Illumination control method, illumination control program, and illumination control system

Abstract

To provide an illumination control method, an illumination control program and an illumination control system, each enabling illuminance of an area between illumination fixtures to be easily controlled.SOLUTION: An illumination control method is provided which is performed by a control device controlling a plurality of illumination devices installed in a part of divided areas of a plurality of divided areas into which an illumination control area is divided. The illumination control method comprises: identifying a human detection area being an area where at least one human exists, of the plurality of divided areas; setting target illuminance of a first illumination area being the human detection area to first illuminance; setting target illuminance of an area of an outside of the human detection area to illuminance being different from the first illuminance; and bringing illuminance of each division area of the plurality of divided areas close to the set target illuminance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a lighting system is known that dims lighting fixtures when it detects the presence of a person. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-205151 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a person is between two motion sensors, the person is detected by one or both of the motion sensors. If the lighting fixtures associated with the two motion sensors are turned on or off according to the detection results of the motion sensors, it is difficult to control the illuminance of the area between the two motion sensors where a person is actually present.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting control method, a lighting control program, and a lighting control system that can easily control the illuminance of an area between lighting fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a lighting control method executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area. The lighting control method includes identifying a human detection area, which is an area in which at least one human is present, among the plurality of divided areas. The lighting control method includes setting a target illuminance of a first lighting area, which is the human detection area, to a first illuminance. The lighting control method includes setting a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance. The lighting control method includes bringing the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas closer to the set target illuminance.

[0007] A lighting control program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a lighting control program executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area. The lighting control program causes the control device to identify a human detection area, which is an area in which at least one human is present, among the plurality of divided areas. The lighting program causes the control device to set a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance. The lighting control program causes the control device to set a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance. The lighting control program causes the control device to bring the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas closer to the set target illuminance.

[0008] A lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area, a control device for controlling the plurality of lighting devices, and a detection device. The detection device identifies a human detection area in which at least one human is present among the plurality of divided areas. The control device acquires information for identifying the human detection area from the detection device. The control device sets a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance. The control device sets a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance. The control device controls the plurality of lighting devices so that the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas approaches the set target illuminance. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to a lighting control method, a lighting control program, and a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the illuminance of an area between lighting fixtures can be easily controlled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a lighting control area. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example in which lighting devices are arranged in divided areas. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution of human detection areas. [Figure 5A] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an illuminance setting map in which illumination areas are set in human detection areas based on the distribution of human detection areas in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 5B] 5B is a diagram showing a lighting arrangement map in which the output of each lighting device is set based on the illuminance setting map of FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 5C] 5C is a diagram showing an illuminance map when a lighting control area is actually illuminated by the output of each lighting device set in the lighting arrangement map of FIG. 5B. FIG. [Figure 6A]5 is a diagram showing an example of an illuminance setting map in which low illuminance is set in areas far from human detection areas based on the distribution of human detection areas in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6B] 6B is a diagram showing a lighting arrangement map in which the output of each lighting device is set based on the illuminance setting map of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] 6C is a diagram showing an illuminance map when a lighting control area is actually illuminated by the output of each lighting device set in the lighting arrangement map of FIG. 6B. FIG. [Figure 7A] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an illuminance setting map in which high illuminance is set in areas far from human detection areas based on the distribution of human detection areas in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7B] 7B is a diagram showing a lighting arrangement map in which the output of each lighting device is set based on the illuminance setting map of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7C] 7C is a diagram showing an illuminance map when a lighting control area is actually illuminated by the output of each lighting device set in the lighting arrangement map of FIG. 7B. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an illuminance setting screen. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the target illuminance of an area related to both the first area and the second area is set to a maximum value. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the target illuminance of an area related to both the first area and the second area is set to a minimum value. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a lighting control method for optimizing the output of a lighting device based on the illuminance set for each divided area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Example of the configuration of lighting control system 1) 1, a lighting control system 1 according to an embodiment includes a control device 10, a lighting device 20, a detection device 30, a setting terminal 40, and a measurement device 50. The control device 10 is communicatively connected to the lighting device 20, the detection device 30, the setting terminal 40, and the measurement device 50 via a network 70. The control device 10 may also be communicatively connected to the lighting device 20, the detection device 30, etc., without via the network 70.

[0012] The lighting control system 1 controls the state of lighting in a lighting controlled area 100 illustrated in Fig. 2. The lighting controlled area 100 may include various spaces for which lighting is to be controlled, such as an office, a conference room, or a classroom. The lighting controlled area 100 is a space surrounded by a ceiling 110 and a floor 120. The lighting controlled area 100 may be configured to allow external light to enter through a window or the like.

[0013] In this embodiment, humans including subjects 81 and 82 are present in the lighting-controlled area 100. The lighting control system 1 controls the illuminance distribution in the lighting-controlled area 100 according to the position where the humans are present. The detection device 30 detects in which of a plurality of divided areas into which the lighting-controlled area 100 is divided the humans are located. The control device 10 controls the output of the lighting device 20 based on the detection result of the position of the humans.

[0014] The lighting control system 1 may set the illuminance in a divided area where a person is present and the illuminance in a divided area where no person is present, using the setting terminal 40. The lighting control system 1 may measure the illuminance distribution in the lighting control area 100 using the measuring device 50, and control the output of the lighting device 20 based on the measurement result of the illuminance distribution and the detection result of the position of the person. The lighting control system 1 does not have to include at least one of the setting terminal 40 or the measuring device 50, or both the setting terminal 40 and the measuring device 50.

[0015] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a subject 81 carries a mobile terminal 41. It is assumed that a subject 82 carries a mobile terminal 42. It is also assumed that a lighting device 20 is installed on a ceiling 110. It is also assumed that a camera 31 and a beacon 33 are installed on the ceiling 110. It is also assumed that an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 32 and a wireless communication router 71 are installed on a floor 120. The camera 31, the NFC tag 32, or the beacon 33 can function as a detection device 30. The camera 31 can function as a measurement device 50. The wireless communication router 71 can function as a network 70.

[0016] An example of the configuration of each part of the lighting control system 1 will be described below.

[0017] <Control device 10> The control device 10 includes a calculation unit 12, a storage unit 14, and an interface 16. The calculation unit 12 calculates and controls the output of the lighting device 20. The calculation unit 12 may include at least one processor. The processor may execute programs that realize various functions of the control device 10. The processor may be realized as a single integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is also called an IC (Integrated Circuit). The processor may be realized as a plurality of integrated circuits and discrete circuits that are communicatively connected. The processor may be realized based on various other known technologies.

[0018] The storage unit 14 may include, for example, an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk, or may include a memory such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit 14 may store various information referenced in the operation of the control device 10 and programs for implementing various functions of the control device 10. The storage unit 14 may function as a work memory for the calculation unit 12. The storage unit 14 may be configured integrally with the calculation unit 12, or may be configured separately from the calculation unit 12.

[0019] The interface 16 may be configured to include a communication module that communicates with an external device such as the lighting device 20 or the detection device 30. The communication module may be compatible with a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be compatible with a communication standard such as LAN (Local Area Network). The communication module may be compatible with a wired or wireless communication standard. The communication module is not limited to these and may be compatible with various communication standards. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to an external communication module.

