Lighting control system, lighting control method, and program

Abstract

To provide appropriate illumination for each of a plurality of users present in the same illumination target space.SOLUTION: An illumination control system includes an illumination unit in which a plurality of luminaires are arranged in a planar direction and which is disposed so as to project light from a ceiling side toward a floor in an illumination target space, and a lighting control unit that executes first lighting control for setting the luminaires to a designated lighting mode in the illumination target space according to an operation performed on a user terminal for designating at least a lighting range as the lighting mode of the luminaires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is known a technology that controls the on / off state of a lighting fixture installed on the ceiling of a building based on whether or not it receives a wireless signal from a communication device carried by a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-027763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in the above cited document 1, the lighting device can be turned on or off depending on whether or not a person is present in the space where the lighting device is installed (the space to be illuminated). However, in the case of cited document 1, when multiple users are present in the space to be illuminated, the multiple users share the same lighting, making it difficult to provide lighting suitable for each user according to their preferences and situations.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide appropriate lighting for each of a plurality of users present in the same lighting target space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a lighting control system that includes a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and are positioned in a space to be illuminated so as to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor, and a lighting control unit that executes a first lighting control that sets the lighting fixtures in the space to be illuminated in a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a lighting control method in a lighting control system having a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and are positioned in a space to be illuminated so as to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor, the lighting control method including a lighting control step in which a lighting control unit executes a first lighting control to set the lighting fixtures in the space to be illuminated in a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer in a lighting control system having a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and which is positioned to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor in a space to be illuminated to function as a lighting control unit that executes a first lighting control that sets the lighting fixtures in the space to be illuminated in a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, appropriate lighting is provided to each of a plurality of users present in the same lighting target space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the structure of the lighting unit in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the lighting unit in the planar direction according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a switch according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a lighting control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of lighting fixture management information in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of a user tracking illumination function in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of operations related to lighting customization in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by lighting fixtures, switches, and lighting control devices in the first embodiment in relation to a user tracking lighting function. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a user terminal and a lighting control device in response to an operation for lighting customization in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a lighting control device in the second embodiment in response to overlapping lighting ranges. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment [Overall configuration example of a lighting control system] Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a lighting control system according to this embodiment. The lighting control system shown in Fig. 1 is installed in a house 1. The lighting control system may be installed in an environment other than a house, such as an office, a factory, a commercial facility, or a public facility.

[0012] The house 1 in the figure is divided into multiple rooms. In the figure, three rooms RM (RM-1, RM-2, RM-3) are shown. Each room RM is a lighting target space where lighting control is performed individually.

[0013] In each of the rooms RM, a lighting unit 100 is arranged on the ceiling. Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of the lighting unit 100. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the lighting unit 100. 2 and 3, the lighting unit 100 has a structure in which lighting fixtures 101 are arranged in a planar direction. The lighting fixtures 101 are installed so as to project light downward (toward the floor) from the ceiling side. In the figure, each of the lighting fixtures 101 has a regular hexagonal planar shape of the same size, and is arranged in a honeycomb pattern. By arranging the lighting fixtures 101 in this honeycomb pattern, the strength of the lighting unit 100 can be increased.

[0014] For example, if the external shape of lighting fixture 101 is rectangular, and lighting fixtures 101 with regular hexagonal external shapes are simply arranged in a honeycomb pattern, there will be excess space around the periphery of the rectangular external shape of lighting fixture 101 because lighting fixtures 101 with regular hexagonal external shapes cannot be placed there. In this case, the excess space may be left as it is without any particular lighting fixture 101 being placed therein, or lighting fixtures 101 with external shapes that match the excess space may be placed therein as well.

[0015] Furthermore, the lighting unit 100 may have a construction material 102 attached to the surface on which the lighting fixtures 101 are arranged. The construction material 102 may be a translucent plate. By providing such construction material 102, the lighting fixtures 101 can be concealed and the appearance of the ceiling can be prevented from being impaired. The building materials 102 may be provided so as to cover the entire surface on which the lighting fixtures 101 are arranged as shown in the figure, or may be provided for each lighting fixture 101 or for each predetermined number of lighting fixtures 101.

[0016] The external shape and arrangement of the lighting fixtures 101 are not limited to the example in Fig. 3. For example, the lighting fixtures 101 may each have the same square or rectangular external shape, and the lighting fixtures 101 may be arranged in a matrix to form the lighting unit 100.

[0017] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 1, the lighting units 100 installed in the rooms RM (RM-1, RM-2, RM-3) are connected to the corresponding switches 200 (200-1, 200-2, 200-3), respectively. The switches 200 are capable of individually turning on and off the lighting fixtures 101 in the corresponding lighting units 100 . Switch 200 in the figure also has the function of relaying communication between lighting control device 300 and lighting fixture 101 in lighting unit 100.

[0018] The lighting control device 300 controls the individual lighting fixtures 101 in the lighting unit 100 to turn on and off in response to instructions sent to the switch 200. The lighting control device 300 can then individually control the on and off of each lighting fixture 101 so that the lighting control device 300 can track the movement of a user U (as a person) in the room RM as detected by a sensor provided in the lighting fixture 101 and irradiate the user U with light. Furthermore, lighting control device 300 can control the lighting modes of lighting fixtures 101 in response to a lighting mode specification from user terminal 400 operated by user U via switch 200, through communication with each lighting fixture 101. Specifying a lighting mode here includes specifying the range of lighting fixtures 101 to be turned on in room RM and specifying the lighting state (lighting brightness, lighting color (color temperature, hue, etc.)) of lighting fixtures 101 that are turned on.

[0019] A user U present in a room RM has a user terminal 400. The user terminal 400 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or a smartwatch. A lighting control application is installed on user terminal 400. The lighting control application functions as a remote controller that allows user U to specify the lighting modes of lighting devices 101 in room RM. User terminal 400 with the lighting control application installed is connected to lighting control device 300 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0020] [Example of lighting fixture functional configuration] An example of the functional configuration of lighting fixture 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The functions of the components shown in Fig. 4 are realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the hardware of lighting fixture 101 to execute a program. The lighting fixture 101 in the figure includes a communication unit 111, a lighting unit 112, a sensor 113, and a control unit 114.

[0021] The communication unit 111 is communicably connected to the corresponding switch 200. The communication unit 111 is also communicably connected to the lighting control device 300 via the switch 200.

[0022] The lighting unit 112 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light source. The lighting unit 112 is a part that turns on and off the illumination light in response to the opening and closing of the contact unit 202 of the corresponding switch 200. The brightness of the lighting unit 112 can be changed in response to the control of the control unit 114. The lighting unit 112 can also change the illumination color (color temperature, hue, etc.) in response to the control of the control unit 114, for example, by combining light sources of different colors.

[0023] The sensor 113 is a sensor (an example of a human detection sensor) that detects a person (user) present in the room RM. The sensor 113 may be provided so as to detect a person present directly below the position where the sensor 113 is placed. The sensor 113 may include, for example, a PIR (Passive Infrared Ray) sensor, also known as a human body detection sensor or a motion sensor. The sensor 113 may also include a microwave sensor. The sensor 113 may also include multiple sensors, such as a combined use of a PIR sensor and a microwave sensor. The sensor 113 may be provided as a separate unit from the corresponding lighting fixture 101 and attached to the lighting unit 100 in a position corresponding to the corresponding lighting fixture 101, for example. By providing the sensors 113 in this manner, the group of sensors 113 can detect people by following the people who move in the room RM.

