JP7639591B2 - Lighting and illuminating devices - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to lighting devices and illumination devices.

Conventionally, there are lighting devices that adjust the light by transmitting a dimming signal via a wire or wirelessly (see Patent Document 1, etc.). For example, in a signal line type that provides stable dimming, dimming is achieved by sending a dimming signal from a light control to the lighting device via a dimming signal line.

JP 2013-16289 A

However, lighting devices that do not use dimming signals have room for improvement in dimming to achieve the desired brightness.

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a lighting device and a lighting device that can adjust the brightness to a desired level without using a dimming signal.

The lighting device according to the embodiment includes a lighting circuit, a memory unit, and a control unit. The lighting circuit lights up the light source using an external power source. The memory unit pre-stores a correspondence between the power supply time from the power source and the dimming level of the light source. The control unit controls the lighting circuit based on the correspondence so as to light up the light source at a dimming level that corresponds to the power supply time.

The present invention provides a lighting device and a lighting device that can adjust the brightness to a desired level without using a dimming signal.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of dimming level setting information according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a notification pattern according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a notification pattern according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a notification pattern according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of dimming level determination pattern setting information according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of dimming state management information according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an overview of determining the dimming level according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an overview of determining the dimming level according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an overview of determining the dimming level according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting the dimming degree according to the modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting the dimming degree according to the modified example.

The lighting device 100 according to the embodiment and modified example described below includes a lighting circuit 110, a memory unit 130, and a control unit 140. The lighting circuit 110 lights the light source 11 using an external power source EPS. The memory unit 130 stores in advance the correspondence between the power supply time from the power source EPS and the dimming level of the light source 11. The control unit 140 controls the lighting circuit 110 to light the light source 11 at the dimming level corresponding to the power supply time based on the correspondence.

In addition, in the embodiment and modified examples described below, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level corresponding to the power-on time, and then determines the dimming level on the condition that a dimming level determination pattern consisting of a combination of power-on and power-off that is specified in advance is detected.

In addition, in the embodiment and modified examples described below, after the dimming level is determined, the control unit 140 determines a notification pattern for notifying the user of the determined dimming level, and controls the lighting circuit 110 to turn on the light source 11 in the notification pattern prior to turning on the light source 11 at the determined dimming level.

The lighting device 10 according to the embodiment and modified example described below includes the lighting device 100 described above.

The lighting device 10 according to the embodiment and modified example described below lights up or lights intermittently in a predetermined pattern, and after it is turned off, lights up at a dimming level corresponding to the predetermined pattern.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of lighting device 10)
Hereinafter, a configuration of an illumination device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an illumination device according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 10 has a light source 11, a switch 12, and a lighting device 100. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example of a lighting device 10 according to an embodiment, and the lighting device 10 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and may have more light sources 11 than those shown in FIG. 1.

The lighting device 10 shown in FIG. 1 turns on the light source 11 when the switch 12 is turned on, and turns off the light source 11 when the switch 12 is turned off. The lighting device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a lighting device that does not have a dimming signal line.

The light source 11 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The light source 11 may have any shape, such as a straight tube lamp with bases on both ends, a light bulb with a screw base, or a flat lamp with a GX base.

The switch 12 is a device for supplying power to the lighting device 10. For example, when a user of the lighting device 10 switches the switch 12 to the on (ON) state, power supply from the power source EPS to the lighting device 10 begins. On the other hand, when a user of the lighting device 10 switches the switch 12 to the off (OFF) state, power supply from the power source EPS to the lighting device 10 is stopped. The switch 12 is typically a wall switch. The power source EPS is, for example, a commercial AC power source.

The lighting device 100 is a device that lights up the light source 11 using an external power source EPS. As described below, the lighting device 100 can control the lighting state of the light source 11 based on the power supply time from the power source EPS without using a dimming signal.

(Configuration of lighting device 100)
As shown in Fig. 1, the lighting device 100 includes a lighting circuit 110, a power supply monitoring unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a control unit 140. Note that the configuration of the lighting device 100 may be different from the example shown in Fig. 1.

