Illumination control device, illumination control system, and illumination control method

Abstract

To provide an illumination control device capable of presenting a user staying in a predetermined space with an atmosphere desired to be given to the user.SOLUTION: An illumination control device 100 alternately raises and lowers lightness of an illumination device. The illumination control device 100 comprises: a time information acquisition unit 111 for acquiring time information on a time band for controlling the illumination device; and an addition information acquisition unit 112 for acquiring addition information which is information on an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the illumination device. Also, the illumination control device 100 comprises a light emission pattern generation unit 113 for generating a light emission pattern of the illumination device determined by a first time for raising lightness of the illumination device and a second time for lowering the lightness on the basis of the time information, the addition information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit. Also, the illumination control device 100 comprises an illumination control unit 114 for controlling the illumination device on the basis of the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, technologies have been proposed for lighting effects (affordance lighting, affordance illumination) that affect people's psychology and behavior by adding "movement" or "change" to lighting such as street lights. For example, lighting effects such as "guidance," "wandering," and "staying" are known as content that moves people or keeps them staying. Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system that encourages people to wander around. The lighting system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a system that cyclically changes the illuminance or color temperature of multiple lights to naturally guide users to places where it is desired to draw their attention by calling their attention to such places. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-121531 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to content for moving people, lighting effects include content for making people stay (remain). For example, in the case of content for making people stay (remain), it is necessary to change the psychological state of the user to the atmosphere (condition) desired by the user at a specified place or event and maintain it. For example, in the case of a stay, the user stays in a specified space for a certain period of time, so it is necessary to make the psychological state of the user a desired atmosphere for the certain period of time that he or she stays.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device that can create a desired atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a lighting control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a lighting control device that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of a lighting device, and includes: a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information related to a time period during which the lighting device is controlled; an attribute information acquisition unit that acquires attribute information which is information related to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; an emission pattern generation unit that generates an emission pattern of the lighting device determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device based on the time information, the attribute information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; and a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device based on the emission pattern generated by the emission pattern generation unit.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a lighting control system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a lighting control system comprising a lighting device and a lighting control device which alternately increases and decreases the brightness of the lighting device, the lighting control device comprising: a time information acquisition unit which acquires time information relating to a time period during which the lighting device is controlled; an additional information acquisition unit which acquires additional information which is information relating to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; an emission pattern generation unit which generates an emission pattern of the lighting device determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device based on the time information, the additional information, and reference information stored in advance in a storage unit; and a lighting control unit which controls the lighting device based on the emission pattern generated by the emission pattern generation unit.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a lighting control method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a lighting control method executed by a computer and alternately increasing and decreasing the brightness of a lighting device, obtaining time information related to a time period during which the lighting device is controlled, obtaining additional information which is information related to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device, generating a light emission pattern of the lighting device determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device based on the time information, the additional information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit, and controlling the lighting device based on the light emission pattern. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lighting control device that can create a desired atmosphere for users staying in a specified space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4A] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an example of acquired information and setting information used in the lighting control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] 4 is a diagram showing an example of reference information used in the lighting control device according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining a light emission pattern generated by the lighting control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the rise and fall times of light emission of a light in the lighting control system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a lighting control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a user's evaluation in a lighting control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a user's evaluation in a lighting control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10A] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of acquired information and setting information used in a lighting control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10B] 13 is a diagram showing an example of reference information used in a lighting control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a lighting control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a light emission pattern generated by a lighting control device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The lighting control device 100, the lighting control system 10, and the lighting control method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0012] The present embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0013] (About affordance lighting) In recent years, development plans for parks that attract restaurants and other businesses, as well as urban development plans, have been implemented in various regions. These development plans require the profitability of the private facilities involved, and spatial design that enhances the sense of liveliness of the area, ease of movement so that visitors can easily visit various facilities, and retention to increase the length of their stay are important.

[0014] "Affordance lighting" is a lighting technique that adds movement, brightness, and color to the light to create a sense of liveliness in the space while influencing people's psychology and behavior.

[0015] "Affordance lighting" does not simply provide a constant level of brightness like conventional lighting, but instead uses dynamic light to create the effect of "wandering" or "staying."

[0016] For example, in the case of a "stay" effect in which the light slowly brightens and darkens repeatedly, items such as "not boring," "want to stay," and "comfortable" were highly evaluated in the experiment, and the superiority of the effects aimed at by each effect was confirmed. The results of the experiment related to this embodiment will be described later.

