JP7694428B2 - Lighting control device and lighting control system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control device that controls multiple lighting devices, and a lighting control system that uses this lighting control device.

Conventionally, lighting control systems are known that control multiple lighting devices using a lighting control device. The lighting control device includes multiple operation units for increasing or decreasing the dimming level of each lighting device, and may also include a numerical display unit that displays the dimming level of each lighting device as a numerical value.

The numeric display unit may have multiple numeric display units corresponding to each lighting device to be controlled, or may have only one numeric display unit for multiple operation units.

When there is one numeric display unit, operating an operation unit changes the dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit so that it is increased or decreased, and the value of the changed dimming level is displayed on the numeric display unit.

When there is only one numeric display unit, in order to check the current dimming level of the lighting device, the corresponding operation unit may be operated to display it on the numeric display unit. However, operating the operation unit changes the dimming level, and the changed dimming level value is displayed on the numeric display unit. This means that the current dimming level is not displayed, and after checking, an operation must be performed to reset the dimming level, making the operation cumbersome. Furthermore, in order to avoid this dimming level being changed, it is necessary to check using an operation procedure separate from that of the operation unit, making the operation cumbersome.

JP 2013-201087 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a lighting control device and lighting control system with improved operability.

The lighting control device of the embodiment is a lighting control device that controls multiple lighting devices, and includes multiple operation units corresponding to each lighting device to be controlled, a smaller number of numerical display units than the operation units, and a control unit. When an operation unit is operated, the control unit displays the current dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit on the numerical display unit, and when the same operation unit is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the operation unit, the control unit changes the dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit and displays the changed dimming level value on the numerical display unit.

The lighting control device of the embodiment is expected to improve operability.

1 is a configuration diagram of a lighting control system including a lighting control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting control device.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a configuration diagram of a lighting control system 10. The lighting control system 10 includes multiple lighting devices 11, multiple sensors 12, and a lighting control device 13 that controls the multiple lighting devices 11.

The lighting device 11 is a dimmable lighting device that includes a light source using a light-emitting element such as an LED, and a power supply unit that dims the light source in response to a dimming signal from the lighting control device 13, making it possible to change the brightness.

In the lighting control system 10, for example, when multiple lighting devices 11 are installed on the ceiling of a floor, the floor is divided into multiple zones, for example, four zones 1 to 4, and the multiple lighting devices 11 arranged in each of zones 1 to 4 are connected to the lighting control device 13 via communication lines so that they can communicate with each other.

The sensors 12 include a motion sensor, a light sensor, a daylight sensor, etc., are communicatively connected to the lighting control device 13 via a signal line, and transmit detection signals to the lighting control device 13. Note that the sensors 12 are selectively used, and are used only when necessary for the control of the lighting device 11 in the lighting control system 10, and are not used when not necessary.

The lighting control device 13 is installed, for example, on a wall and is operable. The lighting control device 13 includes a control unit 14 and a memory unit 15. The control unit 14 controls the dimming of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 based on operations on the lighting control device 13, pre-set scenes and schedules, and detection signals when using the sensor 12, and also controls each display on the lighting control device 13. The memory unit 15 stores, for example, the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 for each scene.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the lighting control device 13. The lighting control device 13 has an operation panel 20, which is provided with multiple operation units 21a to 21d, which are individual operation units or zone operation units for controlling the dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4.

Each of the operation units 21a to 21d displays the number of the zones 1 to 4 to be controlled, for example "1", "2", "3", or "4". Each of the operation units 21a to 21d has an up button 22, for example an upward triangle, which is an operation button for increasing the dimming level, a down button 23, for example a downward triangle, which is an operation button for decreasing the dimming level, and a shape display unit 24 that displays the current dimming level by changing the display shape. The up button 22 and down button 23 are arranged vertically side by side, and the shape display unit 24 is arranged side by side on the side of the up button 22 and down button 23.

