Lighting design support system and lighting design support method

Abstract

To provide a lighting design support system shortening a time required for lighting design of target facilities.SOLUTION: A lighting design support system 1 includes an input unit 31, a storage unit 22, an estimation unit 211 and a generation unit 212. The input unit 31 receives input of request information and facility information. The storage unit 22 stores a plurality of first spatial structures each of which is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures. The estimation unit 211 estimates a second spatial structure, the spatial structure of target facilities 100 on the basis of the facility information. The generation unit 212 generates spatial information of the target facilities 100 after the lighting design on the basis of the request information. The generation unit 212 reads out from the storage unit 22, a first spatial structure similar to the second spatial structure from among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in the storage unit 22 as a similar structure, and generates spatial information on the basis of structural information, the information relating to the similar structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a lighting design support system and a lighting design support method, and more particularly, to a lighting design support system and a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method of lighting simulation using the Internet. In the lighting simulation method described in Patent Document 1, the floor plan information input as a plan view by an operation from an Internet terminal is converted into a three-dimensional image and displayed on the screen of the Internet terminal, and the lighting fixtures selected according to the floor plan information are compositely displayed in the three-dimensional image, and the lighting effect by the lighting fixtures is simulated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the lighting simulation method described in Patent Document 1, since it takes time to simulate the lighting effect, there is a problem that it takes time to present the lighting effect. That is, in the lighting simulation method described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the time required for lighting design is long.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting design support system and a lighting design support method capable of shortening the time required for lighting design of a target facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lighting design support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting design support system that supports the lighting design of a target facility. The lighting design support system includes an input unit, a storage unit, an estimation unit, and a generation unit. The input unit receives input of demand information, which is information regarding the user's demands, and facility information, which is information regarding the target facility. The storage unit stores a plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is a spatial structure after the lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures. The estimation unit estimates a second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, based on the facility information received by the input unit. The generation unit generates spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design based on the demand information received by the input unit. The generation unit reads out, from the storage unit, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure similar to the second spatial structure among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in the storage unit. The generation unit generates the spatial information based on structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure.

[0007] The lighting design support system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting design support system that supports the lighting design of a target facility. The lighting design support system includes an input unit, a storage unit, and a generation unit. The input unit receives input of facility information, which is information regarding the target facility, and fixture information, which is information regarding a first lighting fixture. The storage unit stores a plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is a spatial structure after the lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures. The generation unit generates spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design. The generation unit reads out, from the storage unit, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure similar to a second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in the storage unit. The generation unit extracts a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture, from among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. The generation unit generates the spatial information in which the first lighting fixture is arranged in the second spatial structure based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

[0008] The lighting design support method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility. The lighting design support method includes an input step, an estimation step, and a generation step. In the input step, input of demand information, which is information regarding a user's demand, and facility information, which is information regarding the target facility, is received. In the estimation step, the spatial structure of the target facility is estimated based on the facility information received in the input step. In the generation step, spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design is generated based on the demand information received in the input step. In the generation step, a first spatial structure similar to a second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in a storage unit that stores the plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is the spatial structure after the lighting design by one or more lighting fixtures, is read out from the storage unit as a similar structure. In the generation step, the spatial information is generated based on structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure.

[0009] The lighting design support method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility. The lighting design support method includes an input step and a generation step. In the input step, input of facility information, which is information regarding the target facility, and fixture information, which is information regarding a first lighting fixture, is received. In the generation step, spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design is generated. In the generation step, a first spatial structure similar to a second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in a storage unit that stores the plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is the spatial structure after the lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures, is read out from the storage unit as a similar structure. In the generation step, a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, is extracted from the similar structure. In the generation step, spatial information in which the first lighting fixture is arranged in the second spatial structure is generated based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the lighting design support system and the lighting design support method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the lighting design support system and the lighting design support method according to Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to in the following Embodiments 1, 2, etc. are schematic diagrams, and the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses between the components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overview First, the overview of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0014] The lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a system that supports the lighting design of the target facility 100. The target facility 100 is, for example, a housing facility such as each household of a detached house or an apartment building, or a non-housing facility such as an office, a store, a school, or a nursing facility. In this embodiment, as an example, the target facility 100 is each household or each room of an apartment building. Further, in this embodiment, "lighting design" includes selection of one or more lighting fixtures installed in the target facility 100, arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the target facility 100, and setting of illuminance by one or more lighting fixtures, etc.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes an input unit 31, a storage unit 22, an estimation unit 211, and a generation unit 212. The input unit 31 receives input of demand information In2 (see FIG. 3), which is information regarding the user's demand, and facility information In1 (see FIG. 2), which is information regarding the target facility 100. The storage unit 22 stores a plurality of first space structures 201 (see FIG. 4), each of which is a space structure after lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures 101 (see FIG. 4). The estimation unit 211 estimates a second space structure 202 (see FIG. 2), which is the space structure of the target facility 100, based on the facility information In1 received by the input unit 31. The generation unit 212 generates space information In3 (see FIG. 4) of the target facility 100 after lighting design based on the demand information In2 received by the input unit 31. More specifically, the generation unit 212 reads out from the storage unit 22, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 that is similar to the second space structure 202 among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22. Then, the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 based on the structure information, which is information regarding the first space structure 201 read out from the storage unit 22 as the similar structure. Here, in the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the structure information includes image information (data of a second image Im2 described later) regarding the first space structure 201 (similar structure). And the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 based on the above image information.

[0016] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the generation unit 212 reads, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 from among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22, and generates spatial information In3 based on the structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure read from the storage unit 22. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the spatial information In3 compared to the case of simulating the lighting effect by lighting fixtures. That is, according to the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100.

[0017] (2) Details Next, the components of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0018] As described above, the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a system that supports the lighting design of the target facility 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a server device 2, an information terminal 3, and a detection device 4. The information terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer owned by a user. In the present embodiment, as an example, the information terminal 3 is a tablet terminal (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The detection device 4 is installed in the target facility 100.

[0019] (2.1) Server Device The server device 2 can be realized, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, when one or more processors execute a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, it functions as the server device 2. Here, the program is recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0021] (2.1.1) Control Unit The control unit 21 performs overall control of the server device 2. The control unit 21 is electrically connected to each of the storage unit 22 and the communication unit 23. By controlling the storage unit 22, the control unit 21 causes the storage unit 22 to store information or reads information from the storage unit 22. Also, by controlling the communication unit 23, the control unit 21 causes the communication unit 23 to communicate with the information terminal 3 and the detection device 4. The control unit 21 includes an estimation unit 211 and a generation unit 212.

[0022] The estimation unit 211 estimates a second spatial structure 202 (see FIG. 2), which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100, based on the facility information In1 (see FIG. 2) received by the input unit 31 of the information terminal 3 described later. The facility information In1 is information regarding the target facility 100. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the facility information In1 includes data of a first image Im1 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3. In the example of FIG. 2, one first image Im1 of a room (for example, a living room) inside the target facility 100 is displayed on the display unit 30, but a plurality of first images Im1 may be displayed on the display unit 30. The plurality of first images Im1 may be images obtained by imaging a room of the target facility 100 a plurality of times from different directions, or may be images obtained by imaging a plurality of rooms inside the target facility 100 respectively.

[0023] Further, the estimation unit 211 acquires the detection result of the detection device 4 as the facility information In1. The detection device 4 is installed in the target facility 100 and acquires (detects) the three-dimensional space information of the target facility 100. That is, the facility information In1 includes the detection result of the detection device 4 installed in the target facility 100. Then, the estimation unit 211 estimates the second space structure 202 based on the data of one first image Im1 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 and the three-dimensional space information from the detection device 4. Thereby, compared with the case of estimating the second space structure 202 based only on the data of the first image Im1, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the second space structure 202 by the estimation unit 211.

[0024] The second space structure 202 estimated by the estimation unit 211 is, for example, a three-dimensional space structure. In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 211 estimates the second space structure 202 based on the data of the first image Im1 and the three-dimensional space information from the detection device 4, and it is possible to estimate a high-precision three-dimensional space structure. Note that the second space structure 202 estimated by the estimation unit 211 is not limited to a three-dimensional space structure, and may be, for example, a two-dimensional space structure. In this case, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the estimation unit 211.

[0025] The generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 (see FIG. 4) of the target facility 100 after lighting design based on the desired information In2 (see FIG. 3) received by the input unit 31 of the information terminal 3. The desired information In2 is information regarding the user's desire. More specifically, the desired information In2 includes, for example, the data of the second image Im2 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 3. The second image Im2 is an image obtained by imaging a space in which a lighting design (lighting plan) desired by the user is made, for example.

