JP2001102178A - Lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To easily connect a lighting control monitoring system to a general-purpose information network, and to transmit and receive data to and from a central control unit via the general-purpose information network, thereby controlling a plurality of remote lighting controls. To provide a lighting control system capable of performing various settings and management of a monitoring system. A transmission signal line in a lighting control and monitoring system 200 is provided.
A system I / F having a function of taking a transmission I / F for exchanging data between the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and the general-purpose information network 60 and a server function for the lighting control and monitoring system for the general-purpose information network 60 F device 10
Since 0 is provided, without using a special dedicated signal line,
The connection work between the lighting control monitoring system 200 and the general-purpose information network 60 can be easily performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting control system for collectively controlling and monitoring indoor and outdoor lighting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 10, a conventional lighting control system has a central control unit 10 for managing the entire system.
And an operation switch and a sensor installed on a wall or the like.
A monitoring terminal 20 for transmitting a signal to the central control device 10 and a load (discharge lamp or the like) 40 are externally connected.
And a control terminal 30 that receives a control signal from the controller 40 and performs a control operation on the load 40 according to the signal content.
The monitoring terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 are connected on a transmission signal line 50 derived from the central control device 10. Hereinafter, the central controller 10, the monitoring terminal 20, the control terminal 30, the load 40, and the transmission signal line 5 in FIG.
The host / terminal type system composed of 0 is called a lighting control monitoring system.

However, after installing the central control unit 10 for the lighting control and monitoring system as shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to take a data interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) with a general-purpose information network such as the Internet. If it does, it must be replaced with a specially designed central controller with a data I / F function.

Alternatively, in order to take data I / F with a general-purpose information network, as shown in FIG. 11, a server 70 for a lighting control and monitoring system for a general-purpose information network 60 is connected to a central control unit 10A. It had to be provided separately and connected to the central controller 10A via the dedicated signal line 80. Reference numeral 90 denotes a client personal computer connected to the general-purpose information network 60 (hereinafter referred to as a client PC).
C).

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional lighting control system has the following problems.

In the conventional lighting control system shown in FIG. 10, in order for the user to operate the control terminal 30, it is necessary to go to the place where the lighting control and monitoring system is installed and operate the monitoring terminal 20. Also, it is inconvenient to go to the place where the lighting control and monitoring system is installed and to operate the central control device 10 in order to grasp the operating control terminal and make various settings of the central control device.

In the conventional lighting control system shown in FIG. 11, it is necessary to provide a server for the lighting control and monitoring system separately and connect the server to the central control unit by a dedicated signal line, and the connection work is complicated.

In the conventional lighting control system shown in FIG. 11, in order to disconnect the lighting control and monitoring system from the general-purpose information network, a place where the general-purpose information network and the lighting control and monitoring system are connected is searched, and the line is disconnected. It had to be physically cut, and the operability was poor and inefficient.

Further, in the conventional lighting control system shown in FIG. 11, a dedicated signal line 80 (signal transmission lines 81 and 82 and a common line 83) between the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system and the central controller 10A. Consists of two lines)
The signal transmission line 81 from the lighting control and monitoring system server 70 is connected to the central control device 10 as shown in FIG.
A, and the signal transmission line 82 from the central control device 10A to the signal receiving unit 141 of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. for that reason,
If there is no response in spite of accessing the central control device 10A from the lighting control monitoring system server 70,
Whether the dedicated signal line 80 is disconnected or not.
Was inconvenient because it could not be determined whether or not was not operating (that is, the power was turned off).

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional lighting control system, in order to obtain data I / F with a general-purpose information network, a central controller specially designed for that purpose is required. Alternatively, it is necessary to separately provide a server for the lighting control and monitoring system and connect with a dedicated signal line, and the connection work is complicated.

[0011] Further, when it is desired to operate the control terminal,
In order to make various settings of the central control unit and obtain information on the operating control terminal, it was necessary to go to the place where the lighting control monitoring system was installed.

Further, when the lighting control and monitoring system is disconnected from the general-purpose information network, it is necessary to search for a portion to be disconnected and to draw a line, which is inconvenient (inefficient).

Further, in the system using the server for the lighting control and monitoring system, if there is no response even though the central control unit is accessed from the client PC through the server for the lighting control and monitoring system, the dedicated signal line is disconnected. The user could not determine whether the power was off or the central controller was powered off.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and enables the connection between a lighting control and monitoring system and a general-purpose information network to be easily performed, as well as transmitting and receiving data to and from a central control unit via a general-purpose information network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting control system capable of performing various settings and management of a plurality of lighting control monitoring systems.