[0024] Control unit 114 executes various controls on lighting device 101. Control unit 114 transmits detection information output by sensor 113 via communication unit 111. Control unit 114 is also capable of controlling the lighting color of lighting unit 112 based on lighting control information transmitted from lighting control device 300 via switch 200.

[0025] [Switch function configuration example] An example of the functional configuration of the switch 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The functions of the various units shown in the figure are realized by causing a CPU provided in the hardware of the switch 200 to execute a program. The switch 200 in the figure includes a communication unit 201 , a contact unit 202 , and a control unit 203 .

[0026] Communication unit 201 is communicatively connected to lighting device 101. Communication unit 201 is also communicatively connected to lighting control device 300. Communication unit 201 is also capable of relaying communication between lighting control device 300 and lighting device 101.

[0027] Contact point section 202 is a section that opens and closes so as to turn on and off each lighting section 112 of lighting fixture 101 in corresponding lighting unit 100. Opening and closing of contact point section 202 may be controlled by control section 203.

[0028] The control unit 203 executes various controls in the switch 200. The control unit 203 controls the opening and closing of the contact unit 202. The control unit 203 also controls communication in the communication unit 201.

[0029] [Example of functional configuration of lighting control device] An example of the functional configuration of lighting control device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The functions of the units shown in the figure are realized by causing a CPU included in the hardware serving as lighting control device 300 to execute a program. The lighting control device 300 in the figure includes a communication unit 301, a control unit 302, and a storage unit 303.

[0030] Communication unit 301 is communicatively connected to switch 200. Communication unit 301 is also communicatively connected via switch 200 to each of lighting fixtures 101 in lighting unit 100 in each room RM.

[0031] Control unit 302 executes various types of control in lighting control device 300. Control unit 302 includes lighting control unit 321. Lighting control unit 321 controls the lighting state of each of lighting fixtures 101 in lighting unit 100 in each room RM.

[0032] The storage unit 303 stores various types of information corresponding to the lighting control device 300. The storage unit 303 includes a lighting fixture management information storage unit 331. The lighting fixture management information storage unit 331 stores information for managing the lighting fixtures 101 in the lighting unit 100 in each room RM.

[0033] 7 shows an example of lighting fixture management information stored in the lighting fixture management information storage unit 331. In the lighting fixture management information in the figure, multiple lighting fixture IDs are associated with each room ID that uniquely identifies a room RM. A lighting fixture ID is information that uniquely identifies the corresponding lighting fixture 101. Each of the lighting fixture IDs associated with one room ID indicates a lighting fixture 101 arranged in a lighting unit 100 provided in the corresponding room RM. Furthermore, the lighting fixture ID is associated with coordinates, current lighting mode, control type, and user ID. The placement coordinates indicate the position where the corresponding lighting fixture 101 is placed in the lighting unit 100. The placement coordinates may be two-dimensional coordinates based on, for example, the x-axis and the y-axis. The current lighting state indicates the current lighting state of the corresponding lighting fixture 101 (on / off, color temperature, color tone, brightness (which may be controlled as illuminance (lx) or luminous flux (lm))). The control type is information associated with a lighting fixture 101 that is in a lit state, and indicates whether the lighting control of the corresponding lighting fixture 101 corresponds to lighting control corresponding to a user tracking lighting function (an example of second lighting control) or lighting control according to lighting customization (first lighting control). The user ID is information associated when lighting control of a corresponding lighting device 101 is based on lighting customization, and indicates the user who is operating the corresponding lighting customization. The user ID may be, for example, device identification information for the user terminal 400, or a user account registered by the user U in accordance with the lighting control application. The user ID may also be a feature of a body part, such as the face of the user U, extracted from an image of the user U obtained by capturing the image.

[0034] [Example of functional configuration of user terminal] An example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The functions of the units shown in the figure are realized by causing a CPU provided in the hardware serving as the user terminal 400 to execute a program. The user terminal 400 in the figure includes a communication unit 401 , an operation unit 402 , a display unit 403 , and a control unit 404 .

[0035] The communication unit 401 is communicatively connected to the lighting control device 300. When the lighting control device 300 is installed inside the house 1, the communication unit 401 may be communicatively connected to the lighting control device 300 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, or may be communicatively connected via a wireless local area network (LAN). Furthermore, lighting control device 300 may be implemented as, for example, a server on a network or a cloud server, in which case communication unit 401 may be communicatively connected to lighting control device 300 via switch 200. Alternatively, user terminal 400 may be communicatively connected to lighting control device 300 via a network. When user terminal 400 is communicatively connected to lighting control device 300 via a network in this manner, various operations corresponding to lighting devices 101 can be remotely performed in response to operations performed by user U on user terminal 400.

[0036] The operation unit 402 is a unit that is operated by the user. Hardware corresponding to the operation unit 402 may include, for example, a touch panel and various buttons. The operation unit 402 may also include an input device connected to the user terminal 400, such as a mouse or a keyboard. The control unit 404 executes processing according to the operation performed on the operation unit 402. The operation unit 402 may be equipped with, for example, a microphone and a unit that performs voice analysis, so that it can accept voice operations. The operation unit 402 may also be capable of accepting input of biological information, such as a heart rate, detected by a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, that is communicatively connected to the user terminal 400.

[0037] The display unit 403 performs display under the control of the control unit 404 .

[0038] The control unit 404 executes various controls in the user terminal 400. In this embodiment, the control unit 404 is capable of executing controls corresponding to the functions of an installed lighting control application.

[0039] [About the user tracking lighting function] The lighting control system of this embodiment has a user tracking lighting function that detects a user who is present in a room RM and turns on the lighting fixtures 101 so as to track the user as they move within the room RM of the detected user. An example of the user tracking lighting function will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9(A) shows a state when a user U enters a room RM through a door. At this time, if the user tracking lighting function of this embodiment is enabled, lighting devices 101 arranged in lighting unit 100 within a predetermined positional range corresponding to directly above the position of user U are turned on, thereby illuminating spot illumination light Lt on user U. In other words, under the user tracking lighting function of this embodiment, for example, lighting unit 100 does not illuminate the entire room RM, but only turns on some of the lighting devices 101 corresponding to the position of user U.

[0040] Next, when the user U moves from the state shown in Fig. 9(A) toward a desk provided in the room RM, the spot illumination light Lt also moves to track the user U, as shown in Fig. 9(B), thereby continuing to illuminate the moving user U. Such tracking of the spot illumination light Lt is achieved by turning on the lighting devices 101 within a predetermined range corresponding to the detected position of the user U and turning off the lighting devices 101 located outside the predetermined range.

[0041] Next, when the user U arrives at the desk and sits down in the chair, the spot illumination light Lt stops at the position corresponding to the seated user U, and illuminates the user U at the stopped position, as shown in Figure 9(C).

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 3, an example of control of lighting device 101 performed by lighting control device 300 in response to the user tracking lighting function will now be described. When each of the lighting devices 101 installed in one room RM is in an on state (standby state) in which it can detect a person, it transmits human detection information to lighting control device 300 via switch 200 in response to detecting a person by sensor 113. The human detection information may include the lighting device ID of the corresponding lighting device 101.

[0043] 3, the position of lighting fixture 101 directly above the position directly below lighting fixture 101 where user U is located is shown as reference position n. At this time, sensor 113 of lighting fixture 101 at reference position n is in a state of detecting a person and therefore transmits person detection information to lighting control device 300. In response to receiving the human detection information, the lighting control unit 321 of the lighting control device 300 turns on the lighting fixture 101 at the reference position n and also turns on six lighting fixtures 101 at the adjacent primary perimeter position (n+1) around the lighting fixture 101 at the reference position n. The lighting control unit 321 also controls the sensors 113 of the lighting fixtures 101 at the primary perimeter position (n+1) to change from an off state (in which no human is detected) to an on state. The lighting control unit 321 also turns off the lighting fixtures 101 at the secondary perimeter position (n+2) adjacent to the outside of the lighting fixture 101 at the primary perimeter position (n+1). The lighting control unit 321 may also turn off the sensors 113 of the lighting fixtures 101 at the secondary perimeter position (n+2).

