Lighting control system and lighting control method

The lighting control system improves pedestrian safety and visibility on exterior walkways by dynamically adjusting lighting based on age, umbrella usage, and wind conditions, addressing visibility issues and promoting energy efficiency.

JP2025006250AActive Publication Date: 2025-01-17MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING SOLUTIONS CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023106921
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-29
Publication Date
2025-01-17
Estimated Expiration
2043-06-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Pedestrians face reduced visibility and increased tripping risks on exterior walkways due to factors like age-related vision decline, umbrella usage, and strong winds, which narrow their field of view and decrease brightness.

Method used

A lighting control system that uses cameras and anemometers to estimate pedestrian field of view and wind speed, adjusting lighting intensity based on age, umbrella usage, and wind conditions to maintain visibility and safety.

Benefits of technology

Enhances pedestrian visibility and safety by dynamically controlling lighting intensity, addressing age-related vision decline and environmental factors, while also promoting energy efficiency.

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Abstract

To provide a lighting control system and a lighting control method, capable of supporting a safe walking of a pedestrian who walks on an external facility passage.SOLUTION: A lighting control system 100 controls lighting fixtures 10 installed on an external facility passage 2 of a facility 1. The lighting control system 100 comprises: cameras 40; an anemometer 50; estimation means 30; and control means 20. The cameras 40 photograph a walker who walks on the external facility passage 2. The anemometer 50 measures a wind velocity on the external facility passage 2. The estimation means 30 estimates a width of a sight of the walker on the basis of at least one of photographing images of the cameras 40 and a measurement value of the anemometer 50. The control means 20 controls lighting intensity of the lighting fixtures 10 so that the lighting intensity increases as the sight of the walker becomes narrow in accordance with the width of the sight of the walker estimated by the estimation means 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting control system and a lighting control method. [Background technology]

[0002] International Publication No. 2020 / 235289 (Patent Document 1) discloses a zone management device that manages each of a plurality of zones divided on a floor of a facility such as an office building.

[0003] The zone management device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to set the illuminance setting of the lighting devices installed in each zone according to the age of the users who use the zone. For example, in a zone in which the target lighting devices are installed, if the number of users aged 40 or older is greater than the number of users aged 30 or younger, the zone management device sets the illuminance setting for the lighting devices in the zone to a value greater than the reference value. Conversely, if the number of users aged 40 or older is less than the number of users aged 30 or younger, the zone management device sets the illuminance setting for the lighting devices in the zone to a value less than the reference value. In this way, the zone management device provides a lighting environment according to the age of the users of the zone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 235289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Factors that prevent pedestrians from walking safely on the exterior walkways of facilities include the decline in eyesight due to aging, as well as the narrowness of the pedestrian's field of vision. For example, when pedestrians are walking with umbrellas because of rain, the umbrella tends to block and narrow the pedestrian's field of vision. Also, when the wind is strong, pedestrians tend to squint their eyes to prevent dust and other particles from getting into their eyes, which tends to narrow the pedestrian's field of vision.

[0006] When pedestrians' field of vision is narrowed in this way, the brightness of the field of vision is reduced, leading to a decrease in visibility. As a result, pedestrians may be slow to notice obstacles such as steps on the exterior walkway, which could lead to them tripping.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting control system and a lighting control method that can support the safe walking of pedestrians walking along exterior walkways. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A lighting control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting control system for controlling lighting devices installed in an exterior passage of a facility, and includes a camera, an anemometer, an estimation means, and a control means. The camera captures images of pedestrians walking along the exterior passage. The anemometer measures wind speed in the exterior passage. The estimation means estimates the width of the pedestrian's field of view based on at least one of an image captured by the camera and a measurement value of the anemometer. The control means controls the illuminance of the lighting device according to the width of the pedestrian's field of view estimated by the estimation means, such that the illuminance increases as the pedestrian's field of view narrows. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, lighting is controlled taking into consideration the field of view of pedestrians walking along an exterior walkway, thereby preventing the field of view of pedestrians from being narrowed and supporting safe walking. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a facility to which a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a lighting system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional configurations of an estimation system and a lighting system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a camera table shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an exterior illuminance setting table shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an area-specific illuminance setting table shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an estimation process executed by the estimation system. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of an illuminance control process executed by the lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0012] <Overall configuration of lighting control system> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a facility 1 to which a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 1 shows a partial plan view of one floor in the facility 1. The facility 1 is, for example, a building, a shopping mall, or other facility used by an unspecified number of people. The exterior of the facility 1 has a passage 2 along which users of the facility 1 walk. The passage 2 corresponds to one example of an "exterior passage." A lighting control system 100 according to the present embodiment is a system for controlling lighting in the passage 2.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control system 100 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 10, a lighting system 20, an estimation system 30, a plurality of cameras 40, and a plurality of anemometers 50.