[0020] The interface 16 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information or data from a user. The input device may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel or a touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may be configured to include physical keys. The input device may be configured to include a voice input device such as a microphone. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to an external input device such as a setting terminal 40.

[0021] The interface 16 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information or data to a user. The output device may include, for example, a display device that outputs visual information such as an image, character, or figure. The display device may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include displays of various other types. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs auditory information such as sound. The output device may include, for example, a vibration device such as a vibrator that outputs tactile information such as vibration. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices. The interface 16 may be configured to be connectable to an external output device.

[0022] <Lighting device 20> The lighting device 20 emits illumination light. The lighting device 20 includes various light sources such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). In this embodiment, the lighting device 20 is configured as a glareless downlight. A glareless downlight is a light having a narrower light distribution angle than a normal downlight. The lighting device 20 is not limited to a glareless downlight and may be configured in various other ways.

[0023] The number of lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100 is not limited to six as shown in Fig. 2, and may be five or less, or seven or more. When a plurality of lighting devices 20 are installed in the lighting control area 100, the lighting devices 20 may be configured so that the on / off state of each lighting device 20 can be individually controlled. The intensity of light emitted by each lighting device 20 may be individually controllable. In other words, the output of each lighting device 20 may be individually controllable.

[0024] <Detection device 30> The detection device 30 detects the position of a person present in the lighting-controlled area 100, and outputs the detection result to the control device 10. The detection device 30 may include a camera 31. The camera 31 may photograph the lighting-controlled area 100 and detect the position of the person by image processing. The camera 31 is configured to include an image sensor that electronically captures an image, and is configured as, for example, a network camera. The camera 31 may be configured to include, as an image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, or the like.

[0025] The detection device 30 may include an NFC tag 32. The NFC tag 32 detects that the mobile terminal 41 or 42 is located in the vicinity of the NFC tag 32 by communicating with the mobile terminal 41 or 42. The NFC tag 32 may output a detection result of the position of the mobile terminal 41 to the control device 10 as a detection result of the position of the subject 81 who is carrying the mobile terminal 41. The NFC tag 32 may output a detection result of the position of the mobile terminal 42 to the control device 10 as a detection result of the position of the subject 82 who is carrying the mobile terminal 42.

[0026] The detection device 30 may include a beacon 33. The beacon 33 detects the position of the mobile terminal 41 or 42 by communicating with the mobile terminal 41 or 42. The beacon 33 may output the detection result of the position of the mobile terminal 41 to the control device 10 as the detection result of the position of the subject 81 who carries the mobile terminal 41. The beacon 33 may output the detection result of the position of the mobile terminal 42 to the control device 10 as the detection result of the position of the subject 82 who carries the mobile terminal 42.

[0027] The detection device 30 is not limited to these examples, and may be configured to include various other devices such as a human presence sensor or a proximity sensor.

[0028] <Setting terminal 40> The setting terminal 40 is used to set the illuminance or the control mode of the lighting device 20 in the lighting control area 100. The setting terminal 40 may include an input device. The input device may be configured the same as or similar to the input device of the interface 16 of the control device 10. The setting terminal 40 may include an output device. The output device may be configured the same as or similar to the output device of the interface 16 of the control device 10.

[0029] The function of the setting terminal 40 may be realized by the mobile terminal 41 or 42. That is, the mobile terminal 41 or 42 may function as the setting terminal 40. The setting terminal 40 or the mobile terminal 41 or 42 may be configured to include a smartphone or a tablet, or may be configured to include a notebook PC (Personal Computer), etc.

[0030] <Measuring device 50> The measuring device 50 measures the illuminance of the lighting-controlled area 100 and outputs the illuminance measurement result to the control device 10. The measuring device 50 may be configured to measure the illuminance of at least a part of the lighting-controlled area 100. The measuring device 50 may be configured to measure the illuminance distribution of the lighting-controlled area 100. The measuring device 50 may be configured to include an illuminance sensor. The measuring device 50 may be configured to include a camera 31. The camera 31 may calculate the illuminance of the lighting-controlled area 100 based on the luminance of an image captured of the lighting-controlled area 100.

[0031] (Example of operation of lighting control system 1) The lighting control system 1 detects the position of a person present in the lighting control area 100 using the detection device 30, and sets a target illuminance for each area of ​​the lighting control area 100 according to the position of the person using the control device 10 to control the output of the lighting device 20. An example of the operation of the lighting control system 1 will be described below.

[0032] <Correspondence between divided areas and lighting devices 20> In the lighting control system 1, the lighting control area 100 is divided into a plurality of divided areas in order to associate the positions of people with the lighting devices 20. The divided areas are each of a plurality of areas into which the lighting control area 100 is divided.

[0033] The position of a human being is represented as in which of the multiple divided areas a human being is present. A divided area in which the presence of at least one human is detected is also referred to as a human detection area. A divided area in which the presence of no human is detected is also referred to as a non-human detection area. Based on the detection result of the human position obtained from the detection device 30, the control device 10 identifies a divided area in which the presence of at least one human is detected as a human detection area.

[0034] The position of the lighting device 20 is expressed as which divided area the lighting device 20 is installed in. The divided area in which the lighting device 20 is installed is also referred to as a lighting installation area. The divided area in which the lighting device 20 is not installed is also referred to as a lighting non-installation area.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lighting control area 100 may be divided into a plurality of divided areas represented by dashed rectangles. In the example of FIG. 3, the lighting control area 100 is divided into 27 divided areas. The divided area in which the lighting device 20 is installed is the lighting installation area. The human detection area 101 in which the presence of human subjects 83 and 84 is detected is represented by a cell with oblique hatching. The subject 84 is located between two divided areas. Therefore, the human detection area 101 corresponding to the subject 84 is two divided areas. On the other hand, the human non-detection area 102 in which no human is present is represented by a cell with no hatching.

[0036] 3, the lighting devices 20 are installed in only some of the divided areas among the plurality of divided areas. Conversely, there are non-illumination areas where no lighting devices 20 are installed.

[0037] <Identifying human detection areas> The detection device 30 detects the position of a human and outputs the position to the control device 10. The control device 10 specifies a divided area in which the presence of a human is detected as a human detection area based on the detection result of the position of the human. Conversely, the control device 10 may specify a divided area in which the presence of a human is not detected as a human non-detection area.

[0038] A human may be located on the boundary between multiple divided areas. That is, a human may be located so as to be included in multiple divided areas. When a human is located so as to be included in multiple divided areas, the presence of one human is detected in multiple divided areas. Multiple divided areas may be identified as human detection areas due to the presence of one human.

[0039] The control device 10 may represent the detection result of the presence of a human in each divided area as binary information indicating whether or not a human is present. The control device 10 may represent the detection result of the presence of a human in each divided area as a probability that a human is present in each divided area. When the probability that a human is present in a certain divided area is not zero, the control device 10 may determine that a human is present in that divided area and identify that divided area as a human detection area. When the probability that a human is present in a certain divided area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control device 10 may determine that a human is present in that divided area and identify that divided area as a human detection area.

