Lighting control system and computer program

Abstract

To save the labor required for setting illumination in a facility using a plurality of lighting fixtures.SOLUTION: A lighting control system comprises: a template information storage unit that stores template information including, for the combination of a plurality of lighting fixtures, a template representing the relative relationship between pieces of light quantity information on the lighting fixtures, and the type of an exhibit for which the template is used that is the purpose of use of the template; a setting information input device having a display unit that displays the template and the type of the exhibit, and a control unit that transmits, to the template information storage unit, information on both the template and the type of the exhibit set by a user; and an illumination control unit that, for the combination of the plurality of lighting fixtures to which the template is assigned, the template selected according to the type of the exhibit that is the purpose of use set by the setting information input device, sets the light quantity information on the lighting fixtures while maintaining the magnitude relationship indicated by the information on the template.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for inputting lighting setting information.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, lighting has been used in various places. In general household lighting, it is rare for the light quantity and color tone of the lighting to be finely set. However, in lighting used in art museums and museums, the illuminance and color tone of the lighting are often finely set. However, the operation for setting the illuminance and color tone in lighting is not easy and has been a significant burden on the setter. As a technique for reducing such a burden, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of providing a lighting control device in which a user can easily change a dimming level and a color adjustment level, a plurality of operation modes such as a dimming mode and a color adjustment mode are provided, and it is possible to perform dimming and color adjustment with one lighting control device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, for example, in art museums and museums, because of their large size, a very large number of lights are installed. Therefore, even if the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, it is a very large burden to set the light quantity and color tone individually for all the lights. Furthermore, in art museums and museums, the exhibited items change for each exhibition held about several times a year. Each time, it is necessary to reset the setting information such as the light quantity and color tone of each light to an optimal value, which has been a significant burden on the operator. Such problems are not limited to art museums and museums, but are common to facilities that use multiple lights. In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a technology that can reduce the effort required to set up lighting in facilities that use multiple lights. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a dimming control system that receives instructions to change light intensity information for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures, and determines the changed light intensity information for each lighting fixture in accordance with the instructions, while maintaining the relative relationship of light intensity information defined for the light intensity information of the multiple lighting fixtures.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a dimming control system comprising: a template information storage unit that stores template information representing the relative relationship of light intensity information for each of a combination of multiple lighting fixtures; and a control unit that sets the light intensity information for each of the multiple lighting fixtures to which the template is assigned, while maintaining the relative relationship indicated by the template information.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a setting support method in which a computer receives instructions to change light intensity information for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures, and sets the changed light intensity information for each lighting fixture in accordance with the instructions while maintaining the relative relationship of the light intensity information defined for the multiple lighting fixtures.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a setting support method comprising: a step in which a computer reads template information from a template information storage unit that stores template information representing the relative relationship of light intensity information for each lighting fixture for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures; and a control step in which the computer sets the light intensity information for each lighting fixture while maintaining the relative relationship indicated by the template information for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures to which the template has been assigned.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a dimming control system comprising: a setting information input device having a template information storage unit that stores template information including a template representing the relative relationship of light intensity information of each lighting fixture for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures, and the type of exhibit for which the template is used, which is the purpose of the template; a display unit that displays the template and the type of exhibit; and a control unit that transmits information on both the template and the type of exhibit set by the user to the template information storage unit; and a lighting control unit that sets the light intensity information of each lighting fixture while maintaining the magnitude relationship indicated by the template information for a combination of multiple lighting fixtures to which the template selected according to the type of exhibit set by the setting information input device is assigned. One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-described dimming control system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention makes it possible to reduce the effort required to set up lighting in equipment that uses multiple lights. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the dimming control system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a specific example of the functional configuration of the dimming control device 20. [Figure 3] This figure shows a specific example of a lighting set. [Figure 4] This figure shows a specific example of the functional configuration of the setting information input device 30. [Figure 5] This figure shows a specific example of a graphical user interface displayed on the display unit 33. [Figure 6] This figure shows a concrete example of a template generation screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes specific examples of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the dimming control system 100 of the present invention. The dimming control system 100 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 10, a dimming control device 20, and a setting information input device 30. The dimming control system 100 is a system for setting and controlling the light intensity and color tone of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10. In the following description, the illuminance value will be used as one of the pieces of information indicating the light intensity of the lighting fixtures 10. However, other values ​​may be used as information indicating the light intensity. For example, the information indicating the light intensity may be information indicating the ratio of the maximum output of the lighting, or information indicating the step of the dimming value. The plurality of lighting fixtures 10, the dimming control device 20, and the setting information input device 30 are connected communicably via a network 90. ​​The network 90 may be a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. The network 90 may be composed of a combination of multiple networks. The network through which the lighting fixtures 10 and the dimming control device 20 communicate, and the network through which the dimming control device 20 and the setting information input device 30 communicate may each be composed of different networks.

