Lighting system

Abstract

To provide a lighting system capable of outputting information about the lighting system in a format that is easy to handle on a computer.SOLUTION: A lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 that are installed in an indoor space 80, a plurality of wireless communication units 21 that are installed in the indoor space 80 and are capable of wireless communication, and an information storage unit 64 that stores map information showing a map 52m of the indoor space 80, and location information of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the plurality of wireless communication units 21 on the map 52m. The map information is output in the form of image data or CAD data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting fixture with wireless communication capabilities. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various technologies related to lighting fixtures with wireless communication functions have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control device that can link the location where a lighting fixture is installed with the wireless device ID corresponding to that lighting fixture with high accuracy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-68902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a lighting system that can output information about the lighting system in a format that is easy to handle on a computer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures installed in an indoor space, a plurality of wireless communication units capable of wireless communication installed in the indoor space, and an information storage unit in which map information showing a map of the indoor space and positional information of the plurality of lighting fixtures and the plurality of wireless communication units on the map are stored, and the map information is output in the form of image data or CAD (Computer Aided Design) data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The lighting system of the present invention can output information about the lighting system in a format that is easy to handle on a computer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow line information providing service. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the advertisement distribution service. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the first initial setting operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an initial setting screen on which a plurality of icons of lighting fixtures are displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the service information. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the second initial setting operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to the first modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation according to the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to the second modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0009] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0010] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a plurality of sensor devices 30, a lighting control device 40, a setting terminal 50, an information providing server 60, and a business operator terminal 70. The plurality of lighting fixtures 20, the plurality of sensor devices 30, and the lighting control device 40 are installed in an indoor space 80, and the setting terminal 50 is located in the indoor space 80. The information providing server 60 is a cloud server installed outside the indoor space 80, and the business operator terminal 70 is located outside the indoor space 80. The indoor space 80 is, for example, an office space, but may also be a space within a commercial facility, etc.

[0011] In lighting system 10, each of the lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control device 40 has wireless communication capabilities, and the lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control device 40 form a mesh network. Information transmitted through the mesh network is, for example, control information for controlling the lighting fixtures 20 to turn on, turn off, or dim.

[0012] First, the lighting fixture 20 will be described. The lighting fixture 20 is installed on the ceiling of the indoor space 80 and is, for example, a base light that illuminates the indoor space. As described above, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 has a wireless communication function, and the multiple lighting fixtures 20 form a mesh network. The form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited, and it may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21 and a light source 22.

[0013] Wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables lighting fixture 20 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with other lighting fixtures 20, multiple sensor devices 30, and lighting control device 40. The communication standard for wireless communication with lighting control device 40 performed by wireless communication unit 21 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Mesh. The communication standard for wireless communication with multiple sensor devices 30 performed by wireless communication unit 21 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy.

[0014] Light source 22 emits white light into interior space 80 so that lighting fixture 20 can illuminate interior space 80. Light source 22 is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0015] Next, the sensor device 30 will be described. The sensor device 30 senses the environment of the indoor space 80, or the presence or absence of a person. The environment of the indoor space 80 includes, for example, temperature, humidity, illuminance, and carbon dioxide concentration. The sensor device 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31 and a sensor 32.

[0016] The wireless communication unit 31 is a wireless communication circuit for transmitting a beacon signal including sensing information sensed by the sensor device 30 using the sensor 32. The communication standard for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 31 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy.

[0017] The sensor 32 senses the environment of the indoor space 80. The sensor 32 is a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, a human presence sensor, or the like.

[0018] Next, we will explain lighting control device 40. Lighting control device 40 controls the light emission of at least some of the lighting devices 20 by transmitting control information to at least some of the lighting devices 20 based on user operation, a predetermined schedule, etc. Here, light emission control includes on control, off control, dimming control, and color adjustment control. Specifically, lighting control device 40 includes wireless communication unit 41, control unit 42, storage unit 43, and communication unit 44.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 41 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the lighting control device 40 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the plurality of sensor devices 30. The communication standard for the wireless communication with the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 performed by the wireless communication unit 41 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Mesh. The communication standard for the wireless communication with the plurality of sensor devices 30 performed by the wireless communication unit 41 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy.

[0020] Control unit 42 controls at least some of the lighting devices 20 by transmitting control information to at least some of the lighting devices 20 using the wireless communication unit. Control unit 42 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of control unit 42 are realized when hardware such as the microcomputer or processor constituting control unit 42 executes a computer program (software) stored in storage unit 43.

[0021] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores information such as computer programs executed by the control unit 42. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0022] The communication unit 44 is a communication circuit that connects the lighting control device 40 to a wide area communication network 90 such as the Internet. The communication unit 44 is a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication, but may also be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication.

[0023] Next, the setting terminal 50 will be described. The setting terminal 50 is an information terminal that performs initial setting operations to allow multiple lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control device 40 to join the mesh network. The setting terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), but may also be a dedicated remote controller used in lighting system 10. The setting terminal 50 is used by a user who performs the initial setting work. In this case, the user is, for example, an installer who installed the multiple lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control device 40, but may also be a user other than the installer. Specifically, the setting terminal 50 includes an operation reception unit 51, a display unit 52, a wireless communication unit 53, an information processing unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a communication unit 56.

