Control method, candidate device, and wireless system

Abstract

This control method is for a wireless system (lighting control system (10)) including a plurality of devices that are capable of performing communication with each other and that construct a wireless network, the control method comprising: a step (S12 or S12a) for determining, using each of the plurality of devices as a slave device, whether or not a master device (management device (50)) capable of transmitting, to the slave devices, a first signal to be used by the plurality of devices to receive control is present; a step (S14) for setting one of the plurality of devices as a quasi-master device in place of the master device when it is determined in the determination step (S12 or S12a) that there is no master device; and a step (S15) for causing the device that has been set as the quasi-master device to transmit a second signal which imitates the first signal to the devices other than the quasi-master device. The plurality of devices that have received the second signal can accept the control that is accepted when the first signal is received.

Description

Control Method, Candidate Device, and Wireless System

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method, a candidate device, and a wireless system.

[0002] Techniques related to a control method of a wireless system including a master device and slave devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in the lighting control system which is a wireless system in Patent Document 1, a plurality of devices are hierarchically arranged like a master device and slave devices to bundle control for each device.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-102390

[0004] The present invention provides a control method and the like for more appropriately controlling slave devices.

[0005] A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method of a wireless system including a plurality of devices that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other. Each of the plurality of devices is used as a slave device, and a step of determining the presence or absence of a master device capable of transmitting a first signal used for the plurality of devices to receive control to the slave device, and when it is determined in the determining step that there is no master device, a step of setting one of the plurality of devices as a quasi-master device replacing the master device, and a step of the device set as the quasi-master device transmitting a second signal imitating the first signal to devices other than the quasi-master device. The plurality of devices that have received the second signal can receive the control that they receive when receiving the first signal.

[0006] A candidate device according to an aspect of the present invention is a candidate device included in a plurality of devices that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other. Each of the plurality of devices is used as a slave device, and a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of a master device capable of transmitting a first signal used for the plurality of devices to receive control to the slave device, a setting unit that sets itself as a quasi-master device replacing the master device when the determination unit determines that there is no master device, and a transmission unit that transmits a second signal imitating the first signal to devices other than the quasi-master device. The plurality of devices that have received the second signal can receive the control that they receive when receiving the first signal.

[0007] A wireless system according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless system that includes a plurality of devices that form a wireless network on which they can communicate with each other, and comprises: a determination unit that determines whether there is a master unit that can transmit a first signal to each of the plurality of devices to be used by the plurality of devices to accept control, with each of the plurality of devices being a slave unit; a setting unit that, if the determination unit determines that there is no master unit, sets one of the plurality of devices as a sub-master unit to replace the master unit; and a transmission unit that transmits a second signal that mimics the first signal to devices other than the sub-master unit from the device set as the sub-master unit, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal can accept the control that they would accept if they received the first signal.

[0008] The control method and other aspects of the present invention enable more appropriate control of the slave unit.

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to which the lighting control system according to an embodiment is applied. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a candidate module according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram conceptually showing a wireless mesh network. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a slave unit of the lighting control system according to an embodiment as a quasi-master unit. Figure 6 is a communication sequence diagram showing an example of transmission of a first signal when it is set that there is a master unit of the lighting control system according to an embodiment. Figure 7 is a communication sequence diagram showing an example of transmission of a second signal when it is set that there is no master unit of the lighting control system according to an embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing another operation of a slave unit of the lighting control system according to an embodiment as a quasi-master unit. Figure 9 is a communication sequence diagram showing another operation of a slave unit of the lighting control system according to an embodiment as a quasi-master unit. Figure 10 is a communication sequence diagram showing control operation when a lighting control device according to an embodiment is included. Figure 11 is a communication sequence diagram showing another control operation when a lighting control device according to an embodiment is included.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0011] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of the wireless system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system, which is an example of a wireless system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an indoor space to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lighting control system 10 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a plurality of lighting control devices 30, a relay device 40, and a management device 50. The number of plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the number of plurality of lighting control devices 30 provided in the lighting control system 10 are not particularly limited.