The lighting circuit 110 is a circuit that rectifies and smoothes the AC power supplied from the power source EPS, converts it into a predetermined DC power, and outputs it to the light source 11. The lighting circuit 110 converts the rectified and smoothed AC power into a predetermined DC power, for example, by the switching operation of a switching element of a chopper circuit. The lighting circuit 110 is typically an AC/DC converter.

The power supply monitoring unit 120 is a circuit that monitors the power supply from the power supply EPS and the stop of the power supply. The power supply monitoring unit 120 is connected to the primary power line of the lighting circuit 110. For example, when the switch 12 is turned on, the power supply monitoring unit 120 sends a signal indicating that power supply has started (hereinafter referred to as an "on signal") to the control unit 140. Also, when the switch 12 is turned off, the power supply monitoring unit 120 sends a signal indicating that power supply has been stopped (hereinafter referred to as an "off signal") to the control unit 140.

The storage unit 130 stores data and programs necessary for the processing executed by the control unit 140. The storage unit 130 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

For example, the storage unit 130 can store, as data necessary for processing executed by the control unit 140, dimming level setting information that stores in advance the correspondence between the power supply time from the power source EPS and the dimming level of the light source 11, dimming level determination pattern setting information that stores dimming level determination patterns consisting of combinations of power supply and non-power supply, and dimming state management information that stores the current state of the dimming level.

The dimming level setting information according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the dimming level setting information according to the embodiment.

2, the dimming degree setting information has an item of “dimming degree”, an item of “energization time T _E (seconds)”, and an item of “alert pattern”. The dimming degree setting information stores information corresponding to these items in mutual association.

In the "dimming level" item, information related to the brightness of the light source 11 is preset by the user of the lighting device 10. For example, "full light" represents the dimming level when the light source 11 is turned on at maximum brightness. Furthermore, "70%" represents the dimming level when the light source 11 is turned on at 70% of the maximum brightness. Furthermore, "50%" represents the dimming level when the light source 11 is turned on at 50% of the maximum brightness. Note that either illuminance or total luminous flux may be used as an index for defining the dimming level.

In the "Power-on time T _E (sec)" field, information on the power-on time from the power source EPS is preset by the user of the lighting device 10. For example, the power-on time T _E is expressed in seconds. When the power-on time T _E from the power source EPS is 2 seconds or more and less than 4 seconds, the control unit 140 determines that the dimming level specified by the user of the lighting device 10 is "full light". When the power-on time T _E from the power source EPS is 4 seconds or more and less than 6 seconds, the control unit 140 determines that the dimming level specified by the user of the lighting device 10 is "70%". When the power-on time T _E from the power source EPS is 6 seconds or more and less than 8 seconds, the control unit 140 determines that the dimming level specified by the user of the lighting device 10 is "50%".

In the "Notification Pattern" field, information about a notification pattern for notifying the user of the dimming level determined by the detection of the dimming level determination pattern described below is preset by the user of the lighting device 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a different notification pattern is preset for each dimming level. FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining an overview of the notification patterns according to the embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the change in dimming level over time corresponding to pattern A, which is the notification pattern when the dimming level is at full light. As shown in Figure 3, according to pattern A, the dimming level of the light source 11 increases from 0% to 100% at a constant rate, and immediately afterwards, the dimming rate is returned to 0%. Then, according to pattern A, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light source 11 is turned on again at 100% dimming level.

Figure 4 shows the change in dimming level over time corresponding to pattern B, which is the notification pattern when the dimming level is 70%. As shown in Figure 4, according to pattern B, the dimming level of the light source 11 is increased from 0% to 70% at a constant rate, and immediately after that, the dimming rate is returned to 0%. Next, according to pattern B, after a predetermined time has passed, the light source 11 is turned on again at a dimming level of 70%, and after a predetermined time has passed, the dimming rate is returned to 0%. Then, according to pattern B, after a predetermined time has passed, the light source 11 is turned on again at a dimming level of 70%.

Figure 5 shows the change over time in the dimming level corresponding to pattern C, which is the notification pattern when the dimming level is 50%. As shown in Figure 5, according to pattern C, the dimming level of the light source 11 is increased from 0% to 50% at a constant rate, and immediately after that, the dimming rate is returned to 0%. Next, according to pattern C, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light source 11 is turned on again at a dimming level of 50%, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the dimming rate is returned to 0%, and this pattern is repeated twice. Then, according to pattern C, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light source 11 is turned on again at a dimming level of 50%.