Further, the present invention provides a lighting control system capable of easily disconnecting or connecting a lighting control / monitoring system from a general-purpose information network without considering a connection point between the lighting control / monitoring system and a general-purpose information network. The purpose is to provide.

Further, according to the present invention, when connecting to a general-purpose information network using a server for a lighting control / monitoring system, when a transmission failure occurs between the server for the lighting control / monitoring system and the central control unit, the problematic part and the cause thereof It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting control system capable of specifying the following.

[0017]

A lighting control system according to the present invention has a central control device for managing the entire system, and a monitoring terminal for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device. A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting, via a transmission signal line, a control terminal that receives a control signal from the central control device and performs a control operation on the load in accordance with the signal content; A general-purpose information network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol; provided in the lighting control and monitoring system, connected to a transmission signal line of the lighting control and monitoring system, and connected between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network. System having a function of taking a transmission I / F for exchanging data with the server and a server function for a lighting control monitoring system in the general-purpose information network. It is provided with; I / F device and.

The monitoring terminal is a terminal having operation switches and sensors installed on a wall or the like, and the load controlled by the control terminal means a lighting load such as a discharge lamp. Here, the monitoring terminal, the control terminal, and the system I / F device connected to the transmission signal line of the illumination control and monitoring system are all a processing unit including a CPU or the like, and the transmission unit connected to the transmission signal line. It is configured to include at least an I / F unit and a storage unit that stores an address of each terminal on the lighting control monitoring system.

A general-purpose information network based on a predetermined communication protocol is a general-purpose network based on the Internet using, for example, TCP / IP.

The lighting control and monitoring system constitutes a host / terminal type system, and the system I / F device and the client PC constitute a server / client type LAN system.

According to the present invention, a system I having a function of taking a transmission I / F for exchanging data between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network, and a server function for the lighting control and monitoring system for the general-purpose information network. / F device is installed and connected to the transmission signal line in the lighting control and monitoring system, without using a special dedicated line.
Connection work between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network can be simplified. The work and space for installing a server for a lighting control and monitoring system for a general-purpose information network using a dedicated signal line are not required.

A lighting control system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a central control device for managing the entire system, a monitoring terminal for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device, and the central control device. A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting a control terminal for receiving a control signal from the device and performing a control operation on the load in accordance with the signal content by a transmission signal line; based on a predetermined communication protocol A general-purpose information network for performing data transmission; provided in the lighting control / monitoring system, connected to a transmission signal line of the lighting control / monitoring system, for exchanging data between the lighting control / monitoring system and the general-purpose information network; A system I / F device having a function of taking a transmission I / F of the communication and a server function for a lighting control and monitoring system in the general-purpose information network; Serial system wherein an I / F device is connected with a general-purpose information network, said universal information at least one client PC control monitoring data can be transmitted and received network to the system I / F device via the
And;

The client PC is not limited to a special PC but may be a general-purpose PC currently on the market.

In the present invention, at least one client PC capable of transmitting / receiving control monitoring data to / from the system I / F device via the general-purpose information network is provided. To perform various settings and monitoring of at least one lighting control and monitoring system in a remote place.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the illumination control system according to the second aspect, various settings are made from the client PC to the central control device via the general-purpose information network and the system I / F device. The central control device can be set by transmitting application data.

In the present invention, by transmitting various setting data from the client PC to the central control device via the general-purpose information network and the system I / F device, the setting of the central control device can be easily performed by screen operation. is there. That is, the central control device has various setting data to be stored, and the data can be stored in the central control device from the client PC via the system I / F device.

A lighting control system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to the second or third aspect,
When data is transmitted from the client PC to the system I / F device via the general-purpose information network, a security function using a password or the like is provided.

According to the present invention, when data is transmitted from the client PC to the system I / F device via the general-purpose information network, a security function using a password or the like is used to control the system I / F device. Can not be accessed. That is, the data of the central control unit is transferred to the system I / F.
Since it is handled via a device, it is necessary to make the system highly secure.

A lighting control system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the system I / F device and the general-purpose device are provided in the lighting control monitoring system. Switching means for disconnecting or connecting between information networks and a monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means are provided, and the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network are disconnected or connected. .