[0040] As an example, assume that the detection result of the position of the human detection area 101 is expressed as the probability that a human exists in each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100, as shown in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 4, a divided area in which the probability that a human exists is not zero is expressed as a human detection area 101 painted in gray. The closer the color of the human detection area 101 is to black (the darker the gray), the higher the probability that a human exists. A divided area in which the probability of a human existing is zero is expressed as a non-human detection area 102 painted in white.

[0041] <Control of output of lighting device 20> The control device 10 controls the lighting device 20 based on the target illuminance set for each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 and control the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area approaches the target illuminance set for the divided area. The control device 10 sets the target illuminance for each divided area based on the position of the human detection area. An example of an operation in which the control device 10 sets the target illuminance for each divided area based on the position of the human detection area 101 illustrated in FIG. 4 and controls the lighting device 20 will be described below.

[0042] <<Control based on target illuminance set in human detection area>> The control device 10 may set a target illuminance for the human detection area 101 and control the lighting device 20 so as to adjust the illuminance of the human detection area 101 to the target illuminance. The control device 10 sets a divided area corresponding to the human detection area 101 shown in FIG. 4 as a first lighting area 151, as illustrated as an illuminance setting map 150 in FIG. 5A. The first lighting area 151 is also simply referred to as an illumination area. The first lighting area 151 corresponds to the range painted in gray. The control device 10 may set a uniform value as the target illuminance of the first lighting area 151. On the other hand, the control device 10 sets a divided area corresponding to the human non-detection area 102 shown in FIG. 4 as a non-illumination area 155. The non-illumination area 155 corresponds to the range painted in white. The control device 10 may not set a target illuminance for the non-illumination area 155, or may set zero as the target illuminance of the non-illumination area 155.

[0043] The control device 10 controls the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100 approaches the target illuminance set for each divided area in the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in FIG. 5A. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area falls within a predetermined range, and control the lighting device 20. The difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area may be expressed as an absolute value of the illuminance, or may be expressed as a percentage of the target illuminance. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area is equal to or greater than the target illuminance set for each divided area, and control the lighting device 20.

[0044] The control device 10 may control the lighting devices 20 by calculating the output of the lighting devices 20 so that the sum of the outputs of all the lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100 is minimized, on the premise that the lighting devices 20 are controlled based on the target illuminance set for each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100. By minimizing the sum of the outputs of the lighting devices 20, power saving of the lighting devices 20 is realized.

[0045] The control device 10 may calculate the output of each lighting device 20 by solving a linear programming problem that minimizes the value of an evaluation function including the output of each lighting device 20 installed in the lighting control area 100. The evaluation function may include the sum of the outputs of all the lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100. In other words, the evaluation function may include the sum of the outputs of all the lighting devices 20 as a term representing power saving of the lighting devices 20.

[0046] The linear programming problem may include, as a constraint condition for the illuminance of each divided area, a condition that the difference between the illuminance of each divided area and a target illuminance set for each divided area falls within a predetermined range.The linear programming problem may include, as a constraint condition for the illuminance of each divided area, a condition that the illuminance of each divided area is equal to or greater than the target illuminance set for each divided area.

[0047] The illuminance of each divided area may be calculated by the sum of the products of the output of each lighting device 20 and a coefficient representing the degree of contribution of each lighting device 20 to the illuminance of each divided area. The control device 10 may obtain the coefficient representing the degree of contribution of each lighting device 20 to the illuminance of each divided area as an illuminance table stored in advance in the storage unit 14, or may obtain the coefficient from an external database. The illuminance table is a table including coefficients representing the degree of contribution of each lighting device 20 installed in the lighting control area 100 to the illuminance of each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100. The linear programming problem may include, as a constraint condition for the output of each lighting device 20, that the output of each lighting device 20 is equal to or greater than zero and equal to or less than the upper output limit of each lighting device 20.

[0048] The control device 10 may calculate the output of each lighting device 20 set in the lighting control area 100 based on the target illuminance set for each divided area. The output of each lighting device 20 calculated based on the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in Fig. 5A is illustrated as a lighting output map 160 in Fig. 5B. The lighting output map 160 includes rectangles representing each lighting device 20.

[0049] In the lighting output map 160, the magnitude of the value calculated as the output of each lighting device 20 is represented by the darkness of the color filling the rectangle representing each lighting device 20. The closer to black the color filling the rectangle representing a lighting device 20 is (the darker the gray), the greater the value calculated as the output of that lighting device 20. Conversely, the closer to white the color filling the rectangle representing a lighting device 20 is (the lighter the gray), the smaller the value calculated as the output of that lighting device 20 is. When the value calculated as the output of a lighting device 20 is greater than zero, that lighting device 20 is also referred to as a lit lighting 161.

[0050] If the calculated value for the output of a lighting device 20 is zero, then that lighting device 20 is also referred to as an unlit light 162. The rectangle representing an unlit light 162 is filled with white.

[0051] The control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 based on the calculated output of each lighting device 20. That is, the control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 so that the output of each lighting device 20 matches the calculated value. As a result of controlling the output of each lighting device 20 according to the calculated value shown in the lighting output map 160 of FIG. 5B, an actual illuminance map 170 of the lighting control area 100 is obtained, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. The illuminance map 170 represents the illuminance of each divided area. The closer to black the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the darker the gray is), the higher the illuminance of the divided area is. Conversely, the closer to white the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the lighter the gray is), the lower the illuminance of the divided area is.

[0052] The human detection area 101 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the area in FIG. 5C where the illuminance is high. The human detection area 101 in FIG. 4 includes not only the divided area in which the lighting device 20 shown in the lighting output map 160 in FIG. 5B is arranged, but also the divided area that is out of the position of the lighting device 20 or the divided area located near the middle of the multiple lighting devices 20. The lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment sets a target illuminance for each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100 and calculates the output of the lighting device 20 according to the target illuminance, thereby making it possible to adjust the illuminance of not only the divided area in which the lighting device 20 is arranged but also the divided area located in the middle of the lighting devices 20 to the target illuminance. As a result, the illuminance of the area between the lighting devices 20 is easily controlled.

[0053] <<Control based on target illuminance set in the area surrounding the human detection area>> The control device 10 may set a target illuminance for the human detection area 101, and also set a target illuminance for the divided areas surrounding the human detection area 101, and control the lighting device 20 to adjust the illuminance of each divided area to the target illuminance. The control device 10 may set a target illuminance for the surrounding divided areas lower than the target illuminance set for the human detection area 101. The control device 10 may set a target illuminance for the surrounding divided areas higher than the target illuminance set for the human detection area 101. Each case will be described below.

[0054] <<<When the target illuminance of the surrounding area is low>>> The control device 10 may set a divided area corresponding to the human detection area 101 shown in FIG. 4 as a first illumination area 151, as exemplified as an illuminance setting map 150 in FIG. 6A. The control device 10 may set a divided area outside the first illumination area 151 as a second illumination area 152. The control device 10 may set a divided area further outside the second illumination area 152 as a third illumination area 153. The divided area further outside the third illumination area 153 is a non-illumination area 155.

