JP7575343B2 - Light-emitting block and light-emitting system using same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light-emitting block and a light-emitting system using the same, and in particular to a light-emitting block that incorporates a light-emitting body inside the block body.

As shown in Patent Document 1, light-emitting blocks incorporating light-emitting bodies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been proposed. These light-emitting blocks can be enjoyed as toys or interior decorations by connecting multiple light-emitting blocks together to form three-dimensional shapes, or by placing light-emitting blocks on a plate-like member (substrate).

However, in order to control the light emission of each light-emitting block individually, as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary not only to supply power to the light emitters, but also to transmit signals for determining the connection state of the light-emitting blocks and signals for controlling the light emission state, and this requires many different connection terminals for one light-emitting block.

If the number of types of connection terminals (electrical connectors) provided on each light-emitting block increases, it becomes difficult to reduce the size of the light-emitting block itself. Furthermore, the locations for arranging the connection terminals are limited, making it difficult to provide blocks with a variety of shapes, such as LEGO's plastic blocks, and to maintain a high degree of freedom in connecting the blocks.

JP 2009-10363 A

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a light-emitting block and a light-emitting system using the same, which solves the problems described above, reduces the number of types of connection terminals, makes it possible to miniaturize light-emitting blocks and provide light-emitting blocks in a wide variety of shapes, and also increases the degree of freedom in connecting light-emitting blocks.

In order to solve the above problems, the light-emitting block and the light-emitting system using the same of the present invention have the following technical features.
(1) A light-emitting block having an illuminant incorporated inside a block body, the surface of the block body having a convex or concave portion for mechanically connecting to other light-emitting blocks or a substrate on which the light-emitting block is arranged, the convex or concave portion having a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting to the other light-emitting blocks or the substrate, all of the terminals being divided into two groups, the terminals belonging to each group being electrically connected to each other to form wiring having a common potential, and the two different wirings being used to supply power for causing the illuminant to emit light and also used to transmit a dimming control signal for controlling the light-emitting state of the illuminant.

(2) The light-emitting block described in (1) above is characterized in that one terminal is arranged corresponding to one of the convex portions or one of the concave portions.

(3) In the light-emitting block described in (2) above, one plane of the block body that contacts another light-emitting block or the substrate has one or more terminals connected to the two different wirings.

(4) The light-emitting block described in (1) above is characterized in that it has one or more terminals connected to the two different wirings, each corresponding to one of the convex portions or one of the concave portions.

(5) In the light-emitting block described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the block body is provided with a control means, and the control means is characterized in that it has a function of retaining a control number assigned to each light-emitting block, and a function of receiving the dimming control signal and controlling the light-emitting state of the light-emitting body based on the dimming control signal.

(6) A light-emitting system using the light-emitting block according to any one of (1) to (5) above, characterized in that it has a signal processing means provided outside the light-emitting block, which supplies the power and the dimming control signal in a superimposed manner to the two different wirings of the light-emitting block.

(7) A light-emitting system using the light-emitting block described in (5) above, characterized in that it has a control number setting means that is provided outside the light-emitting block and writes the control number to the control means so that the control number is retained in the control means.

The present invention relates to a light-emitting block having a light-emitting body built in the block body, the surface of the block body having a convex or concave portion for mechanically connecting with other light-emitting blocks or a substrate on which the light-emitting block is arranged, the convex or concave portion has a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting with the other light-emitting blocks or the substrate, all of the terminals are divided into two groups, the terminals belonging to each group are electrically connected to each other to form wiring having a common potential, and the two different wirings are used to supply power to make the light-emitting body emit light and are used to transmit a dimming control signal to control the light-emitting state of the light-emitting body, so that only two wirings are required for light-emitting control of each light-emitting block, making it possible to miniaturize the light-emitting block and provide light-emitting blocks of various shapes. In addition, in connection with other light-emitting blocks or substrates, the plane to which the light-emitting block is connected only needs to have a minimum of two connection terminals, making it possible to provide a light-emitting block with increased freedom of connection of the light-emitting block.
It is also possible to provide a lighting system using such lighting blocks.

