JP7575625B2 - Information setting device and lighting system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology that enables various settings in a lighting system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system that makes it possible to identify and control multiple lighting devices. In such a lighting system, one of the gateways acts as a server, and controls the lighting devices (turning the lights on, off, dimming, adjusting the color, etc.) via wireless communication. Alternatively, a terminal device other than the gateway acts as a server, and controls the lighting devices via wireless communication via the gateway.

Patent document 2 also discloses technology for building a mesh network to increase the number of lighting devices that can communicate with one gateway.

International Publication No. 2014/203537 JP 2020-13758 A

In the above-mentioned technology, when lighting devices are installed on each floor of a building, it is possible to divide the mesh network by distributing a gateway on each floor for control purposes and using the gateway on each floor to control the lighting devices installed on the same floor. In order to make such a division, it is necessary to associate the lighting devices and gateways with each other on a floor-by-floor basis. However, if the association is automated using a technology called mesh scanning, which adds specific surrounding devices such as lighting devices to a mesh network in order to reduce the user's effort, when a mesh scan is performed on a certain floor, some of the lighting devices installed on other floors (such as the floor directly above or below) may be non-selectively added to the mesh network. As a result, a gateway installed on one floor may be erroneously associated with some of the lighting devices installed on another floor (see Figure 3).

The object of the present invention is to provide a technology that makes it possible to easily configure mesh networks in lighting systems.

The information setting device according to the present invention is capable of communicating with a plurality of lighting devices to which device identification information has been assigned and a plurality of gateways to which gateway identification information has been assigned, and includes a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The control unit selectively displays on the display unit a symbol image indicating the arrangement of one of the plurality of lighting devices, at least one piece of device identification information acquired through communication with the lighting device, and at least one piece of gateway identification information acquired through communication with the gateway. Furthermore, when the symbol image, device identification information, and gateway identification information are selected through operation of the input unit, the control unit associates the selected device identification information with the selected symbol image and gateway identification information.

With the information setting device, by simply selecting a symbol image, device identification information, and gateway identification information, both the process of associating the selected device identification information with the symbol image and the process of associating the selected device identification information with the gateway identification information are simultaneously executed.

The present invention makes it possible to easily configure mesh networks in lighting systems.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a lighting system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a preferred example of a mesh network configuration. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of constructing a mesh network by mesh scanning. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gateway. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information setting device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed on a screen. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an operation for selecting device identification information and a symbol image. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation of selecting gateway identification information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of lighting device management data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of network management data. 4 is a flowchart showing an information setting process executed by the information setting device and a user operation. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed on a screen in a first modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed on a screen in a second modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed on a screen in a fourth modified example. 13 is a flowchart showing an information setting process executed by an information setting device and a user operation in a fourth modified example.

[1] Embodiment [1-1] Overall Configuration of the Lighting System FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the lighting system. The lighting system includes a lighting device 1, a gateway 2, and an information setting device 3. FIG. 1 shows, as an example of a lighting system, a case in which a plurality of lighting devices 1 are installed on each floor of a building, and one gateway 2 is installed on each floor of the building. One of the gateways 2 serves as a server, and wirelessly controls (turns on, turns off, dims, adjusts color, etc.) the lighting devices 1 installed on the same floor as the floor on which the gateway 2 is installed, and also causes the gateways 2 installed on the same floors to control the lighting devices 1 installed on other floors. In this way, in the lighting system of this embodiment, it is possible to control a plurality of lighting devices 1 using the gateway 2.

The lighting devices 1 are assigned device identification information Ia so that they can be uniquely identified and controlled. The device identification information Ia is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address. On the other hand, at a work site where the lighting devices 1 are installed on a ceiling or wall, the lighting devices 1 are delivered without being differentiated as to which device identification information Ia is assigned, and are installed on the ceiling or wall in this state by an electrician or the like. For this reason, it is difficult to know in which position the lighting device 1 with which device identification information Ia is placed just by installing the lighting devices 1.

In the lighting system of this embodiment, after the lighting devices 1 and gateways 2 are installed on each floor of the building, the information setting device 3 is used at the installation site, where the device identification information Ia of the lighting device 1 is associated one-to-one with the symbol image Ps corresponding to the installation position of the lighting device 1 on the lighting distribution diagram Mp (see FIG. 7), in which the installation position of the lighting device 1 is selectably indicated by the symbol image Ps (see FIG. 8).