[0013] The lighting fixture 20 is a base light or the like that is installed on the ceiling of the interior space 60 to illuminate the interior space 60. The form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, downlight, spotlight, etc. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 comprises a wireless communication unit 21, a light source 22, a control unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a candidate module 25.

[0014] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit for the lighting fixture 20 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with the lighting control device 30. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 communicates wirelessly according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) or Bluetooth® mesh, but is not particularly limited to the communication standard.

[0015] The light source 22 emits white light into the indoor space 60 so that the lighting fixture 20 can illuminate the indoor space 60. The light source 22 is implemented by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be implemented by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0016] The control unit 23 controls the light emission of the lighting fixture 20 (light source 22). Light emission control includes turning on the light, turning off the light, dimming, color temperature control, and light distribution control. The control unit 23 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 23 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 24 by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the control unit 23.

[0017] The memory unit 24 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the control unit 23 to perform light emission control, such as computer programs executed by the control unit 23. The memory unit 24 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

[0018] The candidate module 25 is a functional module that switches whether the device (in this case, the lighting fixture 20) equipped with the candidate module 25 behaves as a slave unit or as a secondary master unit.

[0019] Here, the relationship between the master unit, sub-master unit, and slave unit will be explained. The master unit is a device that transmits a signal (first signal) to accept control to other devices among the multiple devices that make up the lighting control system 10. For example, when the first signal is received by each of the multiple devices, it becomes possible for each of the multiple devices to control each other in a synchronized manner. The first signal is transmitted periodically, for example, every few minutes. In this embodiment, the management device 50 among the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, relay device 40, and management device 50 functions as the master unit.

[0020] The slave unit accepts control from other devices using the first signal transmitted by the master unit. The slave unit is a device other than the master unit among a group of devices. In this embodiment, among the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, relay device 40, and management device 50, all devices except the management device 50 function as slave units.

[0021] The secondary master unit is a device that acts as a substitute for the master unit when the master unit is not connected to the lighting control system 10. In such cases, one of the slave units switches the settings for its operation, thereby starting its operation as a secondary master unit. The secondary master unit can enable the lighting control system 10 to operate even without the master unit, such as when the master unit is unintentionally removed from the lighting control system 10 due to a communication error or when the lighting control system 10 is built without a master unit in the first place. Specifically, the secondary master unit transmits a second signal that mimics the first signal (a so-called dummy signal).

[0022] The second signal, although different from the first signal, is written in the same format as the first signal and is therefore treated as if the first signal had been received (it undergoes similar information processing after reception). Specifically, the second signal is a signal in which all the variable values ​​in the first signal are filled with hexadecimal "0" or "f". Note that the second signal may also include control information instead of a dummy signal. Such control information may include, for example, control information with fixed values ​​to unify the state of equipment that was powered on later in a specific area. In this case, when the second signal containing the control information is received, the lighting fixtures 20 in the specific area that can receive the second signal will be controlled to emit light with fixed values.

[0023] Here, if the second signal (or the first signal as well) contains control information, it is conceivable that such a second signal and the control signal from the lighting control device 30, which will be described later, may conflict. In this case, it is possible to prioritize either the first signal, the second signal, or the control signal, but for example, if the control signal is configured based on the first signal and the second signal, then the first signal and the second signal should be given priority. In addition, there are cases where both the first signal, the second signal, and the control signal are accepted and control is performed based on both signals. For example, the first signal and the second signal are used to control some parameters for light emission control, and the control signal is used to control other parameters for light emission control. In such cases, while accepting control by the control signal, control of the information contained in the first signal and the second signal is further accepted, and control is performed based on both signals.

[0024] Furthermore, if neither the first nor the second signal can be received, each device will operate using its own basic control, which is a control set in advance by user input or manufacturer settings.

[0025] The second signal is transmitted periodically, for example, at the same frequency as the first signal (e.g., every few minutes). Devices other than the sub-master can receive this second signal and accept the same controls they would receive upon receiving the first signal. For example, if the second signal is received by multiple devices other than the sub-master, the sub-master and the other devices can perform synchronized control with each other. The second signal may also be transmitted from the sub-master to the master. When the master receives the second signal, it can recognize the existence of a device functioning as a sub-master in its place and use it to send a deactivation signal to cancel the sub-master function.

