JP3286980B2 - Lighting system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting system in which a lamp of a lighting fixture is controlled by a remote control transmitter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, lighting equipment mounted on a ceiling, a wall, or the like generally controls the blinking of a lamp by pull string operation of a pull switch or switching operation of a wall switch. 2. Description of the Related Art Multifunctional lighting fixtures in which a microcomputer is built in the lighting fixture so that the lamp blinking of the lighting fixture can be controlled by an infrared remote control transmitter have become widespread. This infrared remote control transmitter has a plurality of operation buttons for selecting various lighting states including the all-lights-off state of the corresponding lighting fixture, and when one of the plurality of operation buttons is pressed, the corresponding operation button is pressed. Infrared light including a signal corresponding to the operation button is transmitted from the transmission unit. There is also a type in which a control signal is sequentially transmitted from a remote control transmitter by operating a single button. An infrared control signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter to the lighting equipment is input to a one-chip microcomputer built in the lighting equipment via an infrared receiving unit, and the fluorescent light of the lighting equipment is responded to the input signal. Controls blinking of lamps, etc. As mentioned above,
For lighting fixtures whose lighting is controlled by an infrared remote control transmitter, multifunctional and convenient products have been developed, such as a built-in microcomputer that allows the flashing of the lamp to be controlled by pull switch operation. There was such inconvenience.

[0003]

When the lighting equipment is turned on by button operation of the remote control transmitter, there is no problem if the place where the remote control transmitter is located is bright, but if the remote control transmitter is present in a dark room at night. It is troublesome to find the operation button for lighting the lighting from among the plurality of operation buttons of the remote control transmitter by hand, and it takes time to light the lighting equipment in a desired lighting state, which is inconvenient. .

As a solution to such inconvenience, in a lighting system in which a control signal from a remote control transmitter is read by a microcomputer built in the lighting fixture and the lighting state is switched, a program of the microcomputer of the lighting fixture is used. When the lighting apparatus is activated from the time when all the lights are turned off and detects the time when the all lights are turned off for a certain period of time, next, any control signal by operating any operation button from the remote control transmitter is transmitted. There is also a device having an off-timer processing function for turning on a lighting fixture in a preset initial lighting state even when it is input (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H2-119095). However, even in this conventional example, there is still a work of groping for an operation button, and the inconvenience of searching for and pressing the operation button in a dark room remains.

Further, the operation button of the remote control transmitter is LE
Means of constantly illuminating with auxiliary lighting such as D (light emitting diode) has the disadvantage that the power consumption of the remote control transmitter increases. In addition, it is conceivable to provide a sensor unit that responds to sound on the receiver on the lighting equipment side, and control the blinking of the lighting equipment by sound.However, there are still various problems such as sound transmission distance, sound identification, sensitivity, etc. Points.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to select an operation button without pressing an operation button of a remote control transmitter even in a dark room. An object of the present invention is to provide a convenient lighting system capable of obtaining a required brightness.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, to achieve the above object, a remote control transmitter having one or more operation buttons and a control transmitted from the remote control transmitter are provided. In a remote control type lighting system comprising a signal processing unit that reads a signal and performs a blink control of a lamp, a remote control transmitter has a sensor that detects a state change, and the signal processing unit of the lighting device includes: A timer unit that starts when the light output of the lighting apparatus falls below a predetermined level and detects that the state in which the light output falls below the predetermined level has continued for a certain period of time; Is detected, the lighting equipment is controlled by a control signal based on a predetermined state change detected by a sensor of the remote control transmitter at least by a predetermined operation of the remote control transmitter. It is characterized in that it has a control function to be turned in a lighted state to recognize the button.

Here, as means for detecting a predetermined state change, there is a means for detecting a change in position or angle. Similarly, a device that detects a change in pressure, a device that detects a change in temperature, and a device that combines these multiple means can be employed.

[0009]

According to the present invention, as described above, the remote control transmitter has the sensor for detecting the state change, and the lighting equipment is turned on by the detection signal from this sensor. This eliminates the need for a search operation, thereby eliminating the inconvenience of searching for and pressing an operation button in a dark room.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a lighting fixture 2 mounted on a ceiling 1 and a remote control transmitter 11 for switching and controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2 are shown. 1 shows a lighting system consisting of: The lighting device 2 is configured to control the blinking of the two fluorescent lamps 8 and 9 and the one security ball 3 by operating, for example, the pull cord 10 of the pull switch 7 in addition to the remote control transmitter 11. The lighting fixture 2 includes a receiving unit 4 that receives an infrared signal from a remote control transmitter 11, a microcontroller that reads a signal from the receiving unit 4 and outputs various lamp lighting control signals to an inverter-type electronic ballast 6. A signal processing unit 5 including a computer is connected. As the ballast 6 for turning on the fluorescent lamps 8 and 9, an inverter-type electronic ballast in which the output control of the lamp is controlled by an oscillation control unit is suitable for ease of control.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the remote control transmitter 11, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. In the figure, 13-1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation button for performing output control such as blinking or dimming of the fluorescent lamps 8, 9 and the security ball 3 of the lighting fixture 2. By pressing these operation buttons 13 to 16, an infrared signal for controlling the lighting fixture 2 to a desired lighting state is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 12. Next, sensor switch 1
The function of 7 will be described. As the sensor switch 17,
For example, it is turned on by the force of the weight of the remote control transmitter 11 itself.
A push-button switch having a sensitivity capable of turning on / off may be used. The sensor switch 17 provided on the bottom of the remote control transmitter 11 is, as shown in FIG.
When the sensor is left on a horizontal surface such as a floor or a table, or when the operator presses the sensor switch 17, the switch is kept in the OFF state. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5, when the sensor switch 17 is released from the pressed state by the operator picking up the remote control transmitter 11, the sensor switch 17 is turned on.