[0014] A plurality of lighting fixtures 10 illuminate the passageway 2. The lighting fixtures 10 are installed, for example, at appropriate distances from one another on the ceiling of the passageway 2. Each lighting fixture 10 is configured to be capable of changing its illuminance stepwise or continuously within a predetermined illuminance range.

[0015] The lighting system 20 controls the operation of the lighting fixtures 10. In one aspect, the lighting system 20 switches the lighting fixtures 10 between operation and stop depending on the time of day during the business hours of the facility 1. For example, the lighting system 20 stops the operation of the lighting fixtures 10 during times of high sunlight, such as during the day. The lighting system 20 also starts up the lighting fixtures 10 during times of low sunlight, such as at night.

[0016] Furthermore, the lighting system 20 controls the illuminance of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 based on the information provided by the estimation system 30 during operation of the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The control of the illuminance of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 by the lighting system 20 will be described in more detail later.

[0017] The multiple cameras 40 capture images of pedestrians walking along the passage 2. The multiple cameras 40 are installed, for example, at appropriate distances on the ceiling or walls of the passage 2. In one aspect, the passage 2 is divided into multiple areas, and at least one camera 40 is installed in each area. Each camera 40 captures images of pedestrians in the corresponding area, and transmits the captured images to the estimation system 30 together with identification information of the camera 40 (e.g., camera number) and identification information of the area (e.g., area number).

[0018] A plurality of anemometers 50 are installed in the passage 2 to measure the wind speed in the passage 2. At least one anemometer 50 is installed in each area. Each anemometer 50 transmits a signal indicating the measured value of the wind speed in the corresponding area to the estimation system 30 together with identification information (e.g., anemometer number) of the anemometer 50. The number of cameras 40 and anemometers 50 installed in one area may differ between areas. The number of cameras 40 and anemometers 50 installed in each area can be set appropriately depending on the structure of the passage 2 in that area (such as the shape, length, and width of the passage 2).

[0019] The estimation system 30 estimates the width of the pedestrian's visibility for each area based on the captured images transmitted from the multiple cameras 40 and the measured values ​​transmitted from the multiple anemometers 50. In this specification, the "pedestrian's visibility" refers to the range that a pedestrian can reliably see with the naked eye while walking along the passage 2.

[0020] The estimation system 30 further estimates the ages of pedestrians in each area based on the captured images transmitted from the multiple cameras 40. When multiple pedestrians are walking within an area, the estimation system 30 estimates the age of each pedestrian and determines the age of the oldest pedestrian in the area based on the estimation results.

[0021] The estimation system 30 transmits information indicating the estimated results of the width of the pedestrian's visibility for each area and the age of the pedestrian to the lighting system 20. The estimation system 30 corresponds to one embodiment of the "estimation means".

[0022] The lighting system 20 controls the illuminance of the plurality of lighting devices 10 based on the information provided by the estimation system 30. The lighting system 20 corresponds to one embodiment of a "control means."

[0023] <Hardware configuration of lighting system and estimation system> In lighting control system 100 according to the present embodiment, each of lighting system 20 and estimation system 30 is mainly configured by a computer. FIG.

[0024] 2, the lighting system 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 204, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 206, an I / F (Interface) device 208, and a storage device 210. The CPU 202, the RAM 204, the ROM 206, the I / F device 208, and the storage device 210 exchange various data through a communication bus 212.

[0025] The CPU 202 loads a program stored in the ROM 206 into the RAM 204 and executes it. In the program stored in the ROM 206, processes to be executed by the lighting system 20 are described.

[0026] The I / F device 208 is an input / output device for transmitting signals and data to and from the estimation system 30 and the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The I / F device 208 receives information regarding the visibility of pedestrians in the exterior passage 2 and information regarding the ages of the pedestrians from the estimation system 30.