[0026] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a candidate module according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the candidate module 25 includes a determination unit 251 that determines the presence or absence of a master unit, a setting unit 252 that sets one device as a quasi-master unit to replace the master unit, or cancels the setting to a quasi-master unit, and a transmission unit 253 that transmits a second signal to a device other than the quasi-master unit. The transmission unit 253 may have its own configuration for transmitting information and transmit the second signal, or it may transmit the second signal via the wireless communication unit 21. In other words, the concept that the transmission unit 253 transmits a second signal includes both the transmission of the second signal by the transmission unit 253 itself and the transmission of the second signal by the transmission unit 253 instructing the wireless communication unit 21 to transmit. The candidate module 25 may be detachable from the main body on which it is mounted (such as a lighting fixture 20). This makes it possible to create a configuration in which equipment equipped with candidate modules 25 can be selected to be incorporated or not incorporated in advance, depending on the presence or absence of a master unit of the lighting control system 10 (or the likelihood of the master unit being excluded due to the frequency of communication errors, etc.).

[0027] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the lighting fixture 20 is a candidate module 25, that is, a candidate device comprising a determination unit 251, a setting unit 252, and a transmission unit 253.

[0028] The lighting control device 30 is a lighting control device with an integrated motion sensor 31. The lighting control device 30 is installed on the ceiling or wall of the indoor space 60 and controls the lighting fixtures 20 when it detects a person. The lighting control device 30 comprises a motion sensor 31, a wireless communication unit 32, a control unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a candidate module 25.

[0029] The motion sensor 31 detects the presence or absence of a person in the indoor space 60 (in the detection target area). The motion sensor 31 may be implemented by, for example, a pyroelectric sensor (infrared sensor) that detects infrared radiation emitted from a person's body. The motion sensor 31 may also be implemented by an image sensor (camera) that captures an image of the indoor space 60 and detects the presence or absence of a person in the indoor space 60 by image analysis. In addition, the lighting control system 10 may be equipped with a brightness sensor that detects the brightness of the indoor space 60, either in place of the motion sensor 31 or in addition to the motion sensor 31.

[0030] The wireless communication unit 32 is a wireless communication circuit for the lighting control device 30 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with multiple lighting fixtures 20. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 32 communicates wirelessly according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) or Bluetooth® mesh, but is not particularly limited to any communication standard.

[0031] The control unit 33 performs information processing to control the lighting fixture 20 when a person is detected by the motion sensor 31. The control unit 33 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 33 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 34 by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the control unit 33.

[0032] The memory unit 34 is a storage device that stores various types of information used by the control unit 33, such as computer programs executed by the control unit 33. The memory unit 34 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

[0033] The candidate module 25 is the same as the candidate module 25 provided in the lighting fixture 20, and as shown in Figure 3, it comprises a determination unit 251, a setting unit 252, and a transmission unit 253. Thus, the lighting control device 30 is a candidate device comprising the candidate module 25, that is, the determination unit 251, the setting unit 252, and the transmission unit 253.

[0034] The relay device 40 unicasts a second notification signal, obtained from a first notification signal received from each of the multiple lighting control devices 30, to each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 at predetermined time intervals. The first notification signal is a notification signal for each of the multiple lighting control devices 30 to notify the lighting fixtures belonging to its controlled group of the target dimming state to which they should transition at this time. The second notification signal is a notification signal for the multiple lighting fixtures 20 to notify the target dimming state to which they should transition at this time. It is not essential to convert the first notification signal to the second notification signal to obtain the second notification signal. The relay device 40 may unicast the first notification signal as is without conversion. Furthermore, the transmission of the first and second notification signals from the relay device 40 may be performed by multicast transmission or broadcast transmission. Moreover, the function of the relay device 40 itself does not have to be included in the lighting control system 10. In other words, the "relaying" itself, which involves signal conversion via the relay device 40 as described above, does not have to be performed. In this case, signals that are not relayed may also be transmitted via unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

[0035] The relay device 40 can be any communication node belonging to the wireless mesh network, and may be a lighting fixture, a lighting control device, or other device such as a scheduler. The relay device 40 may also be a communication device dedicated to relaying notification signals. Although not shown in Figure 1, the relay device 40 comprises at least a wireless communication unit, a control unit, a storage unit, and a candidate module. The candidate module provided by the relay device 40 is the same as the candidate module 25 provided by the lighting fixture 20, and comprises a determination unit 251, a setting unit 252, and a transmission unit 253 as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the relay device 40 is a candidate device comprising the candidate module 25, that is, a determination unit 251, a setting unit 252, and a transmission unit 253.