[0026] More specifically, the generation unit 212 reads out, from the storage unit 22, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure 201 that is similar to the second spatial structure 202 among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 described later, and generates the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 based on the structure information, which is information regarding the first spatial structure 201 as the similar structure read out from the storage unit 22. In the present embodiment, as an example, the structure information includes image information regarding the first spatial structure 201 (similar structure). More specifically, the structure information includes the data of the second image Im2 as the above-described image information. Then, the generation unit 212 generates the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 based on the data of the second image Im2 as the above-described image information. The spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 generated by the generation unit 212 includes, for example, the data of a third image Im3 as shown in FIG. 4. The third image Im3 is an image of the first spatial structure 201 read out from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure of the second spatial structure 202, which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100, and is an image after lighting design in which one or more lighting fixtures 101 are installed.

[0027] (2.1.2) Storage Unit The storage unit 22 includes, for example, memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 22 stores a plurality of first spatial structures 201. Each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201 is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures 101 (see FIG. 4). That is, in each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201, one or more lighting fixtures 101 are installed.

[0028] (2.1.3) Communication Unit The communication unit 23 includes a communication interface for communicating with the information terminal 3. The communication unit 23 communicates, for example, with the communication unit 34 of the information terminal 3 described later via a network such as the Internet. By communicating with the communication unit 34, the communication unit 23 receives (acquires) the request information In2 and the facility information In1 received by the input unit 31 of the information terminal 3. Also, by communicating with the communication unit 34, the communication unit 23 transmits the space information In3 generated by the generation unit 212. The space information In3 is information regarding the space structure of the target facility 100 after lighting design. In the information terminal 3, the communication unit 34 causes the display unit 30 to display the received space information In3. In the present embodiment, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 corresponds to the output unit 32. That is, the lighting design support system 1 further includes an output unit 32 that outputs the space information In3. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify the user of the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design.

[0029] (2.2) Information terminal As described above, the information terminal 3 is, for example, a tablet terminal owned by a user. The information terminal 3 can be realized, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, by one or more processors executing a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, it functions as the information terminal 3. The program is recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system here, but may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 3 includes an input unit 31, an output unit 32, a control unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0031] (2.2.1) Input unit The input unit 31 receives the input of the request information In2 and the facility information In1. As described above, the request information In2 is information regarding the user's request, and the facility information In1 is information regarding the target facility 100. Here, in the example of FIG. 3, the second image Im2 includes four images that respectively capture different facilities. Then, when the user selects any one of the four images, the input unit 31 receives the selected image as the request information In2. In this embodiment, since the information terminal 3 is a tablet terminal, the input unit 31 is constituted by the touch panel of the tablet terminal.

[0032] Here, for example, when the request information includes options such as "stylish space" and "modern space", the user can imagine the spaces corresponding to each option from these options. However, for example, it is difficult to imagine an intermediate space between a "stylish space" and a "modern space". Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferably configured to select from the second image Im2 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3.

[0033] In addition, the input unit 31 further receives an input for correcting the space information In3 output from the output unit 32 (display unit 30). In this embodiment, as an example, the correction input received by the input unit 31 enables the type, deletion, addition, or position change of the lighting fixture 101 included in the space information In3. Thereby, it becomes possible to correct the space information In3 presented by the lighting design support system 1 according to the user's preference.

[0034] (2.2.2) Output Unit The output unit 32 outputs the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 generated by the generation unit 212. In the present embodiment, the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 generated by the generation unit 212 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 (see FIG. 4). That is, in the present embodiment, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 corresponds to the output unit 32 of the lighting design support system 1. In this way, by displaying the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 for which lighting design has been completed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, it becomes possible to visually give the user an image of the target facility 100 after lighting design.

[0035] Note that the display unit 30 as the output unit 32 may display the third image Im3 read from the storage unit 22 as it is, or may display the third image Im3 that has been processed according to at least one of the facility information In1 and the request information In2. Further, the display unit 30 may display the third image Im3 including one or more lighting fixtures 101 included in the third image Im3 by superimposing (compositing) the second image Im2 as the request information In2 received by the input unit 31.

[0036] (2.2.3) Control Unit The control unit 33 performs overall control of the information terminal 3. The control unit 33 is electrically connected to each of the input unit 31, the output unit 32, the communication unit 34, and the storage unit 35. The control unit 33 acquires the request information In2, the facility information In1, and the correction information from the input unit 31. The control unit 33 outputs (displays) the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design to the output unit 32 (display unit 30) by controlling the output unit 32. The control unit 33 causes the communication unit 34 to communicate with the communication unit 23 of the server device 2 by controlling the communication unit 34. The control unit 33 causes the storage unit 35 to store information or reads information from the storage unit 35 by controlling the storage unit 35.

[0037] (2.2.4) Communication Unit The communication unit 34 includes a communication interface for communicating with the server device 2. The communication unit 34 communicates, for example, with the communication unit 23 of the server device 2 via a network such as the Internet. By communicating with the communication unit 23, the communication unit 34 receives the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 212. Further, by communicating with the communication unit 23, the communication unit 34 transmits the desired information In2, the facility information In1, and the correction information received by the input unit 31.

[0038] (2.2.5) Storage unit The storage unit 35 includes, for example, memories such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM. The storage unit 35 stores, for example, the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design.

[0039] (2.3) Detection device The detection device 4 includes, for example, one or more sensors installed in the target facility 100. The one or more sensors include, for example, at least one of LiDAR and a camera. The detection device 4 has a communication function. By communicating with the server device 2, the detection device 4 transmits the detection results by the one or more sensors to the server device 2. The detection results transmitted from the detection device 4 to the server device 2 include distance information for specifying the size of each space in the target facility 100.

[0040] (3) Lighting design support method Next, the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1 is executed, for example, by the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Note that the execution entity of the lighting design support method is not limited to the lighting design support system 1.

[0041] The lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1 is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility 100 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting design support method includes an input step ST1, an estimation step ST2, and a generation step ST3. In the input step ST1, the input of requirement information In2 (see FIG. 3), which is information regarding the user's requirements, and facility information In1 (see FIG. 2), which is information regarding the target facility 100, is received. In the estimation step ST2, the spatial structure of the target facility 100 is estimated based on the facility information In1 received in the input step ST1. In the generation step ST3, spatial information In3 (see FIG. 4) of the target facility 100 after lighting design is generated based on the requirement information In2 received in the input step ST3. More specifically, in the generation step ST3, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202, which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100, among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 (see FIG. 4) is read out from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure. Then, in the generation step ST3, the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design is generated based on the structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure read out from the storage unit 22. Each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201 is a spatial structure after lighting design by one or more lighting fixtures 101 (see FIG. 4). Here, as described above, the structure information includes image information regarding the first spatial structure 201 (similar structure). More specifically, the structure information includes data of the second image Im2 as the above-described image information.

[0042] In the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1, in the generation step ST3, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 is read out from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure, and the spatial information In3 is generated based on the structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure read out from the storage unit 22. Thereby, compared with the case of simulating the lighting effect by the lighting fixture, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the spatial information In3. That is, according to the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a lighting design support method executed by the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The lighting design support method includes each step ST1 to ST4 shown in FIG. 5. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and in addition to each step ST1 to ST4 shown in FIG. 5, one or more steps may be included. Also, step ST4 may be omitted.

[0044] Hereinafter, the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1 will be specifically described.

[0045] First, the lighting design support system 1 executes an input step ST1. More specifically, in the input step ST1, the input unit 31 of the lighting design support system 1 receives the input of the requirement information In2 and the facility information In1.

[0046] Next, the lighting design support system 1 executes an estimation step ST2. More specifically, in the estimation step ST2, the estimation unit 211 of the lighting design support system 1 estimates a second space structure 202 that is the space structure of the target facility 100 based on the facility information In1 received by the input unit 31. Specifically, the estimation unit 211 estimates the second space structure 202 based on the data of the first image Im1 shown in FIG. 3 and the detection result of the detection device 4.

[0047] Furthermore, the lighting design support system 1 executes the generation step ST3. More specifically, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 of the lighting design support system 1 generates the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design based on the facility information In1 and the demand information In2 received by the input unit 31. Specifically, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 reads out from the storage unit 22, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 that is similar to the second space structure 202 among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 and is related to the demand information In2. Then, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 based on the structure information (in this embodiment, the data of the second image Im2), which is information related to the above similar structure. In this case, the third image Im3 as the space information In3 may be the first space structure 201 (similar structure) read out from the storage unit 22, or may be generated using the first image Im1 and the first space structure 201.

[0048] Then, the lighting design support system 1 executes the output step ST4. More specifically, in the output step ST4, the output unit 32 of the lighting design support system 1 outputs the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 212. Specifically, the display unit 30 as the output unit 32 displays the third image Im3 shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] The user who has seen the third image Im3 displayed on the display unit can use the input unit 31 to modify the type, number, and position of the lighting fixtures 101 included in the third image Im3.

[0050] (4) Effects In the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the generation unit 212 reads, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 similar to the second space structure 202 from among a plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22, and generates space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design based on structure information (in this embodiment, data of the second image Im2), which is information regarding the similar structure read from the storage unit 22. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the space information In3 as compared with the case of simulating the lighting effect by lighting fixtures. That is, according to the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100.

