JP7078097B2 - Lighting system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a lighting system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting fixture. This luminaire includes a light source, a lighting circuit that controls the light source, and a communication circuit that can transmit and receive signals by wireless communication. The lighting circuit is controlled according to the received signal received by the communication circuit. This luminaire determines the reception intensity of the received signal. Depending on the determination result, the luminaire relays the received signal and transmits it to another luminaire.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-72125

In the lighting system shown in Patent Document 1, the lighting fixture determines the reception intensity and relays the received signal. Therefore, the user cannot grasp the lighting equipment whose reception strength is low and the wireless communication is unstable.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a lighting system that makes it easy for a user to check the state of wireless communication.

The lighting system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, a lighting control device, and a system setting device, and each of the plurality of lighting fixtures has a wireless unit that receives a radio signal emitted by the lighting control device. The wireless unit transmits the reception intensity of the received signal to the lighting control device, the lighting control device transmits the reception intensity of the received lighting device to the system setting device, and the system setting device is provided. Is displayed in association with the arrangement of the plurality of luminaires and the reception intensity.

In the lighting system according to the present disclosure, the reception intensity of the lighting equipment is displayed on the system setting device. Therefore, it is easy for the user to check the state of wireless communication.

It is a perspective view of the lighting equipment which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the light source unit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the radio unit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of the wireless unit board which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of the control circuit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the setting means which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the lighting system which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the lighting control device at the time of setting of the relay function which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a figure explaining the operation of the lighting system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the setting means which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the lighting system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the relay function by a system setting device.

The lighting fixture and the lighting system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components may be designated by the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. The luminaire 1 according to the present embodiment includes a luminaire main body 2. The luminaire body 2 is attached to the ceiling. A light source unit 3 is attached to the luminaire main body 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light source unit according to the first embodiment. The light source unit 3 includes a light source 6. The light source 6 includes one or more light emitting elements. The light source unit 3 includes a lighting circuit 4. The lighting circuit 4 lights the light source 6. A wireless unit 5 is connected to the light source 6. The wireless unit 5 wirelessly communicates with a lighting control device and other lighting devices.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wireless unit according to the first embodiment. The wireless unit 5 includes a wireless unit case 14. A wireless unit board is housed in the wireless unit case 14. One end of the lighting circuit connection portion 13 is connected to the wireless unit board. The other end of the lighting circuit connection portion 13 is connected to the lighting circuit 4.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the wireless unit board according to the first embodiment. The wireless unit board 15 includes an antenna 8. The antenna 8 wirelessly communicates with a lighting control device and other lighting devices. The antenna 8 receives a signal emitted by another lighting fixture and a wireless signal 51 emitted by a lighting control device. A control circuit 9 is connected to the antenna 8. The control circuit 9 converts the radio signal 51 received by the antenna 8 into a control signal 52 that controls the lighting circuit 4. A lighting circuit connection terminal 10 is connected to the control circuit 9.

One end of the lighting circuit connection portion 13 is connected to the lighting circuit connection terminal 10. Therefore, the control signal 52 is transmitted from the lighting circuit connection terminal 10 to the lighting circuit 4. As a result, the lighting circuit 4 turns on the light source 6 according to the radio signal 51 received by the wireless unit 5. Further, the lighting circuit 4 transmits a signal to the control circuit 9 via the lighting circuit connection terminal 10. The control circuit 9 converts this signal and transmits it to the antenna 8. As a result, the antenna 8 transmits a signal to the lighting control device or other lighting device.

Power is supplied to the lighting circuit connection terminal 10 from the lighting circuit 4. The wireless unit board 15 includes a power supply circuit 11. The power supply circuit 11 converts the power supply supplied from the lighting circuit 4 into a power supply for driving the control circuit 9. Power is supplied to the control circuit 9 from the lighting circuit 4 via the power supply circuit 11.

Further, the wireless unit 5 has a relay function of transmitting the relay signal 54 to the outside. The relay signal 54 includes the same information as the radio signal 51 received from the lighting control device. The wireless unit board 15 includes setting means 16 for setting on / off of the relay function. The setting means 16 transmits a signal for enabling or disabling the relay function to the control circuit 9. When the setting means 16 transmits a signal for enabling the relay function, the wireless unit 5 is set to transmit the relay signal 54 to the outside.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the control circuit according to the first embodiment. The control circuit 9 includes a control unit 91. The control unit 91 converts the radio signal 51 received by the antenna 8 into a control signal 52. Further, the control circuit 9 includes a measuring unit 92. The measuring unit 92 measures the reception strength 53 of the signal received by the antenna 8. The measuring unit 92 is connected to the control unit 91. The control unit 91 transmits the reception intensity 53 measured by the measurement unit 92 to the antenna 8. The antenna 8 transmits the reception strength 53 to the outside.

