Illumination control device, and illumination control method

Abstract

To improve convenience in operating an illumination device.SOLUTION: An illumination control device according to an example of the present application comprises a specification unit, a determination unit, and an illumination control unit. The specification unit specifies an operation direction of a series of operations that are received from an operator in a simulated space image showing in a simulated manner an illumination space where an illumination device is installed, and that are for executing control of illumination light from the illumination device. The determination unit, when the operation direction specified by the specification unit is a first direction, determines the details of control of the illumination light from the illumination device to be first processing of adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light, and when the operation direction specified by the specification unit is a second direction different from the first direction, determines the details of control of the illumination light from the illumination device to be second processing of adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light. The illumination control unit executes the first processing or the second processing determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are dimming consoles that can remotely control multiple lighting devices installed in lighting spaces such as theaters, stages, studios, etc. For example, a technology has been disclosed in which, when a lighting device arranged on a plane is selected on the dimming console and dragged to the right, a variable length fader is displayed and the dimming level can be finely adjusted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-004411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional techniques leave room for improvement in terms of improving the convenience of operating lighting devices.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a lighting control device and a lighting control method that can improve convenience when operating a lighting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting control device according to an embodiment includes an identification unit, a determination unit, and a lighting control unit. The identification unit is configured to identify an operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the illumination light of the lighting device, the operation direction being received from an operator in a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which the lighting device is installed. If the operation direction identified by the identification unit is a first direction, the determination unit determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device to be a first process that adjusts a first attribute of the illumination light. If the operation direction identified by the identification unit is a second direction different from the first direction, the determination unit determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device to be a second process that adjusts a second attribute of the illumination light. The lighting control unit executes the first process or the second process determined by the determination unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation example (part 1) of the lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the operation of the lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a color operation menu according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the operation direction of a series of operations and the control content of the illumination light according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure by the terminal device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Terminal device 30, which is an example of a lighting control device according to an embodiment described below, includes an identification unit 354, a determination unit 355, and a lighting control unit 356. The identification unit 354 is configured to identify an operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the illumination light of lighting device 10, which is an operation received from an operator on a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which lighting device 10 is installed. When the operation direction identified by the identification unit 354 is a first direction, the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light of lighting device 10 to be a first process for adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light. When the operation direction identified by the identification unit 354 is a second direction different from the first direction, the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light of lighting device 10 to be a second process for adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light. The lighting control unit 356 executes the first process or the second process determined by the determination unit 355.

[0009] In addition, in the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment, the lighting control unit 356 performs, as a first process, a dimming process for adjusting the brightness of the illumination light in response to an operation by the operator, and, as a second process, a color adjustment process for adjusting the light color of the illumination light in response to an operation by the operator.

[0010] Furthermore, in the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment, the lighting control unit 356 performs the following first processing: a first object for adjusting the brightness of the illumination light is displayed near the illumination device 10 or the illumination light of the illumination device 10 displayed in the simulated space image, and performs dimming processing in accordance with the operator's operation on the first object; and a second processing: a second object for adjusting the light color is displayed near the illumination device 10 or the illumination light of the illumination device 10 displayed in the simulated space image, and performs color adjustment processing in accordance with the operator's operation on the second object.

[0011] A lighting control method according to an embodiment described below includes an identifying step, a determining step, and a lighting control step. The identifying step is an operation received from an operator on a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which the lighting device 10 is installed, and identifies an operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the illumination light of the lighting device 10. If the operation direction identified by the identifying step is a first direction, the determining step determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a first process that adjusts a first attribute of the illumination light. If the operation direction identified by the identifying step is a second direction different from the first direction, the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a second process that adjusts a second attribute of the illumination light. The lighting control step executes the first process or the second process determined by the determining step.

[0012] The present disclosure proposes a lighting control device and a lighting control method that can improve convenience when operating a lighting device. Hereinafter, a lighting control device and a lighting control method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [Embodiment] [1. System configuration example] First, an overview of a lighting control system according to an embodiment will be described using Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. The lighting control system shown in Fig. 1 is a system that supports various tasks when installing lighting devices on a stage, theater, studio, etc. A stage, theater, or studio is an example of a "lighting space."