[0024] The operation reception unit 51 receives operations from a user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 51 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0025] The display unit 52 displays images necessary for the above initial setting work. The display unit 52 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, for example.

[0026] Wireless communication unit 53 is a wireless communication circuit that enables setting terminal 50 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with each of multiple lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control device 40. The communication standard for wireless communication performed by wireless communication unit 53 is, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0027] The information processing unit 54 processes information related to the initial setting operation in response to the user's operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 51. The information processing unit 54 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 54 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 54 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 55.

[0028] The storage unit 55 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing related to the initial setting operation of the computer program etc. executed by the information processing unit 54. The storage unit 55 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0029] The communication unit 56 is a communication circuit for connecting the setting terminal 50 to a wide area communication network 90 such as the Internet and a mobile communication network. The communication unit 56 is a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit for performing wired communication.

[0030] Next, we will explain the information providing server 60. The information providing server 60 is a cloud server that provides service information (described later) and the like to the business operator terminal 70. Specifically, the information providing server 60 includes a communication unit 61, an information processing unit 62, a storage unit 63, and an information storage unit 64.

[0031] The communication unit 61 is a communication circuit for connecting the information providing server 60 to a wide area communication network 90 such as the Internet and a mobile communication network. The communication unit 61 is a wired communication circuit for performing wired communication, but may also be a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication.

[0032] The information processing unit 62 performs information processing for providing information to the operator terminal 70. The information processing unit 62 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 62 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 62 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 63.

[0033] The storage unit 63 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing related to the initial setting operation of the computer program executed by the information processing unit 62. The storage unit 63 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0034] The information storage unit 64 is a storage device that stores information to be provided to the business operator terminal 70. The information storage unit 64 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like. Note that the information storage unit 64 may also be realized as the same storage device (hardware) as the storage unit 63.

[0035] Next, the provider terminal 70 will be described. The provider terminal 70 is an information terminal used by a provider (hereinafter also referred to as a service provider) that provides services in the indoor space 80 to receive information provided from the information providing server 60. The provider terminal 70 is, for example, a server or a personal computer, but may also be a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The server here is a traffic line information management server, which will be described later. The provider terminal 70 can access the information providing server 60 (information storage unit 64) by connecting to the wide area communication network 90.

[0036] [Examples of services provided in indoor spaces] Next, a service provided by a service provider in the indoor space 80 will be described. For example, the service provider can realize a service that provides information on the movement of people staying in the indoor space 80 (hereinafter also referred to as a movement information providing service) by using a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 (wireless communication units 21) and a plurality of sensor devices 30 (wireless communication units 31) installed in the indoor space 80 as beacon transmitters. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the movement information providing service. In the following description, the wireless communication units 21 and 31 will not be distinguished from each other and will be simply referred to as wireless communication units.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a person located in an indoor space 80 carries a mobile terminal 100 in which a predetermined application program for position measurement (hereinafter also referred to as a predetermined app) is installed. The mobile terminal 100 operates as a beacon receiver. The mobile terminal 100 receives beacon signals from one or more wireless communication units and measures the received signal strength of the beacon signals. The mobile terminal 100 also measures the position of the mobile terminal 100 in the indoor space 80 (coordinates in the indoor space 80) based on the measured received signal strength and the arrangement of the one or more wireless communication units in the indoor space 80. The mobile terminal 100 transmits location information indicating the measured location to a movement line information management server (not shown) managed by a service provider. The location information includes the measured location (coordinates) and the ID of the predetermined app. The ID of the predetermined app is an example of first identification information for distinguishing the mobile terminal 100 from other mobile terminals 100.

[0038] The trajectory information management server receives the location information and stores the location information. The measurement of the location and the transmission and reception of the location information are performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, from several seconds to several tens of seconds, and the trajectory information management server stores time-series data of the location information of the mobile terminal 100. In other words, the trajectory information management server can manage the trajectory information of the person carrying the mobile terminal 100. This allows the service provider to provide a service of providing the trajectory information to other businesses.

[0039] The service provider can also use the flow line information management server to provide a service that visualizes the current location of people on a map. In this case, if the flow line management server is provided with sensing information from the sensor devices 30, it can also display temperature, humidity, and the like on the map.

[0040] Conversely to the above description, a service for providing flow line information can also be realized by using mobile terminal 100 as a beacon transmitter and multiple lighting fixtures 20 (wireless communication units 21) as beacon receivers.

[0041] In this case, one or more wireless communication units 21 receive a beacon signal from the mobile terminal 100 and measure the received signal strength of the received beacon signal. The one or more wireless communication units transmit received signal strength information including the measured received signal strength and the ID of the wireless communication unit to the trajectory information management server. The trajectory information management server can measure the position of the mobile terminal 100 in the indoor space 80 (coordinates in the indoor space 80) based on the received signal strength indicated by the received signal strength information and the arrangement of the one or more wireless communication units in the indoor space 80.