[0051] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the structure information includes image information regarding the similar structure (in this embodiment, data of the second image Im2). And the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 based on the image information. Thereby, it is possible to perform lighting design based on the image information.

[0052] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the facility information In1 includes the detection result of the detection device 4 installed in the target facility 100. Thereby, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the second space structure 202 by the estimation unit 211.

[0053] The lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 further includes an output unit 32 that outputs the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user of the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design.

[0054] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the input unit 31 further receives an input for correcting the space information In3 output from the output unit 32. Thereby, it is possible to correct the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design.

[0055] (5) Modification Embodiment 1 is just one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiment 1 can be variously modified according to design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Also, functions similar to those of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 may be embodied by the above-described lighting design support method, (computer) program, or non-transitory recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0056] Hereinafter, modified examples of Embodiment 1 will be listed. The modified examples described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0057] (5.1) Modified Example 1 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1 according to Modified Example 1 will be described. Regarding the lighting design support system 1 according to Modified Example 1, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modified Example 1, the storage unit 22 stores by associating each of a plurality of first space structures 201 with a first feature amount that is a feature amount in each of the plurality of first space structures 201. Also, in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modified Example 1, the estimation unit 211 estimates the second space structure 202 based on the facility information In1 received by the input unit 31, and extracts a second feature amount that is a feature amount of the second space structure 202 after the estimation. Then, the generation unit 212 reads from the storage unit 22 the first space structure 201 associated with the first feature amount similar to the second feature amount among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 as a similar structure of the second space structure 202.

[0059] That is, in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 1, the generation unit 212 compares the first feature amount of the first spatial structure 201 with the second feature amount of the second spatial structure 202, and extracts the first spatial structure 201 having a first feature amount similar to the second feature amount of the second spatial structure 202 as a similar structure. Therefore, according to the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 1, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the generation unit 212 as compared with the case of comparing the entire first spatial structure 201 with the entire second spatial structure 202.

[0060] In addition, even when the estimation unit 211 extracts the second feature amount that is the feature amount of the second spatial structure 202, a learned model described later may be used.

[0061] (5.2) Modification 2 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Note that, regarding the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 2, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0062] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the generation unit 212 includes a lighting effect generation unit 2121. The lighting effect generation unit 2121 generates spatial information In3 including lighting effects using a learned model. That is, the spatial information In3 generated by the lighting effect generation unit 2121 includes the first spatial structure 201 read from the storage unit 22 and the lighting effects by one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the first spatial structure 201.

[0063] The learned model is generated, for example, by supervised learning. The learning data used for supervised learning is data associating a plurality of first spatial structures 201 with the lighting effects by one or more lighting fixtures 101 installed in each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201.

[0064] Here, as an example, the machine learning algorithm is a neural network. However, the machine learning algorithm is not limited to neural networks. For example, it may be XGB (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) regression, Random Forest, decision tree, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes classifier, or k-nearest neighbors. Furthermore, the machine learning algorithm may be, for example, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) or k-means clustering.

[0065] According to the lighting design support system 1 according to the second modification example, it is possible to generate the spatial information In3 that reflects the lighting effect by the one or more lighting fixtures 101 arranged in the first spatial structure 201.

[0066] In the second modification example, the learned model is a model generated by supervised learning. In contrast, the learned model may be, for example, a model generated by unsupervised learning. The machine learning algorithm may be, for example, Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), Variational Autoencoder (VAE), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), an extended model, or Stable Diffusion.

[0067] (5.3) Third modification example Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1 according to the third modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 7. For the lighting design support system 1 according to the third modification example, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 3, the output unit 32 further outputs fixture information In4, which is information regarding the lighting fixtures 101 used in the lighting design in the space information In3 of the target facility 100. That is, the space information In3 includes the fixture information In4 in addition to the data of the third image Im3. The fixture information In4 includes, for example, the image, name, model number, and specifications of the lighting fixture 101. Also in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 3, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 functions as the output unit 32. For this reason, in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 3, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 displays the third image Im3 and the fourth image Im4 as shown in FIG. 7. The third image Im3 is an image of the first space structure 201 read from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure similar to the second space structure 202 of the target facility 100. In the third image Im3, one or more lighting fixtures 101 are displayed together with the first space structure 201. The fourth image Im4 is an image including the fixture information In4 of one or more lighting fixtures 101 arranged in the first space structure 201 read from the storage unit 22.

[0069] According to the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 3, in addition to the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after the lighting design, it is possible to notify the user of the fixture information In4 of the lighting fixtures 101 used in the lighting design. In particular, as in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 3, by displaying the space information In3 and the fixture information In4 on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, it is possible to visually notify the user of the fixture information In4.

[0070] (5.4) Modification 4 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Regarding the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 4, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0071] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification Example 4, the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 output from the output unit 32 includes the floor plan information In5, the position information In6, and the fixture information In4, as shown in FIG. 8. The floor plan information In5 is information regarding the floor plan of the target facility 100. The position information In6 is information regarding the position Po1 of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100. The fixture information In4 is information regarding one or more lighting fixtures 101. Similar to the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification Example 3, the fixture information In4 includes, for example, an image, name, model number, and specifications of the lighting fixture 101. In the example of FIG. 8, the third image Im3 is an image corresponding to the hatched portion in the fifth image Im5.

[0072] Also in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification Example 4, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 functions as the output unit 32. Therefore, in the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification Example 4, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 displays the third image Im3, the fourth image Im4, and the fifth image Im5 as the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100, as shown in FIG. 8. The third image Im3 is an image of the first spatial structure 201 read from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure similar to the second spatial structure 202 of the target facility 100. The fourth image Im4 is an image including the fixture information In4 of one or more lighting fixtures 101 arranged in the first spatial structure 201 read from the storage unit 22 as a similar structure. The fifth image Im5 is an image including the floor plan information In5 of the target facility 100 after lighting design and the position information In6 of one or more lighting fixtures 101.

[0073] According to the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification Example 4, the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design includes the floor plan information In5, the position information In6, and the fixture information In4. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the workability when installing one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100.

[0074] (5.5) Modification Example 5 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. Regarding the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 5, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 5, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 21 further includes a correction unit 214 in addition to the estimation unit 211 and the generation unit 212. The correction unit 214 performs a correction process for correcting the positions of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100. More specifically, in the above correction process, the correction unit 214 corrects the positions of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100 so that the positions of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100 become the positions of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the similar structure (the first spatial structure 201) read from the storage unit 22.

[0076] In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 5, the generation unit 212 reads, as a similar structure, the first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 (see FIG. 10) from among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22, and based on the structure information, which is information regarding the first spatial structure 201 as the similar structure read from the storage unit 22, generates the spatial information In3 (see FIG. 12) of the target facility 100. In this embodiment, as an example, the above structure information includes the fixture information In4 (see FIG. 7), which is information regarding one or more lighting fixtures 101 included in the similar structure, and the position information In6 (see FIG. 8), which is information regarding the positions of one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 212 generates the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100 in which one or more lighting fixtures 101 are arranged in the second spatial structure 202 based on the fixture information In4 and the position information In6. As described above, the fixture information In4 includes the image, name, model number, and specifications (specs) of each lighting fixture 101.

[0077] Next, the lighting design support method according to Modification 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0078] First, the lighting design support system 1 executes an input step ST1 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, in the input step ST1, the input unit 31 of the lighting design support system 1 receives the input of the requirement information In2 and the facility information In1. The facility information In1 includes, for example, the data of the first image Im1 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 10. In the example of FIG. 10, one first image Im1 of a single room (for example, a living room) in the target facility 100 is displayed on the display unit 30, but a plurality of first images Im1 may be displayed on the display unit 30. The plurality of first images Im1 may be images obtained by imaging a single room of the target facility 100 multiple times from different directions, or may be images obtained by imaging a plurality of rooms in the target facility 100 respectively. The requirement information In2 includes, for example, the data of the second image Im2 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 11. The second image Im2 is, for example, an image of a space where the lighting design (lighting plan) desired by the user has been made.

[0079] Next, the lighting design support system 1 executes an estimation step ST2 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, in the estimation step ST2, the estimation unit 211 of the lighting design support system 1 estimates the second space structure 202 (see FIG. 10), which is the space structure of the target facility 100, based on the facility information In1 received in the input step ST1. Specifically, the estimation unit 211 estimates the second space structure 202 based on the data of the first image Im1 shown in FIG. 10 and the detection result of the detection device 4 (see FIG. 1).

[0080] Furthermore, the lighting design support system 1 executes a generation step ST3 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 of the lighting design support system 1 generates the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design based on the facility information In1 and the demand information In2 received by the input unit 31. Specifically, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 reads out from the storage unit 22, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 that is similar to the second space structure 202 among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the storage unit 22 and is related to the demand information In2. Then, in the generation step ST3, the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 (see FIG. 12) based on the structure information, which is information related to the above similar structure. Here, the generation unit 212 extracts the fixture information In4 (see FIG. 7) and the position information In6 (see FIG. 8) included in the image information from the image information of the first space structure 201 as the above similar structure read out from the storage unit 22. After that, the generation unit 212 generates the space information In3 in which the lighting fixture 101 related to the fixture information In4 is arranged at the position related to the position information In6 in the second space structure 202 estimated by the estimation unit 211.