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control system according to the embodiment includes a terminal device 30 and a plurality of lighting devices 101-109.

[0015] The terminal device 30 controls each lighting device 10 in accordance with an operation by an operator. While FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the terminal device 30 is a dimming console, the terminal device 30 is not limited to this example. The terminal device 30 may be any information processing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). The terminal device 30 is connected to the lighting devices 101 to 109 in a state in which two-way communication is possible.

[0016] The terminal device 30 may have various functions such as a communication function, a display function, and a web browsing function. In this case, the terminal device 30 may be equipped with a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as a "dedicated app") that provides various functions for realizing the information processing according to the embodiment. An operator of the terminal device 30 can perform various operations related to the information processing according to the embodiment through the functions provided by the dedicated app.

[0017] The lighting devices 101 to 109 are base lights, ceiling lights, down lights, spot lights, etc. The lighting devices 101 to 109 can perform bidirectional communication with the terminal device 30 in accordance with the RDM standard, which is an extension of DMX. Furthermore, the lighting devices 101 to 109 may perform bidirectional communication with the terminal device 30 via a DMX node (not shown).

[0018] Batons 201 to 203 are devices for suspending lighting devices 101 to 109, and include, for example, an elevator device for adjusting the height of the lighting.

[0019] Furthermore, the lighting device 10 and the terminal device 30 may communicate with each other via a predetermined network. The lighting device 10 and the terminal device 30 may be connected to the predetermined network via a wired or wireless connection. The lighting device 10 and the terminal device 30 may have a wireless communication function for connecting to the predetermined network via a wireless connection. For example, the lighting device 10 and the terminal device 30 can perform wireless communication in accordance with communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0020] The predetermined network may include public networks such as the Internet, telephone networks, and satellite communication networks, as well as various LANs (Local Area Networks) including Ethernet (registered trademark), and WANs (Wide Area Networks).The predetermined network may also include dedicated network such as IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network).The predetermined network may also include wireless communication networks such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the lighting devices 101 to 109, they will be collectively referred to as "lighting device 10." Furthermore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the batons 201 to 203, they will be collectively referred to as "batons 20."

[0022] In recent years, there are dimming control consoles that are configured to display a simulated space image that simulates the lighting space in two or three dimensions on a screen, and to allow an operator to intuitively operate the dimming controls of the lighting devices 10 set in the lighting space using a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

[0023] Such a dimming control console may be equipped with a function to display an operation menu for controlling the dimming level by selecting the lighting device 10 or the light to be irradiated, or a function to control the dimming level by selecting the lighting device 10 or the light to be irradiated and dragging it in the direction of irradiation.

[0024] However, when selecting a lighting device 10 or a light source to be irradiated on the simulated space screen, the display of an operation menu may obscure the lighting device or light source to be selected, making it impossible to select the device or light source. The display position of the operation menu may be fixed and may not be displayed near the lighting device 10 or the light source. In this case, the cursor must be moved a long distance to reach the position where the operation menu is displayed, and the user must move to the operation menu every time they select a lighting device 10, which requires additional effort. Furthermore, if the lighting devices 10 and light sources are arranged over the entire screen of the simulated space screen, the user may accidentally select the lighting device 10 or the light source and accidentally operate the dimming level.

[0025] Therefore, the terminal device 30 identifies the operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the lighting device 10, and if the identified operation direction is a first direction, determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a first process for adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light, and if the identified operation direction is a second direction different from the first direction, determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a second process for adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light, and executes a process corresponding to the determined first process or second process. In this way, the terminal device 30 can improve convenience when operating the lighting device 10.

[0026] [2. Overview of Information Processing According to Embodiment] (2-1. Example of terminal device operation (part 1)) Hereinafter, an operation example of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an operation example (part 1) of the terminal device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the operation example (part 1) of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows an example of the operation when the terminal device 30 executes a dimming process to change the dimming level of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 in response to an operation by an operator. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 2, an image resembling a mouse, which is a pointing device mounted on the dimming console, corresponds to the cursor CS that moves in conjunction with the operation of the mouse.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 30 displays a light-controlled object OB-1 near the illumination light displayed in the simulated space image G, and sets the light-controlled object OB-1 designated by the operator to a selected state (step S1-1).