The shape display unit 24 is, for example, a display meter in which multiple display segments made up of light-emitting elements such as LEDs are arranged in a vertical row, and the number of display segments that light up changes according to the dimming level. The shape display unit 24 displays the dimming level divided into multiple ranges, and the display segments up to the range that corresponds to the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 to be controlled are lit. For example, when the dimming level is 50%, the display segments from the center down among the multiple display segments are lit. The shape display unit 24 may change shape or light color according to the dimming level.

The overall operation unit 25 is disposed adjacent to the operation units 21a to 21d corresponding to each of the zones 1 to 4. The overall operation unit 25 changes the dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 in all of the zones 1 to 4 collectively while maintaining the difference in dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 for each of the zones 1 to 4, and includes an operation button for increasing the dimming level, such as an up button 26 with an upward triangle mark, and an operation button for decreasing the dimming level, such as a down button 27 with a downward triangle mark.

A power button 28, multiple scene buttons 29, a set button 30, and a numeric display section 31 are located adjacent to the overall operation section 25.

The power button 28 can be operated to simultaneously switch all lighting devices 11 on and off.

For example, four scene buttons 29 are arranged, and scene numbers such as "1", "2", "3", and "4" are displayed on each of them. Above each scene button 29, a scene display section 32 is arranged to indicate which of the scene buttons 29 is selected. The scene display section 32 is displayed by lighting a light-emitting element such as an LED. Each scene button 29 is set according to a scene such as daytime, nighttime, weekdays, and holidays, and the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 is stored in each scene button 29, and the stored dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 is reproduced by selecting each scene button 29.

The set button 30 is used to confirm settings such as scenes.

The number of numeric display units 31 is smaller than the number of operation units 21a to 21d, for example, there is only one, and it is capable of displaying at least numeric values. The numeric display unit 31 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays multiple digits with each digit displayed in seven segments, and is capable of displaying numbers, alphabets, etc.

The control unit 14 of the lighting control device 13 has a function of displaying on the numeric display unit 31 the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a-21d when the operation unit 21a-21d is operated, changing the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a-21d and displaying the changed dimming level value on the numeric display unit 31 when the same operation unit 21a-21d is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the operation unit 21a-21d, and a function of displaying on the numeric display unit 31 the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a-21d when the operation unit 21a-21d is operated, and changing the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a-21d and displaying the changed dimming level value on the numeric display unit 31 when the operation unit 21a-21d is operated, and changing the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a-21d when the operation unit 21a-21d is operated continuously for a predetermined time or more.

Furthermore, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated, the control unit 14 has the function of displaying predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11 on the numerical display unit 31, and then changing the dimming levels of the multiple lighting devices 11 collectively in accordance with the operation of the overall operation unit 25, and changing the information displayed on the numerical display unit 31 in accordance with this change. In this function, similar to the above-mentioned operation units 21a to 21d, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated, predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11 is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, and when the overall operation unit 25 is operated again within a predetermined time after the operation, the dimming levels of all the lighting devices 11 are changed collectively and the information that changes with this change is displayed on the numerical display unit 31; when the overall operation unit 25 is operated, predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11 is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, and when the overall operation unit 25 is operated continuously for a predetermined time or more, the dimming levels of all the lighting devices 1 are changed collectively and the information that changes with this change is displayed on the numerical display unit 31.

As predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11, it is possible to display the average dimming level set for each of the multiple operation units 21a to 21d, or to display the amount of change in dimming level.

Next, we will explain the control operation by the control unit 14 of the lighting control device 13.

When the power button 28 is off, the numeric display section 31 displays "OFF," and the shape display section 24 and scene display section 32 of each operation section 21a to 21d are turned off and put into a non-display state.

When the power button 28 is on, in standby mode where no operation has been performed for a specified period of time, the numeric display section 31 is in a blank state, the shape display section 24 of each operation section 21a to 21d shows the current value of each dimming level by changing the display shape, and the scene display section 32 of the selected scene button 29 is lit up.

