JP2001126877A - Illumination control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination control system wherein the main unit can carry out different illumination controls depending on illumination load groups whereby the construction time and the cost are reduced. SOLUTION: An light control terminal 3b of the main unit is connected to a plurality of lighting fixtures 4 through two-wire light control signal line 6. The light control signals having different periods T1 to T3 from the light control terminals 3b are transmitted to the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 through the light control signal line 6. The lighting fixtures 41... belonging to the lighting fixture groups G1... selectivety receive light control signals having previously designated periods T1... among the light control signals received, and charge a lighting level of a fluorescent lamp 14 which is the light source, based on the duty ratio of the light control signals received. Accordingly, one light control terminal 3b can carry out light control of different lighting fixture groups G1 to G3, and thus it can provide a light control system which can be operated at low cost and reduce the construction time compared with a prior art system requiring a light control terminal for each lighting fixture group G1....

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting control system for remotely controlling dimming of a plurality of lighting loads.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a lighting control system for remotely controlling dimming of a plurality of lighting loads, a plurality of master units 70 are connected to a plurality of master units 70 via a two-line dimming signal line 6 as shown in FIG. Lighting loads 4 are connected, and a plurality of lighting loads are dimmed to the same dimming level based on the duty ratio of a dimming signal transmitted via the dimming signal line 6 for each master unit 70. (JP-A-6-203965 and JP-A-6-203965)
335068, JP-A-11-45783 and JP-A-5-153672. Each lighting load 4
Is connected to a commercial power supply AC, and is provided with a ballast for variably adjusting the power supplied from the commercial power supply AC to a light source such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp.

In the above-described conventional system, each master unit 70
In accordance with externally provided dimming instruction data (data indicating a dimming level of the illumination load 4), dimming is performed by changing the duty ratio of a dimming signal composed of a pulse signal having a constant period T as shown in FIG. In each lighting load 4 that repeatedly outputs the signal to the signal line 6 and receives the dimming signal, the power supply to the light source is varied based on the duty ratio of the dimming signal, and the dimming is performed to the dimming level according to the duty ratio. It is.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, a plurality of lighting loads (hereinafter, referred to as "lighting load group") connected to the master unit 70 via the dimming signal line 6.
Can be controlled only at the same dimming level, and when there are a plurality of lighting load groups for which dimming control is desired to be performed at different dimming levels, the master unit 70 and the dimming signal line are provided for each lighting load group. 6 is required, and there is a problem that construction takes a great deal of time and costs are high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a single master unit to perform different dimming control for each of a plurality of lighting load groups. Another object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost and low-cost lighting control system.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a plurality of lighting loads, each of which has a variable dimming level of a light source, are connected to a master unit via a dimming signal line. The master unit outputs a dimming signal having a duty ratio according to the control data given from the outside to the dimming signal line, and in each lighting load, based on the duty ratio of the dimming signal received via the dimming signal line. An illumination control system configured to vary a dimming level, wherein the master unit includes a control unit that creates a plurality of types of dimming signals having a duty ratio according to the dimming level and different periods from each other; Transmitting means for transmitting the created plural kinds of dimming signals through a dimming signal line in a time-division multiplexing manner, wherein each lighting load receives a dimming signal via the dimming signal line And a dimming signal having a predetermined period from the received dimming signals. Selecting means for selecting, and dimming means for varying the dimming level of the light source based on the duty ratio of the selected dimming signal. Is transmitted via a dimming signal line, and a dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is selected for each of a plurality of lighting load groups, and dimming control is performed based on a duty ratio of the dimming signal. Different dimming control can be performed for each of a plurality of lighting load groups, and a low-cost and low-cost lighting control system can be provided.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the transmission means of the master unit cyclically switches and transmits the dimming signal of each cycle. In addition, the response of each lighting load group can be made uniform when the dimming level is changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission means of the master unit is associated with the lighting load group during a period in which the light source of one or more lighting loads is turned off or fully turned on. A dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is not transmitted, and the dimming unit of each lighting load turns off or fully turns on the light source when the dimming signal of the cycle associated with the lighting load is not received within a predetermined time. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, in a period in which a dimming signal having a specific cycle is not transmitted, the time required for the dimming signal to make one cycle becomes shorter, and thus the control target of turning off or all lighting is performed. The responsiveness can be improved by increasing the number of times of control per unit time for the lighting load group that is not. In addition, since it is not necessary to set a duty ratio for turning off or turning on all lights, it is possible to widen a range of duty ratios assigned to dimming levels other than turning off and turning on all lights, thereby increasing a controllable resolution of the dimming level. Can be improved. Further, when the dimming signal line is broken, the lighting load group connected to the dimming signal line is turned off or all turned on, and it is possible to determine whether the dimming signal line is broken.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the dimming means turns off the light source or turns on the light source entirely when a dimming signal of a cycle corresponding to the self is not received within a predetermined time. A setting means for setting the setting is provided for each lighting load. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 3, the setting of the setting means can be changed according to the intended use, and the usability can be improved. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the lighting loads is provided with a cycle setting means for setting a cycle selected by the selection means from outside. In addition to the function of (1), the period to be selected can be changed according to the intended use or the like, and the usability can be improved.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the period setting means sets the period based on a radio signal supplied from the outside. In addition, workability in associating a cycle with each lighting load group can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmitting means of the master unit is associated with one or more lighting loads whose dimming level is changed when the dimming level is changed. A dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is given priority and transmitted continuously until a predetermined time, and in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1, the time per hour of the dimming signal for the lighting load group to be controlled is Is increased, the response of the lighting load group when changing the dimming level can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the means for selecting each illumination load detects a rising and falling edge of the received dimming signal based on a detection result of the detecting circuit. A timer circuit for measuring the cycle and pulse width of the dimming signal, and determining whether the cycle measured by the timer circuit matches a predetermined cycle set in advance and measuring the cycle if they match. And an arithmetic circuit for calculating the duty ratio of the dimming signal from the pulse width. In addition to the function of the invention of claim 1,
Compatibility with conventional systems can be ensured.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the master unit is formed in a size corresponding to a standardized distribution board agreement size, and each unit is installed. A housing is provided, and in addition to the function of any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the master unit can be disposed in the distribution board, so that the workability can be improved.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, a unique address is set, a switch status is monitored, and monitoring data according to the switch status is transmitted to the transmission control device. A monitoring terminal, a dimming terminal for controlling dimming of a lighting load corresponding to each switch in which a unique address is set, and each terminal connected via a pair of signal lines, and a transmission signal including address data. And a transmission control device for time-division multiplex transmission of monitoring data and control data indicating the contents of dimming control of the lighting load by accessing each terminal device by transmitting The transmission / reception unit transmits / receives a transmission signal to / from a transmission control device via a signal line. A terminal processing unit that fetches control data when the dress data matches the unique address set in the address setting unit and creates a dimming signal having a predetermined cycle and a duty ratio based on the control data. Characteristically, in addition to the operation of any one of the first to ninth aspects, by configuring the system with the master unit according to the present invention as a dimming terminal, control data can be transmitted to the master unit from a remote place by a transmission signal. It is possible to improve the usability.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments. However, in the present embodiment, the master unit is configured as a control terminal used in a conventionally known remote monitoring and control system, and control data for instructing a dimming level of a lighting load according to an operation state of a switch monitored by the monitoring terminal. Is provided via a signal line. Therefore, before describing the present embodiment, the remote monitoring control system will be briefly described.