[0029] The light control object OB-1 is an object that is the starting point for various processes related to the control of the illumination light of the lighting device 10, and is displayed, for example, near the illumination light. When the terminal device 30 detects any operation performed by the operator, such as moving the cursor CS closer to the illumination light, the terminal device 30 can display the light control object OB-1 in the simulated space image G.

[0030] For example, when the cursor CS is positioned on the light control object OB-1 and the left click input by pressing the left button of the mouse is continued, the terminal device 30 derives the determination result that the light control object OB-1 is designated as the selection target.

[0031] As described above, the light control object OB-1 is not the only object designated as a selection target, and the lighting device 10 or the illumination light may also be designated as a selection target. In this case, when the left click input (pressing the left button of the mouse) is continued with the cursor CS positioned on the lighting device 10 or the illumination light displayed in the simulated space image G, the terminal device 30 derives a determination result that the lighting device 10 or the illumination light has been designated as a selection target.

[0032] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 changes the display state of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the display mode of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 to a predetermined display mode that is set in advance to indicate that each is in a selected state. For example, the terminal device 30 changes the display color of the outer frame of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 from black to green.

[0033] After the light control object OB-1 is put into a selected state, if the terminal device 30 detects a drag operation performed by the operator in succession from the state of continuous left click input for designating the light control object OB-1, it identifies the operation direction of the detected drag operation (step S1-2). The drag operation performed by the operator in succession from the state of continuous left click input for designating the light control object OB-1 is an example of "a series of operations for executing control of the illumination light of the lighting device 10." For example, the terminal device 30 identifies the direction in which the input position of the left click moves due to the drag operation by the operator, thereby identifying that the operation direction of the drag operation by the operator is horizontally rightward (an example of a "first direction").

[0034] Furthermore, while the drag operation is being detected, the terminal device 30 continuously calculates the movement distance of the drag operation and determines whether the calculated movement distance exceeds a predetermined distance (step S1-3).

[0035] If the terminal device 30 determines that the distance traveled by the horizontal rightward drag operation exceeds a predetermined distance, it displays a fader OB-2 (an example of a "first object"), which is a virtual operating element for adjusting the brightness of the illumination light (also referred to as the "dimming level"), near the illumination device 10 or the illumination light of the illumination device 10 displayed in the simulated space image G (step S1-4).

[0036] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 executes a dimming process to dim the selected light-controlled object OB-1 in accordance with the operator's operation on the fader OB-2 (step S1-5).

[0037] For example, the operator drags the cursor CS up or down while the fader OB-2 is displayed. The terminal device 30 calculates a dimming level value corresponding to the input amount of the drag operation by the operator, and changes the dimming level of the light-controlled object OB-1 based on the calculated dimming level value. At this time, the terminal device 30 can change and display the brightness of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 in real time in the simulated space image G, according to the dimming level value corresponding to the input amount of the drag operation by the operator.

[0038] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 cancels the selection state of the selected light control object OB-1 in accordance with the operator's operation on the fader OB-2 (step S1-6). The operator releases the left mouse button to end the drag operation. When the left mouse click input is released, the terminal device 30 cancels the selection state of the light control object OB-1. Then, the terminal device 30 erases the display of the fader OB-2.

[0039] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 changes the display state of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the display mode of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 to a predetermined display mode set in advance to indicate that they are not selected. For example, the terminal device 30 changes the display color of the frame surrounding the light-controlled object OB-1 and the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 back from green to black.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 may transmit a dimming level value corresponding to the input amount of the drag operation to the lighting device 10 installed in the lighting space in real time. In this case, the lighting device 10 adjusts the brightness of the illumination light using the dimming level value received from the terminal device 30.

[0041] (2-1. Example of terminal device operation (part 2)) Hereinafter, a second example of the operation of the terminal device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a second example of the operation of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an example of the operation when the terminal device 30 executes a color adjustment process to change the light color of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 in response to an operation by an operator. Note that step S2-1 is the same operation as step S1-1 shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 30 displays a light-controlled object OB-1 near the illumination light displayed in the simulated space image G, and sets the light-controlled object OB-1 designated by the operator to a selected state (step S2-1).