[0081] Finally, the lighting design support system 1 executes an output step ST4 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, in the output step ST4, the output unit 32 of the lighting design support system 1 outputs the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 212. Specifically, the display unit 30 as the output unit 32 displays the third image Im3 shown in FIG. 12.

[0082] Also in the lighting design support system 1 and the lighting design support method according to Modification 5, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100, similar to the lighting design support system 1 and the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 1. Further, according to the lighting design support system 1 and the lighting design support method according to Modification 5, it is possible to perform a lighting design based on the fixture information In4 and the position information In6.

[0083] Here, the above-described generation unit 212 may be configured by, for example, a generative AI. In the lighting design support system 1 according to Modification 5, a plurality of first spatial structures 201, which are spatial structures after lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures 101 each, are stored in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2, and lighting design is performed using these plurality of first spatial structures 201. Therefore, even if a general generative AI is used, it is difficult to function as the above-described generation unit 212.

[0084] (5.6) Other Modifications Hereinafter, other modifications will be listed.

[0085] The execution entity of the lighting design support system 1 or the lighting design support method in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the execution entity of the lighting design support system 1 or the lighting design support method in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI have different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit sections inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system mentioned here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0086] In addition, it is not an essential configuration of the lighting design support system 1 that a plurality of functions in the lighting design support system 1 are integrated in one housing, and the components of the lighting design support system 1 may be provided in a distributed manner in a plurality of housings. Further, at least some functions of the lighting design support system 1, for example, the functions of the control unit 21 of the server device 2 may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0087] Conversely, in Embodiment 1, at least some functions of the lighting design support system 1 that are distributed among a plurality of devices may be integrated in one housing. For example, some functions of the lighting design support system 1 that are distributed between the server device 2 and the information terminal 3 may be integrated in one housing.

[0088] In Embodiment 1, the lighting design support system 1 includes the detection device 4, but the lighting design support system 1 may not include the detection device 4. That is, the detection device 4 may be omitted. In this case, the estimation unit 211 estimates the three-dimensional space structure based on the data of the first image Im1 received by the input unit 31, but the process is simpler than the case of estimating the three-dimensional space structure based on the data of the first image Im1 and the three-dimensional space information from the detection device 4, and it is possible to reduce the processing load on the estimation unit 211.

[0089] In Embodiment 1, the lighting design support system 1 includes the output unit 32, but the lighting design support system 1 may not include the output unit 32. That is, the output unit 32 may be omitted.

[0090] At least some of the functions of the server device 2 may be realized by a cloud.

[0091] In Embodiment 1, the facility information In1 includes the data of the first image Im1, but the facility information In1 is not limited to the data of the first image Im1 and may include, for example, drawing data (including handwritten data).

[0092] In Embodiment 1, as the spatial information In3 of the target facility 100, the third image Im3 is displayed on the display unit 30. However, for example, the information itself of the first spatial structure 201 stored in the storage unit 22 may be displayed on the display unit 30.

[0093] In Embodiment 1, the input of the request information In2 is configured to select a preferred facility from the second image Im2 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3. However, for example, it may be configured to select from scenes or images expressed in characters.

[0094] In Embodiment 1, the output unit 32 is the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, and the spatial information In3 is displayed on the display unit 30. In contrast, the output unit 32 may output the spatial information In3 to, for example, another system or another device different from the lighting design support system 1. Further, the output unit 32 may output the fixture information In4 together with the spatial information In3. Furthermore, the generation unit 212 may generate at least one of an estimate and an order based on the spatial information In3 and the fixture information In4.

[0095] Also, the spatial information In3 may be output to a plurality of output units. For example, the spatial information In3 and the fixture information In4 may be output to another system different from the information terminal 3, and only the third image Im3 of the spatial information In3 may be output (displayed) to the display unit 30. The other system is, for example, a system equipped by a construction contractor who installs one or more lighting fixtures 101 in the target facility 100. In this case, the user can view the image (third image Im3) displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, and the construction contractor can obtain detailed lighting design information. In this case, in addition to the third image Im3, an estimated price may be output (displayed) to the display unit 30.

[0096] (Embodiment 2) (1) Overview First, the overview of the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0097] The lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 is a system that supports the lighting design of a target facility 100 (see FIG. 14). The target facility 100 is, for example, a housing facility such as each household of a detached house or an apartment building, or a non-housing facility such as an office, a store, a school, or a nursing facility. In this embodiment, as an example, the target facility 100 is each household or each room of an apartment building. Further, in this embodiment, "lighting design" includes selection of one or more lighting fixtures installed in the target facility 100, arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the target facility 100, and setting of illuminance by one or more lighting fixtures.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 13, the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 includes an input unit 31, a first storage unit (storage unit) 221, and a generation unit 213. The input unit 31 receives input of facility information In1 (see FIG. 14), which is information about the target facility 100 (see FIG. 14), and fixture information In2 (see FIG. 15), which is information about the first lighting fixture 101 (see FIG. 15). The first storage unit 221 stores a plurality of first space structures 201 (see FIG. 17B), each of which is a space structure after lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures. The generation unit 213 generates space information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 after lighting design. More specifically, the generation unit 213 reads out, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 similar to a second space structure 202 (see FIG. 17A), which is the space structure of the target facility 100, from the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221. Further, the generation unit 213 extracts a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101, from among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 213 generates space information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second space structure 202 based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

[0099] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 reads, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 from among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221. Further, the generation unit 213 extracts, from the similar structure, a similar lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 from among one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 213 generates spatial information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second spatial structure 202 based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the spatial information In3 as compared with the case of simulating the lighting effect by the lighting fixture. That is, according to the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100. Further, according to the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to perform the lighting design of the target facility 100 using the first lighting fixture 101. In the present embodiment, the "first lighting fixture 101" includes at least one of the lighting fixtures used in a facility such as an apartment where the user is currently living and the lighting fixtures that the user plans to use in the target facility 100.

[0100] (2) Details Next, each component of the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0101] As described above, the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 is a system that supports the lighting design of the target facility 100 (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 13, the lighting design support system 1A includes a server device 2A and an information terminal 3. The information terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer owned by the user. In the present embodiment, as an example, the information terminal 3 is a tablet terminal (see FIGS. 14 to 16).

[0102] (2.1) Server device The server device 2A can be realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, when one or more processors execute a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, it functions as the server device 2A. Here, the program is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, but it may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or it may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 13, the server device 2A includes a control unit 21A, a storage unit 22A, and a communication unit 23.

[0104] (2.1.1) Control Unit The control unit 21A performs overall control of the server device 2A. The control unit 21A is electrically connected to each of the storage unit 22A and the communication unit 23. By controlling the storage unit 22A, the control unit 21A causes the storage unit 22A to store information or reads information from the storage unit 22A. Also, by controlling the communication unit 23, the control unit 21A causes the communication unit 23 to communicate with the information terminal 3. The control unit 21A includes a generation unit 213.

[0105] The generation unit 213 generates spatial information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 (see FIG. 14) after lighting design. More specifically, the generation unit 213 reads out, from the first storage unit 221, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 (see FIG. 17A), which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100, among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221, as a similar structure. Further, the generation unit 213 extracts, from the similar structure read out from the first storage unit 221, a similar lighting fixture that is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 (see FIG. 15) among one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 213 generates spatial information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second spatial structure 202 based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. Here, the position Po4 (see FIG. 17C) of the first lighting fixture 101 in the second spatial structure 202 is the same position as the position Po3 (see FIG. 17B) of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

[0106] In this case, it is preferable that the generation unit 213 performs at least one of the first operation and the second operation based on the request information received by the input unit 31. The first operation is an operation of reading out the similar structure from the first storage unit 221. The second operation is an operation of extracting the similar lighting fixture from the similar structure.

[0107] Further, it is preferable that the generation unit 213 reads out, from the first storage unit 221, the first spatial structure 201 having the highest degree of match according to the desired information among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221. The desired information is information including, for example, the floor plan, size, and construction year of the target facility 100 desired by the user. Thereby, it becomes possible to extract the first spatial structure 201 closest to the user's desire.

[0108] The spatial information In3 generated by the generation unit 213 includes, for example, data of a third image Im13 as shown in FIG. 16. The third image Im13 is an image after lighting design in which the first lighting fixture 101 is installed at the same position Po4 as the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure in the second spatial structure 202, which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100.

[0109] Further, the generation unit 213 may be configured to calculate at least one of the initial cost and the maintenance cost. The initial cost is the cost paid by the user when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100, and includes, for example, the purchase cost and the construction cost of the first lighting fixture 101. The maintenance cost is the cost paid by the user to maintain the first lighting fixture 101 already installed in the target facility 100, and includes, for example, the electricity cost (power consumption), the maintenance cost, and the cleaning cost.