[0017] The lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment makes it possible to create a desired atmosphere for a user in creating a "stay" atmosphere.

[0018] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the lighting control system 10 includes a lighting device 200 and a lighting control device 100 that controls the lighting device 200. In this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 alternately increases and decreases the brightness of the lighting device 200.

[0019] (Configuration of lighting control device 100) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, lighting control device 100 may be configured as a system including a general-purpose microcomputer including a control unit 110 (CPU), a storage unit 120 (memory), an input / output IF 130 (Interface), and a communication IF 140. In this case, a computer program for causing the microcomputer to function as lighting control device 100 may be installed in the microcomputer. By executing the computer program, the microcomputer functions as multiple information processing circuits included in lighting control device 100.

[0020] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a plurality of information processing functions of lighting control device 100 is realized by software. Lighting control device 100 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits provided in lighting control device 100 by executing a computer program.

[0021] Alternatively, the lighting control device 100 may be configured with dedicated hardware for executing each information processing function, and the information processing function may be configured using a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like. Alternatively, a system may be configured with multiple information processing functions each using separate hardware.

[0022] Control unit 110 operates based on a program (not shown) stored in memory unit 120, and executes each function of lighting control device 100. Note that the program is not limited to being stored in memory unit 120, and may be stored in, for example, a ROM (not shown) within lighting control device 100.

[0023] 3, the storage unit 120 stores information stored in an acquired information DB 121 (database), a reference information DB 122, and a setting information DB 123 as data in the storage unit 120. Figures 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of setting information stored in the acquired information DB 121, the reference information DB 122, and the setting information DB 123. Details of each piece of information will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, as described above, the storage unit 120 may store a program for each function executed by the control unit 110. The information and programs stored in the storage unit 120 may be configured as areas that are physically or logically separated within one storage device. Alternatively, the storage units 120 for each data may be configured to be provided in multiple physically different storage devices.

[0025] The input / output IF 130 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the lighting control device 100 and a user (administrator). The input / output IF 130 includes, for example, an input IF and an output IF (not shown).

[0026] The input IF in the input / output IF 130 has an interface function for inputting various information by the user, and information is input from outside the lighting control device 100. Information is input to the input IF by the user via, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a trackball, a voice recognition device, or the like, connected to the lighting control device 100. The input IF can also input information as a data input terminal for inputting data from an external storage device (not shown) or the like.

[0027] The output IF in the input / output IF 130 can display acquired information and reference information (described later) on a display device (not shown) connected to the lighting control device 100. The display device is, for example, a display device, a projector device, or the like.

[0028] The communication IF 140 is, for example, an interface for enabling mutual communication between the lighting control device 100 and the lighting device 200. In the present embodiment, the control information from the lighting control device 100 to the lighting device 200 may be transmitted via the communication IF 140 by wired or wireless communication. Alternatively, the lighting device 200 and the lighting control device 100 may be connected via a wired connection via the input / output IF 130 described above, and the lighting control device 100 may control the lighting device 200 via the wired connection.

[0029] (Functional configuration of lighting control device 100) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 110 includes, as functions, a time information acquisition unit 111, an additional information acquisition unit 112, a light emission pattern generation unit 113, and a lighting control unit 114.

[0030] The time information acquisition unit 111 acquires time information related to a time period during which the lighting device 200 is controlled, and stores the information in the acquired information DB 121. For example, the time information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the time information by a timer function of a CPU provided in the control unit 110. Alternatively, the time information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the time information by providing the control unit 110 with a function of a radio clock (not shown).

[0031] Here, a description will be given of a light emission pattern according to this embodiment. Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of acquired information and setting information used in lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4A, the acquired information DB 121 stores time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 111 and additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition unit 112, which will be described later.

[0033] The added information is information about the atmosphere that is desired to be given to the user. The information about the atmosphere that is desired to be given to the user is, for example, indicated by a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere as a lively degree value. For example, a lively atmosphere corresponds to a lively degree of "3," and a calm atmosphere corresponds to a lively degree of "1." Moreover, a lively degree of "2" corresponds to an atmosphere between a lively atmosphere and a calm atmosphere.