[0036] The management device 50 periodically transmits a synchronization signal to the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, and relay device 40 at predetermined time intervals as a first signal for synchronizing the time of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, multiple lighting control devices 30, and relay device 40. The management device 50 is, for example, a scheduler that controls the multiple lighting fixtures 20 according to a pre-set schedule, but it may be any other device. Although not shown in Figure 1, the management device 50 includes at least a wireless communication unit, a control unit, and a storage unit. In the above configuration example, the management device 50 and relay device 40 are described separately, but instead of the management device 50 and relay device 40, the lighting control system 10 may include a single device that combines the functions of both the management device 50 and relay device 40.

[0037] Multiple lighting fixtures 20, lighting control devices 30, relay devices 40, and management devices 50 constitute a wireless mesh network as an example of a wireless network. Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of a wireless mesh network. In Figure 4, each circle corresponds to a single communication node (one lighting fixture 20, one lighting control device 30, one relay device 40, or one management device 50), and the dashed lines connecting the circles indicate the communication path. In a wireless mesh network, various types of information, such as control signals, are transmitted, for example, using a routing method. Specifically, when information is transmitted from a first communication node to a second communication node, the information is relayed by one or more other communication nodes as needed along the path shown by the dashed lines in Figure 4. Note that in a wireless mesh network, information may also be transmitted using other methods such as flooding.

[0038] [Switching Operation to Sub-Master Unit] In the lighting control system 10, a slave unit having a candidate module 25 switches between operating as a slave unit or a sub-master unit depending on the presence or absence of a master unit. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a slave unit of the lighting control system as a sub-master unit. In the following explanation, we will focus on the operation of one candidate module 25 present in the lighting control system 10, but there may be two or more candidate modules 25 in the lighting control system 10, and each may perform processing independently as described below. Alternatively, of the two or more candidate modules 25 present in the lighting control system 10, one candidate module 25 may be responsible for one of the functions of the determination unit 251, setting unit 252, and transmission unit 253, and the other candidate module 25 may be responsible for the remaining functions, so that they operate cooperatively.

[0039] In the operation flow shown in Figure 5, the administrator or installer of the lighting control system 10 stores the presence or absence of the master unit in a storage device beforehand. This setting of the presence or absence of the master unit is stored in a storage unit (not shown) dedicated to the candidate module 25, or in storage unit 24 or storage unit 34, etc., by an input operation by the administrator or installer (S11).

[0040] The determination unit 251 reads the setting for the presence or absence of a master unit stored in the memory unit and determines whether or not there is a master unit in the lighting control system 10 (S12). If the setting stored in the memory unit indicates that there is a master unit (Yes in S12), the slave unit continues to operate as a slave unit without switching to a sub-master unit, and the process is terminated. If the setting stored in the memory unit indicates that there is no master unit (No in S12), one of the slave units switches to become a sub-master unit.

[0041] In this embodiment, to determine which slave unit should be switched to, the ID assigned to each slave unit is used. Specifically, when constructing a wireless mesh network, IDs are exchanged between slave units, and the slave unit with the smallest ID compared to the others automatically switches to the sub-master unit. Therefore, in this case, the setting unit 252 determines whether its own device has the smallest ID (S13), and if the ID is the smallest (Yes in S13), it sets itself (the device including itself) to the sub-master unit (S14). If the ID is not the smallest (No in S13), the slave unit continues to operate as a slave unit without switching to the sub-master unit, and the process ends. The IDs may be assigned sequentially in order from the earliest activated unit, or in the order in which they are registered with the lighting control system 10 by the administrator or installation company, or in any arbitrary order.