In this embodiment, in order to ensure a good communication environment, a mesh network is constructed for each floor of a building (see FIG. 2). Specifically, a mesh network is constructed for each floor of a building so that all lighting devices 1 installed on that floor are controlled by the gateway 2 installed on the same floor. Here, the mesh network is a communication network in which a mesh-shaped transmission path starting from the gateway 2 is formed by multiple lighting devices 1, and wireless communication in a bucket brigade system from the gateway 2 to the lighting device 1 via other lighting devices 1 is possible within the mesh network. More specifically, the mesh network is composed of devices related to lighting control, such as wireless modules provided in the lighting device 1 and the gateway 2, devices with an output of a PWM signal control dimming system, devices with an output of a non-voltage a contact, and devices with an output of a phase control dimming system. In addition to the lighting device 1 and the gateway 2, the mesh network may also include an illuminance human sensor, a wall-mounted handy remote controller, and the like.

To realize the construction of the mesh network for each floor described above (see Figure 2), it is necessary to associate the lighting devices 1 on each floor with the gateway 2 that controls the lighting devices on the same floor.

As a process for constructing a mesh network, for example, it is possible to automate the association using mesh scanning technology to reduce the user's effort. Specifically, it is possible to automatically associate a gateway 2 installed on a certain floor with a lighting device 1 that responds when a mesh scan is performed using the gateway 2. However, with mesh scanning, all lighting devices 1 within a range that can be reached directly by wireless from the gateway 2 and within a range that can be reached from the gateway 2 via the lighting device 1 using a bucket brigade method will respond. For this reason, when a mesh scan is performed on a certain floor, some of the lighting devices 1 installed on another floor (such as the floor directly above or below) may respond. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, there is a risk that a gateway 2 installed on a certain floor (the first floor in FIG. 3) and some of the lighting devices 1 set on another floor (the second floor in FIG. 3) may be erroneously associated. If such an association is made, the lighting devices 1 on the other floor that have been associated will not respond when a mesh scan is performed on that floor. In this case, it is not possible to directly and visually check the lighting device 1 that has been mistakenly associated with another floor, making it difficult to find and correct the problem, and the task of building the mesh network takes time.

The lighting system of this embodiment allows for easy construction of a mesh network for each floor as part of the mesh network settings. Below, we will explain in detail each device included in the lighting system.

<Lighting equipment>
Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the lighting device 1. The lighting device 1 includes a light source 11A, a circuit unit 11B, a wireless module 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14. Fig. 4 shows, as an example of the lighting device 1, a case where the storage unit 13 and the control unit 14 are constructed in the wireless module 12. The device identification information Ia attached to the lighting device 1 is stored in the storage unit 13 at the time of manufacturing or shipping the lighting device 1. At least one of the storage unit 13 and the control unit 14 may be constructed outside the wireless module 12. Furthermore, the device identification information Ia may use identification information for identifying the wireless module 12.

The light source 11A is an LED light source. Then, in accordance with a command from the control unit 14, power is supplied from the circuit unit 11B to the light source 11A, and the illumination of the light source 11A (on, off, dimming, color adjustment, etc.) is controlled. Note that the light source 11A may be composed of various devices that are not limited to LEDs, such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) device, as long as it is capable of outputting light for illumination.

The wireless module 12 has a wireless communication function and enables two-way wireless communication with other devices (such as the gateway 2 and the information setting device 3). In FIG. 4, the wireless communication function of the wireless module 12 is shown as a wireless communication unit 12A. The communication method of the wireless module 12 uses a low-power communication method that enables wireless communication with low power consumption, such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). With this communication method, the wireless module 12 can perform short-range wireless communication two-way and directly with one or more wireless modules 12 installed in its vicinity. The wireless module 12 may be configured as a detachable, independent device. The wireless module 12 may also be a dedicated module prepared for each communication method used, which may be detachably attached to a socket of the lighting device 1.

When the wireless module 12 (wireless communication unit 12A) receives a control signal transmitted from the gateway 2, the control unit 14 controls the illumination of the light source 11A (on, off, dimming, color adjustment, etc.) in accordance with the control signal.

<Gateway>
5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the gateway 2. The gateway 2 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a wired communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24. The gateway 2 is also provided with gateway identification information Ib for uniquely identifying the gateway 2. The gateway identification information Ib is, for example, a MAC address or an IP address used in TCP/IP communication, and is stored in the storage unit 23 when the gateway 2 is manufactured or shipped.