FIG. 6 shows the internal configuration of the remote control transmitter 11. When the sensor switch 17 is turned on, the signal processing unit 19 of the remote control transmitter 11 operates the operation buttons 13 to 1.
A signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “sensor signal”) for bringing the lighting fixture 2 into a predetermined initial lighting state is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 12 separately from the case where the lighting apparatus 6 is turned on. Here, the predetermined initial lighting state is not limited to the all-lights lighting state, but also includes dimming lighting and security ball lighting.

FIG. 7 shows a signal flow in this embodiment. A signal or a sensor signal by a button operation is transmitted from the remote control transmitter 11, and is received by the receiving unit 4 of the lighting fixture 2. The signal processing unit 5 of the lighting fixture 2 controls the electronic ballast 6 based on the operation of the pull switch 7 and the data received by the receiving unit 4. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the remote control transmitter 11. In # 1,
It is determined whether any of the operation buttons 13 to 16 has been operated. If a button operation is performed, a basic process is performed such that the infrared transmission unit 12 transmits an infrared signal for controlling a lighting state (all-light lighting state, dimming lighting state, etc.) according to the button selected in # 2. If there is no button operation, #
At 3, it is determined whether or not the detection operation of the sensor switch 17 has been performed. If there is no detection operation of the sensor switch 17, the process returns to # 1 to determine the presence or absence of a button operation. If there is a detection operation of the sensor switch 17, the counter is reset at # 4. In # 5, it is determined whether or not the counter has reached a preset number (n times). If the number has not reached n, the sensor signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 12 in # 6, and the counter is counted up in # 7, and # 5
Return to When the counter reaches n times in # 5, the process returns to # 1. The reason why the sensor signal is transmitted n times is to prevent malfunction.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the signal processing unit 5 on the receiving side. In # 11, it is determined whether or not the lighting fixture 2 is turned off. When the lighting fixture 2 is in a lighting state, as shown in FIG. 7, a lighting signal is fed back from the electronic ballast 6 to the signal processing unit 5 on the receiving side.
Based on the presence or absence of this lighting signal, the signal processing unit 5 on the receiving side determines whether the lighting fixture 2 is on.
When the lighting fixture 2 is turned on, the timer is reset at # 12 and the sensor signal is fixed at a state where the sensor signal is not received at # 13. That is, even if the remote control transmitter 11 is moved during lighting, a sensor signal is transmitted from the remote control transmitter 11 and input to the signal processing unit 5 through the receiving unit 4, the lighting device 2 is transmitted to the electronic ballast 6. A state in which a control signal for lighting in a predetermined initial state is not output is fixed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the lighting fixture 2 from lighting in a predetermined initial state due to a malfunction even if the remote control transmitter 11 is moved during lighting.

On the other hand, when the lighting apparatus 2 is turned off by the button operation of the remote control transmitter 11 or the string operation of the pull switch 7, the timer of the receiving signal processing unit 5 is started in # 14. If the light-off state continues and becomes longer than the preset timer time (t seconds) in # 15, the sensor signal can be accepted in # 16, and the sensor signal is sent to the signal processing unit 5 through the receiving unit 4. When the electronic ballast 6 is input, a control signal for setting the lighting fixture 2 to a predetermined initial lighting state is released to the electronic ballast 6. When the signal processing unit 5 on the receiving side is in such a state, the remote control transmitter 11
The sensor switch 17 attached to the remote control transmitter 11 operates by moving the
When the sensor signal is transmitted by the above processing, the receiving side can read the sensor signal, output a control signal for lighting the lighting fixture 2 to a predetermined initial lighting state, and light the lighting fixture 2. In step # 17, basic processing is performed by operating the pull switch 7 or a remote control signal.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a lighting system in which the remote controller transmitter 11 and the receiving section 4 having the above-described functions are combined with the inverter-type electronic ballast 6. FIG.
Electronic ballast 6 shown in the commercial power supply to V ₁ switch S
The switching elements Q ₁ and Q which are alternately driven by the drive signal from the oscillation control unit 6 d to the DC power supply E ₁ rectified and smoothed by the rectification unit 6 a and the smoothing unit 6 b via W
_2. High frequency AC power is supplied to the load circuit 6c including the fluorescent lamp La by using a MOSFET (in FIG. 10, a MOSFET is used), and the fluorescent lamp La is lit at a high frequency. The rectifying unit 6a and the smoothing unit 6b in the drawing use a double voltage rectifying and smoothing method. Oscillation control unit 6d, the control power supply unit 6e is driven by a DC low voltage E ₂ generated.