[0055] The control device 10 may set a uniform first illuminance as the target illuminance for the first lighting area 151, a uniform second illuminance as the target illuminance for the second lighting area 152, and a uniform third illuminance as the target illuminance for the third lighting area 153. The first illuminance is greater than the second illuminance. The second illuminance is greater than the third illuminance. In other words, the target illuminance decreases with increasing distance from the human detection area 101. The control device 10 may not set a target illuminance for the non-illuminated area 155, or may set zero as the target illuminance for the non-illuminated area 155.

[0056] The first lighting area 151, the second lighting area 152, and the third lighting area 153 all correspond to areas painted gray. In the illuminance setting map 150, the closer to black the color used to fill the rectangle corresponding to each divided area (the darker the gray), the higher the target illuminance of that divided area. Conversely, the closer to white the color used to fill the rectangle corresponding to each divided area (the lighter the gray), the lower the target illuminance of that divided area. In other words, the color used to fill the first lighting area 151 is closer to black than the color used to fill the second lighting area 152. The color used to fill the second lighting area 152 is closer to black than the color used to fill the third lighting area 153. On the other hand, the non-illumination area 155 corresponds to an area painted white.

[0057] The control device 10 controls the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100 approaches the target illuminance set for each divided area in the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in FIG. 6A. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area falls within a predetermined range, and control the lighting device 20. The difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area may be expressed as an absolute value of the illuminance, or may be expressed as a percentage of the target illuminance. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area is equal to or greater than the target illuminance set for each divided area, and control the lighting device 20.

[0058] The control device 10 may calculate the output of each lighting device 20 from the illuminance setting map 150 of FIG. 6A using a method identical to or similar to the method of calculating the output of each lighting device 20 shown in the lighting output map 160 of FIG. 5B from the illuminance setting map 150 of FIG. 5A. The output of each lighting device 20 calculated based on the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in FIG. 6A is illustrated as a lighting output map 160 in FIG. 6B. The lighting output map 160 includes rectangles representing each lighting device 20. Each lighting device 20 is divided into lit lighting 161 and non-lit lighting 162. The color of the rectangle representing each lighting device 20 has the same meaning as that described with reference to FIG. 5B. In other words, the closer the color is to black, the greater the calculated value of the output of the lighting device 20.

[0059] The control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 based on the calculated output of each lighting device 20. That is, the control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 so that the output of each lighting device 20 matches the calculated value. As a result of controlling the output of each lighting device 20 according to the calculated value shown in the lighting output map 160 of FIG. 6B, an actual illuminance map 170 of the lighting control area 100 is obtained, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. The illuminance map 170 represents the illuminance of each divided area. The closer to black the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the darker the gray is), the higher the illuminance of the divided area is. Conversely, the closer to white the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the lighter the gray is), the lower the illuminance of the divided area is.

[0060] The human detection area 101 in FIG. 4 corresponds to an area with high illuminance in FIG. 6C. Therefore, similar to the example of FIG. 5C, the illuminance of the divided area located in the middle of the lighting device 20 is controlled to match the target illuminance. Furthermore, in comparison between the illuminance map 170 in FIG. 5C and the illuminance map 170 in FIG. 6C, the change in the difference in illuminance between the human detection area 101 and its surrounding areas becomes gentler. In this way, a person in the human detection area 101 is less likely to feel a difference in brightness when looking at the surrounding areas. As a result, human comfort can be improved.

[0061] <<<When the target illuminance of the surrounding area is high>>> The control device 10 may set a divided area corresponding to the human detection area 101 shown in FIG. 4 as a first illumination area 151, as exemplified as an illuminance setting map 150 in FIG. 7A. The control device 10 may set a divided area outside the first illumination area 151 as a second illumination area 152. The control device 10 may set a divided area further outside the second illumination area 152 as a third illumination area 153. The divided area further outside the third illumination area 153 is a non-illumination area 155.

[0062] The control device 10 may set a uniform first illuminance as the target illuminance for the first lighting area 151, a uniform second illuminance as the target illuminance for the second lighting area 152, and a uniform third illuminance as the target illuminance for the third lighting area 153. The first illuminance is smaller than the second illuminance. The second illuminance is smaller than the third illuminance. In other words, the target illuminance increases with distance from the human detection area 101. The control device 10 may not set a target illuminance for the non-illuminated area 155, or may set zero as the target illuminance for the non-illuminated area 155.

[0063] The first lighting area 151, the second lighting area 152, and the third lighting area 153 all correspond to areas painted gray. In the illuminance setting map 150, the closer to black the color used to fill the rectangle corresponding to each divided area (the darker the gray), the higher the target illuminance of that divided area. Conversely, the closer to white the color used to fill the rectangle corresponding to each divided area (the lighter the gray), the lower the target illuminance of that divided area. In other words, the color used to fill the first lighting area 151 is closer to white than the color used to fill the second lighting area 152. The color used to fill the second lighting area 152 is closer to white than the color used to fill the third lighting area 153. On the other hand, the non-illumination area 155 corresponds to an area painted white.

[0064] The control device 10 controls the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100 approaches the target illuminance set for each divided area in the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area falls within a predetermined range, and control the lighting device 20. The difference between the illuminance of each divided area and the target illuminance set for each divided area may be expressed as an absolute value of the illuminance, or may be expressed as a percentage of the target illuminance. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 so that the illuminance of each divided area is equal to or greater than the target illuminance set for each divided area, and control the lighting device 20.

[0065] The control device 10 may calculate the output of each lighting device 20 from the illuminance setting map 150 of FIG. 7A using a method identical to or similar to the method of calculating the output of each lighting device 20 shown in the lighting output map 160 of FIG. 5B from the illuminance setting map 150 of FIG. 5A. The output of each lighting device 20 calculated based on the illuminance setting map 150 illustrated in FIG. 7A is illustrated as a lighting output map 160 in FIG. 7B. The lighting output map 160 includes rectangles representing each lighting device 20. Each lighting device 20 is divided into lit lighting 161 and non-lit lighting 162. The meaning of the color of the rectangle representing each lighting device 20 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 5B. In other words, the closer the color is to black, the greater the calculated value of the output of the lighting device 20 is.

[0066] The control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 based on the calculated output of each lighting device 20. That is, the control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 so that the output of each lighting device 20 matches the calculated value. As a result of controlling the output of each lighting device 20 according to the calculated value shown in the lighting output map 160 of FIG. 7B, an actual illuminance map 170 of the lighting control area 100 is obtained, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. The illuminance map 170 represents the illuminance of each divided area. The closer to black the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the darker the gray is), the higher the illuminance of the divided area is. Conversely, the closer to white the color filling the rectangle corresponding to each divided area is (the lighter the gray is), the lower the illuminance of the divided area is.

[0067] The human detection area 101 in Fig. 4 corresponds to an area in Fig. 7C where the illuminance is in line with the target illuminance but is lower than the surroundings. That is, in the illuminance map 170 in Fig. 7C, a person in the human detection area 101 is indirectly illuminated from the surroundings of the person's location. A person may feel more comfortable being indirectly illuminated rather than directly illuminated. Therefore, by controlling the lighting device 20 so that the person is indirectly illuminated according to the person's condition or preference, the comfort of the person may be improved.