[0027] The memory device 210 is a storage for storing various information, and stores information on the facility 1, information on the exterior corridor 2, position information on the multiple lighting fixtures 10, etc. The memory device 210 also stores various updatable tables for controlling the illuminance of the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The various tables stored in the memory device will be described in detail later. The memory device is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) or a solid state drive (SSD: Solid State Drive).

[0028] Although not shown in the drawings, the estimation system 30 has the same hardware configuration as the lighting system 20. Note that, although the present embodiment has shown a configuration example in which the lighting system 20 and the estimation system 30 are separate computers, the lighting system 20 and the estimation system 30 may be integrated into one computer.

[0029] <Functional configuration> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configurations of the estimation system 30 and the lighting system 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the estimation system 30 includes a camera table 32, an age estimator 34, and an umbrella use estimator 36.

[0030] The age estimator 34 receives captured images from the multiple cameras 40. The age estimator 34 estimates the age of pedestrians in each area by analyzing the captured images for each camera 40. In one aspect, the age estimator 34 extracts a facial image of the pedestrian from the captured image, and estimates the age of the pedestrian by using the extracted facial image and a known image recognition technology (age estimation technology). The age estimator 34 estimates the age of the pedestrian, for example, by determining the outline of the pedestrian's face and the relative positions of the eyes, nose, and mouth in the facial image of the pedestrian.

[0031] When multiple pedestrians are walking in one area, the age estimator 34 estimates the age of each pedestrian from the captured image. Then, the age estimator 34 determines the age of the oldest pedestrian among the multiple pedestrians. When there is only one pedestrian in one area, the age estimator 34 determines the age of that pedestrian as the age of the oldest pedestrian. The age estimator 34 records the estimation result in the camera table 32.

[0032] The umbrella use estimator 36 receives captured images from multiple cameras 40. The umbrella use estimator 36 estimates whether or not a pedestrian is using an umbrella for each area by analyzing the captured images for each camera 40. In one aspect, the umbrella use estimator 36 estimates whether or not a pedestrian is using an umbrella by extracting an image of a pedestrian and an image of an umbrella from the captured images using a known image recognition technique.

[0033] When a pedestrian walking along passage 2 is holding an umbrella, umbrella use estimator 36 determines that the pedestrian is "using an umbrella." When multiple pedestrians are walking within an area, umbrella use estimator 36 determines that the pedestrian is "using an umbrella" if at least one pedestrian is holding an umbrella. On the other hand, when there are no pedestrians holding umbrellas, umbrella use estimator 36 determines that the pedestrian is "not using an umbrella." Umbrella use estimator 36 records the estimation result in camera table 32.

[0034] The camera table 32 further records the wind speed measurement value obtained by the anemometer 50. The camera table 32 is stored in a storage device of the estimation system 30. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the camera table 32 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the camera table 32 includes data on the location (area number) of the area where each camera 40 is installed, the age of the oldest pedestrian for each area estimated from the images captured by each camera 40, whether pedestrians are using umbrellas, and the measured wind speed value.

[0035] For example, the first line of camera table 32 shows that for area number 21 in which camera 40 with camera number 1 is installed, the oldest pedestrian is in his or her 30s, pedestrians are not using umbrellas, and the wind speed is 3 m / s.

[0036] Furthermore, the second row of camera table 32 shows that for area number 21 in which camera number 2 (camera 40) is installed, the oldest pedestrian is in his or her 40s, pedestrians do not use umbrellas, and the wind speed is 3 m / s.

[0037] In addition, two cameras 40, camera number 1 and camera number 2, are installed in the area with area number 21. By setting multiple cameras 40 in one area in this way, the accuracy of the estimation result for each area can be improved.

[0038] 3, the estimation system 30 records the estimation results from the age estimator 34 and the umbrella use estimator 36, as well as the measurement data of the anemometer 50, in the camera table 32 at predetermined intervals. Then, the estimation system 30 transmits the various information stored in the camera table 32 to the lighting system 20 at predetermined intervals.

[0039] The lighting system 20 includes an exterior illuminance setting table 22 and an area-specific illuminance setting table 24. The exterior illuminance setting table 22 and the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 are stored in a storage device 210 of the lighting system 20.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the exterior illuminance setting table 22 shown in Fig. 3. The exterior illuminance setting table 22 is used to set a target value of illuminance (hereinafter also referred to as "target illuminance") of the lighting fixtures 10 for each area. The target illuminance is set based on the age of the oldest pedestrian in the area, whether or not pedestrians are using umbrellas, and the measured value of wind speed.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, in the exterior illuminance setting table 22, a target illuminance is set for each age group of the oldest pedestrian in the area. The target illuminance for each age group includes a reference illuminance, a target illuminance when pedestrians are "using" umbrellas, and a target illuminance when "windy". In this embodiment, "windy" is defined as a state in which the wind speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 7 m / s).