[0042] Subsequently, the device designated as the secondary master unit generates a second signal using the transmission unit 253 of the candidate module 25 and begins periodic transmission to other slave units (S15).

[0043] Figure 6 is a communication sequence diagram showing an example of the transmission of the first signal when it is set that a master unit exists (Yes in S12). On the other hand, Figure 7 is a communication sequence diagram showing an example of the transmission of the second signal when it is set that there is no master unit (No in S12).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission of the first signal (S1) is performed from the management device 50, which is the master device, to the other slave devices (here, three lighting fixtures 20). Since the management device 50 in the present embodiment is a scheduler, the first signal includes, for example, information on absolute time ( "11:00", "11:01", and "11:02" in the figure). Therefore, each of the lighting fixtures 20 that receives the first signal can accept device control using the absolute time. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the first signal is periodically transmitted every minute.

[0045] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when there is no master device, one of the slave devices, the lighting fixture 20, switches to the quasi-master device and transmits the second signal to the remaining two lighting fixtures 20 (S2). In the present embodiment, since the quasi-master device is simply a lighting fixture 20 or a lighting control device 30 that controls the light emission of the light source 22 from outside the lighting fixture 20, it does not have a function of generating information on absolute time. Therefore, the second signal does not include information on absolute time. However, since the second signal is periodically transmitted at the same cycle as the first signal, it can be used as information on the relative elapsed time after receiving the first second signal.

[0046] [Another example of the operation of switching to the quasi-master device] In the above, an example has been described in which the determination unit 251 determines the presence or absence of the master device based on the information on the presence or absence of the master device stored in a storage device or the like by an administrator or a laying contractor of the lighting control system 10 in advance. However, for example, the determination unit 251 can also dynamically determine the presence or absence of the master device in the lighting control system 10. FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to another operation of the slave device of the lighting control system 10 as the quasi-master device. FIG. 9 is a communication sequence diagram relating to another operation of the slave device of the lighting control system 10 as the quasi-master device.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, in this alternative example, the step of an administrator or a laying contractor of the lighting control system 10 previously storing information in a storage device or the like is omitted. That is, the determination unit 251 determines the presence or absence of the master unit from information dynamically obtained without using the information regarding the presence or absence of the master unit stored in the storage unit (S12a). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, if the determination unit 251 can receive the first signal periodically, it determines that the master unit is present (Yes in S12a), and if the first signal from the master unit cannot be received for a certain period or longer, it determines that the master unit is absent (No in S12a).

[0048] As described above, since the first signal is periodically transmitted from the master unit, a threshold value for a certain period set to several times (for example, 1 time, 2 times, 3 times, or 5 times) the regular period is provided. This threshold value corresponds to a period for receiving the first signal at least once. If the first signal has not been received for a period exceeding the threshold value, it is regarded that the master unit is absent, and the process proceeds to switching to the quasi-master unit. Steps S13 to S15 are the same as the processes described in FIG. 5, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[0049] As a merit of the configuration that can dynamically determine the presence or absence of the master unit, it is possible to determine that the master unit has returned (reconnected) to the lighting control system 10. For example, steps S16 and S17 in FIG. 8 can be executed. That is, after determining that the master unit is absent (No in S12a), the determination unit 251 re-determines whether the master unit is present (S16). The method of re-determination here is the same as in step S12a. However, in this determination, it is not necessary to receive the periodic first signal, and if the first signal can be received even once, it can be determined that the master unit is present. If it is determined in the determination that the master unit is absent (No in S16), step S16 is repeatedly executed to wait for the reconnection of the master unit. If it is determined that the master unit is present (Yes in S16), the setting unit 252 cancels the setting of making itself (the device including itself) the quasi-master unit (S17). That is, all devices resume operation with the first signal from the master unit.

[0050] [Control Operation Including Lighting Control Device] The operation when the slave unit includes a lighting control device 30 will be described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a communication sequence diagram relating to the control operation when a lighting control device is included. Note that Figure 10 and Figure 11, which will be described later, show the communication sequence assuming that the first signal is periodically transmitted and received when there is a master unit. However, if there is no master unit, the same operation can be achieved by having a secondary master unit periodically transmit a second signal in place of the first signal and each device receive it.