In the present invention, a switching means for disconnecting or connecting the system I / F device and the general information network and a new monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means are provided. There is no need to physically disconnect by searching for a connection point between the monitoring system and the general-purpose information network, and it is possible to easily disconnect or connect the lighting control and monitoring system from the general-purpose information network. In other words, it is possible to disconnect or connect by simply pressing a new monitoring terminal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting control system, comprising: a central control device for managing the entire system; a monitoring terminal for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device; A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting a control terminal for receiving a control signal from the device and performing a control operation on the load in accordance with the signal content by a transmission signal line; based on a predetermined communication protocol A general-purpose information network for performing data transmission; a server for the lighting control / monitoring system directly connected to a central control unit of the lighting control / monitoring system via a dedicated signal line; and a server for the lighting control / monitoring system connected to the general-purpose information network. And at least one computer that can transmit and receive control monitoring data to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network. Client PC; switching means for disconnecting or connecting between the server for lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network in the lighting control and monitoring system; and a monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means. Means for disconnecting or connecting between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network.

According to the present invention, in a lighting control system connected to a general information network using a server for a lighting control and monitoring system, switching means for disconnecting or connecting between the server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the general information network, and this switching. Since a monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the means is provided, there is no need to search for a connection point between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network and physically disconnect the lighting control and monitoring system from the general-purpose information network. The system can be disconnected and connected. In the same manner as in claim 5, disconnection or connection can be performed by an operation of simply pressing a new monitoring terminal.

A lighting control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention provides a central control device for managing the entire system, a monitoring terminal for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device, and the central control device. A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting a control terminal for receiving a control signal from the device and performing a control operation on the load in accordance with the signal content by a transmission signal line; based on a predetermined communication protocol A general-purpose information network for performing data transmission; a server for the lighting control / monitoring system directly connected to a central control unit of the lighting control / monitoring system via a dedicated signal line; and a server for the lighting control / monitoring system connected to the general-purpose information network. And at least one computer that can transmit and receive control monitoring data to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network. And Ianto PC; it provided in the central control unit, in conjunction to power on-off of the central control unit,
The signal transmitted from the server for the lighting control and monitoring system to the central control device is taken into the central control device,
A signal path switching unit for switching whether to loop back from the central control device to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system.

According to the present invention, in a lighting control system connected to a general-purpose information network using a server for a lighting control / monitoring system, the server for the lighting control / monitoring system is connected to the central control device in conjunction with turning on / off of the central control device. To the central controller side, or
In addition, since a signal path switching unit is provided to switch between looping back from the central control unit to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system, the problem arises when a transmission failure occurs between the server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the central control unit. The location and cause can be almost specified. For example, when the server for the lighting control monitoring system receives an access from the client PC to monitor the central control device, i) whether the power of the central control device is turned off, ii) the dedicated signal line is disconnected or the central control device is disconnected. It is possible to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the control device and display it on the client PC.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the lighting control system includes a lighting control monitoring system 200 and a general information network 60, and at least one client PC is connected to the general information network 60.

The lighting control and monitoring system 200 includes a central control device 10 for managing the entire system, and a monitoring terminal 2 for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device 10.
0, a control terminal 30 that receives a control signal from the central control device 10 and performs a control operation on the load 40 in accordance with the content of the control signal, and a system I / F device 100 connected by a transmission signal line 50. It is configured. The load 40 is, for example, a discharge lamp or a light bulb.

The system I / F device 100 is provided in the lighting control and monitoring system 200, is connected to the transmission signal line 50 of the lighting control and monitoring system 200, and exchanges data between the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and the general information network 60. It has a function of taking a transmission I / F to perform and a server function for a lighting control and monitoring system in the general-purpose information network 60. Here, the general information network 60
The server function for the lighting control and monitoring system in the system I / F means that the system I / F device 100 is connected to the client PC 90 through the general-purpose information network 60,
/ F device 100 has a server function for the client PC 90. System I /
The F device 100 is configured to connect a host / terminal type lighting control / monitoring system and a server / client type LAN system.