[0034] Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of reference information used by lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4B, the reference information has a lighting pattern, a rise time, and a fall time determined in advance according to the liveliness and time. Note that the example shown in Fig. 4B is an example of reference information, and reference information DB 122 may include patterns other than those shown in Fig. 4B. Values ​​stored in setting information DB 123 shown in Fig. 4A are values ​​extracted (selected) from the acquired information and the reference information.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a light emission pattern generated by lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment. For example, a triangular wave as shown in FIG. 5 is formed in terms of the relationship between time and output by a predetermined rise time and fall time. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the output is color temperature. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the lower limit of the output is 10 lux (lx) and the upper limit is 70 lux (lx). The lower limit and upper limit of the output do not limit the configuration of this embodiment, and the values ​​of the lower limit and / or upper limit may be changed depending on the location where lighting device 200 is installed, for example.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the rise and fall times of light emission of lighting in the lighting control system 10 according to this embodiment. The example shown in Fig. 6 is the result of an experiment conducted to grasp the subject's impression of the triangular wave shown in Fig. 5, which is a combination of multiple rise and fall times. For example, the result obtained is that the area (A) shown in Fig. 6 is lively and not very comfortable. The result obtained is that the area (B) shown in Fig. 6 is lively but not uncomfortable. The result obtained is that the area (C) shown in Fig. 6 is calm and comfortable.

[0037] The lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment controls the lighting device 200 with a light emission pattern having a defined rise time and fall time based on the additional information, which is information about the atmosphere desired to be given to the user, using reference data based on the experimental results shown in FIG. 6.

[0038] In this embodiment, the lively atmosphere corresponds to the area (A) and the area (B) in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the calm atmosphere corresponds to the area (C) in Fig. 6.

[0039] Returning to the description of the block diagram showing the functional configuration of lighting control device 100 shown in Fig. 3, the attached information acquisition unit 112 acquires attached information which is information relating to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of lighting device 200. The attached information is information indicating either a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere. In this embodiment, for example, lighting control device 100 is provided with a mechanism that allows the user to select a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere, and the attached information acquisition unit 112 acquires the attached information when the user makes a selection.

[0040] The means for acquiring the additional information in the additional information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. For example, the mechanism (acquisition means) capable of selecting a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere may be a mechanism such as a switch or a button. Alternatively, the additional information may be acquired by clicking a selection button displayed on a display provided in or connected to the lighting control device 100.

[0041] The light emission pattern generating unit 113 determines a first time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is increased and a second time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is decreased, based on the time information, the assigned information, and reference information previously determined in the storage unit 120. Furthermore, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device 200 according to the first time and the second time. Note that the first time corresponds to a rise time, and the second time corresponds to a fall time.

[0042] For example, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 generates a light emission pattern based on the reference information, which has the relationship between the lively atmosphere and the calm atmosphere and the rise time and fall time shown in FIG.

[0043] The light emission pattern generation unit 113 sets the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a lively atmosphere to be shorter than either the first time or the second time when the atmosphere is calm.

[0044] Furthermore, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 sets the first time period and / or the second time period when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a lively atmosphere to be shorter than a predetermined time period.

[0045] Furthermore, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 generates a light emission pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere is longer than a predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time in this embodiment is a time between 2 seconds and 7 seconds.

[0046] Furthermore, when the time information indicates a twilight time period, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern with a lively atmosphere desired to be given to the user. When the time information indicates a night time period later than the twilight time period, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern with a calm atmosphere desired to be given to the user. In this embodiment, the twilight time period is from 17:00 to 20:00, and the night time period later than the twilight time period is from 20:00 to 24:00. The times corresponding to the twilight time period and the night time period do not limit the configuration of this embodiment, and for example, the twilight time period may be from 16:00 to 19:00, and the night time period may be from 19:00 to 24:00.

[0047] This allows the lighting control device 100 to more appropriately create the desired atmosphere for users staying in a specific space by setting the lively or calm level of the presentation according to the time of day.

[0048] The lighting control unit 114 controls the lighting device 200 based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113. Specifically, the lighting control unit 114 controls the lighting device 200 so that the light emission pattern is a triangular wave as shown in Fig. 5 and is generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113. The light emission pattern is determined by the upper and lower limits of the color temperature, the rise time, and the fall time, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0049] (Outline of processing flow of lighting control device 100) Next, the flow of processing in lighting control device 100 will be shown using the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. The series of operations of lighting control device 100 shown in the flowchart in Fig. 7 begins when lighting control device 100 is started, and ends when the operation is completed. The processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 also ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end the processing. In the explanation of the flowchart below, the same content as that described above in the explanation of lighting control system 10 and lighting control device 100 will be omitted or simplified.