[0042] Furthermore, the service provider can also realize a service (hereinafter also referred to as an advertisement distribution service) that distributes advertisements or coupons to people staying in the indoor space 80 by using a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 (wireless communication units 21) and a plurality of sensor devices 30 (wireless communication units 31) installed in the indoor space 80 as beacon transmitters. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the advertisement distribution service.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 3, a person located in an indoor space 80 carries a mobile terminal 100 on which a predetermined application is installed. The mobile terminal 100 operates as a beacon receiver. When the mobile terminal 100 receives a beacon signal from a specific wireless communication unit among one or more wireless communication units, the mobile terminal 100 displays an advertisement or a coupon on the display unit of the mobile terminal 100.

[0044] In order to provide the services described above, the service provider generally needs to perform tasks such as preparing a wireless communication unit for providing the service, installing the prepared wireless communication unit in the indoor space 80, and recording the placement of the wireless communication unit.

[0045] In contrast, in the lighting system 10, the lighting provider that provides the lighting system 10 provides the service provider with information for service, such as the arrangement of the multiple wireless communication units 21 and the multiple wireless communication units 31, and whether each of the multiple wireless communication units 21 and the wireless communication unit 31 has a function to transmit or receive a beacon signal using a first communication protocol for providing the service. Note that the first communication protocol refers to a communication protocol of the application layer, and the communication protocol of the underlying physical layer is BLE. This allows the lighting provider to support the service provider in providing the service.

[0046] [First initial setting operation] Incidentally, in order to build a mesh network using multiple lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control devices 40, an initial setup operation using configuration terminal 50 is required. Some of the service information to be provided to the service provider can be created during the initial setup operation. The initial setup operation will be described below. Note that in the following description of the initial setup operation, the initial setup operation for allowing multiple lighting fixtures 20, out of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 and lighting control devices 40, to join the mesh network will be described. The initial setup operation for allowing lighting control devices 40 to join the mesh network is similar to the initial setup operation for allowing multiple lighting fixtures 20 to join the mesh network, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0047] The initial setting operation includes a first initial setting operation that associates the installation location of the lighting fixture 20 with the identification information of the lighting fixture 20, and a second initial setting operation (also referred to as provisioning) that stores information in each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 to allow the lighting fixture 20 to join the mesh network.

[0048] First, the first initial setting operation will be described. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the first initial setting operation. The initial setting operation of Fig. 4 is performed, for example, after an installer has installed multiple lighting fixtures 20 on a ceiling.

[0049] First, the operation receiving unit 51 of the setting terminal 50 receives a start operation from the user to instruct the start of the first initial setting operation (S10).

[0050] Based on the start operation received by the operation receiving unit 51, the information processing unit 54 displays an initial setting screen including a map of the indoor space 80 on the display unit 52 (S11). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting screen. The map 52m is a plan view of the indoor space 80 in which the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 are installed, and in the example of FIG. 5, the installation positions P1 to P6 of the lighting fixtures 20 are indicated by circles. In other words, the map 52m is an image showing the designed installation positions of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20.

[0051] In other words, map 52m is a lighting distribution diagram of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, and the installation positions on map 52m are defined by coordinates based on an origin set on map 52m, and the coordinates can be converted to actual size according to the scale of map 52m. Map information for displaying map 52m is stored in advance in storage unit 55. The map information is stored in storage unit 55 in the form of image data or CAD (Computer Aided Design) data. Here, image data is used in a broad sense, and the specific data format is not particularly limited.

[0052] At the time of step S11, it is known how the multiple lighting fixtures 20 are arranged, but it is unknown which individual lighting fixtures 20 are located in which locations. In other words, at the time of step S11, the installation locations of the lighting fixtures 20 have not been associated with the identification information of the lighting fixtures 20.

[0053] Here, each of the multiple lighting devices 20 periodically transmits an advertising signal before joining the mesh network. In other words, the advertising signal is a beacon signal based on a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol is an application layer communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, and the underlying physical layer communication protocol is, for example, BLE. The advertising signal transmitted by each of the multiple lighting devices 20 includes identification information (such as a MAC address) of the lighting device 20 and function information of the lighting device 20. The function information is information indicating whether the wireless communication unit 21 included in the lighting device 20 has the function of transmitting and receiving beacon signals (beacon signals for providing services) using the first communication protocol.

[0054] In this situation, the operation receiving unit 51 receives a scan start operation from the user (S12). The scan start operation is, for example, a tap operation on the scan start icon 52a on the initial setting screen of FIG.

[0055] When the scan start operation is accepted, wireless communication unit 53 receives an advertising signal from each of the plurality of lighting devices 20 (S13). In other words, the process of receiving the advertising signal is the process of detecting the plurality of lighting devices 20. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that all of the plurality of lighting devices 20 are located within a range where wireless communication unit 53 can communicate with them.

[0056] The information processing unit 54 acquires, from the received advertising signal, the identification information and function information of the lighting fixture 20 that transmitted the advertising signal (S14), and displays, on the display unit 52, an icon 52b of the lighting fixture 20 that transmitted the advertising signal based on the acquired identification information (S15). Fig. 6 shows an example of an initial setup screen on which multiple icons 52b of lighting fixtures 20 are displayed, arranged horizontally in a row. The multiple icons 52b can also be thought of as icons that correspond to (indicate) the identification information included in the beacon signal received in step S13.

[0057] Next, the operation accepting unit 51 accepts a selection operation of the plurality of icons 52b from the installer (S16). The selection operation is, for example, a tap operation on one of the plurality of icons 52b. The information processing unit 54 causes the wireless communication unit 53 to transmit a blinking command based on the selection operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 51 (S17). The blinking command is transmitted, for example, when a tap operation on the blinking icon 52c is accepted after the selection operation.

[0058] The blink command specifies the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 corresponding to the selected icon 52b. The blink command is a signal for selectively blinking a target lighting fixture 20, which is a lighting fixture 20 having the specified identification information, among the plurality of lighting fixtures 20. When the target lighting fixture 20 among the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 receives the blink command, it blinks (S18).

[0059] The user operating setting terminal 50 visually confirms the actual installation position of the blinking target lighting fixture 20 (S19), and specifies the installation position of the blinking target lighting fixture 20 on map 52m (for example, one of installation positions P1 to P6). Operation receiving unit 51 receives from the user a specification operation for the installation position of lighting fixture 20 on map 52m (S20). In other words, operation receiving unit 51 receives an input of the installation position of lighting fixture 20 on map 52m. The specification operation is, for example, a drag-and-drop operation of icon 52b selected in step S16 onto one of installation positions P1 to P6, but may also be an operation of selecting installation position P1 to P6.

[0060] When the designation operation is performed, information processing unit 54 associates the identification information indicated by icon 52b selected in step S16, the function information of lighting fixture 20 indicated by the identification information, and the installation location specified in step S22, and stores them in storage unit 55 (S21). In lighting system 10, lighting fixture 20 is equipped with wireless communication unit 21, so information processing unit 54 can use map information (light distribution diagram) to regard the position information of lighting fixture 20 on map 52m as position information of wireless communication unit 21 equipped in that lighting fixture 20, and store the information in association with the function information of wireless communication unit 21. In other words, manual input of the position information of wireless communication unit 21 is not required, and the position information of wireless communication unit 21 can be easily recorded.

[0061] As described above, the function information is information indicating whether the wireless communication unit 21 equipped in the lighting fixture 20 has the function of transmitting and receiving a beacon signal (a beacon signal for providing a service) using the first communication protocol, and is included in the advertisement signal received in step S13.

[0062] Furthermore, the information processing unit 54 cancels the display of the icon 52b for which the linking has been completed (S22). That is, the number of the icons 52b displayed in step S15 is reduced by one.

[0063] The processes of steps S16 to S22 are repeated until all of the icons 52b (identification information) displayed in step S15 have been associated with their installation locations. If the advertising signals of all lighting fixtures 20 cannot be received in step S13, the user carrying the setting terminal 50 moves to a new location, changing the communication range of the wireless communication unit 53, and then steps S12 to S22 are performed again. As a result, the storage unit 55 stores service information indicating the correspondence between the identification information of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, location information indicating the installation locations of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, and function information of the multiple wireless communication units 21 corresponding to the multiple lighting fixtures 20. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the service information. In other words, the service information is information about the lighting system 10.

[0064] The service information stored in the storage unit 55 in this way is provided to the service provider. The method of providing the correspondence information to the service provider will be described later.

[0065] As described above, in the lighting system 10, service information to be provided to the service provider can be created during the initial setup operation for building a mesh network. Service information can be created by simply making minor changes to a typical initial setup operation, and these minor changes are much easier than the effort required for the service provider to create service information from scratch. In other words, the initial setup operation of FIG. 4 significantly reduces the effort required to create service information.

[0066] In the above description of the first initial setting operation, the function information is described as being included in the advertising signal, but the function information may be manually input by the person configuring the setting. Alternatively, the advertising signal may include the product number (model information) of lighting device 20, and information processing unit 54 may automatically generate the function information based on the product number of lighting device 20 included in the advertising signal.

[0067] Although detailed description will be omitted, the map information specifies not only the installation locations of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 but also the installation locations of the plurality of sensor devices 30. Information processing unit 54 also stores in memory unit 55 service information indicating the correspondence between identification information of the plurality of sensor devices 30, location information indicating the installation locations of the plurality of sensor devices 30, and function information of the plurality of wireless communication units 31 corresponding to the plurality of sensor devices 30. The map information also specifies the installation location of lighting control device 40, and information processing unit 54 also stores in memory unit 55 service information indicating the correspondence between identification information of lighting control device 40, location information indicating the installation location of lighting control device 40, and function information of the wireless communication unit 41 corresponding to the lighting control device 40.

[0068] In lighting system 10, since lighting fixture 20 is equipped with wireless communication unit 21, the service information indicates both the location information of lighting fixture 20 and the location information of wireless communication unit 21. In other words, the service information includes the location information of lighting fixture 20 and the location information of the wireless communication units (wireless communication unit 21, wireless communication unit 31, and wireless communication unit 41).

[0069] [Second initial setting operation] Next, the second initial setting operation (also referred to as provisioning) will be described. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram of the second initial setting operation.

[0070] First, operation receiving unit 51 of setting terminal 50 receives a start operation from the user to instruct the start of the second initial setting operation (S31). The start operation includes an operation to specify the identification information of lighting device 20. Information processing unit 54 uses wireless communication unit 53 to communicate via unicast with lighting device 20 having the identification information specified by the start operation, and causes wireless communication unit 53 to transmit setting information to that lighting device 20 (S32). Lighting device 20 receives the setting information and stores it in a storage unit (not shown) provided in lighting device 20 (S33).

[0071] The setting information is information required for lighting fixture 20 to join the mesh network. The setting information includes the network ID of the mesh network to which lighting fixture 20 belongs and address information (unicast address) of lighting fixture 20 used for communication within the mesh network. If necessary, the setting information may also include a security passcode used for communication within the mesh network, information about setting terminal 50 (information about the device that manages the mesh network), and the like. If lighting fixture 20 is an upper node that can communicate with lighting fixtures 20 that belong to other mesh networks, the setting information may include information necessary for lighting fixture 20 to function as an upper node.

[0072] Lighting devices 20 whose setting information has been stored in the storage unit can join the mesh network. The processes of steps S31 to S33 are repeated until all lighting devices 20 have joined the mesh network. Lighting devices 20 that have joined the mesh network stop periodically transmitting advertising signals that they had been transmitting before joining.

[0073] The processes of steps S31 to S33 may be included in the first initial setting operation (FIG. 4). For example, the processes of steps S31 to S33 may be performed on the target lighting device 20 after step S21 of the first initial setting operation.

[0074] [Information provision behavior] The service information is stored in the information storage unit 64 of the information providing server 60, and the service provider can obtain the service information by accessing the information providing server 60 using the provider terminal 70. The operation of providing various information including the service information will be described below. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation.

[0075] The information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 transmits the map information and service information stored in the storage unit 55 to the information providing server 60 using the communication unit 56 (S41).

[0076] The communication unit 61 of the information providing server 60 receives the map information and the service information. The information processing unit 62 stores the received map information and the service information in the information storage unit 64 (S42). In view of the processing of step S42, the processing of step S41 can be said to be an example of information processing executed by the information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 for storing the map information and the service information in the information storage unit 64.

[0077] Furthermore, the plurality of sensor devices 30 transmit beacon signals including sensing information (such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, carbon dioxide concentration, or information indicating the presence or absence of a person), and lighting fixtures 20 that receive the beacon signals periodically transmit the sensing information to lighting control device 40 via the mesh network. Wireless communication unit 41 of lighting control device 40 periodically receives the sensing information from the plurality of sensor devices 30 via the mesh network, and control unit 42 stores the sensing information in memory unit 43 (S43).

[0078] Furthermore, when the above-described traffic line information providing service has been started and at least some of the multiple wireless communication units 21 are operating as beacon receivers, the wireless communication unit 41 periodically receives received signal strength information of the beacon signal in at least some of the wireless communication units 21, and the control unit 42 stores the received signal strength information in the storage unit 43 (S44). The received signal strength information is an example of reception status information that indicates the reception status of the beacon signal.

[0079] When a predetermined timing arrives, the control unit 42 transmits the sensing information and the received signal strength information for the most recent predetermined period to the information providing server 60 using the communication unit 44 (S45).

[0080] The communication unit 61 of the information providing server 60 receives the sensing information and the received signal strength information. The information processing unit 62 stores the received sensing information and the received signal strength information in the information storage unit 64 (S46).

[0081] Furthermore, control algorithm information for controlling lighting fixtures 20 is pre-stored in memory unit 43 of lighting control device 40. The control algorithm information includes a control algorithm for human detection and a control algorithm for scheduled operation. Control unit 42 transmits the control algorithm information to information providing server 60 using communication unit 44 (S47).

[0082] The communication unit 61 of the information providing server 60 receives the control algorithm information. The information processing unit 62 stores the received control algorithm information in the information storage unit 64 (S48).

[0083] In this way, map information, service information, sensing information, received signal strength information, and control algorithm information are stored in information storage unit 64. As described above, the service information includes the position information of lighting fixture 20 and the position information and function information of the wireless communication units (wireless communication unit 21, wireless communication unit 31, and wireless communication unit 41).

[0084] The service provider performs a predetermined operation on the provider terminal 70, and the provider terminal 70 transmits an information provision request to the information provision server 60 based on the predetermined operation (S49).

[0085] The communication unit 61 of the information providing server 60 receives the information provision request. The information processing unit 62 reads out the information specified in the received information provision request from the information storage unit 64, and outputs (transmits) the read out information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 61 (S50). The map information is output to the business operator terminal 70 in the format of image data or CAD data. In other words, the map information is output in a format that is easy for a computer to handle.

[0086] The information may be periodically transmitted from the information providing server 60 to the business operator terminal 70, and it is not essential that the business operator terminal 70 transmits an information provision request to the information providing server 60.

[0087] In this way, in the lighting system 10, the information providing server 60 can provide the information stored in the information storage unit 64 to the provider terminal 70 in response to a request from the service provider. The service provider can significantly reduce the cost of procuring information compared to when the service provider procures the information themselves.

[0088] [Information Providing Operation According to Modification Example 1] The information storage unit accessible by the business operator terminal 70 may be provided in the lighting control device 40 instead of the information providing server 60. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of such a lighting system according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 10, in lighting system 10a according to Modification 1, lighting control device 40 includes an information storage unit 45 instead of the information providing server 60.

[0089] The following describes the information providing operation when lighting control device 40 includes information storage unit 45. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation according to the first modification.

[0090] The information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 transmits the map information and service information stored in the storage unit 55 to the lighting control device 40 using the wireless communication unit 53 (S51).

[0091] The wireless communication unit 41 of the lighting control device 40 receives the map information and the service information. The control unit 42 stores the received map information and service information in the information storage unit 45 (S52). In view of the processing of step S52, the processing of step S51 can be said to be an example of information processing executed by the information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 for storing the map information and the service information in the information storage unit 45.

[0092] Furthermore, the plurality of sensor devices 30 transmit beacon signals containing sensing information (such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, carbon dioxide concentration, or information indicating the presence or absence of a person), and lighting fixtures 20 that receive the beacon signals periodically transmit the sensing information to lighting control device 40 via the mesh network. Wireless communication unit 41 of lighting control device 40 periodically receives the sensing information from the plurality of sensor devices 30 via the mesh network, and control unit 42 stores the sensing information in information storage unit 45 (S53).

[0093] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned traffic flow information providing service has been started and at least some of the multiple wireless communication units 21 are operating as beacon receivers, the wireless communication unit 41 periodically receives received signal strength information of the beacon signal in at least some of the wireless communication units 21, and the control unit 42 stores the received signal strength information in the information storage unit 45 (S54).

[0094] Furthermore, memory unit 43 of lighting control device 40 pre-stores control algorithm information for controlling lighting fixture 20. Control unit 42 also stores the control algorithm information stored in memory unit 43 in information storage unit 45 (S55).

[0095] In this way, the service information, sensing information, received signal strength information, and control algorithm information are stored in information storage unit 45. As described above, the service information includes the position information of lighting fixture 20, and the position information and function information of the wireless communication units (wireless communication units 21, 31, and 41).

[0096] The service provider performs a predetermined operation on the provider terminal 70, and the provider terminal 70 transmits an information provision request to the lighting control device 40 based on the predetermined operation (S56).

[0097] The communication unit 44 of the lighting control device 40 receives the information request. The control unit 42 reads out the information specified in the received information request from the information storage unit 45, and outputs (transmits) the read out information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 44 (S57). The map information is output to the business operator terminal 70 in the format of image data or CAD data. In other words, the map information is output in a format that is easy for a computer to handle.

[0098] Note that the information may be periodically transmitted from the lighting control device 40 to the business operator terminal 70, and it is not essential that the business operator terminal 70 transmits a request for information to the lighting control device 40.

[0099] In this way, in lighting system 10a, lighting control device 40 can provide the information stored in information storage unit 45 to service provider terminal 70 in response to a request from the service provider. This allows the service provider to significantly reduce information procurement costs compared to when the service provider procures the information themselves.

[0100] [Information Providing Operation According to Modification Example 2] The information storage unit accessible by the business operator terminal 70 may be provided in the setting terminal 50 instead of the information providing server 60. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of such a lighting system according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 12, in a lighting system 10b according to Modification 2, the setting terminal 50 includes an information storage unit 57 instead of the information providing server 60.

[0101] The following describes the information providing operation when the setting terminal 50 is provided with the information storage unit 57. Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram of the information providing operation according to the second modification.

[0102] The information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 also stores the map information and service information stored in the memory unit 55 in the information storage unit 57 (S61). The processing of step S61 can be said to be an example of information processing executed by the information processing unit 54 of the setting terminal 50 for storing the map information and service information in the information storage unit 57.

[0103] Furthermore, the plurality of sensor devices 30 transmit beacon signals containing sensing information (such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, carbon dioxide concentration, or information indicating the presence or absence of a person), and lighting fixtures 20 that receive the beacon signals periodically transmit the sensing information to lighting control device 40 via the mesh network. Wireless communication unit 41 of lighting control device 40 periodically receives the sensing information from the plurality of sensor devices 30 via the mesh network, and control unit 42 stores the sensing information in memory unit 43 (S62).

[0104] Furthermore, when the above-described traffic line information providing service has been started and at least some of the multiple wireless communication units 21 are operating as beacon receivers, the wireless communication unit 41 periodically receives received signal strength information of the beacon signal in at least some of the wireless communication units 21, and the control unit 42 stores the received signal strength information in the storage unit 43 (S63). The received signal strength information is an example of reception status information that indicates the reception status of the beacon signal.

[0105] When a predetermined timing arrives, the control unit 42 transmits the sensing information and received signal strength information for the most recent predetermined period to the setting terminal 50 using the wireless communication unit 41 or the communication unit 44 (S64).

[0106] The wireless communication unit 53 or the communication unit 56 of the setting terminal 50 receives the sensing information and the received signal strength information. The information processing unit 54 stores the received sensing information and the received signal strength information in the information storage unit 57 (S65).

[0107] Furthermore, memory unit 43 of lighting control device 40 pre-stores control algorithm information for controlling lighting fixtures 20. The control algorithm information includes a control algorithm for human detection and a control algorithm for scheduled operation. Control unit 42 transmits the control algorithm information to information providing server 60 using wireless communication unit 41 or communication unit 44 (S66).

[0108] The control algorithm information is received by the wireless communication unit 53 or the communication unit 56 of the setting terminal 50. The information processing unit 54 stores the received control algorithm information in the information storage unit 57 (S67).

[0109] In this way, the information storage unit 57 stores service information, sensing information, received signal strength information, and control algorithm information.

[0110] The service provider performs a predetermined operation on the provider terminal 70, and the provider terminal 70 transmits an information provision request to the setting terminal 50 based on the predetermined operation (S68).

[0111] The communication unit 56 of the setting terminal 50 receives the information provision request. The information processing unit 54 reads out the information specified in the received information provision request from the information storage unit 57, and outputs (transmits) the read out information to the business operator terminal 70 using the communication unit 56 (S69). The map information is output to the business operator terminal 70 in the format of image data or CAD data. In other words, the map information is output in a format that is easy for a computer to handle.

[0112] The information may be periodically transmitted from the setting terminal 50 to the provider terminal 70, and it is not essential that the provider terminal 70 transmits a request for information to the setting terminal 50.

[0113] In this way, in lighting system 10b, setting terminal 50 can provide information stored in information storage unit 57 to provider terminal 70 in response to a request from a service provider. This allows the service provider to significantly reduce information procurement costs compared to when the service provider procures the information themselves.

[0114] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, information is transmitted from the information providing server 60, lighting control device 40, and setting terminal 50 to the operator terminal 70 via a wide area communication network 90 (Internet). However, information may also be transmitted from the lighting control device 40 and setting terminal 50 to the operator terminal 70 via a local area communication network. That is, information may be transmitted from the lighting control device 40 and setting terminal 50 to the operator terminal 70 via short-range wireless communication such as BLE, or via a local area network (LAN).

[0115] Alternatively, some of the information may be transmitted via the wide area communication network 90, and other information may be transmitted via the local communication network. For example, at least one of the map information and the location information may be transmitted (output) via the wide area communication network 90.

[0116] In the above embodiment, all of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 included in the lighting system 10 are equipped with the wireless communication unit 21. However, the multiple lighting fixtures 20 included in the lighting system 10 may include a mixture of lighting fixtures 20 that are equipped with the wireless communication unit 21 and lighting fixtures 20 that are not equipped with the wireless communication unit 21. In other words, at least some of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 may be equipped with the wireless communication unit 21.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the service information is created during the initial setup operation for allowing multiple lighting fixtures 20 to join the mesh network. However, none of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 has wireless communication unit 21 (wireless communication function), and therefore the lighting fixtures 20 do not necessarily need to form a mesh network.

[0118] More specifically, lighting system 10, lighting system 10a, and lighting system 10b may include a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 that do not have wireless communication units 21, and a plurality of wireless communication devices that are separate from the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and dedicated to transmitting or receiving beacon signals for providing services (i.e., wireless communication units 21 independent of the lighting fixtures 20). In this case, the service information includes map information, location information of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 that do not have wireless communication capabilities, and location information of the dedicated wireless communication devices, and is created by a method other than during the initial setup operation (e.g., manually), and stored in the information storage unit.

[0119] Furthermore, each of the lighting fixtures 20 may be equipped with a wireless communication unit 21 that is capable of wireless communication using the first communication protocol (wireless communication for providing services) but not wireless communication using the second communication protocol (wireless communication for lighting control and mesh networking). In this case, the initial configuration of the lighting fixtures 20 may be performed, for example, by wired communication.

[0120] Each of the lighting fixtures 20 may be equipped with a wireless communication unit 21 and may be capable of both wireless communication using a first communication protocol (wireless communication for providing services) and wireless communication using a second communication protocol, and may be able to turn on and off the wireless communication function using the first communication protocol. This wireless communication function can be turned on and off not only during initial setup but also after operation has begun. The lighting control device 40 commands the lighting fixtures 20 to turn on and off the wireless communication function of the lighting fixtures 20 based on instructions from a business operator terminal 70 (service provider), for example.

[0121] Furthermore, the lighting system 10, the lighting system 10a, and the lighting system 10b do not need to have multiple sensor devices 30, but only need to have multiple wireless communication units 21 (which may be built into the lighting fixtures 20 or may be separate from the lighting fixtures 20) capable of wireless communication for providing services.

[0122] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from these inventions will be explained.

[0123] Invention 1 is a lighting system 10 comprising a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 installed in an indoor space 80, a plurality of wireless communication units 21 installed in the indoor space 80 and capable of wireless communication, and an information storage unit that stores map information showing a map 52m of the indoor space 80 and positional information of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the plurality of wireless communication units 21 on the map 52m, the map information being output in the form of image data or CAD data. The information storage unit here is the information storage unit 45, the information storage unit 57, or the information storage unit 64 of the above-described embodiments.

[0124] Such a lighting system 10 can output information about the lighting system 10 in a format that is easy to handle on a computer, such as image data format or CAD data format.

[0125] Invention 2 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 1, in which the position information of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the plurality of wireless communication units 21 indicates their positions using coordinates based on an origin set on the map 52m, and the coordinates can be converted to actual size according to the scale of the map.

[0126] Such a lighting system 10 can output position information of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and the plurality of wireless communication units 21, which indicates positions using coordinates based on an origin set on the map 52m.

[0127] Invention 3 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 1 or 2, in which at least one of the map information and the location information is output via the Internet.

[0128] Such a lighting system 10 can output information about the lighting system 10 via the Internet.

[0129] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to third aspects, in which at least some of the lighting fixtures 20 are equipped with a wireless communication unit 21.

[0130] Such a lighting system 10 can output information relating to the lighting system 10 that includes the lighting fixture 20 with the wireless communication unit 21 integrated therein.

[0131] Invention 5 is lighting system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 4, further comprising a lighting control device 40 that controls the plurality of lighting fixtures 20, and lighting control device 40 comprises an information storage unit (information storage unit 45).

[0132] Such a lighting system 10 can store information about the lighting system 10 in the lighting control device 40.

[0133] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising an information providing server 60 having an information storage unit (information storage unit 64).

[0134] Such a lighting system 10 can store information about the lighting system 10 in the information providing server 60.

[0135] A seventh invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to sixth inventions, in which at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units 21 transmit beacon signals by BLE communication.

[0136] Such a lighting system 10 can output position information of the wireless communication unit 21 that transmits a beacon signal by BLE communication.

[0137] An eighth invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units 21 receive beacon signals by BLE communication.

[0138] Such a lighting system 10 can output position information of the wireless communication unit 21 that receives a beacon signal via BLE communication.

[0139] A ninth invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the information storage unit further stores sensing information about the indoor space 80.

[0140] Such a lighting system 10 can output sensing information in an indoor space 80.

[0141] Invention 10 is the lighting system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units 21 receive beacon signals transmitted by beacon transmitters carried by people located in the indoor space 80, and the information storage unit further stores information indicating the reception status of the beacon signals by at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units 21. The beacon transmitter here is the setting terminal 50 of the above embodiment, and the information indicating the reception status of the beacon signals is the received signal strength information of the above embodiment.

[0142] Such a lighting system 10 can output information indicating the reception status of beacon signals by at least some of the multiple wireless communication units 21.

[0143] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0144] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0145] In the above-described embodiments, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0146] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0147] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0148] For example, the present invention may be realized as the lighting system, lighting control device, setting terminal, or information providing server according to the above-described embodiments, or as a method executed by a computer. The present invention may also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0149] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10, 10a, 10b Lighting System 20 Lighting fixtures 21, 31, 41, 53 Wireless Communication Department 22 Light source 30 Sensor Equipment 32 sensors 40, 40a Lighting control device 42 Control Unit 43, 55, 63 Storage section 44, 56, 61 Communications Department 45, 57, 64 Information storage section 50 Setting terminal 51 Operation reception section 52 Display section 52a Start scan icon 52b Icon 52c flashing icon 52m Map 54, 62 Information Processing Section 60 Information Server 70 Operator terminal 80 Indoor space 90 Wide Area Communication Network 100 mobile devices

Claims

1. A plurality of lighting fixtures installed in an indoor space; a plurality of wireless communication units capable of wireless communication, the wireless communication units being installed in the indoor space; an information storage unit that stores map information indicating a map of the indoor space and positional information of the plurality of lighting devices and the plurality of wireless communication units on the map; The map information is output in the form of image data or CAD (Computer Aided Design) data. Lighting system.

2. the position information of the plurality of lighting devices and the plurality of wireless communication units indicates positions by coordinates based on an origin set on the map; The coordinates can be converted to actual size according to the scale of the map.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. At least one of the map information and the location information is output via the Internet.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least some of the lighting fixtures are equipped with the wireless communication unit.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further, a lighting control device for controlling the plurality of lighting devices is provided, The lighting control device includes the information storage unit.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Further, a server including the information storage unit is provided.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. At least some of the wireless communication units transmit beacon signals by BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. At least some of the plurality of wireless communication units receive a beacon signal through BLE communication.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The information storage unit further stores sensing information for the indoor space.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units receive a beacon signal transmitted by a beacon transmitter carried by a person located in the indoor space; The information storage unit further stores information indicating a reception state of the beacon signal by at least some of the plurality of wireless communication units.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2.

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