The general-purpose information network 60 connected to the system I / F device 100 includes the lighting control and monitoring system 2
At least one client PC 90 on which a display of the status of each of the terminals 20, 30 and a screen for controlling each of the terminals 20, 30 is displayed. The client PC 90 can transmit and receive control monitoring data to and from the system I / F device 100 via the general-purpose information network 60. Here, the control monitoring data is
State data obtained by periodically monitoring each of the terminals 20 and 30 in the lighting control and monitoring system 200, and control data for performing various settings and controls on the central control device 10 and each of the terminals 20 and 30. Means

The general-purpose information network 60 includes a system I / F device 100 connected to the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and a client PC using a network transmission medium such as an Internet cable, a LAN cable, and a telephone line.
A network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP between the communication networks 90.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the system I / F device 100. The system I / F device 100 includes a transmission I / F connected to the transmission signal line 50 of the lighting control and monitoring system.
F unit 101, data conversion processing unit 1021, and server processing unit
A processing unit 102 including a server processing unit 1022;
And a transmission I / F unit 104 for taking a transmission I / F between the server processing unit 1022 and the general-purpose information network 60.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the system I / F device 100 normally transmits the transmission signal of the lighting control / monitoring system 200 (ie, the processing unit in the central control unit 10 periodically) by the lighting control / monitoring system transmission I / F unit 101. System conversion information obtained by accessing the
In 1021, the signal content is converted into a format that can be processed by the server processing unit 1022, and is notified to the server processing unit 1022.
The server processing unit 1022 organizes the notified data and stores it in the storage unit 103.

When monitoring the state of the lighting control and monitoring system from the client PC 90, it is stored in the storage unit 103 via the general-purpose network transmission I / F unit 104 and the server processing unit 1022 by the WWW browser of the client PC 90. The status information (information on the operation status of each of the terminals 20, 30) of the lighting control and monitoring system that is present is read and displayed on the screen.

The client PC 90 can display a screen for controlling each of the terminals 20 and 30 and a screen for making various settings to the central control device 10. Vessels 20, 30
The control data for controlling the communication and the data for making various settings of the central control device 10 are transmitted by the general-purpose network transmission I / F.
Data conversion processing unit via unit 104 and server processing unit 1022
At 1021, the data is converted into the transmission format of the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and is transmitted to the lighting control and monitoring system transmission interface unit 101
The signal is transmitted to the transmission signal line 50 and sent to the central control device 10. Then, from the central control unit 10, each terminal 2
Control data will be sent to 0 and 30.

When data is transmitted from the client PC 90 to the system I / F device 100 via the general-purpose information network 60, a security function using a password or the like is provided so that anyone can access the system I / F device 100. You may comprise so that it may not be easily accessible and data security may be improved.

The system I / F device 100 can be installed in an empty space in the central control device 10 or connected to a terminal of the transmission signal line 50 in the central control device 100.

FIG. 3 shows the lighting control and monitoring system 200.
1 shows a configuration of a central control device 10, a monitoring terminal device 20, and a control terminal device 30. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the central control unit 10 includes a transmission I / F unit 11 for connecting to a transmission signal line 50 to exchange data, a CPU, and the like. It comprises a processing unit 12 for monitoring each terminal device and the like, and a storage unit 13 for storing status data and control data of each terminal device. The monitoring terminal 20 is connected to the transmission signal line 5 as shown in FIG.
Transmission I / F unit 21 for data transmission and reception by connecting to
And a processing unit 22 composed of a CPU and the like, which monitors the operation state of the operation switch unit 24, receives and decodes operation input data, and performs data conversion and the like, and an address of the own terminal on the lighting control monitoring system. And the like, and an operation switch unit 24 (or a sensor unit such as an optical sensor for monitoring the illuminance of the indoor and outdoor brightness) installed on a wall or the like inside or outside the room. I have. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the control terminal 30 is connected to the transmission signal line 50 to exchange data, and
A processing unit 32 configured by a PU or the like and performing processing such as decoding of control data and data conversion to a driving unit 34; and a storage unit 33 that stores the address of its own terminal on the lighting control monitoring system. And a drive unit 34 that performs drive control on the load based on a signal from the processing unit 32.

According to the first embodiment described above, the system I / F device 100 is connected to the transmission signal line 50 of the lighting control and monitoring system 200, and the transmission I / F with the general-purpose information network 60 is provided. And a server function for the general-purpose information network 60 is provided, so that the connection work between the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and the general-purpose information network 60 can be easily performed, while the lighting control and monitoring system 200 is connected to the general-purpose information network. Conventionally, to connect to the central control unit 10A, a dedicated signal line 80 is used.
The server 70 (see FIG. 11) for the lighting control and monitoring system, which has been connected by using the dedicated line 80, becomes unnecessary, and a complicated installation work for connecting the special server 70 by the dedicated line 80 and a relatively large installation space are unnecessary. .