The control circuit 9 includes a storage unit 93. A program for enabling the relay function and a program for disabling the relay function are written in the storage unit 93. When a signal for enabling the relay function is input to the control unit 91 from the antenna 8 or the setting means 16, the control unit 91 executes a program for enabling the relay function. As a result, the relay function of the lighting fixture 1 becomes effective. When the antenna 8 receives the radio signal 51 while the relay function is enabled, the control unit 91 transmits the relay signal 54 containing the same information as the radio signal 51 from the antenna 8 to the outside.

When a signal for disabling the relay function is input from the antenna 8 or the setting means 16 to the control unit 91, the control unit 91 executes a program for disabling the relay function. As a result, the relay function of the lighting fixture 1 becomes invalid. When the antenna 8 receives the radio signal 51 while the relay function is disabled, the control unit 91 does not transmit the relay signal 54 to the outside.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the setting means according to the first embodiment. The setting means 16 according to the present embodiment includes a manual switch 7. One end of the manual switch 7 is connected to the control circuit 9. The other end of the manual switch 7 is connected to the ground. The manual switch 7 can be manually switched on and off by the user. Here, the user may be a contractor or a consumer. When the manual switch 7 is turned on, a Low signal is input to the control circuit 9. As a result, the control circuit 9 executes a program that enables the relay function. Further, when the manual switch 7 is turned off, a High signal is input to the control circuit 9. As a result, the control circuit 9 executes a program for disabling the relay function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a lighting system according to the first embodiment. The lighting system 20 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 1. In FIG. 7, two lighting fixtures 18 and 19 out of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 are displayed. The number of the lighting fixtures 1 included in the lighting system 20 may be a plurality. The lighting system 20 includes a lighting control device 17. The lighting control device 17 controls the operation of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. The lighting control device 17 is, for example, a remote controller. The lighting control device 17 controls a plurality of lighting devices 1 by wireless communication in response to a user's command.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the lighting control device at the time of setting the relay function according to the first embodiment. First, the lighting control device 17 transmits the setting signal 55 to the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. As a result, the wireless unit 5 included in each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 measures the reception intensity 53 of the received setting signal 55. The wireless unit 5 transmits the measured reception intensity 53 to the lighting control device 17. As a result, the lighting control device 17 receives the reception intensity 53 of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1.

Next, the lighting control device 17 compares the reception intensity 53 with the threshold value. The lighting control device 17 transmits a signal for enabling the relay function to the lighting device 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value among the plurality of lighting devices 1. As a result, the relay function of the lighting fixture 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value becomes effective. As a result, among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1, the lighting fixture 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value is set to transmit the relay signal 54 to the other lighting fixture 1. Further, the lighting control device 17 does not transmit a signal for enabling the relay function to the lighting device 1 having a reception intensity 53 smaller than the threshold value.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the lighting system according to the first embodiment. The operation of the lighting system 20 at the time of initial setting will be described with reference to FIG. Further, here, the operation of the lighting system 20 will be described using the lighting fixtures 18 and 19. In the initial state, the relay function of the lighting fixtures 18 and 19 is invalid.

First, in the communication I, the lighting control device 17 transmits the setting signal 55 to the lighting devices 18 and 19. The setting signal 55 is a signal for initial setting of the lighting system 20. The signal for initial setting is, for example, a signal for setting a control group. The control group includes a lighting control device 17 and a plurality of lighting fixtures 1 controlled by the lighting control device 17. Here, the setting signal 55 includes a signal requesting the lighting fixtures 18 and 19 to transmit the reception intensity 53.

The luminaires 18 and 19 measure the reception intensity 53 of the set signal 55. In communication II, the luminaires 18 and 19 transmit the reception intensity 53 to the luminaire control device 17. The lighting control device 17 compares the received reception intensity 53 with the threshold value. For example, it is assumed that the reception intensity 53 of the luminaire 18 is −70 dB and the reception intensity 53 of the luminaire 19 is −85 dB. Further, it is assumed that the threshold value is −80 dB. In this case, the reception intensity 53 of the luminaire 18 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Therefore, in the communication III, the lighting control device 17 transmits a signal for enabling the relay function to the lighting device 18. As a result, the relay function of the lighting fixture 18 becomes effective. Further, the reception intensity 53 of the lighting fixture 19 is smaller than the threshold value. Therefore, the lighting control device 17 does not transmit a signal for enabling the relay function to the lighting device 19.