[0013] The lighting fixture 10 is a lighting device capable of changing its illuminance and color tone to multiple levels. The power of the lighting fixture 10 is turned ON and OFF according to a control signal transmitted from the dimming control device 20. The lighting fixture 10 changes its illuminance and color tone according to the control signal transmitted from the dimming control device 20. Each lighting fixture 10 may be permanently installed in a predetermined position.

[0014] The dimming control device 20 controls the operation of each lighting fixture 10 provided in the dimming control system 100. For example, the dimming control device 20 controls the illuminance and color tone of each lighting fixture 10. The dimming control device 20 may control each lighting fixture 10 using, for example, its own communication protocol, or may control each lighting fixture 10 using a specific existing communication protocol. Specific examples of existing communication protocols include, for example, DALI (registered trademark), DMX512, DALI2, etc.

[0015] The dimming control device 20 is configured using an information device such as a personal computer or a dedicated device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the dimming control device 20. The dimming control device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. Hereinafter, each functional unit of the dimming control device 20 will be described.

[0016] The communication unit 21 is a communication device that communicates with other devices. The communication unit 21 communicates with other devices (for example, the lighting fixture 10, the setting information input device 30) via, for example, the network 90.

[0017] The storage unit 22 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a map information storage unit 221, a template information storage unit 222, a group information storage unit 223, and a setting information storage unit 224.

[0018] The map information storage unit 221 stores information regarding the map of the facility (hereinafter referred to as the "target facility") where the lighting fixture 10 is installed (hereinafter referred to as "map information"). The map information stores, for example, a map of at least the area in the target facility where the lighting fixture 10 is installed, information indicating the positions where each lighting fixture 10 is installed, and information serving as a destination (e.g., device identification information, address information, etc.) used when transmitting control information to each lighting fixture 10. By referring to the map information stored by the map information storage unit 221, the computer can display on the map the position of each lighting fixture 10 in the target facility. Also, by referring to the map information stored by the map information storage unit 221, the computer can acquire information serving as a destination for transmitting a control signal to each lighting fixture 10 indicated on the map by the user.

[0019] The template information storage unit 222 stores template information. The template information has information on the illuminance of each lighting fixture 10 for each predetermined unit (hereinafter referred to as "lighting set") including a plurality of lighting fixtures. The information on the illuminance of each lighting fixture defined in the template information may be, for example, a relative value of the illuminance of each lighting fixture 10 (hereinafter referred to as "relative illuminance") or an absolute value of the illuminance of each lighting fixture 10. The template information may further include information regarding color tone (e.g., color temperature).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a lighting set. One lighting set includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 10, and the mounting positions of each lighting fixture 10 are determined. For example, the lighting set in FIG. 3 includes four lighting fixtures 10 (10_1 to 10_4) provided for illuminating the exhibition space 50. In the lighting set, for each lighting fixture 10 at each position, the relative value (ratio) of the illuminance between the other lighting fixtures included in the same lighting set is defined as the relative illuminance. For example, the relative illuminance may be defined as follows in the lighting set shown in FIG. 3. · Lighting fixture 10_1: 5 · Lighting fixture 10_2: 20 • Lighting fixtures 10_3:10 • Lighting fixture 10_4:2