[0044] Next, as a result of user U moving from the current reference position n, user U is now located at one of the primary outer peripheral positions (n+1) adjacent to the reference position n. In response to this change in position, the sensor 113 at the previous reference position n no longer detects a person and stops transmitting person detection information, and the sensor 113 at one primary outer peripheral position (n+1) now detects a person and transmits person detection information.

[0045] In response to this change in status, the lighting control unit 321 of the lighting control device 300 sets the position of the lighting fixture 101 corresponding to the sensor 113 that recently transmitted the human detection information as a new reference position n, and sets the positions of the six adjacent lighting fixtures 101 around reference position n as new primary outer periphery positions (n+1). The lighting control unit 321 controls the lighting fixtures 101 that were previously off among the lighting fixtures 101 newly set as the primary outer periphery positions (n+1) to turn on, and also changes the sensors 113 from off to on. The lighting control unit 321 also sets the positions of the lighting fixtures 101 outside the lighting fixture 101 at the newly set primary outer periphery position (n+1) as new secondary outer periphery positions (n+2), and sets the lighting fixtures 101 at the newly set secondary outer periphery position (n+2) to off, not turned on. The lighting control unit 321 also turns off the sensors 113 of the lighting fixtures 101 at the secondary outer periphery position (n+2). However, even for lighting fixtures 101 at the secondary peripheral position (n+2), lighting fixtures 101 and sensors 113 within a lighting range that has been set for another user U in the same room RM may be allowed to remain in the lit state and on state, respectively. Furthermore, even for lighting fixtures 101 at the secondary peripheral position (n+2), lighting fixtures 101 within a lighting range that has been set by another user U through a lighting customization (lighting mode adjustment) operation, which will be described later, may be allowed to remain in the lit state and on state, respectively.

[0046] In room RM, it is preferable that sensor 113 of lighting device 101 located corresponding to an entrance such as a door be set to be constantly on. With this setting, when user U enters room RM through the entrance, sensor 113 of lighting device 101 located corresponding to the entrance can detect the person and subsequently perform user tracking lighting.

[0047] By performing such control, lighting fixtures 101 at reference position n and primary outer peripheral position (n+1) are turned on to irradiate user U present in room RM with spotlight. Furthermore, sensors 113 at positions other than reference position n and primary outer peripheral position (n+1) are turned off, which prevents erroneous detection of a person by sensors 113 far from user U's position.

[0048] The time (lighting standby time) until lighting device 101 turns on in response to sensor 113 detecting a person may be changeable in response to a setting operation on user terminal 400, for example.

[0049] In addition, the lighting range in the user tracking lighting function is not limited to the range defined by the reference position n and the first outer peripheral position (n+1) as described above, but may be set as the range defined by the reference position n and any (n+m)th outer peripheral position (n+m). Furthermore, the lighting range of the user tracking lighting function may be such that the lighting devices 101 at the reference position n and the primary outer peripheral position (n+1) are not lit, but the lighting devices 101 at predetermined positions other than the reference position n and the primary outer peripheral position (n+1) are lit. Specifically, for example, all or some of the lighting devices 101 at the tertiary outer peripheral position (n+3) and the quaternary outer peripheral position (n+4) may be lit. With such user tracking lighting, it is also possible to use the lighting to guide the user's destination.

[0050] [About lighting customization] Furthermore, the lighting control system of this embodiment allows the user U to operate the user terminal 400 to change the lighting state to suit his or her preference (lighting customization). An example of an operation performed by the user U on the user terminal 400 in relation to lighting customization will be described with reference to FIG. The user U starts up the lighting control application on the user terminal 400, and causes the display unit 403 to display a lighting customization screen, which is one of the lighting control application screens. A lighting customization screen may be provided for each room RM. In this case, the user may display the lighting customization screen corresponding to the room RM that the user uses, from among the lighting customization screens corresponding to the rooms RM.

[0051] 10(A) shows an example of a lighting customization screen displayed on display unit 403. On the lighting customization screen, a lighting target operation area AR1 and a lighting light state operation area AR2 are arranged in accordance with lighting customization. While the figure shows a state in which the lighting light state operation area AR2 is arranged on the lighting target operation area AR1, the layout of the lighting target operation area AR1 and the lighting light state operation area AR2 on the screen is not particularly limited.

[0052] The lighting target operation area AR1 is an area where the user U performs an operation to specify the lighting device 101 to be turned on. In the lighting target operation area AR1, a lighting button BT1 corresponding to each lighting fixture 101 arranged in the corresponding room RM is arranged. The arrangement of the lighting buttons BT1 in the lighting target operation area AR1 is also associated with a planar map of the corresponding room RM. By associating the arrangement of the lighting buttons BT1 in the lighting target operation area AR1 with the planar map of the room RM in this way, the user U can determine which lighting fixture 101 in the actual room RM the lighting button BT1 in the lighting target operation area AR1 corresponds to.

[0053] The map of the room RM may be created and registered by, for example, a user. When creating the map of the room RM, the user U may create a floor plan of the room RM by operating the user terminal 400. The user U may create the floor plan by, for example, performing operations such as drawing a line drawing or arranging objects such as furniture by his or her own operations. In this case, if the user U changes the arrangement of furniture or the like in the room RM, the user U may reflect the changed arrangement of furniture or the like by editing the created floor plan. Alternatively, the user U may capture an image of the interior of the room RM using the imaging function of the user terminal 400. In this case, the lighting control application of the user terminal 400 may create a floor plan from the captured image of the interior of the room RM obtained by imaging. In this case, if the user U changes the arrangement of furniture and the like in the room RM, the user U may capture an image of the interior of the room RM after the change using the user terminal 400. The lighting control application of the user terminal 400 may use the captured image obtained by imaging to change the floor plan so as to reflect the change in the arrangement of furniture and the like.

[0054] 10(A) is displayed, the customized lighting corresponding to user U is not lit. Therefore, in this case, user U first operates lighting target operation area AR1 to specify the lighting target lighting device 101 that is to be turned on for user U. The operation of specifying the lighting devices 101 to be turned on may be, for example, by tapping the light buttons BT1 corresponding to the lighting devices 101 to be turned on individually. The light buttons BT1 of the lighting devices 101 that have been turned on as a result of this operation change from a state indicating that they are off to a state indicating that they are on. Specifically, the light buttons BT1 of the lighting devices 101 that have been turned on may be displayed in a color that reflects their current lighting color. In this case, if the user U again taps the light button BT1 that is currently in a state indicating that it is on, the corresponding lighting device 101 changes from a state indicating that it is on to a state indicating that it is off, and the light button BT1 also changes to a display indicating that it is off.