The wireless communication unit 21 enables two-way and direct wireless communication with other devices (such as the lighting device 1 and the information setting device 3), and like the wireless module 12, performs wireless communication using a power-saving communication method such as BLE or wireless LAN. Wireless LAN can be used for data communication with a large amount of traffic, such as sending and receiving lighting distribution diagrams Mp. The wired communication unit 22 enables two-way wired communication with other devices (such as the gateway 2).

The storage unit 23 is a part equipped with storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). In addition to the gateway identification information Ib, the storage unit 23 stores a lighting arrangement diagram Mp for each floor of the building, lighting device management data D1, and network management data D2. Here, the lighting device management data D1 is data in which the correspondence between the installation position of the lighting device 1 on the lighting arrangement diagram Mp indicated by the symbol image Ps and the device identification information Ia of the lighting device 1 is recorded. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting device management data D1. Also, the network management data D2 is data in which the correspondence between the device identification information Ia of the lighting device 1 and the gateway identification information Ib of the gateway 2 is recorded. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the network management data D2. The network management data D2 may include information such as a password and an encryption key required for constructing a mesh network.

The control unit 24 is a part equipped with a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and by executing an operation setting program on the processing device, the gateway 2 operates as a lighting controller that controls the lighting device 1 by wireless communication, or as a communication repeater that relays wireless communication. In this embodiment, one of the gateways 2 serves as a server, and wirelessly controls (turns on, turns off, dims, adjusts color, etc.) the lighting devices 1 installed on the same floor as the floor on which the gateway 2 is installed, and also controls the lighting devices 1 installed on other floors by the gateways 2 installed on the same floor. The operation setting program may be stored in a portable storage medium (e.g., a flash memory, etc.) or may be saved in a downloadable state on a cloud server, etc.

In addition, even if the gateways 2 are installed relatively far apart across floors, the gateways 2 are connected to each other via a wired network so that good communication conditions are established between them. On the other hand, the gateways 2 and the lighting devices 1 are connected wirelessly. This is because, when the gateways 2 and the lighting devices 1 are connected via a wire, the wiring work required for connection becomes more complicated as the number of lighting devices 1 increases, whereas when the gateways 2 and the lighting devices 1 are connected wirelessly, such complicated wiring work is not necessary, making it easier to expand the scale of the lighting system.

In this embodiment, in order to increase the number of lighting devices 1 that can communicate with one gateway 2, the above-mentioned mesh network is constructed on each floor of the building by the gateway 2 and the lighting devices 1 (wireless module 12). On the other hand, if the range of the mesh network expands too much, the amount of communication data within the mesh network increases, placing a strain on the gateway 2. Therefore, in order to limit the range of the mesh network and reduce the strain on the gateway 2, the number of lighting devices 1 (number of hops) that can be used when wirelessly communicating between the gateway 2 and the lighting devices 1 is limited (e.g., number of hops = 3), and the number of lighting devices 1 that make up one mesh network (number of configurations) is also limited (e.g., number of configurations = 250).

<Information setting device>
6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information setting device 3. The information setting device 3 is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, and includes a wireless communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a touch panel 33, and a control unit 34. In this embodiment, the information setting device 3 is used when a user performs various settings (including association) at the site where the lighting devices 1 and the gateways 2 are installed after they are installed on each floor of a building.

The wireless communication unit 31 enables two-way and direct wireless communication with other devices (such as the lighting device 1 and the gateway 2), and like the wireless module 12, performs wireless communication using a power-saving communication method such as BLE or a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, the information setting device 3 communicates with the gateway 2 through the wireless communication unit 31 to obtain gateway identification information Ib from the gateway 2, and at the same time, obtains the lighting distribution diagram Mp for each floor of the building, the lighting device management data D1, and the network management data D2.

The storage unit 32 is a part that includes storage devices such as ROM and RAM. The storage unit 32 stores the gateway identification information Ib, the lighting distribution diagram Mp, the lighting device management data D1, the network management data D2, and the like acquired from the gateway 2. Note that the gateway identification information Ib, the lighting distribution diagram Mp, the lighting device management data D1, the network management data D2, and the like that have been stored in a downloadable state on a server or the like may be downloaded from the server or the like and stored in the storage unit 32.