[0068] In the operation example described above, the second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 are set around the human detection area. The number of lighting areas set around the human detection area is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. Also, lighting areas do not have to be set around the human detection area.

[0069] <<Reduction in output of target lighting equipment>> The control device 10 may maintain the illuminance of the human detection area at a set illuminance, while reducing the output of the lighting device 20 corresponding to the human detection area so that humans are less likely to perceive the lighting as dazzling. The lighting device 20 corresponding to the human detection area is also referred to as a target lighting device. The lighting device 20 corresponding to the position where a human is present may include a lighting device 20 installed directly above the human. Directly above a human includes an area vertically above the human's head. Directly above a human may include a range extending from the human's head at a predetermined solid angle. Directly above a human may include a range where the light-emitting portion of the lighting device 20 is directly visible to the human.

[0070] The control device 10 may reduce the output of the target lighting device. The control device 10 may make the output of the target lighting device smaller than the output of the lighting devices 20 around the target lighting device. The control device 10 may turn off the target lighting device.

[0071] The control device 10 may use an evaluation function that takes into consideration that the output of the target lighting device is smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20 in the linear programming problem. Specifically, the evaluation function may include a sum of the outputs of the target lighting devices as a term representing that the output of the target lighting device is smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20. In other words, the evaluation function may be expressed as a sum of a term representing the sum of the outputs of all the lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100 and a term representing the sum of the outputs of one or more target lighting devices. By calculating the output of each lighting device 20 so that the value of the evaluation function including the term representing that the output of the target lighting device is reduced is minimized, the output of the target lighting device may become smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20.

[0072] The evaluation function may include a term representing the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the output of one or more target lighting devices by a first coefficient as a term representing reducing the output of the target lighting devices. The control device 10 can adjust the weighting between the term representing power saving of the lighting device 20 and the term representing reducing the output of the target lighting devices by changing the value set in the first coefficient.

[0073] The linear programming problem may include, as a constraint condition for the output of each lighting device 20, that the output of the target lighting device be smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20. In this way, the output of the target lighting device is smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20.

[0074] As described above, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the glare caused to humans by lighting by making the output of the corresponding lighting device smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20.

[0075] In addition, when the output of the compatible lighting device is large, a person may find it difficult to see his / her own hands, etc., due to the shadow cast by the lighting from directly above. On the other hand, when the output of the compatible lighting device is smaller than the output of the surrounding lighting devices 20, the lighting from the diagonal direction becomes stronger, so that a shadow is less likely to be cast on the person's hands, etc. Therefore, the person is less likely to be bothered by his / her own shadow. As a result, the comfort of the person is maintained or improved.

[0076] <<Uniform output of target lighting devices>> The presence of a human may be detected in each of the divided areas of the lighting control area 100. That is, the control device 10 may detect a plurality of human detection areas. When a plurality of human detection areas are close to each other, one human detection area is affected not only by the lighting device 20 installed in the human detection area itself, but also by the lighting device 20 installed in the nearby human detection area. That is, the human detection areas located close to each other are influenced by the target lighting devices on the humans present in each area. If the outputs of the target lighting devices located close to each other are different, the humans located under the respective target lighting devices may feel uncomfortable due to the difference in the intensity of the light irradiated on each other's faces. As a result, the comfort of the humans located under the respective target lighting devices when talking or working together may be impaired.

[0077] Therefore, the control device 10 may control the output of each lighting device 20 in the lighting control area 100 so as to reduce the difference in output between multiple target lighting devices located within a predetermined range. In other words, the control device 10 may equalize the output of each of multiple target lighting devices located within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is a range in which a user desires the output of the lighting devices 20 to be equalized, and may be set arbitrarily by the user. The predetermined range may be set as a range in which humans recognize differences in light intensity.

[0078] The control device 10 may use an evaluation function that takes into consideration the uniformization of the outputs of a plurality of target lighting devices located within a predetermined range in the linear programming problem. Specifically, the evaluation function may include a sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the average value of the outputs of the target lighting devices located within the predetermined range and each lighting device 20 as a term representing the uniformization of the outputs of the target lighting devices. In other words, the evaluation function may be expressed as the sum of a term of the sum of the outputs of all the lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100 and a term of the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the average value of the outputs of the target lighting devices located within the predetermined range and each lighting device 20. By calculating the outputs of the lighting devices 20 so that the value of the evaluation function including the term representing the uniformization of the outputs of the target lighting devices is minimized, the difference in the outputs of the target lighting devices located within the predetermined range may be reduced.

[0079] The evaluation function may include, as a term representing uniformity of the output of the target lighting devices, a term obtained by multiplying the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the average output of the target lighting devices located within a predetermined range and each lighting device 20 by a second coefficient. The control device 10 can adjust the weighting of the term representing power saving of the lighting device 20 and the term representing uniformity of the output of the target lighting devices by changing the value set for the second coefficient.

[0080] As described above, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the difference in output between the corresponding lighting devices. In this way, multiple people are less likely to feel uncomfortable when the intensities of light irradiated onto each other's faces are similar. As a result, comfort is maintained or improved when people located under different target lighting devices talk or work together.

[0081] <Reduction and uniformity of output from target lighting devices> The control device 10 may control the output of each lighting device 20 so as to achieve both reducing the output of the target lighting device and reducing the difference in output between target lighting devices located within a predetermined range.

[0082] The control device 10 may use an evaluation function including both a term representing the reduction of the output of the target lighting device and a term representing the uniformity of the output of the target lighting device within a predetermined range. Specifically, the evaluation function may be expressed as a sum of a term representing the sum of the output of each of all lighting devices 20 installed in the lighting control area 100, a term representing the sum of the output of the target lighting device, and a term representing the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the average value of the output of each target lighting device located within a predetermined range and each lighting device 20. By calculating the output of each lighting device 20 so that the value of the evaluation function including both a term representing the reduction of the output of the target lighting device and a term representing the uniformity of the output of the target lighting device within a predetermined range is minimized, both the reduction of the output of the target lighting device and the uniformity of the output of the target lighting device located within a predetermined range can be realized.

[0083] The control device 10 may set the first coefficient by which the term representing reducing the output of the target lighting device is multiplied and the second coefficient by which the term representing equalizing the output of the target lighting device is multiplied to different values ​​or to the same value.

[0084] As described above, by both reducing the output of the target lighting devices and reducing the difference in output of target lighting devices located within a specified range, human comfort in the lighting controlled area 100 is maintained or improved.

[0085] <Example of operation input> 8, the lighting control system 1 may display an illuminance setting screen 300 on the setting terminal 40 and receive an input for setting a lighting area and an input for setting a target illuminance for each lighting area. The lighting control system 1 may also receive an input for instructing execution of optimization of the lighting devices 20. The lighting control system 1 may also receive an input for setting priority levels, which will be described later.

[0086] The illuminance setting screen 300 may include an area designation frame 350 for inputting the range of the second lighting area 152 outside the first lighting area 151 in which the subject 80 is present, and the range of the third lighting area 153 further outside the second lighting area 152. The setting terminal 40 may designate the second lighting area 152 in the area designation frame 350, but may not designate the third lighting area 153. That is, only the second lighting area 152 may be designated. The setting terminal 40 may not designate both the second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 in the area designation frame 350. When both the second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 are not designated, the control device 10 sets the target illuminance only in the human detection area, does not set the target illuminance in the human non-detection area, and calculates the output of the lighting device 20 to control the lighting device 20.

[0087] The user may touch each divided area in the area designation frame 350 on the illumination setting screen 300 and designate an area constituted by the touched divided areas as the second lighting area 152 and / or the third lighting area 153.

[0088] The illuminance setting screen 300 may include an illuminance setting frame 310 for inputting a target illuminance to be set for each of the first lighting area 151, the second lighting area 152, and the third lighting area 153.

[0089] The illumination setting screen 300 may include a priority setting frame 320 for inputting settings related to priorities, which will be described later. Each item that can be selected in the priority setting frame 320 will be described later.

[0090] The illuminance setting screen 300 may further include a frame for inputting whether to turn on or off a function for reducing the output of the corresponding lighting device, or a frame for inputting whether to turn on or off a function for equalizing the output of the corresponding lighting device. Turning on a function means enabling the function or using the function. Turning off a function means disabling the function or not using the function.

[0091] The illuminance setting screen 300 may include a setting button 330 for reflecting the contents inputted into the area designation frame 350, the illuminance setting frame 310, or the priority setting frame 320 in the control by the control device 10. When the setting button 330 is touched, clicked, or pressed, the contents inputted into the illuminance setting screen 300 may be outputted from the setting terminal 40 to the control device 10.

[0092] The control device 10 may not constantly optimize the output of the lighting devices 20, but may optimize the output in response to an operation from a user. In order to optimize the output of the lighting devices 20, the lighting devices 20 may recalculate the output of each lighting device 20 based on the detection result of a human being when the optimization is performed. The illuminance setting screen 300 may include an optimization button 340 for instructing the control device 10 to optimize the output of the lighting devices 20. An instruction to optimize the output of the lighting devices 20 may be output from the setting terminal 40 to the control device 10 by touching, clicking, or pressing the optimization button 340.

[0093] The control device 10 may optimize the output of the lighting device 20 at a predetermined time interval, regardless of whether the optimization button 340 is operated. The predetermined time interval may be a fixed time interval or an indefinite time interval. The predetermined time interval may be appropriately set by the user. The control device 10 may optimize the output of the lighting device 20 when the position of the human detection area changes due to a change in the human detection result, or when the measurement result of the illuminance of the lighting control area 100 or the human detection area changes.

[0094] The illumination setting screen 300 may be configured so that the target illumination can be set for one or more other illumination areas positioned outside the third illumination area 153.

[0095] 8, the second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 are configured by a group of divided areas that continuously surround the first lighting area 151 (in other words, the subject 80). The second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 only need to be located outside the first lighting area 151 (in other words, the subject 80). The second lighting area 152 and the third lighting area 153 may be configured by a group of divided areas that discontinuously surround the first lighting area 151.

[0096] <Priority-based control> As described above, the area surrounding the human detection area may be set as the second lighting area 152 or the third lighting area 153. When multiple human detection areas are identified in the lighting control area 100, the second lighting areas 152 or the third lighting areas 153 set in the areas surrounding each human detection area may overlap with each other.

[0097] For example, when the human detection area includes a first area and a second area, an illumination area set around the first area may overlap with an illumination area set around the second area. The illumination area set around the first area is an illumination area related to the first area and is also referred to as a first associated area. The illumination area set around the second area is an illumination area related to the second area and is also referred to as a second associated area. An illumination area that is set around the first area and is also an illumination area set around the second area is an illumination area related to both the first area and the second area and is also referred to as a common illumination area. The common illumination area is an illumination area that corresponds to both the first associated area and the second associated area.

[0098] When the first related area and the second related area do not overlap, the control device 10 may set the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area as they are. On the other hand, when the first related area and the second related area overlap, the control device 10 may calculate and set the target illuminance of the common illumination area that is both the first related area and the second related area based on the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area. For example, the control device 10 may calculate and set the average value of the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0099] The control device 10 may select either the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area. For example, the control device 10 may select the maximum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area. Also, the control device 10 may select the minimum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0100] As described above, the control device 10 may calculate the average value of the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area, or may select the maximum or minimum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area. The control device 10 may determine whether to calculate the average value or select the maximum or minimum value based on the tendency of change in the target illuminance of the illuminance area.

[0101] <<When selecting the maximum value>> For example, when the target illuminance of the second illumination area 152 or the third illumination area 153 set around the human detection area is lower than the target illuminance of the first illumination area 151 which is the human detection area, the control device 10 may select the maximum value as the target illuminance of the common illumination area. In other words, when the target illuminance of the illumination areas around the human detection area is lower than the target illuminance of the human detection area, the control device 10 may select the maximum value as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0102] Specifically, in the graph of Fig. 9A, the target illuminance value of the lighting area related to the first area where the subject 85 is located is represented by a mountain-shaped graph 851 with a dashed line. Also, the target illuminance value of the lighting area related to the second area where the subject 86 is located is represented by a mountain-shaped graph 861 with a dashed line. The vertical axis of Fig. 9A represents the target illuminance. The horizontal axis represents a position in an arbitrary direction in the lighting control area 100. In other words, the graph of Fig. 9A represents that the target illuminance of the lighting areas surrounding the human detection area is lower than the target illuminance of the human detection area. In this case, the control device 10 may select the maximum value represented by the solid line from the mountain-shaped graphs 851 and 861 as the target illuminance of the common lighting area.

[0103] The setting of lowering the target illuminance of the lighting area around the human detection area aims to make the area where the human is present brighter than the surroundings. Therefore, in this case, by selecting the maximum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area, the purpose of making the area where the human is present brighter than the surroundings is achieved.

[0104] <<When selecting the minimum value>> For example, when the target illuminance of the second illumination area 152 or the third illumination area 153 set around the human detection area is higher than the target illuminance of the first illumination area 151 which is the human detection area, the control device 10 may select the minimum value as the target illuminance of the common illumination area. In other words, when the target illuminance of the illumination areas around the human detection area is higher than the target illuminance of the human detection area, the control device 10 may select the minimum value as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0105] Specifically, in the graph of Fig. 9B, the target illuminance value of the lighting area related to the first area where the subject 87 is located is represented by a valley graph 871 with a dashed line. Also, the target illuminance value of the lighting area related to the second area where the subject 88 is located is represented by a valley graph 881 with a dashed line. The vertical axis of Fig. 9B represents the target illuminance. The horizontal axis represents a position in an arbitrary direction in the lighting control area 100. In other words, the graph of Fig. 9B represents that the target illuminance of the lighting areas around the human detection area is higher than the target illuminance of the human detection area. In this case, the control device 10 may select the minimum value represented by the solid line from the valley graphs 871 and 881 as the target illuminance of the common lighting area.