[0043] The light control object OB-1 is an object that is the starting point for various processes related to the control of the illumination light of the lighting device 10, and is displayed, for example, near the illumination light. When the terminal device 30 detects any operation performed by the operator, such as moving the cursor CS closer to the illumination light, the terminal device 30 can display the light control object OB-1 in the simulated space image G.

[0044] For example, when the cursor CS is positioned on the light control object OB-1 and the left click input by pressing the left button of the mouse is continued, the terminal device 30 derives the determination result that the light control object OB-1 is designated as the selection target.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 changes the display state of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the display mode of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 to a predetermined display mode that is set in advance to indicate that each is in a selected state. For example, the terminal device 30 changes the display color of the outer frame of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 from black to green.

[0046] After the light control object OB-1 is put into a selected state, if the terminal device 30 detects a drag operation performed by the operator in succession from a state of continuous left-click input for designating the light control object OB-1, the terminal device 30 identifies the operation direction of the detected drag operation (step S2-2). The drag operation performed by the operator in succession from a state of continuous left-click input is an example of a "series of operations for controlling the lighting device 10." For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 30 identifies that the operation direction of the operator's drag operation is horizontally leftward (an example of a "second direction").

[0047] Furthermore, in step S2-2, while the drag operation is being detected, the terminal device 30 continuously calculates the movement distance of the drag operation, and determines whether the calculated movement distance exceeds a predetermined distance.

[0048] If the terminal device 30 determines that the distance traveled by the horizontal leftward drag operation exceeds a predetermined distance, it displays a color operation menu OB-3 (an example of a "second object"), which is a virtual operation element for changing the light color, near the lighting device 10 or the illumination light of the lighting device 10 displayed in the simulated space image G (step S2-3).

[0049] When the color operation menu OB-3 is displayed, the operator releases the left mouse button to temporarily end the drag operation. When the left mouse click input is released, the terminal device 30 waits until the next operator operation is input (step S2-4).

[0050] After temporarily ending the drag operation, the operator moves the cursor CS to the color operation menu OB-3 and then inputs a left click by pressing the left button of the mouse. The terminal device 30 accepts the designation of the color operation menu OB-3 by the left click (step S2-5). Then, the terminal device 30 executes a color adjustment process to change the light color of the selected light control object OB-1 in accordance with the operator's operation on the color operation menu OB-3. FIG. 4 shows details of the color operation menu OB-3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color operation menu OB-3 according to the embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, the color operation menu OB-3 has multiple menus for changing the light color, such as "RGB," "Color Bar," and "Variation." Fig. 4 shows an example of the display of multiple faders Br corresponding to each of "R," "G," and "B" provided in the "RGB" menu. The operator can change the light color by individually dragging the faders corresponding to each of "R," "G," and "B" up and down and stopping them at the desired position.

[0052] The terminal device 30 displays a menu screen (such as the "RGB" menu shown in FIG. 4) specified by the operator in the color operation menu OB-3, and acquires the input amount of the operator's drag operation on the fader. The terminal device 30 then calculates a designated color adjustment value corresponding to the acquired input amount, and changes the light color of the light-controlled object OB-1 based on the calculated designated color adjustment value (step S2-6). At this time, the terminal device 30 can change and display the light color of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 in real time in the simulated space image G based on the designated color adjustment value corresponding to the input amount of the operator's drag operation.

[0053] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 ends the color adjustment process in accordance with the operator's operation outside the area where the color operation menu OB-3 is displayed, and also cancels the selection state of the light control object OB-1 (steps S2-7 to S2-9).

[0054] For example, the operator releases the left button of the mouse, moves the cursor CS to outside the area where the color operation menu OB-3 is displayed in the simulated space image G, and then left-clicks. When the terminal device 30 detects the left-click input outside the area where the color operation menu OB-3 is displayed, it ends the color adjustment process of the light-controlled object OB-1 and cancels the selection state of the light-controlled object OB-1.

[0055] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 changes the display state of the light-controlled object OB-1 and the display mode of the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 to a predetermined display mode set in advance to indicate that they are not selected. For example, the terminal device 30 changes the display color of the frame surrounding the light-controlled object OB-1 and the illumination light corresponding to the light-controlled object OB-1 back from green to black.