The touch panel 33 functions as a display unit in the information setting device 3 and as an input unit in the information setting device 3. A user interface that enables operations (operations on the screen) required for various settings is displayed on the touch panel 33 (see FIG. 7). Note that the information setting device 3 may be configured with a separate display unit (such as a monitor) and input unit (such as a keyboard), such as a desktop PC.

Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a user interface displayed on the screen. Also, Figures 8, 9(A), and 9(B) are diagrams illustrating operations on the user interface and screens displayed during the operations. As illustrated in Figures 7 to 9(B), a lighting arrangement diagram Mp in which circular symbol images Ps are arranged in a matrix is displayed on the screen of the user interface. The lighting arrangement diagram Mp displayed on the screen at this time is read from the storage unit 32. In addition to the symbol images Ps, the lighting arrangement diagram Mp may also show a floor plan, aisles, shelves, etc. corresponding to the actual space in which the lighting device 1 is installed. Also, the shape of the symbol image Ps is not limited to a circle and may be changed as appropriate to other shapes (such as a rectangle or a shape corresponding to the shape of the lighting device 1).

The user interface screen also displays a list of the device identification information Ia of the lighting devices 1 selectable by icons (see FIG. 7). At this time, the device identification information Ia may be displayed in order of the highest reception strength at the wireless communication unit 31. Here, the device identification information Ia displayed on the screen is obtained by the wireless communication unit 31 performing wireless communication with the lighting devices 1 using a communication method such as BLE and receiving advertising packets Sb from the lighting devices 1 within the communication range. In this embodiment, the icon of the device identification information Ia has a switch function so that when the device identification information Ia is selected, the lighting device 1 to which the device identification information Ia is attached flashes at least once.

The device identification information Ia displayed on the screen may be obtained by transmitting a beacon signal including the information in one direction from the lighting device 1 and receiving the beacon signal by the wireless communication unit 31. In this case, the transmission of the beacon signal may be realized by the wireless module 12 of the lighting device 1, or may be realized by attaching a transmitter to the lighting device 1. In addition, as long as the lighting device 1 identified by the device identification information Ia can be blinked at least once, it is not necessary to provide a switch function to the icon of the device identification information Ia, and another icon having a switch function may be associated with the device identification information Ia and displayed on the user interface screen.

Furthermore, on the user interface screen, the gateway identification information Ib is displayed in a selectable list in a drop-down image that appears when the drop-down button Pw1 is pressed (see FIG. 9(A)). Then, the gateway identification information Ib selected from the drop-down image is displayed in a box Pw2 (see FIG. 9(B)). The gateway identification information Ib displayed on the screen at this time is read from the memory unit 32.

The control unit 34 is a part equipped with a processing device such as a CPU, and executes various setting processes by executing an information setting program on the processing device. The information setting program may be stored in a portable storage medium (e.g., a flash memory) or may be saved in a downloadable state on a cloud server, etc.

[1-2] Various Setting Processes Executed by the Information Setting Device The information setting device 3 is used when the user performs various settings (including association) at the site where the lighting devices 1 and the gateways 2 are installed after they are installed on each floor (real space) of the building. Specifically, by executing the information setting program, the control unit 34 first displays a home screen on the touch panel 33 (not shown). Then, when the user presses a gateway scan button on the home screen, the control unit 34 acquires gateway identification information Ib from the gateway 2, and also acquires the lighting arrangement diagram Mp, the lighting device management data D1, and the network management data D2, and stores them in the storage unit 32. Also, when the user selects one of the lighting arrangement diagrams Mp stored in the storage unit 32 on the home screen and presses a button to execute the information setting process in that state, the control unit 34 displays a user interface (see FIG. 7) on the touch panel 33. Then, the control unit 34 records the association performed by the user on the user interface in the lighting device management data D1 and the network management data D2 (information setting process). The information setting process will be specifically described below. Incidentally, among the various processes performed by the information setting device 3, only the information setting process described below may be executed by a separate application program.

<Information setting process>
12 is a flowchart showing the information setting process executed by the information setting device 3 and the user operation. When the button for executing the information setting process is pressed on the home screen to open the information setting process, the control unit 34 first displays a user interface screen (see FIG. 7) on the touch panel 33 (step S101). At this time, the control unit 34 reads out the light distribution diagram Mp selected on the home screen from the storage unit 32 and displays it. The control unit 34 also displays on the screen a drop-down button Pw1 for selectably displaying the gateway identification information Ib and a box Pw2 in which the selected gateway identification information Ib is displayed. Furthermore, the control unit 34 displays on the screen a home screen button for returning to the home screen and an update button for updating the display of the device identification information Ia and the gateway identification information Ib.