[0042] The standard illuminance is the target illuminance when pedestrians are not using umbrellas and the wind is weak (wind speed is below a threshold). The standard illuminance is set for each age group according to the average visual acuity of that age group. In some cases, the standard illuminance is set to a higher value for older age groups, taking into account the decline in visual acuity due to aging.

[0043] The target illuminance when an umbrella is used is the target illuminance value when a pedestrian is using an umbrella and the wind is weak. When a pedestrian is holding an umbrella, the umbrella blocks the view, so the pedestrian's view tends to be narrower than when the pedestrian is not holding an umbrella. When the view is narrowed, the brightness of the view decreases, so the pedestrian's visibility decreases. As a result, the pedestrian may be delayed in discovering an obstacle in the passage 2. Therefore, for each age group, the target illuminance when an umbrella is used is set to a value higher than the reference illuminance. According to this, when a pedestrian is using an umbrella, the illuminance of the passage 2 is increased compared to when the umbrella is not used, thereby compensating for the decrease in the pedestrian's visibility.

[0044] The target illuminance when the wind is strong is the target value of illuminance when pedestrians are not using umbrellas and the wind is strong (wind speed is equal to or greater than the threshold (7 m / s)). When the wind is strong, pedestrians tend to squint their eyes to prevent dust in the air from getting into their eyes. Therefore, as in the case of using an umbrella described above, the field of vision of pedestrians is narrowed, and there is a concern that visibility will decrease and obstacles will be discovered late. For this reason, the target illuminance when the wind is strong is set to a value higher than the reference illuminance for each age group. According to this, when the wind is strong, the illuminance of passage 2 is increased compared to when the wind is weak, thereby compensating for the decrease in pedestrian visibility.

[0045] 5, the target illuminance when an umbrella is used and the target illuminance when the wind is strong are set to the same value for each age group, but these two target illuminances may be set to different values. In addition, when an umbrella is used and the wind is strong, the higher of the two target illuminances may be adopted.

[0046] For example, the first row of the exterior illumination setting table 22 indicates that when the oldest pedestrian is in their teens or younger, the reference illumination is "3lx (lux)", the target illumination when an umbrella is used is "5lx", and the target illumination when the wind is strong is "5lx".

[0047] On the other hand, the sixth row of the exterior illuminance setting table 22 indicates that when the oldest pedestrian is 60 years old or older, the reference illuminance is "30lx," the target illuminance when an umbrella is used is "40lx," and the target illuminance when the wind is strong is "40lx."

[0048] In this way, the reference illuminance is set according to the age of the pedestrian, and the target illuminance is set according to the width of the pedestrian's field of vision so that the target illuminance is higher than the reference illuminance as the pedestrian's field of vision narrows. This makes it possible to provide the pedestrian with lighting of an appropriate illuminance that takes into account the decline in the pedestrian's eyesight due to age, as well as the narrowing of the pedestrian's field of vision due to the environment of the exterior passage 2. Furthermore, by controlling the illuminance of the lighting device 10 according to the age and width of the pedestrian's field of vision, it is possible to achieve energy conservation of the lighting device 10 while ensuring the safe walking of pedestrians of all ages.

[0049] Returning to Fig. 3, the lighting system 20 sets the target illuminance of the lighting fixtures 10 for each area using the information in the camera table 32 (Fig. 4) sent from the estimation system 30 and the exterior illuminance setting table 22 (Fig. 5). The lighting system 20 records the target illuminance of the lighting fixtures 10 for each area in the area-specific illuminance setting table 24.

[0050] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 includes, for each area, data on the age of the oldest pedestrian, whether or not the pedestrian uses an umbrella, and the measured value of wind speed, as well as data on target illuminance set based on these data. The data on the age of the oldest pedestrian, whether or not the pedestrian uses an umbrella, and the measured value of wind speed are recorded in the camera table 32.

