Lighting control device and lighting control system

Abstract

To provide an illumination control device and an illumination control system, capable of relatively gripping a content of an operation performed in both of the illumination control device and a support device in the case where a control of a lighting state of a plurality of illumination fixtures is performed with the support device.SOLUTION: An illumination control device comprises: an operation part; a control part that stores control information for controlling a lighting state of each of a plurality of lighting fixtures, and controls each lighting state of the plurality of lighting fixtures in accordance with an operation of an operation part by transmitting a control signal corresponded to the control information towed the plurality of lighting fixtures and editing a content of the control information on the basis of operation information in accordance with the operation of the operation part; and a communication part that performs a communication with a support device supporting the control of each lighting state of the plurality of lighting fixtures. The control part performs a communication with the support device, and shares an edition of the control information with the support device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control device and a lighting control system.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a lighting control device that controls the lighting states of a plurality of lighting fixtures installed in a television studio, a stage, or the like. The lighting control device may be called, for example, a dimming console.

[0003] The lighting control device may control the lighting states of a plurality of lighting fixtures together with an assistance device. For example, another lighting control device may be used as the assistance device, and the lighting states of a plurality of lighting fixtures may be controlled by two lighting control devices. For example, control signals output from two lighting control devices are synthesized by a signal synthesizing device, and the synthesized control signal is transmitted to a plurality of lighting fixtures. Thereby, the lighting states of a plurality of lighting fixtures can be controlled by sharing the work between two lighting control devices.

[0004] However, in the configuration in which control signals output from two lighting control devices are synthesized by a signal synthesizing device as described above, the content of an operation performed by one lighting control device cannot be grasped by the other lighting control device.

[0005] For example, when a predetermined lighting fixture is lit by one lighting control device, there is a possibility that the other lighting control device cannot grasp that the lighting fixture is lit. In addition, in the lighting control device, control information used in a predetermined scene or the like may be created in advance, and the lighting states of a plurality of lighting fixtures may be controlled by reproducing the created control information. At this time, the other lighting control device cannot grasp the control information created by one lighting control device. Therefore, in order to reproduce the control information created by one lighting control device by the other lighting control device, for example, it is necessary to transfer the created control information to the other lighting control device via a storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0006] Furthermore, a lighting control device may also use a support device, such as a personal computer with software installed to control each lighting fixture. In this case as well, the lighting control device cannot know the details of the operations performed by the support device. Moreover, the support device cannot know the details of the operations performed by the lighting control device.

[0007] Therefore, in lighting control devices and lighting control systems using them, when controlling the lighting status of multiple lighting fixtures together with a support device, it is desirable that the content of operations performed by the lighting control device and the support device be mutually understood. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-117566 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting control device and a lighting control system that, when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures together with a support device, allow mutual understanding of the operations performed by the lighting control device and the support device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the embodiment, a lighting control device for controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures comprises: an operation unit for inputting operation instructions; a control unit that stores control information for controlling the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the multiple lighting fixtures to set each of the multiple lighting fixtures to a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and edits the content of the control information based on the operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit to control the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures in accordance with the operation of the operation unit; and a communication unit that communicates with a support device that assists in controlling the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures, wherein the support device is capable of storing and editing the stored control information, and the control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the editing of the control information with the support device so that the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures can be controlled in accordance with the operation performed by the support device, and the operation performed by the operation unit and the operation performed by the support device can be mutually understood by the support device. The control unit sends and receives the operation information with the support device, and edits the control information based on the operation information of both devices, thereby sharing the edited control information with the support device. A lighting control device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] When controlling the lighting status of multiple lighting fixtures in conjunction with a support device, a lighting control device and a lighting control system are provided that allow mutual understanding of the operations performed by the lighting control device and the support device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram representing the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing a modified example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing a modified example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Please note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationships between the thickness and width of each part, as well as the ratios of the sizes of the parts, are not necessarily identical to those of reality. Furthermore, even when representing the same part, the dimensions and ratios may differ between drawings. In this specification and in each figure, elements similar to those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a lighting control system according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the lighting control system 10 comprises a lighting control device 11 and a support device 12. The lighting control system 10 is used, for example, in a television studio or a stage. The lighting control device 11 controls the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 installed in the television studio or stage. The support device 12 assists the lighting control device 11 in controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2.