In the above remote monitoring and control system, a transmission control device, a plurality of monitoring terminals for monitoring the operation state of the switch, and a control terminal for controlling the load are connected by a pair (two lines) of signal lines. The signal is transmitted in a time-division multiplex manner between the transmission control device and each terminal via a signal line, and the transmission control device remotely controls the operation of the load based on a switch operation. Is monitored by the transmission control device. Here, a unique address is set for each terminal, and each terminal is specified by a unique address in a transmission signal so that each terminal can be individually accessed.

As shown in FIG. 15, the transmission signal Vs transmitted from the transmission control device to the signal line includes a start pulse ST indicating the start of transmission, mode data MD indicating the signal mode,
It comprises address data AD indicating the address (8 bits) of the terminal to be accessed, control data CD indicating control contents, checksum data CS, and a reply period WT provided for returning a reply signal from the terminal. The transmission signal Vs is time-division multiplexed and transmitted as a pulse width modulated multipole (± 24 V) signal.

In each terminal, basically, when the address data of the transmission signal Vs> received via the signal line matches its own unique address data, the transmission signal Vs>
The control data of s is taken in, and the monitoring data is returned to the transmission control device as a current mode return signal by making the signal lines substantially short-circuited in synchronization with the return period WT of the transmission signal Vs.

However, for example, when a switch is operated, the following interrupt processing is performed so that the operation of the corresponding load can be immediately controlled. Assuming that a switch corresponding to any one of the monitoring terminals is operated, the monitoring terminal synchronizes with the start pulse ST of the transmission signal Vs transmitted from the transmission control device and divides the signal shown in FIG. Signal V
i is returned to the transmission control device. The transmission control device that has received the interrupt signal Vi specifies the interrupt occurrence monitoring terminal, accesses the monitoring terminal, and returns monitoring data.
Then, based on the returned monitoring data, control data to be transmitted to a control monitoring terminal that controls the corresponding load is created, and the control data is sent to the corresponding control monitoring terminal. In this way, urgent processing can be performed quickly.

FIG. 1 shows the overall system configuration of the lighting control system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of the main part. This lighting control system is basically similar to the above-described remote monitoring and control system, and has a transmission control device (hereinafter referred to as a transmission control device)
A transmission terminal 1), a plurality of monitoring terminals (in this embodiment, the switch and the monitoring terminal are integrated) 2 for monitoring the operation state of the switch, and a control terminal for controlling the operation of the load 4. Device 3 with a two-wire signal line 5,
The signal is transmitted by time division multiplexing between the transmission unit 1 and each of the terminals 2 and 3 via the signal line 5, and the operation of the load 4 is controlled by remote control based on a switch operation. The status is centrally monitored by the transmission unit 1.

Here, in the present invention, since the load 4 is an inverter-type lighting device (lighting load) capable of dimming control,
In the following description, the load 4 is called a lighting fixture. The control terminal 3 is a control terminal 3a for performing on / off control of the lighting fixture 4, and a control terminal 3a corresponding to the master unit of the present invention.
And a control terminal device 3b for performing the dimming control of. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (for example, three) lighting fixtures are connected to _one control terminal 3 b ₁ via a dimming signal line 6. The dimming control can be performed independently for each lighting fixture group. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, each group will be referred to as a lighting fixture group G1, G2, G3, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 4 belonging to each of the lighting fixture groups G1, G2, G3 will be referred to as needed. _They are denoted as ₁ , 4 ₂ and 4 ₃ .

The control terminal 3a incorporates a plurality of relays integrally, and each lighting fixture 4 is turned on and off by a relay contact.
Of the commercial power supply AC to the lighting equipment 4
The off control can be performed individually. It is also possible to turn on and off the relay contacts of a plurality of relays at the same time and turn on and off the plurality of lighting fixtures 4 connected to the control terminal 3a collectively.

The control terminal 3b is connected to each lighting fixture 4 via a signal line 5 and another two-wire type dimming signal line 6, and dims the lighting fixture 4 via the dimming signal line 6. Give a signal. There are two types of control terminals 3b, one that continuously controls the dimming of the luminaire 4 and one that can control the dimming stepwise to a desired dimming level. Therefore, in the following description, the called former continuous dimming control terminal 3b _1, the latter is called the stage dimming control terminal 3b _2, referred to as dimming control terminals 3b in the case of collectively both.

The dimming control terminal 3b receives, from the transformer unit 7, a power source (AC 24V) obtained by stepping down a commercial power source (AC100V / 200V AC) with a built-in transformer, and outputs a dimming signal output unit built in with the power source. It is working. The dimming terminal 3b is arranged in the distribution board 8 together with the transmission unit 1 and the transformer unit 7.
Accordingly, the external shape of the dimming control terminal 3b is formed to have a common size of the distribution board (see Appendix 5 of JIS C 8370), and can be housed in the distribution board 8 together with a breaker and the like.

In the lighting control system of this embodiment, a plurality of types of monitoring terminals 2 are provided. The types of the monitoring terminals 2 are a continuous dimming switch terminal 2a for continuously dimming the lighting fixture 4, a step dimming switch terminal 2b for stepwise dimming control, and individually turning on and off the lighting fixture 4. And an individual control switch terminal 2c.

The continuous dimming switch terminal 2a includes an up switch 21 for continuously increasing the dimming level, a down switch 22 for continuously decreasing the dimming level, and a dimming signal line 6.
And a dimming signal on / off switch 23 to turn on / off the transmission of dimming signals to, the luminaire 4 connected to the continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ in accordance with the operation of the switches 21 to 23 The dimming control is performed.

In the case of FIG. 1, the step dimming switch terminal 2b is a step dimming switch 24 _{1 to} 24 ₃ for switching three stages (level 1 (L1) to level 3 (L3)), respectively.
And a dimming signal on / off switch 25 to turn on / off the transmission of the dimming signal to the dimming signal line 6, the switch 24 _1-24
3, and performs dimming control of the lighting apparatus 4 connected to the stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ in accordance with the 25 operation. Here, the continuous dimming switch terminal 2a and the step dimming switch terminal 2b each include a plurality of lighting fixture groups G1, G2,
A plurality of lighting equipment groups G are provided corresponding to G3.
A plurality of lighting devices 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 belonging to 1, G2, G3
And performs dimming control luminaire groups G1 ... every respect _3.

