JP6899547B2 - Lighting control device, lighting system and wireless communication status judgment support method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting control device, a lighting system, and a method for supporting determination of a wireless communication status. More specifically, the present invention includes a lighting control device for controlling dimming of a lighting fixture, a lighting control device, and a lighting system including the lighting fixture. The present invention relates to a method for supporting determination of a wireless communication state between a lighting control device and a lighting fixture.

In the conventional lighting system, when the lighting control device and the lighting fixture communicate wirelessly, in order to confirm the wireless communication status, the lighting control device instructs the lighting fixture to transition to the communication confirmation mode. Send a confirmation command. The luminaire that received the communication confirmation command changes the lighting state according to the command. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the lighting control device and the lighting fixture are in a state of being capable of wireless communication.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system capable of reliably pairing an intended lighting fixture even in an environment where many lighting fixtures are installed. This lighting system instructs a lighting fixture that changes the lighting state according to a dimming command transmitted by radio waves from a dimming controller (hereinafter referred to as a lighting control device), a lighting control device, and a lighting fixture to transition to a communication confirmation mode. It is equipped with an operation controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) that transmits commands to be performed. As a result, even in an environment where many lighting fixtures are installed, the lighting fixture for which the communication status is to be confirmed can be specified by the remote controller, and the lighting fixture that has transitioned to the communication confirmation mode lights up in accordance with the dimming command. The communication status can be easily visually determined depending on whether or not the status is reached.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-010898

However, in the lighting system of Patent Document 1, when the lighting fixture is in a state where dimming commands can be received from a plurality of lighting control devices, it is no longer possible to accurately visually determine the communication state. There is. This is because when a plurality of lighting control devices are in positions where they cannot detect radio waves from each other, dimming commands transmitted from each of the plurality of lighting control devices to the luminaire may collide. That is, in the lighting system of Patent Document 1, when a plurality of lighting control devices are in a so-called hidden terminal state, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to accurately determine the communication state between the lighting fixture and the lighting control device. ..

According to the present invention, even if a plurality of lighting control devices are in a so-called hidden terminal state, the lighting control device capable of visually and easily and accurately determining the communication state between the plurality of lighting control devices and the luminaire. , Lighting system and wireless communication status determination support method.

One form of the lighting control device according to the present invention is a device that controls the dimming of the luminaire, and the first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the luminaire and the dimming state of the luminaire over the first hour. A second mode having a test mode in which a fade command for transitioning from the first state to the second state is repeatedly transmitted to a luminaire via a first communication unit at a time interval of a second time shorter than the first time. It is provided with one control unit.

Further, one form of the lighting system according to the present invention includes a lighting fixture and the lighting control device for controlling dimming of the lighting fixture.

Further, one form of the wireless communication status determination support method according to the present invention is a method of supporting determination of the degree of congestion in wireless communication between a lighting fixture and a lighting control device that controls dimming of the lighting fixture by wireless communication. The lighting control device gives the luminaire a fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from the first state to the second state over the first hour in a second time shorter than the first time. Includes a test step of repeatedly transmitting by wireless communication at the time interval of.

According to the present invention, even if a plurality of lighting control devices are in a so-called hidden terminal state, a lighting control device capable of visually and easily and accurately determining a communication state between the plurality of lighting control devices and a lighting fixture. , Lighting system and wireless communication status determination support method can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the lighting control device in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the luminaire in FIG. FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting control device according to the embodiment in the test mode. FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the operation of the luminaire according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the luminaire according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication state determination function of the lighting control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the luminaire according to the modified example of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show a specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary components. Moreover, each figure is not necessarily exactly illustrated. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system 5 according to an embodiment. The lighting system 5 is a system that controls dimming of the lighting fixtures 20a to 20d, and includes a terminal 30, lighting control devices 10a and 10b, and lighting fixtures 20a to 20d.

The lighting fixtures 20a to 20d (hereinafter, also referred to as "lighting fixtures 20a and the like") perform dimming and toning by executing the command when receiving a command by wireless communication from the lighting control devices 10a and 10b. It is a device to perform, for example, a ceiling light. In addition, "control of dimming" means at least including control of dimming, and control of toning may be included.