1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a light-emitting block of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a back view. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing another example of the light-emitting block of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view from the top and (b) is a perspective view from the back. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the light-emitting block of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electric circuit related to the light-emitting block of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply substrate used in the light-emitting system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which light-emitting blocks of the present invention are stacked. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electric circuit in the light-emitting system of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a lighting system according to the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a light emission control method in the light emission block of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for controlling the light emission of a light-emitting element using a dimming control signal. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a method of driving the light-emitting blocks, where (a) is a diagram showing the order of light emission of the light-emitting blocks, (b) is a diagram for explaining a light-emitting control method using a conventional light-emitting block, and (c) is a diagram for explaining a light-emitting control method using the light-emitting block of the present invention. 1A and 1B show examples of a case where a part of a light-emitting block is broken, in which (a) is an example of using a conventional light-emitting block, and (b) is an example of using a light-emitting block of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments.
As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the present invention is characterized in that in a light-emitting block (LB) having an illuminant (LED) built into the block body, the surface of the block body has a convex portion (10, 20) or a concave portion (11, 21) for mechanically connecting to other light-emitting blocks or a substrate (PB) on which the light-emitting block is arranged, the convex portion or the concave portion has a plurality of terminals (TM) for electrically connecting to the other light-emitting blocks or the substrate, all of the terminals are divided into two groups (G-EP1, G-EP2), the terminals belonging to each group are electrically connected to each other to form wiring having a common potential, and the two different wirings are used to supply power to cause the illuminant to emit light, and are also used to transmit a dimming control signal that controls the light-emitting state of the illuminant.

Figure 1 shows an example of a light-emitting block 1 (LB) of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1 (a), a protrusion 10 is formed on part of the surface of the block body, and is used when joining with other blocks. A terminal (TM) for electrical connection is provided on part of the protrusion 10. The terminal TM in Figure 1 can be made of a metal rod as described below, and a part of it is exposed at the protrusion 10.

Figure 1 (b) shows the back surface of the light-emitting block, which has a recess 11 into which the protrusion 10 of Figure 1 (a) can be inserted. A terminal (TM) is disposed in the center of the recess. A spring pin SPN or the like can be used as an example of a terminal formed in the recess. When the protrusion 10 of the light-emitting block LB is inserted into the recess 11 of another light-emitting block LB, the terminal MB (TM) of the protrusion and the terminal SPN (TM) of the recess are electrically connected to each other.

The shape of the light-emitting block body is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIG. 1, but can be a wide variety of shapes such as a polygonal prism or a shape with a curved surface, like the plastic blocks used in conventional toys. In addition, when one terminal is arranged corresponding to one convex or concave portion, multiple convex or concave portions are formed on the light-emitting block.

Figure 2 shows an example of another light-emitting block, in which two terminals TM (20a and 20b, 21a and 21b) are formed on one convex portion 20 or concave portion 21. A convex portion 20 is formed on the top of the light-emitting block 2 (LB) in Figure 2 (a), and a metal rod-like terminal 20a (TM) is placed in the center of the top surface of the convex portion, and another terminal 20b (TM) is placed on the side of the convex portion. It is not limited to this, and it is also possible to place two terminals concentrically on the top surface of the convex portion, or to place terminals at different heights on the side of the convex portion.

Figure 2(b) is a view from the back side of the light-emitting block 2(LB) shown in Figure 2(a). A recess 21 is formed in the lower part of the block 2(LB), a terminal 21a(TM) such as a spring pin is arranged in the center of the recess, and another terminal 21b(TM) is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the recess. The protrusion 20 in Figure 2(a) fits into the recess 21 in Figure 2(b) of another light-emitting block, so that the terminal 20a and the terminal 21a are electrically connected, and the terminal 20b and the terminal 21b are also electrically connected. Furthermore, it is also possible to form the terminal 20a on the inner surface of a hole opened in the center of the protrusion 20, and to configure the terminal 21a, which is a pin such as a metal rod, to be inserted into the hole. When using a terminal such as that in Figure 2, it is possible to emit light by forming one or more protrusions or recesses in one light-emitting block LB. In addition, in order to correspond to one convex portion or one concave portion, the terminals connected to two different wirings may each have at least one as described above, but it is also possible to provide multiple terminals and change the terminal to be connected depending on the connection position between the light-emitting blocks (the degree of adhesion between the blocks, the connection angle, etc.).