[0110] Also, when the lighting design of the target facility 100 cannot be completed only with the first lighting fixture 101, the generation unit 213 may be configured to perform the lighting design using the third lighting fixture. The third lighting fixture is a lighting fixture different from the first lighting fixture 101, and is, for example, a new lighting fixture that the user has never used. Further, "when the lighting design has not been completed" means that when no first lighting fixture 101 is installed in the second space structure 202, the number of first lighting fixtures 101 installed in the second space structure 202 is less than the number of similar lighting fixtures installed in the similar structure read from the first storage unit 221, and when the illuminance of the first lighting fixture 101 installed in the second space structure 202 is insufficient.

[0111] Furthermore, when the generation unit 213 performs the lighting design using the third lighting fixture, it may be configured to calculate at least one of the initial cost and the maintenance cost. The initial cost is the cost paid by the user when purchasing the third lighting fixture and installing the purchased third lighting fixture in the target facility 100. The maintenance cost is the cost paid by the user to maintain the third lighting fixture already installed in the target facility 100. In this case, it is preferable that the input unit 31 is further configured to receive the purchase unit price of the third lighting fixture.

[0112] (2.1.2) Storage Unit The storage unit 22 includes memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). As shown in FIG. 13, the storage unit 22 includes a first storage unit 221, a second storage unit 222, and a third storage unit 223.

[0113] The first storage unit 221 stores a plurality of first spatial structures 201. Each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201 is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures. That is, each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201 is a spatial structure after lighting design in which one or more second lighting fixtures are installed.

[0114] The second storage unit 222 is different from the first storage unit 221. The second storage unit 222 stores a plurality of third spatial structures. Each of the plurality of third spatial structures is a spatial structure that can be a candidate for the target facility 100.

[0115] The third storage unit 223 stores fixture information of a plurality of lighting fixtures including the first lighting fixture 101. More specifically, the third storage unit 223 stores by associating the product number of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures with the specification (spec) of each of the plurality of lighting fixtures.

[0116] (2.1.3) Communication Unit The communication unit 23 includes a communication interface for communicating with the information terminal 3. The communication unit 23 communicates, for example, via a network such as the Internet with the communication unit 34 of the information terminal 3. By communicating with the communication unit 34, the communication unit 23 receives (acquires) the facility information In1 (see FIG. 14) and the fixture information In2 (see FIG. 15) received by the input unit 31 of the information terminal 3. Also, by communicating with the communication unit 34, the communication unit 23 transmits the spatial information In3 (see FIG. 16) generated by the generation unit 213 to the information terminal 3.

[0117] Here, the facility information In1 is information regarding the target facility 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 for example, the facility information In1 includes data of the first image Im1 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3. In the example of FIG. 14, one first image Im1 of a room (for example, a living room) inside the target facility 100 is displayed on the display unit 30, but a plurality of first images Im1 may be displayed on the display unit 30. The plurality of first images Im1 may be images obtained by imaging a room of the target facility 100 multiple times from different directions, or may be images obtained by imaging a plurality of rooms inside the target facility 100 respectively. Also, the appliance information In2 is information regarding the first lighting fixture 101, and includes at least one of, for example, information regarding the product number and performance of the first lighting fixture 101, and image information of the first lighting fixture 101.

[0118] (2.2) Information Terminal As described above, the information terminal 3 is, for example, a tablet terminal owned by a user. The information terminal 3 can be realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, by one or more processors executing a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, it functions as the information terminal 3. The program is here recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 13, the information terminal 3 includes an input unit 31, an output unit 32, a control unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0120] (2.2.1) Input Unit The input unit 31 receives the input of the facility information In1 (see FIG. 14) and the appliance information In2 (see FIG. 15). As described above, the facility information In1 is information regarding the target facility 100, and the appliance information In2 is information regarding the first lighting fixture 101. In the present embodiment, since the information terminal 3 is a tablet terminal, the input unit 31 is constituted by the touch panel of the tablet terminal.

[0121] Further, the input unit 31 may be configured to further receive input of desired information. The desired information includes, as described above, the layout, size, and construction year of the target facility 100 desired by the user.

[0122] Further, the input unit 31 may be configured to further receive input of request information. The request information is information regarding the user's request, and includes, for example, at least one of a request regarding the lighting space and a request regarding the lighting fixture to be used. Regarding the request regarding the lighting space, for example, it may be selected from among the image images of a plurality of lighting spaces displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, may be selected from among a plurality of options, or may be free description. Regarding the request regarding the lighting fixture, for example, it may be selected from among the image images of a plurality of lighting fixtures displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, or the product number etc. of the lighting fixture may be input.

[0123] Further, the input unit 31 may be configured to further receive input of a similarity threshold value when the generation unit 213 performs at least one of the first operation and the second operation. The similarity in the first operation is the similarity between each of the plurality of first space structures 201 and the second space structure 202. The similarity in the second operation is the similarity between one or more second lighting fixtures in the similar structure and the first lighting fixture 101. For example, when the number of the first lighting fixtures 101 in the space information In3 generated by the generation unit 213 is small, the similarity threshold value is decreased in at least one of the first operation and the second operation. Thereby, it becomes possible to increase the number of the first lighting fixtures 101 in the space information In3 generated by the generation unit 213.

[0124] In addition, the input unit 31 may be configured to further receive an input of an upper limit value of the initial cost that a user pays when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100. Thereby, it becomes possible to set an upper limit value of the initial cost to be paid when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100. In this case, the upper limit value may be, for example, a specific amount or a range of amounts. Further, the upper limit value may be selected from a plurality of options such as a high-grade plan and a standard plan. Here, the generation unit 213 preferably changes the threshold of similarity in at least one of the first operation and the second operation, or the first lighting fixture 101 so as not to exceed the upper limit value of the initial cost received by the input unit 31.

[0125] In addition, the input unit 31 may be configured to further receive an input for modifying the space information In3 after the lighting design. The input unit 31 receives, for example, a change in the product number (type) of the first lighting fixture 101 included in the space information In3, and a change in the position of the first lighting fixture 101 in the second space structure 202.

[0126] (2.2.2) Output unit The output unit 32 outputs the space information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 after the lighting design generated by the generation unit 213 of the server device 2A. In this embodiment, as an example, the space information In3 includes data of the third image Im3 displayed on the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 (see FIG. 16). That is, in this embodiment, the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3 corresponds to the output unit 32 of the lighting design support system 1.

[0127] Further, the output unit 32 may be configured to further output maintenance information. The maintenance information is information based on at least one of, for example, the manufacturing date and the number of years of use of the first lighting fixture 101 and the estimation result of the aging deterioration of the first lighting fixture 101 based on an image including the first lighting fixture 101 (for example, the third image Im3). For example, when the number of years of use of the first lighting fixture 101 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, or when the degree of deterioration from the estimation result of the aging deterioration of the first lighting fixture 101 is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, the output unit 32 outputs maintenance information recommending repair or replacement of parts of the first lighting fixture 101.

[0128] Further, the output unit 32 may be configured to further output the recommended information generated by the generation unit 213. The recommended information recommends a lighting design using a third lighting fixture different from the first lighting fixture 101. The third lighting fixture is, for example, a new lighting fixture that the user has never used. The generation unit 213 generates the recommended information when the initial cost and the maintenance cost of the lighting design using the third lighting fixture are smaller than the initial cost and the maintenance cost of the lighting design using the first lighting fixture 101.

[0129] Further, the output unit 32 may be configured to further output disposal / sale information. The disposal / sale information is information regarding the disposal method and disposal cost of the unused lighting fixture 101, or the sale method and purchase cost of the unused lighting fixture 101. The unused lighting fixture 101 is the first lighting fixture 101 that is unused when the lighting design of the target facility 100 is completed. The generation unit 213 generates the disposal / sale information when there is an unused lighting fixture 101 when the lighting design of the target facility 100 is completed. Note that since the method of disposing of garbage varies depending on the local government, it is preferable that the input unit 31 is configured to further accept input of an address or the like.

[0130] (2.2.3) Control Unit The control unit 33 controls the entire information terminal 3. The control unit 33 is electrically connected to each of the input unit 31, the output unit 32, the communication unit 34, and the storage unit 35. The control unit 33 acquires various information from the input unit 31. The control unit 33 causes the output unit 32 to output various information by controlling the output unit 32. The control unit 33 causes the communication unit 34 to communicate with the communication unit 23 of the server device 2A by controlling the communication unit 34. The control unit 33 causes the storage unit 35 to store information in the storage unit 35 or read information from the storage unit 35 by controlling the storage unit 35.

[0131] (2.2.4) Communication Unit The communication unit 34 includes a communication interface for communicating with the server device 2A. The communication unit 34 communicates, for example, with the communication unit 23 of the server device 2A via a network such as the Internet. The communication unit 34 receives various information including the space information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 213 from the server device 2A by communicating with the communication unit 23. Further, the communication unit 34 transmits various information received by the input unit 31 to the server device 2A by communicating with the communication unit 23.