The individual control switch terminal 2c includes an individual control switch 26 for individually turning on and off each lighting fixture 4, and a single individual control switch terminal 2c has a plurality (in the case of this embodiment, Are provided with four individual control switches 26. Individual control switch terminal 2c
Supplies the monitoring data according to the operation of each individual control switch 26 to the transmission unit 1, and turns on and off by the control terminal 3 a to which the lighting fixture 4 corresponding to the individual control switch 26 is connected via the transmission unit 1 ( (ON, OFF) control is performed.

Next, the dimming control terminal 3b which is a feature of the present invention will be described. First, the continuous dimming control terminal 3b
₁ will be described with reference to FIG. In the continuous dimming control terminal 3b _1, and a transmission processing unit similar to the basic configuration of the control terminal 3a of this type of remote monitoring and control system (lighting control system). The transmission processing unit includes a diode bridge DB ₁ for taking a transmission signal transmitted via the signal line 5, a receiving circuit 31 for receiving a transmission signal input via the diode bridge DB _1, the receiving circuit 31 A signal processing circuit 32 composed of a CPU for performing signal processing in accordance with the reception output, a reply circuit 33 for sending a reply to the transmission unit 1, and a wireless setting device (not shown)
A wireless receiving circuit 34 for receiving an optical wireless signal (infrared light) from the wireless setting device, a transmitting circuit 35 for transmitting an optical wireless signal to the wireless setting device, and an address including an EEPROM for storing an address transmitted from the wireless setting device. A memory circuit 36, an oscillation circuit 37 for generating a clock signal for the signal processing circuit 32, and a display circuit 3 for displaying that a signal from the wireless setting device is being received.
8, are constituted by a constant-voltage circuit 39 that creates a power supply for the transmission processing unit from the diode bridge DB ₁ output.

[0031] the continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ signal line 5 is connected to the signal terminal N _1, N _2, the signal terminal N _1,
By connecting the diode bridge DB ₁ between N _2, the signal line 5 is a connectable in a non-polar. And
To obtain the power of the transmission processing unit the output of the diode bridge DB ₁ to a constant voltage by using the constant-voltage circuit 31. That is, the terminals 2 and 3 of this type of remote monitoring and control system basically operate by receiving power from a transmission signal.

The transmission signal Vs transmitted from the transmission unit 1 via the diode bridge DB ₁ is received by the receiving circuit 31 and given to the signal processing circuit 32. The signal processing circuit 32 determines whether or not the address data of the received transmission signal Vs matches the unique address stored in the address storage unit 36. Only when the address data matches, the control data is taken in and the lighting is performed. The dimming control of the device 4 is performed. Then, control results and the like are returned to the transmission unit 1 as monitoring data during the reply period set in the transmission signal. The above operation is similar to the operation of the ordinary control terminal 3a.

In the transmission processing section, the address can be set using a wireless setting device. That is, when transmitting a setting signal for setting the address using the wireless setting device in continuous dimming terminal unit 3b _1, the wireless signal from the address setting unit is received by the wireless receiver circuit 34, based on the received output The signal processing circuit 32 writes data corresponding to the address into the address storage unit 36. Note that the address can be changed in the same manner. Here, the wireless transmission circuit 35
Is provided for normally receiving address data from the address setting device, and is also used, for example, when returning the currently set address to the wireless setting device when confirming the address.

By the way, in the present embodiment is set the address of three types corresponding to the luminaire groups G1, G2, G3 which are connected via a continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ dimming signal line 6, these The same address as the three addresses is also set in the continuous dimming switch terminals 2a... For performing dimming control for each of the lighting fixture groups G1, G2, G3. 2a continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ and group luminaire from the corresponding address data G1, G2, and G3 are enabled to easily determine.

Further, the continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ is provided in addition to the dimming signal output part of the transmission processing unit. The dimming signal output unit operates with a power supplied from the power supply circuit 40. The power supply circuit 40 includes a step-down transformer T ₁ , a diode bridge DB _2, and a constant voltage circuit 40 a using a so-called three-terminal regulator. The power supply (24 VAC) supplied from the transformer unit 7 is stepped down by the step-down transformer T ₁ . And the step-down output is connected to a diode bridge DB.
_The light is rectified by ₂ and is further converted to a constant voltage by a constant voltage circuit 40a to create a power supply for the dimming signal output unit.

The dimming signal output section outputs the dimming signal supplied from the output terminal (pin 19 output) of the signal processing circuit 32 to
It is given to the lighting equipment 4 via the dimming signal line 6 connected to the output terminals S ₁ and S ₂ . Here, the dimming signal is output as a pulse signal (or a rectangular wave signal) having two values of high and low, and indicates the dimming level by the duty ratio of the pulse signal. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, dimming signals having three different periods T1, T2, and T3 corresponding to the respective lighting fixture groups G1, G2, and G3 are signal-processed cyclically. The output from the circuit 32 is provided. Here, the correspondence between the lighting fixture groups G1, G2, G3 and the periods T1, T2, T3 of the dimming signal 5 can be set by a wireless signal from the above-described address setting device. It is memorized. In the case of the present embodiment, when the duty ratio is small, the dimming level of the lighting fixture 4 is small (the light output is large), and as the duty ratio increases, the dimming level of the lighting fixture 4 is large (light). The output is throttled and drops)
It has become.

A dimming signal corresponding to the output of the signal processing circuit 32
Output to the lighting equipment 4 via the light control signal line 6
41 is a transistor Q₁~ Q_ThreeAnd photo coupler PC
₁It consists of. In addition, the photo coupler PC₁Is dimming
The influence of the power supply short-circuit on the signal output unit side is affected by the signal processing circuit 32.
Used to prevent side effects. Now the signal
When the output of the processing circuit 32 is at a high level,
Transistor Q₁Turns on and the photocoupler PC₁Luminescence
The diode emits light and the phototransistor turns on.
(However, the phototransistor is turned on as described later.
In order for the transistor Q_FourIs enabled
Transistor Q) _TwoTurns on
As a result, the power supply voltage of the power supply circuit 40 is marked on the dimming signal line 6.
Be added. Then, the output of the signal processing circuit 32 becomes low level.
Transistor Q₁Is off, photocoupler P
C₁Photo transistor is off, transistor Q_TwoBut
By turning off, the dimming signal line 6 is connected to the power supply circuit 40.
Reduced to the negative electrode level.