Then, with the power button 28 in the ON state, the operation when the operation units 21a to 21d corresponding to the lighting devices 11 in each of the zones 1 to 4 are operated will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

For example, when the operation unit 21a corresponding to the lighting device 11 in zone 1 is operated, that is, when the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a is operated (step S1), first, the current value of the dimming level of the lighting device 11 in zone 1 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a is displayed on the numeric display unit 31 (step S2). That is, even if the up button 22 or down button 23 is operated, the dimming level is not changed from the current value, and the current value of the dimming level stored in the memory unit 15 is displayed on the numeric display unit 31.

If the operation unit 21a is being operated continuously (YES in step S3), it is determined whether the operation of the operation unit 21a continues for a predetermined second time t2 (e.g., about 3 seconds) or more (step S4).

If the operation of the operation unit 21a is released before it continues for the second time t2 or more (NO in step S3), it is determined whether a predetermined first time t1 (e.g., about 2 seconds) shorter than the second time t2 has elapsed since the operation of the operation unit 21a (step S5), and it is determined whether the same operation unit 21a has been operated (step S6) or whether any of the other operation units 21b to 21d has been operated (step S7) until the first time t1 has elapsed (NO in step S5). If the same operation unit 21a has not been operated (NO in step S6) or any of the other operation units 21b to 21d has not been operated (NO in step S7), the process returns to step S5.

Here, if you only want to check the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 in zone 1, after checking the current dimming level displayed on the numeric display unit 31 in step S2, by not performing any operation, when the first time t1 has elapsed in step S5 (YES in step S5), the display on the numeric display unit 31 will be turned off (step S8) and the device will return to the original standby state.

Furthermore, when checking the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 in sequence, if the first time t1 has not yet elapsed in step S5, then when the operation unit 21b corresponding to the lighting device 11 in zone 2 is operated in step S7 (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S2, where the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 in zone 2 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21b is displayed on the numeric display unit 31. Also, if the first time t1 has elapsed in step S5 and the numeric display unit 31 has been turned off in step S8, then the operation unit 21b corresponding to the lighting device 11 in zone 2 is operated in step S1. The same applies to the other operation units 21c and 21d.

In addition, when changing the dimming level after checking the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 in zone 1, for example, after operating the operation unit 21a and checking the current dimming level displayed on the numerical display unit 31 in step S2, if the same operation unit 21a is operated in step S6 before the first time t1 has elapsed in step S5, that is, within the first time t1 after operating the operation unit 21a (after releasing the operation of the operation unit 21a) (YES in step S6), the dimming level is changed to increase or decrease the dimming level in response to the operation of the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a (step S9), the memory in the memory unit 15 is updated to the changed dimming level value, and the changed dimming level value is displayed on the numerical display unit 31 (step S10). In addition, in determining whether the same operation unit 21a has been operated in step S6, even if the up button 22 of the operation unit 21a is operated in step S1 and the down button 23 of the operation unit 21a is operated in step S6, it is determined that the same operation unit 21a has been operated. Also, the display shape displayed on the shape display unit 24 of the operation unit 21a may change depending on the amount of change in the dimming level. Also, the brightness of the lighting device 11 in zone 1 changes as the dimming level is adjusted, and this can be confirmed.

Then, by repeatedly operating the operation unit 21a again within the first time t1, the dimming level is increased or decreased sequentially. Also, by continuing to operate the operation unit 21a again for the second time t2, the dimming level is increased or decreased continuously.

In addition, when changing the dimming level after checking the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 in zone 1, a different operation procedure is also possible. In this case, for example, the operation unit 21a is operated to check the current dimming level displayed on the numerical display unit 31 in step S2 and the operation unit 21a is continued (YES in step S3). If the operation of the operation unit 21a continues for a predetermined second time t2 or more (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to steps S9 and S10, where the dimming level is changed to increase or decrease depending on the operation of the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a, the memory in the memory unit 15 is updated to the changed dimming level, and the changed dimming level is displayed on the numerical display unit 31.