[0051] For example, the first line of the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 indicates that for area number 21, the oldest pedestrian is in his or her 30s, umbrella use is "not used," and the wind speed is "3 m / s" based on the data recorded in the camera table 32. In this first line example, the target illuminance is set to the standard illuminance of "5 m / s" by referring to the third line of the exterior structure illuminance setting table 22.

[0052] The example of the second row of the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 indicates that for area number 21, the oldest pedestrian is in his or her "40s," umbrella use is "not used," and the wind speed is "3 m / s" based on the data recorded in the camera table 32. In this example of the second row, the target illuminance is set to the standard illuminance of "10 m / s" by referring to the fourth row of the exterior structure illuminance setting table 22.

[0053] Also, the example of the third line of the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 indicates that for the area with area number 22, the oldest pedestrian is in his "30s", umbrella use is "yes", and the wind speed is "7 m / s" based on the data recorded in the camera table 32. In this third line example, with reference to the third line of the exterior structure illuminance setting table 22, the target illuminance is set to the higher value (i.e., "10 m / s") of the target illuminance when umbrella use is present, "10 m / s", and the target illuminance when the wind is strong, "10 m / s".

[0054] <Flow of estimation process in the estimation system> 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of estimation processing executed by estimation system 30. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is executed at predetermined intervals while a plurality of lighting fixtures 10 are in operation.

[0055] 7, the estimation system 30 acquires captured images from at least one camera 40 installed in each area, and acquires wind speed measurement values ​​from an anemometer 50 installed in each area (step S10). The data acquired from the camera 40 includes identification information (camera number) of the camera 40, and the estimation system 30 identifies the camera 40 that is the source of the data from the identification information included in the data acquired from the camera 40. Similarly, the estimation system 30 identifies the anemometer 50 that is the source of the data from the identification information (anemometer number) of the anemometer 50 included in the data acquired from the anemometer 50.

[0056] Next, the estimation system 30 estimates the ages of pedestrians in the area from the images captured by each camera 40 using a known image recognition technique. If multiple pedestrians are walking in the area, the estimation system 30 estimates the ages of each pedestrian from the captured images. Then, the estimation system 30 records the age of the oldest pedestrian among one or more pedestrians in the "oldest age group" column of the camera table 32 for each camera number (step S20).

[0057] Next, the estimation system 30 estimates whether or not a pedestrian is using an umbrella from the captured image for each camera 40 using a known image recognition technique. When multiple pedestrians are walking within the area, the estimation system 30 estimates that an umbrella is being used if at least one pedestrian is holding an umbrella. Then, the estimation system 30 records whether or not an umbrella is being used in the "umbrella present" column of the camera table 32 for each camera number (step S30).

[0058] Next, the estimation system 30 records the measurement value of the anemometer 50 in the "wind speed" column of the camera table 32 for each area (step S40).

[0059] Then, the estimation system 30 transmits information regarding the "area number," "oldest age group," "presence of umbrella," and "wind speed" recorded in the camera table 32 for each area to the lighting system 20 (step S50).

[0060] <Flow of illuminance control process in lighting system> 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of illuminance control processing executed by lighting system 20. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is executed at predetermined intervals while the multiple lighting fixtures 10 are in operation.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the lighting system 20 first receives information on the "area number," "oldest age group," "presence of umbrella," and "wind speed" recorded in the camera table 32 from the estimation system 30 (step S110).

[0062] Next, the lighting system 20 records the received information in the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 (FIG. 6).

[0063] Next, the lighting system 20 refers to the exterior illuminance setting table 22 (FIG. 5) and sets a target illuminance for each area based on information on the age of the oldest pedestrian, whether pedestrians are using umbrellas, and the measured wind speed (step S130).

[0064] The lighting system 20 records the target illuminance set for each area in the "target illuminance" column of the area-specific illuminance setting table 24 (FIG. 6) (step S140).

[0065] Next, lighting system 20 controls the illuminance of lighting fixtures 10 for each area so that the illuminance becomes the illuminance recorded in the "target illuminance" column of area-specific illuminance setting table 24 (FIG. 6) (step S150).