[0055] To designate a group of lighting devices 101 as a lighting target, the user U may touch one of the lighting buttons BT1 on the periphery of the lighting target group, and then slide the button along the outline of the lighting target group, as shown in the transition from Fig. 10(A) to Fig. 10(B). As shown in Fig. 10(B), the lighting buttons BT1 along the path of the slide operation may sequentially change color to indicate their lighting status, and the corresponding lighting devices 101 may also be sequentially lit. Then, when the sliding operation along the outline of the arrangement range to be lit is completed, as shown in Fig. 10(C), in addition to the lighting buttons BT1 on the outline of the arrangement range along the trajectory of the sliding operation, the lighting buttons BT1 inside the outline also change to a color indicating a lit state. Furthermore, the lighting devices 101 corresponding to the lighting buttons BT1 inside the outline also light up. In other words, as shown in Fig. 10(C), a state is achieved in which multiple lighting devices 101 corresponding to the arrangement range of the lighting buttons BT1 that are now showing the display state are lit up.

[0056] In this way, user U can perform an operation to turn on lighting device 101 that corresponds to the user U and that the user U desires to turn on.

[0057] Light state operation area AR2 is an area where user U performs operations to change the light state of lighting device 101 that is turned on for the user U. By operating light state operation area AR2, user U can individually change the brightness, color temperature, and hue of lighting device 101 as the light state of lighting device 101. In the light status operation area AR2, slide bars SB1 and SB2 and an operation target change button BT2 are arranged. The slide bar SB1 is an operator that is operated to change the brightness. The slide bar SB2 is an operator that changes the color temperature and hue. The operation target change button BT2 is an operator that switches the slide bar SB2 between a state in which the color temperature can be operated and a state in which the hue can be operated. The display state of the object change button BT2 switches between a state in which the color temperature can be operated and a state in which the hue can be operated. The user U operates the operation target change button BT2 to set the state in which the color temperature or hue can be operated, and then operates the slide bar SB2. The lighting state resulting from an operation in lighting state operation area AR2 may be uniformly applied to one or more lighting devices 101 that are simultaneously turned on in response to user U. Fig. 10(D) shows an example in which the color tone of the illumination light of lighting devices 101 within the set lighting range is changed in response to user U operating lighting state operation area AR2 when the lighting range of lighting devices 101 is set, for example, as shown in Fig. 10(C).

[0058] The lighting light state set by an operation in the lighting light state operation area AR2 may be set individually for each of the lighting devices 101 that are simultaneously turned on in response to the user U. Alternatively, the lighting light state set by an operation in the lighting light state operation area AR2 may be set for each of the divided ranges that divide the range of the lighting devices 101 that are simultaneously turned on in response to the user U.

[0059] As described above, the operation of tapping the light button BT1 individually to turn on the lighting devices 101 can also be treated as an operation of specifying the lighting range corresponding to one lighting device 101.

[0060] The lighting control device 300 may be configured to store one or more lighting modes set by lighting customization in the storage unit 303. In this case, the user U may select one lighting mode (first lighting mode information) from the stored lighting modes, and the lighting corresponding to the user U may be turned on in the selected lighting mode. It should be noted that the lighting control corresponding to the user U may be switched between a user tracking function and lighting customization by operating the lighting control application of the user terminal 400. Furthermore, lighting customization may be possible for the lighting range of the user tracking function. In this case, the size of the lighting range of the user tracking function and the lighting state within the lighting range can be set by operating the lighting customization. Furthermore, the lighting control device 300 may be configured to display the current locations of other users present in the same room RM or other rooms RM on the user terminal 400 of one user U. Furthermore, the lighting control device 300 may be configured to display the details of lighting customization of other users, tracking status by user tracking, etc. on the user terminal 400 of one user U.

[0061] As explained above, the lighting control system of this embodiment can provide illumination light to the user U by tracking the user U present in the room RM. Furthermore, the lighting control system of this embodiment allows the user U to obtain illumination light with a lighting range and lighting state that matches the user's intention by operating the user terminal 400. As a result, this embodiment makes it possible to provide appropriate lighting to each of multiple users present in the same illumination target space.

[0062] [Example of processing procedure] Referring to the sequence diagram of Figure 11, an example of processing procedures executed by lighting devices 101 (101-A, 101-B, 101-C), switch 200, and lighting control device 300 in relation to the user tracking lighting function described in Figure 3 will be described. Of the three lighting fixtures 101 shown in the figure, lighting fixture 101-A is the lighting fixture 101 whose corresponding sensor 113 detects a person when user U is present at the corresponding position. In other words, lighting fixture 101-A is the lighting fixture 101 that corresponds to reference position n. Lighting fixture 101-B is located adjacent to lighting fixture 101-A and corresponds to primary perimeter position (n+1). Lighting fixture 101-C is arranged more outer than lighting fixture 101-B and is the lighting fixture 101 that corresponds to secondary perimeter position (n+2).

[0063] Step S100: For example, assume that user U is present in room RM and lighting device 101-A is currently positioned directly above user U. Note that lighting device 101-A has been designated as the lighting device corresponding to the primary outer peripheral position (n+1) up until the current time, and is therefore already turned on. As a result of user U now being located directly below lighting device 101-A, sensor 113 of lighting device 101-A detects a person.

[0064] Step S102: The sensor 113 that detected a person in step S100 transmits person detection information to the lighting control device 300 via the corresponding switch 200. The person detection information is information indicating that a person has been detected, and includes a lighting device ID that uniquely identifies the corresponding lighting device 101-A.

[0065] Step S104: Communication unit 201 of switch 200 transfers the human detection information transmitted from lighting device 101-A in step S102 to lighting control device 300.

[0066] Step S106: The lighting control unit 321 of the lighting control device 300 sets (updates) the position of the placement coordinates associated with the lighting device ID included in the received human detection information as a new reference position n.

[0067] Step S108: Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 updates the outer circumferential positions (primary outer circumferential position (n+1), secondary outer circumferential position (n+2)) to correspond to reference position n updated in step S106. That is, lighting control unit 321 newly sets the positions of each lighting device 101-B placed adjacent to lighting device 101-A, which has been newly set to reference position n in step S106, as primary outer circumferential positions (n+1). Also, lighting control unit 321 newly sets the positions of each lighting device 101-C on the outer periphery of the newly set primary outer circumferential positions (n+1) as secondary outer circumferential positions (n+2).

[0068] Step S110: Lighting control unit 321 transmits to switch 200 an instruction to turn on lighting device 101-B, which is now located at the position serving as the primary outer circumferential position (n+1). In this case, lighting control unit 321 may send a turn-on instruction specifying all lighting devices 101-B at primary peripheral position (n+1) regardless of whether any of the lighting devices 101-B at primary peripheral position (n+1) are on. In this case, lighting devices 101-B at primary peripheral position (n+1) that are already on will maintain their previous on state in response to the turn-on instruction. Alternatively, the lighting control unit 321 may refer to the current lighting mode information of the lighting fixture management information stored in the lighting fixture management information storage unit 331, and transmit to the switch 200 a lighting instruction specifying that lighting fixtures 101-B at the primary outer peripheral position (n+1) that are currently off be turned on, but excluding lighting fixtures 101-B that are already on. In response to sending the lighting instruction in step S110, the lighting control unit 321 may store information indicating that the lighting device 101-B that was the target of the lighting instruction in the current lighting state field of the lighting device management information (Figure 7) for each lighting device 101-B that was the target of the lighting instruction, and may store information indicating that the control is being performed by the user tracking function in the control type field.

[0069] Step S112: In switch 200, control unit 203 turns on (closes) contact unit 202 corresponding to lighting device 101-B specified by the lighting instruction transmitted in step S110.

[0070] Step S114: In lighting device 101-B, lighting unit 112 starts lighting in response to corresponding contact unit 202 being turned on in step S112.

[0071] Step S116: Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 transmits to switch 200 an instruction to turn off lighting device 101-C, which is now located at the secondary outer circumferential position (n+2). In this case, lighting control unit 321 may also send a turn-off instruction specifying all lighting devices 101-C at secondary circumferential position (n+2), regardless of whether any of the lighting devices 101-C at secondary circumferential position (n+2) are turned on. In this case, any lighting devices 101-C at secondary circumferential position (n+2) that are already turned off will remain turned off in response to the turn-off instruction. Alternatively, the lighting control unit 321 may refer to the current lighting state of the lighting fixture management information stored in the lighting fixture management information storage unit 331, and transmit to the switch 200 a lighting-off instruction specifying that lighting fixtures 101-C at the secondary outer peripheral position (n+2) that are currently on be turned off, but excluding lighting fixtures 101-C that are already turned off. In response to sending the turn-off instruction in step S116, the lighting control unit 321 may store information indicating that the lighting device 101-B is in the turned-off state in the current lighting state field of the lighting device management information (FIG. 7) for each lighting device 101-B that was the target of the turn-off instruction, and clear the control type field.

[0072] Step S118: In switch 200, control unit 203 turns off (opens) contact unit 202 corresponding to lighting device 101-C specified in the turn-off instruction transmitted in step S116.

[0073] Step S120: In lighting device 101-C, lighting unit 112 is turned off in response to corresponding contact unit 202 being turned off in step S118.

[0074] Step S122: The lighting control unit 321 sends a sensor-on instruction to each of the lighting devices 101-B via the switch 200 to turn on the sensor 113 of the lighting device 101-B, which is now located at the primary outer peripheral position (n+1). In user tracking lighting, the on / off state of sensor 113 corresponds to the on / off state of the corresponding lighting fixture 101. Therefore, lighting control unit 321 may refer to the current lighting mode information in the lighting fixture management information stored in lighting fixture management information storage unit 331, and transmit a sensor-on instruction to switch 200 specifying lighting fixtures 101-B that are currently off among lighting fixtures 101-B at the primary outer periphery position (n+1), but excluding lighting fixtures 101-B that are already on.

[0075] Step S124: Communication unit 401 of switch 200 transfers the sensor-on instruction sent in step S122 to each of lighting devices 101-B.

[0076] Step S126: Control unit 114 of lighting device 101-B turns on sensor 113 in response to the sensor-on instruction transferred in step S124.

[0077] Step S128: Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 sends a sensor-off instruction to each lighting device 101-C via switch 200 to turn off sensor 113 of lighting device 101-C, which is now located at the secondary outer peripheral position (n+2). At this time, the lighting control unit 321 may refer to the current lighting state information of the lighting fixture management information stored in the lighting fixture management information storage unit 331, and may send a sensor-off instruction to the switch 200 specifying the lighting fixtures 101-C that are currently on among the lighting fixtures 101-C at the secondary outer peripheral position (n+2), excluding the specification of lighting fixtures 101-C that are already off.

[0078] Step S130: Communication unit 401 of switch 200 transfers the sensor-off instruction sent in step S128 to each of lighting devices 101-C.

[0079] Step S132: Control unit 114 of lighting device 101-C turns off sensor 113 in response to the sensor-off instruction transferred in step S130.

[0080] Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the user terminal 400 and the lighting control device 300 in response to the lighting customization operation described with reference to FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, a description will be given of an example of a processing procedure executed by the user terminal 400. The processing in this figure is performed in a state in which the lighting customization screen (FIG. 10) corresponding to the room RM in which the user U is present is displayed on the user terminal 400.

[0081] Step S200: In user terminal 400, control unit 404 determines whether a light-on / light-off operation has been performed. The light-on / light-off operation is an operation of specifying lighting devices 101 to be turned on or off for user U in room RM where user U is present. Examples of light-on / light-off operations include tapping the lighting button BT1 to switch the lighting on or off, and sliding a finger over the lighting button BT1 along the outline corresponding to the lighting area, as described with reference to FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C).

[0082] Step S202: In response to the turning-on / turn-off operation, the control unit 404 transmits to the lighting control device 300 on / off instruction information indicating the lighting fixtures 101 that have been specified to be turned on or off by the turning-on / turn-off instruction operation. Specifically, the on / off instruction information may include the user ID of the corresponding user U, the room ID of the corresponding room RM, and the coordinates of the lighting device 101 corresponding to the lighting button BT1 specified to be turned on or off. Each lighting button BT1 arranged in the lighting target operation area AR1 of the lighting customization screen is associated with the coordinate values ​​of the corresponding lighting device 101. Note that each lighting button BT1 arranged in the lighting target operation area AR1 of the lighting customization screen may be associated with the lighting device ID of the corresponding lighting device 101.

[0083] Step S204: After processing step S202, or if it is determined in step S200 that no on / off operation has been performed, the control unit 404 determines whether a brightness adjustment operation has been performed on the lighting light state operation area AR2 of the lighting customization screen. Note that if the lighting device 101 to be turned on that is specified for user U has not yet been turned on, the determination result in step S204 may be that the brightness adjustment operation is not to be performed.

[0084] Step S206: If it is determined in step S204 that a brightness adjustment operation has been performed, the control unit 404 transmits brightness instruction information to the lighting control device 300. The brightness instruction information may include the user ID of the corresponding user U, the room ID of the corresponding room RM, and information on the brightness specified by the brightness adjustment operation.

[0085] Step S208: After processing in step S206, or if it is determined in step S204 that no brightness adjustment operation has been performed, the control unit 404 determines whether or not a color temperature adjustment operation has been performed in the lighting light state operation area AR2 of the lighting customization screen. If the lighting device 101 to be turned on that is specified for user U has not yet been turned on, the determination result in step S208 may be that the color temperature adjustment operation is not to be performed.

[0086] Step S210: If it is determined in step S208 that a color temperature adjustment operation has been performed, the control unit 404 transmits color temperature instruction information to the lighting control device 300. The color temperature instruction information may include the user ID of the corresponding user U, the room ID of the corresponding room RM, and information on the color temperature specified by the color temperature adjustment operation.

[0087] Step S212: After processing in step S210, or if it is determined in step S208 that a color temperature adjustment operation has not been performed, the control unit 404 determines whether a color hue adjustment operation has been performed in the lighting light state operation area AR2 of the lighting customization screen. Note that if the lighting device 101 to be turned on that is specified for user U has not yet been turned on, the determination result in step S212 may be that no color adjustment operation is to be performed. If it is determined in step S212 that no hue adjustment operation has been performed, the process returns to step S200.

[0088] Step S214: If it is determined in step S208 that a hue adjustment operation has been performed, the control unit 404 transmits hue instruction information to the lighting control device 300. The hue instruction information may include the user ID of the corresponding user U, the room ID of the corresponding room RM, and information about the hue specified by the hue adjustment operation. After the process of step S214, the process returns to step S200.

[0089] Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by lighting control device 300 will be described. Step S300: In the lighting control device 300, the lighting control unit 321 determines whether or not the on / off instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 400 in step S202 has been received.

[0090] Step S302: When the on / off instruction information is received, the lighting control unit 321 executes the on / off control. That is, the lighting control unit 321 transmits a on instruction or an off instruction to the corresponding switch 200 so that each lighting fixture 101 specified in the received on / off instruction information is turned on or off. Furthermore, if there is a lighting fixture that was turned on in step S302, the lighting control unit 321 stores information indicating the current lighting mode, information indicating that the lighting is customized, and the user ID included in the received on / off instruction information in the fields of current lighting mode, control type, and user ID corresponding to the turned-on lighting fixture 101 in the lighting fixture management information.

[0091] Step S304: After processing step S302, or if it is determined in step S300 that no on / off instruction information has been received, the lighting control unit 321 determines whether brightness instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 400 in step S206 has been received.

[0092] Step S306: If brightness instruction information is received, lighting control unit 321 sets the brightness of lighting devices 101 that are turned on for specified user U based on the received brightness instruction information. In addition, lighting control unit 321 updates the current lighting state in the lighting device information corresponding to lighting devices 101 whose brightness has been set so that the current brightness is indicated.

[0093] Step S308: After processing in step S306, or if it is determined in step S304 that brightness instruction information has not been received, the lighting control unit 321 determines whether color temperature instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 400 in step S210 has been received.

[0094] Step S310: If color temperature instruction information is received, lighting control unit 321 sets the color temperature of lighting device 101 that is turned on for specified user U based on the received color temperature instruction information. Lighting control unit 321 also updates the current lighting state in the lighting device information corresponding to lighting device 101 whose color temperature has been newly set so that it indicates the newly set color temperature.

[0095] Step S312: After processing in step S310, or if it is determined in step S308 that color temperature instruction information has not been received, the lighting control unit 321 determines whether color tone instruction information transmitted from the user terminal 400 in step S214 has been received.

[0096] Step S314: If color temperature instruction information is received, lighting control unit 321 sets the color temperature of lighting device 101 that is currently turned on for specified user U based on the received color temperature instruction information. Lighting control unit 321 also updates the current lighting state in the lighting device information corresponding to lighting device 101 for which the color temperature has been set so that the currently set color temperature is displayed. After the process of step S314, the process returns to step S300.

[0097] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In a situation where multiple users U are present in one room RM, the lighting ranges of lighting devices 101 that are turned on for each user U using the user tracking function or lighting customization may overlap due to the movement of the users U or the operation of setting the lighting ranges in the lighting customization. The overlapping modes include the following three modes: One mode is a mode in which the lighting ranges of the user tracking function for each of a plurality of users U overlap (first overlap mode). The other is a mode (second overlap mode) in which the lighting ranges set by lighting customization for each of a plurality of users U overlap. The other is a mode (third overlap mode) in which the lighting range set by lighting customization and the lighting range by the user tracking function overlap.

[0098] When the first overlapping situation occurs, lighting control unit 321 of lighting control device 300 may perform control so that lighting devices 101 in the corresponding lighting ranges are turned on for each user U whose lighting ranges overlap. Alternatively, when the first overlapping state occurs, lighting control unit 321 of lighting control device 300 may turn on lighting devices 101 in the lighting range of user U with the highest priority among the overlapping users U, and may turn off lighting devices 101 in the remaining lighting ranges of the other users U. In this case, the priority may be set, for example, according to the order in which users enter room RM and lighting control using the user tracking function is started. In this case, the priority may be set higher or lower the earlier lighting control using the user tracking function is started. Furthermore, whether the priority is set higher or lower the earlier lighting control using the user tracking function is started may be set, for example, by an operation on user terminal 400.

[0099] In the case of the second overlapping mode, lighting customization results in overlapping lighting ranges with different lighting modes for each user U. In this case, for example, a priority order may be set for the overlapping lighting ranges, and the lighting mode setting of the lighting range with the highest set priority (priority lighting range) may be maintained, and the lighting mode set for the priority lighting range may be used for the portions of other lighting ranges that overlap with the priority lighting range. As a specific example, the order of priority may be set such that the oldest lighting range among the overlapping lighting ranges is the highest priority. Alternatively, the most recently set lighting range among the overlapping lighting ranges may be the highest priority. In this way, the priority may be set according to any conditions.

[0100] In the third overlapping mode, it is preferable to prioritize the lighting range set by lighting customization over the lighting range set by the user tracking function. This is because the lighting range set by lighting customization is set fixedly and remains unchanged unless an operation is performed, whereas the lighting range set by the user tracking function is likely to move to a non-overlapping position as the corresponding user U moves. Furthermore, in the third overlapping mode, when lighting ranges set by multiple lighting customizations overlap, the priority setting of the second overlapping mode may be applied.

[0101] An example of a processing procedure executed by lighting control device 300 in response to overlapping lighting ranges will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. The processing in Fig. 13 is executed when lighting control device 300 is executing the processing in Figs. 11 and 12 in response to movement of user U in room RM or an operation by user U on user terminal 400 to customize lighting.

[0102] Step S400: In lighting control device 300, lighting control unit 321 waits for overlapping between multiple lighting ranges. Specifically, in step S400, lighting control unit 321 may compare the location coordinates of lighting devices 101 included in the lighting ranges for each user U obtained in room RM by the processes in FIGS. 11 and 12, and determine whether there are any lighting ranges whose location coordinates overlap.

[0103] Step S402: If it is determined in step S400 that multiple lighting ranges overlap, the lighting control unit 321 performs a priority determination for the overlapping lighting ranges. In this case, the lighting control unit 321 determines the lighting range with the highest priority (priority lighting range) as the priority determination.

[0104] Step S404: The lighting control unit 321 maintains the lighting mode settings up to now for the priority lighting range identified in step S402.

[0105] Step S406: Furthermore, the lighting control unit 321 disables the lighting mode settings of the lighting devices 101 corresponding to the portions of the overlapping lighting ranges other than the priority lighting range identified in step S402 (non-priority lighting ranges).

[0106] By the processing of steps S404 and S406, the priority lighting range among the overlapping lighting ranges maintains the lighting state from before the overlap, the part of the non-priority lighting range that overlaps with the priority lighting range becomes the lighting state of the priority lighting range, and the part that does not overlap with the priority lighting range maintains the lighting state from before the overlap. Note that the lighting control unit 321 may control the non-priority lighting range to be turned off.

[0107] Step S408: After the process of step S406, the lighting control unit 321 waits until the overlap of the lighting ranges determined in step S400 is resolved.

[0108] Step S410: In response to the cancellation of the overlap of the lighting ranges, the lighting control unit 321 enables the setting of the lighting mode corresponding to the lighting range of the non-priority lighting range after the cancellation of the overlap. Through this process, the non-priority lighting range after the cancellation of the overlap resumes lighting in the set lighting mode.

[0109] <Modification> A modification of this embodiment will now be described.

[0110] [First Modification] Changes to the lighting pattern as lighting customization may be made in response to operations on the user terminal 400, or may be made based on information such as sound, biometric information, information regarding specific movements of the user, determination results as to whether the user is present at a specific location, and determination results regarding a person.

[0111] As a specific example, the lighting control unit 321 of the lighting control device 300 may change the lighting mode depending on the volume or atmosphere of music output from an audio device installed in the space to be illuminated. In this case, the lighting control device 300 may be communicably connected to the audio device, and the lighting control unit 321 may change the lighting mode based on volume information transmitted from the audio device. Alternatively, the lighting control unit 321 may change the lighting mode based on the level of an audio signal as music detected by a microphone installed in the space to be illuminated.

[0112] As a specific example, the lighting control unit 321 may change the lighting mode in accordance with the heart rate of a user U present in the lighting target space. In this case, for example, the user U may wear a wearable device such as a smart watch with a heart rate monitor function, and the wearable device may be communicatively connected to the lighting control device 300. The lighting control unit 321 may change the lighting mode based on heart rate information transmitted from the wearable device.

[0113] As a specific example, when a child enters a place where children are prohibited from entering (a no-entry place) in a facility such as a nursery school or kindergarten, lighting devices installed in the no-entry place may illuminate in a predetermined manner as an alert. In this case, the lighting control device 300 may store information indicating the no-entry place, and when the lighting control unit 321 determines, based on an image captured by a camera, that a child has entered the no-entry place, the lighting control unit 321 may control the lighting devices to illuminate as an alert.

[0114] As a specific example, in an operation in which entry into a specific room is restricted to pre-registered individuals, when an unregistered individual attempts to enter the room, lighting may be performed in a predetermined manner in the room as an alert. In this case, the lighting control device 300 stores information indicating the characteristics of the registered individuals, and the lighting control unit 321 extracts the characteristics of the individual attempting to enter the room from an image captured by a camera installed to capture an image near the entrance to the room, and if the extracted characteristics do not match any of the characteristics of the registered individuals, the lighting control unit 321 may control lighting to be performed as an alert.

[0115] [Second Modification] In each of the above embodiments, the lighting fixture 101 is installed on the ceiling. In this embodiment, the location where the lighting fixture is installed in the space to be illuminated is not limited to the ceiling. For example, the lighting fixture may be installed on a wall or floor in the space to be illuminated.

[0116] [Third Modification] Instead of sensor 113 provided corresponding to lighting device 101, for example, one or more cameras (an example of a person detection sensor) installed to capture images of the interior of room RM may be provided as sensors to detect people as users in room RM. In this case, by associating the coordinates in the captured image determined by the camera's position and imaging direction with the position of room RM (i.e., the position of lighting device 101), it is possible to identify the coordinates of lighting device 101 located directly above the position of a person detected in the captured image. Furthermore, when a camera is used as a human detection sensor in this way, it becomes possible to perform personal recognition for each user U present in the room RM by analyzing an image of the face portion. Therefore, the lighting control unit 321 may perform personal recognition for a user U who has entered the room RM, for example, and control the lighting so that user tracking is performed using a lighting mode stored corresponding to the recognized individual. Furthermore, when personal recognition is possible for each user U present in the room RM in this way, the user tracking function may be set to on / off for each user. Such on / off setting may be performed by the user operating the user terminal 400. Furthermore, in cases where individual recognition is possible, for example, using a camera, as in this modified example, a lighting control device or other device may be able to acquire the behavioral history of each recognized individual and store the acquired behavioral history. Furthermore, lighting device 101 may be controlled based on the results of analyzing the poses and gestures of the user captured by the camera.

[0117] [Fourth Modification] For example, the lighting mode in the user tracking lighting function may be set by an operation on the user terminal by the user U. In this case, the setting of the lighting mode in the user tracking lighting function may be customized by the user U according to his / her preference, or may be selected from lighting modes prepared as presets. Lighting mode information indicating the setting content of the lighting mode in the user tracking lighting function may be stored in, for example, the storage unit 303. In this case, for example, when personal identification of a user U who has entered the space to be illuminated is performed, the lighting control unit 321 of the lighting control device 300 may turn on the lighting device 101 according to the lighting mode information set by the user U in accordance with the user tracking lighting function. As a specific example of setting the lighting mode for the user tracking lighting function, lighting control unit 321 of lighting control device 300 may control the lighting mode depending on the situation when user U is about to fall asleep. For example, user U sets his or her bedtime and the lighting mode for bedtime in accordance with the user tracking lighting function. When lighting control unit 321 determines that sensor 113 has stopped detecting user U's movement at the set bedtime, lighting control unit 321 may turn on lighting device 101 using the user tracking lighting function in the lighting mode set for bedtime, or may turn off the lighting device after a certain period of time has passed.

[0118] [Fifth Modification] In an environment where at least one of user tracking lighting and customized lighting according to the present embodiment is used, lighting control unit 321 of lighting control device 300 may perform lighting control when a specific condition is met. In this case, lighting control may involve, for example, switching lighting mode information used to turn on lighting device 101 from the lighting mode information stored in storage unit 303, or switching lighting device 101 on and off. Specifically, lighting control unit 321 may turn on lighting device 101 located in a bedroom corresponding to the bed when a preset wake-up time is reached. Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 may reduce the illuminance of lighting device 101 or change the color tone when a predetermined time corresponding to evening arrives or when it is time to go to bed. Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 may control lighting device 101 based on, for example, the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor in room RM. As a specific example, lighting control unit 321 may control lighting device 101 to turn on or increase the brightness of lighting device 101 in response to a decrease in illuminance in room RM, for example, in the evening. Furthermore, lighting control unit 321 may control lighting device 101 to turn off or decrease the brightness of lighting device 101 in response to an increase in the detected illuminance in room RM. Furthermore, the lighting control unit 321 may control the lights to be turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the user U has gone out or fallen asleep without turning off the lights. The determination of whether the user U has gone out or fallen asleep may be made based on images from a camera provided in each room RM.

[0119] [Sixth Modification] The user tracking lighting function of this embodiment makes it possible to acquire the position of user U present in room RM from sensor 113 in real time. Therefore, for example, lighting control unit 321 in lighting control device 300 may turn on lighting devices 101 at specific positions in one room RM in accordance with the current position of user U using the user tracking lighting function in another room RM. By controlling lighting in this manner, it is possible to notify other users present in other rooms of the position of user U in room RM.

[0120] [Seventh Modification] The user terminal does not have to be a smartphone as exemplified in the above embodiment, but may be any device operated by a user. For example, it may include a ward management terminal provided in a nurse's station in a hospital or the like, which is capable of managing and controlling the facilities of an inpatient ward. In such a case, for example, with regard to lighting control in an inpatient ward, the ward management terminal may be set to have a higher priority of operation than the user terminal used by an inpatient to operate the lighting in his or her hospital room.

[0121] Note that a program for implementing the functions of the lighting fixture 101, switch 200, lighting control device 300, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the functions of the lighting fixture 101, switch 200, lighting control device 300, etc. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computers connected via a network, including the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a dedicated line, or other communication line. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a floppy disk, optical magnetic disk, ROM, or CD-ROM, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) built into a computer system. The recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the program code in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each part may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be for implementing part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0122] <Additional Notes> (1) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and positioned to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor in a space to be illuminated, and a lighting control unit and lighting control system that executes a first lighting control that sets the lighting fixtures in the space to be illuminated in a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures.

[0123] (2) One aspect of the present invention is a lighting control system as described in (1), further comprising one or more sensors that are arranged to be able to detect the position of a user as a person present in the lighting target space by following the movement of the user, and may further perform a second lighting control that turns on lighting devices in the lighting unit within a lighting range that is determined corresponding to the position of the user detected by the sensors.

[0124] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the lighting control system described in (1) or (2), wherein the operation of specifying the lighting range as the lighting mode of the lighting fixtures in the first lighting control may be an operation of specifying the arrangement range of the lighting fixtures to be turned on on a screen displaying the arrangement of the lighting fixtures in the planar direction of the lighting unit.

[0125] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the specification of the lighting mode of the lighting device may include specification of the brightness of the lighting device to be turned on.

[0126] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the specification of the lighting mode of the lighting fixture may include specification of the lighting color of the lighting fixture to be turned on.

[0127] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the lighting control system described in (2), wherein the sensors are provided corresponding to the positions of the lighting fixtures and include human detection sensors capable of detecting people, and the lighting control unit may, in the second lighting control, control the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that is detecting the person to be turned on, and also control the lighting fixtures arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that is detecting the person to be turned on.

[0128] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is the lighting control system described in (6), wherein the lighting control unit may set human detection sensors provided corresponding to lighting fixtures arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor detecting the person to an on state in which they can detect people, and set human detection sensors provided corresponding to lighting fixtures not included within the certain range to an off state in which they do not detect people.

[0129] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (2), (6), and (7), wherein the lighting control unit may, in the second lighting control, control a human detection sensor located at a position corresponding to an entrance / exit of the illuminated space to be turned on so that the human detection sensor can constantly detect a person, and may control a human detection sensor corresponding to a lighting fixture arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that detected the person to be turned on.

[0130] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system according to any one of (2), (6) to (8), wherein, when a lighting fixture to be turned on by the second lighting control overlaps with a lighting fixture to be turned on in a specified lighting mode by the first lighting control, the lighting control unit may control the overlapping lighting fixture to be turned on in the specified lighting mode by the first lighting control.

[0131] (10) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein, when the lighting ranges of lighting devices to be turned on by first lighting controls corresponding to multiple users overlap, the lighting control unit may turn on the lighting devices in the overlapping part of the lighting ranges in a lighting mode designated corresponding to the lighting range with the highest priority among the overlapping lighting ranges.

[0132] (11) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system according to any one of (2), (6) to (9), wherein, when the lighting ranges of lighting devices to be turned on by second lighting controls corresponding to multiple users overlap, the lighting control unit may turn on the lighting devices in the lighting range designated corresponding to the lighting range with the highest priority among the overlapping lighting ranges.

[0133] (12) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (1) to (11), wherein the lighting unit may have a structure in which lighting fixtures having a regular hexagonal planar shape are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

[0134] (13) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (1) to (12), wherein the lighting fixture may be covered with a translucent building material so as to project light through the building material.

[0135] (14) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system described in any one of (1) to (13), in which first lighting mode information indicating a lighting mode specified under the first lighting control is stored in a memory unit, and the lighting control unit may perform the first lighting control based on lighting correspondence information selected from the lighting mode information stored in the memory unit.

[0136] (15) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control system according to any one of (2), (6) to (9), and (11), wherein second lighting mode information indicating a lighting mode specified under the second lighting control is stored in a memory unit, and the lighting control unit controls the lighting mode of the lighting fixture under the second lighting control based on second lighting correspondence information selected from the second lighting mode information stored in the memory unit.

[0137] (16) One aspect of this embodiment is a lighting control method in a lighting control system including a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and positioned in a target space to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor, and one or more sensors that are arranged to be able to detect the position of a user as a person present in the target space by tracking the movement of the user, the lighting control method including a lighting control step of executing a second lighting control to turn on lighting fixtures in the lighting unit within a lighting range that is determined corresponding to the position of the user detected by the sensor, and a first lighting control to set lighting fixtures in the target space to a designated lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures.

[0138] (17) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer in a lighting control system including a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and positioned to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor in a space to be illuminated, and one or more sensors that are arranged to be able to detect the position of a user as a person in the space to be illuminated by tracking the movement of the user, to function as a lighting control unit that executes a second lighting control that turns on lighting fixtures in the lighting unit within a lighting range that is determined corresponding to the position of the user detected by the sensor, and a first lighting control that sets lighting fixtures in the space to a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting fixtures. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 100 lighting unit, 101 lighting fixture, 102 building material, 111 communication unit, 112 lighting unit, 113 sensor, 114 control unit, 200 switch, 201 communication unit, 202 contact unit, 203 control unit, 300 lighting control device, 300 lighting control device, 301 communication unit, 302 control unit, 303 memory unit, 321 lighting control unit, 331 lighting fixture management information memory unit, 400 user terminal, 401 communication unit, 402 operation unit, 403 display unit, 404 control unit

Claims

1. a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and are disposed so as to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor in a space to be illuminated; a lighting control unit that executes a first lighting control to set the lighting devices in the target lighting space to a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting devices; A lighting control system comprising:

2. further comprising one or more sensors that are provided to be able to detect the position of a user as a person present in the illumination target space by following the movement of the user; The lighting control unit further executes a second lighting control to turn on lighting devices in the lighting unit within a lighting range determined in accordance with the position of the user detected by the sensor. The lighting control system of claim 1 .

3. The operation of specifying the lighting range as the designation of the lighting mode of the lighting fixtures in the first lighting control is an operation of specifying an arrangement range of lighting fixtures to be turned on on a screen on which an arrangement of the lighting fixtures in a planar direction of the lighting unit is displayed.

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

4. The designation of the lighting mode of the lighting fixture includes designation of the brightness of the lighting fixture to be turned on.

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

5. The designation of the lighting mode of the lighting fixture includes designation of the lighting color of the lighting fixture to be turned on.

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

6. the sensors are provided corresponding to the positions of the lighting devices and include human detection sensors capable of detecting a human; In the second lighting control, the lighting control unit controls to turn on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that has detected the person, and also controls to turn on the lighting fixtures arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that has detected the person.

3. The lighting control system of claim 2.

7. The lighting control unit sets human detection sensors provided corresponding to lighting fixtures arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that is detecting the human to an ON state in which the human can be detected, and sets human detection sensors provided corresponding to lighting fixtures that are not included within the certain range to an OFF state in which the human cannot be detected.

7. A lighting control system according to claim 6.

8. In the second lighting control, the lighting control unit controls a human detection sensor at a position corresponding to an entrance / exit of the illumination target space to be turned on so as to be able to steadily detect a person, and controls human detection sensors corresponding to lighting fixtures arranged within a certain range based on the lighting fixture corresponding to the human detection sensor that detected the person to be turned on.

8. A lighting control system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. When a lighting fixture to be turned on by the second lighting control overlaps with a lighting fixture to be turned on in a designated lighting mode by the first lighting control, the lighting control unit controls the overlapping lighting fixture to be turned on in the designated lighting mode by the first lighting control.

3. The lighting control system of claim 2.

10. When lighting ranges of lighting devices to be turned on by first lighting controls corresponding to a plurality of users overlap, the lighting control unit turns on the lighting devices in the overlapping part of the lighting ranges in a lighting mode designated corresponding to a lighting range with the highest priority among the overlapping lighting ranges.

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

11. When lighting ranges of lighting devices to be turned on by second lighting controls corresponding to a plurality of users overlap, the lighting control unit turns on lighting devices in a lighting range designated corresponding to a lighting range with the highest priority among the overlapping lighting ranges.

3. The lighting control system of claim 2.

12. The lighting unit has a structure in which lighting fixtures each having a regular hexagonal planar shape are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

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

13. The lighting fixture is covered with a light-transmitting building material so as to project light through the building material.

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

14. First lighting mode information indicating a lighting mode designated under the first lighting control is stored in a storage unit; The lighting control unit performs a first lighting control based on lighting correspondence information selected from lighting mode information stored in the storage unit.

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

15. The lighting control unit stores second lighting mode information indicating a lighting mode designated under the second lighting control in a storage unit, The lighting control unit controls the lighting mode of the lighting fixture under second lighting control based on second lighting correspondence information selected from the second lighting mode information stored in the storage unit.

3. The lighting control system of claim 2.

16. A lighting control method for a lighting control system including a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and are arranged to project light from a ceiling side toward a floor in a space to be illuminated, a lighting control step in which the lighting control unit executes a first lighting control to set the lighting devices in the target lighting space to a designated lighting mode in response to an operation performed on the user terminal to designate at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting devices; A lighting control method comprising:

17. A computer in a lighting control system including a lighting unit in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are arranged in a planar direction and which is arranged to project light from the ceiling side toward the floor in a space to be illuminated, a lighting control unit that executes a first lighting control to set the lighting devices in the target lighting space to a specified lighting mode in response to an operation performed on a user terminal to specify at least a lighting range as a lighting mode of the lighting devices; A program to function as a

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