While the operation unit 21a is being operated continuously, the dimming degree is changed so as to continuously increase or decrease in response to the operation of the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a, the memory of the memory unit 15 is updated sequentially to the changed dimming degree value, and the sequentially changed dimming degree value is displayed sequentially on the numeric display unit 31.

When the overall operation unit 25 is operated, predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11 is displayed on the numerical display unit 31. For example, the control unit 14 calculates an average value from the dimming levels set for each of the multiple operation units 21a to 21d, and displays the calculated average dimming level on the numerical display unit 31.

As with the above-mentioned operation units 21a to 21d, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated again within a predetermined time, the dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 in all zones 1 to 4 are changed collectively while maintaining the difference in dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 for each zone 1 to 4, and the average value that changes with the change is displayed on the numerical display unit 31. Or, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated continuously for a predetermined time or more, the dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 in all zones 1 to 4 are changed collectively while maintaining the difference in dimming levels of the lighting devices 11 for each zone 1 to 4, and the average value that changes with the change is displayed on the numerical display unit 31. Depending on the amount of change in dimming level, the display shape displayed on the shape display unit 24 of each operation unit 21a to 21d may also be changed. In addition, the brightness of all lighting devices 11 in zones 1 to 4 changes with the change in dimming level, and can be confirmed.

When the overall operation unit 25 is operated, the amount of change in the dimming level may be displayed on the numerical display unit 31. In this case, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated, for example, "0" is displayed on the numerical display unit 31 as the initial value of the amount of change, and the amount of change that changes as the dimming level is changed by operating the overall operation unit 25 is displayed on the numerical display unit 31 as "+10" or "-10".

Next, we will explain scene settings that allow you to select a scene using the scene button 29.

For example, when the scene button 29 for scene 1 is operated, the scene display section 32 of the scene button 29 for the operated scene 1 is lit up, and the number of scene 1 is displayed in the numeric display section 31, indicating that scene 1 is selected.

By pressing and holding the set button 30 or the scene button 29 for scene 1 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the scene setting mode for the scene button 29 for scene 1 is entered, and the number for scene 1 displayed on the numeric display unit 31 flashes to indicate that the scene setting mode for the scene button 29 for scene 1 is entered.

In the scene setting mode for scene button 29 for scene 1, the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 can be individually adjusted to suit the scene by operating each of the operation units 21a to 21d.

In this case, similar to the above-mentioned dimming degree change operation, for example, when the operation unit 21a is operated, that is, when the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a is operated, the initial dimming degree value (e.g., 70%) or the value set previously of the lighting device 11 in zone 1 stored in the memory unit 15 is first displayed on the numeric display unit 31. In other words, even if the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a is operated, the dimming degree is not changed from the initial value or the value set previously, and the initial value or the value set previously of the dimming degree stored in the memory unit 15 is displayed on the numeric display unit 31.

The initial dimming level or the value set previously is confirmed on the numerical display unit 31, and the dimming level is changed to increase or decrease depending on the operation of the up button 22 or down button 23 of the operation unit 21a, and the changed dimming level value is displayed on the numerical display unit 31. Note that the display shape displayed on the shape display unit 24 of the operation unit 21a may also be changed depending on the amount of change in the dimming level. Also, the brightness of the lighting device 11 in zone 1 changes as the dimming level is adjusted, and this can be confirmed.

After individually adjusting the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 according to the scene, the set button 30 is operated to end the scene setting mode for the scene button 29 for scene 1, and the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 for the scene button 29 for scene 1 is stored in the memory unit 15.

In the same way, scene buttons 29 for scenes 2, 3, and 4 can also be set.

After the scene is set, for example, when the scene button 29 for scene 1 is operated, the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 corresponding to the scene button 29 for scene 1 stored in the memory unit 15 is read out, and a dimming signal corresponding to the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 is output, thereby reproducing the lighting state of scene 1 in the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4.