[0015] The multiple lighting fixtures 2 have, for example, a dimming function to change the brightness of the emitted light, a color adjustment function to change the color of the emitted light to any desired color, and a color temperature variable function to change the color temperature of the emitted light. The lighting control device 11 controls, for example, the on / off state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, the brightness of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, the color of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, and the color temperature of the light emitted from each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The lighting control device 11 performs lighting effects in studios, stages, etc., by changing the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 according to the scene, such as a studio or a stage.

[0016] The lighting control device 11 may also be called, for example, a dimming console. The support device 12 is, for example, another dimming console installed in another studio. The lighting control device 11 is, in other words, the first lighting control device, and the support device 12 is, in other words, the second lighting control device. In the lighting control system 10, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 are configured to share the control of the lighting states of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2. For example, it is possible to operate such that the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 2 on the upper side of the stage is controlled by the lighting control device 11, while the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 2 on the lower side of the stage is controlled by the support device 12. Thereby, for example, even when the number of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 is large, the load (the labor involved in the operation) on one operator or the like can be suppressed.

[0017] The lighting control device 11 includes an interface unit 20, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 24. The interface unit 20 includes an operation unit 26 and a display unit 28. The operation unit 26 is a member for inputting an operation instruction.

[0018] The operation unit 26 is connected to the control unit 22. The operation unit 26 receives the input of an operation instruction from an operator or the like, and inputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation instruction to the control unit 22. For the operation unit 26, well-known input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel can be used, for example.

[0019] The display unit 28 is connected to the control unit 22. The display unit 28 displays an image corresponding to the video signal input from the control unit 22 on the screen. For the display unit 28, well-known display devices such as a liquid crystal display can be used. The control unit 22 displays, for example, various operation screens and the like on the display unit 28.

[0020] The control unit 22 controls the operations of each part of the lighting control device 11. The control unit 22 stores, for example, programs necessary for control and various types of data. The control unit 22 controls the operations of each part of the lighting control device 11 by, for example, reading out the stored program and sequentially processing the program.

[0021] The communication unit 24 communicates with the support device 12. The communication unit 24 is connected to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 communicates with the support device 12 via the communication unit 24. The communication between the communication unit 24 and the support device 12 may be wired or may be partially wireless.

[0022] The communication between the lighting control device 11 and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 may be performed via the communication unit 24 or may be performed using another communication unit. The lighting control device 11 may further have another communication unit for communicating with the plurality of lighting fixtures 2. The communication between the lighting control device 11 and the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 may be wired or may be partially wireless.

[0023] The control unit 22 stores control information 30 for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2, and transmits a control signal according to the control information 30 to the plurality of lighting fixtures 2, so that each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 is in a lighting state according to the control information 30. At the same time, based on the operation information 32 according to the operation of the operation unit 26, by editing the content of the control information 30, the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2 is controlled according to the operation of the operation unit 26.

[0024] The control unit 22 has, for example, an information calculation unit 40, an information storage unit 42, a dimming calculation unit 44, and a signal output unit 46. The information calculation unit 40 has, for example, a conversion unit 50, a buffer unit 52, an editing unit 54, and a display control unit 56.

[0025] The conversion unit 50 converts the operation signal input from the operation unit 26 into the operation information 32. The conversion unit 50 generates the operation information 32 corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 26 from the operation signal, for example, by converting the operation signal input from the operation unit 26 into information recognizable within the control unit 22. The operation information 32 is, for example, a preset command code. The conversion unit 50 inputs the generated operation information 32 to the buffer unit 52 and also inputs it to the communication unit 24.

[0026] The buffer unit 52 temporarily stores the input operation information 32 in series and outputs the stored operation information 32 to the editing unit 54 in the order it was stored. The buffer unit 52 is, for example, a command queue buffer.

[0027] The information storage unit 42 stores the control information 30. The editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52. As a result, the contents of the control information 30 are edited according to the operation of the operation unit 26.

[0028] The display control unit 56 controls the display on the display unit 28. For example, the display control unit 56 displays the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 on the display unit 28. This allows operators to check the contents of the control information 30 by referring to the display unit 28. In other words, operators can check the current lighting status of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 by referring to the display unit 28.

[0029] The communication unit 24 transmits the operation information 32 input from the conversion unit 50 to the support device 12. This allows the details of the operation performed by the operation unit 26 of the lighting control device 11 to be transmitted to the support device 12 as well.