Then, the control unit 34 acquires device identification information Ia from lighting devices 1 already installed on a ceiling, a wall, or the like, and displays it on the user interface screen (see FIG. 7, step S102). Specifically, the control unit 34 acquires device identification information Ia of lighting devices 1 within the communication range of the wireless communication unit 31 by receiving advertising packets Sb, etc., from the lighting devices 1. The control unit 34 then displays each of the acquired device identification information Ia selectable by an icon, and also displays them in a list. At this time, the control unit 34 may display the device identification information Ia in a list in descending order of reception strength at the wireless communication unit 31.

On the screen (see FIG. 7) displayed after step S102 is executed, the user can select the icon of the device identification information Ia by tapping on the screen of the touch panel 33 (step S201, see FIG. 8). Then, the user can check the installation position in the real space of the lighting device 1 that flashes when the icon of the device identification information Ia is selected, and can select a symbol image Ps indicating the installation position on the light distribution diagram Mp that corresponds to the installation position (step S201, see FIG. 8). The user can also select the gateway identification information Ib from the drop-down image displayed by pressing the drop-down button Pw1 (see FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B)). With such an operation, the user can select the device identification information Ia and the symbol image Ps and gateway identification information Ib to be associated therewith by a simple operation on the screen of the touch panel 33.

After executing step S102, the control unit 34 judges whether the symbol image Ps, the device identification information Ia, and the gateway identification information Ib have been selected on the user interface screen (step S103). If the control unit 34 judges that the symbol image Ps, the device identification information Ia, and the gateway identification information Ib have been selected (Yes) in step S103, the control unit 34 associates the selected device identification information Ia with the selected symbol image Ps and the gateway identification information Ib (step S104).

Specifically, the control unit 34 records the installation position of the lighting device 1 on the lighting arrangement diagram Mp indicated by the selected symbol image Ps and the selected device identification information Ia in the lighting arrangement management data D1 in association with each other (see FIG. 10). The control unit 34 also records information on the lighting arrangement diagram Mp in association with the installation position in the lighting arrangement management data D1 so that it is possible to identify which lighting arrangement diagram Mp corresponds to the installation position (position coordinates) indicated by the symbol image Ps. Furthermore, the control unit 34 records the selected device identification information Ia and gateway identification information Ib in association with each other in the network management data D2 (see FIG. 11).

At this time, the control unit 34 generates intra-mesh identification information Ic for uniquely identifying the lighting device 1 within the mesh network. Here, the intra-mesh identification information Ic is configured to make it easier for the user to identify the lighting device 1 compared to a MAC address, etc. As an example, the intra-mesh identification information Ic is configured to combine characters (kana, kanji, alphabet, etc.), numbers (serial numbers, etc.), symbols, etc., to become information that is easy for the user to understand (for example, "Lighting 1-1"). The control unit 34 then records the generated intra-mesh identification information Ic together with the device identification information Ia in the lighting device management data D1 and the network management data D2 (see Figures 10 and 11).

Furthermore, the control unit 34 records network identification information Id for uniquely identifying the mesh network together with the gateway identification information Ib in the network management data D2 (see FIG. 11). Here, the network identification information Id is configured to make it easy for the user to identify the mesh network. As an example, the gateway identification information Ib is configured to combine characters (kana, kanji, alphabet, etc.), numbers (serial numbers, etc.), symbols, etc., to provide information that is easy for the user to understand (for example, "Mesh 1").

The lighting device management data D1 in which various information is recorded is used when creating lighting control data for managing lighting control for the lighting devices 1. As an example, the lighting control data is data in which each of the device identification information Ia of the lighting devices 1 is associated with lighting control information (information related to lighting control, such as turning on, turning off, dimming, color adjustment, time schedule, etc.) according to the installation position of the lighting device 1. As another example, the lighting control data is data in which all or some of the device identification information Ia are grouped to form a group of lighting devices 1, and lighting control information is associated with the group, or all or some of such groups are managed as a lighting zone. The created lighting control data is then transmitted to all gateways 2 and stored in the memory unit 23 of each gateway 2. This enables lighting control by the gateway 2.