The lighting control device 10a is a controller that controls dimming of the lighting fixtures 20a and 20b by wireless communication. The lighting control device 10b is a controller that controls dimming of the lighting fixtures 20b to 20d by wireless communication. That is, the lighting fixture 20b is installed at a position where radio waves can reach from both the lighting control devices 10a and 10b, and can be controlled by any of the lighting control devices 10a and 10b. However, the lighting control devices 10a and 10b are in a so-called hidden terminal state, and are installed at positions where they cannot detect each other's radio waves. Therefore, since the lighting control devices 10a and 10b cannot detect that the other lighting control device transmits the command, the lighting control devices 10a and 10b transmit the command without monitoring the operation of the other lighting control device. Therefore, there is a possibility that the command transmitted from the lighting control device 10a and the command transmitted from the lighting control device 10b collide with each other.

The lighting control devices 10a and 10b not only control dimming of the lighting fixtures 20a to 20d, but also transmit a command for determining the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixtures. It also has the ability to execute modes. Further, the lighting control devices 10a and 10b also have a function of determining the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture.

The terminal 30 causes the lighting control devices 10a and 10b to perform dimming control, execute a test mode, and determine the degree of congestion by wireless communication or wired communication (here, wireless communication). Send instructions to do. The terminal 30 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the lighting control devices 10a and 10b in FIG. The lighting control devices 10a and 10b all have the same configuration, and include a sensor 11, a first control unit 12, and a first communication unit 13.

The sensor 11 is a sensor for acquiring the lighting state of the luminaire in the test mode, and is, for example, an illuminance sensor.

The first communication unit 13 is a communication interface that wirelessly communicates with the lighting equipment 20a and the like and the terminal 30, and is, for example, a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 13 is a communication interface that also serves as communication with the lighting fixture 20a and the like and communication with the terminal 30, but each of these two types of communication is separated. It may be a communication interface.

The first control unit 12 controls the dimming of the luminaire 20a or the like by transmitting a command to the luminaire 20a or the like via the first communication unit 13 in accordance with the instruction from the terminal 30. Further, the first control unit 12 issues a command for transitioning the dimming state of the lighting fixture 20a or the like from the first state to the second state over the first time (hereinafter, this command is referred to as a "fade command"). It has a test mode in which light is repeatedly transmitted to a lighting fixture 20a or the like via a first communication unit 13 at a time interval of a second time shorter than the first time. The first state is one of the first dimming state in which the lighting fixture 20a and the like emit light at the maximum brightness and the second dimming state in which the lighting fixture 20a and the like are extinguished. , The first dimming state, and the other of the second dimming state.

Further, the first control unit 12 also has a function of determining the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture based on the lighting state detected by the sensor 11. The first control unit 12 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer having a ROM in which the program is stored, a RAM, a processor for executing the program, various input / output ports, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting fixtures 20a to 20d in FIG. The luminaires 20a to 20d all have the same configuration, and include a second communication unit 21, a second control unit 22, and a light source 23.

The second communication unit 21 is a communication interface that wirelessly communicates with the lighting control devices 10a and 10b, and is, for example, a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The light source 23 is a light source that emits light under the control of the second control unit 22, and is, for example, an LED.

When the second communication unit 21 receives the command transmitted from the lighting control devices 10a and 10b, the second control unit 22 controls the brightness of the light source 23 by executing the received command. For example, when the second control unit 22 receives a fade command from the lighting control device 10a or 10b, the second control unit 22 causes the light source 23 to shift the dimming state from the first state to the second state over the first hour. Control the flowing current. The second control unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer having a ROM in which the program is stored, a RAM, a processor for executing the program, various input / output ports, and the like.

Next, the operation of the lighting system 5 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting control devices 10a and 10b according to the present embodiment in the test mode. Since the lighting control devices 10a and 10b both have the same function, the lighting control device 10a will be focused on here and will be described as the operation of the lighting control device 10a. The procedure shown in this flowchart is also a wireless communication status determination support method that supports determination of the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting fixture and the lighting control device.