[0132] (2.2.5) Storage Unit The storage unit 35 includes, for example, memories such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM. The storage unit 35 stores, for example, the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 213 of the server device 2A. Further, the storage unit 35 may be configured to store the above-described maintenance information, recommendation information, and disposal / sale information.

[0133] (3) Operation of the Generation Unit Next, the operation of the generation unit 213 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17C.

[0134] First, the generation unit 213 acquires the facility information In1 (see FIG. 14) received by the input unit 31. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the facility information In1 includes the second space structure 202 of the target facility 100.

[0135] Next, the generation unit 213 reads out, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure 201 similar to the second spatial structure 202 included in the facility information In1 from among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221 (see FIG. 17B). The positions Po1 to Po3 in FIG. 17B are positions where three second lighting fixtures are arranged in the first spatial structure 201 read out from the first storage unit 221 as a similar structure.

[0136] Furthermore, the generation unit 213 extracts, from the above similar structure, a similar lighting fixture that is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 among the three second lighting fixtures included in the above similar structure. In the example of FIG. 17B, the above similar lighting fixture is the second lighting fixture arranged at the position Po3 in the first spatial structure 201 that is the similar structure.

[0137] Then, the generation unit 213 generates spatial information In3 (see FIG. 16) in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second spatial structure 202 based on the position information of the above similar lighting fixture in the above similar structure. In the example of FIG. 17C, in the second spatial structure 202, the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged at the position Po4 that is the same position as the position Po3 where the similar lighting fixture is arranged.

[0138] (4) Lighting design support method Next, the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. The lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2 is executed, for example, by the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2.

[0139] The lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2 is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility 100 (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 18, the lighting design support method includes an input step ST11 and a generation step ST12. In the input step ST11, the input of facility information In1 (see FIG. 14), which is information about the target facility 100, and fixture information In2 (see FIG. 15), which is information about the first lighting fixture 101, is received. In the generation step ST12, the spatial information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 after lighting design is generated. More specifically, in the generation step ST12, the first storage unit (storage unit) 221 reads out, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure 201 that is similar to the second spatial structure 202 (see FIG. 17A), which is the spatial structure of the target facility 100, among the plurality of first spatial structures 201 (see FIG. 17B) stored in the first storage unit 221. Further, in the generation step ST12, from the similar structure read out from the first storage unit 221, a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 among one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, is extracted. Then, in the generation step ST12, based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure, the spatial information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second spatial structure 202 is generated. Each of the plurality of first spatial structures 201 is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures.

[0140] In the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2, in the generation step ST12, a first space structure 201 similar to the second space structure 202 among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221 is read from the first storage unit 221 as a similar structure. Further, in the generation step ST12, a similar lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 is extracted from one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. Then, in the generation step ST12, space information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second space structure 202 is generated based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the space information In3 compared to the case of simulating the lighting effect by the lighting fixture. That is, according to the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100. Further, according to the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to perform the lighting design of the target facility 100 using the first lighting fixture 101.

[0141] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a lighting design support method executed by the lighting design support system 1 according to Embodiment 2. The lighting design support method includes each step ST11 to ST13 shown in FIG. 18. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is an example, and one or more steps other than each step ST11 to ST13 shown in FIG. 18 may be included. Further, step ST13 may be omitted.

[0142] Hereinafter, the lighting design support method according to Embodiment 2 will be specifically described.

[0143] First, the lighting design support system 1A executes the input step ST11. More specifically, the input unit 31 of the lighting design support system 1A receives the input of the facility information In1 (see FIG. 14) and the fixture information In2 (see FIG. 15) in the input step ST1.

[0144] Furthermore, the lighting design support system 1A executes a generation step ST12. More specifically, the generation unit 213 of the lighting design support system 1A generates the space information In3 (see FIG. 16) of the target facility 100 after lighting design in the generation step ST12.

[0145] Then, the lighting design support system 1A executes an output step ST13. More specifically, the output unit 32 of the lighting design support system 1A outputs the space information In3 of the target facility 100 after lighting design generated by the generation unit 213 in the output step ST13. In the present embodiment, the display unit 30 as the output unit 32 displays the third image Im3 as the space information In3 of the target facility 100 (see FIG. 16).

[0146] A user who has seen the third image Im3 displayed on the display unit 30 can use the input unit 31 to correct the type, number, and position of the first lighting fixture 101 included in the third image Im3.

[0147] (5) Effects In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 reads, as a similar structure, a first space structure 201 similar to the second space structure 202 from the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221. Further, the generation unit 213 extracts a similar lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture 101 from one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 213 generates the space information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is arranged in the second space structure 202 based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time required to generate the space information In3 as compared with the case of simulating the lighting effect by the lighting fixture. That is, according to the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility 100. Further, according to the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 3, it is possible to perform the lighting design of the target facility 100 using the first lighting fixture 101.

[0148] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 reads out from the first storage unit 221 the first space structure 201 having the highest degree of match with the desired information among the plurality of first space structures 201 stored in the first storage unit 221. Thereby, it becomes possible to extract the first space structure 201 closest to the user's desire.

[0149] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the fixture information In2 includes at least one of information on the product number and performance of the first lighting fixture 101 and image information of the first lighting fixture 101. Thereby, it becomes possible to acquire information on the product number and performance of the first lighting fixture 101.

[0150] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 calculates at least one of the initial cost when installing the first lighting fixture 101 and the maintenance cost for maintaining the first lighting fixture 101. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify the user of at least one of the initial cost and the maintenance cost of the first lighting fixture 101.

[0151] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, when the lighting design of the target facility 100 cannot be completed with only the first lighting fixture 101, the generation unit 213 performs the lighting design using the third lighting fixture. Thereby, even when the lighting design of the target facility 100 cannot be completed with only the first lighting fixture 101, it becomes possible to complete the lighting design of the target facility 100 by using the third lighting fixture.

[0152] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 calculates at least one of the initial cost when installing the third lighting fixture and the maintenance cost for maintaining the third lighting fixture. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify the user of at least one of the initial cost and the maintenance cost of the third lighting fixture.

[0153] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the generation unit 213 performs at least one of a first operation of reading a similar structure from the first storage unit 221 and a second operation of extracting a similar lighting fixture from the similar structure based on the desired information received by the input unit 31. As a result, it becomes possible to generate the spatial information In3 that reflects the user's desires.

[0154] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the input unit 31 further receives an input for changing the similarity threshold when the generation unit 213 performs at least one of the first operation and the second operation. As a result, it becomes possible to change the similarity threshold when the generation unit 213 performs at least one of the first operation and the second operation.

[0155] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the input unit 31 further receives an input of the upper limit value of the initial cost that the user pays when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100. As a result, it becomes possible to set the upper limit value of the initial cost that the user pays when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100.

[0156] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the input unit 31 can further receive an input for correcting the spatial information In3 after the lighting design. As a result, it becomes possible to correct the spatial information In3 after the lighting design.

[0157] The lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 further includes an output unit 32 that outputs maintenance information. As a result, it becomes possible to notify the user of the maintenance information.

[0158] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the output unit 32 further outputs the recommended information generated by the generation unit 213. As a result, it becomes possible to recommend to the user a third lighting fixture that is more cost-effective than the first lighting fixture 101.

[0159] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2, the output unit 32 further outputs the disposal / sale information generated by the generation unit 213. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify the user of information regarding the disposal and sale of the unnecessary first lighting fixture 101.

[0160] (6) Variation Embodiment 2 is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiment 2 can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, functions similar to those of the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 may be embodied by the above-described lighting design support method, (computer) program, or non-transitory recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0161] Hereinafter, variations of Embodiment 2 will be listed. The variations described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0162] (6.1) Variation 1 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1A according to Variation 1 will be described. Regarding the lighting design support system 1A according to Variation 1, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0163] In the lighting design support system 1A according to Variation 1, as shown in FIG. 19, the generation unit 213 has a selection unit 2131. The selection unit 2131 selects which of the first lighting design and the second lighting design to prioritize in the lighting design of the target facility 100. The first lighting design is a lighting design using the first lighting fixture 101. The second lighting design is the lighting design optimal for the target facility 100.

[0164] For example, when the priority of the first lighting design is 8 and the priority of the second lighting design is 6, the selection unit 2131 selects the first lighting design, and when the priority of the first lighting design is 6 and the priority of the second lighting design is 8, the selection unit 2131 selects the second lighting design. The generation unit 213 implements the first lighting design or the second lighting design according to the selection result of the selection unit 2131.

[0165] Further, the selection unit 2131 may select the first lighting design or the second lighting design according to the performance (specifications) of the first lighting fixture 101 used in the first lighting design. Specifically, for example, the selection unit 2131 selects the first lighting design when the user is satisfied with three or more of the luminous flux, appearance, color adjustment, and dimming function of the first lighting fixture 101, and selects the second lighting design when there are two or less.