[0050] In step S701, the time information acquisition unit 111 acquires time information related to a time period during which the lighting device 200 is controlled, and stores the information in the acquired information DB 121. For example, the time information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the time information by a timer function of a CPU provided in the control unit 110. Alternatively, the time information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the time information by providing the control unit 110 with a function of a radio clock (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to step S702.

[0051] In step S702, the attached information acquisition unit 112 acquires attached information which is information relating to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device 200. The attached information is information indicating either a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere. In the present embodiment, for example, the lighting control device 100 is provided with a mechanism that allows the user to select a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere, and the attached information acquisition unit 112 acquires the attached information when the user makes a selection.

[0052] The means for acquiring the attached information in the attached information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. For example, the mechanism (acquisition means) capable of selecting a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere may be a mechanism such as a switch or a button. Alternatively, the means for acquiring the attached information may be configured to acquire the attached information by clicking a selection button displayed on a display provided in or connected to the lighting control device 100. Then, the process proceeds to step S703.

[0053] In step S703, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 determines a first time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is increased and a second time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is decreased based on the time information, the assigned information, and the reference information previously determined in the storage unit 120. The light emission pattern generating unit 113 also generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device 200 according to the first time and the second time. The first time corresponds to a rise time. The second time corresponds to a fall time. Then, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0054] In step S704, the lighting control unit 114 controls the lighting device 200 based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113. Specifically, the lighting control unit 114 controls the lighting device 200 so that the light emission pattern is a triangular wave as shown in Fig. 5 and is generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113. The light emission pattern is determined by the upper and lower limits of the color temperature, the rise time, and the fall time as shown in Fig. 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0055] In step S705, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the control of the lighting device 200 has ended. For example, the control unit 110 may determine the time to turn off the lighting based on time information. Alternatively, the control unit 110 may determine whether or not to control based on an end control from the user via the input / output IF 130.

[0056] In step S705, if the control unit 110 determines that the control of the lighting device 200 has ended (step S705: YES), the process ends. On the other hand, in step S705, if the control unit 110 determines that the control of the lighting device 200 has not ended (step S705: NO), the process returns to step S704, and the process from step S704 is repeatedly performed.

[0057] As described above, the lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment is a lighting control device 100 that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of the lighting device 200. The lighting control device 100 includes a time information acquisition unit 111 that acquires time information related to a time period during which the lighting device 200 is controlled. The lighting control device 100 also includes a light emission pattern generation unit 113 that generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device 200 that is determined by a first time period during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is increased and a second time period during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is decreased. The light emission pattern generation unit 113 generates a light emission pattern based on the time information and reference information previously stored in the storage unit 120. The lighting control device 100 also includes a lighting control unit 114 that controls the lighting device 200 based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit 113.

[0058] As a result, lighting control device 100 generates a light emission pattern for lighting device 200 based on the time information and the reference information. As a result, lighting control device 100 can create an appropriate atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space, which corresponds to the acquired time information.

[0059] Furthermore, lighting control device 100 may further include an additional information acquisition unit 112 that acquires additional information which is information related to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of lighting device 200. Furthermore, light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern based on time information, the additional information, and the reference information.

[0060] This allows the lighting control device 100 to create a desired atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space.

[0061] The assigned information may be information indicating either a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere. The light emission pattern generating unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern such that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than either the first time or the second time when the atmosphere is a calm atmosphere. The first time corresponds to the rise time. The second time corresponds to the fall time.

[0062] This allows the lighting control device 100 to more appropriately create a lively atmosphere for users staying in a specific space.

[0063] Furthermore, the lighting pattern generation unit 113 may generate a lighting pattern such that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than a predetermined time. In this way, the lighting control device 100 generates a lighting pattern based on the predetermined time evaluated in advance by an experiment. Therefore, the lighting control device 100 can generate a lighting pattern that more accurately reflects a value corresponding to a lively atmosphere for users staying in a predetermined space, and can more appropriately present the atmosphere.

[0064] Furthermore, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern such that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere is longer than a predetermined time. In this way, the lighting control device 100 generates a light emission pattern based on the predetermined time evaluated in advance by an experiment. Therefore, it is possible to generate a light emission pattern that more accurately reflects a value corresponding to a calm atmosphere for a user staying in a predetermined space, and to more appropriately present the atmosphere.