[0051] The lighting control device 30, upon detection of a person in the vicinity of the lighting control device 30 by the motion sensor 31, executes control to illuminate multiple lighting fixtures 20, which are in a first dimming state, in a second dimming state that is brighter than the first dimming state. The first dimming state is, for example, the off state (dimming rate 0%), but it may also be a state with a dimming rate of 20%. The second dimming state is, for example, a state with a dimming rate of 100%, but it may also be a state with a dimming rate of 80%.

[0052] At this time, the control unit 33 of the lighting control device 30 sequentially transitions each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 from the first dimming state to the second dimming state by unicasting a control signal to each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, for example, via a wireless mesh network. The control signal may be transmitted by multicast or broadcast.

[0053] At this point, the lighting control device 30 also transitions to a state in which it controls the light emission of the lighting fixture 20 based on the first signal (or second signal). For example, as shown in Figure 10, the first signal (or second signal) is transmitted (S1) and received by the lighting fixture 20 and the lighting control device 30. Then, the lighting control device 30 transitions to a state in which it controls the light emission of the lighting fixture 20, that is, a state in which it can detect the presence or absence of a person and generate and transmit control signals. In this state, the lighting control device 30 detects the presence or absence of a person (S21) and transmits a control signal based on the detection result (S3). Since the lighting fixture 20 has also received the first signal (or second signal), it accepts the control signal and controls the light source 22 accordingly (S22).

[0054] On the other hand, if the first signal (or second signal) does not reach the lighting fixture 20 due to a communication error or the like and is only received by the lighting control device 30, the lighting control device 30 detects the presence or absence of a person (S21) and transmits a control signal based on the detection result (S3). However, since the lighting fixture 20 has not received the first signal (or second signal), it rejects and discards the control signal (S23).

[0055] Thus, if equipment other than the lighting control device 30 has not received the first signal (or the second signal), it will not accept control based on the control signal received from the lighting control device 30.

[0056] Figure 11 is a communication sequence diagram relating to another control operation when a lighting control device is included. In Figure 11, steps S22 are the same as in Figure 10, so the explanation is omitted. As shown in Figure 11, if the first signal (or second signal) is received only by the lighting fixture 20 and does not reach the lighting control device 30 due to a communication error or the like, the lighting fixture 20 can accept control by the control signal, but the lighting control device 30 refuses to detect the presence or absence of a person because it has not received the first signal (or second signal) (S24).

[0057] Thus, the control signal is generated and transmitted based on the detection result detected upon reception of the first signal (or second signal). In other words, if the lighting control device 30 has not received the first signal (or second signal), it will not perform detection to generate the control signal, nor will it generate or transmit the control signal. Alternatively, the lighting control device 30 may perform detection and control signal generation beforehand, and only transmit the control signal upon reception of the first signal (or second signal). Or, it may perform detection beforehand, and only generate and transmit the control signal upon reception of the first signal (or second signal). This has the advantage of reducing the time lag between the return to the lighting control system 10 and the start of control by the control signal, as there is no need to perform detection and control signal generation again when the master unit or sub-master unit returns to the lighting control system 10.

[0058] [Effects, etc.] Below, examples of inventions obtained from the disclosures of this specification will be given, and the effects, etc. obtained from said inventions will be explained.

[0059] Invention 1 is a control method for a wireless system (lighting control system 10) that includes a plurality of devices that form a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, and includes the steps of: determining whether there is a master unit (management device 50) capable of transmitting a first signal to the slave units, each of the plurality of devices being a slave unit, for the plurality of devices to accept control (S12 or S12a); if it is determined in the determination step that there is no master unit, setting one of the plurality of devices as a quasi-master unit to replace the master unit (S14); and the device set as the quasi-master unit transmitting a second signal that mimics the first signal to the devices other than the quasi-master unit (S15), wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal can accept the control that they would accept if they received the first signal.