[0030] The dimming calculation unit 44 generates dimming control information based on the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42, and inputs the generated dimming control information to the signal output unit 46. For example, the dimming calculation unit 44 generates dimming control information representing the current lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 by performing calculations based on various information contained in the control information 30.

[0031] The signal output unit 46 generates a control signal based on the dimming control information input from the dimming calculation unit 44, and transmits the generated control signal to the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The control signal is a signal corresponding to the specifications of the multiple lighting fixtures 2, such as a DMX signal or an ArtNet signal. This makes it possible to set each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 to an on state according to the control information 30.

[0032] The signal output unit 46 may directly transmit control signals to the multiple lighting fixtures 2, or it may transmit control signals to the multiple lighting fixtures 2 via another controller or dimmer. The configuration between the lighting control device 11 and the multiple lighting fixtures 2 can be any configuration that allows each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 to be set to a lighting state according to the control information 30 based on the transmission of control signals from the signal output unit 46.

[0033] The support device 12, like the lighting control device 11, is capable of storing control information 30 and editing the stored control information 30. Since the configuration of the support device 12 is substantially the same as that of the lighting control device 11, a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the configuration of the support device 12 does not necessarily have to be the same as that of the lighting control device 11.

[0034] The control unit 22 of the support device 12 edits the control information 30 stored in its information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 corresponding to the operation performed by its operation unit 26, and transmits the operation information 32 corresponding to the operation performed by its operation unit 26 to the lighting control device 11. This allows the content of the operation performed by the operation unit 26 of the support device 12 to be communicated to the lighting control device 11.

[0035] Furthermore, when the control unit 22 of the support device 12 receives operation information 32 from the lighting control device 11, it stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, the support device 12 edits the control information 30 according to the operations performed by its own operation unit 26, and also edits the control information 30 according to the operations performed by the lighting control device 11.

[0036] For example, if the support device 12 is a different lighting control device installed in a different studio, and a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46 of the support device 12, there is a possibility that multiple other lighting fixtures 2 installed in the other studio may be turned on unintentionally. For this reason, when using a different lighting control device as the support device 12, for example, measures should be taken to prevent the output of a control signal from the signal output unit 46. For example, the support device 12 (another lighting control device) may have an operating mode for supporting the lighting control device 11 and an operating mode for controlling the lighting state of multiple other lighting fixtures 2 installed in a different studio or the like.

[0037] For example, by disconnecting the communication path between the support device 12 and other lighting fixtures 2, the other lighting fixtures 2 may not be turned on unintentionally even if a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46. Alternatively, by including identification information to identify the lighting fixtures 2 in the control signal, the lighting fixtures 2 may be able to determine that the control information is not intended for them, thereby preventing other lighting fixtures 2 from being turned on unintentionally even if a control signal is output from the signal output unit 46.

[0038] When the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 receives operation information 32 from the support device 12, it stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 edits the control information 30 according to the operation performed by its own operation unit 26, and also edits the control information 30 according to the operation performed by the support device 12.

[0039] As described above, the buffer unit 52 temporarily stores the input operation information 32 in series, outputs the stored operation information 32 to the editing unit 54 in the order it was stored, and the editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52. Therefore, as described above, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 send and receive operation information 32 to each other, and by storing the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52, the operation information 32 based on operations performed by the lighting control device 11 and the operation information 32 based on operations performed by the support device 12 can be stored in the buffer unit 52 of the respective lighting control device 11 and support device 12 in the same order. As a result, the contents of the control information 30 stored in the support device 12 can be substantially the same as the contents of the control information 30 stored in the lighting control device 11. The editing of the control information 30 can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12.

[0040] In this manner, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 communicates with the support device 12 via the communication unit 24 and shares the editing of the control information 30 with the support device 12. As described above, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 sends and receives operation information 32 corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 26 with the support device 12, and edits the control information 30 based on each other's operation information 32, thereby sharing the editing of the control information 30 with the support device 12.

[0041] As a result, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 can control the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 in accordance with the operation performed by the support device 12, and the operation performed by the operation unit 26 and the operation performed by the support device 12 can be understood by both the control unit 26 and the support device 12.

[0042] Furthermore, when the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 starts communication with the support device 12, it transmits the control information 30 to the support device 12, thereby sharing the contents of the control information 30 at the start of communication with the support device 12.