[0106] The setting of a high target illuminance for the lighting area surrounding the human detection area aims to indirectly illuminate the area where people are present. Therefore, in this case, by selecting the minimum value of the target illuminance for the first related area or the target illuminance for the second related area, the purpose of indirectly illuminating the area where people are present is achieved.

[0107] <<When calculating the average value>> As described above, when the trends of change in the target illuminance of the illumination areas set around the human detection area are the same, the control device 10 can select the maximum or minimum value based on the trends of change in the target illuminance. However, for example, when the trends of change in the target illuminance of the illumination areas set around the human detection area are opposite, the control device 10 cannot select the maximum or minimum value. In this case, the control device 10 may calculate the average value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area, without being based on the trends of change in the target illuminance. In other words, when the control device 10 cannot determine whether the target illuminance of the illumination areas set around the human detection area is greater or smaller than the target illuminance set in the human detection area, the control device 10 may calculate the average value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0108] <<Setting using the priority setting frame 320 on the illuminance setting screen 300>> As described above, the lighting control system 1 may display the illuminance setting screen 300 on the setting terminal 40 and accept input of settings related to priority. The illuminance setting screen 300 may include a priority setting frame 320 for inputting settings related to priority, as shown in Fig. 8. The priority setting frame 320 accepts input for selecting any one of maximum value, minimum value, average value, or automatic.

[0109] When "Auto" is selected as the priority setting, the control device 10 may determine, as described above, whether to calculate the average value of the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area, or to select the maximum or minimum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area, based on the tendency of change in the target illuminance of the illumination areas set around the human detection area.

[0110] When "maximum value" or "minimum value" is selected as the setting related to the priority, the control device 10 may select and set the maximum or minimum value of the target illuminance of the first related area or the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area. When "average value" is selected as the setting related to the priority, the control device 10 may calculate and set the average value of the target illuminance of the first related area and the target illuminance of the second related area as the target illuminance of the common illumination area.

[0111] In the above-described operation example, the case where the relevant areas of two human detection areas overlap is described. The above-described operation example may also be applied to the case where the relevant areas of three or more human detection areas overlap.

[0112] <Example of lighting control procedure> The control device 10 may execute a lighting control method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 10 in order to calculate the output of the lighting device 20 according to the position of a person in the lighting control area 100 and control the lighting device 20. The lighting control method may be realized as a lighting control program executed by a processor constituting the control device 10. The lighting control program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0113] The control device 10 sets a target illuminance for the human detection area (step S1). The control device 10 may further set a target illuminance for the non-human detection area. The control device 10 judges whether to start optimizing the output of the lighting device 20 (step S2). The control device 10 judges to start optimizing the output of the lighting device 20 when it receives an instruction for optimization, when a regular timing arrives, or when the human detection result or the illuminance measurement result changes. When the control device 10 does not judge to start optimizing the output of the lighting device 20 (step S2: NO), it repeats the judgment procedure of step S2. The control device 10 may return to the setting procedure of step S1.

[0114] When the control device 10 determines to start optimizing the output of the lighting devices 20 (step S2: YES), it acquires the detection result of the human presence in the lighting-controlled area 100 from the detection device 30 (step S3). The control device 10 acquires the illuminance table from the storage unit 14 (step S4). As described above, the illuminance table includes coefficients representing the degree to which each lighting device 20 installed in the lighting-controlled area 100 contributes to the illuminance of each divided area of ​​the lighting-controlled area 100.

[0115] The control device 10 calculates and determines the output of each lighting device 20 in the lighting control area 100 (step S5). Specifically, the control device 10 identifies a human detection area based on the human detection result acquired in the procedure of step S3. The control device 10 identifies a constraint condition of an evaluation function based on the target illuminance of the human detection area set in the procedure of step S1 and the illuminance table acquired in the procedure of step S4. The control device 10 can calculate the output of each lighting device 20 by solving a linear programming problem so that the value of the evaluation function is minimized.

[0116] The control device 10 controls each lighting device 20 so that the output of each lighting device 20 becomes the calculated value (step S6). After executing the procedure of step S6, the control device 10 ends the execution of the procedure of the flowchart in FIG.

[0117] <Summary> As described above, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment sets a target illuminance for each divided area of ​​the lighting control area 100, and calculates the output of the lighting device 20 according to the target illuminance. In this way, the lighting control system 1 can adjust the illuminance of not only the divided area in which the lighting device 20 is located, but also the divided area located between the lighting devices 20 to the target illuminance. As a result, the illuminance of the area between the lighting devices 20 can be easily controlled.

[0118] The lighting control system 1 may also set target illuminance for divided areas around the human detection area. In this way, humans are less likely to perceive a difference in brightness when looking at the surrounding areas. As a result, human comfort can be improved.

[0119] Furthermore, the lighting control system 1 may set the target illuminance of the human detection area to be smaller than the target illuminance of the divided areas around the human detection area. In this way, the human is indirectly illuminated from the surroundings. As a result, the comfort of the human can be improved.

[0120] (Other embodiments) An example of the configuration of a lighting control system 1 according to another embodiment will be described below.

[0121] <Control of the lighting device 20 based on the measurement result of illuminance> In the operation example of the embodiment described above, the control device 10 calculates the output of the lighting device 20 based on the illuminance table. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 based on the measurement result of the illuminance of the lighting-controlled area 100 by the measurement device 50.

[0122] The control device 10 may calculate the difference between the target illuminance and the measured illuminance as the illuminance deficiency. The control device 10 may calculate an increase in the output of the lighting device 20 required to compensate for the illuminance deficiency, and control the lighting device 20 based on the calculated increase.

[0123] The control device 10 may measure the illuminance of some divided areas of the lighting control area 100. The control device 10 may calculate the illuminance deficiency for the divided areas for which illuminance measurement results have been obtained, and calculate an increase in the output of the lighting device 20 required to compensate for the illuminance deficiency. The control device 10 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 based on an illuminance table for the divided areas for which no illuminance measurement results have been obtained. The control device 10 may estimate the illuminance for the divided areas for which no illuminance measurement results have been obtained, based on the illuminance measurement results of the surrounding divided areas, calculate the illuminance deficiency from the estimated illuminance value, and calculate an increase in the output of the lighting device 20 required to compensate for the illuminance deficiency.

[0124] As described above, the lighting control system 1 may calculate the output of the lighting device 20 based on the illuminance measurement result to control the lighting device 20. When external light is incident on the lighting control area 100, the effect of the external light is reduced by calculating the output of the lighting device 20 based on the illuminance measurement result. In addition, the effect of illuminance errors due to factors not reflected in the illuminance table is reduced. As a result, the illuminance in the lighting control area 100 is controlled with high accuracy.

[0125] The drawings for explaining the embodiments according to the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0126] The contents of the present disclosure can be modified and altered in various ways by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in each embodiment, each functional unit, each means, or each step can be added to other embodiments so as not to be logically inconsistent, or can be replaced with each functional unit, each means, or each step of other embodiments. In each embodiment, multiple functional units, each means, or each step can be combined into one or divided. In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure described above is not limited to being implemented faithfully to each of the embodiments described above, and can be implemented by combining each feature or omitting a part as appropriate.