[0021] Once the relative illuminance of the lighting set is determined in this way, the ratio of the illuminances of the four lighting fixtures 10 is changed while maintaining the above-mentioned relative illuminance relationship. For example, if an operation is performed to increase the illuminance of this lighting set, the settings are updated to increase the illuminance value of each lighting fixture 10 while maintaining the above-mentioned relative illuminance relationship. For example, if the four lighting fixtures 10 used in the lighting set in Figure 3 have the same maximum illuminance value, • Lighting fixture 10_1: 10% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_2: 40% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_3: 20% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_4: 4% of maximum illuminance

[0022] The illuminance of each lighting fixture may be set as shown. If, after this, an operation is performed to lower the illuminance of this lighting set, • Lighting fixture 10_1: 5% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_2: 20% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_3: 10% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_4: 2% of maximum illuminance

[0023] The illuminance of each lighting fixture may be set as shown above. Here, the illuminance of each lighting fixture 10 is shown as a percentage of the maximum illuminance, but it may be expressed in other ways. For example, it may be expressed as a number of steps divided by a predetermined width from the minimum illuminance to the maximum illuminance, or it may be expressed as the absolute value of the illuminance.

[0024] The lighting set shown in Figure 3 is merely one example, and other types of lighting sets may be defined. Furthermore, multiple types of lighting sets may be defined for a single facility. In addition to the relative brightness for each lighting set, the template information may also include label information. Label information indicates the context in which the template is used. For example, information indicating the type of exhibit for which the template is used may be provided as label information. Specific examples of exhibit types may include values ​​such as hanging scrolls, folding screens, and kimonos. Label information may also define information indicating the center of gravity of the light. For example, label information such as "entire wall" or "center of eye level" may be defined.

[0025] The group information storage unit 223 stores group information. Group information is information about a group that includes one or more lighting fixtures 10. Group information may be defined, for example, in units of one or more lighting sets. Group information includes information about the lighting fixtures 10 included in that group. Group information may be defined, for example, by the user, or it may be predetermined. Group information may be deleted or updated, for example, by the user.

[0026] The setting information storage unit 224 stores setting information. The setting information includes setting values ​​such as illuminance and color tone for each lighting fixture 10.

[0027] The control unit 23 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The control unit 23 functions as a recording control unit 231, a setting support unit 232, and a lighting control unit 233 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 23 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0028] The recording control unit 231 acquires predefined map information and template information from other devices (for example, the setting information input device 30 or other devices) and records it in the storage unit 22. For example, when a dimming control system 100 is introduced to the target equipment, the recording control unit 231 may receive map information to be registered in the initial settings from other devices and record it in the map information storage unit 221.

[0029] The setting support unit 232 assists the user in setting the illuminance and color tone of each lighting fixture 10. For example, the setting support unit 232 provides the setting information input device 30 used by the user with the information required for setting. For example, the setting support unit 232 may provide template information and group information to the setting information input device 30. For example, the setting support unit 232 receives information set based on template information and group information (information regarding settings given per lighting set, information regarding settings given per group) from the setting information input device 30, calculates the setting values ​​for the individual lighting fixtures 10 included in each lighting set and each group based on the received information, and records the calculated values ​​in the setting information storage unit 224. Note that the calculation of the setting values ​​for the individual lighting fixtures 10 included in each lighting set and each group may be performed by the setting information input device 30. In this case, the setting support unit 232 receives the setting values ​​for the individual lighting fixtures 10 from the setting information input device 30 and records the received values ​​in the setting information storage unit 224.