[0043] The control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 transmits control information 30 to the support device 12, for example, when initiating cooperation with the support device 12. The control unit 22 of the support device 12 stores the received control information 30 in the information storage unit 42. This allows the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 to each store the same control information 30, and the contents of the control information 30 at the start of communication can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12.

[0044] Furthermore, if, for example, after commencing cooperation with the support device 12, a communication failure occurs in the communication unit 24, preventing the transmission and reception of operation information 32, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 will also transmit control information 30 to the support device 12 when communication with the support device 12 resumes after the communication failure is resolved. This allows the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 to restore the identity between the control information 30 stored in its own information storage unit 42 and the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 of the support device 12. As a result, even when a communication failure occurs, the contents of the control information 30 can be shared between the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 in response to the recovery of communication.

[0045] In the lighting control device 11, control data such as scene data and submaster data to be used in a predetermined scene may be created in advance, stored in the control information 30, and the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 may be controlled by playing back the created control data. The lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 can, for example, create control data based on the operation of the operation unit 26 and store the created control data in the information storage unit 42 as part of the control information 30.

[0046] Therefore, for example, even if a communication failure occurs in the communication unit 24, it is conceivable that the support device 12 could create control data individually. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the support device 12 could be creating control data even before commencing cooperation with the lighting control device 11.

[0047] Therefore, the support device 12 may, for example, be configured to pre-set whether to use the control information 30 it has stored or the control information 30 it has received from the lighting control device 11 when it receives control information 30 from the lighting control device 11 at the start (or restart) of communication, for each piece of control information 30 (for each piece of information such as control data included in the control information 30). Alternatively, the support device 12 may, for example, be configured to ask an operator or the like whether to use the control information 30 it has stored or the control information 30 it has received from the lighting control device 11 when it receives control information 30 from the lighting control device 11 at the start (or restart) of communication, and allow the operator to make an arbitrary selection.

[0048] Furthermore, the support device 12 may, for example, store the operation information 32 used to edit the control information 30, such as creating control data, when it is not communicating with the lighting control device 11. When it decides to adopt the contents of the control information 30 stored by the support device 12, it may transmit the operation information 32 corresponding to those contents to the lighting control device 11, thereby enabling the support device 12 to share the editing of the control information 30 performed during the communication interruption with the lighting control device 11. In other words, the support device 12 may enable the sharing of control data created when it is not communicating with the lighting control device 11 with the lighting control device 11.

[0049] As described above, according to the lighting control system 10 and lighting control device 11 of this embodiment, when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 together with the support device 12, the content of operations performed by the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 can be mutually understood.

[0050] For example, when the support device 12 turns on a predetermined lighting fixture 2, the operator of the lighting control device 11 can immediately recognize that the lighting fixture 2 is lit. Conversely, when the lighting control device 11 turns on a predetermined lighting fixture 2, the operator of the support device 12 can immediately recognize that the lighting fixture 2 is lit.

[0051] Furthermore, in the lighting control system 10, when control data is created by the support device 12, operation information 32 corresponding to the creation of that control data is transmitted to the lighting control device 11, thereby allowing the lighting control device 11 to understand the control data created by the support device 12. This makes it easy to play back the control data created by the support device 12 in the lighting control device 11, or to modify the control data created by the support device 12 in the lighting control device 11. Similarly, it is also easy to play back the control data created by the lighting control device 11 in the support device 12, or to modify the control data created by the lighting control device 11 in the support device 12.

[0052] In the lighting control system 10, for example, if the lighting control device 11 is installed in studio A and the support device 12 is installed in studio B as a separate lighting control device, the support device 12 can also control the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A while sharing the control information 30. Conversely, the lighting control device 11 can also control the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio B while sharing the control information 30.

[0053] In the lighting control system 10, for example, when the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 are controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A while sharing control information 30, if the lighting control device 11 fails, the support device 12 has substantially the same control information 30 as the lighting control device 11. Therefore, by switching the communication path so that the control signals from the support device 12 are transmitted to the multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A, the support device 12 can easily take over control of the lighting state of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 in studio A.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11 sends and receives operation information 32 corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 26 to and from the support device 12, and edits the control information 30 based on each other's operation information 32, thereby sharing the editing of the control information 30 with the support device 12. The method of sharing the editing of the control information 30 is not limited to the above.

