0%), light source unit 21 is controlled to turn off. When the DMX value is 255 (the ratio is 100%), light source unit 21 is controlled to emit filter color #140 at the maximum dimming ratio (dimming ratio 100%) of filter color #140 specified by lighting device 20. That is, when the DMX value is "X" (X is a number in the range of 0 to 255), the light source unit 21 is controlled to irradiate the filter color of #140 at a dimming rate of X × (100 / 255)% with respect to the maximum dimming rate of the filter color of #140 defined by the lighting device 20. Also, when the ratio is set to "Y" % (Y is a number in the range of 0 to 100), the light source unit 21 is controlled to irradiate the filter color of #140 at a dimming rate of Y% with respect to the maximum dimming rate of the filter color of #140 defined by the lighting device 20. Here, the maximum dimming rate of the filter color of #140 defined by the lighting device 20 is, for example, the dimming rate at which an LED having the lowest absolute maximum rated current value among the LEDs that are turned on when irradiating the filter color of #140 is driven at the absolute maximum rated current value. The lighting device 20 may be configured to calculate the target dimming rate by multiplying the input DMX value or rate by a correction coefficient, or may be configured to calculate the final dimming rate by first calculating the dimming rate from the input DMX value or rate and then multiplying it by a correction coefficient.

[0058] Control channel 2 of the filter color function #16, control channel 3 of the filter color UserColor3 function #22, and control channel 4 of the filter color function #31 operate in the same manner as control channel 1 of the filter color function #140. However, control channel 2 of the filter color function #16 functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or the ratio of control channel 2 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Control channel 3 of the filter color function #22 functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 3, or the ratio of control channel 3 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Control channel 4 of the filter color function #31 functions according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operation of the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 4, or the ratio of control channel 4 set using the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20. Furthermore, different conditions can be set for each filter color as the condition for achieving the maximum dimming rate specified by the lighting device 20. Then, the filter color to be irradiated from the light source unit 21 and the output (brightness) of that filter color are determined by the functions of the control channels 1 to 4.

[0059] In addition, in the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 7, a control channel to which the Intensity function is assigned may exist. In this case, the control channel to which the filter color is assigned is used only to select the filter color. For example, when the DMX value or ratio is 0 (0%), the filter color is not emitted, and when the DMX value or ratio is not 0 (0%), the light of that filter color is emitted. After setting which filter color to emit, the output (brightness) of the filter color to be emitted is set by the control channel to which the Intensity function is assigned.

[0060] Note that even in the lighting device 20 operating in the filter mode of the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 7, when a DMX value or ratio greater than 0 is input to two or more control channels, the lighting device 20 will behave in the same manner as the lighting device 20 operating in the user color mode of the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the user colors appearing in the operation of the lighting device 20 operating in the user color mode of the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 5 can be interpreted as being replaced with filter colors.

[0061] The user can arbitrarily set (register) each filter color in the above-described filter mode. For example, the lighting storage unit 22 of the lighting device 20 may store a filter color and the output (brightness) of each LED when emitting that filter color in association with each other. The user may then select any filter color from multiple filter colors displayed on the display unit 25 of the lighting device 20 and assign it to any control channel. Furthermore, the filter colors selectable and settable in the filter mode are, for example, 19 polycolors: #16, #22, #31, #38, #41, #57, #59, #63, #64, #65, #71, #72, #77, #78, #84, #86, #87, #88, and #140. However, other filter colors may also be selectable and settable. Furthermore, the number of selectable filter colors in the filter mode may be one to three, or five or more. The user may also be able to arbitrarily set which filter color is emitted when the DMX value or ratio falls within a certain range.

[0062] Such operation mode and lighting condition information allows the user to easily irradiate the filter color. In addition, the user can arbitrarily set the filter color and the order in which the filter colors are registered, which increases the degree of freedom in controlling the lighting device 20.

[0063] Another embodiment of the lighting condition information is shown in Fig. 8. The lighting condition information shown in Fig. 8 is lighting condition information in the fade time mode of operation. In the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 8, the Intensity function is assigned to control channel 1, and the fade time function is assigned to control channel 2, and control is performed using the two control channels.