[0166] Further, the selection unit 2131 may select the first lighting design or the second lighting design according to whether the first lighting fixture 101 used in the first lighting design is a lighting fixture suitable for the target facility 100. Specifically, the selection unit 2131 selects the first lighting design when the first lighting fixture 101 is a lighting fixture suitable for the target facility 100, and selects the second lighting design when the first lighting fixture 101 is not a lighting fixture suitable for the target facility 100.

[0167] Further, the selection unit 2131 may select the first lighting design or the second lighting design according to whether the space structure used in the first lighting design is a space structure suitable for the first lighting fixture 101. Specifically, the selection unit 2131 selects the first lighting design when the space structure used in the first lighting design is a space structure suitable for the first lighting fixture 101, and selects the second lighting design when the space structure used in the first lighting design is not a space structure suitable for the first lighting fixture 101.

[0168] According to the lighting design support system 1A according to Modification 1, it is possible to select which of the first lighting design using the first lighting fixture 101 and the second lighting design optimal for the target facility 100 is prioritized.

[0169] (6.2) Modification 2 Hereinafter, the lighting design support system 1A according to Modification 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. Regarding the lighting design support system 1A according to Modification 2, the same components as those of the lighting design support system 1A according to Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0170] In the lighting design support system 1A according to the second modification, as shown in FIG. 20, the display unit 30 as the output unit 32 displays the fourth image Im14 in addition to the third image Im13. As described above, the third image Im13 is an image of one room of the target facility 100 after lighting design. The fourth image Im14 is an image representing the floor plan of the target facility 100. The position Po0 in the fourth image Im14 is the installation position of the first lighting fixture 101. That is, in the lighting design support system 1A according to the second modification, the spatial information In3 includes the third image Im13 and the fourth image Im14. In the example of FIG. 20, the third image Im13 is an image corresponding to the hatched portion in the fourth image Im14.

[0171] According to the lighting design support system 1A according to the second modification, by causing the display unit 30 to display the floor plan of the target facility 100 together, it is possible to improve the workability when installing the first lighting fixture 101 in the target facility 100.

[0172] (6.3) Other modifications Hereinafter, other modifications will be listed.

[0173] The execution entity of the lighting design support system 1A or the lighting design support method in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions as the execution entity of the lighting design support system 1A or the lighting design support method in the present disclosure are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI have different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit section inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0174] Moreover, it is not an essential configuration of the lighting design support system 1A that a plurality of functions in the lighting design support system 1A are integrated in one housing, and the components of the lighting design support system 1A may be provided dispersedly in a plurality of housings. Further, at least some functions of the lighting design support system 1A, for example, the function of the control unit 21A of the server device 2A may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0175] Conversely, in Embodiment 2, at least some functions of the lighting design support system 1A that are dispersed in a plurality of devices may be integrated in one housing. For example, some functions of the lighting design support system 1A that are dispersed in the server device 2A and the information terminal 3 may be integrated in one housing.

[0176] The generation unit 213 may read out, from the second storage unit 222, the third spatial structure having the highest degree of match with the desired information among the plurality of third spatial structures stored in the second storage unit 222 as the second spatial structure 202. In this case, the generation unit 213 does not install the first lighting fixture 101 in the second spatial structure 202, but generates spatial information In3 in which the first lighting fixture 101 is installed in the third spatial structure having the highest degree of match with the desired information. Thereby, it becomes possible to extract the third spatial structure closest to the user's desire.

[0177] The generation unit 213 may extract similar lighting fixtures by combining a plurality of the first lighting fixtures 101. For example, assume that a plurality of the first lighting fixtures 101 include a ceiling light for a 10-mat room and a ceiling light for a 6-mat room, and one of the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure is a ceiling light for a 15-mat room. In this case, the generation unit 213 extracts the ceiling light for a 15-mat room as the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. Then, the generation unit 213 generates spatial information In3 in which the ceiling light for a 10-mat room and the ceiling light for a 6-mat room are arranged in the second spatial structure 202 based on the position information of the ceiling light for a 15-mat room in the similar structure.

[0178] The input unit 31 may be configured to further receive an input as to whether or not to perform the installation work of the first lighting fixture 101 during the lighting design of the target facility 100.

[0179] In Embodiment 2, the lighting design support system 1A includes the output unit 32, but the lighting design support system 1A may not include the output unit 32. That is, the output unit 32 may be omitted.

[0180] At least a part of the functions of the server device 2A may be realized in the cloud.

[0181] In Embodiment 2, the facility information In1 includes the data of the first image Im1, but the facility information In1 is not limited to the data of the first image Im1, and may include, for example, drawing data (including handwritten data).

[0182] In Embodiment 2, as the space information In3 of the target facility 100, the third image Im3 is displayed on the display unit 30. However, for example, the information itself of the first space structure 201 stored in the first storage unit 221 may be displayed on the display unit 30.

[0183] In Embodiment 2, the output unit 32 is the display unit 30 of the information terminal 3, and the space information In3 is displayed on the display unit 30. On the other hand, the output unit 32 may output the space information In3 to, for example, another system or another device different from the lighting design support system 1A. Further, the output unit 32 may output the fixture information In4 together with the space information In3. Furthermore, the generation unit 213 may generate at least one of an estimate and an order based on the space information In3 and the fixture information In4.

[0184] (Aspect) The following aspects are disclosed in this specification.

[0185] The lighting design support system (1) according to the first aspect is a lighting design support system (1) that supports the lighting design of a target facility (100). The lighting design support system (1) includes an input unit (31), a storage unit (22), an estimation unit (211), and a generation unit (212). The input unit (31) receives the input of requirement information (In2), which is information regarding the user's requirements, and facility information (In1), which is information regarding the target facility (100). The storage unit (22) stores a plurality of first spatial structures (201), each of which is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures (101). The estimation unit (211) estimates a second spatial structure (202), which is the spatial structure of the target facility (100), based on the facility information (In1) received by the input unit (31). The generation unit (212) generates spatial information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design based on the requirement information (In2) received by the input unit (31). The generation unit (212) reads out from the storage unit (22) a first spatial structure (201) similar to the second spatial structure (202) among the plurality of first spatial structures (201) stored in the storage unit (22) as a similar structure, and generates the spatial information (In3) based on fixture information, which is information regarding the similar structure.

[0186] According to this aspect, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility (100).

[0187] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the structure information includes image information regarding the similar structure. The generation unit (212) generates the spatial information (In3) based on the image information.

[0188] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform a lighting design based on the image information.

[0189] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first aspect, the structure information includes fixture information (In4) which is information about one or more lighting fixtures (101) included in the similar structure, and position information (In6) which is information about the positions of one or more lighting fixtures (101) in the similar structure. The generation unit (212) generates space information (In3) in which one or more lighting fixtures (101) are arranged in the second space structure (202) based on the fixture information (In4) and the position information (In6).

[0190] According to this aspect, it becomes possible to perform lighting design based on the fixture information (In4) and the position information (In6).

[0191] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the generation unit (212) has a lighting effect generation unit (2121). The lighting effect generation unit (2121) generates space information (In3) including a lighting effect using a learned model obtained by machine - learning the lighting effect by one or more lighting fixtures (101) in each of a plurality of first space structures (201).

[0192] According to this aspect, it becomes possible to generate space information (In3) that reflects the lighting effect.

[0193] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the storage unit (22) stores by associating each of a plurality of first space structures (201) with a first feature amount which is a feature amount in each of the plurality of first space structures (201). The estimation unit (211) extracts a second feature amount which is a feature amount of the second space structure (202) from the estimated second space structure (202). The generation unit (212) reads, from the storage unit (22), the first space structure (201) associated with the first feature amount similar to the second feature amount among the plurality of first space structures (201) stored in the storage unit (22) as a similar structure.

[0194] According to this aspect, it becomes possible to reduce the processing load of the generation unit (212).

[0195] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the facility information (In1) includes the detection result of the detection device (4) installed in the target facility (100).

[0196] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the second space structure (202) by the estimation unit (211).

[0197] The lighting design support system (1) according to the seventh aspect further includes an output unit (32) that outputs space information (In3) in any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0198] According to this aspect, it is possible to notify the user of the space information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design.

[0199] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the output unit (32) further outputs fixture information (In4) that is information about the lighting fixture (101) used in the lighting design in the space information (In3).

[0200] According to this aspect, in addition to the space information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design, it is possible to notify the user of the fixture information (In4) of the lighting fixture (101) used in the lighting design.

[0201] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the ninth aspect, in the seventh or eighth aspect, the input unit (31) further receives an input for correcting the space information (In3) output from the output unit (32).

[0202] According to this aspect, it is possible to correct the space information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design.

[0203] In the lighting design support system (1) according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the space information (In3) includes floor plan information (In5), position information (In6), and fixture information (In4). The floor plan information (In5) is information regarding the floor plan of the target facility (100). The position information (In6) is information regarding the positions of one or more lighting fixtures (101) in the target facility (100). The fixture information (In4) is information regarding one or more lighting fixtures (101).

[0204] According to this aspect, it is possible to improve the workability when installing one or more lighting fixtures (101) in the target facility (100).