The transistor Q ₃ is turned on and off contrary to the transistor Q _1, and the transistor Q ₁ is turned off and the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC ₁ is turned off together with the resistor connected in series with the transistor Q _3. When in the state, the power from the constant voltage circuit 39 is consumed by the resistor,
It is different duty cycle of the output of the signal processing circuit 32, as the difference in power consumption is not out of when the transistor Q ₁ is is emitting light on to photo-coupler PC ₁ of the light-emitting diode, the constant voltage circuit 39 Is provided in order to reduce the fluctuation of the output voltage.

Further, the dimming signal output section detects that the dimming signal line 6 is short-circuited,
There when shorted, is provided with a short-circuit protection circuit 42 to prevent the output of the power supply circuit 40 to the transistor Q ₂ as an off are short-circuited. The short-circuit protection circuit 42 includes three comparators CP ₁ ~ CP _3, transistor Q _4, the Zener diode ZD _1, diode D _1, a light emitting diode LED _3, capacitor C _1, are constituted by a resistor R ₁ to R _5.

Comparator CP₁Is a Zener diode
ZD₁The Zener voltage of the resistor R_Four, R _FiveThe voltage divided by
It operates as a reference voltage, and the reference voltage and the capacitor C₁
Is compared with the voltage between both ends. Where conden
Sa C₁Is usually the output terminal S ₁, S_TwoConnected at both ends
Resistance R_TwoAnd the output terminal S_TwoAnd the negative electrode of the power supply circuit 40
Resistor R connected between₁And the transistor Q_TwoThrough
The voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage of the power supply circuit 40 applied by
Charged / discharged and charged by diode D₁Done through and release
Electricity is resistance R_ThreeDone through.

Now, when the dimming signal line 6 is normal and not short-circuited, the divided voltages of the resistors R ₁ and R ₂ are set to be low, and the voltage across the capacitor C ₁ is set to be equal to or lower than the reference voltage. For example, the largest state the dimming level is high duty, the duty ratio in this case was 100%, the transistor Q ₂ is turned on at all times. In this case also, the voltage across the capacitor C ₁ is are as does not exceed the reference voltage.

[0042] Thus, the output of the comparator CP ₁ during normal is at a high level, the comparator CP _2, CP ₃ as a reference voltage a Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD ₁
Are pulled up by a resistor connected to the output of the power supply circuit 40, so that the comparison input becomes the output voltage of the power supply circuit 40, and their outputs also become high level. Thus, the transistor Q ₄ are biased to an ON ready during on of the phototransistor of the photocoupler PC _1. In addition, light emitting diode LED for short circuit indication
₃ is off.

Next, when the dimming signal line 6 is short-circuited, both ends of the resistor R ₂ are short-circuited, and the transistor Q ₂
Is turned on, the output voltage of the power supply circuit 40 is applied via the transistor Q ₂ and the diode D ₁ . For this reason,
Voltage across the capacitor C ₁ is increased to approximately the output voltage of the power supply circuit 40. Therefore, exceeds the reference voltage is the voltage across the capacitor C ₁ at the time of short circuit, the output of the comparator CP ₁ becomes low level. At this time, the comparators CP ₂ ,
Both outputs of CP ₃ become low level, and the transistor Q
₄ to a state in which a bias is not applied, therefore the phototransistor of the photocoupler PC ₁ is not turned on, the state of the transistor Q ₂ is also not turned on. At the same time, the light emitting diode LED ₃ is turned on to indicate that the light control signal line 6 is in a short circuit state.

As described above, the transistor Q_TwoIs off
After that state is maintained, the capacitor C₁Is
Anti-R_ThreeIs discharged through. And the capacitor C₁When
Resistance R_ThreeAfter the discharge time determined by
P₁Returns to the high level, and the transistor Q_FourBut
LED is restored to a state in which_ThreeAlso goes out
I do. However, if the short-circuit state is maintained at this time,
Is a photo coupler PC ₁Turn on the phototransistor
From the transistor Q_TwoIs turned on, the capacitor
C₁Is charged up to the output voltage of the power supply circuit 40, and
The same signal is output as when the duty ratio of the dimming signal is 0%.
Is forced. That is, if the light control signal line 6 is in a short-circuit state,
The output of the dimming signal is continuously stopped.

When the short-circuit protection circuit 42 is configured as described above, when the short-circuit state of the dimming signal line 6 is eliminated, the short-circuit protection circuit 42 automatically returns to the normal state. Further, when the short-circuit protection circuit 42 operates, since the light control signal having the duty ratio of 0% is supplied to the lighting fixture 4 as described above, the lighting fixture 4 is fully lit.
Therefore, only not applied continuously dimming control terminal 3b ₁ dimming control, lighting fixture 4 can be maintained in the lighted state.
At this time the light emitting diode LED ₃ depending substantially discharge time constant of the capacitor C ₁ intermittently turned on, but off, as in the visual looks continuous lighting state, the discharge time constant of the capacitor C ₁ is set is there.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the luminaire 4 has a receiving means 10 for receiving a dimming signal via the dimming signal line 6.
And a timer circuit 11 for measuring the cycle and pulse width of the received dimming signal, as will be described later, and a microcomputer, and a preset cycle T1 or T2 or A calculation unit for selecting a dimming signal having T3 and outputting a dimming level instruction signal for instructing a dimming level based on a duty ratio of the selected dimming signal; and a commercial unit based on the dimming level instruction signal. A lamp control unit 13 for varying the power supplied from the power supply AC to the fluorescent lamp 14 as a light source to dimming the fluorescent lamp 14
A period input unit 15 to which a setting signal for externally setting the period T1 to T3 to be selected is input, and a period storage setting unit to store any one of the periods T1 to T3 set by the input setting signal. 16 and a load state setting storage unit 17 for setting and storing whether the fluorescent lamp 14 is turned off or fully turned on by an external setting signal when a dimming signal is not received within a predetermined time. ing. In addition,
The lamp control unit 13 has a conventionally well-known configuration using an inverter circuit, and a specific circuit configuration and operation description will be omitted.