The network management data D2 in which various information is recorded is transmitted to the gateway 2 as described below, and is used by the gateway 2 when the gateway 2 recognizes lighting devices 1 that configure the same mesh network. In other words, the gateway 2 can recognize lighting devices 1 that configure the same mesh network by referring to the network management data D2.

According to this process, by simply selecting the symbol image Ps, the device identification information Ia, and the gateway identification information Ib, both the process of associating the selected device identification information Ia with the symbol image Ps and the process of associating the selected device identification information Ia with the gateway identification information Ib are simultaneously executed.

Then, the control unit 34 transmits the in-mesh identification information Ic and the network identification information Id to the lighting device 1 identified by the device identification information Ia and stores them in the storage unit 13 (step S105). As a result, the lighting device 1 is selectively added to the mesh network, and during lighting control, the lighting device 1 determines whether or not to control the lighting (on, off, dimming, color adjustment, etc.) according to the control signal by determining whether or not the in-mesh identification information Ic and the network identification information Id in the control signal transmitted from the gateway 2 match its own in-mesh identification information Ic and network identification information Id (stored in the storage unit 13).

After executing step S105 (after transmitting information to the lighting device 1), the control unit 34 judges whether the home screen button has been pressed (step S106). The control unit 34 also executes step S106 when it judges that the button has not been selected (No) in step S103. When it judges that the button has not been pressed (No) in step S106, the control unit 34 judges whether the update button has been pressed before executing the process from step S103 again (step S107). Then, when it judges that the button has been pressed (Yes) in step S107, the control unit 34 returns to step S102, reacquires the device identification information Ia, displays it on the screen of the user interface, and then executes the process from step S103. On the other hand, when it judges that the button has not been pressed (No) in step S107, the control unit 34 executes the process from step S103 without reacquiring the device identification information Ia (without returning to step S102).

The user then again selects the symbol image Ps, device identification information Ia, and gateway identification information Ib on the user interface screen. At this time, if the user does not need to change the gateway identification information Ib that was once selected from the drop-down image and displayed in the box Pw2, the user may select the device identification information Ia and symbol image Ps in the current state without selecting again from the drop-down image. As a result, the correspondence between the installation position of the lighting device 1 on the lighting distribution diagram Mp and the device identification information Ia is stored in the lighting device management data D1. Also, the correspondence between the device identification information Ia and the gateway identification information Ib is stored in the network management data D2.

If the control unit 34 determines that the button has been pressed (Yes) in step S106, the control unit 34 returns to the home screen and transmits the network management data D2 in which the associations up to that point have been recorded to all gateways 2, and stores the data in the memory unit 23 of each gateway 2. As a result, the gateways 2 can recognize the lighting devices 1 that form the same mesh network by referring to the network management data D2 (see FIG. 2).

The above information setting process allows the user to select on the screen the device identification information Ia and gateway identification information Ib that they wish to associate. The device identification information Ia and gateway identification information Ib selected by the user are then recorded in the network management data D2 in a mutually associated manner. Thus, the user can select and associate device identification information Ia and gateway identification information Ib for each floor of a building, and with such simple operations, a mesh network can be constructed for each floor of a building (see FIG. 2). In this way, it is possible to easily construct a mesh network for each floor as a setting for the mesh network in the lighting system. A good communication environment is ensured by the mesh network constructed for each floor of a building in this way.

[2] Modifications [2-1] First Modification Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a user interface displayed on the screen in Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 13, the gateway identification information Ib is not limited to being displayed only when the drop-down button Pw1 is pressed (see Fig. 9(A)), but may be displayed as a list on the user interface screen at all times, similar to the device identification information Ia.

[2-2] Second Modification Fig. 14(A) is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on a screen in the second modification. As shown in Fig. 14(A), on the screen of the user interface, an icon of the device identification information Ia may be arranged by dragging to a position on the lighting arrangement diagram Mp corresponding to the installation position of the lighting device 1, so that the icon may be used as a symbol image Ps indicating the installation position of the lighting device 1.

Fig. 14(B) is a diagram showing another example of a user interface displayed on the screen in the second modified example. As shown in Fig. 14(B), instead of being displayed by pressing the drop-down button Pw1 (see Fig. 9(A)), the gateway identification information Ib may be displayed selectably on a pop-up screen that is displayed when the icon of the device identification information Ia is placed on the light distribution diagram Mp.