[0205] The lighting design support system (1A) according to the eleventh aspect is a lighting design support system (1A) that supports the lighting design of the target facility (100). The lighting design support system (1A) includes an input unit (31), a storage unit (221), and a generation unit (213). The input unit (31) receives the input of facility information (In1), which is information regarding the target facility (100), and fixture information (In2), which is information regarding the first lighting fixture (101). The storage unit (221) stores a plurality of first space structures (201), each of which is a space structure after lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures. The generation unit (213) generates the space information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design. The generation unit (213) reads out, as a similar structure, a first space structure (201) similar to the second space structure (202), which is the space structure of the target facility (100), from the plurality of first space structures (201) stored in the storage unit (221). The generation unit (213) extracts a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture (101), from among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure. The generation unit (213) generates the space information (In3) in which the first lighting fixture (101) is arranged in the second space structure (202) based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

[0206] According to this aspect, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility (100). Further, according to this aspect, it is possible to perform the lighting design of the target facility (100) using the first lighting fixture (101).

[0207] The lighting design support system (1A) according to the twelfth aspect further includes a second storage unit (222) in the eleventh aspect. The second storage unit (222) is different from the first storage unit (221) which is the storage unit (221). The second storage unit (222) stores a plurality of third spatial structures each of which is a spatial structure that can be a candidate for the target facility (100). The input unit (31) further receives an input of desired information including the floor plan, area, and construction year of the target facility (100) desired by the user. The generation unit (213) reads out, from the second storage unit (222), the third spatial structure having the highest degree of match with the desired information among the plurality of third spatial structures stored in the second storage unit (222) as the second spatial structure (202).

[0208] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform a lighting design using the spatial structure closest to the second spatial structure (202) which is the spatial structure of the target facility (100).

[0209] The lighting design support method according to the 13th aspect is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility (100). The lighting design support method includes an input step (ST1), an estimation step (ST2), and a generation step (ST3). In the input step (ST1), an input of requirement information (In2), which is information regarding the user's requirements, and facility information (In1), which is information regarding the target facility (100), is received. In the estimation step (ST2), the spatial structure of the target facility (100) is estimated based on the facility information (In1) received in the input step (ST1). In the generation step (ST3), spatial information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design is generated based on the requirement information (In2) received in the input step (ST1). In the generation step (ST3), among the plurality of first spatial structures (201) stored in the storage unit (22), each of which is a spatial structure after lighting design by one or more lighting fixtures (101), the first spatial structure (201) similar to the second spatial structure (202), which is the spatial structure of the target facility (100), is read out from the storage unit (22) as a similar structure, and the spatial information (In3) is generated based on the fixture information, which is information regarding the similar structure.

[0210] According to this aspect, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility (100).

[0211] The lighting design support method according to the 14th aspect is a lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility (100). The lighting design support method includes an input step (ST11) and a generation step (ST12). In the input step (ST11), input of facility information (In1), which is information about the target facility (100), and fixture information (In2), which is information about the first lighting fixture (101), is received. In the generation step (ST12), spatial information (In3) of the target facility (100) after lighting design is generated. In the generation step (ST12), a first spatial structure (201) similar to the second spatial structure (202), which is the spatial structure of the target facility (100), is read from a storage unit (221) that stores a plurality of first spatial structures (201), each of which is a spatial structure after lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures. In the generation step (ST12), a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture (101) among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, is extracted from the similar structure. In the generation step (ST12), spatial information (In3) in which the first lighting fixture (101) is arranged in the second spatial structure (202) is generated based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure.

[0212] According to this aspect, it is possible to shorten the time required for the lighting design of the target facility (100). Also, according to this aspect, it is possible to perform the lighting design of the target facility (100) using the first lighting fixture (101).

[0213] Regarding the configurations according to the 2nd to 10th and 12th aspects, they are not essential configurations of the lighting design support system (1; 1A) and can be appropriately omitted.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0214] 1, 1A Lighting design support system 4 Detection device 22 Storage unit 31 Input unit 32 Output unit 100 Target facility 101 Lighting fixture 201 First space structure 202 Second space structure 211 Estimation unit 212, 213 Generation units 221 First memory unit (memory unit) 222 Second memory unit 2121 Lighting effect generation unit In1 Facility information In2 Requirement information In3 Space information In4 Fixture information In5 Floor plan information In6 Location information ST1, ST11 Input steps ST2 Estimation step ST3, ST12 Generation steps

Claims

1. A lighting design support system for supporting the lighting design of a target facility, comprising: an input unit that receives input of demand information, which is information regarding a user's demand, and facility information, which is information regarding the target facility; a storage unit that stores a plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is a spatial structure after the lighting design using one or more lighting fixtures; an estimation unit that estimates a second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, based on the facility information received by the input unit; a generation unit that generates spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design based on the demand information received by the input unit, wherein the generation unit reads, from the storage unit, as a similar structure, a first spatial structure similar to the second spatial structure among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in the storage unit; generates the spatial information based on structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure; a lighting design support system.

2. The structure information includes image information regarding the similar structure, and the generation unit generates the spatial information based on the image information. The lighting design support system according to Claim 1.

3. The structure information includes fixture information, which is information regarding the one or more lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, and position information, which is information regarding the positions of the one or more lighting fixtures in the similar structure, and the generation unit generates the spatial information in which the one or more lighting fixtures are arranged in the second spatial structure based on the fixture information and the position information. The lighting design support system according to Claim 1.

4. The generation unit has a lighting effect generation unit that generates the spatial information including the lighting effect using a learned model obtained by machine learning the lighting effect by the one or more lighting fixtures in each of the plurality of first spatial structures. The lighting design support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The storage unit stores each of the plurality of first spatial structures in association with a first feature amount, which is a feature amount in each of the plurality of first spatial structures, the estimation unit extracts a second feature amount, which is a feature amount of the second spatial structure, from the second spatial structure after estimation, and the generation unit reads, from the storage unit, as the similar structure, a first spatial structure associated with a first feature amount similar to the second feature amount among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in the storage unit. The lighting design support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

6. The facility information includes the detection results of detection devices installed in the target facility. The lighting design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. Further comprising an output unit that outputs the space information. The lighting design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The output unit further outputs fixture information which is information regarding the lighting fixtures used in the lighting design in the space information. The lighting design support system according to claim 7.

9. The input unit further receives an input for correcting the space information output from the output unit. The lighting design support system according to claim 7.

10. The space information is layout information which is information regarding the layout of the target facility, position information which is information regarding the positions of the one or more lighting fixtures in the target facility, and fixture information which is information regarding the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. A lighting design support system for supporting the lighting design of a target facility, comprising: an input unit that receives an input of facility information which is information regarding the target facility and fixture information which is information regarding a first lighting fixture; a storage unit that stores a plurality of first space structures each of which is a space structure after the lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures; a generation unit that generates space information of the target facility after the lighting design, wherein the generation unit reads out, as a similar structure, a first space structure similar to a second space structure which is the space structure of the target facility among the plurality of first space structures stored in the storage unit from the storage unit, extracts a similar lighting fixture which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture from among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, and generates the space information in which the first lighting fixture is arranged in the second space structure based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure. Lighting design support system.

12. Further comprising a second storage unit different from the first storage unit which is the storage unit, wherein the second storage unit stores a plurality of third space structures each of which is a space structure that can be a candidate for the target facility, and the input unit further receives an input of desired information including the layout, area, and construction year of the target facility desired by the user. The generation unit reads out, from the second storage unit, as the second spatial structure, the third spatial structure with the highest degree of match according to the desired information among the plurality of third spatial structures stored in the second storage unit. The lighting design support system according to claim 11.

13. A lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility, comprising: an input step of receiving input of desired information, which is information regarding a user's request, and facility information, which is information regarding the target facility; an estimation step of estimating the spatial structure of the target facility based on the facility information received in the input step; a generation step of generating spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design based on the desired information received in the input step, wherein in the generation step, a first spatial structure similar to the second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in a storage unit that stores the plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is a spatial structure after the lighting design by one or more lighting fixtures, is read out from the storage unit as a similar structure; the spatial information is generated based on structure information, which is information regarding the similar structure; lighting design support method.

14. A lighting design support method for supporting the lighting design of a target facility, comprising: an input step of receiving input of facility information, which is information regarding the target facility, and fixture information, which is information regarding a first lighting fixture; a generation step of generating spatial information of the target facility after the lighting design; wherein in the generation step, a first spatial structure similar to the second spatial structure, which is the spatial structure of the target facility, among the plurality of first spatial structures stored in a storage unit that stores the plurality of first spatial structures, each of which is a spatial structure after the lighting design using one or more second lighting fixtures, is read out from the storage unit as a similar structure; a similar lighting fixture, which is a second lighting fixture similar to the first lighting fixture among the one or more second lighting fixtures included in the similar structure, is extracted from the similar structure; spatial information in which the first lighting fixture is arranged in the second spatial structure is generated based on the position information of the similar lighting fixture in the similar structure; lighting design support method.

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