The receiving means 10 includes a rising detector 10a for detecting a rising of the dimming signal from low to high,
It comprises a falling detector 10b for detecting the falling of the dimming signal from high to low. Here, the operation unit 1
The procedure for calculating the cycle and duty ratio of the dimming signal received in step 2 is described in the timing chart of FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the arithmetic section 12 acquires the cycle (Tx) set and stored in the cycle storage setting section 16 (step 1), operates the timer circuit 11 and detects the fall from the fall detection section 10b. Wait for a signal to be input (steps 2 and 3). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the fall of the dimming signal from high to low is detected by the fall detection unit 1.
When the signal is detected at 0b and the falling detection signal is input to the calculating unit 12, the calculating unit 12 acquires the timer value td at that time from the timer circuit 11 (step 4), and the rising detecting signal from the rising detecting unit 10a. Is input (step 5). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the rising of the dimming signal from low to high occurs in the rising detection unit 1.
When the signal is detected at 0a and the rising detection signal is input to the arithmetic unit 12, the arithmetic unit 12 acquires the timer value t at that time from the timer circuit 11 (step 6), and
1 is reset to return the timer value to the initial value (= 0) (step 7). The timer value t obtained at this time represents the period (for example, T1) of the received dimming signal, and the arithmetic unit 1
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the cycle T1 of the dimming signal obtained from the timer value t matches the set value Tx of the cycle (step 8). The process returns to the signal reception standby state (step 3). on the other hand,
When the cycle T1 of the dimming signal matches the set value Tx, the calculation unit 12 calculates the duty ratio (on-duty ratio) of the dimming signal from the formula of 100 × td / t (step 9), and obtains the obtained duty. A dimming level instruction signal indicating a dimming level based on the ratio is output to the lamp control unit 13 (step 10), and the process returns to a standby state for receiving a dimming signal (step 3).

As described above, the arithmetic section 12 selects and captures a dimming signal that matches a preset cycle (T1 in the above example) from among dimming signals having different cycles as described above. The duty ratio of the received light control signal is calculated, and light control is performed based on the duty ratio. Since the configuration of the receiving means 10 and the procedure for calculating the duty ratio of the dimming signal are the same as those of the dimming control terminal in the conventional system, the dimming control terminal 3b of the present embodiment can be used for the existing conventional system. It can be easily added, and compatibility with the conventional system can be ensured. When the arithmetic unit 12 cannot receive a dimming signal having a cycle to be selected within a predetermined time, the duty ratio is set to 100% (off) based on the setting content stored in the load state setting storage unit 17. Alternatively, a dimming level instruction signal corresponding to 0% (full lighting) is output to the lamp control unit 13 (in the present embodiment, the dimming level instruction signal corresponding to the duty ratio of 0% is set to be output). ).

The operation of continuously dimming the lighting fixture 4 using the continuous dimming switch terminal 2a will be described below.
Here, the continuous dimming control is performed individually for each successive dimming terminal unit 3b ₁ DOO each luminaire group G1 of the dimming signal line multiple connected by 6 luminaire 4, G2, G3 . For example, a continuous dimming switch terminal 2a corresponding to the lighting fixture group G1
When the up switch 21 is pressed, the transmission unit monitoring data indicating to start an operation to up multiple light output of the luminaire 4 ₁ belonging to luminaire group G1 from the continuous dimming switch terminal unit 2a given to 1, the control data is applied to the continuous dimming terminal unit 3b ₁ (down as dimming level) is up the light output of the luminaire 4 ₁ from the transmission unit 1. This control data is transmitted to the receiving circuit 3
The signal processing circuit 32, which receives the pulse signal having the cycle T1 associated with the lighting fixture group G1 and has the pulse signal whose duty ratio is gradually reduced, has other cycles T2 and T3. The light is cyclically output together with the dimming signal, and the output circuit 41 sends the dimming signal to each of the lighting fixture groups G1, G2, and G3 via the dimming signal line 6 in the above-described operation.

On the other hand, the lighting equipment 4 belonging to the lighting equipment group G1
_{In step 1} , a dimming signal having a cycle T1 set in advance by the above operation is selected and taken in, and the arithmetic unit 1
In step 2, the duty ratio of the received light control signal is obtained, and a light control level instruction signal is provided to the lamp control unit 13 in accordance with the duty ratio to increase the light output of the fluorescent lamp 14. This operation of increasing the light output is continued while the up switch 21 is pressed. Note that other lighting fixture groups G associated with different periods T2 and T3.
2, the lighting fixtures 4 ₂ and 4 ₃ belonging to G3 maintain the light output of the fluorescent lamp 14 as it is because the dimming level of the acquired dimming signal is not changed.

[0052] When the luminaire 4 ₁ becomes a desired light output state, when releasing the pressing state of the up switch 2 indicates that stopping the operation for up its time light output of the luminaire 4 ₁ monitoring data is provided to the transmission unit 1 from the continuous dimmer switch terminal unit 2a, a control data thereby stopping the control for varying the transmission unit 1 dimming level is applied to the continuous dimming terminal unit 3b _1. At this time, the signal processing circuit 3 of the continuous dimming terminal 3b ₁
In 2, the luminaire group G1 corresponding period T1 a dimming signal having a duty ratio fixed to the value at the release of the pressing operation of the up switch 21, thereby the luminaire 4 ₁ belonging to the luminaire group G1 The light output state, that is, the dimming level is maintained at a desired state.

[0053] Incidentally, in the case of down, for example, the light output of the luminaire 4 ₁ belonging to the luminaire group G1, in the same manner as in the up, during the pressing operation of the down switch 22, to start the operation to bring down the dimming level monitoring data is provided to the transmission unit 1 from the continuous dimmer switch terminal unit 2a, control data for lowering the transmission unit 1 dimming level is applied to the continuous dimming terminal unit 3b _1, continuous dimming terminal unit 3b for reducing the power supplied to the fluorescent lamp 14 in the luminaire 4 ₁ in accordance with a dimming signal from the ₁ (dimming signal having a period T1), bring down the light output of the fluorescent lamp 14. By releasing the pressing state of the down switch 22, it is possible to change the lighting state of the lighting apparatus 4 ₁ to the desired dimming level.

Incidentally, any of the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3
When the dimming level is changed, the dimming signal having the cycle T1 associated with the lighting fixture group G1 to be changed is preferentially output in the signal processing circuit 32 until a predetermined time. You may do it. For example, in the case of changing the dimming level of the lighting apparatus group G2 as shown in FIG. 8, through a continuous dimming control terminal 3b ₁ dimming signal line 6, a dimming signal having a period T2 Duty ratio D ₂
⁽ⁱ⁾ Continuously transmit a predetermined number of times (N times) while gradually changing (i = 1, 2,..., M). However, if the desired dimming level is not reached after N transmissions, the dimming signal having the cycle T2 is transmitted once after the dimming signal having the other cycles T1 and T3, and then the duty ratio D ₂ ^{(i )} Is transmitted continuously while changing gradually. In addition, each lighting fixture 4
, The current dimming level is maintained within the time (= T3 × N) in which the dimming signal having the longest cycle (T3 in this case) is continuous N times, and the dimming having the corresponding cycle If the signal is not received for longer than the above time, the fluorescent lamp 14 is fully turned on as in the case of receiving the dimming signal having the duty ratio of 0%.

According to the above-described manner, when the dimming level is changed, the frequency of dimming signals per hour for the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 to be controlled increases, so that the dimming level is changed. Responsiveness of the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 can be improved.