[0030] The setting support unit 232 may transmit data for a graphical user interface to change illuminance, for example, on a lighting set basis or group basis, to the setting information input device 30. In this case, the setting support unit 232 may receive information from the setting information input device 30 indicating changes in settings made by user operations in the graphical user interface (information regarding settings given on a lighting set basis, information regarding settings given on a group basis). Based on the received information, the setting support unit 232 calculates the setting values ​​for individual lighting fixtures 10 included in each lighting set or group, and records the calculated values ​​in the setting information storage unit 224. The calculation of the setting values ​​for individual lighting fixtures 10 included in each lighting set or group may be performed in the setting information input device 30. In this case, the setting support unit 232 receives the setting values ​​for individual lighting fixtures 10 from the setting information input device 30 and records the received values ​​in the setting information storage unit 224.

[0031] The lighting control unit 233 controls the illuminance and color tone of each lighting fixture 10 based on the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 224. Furthermore, when information indicating whether the lighting fixture 10 should be powered on or off is input from the setting information input device 30 or a switch device (not shown), the lighting control unit 233 controls the power of each lighting fixture 10 to be powered on or off based on the input information.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a specific example of the functional configuration of the setting information input device 30. The setting information input device 30 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or dedicated device. The setting information input device 30 comprises a communication unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0033] The communication unit 31 is a communication device. The communication unit 31 may be configured, for example, as a network interface. The communication unit 31 communicates data with other devices via the network 90 in accordance with the control of the control unit 35. The communication unit 31 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0034] The operation unit 32 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, or touch panel. The operation unit 32 is operated by the user when inputting user instructions to the setting information input device 30. The operation unit 32 may also be an interface for connecting an input device to the setting information input device 30. In this case, the operation unit 32 inputs the input signal generated in response to the user's input in the input device to the setting information input device 30. The operation unit 32 may also be configured using a microphone and a speech recognition device. In this case, the operation unit 32 recognizes the words spoken by the user and inputs the recognized string information to the setting information input device 30. The operation unit 32 may be configured in any way that allows user instructions to be input to the setting information input device 30.

[0035] The display unit 33 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 33 displays a graphical user interface for setting the illuminance and color tone of the lighting fixture 10. The data for the displayed graphical user interface may be pre-stored in the storage unit 34 or provided from the dimming control device 20 via the network 90. ​​The display unit 33 may also be an interface for connecting the image display device to the setting information input device 30. In this case, the display unit 33 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to it.

[0036] The storage unit 34 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 34 stores information used by the control unit 35.

[0037] The control unit 35 is composed of a processor such as a CPU and memory. The control unit 35 functions as a communication control unit 351 and a display control unit 352 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 35 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0038] The communication control unit 351 controls the communication between the dimming control device 20 and the communication unit 31. For example, the communication control unit 351 receives data from the dimming control device 20 and passes the received data to the display control unit 352. For example, the communication control unit 351 transmits the data passed from the display control unit 352 to the dimming control device 20.

[0039] The display control unit 352 displays the user interface screen on the display unit 33 based on graphical user interface data acquired from the storage unit 34 or the dimming control device 20. The display control unit 352 acquires operation information indicating the results of operations performed by the user via the operation unit 32 on the displayed user interface, and passes the information obtained in accordance with the operation information to the communication control unit 351. This information is transmitted to the dimming control device 20 by the communication control unit 351. The display control unit 352 may also calculate individual setting values ​​for each lighting fixture 10 according to the input values ​​for each lighting set or group entered in accordance with the user's operation. In this case, the calculated values ​​are transmitted to the dimming control device 20 by the communication control unit 351.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a specific example of the graphical user interface displayed on the display unit 33. The screen displays one or more template buttons 41, a map image 42, multiple lighting set images 43, a group of lighting set management buttons 45, a group of group management buttons 46, an illuminance control area 47, a color tone control area 48, and a save button 49.

[0041] Each template button 41 is an image representing a template. For example, in the example in Figure 5, the string indicated by the label information of each template is displayed in the area within each template button 41. Each template button 41 has a different display mode. For example, the color of the area within each template button 41 may be different.