[0056] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 may transmit a designated value corresponding to the input amount of the drag operation to the lighting device 10 installed in the lighting space in real time. In this case, the lighting device 10 adjusts the light color of the illumination light using the designated value received from the terminal device 30.

[0057] In this way, the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment identifies the operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the lighting device 10 (i.e., the illumination light), and if the identified operation direction is a first direction, determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a first process for adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light, and if the identified operation direction is a second direction different from the first direction, determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a second process for adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light, and executes a process corresponding to the determined first process or second process. In this way, the terminal device 30 can improve convenience when operating the lighting device 10.

[0058] [3. Example of terminal device configuration] An example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment. The terminal device 30 according to the embodiment includes a communication unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0059] (Communications Department 31) The communication unit 31 transmits and receives information to and from other devices. The communication unit 31 can be realized, for example, by a predetermined communication circuit or a network interface card (NIC). The communication unit 31 can support any communication method. The communication methods supported by the communication unit 31 may include communication methods based on mobile data communication standards such as 4G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and 5G, as well as communication methods based on wireless communication methods such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), and infrared communication.

[0060] (Display section 32) The display unit 32 displays the simulated space image G and the like on various operation screens provided to the user of the terminal device 30 through a dedicated app. The display unit 32 can be realized by including a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 32 may also be realized by a touch screen display.

[0061] (Operation unit 33) The operation unit 33 inputs various types of information. For example, the operation unit 33 can be realized by an input device such as a transparent touch panel provided on the display unit 32. When the operation unit 33 is realized by a touch panel, it detects a touch operation on the display unit 32 and outputs operation information indicating the detected operation content to the control unit 35. For example, the operation unit 33 detects a user operation on an operation screen displayed on the display unit 32 and outputs operation information indicating the detected user operation content to the control unit 35. Note that the operation unit 33 may have physical buttons or the like.

[0062] (Storage unit 34) The storage unit 34 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 34 can store programs and data for implementing various controls executed by the control unit 35. The storage unit 34 can be realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. Furthermore, when the storage unit 34 is realized by flash memory, it may be implemented by a removable portable recording medium such as an SD card.

[0063] The storage unit 34 may store a dedicated application having a function for executing the information processing according to the embodiment. The storage unit 34 may also store various programs and data according to purposes. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 34 has a simulated space information storage unit 341, a scene information storage unit 342, and a setting information storage unit 343.

[0064] (Simulated spatial information storage unit 341) The simulated space information storage unit 341 stores simulated space information relating to a simulated space that simulates an illuminated space. The simulated space information includes, for example, identification information for identifying the illuminated space, and information on the shape and size of the space. The simulated space information is registered in advance by an operator or the like.

[0065] (Scene information storage unit 342) The scene information storage unit 342 stores scene information, which is information related to scenes. The scene information is information related to each scene registered in the terminal device 30. The scene information storage unit 342 includes, as scene information, for example, information on the installation position and angle of view of the imaging device (i.e., camera), information on the lighting content of the lighting device 10 (for example, installation position and control content, etc.), and information on the art set to be placed in the simulated space. The art set information includes, for example, information such as the name, shape, size, and color of the art set. The scene information is registered in advance by an operator or the like.

[0066] (Setting information storage unit 343) The setting information storage unit 343 stores setting information that sets a correspondence relationship between the operation direction of a series of operations and the control content of illumination light of the lighting device 10. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the operation direction of a series of operations and the control content of illumination light according to the embodiment.

[0067] 6, the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 343 has an item of “operation direction” and an item of “control content target selection order.” These items in the setting information are associated with each other.

[0068] The "operation direction" item stores information indicating the operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the lighting device 10. The series of operations may be a drag operation performed by the operator in succession following a continuous left-click input state for specifying the light control object OB-1.

[0069] The "control content" field stores information indicating the control content for the lighting device 10. The control content includes a dimming process for changing the dimming level of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 and a color adjustment process for changing the light color of the illumination light of the lighting device 10.