[0066] As described above, the illuminance control system according to the present embodiment estimates the width of the pedestrian's field of vision from whether or not the pedestrian walking along the exterior passage 2 is using an umbrella and from the measured value of wind speed, and controls the illuminance of the lighting fixtures 10 installed in the exterior passage 2 according to the estimated width of the pedestrian's field of vision. This makes it possible to provide the pedestrian with lighting with an appropriate illuminance that takes into account the narrowing of the pedestrian's field of vision caused by the environment of the exterior passage 2. Furthermore, by controlling the illuminance of the lighting fixtures 10 according to the width of the pedestrian's field of vision, it is possible to achieve energy conservation of the lighting fixtures 10 while ensuring the safe walking of the pedestrian.

[0067] Furthermore, by controlling the illuminance of the lighting fixture 10 according to the age of the pedestrian in addition to the width of the pedestrian's field of vision, it is possible to provide the pedestrian with lighting of an appropriate illuminance that takes into consideration the narrowing of the pedestrian's field of vision caused by the environment of the exterior passage 2 and the deterioration of the pedestrian's eyesight due to age. It is also possible to achieve energy saving of the lighting fixture 10 while ensuring the safe walking of pedestrians of all ages.

[0068] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the illuminance of the lighting fixtures 10 installed in each area is controlled according to whether or not the pedestrian uses an umbrella and the width of the pedestrian's field of vision estimated from the measured wind speed. However, the method of controlling the illuminance is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of lighting fixtures 10 are installed in each area, and the number of operating lighting fixtures 10 is controlled according to the width of the pedestrian's field of vision. In this case, the illuminance of the lighting that illuminates the area can be increased by increasing the number of operating lighting fixtures 10 as the pedestrian's field of vision becomes narrower. At this time, the lighting fixtures 10 to be operated may be selected from the plurality of lighting fixtures 10 so as to illuminate an obstacle present in the area. This makes it easier for the pedestrian to notice the obstacle even when the pedestrian's field of vision is narrowed.

[0069] [Note] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following supplementary notes.

[0070] (Appendix 1) A lighting control system for controlling lighting fixtures installed in an exterior passageway of a facility, A camera for photographing pedestrians walking along the exterior passageway; An anemometer for measuring a wind speed in the exterior passageway; an estimation means for estimating a visibility of the pedestrian based on at least one of an image captured by the camera and a measurement value of the anemometer; a control means for controlling the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with the width of the pedestrian's field of vision estimated by the estimation means, so that the illuminance increases as the pedestrian's field of vision becomes narrower.

[0071] (Appendix 2) The estimation means includes: Inferring whether the pedestrian is using an umbrella from the image captured by the camera; 2. The lighting control system of claim 1, wherein when the pedestrian is using an umbrella, it is estimated that the pedestrian has a narrower field of view than when the pedestrian is not using an umbrella.

[0072] (Appendix 3) When a plurality of pedestrians are walking along the exterior passageway, the estimation means The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when at least one of the plurality of pedestrians is using an umbrella, the pedestrian's field of vision is estimated to be narrow.

[0073] (Appendix 4) The estimation means includes: The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the wind speed in the exterior passage is high, the visibility of the pedestrian is estimated to be narrower than when the wind speed is low, based on the measurement value of the anemometer.

[0074] (Appendix 5) The estimation means further comprises: Estimating the age of the pedestrian from the image captured by the camera; The control means setting a reference illuminance of the lighting device so as to increase as the estimated age of the pedestrian increases; A lighting control system as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the illuminance of the lighting device is controlled in accordance with the width of the pedestrian's visual field estimated by the estimation means, so that the illuminance becomes higher than the reference illuminance as the pedestrian's visual field narrows.

[0075] (Appendix 6) When a plurality of pedestrians are walking along the exterior passageway, the control means 6. The lighting control system of claim 5, wherein the reference illuminance is set based on the age of the oldest pedestrian among the plurality of pedestrians.

[0076] (Appendix 7) A lighting control method for controlling lighting fixtures installed in an exterior passageway of a facility, comprising: A camera for photographing pedestrians walking along the exterior passage and an anemometer for measuring wind speed in the exterior passage are installed in the facility, a step of estimating, by a computer, a visibility of the pedestrian based on at least one of an image captured by the camera and a measurement value of the anemometer; and controlling the illuminance of the lighting device by the computer in accordance with the estimated field of view of the pedestrian.

[0077] (Appendix 8) The step of estimating the width of the pedestrian's field of view includes: A step of estimating whether or not the pedestrian is using an umbrella from an image captured by the camera; A lighting control method as described in Appendix 7, further comprising a step of estimating that the pedestrian has a narrower field of view when the pedestrian is using an umbrella than when the pedestrian is not using an umbrella.