[0042] Map image 42 displays an image showing a map that shows part or all of the target facility. Within the area of ​​map image 42, images showing lighting fixtures 10 corresponding to their respective installation locations, and images showing lighting sets are displayed. In this embodiment, a lighting set image 43 is displayed for each lighting set. Each lighting set is given a label (identification information), and this label is also displayed within the lighting set image 43. For example, at the location of the lighting set image 43 labeled L1, four lighting fixtures 10 of the lighting set labeled L1 are installed. The display mode of each lighting set image 43 corresponds to the display mode set for that lighting set. For example, the lighting set at the location of the lighting set image 43, which is displayed in the same display mode as the hanging scroll display mode of the template button 41, has the hanging scroll template set.

[0043] Users can easily set templates for each lighting set by operating the template button 41 and the lighting set image 43. The specific operation method can be implemented in any way. For example, a template may be set for a lighting set at a position on the lighting set image 43 by dragging the template button 41 to the position to which the user wants to apply the template. In this case, the display control unit 352 transmits operation information regarding the drag and information regarding the combination of the template and the lighting set to the dimming control device 20 via the communication control unit 351. The setting support unit 232 of the dimming control device 20 records in the template information storage unit 222 that the specified template should be applied to the specified lighting set according to the received information.

[0044] The lighting set management button group 45 includes a user interface for setting up multiple lighting sets as a group. For example, the lighting set management button group 45 includes buttons (L1 to L8 in Figure 5) that indicate some or all of the lighting sets displayed on the map image 42, a select group checkbox, and a create group button. When a user sets up a new group, they can select the lighting sets they want to include in the group by operating the buttons that indicate each set, and then create a single group containing the multiple lighting sets that were selected at that time by operating the create group button. If the select group checkbox is selected, all lighting sets displayed on the map image 42 can be selected at once.

[0045] The group management button group 46 includes a user interface for managing multiple groups. For example, the group management button group 46 includes buttons that indicate some or all of the groups displayed on the map image 42 (buttons G1 to G4 in Figure 5) and a group delete button. When a user deletes a group, they can select the group they want to delete by operating the group button, and then delete the one or more groups that were selected at that time by operating the group delete button.

[0046] The illuminance control area 47 displays a user interface for controlling the illuminance of the lighting fixture 10. For example, the user can set the illuminance of the lighting fixture 10 being controlled by operating the operation bars 471 and 472, the up button 473, and the down button 474. The illuminance value determined in response to the operation of the operation bars and buttons (473, 474) is displayed in the illuminance value display area 475. For example, the illuminance may be shown as a percentage of the maximum illuminance of the lighting fixture 10 (e.g., 0% to 100%), or as an absolute value of the illuminance (a value of the grayscale). In the example in Figure 5, both the percentage and the absolute value are shown. However, only one of the percentage or the absolute value may be displayed.

[0047] The color tone control area 48 displays a user interface for controlling the color tone of the lighting fixture 10. For example, the user can set the color tone of the lighting fixture 10 being controlled by operating the operation bar 481 or the up and down buttons. The color tone value determined in response to the operation of the operation bar or buttons is displayed in the color tone value display area 482. For example, the color tone may be indicated by a color temperature value or by other values.

[0048] The save button 49 is a button used to set the illuminance and color tone values ​​indicated in the illuminance control area 47 and the color tone control area 48 at the time the save button 49 is operated. When the save button 49 is operated, the display control unit 352 transmits information indicating the setting target and information indicating the setting value to the dimming control device 20. The information indicating the setting target may be information indicating an individual illuminance fixture 10, information indicating a lighting set, or information indicating a group. The information indicating the setting value may be the setting value for an individual illuminance fixture 10, a value set for a lighting set, or a value set for a group.