[0127] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. Configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure may have their numbers exchanged. For example, the first lighting area may exchange identifiers "first" and "second" with the second lighting area. The exchange of identifiers is performed simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the exchange of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which an identifier has been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. Descriptions of identifiers such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure alone should not be used to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number.

[0128] In one embodiment, (1) the lighting control method is a method executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area. The lighting control method includes identifying a human detection area, which is an area in which at least one human is present, among the plurality of divided areas. The lighting control method includes setting a target illuminance of a first lighting area, which is the human detection area, to a first illuminance. The lighting control method includes setting a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance. The lighting control method includes bringing the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas closer to the set target illuminance.

[0129] (2) The lighting control method described above in (1) may include setting the first illuminance to an illuminance lower than a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area.

[0130] (3) The lighting control method according to (1) or (2) above may include setting a target illuminance of a second lighting area located outside the human detection area to a second illuminance. The lighting control method may include setting a target illuminance of a third lighting area located outside the second lighting area to a third illuminance.

[0131] (4) The lighting control method described in any one of (1) to (3) above may include, when the human detection area includes at least a first area and a second area, setting a target illuminance of a common lighting area which corresponds to both the first associated area and the second associated area based on a target illuminance of a first associated area which is a lighting area set around the first area and a target illuminance of a second associated area which is a lighting area set around the second area.

[0132] (5) The lighting control method described in (4) above may include, when a target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is smaller than a target illuminance set in the human detection area, setting the target illuminance of the common lighting area to the maximum value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area.

[0133] (6) The lighting control method described in (4) or (5) above may include, when a target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is greater than a target illuminance set in the human detection area, setting the target illuminance of the common lighting area to the minimum of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area.

[0134] (7) The lighting control method described in any one of (4) to (6) above may include, when it is not possible to determine whether the target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is greater or less than the target illuminance set in the human detection area, calculating an average value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area as the target illuminance of the common lighting area.

[0135] (8) The lighting control method according to any one of (1) to (7) above may include minimizing a sum of outputs of each of the plurality of lighting devices.

[0136] (9) The lighting control method described in any one of (1) to (8) above may include optimizing an output of each of the lighting devices when an operation to optimize the lighting control area is received.

[0137] (10) The lighting control method described in any one of (1) to (9) above may include optimizing an output of each of the lighting devices when a position of the human detection area changes.

[0138] (11) The lighting control method described in any one of (1) to (10) above may include optimizing the output of each of the lighting devices when the illuminance of the lighting control area or the human detection area changes.

[0139] (12) The lighting control method according to any one of (1) to (11) above may include optimizing the output of each of the lighting devices at predetermined time intervals.

[0140] (13) In the lighting control method according to any one of (1) to (12) above, the plurality of lighting devices may be glareless downlights.

[0141] In one embodiment, (14) a lighting control program is a lighting control program executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area. The lighting control program causes the control device to identify a human detection area that is an area in which at least one human is present among the plurality of divided areas. The lighting control program causes the control device to set a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance. The lighting control program causes the control device to set a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance. The lighting control program causes the control device to bring the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas closer to the set target illuminance.

[0142] In one embodiment, (15) a lighting control system includes a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area, a control device for controlling the plurality of lighting devices, and a detection device for identifying a human detection area in which at least one human is present among the plurality of divided areas. The control device acquires information for identifying the human detection area from the detection device. The control device sets a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance, sets a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance, and controls the plurality of lighting devices so that the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas approaches the set target illuminance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1. Lighting control system 10 control device (12: calculation unit, 14: storage unit, 16: interface) 20 Lighting equipment (21-29: Light, 21L-29L: Lighting range) 30 Detection device (31: camera, 32: NFC tag, 33: beacon) 40 Setting terminal (41, 42: mobile terminal) 50 Measuring Equipment 70 Network (71: Wireless communication router) 80-88 subjects (851, 861: mountain graph, 871, 881: valley graph) 100 Lighting control area (101: human detection area, 102: non-human detection area, 110: ceiling, 120: floor) 150 Illuminance setting map (151: 1st lighting area, 152: 2nd lighting area, 153: 3rd lighting area, 155: non-lighting area) 160 Lighting arrangement map (161: lit lights, 162: unlit lights) 170 Illuminance Map 300 Illuminance setting screen (310: Illuminance setting frame, 320: Priority setting frame, 330: Setting button, 340: Optimization button, 350: Area designation frame)

Claims

1. A lighting control method executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area, the method comprising: A human detection area is identified as an area in which at least one human is present among the plurality of divided areas; setting a target illuminance of a first illumination area, which is the human detection area, to a first illuminance; setting a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance; The illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas is brought close to a set target illuminance. Lighting control methods.

2. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: setting the first illuminance to an illuminance lower than a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area.

3. setting a target illuminance of a second illumination area located outside the human detection area to a second illuminance; The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: setting a target illuminance of a third lighting area located outside the second lighting area to a third illuminance.

4. In a case where the human detection area includes at least a first area and a second area, 4. The lighting control method according to claim 1, further comprising setting a target illuminance of a common lighting area which corresponds to both the first associated area and the second associated area, based on a target illuminance of a first associated area which is a lighting area set around the first area, and a target illuminance of a second associated area which is a lighting area set around the second area.

5. 5. The lighting control method according to claim 4, wherein when a target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is smaller than a target illuminance set in the human detection area, the target illuminance of the common lighting area is set to a maximum value between the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area.

6. 5. The lighting control method according to claim 4, wherein when a target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is greater than a target illuminance set in the human detection area, the target illuminance of the common lighting area is set to a minimum value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area.

7. 5. The lighting control method according to claim 4, wherein when it is not possible to determine whether the target illuminance of a lighting area set around the human detection area is greater or smaller than the target illuminance set in the human detection area, an average value of the target illuminance of the first associated area and the target illuminance of the second associated area is calculated as the target illuminance of the common lighting area.

8. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising minimizing a sum of outputs of the plurality of lighting devices.

9. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising optimizing an output of each of the lighting devices when an operation for optimizing the lighting control area is accepted.

10. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising optimizing an output of each of the lighting devices when a position of the human detection area changes.

11. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , further comprising optimizing an output of each of the lighting devices when an illuminance of the lighting control area or the human detection area changes.

12. 4. The lighting control method according to claim 1, further comprising optimizing the output of each of the lighting devices at predetermined time intervals.

13. The lighting control method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lighting devices are glareless downlights.

14. A lighting control program to be executed by a control device that controls a plurality of lighting devices installed in some of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area, identifying a human detection area, which is an area in which at least one human is present, among the plurality of divided areas; Setting a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance; setting a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance; The illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas is brought close to a set target illuminance. Lighting control program.

15. a control device for controlling the lighting devices; and a detection device for identifying a human detection area, which is an area in which at least one human is present, among the plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing a lighting control area, The control device includes: acquiring information identifying the human detection area from the detection device; setting a target illuminance of the human detection area to a first illuminance, setting a target illuminance of an area outside the human detection area to an illuminance different from the first illuminance, and controlling the plurality of lighting devices so that the illuminance of each of the plurality of divided areas approaches the set target illuminance; Lighting control system.

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