[0060] In this control method, the presence or absence of a master unit is determined in the determination step. If there is no master unit, one of the multiple devices, i.e., one of the slave units, is set as a secondary master unit. The secondary master unit can transmit a second signal that allows multiple devices to receive the same control when they receive the first signal. In other words, if there is a master unit, the slave units receive control as slave units via the first signal. If there is no master unit, one of the slave units functions as a secondary master unit, and the other slave units can receive the same control via the second signal. Therefore, the control of the slave units can be made more appropriate.

[0061] Invention 2 is a control method described in Invention 1, further comprising the steps of: re-determining the presence or absence of a master unit after it has been determined that there is no master unit (S16); and, if it is determined in the re-determining step (S16) that there is a master unit, canceling the setting to designate it as a secondary master unit (S17).

[0062] This control method allows for the automatic cancellation of the sub-master setting by re-determining the presence or absence of the master unit. Since the first and second signals are less likely to be mixed when the master unit returns to normal operation, this has the effect of making slave unit control more appropriate.

[0063] Invention 3 is a control method according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein in the determination step (S12), the presence or absence of a master unit is determined by reading pre-stored information indicating the presence or absence of a master unit.

[0064] This control method allows you to read pre-stored information to determine whether or not a master unit is present.

[0065] Invention 4 is a control method according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the first signal is periodically transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit, and in the determination step (S12a), the presence or absence of the master unit is determined based on whether or not the first signal was received.

[0066] In this control method, the presence or absence of the master unit can be determined based on whether or not a first signal, which is periodically transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit, has been received.

[0067] Invention 5 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of devices includes a control device (lighting control device 30) that transmits control signals for controlling devices other than itself included in the plurality of devices via a wireless network, and the control signals are transmitted in response to the reception of a first signal or a second signal.

[0068] In this control method, the transmission of control signals from the control device is triggered by the reception of the first or second signal, that is, multiple devices can be controlled by control signals.

[0069] Invention 6 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of devices includes a control device that transmits control signals for controlling other devices included in the plurality of devices via a wireless network, and devices other than the control device do not accept control based on the received control signals if they have not received the first signal or the second signal.

[0070] In this control method, the reception of the first or second signal triggers the acceptance of control signals, that is, the control of multiple devices using control signals.

[0071] Invention 7 is a control method according to Invention 5 or 6, wherein the control device is a sensing device that detects the presence or absence of a person or brightness in the detection target area and transmits a control signal according to the detection result.

[0072] This control method allows for control based on detection results, such as the presence or absence of people or brightness in the target area.

[0073] Invention 8 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of devices include at least one lighting fixture 20 having a light source or a device for controlling the light source (such as a lighting control device 30).

[0074] Such a control method allows for more appropriate control of multiple devices, including at least one lighting fixture 20 having a light source or a device for controlling the light source.

[0075] Invention 9 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of devices that receive a second signal can receive control based on the received second signal, in addition to the control they would receive if they received a first signal.

[0076] In this control method, multiple devices that receive the second signal can accept both the control they would accept upon receiving the first signal and the control resulting from the received second signal.

[0077] Invention 10 is a control method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the multiple devices operates with a preset basic control when it is unable to receive both the first signal and the second signal.

[0078] In this control method, if neither the first signal nor the second signal can be received, the system can operate using a pre-set basic control scheme.

[0079] Invention 11 is a candidate device (a device having a candidate module 25) included in a plurality of devices that construct a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, and comprises a determination unit 251 that determines whether there is a master device capable of transmitting a first signal to the slave devices which the plurality of devices use to accept control, with each of the plurality of devices as a slave device, a setting unit 252 that sets itself as a quasi-master device in place of a master device when the determination unit 251 determines that there is no master device, and a transmission unit 253 that transmits a second signal that mimics the first signal to devices other than the quasi-master devices, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal are candidate devices that can accept control which they would accept if they received the first signal.

[0080] Such candidate devices can achieve the same effects as the control method described above.