In the lighting control device 10a, first, when the first control unit 12 receives an instruction to execute the test mode from the terminal 30, it sends a fade command to the lighting fixtures 20a and 20b via the first communication unit 13 ( S01). That is, the first control unit 12 transmits a fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from the first state to the second state over the first time (for example, 5 seconds).

Subsequently, the first control unit 12 determines whether or not a second time (for example, 1 second) shorter than the first time has elapsed (S02).

As a result, when the first control unit 12 determines that the second time has not elapsed (NO in S02), the first control unit 12 repeats the determination in step S02, while determining that the second time has elapsed. (YES in S02) sends a fade command again (S01).

As described above, in the test mode, the lighting control device 10a issues a fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from the first state to the second state over the first time for a second time shorter than the first time. It is repeatedly transmitted toward the luminaires 20a and 20b at time intervals (test step).

The lighting control device 10a ends the process shown in FIG. 4A when an instruction to end the test mode is obtained from the terminal 30 or when a predetermined test mode time has elapsed.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting fixtures 20a to 20d according to the present embodiment. Since the luminaires 20a to 20d all have the same function, the luminaire 20b will be described here as the operation of the luminaire 20b.

In the luminaire 20b, first, the second control unit 22 determines whether or not the second communication unit 21 has received the command (here, the fade command) transmitted from the luminaire control devices 10a and 10b (S10). ).

As a result, when the second control unit 22 determines that the second communication unit 21 has not received the command (here, the fade command) (NO in S10), the second control unit 22 repeats the determination in step S10. On the other hand, when the second control unit 22 determines that the second communication unit 21 has received the command (here, the fade command) (YES in S10), the second control unit 22 starts executing the just received fade command, that is, Fade is started (S11), and the determination in step S10 is repeated again.

In this way, the luminaire 20b immediately starts executing the fade command each time it receives the fade command. That is, even if there is a command that is already being executed, the luminaire 20b stops executing the command, gives priority to the fade command that has just been received, and starts executing the command.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation (here, the change in dimming rate) of the luminaires 20a to 20d (here, the luminaire 20b) in the test mode. FIG. 5A shows a change in the dimming rate in a case where there are few fade command collisions. FIG. 5B shows the change in dimming rate in the case where fade command collisions occur at a moderate frequency. FIG. 5 (c) shows the change in the dimming rate in the case where there are many fade command collisions.

Further, in this figure, in the test mode, a fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from 100% dimming state (full lighting) to extinguishing over the first hour T1 is performed at time intervals of the second hour T2. , A case is illustrated in which the light control device repeatedly transmits light to the luminaire.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the case where the collision of the fade command is small, most of the fade commands transmitted to the luminaire 20b are executed by the luminaire 20b, so that every second hour T2. In addition, there are many changes in the dimming rate that transition from a 100% dimming state (full lighting) to extinguishing. Therefore, in this case, a relatively bright state is maintained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), in the case where the fade command collision occurs at a moderate frequency, a part of the fade command transmitted to the luminaire 20b collides and is destroyed, and the lighting is illuminated. Since it is not executed by the instrument 20b, there are many cases where the dimming rate is lower than that in FIG. 5A. Therefore, in this case, on average, it is maintained in a darker state than in FIG. 5 (a).

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the case where there are many collisions of fade commands, many of the fade commands transmitted to the luminaire 20b collide and are destroyed, and are not executed by the luminaire 20b. In addition, as compared with FIG. 5B, there are many cases where the dimming rate is further lowered. Therefore, in this case, on average, the state is maintained even darker than that in FIG. 5 (b).

In this way, in the test mode, the dimming state of the luminaire is determined according to the frequency of collision of the fade command, and by visually observing the dimming state of the luminaire in the test mode, the lighting control device and The communication status with the lighting equipment can be easily and accurately determined.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication state determination function of the lighting control devices 10a and 10b according to the present embodiment. Since the lighting control devices 10a and 10b both have the same function, the lighting control device 10a will be focused on here and will be described as the operation of the lighting control device 10a.

In the lighting control device 10a, first, in the test mode, the sensor 11 detects the lighting state of the lighting fixture 20b, which is the target of the test mode (S20). For example, the sensor 11 repeatedly measures the brightness of the lighting fixture 20b, which is the target of the test mode, at regular time intervals and transmits the brightness to the first control unit 12.