[0049] The user can collectively manipulate (change, set) the illuminance and color tone of all illuminance fixtures 10 included in the selected illuminance fixtures 10, selected lighting sets, or selected groups by selecting one or more lighting fixtures 10, one or more lighting sets, or one or more groups. For example, the user selects a button indicating the lighting fixture, lighting set, or group for which they want to set the illuminance and color tone in the map image 42, the lighting set management button group 45, or the group management button group 46. This operation selects the target for setting. Subsequently, the user performs an operation on the illuminance operation area 47 or the color tone operation image 48. This operation sets the illuminance for all illuminance fixtures 10 included in the selected lighting set or group. At this time, the relative relationship (ratio) of the illuminances of all illuminance fixtures 10 included in the selected lighting set or group remains fixed, while the illuminance values ​​are changed. For example, downlights (lighting fixtures 10) can be distributed planarly, and the illuminance can be set differently for each location, and then the illuminance values ​​can be changed while maintaining their relative relationships (ratios). For example, the illuminance value can be set by fine-tuning each of the lighting fixtures 10, which are arranged in a straight line taking into account factors such as the presence or absence of walls and beams in indirect lighting. After that, the illuminance value may be changed while maintaining the relative relationship (ratio) of each fixture.

[0050] Figure 6 shows a specific example of a template generation screen. In the example shown in Figure 6, each lighting fixture 10 included in a lighting set is displayed as an image on the left side, according to its installation location. On the right side, there is an illumination control area 61 for setting the illuminance and color tone of each lighting fixture 10, a combined illuminance control area 62 for setting the illuminance of all lighting fixtures included in a lighting set together, and a combined color tone control area 63 for setting the color tone of all lighting fixtures included in a lighting set together. Template information can be generated on this template generation screen. Note that the control area for setting the color tone (color tone control area 63) does not necessarily have to be displayed on the template generation screen. In other words, the template generation screen may be configured to allow the illuminance of lighting fixtures to be set together.

[0051] For example, illuminance control area 61_1 is an illuminance control area 61 for setting the illuminance of lighting fixture 10_1, illuminance control area 61_2 is an illuminance control area 61 for setting the illuminance of lighting fixture 10_2, illuminance control area 61_3 is an illuminance control area 61 for setting the illuminance of lighting fixture 10_3, and illuminance control area 61_4 is an illuminance control area 61 for setting the illuminance of lighting fixture 10_4. By operating the operation bar in each illuminance control area 61, it is possible to set the illuminance of the lighting fixture 10 corresponding to each illuminance control area 61. By operating these illuminance control areas 61, it is possible to set the relative intensity relationships of each lighting fixture 10 included in the lighting set of the template being generated.

[0052] The overall illuminance control area 62 is an operation area for changing the overall brightness while maintaining the relative intensity relationships set by each illuminance control area 61 at that time. The overall color tone control area 63 is an operation area for setting the color tone of each lighting fixture 10 included in this template's lighting set. By operating the overall color tone control area 63, the color tone of each lighting fixture 10 included in the lighting set is set to the same value.

[0053] In the dimming control system 100 configured in this way, the illuminance values ​​of multiple lighting fixtures 10 can be changed collectively while maintaining the relative relationship (ratio) of their illuminance values. For example, the illuminance value of each lighting fixture 10 included in a lighting set can be changed while maintaining the relative relationship of their illuminance values. Generally, an optimal lighting environment is achieved through a combination of multiple lighting fixtures. As described above, since the illuminance of multiple lighting fixtures 10 can be changed collectively while maintaining the relationship (ratio) in this combination of multiple lighting fixtures, the effort required for the work is reduced, and appropriate illuminance settings become possible.

[0054] Furthermore, the dimming control system 100 allows for easy setting of the illuminance and color tone of each lighting fixture 10 by defining templates and applying them to each combination of lighting fixtures (e.g., lighting sets). It is also possible to define label information for templates that indicates the context in which the template is used. For example, information indicating the type of exhibit may be provided. By defining templates in this way, it becomes possible to easily select a template according to the application and set the illuminance of multiple lighting fixtures. Generally, it is necessary to adjust the illuminance of each lighting fixture according to the detailed lighting effects (display) tailored to the exhibits. Moreover, the illuminance of exhibits is strictly controlled, and precise illuminance adjustments are essential for displaying the exhibits. Even in such environments, applying templates to the dimming control system 100 makes it easy to perform settings according to the exhibits. Note that the specific example of a template shown in Figure 6 is merely an example, and other forms of templates may be defined. For example, templates for wall washer lighting may be defined.