[0070] (Control unit 35) The control unit 35 is, for example, a control circuit (i.e., a controller) that controls each unit of the terminal device 30, and has an internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and required data, and executes various processes using these. The control unit 35 can be realized by a microcomputer or the like. The microcomputer is equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM.

[0071] The ROM stores programs for controlling each part of the terminal device 30 and application programs (for example, dedicated applications) for executing various processes. A processor such as a CPU executes the programs and applications stored in the ROM, thereby enabling the microcomputer to control the terminal device 30 and realize various functions.

[0072] The RAM is used as a memory area necessary for a processor such as a CPU to execute calculations. The control unit 35 may control the terminal device 30 and perform various functions by reading programs stored in the storage unit 34 and executing the read programs. The control unit 35 may also be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System-on-a-chip).

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 35 has a receiving unit 351, a generating unit 352, a display control unit 353, an identifying unit 354, a determining unit 355, and an illumination control unit 356. The control unit 35 realizes or executes the information processing functions and actions described below using these units. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 35 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 5, and may be any other configuration that performs the information processing described below, or may have a different configuration due to expansion or modification of functions.

[0074] (Reception Department 351) The reception unit 351 receives various information from the operator. For example, the reception unit 351 may receive information on the shape and size of the illumination space, information on the installation position of the illumination device 10, information on the art set, and the like, and may also receive settings of the positions of multiple image capture devices to be placed in the simulated space.

[0075] (Generation unit 352) The generation unit 352 generates a simulated space image using the simulated space information stored in the simulated space information storage unit 341. For example, the generation unit 352 sets the position of the camera accepted by the acceptance unit 351 from the operator as a predetermined viewpoint, and generates a simulated space image of a simulated space in which an art set is arranged, viewed from the predetermined viewpoint.

[0076] (Display control unit 353) The display control unit 353 displays the simulated space image generated by the generation unit 352 in a predetermined display mode.

[0077] (Specific section 354) The specifying unit 354 specifies the operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the illumination light of the lighting device 10, which is an operation received from an operator on a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which the lighting device 10 is installed.

[0078] (Decision unit 355) When the operation direction identified by the identification unit 354 is a first direction, the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a first process of adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light, and when the operation direction identified by the identification unit 354 is a second direction different from the first direction, the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 to be a second process of adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light.

[0079] For example, when the operation direction of the operator's drag operation is horizontally rightward (an example of a "first direction"), the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light to be dimming processing related to adjustment of the brightness of the illumination light (also referred to as "dimming level"). Also, when the operation direction of the operator's drag operation is horizontally leftward (an example of a "second direction"), the determination unit 355 determines the control content of the illumination light to be color adjustment processing related to adjustment of the light color of the illumination light.

[0080] (Lighting control unit 356) The lighting control unit 356 executes the first process or the second process determined by the determination unit 355. For example, the lighting control unit 356 executes, as the first process, a dimming process for adjusting the brightness of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 in response to an operation by the operator, and, as the second process, a color adjustment process for adjusting the light color of the illumination light of the lighting device 10 in response to an operation by the operator.

[0081] As a first process, the lighting control unit 356 displays, for example, a first object (e.g., fader OB-2 shown in FIG. 2) for adjusting the dimming level near the lighting device 10 or the illumination light of the lighting device 10 displayed in the simulated space image G, and executes dimming processing according to the operator's processing on the first object.

[0082] Furthermore, as a second process, the lighting control unit 356 displays a second object (for example, the color operation menu OB-3 shown in FIG. 3) for adjusting the light color of the illumination light near the lighting device 10 or the illumination light of the lighting device 10 displayed in the simulated space image G, and performs color adjustment processing in accordance with the operator's processing on the second object.

[0083] [4. Processing by terminal device] The flow of processing by the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure ("lighting control method") by the terminal device 30 according to the embodiment. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 7 is executed by the control unit 35 included in the terminal device 30.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7, the specifying unit 354 specifies the operation directions of a series of operations performed by the operator in the simulated space image G (step S101).

[0085] Furthermore, the determination unit 355 determines the control content according to the operation direction identified by the identification unit 354 (step S102).

[0086] Furthermore, the lighting control unit 356 executes processing corresponding to the control content determined by the determination unit 355 (step S103), and ends the processing procedure shown in FIG.