Then, the first control unit 12 determines the degree of congestion in the wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture based on the lighting state detected by the sensor 11 (S21). For example, the first control unit 12 calculates the average value of the measurement results (brightness) of the immediately preceding five times by the sensor 11, and calculates by referring to the relationship between the brightness and the degree of congestion associated in advance. Determining the degree of congestion corresponding to the average value is repeated at regular time intervals.

Finally, the first control unit 12 sends the determined congestion degree to the terminal 30 (S23). For example, the first control unit 12 transmits the degree of congestion determined at regular time intervals to the terminal 30. As a result, in the test mode, the terminal 30 displays the degree of congestion in the wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture while being updated.

As described above, the lighting control devices 10a and 10b according to the present embodiment are devices for controlling dimming of the lighting fixture 20a and the like, and the first communication unit 13 that wirelessly communicates with the lighting fixture 20a and the like. A fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire 20a or the like from the first state to the second state over the first hour is sent to the luminaire 20a or the like via the first communication unit 13 than in the first hour. A first control unit 12 having a test mode for repeatedly transmitting light at a short time interval of a second time is provided.

As a result, each time the lighting fixture 20a or the like that has received the fade command starts executing the newly received fade command, the lighting fixture 20a or the like is in a dimming state according to the frequency of collision of the fade command. Changes. That is, when the collision of the fade command is small, the fade command is executed more frequently, and the dimming state of the luminaire 20a or the like is maintained in a state close to the first state. On the other hand, when there are many collisions of fade commands, the frequency with which the fade commands are executed decreases, and the dimming state of the luminaire 20a or the like frequently occurs in a state close to the second state. Therefore, even if the lighting control devices 10a and 10b are in the so-called hidden terminal state, the dimming state of the lighting fixture 20a or the like is determined according to the frequency of collision of the fade command, and the lighting control device and the lighting fixture The communication status with and can be visually easily and accurately determined.

Here, the first state is one of the first dimming state in which the lighting fixture 20a and the like emit light at the maximum brightness and the second dimming state in which the lighting fixture 20a and the like are extinguished, and the second state. Is the other of the first dimming state and the second dimming state.

As a result, the luminaire 20a or the like that has received the fade command fades the dimming state from the state of emitting light at the maximum brightness to the state of turning off the light, or changes from the state of turning off to the state of emitting light at the maximum brightness. Fades the dimming state toward it. Therefore, by checking the brightness of the lighting fixture 20a or the like, the collision state of the fade command can be confirmed.

Further, the lighting control devices 10a and 10b include a sensor 11 for acquiring the lighting state of the lighting fixture 20a or the like in the test mode, and the first control unit 12 together with the lighting control device based on the lighting state detected by the sensor 11. Determine the degree of congestion in wireless communication with lighting equipment.

As a result, in the test mode, the degree of congestion in wireless communication is automatically determined by the lighting control devices 10a and 10b without visually confirming the dimming state of the lighting fixture 20a.

Further, the wireless communication status determination support method according to the present embodiment determines the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting fixture 20a and the like and the lighting control devices 10a and 10b that control the dimming of the lighting fixture by wireless communication. The lighting control devices 10a and 10b issue a fade command for transitioning the dimming state of the lighting fixture 20a or the like from the first state to the second state over the first hour. Including a test step (S01) of repeatedly transmitting by wireless communication at a time interval of a second time shorter than the first time.

As a result, each time the lighting fixture 20a or the like that has received the fade command starts executing the newly received fade command, the lighting fixture 20a or the like is in a dimming state according to the frequency of collision of the fade command. Changes. Therefore, even if the lighting control devices 10a and 10b are in the so-called hidden terminal state, the dimming state of the lighting fixture 20a or the like is determined according to the frequency of collision of the fade command, and the lighting control device and the lighting fixture The communication status with and can be visually easily and accurately determined.

The lighting system, the dimming control device, and the wireless communication status determination support method according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. .. As long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated, various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are applied to the present embodiment, and other embodiments constructed by combining some components in the embodiment are also within the scope of the present invention. Included in.