[0064] Fade time is a parameter that represents the transient response characteristics of the actual light output in response to a dimming signal that changes the output of the light source unit 21 of the lighting device 20, and is a parameter that represents the time characteristics during dimming of the lighting device 20. Details of fade time will be explained using FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the process from when control information (dimming signal) to change the dimming rate to B% is input to lighting device 20 emitting a given light color at a dimming rate of A%, until the change in the dimming rate is completed. In FIG. 9, control information (dimming signal) is input to lighting device 20 at timing C. The change in dimming ratio at a fade time of 0 seconds (FT: 0s) is shown by a dotted line, the change in dimming ratio at a fade time of 0.1 seconds (FT: 0.1s) is shown by a dashed line, the change in dimming ratio at a fade time of 0.6 seconds (FT: 0.6s) is shown by a dashed-dotted line, and the change in dimming ratio at a fade time of 1.0 seconds (FT: 1.0s) is shown by a solid line.

[0065] When the fade time is 0 seconds (FT: 0 s), the lighting device 20 completes the change in dimming rate from A% to B% in less than 0.1 seconds after receiving the control information (dimming signal). This "less than 0.1 seconds" may be, for example, 0.01 seconds or 0 seconds. Similarly, when the fade time is 0.1 seconds (FT: 0.1 s), the lighting device 20 completes the change in dimming rate from A% to B% in 0.1 seconds after receiving the control information (dimming signal). Similarly, when the fade time is 0.6 seconds (FT: 0.6 s), the lighting device 20 completes the change in dimming rate from A% to B% in 0.6 seconds after receiving the control information (dimming signal). Similarly, when the fade time is 1.0 second (FT: 1.0 s), the change in dimming rate from A% to B% in lighting device 20 is completed 1.0 second after receiving the control information (dimming signal). In this way, the fade time can be used to adjust the time from when lighting device 20 receives the control information (dimming signal) to when dimming based on the dimming signal is completed.

[0066] In the lighting device 20 operating in the fade time mode of the lighting condition information shown in Figure 8, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 0 to 40 output from the operation console 10 is received by operating the operation unit 11 associated with control channel 2, or when the lighting setting unit 24 is used to set the ratio of control channel 2 to a range of 0 to 16%, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information of the currently operating fade time mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22 and controls the light source unit 21 to operate with a fade time of less than 0.1 seconds. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 41 to 84 output from the operation console 10 is received, or when the ratio of the control channel is set to a range of 17 to 33%, the light source unit 21 is controlled to operate with a fade time of 0.1 seconds. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 85 to 128 output from the operation console 10 is received, or when the ratio of the control channel is set to a range of 34 to 50%, the light source unit 21 is controlled to operate with a fade time of 0.3 seconds. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 129 to 171 output from the operator console 10 is received, or the control channel ratio is set to a range of 51 to 67%, the light source unit 21 is controlled to operate with a fade time of 0.6 seconds. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 172 to 215 output from the operator console 10 is received, or the control channel ratio is set to a range of 68 to 84%, the light source unit 21 is controlled to operate with a fade time of 1.0 seconds. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 216 to 255 output from the operator console 10 is received, or the control channel ratio is set to a range of 85 to 100%, the light source unit 21 is controlled to operate with a fade time of 1.5 seconds.

[0067] When the output (dimming ratio) of the light source unit 21 is controlled to change by the DMX value output from the operation console 10 through operation of the operation unit 11 associated with the control channel 1 to which the Intensity function is assigned, or by the ratio of the control channel 1 set using the lighting setting unit 24, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to satisfy the fade time conditions set by the control channel 2.

[0068] By using such operation mode and lighting condition information, even in lighting device 20 that uses LEDs as a light source, which has a fast response in light output to power supply, it is possible to set the fade time and slowly turn the light on and off in the same way as lighting devices that use conventional halogen bulbs. Also, it becomes possible for the user to set the desired fade time, which increases the degree of freedom in controlling lighting device 20.