Next, in the communication IV, the lighting control device 17 transmits a radio signal 51 for controlling the lighting circuit 4 to the lighting devices 18 and 19 constituting the control group. Here, the radio signal 51 includes, for example, a dimming command. At this time, the relay function of the lighting fixture 18 is effective. Therefore, in the communication V, the luminaire 18 transmits the relay signal 54 to the luminaire 19. The relay signal 54 contains the same information as the radio signal 51. Since the reception intensity 53 of the luminaire 19 is small, the wireless communication with the luminaire control device 17 may be unstable. However, even when the wireless signal 51 from the lighting control device 17 does not reach, the lighting fixture 19 can receive the same information as the wireless signal 51 via the lighting fixture 18.

In the lighting system 20 of the present embodiment, the lighting fixture 18 that enables the relay function at the time of initial communication between the lighting control device 17 and the lighting fixtures 18 and 19 is selected. A relay signal 54 is transmitted from the luminaire 18 having a high reception intensity 53 to the luminaire 19 having a low reception intensity 53 and unstable wireless communication with the lighting control device 17. Therefore, the lighting fixture 19 which is difficult to receive the radio signal 51 from the lighting control device 17 can receive information such as a dimming command. Therefore, in the lighting system 20, wireless communication can be stably performed.

Further, the reception intensity 53 of each of the lighting fixtures 18 and 19 is transmitted to the lighting control device 17. Therefore, in the lighting system 20 according to the present embodiment, the lighting control device 17 which is a master unit can detect the lighting fixture 19 having a small reception intensity 53. Therefore, the relay function can be efficiently set by the lighting control device 17.

For example, consider a case where the reception intensity 53 of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. At this time, in the lighting control device 17, among the lighting fixtures 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value, the lighting fixture 1 adjacent to the lighting fixture 19 having a reception intensity 53 smaller than the threshold value transmits a relay signal 54 to the lighting fixture 19. It may be set to do so. As a result, the number of lighting fixtures 1 that enable the relay function can be suppressed, so that the frequency of wireless communication can be suppressed and the wireless communication can be stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 that enables the relay function at the time of initial setting is set. The setting of the lighting fixture 1 for enabling the relay function may be performed at a time other than the initial setting. For example, the wireless communication of the lighting system 20 may become unstable due to the layout change of the room. In this case, by carrying out communication I to III, it is possible to set the lighting fixture 1 that enables the relay function according to the current layout. Therefore, wireless communication can be easily stabilized.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the communication III, a signal for enabling the relay function is transmitted to the luminaire 18 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value. Here, in the communication III, the lighting control device 17 may further transmit a signal for disabling the relay function to the lighting device 19 whose reception intensity 53 is smaller than the threshold value.

Further, in the lighting fixture 1 according to the present embodiment, the relay function can be turned on and off by the manual switch 7. Therefore, the relay function can be easily enabled or disabled without using the lighting control device 17. For example, the user can manually set the relay function at the time of initial setting of the lighting system 20 or at the time of changing the layout of the room.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting means according to a modified example of the first embodiment. The setting means 16 may include a light receiving element 212. The wireless unit substrate 215 according to the modified example includes a light receiving element 212. The light receiving element 212 receives an optical signal. In response to the optical signal, the light receiving element 212 sets the wireless unit 5 to transmit the relay signal 54 to the other luminaire 1.

For example, it is assumed that an optical signal for enabling the relay function is transmitted from the infrared remote controller to the light receiving element 212. As a result, the optical signal is notified to the control circuit 9. The control circuit 9 executes a program for enabling the relay function in response to the optical signal. Further, it is assumed that an optical signal for disabling the relay function is transmitted from the infrared remote controller or the like to the light receiving element 212. At this time, the control circuit 9 executes a program for disabling the relay function in response to the optical signal.

The light receiving element 212 may be arranged in a portion exposed to the outside of the luminaire 1. This makes it easier to receive optical signals from an infrared remote controller or the like. Further, the light receiving element 212 may be arranged inside a cover member that transmits an optical signal. Since the setting means 16 includes the light receiving element 212, the setting of the relay function by the setting means 16 can be easily performed without removing the light source unit 3.

These modifications can be appropriately applied to the luminaire and the luminaire according to the following embodiments. Since the lighting fixtures and lighting systems according to the following embodiments have much in common with the first embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the lighting system according to the second embodiment. The lighting system 320 according to the present embodiment includes a system setting device 321. The system setting device 321 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). The system setter 321 is used to set the control group. The screen of the system setting device 321 displays the arrangement of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 included in the control group. Here, although two lighting fixtures 18 and 19 out of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 are displayed in FIG. 11, the number of the lighting fixtures 1 included in the lighting system 320 may be a plurality.