For example, in the above embodiment, the second control unit 22 of the luminaires 20a to 20b immediately starts executing the fade command each time the fade command is received. However, in executing the fade command, the second control unit 22 may perform a peak hold that performs only one of the control that makes the light source 23 brighter than the immediately preceding state and the control that makes the light source 23 darker than the immediately preceding state. ..

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of peak hold by a lighting fixture according to a modified example of the embodiment. Similar to FIG. 5, a timing chart showing the operation of the luminaire in the test mode (that is, the change in dimming rate) is shown here.

As shown in this figure, in the luminaire according to the present modification, the second control unit controls the light source 23 to be brighter than the immediately preceding state and darker than the immediately preceding state in the execution of the fade command. Only one of them (here, the control to make it darker than the previous state) is performed.

This causes the luminaire to hold the peak of brightness or darkness in executing the fade command. That is, by checking the brightness or darkness of the lighting equipment, the degree of congestion of wireless communication can be known.

Further, in the timing charts of the above-described embodiment and the modified example, the control of making the light source 23 darker than the immediately preceding state in the execution of the fade command has been described, but the test mode is started from the off state of the luminaire 20a or the like. Control may be performed to make the light source 23 brighter than the state immediately before.

Thereby, by visually observing the dimming state of the luminaire in the test mode, the communication state between the luminaire control device and the luminaire can be easily and accurately determined.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, variables that specify specific values of the first time, the first dimming state, and the second dimming state may be incorporated in the fade command.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the lighting control device 10b is a controller that controls dimming of the lighting fixtures 20b to 20d by wireless communication, but the lighting control device 10b is a lighting fixture. It may be a controller that controls dimming only for 20c and 20d. At this time, the luminaire 20b is controlled only by the luminaire control device 10a, but also receives a radio signal from the luminaire control device 10b. Therefore, even in such a case, in the lighting fixture 20b, the command from the lighting control device 10a and the command from the lighting control device 10b may collide with each other.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the dimming of the luminaire in the test mode exemplifies the control of brightness, but instead of or in addition, the control of toning may be used. As a result, the communication state between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture can be easily and accurately determined by visually observing the difference in the color tone of the lighting fixture.

Further, in the above embodiment, in the test mode, an example in which the degree of congestion in the wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture is updated and displayed on the terminal 30 is shown, but it is displayed on the lighting control device. May be good.

5 Lighting system 10a, 10b Lighting control device 11 Sensor 12 1st control unit 13 1st communication unit 20a to 20d Lighting equipment 21 2nd communication unit 22 2nd control unit 23 Light source

Claims (6)

A lighting control device that controls the dimming of lighting equipment.
The first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the lighting equipment,
A command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from the first state to the second state over the first time is given to the luminaire via the first communication unit, which is shorter than the first time. It is equipped with a first control unit that has a test mode for repeated transmission at time intervals of 2 hours.
The test mode is a mode in which the dimming state of the luminaire is changed in a visible state.
Lighting control device. The first state is one of a first dimming state in which the luminaire emits light at the maximum brightness and a second dimming state in which the luminaire is extinguished.
The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the second state is the other of the first dimming state and the second dimming state. Further, a sensor for acquiring the lighting state of the luminaire in the test mode is provided.
The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first control unit determines the degree of congestion in wireless communication between the lighting control device and the lighting fixture based on the lighting state detected by the sensor. Lighting equipment and
The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls the dimming of the lighting fixture.
Lighting system with. The lighting equipment
Light source and
A second communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the lighting control device,
When the second communication unit receives the command transmitted from the lighting control device, it includes a second control unit that controls the brightness of the light source by executing the received command.
The lighting system according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit performs only one of a control for making the light source brighter than the immediately preceding state and a control for making the light source darker than the immediately preceding state in executing the command. It is a wireless communication status determination support method that supports determination of the degree of congestion in wireless communication between a lighting fixture and a lighting control device that controls dimming of the lighting fixture by wireless communication.
The lighting control device gives the luminaire a command for transitioning the dimming state of the luminaire from the first state to the second state over the first time for a second time shorter than the first time. in time interval, seen including a test step of repeatedly transmitted by the radio communication,
The test step is a step of changing the dimming state of the luminaire in a visible state.
A method for supporting the determination of wireless communication status.

Images