When the dimming signal on / off switch 23 is operated, monitoring data indicating that the output of the dimming signal is stopped is given to the transmission unit 1 from the continuous dimming switch terminal 2a. control data for stopping the output of the dimming signal is applied to the continuous dimming terminal unit 3b _1. At this time, the signal processing circuit 32 sets the duty ratio of the dimming signal having the periods T1 to T3 corresponding to the continuous dimming control switch terminal 2a in which the dimming signal on / off switch 23 is operated to 0%. . Therefore, the period (for example, T
1) dimming signal having become transistor Q ₂ is turned off the output circuit 41 during the period that has been transmitted, the state in which a voltage in the transmission period of the dimmer signal having the cycle is not applied to the light control signal line 6 . That is, only the dimming signal having another cycle excluding (thinning out) the dimming signal of the cycle whose duty ratio is set to 0% is transmitted through the dimming signal line 6.

Here, when all of the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 are fully lit, including the case where the dimming signal ON / OFF switch 23 is operated as described above, the duty ratio is set to 0%. Instead of transmitting a signal, as shown in FIG. 9, a lighting device that is not controlled to be fully lighted without transmitting a dimming signal having a cycle T2 corresponding to a lighting device group (for example, G2) to be fully lighted. Periods T1, T3 corresponding to groups G1, G3
May be cyclically transmitted. If this time receives a dimming signal having a period T2 within a predetermined time (above T3 × N) in the luminaire 4 ₂ belonging to the group luminaire G2, the duty ratio has received a 0% dimming signal Fluorescent lamp 1 as before
4 are all turned on.

As described above, during a period in which a dimming signal having a specific cycle (T2 in the above case) is not transmitted (in the above case, a period in which the lighting fixture group G2 is fully lit), the dimming signal is not transmitted. Since the time required for one cycle becomes short, the responsiveness can be improved by increasing the number of times of control per time for the lighting fixture group (G1, G3 in the above case) which is not the control target of all lighting. Further, since it is not necessary to set the duty ratio for full lighting, the range of the duty ratio assigned to the dimming level other than full lighting can be expanded, and the controllable resolution of the dimming level can be improved. There is an advantage that you can. Further, the lighting fixture groups G1 to G connected to the light control signal line 6 when the light control signal line 6 is disconnected.
3 are all turned on, whereby it is possible to determine whether or not the dimming signal line 6 is disconnected. In the present embodiment, the fluorescent lamp 14 is fully turned on when the lighting device 4 does not receive the dimming signal within the predetermined time, but it depends on the setting contents of the load state setting device unit 17. In this case, the fluorescent lamp 14 can be turned off,
There is an advantage that usability can be improved by rewriting the setting contents of the load state setting unit 100 according to the intended use.

[0059] The appearance of a continuous dimming terminal unit 3b ₁ of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view in FIG. 11. The continuous dimming housing 50 of the terminal unit 3b ₁ is composed of a box-shaped body 50a whose upper surface is open, and a cover 50b which is deposited on the upper surface of the body 50a. This housing 50
Is the distribution board agreement dimensions as described above (in the present embodiment,
(Three modules). A boss 50c protrudes from the bottom surface of the body 50a, and a fixing screw 50d is screwed through an insertion hole formed in the boss 50c, so that the body 50a and the cover 50b are integrally combined.

Inside the housing 50, the printed circuit board 52 constituting the circuit described with reference to FIG. The upper surface of the cover 50b corresponding to the light emitting diode LED ₂ of the photodiode PD and a wireless transmission circuit 35 of the wireless receiver circuit 34 mounted on the printed circuit board 52 is provided with a transparent window 54 infrared transmission filter 54a is attached, A wireless signal can be transmitted to and received from a wireless setting device. Further, the light emitting diodes LED ₁ and the display window 55a to expose the light emitting diode LED ₃ for short-circuiting the display displays the received state of the wireless signal from the address setting unit of the display circuit 38, to form 55b on the upper surface of the cover 50b is there. The cover 50b
A nameplate 57 is attached to the center of the upper surface of the.

The signal terminals N ₁ and N ₂ are connected to one end of the cover 50b.
Further, a terminal 51a for a power input terminal is provided, and a terminal 51b for output terminals S ₁ and S ₂ is provided at the other end. Each of the terminals N ₁ , N ₂ , S ₁ , and S ₂ and the power input terminal (collectively referred to as terminals 58) includes an L-shaped terminal plate 58a and a terminal screw 58b with a washer. Here, the terminal 58 is directly connected to the printed board 52 by inserting a hanging piece into an insertion hole 59 formed in the printed board 52 and soldering.

Next, a description will be given stage dimming control terminal 3b _2. Construction stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ also, as shown in FIG. 12 is basically the same as the continuous dimming terminal unit 3b _1. It is a feature of this stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ sets three stage dimming level in response to the voltage applied to the input terminal of the signal processing circuit 32 (pin 5 from the third pin) There is a point. When the voltage applied to the input terminal is set to the power supply voltage (the output voltage of the constant voltage circuit 39) as shown in FIG. 3, the state is set to the state without the step dimming, that is, the continuous dimming state. You.

Here, the step dimming control terminal 3 of the present embodiment
In the case of b ₂ , each of the variable resistors VR is used for setting the input voltage.
_{1 to} VR ₃ are provided so that the dimming level can be arbitrarily set in three stages. Figure 13 shows the appearance of the stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ of the present embodiment, showing the exploded perspective view in FIG. 14. In the case of this embodiment, the printed circuit board 52
The operation knob 60 of the variable resistor VR ₁ to VR ₃ mounted on, is exposed from the upper surface through the insertion hole 61 of the cover 50b, it is to be adjusted from the outside.

The step dimming control by the operation of the step dimming switch terminal 2b will be described. A step dimmer switch terminal unit 2b, the switch 24 _{1-24 3} for selecting a dimming level corresponding to the setting of the variable resistor VR ₁ to VR ₃ individually (In the following description, the switch 24 ₁ and the variable resistor V
R ₁ , switch 24 ₂ and variable resistor VR ₂ , switch 24
Comprises a _third variable resistor VR ₃ is assumed to correspond with), by either manipulating any switch 24 _{1-24 3,} illumination belonging to any of the luminaire groups G1~G3 at any dimming state instrument ₄₁ to ₃ can be turned dimming.