[0081] Invention 12 is a wireless system (lighting control system 10) that includes a plurality of devices that form a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, and comprises: a determination unit 251 that determines whether there is a master unit capable of transmitting a first signal to the slave units which the plurality of devices use to accept control, with each of the plurality of devices acting as a slave unit; a setting unit 252 that, if the determination unit 251 determines that there is no master unit, sets one of the plurality of devices as a quasi-master unit to replace the master unit; and a transmission unit 253 that transmits a second signal, which mimics the first signal, from the device set as the quasi-master unit to the devices other than the quasi-master unit, and the plurality of devices that receive the second signal are able to accept the control that they would accept if they received the first signal.

[0082] Such wireless systems can achieve the same effects as the control methods described above.

[0083] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which candidate modules are installed in all devices except the master unit, so that all slave units function as quasi-master units. Alternatively, for example, a lighting control system capable of the same operation as in the embodiment can be realized if the lighting control system is equipped with at least one determination unit, at least one setting unit, and at least one transmission unit.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processing units may be changed, or multiple processing units may be executed in parallel.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0087] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0088] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0089] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a lighting control system, lighting fixture, lighting control device, or relay device as described above, or as a method executed by a computer such as a lighting control system, lighting fixture, lighting control device, or relay device. The present invention may be implemented as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0090] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0091] 10 Lighting control system 20 Lighting fixtures 21, 32 Wireless communication unit 22 Light source 23, 33 Control unit 24, 34 Memory unit 25 Candidate module 30 Lighting control device 31 Motion sensor 40 Relay device 50 Management device 60 Indoor space 251 Judgment unit 252 Setting unit 253 Transmission unit

Claims

1. A control method for a wireless system including a plurality of devices that form a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, comprising: determining whether there is a master unit capable of transmitting a first signal to each of the plurality of devices to accept control, with each of the plurality of devices acting as a slave unit; if it is determined in the determination step that there is no master unit, setting one of the plurality of devices as a sub-master unit to replace the master unit; and the device set as the sub-master unit transmitting a second signal that mimics the first signal to a device other than the sub-master unit, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal can accept control that they would accept if they received the first signal.

2. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: re-determining whether there is a master unit after it has been determined that there is no master unit; and, if it is determined in the re-determining step that there is a master unit, canceling the setting to designate it as a sub-master unit.

3. The control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of making the determination, the presence or absence of the master unit is determined by reading pre-stored information indicating the presence or absence of the master unit.

4. The control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first signal is periodically transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit, and in the determination step, the presence or absence of the master unit is determined based on whether or not the first signal has been received.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include a control device that transmits control signals for controlling devices other than itself that are included in the plurality of devices via the wireless network, and the control signals are transmitted in response to the reception of the first signal or the second signal.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices includes a control device that transmits control signals for controlling devices other than itself included in the plurality of devices via the wireless network, and devices other than the control device do not accept control by the received control signals if they have not received the first signal or the second signal.

7. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control device is a sensing device that detects the presence or absence of people or brightness in the area to be detected and transmits the control signal according to the detection result.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include at least one lighting fixture having a light source or a device for controlling a light source.

9. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal can accept the control based on the received second signal, in addition to the control that they accept when they receive the first signal.

10. The control method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices operates in a preset basic control when both the first signal and the second signal cannot be received.

11. A candidate device included in a plurality of devices that construct a wireless network on which multiple devices can communicate with each other, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether there is a master unit capable of transmitting a first signal to each of the plurality of devices as a slave unit for the plurality of devices to accept control; a setting unit that, when the determination unit determines that there is no master unit, sets itself as a quasi-master unit in place of the master unit; and a transmission unit that transmits a second signal that mimics the first signal to devices other than the quasi-master unit, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal are candidate devices capable of accepting control that would be accepted upon receiving the first signal.

12. A wireless system comprising a plurality of devices that form a wireless network capable of communicating with each other, the system comprising: a determination unit that determines whether there is a master unit capable of transmitting a first signal to each of the plurality of devices for the plurality of devices to accept control, with each of the plurality of devices acting as a slave unit; a setting unit that, if the determination unit determines that there is no master unit, sets one of the plurality of devices as a sub-master unit in place of the master unit; and a transmission unit that transmits a second signal, which mimics the first signal, from the device set as the sub-master unit to devices other than the sub-master unit, wherein the plurality of devices that receive the second signal can accept the control they would accept if they received the first signal.

Images