[0087] [5. Other] In the above embodiment, the terminal device 30 performs a dimming process in accordance with an operator's operation on the fader OB-2, and a color adjustment process in accordance with an operator's operation on the color operation menu OB-3. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. The terminal device 30 may perform a dimming process or a color adjustment process based only on the operator's operation direction and operation content, without displaying the fader OB-2 or the color operation menu OB-3. For example, when the terminal device 30 detects a horizontal rightward drag operation on the light-controlled object OB-1, it determines the illumination control content to be dimming control and performs the dimming process in accordance with the operator's operation. Furthermore, when the terminal device 30 detects a horizontal leftward drag operation on the light-controlled object OB-1, it determines the illumination control content to be color adjustment control and performs the color adjustment process in accordance with the operator's operation on the color ball attached to the light-controlled object OB-1.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a click operation or a drag operation is used as an intuitive operation by the operator, but there is no particular need to be limited to this example, and any touch operation that can be detected in the simulated space image G can be employed. Furthermore, the shapes of the various objects such as the light control object OB-1, fader OB-2, and color operation menu OB-3 described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and objects of any shape, such as a circle or a rectangle, can be employed.

[0089] Furthermore, a dedicated application for realizing the information processing executed by the terminal device 30 according to the above embodiment may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape, a flexible disk, etc., and distributed. In this case, for example, the terminal device 30 installs the dedicated application read from the recording medium and executes the above-mentioned information processing.

[0090] The dedicated application may be stored in a disk device provided in a server device or cloud system on a network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to the terminal device 30. The functions realized by the dedicated application may be realized by cooperation between an OS (Operating System) and application software. In this case, the parts other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be stored in a server device or cloud system and downloaded to the terminal device 30.

[0091] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0092] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment is included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, this embodiment can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0093] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10. Lighting equipment 30 Terminal Equipment 31 Communications Department 32 Display section 33 Operation section 34 Storage section 341 Simulated spatial information storage unit 342 Scene information storage unit 343 Setting information storage unit 35 Control Unit 351 Reception Department 352 Generation part 353 Display control unit 354 Specific part 355 Decision Section 356 Lighting control unit

Claims

1. an identification unit that identifies an operation direction of a series of operations to be received from an operator on a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which a lighting device is installed, for executing control of illumination light of the lighting device; a determination unit that, when the operation direction specified by the determination unit is a first direction, determines a control content of the illumination light of the lighting device to be a first process of adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light, and, when the operation direction specified by the determination unit is a second direction different from the first direction, determines a control content of the illumination light of the lighting device to be a second process of adjusting a second attribute of the illumination light; an illumination control unit that executes the first process or the second process determined by the determination unit; A lighting control device comprising:

2. The lighting control unit As the first process, a dimming process for adjusting the brightness of the illumination light is performed in response to an operation by the operator, and as the second process, a color adjustment process for adjusting the light color of the illumination light is performed in response to an operation by the operator.

2. The lighting control device according to claim 1.

3. The lighting control unit As the first processing, a first object for adjusting brightness of the illumination light is displayed near the illumination device or the illumination light of the illumination device displayed on the simulated space image, and the light adjustment processing is performed in accordance with an operation of the operator on the first object. As the second processing, a second object for adjusting light color is displayed near the illumination device or the illumination light of the illumination device displayed on the simulated space image, and the color adjustment processing is performed in accordance with an operation of the operator on the second object.

3. The lighting control device according to claim 2.

4. a specifying step of specifying an operation direction of a series of operations for controlling the lighting device, the operation being received from an operator on a simulated space image that simulates an illumination space in which the lighting device is installed; a determining step of determining, when the operation direction specified by the specifying step is a first direction, a first process for adjusting a first attribute of the illumination light as a control content of the illumination light of the lighting device, and, when the operation direction specified by the specifying step is a second direction different from the first direction, determining, when the operation direction specified by the specifying step is a second direction different from the first direction, a second process for controlling a second attribute of the illumination light as a control content of the illumination light of the lighting device; a lighting control step of executing the first process or the second process determined by the determination step; A lighting control method comprising:

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