In addition, even when the lighting state of, for example, scene 1 is being reproduced by the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4, the dimming level of the lighting devices 11 in each of zones 1 to 4 can be changed by operating the operation units 21a to 21d in the same manner as the dimming level change operation described above.

As described above, in the lighting control device 13 of this embodiment, when the operation units 21a to 21d are operated, the current value of the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a to 21d is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, and when the same operation unit 21a to 21d is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the operation unit 21a to 21d, the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a to 21d is changed and the changed value of the dimming level is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, so that the dimming level can be changed after checking the current value of the dimming level, improving operability.

In addition, for each operation unit 21a to 21d, a shape display unit 24 is also used to display the current dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a to 21d by changing the display shape, so the current dimming level can be roughly grasped.

In addition, when the overall operation unit 25 is operated, predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11 is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, and then the dimming levels of the multiple lighting devices 11 are changed collectively in response to the operation of the overall operation unit 25, and the information displayed on the numerical display unit 31 is changed, so that the amount of change in dimming level during overall operation can be grasped numerically, improving operability.

By displaying the average dimming level set for each of the multiple operation units 21a to 21d as predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the multiple lighting devices 11, it becomes easier to understand the amount of change in dimming level when operating the entire system in correspondence with the actual average brightness, improving operability.

In addition, in the standby state, the numerical display section 31 is turned off and only the shape display section 24 is displayed, allowing the user to intuitively grasp the dimming level, and by operating the operation sections 21a to 21d as necessary, detailed numerical values of the dimming level can be obtained on the single numerical display section 31, which has the effect of preventing the appearance from being spoiled by not displaying numerical values unnecessarily, for example.

In addition, when the operation units 21a to 21d are operated, the current value of the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a to 21d is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, and when the operated operation unit 21a to 21d is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more, the dimming level of the lighting device 11 corresponding to the operated operation unit 21a to 21d is changed and the value of the dimming level to be changed is displayed on the numerical display unit 31, so that the dimming level can be changed after checking the current value of the dimming level, improving operability.

In the embodiment, an example is described in which there is only one numeric display unit 31, but this is not limiting, and the device may have fewer numeric display units 31 than the operation units 21a to 21d.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Lighting control system 11 Lighting device 13 Lighting control device 14 Control unit 21a to 21d Operation unit 24 Shape display unit 25 Overall operation unit 31 Numerical value display unit

Claims (6)

A lighting control device for controlling a plurality of lighting devices,
A plurality of operation units corresponding to each of the lighting devices to be controlled;
a numerical display unit the number of which is smaller than the number of the operation units;
a control unit that, when the operation unit is operated, displays on the numerical display unit a current value of a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit, and, when the same operation unit is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the operation unit, changes a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit and displays a value of the changed dimming level on the numerical display unit;
A lighting control device comprising: A lighting control device for controlling a plurality of lighting devices,
A plurality of operation units corresponding to each of the lighting devices to be controlled;
a numerical display unit the number of which is smaller than the number of the operation units;
a control unit that, when the operation unit is operated, displays on the numerical display unit a current value of a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit, and, when the operated operation unit is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more, changes a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit and displays on the numerical display unit a value of the dimming level to be changed;
A lighting control device comprising: 3. The lighting control device according to claim 1, further comprising a shape display unit for displaying a current value of a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the operated operation unit by changing a display shape, for each of the operation units. an overall operation unit that collectively operates the plurality of lighting devices that are to be controlled by the plurality of operation units;
4. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the overall operation unit is operated, the control unit displays predetermined information regarding the overall operation of the plurality of lighting devices on the numerical display unit, and then changes the dimming levels of the plurality of lighting devices collectively in accordance with the operation of the overall operation unit and changes the information displayed on the numerical display unit. 5. The lighting control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit displays an average value of dimming levels set for each of the plurality of operation units on the numerical display unit as the predetermined information regarding an overall operation of the plurality of lighting devices. A plurality of lighting devices;
A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which controls the lighting device;
A lighting control system comprising:

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