The lighting control device 17 receives the reception intensity 53 of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. The lighting control device 17 transmits the received reception intensity 53 to the system setting device 321. The system setter 321 collects the reception intensity 53 of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. The reception intensity 53 of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 is displayed on the screen of the system setting device 321. Further, the system setting device 321 identifies the lighting fixture 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a setting example of the relay function by the system setting device. Here, a case where the lighting system 20 includes 12 lighting fixtures 1 will be described. The 12 luminaires 1 and the luminaire 17 form a control group 325. As shown in FIG. 12, the screen of the system setting device 321 displays the arrangement of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. Further, the reception intensity 53 of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 is displayed on the screen of the system setting device 321. Further, the arrangement of the lighting control device 17 is displayed on the screen of the system setting device 321. Each luminaire 1 may be displayed in different colors according to the magnitude of the reception intensity 53. From the above, the system setting device 321 allows the user to specify the lighting fixture 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value.

For example, consider a case where the reception intensity 53 of the lighting fixture 324 is smaller than the threshold value and the reception intensity 53 of the other lighting fixture 1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1. The plurality of lighting fixtures 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value are composed of a lighting fixture group 323 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 and a lighting fixture group 322 not adjacent to the lighting fixture 324.

Here, in order to transmit the relay signal 54 to the lighting fixture 324, it is not necessary to enable the relay function of all the lighting fixtures 1 having the reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value. In order to transmit the relay signal 54 to the lighting fixture 324, the lighting fixture 1 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 or the lighting fixture 1 in the vicinity of the lighting fixture 324 may be set to transmit the relay signal 54 to the lighting fixture 324. .. That is, among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value, the relay function of the lighting fixture group 323 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 may be enabled.

The user selects the lighting fixture 1 that enables the relay function from the screen of the system setting device 321. Here, the user can confirm the reception intensity 53 and the arrangement of each lighting fixture 1 from the screen of the system setting device 321. Therefore, the user can confirm the arrangement of the lighting fixture 324 whose wireless communication is unstable from the screen of the system setting device 321. Further, the user can confirm the lighting fixture 1 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 whose wireless communication is unstable from the screen of the system setting device 321.

The user operates the system setting device 321 and inputs the lighting fixture 1 for enabling the relay function. As a result, a signal notifying the lighting fixture 1 for enabling the relay function is transmitted to the lighting control device 17. The lighting control device 17 transmits a signal for enabling the relay function to the lighting device 1 notified from the system setting device 321. As a result, among the lighting fixtures 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value, the lighting fixture 1 selected by the system setting device 321 is set to transmit the relay signal 54 to the lighting fixture 324.

Here, it is assumed that the relay function of the lighting fixture group 323 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 whose wireless communication is unstable is enabled. At this time, the wireless signal 51 from the lighting control device 17 can be transmitted to the lighting device 324 via the lighting device group 323. In the present embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 that enables the relay function can be limited to the lighting fixture 1 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 whose wireless communication is unstable. By limiting the lighting fixture 1 that transmits the relay signal 54, interference in wireless communication is suppressed. Therefore, stable wireless communication can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the system setting device 321 displays the reception intensity 53 and the arrangement of each luminaire 1. Therefore, the user can check the wireless communication status collectively when setting the control group.

In the present embodiment, the relay function of the luminaire group 323 adjacent to the luminaire 324 is enabled. As an example of this modification, the relay function of one of the lighting fixtures 1 adjacent to the lighting fixture 324 may be enabled. As a result, the number of lighting fixtures 1 for which the relay function is enabled is limited to one. Therefore, the frequency of wireless communication is suppressed, and wireless communication can be stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the system setting device 321 is set so that the luminaire 1 having a reception intensity 53 equal to or higher than the threshold value transmits the relay signal 54 to the luminaire 324 having a reception intensity 53 smaller than the threshold value. On the other hand, the user may enable the relay function by using the setting means 16 after selecting the lighting fixture 1 for enabling the relay function from the screen of the system setting device 321. In this case, the relay function can be enabled by directly operating the lighting fixture 1. Therefore, the user can easily set the relay function.

The technical features described in each embodiment may be used in combination as appropriate.

1, 18, 19, 324 Lighting equipment, 20, 320 Lighting system, 6 light source, 17 lighting control equipment, 5 wireless unit, 4 lighting circuit, 16 setting means, 7 manual switch, 212 light receiving element, 321 system setting device, 51 Radio signal, 53 reception strength, 54 relay signal, 55 setting signal

Claims (3)

With multiple lighting fixtures,
Lighting control equipment and
System configurator and
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures includes a wireless unit that receives a wireless signal emitted by the lighting control device.
The wireless unit transmits the reception intensity of the received signal to the lighting control device.
The lighting control device transmits the received intensity of the luminaire to the system setting device.
A lighting system characterized in that the arrangement of the plurality of lighting fixtures and the reception intensity are associated and displayed on the system setting device . The lighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless unit can transmit a relay signal including the same information as the wireless signal to the outside. The wireless unit includes a light receiving element that receives an optical signal.
The lighting system according to claim 2 , wherein the light receiving element is set so that the wireless unit transmits the relay signal in response to the optical signal.

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