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the light-emitting block 1 (LB) shown in Figure 1, split vertically, showing the internal terminal structure. The case of the block body is, for example, made of transparent or semi-transparent plastic, and is formed by fitting a lower case LC into an upper case UC. Inside the block body, a circuit board SB is arranged, and terminals TM, control means such as a microcomputer (not shown), and even light emitters (LEDs) are arranged on the circuit board. For example, the terminal TM corresponding to the convex part of the light-emitting block is made of a metal bar MB and is held by the circuit board SB. In addition, the terminal TM corresponding to the concave part is made of a spring pin SPN and is held by the circuit board SB. The tip of the spring pin SPN is biased outward by a spring and is configured to move inward by an external force.

The terminal MB (TM) formed on the convex portion and the terminal SPN (TM) formed on the concave portion are electrically connected to each other by a contact hole CH that penetrates the circuit board. This allows an electrical signal (electric potential) introduced into the block body by a terminal formed on the concave or convex portion to be transmitted to another block using another terminal electrically connected to the terminal.

The feature of the light-emitting block of the present invention is that, as shown in FIG. 4, multiple terminals TM are divided into two groups (G-EP1 and G-EP2), and within one group, the terminals TM are electrically connected to each other and wired to the same potential (shown by two wires, solid and dotted lines in FIG. 4). As a result, when the light-emitting block (LB) is connected to another light-emitting block (LB) or the power supply board (PB), at least one terminal TM in each different group is electrically connected to the outside, and the two wires in the light-emitting block (LB) are electrically connected to the outside. The method of dividing into two groups is arbitrary, but it is also possible to divide the eight convex parts 10 in FIG. 1 into groups of four and select convex parts including terminals at the same potential in a staggered pattern so that adjacent convex parts in the front, back, left and right do not have the same potential.

The two wires in each light-emitting block are not only used to supply power to drive the light-emitting elements (LEDs) and electrical circuits in the light-emitting block, but are also used to transmit dimming control signals that control the light-emitting state of the light-emitting elements (LEDs).

As shown in FIG. 4, inside the light-emitting block LB, the electrical signal in which power and the dimming control signal are superimposed is input via wiring connected to the terminals of the two groups (G-EP1 and G-EP2) and is input to a signal separation circuit SS that separates the dimming control signal from the electrical signal. The dimming control signal separated by the signal separation circuit SS is input to a control means MC such as a microcomputer, which applies to the light-emitting elements (LEDs) an RGB signal (a voltage signal applied to each LED corresponding to the three RGB colors) that causes the light-emitting elements (LEDs) to emit light based on the dimming control signal.

Figure 5 shows the power supply board PB on which the light emitting blocks are arranged, and has a protrusion 10 formed to connect to the recess of the light emitting block. Of course, it is also possible to configure it with a recess instead of a protrusion. Terminals TM are arranged on each protrusion 10 as shown in Figure 6, and all terminals TM are divided into two groups, and are wired so that they have the same potential (EP1 or EP2) within each group and different potentials between different groups. For example, when dividing the protrusions of the power supply board PB in Figure 5 into two groups, it is also possible to configure it so that terminals of the same potential are arranged in a staggered pattern so that adjacent protrusions on the front, back, left and right do not have the same potential, as with the light emitting block LB described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, an external control unit CU such as a computer is connected to the two wires of the power supply board PB via a cable CB. As shown in FIG. 7, the external control unit CU is composed of a power source PW for supplying power for the light emitters in the light-emitting unit to emit light, a signal generating means SD for generating a dimming control signal for controlling the light-emitting state of the light emitters, and a signal processing means SP for superimposing the power and the dimming control signal and outputting them.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an example in which two light-emitting blocks LB are stacked and assembled on a power supply substrate PB. Focusing on one terminal TM (e.g., potential EP1) of the power supply substrate PB, the terminals (MB) of the light-emitting blocks LB in each stage electrically connected in series to that terminal also have the same potential (EP1). As shown in Figure 6, when the arrangement interval of the convex portions (concave portions) formed on the light-emitting blocks LB is the same as the convex portions of the power supply substrate, when the light-emitting blocks arranged on the power supply substrate PB are viewed in plan from above, the potential of the terminals of each light-emitting block completely matches the arrangement pattern of the potential of the terminals TM of the power supply substrate PB.