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a plurality of lighting control and monitoring systems 200 are connected to the general-purpose information network shown in FIG. The general-purpose information network 60 connected to the system I / F device 100 includes a display such as a state of each terminal of the lighting control and monitoring system 200, various settings of the central control device 10, and a screen for controlling each terminal. Is connected.

By connecting a plurality of lighting control and monitoring systems 200 to the general-purpose information network 60 such as the Internet, the client PC 90 can remotely control the lighting control and monitoring system 200 via the general-purpose information network 60. Central control unit 10
Data can be transmitted and received to and from various locations, and various settings and management of the plurality of lighting control and monitoring systems 200 located at remote locations can be performed at a single location.

Incidentally, in the lighting control and monitoring system connected to the general-purpose information network as described above, there are times when it is desired to separate the lighting control and monitoring system from the general-purpose information network. For example, (1) system I / F device 1
When a problem occurs in 00, (2) when it is desired to completely cut off control of the lighting control and monitoring system from the client PC side, and (3) a general information network and lighting control are used to investigate the cause of a failure in the lighting control system. When it is necessary to make the monitoring system completely independent, or (4) when it is desired to separate the lighting control and monitoring system so as to see whether the lighting control and monitoring system is operating normally or not.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are block diagrams showing a lighting control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 5 shows a case of a lighting control system using the system I / F device 100 (corresponding to the system of FIG. 1), and FIG. 6 shows a case of a lighting control system using a server for a lighting control and monitoring system (FIG. 11). (Corresponding to the conventional system).

In FIG. 5, the lighting control monitoring system 20
The configuration is such that the switching unit 110 and the new monitoring terminal 20A are connected to the transmission signal line 50 in 0. The switching unit 20A includes the system I / F device 100 and the general-purpose information network 60.
Are physically disconnected or connected to each other, and the newly provided monitoring terminal 20A is for operating disconnection or connection by the switching unit 110. The new monitoring terminal 20A is configured by an operation switch, and the switching unit 110 is configured by an electrical switch such as a relay.

In the configuration of FIG. 5, a new monitoring terminal 20
By pressing the operation unit of A, a transmission signal composed of off information (or on information) and terminal address information is sent to the central controller 10, and the central controller 10 transmits the off information (or on) in the transmission signal. ) Is transferred to the switching unit 110 indicated by the terminal address information. When the switching unit 110 receives the OFF information (or ON information), the switching unit 110 turns off (or turns on) the relay, for example, to switch between the system I / F device 100 and the general-purpose information network 60. That is, the lighting control monitoring system 200 and the general-purpose information network 60 can be forcibly disconnected (or connected).

In FIG. 6, the lighting control and monitoring system 20
The configuration is such that the switching unit 110 and the new monitoring terminal 20A are connected to the transmission signal line 50 in 0. The switching unit 20A is for physically disconnecting or connecting between the lighting control monitoring system server 70 and the general-purpose information network 60, and the newly provided monitoring terminal 20A disconnects or connects by the switching unit 110. It is for operation. As in FIG. 5, the new monitoring terminal 20A is configured by an operation switch, and the switching unit 110 is configured by an electrical switch such as a relay.

With the configuration of FIG. 6, a new monitoring terminal 20
By pressing the operation unit of A, a transmission signal composed of off information (or on information) and terminal address information is sent to the central controller 10, and the central controller 10 transmits the off information (or on) in the transmission signal. ) Is transferred to the switching unit 110 indicated by the terminal address information. When the OFF information (or ON information) is received by the switching unit 110, for example, a relay is turned OFF (or ON) inside the switching unit 110, so that the communication between the server 70 for lighting control and monitoring system and the general information network 60 is performed. That is, the lighting control and monitoring system 2
00 and the general-purpose information network 60 can be forcibly disconnected (or connected).

The central control unit 10 or 10 of the lighting control and monitoring system 200 installed in a building or the like.
A is usually placed in a control room or the like in a building, but the new monitoring terminal 20A is not placed in a place where anyone can operate it. It is desirable to install.