The infrared receiving section 4 shown in FIG. 11 includes a receiving signal processing section 49 for processing a signal from the pull switch 7 and an infrared signal from the remote control transmitter 11 and sending a blinking signal to the oscillation control section 6d. I have. Receiving side signal processing unit 49
Is driven by a DC power supply E ₃ and has a PI for infrared reception.
A receiving preamplifier for amplifying the photocurrent flowing through the N photodiodes D _5, and includes a microcomputer for signal processing. The remote control transmitter 11 includes a transmission-side signal processing unit 19. This transmission side signal processing unit 19
Is driven by a DC power source E _4, the operation buttons 13 to 16
And processing the ON / OFF signal of the sensor switch 17, and transmits an infrared signal by flashing the infrared light emitting diode D _6.

With this configuration, if the remote control transmitter 11 can be picked up in a dark room, the operation of the operation buttons 13 to 16 of the remote control transmitter 11 is enabled by the function of the sensor switch 17 provided on the remote control transmitter 11.
The lighting device 2 can be turned on in a predetermined initial lighting state without any operation for searching for the lighting device 2. After that, the lighting device 2 is operated by a button operation of the remote control transmitter 11 under bright lighting.
Can be controlled to a desired lighting state.

FIG. 12 shows the appearance of a remote control transmitter 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example,
An angle sensor is used in place of the sensor switch 17 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, when the lighting fixture 2 located on the ceiling 1 is blinked by the remote control transmitter 11 at hand, the transmission of the remote control transmitter 11 is performed in the direction of the receiving unit 4 attached to the lighting fixture 2 on the ceiling 1. It is necessary to turn the unit 12 to operate. In other words, when the lighting control of the lighting fixture 2 is performed by the operator using the remote control transmitter 11 from a state where the remote control transmitter 11 is left on a horizontal surface such as a table, the remote control transmitter 11 is more than a certain angle θ with respect to the horizontal surface. It is displaced. Therefore,
If an angle displacement in the horizontal plane equal to or larger than the angle θ occurs in the remote control transmitter 11, it is detected, and as in the first embodiment, an angle sensor that provides a detection output to the signal processing unit 19 on the transmission side is provided. It is provided. Angle sensors, for example,
This can be realized with a tilt switch. Here, the tilt switch is used for a stand-type lighting fixture or the like, and is used for turning off the power when the stand falls over due to an earthquake or the like, and uses mercury for a contact.

It is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be achieved by using a means for detecting a change in pressure, temperature or the like as the sensor switch in the first and second embodiments.

[0021]

In the lighting system according to the first aspect, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the light output of the lighting fixture has become equal to or less than the predetermined level, the lighting fixture can be moved to a predetermined level simply by picking up the remote control transmitter. Can be lit in the initial lighting state,
There is an effect that the lighting operation of the lighting fixture by the remote control transmitter can be easily and reliably performed even in a dark room.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remote control transmitter used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the remote control transmitter used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a second operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a remote control transmitter used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a signal flow in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation on the transmission side according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation on the receiving side according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a main circuit of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a remote control transmitter used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ceiling 2 Lighting equipment 3 Security ball 4 Receiving part 5 Signal processing part 6 Electronic ballast 7 Pull switch 8 Fluorescent lamp 9 Fluorescent lamp 10 Pull cord 11 Remote control transmitter 12 Infrared transmitting part 13 Operation button 14 Operation button 15 Operation button 16 Operation button 17 Sensor switch  19 Signal processing unit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A remote control type of remote control comprising: a remote control transmitter having one or more operation buttons; and a lighting device having a signal processing unit for reading a control signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter and controlling blinking of a lamp. In the lighting system, the remote control transmitter has a sensor for detecting a state change, and the signal processing unit of the lighting fixture is activated when the light output of the lighting fixture becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined level, and the light output becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined level. Has a timer section for detecting that the predetermined state has continued for a predetermined time, and after detecting the continuation of the predetermined time by this timer section, by a control signal based on a predetermined state change detected by a sensor of the remote control transmitter. It has a control function of lighting the lighting fixture in a lighting state so that at least a preset operation button of the remote control transmitter can be recognized. Lighting system.