[0069] Also, a modified example of lighting condition information in fade time mode is shown in Fig. 10. In the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 8, a plurality of predetermined fade times are assigned to the control channels, and the user is configured to select from a plurality of predetermined fade times when setting the fade time, but in the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 10, the user can set a fade time of any value. In the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 10, the Intensity function is assigned to control channel 1, and the fade time function is assigned to control channel 2 with a DMX value of 0-255 and a percentage of 0%-100%, and control is performed using two control channels.

[0070] In the lighting device 20 operating in the fade time mode of the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 10, the fade time is set according to the DMX value output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with the control channel 2, or according to the ratio of the control channel 2 set using the lighting setting unit 24. For example, if the DMX value is 255 (the ratio is 100%), the fade time is 1 second (when the conversion formula is a formula that converts 255 to 1 second or a formula that converts 100% to 1 second). In this case, according to the same conversion formula, if the DMX value is 127 (the ratio is 50%), the fade time is 0.5 seconds. The conversion formula is not limited to the one described above, and any formula can be applied. In this way, by converting the output value of the control channel into a fade time, a configuration can be realized in which the user can freely set the fade time, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in controlling the lighting device 20.

[0071] The dimming rate fluctuation characteristic, which is a transition line when the dimming rate changes from A to B, may have a constant (linear) change per unit time, as shown in FIG. 9, or may not have a constant change per unit time. If the change per unit time is not constant, the dimming rate changes, for example, following an exponential curve-like transition line from A% to B%. The dimming rate fluctuation characteristic may be predetermined, or may be configured to be user-configurable. User-configurable dimming rate fluctuation characteristics can be achieved, for example, by assigning the dimming rate fluctuation characteristic to a control channel. For example, the dimming rate fluctuation characteristic may be assigned to a control channel, and when the DMX value output by the operation unit 11 associated with the control channel is 0 to 127 or when the dimming rate fluctuation characteristic function ratio set using the lighting setting unit 24 is 0 to 50%, the dimming rate fluctuation characteristic is configured to be a straight line (linear) when the DMX value is 128 to 255 (when the ratio is 51% to 100%). It should be noted that there may be three or more types of dimming rate fluctuation characteristics that can be set.

[0072] Another embodiment of the lighting condition information is shown in FIG. 11. The lighting condition information shown in FIG. 11 is lighting condition information in a fade strobe mode (hereinafter referred to as FS mode) operation mode, which has a fade time function and a strobe function. The strobe function is a function that causes the light source unit 21 to flash at high speed. In the lighting device 20 operating in the FS mode of the lighting condition information shown in FIG. 12, when control information including a DMX value in the range of 0 to 127 output from the operation console 10 by operating the operation unit 11 associated with the control channel 3 is received, or when the ratio of the control channel 3 is set to a range of 0 to 50% using the lighting setting unit 24, the lighting device 20 refers to the lighting condition information for the currently operating FS mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22 and controls the light source unit 21 to operate without a strobe. Similarly, when a DMX value in the range of 128 to 255 output from the operation console 10 is received, or when the ratio of the control channel is set to a range of 51 to 100%, the lighting device 20 controls the light source unit 21 to operate with a strobe. Strobe operations include normal strobes that turn on and off like a regular square wave, opening pulse strobes that take time to rise (when turned on), closing pulse strobes that take time to fall (when turned off), random strobes that turn on and off like a random square wave, etc. The strobe operation to be selected may be configured to be configurable by DMX values ​​or ratios.

[0073] In the lighting device 20 operating in the FS mode of the lighting condition information shown in Fig. 12, when control information enabling the strobe function is input to control channel 3, the strobe function is executed with priority, regardless of the DMX value or ratio input to control channel 2 to which the fade time is assigned. For example, if the fade time is set to 1 second by control channel 2 and an opening pulse strobe with a rise time of 0.5 seconds is enabled by control channel 3, the light source unit 21 in the lighting device 20 is controlled to operate as an opening pulse strobe with a rise time of 0.5 seconds. In this way, the lighting device 20 may be configured so that the set fade time does not function depending on the state of a control channel to which a function different from the fade time is assigned. Here, a function different from the fade time refers to a function that includes an element of rise time or fall time, such as a strobe function.