[0065] The predetermined time may be between 2 and 7 seconds. Thus, lighting control device 100 generates a light emission pattern based on a predetermined time between 2 and 7 seconds that has been evaluated in advance through experiments. This makes it possible to generate a light emission pattern that more accurately reflects values ​​corresponding to a lively atmosphere and / or a calm atmosphere for users staying in a predetermined space, thereby enabling more appropriate presentation.

[0066] Furthermore, when the time information indicates a twilight time period, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern with a lively atmosphere as the atmosphere desired for the user. When the time information indicates a night time period later than the twilight time period, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 may generate a light emission pattern with a calm atmosphere as the atmosphere desired for the user. This allows the lighting control device 100 to more appropriately create the atmosphere desired for the user by setting the lively or calm atmosphere of the presentation according to the time period for the user staying in a specified space.

[0067] Second embodiment As described above, one specific embodiment has been described, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described as an example of generating a light emission pattern of lighting device 200 based on time information, assigned information, and reference information. Here, a description will be given of a configuration of lighting control device 100 according to a second embodiment in which lighting control device 100 acquires user information and reflects the user information in the light emission pattern, the configuration being different from that of the first embodiment.

[0068] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment in that lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment includes user information acquisition unit 115.

[0069] 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining user evaluations of the lighting control system 10 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9A shows, in numerical form, the "comfort" of a combination of the rise time and fall time of a light emission pattern for a woman. Similarly, Fig. 9B shows, in numerical form, the "comfort" of a combination of the rise time and fall time of a light emission pattern for a man.

[0070] In the evaluation of "comfort", the value is set to "1.0" if it corresponds to "comfortable", and the value is set to "-1.0" if it does not. In the example shown in FIG. 9A where the subject is a woman, the most comfortable result is obtained at a point where the rise time and fall time are both 7 s (7 seconds). On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 9B where the subject is a man, the evaluation is that the comfort is not reduced at a point where the fall time is both 4 s (4 seconds) compared to the case of FIG. 9A. In other words, differences in evaluation trends appear depending on gender.

[0071] Taking such differences into account, the lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment is able to create an atmosphere more suited to the user.

[0072] 10A and 10B show examples of the acquired information DB 121, the reference information DB 122, and the setting information DB 123 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10A and 10B, the acquired information DB 121, the reference information DB 122, and the setting information DB 123 according to the second embodiment show examples in which the light emission pattern differs depending on gender.

[0073] The user information acquisition unit 115 according to the second embodiment acquires user information including information on the gender of the user of the lighting device 200. In this embodiment, for example, the lighting control device 100 may be provided with a mechanism for selecting gender, and the user may select the gender, so that the user information acquisition unit 115 acquires user information on the gender of the user. The lighting control device 100 may also include a camera (not shown), acquire image information acquired by the camera via the input / output IF 130, and acquire user information based on the acquired image information. For example, the user information acquisition unit 115 may acquire the gender of the person with the greater number of people based on the ratio of the number of men and women in the image information as the user information. The user information acquisition unit 115 stores the acquired information in the acquired information DB 121.

[0074] Furthermore, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 determines a first time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is increased and a second time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is decreased based on the time information, the assigned information, the user information, and reference information previously determined in the storage unit 120. Furthermore, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device 200 according to the first time and the second time. Note that the first time corresponds to a rise time. Furthermore, the second time corresponds to a fall time.

[0075] In addition, the light emission pattern generating unit 113 generates a light emission pattern such that, when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere and the user is a man, the fall time is shorter than the fall time when the user is a woman.

[0076] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, in step S1102, the user information acquisition unit 115 acquires information on the gender of the user, and stores it in the acquired information DB 121.

[0077] In step S1104, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 determines a first time during which the brightness of the lighting device 200 is increased and a second time during which the brightness is decreased based on the time information, the assigned information, the user information, and reference information previously determined in the storage unit 120. The light emission pattern generation unit 113 generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device 200 according to the first time and the second time. The first time corresponds to a rise time. The second time corresponds to a fall time.

[0078] Furthermore, in step S1104, the light emission pattern generation unit 113 generates a light emission pattern in which, when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere and the user is a male, the fall time is shorter than the fall time when the user is a female.

[0079] Steps S1101, S1103, and S1105 to S1106 are the same as steps S701, S702, S704, and S705 shown in FIG. 7, and therefore will not be described here.