Next, a light emitting system using the above-mentioned light emitting block LB will be described.
7 shows a state in which an external control unit CU is connected to one light-emitting block LB. The light-emitting block LB of the present invention is connected to the outside with two wires (solid line and dotted line). To drive (light-emit) the light-emitting block LB, power and a drive control signal (a dimming control signal) are supplied using only two wires. DC voltage can be used for the power, but AC voltage may be used when a rectifier circuit is incorporated in the light-emitting block. When DC voltage is used, it is necessary to provide a switching element in the light-emitting block that determines which of the two groups of terminals has a higher potential and switches the potential input from the terminal so that an appropriate potential can be applied to the light-emitting body (LED).

As described above, in the external control unit CU, the power from the power source PW and the dimming control signal from the signal generating means SD are superimposed by the signal processing means SP and supplied to the light-emitting block LB via two wires. In the light-emitting block LB, the power and the dimming control signal are separated from the input electrical signal by the signal separation circuit SS, and the control means MC controls the light emission (dimming) of the light-emitting element (LED) based on the dimming control signal.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a lighting system using a plurality of lighting blocks.
Electric signals can be transmitted from the external control unit CU not only directly to the light-emitting block LB, but also to a plurality of light-emitting blocks (LB-1 to LB-4) arranged on the power supply board PB via the power supply board PB. The light-emitting blocks (LB-1 to LB-3) are arranged directly on the power supply board PB, and the light-emitting block (LB-4) is arranged in a state of being connected to the light-emitting block (LB-3). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower light-emitting block LB corresponds to LB-3, and the upper light-emitting block LB corresponds to LB-4.

In order to control multiple light-emitting blocks simultaneously, a control number is set for each light-emitting block. The control means MC has a storage unit (non-volatile memory) in part thereof and holds the control number. As a method for setting a control number for the light-emitting block LB, it is possible to prepare a control number setting means as a dedicated device separate from the external control unit CU, but it is also possible to use the signal generating means SD of the external control unit CU in FIG. 8 as the control number setting means. The control number setting means (signal generating means SD) generates a signal for writing the control number to the control means MC (particularly the storage unit) of the light-emitting block. In addition, when the control number setting means is provided in the external control unit CU, it is also possible to provide it separately from the signal generating means SD. As shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to use the external control unit CU and the power supply board PB, place the light-emitting block on the power supply board PB, and use the control number setting means built into the external control unit CU to store the control number in the light-emitting block.

By each light-emitting block having a control number, not only when a dimming control signal is supplied to one light-emitting block LB as in the case of the light-emitting block LB in FIG. 8, but also when a common dimming control signal is supplied to multiple light-emitting blocks as in the case of the light-emitting blocks (LB-1 to LB-4) in FIG. 8, each light-emitting block can extract a control signal corresponding to itself from the dimming control signals based on its own control number, and can control the light-emitting state of its own light-emitting element.

For example, a control number to be controlled is incorporated into part of the dimming control signal, and when the dimming control signal contains the light-emitting block's own control number, the light-emitting block extracts the control signal corresponding to the light-emitting block's own control number from the dimming control signal to control the light-emitting state. As another method, like the DMX signal (8-bit code with 512 channels), control signals corresponding to all control numbers are placed on one dimming control signal, and each light-emitting block controls the light-emitting state based on the control signal of a specified location (channel) corresponding to the control number.

Figure 9 shows an example of the signal processing flow performed by the control means MC in the light-emitting block. Each light-emitting block checks its own control number, and when it receives a dimming control signal, it extracts the dimming control signal corresponding to its own control number, generates an electrical signal to control the light-emitting element based on the extracted signal, and transmits (supplies) it to the light-emitting element.

Figure 10 shows an example of a dimming control signal using a DMX signal. Three channels are assigned to one control number, since three signals corresponding to RGB are assigned to each control number. It is also possible to assign four or more channels to one control number, and assign not only RGB signals corresponding to brightness and color tone, but also control signals related to the lighting time, such as blinking, or a selection signal for incorporating multiple light emitters in one light-emitting block and selecting between them. In Figure 10, channels 1 to 3 are assigned to control number 1, and channels 4 to 6 are assigned to control number 2.

The three channels assigned to one control signal correspond to red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and the numbers 0 to 255 for each channel correspond to brightness (luminance). For example, in the DMX signal (dimming control signal) shown in Figure 10, for control number 1, red (R) is set to a luminance of 255, and green (G) and blue (B) are set to a luminance of 0, so the light-emitting block with control number 1 emits red light.