FIG. 7 shows the switching unit 110 and the monitoring terminal 2 in the lighting control / monitoring system 200 shown in FIGS.
0A and the configuration of the central control device 10A. The configuration of the central control device 10 in FIG. 5 is the same as that in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, the switching unit 110 includes a transmission I / F unit 1101 for connecting to the transmission signal line 50 and exchanging data, and
A processing unit 1102 which is configured by a PU or the like and performs processing such as control data decoding and drive data conversion to the drive unit 1104, and a storage unit 1103 which stores the address of the own terminal on the lighting control monitoring system and the like. And a drive unit 1104 that performs drive control on the relay 1105 based on a signal from the processing unit 1102.
And a relay 1105 as switching means. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the monitoring terminal 20A is connected to the transmission signal line 50 to exchange data.
An F unit 21, a processing unit 22 configured by a CPU and the like to monitor the operation state of the operation switch unit 24, receive and decode operation input data, perform data conversion, and the like; It has a storage unit 23 storing the address of the container and the like, and an operation switch unit 24 installed on a distribution board or the like. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the central control unit 10A connects the transmission I / F unit 11 to the transmission signal line 50 for data transmission and reception,
U, and the like, which performs processing such as data conversion and monitors each terminal, etc., storage 13 for storing status data and control data of each terminal, and dedicated signal line 8.
0 and a transmission I / F unit 14 for exchanging data with the lighting control / monitoring system server 70 by connecting to the transmission I / F unit 14.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. The server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system is provided with a dedicated signal line 80 of the central controller 10A.
Transmission I / F unit 71 connected to the data conversion unit 72
1 and a server processing unit 722, and a server processing unit 722 connected to the server processing unit 722.
And a transmission I / F unit 74 for taking a transmission I / F between the general-purpose information network 60 and the general-purpose information network 60.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system normally transmits the transmission signal of the lighting control and monitoring system 200 (ie, periodically or by the client) via the dedicated signal line 80 by the dedicated signal transmission I / F unit 71. The system conversion unit 721 receives the information of the system obtained by accessing the processing unit in the central control unit 10 when there is a request from the side, and the signal contents are sent to the server processing unit 72 in the data conversion processing unit 721.
2 to a server processing unit 722. The server processing unit 722 arranges the notified data and stores it in the storage unit 73.

When monitoring the state of the lighting control and monitoring system 200 from the client PC 90, the status is stored in the storage unit 73 via the general-purpose network transmission I / F unit 74 and the server processing unit 722 by a WWW browser or the like of the client PC 90. Lighting control and monitoring system 20
0 state information (information on the operation states of the terminals 20, 30, 20A, 110) is read and displayed on the screen.

The client PC 90 can display a screen for controlling the terminals 20, 30, 20A and 110 and a screen for making various settings for the central control device 10A. Thus, control data for controlling the terminals 20, 30, 20A, 110 and data for making various settings of the central control device 10 are transmitted via the general-purpose network transmission I / F unit 74 and the server processing unit 722. The data is converted into the transmission format of the illumination control monitoring system 200 by the data conversion processing unit 721, transmitted from the dedicated signal transmission I / F unit 71 to the dedicated signal line 80, and sent to the central control unit 10A. Then, the respective terminals 20, 30, 20A, 110 from the central control device 10A.
Is sent to the control data.

According to the second embodiment described above, the lighting control and monitoring system 200 and the general information network 60
It is possible to easily physically disconnect or connect the lighting control and monitoring system 200 from the general-purpose information network 60 without considering a connection point with the lighting control and monitoring system 200.

By the way, for a lighting control system in which a lighting control / monitoring system and a general-purpose information network are connected using the lighting control / monitoring system server 70 as shown in FIG. If the information of the central control device 10A cannot be viewed for some reason when accessing the device, the possible causes are (1) the power of the central control device 10A is turned off, and (2) the dedicated signal. Line 8
0 has expired or some abnormality has occurred in the central control device 10A. An embodiment for determining whether (1) or (2) will be described below.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a dedicated signal transmission unit between a server for a lighting control monitoring system and a central control unit in a lighting control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the lighting control system according to the present embodiment is the same as the block diagram in the conventional diagram (FIG. 11). In FIG. 11, the central control unit 10A, the monitoring terminal 20, and the control terminal 30 of the lighting control and monitoring system 200 are connected by the transmission signal line 50, and the central control unit 10A uses the dedicated signal line 80 as the dedicated signal line 80 to control the lighting and monitoring by, for example, RS232C. System server 7
0 is connected, and the lighting control and monitoring system 200 is connected to the general-purpose information network 60 via the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. The configuration is such that a client PC 90 that displays a display such as a state of each terminal, various settings of the central control device 10A, and a screen for controlling each terminal is connected.