[0080] As described above, lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment further includes user information acquirer 115 that acquires user information including information regarding the gender of a user of lighting device 200. Light emission pattern generator 113 generates a light emission pattern when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere and the fall time when the user is a male is shorter than the fall time when the user is a female.

[0081] This allows the lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment to more appropriately create a desired atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space.

[0082] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present embodiments are not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments. The components described above include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. Various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the rise and fall of the light emission pattern are performed continuously has been described. For example, the configuration of the light emission pattern is not limited to a configuration in which the rise and fall are performed continuously. For example, the lighting control device 100 may provide periods P1 and P2 between the rise time and the fall time, which are neither rising nor falling, as shown in FIG. 13. This allows a period in which the color temperature does not rise or fall between the rise and fall switching in the light emission pattern, thereby reducing the unpleasant impression caused to the user of the lighting device 200 by the sudden switching.

[0084] Furthermore, a computer program (lighting control program) that causes a computer to execute the processing (lighting control method) in the lighting control device 100 described above, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, are included in the scope of the present embodiment. Any type of computer-readable recording medium may be used. Furthermore, the computer program is not limited to one recorded on the recording medium, and may be one transmitted via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, or the like.

[0085] (Additional Note) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0086] (Technology 1) A lighting control device that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of a lighting device, a time information acquiring unit that acquires time information relating to a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; a light emission pattern generation unit that generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit.

[0087] With this configuration, lighting control device 100 generates a light emission pattern for lighting device 200 based on the time information and the reference information. Therefore, lighting control device 100 can create an appropriate atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space, which corresponds to the acquired time information.

[0088] (Technical 2) The lighting device further includes an additional information acquisition unit that acquires additional information, which is information regarding an atmosphere that is desired to be given to a user of the lighting device, The lighting control device described in Technology 1, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern based on the time information, the assigned information, and the reference information.

[0089] With this configuration, lighting control device 100 generates a light emission pattern for lighting device 200 based on time information, additional information which is information related to the atmosphere desired to be given to a user, and reference information. Therefore, lighting control device 100 can create the atmosphere desired to be given to a user staying in a specific space.

[0090] (Technique 3) The added information is information indicating either a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere, The lighting control device described in Technology 2, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than either the first time or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere.

[0091] This configuration enables light emission pattern generation section 113 of lighting control device 100 to more appropriately generate a light emission pattern that creates a lively atmosphere. As a result, lighting control device 100 can more appropriately create a lively atmosphere for users staying in a specific space.

[0092] (Technology 4) The lighting control device described in Technology 2 or 3, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than a predetermined time.

[0093] With this configuration, lighting control device 100 generates a lighting pattern based on a predetermined time previously evaluated through experiments. As a result, lighting control device 100 can generate a lighting pattern that more accurately reflects a value corresponding to a lively atmosphere for users staying in a specific space, thereby more appropriately presenting the atmosphere.

[0094] (Technology 5) A lighting control device described in any one of Technologies 2 to 4, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is calm is longer than a predetermined time.

[0095] With this configuration, lighting control device 100 generates a lighting pattern based on a predetermined time previously evaluated through experiments. Therefore, lighting control device 100 can generate a lighting pattern that more accurately reflects a value corresponding to a calm atmosphere for a user staying in a certain space, and more appropriately present the atmosphere.

[0096] (Technology 6) The lighting control device according to Technology 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined time is between 2 seconds and 7 seconds.

[0097] With this configuration, lighting control device 100 generates a lighting pattern based on a predetermined time between 2 and 7 seconds that has been evaluated in advance through experiments. As a result, lighting control device 100 can generate a lighting pattern that more accurately reflects values ​​corresponding to a lively atmosphere and / or a calm atmosphere for users staying in a specific space, making it possible to more appropriately present the atmosphere.

[0098] (Technical 7) The lighting device further includes a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including information regarding the gender of the user of the lighting device, The lighting control device according to any one of Techniques 2 to 6, wherein the lighting pattern generation unit generates the lighting pattern such that, when the atmosphere indicated by the attached information is a calm atmosphere, the second time period when the user is a male is shorter than the second time period when the user is a female.

[0099] This configuration enables lighting control device 100 to generate a light emission pattern according to the gender of the user, and therefore lighting control device 100 can more appropriately create a desired atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space.

[0100] (Technology 8) A lighting control device described in any one of Technologies 2 to 7, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern by setting the atmosphere desired to be given to the user to a lively atmosphere when the time information indicates a twilight time period, and by setting the atmosphere desired to be given to the user to a calm atmosphere when the time information indicates a night time period later than the twilight time period.