[0074] Next, a description will be given of the control flow of the lighting device 20 in the lighting system 1 of this embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the following description will be given of the control flow when one lighting device 20 is controlled using one console 10.

[0075] First, set the DMX address of the lighting device 20. The user sets the DMX address by operating the lighting setting unit 24 while checking the display on the display unit 25 of the lighting device 20, or by using the DIP switches. An integer between "1" and "512" can be set as the DMX address.

[0076] Next, the mode of the lighting device 20 is set. The user operates the lighting setting unit 24 of the lighting device 20 while checking the display on the display unit 25 to set the mode of the lighting device 20. The modes set by the lighting device 20 include, for example, a control mode and an operation mode. There are two control modes: DMX mode and manual mode. In DMX mode, the lighting device 20 is remotely controlled by control information including DMX values ​​transmitted from the operation unit 11 of the operation console 10 based on the operation of the operation unit 11 of the operation console 10. In manual mode, the lighting device 20 is locally controlled based on control information including a ratio input via the lighting setting unit 24. Operation modes include the IRGB mode, user color mode, filter mode, and fade time mode introduced in the lighting condition information section. Multiple operation modes are provided for both the DMX mode and the manual mode, and the user selects the control mode and then the operation mode. By selecting the control mode and the operation mode, the lighting condition information to be referenced when control information is input to the lighting device 20 is specified.

[0077] Next, in the operator console 10, the dimming console setting unit is used to create assignment information between the fader identification information of the operation unit 11 and the control channels (patch work). Note that if default assignment information stored in the operator console storage unit 12 is used, it is not necessary to create this assignment information. In the following, it is assumed that the operator console storage unit 12 of the operator console 10 stores the assignment information shown in FIG. 12 as the default assignment information or the created assignment information. That is, the operator console 10 has four faders, and the fader with fader identification number F1 is assigned to control channel "1," the fader with fader identification number F2 is assigned to control channel "2," the fader with fader identification number F3 is assigned to control channel "3," and the fader with fader identification number F4 is assigned to control channel "4." For example, when the operation unit 11 (fader with fader identification number F1) to which control channel "1" of the operation console 10 is assigned is operated, control information including a DMX value corresponding to that operation is transmitted to control channel "1" of the lighting device 20.

[0078] The above-mentioned setting of the DMX address of the lighting device 20, setting of the mode of the lighting device 20, and creation of the allocation information of the operation unit 11 may be performed in any order.

[0079] 13 shows a flow on the lighting device 20 side in controlling the lighting device 20. First, the control unit 23 of the lighting device 20 receives the control information transmitted from the operation console 10 (step S1). At this time, if the control mode is manual mode and the control information has been input by the lighting setting unit 24, it is clear that the control information is intended for the lighting device 20 itself, so the control unit 23 receives it as is and proceeds to the next step. Then, if the control mode is DMX mode and the control information has been transmitted from the operation console 10, the control unit 23 determines whether or not to perform control based on the received control information. Note that the control information transmitted from the operation console 10 is received by, for example, a lighting communication unit of the lighting device 20, and the control unit 23 receives the control information from the lighting communication unit.

[0080] When the control mode is DMX mode and the control information is transmitted from the operation console 10, the control unit 23 compares the DMX address and operation mode of the lighting device 20 with the destination of the control signal transmitted from the operation console 10, and determines whether to perform control based on the control information. At this time, the control unit 23 determines to perform control if the control information transmitted from the DMX address of the lighting device 20 is for the control channels that are the same as the control channels used for control in the operating mode. Specifically, for example, when the DMX address of the lighting device 20 is "1" and the lighting device 20 is operating in DMX mode and the IRGB mode shown in FIG. 3, it is specified that four control channels are used in the IRGB mode. Therefore, if the control information is received from the operation unit 11 to which control channels "1" to "4" are assigned, control based on that control information is performed, but if the control information is received from the operation unit 11 to which control channels "5" or more are assigned, control based on that control information is not performed. For example, if the DMX address of the lighting device 20 is "7" and the lighting device 20 is operating in DMX mode and IRGB mode shown in FIG. 3, control will be performed based on the control information from the operation unit 11 to which control channels "71" to "10" are assigned.