[0055] (modified version) The dimming control device 20 does not necessarily have to be configured as a single device. For example, the dimming control device 20 may be configured using multiple information processing devices. The multiple information processing devices that make up the dimming control device 20 may be connected to each other via a communication path such as a network 90 and configured as a system such as a cluster machine or cloud. For example, the recording control unit 231 and the setting support unit 232 may be implemented on a computer located away from the target facility via a communication path such as a network 90, while the lighting control unit 233 may be implemented on a computer installed at the target facility. In this case, the computer that functions as the lighting control unit 233 may be an information processing device such as a personal computer, or it may be implemented using a simple information processing device such as a single-board computer. The dimming control device 20 and the setting information input device 30 may be configured as an integrated information processing device.

[0056] When collectively manipulating (changing, setting) the illuminance of multiple lighting fixtures 10, instead of fixing the relative relationship (ratio) of the illuminances of all the lighting fixtures 10 included in them, the relative magnitudes of each lighting fixture 10 may be fixed while the illuminances are changed. For example, even while the relative magnitudes are maintained, the range and ratio of the change in the illuminance of each lighting fixture 10 may differ depending on the values ​​before and after the change. This will be explained using a specific example. • Lighting fixture 10_1: 100% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_2: 80% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_3: 30% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_4: 10% of maximum illuminance

[0057] When the illuminance of each lighting fixture is set as shown, the ratio of 10:8:3:1 may change while maintaining the relative magnitudes. For example, if the illuminance of these four lighting fixtures 10 is reduced, the values ​​may be changed as follows. • Lighting fixture 10_1: 50% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_2: 45% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_3: 22% of maximum illuminance • Lighting fixture 10_4: 8% of maximum illuminance

[0058] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 100…Dimming control system, 10…Lighting fixture, 20…Dimming control device, 21…Communication unit, 22…Storage unit, 221…Map information storage unit, 222…Template information storage unit, 223…Group information storage unit, 224…Setting information storage unit, 23…Control unit, 231…Recording control unit, 232…Setting support unit, 233…Lighting control unit, 30…Setting information input device, 31…Communication unit, 32…Operation unit, 33…Display unit, 34…Storage unit, 35…Control unit, 351…Communication control unit, 352…Display control unit, 41…Template button, 42…Map image, 43…Lighting set image, 45…Lighting set management button group, 46…Group management button group, 47…Illuminance operation area, 471…Operation bar, 472…Operation bar, 473…Illuminance value display area, 48...Color adjustment area, 481...Operation bar, 482...Color value display area, 49...Save button, 61...Illuminance adjustment area, 62...Summary illumination adjustment area, 63...Summary color adjustment area

Claims

1. A dimming control system comprising a setting information input device, a plurality of lighting fixtures, and a dimming control device capable of communicating with the setting information input device, The dimming control device includes: a template information storage unit configured to store template information including a template that represents a relative relationship between light intensity information of each of a plurality of lighting devices in a combination of the lighting devices, and a type of exhibit for which the template is used, which is an application of the template; a setting support unit that receives template information selected by a user through the setting information input device; a setting information storage unit that records the template information received by the setting support unit; a lighting control unit that controls each lighting device based on the template information stored in the setting information storage unit, The setting information input device includes: An operation unit operated by a user; a display unit that displays the template and the type of the exhibit acquired from the light control device; a control unit that allows a user to select template information including the template displayed on the display unit and a type of the exhibit by operating the operation unit, and transmits the selected template information and operation information indicating a result of the user's operation via the operation unit to the light control device, the lighting control unit collectively changes the light intensity information of each lighting device for a combination of a plurality of lighting devices, based on the template information selected by the user and operation information by the user, while maintaining the magnitude relationship indicated by the template information. Dimming control system.

2. A computer program for causing a computer to function as the dimming control system according to claim 1.

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