The dimming degree determination pattern setting information according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the dimming degree determination pattern setting information according to the embodiment.

6, the dimming degree determination pattern setting information has an item of "power-on time T _E (seconds)", an item of "non-power-on time T _NE (seconds)", an item of "number of times of switching on/off", and an item of "standby time T _w from dimming degree designation". The dimming degree determination pattern setting information stores information corresponding to these items in mutual association.

In the "Power-on time T _E (seconds)" field, information relating to the power-on time from the power source EPS is set in advance by the user of the lighting device 10. In the "Non-power-on time T _NE (seconds)" field, information relating to the non-power-on time is set in advance by the user of the lighting device 10.

In the "Switch On/Off Repetition Count" field, information is preset regarding the number of times the user of the lighting device 10 repeatedly switches the switch 12 between the on state (powered) and the off state (not powered) (hereinafter referred to as the "on/off operation").

In the item "Waiting time T _w from dimming level designation," information related to the waiting time from when a user of the lighting device 10 performs an operation to designate a dimming level is set in advance.

According to the dimming level determination pattern setting information shown in FIG. 6, if the power-on time T _E is 1 second or more and less than 2 seconds, the power-off time T _NE is less than 1 second, the number of on/off operation repetitions is 3, and the standby time T _W is less than 4 seconds, the control unit 140 will determine that the dimming level determination pattern is one that determines the dimming level specified by the user.

The dimming state management information according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of the dimming state management information according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the dimming state management information stores information indicating the current state of the dimming level. The dimming state management information is registered by the control unit 140.

The control unit 140 has an internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and the like, and required data, and can execute various processes using these. The control unit 140 can be realized, for example, by a microcomputer. The microcomputer is equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs for controlling each part of the lighting device 100 and applications for executing various processes. The microcomputer controls the lighting device 100 and realizes various functions by having a processor such as the CPU execute the programs and applications stored in the ROM. The RAM is used as a memory area required for the CPU or other processor to execute calculations, etc.

The control unit 140 may control the lighting device 100 and realize various functions by reading a program or the like stored in the storage unit 130 of the lighting device 100 and executing the read program. The control unit 140 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

The control unit 140 controls the lighting circuit 110 to light the light source 11 at a dimming level corresponding to the power-on time based on the correspondence between the power-on time from the power source EPS and the dimming level of the light source 11. This allows the lighting device 100 to adjust the dimming level to the desired brightness without using a dimming signal.

For example, the control unit 140 uses a built-in timer (see FIG. 1) to measure the elapsed time from when the ON signal is received to when the OFF signal is received based on the ON signal and OFF signal (hereinafter referred to as the "ON/OFF signal") received from the power supply monitoring unit 120. The control unit 140 then determines the measured elapsed time as the power supply time and, by referring to the dimming level setting information, selects the dimming level that corresponds to the power supply time.

In addition, after the control unit 140 selects the dimming level corresponding to the power-on time, it determines the dimming level on the condition that it detects a dimming level determination pattern consisting of a combination of power-on and power-off. This allows the lighting device 100 to easily determine that the operation on the switch 12 is an operation related to setting the dimming level.

For example, the control unit 140 determines whether the dimming determination pattern set in the dimming degree determination pattern setting information has been detected before the waiting time _Tw set in the dimming degree determination pattern setting information has elapsed, based on the pattern of the on/off signal received from the power supply monitoring unit 120. For example, the waiting time _Tw is acquired based on the time elapsed since the off signal was received from the power supply monitoring unit 120.

When the control unit 140 determines that a dimming confirmation pattern has been detected, it confirms the selected dimming level and registers information about the confirmed dimming level in the dimming state management information.

Note that the control unit 140 may overwrite and update the dimming level information registered in the dimming state management information with the confirmed dimming level information only when dimming level information already registered in the dimming state management information exists and the confirmed dimming level differs from the registered dimming level.