[0078] (Appendix 9) The step of estimating the width of the pedestrian's field of view includes: 9. The lighting control method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a step of estimating that when the wind speed in the exterior passage is high, the visibility of the pedestrian is narrower than when the wind speed is low, based on the measurement value of the anemometer.

[0079] (Appendix 10) The method further comprises the step of estimating an age of the pedestrian from an image captured by the camera, The step of controlling the illuminance of the lighting device includes: setting a reference illuminance of the lighting device so as to increase as the estimated age of the pedestrian increases; and controlling the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with the estimated width of the pedestrian's visual field so that the illuminance becomes higher than the reference illuminance as the pedestrian's visual field narrows.

[0080] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The technical scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Facility, 2 Exterior passageway, 10 Lighting fixture, 20 Lighting system, 22 Exterior illuminance setting table, 24 Area-specific illuminance setting table, 30 Estimation system, 32 Camera table, 34 Age estimator, 36 Umbrella usage estimator, 40 Camera, 50 Anemometer, 100 Lighting control system, 202 CPU, 204 RAM, 206 ROM, 208 IF device, 210 Storage device, 212 Communication bus.

Claims

1. A lighting control system for controlling lighting fixtures installed in an exterior passageway of a facility, A camera for photographing pedestrians walking along the exterior passageway; An anemometer for measuring a wind speed in the exterior passageway; an estimation means for estimating a visibility of the pedestrian based on at least one of an image captured by the camera and a measurement value of the anemometer; a control means for controlling the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with the width of the pedestrian's field of vision estimated by the estimation means, so that the illuminance increases as the pedestrian's field of vision becomes narrower.

2. The estimation means includes: Inferring whether the pedestrian is using an umbrella from the image captured by the camera; The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein when the pedestrian is using an umbrella, it is estimated that the pedestrian has a narrower field of view than when the pedestrian is not using an umbrella.

3. When a plurality of pedestrians are walking along the exterior passageway, the estimation means The lighting control system according to claim 2 , wherein when at least one of the plurality of pedestrians is using an umbrella, it is estimated that the visual field of the pedestrian is narrow.

4. The estimation means includes: The lighting control system according to claim 1 , wherein it is estimated that the visibility of the pedestrian is narrower when the wind speed in the exterior passage is high than when the wind speed is low, based on the measurement value of the anemometer.

5. The estimation means further comprises: Estimating the age of the pedestrian from the image captured by the camera; The control means setting a reference illuminance of the lighting device so as to increase as the estimated age of the pedestrian increases; 5. The lighting control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that controls the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with a width of the visual field of the pedestrian estimated by the estimation unit, so that the illuminance becomes higher than the reference illuminance as the visual field of the pedestrian narrows.

6. When a plurality of pedestrians are walking along the exterior passageway, the control means The lighting control system according to claim 5 , wherein the reference illuminance is set based on an age of an oldest pedestrian among the plurality of pedestrians.

7. A lighting control method for controlling lighting fixtures installed in an exterior passageway of a facility, comprising: A camera for photographing pedestrians walking along the exterior passage and an anemometer for measuring wind speed in the exterior passage are installed in the facility, a step of estimating, by a computer, a visibility of the pedestrian based on at least one of an image captured by the camera and a measurement value of the anemometer; and controlling the illuminance of the lighting device by the computer in accordance with the estimated field of view of the pedestrian.

8. The step of estimating the width of the pedestrian's field of view includes: A step of estimating whether or not the pedestrian is using an umbrella from an image captured by the camera; The lighting control method according to claim 7 , further comprising: estimating that, when the pedestrian is using an umbrella, the visibility of the pedestrian is narrower than when the pedestrian is not using an umbrella.

9. The step of estimating the width of the pedestrian's field of view includes:

8. The lighting control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of estimating that a visibility of the pedestrian is narrower when the wind speed in the exterior passage is high than when the wind speed is low, based on a measurement value of the anemometer.

10. The method further comprises the step of estimating an age of the pedestrian from an image captured by the camera, The step of controlling the illuminance of the lighting device includes: setting a reference illuminance of the lighting device so as to increase as the estimated age of the pedestrian increases; and controlling the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with an estimated width of the visual field of the pedestrian so that the illuminance becomes higher than the reference illuminance as the visual field of the pedestrian narrows.

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