In FIG. 9, the configuration of the dedicated signal transmission unit between the server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the central control unit is different from the conventional one (FIG. 12), and the transmission I / F unit 14 in the central control unit 10A is different. Is provided with a signal path switching unit 15 in the vicinity of.

The signal switching section 15 has a common end c having a switching piece (contact point) and two connection ends a and b. A switch may be used. The signal switching unit 15 is interposed on the signal transmission lines 81 and 82 among the dedicated signal lines 80 connecting the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system and the central control device 10A, and the common terminal c and the connection terminal a.
Is inserted into the signal transmission line 81, and the connection end b is connected to the signal transmission line 8
2 is placed on. Then, the signal switching unit 15 receives the control signal from the processing unit 12 of the central control device 10A, and
The two connection ends a and b are switched.

The signal switching section 15 operatively transmits a signal transmitted from the lighting control / monitoring system server 70 to the central control device 10A in synchronization with the power on / off of the central control device 12 to the central control device 10A. Or the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system from the central control device 10A side.
This is for switching whether to loop back.

In the above configuration, when the power of the central control unit 10A is turned on, the contact of the signal switching unit 15 is closed to the side a by the control of the processing unit 12, and the signal transmission unit 711 of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. Is input to the processing unit 12 via the signal receiving unit 141 of the central control device 10A. When the power of the central control unit 10A is turned off, the processing unit 1
2, the contact of the signal switching unit 15 is closed to the b side, and the signal from the signal transmission unit 711 of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system is transmitted through the signal transmission line 82 to the signal reception unit 712 of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. Is looped back to the processing unit 72 via In this way, when the power of the central controller 10A is turned on, the central controller 1 normally operates.
A signal is input to 0A, and when the power is turned off, the signal transmitted from the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system loops back and is received by the signal receiving unit 712 of the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system. When receiving the same signal as the transmitted signal, the lighting control / monitoring system server 70 determines that the central control device 10A is not operating (power off), and transmits the signal from the lighting control / monitoring system server 70. If there is no response, the dedicated signal line 80 is disconnected or the central controller 1
It can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in 0A, and the determination result can be notified to the client PC 90 and displayed on the screen.

According to the third embodiment described above, in the lighting control system connected to the general-purpose information network 60 using the server 70 for the lighting control and monitoring system,
Lighting control monitoring system server 70 and central controller 1
When transmission failure occurs during 0A, it is possible to specify the problem site and the cause.

[0071]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a function for taking a transmission I / F for exchanging data between the lighting control / monitoring system and the general information network, and a server function for the lighting control / monitoring system for the general information network. Is provided, it is possible to simplify the connection work between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network without using a special signal line. The installation work and the installation space of the server for the lighting control and monitoring system of the general-purpose information network are not required.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least one client P capable of transmitting / receiving control monitoring data to / from the system I / F device via the general-purpose information network.
Since C is provided, it becomes possible to transmit and receive data to and from the central control device via the general-purpose information network, and to perform various settings and management of at least one remote lighting control and monitoring system.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the client P
By transmitting various setting data from C to the central control device via the general-purpose information network and the system I / F device, setting of the central control device can be easily performed by screen operation.

According to the invention of claim 4, the client P
By using a security function using a password or the like when transmitting data from C to the system I / F device via the general-purpose information network, no one can access the system I / F device. can do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the system I / F
Since a switching means for disconnecting or connecting the apparatus and the general information network and a new monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means are provided, a connection point between the lighting control monitoring system and the general information network is searched. It is possible to easily disconnect and connect the lighting control and monitoring system from a general-purpose information network without physically disconnecting the lighting control and monitoring system.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a lighting control system in which a server for a lighting control and monitoring system is used as a general information network, switching means for disconnecting or connecting between the server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the general information network. A monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means is provided, so that the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network can be easily illuminated from the general-purpose information network without physically disconnecting by searching for a connection point. The control and monitoring system can be disconnected and connected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the lighting control system which is a general-purpose information network using the server for the lighting control / monitoring system, the server for the lighting control / monitoring system is operated in conjunction with turning on / off the power of the central control unit. A signal path switching unit is provided for switching whether the signal transmitted to the central control device is taken into the central control device or looped back from the central control device to the server for the lighting control monitoring system. When transmission failure occurs between the system server and the central control device, the cause can be almost specified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system I / F device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing each configuration of a central control unit, a monitoring terminal, and a control terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system in which a plurality of lighting control monitoring systems are connected to a general-purpose information network using the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 relates to a system I according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system connected to a general-purpose information network using a / F device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system connected to a general-purpose information network using a server for a lighting control and monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing each configuration of a switching unit, a new monitoring terminal, and a central control unit in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server for the lighting control and monitoring system in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a server for a lighting control and monitoring system in a lighting control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional lighting control system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another conventional lighting control system connected to a general-purpose information network using a server for a lighting control and monitoring system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dedicated signal transmission unit between the server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the central control unit in FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10A Central control unit 15 Signal path switching unit 20, 20A Monitoring terminal 30 Control terminal 40 Load 50 Transmission signal line 60 General information network 70 Server for lighting control and monitoring system 80 Dedicated signal Line 90: Client PC 100: System I / F device 110: Switching unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hidenori Nishigaki 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term in Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp. (reference) 3K073 AA75 AB03 BA27 BA28 CA01 CE05 CE06 CE09 CE16 CG21 CH01 CH21 CJ01 CJ02 5K048 AA04 BA07 DA02 DC04 EB02 HA01 HA02