The outline of how the control unit 140 determines the dimming level will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figures 8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the outline of how the dimming level is determined according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level to be "full light" based on the power-on time of "3.3 seconds", and then after a standby time of "2.7 seconds", if the power-on time and non-power-on time of the on/off signal pattern received from the power supply monitoring unit 120 are respectively as follows: power: "1.2 seconds" → non-power: "0.5 seconds" → power: "1.1 seconds" → non-power: "0.4 seconds" → power: "1.1 seconds", and the number of switch on/off repetitions is three, it determines that a dimming confirmation pattern has been detected and determines the dimming level to be "full light".

As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level to be "70%" based on the power-on time of "5.2 seconds", and then after a standby time of "3.2 seconds", if the power-on time and non-power-on time of the on/off signal pattern received from the power supply monitoring unit 120 are respectively "powered:" "1.5 seconds" → non-powered: "0.4 seconds" → powered: "1.3 seconds" → non-powered: "0.5 seconds" → powered: "1.4 seconds", and the number of switch on/off repetitions is three, it determines that a dimming confirmation pattern has been detected and confirms the dimming level to be "70%".

As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level to be "50%" based on the power-on time of "6.9 seconds", and then after a standby time of "2.5 seconds", if the power-on time and non-power-on time of the on/off signal pattern received from the power supply monitoring unit 120 are respectively "powered:" 1.3 seconds" → non-powered:" 0.3 seconds" → powered:" 1.2 seconds" → non-powered:" 0.3 seconds" → powered:" 1.3 seconds", and the number of switch on/off repetitions is three, it determines that a dimming confirmation pattern has been detected and confirms the dimming level to be "50%".

After the dimming degree is determined, the control unit 140 determines a notification pattern for notifying the user of the determined dimming degree by referring to the dimming degree setting information. Then, the control unit 140 executes a dimming process for controlling the lighting circuit 110 to light the light source 11 in the determined notification pattern prior to lighting the light source 11 at the determined dimming degree. This allows the lighting device 100 to allow the user to confirm the dimming degree setting. As described above, the lighting device 100 can provide a lighting device 10 that lights up or lights intermittently in a predetermined pattern (for example, the above-mentioned notification pattern) and lights up at a dimming degree corresponding to the predetermined pattern after being turned off.

(Processing Procedure by Lighting Device 100)
A processing procedure of the lighting device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the lighting device according to the embodiment. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 11 is executed by the control unit 140 included in the lighting device 100.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 140 selects the dimming level of the light source 11 based on the power-on time (step S101).

The control unit 140 also determines whether a dimming level determination pattern is detected within a predetermined waiting time (step S102).

If the control unit 140 determines that a dimming level determination pattern has been detected within the specified waiting time (step S102; Yes), it determines the dimming level selected in step S101 (step S103).

The control unit 140 also registers the dimming level determined in step S103 in the dimming state management information (step S104).

The control unit 140 also determines the notification pattern for notifying the determined dimming level by referring to the dimming level setting information (step S105).

In addition, the control unit 140 turns on the light source 11 with the notification pattern determined in step S105 prior to turning on the light source 11 at the dimming level determined in step S103, and executes dimming processing to control the lighting circuit 110 so that the light source 11 is turned on at the registered dimming level (step S106), and then ends the processing procedure shown in FIG. 11.

In step S102, if the control unit 140 determines that the dimming level determination pattern has not been detected within the predetermined waiting time (step S102; No), it resets the dimming level selected in step S101 (step S107) and ends the processing procedure shown in FIG. 11.

[Modification]
(Interactive dimming settings)
In the above-described embodiment, the lighting device 100 may set, in the lighting device 10, a dimming level corresponding to the timing at which a user operation is detected while changing the brightness of the light source 11. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for setting a dimming level according to a modified example.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 140 determines whether a dimming level setting operation by a user has been detected. For example, the control unit 140 determines whether a dimming level setting operation has been detected based on a combination of an on signal and an off signal received from the power supply monitoring unit 120.

Specifically, the control unit 140 determines that a dimming level setting operation has been detected when the alternately input on signal (ON) and off signal (OFF) are composed of a combination of five signals: on signal (ON) → off signal (OFF) → on signal (ON) → off signal (OFF) → on signal (ON).