[0055] For example, each time the control information 30 is edited, the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12 may send and receive the control information 30 to each other, thereby enabling the editing of the control information 30 to be shared.

[0056] However, the control information 30 for controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2 is relatively large in size, raising concerns that communication may take a long time or that high-performance equipment may be required for the communication unit 24. In contrast, the amount of data in the operation information 32 is smaller than that of the control information 30. Therefore, as described above, by sending and receiving operation information 32 and sharing the editing of the control information 30, the amount of data sent and received between them can be reduced. This can suppress the need for communication to take a long time or for high-performance equipment to be required for the communication unit 24.

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a modified example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, in the lighting control system 10a, the signal output unit 46 is omitted in the control unit 22 of the support device 12a. Thus, the support device 12a may be a terminal that does not have a control signal output function.

[0058] The support device 12a is, for example, a laptop computer or tablet device with a program installed for controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. Thus, the support device 12a does not necessarily have to be another lighting control device. The support device 12a can be any device that can at least assist the lighting control device 11 in controlling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2.

[0059] In this case as well, similar to the embodiment described above, when controlling the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 together with the support device 12a, the content of operations performed by the lighting control device 11 and the support device 12a can be mutually understood. The lighting control device 11 and the support device 12a can share the control information 30, and the control of the lighting state of multiple lighting fixtures 2 can be shared by two operators or similar personnel.

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a modified example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, in the lighting control system 10b, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11b further includes an information retrieval unit 48.

[0061] The information retrieval unit 48 retrieves fixture information 34 from multiple lighting fixtures 2 by communicating with them. The information retrieval unit 48 retrieves fixture information 34 from lighting fixtures 2 that support RDM (Remote Device Management) using the RDM function. The fixture information 34 includes, for example, the model name of the lighting fixture 2, the DMX address of the lighting fixture 2, and the operating mode of the lighting fixture 2. However, the information included in the fixture information 34 is not limited to these and may be any information related to the lighting fixture 2. The fixture information 34 may be any information necessary for controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2.

[0062] The information retrieval unit 48 retrieves, for example, multiple fixture information 34 corresponding to each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. However, the fixture information 34 is not limited to information set for each of the multiple lighting fixtures 2. The fixture information 34 may also be information set for each item of information of the lighting fixture 2, such as the model name of the lighting fixture 2 or the DMX address of the lighting fixture 2.

[0063] The information retrieval unit 48 inputs the retrieved device information 34 into the buffer unit 52 and also into the communication unit 24. For example, the information retrieval unit 48 inputs the device information 34 as a command code into the buffer unit 52 and the communication unit 24. For example, the information retrieval unit 48 sequentially inputs multiple pieces of device information 34 into the buffer unit 52 and the communication unit 24.

[0064] The editing unit 54 edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the operation information 32 input from the buffer unit 52, and also edits the contents of the control information 30 stored in the information storage unit 42 based on the equipment information 34 input from the buffer unit 52. As a result, the contents of the control information 30 are edited according to the operation of the operation unit 26 and the equipment information 34 recovered from the multiple lighting fixtures 2.

[0065] The communication unit 24 transmits the operation information 32 input from the conversion unit 50 to the support device 12, and also transmits the fixture information 34 input from the information retrieval unit 48 to the support device 12. When the control unit 22 of the support device 12 receives the operation information 32 from the lighting control device 11b, it stores the received operation information 32 in the buffer unit 52, and when it receives the fixture information 34 from the lighting control device 11b, it stores the received fixture information 34 in the buffer unit 52. As a result, in the support device 12, similar to the lighting control device 11b, the contents of the control information 30 are edited according to the operation of the operation unit 26 and the fixture information 34 retrieved from the multiple lighting fixtures 2.

[0066] Thus, in the lighting control system 10b, the control unit 22 of the lighting control device 11b can retrieve fixture information 34 for multiple lighting fixtures 2 from multiple lighting fixtures 2, edits the control information 30 based on the fixture information 34, and transmits the fixture information 34 to the support device 12, thereby enabling the editing of the control information 30 based on the fixture information 34 to be shared with the support device 12.

[0067] This makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of the identity between the control information 30 stored in the lighting control device 11b and the control information 30 stored in the support device 12 when retrieving the fixture information 34. For example, it reduces the effort required to separately transmit the fixture information 34 to the support device 12, thereby further improving the convenience of the lighting control system 10b.