[2-3] Third Modification When gateway identification information Ib is selected on the user interface screen, the control unit 34 may blink the light-emitting unit of the gateway 2 to which the selected gateway identification information Ib is attached at least once. In this case, the user can check whether the gateway identification information Ib has been correctly selected by checking whether the light-emitting unit of the gateway 2 on the floor where the user is located blinks when the user selects the gateway identification information Ib.

[2-4] Fourth Modification The information setting device 3 may perform only a process of associating the selected device identification information Ia with the gateway identification information Ib, in addition to the process of associating the selected device identification information Ia with the symbol image Ps.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed on the screen in the fourth modified example. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the information setting process and user operation executed by the information setting device 3 in the fourth modified example. As shown in Fig. 15, the control unit 34 of the information setting device 3 may display, as a user interface, the device identification information Ia and the gateway identification information Ib as selectable icons on a screen without the light distribution diagram Mp (steps S301 and S302). In this case, when the device identification information Ia and the gateway identification information Ib are each selected (step S401), the control unit 34 can store the selected device identification information Ia and gateway identification information Ib in the network management data D2 in association with each other (steps S303 and S304).

In addition, on the screen of FIG. 15, the user may be prompted to select one gateway identification information Ib and, in that state, select multiple device identification information Ia. In this case, the control unit 34 can, in a single process, associate the one selected gateway identification information Ib with the multiple selected device identification information Ia in a one-to-many relationship and record them together in the lighting device management data D1.

[2-5] Fifth Modification The above-mentioned information setting process (association process) may be performed simultaneously in parallel using a plurality of information setting devices 3 at the site where the lighting devices 1 and the gateways 2 are installed. In this case, it is preferable that the information setting devices 3 share the lighting device management data D1 and the network management data D2 via wireless communication so that the association performed by one information setting device 3 does not overlap with the association performed by another information setting device 3.

[2-6] Other Modifications The above-described information setting device 3 can also be applied to a lighting system in which a plurality of gateways 2 are installed on each floor of a building.

In the lighting system described above, instead of only one of the gateways 2 functioning as a server, all or some of the gateways 2 may function as servers. Alternatively, a terminal device other than the gateway 2 may function as a server. Furthermore, the gateways 2 may be connected to each other wirelessly (such as via Wi-Fi) rather than via a wired connection, as long as a good communication state can be established between them.

The lighting system described above may be capable of automatically detecting a failure of a gateway 2 functioning as a server and causing another gateway 2 to function as a server in place of the failed gateway 2.

The above-mentioned description of the embodiments and modifications should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples are not limited to the inventions described in the claims, but also include the configuration of each device included in the lighting system, the control processes executed by each device, and parts of these as inventions.

1 Lighting device 2 Gateway 3 Information setting device 11A Light source 11B Circuit section 12 Wireless module 12A Wireless communication section 13 Memory section 14 Control section 21 Wireless communication section 22 Wired communication section 23 Memory section 24 Control section 31 Wireless communication section 32 Memory section 33 Touch panel 34 Control section D1 Lighting device management data D2 Network management data Ia Device identification information Ib Gateway identification information Ic In-mesh identification information Id Network identification information Mp Light distribution diagram Ps Symbol image Sb Advertising packet Pw1 Drop-down button Pw2 Box

Claims (3)

An information setting device capable of communicating with a plurality of lighting devices each having device identification information attached thereto and a plurality of gateways each having gateway identification information attached thereto, the information setting device including a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit,
an information setting device in which the device identification information and the gateway identification information are associated with each other by an operation on the input unit, and the associated device identification information and gateway identification information are shared with the other information setting device via wireless communication so as not to overlap with associations made in the other information setting device. The control unit is
displaying, on the display unit, at least one of the device identification information acquired through communication with the lighting device and at least one of the gateway identification information acquired through communication with the gateway in a selectable manner;
2. The information setting device according to claim 1, wherein when the device identification information and the gateway identification information are selected by an operation on the input unit, the selected device identification information and the selected gateway identification information are associated with each other. A plurality of lighting devices each having device identification information attached thereto;
A plurality of gateways each having a gateway identification information attached thereto;
and an information setting device according to claim 1 or 2, capable of communicating with the lighting devices and the gateways;
The gateway controls the lighting device, which has the device identification information associated with the gateway identification information of the gateway, via wireless communication.