[0081] Next, the control unit 23 determines the control content (step S2). Here, the control unit 23 determines the control content by referring to the lighting condition information of the currently active operation mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22. Specifically, for example, if the DMX address of the lighting device 20 is "1" and the lighting device 20 is operating in the DMX mode and the IRGB mode shown in FIG. 3, and the control unit 23 receives control information based on the operation of the operation unit 11 (fader with fader identification number F1) to which control channel "1" of the operation console 10 is assigned, the control unit 23 refers to the lighting condition information of the currently active IRGB mode stored in the lighting storage unit 22 and determines that the control information is for Intensity of control channel 1. Similarly, if the control unit 23 receives control information based on the operation of the operation unit 11 to which control channel "2" is assigned, the control unit 23 determines that the control information is for Red of control channel 2. Similarly, if the control unit 23 receives control information based on the operation of the operation unit 11 to which control channel "3" is assigned, the control unit 23 determines that the control information is for Green of control channel 3. Similarly, if the control unit 23 receives control information based on the operation of the operation unit 11 to which control channel "4" is assigned, the control unit 23 determines that the control information is for Blue of control channel 4. Then, the control content is determined by referring to the function of the target control channel according to the DMX value based on the operation of each operation unit 11 or the ratio inputted by the lighting setting unit 24.

[0082] Next, the control unit 23 transmits the determined control content as a control command to the power supply unit 26 (step S3). The power supply unit 26, which has received the control command, controls the power supplied to the light source unit 21 based on the control command (step S4). The light source unit 21 then emits light based on the power. If a fade time is set as the operation mode, the control unit 23 transmits a control command including the set fade time information to the power supply unit 26, for example. The fade time is then realized by changing the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 26 to the light source unit 21 and its timing based on the fade time information. In other words, the fade time is realized by the adjustment in step S4. Note that the fade time may also be realized by the adjustment in step S3. In this case, the control unit 23 adjusts the control command to be transmitted to the power supply unit 26 and its timing based on the set fade time information.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the operating modes are subdivided into IRGB mode, user color mode, filter mode, and fade time mode. However, these modes may be combined into a single mode. In this case, the user may be able to freely set which functions are assigned to the control channels of that mode. Configuring lighting device 20 in this way allows the user to combine only the functions they want to use into a single mode, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in control.

[0084] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Lighting system 10 Control console 11 Control section 12 Console memory section 13 Control console setting section 20 Lighting equipment 21 Light source section 22 Lighting memory section 23 Control Unit 24 Lighting Settings 25 Display section 26 Power supply section

Claims

1. a light source unit having a light emitting element; a storage unit that stores lighting condition information in which a fade time indicating a time characteristic of dimming of the light source unit according to an input value is associated with a first control channel; a control unit that determines the fade time by referring to lighting condition information stored in the storage unit according to an input value to the first control channel, and controls lighting of the light source unit so as to follow a curved transition line and satisfy the fade time; Equipped with the lighting condition information stores an output of a first function corresponding to an input value in association with a second control channel; A lighting device characterized in that, when the first function is controlled in a predetermined state in accordance with an input value to the second control channel, the control unit does not reflect in the control a fade time determined in accordance with an input value to the first control channel.

2. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting condition information stored in the storage unit includes a plurality of pieces of information associating input values ​​within a predetermined range with fade times.

3. the lighting condition information stores the curved transition line shape corresponding to the input value in association with a third control channel; The control unit controls the lighting of the light source unit so as to follow the curved transition line shape according to the input value to the third control channel and satisfy the fade time.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1.

Images