Note that the combination of signals that constitute the dimming level setting operation is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 12, and may be any number of combinations of signals, such as on signal (ON) → off signal (OFF) → on signal (ON).

When the control unit 140 determines that a dimming level setting operation has been detected, the control unit 140 turns on the light source 11 while increasing the dimming level at a constant rate from 0%, and determines whether a dimming level designation operation by the user has been detected. For example, the control unit 140 detects an off signal (OFF) input while the light source 11 is turned on as a dimming level designation operation.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level MLRx corresponding to the timing Tx (OFF) at which the dimming level designation operation was detected as the dimming level when turning on the light source 11, and registers it in the dimming state management information.

13, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 140 determines whether a dimming level setting operation by the user has been detected. If the control unit 140 determines that a dimming level setting operation has been detected, the control unit 140 turns on the light source 11 while increasing the dimming level from 0% at a constant rate and determines whether a dimming level designation operation by the user has been detected. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 140 determines the dimming level MLRy corresponding to the timing Ty (OFF) at which the dimming level designation operation was detected as the dimming level when turning on the light source 11, and registers this in the dimming state management information.

In this way, the lighting device 100 changes the brightness of the light source 11 and determines the dimming level corresponding to the timing at which the user's operation is detected as the dimming level when turning on the light source 11. This allows the lighting device 100 to set the dimming level for the lighting device 10 to correspond to the brightness that the user actually sees with the naked eye.

(Resetting the dimming level)
In the above-described embodiment, the lighting device 100 may reset the set dimming level in response to a switch operation by the user. For example, the lighting device 100 can determine whether or not a dimming level reset operation by the user has been detected based on an on/off signal received from the power supply monitoring unit 120. In this case, the lighting device 100 pre-sets a pattern of on/off signals corresponding to the reset operation that does not overlap with the dimming level determination pattern.

[others]
Furthermore, a processing program for implementing the processing functions of the lighting device 100 according to the above-described embodiment or modification may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape, a flexible disk, etc. and distributed. In this case, for example, the lighting device 100 installs the processing program from the storage medium and executes the various processes described above.

The above-mentioned processing program may also be stored in cloud storage located on a network such as the Internet, and may be made available for downloading to a computer. The above-mentioned processing functions may also be realized by cooperation between an operating system (OS) and application software. In this case, parts other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or parts other than the OS may be stored in cloud storage, and may be made available for downloading to a computer.

The processing functions of the lighting device 100 according to the above embodiment or modification may be distributed so that at least a part of the processing functions is executed on a cloud server. For example, the cloud server may have the processing functions of the control unit 140 of the lighting device 100. In this case, the lighting device 100 uploads information such as an on signal or an off signal received from the power supply monitoring unit 120 to the cloud server through a specified communication unit. The cloud server selects and determines the dimming level based on the information such as the on signal or the off signal uploaded from the lighting device 100, and transmits the determined dimming level information to the lighting device 100. The lighting device 100 executes dimming processing of the light source 11 based on the dimming level information received from the cloud server through the specified communication unit.

Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment is included within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as within the scope and gist of the invention. Furthermore, this embodiment can be combined as appropriate as long as it does not cause contradictions in the processing contents.

Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also exist.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Illumination device 11 Light source 12 Switch 100 Lighting device 110 Lighting circuit 120 Power supply monitoring unit 130 Storage unit 140 Control unit

Claims (3)

A lighting circuit that lights the light source using an external power source;
a storage unit that stores in advance a correspondence relationship between a power supply time from the power source and a dimming level of the light source;
a control unit that controls the lighting circuit so as to light the light source at a dimming level corresponding to the energization time based on the correspondence relationship;
Equipped with
The control unit is
a dimming degree determination pattern formed by a combination of energization and non-energization is detected after selecting a dimming degree corresponding to the energization time, and the dimming degree is determined on the condition that the dimming degree determination pattern is detected . The control unit is
2. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification pattern for notifying a user of the determined dimming level after the dimming level is determined; and a lighting circuit is controlled to turn on the light source with the notification pattern prior to turning on the light source at the determined dimming level . A lighting device comprising the lighting device according to claim 1 or 2 .

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