Claims (7)

[Claims] A central controller for managing the entire system;
A monitoring terminal device that detects a human operation and transmits a signal to the central control device, and a control terminal that receives a control signal from the central control device and performs a control operation on a load according to the signal content. Control and monitoring system configured by connecting devices with a transmission signal line; a general-purpose information network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol; and the lighting control and monitoring system provided in the lighting control and monitoring system A transmission I / F for transmitting and receiving data between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network; and a server function for the lighting control and monitoring system in the general-purpose information network. And a system I / F device. 2. A central controller for managing the entire system;
A monitoring terminal for detecting a human operation and transmitting a signal to the central control device, and a control terminal for receiving a control signal from the central control device and performing a control operation on a load in accordance with the signal content Lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting devices with a transmission signal line; a general-purpose information network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol; and the lighting control and monitoring system provided in the lighting control and monitoring system A transmission I / F for transmitting and receiving data between the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network; and a server function for the lighting control and monitoring system in the general-purpose information network. A system I / F device connected to the system I / F device using the general-purpose information network; Lighting control system characterized by comprising a; control monitoring data to the system I / F device and at least one client PC that can send and receive via. 3. The central control device can be set by transmitting various setting data from the client PC to the central control device via the general-purpose information network and the system I / F device. The lighting control system according to claim 2, wherein 4. A security function using a password or the like when transmitting data from said client PC to said system I / F device via said general-purpose information network. Lighting control system. 5. A switching means for disconnecting or connecting between the system I / F device and the general-purpose information network, and a monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching means in the lighting control and monitoring system. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lighting control and monitoring system and the general-purpose information network are disconnected or connected. 6. A central controller for managing the entire system;
A monitoring terminal device that detects a human operation and transmits a signal to the central control device, and a control terminal that receives a control signal from the central control device and performs a control operation on a load according to the signal content. A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting devices with a transmission signal line; a general-purpose information network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol; and a dedicated signal line to a central control unit of the lighting control and monitoring system directly A server for the lighting control and monitoring system connected thereto; at least one connected to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network and capable of transmitting and receiving control monitoring data to and from the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network. Two client PCs; a server for the lighting control and monitoring system and the general server in the lighting control and monitoring system. A switching unit for disconnecting or connecting between the information networks, and a monitoring terminal for operating disconnection or connection of the switching unit; and a unit for disconnecting or connecting between the lighting control monitoring system and the general-purpose information network. A lighting control system comprising: 7. A central controller for managing the entire system,
A monitoring terminal device that detects a human operation and transmits a signal to the central control device, and a control terminal that receives a control signal from the central control device and performs a control operation on a load according to the signal content. A lighting control and monitoring system configured by connecting devices with a transmission signal line; a general-purpose information network for performing data transmission based on a predetermined communication protocol; and a dedicated signal line to a central control unit of the lighting control and monitoring system directly A connected server for the lighting control and monitoring system; at least one connected to the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network and capable of transmitting and receiving control monitoring data to and from the server for the lighting control and monitoring system via the general-purpose information network. Two client PCs; provided in the central control unit, and connected to the power supply of the central control unit to turn on and off the lighting. A signal path switching unit that switches between a signal transmitted from the server for control system to the central control unit, whether the signal is taken in to the central control unit, or whether the signal is looped back from the central control unit to the server for lighting control and monitoring system. A lighting control system comprising: