Support system, support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a support system capable of supporting setting, control, management and the like of a lighting control system.SOLUTION: The support system includes obtainer 22a which obtains at least one of text information and audio information from a user, processor 22c which generates information relating to at least one of setting, control, and management of lighting control system 10 based on the obtained information, and outputter 22d which outputs the generated information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support system that can support the setting, control, and management of a lighting control system. [Background technology]

[0002] In theaters or concert halls, lighting effects are produced by changing the dimming level and light emission color of lighting devices. Regarding lighting effects, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system that includes multiple lighting fixtures, a dimmer console, and a node, and that can reduce the effort required for control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a support system that can support the setting, control, and management of a lighting control system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An assistance system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires input information, such as text and / or voice, from a user, a processing unit that generates output information related to at least one of setting, controlling, and managing a lighting control system based on the acquired input information, and an output unit that outputs the generated output information.

[0006] An assistance method according to one aspect of the present invention is a proposed method executed by a computer system, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring input information, such as text and / or voice, from a user, a processing step of generating output information relating to at least one of setting, controlling, and managing a lighting control system based on the acquired input information, and an output step of outputting the generated output information.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer system to execute the assistance method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The support system of the present invention can support the setting, control, and management of a lighting control system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first operation example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen in the first operation example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second operation example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen in the second operation example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a third operation example of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen in the third operation example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment.

[0013] Lighting control system 10 is a system that controls lighting fixtures 50 used for performances installed in facilities such as stages, television studios, or stadiums. Lighting control system 10 is used for lighting performances in plays, concert events, television program recordings, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , lighting control system 10 includes a dimmer console 20, a control device 30, a dimmer panel 40, a plurality of lighting fixtures 50, and a server device 60. There is no particular limit to the number of lighting fixtures 50 that lighting control system 10 includes, and lighting control system 10 only needs to include at least one lighting fixture 50.

[0014] Dimmer table 20 receives a user operation for controlling lighting device 50 from the user, and transmits a control command for controlling lighting device 50 in accordance with the received operation to control device 30. Dimmer table 20 is an example of an operation device operated by a user. Dimmer table 20 includes input receiving unit 21, information processing unit 22, storage unit 23, display unit 24, and communication unit 25.

[0015] Input accepting unit 21 accepts user input for controlling lighting fixture 50. Input accepting unit 21 also accepts text or voice input for the user to interact with AI (dimmer console 20). Input accepting unit 21 includes, for example, multiple faders, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, and a microphone. The multiple faders may be physical faders or may be faders (virtual faders) that are GUIs including a touch panel.

[0016] Information processing unit 22 performs information processing for controlling lighting device 50, such as sending control commands to control device 30 in response to user input. Information processing unit 22 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 22a, a display control unit 22b, a processing unit 22c, and an output unit 22d. The functions of acquisition unit 22a, display control unit 22b, processing unit 22c, and output unit 22d are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or processor constituting information processing unit 22 executing a computer program stored in storage unit 23. In the following embodiment, information processing unit 22 is equipped with AI (a chip or the like capable of processing equivalent to AI) that interacts with the user through voice or text, and display control unit 22b, processing unit 22c, and output unit 22d are described as functions of the AI. Note that it is not essential that information processing unit 22 be equipped with AI.

[0017] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0018] The display unit 24 displays images and the like required for controlling lighting fixtures. The display unit 24 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, for example.

[0019] The communication unit 25 includes a first communication circuit (first communication module) for the dimmer console 20 to communicate with the control device 30 through a local communication network, and a second communication circuit (second communication module) for the dimmer console 20 to communicate with a server device through a wide area communication network 70 such as the Internet. Each of the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit is, for example, a wired communication circuit for performing wired communication, but may also be a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standards used for communication by the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit.

[0020] The control device 30 receives a control command from the dimmer console 20 and controls the lighting fixtures 50 by transmitting a control signal to the dimmer panel 40 based on the received control command. The control device 30 may be built into the dimmer console 20, in which case the lighting control system 10 does not need to include the control device 30.

[0021] Dimmer panel 40 supplies power to multiple lighting fixtures 50. It also converts control signals received from control device 30 into a format suitable for lighting fixtures 50 and transmits the converted signals to lighting fixtures 50. Dimmer panel 40 is an example of a dimmer. The control signals are signals for turning lighting fixtures 50 on, off, blinking, dimming, and adjusting the color of lighting fixtures 50.

[0022] The lighting fixture 50 is a lighting device for stage effects, specifically a spotlight or a moving light. The lighting fixture 50 is capable of changing the dimming level and emitted color. The lighting fixture 50 includes a light-emitting element that emits red light, a light-emitting element that emits blue light, and a light-emitting element that emits green light, and the emitted color is changed, for example, by independently controlling the brightness of these light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements are, for example, light-emitting diode (LED) elements, but may also be realized by organic electroluminescence (EL) elements or the like.

[0023] The server device 60 is a cloud computer that cooperates with the lighting table 20. Some or all of the functions of the AI ​​of the lighting table 20 described in the following embodiments may be executed by the server device 60.

[0024] [Example 1] In recent years, the use of LED light sources in lighting fixtures 50 has led to increased functionality in lighting control systems 10, making it more complicated to set up lighting control systems 10 for use by users. Furthermore, it is not easy to master the lighting fixture 50 control functions of lighting control system 10 after installation, and to properly manage and maintain lighting control system 10.

[0025] Therefore, in the lighting control system 10, AI based on chat-GPT is installed in the dimmer console 20. This AI uses chat-GPT as a base to learn the specifications of each model of dimmer console 20, each model of control device 30, each model of dimmer panel 40, and each model of lighting fixture 50. The AI ​​also learns the setting, control, and management manuals (contents of the instruction manuals) for each model of dimmer console 20, control device 30, dimmer panel 40, and lighting fixture 50.

[0026] By interacting with such an AI, a user can ask the AI ​​how to set up lighting control system 10 or request the AI ​​to perform the setting. Below, an operation example (operation example 1) will be described in which the user requests the AI ​​to perform the setting (initial setting) so that lighting device 50 can be controlled. Figure 2 is a flowchart of operation example 1.

[0027] As advance preparations, the user installs the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50 in a predetermined facility, electrically connects the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50, and turns on power to the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50. Note that hereinafter, the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50 will also be collectively referred to as equipment.

[0028] Furthermore, when using the voice uttered by the user for input, the voice feature of the user and the user's identification information (such as name or identification number) may be associated and stored (registered) in advance in the storage unit 23. This makes it possible to permit only specific users to input voice, and to keep a history of which users have made voice inputs.

[0029] The user inputs a predetermined input to the input receiving unit 21 of the light control console 20, and the information processing unit 22 displays a chat screen between the user and the AI ​​on the display unit 24 based on the received predetermined input (S11). Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the chat screen in operation example 1.

[0030] The user inputs text or voice to the effect that they would like to be able to control lighting device 50, and input receiving unit 21 receives the text or voice input. Acquisition unit 22a acquires the text or voice as input information (S12), and display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S13, (a) in FIG. 3). Displaying the voice means converting the voice into text and displaying it.

[0031] Processing unit 22c grasps the content of the acquired input information, and uses communication unit 25 to inquire about model information from dimmer table 20, control device 30, dimmer panel 40, and multiple lighting fixtures 50, and acquires the device ID (an ID unique to each device) and model information (an ID indicating the model, such as a product number) of each device from dimmer table 20, control device 30, dimmer panel 40, and multiple lighting fixtures 50 (S14). The model information is an example of information related to lighting control system 10, and it can be said that acquiring unit 22a acquires information related to lighting control system 10 in step S14.

[0032] The processing unit 22c plans the setting contents of the device based on the model information of each device acquired in step S14, and generates output information for proposing the planned setting contents of the device (S15). As described above, the processing unit 22c has already learned the specifications and manuals of each device model, and therefore, once the model information is acquired in step S14, it can plan the setting contents of the device according to the characters or voice input by the user.

[0033] The output unit 22d outputs the generated output information (S16), and the display control unit 22b displays the device setting contents on the chat screen based on the output information (S17, FIG. 3(b)).

[0034] 3(b) is in a format that suggests settings to the user. In other words, the output information in step S16 can be said to be suggestion information for suggesting settings of the lighting control system 10 to the user.

[0035] The user inputs text or voice regarding whether or not they agree to the device settings, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the text or voice input. The acquiring unit 22a acquires the text or voice as information regarding agreement (S18), and the display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S19, (c) of FIG. 3).

[0036] If the information regarding the presence or absence of consent acquired in step S18 indicates that the user has consented, the output unit 22d outputs (transmits) a setting command to the control device 30 using the communication unit 25, thereby causing the control device 30 to execute the settings proposed in steps S16 and S17 (S20). The setting command is an example of information for executing the proposal. At this time, the output unit 22d stores setting information in the storage unit 23 if necessary to realize the settings. When the settings are completed, the display control unit 22b displays a message on the chat screen indicating that the device settings have been completed (S21, (d) of FIG. 3).

[0037] In this way, the lighting control system 10 can generate and output output information related to the settings of the lighting control system 10 based on at least one of text and voice input information from the user.

[0038] [Example 2] Next, an operation example (operation example 2) will be described in which, after completing the basic settings as in operation example 1, the user requests AI to generate and set a lighting scene for presentation using one or more lighting devices 50. Figure 4 is a flowchart of operation example 2.

[0039] The AI ​​installed in the dimmer console 20 has learned a large number of lighting scenes for production (the dimming level and light color at which one or more lighting fixtures 50 should be illuminated), and the lighting scenes used as learning data are linked to keywords (tags) that describe the lighting scene, such as "bright," "whitish," and "sunset."

[0040] The user makes a predetermined input to the input receiving unit 21 of the light control console 20, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the predetermined input. The information processing unit 22 displays a chat screen between the user and the AI ​​on the display unit 24 based on the received predetermined input (S31). Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the chat screen in operation example 2.

[0041] The user inputs text or voice to the effect that he or she would like to generate a bright, whitish sunset scene using lighting equipment connected to the signal converter, and the input accepting unit 21 accepts the text or voice input. The acquiring unit 22a acquires the text or voice as input information (S32), and the display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S33, (a) of FIG. 5).

[0042] The processing unit 22c grasps the content of the acquired input information, designs a lighting scene in accordance with the content of the input information, and generates output information for proposing the designed lighting scene (S34).

[0043] The memory unit 23 pre-stores the electrical connection relationships between the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50, as well as their locations in a given facility, and the processing unit 22c can identify the "lighting fixtures connected to the signal converter" input by the user. Since the basic settings as in Operation Example 1 have been completed, the processing unit 22c also knows the dimming levels and emission colors of the "lighting fixtures connected to the signal converter." Furthermore, as described above, the processing unit 22c (AI) has learned many lighting scenes for stage effects associated with keywords, and can therefore plan a "bright, whitish sunset scene" that can be realized using the identified lighting fixtures 50.

[0044] The output unit 22d outputs the generated output information (S35), and the display control unit 22b displays the setting contents for realizing the lighting scene on the chat screen based on the output information (S36, (b) of FIG. 5).

[0045] 5(b) is in a format that suggests settings to the user. In other words, the output information in step S35 can be said to be suggestion information for suggesting lighting scene settings to the user.

[0046] The user inputs text or voice regarding whether or not they agree to the device settings, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the text or voice input. The acquiring unit 22a acquires the text or voice as information regarding agreement (S37), and the display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S38, (c) of FIG. 5).

[0047] If the information regarding the presence or absence of consent acquired in step S37 indicates that the user has consented, processing unit 22c executes the setting by storing scene setting information required for executing a lighting scene (controlling lighting device 50) in storage unit 23 (or control device 30) (S39). Once the storage of the scene setting information is complete, display control unit 22b displays a message on the chat screen indicating that the device setting has been completed (S40, (d) of FIG. 5).

[0048] In this way, the lighting control system 10 can generate and output output information related to the settings of the lighting control system 10 based on at least one of text and voice input information from the user.

[0049] [Example 3] Next, an operation example (operation example 3) will be described in which the AI ​​is inquired about the status of the devices (at least one of the dimmer console 20, the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 50) after the actual operation of the lighting control system 10 has begun. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of operation example 3.

[0050] The user makes a predetermined input to the input receiving unit 21 of the light control console 20, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the predetermined input. The information processing unit 22 displays a chat screen between the user and the AI ​​on the display unit 24 based on the received predetermined input (S51). Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the chat screen in operation example 3.

[0051] The user inputs text or voice to the effect that they would like to know about devices with a lifespan of less than three years, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the text or voice input. The acquiring unit 22a acquires the text or voice as input information (S52), and the display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S53, (a) of FIG. 7).

[0052] Processing unit 22c grasps the content of the acquired input information, and uses communication unit 25 to inquire about the age of use of dimmer console 20, control device 30, dimmer panel 40, and multiple lighting fixtures 50, and acquires from each of dimmer console 20, control device 30, dimmer panel 40, and multiple lighting fixtures 50 the device ID of the device and age information indicating the age of use of the device (the number of years since the device started to be used) (S54). The age information is an example of information related to lighting control system 10, and it can be said that acquisition unit 22a acquires information related to lighting control system 10 in step S54. Note that if AI manages the age of use of each device (the age of use of each device is stored in memory unit 23), the processing of step S54 can be omitted.

[0053] Based on the years of use information of each device acquired in step S54, the processing unit 22c identifies devices with a lifespan of less than three years and generates output information for notifying the identified devices (S55). In other words, the output information in this case is information regarding a response to a question from the user. As described above, the processing unit 22c has learned the specifications (in this case, the useful life) of each device model and knows the device model at the time of initial configuration. Therefore, the processing unit 22c can calculate the remaining years of use by subtracting the number of years of use indicated by the years of use information from the useful life of the device.

[0054] The output unit 22d outputs the generated output information (S56), and the display control unit 22b displays devices whose remaining usable years (i.e., lifespan) are less than three years on the chat screen based on the output information (S57, (b) of FIG. 7).

[0055] The user further inputs text or voice to the effect of inquiring about a replacement for one of the devices with a lifespan of less than three years that are displayed on the chat screen, and the input receiving unit 21 receives the text or voice input. The acquisition unit 22a acquires the text or voice as input information (S58), and the display control unit 22b displays the input text or voice on the chat screen (S59, (c) of FIG. 7).

[0056] The processing unit 22c understands the content of the acquired input information, identifies a substitute for the one device, and generates output information for notifying the user of the substitute (S60). In other words, the output information in this case is information regarding a response to a question from the user. As described above, the processing unit 22c has learned the specifications for each device model and can identify a substitute.

[0057] The output unit 22d outputs the generated output information (S61), and the display control unit 22b displays the substitute on the chat screen based on the output information (S62, (d) of FIG. 7).

[0058] In this way, the lighting control system 10 can generate and output output information related to the management of the lighting control system 10 based on at least one of text and voice input information from the user.

[0059] [Other examples of information about lighting control systems] As described in the above operation examples 1 to 3, when the AI ​​installed in the dimmer console 20 acquires input information from the user, it acquires information about the lighting control system 10 if necessary to respond to the user (see steps S14 and S54). Here, other examples related to the lighting control system 10 will be described.

[0060] The information relating to the lighting control system 10 includes information relating to the lighting fixture 50, and the information relating to the lighting fixture 50 includes at least one of information relating to the settings of the lighting fixture 50 and information relating to the operating status of the lighting fixture 50.

[0061] The information related to the settings of lighting fixture 50 includes information indicating the communication address of lighting fixture 50, information indicating dimmer panel 40 to which lighting fixture 50 is connected (i.e., information indicating the connection relationship), etc. The information related to the operating state of lighting fixture 50 is, specifically, information indicating the current operating state, and includes information indicating the dimming level, information indicating the light color, information indicating power consumption, information indicating the light emission time, information indicating the operating mode, and information indicating the presence or absence of a communication or control error.

[0062] In addition, the information relating to the lighting control system 10 includes information relating to a dimmer panel 40 (an example of a dimmer device) that dims the lighting fixtures 50, and the information relating to the dimmer panel 40 includes at least one of information relating to the settings of the dimmer panel 40 and information relating to the operating status of the dimmer panel 40.

[0063] The information relating to the settings of the dimmer panel 40 includes information indicating the communication address of the dimmer panel 40, information indicating the lighting fixtures 50 that are connected to the dimmer panel 40 and are to be dimmed by the dimmer panel 40 (i.e., information indicating the connection relationship), etc. The information relating to the operating state of the dimmer panel 40 is, specifically, information indicating the current operating state, and includes information indicating power consumption and information indicating the presence or absence of a communication or control error, etc.

[0064] In addition, the information about the lighting control system 10 includes information about the control device 30 that controls the lighting fixtures 50, and the information about the control device 30 includes at least one of information about the settings of the control device 30, information about the operating status of the control device 30, and information about the performance settings controlled by the control device 30.

[0065] The information related to the settings of control device 30 includes information indicating the communication address of control device 30, information indicating the lighting fixtures 50 that are the targets of control by control device 30 (i.e., information indicating the connection relationships), etc. The information related to the operating status of control device 30 is, specifically, information indicating the current operating status, and includes information indicating power consumption and information indicating the presence or absence of communication or control errors, etc. The information related to the performance settings controlled by control device 30 includes the scene setting information described above, etc.

[0066] In addition, the information about the lighting control system 10 includes information about the dimmer table 20 (an example of an operating device) operated by the user, and the information about the dimmer table 20 includes at least one of information about the settings of the dimmer table 20 and information about the operating status of the dimmer table 20.

[0067] The information related to the settings of the dimmer table 20 includes information indicating the communication address of the dimmer table 20, information indicating the lighting fixtures 50 to be controlled by the dimmer table 20 (i.e., information indicating the connection relationships), etc. The information related to the operating state of the dimmer table 20 is specifically information indicating the current operating state, and includes information indicating power consumption and information indicating the presence or absence of a communication or control error.

[0068] 1, and the way the information is classified will differ if the configuration of the lighting control system 10 changes. For example, if the dimmer console 20 has the function of the control device 30 and the lighting control system 10 does not have the control device 30, the information related to the dimmer console 20 is also information related to the control device 30.

[0069] [Other examples of output information] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which AI processing unit 22c generates output information related to the settings of the lighting control system and the management of lighting control system 10. However, processing unit 22c may also generate output information related to the control of lighting control system 10. For example, processing unit 22c may control one or more lighting fixtures 50 to play one or more sunset scenes in response to a user's text or voice input of "Please play a sunset scene." In other words, processing unit 22c may generate output information related to at least one of the settings, control, and management of lighting control system 10 based on the input information acquired by acquisition unit 22a.

[0070] Furthermore, in the operational examples 1 and 2 of the above-described embodiment, examples have been described in which the output information is proposal information for proposing settings of the lighting control system 10 to the user. That is, the output information includes proposal information, the acquisition unit 22a acquires information regarding whether or not the user consents to the proposal information, and the output unit 22d outputs information for executing the proposal when the acquisition unit 22a acquires information indicating that the user consents. Here, when the AI ​​acquires input information from the user, it may immediately perform settings without outputting proposal information (i.e., without obtaining the user's consent). That is, the output unit 22d may output, as output information, information for automatically executing settings corresponding to the acquired input information.

[0071] The proposal information may be information for proposing to the user at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10, and correspondingly, the output information may be information for automatically executing at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10. In other words, the output information may include information for automatically executing setting, control, and management corresponding to the acquired input information.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described operation example 3 of the embodiment, an example has been described in which the output information is information relating to answers to questions from the user regarding management of the lighting control system 10. Here, the output information may be information relating to answers to questions from the user regarding at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10. In other words, the output information may include information relating to answers to questions from the user regarding at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10.

[0073] For example, if the input information inquires about an operation method, the output information includes information about an operation method of the lighting control system 10, and if the input information inquires about a setting method, the output information includes information about a setting method of the lighting control system 10. The output information may include information about at least one of the operation method and the setting method of the lighting control system 10.

[0074] [Configuration variations] In the above embodiment, the AI ​​(acquisition unit 22a, display control unit 22b, processing unit 22c, and output unit 22d) is described as being installed in the dimmer console 20. However, the AI ​​may be installed in the control device 30, the dimmer panel 40, or the server device 60. Furthermore, if the lighting control system 10 includes another device (such as a personal computer that supplements the functions of the dimmer console 20 or the control device 30), the AI ​​may be installed in the other device. Hereinafter, a system including a device equipped with an AI will also be referred to as an assistance system that assists a user in at least one of setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system 10. The assistance system may be realized by a single device or by multiple devices.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the AI ​​is a so-called generative AI based on chat-GPT, but the specific form of the AI ​​for realizing the assistance system is not particularly limited. The AI ​​may be a trained machine learning model.

[0076] The assistance system may also be realized without using AI. For example, the processing unit 22c of the dimmer console 20 may generate output information by referring to a database indicating the correspondence between at least one of input information of text and voice and output information related to at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 (i.e., a database indicating the correspondence between a large amount of input information and a large amount of output information). The database may be stored in the storage unit 23 or in a server such as the server device 60.

[0077] The support system can also support the setting, control, and management of a lighting control system other than that used for performance purposes (for example, a lighting control system in which a plurality of lighting fixtures 50 form a wireless mesh network).

[0078] [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.

[0079] Invention 1 is a support system comprising an acquisition unit 22a that acquires input information of at least one of text and voice from a user, a processing unit 22c that generates output information relating to at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 based on the acquired input information, and an output unit 22d that outputs the generated output information.

[0080] Such a support system can assist in setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system 10 .

[0081] Invention 2 is a support system of Invention 1, in which the acquisition unit 22a further acquires information related to the lighting control system 10, and the processing unit 22c generates output information based on the acquired input information and the acquired information related to the lighting control system 10.

[0082] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on input information and information about the lighting control system 10.

[0083] Invention 3 is a support system according to Invention 2, in which the information relating to the lighting control system 10 includes information relating to lighting fixtures 50 installed in a specified facility.

[0084] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on input information and information about the lighting fixtures 50.

[0085] Invention 4 is the support system of Invention 3, wherein the information about lighting device 50 includes at least one of information about the settings of lighting device 50 and information about the operating status of lighting device 50.

[0086] Such a support system can assist in setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system 10 based on input information and at least one of information regarding the settings of the lighting fixtures 50 and information regarding the operating status of the lighting fixtures 50.

[0087] Invention 5 is the support system of any of Inventions 2 to 4, wherein the information about the lighting control system 10 includes information about a dimmer panel 40 that adjusts the brightness of lighting fixtures 50 installed in a specified facility. The dimmer panel 40 is an example of a dimmer.

[0088] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on the input information and information about the dimmer panel 40.

[0089] Invention 6 is the support system of Invention 5, wherein the information relating to the dimmer panel 40 includes at least one of information relating to the settings of the dimmer panel 40 and information relating to the operating state of the dimmer panel 40.

[0090] Such a support system can assist in setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system 10 based on input information and at least one of information regarding the settings of the dimmer panel 40 and information regarding the operating status of the dimmer panel 40.

[0091] A seventh invention is the support system of any one of the second to sixth inventions, wherein the information relating to the lighting control system 10 includes information relating to a control device 30 that controls lighting fixtures 50 installed in a predetermined facility.

[0092] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on input information and information about the control device 30.

[0093] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the support system of the seventh aspect, wherein the information about the control device 30 includes information about the performance settings by controlling the lighting fixtures 50.

[0094] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on input information and information related to performance settings.

[0095] Invention 9 is the support system of any one of Inventions 2 to 8, wherein the information about the lighting control system 10 includes information about a dimmer console 20 operated by a user. The dimmer console 20 is an example of an operation device.

[0096] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 based on the input information and information related to the dimmer console 20.

[0097] Invention 10 is a support system according to any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein the output information includes proposal information for proposing at least one of setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 to the user, the acquisition unit 22a further acquires information regarding whether the user agrees to the proposal information, and the output unit 22d outputs information for executing the proposal when the acquisition unit 22a acquires information indicating that the user agrees.

[0098] Such an assistance system can suggest settings, control, management, etc. for the lighting control system 10 .

[0099] An eleventh invention is the support system of any one of the first to tenth inventions, wherein the output information includes information about answers to questions from the user about at least one of the settings, control, and management of the lighting control system 10.

[0100] Such a support system can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10 by answering questions from the user.

[0101] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the support system of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the output information includes information relating to at least one of an operation method and a setting method for the lighting control system 10.

[0102] Such a support system can provide at least one of an operation method and a setting method for the lighting control system 10, thereby supporting the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10.

[0103] Invention 13 is the support system of any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein the output information includes information for automatically executing at least one of setting, control, and management corresponding to the acquired input information.

[0104] Such a support system can support the setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 by automatically performing at least one of the setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 in accordance with input information.

[0105] Invention 14 is a proposed method executed by a computer system such as an assistance system, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring input information of at least one of text and voice from a user, a processing step of generating output information relating to at least one of setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system 10 based on the acquired input information, and an output step of outputting the generated output information.

[0106] Such a support method can support the setting, control, management, etc. of the lighting control system 10.

[0107] Invention 15 is a program for causing a computer system to execute the support method of Invention 14.

[0108] Such a program enables the computer system to assist in the setting, control, and management of the lighting control system 10 .

[0109] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the lighting control system is realized by a plurality of devices, but it may be realized as a single device. When the lighting control system is realized by a plurality of devices, the components of the lighting control system described in the above embodiment may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0112] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or 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.

[0113] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. Each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0114] 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.

[0115] For example, the present invention may be realized as each device such as the dimmer console, control device, dimmer panel, and server device of the above-described embodiments, or as an assistance system or a lighting control system. The present invention may also be realized as a method executed by a computer system. The present invention may also be realized as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer system to execute such a method. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0116] 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]

[0117] 10 Lighting Control System 20 Lighting console 21 Input reception section 22 Information Processing Department 22a Acquisition Department 22b Display control unit 22c Processing section 22d Output section 23 Memory section 24 Display section 25 Communications Department 30 Control device 40 Dimmer 50 lighting fixtures 60 Server equipment 70 Wide Area Communication Network

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires input information of at least one of text and voice from a user; a processing unit that generates output information related to at least one of setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system based on the acquired input information; an output unit that outputs the generated output information; Support system.

2. The acquisition unit further acquires information about the lighting control system, The processing unit generates the output information based on the acquired input information and the acquired information related to the lighting control system. The assistance system according to claim 1 .

3. The information about the lighting control system includes information about lighting fixtures installed in a predetermined facility. The assistance system according to claim 2 .

4. The information about the lighting device includes at least one of information about the settings of the lighting device and information about the operating state of the lighting device. The assistance system according to claim 3 .

5. The information about the lighting control system includes information about a dimmer that dims the lighting fixtures installed in a predetermined facility. The support system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The information about the dimmer includes at least one of information about the setting of the dimmer and information about the operating state of the dimmer. The assistance system according to claim 5.

7. The information about the lighting control system includes information about a control device that controls lighting fixtures installed in a predetermined facility. The support system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

8. The information about the control device includes information about a performance setting by controlling the lighting fixture. The assistance system according to claim 7.

9. The information about the lighting control system includes information about an operating device operated by the user. The support system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

10. the output information includes suggestion information for suggesting at least one of setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system to the user; The acquisition unit further acquires information regarding whether or not the user agrees with the proposed information, The output unit outputs information for executing the suggestion when the acquisition unit acquires information indicating that the user has consented. The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. The output information includes information regarding answers to questions from the user regarding at least one of setting, controlling, and managing the lighting control system. The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. The output information includes information regarding at least one of an operation method and a setting method of the lighting control system. The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. The output information includes information for automatically performing at least one of setting, controlling, and managing, corresponding to the acquired input information. The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A proposed method executed by a computer system, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring input information of at least one of characters and voice from a user; generating output information relating to at least one of configuring, controlling, and managing the lighting control system based on the obtained input information; and an output step of outputting the generated output information. How to help.

15. A program for causing a computer system to execute the support method according to claim 14.

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