[0068] This embodiment includes the following aspects. (Note 1) A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of multiple lighting fixtures, An operating unit for inputting operation instructions, A control unit stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting fixtures to set each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and edits the content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit to control the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures according to the operation of the operation unit, A communication unit that communicates with a support device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the aforementioned multiple lighting fixtures, Equipped with, The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information. A lighting control device in which the control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the editing of the control information with the support device, thereby enabling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures to be controlled in accordance with the operation performed by the support device, and enabling the operation performed by the operation unit and the operation performed by the support device to be mutually understood by the support device.

[0069] (Note 2) The lighting control device according to Appendix 1, wherein the control unit transmits and receives the operation information with the support device, and edits the control information based on the operation information of both devices, thereby sharing the editing of the control information with the support device.

[0070] (Note 3) The lighting control device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the control unit transmits the control information to the support device when initiating communication with the support device, thereby sharing the contents of the control information at the start of communication with the support device.

[0071] (Note 4) The lighting control device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the control unit can retrieve fixture information relating to the plurality of lighting fixtures from the plurality of lighting fixtures, edits the control information based on the fixture information, and transmits the fixture information to the support device so that the editing of the control information based on the fixture information can also be shared with the support device.

[0072] (Note 5) A lighting control device that controls the lighting status of each of multiple lighting fixtures, A support device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures by the lighting control device, Equipped with, The aforementioned lighting control device is An operating unit for inputting operation instructions, A control unit stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting fixtures to set each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and edits the content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit to control the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures according to the operation of the operation unit, A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned support device, It has, The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information. A lighting control system in which the control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the editing of the control information with the support device, thereby enabling the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures to be controlled in accordance with the operation performed by the support device, and enabling the operation performed by the operation unit and the operation performed by the support device to be mutually understood by the support device.

[0073] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 2…Lighting fixture, 10, 10a, 10b…Lighting control system, 11, 11b…Lighting control device, 12, 12a…Support device, 20…Interface unit, 22…Control unit, 24…Communication unit, 26…Operation unit, 28…Display unit, 30…Control information, 32…Operation information, 34…Fixture information, 40…Information calculation unit, 42…Information storage unit, 44…Dimming calculation unit, 46…Signal output unit, 48…Information retrieval unit, 50…Conversion unit, 52…Buffer unit, 54…Editing unit, 56…Display control unit

Claims

1. A lighting control device that controls the lighting state of each of multiple lighting fixtures, An operating unit for inputting operation instructions, A control unit stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting fixtures to set each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and edits the content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit to control the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures according to the operation of the operation unit, A communication unit that communicates with a support device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the aforementioned multiple lighting fixtures, Equipped with, The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information. The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the editing of the control information with the support device, thereby enabling it to control the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures in accordance with the operation performed by the support device, and enabling the operation performed by the operation unit and the operation performed by the support device to be mutually understood by the support device. The control unit transmits and receives the operation information with the support device, and edits the control information based on the operation information of both devices, thereby sharing the edited control information with the support device.

2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits the control information to the support device when it starts communication with the support device, thereby sharing the contents of the control information at the start of communication with the support device.

3. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of retrieving fixture information relating to the plurality of lighting fixtures from the plurality of lighting fixtures, editing the control information based on the fixture information, and transmitting the fixture information to the support device so that the editing of the control information based on the fixture information can also be shared with the support device.

4. A lighting control device that controls the lighting status of each of multiple lighting fixtures, A support device that assists in controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures by the lighting control device, Equipped with, The aforementioned lighting control device is An operating unit for inputting operation instructions, A control unit stores control information for controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures, transmits control signals corresponding to the control information to the plurality of lighting fixtures to set each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to a lighting state corresponding to the control information, and edits the content of the control information based on operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation unit to control the lighting state of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures according to the operation of the operation unit, A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned support device, It has, The support device is capable of storing the control information and editing the stored control information. The control unit communicates with the support device via the communication unit and shares the editing of the control information with the support device, thereby enabling it to control the lighting state of each of the multiple lighting fixtures in accordance with the operation performed by the support device, and enabling the operation performed by the operation unit and the operation performed by the support device to be mutually understood by the support device. A lighting control system in which the control unit sends and receives the operation information with the support device, and edits the control information based on the operation information of both devices, thereby sharing the edited control information with the support device.

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