[0101] This configuration enables lighting control device 100 to determine the desired atmosphere for a user based on time information indicating the time period. Therefore, lighting control device 100 can more appropriately create the desired atmosphere for a user staying in a specific space by setting the lively or calmness of the presentation according to the time period.

[0102] (Technology 9) A lighting control system including a lighting device and a lighting control device that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of the lighting device, The lighting control device includes: a time information acquiring unit that acquires time information relating to a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; an additional information acquisition unit that acquires additional information that is information regarding an atmosphere that is desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; a light emission pattern generation unit that generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information, the assigned information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit.

[0103] With this configuration, the lighting control system 10 generates a light emission pattern for the lighting device 200 based on time information, additional information which is information related to the atmosphere desired to be given to a user, and reference information. Therefore, the lighting control system 10 can create the atmosphere desired to be given to a user staying in a specific space.

[0104] (Technology 10) A lighting control method executed by a computer for alternately increasing and decreasing the brightness of a lighting device, comprising: acquiring time information regarding a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; Acquire additional information which is information regarding an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; generating a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information, the assigned information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; A lighting control method for controlling the lighting device based on the light emission pattern.

[0105] With this configuration, a light emission pattern for the lighting device 200 is generated based on the lighting control method, time information, additional information which is information related to an atmosphere desired to be given to a user, and reference information. Therefore, the lighting control method makes it possible to create an atmosphere desired to be given to a user staying in a specified space.

[0106] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 Lighting control system 100 Lighting control device 110 Control section 111 Time information acquisition unit 112 Attachment information acquisition unit 113 Light emission pattern generation unit 114 Lighting control unit 115 User information acquisition department 120 Storage section 121 Acquisition information DB 122 Reference Information DB 123 Setting information DB 130 Input / Output Interface 140 Communication Interface 200 Lighting Equipment

Claims

1. A lighting control device that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of a lighting device, a time information acquiring unit that acquires time information relating to a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; a light emission pattern generation unit that generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time period for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time period for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit.

2. An additional information acquisition unit that acquires additional information that is information regarding an atmosphere that is desired to be given to a user of the lighting device, The lighting control device according to claim 1 , wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern based on the time information, the assigned information, and the reference information.

3. The added information is information indicating either a lively atmosphere or a calm atmosphere, 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the light emission pattern generation unit generates the light emission pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than either the first time or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a calm atmosphere.

4. The lighting control device according to claim 3 , wherein the lighting pattern generation unit generates the lighting pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a lively atmosphere is shorter than a predetermined time.

5. The lighting control device according to claim 3 , wherein the lighting pattern generation unit generates the lighting pattern so that the first time and / or the second time when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a calm atmosphere is longer than a predetermined time.

6. The lighting control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined time is between 2 seconds and 7 seconds.

7. a user information acquiring unit that acquires user information including information regarding the gender of the user of the lighting device; 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting pattern generation unit generates the lighting pattern such that, when the atmosphere indicated by the assigned information is a calm atmosphere and the second time period when the user is a male is shorter than the second time period when the user is a female.

8. 3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting pattern generation unit generates the lighting pattern by setting the atmosphere desired to be given to the user to a lively atmosphere when the time information indicates a twilight time period, and by setting the atmosphere desired to be given to the user to a calm atmosphere when the time information indicates a night time period later than the twilight time period.

9. A lighting control system comprising a lighting device and a lighting control device that alternately increases and decreases the brightness of the lighting device, The lighting control device includes: a time information acquiring unit that acquires time information relating to a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; an additional information acquisition unit that acquires additional information that is information regarding an atmosphere that is desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; a light emission pattern generation unit that generates a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information, the assigned information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device based on the light emission pattern generated by the light emission pattern generation unit.

10. 1. A computer-implemented lighting control method for alternately increasing and decreasing the brightness of a lighting device, comprising: acquiring time information regarding a time period during which the lighting device is to be controlled; Acquire additional information which is information regarding an atmosphere desired to be given to a user of the lighting device; generating a light emission pattern of the lighting device, the light emission pattern being determined by a first time for increasing the brightness of the lighting device and a second time for decreasing the brightness of the lighting device, based on the time information, the assigned information, and reference information previously stored in a storage unit; A lighting control method for controlling the lighting device based on the light emission pattern.

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