[0065] Now, when the switch 24 ₁ is operated, monitoring data at that time is given to the transmission unit 1, gives control data corresponding from the transmission unit 1 to the switch 24 ₁ in the stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ Can be Here, stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ dimming signal line 6 terminal stage dimming control a unique address respectively corresponding to each dimming level to the connected luminaire groups G1 ... each via a unit 3b ₂ Yes set, set the same address as the unique address of each corresponding to the dimming level of each to each switch 24 _{1-24 3} stage dimmer switch terminal unit 2b corresponding to each luminaire group G1 ..., a The step dimming state can be selected individually for each lighting fixture group G1... According to the address data. For example, a step light control switch terminal device 2 corresponding to the lighting fixture group G1.
When the switch 24 ₁ of b is operated, the variable resistor VR ₁ signal processing circuit 32 from the address data of the transmission signal
It determines that turns on stage dimming level tone luminaire 4 ₁ belonging to the luminaire group G1 with light by, associated with the luminaire group G1 among the periods of different dimming signal that is transmitted cyclically The dimming signal having the period T1 is output to the output circuit 4
Via 1 to output a dimming signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the setting of the variable resistor VR _1.

The step dimming switch terminal 2b also has a dimming signal on / off switch 25 for turning on / off dimming control, and the unique address corresponding to on / off of dimming control is also stepped. Yes set to the optical control terminal 3b _2, therewith are set the same address to the switch 25. Accordingly, there is to be able to perform on / off control of the dimming control from the address stage dimming control terminal 3b ₂ in the transmission signal.

As described above, in this embodiment, the dimming signals having different periods are cyclically transmitted to the respective lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 via the dimming signal line 6, and the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 are transmitted.
3 fetches only the dimming signal having the associated periods T1 to T3 and varies the light output of the fluorescent lamp 14 based on the duty ratio of the dimming signal. Thus, it is possible to perform different dimming control for each of the plurality of lighting fixture groups G1 to G3. As a result, it is possible to provide a low-cost and low-cost lighting control system as compared with the conventional example that requires a dimming control terminal for each lighting fixture group G1. Further, in the present embodiment, since the dimming signals having the periods T1 to T3 corresponding to the respective lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 are cyclically transmitted, when the dimming level is changed, each of the lighting fixture groups G1 to G3 is changed. There is an advantage that the response can be made uniform. Select Here, each luminaire 4 ₁ is provided with a period storage setting unit 16, since to be able to be set by the setting signal from the outside the periods to be selected, depending on the intended use or the like There is an advantage that the cycle of the operation can be changed and the usability can be improved. If the period input unit 15 to which the setting signal is input is configured to be able to receive a wireless signal such as an infrared signal, the above-described period setting can be performed remotely by a wireless signal. Workability at the time of setting can be improved.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of lighting loads having variable dimming levels of a light source are connected to a master unit via a dimming signal line, and the master unit responds to control data given from the outside. A lighting control system that outputs a dimming signal having a duty ratio to a dimming signal line, and in each lighting load, varies a dimming level based on the duty ratio of the dimming signal received via the dimming signal line. The master unit includes a control unit that generates a plurality of types of dimming signals having a duty ratio according to the dimming level and different periods from each other, and a plurality of types of dimming signals generated by the control unit. Transmitting means for transmitting in a time-division multiplexing manner via a line, each lighting load receiving means for receiving a dimming signal via a dimming signal line, and a predetermined Selecting means for selecting a dimming signal having a period; The dimming level of the light source is characterized by comprising a variable light control means based on Yuti ratio,
A dimming signal of a different cycle is transmitted from the master unit to each lighting load via a dimming signal line, and a dimming signal of a predetermined cycle is selected for each of a plurality of lighting load groups and based on a duty ratio of the dimming signal. Since dimming control is performed, it is possible to perform dimming control different for each of a plurality of lighting load groups with one master unit, and it is possible to provide a low-cost and low-cost lighting control system. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission means of the master unit cyclically switches and transmits the dimming signal of each cycle. In addition, there is an effect that the response of each lighting load group can be made uniform when the dimming level is changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission means of the master unit is associated with the lighting load group during a period in which the light source of one or more lighting loads is turned off or fully turned on. A dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is not transmitted, and the dimming unit of each lighting load turns off or fully turns on the light source when the dimming signal of the cycle associated with the lighting load is not received within a predetermined time. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, in a period in which a dimming signal having a specific cycle is not transmitted, the time required for the dimming signal to make a round becomes shorter, and thus the control target of turning off or all lighting is performed. There is an effect that the responsiveness can be improved by increasing the number of times of control per unit time for the lighting load group which is not. In addition, since it is not necessary to set a duty ratio for turning off or turning on all lights, it is possible to widen a range of duty ratios assigned to dimming levels other than turning off and turning on all lights, thereby increasing a controllable resolution of the dimming level. There is an effect that it can be improved. Further, when the dimming signal line is disconnected, the lighting load group connected to the dimming signal line is turned off or all turned on, and it is possible to determine whether the dimming signal line is disconnected. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the dimming means turns off the light source or turns on the light source entirely when the dimming signal of the cycle corresponding to itself is not received within a predetermined time. A setting means for setting the setting is provided for each lighting load. In addition to the effect of the third aspect of the invention, the setting of the setting means can be changed according to the intended use, and the usability can be improved. This has the effect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a cycle setting means for setting a cycle selected by the selection means from the outside is provided for each lighting load. In addition to the effects described above, the period to be selected can be changed according to the intended use and the like, resulting in an improvement in usability.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the period setting means sets the period based on a radio signal supplied from the outside. In addition, there is an effect that workability when associating a cycle with each lighting load group can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmitting means of the master unit is associated with one or more lighting loads whose dimming level is changed when the dimming level is changed. The dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is given priority and transmitted continuously until a predetermined time, and in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the time per hour of the dimming signal to the lighting load group to be controlled is Since the frequency of occurrence of increases, the responsiveness of the lighting load group when changing the dimming level can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the means for selecting each lighting load detects a rising and falling edge of the received dimming signal, based on a detection result of the detecting circuit. A timer circuit for measuring the cycle and pulse width of the dimming signal, and determining whether the cycle measured by the timer circuit matches a predetermined cycle set in advance and measuring the cycle if they match. And an arithmetic circuit for calculating the duty ratio of the dimming signal from the pulse width. In addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1,
There is an effect that compatibility with the conventional system can be ensured.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the master unit is formed in a size corresponding to the standardized distribution board agreement size, and each unit is installed. A housing is provided, and in addition to the effects of any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, there is an effect that the master unit can be arranged in the distribution board to improve workability. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, a unique address is set, a switch status is monitored, and monitoring data according to the switch status is transmitted to the transmission control device. A monitoring terminal, a dimming terminal for controlling dimming of a lighting load corresponding to each switch in which a unique address is set, and each terminal connected via a pair of signal lines, and a transmission signal including address data. And a transmission control device for time-division multiplex transmission of monitoring data and control data indicating the contents of dimming control of the lighting load by accessing each terminal device by transmitting The transmission / reception unit transmits / receives a transmission signal to / from a transmission control device via a signal line. A terminal processing unit that fetches control data when the dress data matches the unique address set in the address setting unit and creates a dimming signal having a predetermined cycle and a duty ratio based on the control data. In addition to the effects of any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, by configuring the system with the master unit of the present invention as a dimming terminal, control data can be transmitted to the master unit by a transmission signal from a remote place. There is an effect that it becomes possible to improve the usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the continuous dimming control terminal of the above.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a dimming signal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the lighting fixture in the above.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the lighting fixture in the above.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the lighting fixture in the above.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the continuous dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the continuous dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the continuous dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the continuous dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of a stage dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the step dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the step dimming control terminal in the above.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission signal.

FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a dimming signal according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission unit 2 Monitoring terminal 2a Continuous dimming switch terminal 2b Stage dimming switch terminal 3 Control terminal 3a Control terminal 3b ₁ Continuous dimming control terminal 3b _Two- stage dimming control terminal 4 Lighting equipment G1 G3 Lighting equipment group 5 Signal line 6 Dimming signal line

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 6, 1999 (1999.12.
6)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission means of the master unit is associated with the lighting load group during a period in which the light source of one or more lighting loads is turned off or fully turned on. A dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is not transmitted, and the dimming unit of each lighting load turns off or fully turns on the light source when the dimming signal of the cycle associated with the lighting load is not received within a predetermined time. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, in a period in which a dimming signal having a specific cycle is not transmitted, the time required for the dimming signal to make one cycle becomes shorter, and thus the control target of turning off or all lighting is performed. The responsiveness can be improved by increasing the number of times of control per unit time for the lighting load group that is not. Further, since it is not necessary to set the duty ratio for turning off or turning on all lights, it is possible to widen the range of the duty ratio assigned to dimming levels other than turning off or turning on all lights, and to increase the controllable resolution of the dimming level. Can be improved. Further, when the dimming signal line is broken, the lighting load group connected to the dimming signal line is turned off or all turned on, and it is possible to determine whether the dimming signal line is broken.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0070

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission means of the master unit is associated with the lighting load group during a period in which the light source of one or more lighting loads is turned off or fully turned on. A dimming signal having a predetermined cycle is not transmitted, and the dimming unit of each lighting load turns off or fully turns on the light source when the dimming signal of the cycle associated with the lighting load is not received within a predetermined time. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, in a period in which a dimming signal having a specific cycle is not transmitted, the time required for the dimming signal to make a round becomes shorter, and thus the control target of turning off or all lighting is performed. There is an effect that the responsiveness can be improved by increasing the number of times of control per unit time for the lighting load group which is not. Further, since it is not necessary to set the duty ratio for turning off or turning on all lights, it is possible to widen the range of the duty ratio assigned to dimming levels other than turning off or turning on all lights, and to increase the controllable resolution of the dimming level. There is an effect that it can be improved. Further, when the dimming signal line is disconnected, the lighting load group connected to the dimming signal line is turned off or all turned on, and it is possible to determine whether the dimming signal line is disconnected. .

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3K073 AA03 AA14 AA49 AA50 AA54 AA55 CB01 CB04 CC13 CC22 CE06 CE07 CE10 CE11 CE15 CE16 CG05 CG13 CG42 CG58 CH09 CJ01 CJ02 CJ11 CM07 5K048 AA01 BA07 CA08 DA02 DC01 HA03 HA07 HA18 HA24 HA31

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of lighting loads, each having a variable dimming level of a light source, are connected to a master unit via a dimming signal line, and the master unit has a dimming signal having a duty ratio according to externally supplied control data. Is output to the dimming signal line, each lighting load is a lighting control system configured to vary the dimming level based on the duty ratio of the dimming signal received via the dimming signal line, the master unit, Control means for generating a plurality of types of dimming signals having a duty ratio corresponding to the dimming level and having different periods from each other; and time-division multiplexing of the plurality of types of dimming signals generated by the control means via a dimming signal line. Transmitting means for transmitting the light in a system, each lighting load receiving means for receiving a light control signal via a light control signal line, and a light control signal having a predetermined cycle from the received light control signal. Selecting means for selecting the dimming signal based on the duty ratio of the selected dimming signal. And a dimming means for varying the dimming level of the light source. 2. The transmission means of the master unit cyclically switches and transmits the dimming signal of each cycle.
A lighting control system as described. 3. The transmission means of the master unit transmits a dimming signal having a predetermined cycle associated with the lighting load group during a period in which the light sources of one or more lighting loads are turned off or fully turned on. 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the light control unit of each lighting load turns off or fully turns on the light source when a light control signal of a cycle corresponding to the light load is not received within a predetermined time. system. 4. A setting means for setting whether the dimming means turns off or fully turns on the light source when a dimming signal of a cycle corresponding to the self is not received within a predetermined time is provided for each lighting load. The lighting control system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein a cycle setting means for setting a cycle selected by the selection means from outside is provided for each lighting load. 6. The lighting control system according to claim 5, wherein the cycle setting means sets the cycle based on a radio signal given from the outside. 7. The transmitting means of the master unit gives priority to a dimming signal having a predetermined cycle associated with one or a plurality of lighting loads whose dimming level is changed when the dimming level is changed. The transmission is continuously performed until a predetermined time.
A lighting control system as described. 8. A lighting circuit selecting means for detecting a rising and falling of a received dimming signal, and a timer for measuring a period and a pulse width of the dimming signal based on a detection result of the detecting circuit. Circuit and a period measured by the timer circuit is determined whether it matches a predetermined period set in advance, and when they match, a duty ratio of the dimming signal is obtained from the measured period and the pulse width. The lighting control system according to claim 1, further comprising an arithmetic circuit. 9. The base unit according to claim 1, further comprising a housing formed to have a size corresponding to the standardized distribution board agreement size and in which each unit is housed. 3. The lighting control system according to 1. 10. A monitoring terminal for setting a unique address, monitoring a switch state, and sending monitoring data according to the switch state to a transmission control device, and a lighting load having a unique address set and corresponding to each switch. A dimming terminal for controlling dimming, and each terminal is connected via a pair of signal lines, and each terminal is accessed by sending a transmission signal including address data to the signal line to monitor the monitoring data. And a transmission control device for performing time-division multiplex transmission of control data indicating dimming control content of the lighting load, wherein the master unit includes an address setting unit in which a unique address is set, and a signal line. A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a transmission signal to / from a transmission control device via the transmission control unit, and a unique address set in an address setting unit by address data of the transmission signal received by the transmission / reception unit. 10. A terminal processing unit for fetching control data when matched with the control data and generating a dimming signal having a predetermined period and a duty ratio based on the control data. A lighting control system as described.