Figure 11 is a diagram explaining the advantage of having a configuration in which the light-emitting blocks can be rewritten with any control number. For example, consider a case in which nine light-emitting blocks as shown in Figure 11 (a) are illuminated in the order indicated by the arrows.

Figure 11 (b) shows a conventional light-emitting block described in Patent Document 1, in which the control number of each light-emitting block is set in the order in which the light-emitting blocks are connected. Specifically, the light-emitting block connected to the connection terminal (CTM) to which the control signal is input is number 1. Since only the upper light-emitting block is connected to the number 1 light-emitting block, the light-emitting block is number 2. The white arrows indicate the electrical connection relationship and the flow of the control signal. As a result, in the conventional light-emitting block, in order to emit light in the order of the black arrows, it is necessary to create a program that emits light in the order of the control numbers of the light-emitting blocks, such as number 1 → number 3 → number 5 .... This type of control is very complicated, and when more light-emitting blocks are combined in a variety of ways, the time required for programming increases and programming errors are likely to occur.

In contrast, when using the light-emitting blocks of the present invention as shown in FIG. 11(c), it is possible to set control numbers in the order in which the light-emitting blocks are to be lit, making programming much easier than with conventional methods.

In addition, it is possible to assign the same control number to multiple light-emitting blocks, making it easy to program more complex light-emitting controls.

Figure 12 is a diagram explaining the advantages of using the power supply board PB used in the present invention. Figure 12 (a) is a diagram of a conventional light-emitting block assembled, with a control signal flowing in the direction of the white arrow. In this state, if the light-emitting block number 5 fails, not only the light-emitting block number 5, but also the light-emitting blocks number 6 to 9 connected thereto will not light up.

In contrast, when the power supply board PB is used, electrical signals (power and dimming control signals) are supplied to the light-emitting block connected to the power supply board and all other light-emitting blocks connected to that light-emitting block, so even if light-emitting block number 5 fails, only light-emitting block number 5 will not light up.

In this way, by using the power supply substrate PB, it is possible to provide a light-emitting system that can flexibly respond to failures.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light-emitting block and a light-emitting system using the same that reduces the number of types of connection terminals, makes it possible to miniaturize the light-emitting block and provide light-emitting blocks of various shapes, and also increases the degree of freedom in connecting the light-emitting blocks.

CU External control unit LB Light emitting block LED Light emitter (light emitting diode)
MB Metal rod MC Control means PB Power supply board PW Power source SD Signal generating means SP Signal processing means SPN Spring pin SS Signal separation circuit TM Terminal 10, 20 Convex portion 11, 21 Concave portion

Claims (7)

In a light-emitting block, a light-emitting body is built into the block body.
The surface of the block body has a convex portion or a concave portion for mechanically connecting with another light-emitting block or with a substrate on which the light-emitting block is arranged,
The convex portion or the concave portion has a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting to the other light-emitting block or the substrate,
All the terminals are divided into two groups, and the terminals belonging to each group are electrically connected to each other to form wiring having a common potential;
A light-emitting block characterized in that the two different wirings are used to supply power to cause the light-emitting body to emit light, and are also used to transmit a dimming control signal that controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting body. The light emitting block according to claim 1, characterized in that one terminal is arranged corresponding to one of the convex portions or one of the concave portions. The light-emitting block according to claim 2, characterized in that one plane of the block body that contacts another light-emitting block or the substrate has one or more terminals connected to the two different wirings. The light-emitting block according to claim 1, characterized in that it has one or more terminals connected to the two different wirings, each of which corresponds to one of the convex portions or one of the concave portions. A light-emitting block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the block body includes a control means, and the control means includes a function for retaining a control number assigned to each light-emitting block, a function for receiving the dimming control signal, and a function for controlling the light-emitting state of the light-emitting body based on the dimming control signal. A light-emitting system using the light-emitting block according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light-emitting system has a signal processing means provided outside the light-emitting block, which supplies the power and the dimming control signal in a superimposed manner to the two different wirings of the light-emitting block. A light-emitting system using the light-emitting block according to claim 5, characterized in that the light-emitting system has a control number setting means provided outside the light-emitting block, which writes the control number into the control means so that the control number is retained in the control means.

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